Nerima was blessed with a lovely autumn morning and though the leaves had now changed to bright reds, oranges and yellows the warm sun refused to leave. With a patched-up window opened slightly to let in a soft cozy breeze, Akane woke up slowly. The spirit had a solid hold on her now, its voice mewling her awake. She had gone to sleep in a silky nightgown and as she sat up to stretch, she ran her hands over her waist and sides, enjoying the feel of the girl. This young woman was definitely one of the more fun vessels it had possessed and one of the best looking. She lifted her arms over her head and arched her back, her head leaned back as she closed her eyes. This Akane felt so good to possess it was downright sinful, a grin running across her face.

"That's a nice sight, Akane." Her eyes snapped open, staring at her doorway. Ranma stood in her doorway, a dark eyebrow cocked while he held her door frame. He smirked as she blushed, caught off by his brazen entrance. She pulled her comforter over her chest quickly as he laughed softly. He must've just gotten out of the bath; his hair still wet dripping onto the towel around his neck. He had on his training pants but not much besides that and she flushed at his hard-bare chest. She squeezed her eyes shut and looked away, why did he suddenly make her feel so stupid and nervous? This was the same Saotome that just days ago couldn't even bring himself to hold her hand or say a single nice thing to her and since her loss to him yesterday it seemed she couldn't get her bearings anytime he was around. He straightened himself against her doorframe, running the towel over the top of his head as he continued his cool gaze on her.

"I know you probably wanna run this morning, but if you could wait up for me before school, I'd like to talk to you before class. If that's okay?" He waited for her to look at him. She peaked an eye open and he smiled a bright grin at her. She nodded and he lifted himself from the frame. "I promise it's nothin' heavy Akane, let's have a good day huh?" He winked and left her doorway, walking back to his room. Gripping her comforter, her heart was beating tremendously fast. She felt her face and could tell how warm she was, he gave off such a foreign feeling to her. Maybe this was how Akane felt when he was around and the kitsune had just never noticed. No that couldn't be it, she shook her head and got out of bed. It wasn't that he wouldn't make for an exciting mate, he was good looking, strong and could defend her, but he wasn't necessarily clever or affectionate, he also was quick to anger, jealously and shyness which was definitely a strike against him. Still, maybe brawns and little brains could be fun, she smiled softly to herself.

After her run and quick shower, Akane came down to meet with her sisters in the kitchen. The two of them were talking while the men of the house were eating in the family room. Whispering in front of the sink, they both turned as she walked in.

"Just grabbing some toast for the road." Akane slipped to the side to grab a piece of bread to throw in her toaster. Nabiki approached first, eyes narrowed, a smirk across her face.

"Say Akane, is that a new perfume you're wearing. And oh my god!" She moved closer to her little sister, "Are you wearing actual makeup? Like blush and" she gasped "a lip color?" She poked her nose closer, Akane turned her head away quickly.

"I just wanted to change things up is all." She blushed lightly, hidden under her already slightly pink checks.

"Is this for Ranma?" Her head shot back to her sisters. Kasumi moved in this time.

"He's been acting quite strange this morning. He was up first before I was and offered to help me with any chores and even breakfast. When I told him I didn't need the assistance he thanked me for always taking care of the family and that he could see why Dr. Tofu cares for me so much." She blushed and turned to Nabiki, "Does Dr. Tofu talk to Ranma about me?" Nabiki rolled her eyes at her elder sister as she focused again on Akane.

"Then he visits me this morning asking me for some money for tonight. When I asked him about all the sudden dates this week, he tells me this time it's different and that it was important that he could collect on some of Kuno's money for his girl pictures. He's never asked for that, mostly because from Kuno-baby it's a small fortune. When I asked him what was going on, he just gave me the name of a really nice restaurant in Tokyo and that he needed to talk to daddy and uncle Saotome this morning." Akane was taken aback, this was a lot to take in and she felt a bit dizzy. "So Akane, gotta ask. What happened yesterday? You two were at each other's necks 'til last night and now if I didn't know any better, I'd say he's going to actually propo-"

"It's not like that at all!" Akane went bright red, her toast leaping up from the toaster. She turned and grabbed it. "We're just...you know getting along." Nabiki sneered and crossed her arms, letting Akane get to the family room. As she entered to sit down at the table, Ranma moved slightly over inviting her to take a seat. She stared at the floor and quietly took a seat, his seemed to be finished and propped an arm behind her, leaning towards her as he relaxed at the table. She looked up from her toast to see him smiling at her, exuding a quiet confidence unlike his typical self.

