Author's note: Wow. Just wow. It's really been two years? Am I really that bad? Muses work in funny ways, I must say. Just last night I was watching the many YT vids of Ranma and I suddenly remembered my story. What was supposed to happen, how it ends, all the drama to come and I told myself that I could write it. So here it is. Hope you people didn't miss me too much.

Chapter Twelve "A free for all: Ranma style."

"Ara ara…" Came Kasumi's voice, standing right next to her aunt, as she stared down at the many plates on the table. Nodoka was just happily sipping on her Chinese noodles, everyone in the table making the same exact noises of pleasure. "This smells really good." She commented as she moved to grab her own plate. As the housewife of the house, Kasumi was always the one to start at the very end. It didn't bother her that much, given how slowly she ate anyway. "I wonder how Ranma and Akane are doing…" The last was mostly said to herself, but the others turned to her.

"They are doing great, of course." Commented Soun, his mouth full of noodles. 'They are having fun!' Said the sign the Panda bear held up.

Nabiki looked doubtful, a small smirk gracing her cold features. "Well, I never expected Auntie to behave so much like uncle Genma. Though I definitely approve."

"I DON'T APPROVE!" Came the sobbing voice of master Happosai. He was crouched on a corner, sipping on his own bowl of Chinese noodles, tears falling from his big eyes, making him appear far more innocent than he truly was. "Why did no one tell me my dear Akane was going to leave the house? After I came here with my hopes of having a nice and warm welcome." His head suddenly filled with images of Akane nicely welcoming him, a cutesy voice constantly saying 'Master!' filling his ears. A hug, a girlish giggle, a nice rub of shoulders. You know, all those things Akane never actually did.

"Well, we thought they needed some time alone." Commented Kasumi, a sweet smile on her lips. "They just got married after all." Nodoka smiled at the girl she considered a niece, nodding along. "I'm sure as soon as they're back, I'm going to be told I'm soon to be a grandmother!"

Those words only made Happosai cry louder, while he made a tantrum worthy of a two year old. "It's not fair!" He cried, "I'm stuck here while Ranma gets to have fun with my lovely Akane!" He continued to cry his eyes out, his tears cascading down to the floor. Everyone turned to look at him as if he was crazy before simultaneously letting out a sigh. He was never going to change.

"Well, we can always go pay a visit." Said Nabiki with a small devious smile. Everyone turned to look at her with bright eyes, except Kasumi. "I'm not sure that's such a-" She started but was immediately interrupted by her aunt. "That's a lovely idea, darling!" Everyone seemed to agree, immediately thinking of enjoying the many services the hotel had. "It's already been a night!"

"Oh my…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"MUAHAHAHAHA! I WON AGAIN!" "WE won, hun." "You're amazing, Miss Ukyo!"

Akane glared at her husband, pursing her lips as she saw him laughing as if he'd just won the lottery. He was so childish sometimes. "I'm really sorry, Miss Akane." Came Ryoga's voice, shy as always, while he too glared at Ranma. Akane turned to him, her glare turning into a gentle smile immediately. "Don't worry about it, Ryoga." She said, "I know we would have won if Ranma HADN'T CHEATED." The last was said louder so her husband would hear.

They'd been playing table tennis, the small paddle still in hand. Surely, it'd been a very tied match, Ranma and Ukyo against Ryoga and Akane. Sure, Ryoga had allowed Akane to play and, clumsy as she was, she couldn't beat Ranma who, like usual, tried to be a show off and even got in the way when it was Ukyo's turn.

"Sore losers are so ugly." Ranma replied back, his smug smile still in place as he waved his paddle at his wife. "It doesn't suit you, Akane." Akane fumed before looking away from him, her nose held high proudly. "I don't have anything to say to you." And Ranma glared at her, looking away afterwards and muttering an "Uncute." Under his breath.

Ukyo just smiled. This was going great. The perfect vacation with Ranma and she was actually teaming up against Akane, while she constantly pushed Ryoga towards her. Her plan was going perfectly and there was nothing that could ruin it. That was, of course, until something actually ruined it.

The wall cracked, making everyone turn to look. "Oh no." Came Ranma's voice as he immediately knew what it was. He'd seen that so many times before it just had lost any surprise. The wall cracked again, until a huge hole on the wall showed the Chinese girl that'd tried to enter the room as soon as she'd heard her beloved airen's voice.

"Ranma!" Came Shampoo's chirpy voice as she threw her arms around her airen, hugging him tightly. "Why Ranma no tell Shampoo he was leaving? Shampoo too too happy to find Airen!" Ranma tried to push her away, while Ukyo glared at the Chinese girl as she got over her shock. "What the hell are you doing here, Shampoo?" She demanded until, of course, Akane was the one to break the hug. She threw her paddle towards her husband, hitting him straight on the face and making him fall from Shampoo's hug.

