Campfires

by Studdevil

Chapter Ten

Millions of thoughts raced through the young martial artist's mind as he thought through everything that had occurred since he decided to take Akane away from Nerima. Was that the right choice? He doesn't know what's better for her. Or him for that matter. They have been barely keeping up with schoolwork and it now seemed almost impossible since close to everything they had brought had gotten stolen. Ranma certainly didn't want either of them to fall behind in class but he also fears for the safety of his loved one.

Love. That is what started all of this. Am I really that attractive that I have all these crazy girls swarming over me? Am I that amazing that they would inflict harm upon another human being just to be my one and only? I had expected Shampoo would pull something like that, but why would Ukyo have acted out like that? Have I not been spending enough time with her? Is it because I've led her to believe that there's a chance I might want to marry her? Is that where I'm at fault?

I really hadn't meant to cause all this trouble. Instead of running from my problems I should have faced them head on. That's what a real man would have done. I can't keep running away. But how else could I have solved our predicament without hurting someone?

I wonder how things are back at the dojo. We didn't tell anybody why we were leaving. 'Cept Nabiki. Oh god, I wonder what she told everyone! She promised not to tell them we were eloping. Cuz we 'aint!!

Ranma prodded the dim fire and tossed another log of wood on top of it. The overbearing warm feeling allows him to relax. The night sky is lit up by the full moon and the thousands of stars. This spot has a breathtaking view and it is just what he needs to lay back and think everything through.

Ryoga had left earlier that day after they were sure the rain wouldn't start up again. He mentioned something about how he needed to tell Akari something and then he ran off, blasting through everything in his path. Akane made dinner for the two of them. Puke. It tasted barely decent and only left a mild case of stomach trauma. The evening had been very quiet. Neither Ranma or Akane wanted to get on each other's nerves and end up fighting, so naturally, they didn't say anything to each other. The quiet was fine. Akane was in the tent sleeping or maybe just resting. It had been a rough day.

I'm sure Mr. Tendo has been worried as hell. Or maybe he's happy 'cuz he thinks me and his daughter ran off together. I hope Kasumi is okay. She really looks after her sisters and I'm sure she wants to know Akane is safe.

Ranma shivers and gets closer the the small fire. The intense heat felt good on his cold body and brought a small smile to his face as he slowly lowered his side to the ground. "So tomorrow it is." Ranma whispered to himself as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the small breeze and strong smell of the burning wood.

Many hours later he awoke to darkness and cold. The fire looked to have died a while ago and the wind was no longer refreshing, but made him shiver and covered him in goosebumps. Ranma sits up, groggily, and rubs his eyes. Thunder sounds in the distance and the martial artist looks up at the sky. He groans at the sight of no visible stars. "This 'aint lookin' too good." The wind must have blown in rainclouds from the mountaintops, he thought. Slowly getting up to his feet, he tried to see into the distance. Ranma saw no light so figured he hadn't been sleeping for too long. He bit on his lip and wondered if he should join Akane in the tent. "Better then changin' into a girl again," he grumbles and slugs over to the tent.

Once inside, he made out the faint figure of Akane laying in the middle of the two mats they had laid out a few days ago. Ranma kneels down and fumbles around for the flashlight. He grips the plastic handle and flips the switch. The bright light illuminates the whole tent and burns his eyes. Soon his blue eyes are adjusted to the light and and he sets the flashlight down causing the tent to darken. He sees Akane laying on her side with a serene look on her face. The blanket was pulled down to her ankles and she looked slightly cold. Ranma smiles and looks at her closely. He admitted she looked cute in her silly yellow pajamas and they didn't take much away from her round curves and nicely toned stomach.

Ranma sits down on the right side of her, and she lays onto her back, her hand running up her stomach, pushing her pajama shirt up, exposing her belly button. Ranma blushes a little and makes a mental note not to call her ugly anymore. He couldn't help but stare at her, and pretty soon five minutes had passed. He shakes his head, out of the trance and lays down on the mat, as far away from her as he could. He sits up again and reaches for the blanket and pulls it over himself. He felt Akane shiver next to him and scooted a little closer so he could pull it over her as well. With one arm supporting him he leans over and wraps the blanket over her. His hand lands on her stomach and he almost removes it instantly when he feels the warmth coming from her body. It feels nice and cozy. "Maybe..." Ranma lays back down and pulls the covers over his shoulders. He can feel the heat pouring from her and wants to be closer. He listens to her slow breathing and the cute little noises and moans she makes in her sleep. He wonders what she is dreaming about

Seconds turn into minutes and they seem like hours. Ranma can't take it anymore and sits up. He gets out of the the bed and tucks the sheets around Akane with a sad smile. He grabs the flashlight and unzips the entrance flap, letting the cold air flow inside.

