******Notes from the Author******

Ohaiyo! Maybe Koban? Depends on what time you would be reading this *^_^* I never really took the time to think about fanfics before. I read some VERY cute ones and it sparked my interest! I ran into a few that I sincerely did not like, so I decided to make my own! This will be the first in my series of Love One/Love lost. I guess this is based after the last manga volume. If you haven't heard of it... Akane and Ranma almost get married but then people crash the party and it was to be postponed until a later date, much to Akane and Ranma's annoyance at everyone, they both kind of wanted to get married. 

Also this makes a lot of mention of that play Akane and Ranma had done for their school. They performed Romeo and Juliet, but to not make Ranma uncomfortable during a kissing scene she put tape over his mouth. 

I'll tell you right now this is in NO WAY a lemon fic! I really don't like them. Not even the so called "tasteful ones". I go for the kawaii ones. Anything cute makes me like that fanfic actually *^_^* Anyway, enough of my babbling, I hope you like this because I liked writing it! Mail me at akane_chan@mailexcite.com for any comments or flames or whatever you feel like *^_^* Ja ne! 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story, I wouldn't bother. Do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action**


------------------------------------------------------------------------


Costumed Hearts

The young girl opened up her eyes very slowly, taking in the bright morning sunlight. As she sat up she stretched out her arms and gave a small yawn. She smiled slightly to greet the morning. For once she woke in quite a good mood. Well, that's WAS to say, until she heard the grunt and 'hiyas' outside her window. She could already tell who it was. She gave a scowl, but then thought it useless since no one was there to see it, besides herself. I rage of fire burned in her stomach. She remembered what had happened the previous night when she was with everyone. 

"KAWAIIKUNEE!! Tomboy!! You'll never get yourself a husband!" the boy stuck his tongue out at her. 

That night she could feel her face become hot, her fists clenched and her knuckles turning white. She looked around at the others around her all snickering at her. the Amazon, the Spatula chick, and that damned gymnast she hated most out of all of them. Shampoo had latched herself onto Ranma as she usually did. 

"You take Shampoo to party, yes? Shampoo get extra special costume for Ranma! It match Shampoo's!" 

This was normal scene for Akane but this time it made her even more infuriated! Ranma had promised that he would go with Akane, but she thought there was NO WAY now that Shampoo had asked. *How could SHE compare to Shampoo?!?!?!* Akane grabbed her mallet form nowhere and bashed Ranma's face in. 

"WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR?!" he yelled at her. 

He was ALWAYS yelling at her, which rises that fire inside her stomach another notch. 

"RANMA NO BAKA!!!" She was ready to again bash the mallet against him but his face caught her eye. He has his tongue sticking out and his finger pulling at the bottom of his eye. She dropped that mallet immediately. He never had actually done that to her before, in a serious situation that is. But this was serious to her. She bit her lip and walked away silently, picking up her pace into a full speed sprint as she rounded a corner. How could he be so...so.... cruel to her?! Before long she was crying, as the wind whipped through her face. 

Akane picked herself back up into reality and got out of bed to change her nightgown into some clothes she had bought a few days ago and was finally getting to wear. 

*What a jerk!* she thought as she trotted down the stairs, not really paying attention to where she was going until...... **WHABANG** She tumbled down the stairs and landed on the ground hitting her head pretty hard. She went to go to reach for her head with her hand but something was... ON TOP HER?!? She opened her eyes. Ranma was rubbing his arm, which he had obviously hit on the ground when he had run into Akane. Akane's eyes narrowed, the feeling in her stomach that she had felt last night returned. She thought of the humiliation, the hurt she felt last night, and with one firm **SLAP** she let out all her frustrations. 

"RANMA NO HENTAI!!!!!!" She quickly stood up, throwing him off of herself, and back onto the hard floor. She had enough embarrassments to last a lifetime. First him insulting her in front of all those other girls and now making her fall. She quickly ran out of the house and into the street. 

"Whoa, what's her problem today?" Ranma wondered, rubbing his arm to get rid of some of the pain. "She's always been cranky in the morning, but.. not quite this mad." He decided to go after her. 

Ranma took off into the street following the road her saw Akane run down. 

"She couldn't have gotten too far." 

********************************* 

The NekoHanten was being brightly decorated with various colored streamers, some balloons they had bought the day before and candles they had in storage from the back room. Shampoo was humming as she finished off the last streamers. She stood back to admire her handy work and smiled. 

"Ranma now want take Shampoo to party for sure!" Glee spread across her face. Cologne walked in form the back room with some of the food they would be serving that night. 

"Very nice job Shampoo." Shampoo smiled and nodded along with her great grandmother. She had no more time to look at the masterpiece she created, they had a big feast they had to make tonight for the many guests that were going to come about. 

********************************* 

Ranma was still wondering around the streets of the market. 

"Now where is that kawaiikunee onna?" He glanced to his left and saw the side of Akane's sweater peeking out a bit form the side of an alley wall. "I knew she didn't go far," he thought to himself. 

He walked over to the wall but just before he could yell at her or get into her sight range her heard something. Sobbing? What? That couldn't have been Akane could it? He peeked around the wall and sure enough it WAS Akane. Confusion crossed his face and he wondered, *What in the heck could she possibly be crying about?* 

"Y.....yo Akane....uh... what... what's wrong?" he asked her worriedly. 

She turned her head in shock not even noticing he was there before he spoke. Her eyes turned cold, not to mention red from the sobbing she had done before. 

"Why in the world would you care stupid jerk?" She turned away from him, embarrassed at the sight of him seeing her cry. 

Ranma was took aback from her comment and tried to retaliate, but kept his mouth shut firmly for once not wanting to make the situation and worse. 

"Oh, come on Akane, you know I care!" Ranma, after realizing what he had said, blushed a little. Akane shook her head, not even listening to what he said. 

"Ranma no Baka...." She quickly picked up the near by bucket she had been eyeing when she first got there and dumped it over his head and ran off once again. Ranma-onna stared off at her. 

"What is WITH that girl?!?" Ranma trudged off after her again, knowing she'd be heading back to the dojo. 

********************************* 

Kasumi walked out of the kitchen with a tray off tea in her hands. 

"Otou-san, Soatome-san, Nadoka-san, would you like some tea?" 

Soun looked up at Kasumi and smiled. "Thank you Kasumi, you're always so considerate." 

Genma thanked Kasumi also. Nadoka bowed slightly and took the mug into her hand. The three sat back sipping away at the cups. Just then the door swung open and Akane ran in and up the stares, her arm covering her face. 

Kasumi looked up at her, "Oh my." she answered. 

That seemed to be her response for just about everything. A few minutes later in burst Ranma-onna yelling for Akane to wait up. Nadoka watched as her son...daughter ran in. Ranma glanced to see her mother and felt a pain in her chest. She hated to have her mother see her as "Ranma-onna" but she couldn't think too much about it as she ran up the stairs towards Akane's room. 

Akane was sitting against her door holding back any tears that had dared to show themselves again. Ranma knocked on her door. 

"Come on Akane, if I don't know what I done, I don't know what to say!" 

Nabiki after hearing all the commotion took a peek out of her door. Ranma turned to see Nabiki who had her head stuck out of the door frame. 

"Oh Ranma-chan, now what have you done to Akane?" She shook her head. 

"I ain't done nothing to no one!" 

Akane yelled out of her room "LIAR!" she had obviously been able to her the conversation outside of the door frame. Nabiki came out and pushed Ranma-onna to one side. 

"You had better go take a bath," pointing down to Ranma's torso, "Remember the party tonight?" 

"But what about Akane?" Ranma-onna tried to explain, but eventually gave into Nabiki because, against the Tendou girls, he knew it was a losing battle. 

Nabiki tapped lightly on the door frame. 

"If it's Ranma, I don't wish to see you!" Akane bellowed out. 

"I am quite sure that I am not Ranma-kun little sister!" Nabiki replied, a bit annoyed at the accusation. Akane, realizing that Nabiki was the one at the door opened it and let her onee-chan step into her room. She shut the door after thought, as she didn't want Ranma to think he would be allowed to walk in after he hurt her pride so bad. Nabiki sat on the end of Akane's bed and sprawled herself across it. Akane had the seat in her chair that sat over near her desk. She had her head down and was looking quite depressed. 

"Akane? What did Ranma do to you this time?" Akane clenched her fists and explained about the night before, and all the people laughing at her, and how much she wanted to hit Ranma so hard he wouldn't wake up for weeks, and then about the look he gave her and how much it hurt to see him give it to her. 

Nabiki sighed. "You know Akane, I can't say I'm surprised," she sat up "That's Ranma for ya." 

Akane sharpened her glanced towards the door and agreed, "He's arrogant, and selfish, and a jerk!! Ranma no....Ranma no....no......." Akane didn't finish her sentence before she buried her head into her arms that were lying on top of her desk. Nabiki felt sorry for her younger sister, she wasn't really used to Akane being so sensitive, but in the last few months almost every little thing Ranma did to annoy her, upset her more than annoyance. Maybe Akane was actually now accepting that fact that she DOES care about Ranma. Nabiki smiled at her sister and put a hand on her shoulder. 

Akane looked up, eyes red. "Onee-chan?" Akane wondered what her sister was thinking. 

"Akane, you.....well...umm...." Nabiki was no good with these touching heart felt moments like Kasumi was, but she'd give it her best shot, "you really do care about Ranma-kun don't you? I always knew you did, but now it seems........ you love Ranma, Akane." 

Akane gave a start, her eyes bulging, "Nabiki onee-san!! How could you think that! Ranma no Baka?!? Ranma no Hentai?" her face softened a touch, "Ranma........." 

Nabiki knew it, of course Ranma was so dense, like he'd ever figure it out, that's why he continually hurt her like this. He was ignorant. 

"You gotta stop doing this to yourself little sis!" Nabiki was trying to comfort Akane to the best of her abilities. Akane lowered her head in acceptance and shame. How could she have let herself fall in love with such a jerk. Her face went red. *She was in love? This wasn't right! Not with RANMA! How could she have?* But pictures of Ranma smiling, training his kempo with her, and then she remembered... "You're kawaii when you smile" Her eyes went cold *He said that only so he would win the fight, he probably tells that to Shampoo and Ukyou and maybe even Kodachi too. He was the one who, rather than wanting to get married to her, would rather get his hands on the nannichuan!! It was just like him to think about himself instead of her feelings!.* 

Nabiki stood up and walked out the door frame. Akane looked up in confusion but when Nabiki winked at her. 

********************************* 

Kasumi, Soun, Genma and Nadoka were in the family room, admiring some of the costumes put out on the table by the oldest Tendou sister. 

Nabiki wandered downstairs to see what the fuss was about. "Kasumi onee-san, what are the costumes for?" Nabiki inquired. 

"Why, they are for the costume party being held at Shampoo's NekoHaten restaurant of course. Don't tell me that you had forgotten Nabiki." 

"Oh no no I remember," Nabiki smiled at her elder sister. 

There was an assortment of various costumes, some from past years, and some new ones Kasumi had made special for this occasion. Nabiki examined the table, until one of the costumes caught her eye. It was a very beautiful angel costume, one Kasumi must have made this year, because Nabiki had never seen it before. 

"Kasumi onee-chan would it be alright if I wore this one?" Nabiki held up the costume as it shimmered in the light. 

"Of course Nabiki. it would look wonderful on you!" Kasumi was happy Nabiki found one. "Should I take one up to Akane, onee-chan?" Nabiki asked. 

Kasumi shook her head. "Akane had already had a costume picked out. Remember when she was in that Romeo and Juliet play with Ranma? She decided that she wanted to where that one, and Ranma would wear the costume he had. I think it's wonderful! Now they will certainly look like a couple!" Kasumi was overpowered with joy for her younger sister and her soon-to-be younger brother. 

********************************* 

Akane was holing the costume up her body, looking in the mirror. She wanted to wear it, but now she KNEW Ranma would NEVER agree to go with her. She had beaten Ranma again, and embarrassed herself. She heard a knock at the door and told the person the door was unlocked. She thought it would be Nabiki again, maybe going to blackmail her for money or she would tell Ranma. Her eyes narrowed as she looked up ready to yell at her sister. Her eyes widened. 

"So you coming or not? Everyone's waiting downstairs for us you know!" Ranma put his hands on his hips. 

Akane had to catch her breath. 

He was wearing his costume, the Romeo one, just like they had planned on. 

"You're not even changed?" Ranma was getting lightly annoyed to have to wait even longer. He was hungry since Kasumi didn't make dinner knowing that there would be plenty of food at the NekoHanten. 

Akane had lost her thought for a second but regained her composure by swinging around to send her back to Ranma. "I'm not going," she said to him in a sort of low, mourning voice. 

Ranma's eyebrows lifted. Something was definitely wrong with her and he felt horrible. It must have been his fault. Almost every time Akane was hurt, it was his fault. "Why not? I'm..uh... everyone is waiting for you," His cheeks flushed a bit. 

"Why bother?" Akane asked. "Aren't you going with your Amazon fiancée? Or maybe it's your kawaii one with the spatula." Her voice came out strained. 

Ranma looked at her confused. "What are you talking about? I got all dressed up here in this dumb thing for YOU, and now you're not even going to come with me?" Ranma's voice didn't come across as annoyed, or mad, or even harsh... it was... sweet? 

Akane turned back around. "But... I'm sure you would have liked to go with them better.. they're more fun than I am . . .and more 'kawaii'. You always say that." Akane eyes looked down. 

Ranma grabbed her hand, which made Akane jump slightly out of her chair. "I made a promise to you that I would be taking YOU tonight. So would you hurry up and get changed? Romeo is nothing without his Juliet you know." Ranma winked at her. 

Akane's heart rose and a smile spread across her face. She gently pushed Ranma out of the door and closed it in order to put on her costume. She took off her own clothes and slipped the dress on. This time she wore the hat, but without the long, descending wig. She liked her short hair much better anyway. She reached back to grab her zipper, but, oh no. She was caught. Her arms were far too short to reach, and she only got it done up about half way. She was struggling. 

"Yo, Akane. You okay in there? Something wrong? Can't fit into the costume anymore?" he immediately slapped himself for saying such a DUMB thing after she had just forgave him. 

Akane turned to the door. "Ranma no Baka!!" she stopped herself, " umm... not really.. er.. I'm ..ugh... just having trouble with this dumb...argh.. zipper!" 

"Akane, I'm coming in." Ranma opened the door up and saw Akane still struggling with the zipper in the back of her dress. "Oh man.. do I have to do everything?" Ranma a walked over to 

Akane, as she realized he was in her room "Ranma no hentai!!" She went to knock him out, but he grabbed the mallet out of her hands and threw it to the ground. 

"JEEZE! I'm gonna close my eyes!" Ranma's voice became annoyed as he slapped his hand over his eyes. Why would _HE_ want to see that kawaiikunee chick anyway?! Akane lowered her defense, but only a little. She had to keep SOME of it up while this hentai boy was near her. 

"Yo Akane, how am I supposed to help you if I can't even see what I'm doing? At least give me a little credit!" Ranma still had his hands covering his eyes. 

Akane realized he was right. "Fine, but if you even BLINK funny I swear you're gonna get it!" Akane crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared straight ahead. Ranma took his hand away from his eyes and turned to face Akane's back. He was, of course, slightly embarrassed but, AS A MAN he would keep his promise to not give her anything to be suspicious about. Ranma took a few steps closer to her. Akane could sense him and she got a little nervous. The boy took hold of the zipper with his free hand resting on her back to help him with the job. His touch made Akane widen her eyes. It sent wild shivers up her spine. Her face flushed to an even darker shade of red. Ranma saw goosebumps appear on her. He thought that maybe his hands were cold on her bare skin. To the touch, her back was smooth and the skin felt soft and warm. Ranma stood there for a moment admiring the texture to his finger tips. He saw Akane's arm shake, which brought him back to reality. He finished and told her to turn around so he could look at how great the costumes looked together. As the two stood in front of Akane's long mirror, neither could help but smile. The people in the reflections looked so natural together, almost as Akane and Ranma were looking at two totally different people instead of themselves. 

The silence was quickly broken but the sound of Nabiki's voice yelling at the two to hurry up so they could get going. Ranma let out a sigh that, even Akane, could barely hear. He wished they could have stayed there a few minutes longer. It was almost...perfect. 

*Wait a minute!! What am I thinking?! 'Why would I want to stay here with that kawaiiku......... kawaii.....* he couldn't finish the last part of his thought. She wasn't uncute...in that moment when they stood together in front of the mirror, he felt as if nothing in the world could be more beautiful. He shook his head and noticed he was the only one left in the room and Akane was already stepping down the stairs. He wondered if she had been thinking the same thoughts as he. 

********************************* 

When the Saotome's and the Tendou's stepped into the NekoHanten there were already at least 20 guests there. He noticed one as Shampoo, but he expected her because this was her restaurant. But what he didn't expect was Ukyou. She was sitting at a table with Mousse and some others Ranma couldn't make out. 

"Ran-chan!" Ukyou blurted out, as she got up out of her seat to go and talk to him. 

"Oh hey Ucchan." Ranma said to her as he finally stepped inside. Ranma had been TRYING to avoid Ukyou and Shampoo (with no success) for about quite a while now, considering he was still kind of peeved at the fact they ruined his wedding. 

"AYIA! Ranma! You come over talk to Shampoo not violent spatula girl!" Shampoo darted a dagger like glare in Ukyou's direction, who noticed it and turned one right back. 

"No way Ranma Honey! Come over here!!" Ukyou grabbed his arm and tried to lead him to where her table was. Shampoo quickly grabbed his other arm and pulled in the opposite direction. 

"Ranma want talk Shampoo!" Ukyou and Shampoo were quickly at it again. A cloud of dust formed from where their battle was taking place. Ranma sighed and a sweatdrop appeared on the back of his head. He glanced around and noticed something. *Where had Akane gone to?* He glanced around the room until he spotted Ryoga. Ryoga was talking to Akane who had taken a seat next to him. Ryoga, blushing like a madman, was trying to spit out incoherent sentences. Akane just sat back with a drop forming on the back of her head this time. Ranma strolled up to the two and rested his arms on the back of the two chairs. Ryoga looked up and glared. 

"Hey P-chan! Wussup?" Ranma grinned 

"And who are YOU calling P-chan?!" Ryoga was furious. 

Akane looked around. "I don't see P-chan..." Ryoga, again remembering Akane was still there, was flustered. 

Akane got up to go get a better look at what Ranma was calling P-chan, except she couldn't see her little piggy anywhere. Ranma stuck out his tongue at Ryoga and quickly got up and found himself an empty table. Kasumi, who dressed as an elf of some kind it seemed sat at the table, followed by Nabiki the angel (he thought it was FAR from the truth), Soun, dressed as Santa Claus, Nadoka, actually.. not dressed up like anything, and finally Genma who was dressed as, well you guessed it. A huge panda. Genma figured there was no need of a costume when he could just have a glass of cold water. Ranma sighed, he wished he could just get a moments peace. No such luck for Ranma Saotome though. The band that Cologne had hired, started to play a soft tune. 

Shampoo looked up from her fight upon hearing the music start up. "Ranma! You dance with Shampoo!" She ran over and grabbed his hand and before he knew it Shampoo had pulled him onto the dance floor with a few of the other couples which had gone out onto the floor. Shampoo snuggled up to Ranma's chest, much to his annoyance, but he HAD to put up with it. It WAS her party after all. He would just have to put up with it until the song was over he guessed. 

*Oh I hope Akane doesn't see this* he thought to himself, quite worried on what her reaction would be. This time was a little weird though, he wasn't thinking of being hit or maybe the pain of the mallet as it hit his head. He was worried about what she was feeling. It shocked him a bit, but it was kind of comforting. Maybe he would ask........ but quickly he pushed the thought out of his mind. I've had enough pain for one lifetime. To hear "no" would crush him. He pushed thoughts out of his head and looked around nervously around the room for Akane. 

********************************* 

Akane was not around though. She was still looking frantically for her pet pig. He hadn't come to visit her in quite a long time and she missed his comforting presence. She gave up after a while and sat down in an empty chair that was by a corner of the room. Luckily for Ranma the song had ended just as Akane came back into view. How he managed to get out of Shampoo's tight grasp was beyond him. He sighed in relief as he sat back down in his seat. He studied Akane...er.... Juliet's face and wondered why she was looking so sad. The band started back up playing an even more beautiful song after they had their 10 minute break. Ranma looked to Akane again who had her head rested into her hands. He stood up trying not to gain any attention from his other fiancées to him as he sneak around the back of the table avoiding any contact. He kept Akane in view as he inched towards her on his tip toes making little to no sound. He got within reaching distance as he saw her sigh again. As he reached down to grab her arm to lead her to the dance floor, a familiar voice screeched his name. 

"Ranma-sama!!!! Ohohohohohohoho..." Ranma gave a full body shudder and turned to the girl. 

"He....hello ...Kodachi..." he forced himself to say. 

"Ohohoho Ranma-sama I'm sure you were looking for me for this dance, am I correct?" Kodachi flipped her hair behind her head. Ranma hung him head as Kodachi hooked her arm into his and forcefully moved his onto the dance floor. 

********************************* 

Akane looked to her side. *hmm.... I'm sure I heard Ranma's voice* she thought to herself. She sighed again. She was quite lonely. No one to dance with. Unless you count Tatewaki who she had "conveniently" knocked out when he came flying at her with a bouquet or flowers. She shuffled her feet and looked up. Ranma was in a quite tight embrace with Kodachi....well... actually Ranma seemed to be in pain from the tightness of Kodachi's grip. 

"Ha.." she muttered to herself. He deserves it for not even helping her to look for her P-chan. 

Akane heard something in front of her feet and raised her head. Ryoga had stepped in front of her and nervously was extending hand as if asking her to dance with him. Akane figured *Hey why not?* she smiled sweetly too him and grabbed his hand. Ryoga's face was red with fire and steam had poor out of the top of his shirt. Akane didn't really hold Ryoga close, but close enough so he could feel his heavy breath against her forehead. She sighed. *I guess it's not so bad.* 

She glanced in Ranma's direction and saw how close him and Kodachi were standing. Her blood boiled as she saw Ranma look over in her direction. She pulled Ryoga in closer and turned away from Ranma. 

His eyes narrowed. 

Ryoga was in sheer heaven, if he were to die now, he would die the happiest man in the world. A few moments later the music had stopped. Ryoga didn't move a muscle even after Akane had pulled away and sat back in her original chair. 

Ranma couldn't seem...to...get.. Kodachi...OFF OF HIM! He pushed and pried but nothing worked!! Kodachi raised some black roses to Ranma and offered the to him.. Ranma got an idea. He took the roses and..... threw them into Kodachi's face. The girl collapsed onto the floor. The cause? Of course nothing original, sleeping powder. Didn't she have any new material? 

*Jeez... wouldn't these dumb girls just leave me alone??* His eyes focused on Akane who had her head hung in disappointment. Ranma grabbed up one of the chairs and plopped it down next to Akane's. She looked up, mostly in surprise. 

"How did you manage to get away from you _precious_ Kodachi, Ranma?" Her voice dripped of sarcasm.. almost cold. 

He scowled. "It's not like I WANT her to do that! I could have cracked a few ribs! She's got a tight grip!" Ranma rubbed at his side and looked up in surprise. Akane was giggling. Her smile sweet and inviting. Ranma couldn't help but smile also. Almost an involuntary reflex to seeing Akane happy. The band resumed. Ranma wondered if they would EVER stop playing. But this gave him a good chance maybe the only one he could actually get in. Her took Akane's hand gently and pulled her out of her seat. Akane stared wide eyed as Ranma lead her into the middle of the room. Luckily hidden well by the other couples. If Shampoo, or Ucchan saw him they might interfere. Kodachi was no threat anymore since she was sleeping quite soundly on the floor in the corner. He put his arms around Akane's waist and started to sway in time with the music. She didn't know what to do! 

*I mean... I remember how to dance, but with Ranma?!... and as his idea?!* she could barely move at the shock. She regained composure and put her arms gently on top of his shoulders and clasped her hands together behind his head. She didn't stand to close to him at first but, for some reasons unknown to her or Ranma, they grew closer with each passing second until she was pressed again his chest, her head leaning into him. He was so warm. Ranma clasped his arms a bit tighter around her, showing security to her that neither of them had felt before. The picture of them was perfect. Almost right out of the story of Romeo and Juliet. 

Kasumi had seen them, and with a tear in her eye she smiled quite kindly. *Akane, I'm so happy for you. I've always wanted a younger brother.* Kasumi was thinking to herself. But since Kasumi was the only one able to see the couple, she made no motion to them. She didn't want any other people to see them. Especially not Shampoo or maybe Ukyou. But since she had not seen Kodachi in quite a while, she felt no danger from that one. 