"Shampoo! Shampoo!" Came Mousse's voice as he peered through the hole, his glasses up on his head. Everyone turned to glare at him. What a way to ruin plans. "Shampoo!" Finally, Mousse's eyes set on who he thought was Shampoo, immediately hugging Ukyo. "Who the hell do you think you're hugging?" Came Ukyo's voice as she punched him over the head and to the floor, along with Konatsu's manly voice and fist. The mess started as Ukyo started to yell at Shampoo, and the Chinese girl yelled right back, both demanding what the other was doing there, while Konatsu kept trying to get Mousse to let him go as the blind boy mistakenly hugged him. Ranma just moaned and grunted from the floor as he had both girls fighting over him… quite literally.

Akane and Ryoga stared at the sight; their eyes wide in shock, before the girl let out a sad sigh, making the boy look over at her. It'd been a while since he'd seen Akane this sad. The girl just turned on her heels, quietly leaving the room and, before a look back at Ranma and noticing how 'busy' he was at the moment, Ryoga followed her quickly. He was still Akane's friend and still loved her above anything and everyone else. He surely wasn't going to let her be alone when she was that unhappy.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Akane!"

Akane stopped walking, her eyes still fixed on the ground. She was outside, right beside the many trees along the pretty road, placed there for couples to take nice walks, but her mood didn't fit the setting. It was obvious how upset she was and Ryoga couldn't help but feel heartbroken at the sight of her looking so sad. "Akane…" He started once he walked up to her. "I- I wanted to apologize for having ruined your trip. Ukyo was the one-" "I know…"

Ryoga stared at her for a moment, unsure of what to do. If only she loved him, he would make sure she never had to make such a sad face. Sadly, it was Ranma who had her heart, undeserving as he might be. "Akane…"

"I don't know why we fool ourselves. I should have known he was going to be followed. It's always going to be like this after all." Ryoga just stared at her with sad eyes. If only he could do something about it. He'd been trying so hard before to get Ranma take Akane seriously, and now that they were married, he still kept having all those girls around him.

"Akane." He started in a deep voice, making the girl turn to him in surprise. "I promise you!" He placed his hands on her shoulders, fully turning her towards him. "I'll try my hardest to make you happy. Leave it to me!" "Ryoga…" Akane blinked at him in surprise, before nodding and smiling gently. She looked down at the ground for a moment, feeling shy out of the sudden.

"Thank you, Ryoga. You've always been a very dear friend." Akane's sweet smile made Ryoga's heart jump. It hurt to know she was already someone else's. But he had to work now on making her happy, even if it was with Ranma. She deserved nothing but the best.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Both teens seemed shocked at the interruption. There was Ranma, glaring so much at Ryoga it was a wonder his head hadn't caught fire. Of course, he had both girls by each arm, both of them seemed as surprised and pleased at the sight as the other. The only one who didn't seem as amused was Ranma, seeing his wife being held like that by his enemy.

Akane's eyes widened before she huffed, turning away from him. "What is it to you?" Of course Ranma wasn't pleased at that comment. "Like I would care for such an uncute girl like you!" That only made Akane angrier. "Then why the hell are you asking? Come on Ryoga!" And once again, the lost boy was dragged into the argument. Akane grabbed the boy's hand, pulling the poor confused Ryoga along to the road, while he stuttered, looking back to Ranma, silently wondering what the boy would do. But Ranma just glared at her as she disappeared from sight.

"Let go of Ranchan, you hussy!" "You let go of Airen. Ranma Shampoo's Airen!" "At least learn to talk before you try fighting back!" Ranma just ignored the pulls and the grabs. He just stared at the road. The nasty feelings of both jealousy and guilt left him paralyzed, unsure of his next step. He couldn't even bring himself to stop her. He knew she had the right to be mad. It seemed as if anywhere he went, chaos would follow. How could Akane love him?

RANMA YOU IDIOT!

Okay. That'd come out of nowhere. Ranma was suddenly on the floor, a wooden sign on his head as his fiancées stared down at him in surprise. 'Ranma, you idiot!' written over it with exclamation signs all over it.

"Oh my."

"You've… got… to be kidding me…" Came Ranma's voice from under the wooden sign. He moved, trying to look up, his fears confirmed. "No, no no no…"

"Ranma! What are you doing on the floor? Wasn't that Akane who just left?" Came his mother's voice. "Please no…" Nabiki chuckled, the devious smile still in place as always, "I knew he would ruin it." Ranma glared at her, sitting on the ground wearing a deep frown.

