A/N- Review responses at the bottom. I decided that since this school semester will be harsh and I already have made good headway into the future chapters, I'd update again. Yes I know, I am awesome, so keep them reviews commin lol

And thank you for bearing with my rusty grammatical skills lol

Feeling my way through the darkness

Guided by a beating heart

I can't tell where the journey will end

But I know where to start

They tell my I'm too young to understand

Say I'm caught up in a dream

Well life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes

But that's fine by me

So wake me up when it's all over

When I'm wiser and I'm older

All this time I was finding myself

And I

Didn't know I was Lost.

Avicii: Wake Me Up

Chapter 2 So We Meet again

18 years later…..

"So I have to go prancin around these women….. For what again?" Ranma yawned as he sat across the seat of his thrown with his father at his side. Ranma was about to be twenty-five years old, had run his country in his fathers place since he had turned eighteen (unofficially), won five mini-wars thus far, the greatest martial artist in the kingdom by leaps and bounds, and had thousands of women after his bed…. And he was being forced to-

"My boy you can't just keep sleeping with whom ever you want!" Genma Saotome growled from his advisors throne at Ranma's side.

"I don't sleep with just WHOMEVER" Ranma scoffed and turned to his captain of the guard, "Do I Ukyo…"

Ukyo shrugged, "No, my lord." The captain rolled her eyes, looking at the small piece of cloth the king had given her to read last night to Genma today, "Only the prettiest and biggest breasted, my Lord."

"Are you SERIOUS!?" Genma roared, "You realize that royalty should AVOID siring bastards right!?"

"Hey, I have been using Mouses anti-pregnancy potion in the wine I give the girls. No grandchildren for you just yet, old man, so just relax!" Ranma rolled his blue eyes at his fathers' antics, and then lazily perused the growing crowd before his thrown.

"You're going to put an end to that when you have a wife, you hear me!? I didn't raise a cheater for a King!" the previous king growled, quickly smiling as their guest started to file into the ballroom before them. It was sometimes scary how easily the King… AND the Queen, could switch facial expression so fast.

"What do you take me for?" Ranma snapped a glare at his father, "Of course I would NEVER do that to my wife! But I am not married yet, and I just don't see why I have to MEET her tonight!"

"We are merging our family with the Tendo family to strengthen our boarders even more. They are the closet to the EverFree Forest- you know, where all those crazy Amazons are and where the spirits and the hibijibi-mombojubo stuff is at? And not to mention there's not exactly a LONG list of princesses around." Genma explained like he had four hundred times this same day before hand… if not even more than that.

Ukyo turned to face her royalty, "If I may, Genma, Sir," she bowed at the waist, "There are plenty of suitable ladies to CHOSE from." She sent a pointed, unnoticed look at Ranma.

"I am sure there are, Ukyo," Genma replied kindly, not wanting to hurt the girl any more than he had to, "But our families agreed to this merger years ago when Ranma was still very young."

"Did I agree to it?!" Ranma quipped.

"You did at the time." Genma shrugged.

"I WAS SEVEN!" he Ranma roared, "I would have said I would switch places with a pig herder for a cookie!"

"Settle down Ranma!" Genma stood up, "Or do I need to get your mother over here? You don't even know what the woman looks like so just be a man about this! Shut your ungrateful, yapping trap and see where this path takes you! You know how our customs are. So maybe she won't even like your ugly mug and the engagement will be broken off anyways! We don't take the unwilling of queens to our beds. That's the Saotome way!"

"Sure, nothing about this is double standard at all…" Ranma murmured into his palm where he propped his head, looking away from his father.

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"Please tell me there's a way out of this?" Akane groaned as she allowed the stablemen to help her down the carriage. She felt uncomfortable in the flowing, elegant sapphire dress she wore that boat necked around her shoulders and ended just above her ankle. A slit on either side of her allowed her more freedom to move than normally and scandalously showed off her creamy thighs when she walked sometimes. The stablemen had to stop themselves from staring at the royal guest for too long.

"Relax, Akane," Nabiki, her elder sister smiled as their own captain of the guard helped her down, "Thank you Captain Hibiki."

Ryoga Hibiki bowed his head in respect and helped out their eldest sister, Kasumi out of the carriage as well, and their father, Soun dismounted his old red stallion, Rama and handed his reins off to a stable hand. The old stud still had some fire to him and startled the young boy he was handed off to when the regal stallion squealed a challenge to a nearby cavalry mount, which shied away at the intimidating display.

"Nabiki is right, Ms. Akane." Ryoga nodded, ignoring Rama's commotion. Residents of the Tendo hall were well accustomed to the macho-tempered old war stallions ways by now, "All you have to do is not like this Ranma guy and you're free to chose who you … you want." He faltered when she turned to face him. Casting her beautiful spell on him once more, and he always fell for it.

