Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The War of Two Families ❯ Chapter 3: The Right Answer ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3: The Right Answer

Akane had chosen to eat in her room. Nodoka, doing her best to convince Akane to go down and eat with the family, finally gave in and told the servants to bring Akane's dinner to her. Now, as she listened to her husband and son talk, she thought, That was probably for the best.

"Now stamp the letter with the seal. The messenger will be here in a minute to carry it to the Anucklempre empire. Tendo will be reading this by tomorrow night and making his decision."

Nodoka sighed. "Are you harassing the Tendos again, Genma?"

"This time Nodoka, it'll work! This time my ingenious plan is bound to not fail."

"YOUR ingenious plan?" Ranma growled, smacking his father in the face with a clean plate that was originally reserved for Akane. "Anucklempre will be ours thanks to ME."

By the time dinner was finished, the letter had been sealed and was on it's way to the Seaside Kingdom.

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It was after dinner and Soun Tendo and his daughters were sitting by the fire, awaiting news about Akane. Stressed, Soun asked, "So nobody has seen Akane since we received news that the Jusoun general escaped?"

"No, Daddy." Kasumi said soothingly, "But Akane knows how to take care of herself. Don't worry." But Kasumi did worry. Everyone worried. They all knew Akane wasn't skilled enough in martial arts to really have a decent fight. It was then the messenger came.

"Your Majesty! The messenger from Jusoun brings an urgent telegram!" The messenger handed a sealed letter to Soun.

"Oh they're probably saying that they have Akane!" Kasumi cried.

"Who knows?" Nabiki scoffed. "Probably to declare war again."

"Oh no!" Kasumi sighed. "He just never knows when to stop, does he Daddy?"

Soun rolled his eyes as he opened the telegram. His eyes widened at what he was reading. "Just as you thought, Kasumi! That general did capture Akane." He read on. When he finished, he slammed down the telegram. "That bastard!" Soun roared. "He's demanding that I choose between Akane or Anucklempre! Goddamn that sneaky, good-for-nothing coward!"

"Now Daddy, I think you should make peace. Then it'll solve this problem."

"Peace?" Soun asked incredulously, "Peace? That sonofabitch will never give me peace --" He stopped. And smiled. Kasumi and Nabiki watched him warily.

"Kasumi, Nabiki." The lewd grin on Soun's face disturbed his daughters. "This may have been the best thing that has happened to us yet."

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"Well, I didn't expect an answer back so fast!" Genma grinned and clapped his son on the back. "I didn't know he was that desperate for his daughter!"

Ranma tried to force a smile even though he was scared. If Soun really was trying to decide, it should have taken longer than this. Perhaps he was so scared for his daughter's well-being that he decided on the spot? Ranma tried to convince himself that it was the answer, even though he knew that there was something amiss.

And he was right. The look on his father's face was of complete bafflement. Trying to console him, Ranma said, "Don't get too distressed, Pop. If that didn't work then we'll figure out another plan."

"No," Genma said hoarsely, "get your mother, Ranma. Now!"

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Ranma stormed out of his father's office. How the hell did this happen? He wondered, fuming. Just a few minutes ago we were getting ready to kill her and now...what the fuck?! He looked out the giant glass windows and focused on a lone figure in the palace gardens. It was noon and the summer heat was at its most blazing temperature. Just the temperature that Akane liked and everyday at this time, she took a walk in the garden. Ranma stared at her. At Nodoka's urging, Akane had worn the traditional clothing of the Jusonian women: a mint green chiffon dress with a wide, open back that reached just to the waist where a pink ribbon cinched it. With a deep red blossom in her hair and her deeply tanned skin, she drew stares with her exotic beauty. If his past experiences with women weren't horrifying and Ranma wasn't so mad at Akane at that moment, he would have agreed to his parents' request immediately...

Genma and Nodoka were sitting, even though their ill-concealed excitement nearly made them jump out of their chairs. Genma thrust the letter into Ranma's hands and nearly yelled with joy. "My boy, have we got a deal with the Anucklempre king!"

Ranma, thinking that they had won the crown of Anucklempre, could barely read the letter because his hands were shaking so badly from his triumph.

To Genma Saotome, Emperor of Jusoun, it began.

Instead of choosing between my daughter or my empire, I have another proposition. My daughters and subjects have been begging me to make peace with you but I know personally that until you have gained my kingdom, you will not rest. So, I have decided to ask that you give your son's hand in marriage to my youngest, Akane.

Ranma paled. This wasn't supposed to happen! Forcing himself to go on, he read,

By uniting our children in holy matrimony, we can combine our two empires and let them rule the empire.

I think that this is the wisest decision. Please send your message back as soon as possible.

Soun Tendo, Emperor of Anucklempre

"Don't tell me you've agreed?!" Ranma yelled.

"My son, it's for the best..."

For the best? Ranma thought, looking at Akane walk along the path, sniffing at random flowers occasionally. Bullshit. After that fiasco with a former fiancée, he had a deep distrust of all females, except his mother.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Author's Chatterbox:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

oOoOo...who's the former fiancée?