"Ranma? Are you leaving?" Ranma jumps upon hearing her voice. He looks back, and sees Akane sitting up, rubbing her eye with one hand.

"W-what?" Ranma stammers out.

"Isn't it cold out there? Where are you going?" Akane asks with a yawn.

Ranma bites his lip and doesn't know what to say. "I, uh, you can have the bed to yourself. I didn't think ya would want a guy in the bed with ya." Ranma quietly lied, not willing to tell her that the real reason was that he is too tempted to hold her to him.

Akane's face softened. "Well, Ranma.. You're... You're not just a guy. To me at least." Akane looked a little embarrassed but stood firm to her statement. Ranma smiled happily but didn't move. Akane couldn't help but feel awkward sitting in bed looking up at him and then added. "You don't have to leave.."

Ranma still stood there, unsure. "R-really? It's just.." Ranma remembered all those times she had yelled at him and called him a pervert for being in close contact with her, even if it wasn't his fault. But he also remembered how happy she looked when he told her his feelings for her.

Akane blushed and spoke quietly. "It's fine... I don't want you to leave." Ranma turned pink and a small smile adorned his face. He gave a happy nod and settled down next to her. They both lowered themselves and pulled the covers up. Ranma let out a sigh and tried to stay close to the edge. Akane noticed and moved a little towards him. Ranma failed to notice her attempt to be near him and felt somewhat uncomfortable. She slid another inch towards him and finally gave him a nudge. Ranma looked surprised as she grabbed his left hand and and held it tightly. Ranma immediately felt the same warmth he had felt before, and turned onto his side, to find himself facing her. He had forgotten to turn the flashlight off and it was slowly getting dimmer, running out of power. Their fingers intertwined, Ranma took his right hand and put it around Akane's hip, pulling her closer to him. Both teenagers turned a dark shade of scarlet as they felt each other's body press against their own.

Ranma enjoyed the touch from her hand on his side and her warm womanly features melting into his blissful rest. Akane had a tired smile planted on her face as she stared into Ranma's bright blue eyes, lost in them as if she was lost at sea. Their foreheads touched, and they nestled against each other taunting themselves. Ranma aches to kiss his fiance, and his eyes bore into her with a powerful gaze. Akane giggled and then their lips met. Pure ecstasy washed through their bodies and they pressed they lips together, sliding their hands up and down their sides as the kiss deepens. Akane gingerly nibbled on his lower lip and let out a passionate sigh. Ranma repressed the urge to moan in pleasure as he explored Akane and was overwhelmed by the warm wet feeling of their mouths locked together in a fiery sensation. Ranma pulled back and gasped for air and Akane laughed and brought him into a loving embrace.

After both teens breathing returned to normal, Akane laid her head down to rest on Ranma's chest. Ranma shifted an inch to get more comfortable, as half of Akane was laying on him, but he realized he had never felt so comfy in his life. Akane rose up, supported by her arms, and gave Ranma a quick peck on the lips, just as the flashlight beside them burnt out. "Goodnight Ranma." Akane spoke, laying down on his right side. Ranma wrapped his arm around her her shoulder.

"G'night, I-"

"Love you." Akane finished with a small giggle, and lowered her head onto his chest once more. The couple began to listen to the night-time noises. Crickets chirped lightly, owls hooted, coyotes howled in the distance. Light raindrops fall on the ground and Ranma realized how happy he was to be inside the tent with Akane. Soon sleep came for the two, Ranma closed his eyes and felt himself drifting off. He knew his dreams would be pleasant that night, and gave a happy grin. Akane lulled herself to sleep with the quiet pace of Ranma's heartbeats, and soon, she was dreaming alongside Ranma.

Morning light shines through the thin fabric of the tent as the sun slowly rises up. Ranma's blue eyes open slowly and he inhales the fresh morning air. It has a nice earthy smell to it from the rain that night. Akane stirs beside him and the memory of last night floods back to his mind. He gives a peaceful smile as he looks over the beautiful girl who he had finally confessed to. And what makes it even more wonderful is that she shares the same feelings for him. Nothing else has ever given him the same warm feeling as being with her and in that very second his thought are confirmed and he realizes what he has to do.

Face the fiances.

End of Chapter 10.

-Grins- That took WAY too long. I didn't die, so here's the next chapter! Next Chapter is NEXT week!