Just so you know it's coming. ^_^
===
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Saotome Hikaru awoke to the sounds of both her husband and her oldest son trying to sing the old Japanese birthday tune...and going very off-key. While Ranma's cursed form had a lovely singing voice, his normal form wasn't that talented.
Just behind them, she could see the forms of both Ryoga and Nabiki, both chuckling humorously at the Saotome attempt at a special day.
As soon as the torture by vocal cords stopped, Hikaru looked at Ranma, kissed him, then said, "I love you...but please don't do that again. You're awful."
Ranma grinned. "Well, you didn't think so the night I serenaded you on our honeymoon."
"I lied, dear."
"Okaasan!" Akama bounced up and down in delight, jumping for joy and holding an envelope in his hands. Thrusting it forward, he declared, "This is for you. I got it for you all by myself, with just a little help from Aunt Nabiki."
As Hikaru looked over at her sister-in-law, Kuno Nabiki merely smiled. "I paid for the pittance part. Admission, JR tickets, overnight at the Mizuno hotel, since we'll probably best stay overnight in Kawaguchiko, and all the staples. Akama paid for the important part."
Akama beamed. "Yeah, an' Aunt Nabiki said we couldn't get everything without the consump'n tax."
Hikaru opened the envelope. "Wow...four tickets to Fujikyu Highland! You guys are great!" An avid rollercoaster enthusiast, it was one of Hikaru's personal goals to ride every major coaster in Japan, and maybe the rest of the world, when she got around to it. Since Fujikyu was known for Fujiyama II, the world's largest rollercoaster, this was an opportunity that Hikaru could not afford to miss. Between Hikaru, Nabiki, and Akama, the three would have the grandest time. "But Nabiki, who's the fourth ticket for?"
Ranma sighed with some plausible acting; though he was not one for amusement parks, feigning dismay would allow him to execute the rest of his plan. "Nabiki, I'm afraid I can't go. Someone has to teach the classes, and I'll be taking over Hikaru's kendo classes for the day."
A girlish pout settled on Hikaru's features. "I understand, love. If you don't want to be with me...."
A bead of perspiration settled on Ranma's brow. "It's not that, Hikaru, it's that I was planning...arrrrgh!" Ranma shook his head in dismay, and the rest of those present chuckled.
"What Ranma meant to say," Ryoga commented, "was that he and I are planning to go this afternoon to get your gift. That's why I'm here."
"Oh, that's so sweet of you!" Hikaru bubbled. "Alright, Ranma, you're off the hook. But I do have a plan for this extra ticket if you don't mind, Nabiki, Akama. I had plans to meet with with Houhoji Kuu, and..."
"Say no more, Hikaru," Nabiki said. "It's not a problem, as far as I'm concerned. Besides, I haven't seen her since she did the floral arrangement for Kasumi and Tofu's anniversary party. How is she doing?"
There was the sound of a knock at the front door, to which Hikaru replied, "You can ask her yourself, Nabiki. I'm sure you two can catch up on old times, ne? Now, if everyone can please get out of here so I can take a shower and change, I'd much appreciate it. Ranma, can you stay here? I'd like to talk to you for a moment."
As the group filtered out of the bedroom, Ranma shut the sliding door behind them. "Yes, love?"
She said it in a firm, resolute voice. "You can relax, sweetheart. I've decided I'm not going back."
Ranma visibly relaxed. "What made you decide that? Granted, I'm thrilled that you're not planning to return, but what about your friends over there--one of which happens to be Kuu's little sister?"
"Something that I thought about last night. Namely, this." She gestured around the room, then patted the futon, beckoning him to sit next to her. "I'm not eighteen anymore, Ranma. I'm a wife, a mother--and a recent one, at that. Maybe if it was just you and me, I would go and take you along, but I can't risk our children. I know what you went through when Akane died, and I couldn't bear to have you worrying about myself and the children all the time."
"But if your friends went so far as to summon you...." Ranma ventured, playing the uncomfortable role of devil's advocate to ensure that his wife was set in her decision.
"And if there were any other way to help Fuu and Ferio, I would. But it's not just me, anymore. It's my family as well, and I will not endanger any of you for anyone." Staring into his baby-blue eyes, the feeling she got when she stared into them thrilled her. "I love you, Ranma. I married you, and I've had children with you. But I didn't give birth to orphans. I'm not going back, and as terrible as I feel about it, Cephiro will have to carry on without me." She leaned forward and kissed him for a breathless minute or two, before saying, "I just hope I'll like what you got me for my birthday."
"Oh, you will, love. I'm sure you will."
~*~
---
Libby (mihoshi@eudoramail.com)
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Grande Dame of the Knights of Tenchi, Part-time Pretty Sailor Senshi, Backup Emergency Magic Knight, substitute
instructor at the Tendo Dojo, and Devout Follower of the Goddess of Supreme Bliss: Mihoshi.
"I'm beautiful, I'm blonde, I'm braindead." ^_^
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Sailor Moon AX: C O M I N G ~*~ S O O N
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