"Of course I am right," Nabiki winked, "besides, if this Ranma guy is anything like OUR Rama…" all three of them glanced back at the ill-tempered stallion, soured in cranky age and only calm when Soun was astride him, "I think you won't have a hard time saying 'No'." she nudged her sister reassuringly.

"That's what I thought, Ryoga, but now that I am here I can't stop my heart from POUNDING!" Akane held a curled hand to her chest. Ryoga couldn't help but admire how feminine and beautiful she looked, and had to shake himself out of it. There was that spell of hers again! And she doesn't even know what she's doing either.

"It's… I am sure it is just nerves m'lady," he bowed his head, forcing his eyes away from her, "You're in a new place and there's a lot you do not know yet. It's only reasonable that you would feel a little nervous upon arriving."

"Thank you Ryoga, and Nabiki." Akane smiled thankfully up to Ryoga, breathing a sigh of relief, "I can always count on you to cheer me up."

Ryoga had to turn his back to them, less the family see his entire body not covered in armor blush a bright red from his sheer happiness, "O-Of C-course Lady A-ak-Akane! HAHAHA!" he started to laugh.

"Who's he talking to father?" Kasumi watched as Ryoga appeared to be talking to a …. Pack mule…. And laughing with it.

"My dear, sweet Kasumi," Soun started as he offered his eldest daughter an arm to hold on to while they followed his other two daughters into the palace grounds, "That is a mystery in and of itself."

"Meet ya in there after you're done with the mule, Ryoga!" Nabiki smirked.

"Whaa?" Ryoga turned back around, seeing his charges were leaving him, "WAIT! MY LORD AND LADIES! IT'S DANGEROUS TO GO WITH OUT A GUARD!" he sprinted to catch up with them.

"Oh relax Ryoga, we are not at war." Nabiki shrugged, "It's not like anyone wants to kill us. None of us have been pronounced Queen yet. THEN they will want to kill us."

'I won't let that happen to Akane..' Ryoga thought determined as he followed the family he had sworn fealty to, 'I just hope this Ranma guy isn't who I think he is…' he felt a sense of dread hit his stomach as he followed them down the corridors of the grandeurs halls of the Saotomes and into the large throne room being used as a ballroom for the night.

Akane held back a little, fear evident on her face as she fidgeted with her long hair, almost releasing it from it long decorated thick braid. She watched as her family entered the ballroom with ease and mingled with the other aristocrats. Each used to these kind of gatherings, but Akane had not been so fortunate. She was not used to crowds and this place was CROWDED!

'How can these people breathe in here!? Isn't there supposed to be dancing? Is there room for that?!' She thought frantically. Her brown eyes searching for a familiar face as she realized she lost sight of her family. Her anxiety skyrocketed! 'Oh no oh no oh no oh no nonononononooooo!'

"Lady Akane…" Ryoga startled her from her side. She didn't realize he had been there the entire time since she stopped at the door, "Are you going to be ok, m'lady?" his dark forest green eyes searched her own, and she could tell he knew she was panicking.

"I'm just… not used to this type of scene. We usually have our parties in the day time at home so I don't usually get to go to balls unless it is really important and…. At night." Akane confessed, looking up nervously at the high moon above showing through the skylight windows above.

Ryoga followed her gaze, understanding completely. All those who worked at the Tendo Hall knew of Akane Tendo's curse and how she acquired it from the EverFree forest, taking on the punishment the spirits felt due to man, and they were all very protective of it as a secrete. Even if Ryoga hadn't been sworn to secrecy about it, he still felt he would be that way towards her. Akane was a kind heart and gentle soul and never really complained about her predicament.

Ryoga allowed himself to place a hand on Akane's bare shoulder, silently admiring her soft skin under his fingers, "Ms. Akane, I know for a fact there's plenty of night left for you to enjoy yourself tonight. Your … condition shouldn't affect you. And if it does, my men and I are at the ready to take evasive action." He nodded.

"Thank you again Ryoga. I guess I am just feeling…. Skittish." She grinned at the inside joke.

"Again, understandable my Lady." Ryoga grinned, taking her hand and kissing the top of her knuckles, "Shall I escort you in?" he nodded towards the inside of the room.

"Sure," Akane sighed with a roll of her eyes and grinned, stealing Ryogas poor heart away again and again as she sliped her delicate hand around his offered arm and let him lead her into the fray.

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"Is she here yet?" Ranma asked his father as he searched the crowd, trying to guess whom his bride to be (maybe) was. He saw a few good lookers he wouldn't have minded for his bride to be, but no one lade was standing out to him.

"I see her father right now, so yes, son. She should be here." Genma grinned at his son as he stood up, "Now get up and join in the party. If you haven't found her in a while, we will announce her."

"You're gonna make me work at finding her?" Ranma quirked a brow, "I'm getting tired of these games, pops." He rolled his eyes then, standing up as well and following his father down the few steps to the ball floor from the thrones. Captain Ukyo, in her masculine armor followed a few steps behind him, ever so vigilant in her watch over her king.