"Morning Akane, you want a cup of tea?" He asked politely as she smiled and shook her head, he made a face. "C'mon we got a day ahead of us, may as well have a little something to drink." He sat back up straight and made a cup of tea for her, she tried focusing on the hot liquid coming out. She finally caught in the reflection the expressions on their father's faces, dried streaks of tears stained on their cheeks. She looked concerned as they began crying again, her sisters entering the room soon after. Akane turned to them.

"What's wrong with them?" She asked as if they weren't there. Ranma answered.

"Ah you know how they get anytime they think we're gettin' closer." He shook it off as nothing, neglecting to bring up their supposed talk this morning. Her father broke first.

"Akane, I think it's wonderful that you two haven't been afraid of showing more affection the last couple days. Don't think we haven't noticed." She raised an eyebrow.

"I don't understand..." She started.

"Well, we 'heard' about how Ranma fought for your engagement, even though you showed apprehension." Her father started while his jumped in.

"And while I don't like the idea of my son sparring with you Akane, to know that he would go to those depths to stay with you is in its own way admirable." Akane turned to look at Ranma who'd been watching her while they spoke to her. She felt like in that moment it was just the two of them, feeling her head swim deeply in teenage girl hormones. He was growing into such a handsome man, his deep focused eyes, his chiseled cheekbones and sharply cut jaw. Her eyes dropped to his mouth as he turned back to the fathers, bright white teeth behind a confident smile as he ran his hand through his bangs. She saw his mouth move but couldn't hear, focused too much on his lips to care. She was brought back from the fantasy world when she heard a plate shatter in front of the table, jumping slightly back to see her older sister's hand remain out, clearly having dropped and shattered the plate. From behind her, Nabiki's eyes grew large and saucer like, the two fathers howling and holding one another. Akane's ears were ringing when her father's voice broke it.

"Saotome! Call the priest! They'll be married by the night's end!" Akane shook her head and asked what was wrong.

"Akane...you beat up Ukyou and Shampoo?" Nabiki looked horrified. "For Ranma?!" Akane went bright red when Ranma leant back and squeezed her shoulder quick, laughing at the reactions around them.

"Bet you guys didn't think she had it in her, huh? Nah, that's my fiancée." His bright eyes squared on her, she felt herself tremor slightly. Kasumi turned towards Nabiki.

"Oh my god, it really is happening." Nabiki was taken aback at her sister's lack of formalness. "But are these girls really going to give up that easily? Should we worry about the house? Should I be ordering catering tonight?" She looked to her father knowing that the three men had spoken about something this morning, was it an impromptu wedding? Before they could tell her absolutely, Ranma but in.

"No Kasumi, no need for that. At least not tonight." He stretched and checked the time. "Actually, Akane and I gotta be goin'. We'll catch up later." He stood up and grabbed her hand as he dragged her away from the house. The rest of the family watched as they left together, unsure if they were all coming down with something.

Walking to class instead of taking his typical fence route, Ranma walked alongside her in the street, keeping with her pace. It was a comfortable fall day, but Akane felt incredibly warm, even warmer with his close presence as they were nearly walking arm in arm. He broke the silence first.

"Your makeup looks really pretty." She turned to look up at him, feeling small she couldn't find her voice. "I mean you always look good Akane but this looks good on you too." She squeaked out a thank you. He laughed softly and pressed on, he could tell she was a little uneasy and wanted to get her comfortable, taking it a little slower.

"You know Akane, you were really impressive yesterday in those fights. Guess I didn't realize how good you were now. I was especially impressed how you did against the other two." He tried to get his face a little closer to hers, trying to see her expression. She couldn't bring herself to look up, a gruff laugh came out of him.

"God, you're cute when you're embarrassed." She stopped then, something was rolling around in her head and whatever tiny bit of Akane made her find her confidence. He moved from her side to standing in front of her. She forced herself to look him in the face, red faced or not.

"What is this about huh? Why are you suddenly so nice to me and...and" She couldn't find the words. "It's not like you to be like this with me and I think maybe you..."