Nadoka had seen where Kasumi's gaze and she followed it as she spotted Ranma and Akane. *My son... I've missed him so much.. I was so worried about him with the curse and all! but... he really had become a "Man Among Men."* She smiled as a tear trickled down her face. 

Akane enjoyed the closeness to Ranma. She felt safe, secure, like nothing in the world could touch her. Until she felt a tap on her shoulder. She reluctantly pulled away from Ranma's chest to look up. Ukyou had wanted to cut in. Akane of course said it was fine with her, but she knew she could have been able to stay like that all night. 

Just before she pulled completely away from Ranma he whispered something into her ear, "Maybe this time we can try it without the tape?" 

Akane stepped back. 

Ukyou quickly took her place and was very happy to do so. Ranma looked at Akane and smiled before turning his attention back to Ukyou. He didn't want to start to blush with Ukyou there. 

Akane walked back to her seat and pondered what Ranma was talking about. *Tape? What tape?* She couldn't think straight. 

It was getting quite hot in the NekoHanten, what with Shampoo glaring at Ukyou and Ukyou staring back, it was enough to start a forest fire! She needed to get some air. 

********************************* 

The Tendou's and Saotome's (minus Ranma and Akane) walked silently back home. Kasumi looked around. 

"Nabiki have you seen Akane-chan or Ranma-kun?" she was a bit worried. 

"I haven't seen Akane-chan but Ranma-kun said that he would make sure she got home safe," Nabiki was wondering what that had ACTUALLY meant, "and then he walked off to look for her." 

Kasumi's expression was soft and light. A smile crept across her face as she looked up at her father and Saotome-kun. The two were in an embrace and tears flowing out of heir eyes. 

"That's it Saotome-kun! We've done it! Our children have been set on the right path!" 

"Growfffff," replied Genma not even noticing he was still in his cursed form. 

Nadoka gave her husband a hard punch to the head for acting like such a fool. Genma could only reply with a pain filled growl. 

Nabiki sighed. "You two are being encouraging," she said with frustration to the pair. But Nabiki couldn't help being lifted as well. Things have seem to be going better for her younger sister and she couldn't have been more happy...well... that's beside being paid a large some of money. But no one had owed her anything and she had still not come up with a plan to cheat Kuno-chan out of any large sums yet. Besides that fact, she was glad her sister might have a chance to be happy for once. 

********************************* 

Akane let out a large breath. It seemed she had been sighing a lot that day, not to mention night. She thought back to the warmth against Ranma and slightly cheered up. Why? Because Ranma had actually let her be that close? He had not even called her kawaiikunee? She hugged her legs to her chest. What had he whispered to her before she left and Ukyou took her place? 

"Maybe this time we can try it without the tape?" Was in the heck was the supposed to mean? She pushed it aside, not wanting it to disturb her good mood. 

*CREEK* 

Akane's head shot up. She quickly turned around to see who approach. Ranma gave a slight smile and put his arm behind her head and let out a small nervous laugh. She let her guard down and turned back to the position she was in before she heard the sound. Ranma plopped himself down quite close to her... well... that is to say a bit closer than he usually sat. Her stomach began to flutter with the thought of him being so close. 

Ranma's stomach was also copying Akane's, he was wondering if she had known what he was talking about when he had whispered into her ear. When Ranma had brushed his face against her hair and the sweet smell had made it all the harder to pull away from her to dance with his friend. Ranma had tried to get into a comfortable position but it was hard to when his stomach had such an odd feeling in the pit of it. Akane had noticed Ranma's squirming and tried so hard not but..let out a soft giggle as a smile spread thoughtfully across her face. Ranma looked over at her, his reflex acting again as he matched her smile. The two both quite nervous, but smiling ever still. Ranma lay back and stretched out. This seemed the most comfortable position he could find. He looked across the sky thoughtfully admiring the stars. Akane had picked quite a nice spot. The roof of the NekoHanten was tranquil and very nice. He could hear Akane's breathing pattern. Her breath somewhat clouding in the cool air. He figured nothing would happen if no one would speak. "uh...Akane....umm.... you know about yesterday... I'm...really sorry about doing that to you." 

Akane nodded not moving very much from her knees. 

Ranma could just barely make her voice out...."Thank you, it means a lot." 

Ranma's face was much softer than before. 

He looked down at his clothes. "You..uh... know that play we did.. the one where we got these costumes?" he asked her tugging at the shirt he was wearing. 

She looked up a bit. "Yes Ranma, I wouldn't forget such a thing," she smiled sweetly...making Ranma blush. 

"Ya well, you remember, the last scene.....to win a trip to China.. or so I thought.. that .....last scene....." he was to embarrass to finish his sentence. 

Akane perked up. *Ranma..... he.... what he whispered to me.... it was what I said to him jokingly after we were walking home when the performance was done. During the play...the last scene... the **gulp** kissing scene....* Akane had put tape over Ranma's mouth so he wouldn't really have to kiss her... when they were walking home she joked with him.."Wouldn't you like to try it without the tape next time?" she had asked him... and knocking him off balance with the comment, skipped away laughing at him. 

But this time... this wasn't a performance. Had Ranma really meant what he said? 

"Ya, I was going to say it, the day we were to be married, but, when everyone showed up and the nannichuan was presented, things were going so fast. I was afraid of the response I would get." Ranma was VERY nervous. 

His head hung down and his face was a fairly dark shade of red. Akane had inched closer to him without even realizing what she was doing. The moment had overpowered her. They were now mere inches from each other. Ranma again repeated the comment.. 

"Wouldn't you like to try it without the tape?" His eyes, mesmerizing, burning into her. 

Akane was unresponsive for quite a while. Ranma then realized.. he had made a BIG mistake! He spilled some of his inner most feelings to her and she did nothing. He knew that she didn't feel the same way. He moved back and tried to use his legs to stand up. But something was holding him down, something so light, was preventing him from moving. It was paralyzing him. He looked down to his leg to see Akane's hand just above his knee. Her eyes filled with moisture and tears running down her face. 

*Now what did I do?* He didn't say anything lately that would hurt her. Yet tears flowed freely down her soft face. He leaned forward and with his hand against her face he wiped away her tears with his thumb. Akane fell into him now sobbing uncontrollably. Her hands grasped his shirt into bunches inside her fists. Ranma was....was....happy? His face stretched upwards to the sky with his eyes closed. His mind was soaking in everything that was happening. The pressure being applied to him by Akane's delicate frame. He wrapped her in his arms trying to comfort her. He wasn't sure what to do in this sort of situation! Shampoo had always done this to him, but he TRIED so hard to push her away. In this case, he wanted nothing more to make Akane stay. He looked back down at her and noticed her crying has stopped. She had barely moved now. 

*She had fallen asleep?* 

Only bit disappointed, Ranma gave a slightly larger smile. The day's events must have drained all her energy. Her peaceful, sleeping face was beautiful. He carefully picked her, not disturbing her sleep, and jumped from roof to roof towards the Tendou Dojo. 

********************************* 

Ranma had entered Akane's room through her open window and carefully lowered her down into her bed, covering her with the light blankets. Hair fell over her face as Ranma observed her. He went to move it out of the way when he felt how hot her face was. Had she gotten sick when she was outside in the chilly air for so long on the NekoHanten roof? He sat into the chair that was positioned by the desk next to the window. He rested his head into his arms as he stared at her sleeping face. Soon everything was dark and peaceful. 

********************************* 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, small children, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10-around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 
-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
iie: no 
ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 


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Well thank you very much for reading this! If I get some positive response on this one I'll certainly be glad to continue this story! Mail me at akane_chan@mailexcite.com ! Thanks again!! 

~Akane-chan 


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*********************Notes From The Author*******************


Okay back with the second installment in the Love One/Love Lost series... I can't actually believe I wrote another one :P When Nerima goes into total blackout Ranma and Akane discover many things about each other. Who says a storm is always a bad thing? 

Mail me at akane_chan@mailexcite.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what-so-ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copywrite to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action**


************************** 



The Calm Before the Storm




The grey skies clouded over Nerima, as slow droplets of rain came trickling down, off rooftops, down through gutters, and into the storm drains. The sun had been hidden well and the only light that could be seen were the lamp posts that were dripping with moisture. Akane had opened her eyes slowly, things seemly spinning around her. 

"Ittai.." she muttered under her breath. 

She was holding her head and seemed to be in a small amount of pain. As her hand reached up to her forehead to slow the throbbing, her hand was burned to the touch. The young girl frowned, comming to the conclusion of her sickness, and laid her head back against the pillow. A sound had caught her attention as she glanced over to her desk. Ranma had his head buried into his arms and was muttering something to himself. Akane strained to get out of bed, her blood pressure rising rapidly and her face, even though it had been red before from her fever, had gone at least 3 darker shades. Her mallet appeared before her and she rose it into the air ready to strike down hard at the boy. Ranma's mouth opened slightly as he whispered something in his sleep. 

"Akane....." he managed to stutter out. 

"RANMA NO HEN..." Her eyes widened as she had heard the words form from his mouth. She was in shock! He had whispered her name softly in his sleep. She wondered what he was dreaming about as she calmed a little... but that wasn't to last. *He is probably making fun of me in his dream!! "KAWAIIKUNEE!! Tomboy!!"* She narrowed her eyes and steadied her self to make another attempt on Ranma's health. As she brought the mallet over her head, she recalled the night before..... *"Wouldn't you like to try it without the tape?"* She remembered Ranma's words and the look he had on his face, blushing ever slightly with his head turned away from her. Akane felt a wave of heat sweep over her. Her emotions mingled with her sickness and the last thing she could remember was the sight of everything whipping by her and the dull pain of her head hitting the ground. 

************************** 

Kasumi was quietly singing to herself as she busied herself in the kitchen. The icing on the cake she had just baked tasted quite sweet in her mouth and she smiled happy with herself at the outcome. Nabiki had grudgingly walked down the stairs and plopped herself down at the table and flicked on the tv. Soun and Genma were at their usual positions in front of the 'Shogoi' table, each thinking of different ways either one of them could distract the other so they could cheat somehow. Nadoka had busied herself with the sharpening of her katana thinking of the various ways to slice off her husbands head. She laughed at the thought, but knew she couldn't do it. He hadn't done the best of jobs, but Genma had kept his promise of making Ranma into a "man among men" so she had to give him some credit. Kasumi walked into the room holding her cake in her hands. Nabiki turned her glance over to her sister and her eyes lit up. 

"Oh Kasumi it looks delicious! Is it chocolate by any chance?" Nabiki's mouth was watering. 

"Hai. I had picked up the ingredient on my way back from Doctor Toufu's," she blushed slightly at the thought. Nabiki was just about to dig into her slice when she heard trudging footsteps comming down the stairs. Ranma had Akane in his arms and was trying to be careful as to not drop her or perhaps hit her into something...or someone. 

"Ara..." Kasumi put her hand over her mouth in surprise. Ranma set Akane down in her usual seat and sat down into his. The two fathers looked up from their game of Shogoi but only for a second because they both knew the other was going to be ready to pounce on the chance to perhaps steal some of the shogoi pieces form the board. 

"So, what's wrong with you?" Nabiki asked her little sister. 

"Isn't it obvious? I'm sick," she managed to weakly blurt out. She turned her glance over to Ranma. 

"I could have gotten down the stairs by myself you know! I am at least THAT capable!" She tried to yell but her throat only permitted a quiet mumble. 

"Well jeeze sorry for even helping! Kawaiikunee!" Ranma winced... *Why can't I EVER learn to keep my fat mouth shut?*' Nadoka shot a quick glance to her son, and Ranma 'eeped' as she turned back to sharpening her blade. 

"I would hit you if I had the strength," Akane replied to his harsh words. 

"What exactly happened Akane?" Kasumi inquired. 

"I must have caught the flu or something when I was out on the NekoHanten roof last night..." she said to her sister. 

"What were you doing up there in the cold anyways?" Kasumi wondered. 

Both Akane and Ranma looked at each other in nervous glances and Akane spit out "I..I needed some fresh air! Inside the NekoHanten was building up heat from Shampoo and Ukyou's fight!" she came across nervous and fumbled with her words. 

Kasumi smiled, "Oh I see." 

Akane remembered waking up to see Ranma in her room. Had he been watching over her the whole night? She wondered... *..and what about when he had quietly called my name in his sleep?* Also when he had found out that she had reluctantly passed out on her floor ready with mallet in hand, he helped her up, and even carrying her down the stairs to join everyone. Akane felt a little dizzy and was starting to lose her balance. Ranma, noticing her center of balance fluctuating, put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. Akane's head drooped down and she mumbled some thanks to him. Nadoka made her way up to Akane and put the back of her hand onto Akane's cheek. Akane shivered, her face being so hot and Nadoka's hand being ice cold. 

"My goodness Akane! You're running a very high fever! You should go back to bed!" Nadoka seemed concerned for her future daughter-in-law. Akane shook her head. 

"No, I'm okay really, just a little cold and dizzy. Really I'm okay. I think some fresh air would be better than a crummy old bed." 

"If you are sure you're up to it..." Nadoka still had a trace of concern in her voice. 

Akane was happy to see Nadoka cared about her. When her own mother had passed away she felt so lonely, with no real motherly figure besides Kasumi. It was nice to have someone she could confide in. Akane stumbled to her feet using first the table then the wall to support her, trying to get the the door so she could get in some fresh air. Nadoka motioned with her head to her son to go help Akane. She tossed Ranma a blanket that had been by her. Ranma caught it and nodded to his mother without as much as a word spoken. 

Akane stood against a pillar outside of the house, trying to regain her balance. She shivered as she felt a blanket cross her shoulders and hang loose around her body frame. She turned around to see that Ranma had noticed her goosebumps and put the blanket around her, trying to keep her warm. She turned her head back after a bit and stared off into the Koi pond which was gathering rain drops and the level of water beginning to rise. 

*Why in the heck is Ranma being so nice?!* She couldn't push the thought from her head. She took a deep breath in and let the fresh air sink in. Apparently, COLD air with a flu don't go so good together than she thought. Her legs began to give way beneath her as she fell back. But the pain that had come when she first lost her balance in her room wasn't eminent. She opened her firmly closed eyes to feel the presence behind her. She had fallen back into Ranma's chest and he had put his arms around her neck loosely to make sure she could keep on her feet. Akane felt Ranma's hot breath against the top of her head, the movement of his chest, and the beating of his heart that seemed to be racing as she stood there. 

Ranma had started to panic now. *Wha....what the heck am I doing?!* he thought to himself. Why was this macho, kawaiikunee onna no ko making his heart race? Ranma blushed a bit, but tried his best to restrain as his mother, Nabiki, Kasumi, and the two father who had started crying in joy were looking at the two. Akane had noticed them also. 

"Ranma... can you help me upstairs? I think I need to rest..." Her voice trailed off at the end. Ranma positioned her arm around his neck and his arm around the small of her back. The two slowly walked up the stairs, Akane going as fast as she could go, and much to her suprise Ranma wasn't getting annoyed with her slowness. The family downstairs saying nothing but expressions tell more than words as they say. 

************************** 

As soon as the two were out of view Ranma picked Akane up into his arms as to lighten the burden of walking form her. Akane tried her best to not yell at him, she knew he was just trying to help, but it was hard not to go with her natural instinct. Ranma opened the door to Akane's room with his foot and set her down gently into her bed, and placed the covers over her. 

"I'll be right back, okay?" Ranma asked Akane. She nodded back to him. 

He left for a few minutes and came back with a bowl of cool water and a washcloth. He stuck the cloth into the bowl and waited a few minutes, took it out, and rung it. 

*Ranma must not changed when only a small amount of water is on him,* she noted to herself. 

Ranma set the cloth over Akane's forehead and she smiled as the cloth started to take some of the heat away from her face. She looked back towards Ranma and saw her smile was matching his. 

*Smiling? Why is HE smiling? This is WAY too weird! What am I supposed to do?? I'm too uncomfortable!* Akane felt her face heat again. 

Ranma cocked his head to the side and wondered what Akane was thinking about. He took the cloth form her face and replaced it again after wetting it once more. 

*Well I've got to say something! It's too..... weird!* she thought to herself. 

"umm... thank you Ranma." Her eyes glanced all around the room, taking in everything, except Ranma. 

"Ya...well..... you looked like you were in kinda...pain you know..." He lowered his gaze to the hands that laid on his knees. 

"Well anyways, maybe I should go.. you know.. let you rest. Do you want me to bring you up some food later?" he inquired. 

Akane was half asleep already, the flu knocking her out almost. "mmmm.... yes.. that would... be nice..." her voice now to a whisper as she drifted off. 

Ranma was observing her sleeping face. It was slightly red with heat, and hair had fallen over her eyes. Ranma carefully brushed them away with his fingertips as he felt the heat of her face seep into him. His heartbeat picked up. 

*Why is my heart beating so fast?* he asked himself. *Is it because of her?* 

*Wouldn't you like to try it without the tape?* he remembered the words pouring out of his mouth the night before. *She had gotten sick because we were out there for so long..* he thought to himself. His gaze lowered from her heated forehead down past her closed eye, past her cute nose, to her lips. They were slightly open as she exhaled from them. Ranma gulped as he felt his body move involuntarily towards her face. His mouth slightly shook. He leaned in even closer, not even an inch far away from her. He took one more deep breath and touched her lips to her own. He took in all his surroundings. 

*What am I doing?! If she wakes up she's going to deck me one!! Stop!* But his body didn't obey his mind as he kept the loose position to Akane's face. Suddenly she stirred a bit as Ranma jumped back falling on the over on his back. Akane's eyes clenched shut. Ranma breathed a sigh of relief. He was so sure she would wake up and find her interdimentional mallet (tm) that always seemed to show up at the exact wrong time for him. He studied her face again and seeing her squint in pain, he re-wet the cloth on her head. With this he took himself up off the floor and gently padded towards the door, taking one quick look at his sleeping fiancee as he left the room. 

He leaned up against the door and left out a sigh as he looked to his left. 

"IRK!" his eye twitched as he took a suprised denfesive stance, two fingers down on both hands and one leg in the air. 

The whole family were looking at him intently as he had walked out of the room. 

"Oh my son!" Genma cried out 

"That's it Saotome-kun! Ranma-kun is taking such good care of Akane-chan! Our children have been set on the path!" Soun said with pride, tears streaming down his face. 

"OYUGI!!" Ranma yelled at his father pummeling him with kicks and the occasional punch. 

Ranma dropped his father and huffed off away form everyone. His face slightly red form the embarrassment. 

************************** 

Ranma was sitting, feet together, at the table where eventually everyone, minus Akane, had gathered again. 

"Can't any of you leave me alone for ONCE?" Ranma told the group annoyance in his tone of voice. 

"Oh but Ranma, we just wanted ot make sure nothing happened.. Akane being sick and all.." Nabiki glared down at him. If only she had gotten pictures of what was going on in there.... she could have made a large sum of money...the stupid door was shut though! Imagine all the blackmailing she could have done! Ryouga, Kuno, Kodachi, Shampoo, not to mention Ukyou. If only Ranma wasn't so greedy! She crossed her arms in annoyance. 

Ranma gave her a weird look. *What is she thinking about now?!* he asked himself. 

The tv was blaring. Ranma was watching a kung-fu movie on tv. Not one of his favorites but he would take them as they came. He considered turning it down a bit for Akane's sleep sake, but figured if she wasn't awake now, she wouldn't be awake for a while. 

The lights started to flicker. 

"Ara..what's wrong?" Kasumi was looking around worriedly. 

**CLICK** 

The group all looked around, mind you there wasn't anything to see now though. 

"A power failure?" asked Nadoka 

"Oh well that's just great!" Nabiki chimed in trying blindly to feel her way up the stairs. She came back after a few seconds with her handheld, battery operated radio and cranked it to the news station. 

"Attention! All residents of Nerima, Japan. There has been a storm warning issued throughout the area. A city wide Blackout has been issued. Please stay in your homes until power can be restored... I repeat All res.." Nabiki clicked the radio off. 

"Oh no.. how am I going to make dinner with no light?" asked Kasumi. 

Soun stepped back in the room (no one even noticing his absence) with a flashlight and a small box which contained some wicker candles, and one small oil lamp. 

"I always have things packed for such a time." Soun said calmly 

"Otou-san? May I please use the oil lamp? I can use it to cook, if there is any gas left in the tank that is." Kasumi added in. 

"Of course Kasumi!" Soun handed her the lamp and Kasumi, a little edgy, and walked into the kitchen to see if she could prepare even a little something for dinner. 

The sound of feet padding by the top of the stairs perked Ranma's attention towards the sound. 

"mm... Why are all the lights out?" Akane asked she she struggled to walk down the stairs. 

Ranma quickly jumped up and ran to the stairs knowing Akane would fall down them if she had no help due to her sickness and the lack of proper lighting. She took his arm as he let her lean into him holding up her weight as she lightly walked down the stairs. 

*There it is again! That warmth I felt last night, and then today in her room* 

Soun had lit candles and places them in various spots around the room. 

Ranma led Akane down to the table and helped her sit. She couldn't quite seem to be able to keep her body up by herself though. Ranma gulped and ever so slowly slipped his arm around her and pulled her to lean on his chest. Akane, shocked at first from the kind gesture, accepted it and let herself be propped up by his body. She let out a small sigh that Ranma heard and made him blush a furious red. There was little to no light in that room, even if there were candles were lit. *Good thing too* Ranma thought as he tried to calm the blood rushing to his face. 

"Wh...why didn't you stay upstairs anyways Akane?" He managed to force out. 

"When I woke up I needed some more water, so when I got up I saw none of the lights were on. Why is that?" She inquired, allowing Ranma to tighten his grip around her. 

"It seems that all of Nerima has been in a black out." Kasumi chimed in carrying a tray of tea, trying hard not to spill any from the cups. 

"Oh." Akane weakly muttered out. 

Kasumi placed tea cups in front of Genma, Soun, Nadoka, and herself. 

"Akane, whenever I'm not feeling well, a warm bath always seems to help," Kasumi told her little sister lovingly. 

"Really? Maybe I'll try that.." Akane was trying to stand but, again, Ranma helped her up and she locked her arm into his. 

The couple left the room and headed up the stairs towards the bathroom. 

************************** 

After Ranma led Akane through the door and let her lean up against the wall. He turned to leave as something caught his arm. Akane was holding it. 

"Don't go just yet.. okay?" Akane asked him 

"bu...bu..bu..but you ..you.. have to get into the bath now...!!" Ranma stammered on. 

"Baka... I didn't say look.. I just said stay. So turn around!" 

*Maybe he really is hentai...* she thought. 

Ranma did as he was told. He could here Akane opening the other door, removing her night gown, and then slip into the hot water. 

"Okay Ranma, the door is closed, besides there are no lights." Akane said somewhat calmly. 

He was trying to not to fidget but found his fingers being pushed together. He went and sat with his back to the wall listening to some of the water splash in the next room almost with in reaching distance of him. Mind you there was a wall there.. and we was thankful for that. Things had been going SO well for him and Akane lately, he didn't want to ruin the moment by saying something dumb. 

"So..uh.. you feel any better Akane?" Ranma had pushed himself to say something nice. But as he thought about it, it wasn't all that hard. Proud of himself for making this discovery grinned to himself. 

"Why are you being so nice Ranma?" Akane asked. 

"WHAT?!" Ranma seemed a bit hurt by this comment. "Jeeze here a TRY to be nice and all I get is an insu--" 

"Thank you Ranma..." Akane cut him in mid sentence. "Even if you are being nice because I'm sick... it's nice to know." Akane sunk completely into the water. 

Ranma had his hand to his chest and felt his pulse rate race. *Stop it stop it stop it...* he tried to tell his body. *She's so violent, a tomboy, short tempered....kawaii....* 

"Well... hehe.. it was no problem really.. I mean..ummm... Akane?" He hadn't heard a sound form the other side of the room for a bit and was a little worried. 

"Ya Ranma?" she asked. 

"Just..wanted to make sure you were alright..I mean.. cuz I hadn't heard anything and all..." Ranma finally decided to shut his mouth. *I'm embarrassing MYSELF!* 

*He's embarrassing ME!* Akane thought as her cheeks went red. She let a while pass before she finally stood up out of the bath. *I do feel a bit better. Kasumi always has a solution to everything* she thought. 

She looked around. "Hey Ranma, can you pass me a towel? I forgot to bring on in when I was out there." 

"Uh.. ya one sec." He scrambled around a managed to find a VERY large yellow towel. 

