Disclaimer: Ranma and Co are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just borrowing them for this story.

Warning: This chapter has "lemon" themes. If this offends you, you may want to skip over it.

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It was a few hours later when Akane found her. She knew Ranma often came here to think. It was the first place she'd thought to check, considering his first choice and favorite spot, the Tendo roof had been out of the question.

For a few minutes she just stood there watching her iinazuke. Ranma-chan was sitting quietly beneath the bridge, her legs drawn up to her chest, her head resting gently on her knees. A slight breeze ruffled her scarlet mane. Akane could see why Kuno had become so smitten with her. She supposed it seemed only fitting that since Ranma was extremely handsome as a male, his female half would be as equally beautiful. She sighed shifting the weight of the picnic basket she held and began walking toward her fiancée.

"Ranma?"

Startled, Ranma-chan looked up at the sound of someone calling her name, her body suddenly tense and ready. When she saw who the owner of the voice was she relaxed, a smile lighting up her pert face.

"Hey Akane."

Akane smiled back obviously pleased that Ranma-chan was happy to see her.

"Whatcha got there?" she asked pointing to the picnic basket Akane held. Akane looked down, startled to find she'd almost forgotten. Her smile grew as she held it up.

"Lunch."

Ranma-chan gave her a wary stare. Akane was not known for being the world's best cook. In fact she was quite terrible at it. Ranma-chan winced inwardly at the memory of the cookies she had tried to bake for her. She'd been sick for almost a week after eating them.

"Ah…."

Akane frowned, her temper slipping a bit. "Don't worry." She said somewhat miffed. She had read Ranma-chan's mind instantly. "I asked Kasumi to throw something together."

Ranma-chan breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh."

"You don't have to look so relieved you know! Honestly! I even brought you this!" Akane reached into the basket and brought out a thermos of hot water. She thrust it at Ranma-chan angrily.

"Th-thanks Akane," Ranma-chan said somewhat sheepishly, taking the thermos and upending it over her head. The change was quick. He felt himself return to normal and was grateful for it.

He searched his iinazuke's eyes. The last thing he wanted was to start a fight with her. Things had been going too well between them. He desperately hunted for some way to appease her anger. Finally he lowered his eyes and whispered a sincere apology.

Akane blinked, stunned. Even with all the progress they had made she had still expected him to lash back at her like he always did. With something along the lines of it wasn't his fault she almost always managed to poison him with her cooking. Instead he had said he was sorry. Akane wondered briefly if she were dreaming. Maybe this sudden change in him really was permanent.

She felt her anger die quickly with his sincerity and the smile returned to her face once more.

"It's okay Ranma." She handed him the blanket she held in her other hand and he spread it out quickly beneath him. Akane moved to join him, setting the picnic basket beside her. "I guess I can't really blame you. I haven't exactly mastered the art of cooking now have I?"

Her smile grew at the joke she'd made at her own expense. It made Ranma's heart thump in his chest. She really was beautiful when she smiled. He swallowed hard.

"Sorry I left you alone to deal with that mess," he said. "I just had to get outta there."

Akane sighed wholeheartedly. "It's okay Ranma. It wasn't that bad actually. Oh, we thought there might be trouble when Ukyo threatened to have Shampoo fixed, but other than that the clean up went smoothly."

Ranma blinked, suddenly stunned into silence. Akane saw this and began to laugh. Slowly the corners of Ranma's mouth began to lift, Akane's laughter penetrating through his astonishment.

"You are kidding right?" he asked.

Akane shook her head. "I believe her exact words were, you deserve to be spayed you rotten fleabag. She even waved her spatula in neko-Shampoo's face as if to say she wouldn't mind performing the operation herself."

They stared at each other for a moment before breaking into gales of hysterical laughter. It was several minutes before they got hold of themselves. Akane had to wipe at her eyes. She had laughed so hard she had cried.

"That Ucchan."

Akane nodded in agreement. She had to admit she liked Ukyo despite the fact that she was a rival for Ranma's affection.

"Yeah, it was close there for a minute. I really thought she meant to do it. That was really cruel of Shampoo to use her curse like that."

Ranma shuddered and Akane put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He smiled at her attempt to comfort him, appreciating the gesture.

"I take it Ryoga never caught up with you?" she asked, quickly removing her hand, slightly embarrassed. He noticed this and felt a pang of disappointment at the loss of her touch.

"No."

"I wasn't sure. He took off so fast and in the wrong direction."

Ranma grimaced. That boy could get lost in his own backyard.

