Ranma stared at the empty space that his father had vacated moments before. This was not what he was expecting at all. He was expecting Genma to yell at him about how he had to marry Akane and than try to knock him out. Acceptance and orders to find a way to support his new wife? Completely unexpected. Reaching up, he pinched his arm a couple of times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
A tug on the sleeve of his arm caused him to look down at his new wife. For the first time with a clear head, he really took her in. Damn, she was young. What the hell kinda priest would have married them, anyway? He had to admit, though, her shining eyes were attractive, and her smile was cuter than Akane's.
"Yeah?"
"I still need to get Haruka-papa a birthday present. Haruka-papa loves fighting, so I thought some martial arts stuff would be good. You'll help pick something out, right?"
Ranma tried, he really did, to say no. He hated shopping. He wanted breakfast. He was sure that Kasumi would be making something delicious right about now. His mouth began to water slightly as he imagined all of the culinary treats. The tug on his sleeve, however, pulled him away from those thoughts. "Yeah, I'll help you shop."
Bending down, Ranma scooped Hotaru into his arms again. A quick jump over the side later, and the pair were back on the streets. As he put Hotaru down, Ranma noticed a couple of girls in school uniforms walking. He quickly recognized them as the uniforms for Kodachi's school rather than Furinkan, and paid them no further mind. "Martial arts stuff, huh?"
Hotaru nodded her head. "Right!"
Glancing around and getting a barring on where they were, Ranma pointed down the road. "That way. They have a few things, but nothing at my level. Should be good for your father, though."
"Okay!" came the cheerful reply. As they began to walk, Hotaru reached out and took Ranma's hand. A moment later, she entwined her arms around his and lay her head against his arm.
For his part, Ranma fought the nervous tick that had developed in his right eye.
Soun entered the dining room just as Kasumi was pouring the last cup of tea. He had a grin on his face that he couldn't remove as he sat down at his usual seat. "Good morning, Kasumi-chan. Have you seen Saotome?"
Kasumi shook her head as she started back into the kitchen. "No father, I have seen Mr. Saotome yet. Perhaps he's sleeping in today."
As she entered the kitchen, she missed her father's muttered reply of "Perhaps he's just shy." Taking up his newspaper, Soun began reading it as time passed.
A half hour later, the entire Tendo family was at the table, and there was still no sign of either Saotome. Soun had had enough waiting. "Akane-chan, why don't you go get Ranma and see if he knows where Saotome is, hmm?"
Akane gazed at her father in defiance for a moment, before huffing and stomping up the stairs. She made a quick stop in the bathroom to fill a bucket with cold water. Once she had her alarm in hand, she made her way over to the guest room, and opened the door. Her cry died on her lips as she found the room empty.
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(Posted Thu, 01 May 2008 13:08)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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