Akane stuck her hand out of the door and fumbled a bit until she got a hold of the towel. She dried herself a bit then wrapped it around her body and stepped through the door. 

Ranma was dumbfounded. Her arms glistend with the moisture, she was so cute. Akane couldn't see a thing though. She stuck her hands in front of her and wiggled them around to grasp something familiar so she could make her way out. She stopped short when she found the wall. Ranma regained his composure and quickly looked to the other side of the room as Akane groped the walls to find the door. 

"You.... You need any help?" he asked her, his voice cracked a bit. 

Akane started laughing as his words jumped. "No Ranma it's okay, the bath helped a lot. Thanks for your help" 

Ranma heard the door to the laundry room open and then a few seconds later the door to Akane's room open and shut. He let out a LARGE breath of air he had been holding in. "Oh that was too weird...." he said to himself. 

"Way too weird..." Akane sat on the edge of her bed drying herself off and then slipped on some new pj's. She put the towel into her hair and rubs it gently to remove any excess water that had been left over. 

************************** 

Ranma stepped out of the bathroom to yet again a crowd of faces. 

"That's it son!! I little initiative goes a long way!" Soun beamed at him. "Isn't that right Saotome-kun?" 

"Exactly Tendou-san!" The two fathers stood with their arms interlocking and tears streaming down their faces. 

"Well, well, Ranma... who knew you were such a ladies man!" Nabiki patted him on the back. 

"Ara... they should wait until their older and married!" Kasumi added her old-fashioned ways in. 

Nadoka just smiled at her son. 

"WHY CAN'T ANYONE JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?!?!" Ranma yelled then hung his head down. 

Everyone joined in a chorus of, laughter, tears, yells, and smiles. But one of the smiles caught Ranma's eye. Akane had been on the edge of the crowd well hidden, smiling. Ranma's spirits brightened a bit. 

************************** 

"When is the power comming back on?" Nabiki was quite fed up with the lack of lighting, and showing it off quite nicely. "There was a really scary movie on tonight and I was planning on watching it!" 

"Really Nabiki? That is a drag.. I would have liked to watch it with you!" Akane was disappointed now. 

"Those kinds are too scary for me.." Kasumi was pacing around. With no power, she wasn't able to cook, bake, do the washing, or even read. Even by the candles it didn't provide enough light. 

Nabiki picked a watch out of one of her pockets and looked for the time. "Well, it's getting quite late now, time for me to hit the sack!" Nabiki jumped ot her feet and walked towards the stairs leading up. 

"I supposed you're right Nabiki... there is nothing left for me to do with there being no power." Kasumi picked herself up and followed Nabiki's example. 

Soun and Genma were passed out on the floor. *Sake doesn't sit well with them even after all this time?* Akane wondered. 

"Well I guess since everyone else is going...." Akane slowly pushed herself to her feet and padded across the room and walked with Kasumi up the stairs. 

The only two people left in the room were Ranma and his mother, the two drunks in the corner didn't count much. Ranma didn't mind very much, but he hadn't talked to his mother very seriously in a while, and he had a pretty big question to ask her. Sure he wasn't scared..well, maybe a little, but that never would keep him from asking her anything. It was the curse he had that was his real problem. He knew his mother didn't mind it too much anymore. It was a pretty big shock to her at first, but she was just happy she could be near her son again. Ranma started to fidget, trying to think of the wording to what he wanted to ask his mother. 

"Ka-san....ano...." Ranma stuttered out. 

"Hai... she does..." Nadoka smiled sweetly. 

"Nani? But.. I didn't even ask a question yet!" Ranma was confused. 

"You don't have to Ranma, I'm much more perseptive than your baka Otou-san. I see you around Akane, I know she feels the same way.." Nadoka was happy that she could share this moment with her son. 

"How do you know for sure?" Ranma still wasn't sure how his mother could have guessed what he was going to ask. 

"Because I see the same look in her eyes, as I see in yours." So very proud of her son. 

"Arigato..ka-san." He gave her a quick hug and then slipped sowly up the stairs. Nadoka's eyes teared up. 

"No.... thank YOU Ranma..." 

************************** 

A quiet knock came from the outside of Akane's room. 

There was no response. Ranma opened the door slightly to see Akane's sleeping face, along with the rest of her body in her bed. *Must have been more tired than I thought* he told himself. He walked up to her and brushed some hair away from her face, and remember how he had stole a kiss form her without her even knowing it. His face again was red as all the blood was rushing to his head. 

"You actually are kawaii..... just like this..." he whispered to himself. 

He turned around and started to step out of the door. 

"Good night Akane.." He turned to face the hall again. 

"Good night Ranma." Akane whispered back to him. 

Ranma could actually feel his heart stop. *SHE WAS AWAKE?!* He heard her giggle as he quickly walked away from her room into his own. 

*Sometimes, but ONLY sometimes... I don't mind being embarassed by her....* Ranma thought as he lay his head into his pillow and drifted silently into sleep. 

************************ 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, small children, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10-around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 
-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ara: the equivilent to "Oh my.." 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting atire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
iie: no 
ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 







*************Notes From The Author***************

Third installment in the Love One/Love Lost series! Ranma finally gets up enough courage to ask Akane out on a date but it's suddenly "cut short" when Kunou's little cousin Yuriko comes to town for a visit and Akane volunteers herself as babysitter for the day! When everyone ends up at the fair "fireworks" go off between the two! 

akane_chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; but mind you..little Yuriko is my creation. I got my rights on her :P 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action** 

************************** 

Akane's a MOTHER?! Ranma's NEW suitor!

"Oh my dearest Akane! Oasage no onna! You have come to date with me! Very well! Let us be off!" Kunou took the two girls arms only to meet them with two feet in his face. 

"No thank you Kunou-sempai!!" Akane and Ranma-onna had turned to walk away. 

"It's such a pity..... Yuriko would surely have had fun with the both of you.." Kunou hung his head and turned around, walking grudgingly. 

This comment caught Akane's interest, "Yuriko? Who?" 

Kunou rushed back and grabbed onto Akane's hands. Her eye started to twitch, while Ranma-onna's eyes narrowed. 

"My little cousin has come down for to visit her "Kunou-chan", but alas the fates! I have an important kendou tournament, my wryly sister is in a gymnastics competition, and I would feared for my little cousin's hair the whole day if she was left with Otou-san. I was hoping one of you would be so kind as to escort her around for the day." 

"Oh gee,_ SO_ sorry Kunou but Akane and I have previ--" Ranma was quickly cut-off by Akane. 

"Oh really?! That would be fun! I just love little kids!" Akane blurted out. 

"Oh Akane-chan!! So noble as to give up your weekend for my family!" Kunou glomped onto Akane. 

"Kunou-sempai....... ARE YOU QUITE DONE YET?!?!" his head met with Akane's mallet. 

"I'll send her over at 1:00..." he went to raise a finger, but promptly fell over. 

"Jeez... hentai..." Akane walked away, heading to the dojo. Ranma looked at her with a hurt expression. 

******************* 

"What's the matter Ranma?" Akane was a little concerned for him as she dumped a kettle of hot water over his head. As Ranma was towel drying his hair he thought back to the night before. He had FINALLY got up enough nerve as to ask Akane to go out on a date with him, as the way things were going between the two and all. He had talked it over with his mother and she was a source of encouragement. Akane had been so happy she had given him a HUGE hug, much to his embarrassment of course. Now she was going to give the day up just to babysit some brat?! Oh that's just great!! 

"Why the heck would ANYTHING be the matter?!" he grumbled, then padded down the stairs. 

"What's gotten into him?" Akane wondered. 

******************* 

As 1 o'clock rolled around, Akane was even more excited about the day. Ranma was more depressed. Soon enough Kunou walked up to the dojo with his cousin. A short little girl, with two brown pigtails sticking out from the sides of her head. 

"Konichi'wa! Watashi wa Tendou Akane." Akane introduced herself to the small child. 

Yuriko smiled and extended a hand out to Akane, who shook it. 

"My name is Kunou Yuriko." she flashed an awfully cute smile. 

"Is my Osage no Onna around Akane-chan?" Kunou was looking through the property but to no avail. 

Ranma walked to the front of the dojo where everyone had gathered. 

"Umm.. sorry Kunou you must have JUST missed her..." Akane held back a smile towards Ranma.. 

"Curse the fates that keep me from my love!" Kunou wretched and walked out of the yard then onto the street, and Ranma rolled his eyes. 

Yuriko looked up at Ranma and her face flushed a pale pink. 

"Yuriko this is Saotome Ranma. He lives here also." Akane introduced Ranma. 

"Is he your boyfriend Akane-san?" Yuriko inquired 

Ranma and Akane were obviously taken but by the question, they gave each other a quick glance. 

"Umm...ya... not exactly Yuriko-chan...." Akane's face went red. 

"So you have no girlfriend Ranma-san? Then you can be Yuriko's boyfriend!" Yuriko grabbed onto Ranma's arm. 

Ranma obviously hadn't been around little kids very much, as he had no idea what to do. Akane gave a small giggle to this. 

******************* 

The three were sitting around the table. Akane on the left, then Yuriko who was comfortably snuggled up to Ranma who was on the right. Akane was slightly annoyed at the fact, but calmed herself down. 

*She's just a little kid right? Ranma's not THAT desperate..* she tried to hold back a smirk but with no avail. 

"What are you laughing at?" Ranma was trying to shake Yuriko off of his arm. 

"Nothing......" (smirk) "Oh! I have a great idea!! Yuriko, have you ever been to the fair in Nermia? It's one of the best if you ask me!" 

"The fair? Oh it sounds like fun! Is Ranma-san coming along?" she stared up at him with adoring eyes. 

"That depends if you would like to." Akane smiled. 

Yuriko nodded her head profusely. Ranma tried to tell Akane no by mouthing it, but Akane was pre-occupied by the small child. Ranma hung his head in defeat. 

******************* 

Akane, followed by Ranma and Yuriko who had a tight hold on Ranma's hand walked into the fair grounds. Akane was in a brightly colored kimono, followed by Yuriko's flowered one. Ranma had on his normal black pants that came together at the ends, and a blue Chinese style shirt. 

"So where would you like to go first Yuriko?" Akane asked the child. 

"That big ferris wheel looks like lots of fun!" she exclaimed when she saw the size of it. 

All of a sudden Ryoga rounded the corner to LITERALLY bump into Akane. The two went tumbling into the ground. 

"Itetetete.... huh? Ryoga-kun? Nice meeting you here!" Akane smiled at him. 

Ryoga's face went bright red and he tried to stumble out a hello, but didn't succeed very well. 

Ranma looked at the sign to the Ferris wheel trying to ignore Ryoga... 

"Two People ONLY Per Cart Please!"

Akane noticed it also. "Why don't you and Ranma grab a cart to yourself? Me and Ryoga could get another one, ne?" Akane flashed a smile at Yuriko who was overjoyed at the thought of being alone with Ranma. 

Akane whispered into Ranma's ear "Sorry for leaving you, but Yuriko seems to have a quite the crush on you! Anyway it won't kill you to go on it with her instead." Akane started to giggle and poked him in the side. Ranma wasn't amused. 

"Just don't you go and get too chummy with Ryoga!" A frown crossed his face. 

Akane's eyes flared. "And what would make you think I would? You don't even trust me! Ranma no Baka!" And with that she dragged Ryoga to the wheel, him still blushing and mumbling behind her, with his fingers together. 

"Jeez...kawaiikunee.." he looked off sort of sad. 

"Well then, shall we go Yuriko-chan?" Ranma offered her his arm. 

Yuriko was delighted at the sight and glomped to his arm. "Hai, Ran-chan!" 

Ranma had looked at her strange, *Ukyou was the only one who ever called me that before...* he shrugged and walked towards the wheel, with Yuriko bouncing beside him. 

******************* 

Ranma and Yuriko were sitting inside a cramped ferris wheel cart. Yuriko was talking about her life, school, her "Kunou-chan", anything that she thought might be of any interest. But Ranma was staring absent mindedly out of the window. 

"Ran-chan? Daijobu desu ka?" Yuriko looked at him puzzled. 

"Eh? Oh.. gomen Yuri-chan.... I'm a little distracted..." Ranma started to sweat a bit and put his hand on the back of his head laughing, "Anyway, you were saying?" 

"Oh yes, Yuriko was just wondering about you Ran-chan. How long have to you been living at the Tendou dojo?" Yuriko couldn't wait to hear details about Ranma. 

"Oh..hmm.. well.. about 2 and a half years now I guess." Ranma replied to the question. 

"But your last name is Saotome, why aren't you Tendou.. like Akane-san?" 

"Eh? Well.. I'm not _ACTUALLY_ part of her family...." Ranma sighed. 

"Hn? But I thought you and Akane were brother and sister.." 

"EH!?!?! no no... not like that! I only live at the Tendou dojo! My father and I came to stay there for a while.... Oyugi wanted me to become "better acquainted" with my fiancée......irk..." Ranma couldn't believe he had actually admitted to someone that he was engaged to such an uncute girl. 

"F...fi...fiancée??!!" Yuriko's heart shattered. 

"Hai.... Oyugi promised me to one of the Tendou girls when I was only very young..." *Not to mention about half a dozen others...* Ranma clenched his fist at the thought. "It's not like I EVER asked him to! but I suppose..... Akane's not so bad anymore..." 

"Oh... I see.....then you really are in love with Akane?" Yuriko hung her head down. 

"WHA?! Ya right! Me love that kawaiikunee?.... jerk?.... tomboy?.. ha!" Ranma's words sounded less and less convincing as he went on. 

The ride came to a slow stop as Yuriko and Ranma stepped out. 

The two waited until Ryoga and Akane stepped out of their car, both laughing seeming in high spirits. Ryoga carefully grabbed Akane's hand and helped her out of the car but "accidentally" she slipped and fell into Ryoga's chest. Ranma had seen Ryoga give a little tug at Akane's wrist to make her fall into him. 

Ranma was ready to explode. Yuriko saw his face. 

"Come on Ranma-san!! You can win Yuriko a cute stuffed bear!" Yuriko bounced away taking him with her. Akane looked up to see the two walking away. 

*Jeez.. what a jerk...... didn't even have the time to wait for me?!* Akane's eyes were covered in a curtain of red. *Well two can play at this game....* An evil smile played across Akane's lips. 

"Oh Ryoga-kun! I'm not feeling so well after that ride.. can we go somewhere QUIET?" Akane said this JUST loud enough for Ranma to hear. His eyes started to twitch. 

*Why that sneaky, low-down. dirty.... I'm going to pound Ryoga!* Ranma was starting to turn back to go after Akane and Ryoga when something tugged him back. 

"Hey, Ran-chan! Would you like to go on that with Yuriko?" Yuriko had her finger extended to the ride over to his left. 

"Hn? WHAT?! The "Tunnel of Love"?" Ranma was frozen. 

"Hai! It looks like fun! Ikimasho Ran-chan!" Yuriko dragged him over to the boats that were shaped like little swans. Some of the older girls that were passing by gave Ranma dirty looks. 

"Oh jeez! What a pervert! He's our age!" the girl with the blond hair whispered to her friend. 

"And look! That girl doesn't look a day over 8! Hentai!" the friend whispered back. 

"Oh.. what have I done to deserve such a life??!!" Ranma groaned and buried his head into his hands. 

Yuriko was cheerful and full of smiles the whole time. 

************************** 

Akane was wandering through the park, slightly depressed. *Is Ryoga-kun's sense of direction really THAT bad? He only had to go to the booth about 10 feet away to get that drink... Oh well... I wonder where Ranma and Yuriko could have gotten to.. That jerk.. I can't believe he left me!* Akane started to fume... *And here we wanted to go on a date with me! Fat chance!.... oh no......... AKANE NO BAKA!! It was Ranma and _I_ who were going to come here today!! I forgot all about it when I agreed to take Yuriko for the day!..... poor Ranma.....How could I have forgotten?* Just as Akane finished her thought.. she saw Ranma and Yuriko come out from the exit for the "Tunnel of Love" ride. Akane did a face fault. *No way...he really IS that desperate!!* 

Akane was ready to walk over to Ranma and pound him into the ground as a mallet started to appear in her hands. But, as soon as she took her first step she heard loud "banging" sounds in the short distance. She spun around to watch as a bombardment of fireworks started to crash into the night sky. 

"Sugoi..." Akane said to herself, forgetting all about her trouble with Ranma. 

She stood there in awe for a few minutes, as the whole world around her was seemed to disappear. Slowly she felt a hand intertwine with her own. She looked up to see Ranma looking down at her, Akane in one hand, Yuriko grasping the other. Akane smiled back at Ranma then turned her attention back to the sky. Ranma stood there looking at Akane's face as it turned various colors, corresponding with the different fireworks. 

*Kawaii.....* he thought. 

Yuriko looked up to Ranma. She sighed as she knew she was fighting a losing battle for Ranma's affections. *Oh well.* she thought. She let go of Ranma's hand and walked in front of Akane, who looked down at her. Yuriko raised her hands into the air signaling for Akane to pick her up. Of course, Akane was a little panicked at first but then realizing, picked the small child up, cradling her in her arms.

"Did you have fun date today with Ranma-kun, Yuriko-chan?" Akane asked, a smile on her face. 

"Hai. It was a great Akane-san! But Ranma-san wasn't much a date. All he said was Akane this..Akane that.." I would much rather have gone with your friend Ryoga-san!" Yuriko leaned up against Akane's shoulder. 

Ranma's eye started to twitch. *Oh no... Akane's going to think I've been calling her names! She'll pound me as soon as I get home!!* Ranma sniffled a low cry and hung his head. 

*Talking about me? Ranma?* Akane turned a little more red. 

"Akane-san, arigato for taking Yuriko to the fair today! It was a fun idea.." Yuriko's words drifted off as she fell gently to sleep in Akane's arms. 

Akane's smiled brightened. "Hai, it was a fun day Yuriko-chan." 

Ranma stared at Akane in awe. This was almost like time when Ryoga and himself ate those magic mushrooms and turned into little kids. They had both fallen asleep in Akane's lap and she treated them like a mother would have. *Akane will make a great mother some day...MOTHER?!?! Oh man... that just sounded too weird....* Ranma flushed at thought of he and Akane ever having kids. But after a while he eased up. *I suppose it wouldn't be so bad..... Akane is so great with children....* He smiled as he took Akane's free hand and led her out of the park. 

**************************** 

The walk home was quiet, Ranma and Akane didn't dare to talk in fear of waking up the small child. Akane took graceful, smooth steps and Yuriko hardly even moved the whole time. When the three arrived at the dojo, everyone was already in sleeping soundly. Well, that is to say everyone except Genma and Soun who were passed out on the family room floor. *Probably another "Sake Shogoi" game,* Ranma thought. He and Akane padded silently to Akane's room where there had been a bed set up on the floor for Yuriko. Akane set her down gently and placed the sheets over her small frame. Akane stood up hugging her own stomach and smiling as she felt two strong arms wrap around her own. Akane froze. *Ranma..... he's being so nice to me..... PLEASE.. PLEASE don't let me ruin this!* she thought to herself as she relaxed a bit. Ranma set his head on hers, and they both watched Yuriko sleep soundly for a few minutes, then Akane yawned. 

"I suppose it's getting late, ne?" Ranma asked her, loosening his grip on Akane. 

"Ya I guess so, We should both get ready for bed now." Akane said sighing, not wanting to moment to end, but of course HAD to. 

"Hai." Ranma said, disappointed as he turned and walked through the door frame until he felt a tug at his sleeve, and then spun around to, surprisingly, meet with Akane's lips. 

*She.. SHE'S KISSING ME?!?! YATTA!* Ranma thought in his head as he responded to Akane's kiss. 

Akane pulled away after a few seconds and put her finger onto Ranma's lips and gave him a quick smile as she shut the door playfully behind herself. 

Ranma stood there dumbfounded. He pressed his hand to his lips and slowly grinned as he trotted to his room. 

Akane leaned against her door for a minute after and tried to control the amount of excitement that had built inside of her. She hopped into bed and threw the covers over herself. 

"At least tonight's dreams will be fulfilled..." she smiled and drifted to sleep. 

**************************** 

The End 

**************************** 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, small children, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10-around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 
-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
arigato: thank-you 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
iie: no 
ikimasho: let's go 
ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
konichi'wa: good day, hello 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
osage no onna: pig tailed goddess 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sake: fermented rice wine 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 
shogoi: the equivalent to chess in North America 
sugoi: amazing, cool, wonderful, etc. 
watashi wa: my name is... OR I am... 
yatta: ALRIGHT! 

******************Notes From The Author*****************


Okay now! Fourth (and 1/2)installment to my Love One/Love Lost series. I'm just dragging it out aren't I? :P Int his story, Shampoo sees the closeness that gathers between Akane and Ranma. There's no way she's going to let her airen be taken away but someone as uncte and tomboyish as her! She slips a special "hate" drug into Akane's ramen, so whenever you get insalted your frustration turns into hatred. Guess who's the first to insult Akane? 

Send stuff to akane_chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what-so-ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action** 

************************* 



Shampoo's Wonder Drug! Akane HATES Ranma?!


Sunday morning in Nerima was as it usually is at the Tendou Training hall. Ranma and Genma were outside training. Nadoka and Kasumi were in the kitchen, making a large breakfast, for the large amount of people it needed to feed. Nabiki was at the table, counting her yen, and trying to make up for any losses that might have been unaccounted for. Ans last, Akane was still in her bed, hesitating to get out of her soft, warm blankets. 

"Akane dear! Breakfast is ready! It's already 11 o'clock! You should get up to join everyone!" Nadoka called up to the lazy girl upstairs. 

"Hai, Auntie Nadoka!" Akane called back down to her as she kicked off the sheets that were still covering her. 

Akane slugged out of bed and trudged down the stairs. She saw everyone sitting at the table, already having started on the food. Ranma and Genma were fighting over the last of the fish sausage. 

"I guess I wasn't very hungry anyways." She sighed. 

Akane sat down and started on her Miso Soup. It was the only thing left to eat since Kasumi had dished her out some before hand, knowing there wouldn't be much left to choose from once all the men got to the table. 

Akane and Ranma had been sitting a little closer together since the kiss that was shared bwteen them the few nights ago. This, OF COURSE, had went unoticed by the rest of the family, lucky for them, because if it had caught someone's attention the two would be under the alter faster than either of them could blink. They knew Genma and Soun would just JUMP on the chance to have the Saotome and Tendou martial arts training secure. _IF_ and only if Akane adn Ranma were to get married, they wanted it to be on their own terms and time. There was also the problem of all of Ranma's finacee's and Akane's suitors. To even think of getting married, they would have to get; Ukyou, Shampoo, Kodachi, Kunou, and Ryoga to admit defeat and to leave them in peace. Well, easier said then done! 

"Oh I had almost forgotten! Akane, would you please be kind enough to drop this herb book off to Doctor Toufu? I would do it myself but I have to do some shopping, which isn't near his clinic." Kasumi asked her sister. 

"Hai Kasumi onee-chan. I was going to take a walk outside today anyways, it's so nice out!" Akane smiled. 

Ranma melted. Her smile had always done that to him. 

"Ranma, why don't you join Akane? I'm sure the exercise wouldn't hurt." Nadoka had a kind of sneaky smile on her face. 

"Hai, Ka-san. I suppose you're right." The smile on his face almost matched the one on his mothers. 

Ranma just needed an excuse like that to be alone with Akane for once. 

"Let me go and get dressed and then we can be off okay Ranma?" Akane stood up, put her bowl down, and raced up the stairs toward the bathroom. 

************************** 

"Too bad Kasumi couldn't come with us, I woudl _LOVE_ to see the Doctor's face when she walked in!" Akane snickered at the memory of Toufu running through the park with Betty on his back, or maybe the time when he was dancing with Betty through the streets of Tokyo. 

Ranma laughed. "He's got it bad for Kasumi!" 

Akane nodded as she walked into the clinic. 

"Ohaiyo, Toufu-sensei!" Akane called as she walked into the door. 

The doctor peeked through the curtain. "Oh! Ohaiyo Akane-chan and Ranma-kun! I'll be there in one second! I just have to wash up!" 

A few minutes later Toufu walked in through the door and bowed to the couple. They bowed back. 

"So, what brings you here today? Any aches? Pains? Sprains?" he inquired. 

"Iie, my onee-chan asked me to bring this back to you. She borrowed it a while ago remember?" Akane handed him the thin book. 

"Oh yes, I remember when Kasumi came over to borrow it.....umm..uhh...is... is... Kasumi out there?" His glasses started to fog over. 

"Iie, iie, gomen sensei. She had erands to run and was unable to come with us." 