"I maybe what Akane?" He asked, a small smile in the corner of his calm face. He didn't seem to notice anyone else, letting other students and pedestrians walk around them. She still couldn't find her words, his eyes felt so heavy on her and he was moving closer. He moved his hand to her face and she went completely still. He tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Maybe I want to ask you out? Maybe we actually try this relationship thing out?" His face softened as her eyes darted over his face. "C'mon I'm sick of playing these dumb games. Let's go out tonight, on a real date. Something we ain't never done." He looked at her waiting for an answer, she swallowed hard.

"O... okay." She stammered out, he smiled big at her. She nervously smiled back, laughing at how absurd this whole situation felt. It was like a dream; he was still his cocky self but also soft and seemed so focused on her. Was this what she had been waiting for finally? Was he going to admit how he felt? He moved out of her way as he led her back towards the school. She smiled to herself as they quietly walked together, if this had been all Akane she'd have appreciate it even more. But alas the spirit felt it had worked its charm over him. As they approached the school, she prepared for him to step back and play it cool especially after the fight. Instead, a large group of girls talking stopped and looked at him, as if noticing him for the first time. He crocked an eyebrow to the underclass girl and they blushed as he gave them a side eyed grin.

"When did Saotome get so handsome?" One girl blushed and giggled. The girls around her gasped but nodded silently. As they got closer to the entrance, Akane looked up at a group of boys in their class, feeling the need to assure herself grinned deeply at them. Her foxlike eyes narrowed as she grinned, pouting her slightly cherry lips. She could almost hear them gulp as she pulled her eyes from them and continued forward. Between the boys taking a renewed interest in the looker Akane Tendou and the girls suddenly aware of the man among men in their school, Furinkan felt like a hormonal bomb waiting to explode. Feeling like she was finally getting her footing back from this morning's antics, Akane's eyes glazed over Ranma's face. She smiled softly, eyes narrowing on his while she looked at his lips, biting her bottom lip lightly feeling coy. He seemed to answer, his eyes darkening over, looking her up and over. She blushed slightly, determined this time not to look away she felt him draw his arm closer to hers. He lightly brushed his hand against hers, her fingers twitching slightly at the feeling. She looked down only to see his calloused hand take hers, running his thumb on the inside of her palm. He pulled her a bit closer, something in his own head screaming to kiss her, public or not.

Hiroshi, Daisuke, Yuka and Sayuri called out each of their friends out of their moment. They turned their heads towards their respective friends. The boys giving raised eyebrows to Ranma "we'll talk later!". The girls wide eyed and shocked "we'll talk later!" The engaged couple made their way to the path to the stairs, about to separate for the morning. Akane smiled and felt him hold on to her hand, not letting go.

"We have to get to class." She said softly, everyone making their way towards the door before first bell.

"It can wait a sec." He pulled her in closer, catching her off-guard. Her breath hitched in her throat as she peered up at him, his eyes scanning hers. Both of their heads so heady with teenage infatuation they didn't hear the girls swooning and complaining to their boyfriends about why didn't act more like Saotome. He lowered his head, bangs falling over his eyes covering them as she focused on his mouth. He pulled her in time to his right as a water bucket zoomed right by his head.

"Seems like you need some cold water to cool off, Ranma honey!" Ukyou called from across the students, making her way closer to him. "Quite the Casanova you've been this week." He smiled at Akane and pushed his bangs out of his face, jokingly rolling his eyes at her. Ukyou stopped, he looked so much more grown up suddenly, so masculine and confident. Like he was different than the day before, what happened?

"Ah Ukyou, no need to worry 'bout me. You're a good friend to be thinkin' of me though." She stopped in her tracks; a bolt of emotion surging through her. 'Friend' she thought. 'A good friend?' She squeezed her eyes tight; she felt her stomach drop as she collected herself.

"But Ranma, I'm your fiancée! I have been even longer than Akane!" The bell gave off the sound that it was time to head in and Ranma turned towards the door, putting his arm around Akane's shoulder as he headed inside.

"Ukyou! Let's talk later, okay?" He smiled and waved as he walked in. Ukyou suddenly didn't feel so interested in school today, standing outside. 'What happened between them yesterday?' She wearily thought to herself, turning around instead towards the direction of her restaurant.

