Ranma sighed deeply, as the clouds rolled across the light blue sky. The sun beamed down on him, and he tried to understand his feelings for his dearest Akane, whom meant more than he knew himself. As the grass blew with the wind, and through his hair, he watched as the clouds grew darker, and moved faster. Upon the hill he laid on, was beyond the outskirts of town. He told Akane he'd be home later, after he tried to cope with himself. Though, he hadn't told her what he was thinking about. He only really thought to himself when it was morning, when fewer things occurred to him.

Akane. To him, in the beginning, she was a strong and tomboyish girl who didn't like boys, and kept to herself. Even then, he knew she liked Dr. Tofu, before Kasumi was brought into the picture. Later on though, she actually cared for him. Whenever he was nice to her, that is. He always thought that she was alot happier when she was violent, hence why he teased her so often. He actually started to like her beatings, as if he thought he deserved it. Soon, after Ryoga, he realized how much he cared about her too. He wouldn't even let Akane near Kuno or Ryoga without a fight. Except those little dating fusses, and even then, Akane admitted to thinking, after that date, that Ryoga would kill someone before he could fall in love with someone. Ryoga's secret about being P-chan was always something that Ranma tried to exploit, but soon, tried to help keep it only known between them. Ranma and Ryoga didn't fight as often, and became more like friends.

Akane's inner beauty and love only showed when Ranma was nice to her, and admitted his feelings.

Something deep inside bothered him, though.

The both of them are love-shy, and he knew it. It is always hard to try and admit, when he is insecure about his feelings, and not to mention his other "fiancées" getting in the way.

With that fact about Akane being said, he had a plan.

Soon, it would begin to rain, and he didn't want to turn into his female form just now. Ranma left the hill and began to dart down it. The clouds darkened further to a blue, and Ranma quickly ran back into town as he felt small droplets coming downward. They weren't enough to make him turn yet. Soon, after he darted through town, he made it to the Tendo Residence. Coming to that place really made him feel guilty, since neither him nor his dad had a source of income to pay bills. But somehow, he managed to get allowance, as Soun's other daughters do.

Ranma made his way past the gate and near the door, right before it started to downpour. The wind blew vigorously in his direction to wipe out the rain near him. He was only covered in small droplets, when he let himself into the house. "I'm home!" Ranma exclaimed, as he made his way around the hall, took off his shoes near the door, and went past the kitchen where Kasumi was cooking, and into the dining room. Kasumi called after him, "Welcome back! Dinner will be ready in half an hour!"

There, he saw his father, and Soun Tendo, whom were playing another game of Shoji. Ranma still never understood how to play. He looked around and wondered where the others were. Probably in their rooms, he thought. He walked away from the dining room, back into the darkened hall, and up the wooden stairs. He looked around the blank walls as he started up, until he reached the upper floor, where the other girls were. The hallway lacked light, and was silent as the air that passed through it. Passing Nabiki's door, and in front of Akane's, he stopped. His heart began to race, his inner feelings began to explode inside of him, his pigtail standing on end. What if she laughs at me? Then I won't have any manly pride left, Ranma thought again.

Akane looked up as she heard footsteps echo down the hallway, before they stopped at her door. She was only lying on her bed, looking up at the ceiling, thinking as well. But now she was anxious, staring at her door. "R-Ranma?" she whispered silently. Ranma suddenly turned the doorknob very slowly, his heart beating faster and faster with each second. He could feel a sudden tickle at his cheeks, and they were warm. He couldn't hide it this time, and he knew it. He couldn't go back now.

Ranma slipped inside, shutting the door behind him, just how Akane did when she saw him in the bathtub the first time she met him. Ranma looked down, blushing, with an embarrassed look upon his face. He couldn't bear to even explain himself, let alone her knowing what he felt. She could use his feelings against him, he knew. But deep inside, in her heart, she wouldn't dare. He could tell, that just maybe, maybe she felt the same way. Akane yelled at him with question. "Where were you, Ranma? Off flirting with Shampoo again?"

Ranma stumbled, and he walked slowly to Akane, with his head in practical shame. She looked at him angrily, and slowly resorted to a softer expression. Something doesn't seem right about him, her mind told her. Akane brushed off her yellow blouse out of instinct. Ranma then stopped, and held her right hand that hand brushed her blouse. He grapsed it, and slipped his fingers through hers. "W-What're you.." Akane blushed, then became slightly angry with him. "Ranma!?"

Ranma's head was still down. He couldn't look at her, he was too scared. He could almost feel it, something that's never been felt before. Her hand was so soft and soothing to his touch, and he tried to relax, but it was too much. Then, he tried to talk. He only stuttered and stumbled over some sound. This wasn't even part of his plan, but he has to face his fears, even as a martial artist.

"Ranma? Are you okay?" Akane looked to him in genuine concern, trying to look into his eyes, which were not visible to her. Her sensitive side showed, and Ranma could only hope that she would understand him. He never really had the chance to open up to anyone. Ranma was never that outgoing, although he did have many friends. But Akane, was his best friend, alongside Ryoga.

"A-Akane.. There's, there's something I gotta tell you, I.." He stopped. He held her hand slightly tighter in his grasp. His soft pink blush became a red. He took her other hand in his grasp willingly, though still a bit scared of what might happen soon enough. Akane looked at him, blushing herself, hoping it was something she longed to hear for a while now. Ranma's confidence fell, and he felt his heart skip a beat.

Then he remembered, this was something he had to do. He wanted to do this.

Slowly, he leaned into her, his chest close to her shoulder, as his head loomed near hers. A soft whisper changed everything between them, and the bond was almost made instantly. "I love you, Akane.." - Akane was stunned. A glass mirror broke in her mind. A baffled and scared emotion coated her blushed face. She gasped silently, and Ranma began to feel down. She couldn't believe he said that to her. Her own heart began to beat fast as she thought of nothing but them, in that room, alone. "R.. Ranma..." He then quickly took her into a soft, tight embrace, his arms twisting around her waist.

Her expression changed to a surprised one, her eyes coming to focus, and she nervously wrapped her arms around his neck, wondering about when he had the nerve to tell her that. She then smiled, as she realized she got what she wanted. They could hear the rain softly pit-patter on her window.