"How did you get rid of Kuno?"

It was Akane's turn to grimace. "I managed to kick him into the stratosphere but not before Nabiki sold him more pictures of your girl half."

She watched as Ranma's jaw clenched in anger. It slowly subsided into a look of resignation. She hated to see it there. Once again she put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Ranma."

He looked at his iinazuke then, his eyes questioning. "Why, Akane? It's not your fault."

Akane sighed. "No, but I haven't made things much easier for you."

Ranma sat silently not knowing how to respond. She was opening up to him, letting him in, and he didn't want to screw it up by saying something stupid.

"Akane…." He started only to trail off.

She gave his shoulder a slight squeeze as if to reassure him. "Ranma," she began, mustering all of her courage to say what was in her heart. "I….I really want to….to try and….make this work. If….if you're willing that is."

She stared at him imploringly and held her breath.

"Akane," Her name was a breathless rush on his lips. Slowly he moved a hand up to cup her face, gently pulling her closer, his lips finding hers as he lost himself in the intoxicating taste of her.

He deepened the kiss as he felt her respond to him, his heart racing as a soft moan escaped her. His other arm snaked around her waist, pulling her even closer to him, his tongue snaking out to take a more thorough taste of her.

Akane gasped with the sudden jolt a pleasure that raced along her entire being. His tongue felt warm and oddly erotic as it searched out and found her own. Another moan escaped her as she lost herself in the feel of him. She ran her hands up his broad back, relishing the tingly feeling it gave to the tips of her fingers. Slowly she wound her hands in his hair, forcing his kiss deeper, as wave after wave of pleasure began to wash over her.

Ranma groaned, he could feel his control slipping and fought to get it back. She just tasted so damn good, and he'd been holding back his emotions for so long that it was as if a floodgate had suddenly opened and he was awash with feeling.

Before he could stop himself he found himself easing her onto her back, kissing her the whole time as they went. His hands began to roam up her side stopping when they came to rest along her breast. She gave another gasp as a fission of pleasure suddenly swept through her.

"Ranma…." She breathed his name, her body arching upwards, searching out more contact. Her hands shook as she fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, the urge to feel his naked flesh beneath her fingers almost overwhelming.

He kissed her again, hard, possessive in his urgency. She moaned and he caught it as his lips hungrily devoured hers again and again.

Akane ran her hands urgently over the broad muscles of his firm chest. He felt so good. She was losing herself in him. Suddenly nothing mattered but getting closer to him.

His lips left hers to blaze a trail of kisses down her throat. She groaned, tilting her head to the side to give him better access. He hungrily traced his tongue along her throat, moving slowly up to catch her ear, his lips enveloping her soft flesh. She shivered with the tingly feeling it evoked in its wake as his hand gently kneaded her breast.

Akane was awash with sensations, her breathing slightly labored as she felt Ranma begin to remove the buttons on her blouse. She felt the cool air on her heated skin as he gently pushed the material away, exposing her to him. He slid the straps of her bra off her shoulders with erotic slowness, his fingers lingering to explore every inch of her.

He gently cupped her breast in his strong warm hand, his thumb lightly brushing across her nipple, hardening it instantly. Her breathing began to quicken and she reached up to snake a hand around the back of his head, pulling him down, offering herself to him.

He willingly obliged her, taking her nipple in his mouth and gently teasing it with his lips. She groaned, arching her back, giving him fuller access. He increased his pressure, his lips becoming more urgent, hungry, causing her to gasp and moan at the bolt of pleasure it caused her.

In the back of her mind Akane knew they should stop, that it was too much too fast, yet she wanted him with an urgency that she'd never felt before.

"Ranma…." Her voice was a heated rush, laced with need and a vague sense of resistance as she struggled with herself and her conflicting emotions.

As for Ranma, he was very close to the edge, riding the waves of sensation as they washed over him in a tidal wave of emotion. God, how he wanted her, needed her. Still, he sensed the slight hesitation within her. With every ounce of strength he possessed he reluctantly pulled back. He closed his eyes tightly at the pain of such a withdrawal, his breathing coming in ragged gasps as he fought for and finally won back control.

"Akane…." Her name once again was a whispered rush upon his lips.

Slowly she opened her eyes and looked up at him, her gaze a mixture of gratefulness and regret. She pushed herself back up into a sitting position, straightening her clothes as she went.

His gaze finally met hers searching as if to make sure she was okay with what had happened. She saw this and smiled softly, her hand coming up to brush his cheek with a tender caress.

