Introducing:

Ranma ½ Fanfic Production:

A SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE…

Part Ten:

Akane bit her lip in nervous trepidation as she felt out of place in am extremely posh western style restaurant. Despite her being prepped up for such formal environment, she could not help but peered beneath her lashes at Ranma's black Chinese top. Granted, it was the nicer one usually reserved for dates with fiancées and impressing Ranma's mother Saotome Nodoka, yet in an environment where men are donned out in their best silk ties and well-tailored tuxedoes, Akane could not help but felt awkward in her sensitized image-conscious teenage mentality.

Ranma however, seemed to be densely unaware of the curious and even some spiteful looks thrown at his way, together with the pitying secret glances aimed at Akane, the unfortunate female companion for this socially unpolished "ruffian". The arrogance of the host showed them to their table, pulling out a chair for Akane as he smirked in a maddening way, as if he knew something that Ranma had missed out.

"Sir, I'm Kawajima Hitoshi, the host for your table. What wine would you like to go along with your meal tonight?" Ranma grinned, "Well, I'm sure martial artists need not drink alcohol at all occasions. I think I will have a root beer float! How about you, Akane?"

The navy haired girl upon hearing his request, wanted to sink and disappeared into the ground mumbled, "May we have 2 glasses of water please?"

The snotty young host, charmed by her flushed countenance nodded, "Coming right up, mademoiselle." He left the table with a brief wink.

Akane hissed in low tones, "Ranma, this is a high-class restaurant. Leave the orders to me before embarrassing us any further."

His forehead creased in bewilderment, Ranma whispered back, "What did I do?"

"People are staring at us as if we were unable to pay for a proper meal here."

"Um. Actually," Ranma tried to correct her, "We are unable to afford. It is under Nabiki's tab after all."

Akane rubbed her head in frustration, "Just trust me, we are definitely out of our league here." Many thought flashed passed in her mind, she begun to wonder if this date was a mistake in the first place.

The bread and soup was brought shortly and Akane tried to eat discreetly as she could, trying her best to recall and practiced what she learnt from the etiquette class she took before high school graduation. Ranma, who did not bother to attend merely, stuffed his mouth full with large mouthful of bread and lifting up the soup bowl to drink down in few big gulps.

A few middle aged ladies turned their red lips down in disgust as he continued the meal course with gusto, the steak knife scrapped across the chinaware as he devoured the main course. Akane tried to remind him to at least eat in smaller bites and lessen the noise level, however, Ranma shrugged off and replied, "I'm not in Picolette's residence trying to compete in martial arts cuisine eating. Besides, if you would recall, Picolette never eat in small bites anyway!" His loud guffaws jarred against the quiet ambience and Akane prayed secretly that the meal would conclude as soon as possible.

She should have never tried to hope for the impossible to happen in Nerima when the bill is finally brought. Akane blinked her chocolate brown eyes, puzzled by the mentioning of payment required. "Have my sister Tendo Nabiki mentioned about the meal was credited to her tab? The owner promised us a full course meal in return for the cancellation of a personal debt."

The host, Kawajima frowned. "I'll check with my boss. Please wait a little while longer."

He disappeared into the back office area and a few minutes later, reappeared, a look of further suspicion stirred, "I'm sorry. As my boss is on an overseas trip, he has failed to mention about this arrangement. Will you kindly make payment first? Reimbursement can be arranged once he returns from his trip and confirms this prior tab."

Akane flashed a look of panic towards Ranma when she realized that they were in trouble, as they did not prepare ahead of such miscalculated situation.

"Perhaps I can contact my sister for verification? There must be a misunderstanding. Do you mind borrowing your phone for me to contact her?"

The host hesitantly agreed. However, the attempts to reach Nabiki on her mobile phone and the Tendo residence were futile and the host was getting impatient. Finally, the looks of suspicion wear down her resilience of calm composure.

Akane weakly dragged Ranma aside, "Ranma, can you find Nabiki oneechan for me? I will wait here to assure the restaurant that we are not trying to cheat them of a meal."

Ranma begun to oppose but with a withering look, finally concede to her suggestion, "Ok. I'll get back as soon as possible." Akane broke a smile at his reluctant acceptance.

Akane explained quietly to the staff and they agreed to wait for the verification. With a wave of assurance, Ranma dashed off into the distance, as Akane stood at the doorway, firm in her belief that he would get her out of this situation as always.

(End of Chapter 9)

A.N: I am sure the readers would be speculating what could have happened that caused a breakup between our famous Nerima couple. Do drop me a review. I would like some suggestions for me to improve my fan fiction. (Winks)