Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2

Chapter One:

Ranma walked into the bathroom, looking forward to nice soak in some hot water. Sliding the door open, he stayed frozen at the entrance; Akane had beaten him to it. Again.

She stepped out of the water, wrapping a towel around her body. Smiling, she made her way over to him. On the tips of her toes, she softly pressed her lips against his, but his eyes stayed open, his lips parted. She moved back, shrinking to her usual height.

"What's the matter?" Akane placed her hand on his upper arm, and found his muscles to be tense beneath her touch.

"The Dojo's been challenged for tomorrow." He replied, voice low, eyes focused on the floor on his right.

"Who was it this time?"

His eyes met hers. "Hibiki."

Her hand rose from his arm to his cheek. Her smile had reappeared. "Don't worry, Saotome." His eyebrows furrowed, silently questioning her words. "You're the strongest martial artist I know. It'll be fine."

"Never thought I'd hear you say that," he smirked. "D'you mean it?"

She grabbed his ponytail, twirling it around in her slim fingers. "Perhaps... If it excludes me."

She chuckled.

He joined in - her laugh was gorgeous, his favourite thing about her, and was incredibly contagious.

She then, after the laughter had settled down between the two, swept in growing bangs out of his face that were now lingering in the way of his eyes. Placing one more kiss on his lips, she stepped past him. However, he caught her waist and spun her around to face him again.

Wordlessly, almost routine-ly, he kissed her again, keeping them connected for a few minutes more.

Reluctantly, she parted herself from him, mumbling against his lips, just audiable for him, and him alone to hear, "get in the bath while it's still warm."

He pulled his black vest top off, smirking as she stared, and flexed his muscles teasingly before ushering her out.

"I'll see you in bed," he said, and just before he closed the door, he added, "Mrs Saotome."

Ranma lifted the covers, just enough so he could slip into bed, as always, next to her. Clad in boxer shorts and a clean vest top, this one white with his name printed in red across the chest, he shuffled away from the edge, and into the middle, where she favored to lay; it was where she could always get comfortable. Ranma found her figure in the dark and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Hers then reached out for him, clinging onto his waist, moving closer to his warm, relaxed body.

"Feeling any better?" She whispered quietly.

"Yeah," he answered. "Much."

She smiled, though she was aware he couldn't see it in the lack of light, and rested her head against his chest.

"Akane?" Ranma asked, looking onwards into space and darkness. She made a soft "mmm?" noise to let him know she was listening. "Did you read his letter of challenge?"

"No, why?"

"He wrote about a "reward" for the winner." He waited a few moments before continuing, as to let it sink in. "He wants you. And, if I do lose, I lose the Dojo, you, and Mrs Kuno writes a double-page spread about it all in her newspaper, 'The Anything-Goes Times'."

Akane sat up, pulling his along with her. "Of course you're going to lose if you keep on worrying and don't get any sleep." She joked as she sat behind him. Rubbing his shoulders rythmically, she began talking again. "We'll wake up, have breakfast, wash your hair, trim your bangs, re-tie it and then you'll see to the challenge while I prepare something to eat with some chilled bottles of water, okay?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She kissed the base of his neck, and watched as his shoulders shot up, then relaxed in seconds. It sent shivers down his spine, and never failed to amuse her.

"Don't do that!" Ranma whined. Akane giggled.

"Mr. Macho has a weakness!" She sang, teasing him, and all this reminded her of their honeymoon; their first night together as a married couple.

Ranma then turned around and stabbed her chest with his index finger, successfully pushing her down onto her back. He then pinned her down by sitting on her as she squirmed relentlessly.

"If Ryoga's as easy as this, I'll have no problem winning!"