"Wow." She finally managed in a breathless tone.

"Yeah," he agreed his voice still a bit husky with desire. He wished with everything he had that he could have her right here and now. He pushed the thought away. He had been right to stop it. It was too much too soon, but oh God how he wanted her.

Akane took a deep breath and let it out slowly. If what she had experienced, the pleasure she had felt at simply his touch, could send her to near orgasmic heights she couldn't imagine what it would feel like to actually have him, all of him. The thought sent a shiver of pleasure and excitement coursing down her spine. She closed her eyes against it.

"Akane?" the concern in Ranma's voice made her open her eyes and stare at him lovingly.

"That was amazing Ranma." She whispered softly, longing in her voice. She traced a finger lovingly down the center of his chest.

"You're amazing Akane."

Her heart swelled with joy at the compliment as she looked down at him. He looked so sexy lying there on his side, his head resting in the palm of his hand propped up by his elbow, his shirt was still open exposing the firm broadness of his muscular frame, his grey-blue eyes still alight with his desire. It was all she could do to resist lying back down beside him and letting him take her the rest of the way to heaven.

She noticed something else in his eyes, something almost sad. Her heart ached to see it there. She knew he was worried for her, that his nightmare was haunting him, and she longed to take the fear away.

She reached out and took his free hand and gently pulled him into a sitting position. He came up easily, reveling in her touch, no matter how small. She reached around him then enveloping him in her embrace. He closed his eyes and returned the hug, pulling her tightly against himself as if he were afraid to lose her.

She felt so good against him, so soft and warm and strong. He breathed in her scent, reveling in it. For once in his life, even if only for an instant, Ranma felt peace.

They simply held each other for a few more moments before reluctantly breaking the embrace.

"So," Akane began, interjecting her voice with amusement, her eyes alight with mirth. "I take it this means you are willing. To try and make this work that is."

Ranma stared dumbly at her for a second before a wide grin broke out on his face.

"Yeah, I guess I am."

Akane nodded, her own smile surfacing. "Okay then, I will make a promise to you right now to try and listen to you before jumping to conclusions, and to refrain from using my mallet on you unless absolutely warranted."

Ranma considered her words. He had already noticed her attempting this several times since yesterday. It was a huge step forward for them simply talking like this, addressing the problems that seemed to always arise in their relationship. The fact that she was willing to acknowledge one of her worst faults and try and change it told him that she wanted this as much as he did.

"Thank you Akane."

She nodded.

"And I promise that I will try my best not to cause you to want to smash me with your mallet. I know I sometimes say things without thinking them through or I end up sticking my foot in my mouth."

Akane's heart rejoiced at his words. The fact that he was admitting them filled her with such hope that they really could make this work.

She held out a hand for him to shake, making it official.

He glanced down at it then back up to her face, a soft smile lit up his eyes as he leaned in and placed a light kiss upon her lips.

Akane responded instantly, savoring the taste of him. Slowly she reopened her eyes and stared softly at him, she could spend forever getting used to his sweet kiss.

"Hmm… that was nice Ranma, but I think you'd better take care of that before…." She pointed to his unbuttoned shirt, unable to finish her sentence.

He looked down to where she was pointing and then back up at her, a seductive smile forming on his face, his tone suggestive, "Before what Akane?"

She felt herself flush, more with the impure thoughts his words evoked than with embarrassment.

"Ranma!"

She felt a, warmth spread through her at his low chuckle. It was such a sweet sound, she couldn't help but smile.

"Okay Akane, I'll take care of this and you unpack that picnic basket cuz I'm starving."

Akane smiled, "You're still hungry Ranma?"

Ranma stopped in mid-button and stared at her. He saw the mischief in her eyes and gave her another of his dazzling seductive smiles. His eyes locking with hers, as he inched closer.

"Starving…." He let the suggestive statement hang in the air.

Akane swallowed hard, the look he was giving her was almost enough to undo her. She took in a deep breath and shook herself out of the less than pure thoughts it evoked.

"Damn you Ranma." She said playfully when she could finally speak. At this his face broke into a wide grin.

"You started it Akane."

"I did not!"

Ranma laughed wholeheartedly at her sudden indignation. Much to her chagrin Akane found herself smiling. She gave him a playful smack to which he feigned injury.

"Ranma no baka!" she said, but there was no trace of malice in her voice and her eyes were still alight with laughter. Ranma simply reveled in it, his heart sharing her happiness.

She twisted deftly and reached behind her to where the picnic basket sat almost forgotten. She grasped it and brought it around.