"Humor me for once." Genma shrugged and disappeared to find his best friend, Soun Tendo.

"'Humor' him he says." Ranma shook his head and shared a look with his captain of the guard, "Well lets do this."

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"How do I know which one is him?" Akane's nervous, second thoughts about entering the crowded room had her unconsciously backing into Ryoga's side as he lead her in arm into the sea of nobles and royals.

She could hardly believe this was a room! She looked down to avoid the smiles and appreciative faces of the people around them that stepped out of the way while the pair walked though the room. The floor had an image of Akane's face staring back at her, as the alabaster stone was waxed and smoothed over so well that her reflection, and everyone else's shown through like solidified white water. The walls and pillars were the same stone with solid gold trimming, all just as polished as the floor, and above (as she noticed to begin with) glass window ceiling that showed the beautiful starlit sky and moon above. Akane drew her eyes back down from the tall ceiling and image of the moon as another wave of nervousness sent her heart fluttering again.

In her other form, she would have bolted at the first sign of this… but she was human right now, until the sun came up at least.

"I don't think I can do this, Ryoga," Akane tugged on her escorts' arm, stopping him with the smallest of resistance.

Ryoga halted, turning his forest green eyes back to the princess that stole his heart long ago, sighing greatly with the knowledge that he couldn't allow her to stop and leave now. She had to at least reject this prince guy, after all. Then they could run away together- …. Well then they could return back to the Tendo Hall.

"M'lady, Akane," He shook his head of the thought of running away with her, "You must be nervous, but I know you can pull this off." He smiled gently to her, "I know! How about I go get you a refreshment? Maybe that will clear your nerves a bit." No sooner had the words left his lips, did the captain of the guard of the Tendo Hall wedge himself out of Akane's hold on his arm and wander off into the crowd, "I'll be right back!"

"Wait- RYOGA!" Akane called out, but he already disappeared into the crowd. She turned this way and that trying to find her friend, but to no avail. Grumbling in defeat and an attempt to hide her sudden anxiety, Akane looked around one last time in defeat, "Oh you dummy…" she looked to her left where a table of hors oeuvres were with the drinks on the end, "The drinks are right HERE…."

"You look about as comfortable as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs," a voice snorted to her immediate right.

Akane yelped softly and hopped away, facing to her right in a ready-for-action pose, only to come face to face with a tall, young man with jet-black hair braided into a pig-tail at the nape of his strong neck. From the way he filled out the well-fitted silk, red top, Akane could tell that he was some sort of fighter. She couldn't help the way her eyes took him in quickly, still not wanting to come off rude at such an event, but she really couldn't stop herself. Broad, strong shoulders and chest, a trim waist from the way the tailored silk both seemed to cling and hang off casually around his form, the golden trimmings accenting very well, and the black belt tying at the waste where loose fitting black pants resumed where the red top stopped. She had an idea that he was the type to work out all over, from the stance he held in such a casual, yet coiled way….

'He's a martial artist.' She thought with a sigh of relief, 'Probably not the prince,'

"Hello?" he snapped her back to the real world when she realized he was talking to her and holding out a small glass drink, "I said you look like you could use a bit of wine. It should loosen the tension you're feeling a bit." The look on his face said that he had just repeated himself.

"Oh… thank you, sir" Akane nodded, taking the glass shyly from him, nearly dropping it when static electricity jolted her finger tips where they brushed against his as they handed off the glass. He pulled back his hand as if he felt it too, looking back at her and catching her eyes.

"Sorry, I must have drug my feet across the floor or somethin," His hand reached up behind his neck to scratch at his pigtail, obviously a little nervous as well. The slight pink across the bridge of his nose was endearing and Akane felt her own blush flitter across her cheeks in response as she ducked her head to try and hide it for a moment before looking back up.

"No, no I don't mind." Akane offered with a shake of her head as she sipped her wine thankfully, "I probably shuffled my feet a bit as well, so I am just as shameful as you I guess…. I'm…. I'm just not accustomed to large crowds." She admitted, feeling her cheeks burn a bit more.

The young man's dark blue eyes watched her for a moment as she sipped her wine again, watching him from underneath her long lashes curiously. She raised her head as he cleared his throat and held out a hand to her, "Don't like crowds, eh?" he smiled a half smile, "Well, how about we get out of the MIDDLE of this one."

"That would be wonderful," she admitted, taking another nervous sip, forgetting that her sisters warned her about the family weakness to wine… it didn't take long for her to start feeling the pleasant warmth in her belly. But she couldn't tell if it was from the wine or the handsome young man leading her out of the crowd to where they could breathe a bit.

