2 weeks passed by and all the school finally noticed that Ranma and Akane were not the Ranma and Akane they used to know. The school got so boring, as there have been no shouts, no fights, no crazy fiancées, no insults flying by. Furinkan high was getting normal. That was weird! As Akane's suitors saw how she arrived every morning chatting casually with Ranma, their number decreased with every passing day. Akane finally looked like she was indeed engaged. Kuno on the other hand, wasn't perspective enough to notice, so he continued welcoming Akane with his shitty poesy and getting malletted to LaLa land everytime.

One morning, out of nowhere, Ranma addressed Kuno.

"Hey Kuno, face me on a duel?"

The entire school dropped what they had in hand and turned to gape at the confident teenager.

"Ranma, what…?" Akane was confused. It was not concern over her fiancée. Everybody knew that Ranma surpassed Kuno by far. And that fact made Ranma reluctant to fight him. There was simply no point in fighting him. So what made him change his mind?

"Finally you let go of your cowardice and accept to face me man to man!"

"I'm the one that challenged you, you idiot." Ranma rolled his eyes. "Today, after school….."

"Okay, I'm in."

"Don't interrupt me!" Ranma yelled, then regained his composure." Anyway, there will be an issue to our duel." Kuno payed attention for the first time that morning.

"I'm listening."

"We're gonna fight fair and square. A man fight. And the loser will promise on his honor to give up on Akane!"

Silence…

"Ranma?" Akane was beyond surprised. What had gotten in his mind. She saw the determination in his eyes and couldn't suppress the blush that was slightly tinting her cheeks. Was he doing that for her? Was he doing that because he was annoyed of Kuno's persistence? Was he jealous?

"You're on, Saotome. I will free the beautiful Akane from your spell, sorcerer!"

Ranma was already on his way to class leaving Kuno to finish his rambling.

Akane hurried and caught up with Ranma.

"Ranma, what's that supposed to mean?"

"I thought I could end it once and for all. He's getting on my nerves." Ranma said as he leaned on the wall.

"Didn't you think of telling me before you pulled that stunt?"

"Would it hurt you to have Kuno off your back?" Ranma asked her. He did NOT think of that, what if she liked that psycho?

"It's not that!" Akane yelled, horrified by the idea.

"Then why are you so worried about?" Ranma asked her smirking.

"Um, no, I'm not worried. It's just that…" Akane blushed and looked at her feet.

"Kuno could never beat me." Ranma smiled tenderly. "You know better than that."

"Just, don't lose." Akane whispered miserably. She IS cute! Ranma thought to himself as he looked in her deep brown eyes. I'll just have to move my head, and I'll be kissing her… Ranma shook his head overwhelmed by his own thoughts. Kiss her? Here? At school? That would be a disaster! After the duel, in the dojo… Ranma's eyes widened as the images flooded his mind and he had to do something to prevent an awkward situation.

"Um, let's go to class." he was already at the door.

Akane couldn't understand her own feelings. She should be delighted by her coming freedom, but she couldn't suppress the dread she was feeling. Ranma was the strongest man she has ever seen. True. Ranma has never lost since she met him. True. Ranma beat a half god for Christ's sake, why was she THAT worried?

She peeked at him. He was asleep on his seat. Typical. Of course he can't lose! She tried reasoning with herself. He can't lose, right? But what if…? Would he give up on her? Really? Maybe that wouldn't even bother him, if he had to. A frown crossed her features. Right, she didn't know if he wanted anything to do with her in the first place.

Well, she could count on Ranma's eagerness to win anything, so he wouldn't lose! Yep, he couldn't lose, and to Kuno of all people. That won't happen… Hopefully…

DRNNNN!

Oh god, the bell! Class is over, Akane thought in horror, moment of truth. She drew a deep breath and gathered her stuff calmly, well as calmly as she could master under the circumstances, and headed to the school's gym with Ranma whistling right behind her. She gritted her teeth at the annoying noise coming from the carefree teenager but miraculously restrained from yelling at him. I will yell at him later. Now, concentrate! All the school students were there. Of course, they all heard of what was on stake, and they wouldn't miss it for the world. From the corner of her eye, Akane spotted Nabiki collecting money from the spectators. Of course! Akane narrowed her eyes in frustration. Nabiki WOULD bet on her sister's future!

God, lots of people! Ranma thought, bored. What are they doing anyway? Everybody knows that I AM gonna win, right? Ranma thought about giving them what they came to see, a decent figth, but then he noticed Akane watching him, a deep frown on her face, and he changed his mind. No, the fight will end quickly, and we'll get rid of Kuno for good, and Akane will be smiling again. Satisfied by the decision he made, Ranma smiled reassuringly at Akane then switched his focus on Kuno.

"So kuno, you're not gonna chicken out, are you?" Asked Ranma, hands in pockets.

"Not in your wildest dreams, Saotome. Prepare yourself!" Kuno launched on Ranma, katana first…

The fight is starting. Ranma is gonna win. No doubt about it. Right. But Kuno seems more determined than ever. Do I represent that much for him?Whatever, I don't…

"Kuno passed away!" yelled one spectator.

Huh? Is it over? Akane was gaping at the scene in front of her, Kuno on the ground, and Ranma standing beside him, hands still in pockets. Is it over already? Akane never felt more stupid as she watched the fight she dwelled over all morning end in a heartbeat. How could she ever doubt Ranma? She did know better! But the fear of losing him blinded her and made her worried sick. She rolled her eyes mentally, ashamed of her unjustified worry and doubt. God was she behaving like a damsel in distress, praying for her lover to come back to her victorious! Lover? Akane ignored the thought as she heard Ranma say to a dazed Kuno:

"I beat you fair and square, Kuno. Now, you have no claim over Akane whatsoever, and you will never get near her again, do you understand?"

"Yes." Kuno answered weakly.

"Good." Ranma turned and headed to Akane. All the school was staring at them, waiting for what was going to happen. Ranma narrowed his gaze in frustration and said:

"Akane, let's go."

In a few moments they were out of the school and away from the curious eyes. They walked for several minutes until Ranma broke the silence:

"I can't understand why it took me so long to do THAT."

Akane just smiled, a little enigmatic smile.

"What?" Ranma asked her, intrigued.

"Well, you didn't do that in the past because you were afraid people would accuse you of loving me." Akane said feigning disinterest, trying to ignore her over pounding heart.

Did she just say that?

"hmm. Reasonable enough." He waited for a few seconds before he added. "So you think that it doesn't bother me anymore to be 'accused' of loving you?"

"Dunno. Maybe. You certainly showed some maturity this past weeks." Akane was now watching her feet, unsure of where the discussion was headed to.

"Is that so?"

"Ranma stop playing around!" Akane yelled trying to escape the situation.

"Calm down, Akane" he chuckled, "you're right, I feel I've grown up! I figured that getting the things I wanted required some changes." He looked at her meaningfully.

"What.. things?" Akane swallowed afraid to get her hopes too high.

Ranma just stared at her smiling then took her hand in his (a gesture that was more and more frequent) and said:

"Come on, I'm buying you ice cream."

Author's note:

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