She began pulling out the goodies that Kasumi had so carefully packed. Lots of rice, soba noodles, curried chicken. Ranma's stomach gave a loud growl at the sight, making Akane giggle.

"Here hentai, have some rice," she teased, passing it to him. He took it gratefully and gobbled it down.

"You know," she continued, "This deal of ours means you're going to have to do something about all those fiancées of yours."

Ranma stopped in mid-bite and sighed. "Hai, I know."

Akane heard the defeated tone in his voice and stifled a sudden sharp pang of hurt. She trained her gaze out over the sparkling blue water, unable to look at him as she asked, "Does it really bother you that much Ranma? Having to give them up?"

"Huh?" he said stupidly, totally caught of guard by the remark.

Akane sighed heavily. "I guess I can't blame you in a way. Shampoo, Ukyo, even Kodachi, they're all prettier than me, they can cook, they're strong martial artists, how can you not admire that? I just wish I…."

"Careful what you wish for Akane."

"Huh?" her gaze turned to him quickly at the seriousness in his voice. She stared into his gray-blue eyes and her heart swelled and ached with her love for him. If only she didn't feel so inadequate sometimes.

"You just don't get it do you?"

Akane swallowed hard, unable to tear her gaze away from his penetrating stare, his gray-blue eyes imploring her to understand.

"It's not that I don't want to give them up Akane." He stated plainly. "It's just that I've never been really good at this sort of thing. It's hard for me to talk about this stuff. Feelings are going to get hurt. There is most likely going to be violence as well."

Ranma could feel his heart begin to hammer in his chest as he continued to stare into her soft brown eyes, so full of desperate hope it shook him down to the core. He guessed his past actions had not done anything to dispel the insecurities she felt. He knew it was up to him to help eradicate all the doubt he had helped to build up in her.

"I just don't want to hurt anyone Akane." He sighed, struggling to focus his thoughts. "Ukyo, Shampoo, Kodachi, as annoying as they can be at times they are still people. And even though I may say things without thinking that hurt them I still hate the thought of being the cause of their pain. I care what happens to them yes, but none of them have what you have, none of them ever will."

She searched his gaze, noting the sincerity in his voice, but still couldn't comprehend the words.

"I….I don't understand."

"My heart Akane," He stated simply. "I know I didn't always show it, but you're the only one who has ever had it."

She stared at him for a moment longer, her eyes welling with tears of happiness. "Oh Ranma…."

She launched herself at him, throwing her arms about him and snuggling close. After a stunned second he reciprocated the action, once again hugging her to him.

"I'll figure out a way to deal with my other fiancées." He promised. "Right now however I'm more worried about these damn nightmares and what might be behind them."

Akane sobered at this and reluctantly pulled back to stare at him. "I'm worried too Ranma."

He nodded solemnly. "I know."

They both sat silently thoughtful for a moment. Then Ranma spoke.

"I don't want you to be alone at any time Akane. Not until we know more."

Akane felt her irritation stir. There he went again. She could understand him wanting her to avoid Mount Terror, after all, why go looking for trouble? But she didn't need a babysitter. Was he suggesting she couldn't take care of herself? She was a martial artist too or had he forgotten?

"Ranma…."

"Please Akane, promise me."

"No."

His eyes hardened at her instant refusal, his sudden frustration evident. He tried vainly to keep it under control, So much for easily agreeing with me. He'd wondered when she would once again begin to fight him over his need to protect her.

"Akane," his voice warned that he wouldn't let this one go, not until she complied. "This is not up for negotiation. Promise me."

"No." she stated again, her eyes boring into his with her own flare of frustration.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm. She could be so stubborn sometimes!

"Akane, I'm not kidding. I don't want you being alone, it's too dangerous, we don't know what we're dealing with here and you'd be too easy a target. Now promise me."

She crossed her arms in front of her chest in obvious defiance, much to his dismay. He gave an inward groan.

"No, Ranma." She said hotly. "I don't need a babysitter. I can take care of myself even if you don't think so! Face it, if the enemy wants me it doesn't matter if I'm alone or not."

He felt his control slip.

"Damn it Akane!" he shouted his frustration finally getting the better of him. She continued to stare at him with stubborn defiance and damn if it didn't get his blood racing. He had a sudden overwhelming urge to grab her and forcefully kiss the disobedience out of her. After another instant he gave into it.