The Doctor looked kind of disapointed, but quickly got over it. "By the way, I see you two are getting along much better!" He smiled, looking at Akane and Ranma's hands. 

The two had completely forgotten that they were holding each others hands. They jumped away from each other and tried to explain, but all that was managed to say were a few "umms" and other sounds that made no sense. 

"Don't worry, your secrets safe with me." Toufu winked at them and walked back into the back room. 

Ranma and Akane were relieved. 

"I comepletly forgot! Gomen Akane!" Ranma slightly blushed. 

Akane smiled and quickly gave him a peck on the cheek. "Neither did I.... don't worry, Docotor Toufu wouldn't tell anyone." She smiled at him. 

"Ya... well..umm... do you want to go get something to eat? The Nekohanten is just down the street....oops..." Ranma slapped his mouth shut. 

Akane twitched. But then thought about it. *This could be a perfect test! To insure Ranma wouldn't cheat on me or anything, of course.* 

"Sure Ranma, why not?" She started to walk out of the door. 

Ranma was puzzled, but if Akane insisted, who was he to disagree? 

************************* 

Shampoo was busy running aorund the restaurant. 

"Miss!! Could I have some more soup?" "Miss!! More Sake please!" "Miss.." "Miss!!" Shampoo wished she could find a way to speed up her service. But she got to each of them one by one and then when no one else was calling finally got to a take a little break. That's when she saw Ranma walked through the door. 

"AIREN!" Shampoo ran and glomped onto Ranma's arm. Ranma tried desprately to get her off, but Akane walked in before he was able to do so. Her eyes narrowed. 

"Ranma bring violent-girl here too? Why not leave her and go on date with Shampoo?" She looked up at him hopefully. 

"Uh, sorry Shampoo, not today!" Ranma was still shaking his arm. 

*If she doesn't get off of Ranma in about 10 seconds, I'm going to piund her in.* Akane thought. This went noticed by Ranma and finally was able to get the Chinese girl off of him. 

"Fine, Ranma can go on date with Shampoo when Shampoo not so busy." 

*Lucky for her....* Akane thought. 

"What Shampoo get for airen and violent tomboy?" Shampoo said as she lead Ranma and Akane to a table. Akane's eyes twitched. Ranma tried to change the subject. 

"Um, I'll have a beef-bowl please Shampoo. Akane you want something?" Ranma flashed a smile at her. 

Akane's anger dwindled a bit. "Hai, ramen special please." Akane glared at Shampoo as she winked at Ranma and bounced back into the kitchen. 

"Oh come on Akane, lighten up a bit." Ranma pleaded with her. 

"Oh,.. you want _ME_ to lighten up with that hussy hanging all over you everytime we see her?!" Akane was breathing heavy and her eyes were narrowing. 

"Oh jeeze, Akane, don't be jealous of Shampoo!" 

"JEALOUS? Of you and her?? Ha! She can have you!" And with that Ranma leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on her hand. 

Akane blushed, "Well.... maybe a little jealous...." She admitted. 

Ranma smiled. 

Little known to the couple though, that the Amazon girl, was watching as this performance went on. "Akane, must drug Ranma. He never be nice to her on purpose!" Shampoo crushed a glass in her hand. And then an evil smile crossed Shampoo's lips. "If Shampoo make Akane very mad at Ranma, he will come to marry Shampoo! He see that she tomboy, and no good for wife!" She gave a little manical laugh and jumped back into the kitchen. 

Ranma and Akane were talking quietly when Shampoo came back to the table and placed the dished infront of the two. 

"Enjoy! Shampoo make extra special meal for two!" She jumped back to serve on the other tables. 

Akane and Ranma shrugged and started on their meals. They both tasted very good and were happy when they finished. 

Shampoo just gave a smile smile when the couple left the Nekohanten. "Ranma become Shampoo's now for sure...." 

***************************** 

Akane and Ranma reached the gates of the Tendou Dojo, it was around dinner time, since they had taken their time walking home. Akane sighed. 

"Time to go back to the real world I guess." Akane squeezed Ranma's hand and opened the gates. 

"You're such a pervet Ranma!!" She yelled at him, trying to conceal a large smile on her face. 

"Kawaiikunee!" He yelled back, grinning. 

This comment with quickly met with a fist in the face, which sends Ranma hurling through the air. 

Soun and Genma looked on as Ranma flew past. 

"Our children, what ever will happen to them Saotome-kun?!" 

"I don't know Tendou-san! It's obvious they need guidence!" 

Genma and Soun sat there in deep thought....and thought...and thought...and thought...... 

"Do you want ot play Shogoi?" 

"Sure Tendou-san." 

So the two fathers forgot about the troubles with their children. Nadoka watched from across the room with a large sweatdrop on the back of her head. 

***************************** 

Ranma crawled acorss the roof and hung down from the storm gutter infront of Akane's bedroom. 

"Yo Akane.." Ranma tapped on the window. 

Akane looked up from her studies and opened the window a bit. 

"Oh, Hello Ranma." Akane said back. 

Ranma frowned for a second and then spoke up.."Ya... I was just wondering, why did you punch me when we came into the gates? I thought you were just going to storm up to your room?" 

Akane gave a small smile. "Did I hurt you at all?" 

Ranma shook his head, "Not really, actually it seemed that you let up some of your strength." 

"Well then what are you complaining about Ranma? Please excuse me, I have things that need to be done." She went to grab the side if the window to shut it when Ranma swung into her room. 

"What are you doing?" Akane asked him quite plainly. 

"What did I do?" He asked. 

"What are you talking about?" Akane replied showing little to no emotion in her face. 

"Well, you seem real mad at me, I was just wondering what I did to make you so mad at me. Was it because I called you kawaiikunee?" Ranma had a hurt expression on his face. 

Something was happening inside of Akane. *Kawaiikunee.... yes.. he ALWAYS said that to you.. he means it.. when he said you were cute when you were smiling, he lied.. he always lies to you..* 

"I don't know what you are talking about... and I really don't know why you would care at all if I was mad at you." Akane said flatly. 

Ranma was drawn back. "What are you talking about, come on Akane, you know I don't really mean it!" 

He went to go and grab ontop Akane's hands. 

*All lies...* 

"Why would I care what you say to me anyways Ranma? I would really appreciate if you didn't touch me either. All your finacee's grabbing you all the time, there's no telling what dieseases you have."Akane backed away from him. 

Ranma was shocked. "Maybe you really are a TOMBOY!" 

*He hates you.... he loves Shampoo... Ukyou.... Kodachi... he never cared about you...* 

"That's right, you never cared about me.... I hope you go and enjoy your life with some other girl because.......Ranma I HATE YOU!" Akane's face was serious and had an evil smirk on it. 

"A...Akane.. you don't mean that right?..Come on... I don't mean when I call you uncute..." Ranma was trying to come back in defence. *She's just kidding right?* He became panicked. 

Akane shook her head. "Why would I lie about something like this? I HATE YOU RANMA!" Akane turned her back to him and tapped her foot waiting for him to leave. 

HATE YOU HATE YOU HATE YOU HATE YOU.. the words echoed through his head. He had to get out of there.... he ran from Akane's room, out of the window and jumped from various roof tops to an empty park where he found a park bench. 

*What just happened..... we were so happy before we walked into the house.... she kissed me the other night.. there is NO WAY Akane would do this.. even if she was mad.. she'd never say she hated me and mean it....... not when I.. I.. lo.....* 

Ranma hung his head as a single tear fell down his cheek. "Kawaiikunee...." his whispered under his breath..... 

********************* 

Back at the Tendou house.... Akane was sitting on her bed, tears poured down her face. 

*Why am I crying? I feel nothing for him... yet.... something is wrong with me...why would I cry for someone as stupid as him?* 

Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in the side of her neck, and before she could reach up, her body slumped down to the floor. 

A pair of small female arms picked her up. The person with a smile on her face, leaped out the the window and rushed through the town. 

********************* 

Ranma's head perked up as a thought dawned on him. He rushed to his feet and ran as fast as his legs would allow towards the shopping district. It took him only minutes to reach his destination. He looked up to see the sign, a small cat with some Chinese and Japanese Writing on it. 

********************* 

"What do you think you're doing Shampoo!?! A drug as strong as that... it... it's not like you! Do you know what effect this will have on the people it works on?!" Mousse pleaded with Shampoo. 

"Shampoo know what drug do... you just jealous that Shampoo is going to marry Ranma now!" Shampoo glared back at him. 

Mousse knew he never wanted his love to marry anyone other than him, but this was totally different! Mousse knew what the terrible effects of this "hate" drug could have on people. He knew others that had used it. He was fearful of what Ranma would do if...make that WHEN he found out what prank Shampoo had pulled on him to get his affections. 

"Shampoo!! Do you really think that Ranma will forgive you for doing this?!" Mousse's words became a bit more serious. 

"Of course Ranma will forgive Shampoo! Once violent girl no more obstacle, Ranma come to Shampoo!" She was so sure, if Ranma knew how much she really cared about him, he would leave Akane for sure. 

"Shampoo use hate drug on Akane, now she hate Ranma, now Ranma love Shampoo!" She became overjoyed with this thought. 

"Never...." a voice came from the door of the NekoHanten. 

Shampoo swirled her head around to see Ranma, hands clentched at his side, gritting his teeth. 

"Airen! You come date Shampoo yes?" Shampoo ran to Ranma's side. "Now that Akane no more obstacle, you can marry Shampoo!" She tried to grab onto Ranma's arm, but she was quickly, not to mention forcefully shoved aside. 

"Something is wrong Airen?" Shampoo backed up a bit. 

"Never..... I never thought someone could be so cold......." Ranma spoke with an icey tone. 

"Cold? No heat is on! it no cold." Shampoo was confused. 

Ranma shook his head over and over.... and soon he let out a small laugh... not one you would particuarly like to hear.... it was almost maniacal. 

Shampoo backed away slowly, as she became scared. 

Ranma leaned his head up, and for the first time, Shampoo saw Ranma crying. She gasped. The man who was "oh so macho" was actually shedding tears. 

"How could you... how... HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?!" Ranma shouted in Shampoo's direction. "I thought of you as my friend.... even if you tried to make the others mad at me...even after bringing you're greatgrandmother here who tortured me.... after trying to kill me many times... after hurting Akane so much.... I still thought of you as a friend.... FRIENDS DON'T DO THINGS LIKE THIS!! Shampoo... I no longer concider you a friend.. you have no right to call me you're finacee.... I don't care about any Amazon laws..... a person in love would not do something like this...." Ranma's expression turned from one of hurt to one of hatred. 

Shampoo stood frozen. She didn't know what to say to him. She was sure is Akane was out of the picture Ranma would fall for her in no time. Her plan wasn't going to was it was supposed to. Mousse slowly put his hand on Shampoo's shoulder, who immediately shrugged it off. Shampoo buried her head into her hands and slowly dropped to the ground crying. Ranma expression didn't change. 

"You hate Shampoo that much Ranma?" She pleaded, almost begged for his answer to be no. 

"I don't know right now Shampoo...... " Ranma replied. 

"But violent girl no more love Ranma... Ranma can love Shampoo now!" she looked hopeful. 

"Shampoo....right now... you don't even have my friendship.... how am I supposed to be IN LOVE WITH YOU?!" 

*Ranma really does hate me... how could I have known? They are always fighting! Calling each other names! There's no way I'm giving up my husband to that girl!* 

"Ranma marry Shampoo..." She said after the tears had stopped. 

"What did I just say to you?!" Ranma was irritated even more so now. 

Shampoo's face became more serious, "Shampoo know cure to drug....If Ranma no want Akane to hate him.... Ranma marry Shampoo...otherwise..... Akane never talk to Ranma again....It Ranma's fault too Akane hate him. Drug is used so each mean thing say to the person... their emotion go crazy...and they begin to hate.. Ranma insult Akane.. Shampoo plan on this... so Ranma must say many mean things to Akane to make her hate him this much." 

She had an evil grin on her face. "Akane hate Ranma because of Ranma.... not because of Shampoo." 

************************ 

To Be Continued.... 

************************ 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, small children, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 

-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10-around 17 

-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 

-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 

-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 

ara: the equivilent to "Oh my.." 

arigato: thank you 

baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 

"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 

dojo: a martial arts practice hall 

gi: martial art fighting atire 

gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 

hai : yes 

hentai: pervert 

iie: no 

ittai, ite: ouch 

ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 

kawaii: cute 

kawaiikunee: uncute 

nani?: what? 

NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. he "Cat-Cafe" 

onee-chan : Older sister 

oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 

otou-san: father 

sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 







********Note From The Author*****************

Second part to "Shampoo's Wonder Drug! Akane hates Ranma?!" See how the story ends! Send mail to 

Akane_chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action**


------------------------------------------------------------------------


Shampoo's Wonder Drug! Akane HATES Ranma!?! Part 2

Shampoo had an evil grin on her face. "Akane hate Ranma because of Ranma.... not because of Shampoo." 

Ranma's stomach was wrenching, *Akane hates me.... because of some stupid names I call her...* He felt sick to his stomach. 

******************* 

Ranma remembered back to the conversation he and Akane had just before they had reached the dojo. 

"Just call me one of those stupid name!" Akane stuck out her tongue to Ranma, "Don't worry I won't take it into offence since I'm telling you" she giggled. 

"Fine, if you insist..." Ranma grinned. 

"Hey!" Akane lightly punched his arm, "This is just so daddy and Saotome-oyugi don't suspect anything dummy." She said back, again giggling. 

The two would put on the act, because their parents would have them married before the end of the night if they even had the notion that Ranma and Akane might care for each other in the least. 

******************* 

"That right.... if Ranma no want Akane to hate him.. Ranma marry Shampoo... today." 

Shampoo held up a small packet which contained some sort of powder. "Is antidote to drug...." 

Ranma's heart sank, as he shook his head. "I would rather have Akane hate me for the rest of her life because she would have the chance to fall in love with someone else.... she wouldn't even have to think of me ever again....and she would be happy.... marry you and Akane she would be hurt FAR worse because she would never understand......... I can't marry you Shampoo..... I'm marrying someone because I love her... right now.. I'm having trouble not to hate you.." 

Shampoo snorted. "Fine Ranma, you go then, Shampoo have no more business with you." 

Shampoo crushed the small package in her hand as all the contents dropped to the ground. Ranma looked on in horror at first...then contempt. 

Ranma took a look at Akane who was sprawled out on one of the tables, unconscious. He walked towards her and picked her gently up in his arms. He body was limp and made no movement. He turned a took one last look at Shampoo and shook his head. Then calmly walked out of the restaurant. 

Shampoo watched him leave then slowly turned to Mousse. His heart broke when the tears started to pour down Shampoo's face as she rushed upstairs and small sobs came from the back of her throat. 

"Shampoo......" Mousse said her name in a whisper. 

******************** 

Ranma had laid Akane on the floor of the dojo. He concluded that Shampoo must have knocked her out somehow and that the affects should be wearing off any moment now. He had little time. 

"Akane..." he whispered to himself. 

*It's my fault.... Shampoo came to Japan because of me...and I said all those hateful things to you... now you must be hurting..... all my fault.* 

Ranma slowly leaned over and kissed Akane's cold lips. 

"I won't make you hurt anymore....." Ranma touched her face, then slowly set out to his room. 

He quickly ran up into his room and grabbed his rugsack and stuffed all his belongings into it. Some misc. herbs that Shampoo had given him, a thermos full of hot water just in case, and a lone picture with a small wooden frame around it. Sure Akane and Ranma weren't standing right beside each other. But this was Akane's favorite picture, then one he had given her for Christmas the past year. 

Ranma sighed as he traced the outline of Akane through the glass of the frame. 

"Jeez... why am I getting so worked up anyway... it's not like I lo....like I lo..........love........ Akane...." Ranma shook his head and then tiptoed slowly out of the house, as to not attract any attention from the already sleeping family. 

Ranma took one good look at the dojo again, then set off. 

******************* 

Mousse stood in the middle of one of the streets in Nerima. He looked up to see another person walking quickly down a street adjacent to the one he was standing in. Mousse made the figure out to be a man..with a short hairstyle.... a pigtail.... RANMA?! Mousse couldn't believe the luck he was having! Quickly he ran and caught up with Ranma. 

"Saotome! I have something of great importance to talk to you about!" Mousse blurted out. 

"Uh... you wanting to talk with ME Mousse?" Ranma stood to his side with a sweat drop on the back of his head. 

Mousse quickly pulled down his glasses and turned from the lamp post he had recently been conversing with. 

"Saotome!" Mousse got the right thing...uh...man......this time. 

"Mousse...really I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone right now..." Ranma turned to walk away when he felt the tug from his shirt sleeve. 

"Ranma.... this is something I am sure that will be of interest to you." Mousse was serious. 

"Mousse... this had better be good.. I'm not staying in Nerima any longer... I .... I need to get out of here as soon as I can..." Ranma trailed off with a pained look in his eye. 

"Saotome. You wish to cure your fiancée that's right isn't it?" 

Ranma was shocked, "You had better not be playing with me!! Right now I'm capable of..... far worse things that I have done in the past...." 

"I kid you not. I know of the cure for your Akane..." Mousse was a little nervous. 

"Well I know that too! Shampoo......" Ranma scowled, "Shampoo destroyed it! You saw it with your OWN eyes!" 

"Yes, I admit she destroyed the powder that would cure Akane.... that was the easy way.... the solution I will give to you now, will be much harder on you than simply giving her an antidote as simple as powder." Mousse was wondering...*Would Ranma actually agree to this? He's a strong person.... but... I also know of his macho ego that kept him from actually acting like a REAL man..* 

Ranma's face was in wondering...."Mousse, you would do anything for Shampoo wouldn't you? I understand you now. Akane..." Ranma paused, "Even if it meant Shampoo ending up with someone else but she would be the happiest person in the world... you would rather her end up with someone else if it meant she'd be happy right?" 

Mousse nodded his head. 

"It's... it's the same with me.... if.. if the cure you're going to tell me now... if it has the chance of hurting Akane... I don't want it.." Ranma lowered his head. 

"I know not of what it will do Saotome-kun, I only know that it will counter what Shampoo has done, and bring Akane back to the way she was." 

Ranma didn't know what to do.. *I want Akane cured.... I want it so I can be there to protect her like I always do... but I don't want to hurt her anymore! I do it too often...with those STUPID names I call her... the ones that drove her to hate me... but.... if this will mean that Akane comes back...* 

"What do I have to do Mousse?" 

******************** 

Ranma ran down the dark, lonely street. 

"Jeez Mousse! You said this would be hard.. but..I gotta...I gotta..... How in the hell can I make myself to this?!" Ranma was in some state of shock. 

"But... Akane will go back to normal right? I can stay at the Dojo with her right?...Then.. I HAVE to do it!" Ranma's paced quickened as he reached the Tendou house. 

Nabiki looked up to see Ranma run into the house and brace himself against the door frame to catch his breath. 

"My, my Ranma-kun... out late I see.." Nabiki didn't even look up from her book. 

Kasumi walked in through the door to the kitchen carrying a tray, Nadoka following close behind. 

"Ara.... Ranma-kun... we were wondering where you had gotten to... would you like some tea also?" Kasumi had a smile that seemed to lighten up the world, but Ranma was in too much of a hurry to notice this. 

"Go...", catches his breath, "Gomen Kasumi-san.... I went out for a walk.... " *Not exactly a lie..* "Do you know where Akane is?" 

"Hmm.... I think I saw her in the dojo working out a few minutes ago. By the way, Akane-chan seemed quite upset about something. She was in an even worse mood than before it seems.. Are you and her in a fight Ranma?" Nadoka answered Ranma's question even before Kasumi could get a breath in. 

"Well.... I guess you could say that..." Ranma's spirits lowered even more. 

"You had best go and work this out son, she seemed in quite the fowl mood.." Nadoka's face was decked in concern for her son. 

"Hai Ka-san.... I was just about to work this out... please excuse me" And with that Ranma ran out of the room towards the dojo. 

Nabiki, Kasumi, and Nadoka all gave each other puzzled looks. 

*Now what could that have been about?* Nabiki wondered *Maybe there could be some money in this...* A sly smile crept across her face as she slowly got up to get her camera from her room. 

********************* 

Akane, dressed in her yellow gi, was practicing her kata's in the dojo. She was deep in thought it seemed with her eyes closed and her brow slightly frowning. Her body glided in quick, fluid movements as she twisted herself about. A sudden noise from the doorway got her attention as she spun herself around to see..... nothing. No one was there. Akane was a little suspicious at first, but then shrugged and turned back around. 

Ranma was standing about 6 feet away from her. Pain spreading across his face. Akane was surprised to say the least, but regained her composure and narrowed her eyes. 

"What do _YOU_ want?" She asked coldly, "Can't you see I'm busy? I have better things to do than stand around her looking at y--" Before Akane could finish her sentence Ranma rushed to her and pressed his lips against hers. Akane stood there shocked for a few seconds then forcefully pushed herself away. 

"WHAT DO YOU THINKG YOU'RE DOING?!?!" A small amount of battle aura surrounded Akane, steadily increasing in amount. 

"I try to talk to you.. but you won't listen to anything I have to say! You hit me before I can explain myself, even if it's for something I didn't even do! But.. Akane....." The girl wouldn't hear anymore of his excuses. 

*Think of all the times he's said those things to you.... "KAWAIIKUNEE! TOMBOY! UNSEXY!" he does it to hurt you.... he takes joy in it..... don't let him have to time think of an excuse.. strike.....Strike.... STRIKE!* 

Akane held her head in pain and let out a battle cry as she was soon rushing towards Ranma. She sent out a wild punch that Ranma barely dodged. A kick.... another punch.... she kept going. Ranma was frantically jumping around to dodge Akane's attacks... but this time.. somehow.... they were stronger.. more powerful.... DEFINATELY dangerous. *I'll never be able to cure her at this rate!!* 

Ranma flipped backwards and landed a few feet in front of Akane. "AKANE! Please listen to me!" Ranma pleaded. 

*No more excuses! He has to pay.* Akane grabbed onto her head again... "That's right.... no more excuses.... you have to pay..." Akane held her hands in front of herself and spoke in a whisper at first, "Shi.......Shi........." her eyes flared and her voice quickly became loud "HAKOUDAN!!!!!!!!!" Akane threw out a mass ki blast straight to Ranma. 

He couldn't move away fast enough. His body flew back into the side of the dojo wall, and slowly slumped down to the ground. Ranma's body was charred, but the pain wasn't presented. He was numb. Not from the attack though. *Akane.... how did she pull it off.... she was never taught any special techniques....how....* His thoughts were cut off when he raised his battered head up to see Akane standing over him, her hands severely burned and dripping with blood. The look in her eyes scared Ranma right down to his soul. It was the look of someone who had gone mad. 

Akane started to laugh solemnly and then grew serious. "Before I dispose of you Saotome Ranma-kun..... I'll give you any last words your cowards heart might want to say..." 

Ranma looked at her with pained eyes. *This is my only chance* 

Ranma slowly nodded his head. "I have one thing I wanted to say.... for so long now... I never had the chance.. I couldn't find the right time... I let my pride get in my way so much...... I just want you to be happy, with me in... or out of... your life.... Akane....... I........ I truly..... I love you...you hate me, I know this... but I always will love you." 

Akane's jaw dropped slightly, as well as her arms to her side. Her face in a state of shock. 

*********************** 
(30 minutes ago) 

"Saotome-kun..I must ask you a question, even if I know the answer. I have to be sure. Ranma. Are you in love with Akane-chan?" Mousse' face was blank. 

"NANI?!" Ranma's face quickly flushed beat red. 

"Ranma-kun, answer the question." 

Ranma extended his two index fingers and pushed them together. "Well... I..... Love Akane? She's my fiancée.....but she hits me a lot....but I defend her...she sticks up for me.... she's a tomboy though.... no way she's cute....but when she smiles......" The ramblings went on. 

Mousse set a hand on his companion's shoulder. "Saotome-kun, do you love Akane-chan?" 

"H.....Hai.... but if you breath a word of this to anyone Mousse!!!!!! I swear I.." 

He was hastily cut off by a smile from Mousse. 

"The most sincere form of affection... true love." Mousse lifted his hand off Ranma's shoulder. 

The pig-tailed boy looked at the blind one in wonder. 

"To break the hold on Akane.... the most sincere affection is that of true love...you must tell her. She needs to know." 

********************** 

"R......Ranma......" She lifted her arms and cringed as she took a look at her scorched hands. Her eyes moved slowly to Ranma who she noticed was also burned. 

"What happened to you Ranma? Wh.... Why are you hurt?" Akane's face was soft. 