The young man led her to a large balcony, almost the length of the throne room itself. A thin veiled white curtain separated indoors from out, and the young man bent down to lift up the hem and allowed Akane under and through first before following her outside to the brisk balcony. Akane shivered, her sapphire dress was more for warmer weather like how the Tendo Hall was this time of year. Here at the Saotome Palace, however, it was prone to cold evenings and chilly light winds, where it had no forest trees or mountains to break the northern winds from cruising across the plains.

Yet as the young man led her to the edge of the balcony and rested on the gold, marble and silver railing, Akane could see the appeal to the capitals location in the never ending golden plains. The city lights stretched a couple of miles in each direction, bending to a large river that divided the city in half, just like it halved the golden grasses of the plains that stretched beyond the city. In the horizon to the west, she saw a glimpse of green that she knew was the EverFree Forest, near where the Tendo Hall was, guarding the forest boarder from invaders at the western flank. To the east, a blue lining of the sea was barely visible and beyond that a dark stretch of sky dotted with diamond-like stars reined above. And finally, the moon. So beautiful … so cold…

"Hey, don't tell me you already had too much wine," the young man joked, "Or are you just so happy you're out of the crowd you're speechless?"

Akane turned back to her 'savior' and bowed at the waist to him, "Thank you so much," she righted herself once more, noticing his surprised face, apparently they don't bow much here, "Truly though, I do thank you for getting me out of there. The walls felt like they were closing in…. though they are beautiful walls." She noted as an after thought with a quick glance at the outer walls, just as vibrant as the inner ones, "Tall, beautiful…white walls." And now she was rambling.

The young man shrugged his shoulders and seemed to brush off the thank you, "Yeah well, I don't really like this kinda scene either. Momma put up the glitz and glam really. She'd be happy to know someone appreciates her tall white walls she has polished so often." He chuckled a little as he teased her lightly. It just came easy to him.

"Momma?" Akane tilted her head confused, feeling her head spin ever so lightly. So that's what her sisters warned her about….

"You know … the queen? She really likes big parties like this and enjoys meeting everyone again and making new friends and keeping an eye out for trouble makers to the kingdom of Nerima and yadda yadda yadda," he nodded, turning away from her to rest his elbows on the balcony.

"Wait, you call the queen of Nerima… Momma?" Akane was very confused now. This can't be the wine putting things in her ears now, can it? Maybe the Saotomes were just very close with their staff? This guy was dressed nicely but she thought a prince would be dressed up…. Well, More.

"Sure, why wouldn't I?" now it was his turn to turn to her confused, arching one brow, but all Akane could do was admire the way the moon lit up the lighter blue hues of his yes. They seemed to glow at her in an ethereal way that had her voice caught in her throat a moment.

'What is it about this man?' she thought, pinching herself discreetly to knock herself out of it and stop gawking at the poor boy. She then looked down at her almost empty glass and tipped it over the balcony. That's it. She's getting rid of this drink.

What she didn't mean to do though, was drop the glass itself. She winced, hoping the young man didn't notice as she discretely pulled back her hand as if she didn't just toss a, possibly crystal, glass of wine over the edge of the balcony.

"Well I … I just thought… surely you're not the-," she started, but was knocked down suddenly by a flash of purple hair and dark green clothing, "I SWEAR I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" she shouted while falling to her butt on the balcony floor, thinking it was retribution for tossing over the wine glass.

A feminine voice snarled above her as Akane struggled to get to her feet again, praying that her skirt didn't ride up!

"Let hope it no your fault. Now …. WHERE RANMA?!" the voice sounded as if their language was slightly difficult for her to muster.

"What the hell are you doing?! YOU CAN'T JUST SLAP GIRLS OUTTA THE WAY!" the young man shouted back, "Wait… where did you come from?" he stood there in shock with his finger pointed at the woman in disbelief.

"That's what I would like to- OOF!" Akane saw stars as the purple haired woman lashed out with her leg and kicked back at Akane in the gut with out turning to look at her, knocking the wind out of her and sending her staggering to the ground once again.

'That's twice now….' She thought as her anger flared, but she hurt too much to do anything about it, 'What is this lady's problem?!'

"Is good idea to be silent whiney girl." The young woman huffed, "No talk to you." She turned to the young man, "Where Ranma?"

"You're lookin at him." Ranma readied himself and charged the woman, taking her off guard as he grabbed her wrists and twirled her away across the slick surface of the balcony. He bend down to Akane, helping her sit up with an arm behind her back, "Hey, are you alright?! She didn't break anything did she?"

"It will…. Take more than… that…" Akane struggled to get her breath back as she pushed herself up with her arms behind her, rising away from his arm, "Who is that? An assassin?" she got ready to pull out her dagger she had strapped to her inner thigh when the young man… Ranma stood up again and stood between her and the intruder in a protective stance.

"If she is… she's on the wrong balcony lookin to kill the wrong person." He muttered.

"Wait, she called you Ranma…" Akane realized, but Ranma didn't hear her as the young woman was on him again.