Class seemed to go by as normal, Akane and Ranma spending time with their respective friends who were trying to put an answer to the incredibly strange acts of this week. Hiroshi and Daisuke cornered Ranma several times asking when he got so smooth, what had the two of them been up to this week. In less than polite terms assuming the two of them had finally come to a "collective understanding of the other". Ranma brushed it off, saying he just thought it was time to get serious with Akane now that she seemed more open to the idea of them together.

"I'm not buying this lovey dovey shit, Saotome." Hiroshi had leered down at him who sat at his desk. Daisuke next to him watched as another two of their classmates walked by Ranma, blushing and waving as they scurried by his desk to find their seats. Hiroshi caught the tail end of this interaction. "And just what the hell is going on with the girls in this class? You've been going here for almost 2 years and they're acting like they've never met you before. Did something happen last night, was everyone replaced by pod people or something?" He looked to Daisuke for an answer who just shook his head. Ranma laughed and sat back in his chair, he shrugged as he took a quick peak at Akane talking to her friends. Hiroshi audibly gagged and took a seat.

"Akane! That was so bold of him to hold your hand like that in front of everyone!" Sayuri swooned to her, "I wish I had a boyfriend!" Akane laughed and coughed at the same time.

"He's not my boyfriend Sayuri, we're not dating."

"No, but you are engaged and apparently acting like it." Yuka suggested, causing her to go red in the face.

"Well...he did ask me out tonight." Sayuri beamed for her friend while Yuka questioned what was happening.

"Ranma? Asked you out on a real date? Like an actual date?"

"Yeah, he said like a real date." She smiled and stared into her lap, feeling less and less like the confident spirit possessing her and more like the Akane that seemed to be buried, not all the way lost. The girls felt good for their friend, asking what she thought they may do. Akane shrugged,

"I heard maybe this really fancy restaurant downtown..." she grinned bigger. "Nabiki said he mentioned it to her." She closed her eyes, it felt good to be pursued correctly finally.

"Gonna wear that big white dress you picked up during the summer?" Sayuri suggested nervously, Yuka started shaking her head violently. Akane laughed and peeked over at Ranma at his desk, admiring his physique as he leaned back in his chair.

"No, I have something else in mind." She raised her eyebrow towards her friends as she whispered what she thought.

As class ended for the day and the weekend started for the students, Akane felt her excitement boil over inside her. She met him at the entrance and they started walking home, silently at first until she decided to break it.

"So... what did you have in mind for tonight?" In her head she imagined a candle lit dinner, maybe live music being played, the two of them wrapped up in conversation, no interruptions from family or suitors or anyone. Maybe if he had the guts, he'd finally show some boldness alone with her.

"Well, I figured we'd get dinner at this really nice place. Then maybe we see a movie or go into the city and see what happens?" He seemed so confident in his flippancy, no real plans but the closest to plans like this that he'd ever made with her. "Unless you had something else in mind?" He stopped to look at her, she watched as his eyes went dark with focus on hers. She couldn't deal with the tension, instead tearing her face away laughing.

"C'mon it's getting dark and I want to get to the bath first!" She took off from him, leaping and laughing as she tried to stay out of his grasp. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so free.

Being a sudden gentleman, Ranma let her get first dibs at the bathroom before their date. Just enough time to be cornered by her sister as he made his way upstairs. She stood arms crossed as he reached the top.

"Ranma." She was trying to keep a pointed tone enough to get the information she wanted out of him.

"Nabiki." He offered back, smiling.

"Just what is going on? First you ask me for money this morning, saying you're taking Akane out to this fancy spot, completely out of the blue. Then I hear that Akane beat up Ukyou and Shampoo over you."

"She didn't beat them up, she just fought them and won." He corrected.

"Then I hear about the two of you schmoozing together at school. So gonna ask again, what's going on with you and my sister?"

"Nabiki, listen I guess I finally...took your advice here. You know that me and Akane play these dumb games and maybe it's time we stop and get serious." He knew that besides making easy money, Nabiki loved having her ego stroked more than anything. She thrived when she was right, which is why he didn't feel too bad about not letting her in on the real plan. At the end of the day, he knew he'd be ratted out because her wallet was always calling. "So yeah, I spoke to pops and your dad and told 'em I wanted to take Akane out to somewhere nice, to talk and see if maybe...we've both had enough with this act." His answer was so warm and confident and unlike him, but Nabiki couldn't see what he would have to lie about here. She knew that he loved her sister, that her sister as much as she tried to hide it loved him back too, 'like a couple of idiots' she thought to herself.