"What are you all doing here?" He demanded, while Shampoo and Ukyo moved forward to Nodoka, greeting their soon to be mother in law.

"That's not important!" This was Soun, who'd step forward, glaring at Ranma along with his Panda friend. 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING BOY?' Said the sign now. "You have to go after Akane! What if that boy does something to my precious girl?" Ranma just turned away from him, still wearing the same expression of a child who'd just been scolded. "She can go do whatever she wants. It doesn't concern me." Of course, this was said right before Soun's huge face started to threaten him.

"I'M GOING! I'M GOING!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"I'm really sorry for all of this, Ryoga." Came Akane's voice, making Ranma frown. They were both sitting by a small lake, Akane had her feet inside the lake, playfully moving her feet, while Ryoga stood behind her. It wasn't like he was going to let himself get wet. "I didn't mean to drag you into my fight with Ranma. He's just so stubborn all the time." "Don't worry about it, Akane." He replied. He was just used to it.

Ranma just rolled his eyes from his spot on the tree, his frown deepening. He was the stubborn one? What about her? He'd tried to get this trip going without them fighting! How was it his fault that both Ukyo and Shampoo had gone and ruined everything for them? It wasn't like Akane was all perfect! Here she was, flirting with Ryoga. And what about him too? What kind of friend just leaves with someone's wife? That scumbag!

"I just can't believe him! Bringing Ukyo and Shampoo to our honeymoon! That's just the lowest!" Ranma's eyes narrowed as he looked down at Akane, still hiding among the leaves of the tree. She was the one running away with Ryoga to to… To do Kami knows what and here she was blaming it all on him? It's not like he invited the girls to go along!

Ryoga nodded in agreement, crossing his arms and frowning. This wasn't good. If this was supposed to be their honeymoon, then he should do something to keep Akane happy. That bastard Ranma was a fiend for making Akane this angry.

"Don't worry Akane. I'm going to do whatever it's needed to keep you happy. Just leave it to me!" In his passion for showing Akane how much he wanted to make her happy, he'd lowered himself, grabbing both of her hands, turning her towards him. Akane just smiled brightly at him, again, feeling touched at how good of a friend Ryoga was. She couldn't remember a time Ranma had been that sweet. Talking about Ranma…

The sight of Ryoga suddenly holding hands with Akane had blinded him, making him jump from the tree and landing on Ryoga's head. "What do you think you're doing?" He growled to Ryoga, glaring down at the boy, when Akane suddenly grabbed Ranma's pigtail and brought him down. "That's what I'm asking you!" She yelled right back at Ranma, "Ryoga's trying to be a good friend and you keep teasing him!" "A good friend? He's just trying to fool you! Can't you see it? He's-" "Stop it! I don't want to hear it! All you ever do is-"

"It's okay, Akane." They suddenly stopped yelling at each other to turn to Ryoga, both looking surprised. The boy stood up suddenly, making Ranma fall from him to the ground. "Hey-" He started complaining but then he stopped. Ryoga looked as sad as he always was, but he seemed to be far too serious in what he was going to do.

"You two can stay here." He said with a small smile, obviously directed to Akane. "I can tell them you went somewhere else. It'll give you a couple of hours alone." "Ryoga…" The lost boy stood up, dramatically as always, his back to the both of them while they only stared at him. "Ranma… Take good care of Akane for me!" And he left running.

Ranma let out a sigh, pursing his lips while he glared at Ryoga. He was never going to change. And of course, Akane was staring after him as if he was some kind of hero. Great. Just great. If Ryoga's purpose was to make him look bad then mission accomplished. "He's an idiot." Ranma commented, trying to break Akane's gaze away from the boy. Well, he succeeded, and in the worst way possible.

"Why are you such a jerk all the time? Can't you see how noble Ryoga is?" She scolded, making Ranma's frown deepen. "Oh yeah. A great big noble hero he is." He said rolling his eyes, "Damn P-chan." The last bit was muttered, obviously missed by Akane. The girl just frowned at her husband, before standing up.

"Where are you going?" Ranma demanded, his eyes following every move. "I'm going right back to the hotel. I can't be with you when you're such a baby." Adding to that, she blew a raspberry at him, showing she wasn't much better. The gesture only made Ranma stand up angrily. "How come this is my fault? It's not like I told Shampoo and Ukyo I was coming here! If anything it is your own fault for telling Ryoga!"

And of course, Akane stopped. "He is my friend! This is supposed to be our honey moon! And it's not like you weren't enjoying having Ukyo and Shampoo fight over you. You damn… Casanova!" Ranma stood up, replying in the same loud voice Akane was talking. "Oh, I'm the one enjoying it? You were the one who grabbed Ryoga's hand and pulled him so you two could be alone, you.. you… Cheater!" Akane gasped at that. "How dare you? WHEN YOU WERE THE ONE WITH A GIRL HANGING ON EACH ARM! PERVERT!" "TOMBOY!"