The intruder leaped in the air, her slim, long legs wrapping around Ranma's neck as she twisted, flinging him across the balcony and slamming into the pristine walls of the castle with such force his body broke the stone in a shape of himself. With a groan Ranma slid down the slick rock and lay still for a moment, trying to make sure he didn't break too much on that one.

"YOU RANMA THEN? GOOD!" the young woman grinned, "Is you I need!" she pulled out some old rope and dashed forward towards her quarry.

"I think you're forgetting someone, ASSASIN!" Akane tossed her dagger at the woman, nearly catching her if the young girl hadn't stopped just short. The purple haired intruder looked at the sleek knife embedded in the thick stone at her feet then drew murderous eyes towards the raven-haired young woman.

"You try harm Shampoo….?" The young girl hissed, "Shampoo try to keep whiney girl out of this but you too stupid to stay out of it!" the woman pulled out a handful of knives from inside her dress near her chest, one per each knuckle, "heed warning next time, yes!?" she threw them at Akane, who instinctively got to her feet and back flipped back out of the way. One knife tore into her skirt, ripping the seam on her right leg up to her hip and showing off the lacy white undergarment there.

"EEK!" Akane quickly sat down, trying to hide her underwear.

"Stupid girl." Shampoo rolled her eyes as she casually walked forward, "No one want to see old lady underwear on ugly young girls." She snickered, "Look too much like Mule."

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?" Akane roared, still not daring to stand though.

"You hear Shampoo… unless you stupid and deaf. Then Shampoo sorry for picking on disabled. Grandmother Always say no do that to less fortunate." The woman stuck out her tongue, "Nya! Just kidding, Shampoo not sorry! Aahh haha haha!"

"I've heard just about enough!" Shampoo twisted away from a lethal jab of a fist Ranma delivered from behind her. Once again, the purple haired woman and Ranma faced off.

"Is good. Shampoo back on task now." The lady that called herself Shampoo stood up tall and held out her hand, "Come with Shampoo, Ranma." She acted as if he would just take her hand and they'd be on their merry way.

"And why would I do that?" Ranma tensed; ready for a fight again as he again put himself between the intruder and the young girl he had been sharing the evening with. He felt bad she had been dragged into an assassination attempt on him.

"Master Ranma!" Ukyo burst through the curtains with another young man at her side wearing a yellow patterned bandanna.

"LADY AKANE!"

"Is easy," Shampoo continued as if the two newcomers weren't even there.

Ukyo jumped into action, "An assassin… quick, ALL GUARDS TO ME!" she blew her whistle and every guard in hearing distance bolted towards their location.

"Shampoo take Ranma to EverFree Forest where we mate." The purple haired girl smiled almost cat like with a happy blush, "Ranma make Shampoo wife and we has many, many babies, yes!" she nodded happily.

The entire balcony went silent….

"Lady Akane… why is your underwear showing?" Ryoga's high-pitched surprised voice yelped as his face became so red he almost exploded at the sight of lacy white glimpse of panties.

"CAPTAIN RYOGA!" Akane screamed in embarrassment as she tried to cover up best she could with the remains of her pretty skirt. Ryoga scurried to her side, tearing off his captains cape from his shoulders and wrapping it around Akane to help her modesty.

"Master Ranma…." Captain Ukyo said in a dark voice, "Who is this woman who is going to take you to the EveryFree forest and MATE with you?" the female captain of the guard was so angry, the other soldiers around her backed away in fear. No one messed with an angry Captain Ukyo, unless you had a death warrant.

Ranma looked perturbed as he glanced at his captain of the guard as if she lost her mind…

"Wait… I get it! You're AKANE!" Ranma pointed to the purple haired girl with realization strapped to his face, "THAT'S why you sought me out like this! You're the girl I'm supposed to marry! Talk about an entrance though…" he shook his head.

"…No, I AM AKANE YOU IDIOT!" Akane shouted behind him, startling the poor boy.

Ranma spun around in shock, "Wait… you're Akane?! But you never said…. I thought… then who is this!?" Ranma turned back around to find the purple haired woman nuzzling his shoulder, "ACK! HOW'D YOU GET THAT CLOSE!?" he tried to pry away from her.

"I called Shampoo," Shampoo purred as she hugged Ranma around the neck, "And you are Shampoo's mate great grandmother said to bring back to Forest and mate with, Ai ya!" she giggled, kissing the shell shocked man on the lips, startling the entire present body. Ranma, with all his strength was trying to get the crazed woman off of him, but Shampoo was firmly wrapped around his torso and latched on to his lips, "MMMMMMMMMMPPPPH!" Ranma started flailing around, desperately looking towards Ukyo to help him.

"C-captain?" one of the soldiers quivered in confusion, "Wha-what do we do?"

"She's not Akane so I am calling her an assassin…. Take her." Ukyo snarled, glaring daggers at the woman still attached to her prince, "Gag her too." She huffed.