"Ak....Akane... you're alright?!" Ranma looked up in hope. 

"Alright? ..... I..... what have I done?" Tears started to stream down her pale face upon looking at the beaten Ranma. Her body slumped to the floor, her head buried in her hands. 

A smile slowly crept across Ranma's face as he struggled to move himself and wrap his arms around his fiancée's small body. 

"What have I done.... what have I done..." Akane kept repeating. Ranma gently rocked her back and forth trying to calm the crying girl. 

Nabiki burst in at this point. "Akane-chan! Daijobu desu ka?!" Sincere concern was spread across her face. 

"Onee-chan.... I don't... I can't remember... I was at the gates of the house... I was with Ranma.. and now he's hurt, and my hands.. why don't I remember?" Tears still trickled down her face as her older sister approached and took Akane out of the boy's hands and into her own. 

Akane cringed as Nabiki held her. 

"Ranma-kun, get Kasumi in here and get the first aid kit! NOW!!!!" Nabiki remained calm, even if the situation was far from it. 

"H..Hai!!" The boy darted out of the room and returned a few minutes dragging the oldest Tendou girl behind him in one hand. And a large case with a red cross in the other. He ignored the immense pain he felt. 

"Ranma-kun..please slow down! Just tell me what...Ara! AKANE-CHAN!" Kasumi rushed towards her sister as soon as she saw Akane laying in Nabiki's arms. 

Kasumi took a look over her sister and put her hand over her mouth when she saw Akane's hands, burned and bloody. 

"Akane-chan, what happened?" Kasumi asked, her voice filled with worry. 

"I can't remember, onee-chan.... I only recall the few minutes ago when I saw Ranma against the wall... and Nabiki came in...." Akane was distraught. "I don't remember what I did onee-chan...I feel....so tired..." and with that Akane collapsed completely in Nabiki's arms. 

"Nabiki-chan, Ranma-kun please help me! We must get her to Toufu-sensei's!" Nabiki nodded, along with Ranma, until Kasumi noticed Ranma's blood soaked shirt. 

"Ranma-kun! You're bleeding! Do you need help also?" Kasumi was almost panicking, which was rare in the composed girl. 

"No, Kasumi-san, it's alright! I can walk, please help Akane." Ranma forced a small smile but it turned to a cringed as he stood back up. He clutched his chest. One broken rib, maybe more. 

"Ranma-kun, try your best then. We must go!" And with that Kasumi stood and dashed out of the door, Nabiki following with her sister in her arms, and Ranma doing his best to keep up. 

********************** 

*Where am I now?.... it's warm.... Nabiki onee-chan.... Kasumi onee-chan.......Ranma.... RANMA!* 

Akane sat up quickly, "Ranma? Ranma!?" her voice seemed frantic. She looked around and noticed the sterile fragrance to the room. 

She failed to notice a pair of arms wrap around her, but couldn't ignore it when they pulled her back down to the bed. She turned her head to her left and came face to face with her fiancé. Her heart felt relief. 

"Don't panic, I'm not going anywhere." His smile was sweet and inviting. She noticed his shirt was off, most likely being washed away of the blood and sweat. White bandages covered him. She reached up to touch him when she noticed her own set of bandages wrapped around her hands. She studied them for a minute, then her eyes welled up. The man's hand brushed against her cheek wiping away any tears that strayed form her eyes. 

"Ranma, I'm so glad you're okay! I was so afraid...." Akane's voice became choked up. 

"Don't be, it's nothing I can't handle." He replied cradling her. 

"Are you sure?" She asked poking him gently in the side. 

Ranma let out a groan as he rolled over to his back. 

"Okay are you!?! Ranma you're ribs! They're broken!" Akane's voice became irritating. 

"I told you it's nothing!" His voice matching hers. 

"And the happy couple are back I see." Nabiki winking at them as she walked back in her room followed by Kasumi, and a slightly dazed Toufu. 

Nabiki shook her head, "Kasumi onee-chan, do you think you could go and get some tea?" Nabiki had to think of something to get he out of the doctor's sight so her little sister and her soon-to-be brother could be tended too. 

"Hai. That is a good idea." Kasumi sauntered out of the room and Toufu came back to his wits. 

"So, Akane-chan, Ranma-kun do you mind telling me what happened to both of you? Ranma has several cracked ribs, and Akane has been drained of almost all energy, not to mention the scars that are going to arrive once Akane's hands have healed." Toufu's head was cocked to the side slightly. 

"Toufu-sensei... I.. I can't remem---" She was hastily cut off by Ranma. 

"Gomen Nasai minna. It's all my fault." Ranma hung his head the best he could, bracing the pain that came. 

Akane looked puzzled. *How could have me beating up Ranma be his fault?* 

Ranma turned his gaze over to the girl laying next to him in the clinic bed. His eyes were glistening. To say Akane was shocked, would be an understatement. "Ra...Ranma?" 

He shook his head urging her not to speak. She silenced herself. 

"Shampoo slipped you some kind of drug when we were at the NekoHanten. When I said those cruel things to you, even though I didn't mean them, the drug took over and made you hate me. When you said you..." Ranma took a deep breath ",when you said you hated me, I panicked and I called you more mean names which just caused the hate to deepen." 

Akane shook her head in disbelief, "Oh Ranma... I'm.. I'm SO sorry!" Akane covered her face in the bandages that surrounded her hands. Ranma gently pulled them away to reveal tears. 

Kasumi reappeared in the room and whispered to Toufu and Nabiki, "I think this is our cue to let them reconcile." With that she hooked her arm into the Ono Toufu's and led him away. Nabiki didn't budge though. She stood there quietly, concealing a small hand-held tape recorder behind her back. Kasumi gave a scowl and soon Nabiki followed. When Kasumi wanted something down, you generally complied. Her older sister might not be much threat to you by way of martial arts but Kasumi had her ways, and Kami-sama help you if you ever got her upset! The three left the couple alone. 

"Don't even say that! It's not your fault! Not at all!! It was mine! I don't think before I say things! I open my mouth and talk before my brain has a chance to catch up...... Shampoo was planning on it. She knew I'd say those cruel things. Akane.." Ranma struggled out of the bed much to Akane's pleading not to. He got on his knees before her a bowed down. 

"Ranma! Please get back into the bed! You're in worse shape than I am! If you move you're going to injure yourself further! You say you want to protect me! How are you supposed to do that if you can barely move!?!" These words reached Ranma and he looked up at Akane and her tear streaked face. She was very beautiful, even if she was weathered, teary, and all around in bad shape. 

Ranma stood to his feet again and he seemed to tower over Akane, who was on her side looking up to him. Gently he sat down on the side of the bed and gritted his teeth to the pain of his broken body. Akane gently pulled him down so he was on his back and rested her head on his shoulder, hugging his arm with great care. 

"You _don't_ think before you speak, and you're always insulting me, not to mention leading on all those others girls..." Akane sighed. 

"This isn't making me feel any better I hope you know...." Ranma frowned. 

Akane laughed slightly, "I wasn't finished...baka.." Ranma blushed a little, he was beginning to act like Akane, jumping to conclusions so fast. 

"You may not think before you say things, that annoys me slightly, but I knew you never put your heart into them. I know you didn't mean it.." Akane smiled weakly, "I guess it was the drug that made me say I hate you Ranma, but, please.... you didn't believe me right? I don't hate you Ranma.. you always help me when I'm in trouble, I'll never hate you. I just wish I could remember what happened, for the life of me I can only remember being at the front gates, and then the moment I saw you against the wall of the dojo." Akane's face was in strain as she tried to recall the events of the past day. 

A thought dawned on Ranma. "Are you telling the truth? You REALLY can't remember anything that happened?!?" 

Akane shook her head, "Why? What happened?" 

*"I have one thing I wanted to say.... for so long now... I never had the chance.. I couldn't find the right time... I let my pride get in my way so much...... I just want you to be happy, with me in... or out.. of your life.... Akane....... I........ I truly..... I love you...you hate me, I know this... but I always will love you."* Ranma recalled his words. He blushed furiously which did not go unnoticed by the girl beside him. 

"Something did happen? What Ranma?" Akane inquired. 

This only deepened Ranma's blush. "N...Nothing happened! Wh...Why would you think something did?!?!" Ranma spit out, almost yelling. 

"You're face is SO red!! RANMA!! What happened?!?!" Akane was in agony. She couldn't bare not being able to remember. 

"I..uh...umm.. I kissed you that's all!" Ranma couldn't take much more of this. 

"Ranma! You've kissed me before, but you've NEVER been this embarrassed before!!" Akane was getting frustrated. 

"How d..do you know?! The only time I kissed you it was dark! You couldn't tell!" *Oh no, I'm in for it.... I hope Nabiki's not listening or I know I'll be broke by the end of the day!!* 

Akane took a good look around the room at the lights, the windows, and finally back down to Ranma. She forcefully shoved both her hands on either side of the boy and looked determined as she pushed her face into his and deepened the kiss. 

Ranma was surprised, to say the least, but sometimes he didn't mind these kind of surprises. He was hesitant to let Akane pull away, but she was done with him now and she could prove a point. 

"Ranma..." 

"Mmm...Akane?" Ranma still dazed. 

"You're face is it's normal color now." Akane said as she poked his nose. 

"Eh?..." 

Akane giggled uncontrollably, to embarrass Ranma so much in one day was more than she would be able to hope for. But she was glad he wasn't embarrassed now. It just meant he was comfortable with her. And really, that simple thing was what she wanted more than anything she could wish for in the entire world. 

"Don't worry Ranma, it's okay if you don't want to tell me what made you so red, I have other ways to get it out of you." Akane winked at him and his face was back to its dark shade. 

Akane carefully lay down on Ranma's chest, feeling his breath quicken, and then relax. Something kind of nagged at her though, so she thought she could press the issue. 

"Ranma?" 

"Hai?" He asked while gently stroking the top of her head. 

"How was it? I mean the first time..... your first kiss?" Akane needed to know. 

Ranma gave a sly grin that was unnoticed by the girl. "My first kiss to you? Or my first kiss at all?" 

Akane tensed. *I...I wasn't his first real kiss?!?!* 

"hm.. well my first kiss.. one that I really wanted, was to this girl... I won't say her name though. She was VERY beautiful, I cared about her a lot too. The sky was a bit gray outside and it was humid due to the rain that had fallen that night. Her lips were soft and warm..." He was well aware that this would just drive Akane crazy. He just had to make sure he was ready for her outrage before she could do any damage. 

A small amount of ki aura floated around Akane. *WHY is her talking about another girl he's been kissing right after he's kissed me?!!? I'll kill him, I SWEAR I will!!* She lifted up her body and stared down at Ranma who, to her surprise, had a big, silly grin on his face as he stared at her. Confused Akane just sat there, her anger slowly turning into despair. 

Ranma knew JUST what to say, "She looks just as great as she did that night right now." 

Akane looked at him dumbfounded. 

"She was sick that night, so the following day when she was sleeping, I stole kiss from her. But she moved around too much, like a klutz, so I had to stop. I was afraid she might hit me with say...a mallet... if she knew what I was up to. She was just as cute as she was then right now." Ranma admitted and poked the top of Akane's forehead to wake her from her trance. 

Akane's face flushed. "Ranma no hentai.." 

Ranma burst our laughing. "An eye for an eye eh? Akane?" 

"Oh you're such a jerk!" Akane blurt out as she crossed her arms in front of her. 

Ranma kept on laughing although it hurt a hell of a lot. "And your SOOO uncute!" He stuck out his tongue. 

Akane stuck hers right back at him trying to contain her laughter. 

Ranma's face turned thoughtful, "Well maybe I am a jerk, 'cuz I was lying right then, you actually look pretty cute." Ranma stuck out his tongue again and laughed. 

Akane pinned him down, being careful of his injuries, and continued to laugh with him. 

**CLICK** **FLASH** 

The couple looked up to see Nabiki holding a camera up to her face. They froze. 

"Oh come on guys! I need more energy! If you look right at the camera it won't do at all!" Nabiki grinned and began to walk out the door. 

"NABIKI!!!!!" the two yelled at once. 

She stuck her tongue out at them and winked then took a run for it. 

Ranma and Akane jumped out of the bed as best they could but got caught up in the sheets and both went crashing to the floor. 

"Ara, they are still too young I say!" In came Kasumi looking at the two tangled in the sheets together on the ground. 

"Ranma-kun! Akane-chan! Fancy meeting you in a place like this..." Toufu managed to spit out. He turned to his skeleton. "Betty-chan, would you get some tea for the two?" 

Kasumi put her hand to her mouth and giggled. "Oh Toufu-chan you're so silly." 

Ranma and Akane couldn't help but burst out laughing. 

************************ 

Hope you liked the ending *^_^* I couldn't help throwing Kasumi in their. She's such a light hearted person. Hey! How many people have seen the VIZ version when Shampoo come and Kasumi is trying to explain about Ranma's "girlfriend from china"? I laughed so hard when she sputtered out all that! *L* Anyway, wait till the next one! 

************************ 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, small children, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10-around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 
-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
arigato: thank-you 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
iie: no 
ikimasho: let's go 
ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
konichi'wa: good day, hello 
minna: everyone 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
osage no onna: pig tailed goddess 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sake: fermented rice wine 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 
shishi hakoudan: Ryoga's special ki attack. It takes great emotions of despair and depression and gathers it up into a massive ki blast originating from the hands. 
shogoi: the equivalent to chess in North America 
sugoi: amazing, cool, wonderful, etc. 
watashi wa: my name is... OR I am... 
yatta: ALRIGHT! 







*************Notes From The Author***************

My fifth installment in my series of Love One/Love Lost. Will Ranma be able to forgive Shampoo after the little stunt she pulled in the last story? He will, if Akane has anything to do with it! But what price will Shampoo have to pay for this? 

Akane_chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action**


************************** 

Kiss and Make-up

************************** 

Akane woke slowly to the morning light. Her head was pounding and she felt a dull, numbing pain her hands. It was enough to wake her from her slumber. But, that wasn't the exact thing that had woken her. She flopped over to her side to hit something soft. This "something" let out a small grunt of pain. Akane was shocked to see Ranma laying beside her. 

"Couldn't you have found a better way to wake me up?" Ranma said grumpily as he rubbed his chest. Akane stared at him dumbfounded. 

"Wh..what? Something on my face?" Ranma rubbed his face and looked at her questionably. 

Akane looked around to see this wasn't her bed. They were still in Toufu-sensei's clinic. She took in her surroundings, and the clean smell. Finally she relaxed after recalling all that had happened in the past two days. She let out a long sigh and let her head hit the pillow again. 

"Somethin wrong Akane-chan?" Ranma said with a touch of concern. 

*A...Akane-CHAN?!" Akane blushed. And as soon as Ranma figured out what he had done his face soon matched hers. 

"N..no...nothings wrong.. just a little tired I guess. Not to mention a pounding headache." Akane flinched as it steadily came into effect. 

"Oh ya, Toufu-sensei said that might last a little while, just a side affect of the drug..." Ranma frowned as he thought of what Shampoo had done. 

Akane felt a little sorry for Shampoo though. Even after she had done all the terrible things, even after torturing them like she had, she could understand that Shampoo really did love Ranma with all her heart. If Akane were in the situation, she knows how much it would hurt. 

"Ranma...please don't hate her." Akane said, knowing she'd regret these words. 

"Nani?!?" Ranma said in shock. 

"Please don't hate Shampoo. She... just don't okay?" Akane said biting her bottom lip. 

"Ha! Easy for you to say!" Ranma looked at her cynically. 

"It's just..well... if I was Shampoo, I know what it would feel like. She really does love you Ranma. Even if she uses harmful means to get it, all she really wants was for you too love her.." Akane looked away thoughtfully. *Is that what _I_ really want in the end?* 

"She's chased me for so long! She won't leave me alone!! Now look what she did! Poisoned you and made you hate me! Do you know how much that hurts?" Ranma was mad. *How could she say that?! After all Shampoo has done?!* 

"Ranma..you.. you really mean that?" Akane looked up with a sweet smile. 

"N..nani?" Ranma drew back. 

"Oh..gomen... I just... Were you really sad?" Akane had a hopeful expression on her face. 

Ranma blushed at the sight of her smile. It had always done that to him, only lately he had trouble covering it up. "Hai, it.. I thought you really did hate me. I didn't know what I was going to do.." 

"Ranma..." Akane's smile brightened. 

This was enough to give Ranma courage. He closed in on the girl. "Akane..I... that is.. I...L..." 

"Ara! Akane-chan, Ranma-kun?" Kasumi walked in with a tray of tea and small cookies. Toufu walked in close behind with a goofy grin plastered across his face. Ranma and Akane quickly zipped away from each other to lay on either side of the bed they were in. Luckily it provided enough space to make Kasumi happy. 

"Ranma-kun, Akane-chan! Nice to see you here!" Toufu bowed to Betty. 

"Man this is getting WAY too old, ne Akane?" Ranma whispered to his fiancée. 

Akane nodded in agreement. 

Kasumi was slightly laughing. "Toufu-chan, Ranma and Akane are the ones on the bed." She slightly frowned at her comment. 

Akane was getting impatient to get home. Although, she wondered what would have happened if her onee-chan and Toufu-sensei hadn't walked in when they had. 

"Kasumi onee-chan, would it be too much of you to ask to go home to check on otou-san. He would be worried sick about us now! I don't think Nabiki's way with words would be able to calm him as much as you." Akane smiled brightly. 

"I think you're right Akane-chan. I'll go home and make sure Otou-san and the rest of the family are doing okay and I'll get lunch ready. You are going to be home right Akane-chan?" 

"Hai, onee-chan. I'm feeling a lot better now, and I'm sure I could carry Ranma home if I had too." She stuck her tongue out at Ranma who scowled. 

"Sayonara Toufu-chan. I'll see you later you two!" With a wave Kasumi left the clinic and started down the street. 

"Toufu-sensei, is it really okay for me and Ranma to leave?" Akane asked. 

Toufu gained his wits once more. "Oh..uh.. oh! Hai, but I must order that both of you rest for a few days. Ranma-kun's bones will heal soon. His recuperative powers astound me! Akane-chan, you're headache and hands should heal nice, but I have some balm in the back that should clear of any major scars that might be left over. But I'm afraid I can't heal all of them." 

"Oh that's okay Toufu-sensei, you've been a big enough help already." She gave the doctor a smile, and he left the room to get the medicine for Akane's hands. 

Ranma and Akane stood up, Ranma more slowly due to his bones. Toufu came back and handed a small, flat jar to Akane's bandaged hands, and soon the two were hobbling home. 

************************** 

Shampoo had not emerged from her room since Ranma had last been to the NekoHanten. Mousse sat silently outside her room the whole time, sleeping on a chair he had brought up and occasionally bringing her food. He left it outside her door incase she got hungry. The food now sat in the same place, stone cold. Mousse had thought that maybe he should knock on the door or try to talk to her but, when matters of Saotome Ranma were at hand, Mousse knew that all the love he had for Shampoo could not win. So, he sat there silent, waiting for the time when his the girl he loved so much would emerge. 

************************** 

Akane had locked herself up in her room for about an hour now. She was sitting on her bed, leaned up against the wall. Even the light tapping that came from her door would not break her train of thought. 

*Shampoo makes me so mad, but, I suppose I can kind of relate to her. She wanted Ranma so much. Why is that though? Does she really love him? I know that dumb Amazon Law of hers required her to marry Ranma when he beat her in combat, but what did she really know about Ranma? She knows about Ranma's love for martial arts, she's one of the ones who knows his secret, but, I know all of that, so does Ukyou, so do _MOST_ people. Maybe the only thing that is holding Shampoo to Ranma is the law?* 

"If so, maybe I can do something.... if I was like that...if Ranma ever hated me.. I....." Akane shook her head and hopped to her feet. Her door crept open and Akane emerged, almost into Ranma's knocking fist. Akane jumped back. 

"Oh..um.. sorry.. I was just gonna see if you wanted to come with the rest of us out for ice cream. Nabiki's treat, you know for our get well kind of thing." Ranma scratched the back of his head. 

Akane nodded and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. She headed down the stairs toward the rest of the family. 

Ranma blinked. Unmoved from his position in front of Akane's door. He lifted a hand to his cheek. 

*What's gotten into her?* He smiled. 

************************** 

Shampoo slowly emerged from her room, red eyed, flushed cheeks, and generally a mess. Mousse stood to his feet and Shampoo looked up to him with mourning eyes. Mousse was taken aback, never witnessing Shampoo in such a fragile state. She shook her head to him, and walked down the stairs. Mousse knew better and took it as a "don't follow me right now" look. He let out a small sigh 

"Shampoo... why do you let him do this to you?..... Please be okay...." 

************************** 

"This is great onee-chan! Thank you!" Akane took another mouthful of her ice cream. 

"Ya Nabiki! Real great! Better than having to eat Akane's toxic deserts....IRK.." Ranma backed away slowly from the girl next to him. 

Akane frowned for a second, "I'll let that one slide....." 

Ranma let out a sigh of relief. 

"Ranma, you must watch your mouth! Comments like that aren't very manly.." Nadoka frowned to her son. 

"Hai Ka-san! I'll be more careful!" Ranma bowed to her. 

"Much better. You did not do a very good job at teaching our son manors, DARLING!" Nadoka reached for her back when she noticed Genma had splashed himself with cold water. 

"Oh no you don't! There is no way to get out of this one!" Nadoka dumped her tea over Genma's head and the two began to duke it out. 

Ranma shook his head. *Who was it that didn't teach me any manners?* 

Ranma looked around the table when his glance settled on Nabiki who was motioning him to follow her as she got up from the table and went around to the back on the open air shop. Ranma was a bit curious so he followed knowing this would cost him something. 

Nabiki looked around to make sure no one was around, then she set a firm gaze on Ranma who was a little unnerved. Nabiki figured that there was no need to "beat around the bush" so to speak, so she got right to the point. 

"Ranma-kun, did you mean it? You better not be trying to pull one over my sister!" Nabiki frowned. 

"EH? What are you talk--" 

"Did you mean what you said when you told her you loved her?!" Nabiki tried to control her emotions. 

"You..HEARD?!" Ranma fumbled back in shock. 

"Yes, I did. Now Ranma, my little sister has had a hard life, with no mother, all those crazy boys chasing after her so much. She used to come home crying because no one would let her have a moment of peace. Since you came to our house, things have definitely been more hectic! Now, I don't want my little sister hurting anymore! Do you love her Ranma? Sincerely..." Nabiki seemed to lose her composure, but quickly regained it as soon as she asked Ranma about his feelings. 

Ranma looked down to his feet. He knew Nabiki was blunt, but he never really thought he'd ever have to answer a question like this any time soon. "Akane... is... my fiancée. I mean.. she's the one I want as my _real_ fiancée. I do.. I do love her." Ranma slightly blushed. He felt two arms wrap around him and was shocked. Nabiki was showing a soft side he never knew existed. 

She let out a sigh of relief. *What would I have done if he told me he didn't mean it?* She thought. *I don't want her to hurt anymore* 

Nabiki pulled away and looked Ranma in the eye. "Ranma-kun, there is one little thing I need you to do for me." 

*OH I _knew_ it... always something..* "What's the Nabiki?" 

"Tell her... or else I will.." She flashed him a smile and skipped away back to the family. 

*What's with the Tendou girls' smiles?* He thought. He doubted anyone would be able to resist them. Ranma walked back to the table they had been sitting in and noticed they were one body short. 

"Where'd Akane go?" Ranma glanced around thinking maybe she had gone to get more ice cream. 

"She said she had something important to take care of." Kausmi said answering his question. 

"Oh.... maybe I should go look for her? It is kind of getting late." Ranma said as he was about to step away. 

"Ranma-kun, Akane also told me one more thing to tell to you specifically." Kasumi was puzzled by her sister's request but would send along the message anyway. 

"What's the Kasumi-san?" Ranma inquired. 

"She told me to tell you not to follow her and to meet her..where was it? Oh yes... at the "special" spot in one hour and no more before." 

"Hn? Special spot? oh ya..." Ranma smiled to himself. "Thanks Kasumi!" 

"My pleasure Ranma-kun." 

************************** 

Akane stepped into the quiet building, and took a look around. She spotted a lone figure in the corner of the room at a table lit by a single candle. Akane approached the figure with a martial artist's stealthness. 

"Shampoo?" 

The girl gave a start and flew around to see Akane. 

"What you want viol--" she stopped herself. "What you want Akane?" Shampoo turned back to the candle admiring it's flickering light. 

"I..want to help you." Akane said in a calm, neutral voice. 

Shampoo snorted, "Why would Akane want to help Shampoo after what she did?" 