The fell quiet, both glaring at the other.

"Why must you always do this?" Started Akane, breaking the silence. She wasn't yelling anymore, but she sounded as sad and disappointed as ever. "Ryoga was just trying to help. He was so nice he actually want us to spend some time alone." This only made Ranma even more jealous.

"You are the one who always does this!" He replied back, "Every single time you defend him as if he was your husband instead of me!" Ranma frowned at himself, looking way from her. There. He said it. He was jealous of her friendship with Ryoga. He wasn't going to say out loud now, even though he'd admitted before.

Akane stared at him for a moment. Her gaze made him nervous. Enough to make him gulp. Why wasn't she saying anything? "I-I- It's not like I'm jealous or anything." He tried, breaking the silence. Yet, all she did was stare at him. Ranma's gaze turned from her to the ground nervously. Why was she like that? "I mean… You're mine, right? And it's not fair for him to be the one to make you happy… I- I want to be-" What was he saying? It didn't seem like him.

Ranma let out a sigh. "I'm not myself anymore." He complained, glaring at the grass. "You changed me, somehow. I can't even fight you anymore. I can't… lie anymore." It wasn't said in the most romantic way. He was complaining, using the voice of a little kid, frowning at his mother. But he was being honest. Akane had changed him so much, yet so slowly, he'd barely noticed. And yet, here she was, just staring at him.

"WELL, SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!"

And Akane smiled. "Idiot." And she moved towards him, hugging him close. Ranma was as confused as ever, but having Akane back in his arms was something he wasn't going to complain about. He smiled, his arms wrapping themselves around her to pull her closer.

"I'm sorry." He muttered, but Akane just shook her head against his chest. "No… I'm sorry. I know you didn't do anything to get them here." She sighed, letting his warm engulf her. She loved being in his arms. The one place she could forget about everything and everyone. It felt as if there was no one else in the world but Ranma and herself.

"Well… You think we can stay here for a bit? I'm sure Ryoga will distract them long enough." Akane looked up at Ranma, raising an eyebrow. "Here? What do you want to do." At that he smirked and lowered himself, lightly nibbling on her lower lip.

"Oh…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"You… lost them." "That's right." "Just.. bam. You turned and they were gone." "Yup." "And you have no idea where they are now." "Exactly."

Ukyo narrowed her eyes at Ryoga. He just kept staring down at the tea Kasumi had so nicely placed in front of him, avoiding her eyes at all cost. Ryoga was a terrible liar. Maybe that was why he'd come up with the almost too ridiculous to be truth story of the vanishing of Ranma and Akane. How could it be possible? Even for Nerima standards, that was just plain ridiculous.

Everyone else had gone back to their usual holiday business. Mousse and Konatsu kept fighting when Mousse insisted he was his beloved Shampoo. Nabiki was lazily nibbling on snacks while reading a magazine. Kasumi and Nodoka kept serving everyone nice cups of tea and placing snacks and rice balls near everyone. Soun and Genma had distracted themselves with a game of Shogi. Happosai was busy checking on Akane's suitcase, in case he found new prizes. And, of course, Shampoo and Ukyo were glaring at Ryoga, sitting in front of him at the table, obviously distrusting his story.

"Ranma and Akane no disappear!" Shampoo complained, slapping the table with a hand. "Ryoga lying!" Ukyo just frowned at him. Why was Ryoga so stubborn in keeping them from finding the couple? "Two hours, sugar!" She said holding up two fingers. "They've been gone for two hours! Do you have any idea what could happen in that time?" Ryoga blushed but just shrugged. He didn't need those images in his head. Thank you very much.

"If you don't tell me where they are-" "We're back!" Ukyo stopped mid sentence as the couple entered the room. "Welcome back, Ranchan!" "Airen!" Both girls were immediately at Ranma's side, demanding where he'd been with Akane all that time. Akane merely stared at the room grimly. It was far too small for everyone who was inside.

"Hello little sister." Greeted Nabiki between chuckles, waving at her. Akane fell to her knees, cursing under her breath.

"Oh yeah." Said Ranma, letting out a nervous laugh. "I forgot to mention… the family's here!"

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Author's note: Well, there it is. I hope people around will still read this story. xD I want to keep updating it, although I know my style has changed over the past couple of years. RPing constantly can make that to you. Anyway, see you next week, with the next chapter! True, nothing much happens in this one, but they are all transitional. I need to make some in betweens before the real drama begins. Which will happen in the next chapter. :D