Introducing: -----------------------------------
__________________________________Ranma ½ Fanfic Production:

A SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE…

Part Three:

Akane concluded with a bow at the altar in the Tendo dojo after paying her respect to the ancestors and her parents. Inhaling a deep breath, she turned towards the pile of bricks set up earlier for training. A blue aura began to surround her as she stood in ready stance. A minute of silence was broken as her ki flared. With a loud cry, the high stack of bricks was demolished into dust in a blink of an eye.

Ranma stood at the doorway of the dojo, observing his ex-iinazuke since she commenced training. As Akane begun to start on a series of simple kata, he mentally analyzed on her martial arts level.

"Improvement in ki-control and strength," he silently noted. Wondering how her kempo had improved, he snapped out his reverie. Akane started on a few jabs and simple kicks before it escalate into a complex kata that consist of blocking, dodging and attacking an imaginary opponent.

"So, she did get help on her speed as well," Ranma saw through the blows that are almost lightening quick, had she challenged him before his encounter with the Nerima crew, Akane would have given him some trouble. However, the continuous outdoor training and battles over the past six years Ranma had long surpassed the difficulty and Akane's skill no longer posed a challenge to his speed.

Akane detected Ranma's presence and paused in a fake mid throw to call out, "Ranma, stop hiding. Come out of the shadows!"

The embarrassed boy revealed himself to her view and gave a weak cough. "Sorry."

Akane's shrug hardly eased the tension that had suddenly sprung up. Ranma fidgeted in uncertainty and hurriedly searched his mind for something to say, "Shall we spar a little?"

The dark brown eyes lit up at his suggestion but soon turned dark and wary again. "Do you want to boost your ego by fighting with me. No thanks. I won't be baited that easily."

Alarm flashed across Ranma's face as he tried to ward off any oncoming temper from the woman. "No! I want to see how is your skill level now."

Suspicion lowered a little more, Akane smiled, "It's all right. I won't hit you unnecessarily. I've learned to control my temper now. Shall we commence?"

Ranma sighed in relief and bowed at the altar after a short pause. He took a loose stance opposite Akane and waited for her to start the fight.

Akane clenched her fists tight and charged at him. Ranma saw this move and anticipated her attack for his stomach. The start of this sparring was rather similar to the ones they used to have, so he quickly flipped away in mid air and prepared to land behind her.

He was given a surprise when a fast kick was aimed at his shoulder. A quick turn was made in time to avoid the kick. Ranma landed a few steps further than his tended spot and he lifted his eyebrows in surprise and admiration.

"It seems that you're much better. I'll pull no punches this time round!" Ranma warned before going into his chestnuts fist's speed to block and counter-move against Akane. In two minutes flat, Akane was beaten.

Ranma waited as Akane rolled to a stop. She recovered faster than she had in the past and sat up shortly.

"Your defenses are definitely improved! I nearly missed the feint kick over there. Did anyone teach you?" Akane nodded. Upon no other information given, Ranma probed, "Who is it?"

A moment of hesitation ensured for a while before she replied, "None of your business."

Akane ended the conversation abruptly before Ranma chased her for further details, "I'm going to take a bath, excuse me."

With that, she bowed once again at the small shrine and turned back towards the Tendo residence. Ranma stared quietly at the retreating figure and wondered at her hot and cold treatment.

Kasumi observed the sparring in the dojo along with her two daughters with a slight frown of thought. A faint tug at Kasumi's apron broke her line of thoughts.

"Okaasan! Who's the new guest? Why did Akane-obasan ignore him?" Natsumi demanded to know.

Yumi followed her sister in a whine, "Okaasan, why?"

The mother of two pleading children was spared the agony of answering when Tofuu-sensei returned. "Otousan!" came the chorus as the two girls threw themselves at him.

"Natsumi-chan, Yumi-chan! Tadaima," a wide grin shone on the doctor's face.

"Anata, welcome home," Kasumi greeted her husband with a warm smile. Red hue spread across Tofuu-sensei's bespectacled face as he still had not gotten used to the affectionate term addressed by his wife.

"Kasumi-chan," He dizzily gave her a clumsy bow and she giggled at this usual display
of fumbling klutziness.

Natsumi and Yumi persisted on their task of digging out information about the strange houseguest. The obvious curiosity on the tiny faces caused their young mother to relent on the forbidden topic of Ranma and Akane. Hushing the excited chatters, Kasumi promised to tell them the story at bedtime.

~End of Part Three~