It was dark and the wind bit at him with every gust. Still Ryoga continued to climb to the peak of the mountain in search of the ancient stone that could make Akane his at last. There in the distance shown a shimmer of hope, in a rosy hue. Ryoga trudged on determined to fight against the winds to reach the orb. The story he had heard from an Okinawa fisherman who had been in the waters around mount Hakurai. The story was of a man who held and polished the forbidden stone daily, in ancient times. He was hoping to offer it as a token of engagement to the most sought after girl in the village. Raven hair and skin as pale as lotus blossoms. Her name was Kurumi. Each day the man stroked the stone and held it close to his chest pouring his passionate thoughts into the mystical rock. He thought of just being able to touch her lips, to run his fingers through her hair, the temptation to touch her was great. The stone soon grew crimson with passion and the man knew it was time for the offering. He approached the girl who fell madly in love with him after one touch of the stone. He locked it away at the top of mount Hakurai so no one could use his plans against him. Together they stayed. The infamous stone was said only to be counteracted if the maiden was deeply in love with another. Ryoga hoped that the legend was true; it offered him hope for winning Akane's heart. Above all else this was what he truly desired.
The sun shown brightly during the summer months as Akane sat on the porch steps. She played with the trim of her yellow and white dress looking out onto the koi pond. The buzz of sakadas surrounded the Tendo dojo. She let out a soft sigh as she lounged back to take a cat nap in the rays of the sun on the cool wooden porch. She hadn't spotted Ranma atop the roof as of yet. His soft eyes were laid upon the pattern of her dress and the curves of her body. He really did like her hips; he didn't know why she got so heated when he mentioned them. Everything about her seemed sweet today, even the way she smelled of sakura blossoms. He wished to trace her every outline, but restrained because of the fear of rejection. It was better to be distant than alone. She lifted a hand to wipe the wisps of bangs from her auburn eyes as she spotted Ranma's intent glare from the roof. She was about to ask him what the hell he was doing up there when she noticed his glare was sweeping from her chest down to her waist. She decided to tease him a little. She rolled on to her front playfully, still pretending to be napping. Ranma shifted to admiring the curves of her back. For the past few days he hadn't got them out of his head. Akane then rolled again onto her back, "So how's the view from up there?" she questioned as she laughed. Ranma responded flushed, "Nothing special." Akane stiffened her lips as she stood up and brushed herself off. "I'm going to make lunch. Did you want some?" Ranma replied, "No, I think I'd be better off eating that bamboo over there, at least I know what's in it." Twice insulted, Akane slid open the door and walked inside, realizing she wasn't truly that hungry. She headed up the stairs to her bedroom and softly laid herself on the bed. She stared out her window to see the trees shake gently with the summer breeze. She decided to ignore Ranma's comments and appreciate the beauty of the season.
Ryoga grasped the stone in victory. Soon her heart would be his alone and oh the things he had planned to do to her. Hold her, place his lips upon hers and gaze into her eyes. He smiled widely as he headed down the mountain singing to himself in triumph. As he returned to his canvas tent he decided to start working on the stone. He thought to himself what he planned to do if Akane were with him at that moment. In his mind he imagined the tent flaps opening and Akane entering in tattered clothing, exposing her torso. She was soaking wet and shivering, her lips slightly blue. "Oh, Ryoga, I was so worried about you making this journey. I thought I would never see you again." She knelt down beside him as tears formed in her gentle eyes. He would then respond, "Akane, I never knew you felt this way." She would then press herself up against him, "Ryoga I'm cold, so cold. I just fell into a hidden stream on the way here." He would stand up heroically and help her out of her dripping clothes until her undergarments remained. He would take of his top and bottom as well and offer her a warm place in his sleeping bag. He would bring her body close to his to provide her with warmth and feel her chest rise and fall against his. All the while he would stare deep into her chocolate eyes and until he could resist no longer, place a kiss upon her tender untouched lips and run a hand down her back. He snapped out of the daydream as he felt something throb, the stone was turning a shade darker, almost crimson.