"M'AM!" the soldiers set to work, pealing the woman off Ranma and binding her before Shampoo understood what was going on.

"Let Shampoo go or you be sorry!" Shampoo warned, "Shampoo must get Ranma and go to- oh!" Shampoos eyes rolled back into her head as she slumped down. Ukyo standing behind her with the butt of her sword rose from where she punted the woman in the back of the head, knocking her out.

"I don't like her…." Ukyo huffed, her dark blue eyes flashing dangerously as she readjusted her scabbard back inside her belt at her waist. She then approached her prince's side where he was hunched over on the floor of the balcony, heaving in precious air, "Lord Ranma? Are you alright?"

"I… I'll be fine." Ranma coughed, "That was the most horrifying assassination attempt I have ever encountered!" he shook his head.

"Yes it must be so TERRIBLE to have half-naked 'assassins' PLOW into you and kiss you while rubbing their curvy body all over you. You have my sympathies, my prince." Akane spat.

"Oh you're still here?" Ranma looked up at her, genuinely surprised, "I thought you got away when I distracted her…" and after all he went through to get that crazed woman distracted too! She's still here!

…. Though he didn't mind the view.

Akane gawked at him, unable to respond as Ryoga offered to help her stand, but she refused his hand and pushed herself to stand on her own in fiery retribution.

"What happened to your skirt?" Ranma commented. Though he was rather enjoying those shapely milk white legs that looked smooth to the touch and … was that white lace?

That was the last straw!

"What happened? WHAT HAPPENED?!" Akane shouted, startling everyone present as her pent up anger and anxieties flared to life in a burst of emotion, "I'D LOVE TO TELL YA, BUD! Let's see: first crazed assassin PUNTS ME out of the way, then she goes after you, you forget I am here, she ATTACKS me with her knives, I had to save your sorry ass, then you forget I am here again and go off making out with an assassin turned…. LOVER in front of me when she ripped half my dress in two! WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED, YOU ASSHOLE!?"

Ranma, was at a loss now as well. This woman he was looking for all night, the one to be his future wife… which from what he was seeing he didn't mind that idea, and she was angry at him. REALLY angry at him. She was breathing heavy, her long hair was arrayed and tugged out of her braid, her chocolate brown eyes alight with something he could get addicted to, and the way her tattered dress only seemed to be hanging off her in the distressed state it was in…

'This chick is really getting to me' he thought.

"Look, I don't know what you're getting all mad about, Lady-,"

"In case you have forgotten," Akane cut him off again, putting a hand on her chest, once more distracting Ranma into bringing his attention back to her ample bosome he worked so hard to ignore to try and stop staring…. Well that failed. Why were they fighting? Were they even fighting really? "I am 'called' Akane….. LADY Akane, to you." She added as an after thought.

"LADY Akane," He rolled his eyes once again able to distract himself from her body, "In case YOU have forgotten, that assassin was after me and came at us with out warning!" he threw his hand in the air incredulously, "Do you think I would have allowed a beautiful woman in my company to have gotten hurt half as much as she got you with out putting up a fight?! Only so much I can do when she SLAMS ME INTO A WALL!" he pointed out.

'He thinks I am beautiful?' she thought, anger dissipating a moment.

"Oh Akane, there you are! How wonderful!" Akane and Ranma turned to the new comer on the balcony…

Just now realizing that the entire ball had witnessed their little spat between them just now. The guards had to move the curtains out of the way and the guests of the party had turned and gathered around to find out what's going on.

"Lady Kasumi!" Ryoga bowed his head in respect as Kasumi approached with Nabiki at her side, "Lady Nabiki,"

"It would seem you and your future husband have met," Nabiki gave Ranma a once over, "Eh he will do. At least our nieces and nephews will be adorable."

"N-Nabiki!" Akane's face flared.

"M'LADY! SUCH LANGUAGE!" Ryoga yelped.

"What's she mean by 'he'll do'?" Ukyo huffed. Her prince was godly and nothing less. This Podunk family didn't deserve her prince if that's how they felt.

"Ch-Children?!" Ranma felt weak in the knees.

"Oh it is much to early for that," Kasumi chastised her mischievous sister.

"Thank you, Kasumi" Akane sighed.

"The wedding tomorrow must come first." The eldest sister smiled, enjoying teasing her youngest sister a bit. She received an appreciative grin from Nabiki showing that she approved of Kasumi's take on this.

"Now hold on a sec-," Ranma started, stepping forward and having enough of being talked about.

"Honored guests," queen Nadoka stepped forward onto the balcony, "I believe we have all had a very exciting night tonight, but unfortunately it would seem that your prince is tiring out,"

"I'm fine actu-OMPH!" Ranma was silenced when Ukyo noticed Nadokas side-long glare and elbowed her prince in the gut.