Akane gasped with surprise as he suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders and roughly pulled her to him, his lips hard on hers, demanding she yield to him. If he had to kiss her until she couldn't think straight to get her to agree with his wishes he would.

She unfolded her arms and pushed against his chest, knowing what he was doing, and trying her best to resist him. It had always been this way between them, each of them vying to one up the other as if in some sort of silent competition.

He felt her resistance and tightened his hold on her, his tongue probing forcefully into her open mouth. She gasped in surprise and delight despite herself.

You can't win this Akane, he thought, even as he desperately tried to keep his own control from slipping.

"Ranma…." she gasped as his lips momentarily left hers in a brief respite before he devoured them up again. The more she struggled against him the more determined he became in his relentless quest to get her to submit.

"S-stop…." He pulled back at her words, both of them breathing heavily, their eyes glassy with barely restrained desire.

"Promise me." He said forcefully, his voice husky.

He groaned inwardly when she shook her head. If this went on much longer nothing in the world would keep him from having her.

She watched as an evil glint came into his eye. "No?"

She shook her head again, unable to tear her gaze away, her voice barely a whisper. "No."

He felt another wave of desire at her words, the thought of making her take them back sending ripples of excitement through him. It was a challenge now. And he never lost a challenge.

His hands slid down to grasp her wrists. He raised them over her head, pinning them there as he pressed her firmly down onto her back. She gave a small gasp trying to squirm out from beneath him. It was to no avail; he held her easily. He was looming over her now, his eyes still holding that evil glint. Akane stared up at him cursing herself at the sudden burst of desire that shot through her.

He stared down at her for a moment longer as he fought to stabilize his control, and then he once again forced his lips onto hers, drawing deeply, pressing his firm body up against hers. She moaned instantly and he caught it, her body arching against his instinctively. Slowly he felt her resistance begin to wane.

Akane tried in vain to resist the pull of his mouth, the electric pleasure shooting through her almost unbearable. She felt herself giving in to him, knowing she couldn't win this fight. After all Ranma had never lost a battle in his life. And he was treating this like a battle.

She groaned as his mouth continued to assault hers, relentless in its demands. He wouldn't stop until she agreed to his request, no matter what it cost him.

Finally she couldn't take anymore, her senses were in overdrive. She felt the steady pulse begin between her thighs and arched instinctively, her body searching instantly for what it craved most. "Ranma…." She gasped then moaned. "Please…."

He pulled back once again at her desperate plea. His control stretched to its limit. He felt himself grow hard as she arched against him and wondered for an instant if the plea was for him to stop or to finish it. He groaned desperately trying to resist the urge to press himself more firmly against her.

She managed to open her eyes slightly to stare at him, her breathing ragged. She gazed into his beautiful gray-blue eyes now burning with unleashed desire. If she pushed him any further there would be no going back.

"Promise me." The words were said through a force barely controlled, as if by sheer will.

The look he was giving her said he was prepared to take it to the limit. If he had to bring her to the brink to make her promise he would. The knowledge sent a delicious shiver through her as Akane felt the sudden temptation to let him.

When she remained silent he prepared himself to go through with his unspoken threat, half hoping that she would give him a reason to.

"Promise me Akane." He said his voice husky, low, and firm. It wasn't a request. "Promise me or I will finish this. One way or another you will do what I ask."

She felt her heartbeat quicken at his words. "No fair." Her voice was no more than a whisper as she tried desperately to get control of her breathing.

"Anything goes Akane." He said haughtily, his gaze boring into her. "Now promise me."

"But…." She started to protest, but the look in his eyes stopped her. She knew he meant it. She wondered again if she should just give into the temptation even though it would permanently change everything. In the end she reluctantly conceded.

"Okay, Ranma," she said finally, still breathless. "I promise."

Ranma felt a pang of disappointment, he'd won, but he'd lost. He pulled back swiftly forcing his desire away with extreme difficulty. He closed his eyes against the pain, still unable to fully comprehend his sudden and fierce need for her. An attraction that was barely contained and stronger than either of them. It was as if something primal had been unleashed ever since he'd gotten that first taste of her.

Akane watched him struggle to pull himself back, still not able to believe he'd gone that far to get his promise. And he would have gone further. Anything goes. It was their school after all, and he practiced it to the letter. No matter the cost.

She sat up slowly, still feeling the residual pressure of his lips on hers, the taste of him still stark in her mind. She should be angry at him. He'd used her desire for him against her. Knowing the promise would be on her honor and she would have to comply. But she couldn't find any anger, only a continuing firm burning need for him.