"I think I understand you not Shampoo. All of the things that you did over the years, you did out of love for Ranma right?" 

Shampoo turned up again to look at Akane. "That right." She let out a small sigh. 

"Then I want to help. I'm still mad about the whole "hate drug thing" but I think you don't want Ranma to hate you right?" 

"That right. Shampoo no want Ranma to hate her anymore. Shampoo miss China and all her sisters. Great Grandmother was one who made Shampoo come here. She now homesick." 

"So you're going back to China then?" Akane didn't know what to say. 

Shampoo merely nodded. "Shampoo get Mousse to take her back... she no want to bother Ranma anymore." 

"Well, I wish you luck, and a proposal." Akane was picking up various business tips from Nabiki. 

"What you offer Shampoo?" She looked skeptical. 

"Wouldn't you rather return to China and leave Ranma on good terms?" 

Shampoo raised her eyebrow. "How you plan we do that?" 

"You're not the only one who knows about Chinese herbs you know.." Akane gave a sly grin as she explained her plan to Shampoo. 

************************** 

Ranma walked slowly towards the shopping district. He took the scenic route of the ground to not further injure himself. He stopped when he saw the figure on top of the NekoHanten roof. He prepared himself and took a leap onto the roof. When he landed he staggered a bit, clutching his side. He wasn't sure of Toufu's words about his recuperative powers. When he looked up he saw the figure he saw when he first looked up, plus one more. 

"Ranma...." Akane stepped forward to him to help him stand. 

"Akane.. this no good idea...." Shampoo stepped out of the protective darkness to the light of one of the lamp posts. 

"Akane.. what is _she_ doing here?" Ranma scowled. 

"Ranma right Akane.. I go..this no good plan...." Shampoo turned to hop off the building. 

"That's ENOUGH!!" Akane moved herself in between them. 

Both Shampoo and Ranma froze. 

"I'm sick of this! Shampoo, you shouldn't have done this in the first place! And Ranma, stop being such a jerk! Both of you have to grow up! Ranma, Shampoo is going back to China! I made a promise to her that you and her would leave on good terms. In exchange she promised me she'd take of the "kiss of death" she gave to you and withdraw the marriage proposal. Now stop acting like such a baby!" Akane fumed and turned away from both with her arms crossed over her chest. She had worked so hard, and now she and Ranma were closer than they had ever been. If he was going to let up this chance to get rid of one of his fiancée than why wouldn't he? She knew that Ranma wasn't in love Shampoo, so why wouldn't he make-up with her? 

"Akane how can you say that?! Look what she's done to both of us all this time?!" Ranma couldn't believe she had brought him here just for this! 

Shampoo stood quietly off to the side. Her eyes brimmed with tears but none strayed down her face. Akane looked towards her and nodded. Shampoo hung her head down and nodded back to Akane. Akane walked slowly to Ranma. "Forgive me Ranma...." Akane moved in closer a gave Ranma a deep kiss. He stood there shocked. *What is she doing at a time like th....like thi...* Akane pulled away. Ranma shook his head. He looked down to see Akane in his arms and smiled. Shampoo, still off to the side, felt her heart break as she saw Akane laying in Ranma's arms. 

<*He really does love her doesn't he? I just wish I had found this out earlier. Akane's a smart girl. I can't beleive she'd actually want to use another drug on him though.... the forgivness drug... I wonder how she knew about it, but I suppose the idea of slipping it in her mouth to give to Ranma in a kiss was a good idea. The battle for Ranma is over...I want to go home ....*>

Ranma snapped back into reality. "Huh? What was going on?" Ranma asked more to himself, than anyone else. 

Akane giggled slightly. "Shampoo was just telling us how she was going back to China silly. You were just wishing her well and telling her you forgave her for everything she's done." 

"Going back home? I was? You're going Shampoo?" Ranma asked her. 

"Yes that right. Shampoo no more want stay in Japan. She going home to her tribe now. Great Grandmother is already there visiting. She be mad when Shampoo come back but she have to live with it." Shampoo smiled, tears glistening her eyes. 

"Well, I hope you do well then! It's sure going to be quieter with you away..." Ranma trailed off, feeling a sense of loss. 

"Shampoo be just fine. She know when she lose. Bai Liao Ranma." Shampoo bowed to him. 

Ranma walked up to her and gave her a hug. Shampoo couldn't help but feel the sense of loss too. "Wo ai ni...." She whispered into his ear and then jumped off the roof into the street then back into the restaurant. 

Ranma stood in silence. He didn't really believe that Shampoo was actually going. She had been such a big part in his life all this time. He felt a small bit of his life slipping away, but a new fragment seeping in. *Maybe Akane and I can... WHOA WHOA WHOA! What am I saying?!* Just the mere thought of m...mar...marriage made him jump out of his skin. 

"Wanna go?" Akane brought him back to reality. 

Ranma looked at her for a second then a big grin crossed his face. He scooped Akane into his arms, much to her surprise, and bounded from roof to roof on his way home. Not feeling the presence of any pain. He was numb. Probably a side affect of the drug. 

************************** 

All done! Hope you liked it! There's more to come so stay tuned!

************************** 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, younger people, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10 to around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 
-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ano: umm... 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
arigato: thank-you 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
iie: no 
ittai, ite: ouch 
ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
oasge-no-onna: "pig-tailed goddess" 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sake: fermented rice wine 
sayonara: good bye 
shogoi: sort of the equivalent to chess 
sugoi: cool, wow, wonderful, etc. 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 
watashi wa: my name is... OR I am... 
yatta: ALRIGHT! 


------------------------------------------------------------------------








*************Notes From The Author***************

My sixth installment in my series of Love One/Love Lost. When Nadoka finally gets Ranma to ask Akane on another date , will it be enough for them to admit their real feelings? And will the rest of the family agree to Ranma and Akane's terms? Stay Tuned. 

Akane_Chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action** 

************************** 

A Parent's Love

************************** 

Ranma and Akane had not taken Doctor Toufu's orders seriously and now were paying the price for it. Both in bed with splitting headaches and/or pain beyond belief. 

In Akane's room, there are two people speaking to each other. 

"If you would have only listened to Toufu-chan, you would not be I such pain Akane-chan." Kasumi lay out some tea and a few small sandwiches. "You are just lucky you don't have to wear those bulky bandages anymore..." 

Akane lay there silent. Each word Kasumi spoke bore into her head and only made the pain worsen. 

"Kasumi onee-chan, I appreciate you keeping me company and all, but my head hurts even more when people speak to me." Akane grimaced. 

"Oh, gomen. Toufu-chan will be here in a second. He's just treating Ranma-kun right now. I'll send him in when he's done." With that Kasumi got up off the floor and gently closed the door behind her. 

*Peace and quiet..* Akane smiled, but was suddenly surprised by a little black something crawling across her bed. 

"Oh P-chan! Nice to see you again!" Akane smiled sweetly and held back a grimace, which she knew, was coming from the pain in her head. 

'P-chan' noticed her pain so settled beside her and let her be in peace. 

"Arigato..R..... P-chan." She smiled and relaxed against her pillow. 

************************** 

While in Ranma's room.... 

"ITTAI!! ITEITEITEITE!!" Ranma held back a scream. 

"Now Ranma-kun, this is your own fault. If you stayed in bed like I told you, you would be just fine." Toufu spoke to Ranma as he pressed various pressure points to relieve Ranma of his pain. 

*This is supposed to take the pain away!?! It's more trouble than it is worth!* Ranma flinched as Toufu pressed another point. 

Kasumi walked into the small room "Toufu-chan, are you almost done with Ranma-kun? Akane-chan is in the other pain in a considerable bit of pain." 

"Is...is Akane okay Kasumi-san?" Ranma blushed slightly 

"I think she'll be alright, just a very bad headache I think." Ranma sighed out relief. 

A thought dawned on Ranma. He froze. *If Toufu is working on me.. and Kasumi is here... oh no....* Ranma braced himself. 

Toufu stood up. "Hai, Kasumi-chan... Ranma's all finished. I'll make sure Akane gets treatment right now." Toufu bowed to Ranma and then left the room with Kasumi. 

Ranma was puzzled. *Has Toufu-sensei finally gotten over Kasumi-san?* He laughed at this. *Ya right that's like me giving up Aka.....uh... food! He's probably just more comfortable with her after all the time he spent with her this week. I wonder if I can ever be like that with Akane...* Ranma smiled. 

************************** 

"Arigato sensei." Akane thanked the doctor and then was able to sit up without much pain. The little piglet that was by her side left when he heard the door opening. Probably to go find some hot water. 

"It was my pleasure Akane-chan." Toufu smiled at her. It had hurt Akane to give up on him. But she was always aware he had fallen for Kasumi. Besides, she had someone to fall back on. She would always remember when Ranma and her walked home and said she looked cute with her hair short. She didn't have many memories but that was one she took comfort in. 

"How is Ranma doing sensei?" 

"Let's just say, you took the treatment better then him.." Akane started to laugh and soon was joined by Kasumi and Toufu. 

"So it's okay if I check up on him?" Akane inquired. 

"Hai. I think he'd like some company." Toufu smiled again. 

The Doctor left the room and let Kasumi and Akane talk. 

"So you're really okay Akane? I feel bad leaving the house if you and Ranma aren't doing well.." Kasumi was hopeful to hear her sister was alright. 

"Hai onee-chan. I'm just fine now. Where are you going?" Akane inquired. 

Kasumi's face slightly flushed. "Toufu-chan asked me to accompany him to lunch." 

"Oh onee-chan that's great! You're first DATE with Toufu-sensei!" Akane hugged her sister who returned the embrace. 

The two girls broke off both in smiles. "Well don't keep him waiting onee-chan!" Akane said as she pushed Kasumi out of the door. Akane followed after a few minutes and watched her older sister hook arms with Ono Toufu and walk out the door in smiles. Akane let her own smile plaster across her face as she crept silently towards Ranma's room. She stopped short of the door when she heard more than one voice inside. Her pressed her ear gently to the door and strained to hear what was being said. 

"Ya, ya Ka-san... oyugi...I get it.." Ranma sounded slightly annoyed. 

"I don't think you get it! Ask her already!" Genma's pestering was enough to drive Ranma crazy. 

*If Ka-san wasn't here... oyugi would really get it..* Ranma thought to himself. 

"But I agree with your father Ranma, it's about time! Just ask her.. I'm sure she'd love to! Just because it didn't go as you planned last time doesn't mean you can't try again!" 

"But--" 

"No but's Ranma! Go now!" Nadoka interrupted. 

"Hai.... but you guys know my terms....." Ranma said, being defeated. He jumped to his feet and opened the door to see Akane standing there with her hand raised to knock. Both jumped back. 

"Y...yo Akane.." Ranma stuttered out. 

Akane gave him a puzzled look. 

"Go on boy..." Genma whispered. 

"Would you shut up Oyugi?!" Ranma grabbed onto Akane's hand and lead her back into Akane's room. 

Akane sat down on her bed slowly and Ranma took his place down on the chair positioned at her desk. 

*Start with small talk...* "So.. you doin' okay now Akane?" 

"I think so.. almost all of the pain is gone. Toufu-sensei is really great! By the way, I heard that you were quite the resistant patient." Akane gave a small giggles to this. "Are you okay now?" 

The tension between the two melted away. *She really _is_ cute when she's smiling* Ranma thought to himself. "Ya I'm alright. It hurts more when he's applying those points then when I can only feel the pain in the first place." He said while rubbing his side. 

Akane's smile brightened. "That reminds me! Guess what! Toufu-sensei asked Kasumi onee-chan on a date! Finally! Isn't that great?! They left a few minutes ago!" 

*Okay now or never..* "Ya wonderful... I'll have to congratulate him next time I see him." Ranma clenched his hands at his side. 

"Ranma.. you okay? What's up?" Akane asked, with a touch of concern in her voice. 

"Hn? Oh..nothing's wrong.." He looked down to his hands and relaxed them a fair bit. 

"You sure Ranma?" Akane looked doubtful. 

"Um.. well.. I'm just wondering.. do you want to.. I mean if you're not busy... like.. catch a movie... maybe.. or go to the park?... they have those rowboats... but.. that's is you not doing anything..if you're busy I understand..." Ranma's face went a tinge red. 

"My, my Ranma... you weren't this nervous last time you asked me on a date." Akane spoke while poking Ranma's forehead. 

"Kawaiikunee..." Ranma whispered under his breath. 

"What was that Ranma?" Akane raised her eyebrow, knowing very well what had been said. 

"N..nothing.." Ranma muttered. 

"Well, are you leaving or not?" Akane asked a puzzled Ranma. 

"Eh? What do you mean?" 

"Well it's not exactly like I can go out in this you know.." Akane told him while tugging on the bottom of her yellow nightgown. 

"I dunno... you look pretty cute in it and all..." Ranma gave a silly grin. 

"Oh shut up..." Akane said playfully while pushing him out the door and shutting it behind him. 

************************** 

Ranma waited patiently outside of Akane's room. *Jeez..how long do girls take to get dressed anyway?* "Yo Akane... you almost ready?" 

A voice came from behind the door. "I'll only be one more second!" 

Ranma sighed. Soon enough Akane emerged wearing a light blue dressed that fanned out slightly at her middle. It had no sleeves and it was very slimming. Ranma grinned. "Well it was worth the wait I see.." 

Akane shook her head. "Hentai.." 

Ranma stuck out his tongue at her. She hooked her arm into his and the two proceeded down the stairs. 

They were greeted by Nadoka and Soun at the bottom of the stairs. 

"Oh my baby! She's growing up so fast!!" Sound wailed as he latched onto his daughter. 

"Otou-san! Please! I'm already 17! I'll be 18 less than I month!" Akane tried to brush him off. 

"Soun-san.. please release her." Nadoka ordered with a big sweat drop on the back of her head. 

Soun reluctantly pulled away. 

Ranma moved towards his mother and whispered into her ear. "Ka-san.... have you spoken to him about what we talked about?" 

Nadoka shook her head. "I'll wait until you two are out of the house before breaking him the news." Nadoka stood back and let Ranma and Akane pass through. 

Akane looked towards Ranma. "What were you two talking about?" 

"Uh.. I'll tell you in a bit okay? I just wanna get outta here!" Ranma grabbed Akane's hand and the two proceeded out of the door and into the street. 

************************** 

Their date continued like any other day. Ryoga showed up at one point and challenged Ranma. But he quickly got lost, and Ranma didn't have the heart to go find him. They passed by the NekoHanten, that had been boarded up and some of the glass broken. A wave of sadness passed over both as they went by the restaurant but was quickly replaced but relief that one of Ranma's fiancée had been put out of the picture. The next place they stopped in was Ucchan's. They entered the door and were greeted by Konatsu, who was dressed in a frilly pink dress with an apron. 

"Konichi'wa Akane-chan! Ranma-kun! Ukyou-sama is just in the back. I'll go tell her you're here!" He skipped to the back in happiness. 

Ranma and Akane quickly released their hands and sat down on two stools in front of the grill. Ukyou came in a few seconds later. "Ran-chan! How are you?" 

Ranma glanced nervously around, "Pretty good Ucchan. We just came by to say hello." 

Ukyou grinned. "Well you're always welcome here! You guys hungry? What would you like sugar?" She asked as she grabbed one of her small fighting spatulas. 

Ranma looked around, "hmmm.... Deluxe seafood please." 

Ukyou turned to Akane, "And you?" 

Akane turned to look at Ranma's okonomiyaki that was cooking on the grill. "That looks pretty good. Same as Ranma." 

"Coming right up!" Ukyou turned to the grill and flipped up the oknomiyaki's with blinding speed. She tossed them onto the plates that were sitting in front of Akane and Ranma. "Dig in!" 

Ranma quickly gobbled his down while Akane ate hers at a normal speed. 

"Wow Ucchan! That was great!" Ranma grinned. 

"Anything from your cute fiancée!" She winked towards him as Akane's eyes started to twitch. 

Ranma became nervous and tried to change the subject. "So, Ucchan, you heard about Shampoo leaving to go back to China?" 

"Oh ya! I didn't know all the details but I saw the restaurant when I passed by the other day. I spoke to Mousse for a few minutes but I didn't really get anything outta him. I hope their okay getting back there and everything." Ukyou tried to hide the smile that was arising from the thought that Shampoo had given up on Ranma. 

"I'm sure they'll be fine getting there. I just hope nothing bad happens to them from Cologne!" Akane chimed in. 

"Ya no kidding. That old ghoul's been driving me crazy these past years! I'm not sad to say she's not coming back." Ranma added in. 

The two girls nodded. Everyone had trouble with the old bag in the past. 

"So, what are you guys up to today?" Ukyou inquired. 

Ranma froze, and Akane became uncomfortable. 

"Uh.. did I say something wrong?" Ukyou asked puzzled. 

"N..no nothing Ucchan... me... Akane and I.. are out... you know..." Ranma blushed and Akane pretended not to be in the conversation. 

"Ran-chan? What are you talking about?" Ukyou could feel her heart ache a bit. *There not really..on a...a...d...date?! Are they?* 

Akane could see how uncomfortable Ranma was. "Nadoka-san thought it was such a nice day that she kicked me and Ranma out of the house to go for a walk or something." 

Ranma breathed out a sigh of relief and gave Akane a thanking look. 

Ukyou let out the breath she had been holding in. *I was just jumping to conclusions. There's no way Ranma would actually agree to go out wit her! Besides, I'm the cute one. He even said so* 

"But anyway, we should get going Ranma." Akane nudged his side and gave him a sly look. 

Ranma nodded looking slightly embarrassed. 

"You really have to go Ran-chan?" Ukyou looked hopeful that he might be able to stay. 

Ranma looked over to Akane who was turned to her side to let the sunlight reflect off her face making her shine. He smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure of it." 

Ukyou pouted. "Okay, ja ne Ran-chan!" She gave a small smile and hopped into the back again to join Konatsu. 

Akane turned her head to look towards Ranma with a slightly annoyed look on her face. She got up and walked towards the door. 

*uh-oh...* Ranma thought. He started towards the door after his fiancée. He caught up to her and walked beside her as they started down the street. "Uh.. thanks for helping me back there...." 

Akane looked sort of sad, "It's nothing... don't mention it." 

Ranma saw her pained expression. "Akane, you okay?" 

She stopped walking and looked to his face. "Are you really that ashamed of me Ranma?" 

The boy was obviously taken back. "No way! What made you think that?! If it's because of Ukyou.. I'm sorry. But you know her! She's my best friend! It bothers me that she thinks we're gonna actually get married. But if I told her we were out on a date she'd flip! I didn't really want to ruin the day now." Akane merely looked down to her feet. 

"I..I'm sorry. It's just gonna take me time okay? I know I have to talk to Ucchan... I'll tell her about how I never meant to be engaged to her in the first place. I've tried before, but she'll twist my words around to her advantage to make it sound like I want to marry her. You forgive me?" Ranma bent down to look Akane in the eye. 

She lifted her head up slightly to look at Ranma's smiling face. "No fair.. I can't stay mad at you when you're sincere.." Akane smiled and gave him a fierce hug. 

Ranma returned the embrace. "So I'm forgiven?" 

"Ya, ya...." she loosened her grip and leaned back to look at him, "So.. what do you want to do now?" 

Ranma released one of his arms and scratched his head. "I dunno... what do you wanna do?" 

"Well, you said something about going through the park right? That sounds like it might be fun. Besides, it'll be night soon. We can watch the sunset over the lake." Akane pulled out of Ranma's embrace. 

"Good idea, that sounds like fun. Let's go." Ranma offered out his arm that she took as they walked towards the park. 

Meanwhile, a certain girl had been watching. Now misty eyed and heart broken. *I gave up my life for him. He doesn't even notice the way she looks at him.....I always knew it... why do I torture myself?* Ukyou walked back into her shop, hiding her face in her hands. 

************************** 

The park was fairly empty, even being the nice day it was out. Ranma and Akane had found a small bench overlooking the lake. They sat next to each other, not speaking but merely admiring the way the sky turned from a bright blue, to pink, orange, and at last to the brilliant red it was now. Both content with just being in each other's company. 

Soon the silence was broken by a few small children running by with their parents following slowly hand in hand. Akane stared at the spectacle in awe as Ranma watched her smiling. His hand crept over Akane's shoulders and pulled her in closer. She smiled brightly and adjusted herself to a closer position to Ranma. 

"So, what were you talking to your mom about before we left the house? You said you will tell me.." Akane brought up. 

"Oh ya... well... ka-san and oyugi were the ones who convinced me to ask you out.... but I made them agree to something." A sneaky grin spread across his face. 

Akane raised an eyebrow, "And what was that?" 

"Well.. I told them I was getting sick of them always trying to pressure us into getting married. I knew you were too, am I right?" 

Akane nodded against his chest. 

"Well, I said that if I asked you out today that they HAD to stop bothering us about it! When we get married, it'll be on our own time." Ranma finished. 

Akane's heart stopped in her chest. *w....wh...WHEN!?!? Does he really mean that?* A small amount of red spread throughout her face. "Do you really think that they can stop my otou-san?" 

"I made them promise. So your dad better keep up his end of the bargain." Ranma grinned. 

Akane turned her glance back to the lake, "Isn't it beautiful?" Akane asked referring to the colorfully lit sky. 

Ranma nodded, "Very beautiful...." he admitted while looking down on her. 

"Ranma.. if I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time today.." 

Ranma's heart rose. "I..I did too... Akane?" 

"What is it Ranma?" Akane turned herself to face him. 

Their faces crept slowly closer together. 

Ranma gulped, "I...I...L--" 

**SPLASH** 

Ranma felt the burst of cold water drenching him, as his change came into effect. "NANI?!" 

Ranma looked towards the lake to see the wake a speed boat had left. "Chikusho..." He frowned. 

All of a sudden, he heard a laugh coming from beside her. Akane burst out laughing. She clutched her stomach and tears had started to form in her eyes. 

"Jeez what's so funny?" Ranma asked sounding slightly annoyed. 

"It's.... just..." she tried to shut off her laughter but was unable, so she spoke between hysterics. "It's just... it ALWAYS happens!" Her laughter calmed slightly and soon she was down to giggling and grinning. 

Ranma soon burst into joined laughter. Another couple passed by the two giving each other fond looks. 

"Were we ever that young? They look so in love.." The woman spoke. 

After they passed Ranma and Akane were blushing furiously, not to mention laughing even harder. 

"They didn't even notice you're a girl Ranma!" Akane snickered. 

"Oh, ha ha. Think it's time to go home?" Ranma asked her smiling. 

"Yeah. The moon's already out. Otou-san will worry about me." Akane matched Ranma's smile. 

Akane noticed something was up ahead of them. "Could you hold on one second before we go?" 

Ranma-onna gave her a puzzled look then saw Akane run up a little ahead, up the path to a vendor who was just packing up shop. She saw Akane talking to the man then he gave her a glass. She bowed and ran back to the bench. 

"What was that all about?" Ranma asked in a confused tone. 

Akane dosed Ranma with the contents of the cup over Ranma's head. The tea slid down his body causing his change again. Ranma took a look at his clothes. "It had to be tea didn't it?!" Ranma groaned. 

"Don't you think it's better than nothing?" Akane rose her eyebrow. 

Ranma hung his head and started walking. Akane quickly found the way to his side and held onto his hand smiling. 

"OH come on Ranma don't be such a baby.." Akane quickly ran past him and started to laugh. 

"Baby am I? You're gonna get it Akane!" Ranma called up, as he playfully chased her home. 

************************** 

All done! Still got more stories to come! Stay Tuned! *^_^*

************************** 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, younger people, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10 to around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. -sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ano: umm... 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
arigato: thank-you 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
chikusho: darn, damn it, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
Honto desu ka?: Is that true? 
iie: no 
ittai, ite: ouch 
ka-san: the same as Oka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
oasge-no-onna: "pig-tailed goddess" 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sake: fermented rice wine 
sayonara: good bye 
shogoi: sort of the equivalent to chess 
sugoi: cool, wow, wonderful, etc. 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 
watashi wa: my name is... OR I am... 
yatta: ALRIGHT! 


------------------------------------------------------------------------








*************Notes From The Author***************

My eighth installment in my series of Love One/Love Lost. When Ryoga came for another visit Ranma gets a little more than a surprise! "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN?!?" Will Akane and Ranma's relationship be able to survive this? Or will this be the straw to break the camel's back? 

Akane_Chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action**
(-This is an author's note-) 

************************** 

Ryoga's Little Secret

************************** 

The bright morning light spread across the Tendou residence and a little black pig trotted past the front gate. 