"It would please us if you all retired to your chambers for the night. Morning is upon us soon." Nadoka continued, "We bid you good night," she smiled charmingly, waving as the small horde or guests filed out for the room. She then turned to the sisters and her son while Soun and her husband approached from behind her, joining their families.

"MORNING!? Akane hissed quietly, and nervously looked at the sky around her. Indeed it was lightening up. Her sisters and Ryoga noticed her sudden nervousness and Nabiki stepped in with a yawn of her own.

"Oh yes, my Queen Nadoka," she nodded, "It would seem my sisters and I are tired from our trek here and need to retire as well.

"In a moment, dear," Nadoka's soft pleasant voice was suddenly chillingly ominous, then turned to her son with a serious look in her dark eyes, "That purple haired woman… what was her name?"

"She called herself Shampoo… over and over and over." Ranma replied, unimpressed. He noticed his parents and Sir Tendo exchange looks, "What? Is there a twin of hers called Conditioner coming after Akane and me or something?" he snorted at his own joke.

"This is no laughing matter boy," King Genma Saotome growled, balling his fists, "That Shampoo is an Amazonian!"

"But they never leave the EverFree Forest!" Akane retorted, "We thought she was an assassin?"

Soun shook his head, "If she's going to hurt anyone it would be you my dear." His eyes downcast as his words sunk in for everyone.

"Me…?" Akane whispered. Taking a small step back as her eyes widened. What did she do to incur the Amazons wrath?

"But why!?" Ryoga roared, "Why would they go after someone like Akane?! She's not in line to the throne and the Amazons boast not wanting anything to do with Nemrima! I won't allow it!"

"It was me that girl was after anyways!" Ranma added, just as confused, placing a splayed hand on his chest in emphasis.

"It's because of you Akane is in danger." Nadoka turned to him solemnly.

"B-But I didn't put her in danger on purpose!" Ranma back-pedaled, "I didn't even know her till like… two hours ago! I have never even MET an Amazon, let alone this chick called Shampoo until even less than that! Why is it all my fault!?"

"That's right, she attacked him first and ignored me till I stepped in!" Akane supported a bit, surprising Ranma, "Well after her initial shoving me out of the way as it were." She admitted as an after thought, making Ranma deflate a little bit more.

"Now hold on you two." Nabiki held up her hand to stop the two of them from getting any more worked up, "Our parents haven't said the full story." She turned to the now nervous parents.

"Oh is it time for a story?" Kasumi smiled, "I love history!"

Ukyo cocked a brow and leaned to her prince, "This is the family you're marrying in to… you can run later tonight. I won't look."

"Shush," Ranma looked nervously to his mother, knowing Nadoka heard that from her sharp glare that said 'don't even think about it'.

"I was eighteen years ago when the leader of the Amazonian tribe of the EverFree forest placed a curse on a Saotome and a Tendo child." When Soun mentioned this both Ranma and Akane fidgeted uncomfortably, "Each curse unique to the elements of this land meant to be a lesson to the rest of Nerima. There's a way to break the curses, but only the leader of the Amazons know of it since she converses with the spirits of the land."

"There's a way to break my curse?" Ranma/Akane gasped, then looked at each other, "You have a curse?!"

"So what's your curse then, LADY Akane?" Ranma's eyes narrowed 'This should be good…'

"Hmph, what's yours?" Akane shot back, defensively.

"I think I asked first, so don't try that with me." He smirked.

"Lady Akane doesn't have to tell you anything!" Ryoga stepped between the two protectively.

"Yeah well My Lord Ranma has no obligation to tell your Lady anything either, honey." Ukyo did the same for Ranma, hand on the hilt of her sword.

"No one has to tell anyone's curse unless they feel the need to." Nadoka cut off the argument again, "please stay focused here children, this is important." Her voice left no room for arguments, like a true ruler.

A collective 'Yes M'am' was heard.

"Now, knowing this, and the fact that the witch's granddaughter went after Ranma when the Amazonians don't interfere with Nerima… You fathers and I think that it is time to confront the witch."

"You mean you want me to go after some old ghoul and force her to give me the cure for our curses?" Ranma summed up, 'this will be a walk in the park!'

"No, both of you have to go." Genma corrected, "She may have to do it on site, and it's unfair for one of you to get cured while the other one doesn't."

"So we're traveling…" Akane gulped as the realization hit her, "In broad daylight…"

"She's got a point," Ranma agreed…. Not getting the point Akane was trying to get at, "If we travel in the day, there's no guarantee that Shampoo woman is the only Amazon after meh-uh… us." He looked back awkwardly at Akane, "Traveling under cover of night seems best if that's the course we have to go."

"At'ta boy!" Genma approached his son and clapped him on the shoulder proudly, "What a great plan!"

"Of course it is." Ranma nodded proudly.