She sighed inwardly, she knew his move was costing him now, she could see it in every rigid line of his body. This attraction she had for him was as downright frightening as it was exciting. That was twice now in the span of less than an hour that she'd almost given into her desire and allowed him to take them over the edge.

What was this power he had over her? She shook her head. Whatever it was she apparently had it over him too. He may have won this round, but she knew she would enjoy wielding that power against him. She smiled at that. She had every intention of paying him back.

Ranma sat with his legs drawn up and his arms dangling loosely over his knees. His eyes were still closed and he was taking long deep breaths still concentrating on pulling in his runaway desire. For once he wished for someone to douse him with cold water. The shock of turning into a girl right now might be just what he needed. He debated weather or not to throw himself in the nearby river.

Before he could decide he felt her warm arms come around him from behind, giving him a firm squeeze. Her chin came to rest on his right shoulder as she nuzzled against him. He opened his eyes wide with surprise and then closed them again, savoring her touch.

"You realize I'm going to have to get you for that mister." She whispered seductively in his ear. Her breath was hot and he groaned as he felt chills suddenly wash over him.

"Akane," His voice was strained from trying desperately to rein in his still rampant desire. "Don't do that."

She felt a wide grin break out on her face. Yes payback was going to be fun. "Don't do what Ranma?" she breathed, nibbling at his ear sending yet another wave of tingles down his spine.

She felt him shudder, and her smile grew.

"Akane," He warned. "I'm barely holding on here so cut it out."

"Oh?" she replied innocently. "But Ranma, I thought it was anything goes."

His eyes flew open then as he heard her stifle a giggle.

"Akane!!"

At his righteous indignation she tossed her head back, still holding him and laughed out loud.

"That's it." He said breaking her grip and turning to scoop her up in his arms. He needed a cold shower and apparently she could use one too. He stood up and headed for the river.

She squealed and thrashed in his arms when she realized what he planned to do.

"Don't you dare!" she warned, "Ranma!"

"I have to cool you off Akane." He returned smiling.

"What happened to trying not to give me cause to use my mallet on you?"

He laughed wholeheartedly. "Oh I think you deserve this."

"Me?" she asked in surprise. "I deserve this, after what you pulled?"

"You saying you didn't enjoy that little tussle?" he mused, his eyes full of laughter. Although he tried to hide it she still saw traces of desire as well. "I kinda like arguing with you that way. Should have tried it a year ago, would have saved us a lot of trouble."

She stared at him flabbergasted, forgetting for a moment that he was about to dunk her in the cold water of the river.

Before she could regain her wits he was standing at the water's edge. He gave her a slight toss straight up and caught her.

"Aaaah!" She squealed wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

"Ready for your bath Akane?" he asked teasingly.

She held on tighter. "You wouldn't."

He raised his eyebrow at that. "Oh wouldn't I?" he returned. "After all, anything goes."

With that he gave an easy jump, still cradling her in his arms as they plunged into the refreshingly cool water. Akane gave a short shriek and closed her eyes.

When they resurfaced Ranma-chan was holding her close, smiling sedately at her, "Ah, much better."

Akane sputtered water, brushing her now plastered bangs out of her eyes. "For, who?" she argued.

Ranma-chan's smile widened.

"Remind me to mallet you later." Akane said, but she was smiling back, unable to help herself.

After a few more minutes Ranma-chan hauled them out of the water and slowly walked with Akane back toward the bridge, both settling themselves once again on the blanket.

Akane reached around for the picnic basket. "Here let's try this again." She said handing Ranma-chan a bowl full of rice and curry chicken. "Before your stomach starts it's familiar protest."

The redhead reached out and deftly took what she was offering, giving her an appreciative smile.

"Thanks Akane." Ranma-chan said, and Akane knew she meant for more than just the food. She returned her smile, giving her short nod. Together they ate in silence, neither one of them finding the need to speak.

When they were through Ranma-chan reached out and linked her arm in Akane's, scooting close. Akane smiled knowing that the redhead was subtlety asking for forgiveness for dunking her in the river. She let out a sigh of contentment, tilting her head so that it rested against her shoulder.

Ranma-chan let her head fall slightly sideways coming to rest atop Akane's.

They simply sat this way for awhile, thoughts of fiancées and nightmares forgotten for the moment, each content to enjoy being in the other's company, living just for this present time as if they knew it was all they might have.

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Notes: Whew...is it hot in here? - Okay, next up...enter a mysterious new character... does he have anything to do with Ranma's nightmares? Comments welcome!