"Ara? Is that P-chan? It is! P-chan!! P-chaaaan!" Kasumi walked out onto the front porch and waved to the little pig. Ryoga's eyes filled with supreme happiness as he saw the sign for the dojo. 

*I found Akane-chan's house! It must be love guiding me! It....it....." P-chan hung head down low as Kasumi approached him and gingerly picked him up into her arms and set him inside the house. 

"You're direction is much like Ryoga-kun's isn't it P-chan?" Kasumi smiled brightly and walked back into the kitchen to finish up on breakfast. 

Ryoga quickly climbed the stairs and followed the hall to a door with a wooden duck on it hanging off a small peg. He scratched his foot across the bottom of it and soon Akane appeared, quite groggy and sleepy eyed. 

"Hn? P-chan! Quickly come in before Ranma sees you!" And with that Akane swept the little black pig into her arms and closed the door behind her. She set P-chan on the chair that was positioned to her desk and she, herself, took a seat on the edge of her bed facing 'P-chan'. 

"It's been so long R...P-chan.. I've missed our long talks." Akane smiled happily while P-chan gave a small squeal. 

"What's this?" Akane looked to the pig's back. "Rice Cakes from Hiroshima? And this? Tea leaves from Kyoto?.. and this one... it's form a place called..what is it? Kan...na...da... it sounds so far away! My, my P-chan... you really do have a bad sense of direction." Akane gave a small giggle. 

Ryoga gave an embarrassed smile, right before he heard a small rap on the outside of Akane's door. 

"Akane?...You up yet?" Ranma called from the outside. 

"Oh no!! P-chan we have to hide you..umm... here!" Akane motioned for the pig to crawl under her blankets. 

P-chan gave her a hurt look but quickly did as he was told and soon her found himself under the clean, white sheets of Akane's bed. 

"Yo Akane..." Ranma repeated. 

"Just hold on one second Ranma! Just..uh... waking up.." Akane straightened herself up and soon was at the door and smiling sweetly, and somewhat nervously at Ranma. "Ohaiyo Ranma." 

Ranma was obviously taken back. *She's in an awfully good mood this morning.* 

"Something wrong Ranma?" Akane asked. 

"Uh..no nothing.." Ranma pushed his way inside her room and was about to sit on her bed, right over a little mound. 

"WAIT!" Akane called out desperately. 

"What?" Ranma positioned his hands so he hovered just above the bed. 

"Uh...that is..da... oh! This!" Akane grabbed up the boy into a fierce hug and spun him around away from her little pet. 

"Uh.. Akane? What's this for?" Ranma asked, a little surprised, but none the disappointed. 

"Nothing..just.. happy to see you is all!" Akane quickly responded, trying to sound convincing. But she didn't have to try too hard. It wasn't difficult. She _was_ happy to see him. 

Ranma looked down to her a little skeptical but soon found himself mesmerized by her shining eyes and the way they reflected the light that poured into from the drawn curtain in her room. He let himself show a soft smile to her and she returned it happily. *She really is cute when she's smiling.* Ranma mused to himself, sort of surprised at the way the thought flooded his mind without any contradictions. Akane laid her head against his chest and absorbed the warmth. She soon felt his strong arms wrap around her back, shaking slightly. 

*When will he be comfortable with me?* She wondered, but wasn't to worried. She thought it was so cute the way he blushed even at the little things. It just proved to her how much he cared about her. *But what does he really think of me?* She knew he'd always protect her from anything that might hurt her in any way. She knew he didn't mind the few times they could spend alone together. Or maybe even the fewer times they could just talk ..or even share something like a kiss. Akane's face turned slightly red at the thought. *But what does he really feel? Does he l.....does he l...love me?* 

Ranma's thoughts didn't drift too far from the one's the girl in his arms was wondering. He could feel the way she tensed up when he wrapped his arms around her. He recalled back to Nabiki's words from the night before. *"Ranma...tell her.. or I will."* But would Nabiki really do it? He didn't want Akane to hear about his love from her onee-chan. He wanted it to be from him. No matter how awkward it gets. *I almost lost her during the fight with Saffron.. I really though she was dead.. no matter what I did.. she would have been gone. She could have died and she would never know what I really feel. I've got a second chance now, please don't let me blow it. I told her before.. why would it be so hard now? Jeez.... she's probably just stringing me along by pretending she didn't hear me before.... I bet she's just trying to make me suffer. Fine then.. tonight.. I promise I'll tell her Nabiki!* On that thought Ranma squirmed a bit which prompted the release on Akane's behalf. She had heard a small squeal coming from under the covers on her bed, which escaped Ranma's grasp. Akane felt a small tug from Ranma as to not let him go, but she had no choice with her little 'P-chan' in the room. 

Akane grasped her hands in front of her. "So what did you need?" She asked, a little disappointed of the warmth she had to let go of. 

"Hn?" Ranma asked, still a little dazed from the affection the girl had just showed to him. 

Akane giggled. "I said did you need me for anything? Or were you just coming to say hi?" A grin spread across her face. 

A small blush crept across the bridge of Ranma's nose. "Oh..Kasumi-san just wanted me to ask you to come down for breakfast... I think everyone's started by now..." 

"Oh..okay. Just let me throw on something and I'll be down in a sec okay?" Akane said, but Ranma just stood there in a daze from the embrace and the embarrassment. Akane shook her head in disgust. "Ranma no hentai......" she whispered as she pushed him out the door and closed the door behind herself. Ranma snapped out of his daze and stood grinning. 

"What's up with her?" he wondered as he padded back down the stairs to see father devouring all of his food, not mention half of Ranma's. 

*This is getting really old oyugi....* he thought as he took his place at the table to defend his share of food. 

************************** 

"Whew... that was too close.... it's okay P-chan, he's gone. You can come out now." Akane regarded her little pet as he tried to thrash off the sheets with his stubby, black legs. Akane sighed and sat on the bed while pulling back the covers to reveal P-chan. 

"It's not fair anymore to him, P-chan. I...I have to tell him." Akane sat next to him with her head hung down. 'P-chan' nudged her leg signaling his support for her. 

Akane smiled weakly to her little pet. "I'm going to need your help...." 

The little pig nodded his little pig head in support and Akane's smile widened slightly. 

"Come on," she said while sweeping the little pig up into her arms, "Let's go get you some hot water okay Ryoga?" 

(- Gee...didn't see that one coming :P -) 

************************** 

Ryoga wandered aimlessly around Nerima, or..at least he _thought_ it was Nermia. "Why didn't I listen to Akane-chan and stay in one place? She's going to be so mad when she finds out that I'm gone..hmm.. she must have already noticed by now though. I wonder how long I've been gone? It was bright out when I left, now the sun's beginning to set. Is my sense of time also as bad as my direction? How am I supposed to help Akane-chan tell Ranma if I can't even find her?" Ryoga sighed. He wanted to be with Akane, but even more than that, he wanted her to be happy. And if that meant her ending up with Ranma, he'd accept it. Not willingly though. He wasn't as dumb as people thought he was. He was able to put one end together and discover Akane's true feelings. *Ranma will be looking for a fight when he finds out, I suppose I'm going to have to be that fight. Now.. where is the dojo?* Ryoga pressed on looking for the one place he called 'home', when he passed right by the sign labeled 'School of Anything Goes Grappling'. 

(- Even if he has no sense of direction, his fangs are still cute :P okay okay enough with my notes ^^; -) 

************************** 

Ranma's feet blurred across the fence with blinding speed. Akane had ran out of the house quickly without even as much as a word to him, or at least, to tell him where she would be all day. *Jeez.. dumb girl.. making me worry over her so much...* He ran past streets and even the school that they both went to. He found nothing but empty, desolate lots and no Akane. *It's getting late.. the sun's already setting. Maybe she went back home already... I really needed to talk to her..* Just as Ranma was turning around to go back him he spotted a small girl with blue-black hair sitting near a bridge, overlooking the water. *No way! Is that Akane?..... Yatta!* 

************************** 

Akane sat with her legs tucked snugly into her chest, and arms encircling herself. *How is he going to take it? He's going to be so mad I know it..... I should have told him when I first found out two months ago..... jeez, he's the one that lied to me in the first place! I should be mad at him! So...why aren't I?* 

"Ranma...." Akane muttered under her breath. 

"You looking for me?" Ranma peered into her view and grinned at the start he had given to the girl. 

"Ranma!?! Don't do that! You scared me half to death!" Akane swung her arm around to hit him, but he dodged it precisely and she fell to the ground with a big **thump**. 

"Iteiteiteite.. that hurt you know!" Akane held onto the arm she fell on. "Errrr.... you asked for it!" She swung herself around, with mallet in hand ready to impact the boy, but she was stopped short when he was merely sitting there ready for the impact of wood to flesh. Ranma cautiously opened his eyes when he felt no pain. Akane sat their with tear filled eyes, and mallet already flickering back to it's resting place until the next time she felt the need to club him. 

"Oh jeez! Akane! I didn't mean for it to scare you! Gomen!" Ranma reached towards her but she pulled back quickly, shaking her head. *This has got to be more than a dumb prank I pulled on her...* "Akane.. daijobu desu ka?" 

Akane shook her head slowly. "I need to talk to you." 

"I..needed to talk to you too..." Ranma slightly lowered his head and blushed. "But it's okay! You go first! I'm sure whatever you have to tell me is more important that what I have to say." *That's not so true... but she's waited all this time.. it won't kill her to wait 5 minutes longer. Besides, this'll give me some more time to figure out how to word it without her hitting me or something like that.* 

Akane buried her head into her hands again. "Why didn't you tell me before Ranma? It could have saved all this trouble...." she managed out between sobs. 

Ranma sat back astounded. *Was she waiting for me to tell her?! Did she really know what I felt?* 

"All this time... you let him sleep with me even!.... why didn't you tell me?..." Akane lifted her head up slightly to see Ranma's perplexed look. 

*Uh.. I don't think we're talking about the same thing here! Let him sleep with h....oh my god... no....* Ranma pulled himself back slightly to see the tears that glistened in his fiancée's eyes. *She's knows about Ryoga!?* 

"HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN!?!" Ranma blurted out, surprising Akane. 

"T...two months..." Akane wiped her tears but more returned shortly after. 

*She's know for two months... she slept with him even after!? How could sh... no... she .. she loves him? Why else would she? She was always hugging her 'P-chan'.. I was so sure we could be together. She loves him.. not me.* Ranma's looked turned from one of puzzlement to one of deep despair within only a few seconds. 

Ryoga chose an unfortunate time to pass by over top the bridge they were sitting under. *Akane-chan's voice? Oh no.... Ranma's there too?! I'm too late?!* He jumped quickly down off the bridge to a few feet away from the couple. 

Ranma looked to Ryoga with blank eyes. But Ryoga could see something in them that were never there before. Hate. Pure, unconditional hate. It was burning into Ryoga as easily as a shurikan being thrown through rice paper. 

"Ranma jumped to his feet and charged towards Ryoga. "YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER!!!" Ranma's throw wild punches to Ryoga who was barely able to dodge. 

*Ranma's in a state of rage.. I thought this would happen.. but his moves can't even be read! At this rate I'll be done for in w few minutes!!* 

"KATCHU TENSHIN ARUMAGURIKAN!!" Ranma yelled as his sent lightening fast punches towards his opponent. This first ones missed Ryoga from Ranma's lack of concentration but the last 25 hit sending the lost boy staggering back. 

Ranma took advantage of the situation and closed his eyes and threw a ki punch to Ryoga. His fist contacted with warm flesh. Ranma carefully opened his eyes waiting for the counterattack when he saw two deep hazel eyes staring back him in pain. Akane slumped to the ground and cried out as Ryoga rushed to her aide, trying to stop the blood flow with his hands. 

Ranma looked in pure shock as she fell. He started to shake his head violently and staggered back slowly, while examining his bloody fist. *Akane's blood....I.... it wasn't supposed to be Akane's blood.... She tried to protect him....What have I done?!?!?!* Ranma jumped over the fence and darted down the street away from the two. 

Akane sat in Ryoga's arms with one of her hand outstretched towards Ranma's fleeting body. 

"Ryoga-kun.... I knew it.. he.. he hates me!" Akane fell into his chest and sobbed silently while Ryoga tried his best to comfort her. 

"Akane-chan...." was all he could manage. 

************************** 

Ranma staggered through the shopping district, his eyes fixated on his right hand. The blood seeming to burn his skin. His face was visibly trying to fight back tears. *Don't cry.. men don't cry.. you're a man not a girl. How could you? You swore never to hit a girl unless necessary. You hit your fiancée... and what did she do to you? She's never done anything to you. Because she doesn't love you isn't her fault. You spilled her blood..... for no reason. You are no real man.* Ranma's legs gave way and soon he found himself leaning against a wall for support. "Akane... I'm so sorry... I hope he treats you better than I could..." Ranma looked up to the sky to see a familiar sign hanging next to him. Ranma nodded and walked into the little shop much to the owner's surprise considering it was after hours. The girl at the counter reveled in joy as Ranma walked through the door. 

"Sorry to bother you... Ucchan... I need a favor." 

************************** 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, younger people, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10 to around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. -sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
ano..: umm... 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
arigato: thank-you 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
chikusho: darn, damn it, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
"Honto desu ka?": "Is that true?" 
iie: no 
ittai, ite: ouch, owww, etc. 
ka-san: the same as Ouka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
osage-no-onna: "pig-tailed goddess" 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sake: fermented rice wine 
sayonara: good bye 
shogoi: sort of the equivialent to chess 
shurikan: "ninja stars" 

sugoi: cool, wow, wonderful, etc. 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 
watashi wa: my name is... OR I am... 
yatta!: ALRIGHT! 


------------------------------------------------------------------------








*************Notes From The Author***************

My eighth installment in my series of Love One/Love Lost. Now that Akane has broken up with Ranma.. it's Ukyou's turn to move in on her man..right? "Is it that Akane's not so bad? They're both in such rough shape..." Friends are found in the most difficult situations. 

Akane_Chan@excitemail.com 

All rights to these characters are reserved to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and I claim no right to them what so ever! So if you want to sue me for writing this fun little story.. I wouldn't bother.. do you actually think a high school student has money? ^^; 

This story is copyright to the respected author and any duplication in whole or part of the story must be check out with the author. 

"Someone is Talking"
*Someone is thinking*
**This is an action**
<-This is a flashback->

************************** 

Never Far Away

************************** 

Nabiki woke with a headache. The night before had been one of the worst ever. If the panic of Akane coming home in Ryoga's arms bleeding was not enough, no one knew where Ranma had gotten too. And the story Ryoga had told the family of Akane's wound just didn't fit in. Akane might be a klutz a lot of the time, but she doubted there was any way Akane would try walking up on the fence like Ranma. She wasn't sure footed, and Nabiki knew that. So why would she even think of trying to walk up there? And not to mention fall off? The pieces just didn't fit in. Ranma's intendance was even worse. If Akane was hurt, there would be no way Ranma could even try to stay away from her. Something must have happened to him too. Akane was unresponsive and Ryoga had wandered off before Nabiki was able to ask any questions. *Hopefully Akane's gonna be okay today. There's a lot that needs to be answered.* 

She passed Kasumi in the hall on her way to the bathroom. Kasumi gave her a sympathetic smile, knowing very well that her little sister would be feeling much like herself. So many things needed to be answered about Akane. Kasumi's heart ached. Since the untimely death of her mother, she vowed to herself that nothing would ever hurt her family again. She wouldn't allow it. With no mother, Kasumi noticed the withdrawn look in Nabiki's eyes. Her father had wept day in and day out for weeks after only ever coming out to re-assure the family was still alive and to give some comfort to his daughters. That wasn't what had hurt her the most though. Akane's pain was more than she could bare. How could a child of the age of 5 understand that her mother was never coming back no matter how much she prayed, or how hard she tried? Akane would sit patiently by the window staring out into the street with an expectant look on her face. 

"Kasumi onee-chan?" Akane would ask with an innocent smile on her face, "Where's Ouka-san? She's coming back soon right?" Akane's face seemed to plead to Kasumi to let the answer be yes. 

Some of the time Kasumi would break down and run to her room to cry, leaving Akane there hugging her knees and humming softly, a lullaby her mother had sang to her before bed. Her eyes were vacant and a small aged smile hung on her lips. Other times, Kasumi would humor her little sister and tell her everything was fine and that her mother was just taking her time coming back from a shopping errand. At that response Akane would smile meekly and thumb idly at a small necklace her mother had given her before her death. But, most of the time Kasumi would be so fed up with the game's Akane played that she'd snap at her and yell that ouka-san was never coming back! Akane would look at her with confused eyes and talk about how her mother could never leave them. Then she'd turned her gaze back to the window and pressed her tear-streaked face against the pane and gaze off innocently. Since that time, Kasumi had vowed to not yell at Akane anymore. The pictures of Akane's little hot face against the glass, red cheeks mingling with cold tears. It was more than Kasumi would be able to bare. 

*Akane was so young. Ouka-san was taken from us without her even knowing it! Please.... give me strength to help them. I can't do this without you. Watch over her...* 

************************** 

Ukyou reveled in the fact her Ran-chan had come to her that night. True, he didn't say much and really just went to the room she had given him and fell asleep. She didn't mind though. *If he wasn't at the Tendou's there must have been something wrong! If he and Akane are fighting enough, surely he'll leave that place and realize I'm perfect to be his _only_ fiancée!* Ukyou gave a large grin, as one of her customers left thanking her for the wonderful meal. Ukyou knew she was the best okonomiyaki chef on the planet. She had been training her whole life, so she had to be! But now, she could give up the life of pretending to be a boy.. cooking night and day... slaving over the hot grill. She could become Ranma's wife! They would have lots of kids she could take care of with Ran-chan and he could run a new dojo, one she had bought for him with the money she had saved from her business. 

*He wouldn't have to be stuck in taking over someone else's. He could have his own, and wouldn't have to share it with someone as pig-headed as Akane!* The girl slowly opened the door to the room she had leant to Ranma. It wasn't glamorous, just a spare room in her shop that she usually just kept spare supplies in. Noticing Ran-chan was still asleep, she crept inside. His sleeping face looked so peaceful. It wasn't full of the pain it always had been instilled with. There was no Akane here to bash him, no opponents to fight with, he could just be himself around Ukyou. A small frown passed over Ranma's face, and she took it that he was having a bad dream. She held his hand gently and noticed the now dried blood that covered it. He hadn't even taken the time last night to wash himself up. He stirred and mumbled something that sounded like, "Stay...away from her..." 

Ukyou looked at him in concern. *Stay away from who Ran-chan?* 

Suddenly Ranma bolted up in bed, with sweat dripping off his face. His shallow, rapid breathing soon calmed and he took in his surroundings. "Where..... Akane......." he turned to his right to see a girl sitting there, holding his hand with a slightly pained look on her face. "Ucchan..." he took a quick look around and let himself slide back onto his pillow. Images of the night before flashed through his head. He tried to shake them out, but picture after picture flooded him. The last one could remember was Akane yelling to him with her arm outstretched, blood dripping down her shirt. That one hurt the most. *How could I have let it happen?! She must be in so much pain..... Akane... I'm so sorry...* He clenched his eyes tight when he felt a small squeeze to his hand and looked up to see Ukyou with a puzzled look on her face. It brightened slowly. 

"Ran-chan.. how about I go make you something to eat? You look hungry. It's already after lunch time you know! Then you can tell me about what happened yesterday, okay?" 

Ranma nodded slowly, not really wanting to go through the anguish of telling what happened. *I have no choice. I can't go back to the Tendou's. Oyugi will never talk to me again.. Ouka-san will be so mad..hitting a girl for no reason isn't something a real man would do. Worst of all... I don't want to see Akane's face. To have her hate me is too much.. If I'm going to be staying here for a while, I suppose Ucchan has a right to know.* 

Ukyou left the room and allowed Ranma to get dressed. He took his time, since he was sore from his battle the night before. A lot of the time he stood there staring at his hand. The red crimson burned into him. He hugged it to himself. *Please forgive me...... it's just like always.. when I go to tell you what I feel.. something always gets in the way. Now, I don't have to say it. If you're in love with Ryoga... I... I won't bother you.* He quickly stepped out of the door and down the stairs to Ukyou, who was already getting ready to set up shop. Also, a steaming okonomiyaki sat on a plate set on the counter with the word "Ran-chan" written in kanji in some kind of sauce on the face. 

Ukyou looked up at the sound of footsteps. "Ran-chan, come sit! I made an extra special lunch for you! Deluxe seafood!" Ukyou smiled brightly and all Ranma could do was answer her with a weak nod. He sat to eat across from her, poking slowly at it, not with the gusto he usually ate with. This didn't go unnoticed by Ukyou. 

"Ran-chan..... what's wrong with you? Whenever I make you something to eat it's gone in 3 seconds flat..." 

Ranma looked to her with pained eyes. Ukyou raised her hand and put it on his shoulder. 

"Ran-chan.. I'm your best friend, and your fiancée! Please, tell me what's bothering you." The girl gave him a sympathetic look. 

Ranma nodded and started to recall the events from the evening before. Akane telling of how she knew Ryoga's secret, Akane inadvertently saying she loved Ryoga, the battle..... the battle. 

Ranma was speaking in short, pained breaths. "I hit her... Ucchan what am I going to do?!" His eyes brimmed with tears but refused to slide down his red face. 

"I had no idea.. Ryoga was P-chan?! How odd..." Ukyou didn't hear much after Ranma told her about Ryoga's little secret. 

Ranma sat there shaking his head. "UCCHAN!! Forget it! You weren't even listening to me!! God.. do you know how much I'm hurting and all you can think about is that DAMN curse!?!" 

Ukyou was slightly startled at Ranma's sudden outburst. She did feel bad though. She had been dwelling on something as inconsequential as that when she couldn't even notice Ranma's very psyche seemingly dying in front of her. 

"Ran-chan...." Ukyou started, but was soon cut out by Ranma. 

"Don't call me that!!! Don't call me Ran-chan! My name is Ranma!! Why do you have to hang onto the past!?! I'm not you're fiancé either! I'm no ones fiancé!! I don't deserve anyone's love!! I'm not worthy of friends... or family...or...or....." Ranma slipped off his chair and into a crouch on the floor where he broke into silent tears. In his whole life, nothing had made him cry except Akane. Being thrown into the vat of cats and nearly scratched to death. Falling into the Jusenkyou cursed pond and realizing his life as a man was over. Having to hide from his mother everytime he saw her. Even when Akane had almost died in the battle against Saffron. None of these he cried for. But, on the floor of Ucchan's shop, he let tears fall down his face. The depths of despair held fast, not letting go even for a moment. 

"Ucchan... just once.. I wanted my _own_ life... everyone has always run it for me, decided what I wanted. Now I know what I want, and I can't have it! The only things I've ever wanted in my whole life, can't be mine." Ukyou walked to Ranma and embrace him in a hug as tears spilled down her own cheeks. Ranma calmed himself and soon was down to sniffles. 

"Ranma, you've always been strong. You don't need to be in front of me. I know what you feel.... it's something you want so much that you can let your life been run by it. You would gladly give your life for even one moment of it." Ukyou choked back a sob. *But, no matter how hard I try, you'll never be mine Ranma. I just hope I can accept that one day, maybe even long enough to fall in love with someone else..... maybe...* 

Ukyou took the boy up in her arms and slowly led him back to his temporary room and let him again slip back into his bed and fell into a restful sleep. Emotionally drained herself, Ukyou went back to the front door and put the closed sign up. She didn't feel like having anyone to serve. *I'll open up shop later when Konatsu arrives. Damn where is the guy anyway?* Ukyou let her mind run free to all around her. She could the few birds out of her restaurant chirping to each other and the faint snore coming from Ranma coming upstairs. 

"Ran-chan... please be okay." She whispered more to herself than anyone else. She got out of her seat slowly, but with determination walked out of the shop and down the road. 

************************** 

Akane sat on her bed with her back against the wall. An innocent smile laid across her lips. Her arms had been wrapped around her knees and she gently rocked herself while humming an all too familiar tune. 

^-"Akane-chan, it's time for bed!" 

"Hai ouka-san! I'm coming!" -^ 

*Ouka-san, one word I haven't said in quite a while. I wonder how she is.* 

^- "Ouka-san, if I practice enough I'll get as good as you right?" A pink-cheek little Akane-chan lay in her bed while her mother was gently stroking her hair. 

"Akane-chan, you'll be even better than me. You're already pretty good for your age, better than I was at least." 

"Really Ouka-san? I'm so happy! You're great at everything! I'd be so happy to be like you! I'll be able to take over the dojo when I'm older if I'm as good as you!" Akane-chan gave a large toothy smile. 