"Then it's settled." Nadoka nodded, "Tomorrow afternoon…. Well from the rising sun, THIS afternoon, Ranma and Akane will take Ukyo and Ryoga as protection and head to the heart of the EverGreen Forest. When they get back we will hold the wedding here at the palace."

"BUT I/SHE-," the forced couple protested.

"And that is FINAL." Nadoka, once again, left no room for argument. Her stare steady and impenetrable.

"Pardon my intrusion, your grace," Ryoga bowed respectfully, anxiously looking at the sun, "But my Lady's…. condition …" Nadoka followed his line of sight, knowing his concern.

"Yes, understood." She turned to Akane with kind eyes, "Akane, dear, we have prepared the finest room for you to rest in and will have small carriage fashioned for you in the daylight."

Akane nodded, slightly relieved but still nervous about traveling with someone she didn't know very well, "Thank you Queen Nadoka." She let Ryoga and her father lead her away to her temporary chambers.

"Why does she need a carriage?" Ranma tilt his head, "She afraid of horses?"

"If only," Nabiki muttered, "Her curse is affected by being exposed to daylight. She doesn't get the luxury of avoiding it like you can, from what I've heard at least."

"Sunlight…. That's…. that's rough." Ranma knew his curse was pretty hard to deal with, but at least he could change back with the right temperature of water. Akane… she had no choice.

"Come my Lord," Ukyo ushered her prince away, stepping aside to let him lead, "You should get some rest as well…" she turned for a moment when his back was to her and looked back towards where Lady Akane had left. She felt a pang of guilt for feeling jealous for such a girl. She didn't ask to be cursed, or forced into marriage with someone she didn't know, or attacked by an AMAZON of all people and now that Lady and her Prince were being forced once more to go after some Amazon leader….

'She can't be TOO bad' Ukyo reasoned, vowing not to let her jealousy get the best of her on the trip tomorrow.

After all, if she got on Akane's good side, she'd be able to advise Akane against falling for Ranma and then Ranma would be all hers again!

-End of Chapter 2

Woooo, so how about that Ukyo? Eh? Lol

Responses:

Tuatara: Highly unfair! But the way I see gods, they do not have the same sense of justice humans do. It's more simple and primal, especially forest gods. Fear not though, that Boar wasn't doing what he was doing with out…. Other causes.

Compucles: I was aiming for interesting and different and from your review I hit the mark lol Yes, Ranma's is his typical, but we're just gonna say instead of accident it was now fated that it would happen. Akane's may surprise you, but yes, she will be lonely with it. As for the typos/erros. I think I relied too heavily on my spell check since before I posted it I always run it. Mine doesn't seem to really warn me about grammatical checks and I get too impatient. Hope it doesn't distract too much?

Natalie-E-G: My thoughts exactly! Those pesky gods have more in store for these two though, so sit tight and enjoy!

Ciao: Oh I do love their arguments, don't get me wrong, but where Akane/Ranma are 15/16 in cannon, here they are 24/25 and can easily get… distracted (as you have seen thus far lol) the stubbornness is still there, but I am just honestly having way too much fun with them. And yes, I was INSPIRED!

AliceTheBookGirl: Happy to keep you on your toes and interested! And yes, I had to keep Ranma's curse, it's too much of a gem not too, but like I said before, Akane's may surprise you! Oooh I am so excited!

A/N-Thank you all for your reviews! As a bonus to you all and to encourage more feedback, here's a tidbit of Chapter 3:

"Ranma mother say they leave this morning." Shampoo chimed watching as the young man stopped in mid step, "You no know?"

"AAAACK! I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THE TIME!" Mousse yelped.

"Is too bad." Shampoo sighed at the poor man as he freaked out, pacing back and forth.

"What am I gonna do!? The prince needs medical supplies! Especially going into the EverFree Forest!" his voice started getting high pitched in his stress.

"Especially now that timeless dragons surfaced again." Shampoo added in again, not at all phased by Mousse's pacing and frantic ranting and raving.

Mousse paused, "Timeless what?"

"No-fire, No-flying dragons of old times." Shampoo offered again.

"You mean those gigantic beasts in history books! Those ancient creatures that you make bone weapons out of!? And … and-and-,"

"Yes. Those." Shampoo nodded, "Grandmother said they return now that Akuma be dead for too long. They reclaim Forest."

"Oh Shit…." Mousse forgot all about keeping an eye on Shampoo and flew out the door soon as he flung it open and fled to his King and Queen to relay the message.

All the while, he didn't notice the faint purple glow that had started to encase around the keys that were left on his work table.

"Stupid Man…" Shampoo smirked as the purple glow levitated the keys to the door she was locked in and promptly unlocked her door that caged her in. flipping her hair back out of her face, Shampoo looked back at the door after she let herself out and kicked it closed again, "Shampoo no like tiny places…" and with that she stalked out of Mousses lab, "Now to find Ranma again."

See ya closer to February!