"Alright Ranma, so where are you taking her?" He played cool as he knew this was the literal million-yen question.

"Furui, downtown."

"Very downtown Ranma, that'll take a bit of time to get that far into the city."

"I know, I got it taken care of." Nabiki eyed him up and down, still cautious about why he was willing to give up this answer so easily. She thought that he'd definitely be going somewhere else near the restaurant instead. She'd call to check the reservations as soon as she got a chance.

"Well, Ranma, I hope you and Akane have a good time then." She gave a small smile, trying not to let on that she definitely knew his next move.

"Thanks Nabiki, now if you don't mind I gotta get ready myself." She moved away to watch him go into his room.

Knowing full well her family would be waiting downstairs, Akane decided to take her time and not rush herself. Dad was probably armed with ten cameras and Mr. Saotome with a full video set up she was sure is what she'd be walking into. Sitting on her bed and checking the time, she took one more look at herself in the mirror, while the kitsune seemed to be mostly admiring her face and figure, the tiny piece of Akane wanted to desperately hold onto this moment. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on finding her inner voice, feeling at peace but nervous and scared, worried of what was going to happen to her, happen to them. The feelings bubbled around her stomach and chest until the voice broke her out of thoughts snapping back to focus on the potential mate it may have found itself. She quietly opened the door and walked into the hallway.

Ranma was talking to Kasumi holding a small bouquet of flowers he'd bought as Nabiki watched for Akane to come downstairs. Soun and Genma felt besides themselves, armed with several cameras for capturing the moment. Ranma wore his best shirt, a high collared white silk shirt, beneath a black suit jacket, likely the one the rental place made him pay for when he had ruined it earlier that week. He looked much more like himself than trying to wear some full tuxedo, he looked comfortable.

The tapping of heels on the wood stairs caught their attention as everyone to turned to see Akane. Kasumi murmured an 'oh my' to herself while Nabiki gave her sister a halfway impressed eyebrow, the fathers bursting into tears over the grown up Akane. She came down smiling, hair bouncing and full, thick lashes with soft red lips unable to hide her wide grin. She wore a shape hugging shin length crimson dress, thin straps helping keep the dress up. She looked so grown up but unlike the typical Akane. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, pulling a small black jacket on as she took the bouquet, nervously looking at him.

"You look great, Akane." There wasn't even a tremble in his voice, completely calm and collected he smiled at her. She tucked hair behind her ear as she smiled back.

"You look really nice too." Kasumi came and got the flowers from her, confirming she'd put them in a vase and leave them in her room. Lights kept flashing as the fiancées figured out their next move. Ranma finally put his arm out for her to take, as she stepped next to him, he confirmed that they were leaving. As they stepped outside, Akane could see he'd already called a cab for them to take into the city. Together they walked towards the car as he opened the door for her and waved the family off, wishing them a good time. Nabiki seeing her sister happy she felt bad about telling their fathers and their other suitors about where they'd be. 'About where' being the important part, she had called the restaurant to confirm a Saotome dinner at 7:00 and thought she'd do them the favor of giving them a "Furi" restaurant about 2 miles south of where they actually were. She knew that she'd have to eat the costs of this one but maybe things were really changing between her sister and Ranma. She stood waiting for her dad and Genma to hitch a cab of their own to take to the wrong spot. The suitors wouldn't be too far behind she figured.

In the car, Ranma gave the driver some directions for a couple blocks, giving him places to turn and go before the driver started to get obviously annoyed. Akane unsure of what he was doing suggested giving him the restaurant name. He grinned at her the light from the setting sun darkening his features slightly, she gripped the dress a bit nervous.

"I told 'em one restaurant, but we're not going there. I know that Nabiki would get big money for the information so I told her somewhere else, made sure to cover our tracks. Now, I'm just waiting to kill some time when I know we'll have a lead on everyone and they'll be far enough from where we're actually goin'. That way we can actually be alone." He turned back to instruct a few more turns before confirming this was the spot. Akane was taken aback by how confident he was and if he had actually managed to outsmart her sister this time. Ranma handed the driver a plentiful tip and thanked him again for his patience before getting out of the car, heading to Akane's side. He opened her door and watched as she walked out again taking her arm in his.

"Ready for our date, Akane?"