Her mother smiled gratefully back down at her and started to hum a lullaby to get her smallest to sleep. 

"I like it when you hum to me Ouka-san. I love you." Akane-chan laid back onto her pillow and slowly drifted off to the haunting tune of humming. -^ 

*She really did love me didn't she? Things would have been so much easier if she was alive, things wouldn't hurt so much... Ouka-san..... Ouka-san... I almost forget what she looks like. Perhaps she's forgotten what I look like.* 

Akane's eyes started to brim with tears as she moved herself to stare out the window, almost in expectance it seemed. 

************************** 

Ukyou stood out the door, after knocking three times, she decided to go in. Slowly, she opened the door and peered in to see nothing at first. As she slowly opened the door wider she caught Akane sitting at her desk, with her head in her hands and a soft tune coming from her lips. Ukyou stood there for a while, entranced by the song. She shook her head and woke up. She came here to do something, and she didn't want to stay any longer than she had to. 

"A..Akane-chan?" Ukyou piped up. 

No response. 

"Akane-chan?" She spoke louder, but Akane continued to ignore her. 

"AKANE-CHAN!?!" Ukyou said, now slightly annoyed. 

Akane stopped her song and raised her head to the girl. 

"Oh, Kounji-chan... Forgive me, I didn't hear you." She spoke slightly too smoothly, with a glazed over look in her eyes. 

Ukyou gave her a queer look but ignored Akane's odd behavior. 

"Uh..ya Akane-chan... is it okay if I talk to you for a second." Ukyou scratched the back of her head lightly. 

"Of course Kounji-chan, please sit." Akane got up off her chair and offered it to Ukyou as she took her seat on the bed. She folded her hands in her lap and had a small, slightly dazed, look on her face. 

Ukyou sat down uncomfortably and managed a small smile, which quickly turned into a deep frown as she reminded herself why she had come. "Akane-chan... I have to talk to you about Ranma.." Ukyou surprised herself at calling her best friend by his proper name. 

The smile on Akane's face faltered slightly, but she had her composure gained quickly. "Really? How is he? Doing well I hope." 

Ukyou's frowned deepened. "Akane-chan, are you feeling alright?" 

"Oh course, Kounji-chan, why wouldn't I be okay?" The glossy look again covered her eyes. 

"What you mean why wouldn't you be okay!?! Akane what's wrong with you?!" Ukyou was getting frustrated. 

"Kounji-chan, please.. don't yell." Akane made hushing sounds. 

Ukyou vented, "Akane! What happened with you and Ranma?!" 

Akane's face seemed calm, as if nothing was wrong with her life. "Ukyou.. nothing is wrong with Ranma and me. Nothing's wrong with anyone... everyone is fine. I'm just fine." Akane was looking around panic stricken. "Please Kounji-chan, don't yell." 

*That's it!* Ukyou stood up and grabbed into Akane's shoulder, seemingly to shake her out of whatever state she was in. "Akane you better tell me what's wrong! I talked to Ran-chan!! He's all messed up! I know you're all messed up! What's the matter?!" 

Akane slid out of Ukyou's grasp on the verge of tears. "Please Ukyou.. please keep your voice down. You're going to upset everyone." 

"Akane! I will not calm down! Ranma's a total wreck! He's my best friend and I can't bare to see him hurt the way he does!" Ukyou backed up when tears started to poor down Akane's face, soundlessly. 

"Ukyou... please.. please don't make me lose another one... I'm so sick of hurting.... " Akane raised her hands to her face and wiped away the stray tears to no vale as more streamed down. She lowered her head gently and hugged her knees. 

Ukyou look astonished at the young girl. Without even thinking she lowered herself down to Akane's bed and wrapped the other young girl in a tight embrace. Akane sat unmoving, and the only sound heard was the gentle sobs coming from Akane's direction. Ukyou sat there, not even realizing the comforting effect she had on Akane as her sobs become less and less frequent. 

*What am I doing?! She's my rival! She's Ranma's fiancée...and.....and.... she's always so mean to him. But Ran-chan loves her. It's strange to think... I never thought she was like this. She seemed so strong and opinionated. Right now, she's like a small child.... almost like a friend. * Ukyou smiled. *I don't have any female friends, I guess, Akane's the closest thing I've got to one. * Ukyou looked down to the crying girl. *Even as scary as that is.* She added in. 

Akane gave one last sob as she raised her head, puffy eyed and all in all a mess. Her hair bore the windblown look, from it being gently stroked by Ukyou. "Ukyou... thank you for coming." She blushed at the thought of her behavior. "Please tell Ranma I'm sorry. And please, tell him I won't bother him anymore. I hope his life goes as well as he always wanted it." Akane's pained look was even too much for _Ukyou_ to bare. 

"Akane he--" She started but was cut short. 

"Please Ukyou-chan, just tell him that. I really need to be alone right now." Akane untangled herself from Ukyou's grasp and opened her door, as a gesture for her to leave. 

The spatula-wielding girl moved hesitantly out the door and through the house to the front door, and took one last look to the Tendou girl. Akane smiled weakly as she knew tears were forming again she closed the door quickly and stepped quietly up the stairs and to the bathroom. 

************************** 

A young boy walked down the streets of Nerima, his black hair glistening in the setting sun. As he passed the small okonomiyaki shop, a smile spread across his lips but was gone just as quick as it came. He passed into the dimly lit room, and glanced around for any life. His gaze set on a figure sitting in the corner, their head lain on a small table. The boy approached and grabbed the other figures shoulder. 

"Ukyou-chan?" The boy spoke, but was quite frightened when Ranma lifted up his head. His eyes were hollow and lifeless. 

"Ranma?! My god! Where have you been?! Everyone was looking for you all night! I should have known to look here!" Ryoga snapped back as Ranma's hand flung towards him. 

"Leave me alone." Ranma said icily. 

Ryoga grinned. "Jeez, here I come to talk to Ukyou about how to get back to the dojo. Instead I found you! I must have pretty good luck! So you can take me back to the dojo. Akane will be happy to see you!" 

"Find your own way." Ranma muttered as he turned his head back the dimly lit candle that sat on the table. 

"Jeez Ranma! You're so stubborn! Akane already knows that you didn't hit her on purpose! Now just come with me.." Ryoga was forced away, hard, as Ranma flung another arm to him. 

"Ranma! What the hell do you think you're doing!? I'm here to do you a favor!" Ryoga frowned. 

"Yeah, some favor." Ranma growled. 

"Ranma, what in the hell are you talking about?" Ryoga growled back. 

Ranma sped around on the chair and glared at the lost boy, "I said SOME FAVOR! Why in the hell would I want to go back to the Tendou's?! I've got absolutely nothing there anymore!" 

Ryoga gave him a puzzled look. "What do you mean?" 

Ranma's eyes narrowed. "I said I have nothing there! The Tendou's probably hate me for hitting Akane.. I don't blame them.. I hate myself. Oyugi will want me to train night and day, saying I have no control. Ka-san will want me to commit seppuku for not being a man! And now that Akane's in love with _you_ what do I have?!" 

Ryoga stood there for a second with a shocked face, but after a moment he burst out laughing. Ranma sat back disgust, *What an asshole... laughing at me.. while he's got Akane.. what else does he want from me?! My pride?!* 

"You.. you thought ...... (snicker).... that she... (laugh) .... she was... in love with _ME_?!?!" Ryoga fell back again laughing. "Ranma you really are as dumb as I knew you were!" 

"What the hell are you talking about Ryoga!?!?" Ranma jumped out of his chair and into a fighting position, as he was ready to attack Ryoga for his blatant lack of emotions. 

"No way.. you really are serious?" Ryoga went on as his regained some of his wits, "Oh jeez, no wonder you attack me back there. You actually thought Akane would be in love with me?" Ryoga smiled a little proud. 

"Well jeez why not p-chan? It's kind of obvious!" Ranma stammered on, feeling hurt form his own words. 

Ryoga shook his head smiling, "Ranma, Akane's my best friend, I'm her best friend. We're friends and only friends!" Ryoga felt a little stabbing pain in his heart about the comment. 

Ranma staggered back a bit. "Wh..what are you talking about Ryoga?" 

The lost boy shook his head. "Get it through your head dummy! Me and Akane are friends, I wouldn't allow myself to be anymore with her, considering she's quite taken with someone else." 

"B..but.. she knew about your curse! She still slept with you in her bead and she's always hugging you, and calling you cute, I just figured.." 

Ryoga cut him off, "Well obviously you figured wrong. You thought I was sleeping in her bed? I never did after she found out. I stayed on a blanket she brought for me. She carried me around and called me cute to torture you Ranma. Jeez I guess it worked! She was so mad when she found out you never told her about me. She wanted to get back at you! She wasn't to impressed with me either, I might add. But she forgave me, she's not as bad as you seem to think she is Ranma. 'P-chan' was her confidant. She told me everything about her life. About her friends... her mother... her problems which, most of the time, were you. That's why I was forgiven, I was her best friend." 

Ranma sat back down in his chair, as little pieces of realization seeped into his mind. Ryoga set his hand on Ranma's shoulder. "And she has her reasons to forgive you. She loves you Ranma. Whether or not she's admit to it anyone except me is another story. So if you don't go to see her soon, and if you break her heart, I'll break you." 

Ranma sat cursing himself for being so blind. "Ryoga, I ran off on her when she needed me though! I think I finally blew it!" 

"Well, if you never go to find out, I guess you'll never know, ne?" Ryoga gave Ranma a goofy grin. 

The pig-tailed boy let a smile caress his lips. "Arigato, Ryoga." 

"Well gee, what are enemies for right?" Ryoga patted him on the back, sending him flying out the restaurant door. 

"RYOUGAAAAAA!" 

Ryoga smiled sheepishly, "Gomen." 

Ranma grinned back and took off down the street. 

************************** 

Akane slipped herself into the furo, the warmth engulfing, somewhat calming her tense nerves. Her face cringed when the water seeped to the wound on her chest. She quickly forgot the discomfort and amerced herself. The glossy curtain once again crossed over her eyes one she was settled in. From exhaustion, she slipped into a silent, light sleep. 

*Please Kami-sama... don't let me lose another one that I love. I try so hard to live up to what people think I should be. The great martial artist Ouka-san and Outa-san wanted me to be. The friend my sisters wanted. Ryoga's best friend. The patient person that..... that Ranma needed.* Akane's eyes clenched shut at the memory of her fiancée. She held back tears. *I need to be a strong person. I'll get nowhere with being weak the way I am right now.* 

"It's not weakness..." A faint voice whispered. 

Akane's eyes shot open. "Who.. Who's there?" She looked around to see she wasn't in the furo anymore. She stood in a vast field of grass and flowers. Akane was clothed in a light sundress with sunflowers on it. 

"Love isn't weakness...." The voice chimed again. 

Akane glanced nervously around. "Who is it?" 

A ghostly figure appeared in front of Akane. Her short hair and warm face sent Akane into shock. 

"O...ouka-san!!" Akane choked back a scream. 

"Love isn't a weakness Akane-chan.." Her body became more vivid as the light dimmed. 

Akane sat back shaking her head. "No... my mother is dead.... you're not her!" 

The woman had a somewhat hurt look on her face, "Akane-chan, didn't I tell you to not get into any fights?" She pointed out the wound on Akane's neck and upper chest. 

Akane calmed a bit. "Ouka-san...." 

The woman smiled warmly and soon a small child's lullaby played softly through her lips. Akane sat there silent, tears mingling with a small bit of grief. When the woman stopped Akane sniffled. "Ouka-san... why.. why did you leave us? I missed you so much... things would have been so much better with you around." 

A soft hand ran across Akane's face, wiping away some stray tears. "Akane-chan.. sometimes things were just meant to be. It's like with Ranma-kun's curse, it couldn't be helped." 

"You know about Ranma?" Akane blurted out. 

"Akane-chan.. I know all about you. Just because I can't be there with you, doesn't mean I don't watch out for you. I love all of you. Kasumi-chan, Nabiki-chan, and Soun. But I worry about you, daughter. My death has had a larger affect on you then the others." 

Akane nodded, "I couldn't understand Ouka-san. I was so young. I didn't know where you were and I missed you so much." Akane grabbed her mother up into a tight hug. "I still do!" 

The woman returned the embrace, "Akane-chan, I am not able to be there in body for you, but I will always be here in spirit. I love my family more than anything. And I don't like to see them suffer. Now what is the problem with this Ranma fellow?" She smiled sweetly to her daughter. 

"Ouka-san, it's so much. If Ranma l...loves me, why can't he say it?" Akane buried herself deeper into her mother. 

"Have you ever considered telling him of your feelings Akane-chan?" The woman brought her daughter's head up to look at her. Akane merely shook her head slowly. She smiled sweetly to her daughter. 

"Akane-chan, never wait for anything. Your life is too short to keep things inside. I regret not being able to do some of the things I'd always wanted to do when I was alive. I wanted to have a son. A younger brother for you and your sisters, and for your father. I wanted to be able to train you more in your martial arts, but your father has done a good job at that. I could have taught you more about womanhood..maybe cooking?" Akane giggled as her mother mentioned it. 

"It's okay Ouka-san.. I won't hold it against you." The woman laughed slightly, but her look turned more mournful. "Akane-chan, I have to leave again." 

Akane's look turned to one of terror and gripped her mother tighter. "Please Ouka-san! Don't leave me yet! I've missed you so much!" 

The woman held back a tear. "Akane-chan, I don't belong where you are. I did once, but my time has already passed. Please, I want you to listen to this, okay?" Akane nodded against her. "Please don't cry anymore for me. You mourned it long enough now, and I don't want my daughter to torture herself any longer. When you think of me, please be happy in the memories that we have, don't be sad. I will always love you no matter what you do in life. I will always take pride in you. And there is one more thing you must remember...." 

Akane lifted herself up to look at her mother on the verge of tears. "Hai, Ouka-san?" 

"I happen to know of a young man who is in love with my youngest daughter, and is feeling pretty bad right now about hurting her." 

Akane smiled brightly and gave her mother one last hug. "I love you so much Ouka-san, I'll never forget you.." 

"I love you too Akane-chan. No more tears now at my expense okay?" 

Akane nodded and pulled herself away smiling, her eyes closed. 

When Akane opened them again, she saw the furo. 

"I fell asleep?" She asked herself. Recalling back to the conversation with her mother in the dream, she smiled and pulled herself up into the warm air. "Arigato Ouka-san..." She whispered. 

Meanwhile somewhere far far away... 

"I'll love of you no matter what Akane-chan.... you're already what I always hoped you'd be...." 

************************** 

Ranma rounded the last corner to the Tendou house when he ran right into Ukyou who had just left a minute or two before. 

"Hey Why don't you--" "Watch where you--" 

"Ran-chan!" "Ucchan!" 

The two helped each other up and smiled sheepishly. 

Ukyou dusted the front of her vendor's outfit off. "Gomen Ran-chan! I didn't expect someone to be coming.." 

"It's okay Ucchan.. half of it's my fault." Ranma said, somewhat embarrassed. 

"Hey! What are you doing out of bed anyway? Are you feeling better?" Ukyou gasped for breath as she bombarded Ranma with questions. 

"Whoa whoa whoa! Hold up a sec Ucchan! One question at a time!" Ranma smiled, as Ukyou turned a shade red. 

"Gomen.." Ukyou apologized. 

"It's okay Ucchan! Just go a little slower." 

Ukyou nodded. "Are you feeling better?" 

Ranma nodded, "Yeah.... a lot actually. Ryoga stopped by your restaurant to talk to you, and..well... I guess you could say we worked things out." 

Ukyou smiled to him. Her feelings mixed between, disappointment for herself and happiness for her best bud and her newly found female friend. 

"Ucchan, you okay?" Ranma looked to her in concern. 

Ukyou grabbed Ranma into a tight hug, surprising the boy. "Ran-chan, I don't know what to do anymore." 

Ranma set his hands on her shoulders, "Ucchan? What's the matter?" 

Ukyou's mind was in turmoil, *How can I explain to him how much he means to me?! I love him, but without love in return it's not true love. Now Akane's not as bad as I thought she was. She almost seemed like someone I could like.* 

"Ukyou?" Ranma broke the girl's concentration. 

"It's over." She whispered to him, while slightly releasing her grip. 

"Over? Ucchan, what's over?" Ranma looked at her in puzzlement. 

Ukyou stepped away from him and lowered herself into a bow, "Saotome Ranma, I release you from the promise of marriage to me. The dowry will be forgotten." Tears brimmed in her eyes. She knew one day it would come to this, but she didn't want it to be so soon. 

"Ucchan....." Ranma looked sort of disappointed from her point of view. 

"It was nice to be yours for a while Ran-chan. But I need something you couldn't ever give to me. I'll be content with being your best friend. I'll just be the fool who fell in love with you." Ukyou choked back the tears again. 

"Ucchan... I... don't know what to say...." Ranma was baffled. 

"I don't think it's me should be saying anything to. She's in there... I think she'll be waiting for you....." Ukyou spun on her heels and raced away from the scene. 

"I love you Ran-chan.... she better treat you right." 

************************** 

Akane was dressed and hurrying through the house grabbing up her shoes and trying to dry her hair all at once. 

Nabiki peered out through her door to see her little sister creating a small tornado through the house. *Well jeez.. I guess she's feeling better! What a drastic change....* She stepped form her room in the hall and was soon was plowed over by Hurricane Akane. 

"OOF!" Nabiki fell over on her arms, and looked up to see Akane rubbing the leg she landed on. 

"Gomen Nasai Nabiki onee-chan! I should have been watching where I was going!" Akane quickly got up to her feet again and pulled up her sister with her. After the task was done she quickly hurried towards the front door. 

"Hey Akane! Where are ya goin!?" Nabiki yelled to her sister, as she grabbed onto the handle of the front door. 

"Sorry Nabiki! I don't have time to talk! I'll tell you after I get back!" Akane quickly opened the door and was face to face with a surprised Ranma. 

"Ranma..." "Akane..." 

A moment passed, and still not a word had been said. "Hey what's up with you too?" Nabiki quipped in as she had walked to the bottom of the stairs. 

The pair blushed. Nabiki raised her eyebrow. "Huh?" 

"Akane...I.. need to talk to you alone." Before Akane could even protest he scoped her up in his arms and bounded onto the roof. 

Nabiki was left standing at the bottom wondering, "Now what was that all about?!" 

************************** 

Ranma touched down on the roof gently and set Akane down to her feet. As they stood there quietly facing each other, no one dared to speak. 

Akane looked to him every so often, and when they're eyes met Akane could feel her heart begin to pound. *This is getting ridiculous...* she thought to herself. 

"Gomen Nasai..." Ranma whispered. 

"Ranma... there's nothing for you to apolo--" 

Ranma walked to her and set his hand just below her neck, and she let out a small grunt of pain from the bruise. "I should have my control, or at least have had my eyes open. Akane it happened because.... because I thought you were in love with Ryoga. It's no excuse.. I know..." 

Akane raised her hand to cover his, "Ranma, why would you think that?" 

"You were always so nice to 'P-chan'... I thought he had been sleeping in your bed even after you found out. You were always telling him how cute he was....." 

A long paused followed as Ranma took a step back from her. After their eyes met for the second time the silence was broken. 

"Ranma--" "Akane--" The both stopped in their tracks. 

"Y..you go first if you want Ranma..." Akane whispered. 

"No, it's okay if you want to go..." Ranma responded. *Jeez, at this rate I'll lose even before I begin... now or never..* Ranma raised his head. 

"Akane, Aishite-iru!" "Aishite-iru wa!" 

They stopped dead in their tracks, and this time they didn't avert their gazes from one another. Their eyes locked in place with each other's. 

Akane was the first to speak. "Ranma... do you really mean that?" 

Ranma blushed intensely, but wasn't about to let this moment get to him like being alone with her usually did. "H...hai Akane..." Now it was Ranma's turn, "Did _you_ really mean it?" He asked with a slightly shaky voice. 

Akane nodded slowly, "Hai...." 

Another awkward silence followed, Akane eyes dropped from his gaze, feeling like they were under intense heat. Her mind raced, the day she had sometimes dreamed about was actually happening. Her thought was suddenly knocked away as she felt two arms encircling her, the warmth was inviting. She stood rigid for a moment. As they warmed her she slowly placed herself into him, and let herself relax. 

"Please.. don't let me wake up..." she whispered under her breath. 

Ranma smiled. "I'm not going anywhere...." He tightened the embrace, and she let him quite willingly. 

Uncounted moments passed when Ranma pulled himself slightly away from Akane and looked to her. She brought her head up to look to him. Ranma lowered his head towards her and she advanced to him and their lips brushed against each other. Content with just holding her fiancé, Akane's eyes glistened with moonlight as the sun in the sky finally made its quest into the western sky. 

A large smile lay on his lips as Ranma stared down to his love. The moment took over and he sat down with Akane in tow. He laid himself out and Akane snuggled up to him, making his chest a nice pillow. They both contently stared off into the night sky. 

"Akane...." Ranma whispered to the already half sleeping girl. 

"Hai Ranma?" Akane spoke from on his chest. 

"No matter what I said, it was always you." Ranma blushed. 

Akane smiled, "Arigato..." She let out a small giggle and then settled down again and happily let a soundless sleep wash over her. 

Ranma grinned. "Kawaii...." he whispered before also drifting off to sleep. 

Her sleeping face was so cute. He waited a few more seconds before lifting his finacee and hiself off the roof and back into the house where he met face-to-face with a smiling Nabiki. She raised her eyebrow to him and he nodded back. Nabiki's smile burst into a fulfledge grin. She was just about to congratulate him before Ranma "shushed" her and smiled down to Akane, so Nabiki took the hint. Ranma turned away to walk up the stairs, but before he could get onto the first step Nabiki whispered something. 

"You better be good to her Ranma-kun...." Nabiki raised an eyebrow to him. 

Ranma grinned and nodded, "Soo Desu ka? Then I promise. I..... I love her." With another blush he followed the stairs into the hall where he dissapeared behind the corner. 

Nabiki stood at the bottom of the stairs with a warm smile. 

************************** 

Whoa.. finally done :P I can say I actually am I happy with this one. I liked writing the scene at the start with Kasumi thinking and then Akane's dream. This might explain some of the reasons why Akane is the way she is. She had no real motherly figure in her life past a young age (besides Kasumi, who had her own life to worry about and not really any time to teach Akane the things she needed) and this would explain why she's a "tomboy". Well anyway, Ukyou's pretty much gone as Ranma's fiancée. Actually, I like Ukyou as of now. She's actually a pretty good character! *^_^* Hmm.. I guess that leaves *shudder* Kodachi... sorry all you Kodachi fans out there.. she's not really one of faves ^^; Does anyone watch Fushigi Yuugi? You might notice one of Hotohori's quotes in there ^^ Heeehee... I love that series. :P 

************************** 

List of term that might be helpful 

-chan : The suffix usually used to express affection. Used mostly on pets, younger people, close friends, or boyfriends/girlfriends. 
-kun : Suffix usually used with male boys younger or of the same age as you. Generally ages 10 to around 17 
-san : Generally used on people of higher ages or to express respect. 
-sama : Used to express GREAT respect for one. ie. Konatsu uses this term to Ukyou who he feels he owes his life to. 
-sempai : loosely translated to "upperclassmen" 
"Aishite-iru wa": "I love you" 
ara: the equivalent to "Oh my.." 
arigato: thank-you 
baka: stupid, idiot, silly, etc. 
chikusho: darn, dammit, etc. 
"daijobu desu ka?": "Are you alright?" 
dojo: a martial arts practice hall 
furo: japanese bath, NOT used for cleaning but more for relaxing. 
gi: martial art fighting attire 
gomen, gomen nasai: I'm sorry 
hai : yes 
hentai: pervert 
"Honto desu ka?": "Is that true?" 
iie: no 
ittai, ite: ouch 
ka-san: the same as Ouka-san which means mother 
kawaii: cute 
kawaiikunee: uncute 
nani?: what? 
NekoHanten: Shampoo's restaurant. The "Cat-Cafe" 
onee-chan : Older sister 
onna, onna no ko: girl 
osage-no-onna: "pig-tailed goddess" 
otou-san: father 
oyugi : Old Man (also in the VIZ Ranma 1/2 can be associated when Ranma calls his father "Pop") 
sake: fermented rice wine 
sayonara: good bye 
shogoi: sort of the equivalent to chess 
sugoi: cool, wow, wonderful, etc. 
sensei: translated as teacher, but also can be used for people of high degrees such as doctors or nurses. 
watashi wa: my name is... OR I am... 
yatta: ALRIGHT! 


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