A/N: Well, everyone experiences their first time. And I also experienced something new in my previous chapter. And that was a "NEGATIVE COMMENT". Trust me, when I read that particular comment, I became so scared and I can't explain how I actually felt that time. Then within a few minutes, I saw that Akanelove had pointed out to me that this comment was for my 1st chapter. And I just slapped my forehead for my stupidity for not checking it before, because of my nervousness. And I was relieved that it was not for the chapter that I just posted.

You know, I couldn't write after that, I took a break for two days. Not because I was hurt, it just made me realise something very important. It made me realize how thankful and greartful I am to you guys, that I have got so many good-hearted, humble people reading my fic. I did lots of mistakes in my previous chapters, I know. But you guys never complained. You always overlooked all my mistakes and constantly encouraged me to continue. Some of you have shown me my fault when I asked by Pm. And Redvelvetlips, my very 1st reviewer just pointed me all out. And from then, my writing style changed to a ninety degree.

I am really thankful to you all, for always motivating me. For always being this kind towards me. Akanelove, you were right. Thanks to God I didn't get that review earlier, otherwise, it would have harmed my confidence badly. Thank you all so so much. In the previous chapter, all your reviews, all your kind words worked like magic for me. I stopped writing for two days, not because I was heartbroken, I did it only because I was overwhelmed with the love and support you unknown peoples are showing me, when I am going through a situation in life where close ones are constantly backstabbing me. Thank you. Really.. Really thank you.

I know it's important to correct my previous chapters, but I won't do it now. Because I want to concentrate only on finishing this fic for you. I will finish this fic first, then I will fix my faults, because it's really time consuming. And if this fic becomes a successful one, it is only because of you guys. It's not only my fic, it's all yours too. I love you guys so much. Thank you for always supporting me and motivating me. I can't tell you guys how much it means to me. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL…

Okai enough talking… Now lets start the fic :) :)

Nabiki puts down the glass on the table as she seated herself on the chair. She looked up at them with tired-looking eyes, as she sighs in dismay. Before she started talking to them, she eyed all of them, one by one. They all seated themselves around her in a quiet distance. Ranma's face was still down, as he kept looking at his fisted joined hands. Akio was still sitting on the bed, a disturbing look on his face as he pinched his nose. As for Ryoga and Ukyo, they both sat side by side on the bed, Ryoga's arms were around her shoulder as he rubbed her shoulder up and down as she was still slowly crying on his arms.

Nabiki sighs as she begins saying, "I am really sorry you guys for Kasumi's sudden outburst. She is always so angry and hyper-types nowadays. And now her sudden pregnancy has made her more cranky, you know…" She heard Ukyo sniffing as she tells her, "Please Ukyo, don't cry. Try to understand, she had taken a lot of burden on her shoulder at her young age. That's why she had become so sensitive of us. Akane had told us everything dear. And trust me, I don't blame you a bit for whatever had happened."

Ukyo sniffs as she tries to talk slowly with a broken voice, "No, Nabiki. Whatever Kasumi said was right. I always used to feel guilty for why I left Akane alone that time. My guilt of not telling her the truth was always with me. But I was scared that time. I don't know what I would have done if I had seen her in a miserable state. That's why we kept our distance from her. Kasumi's every accusation was right, Nabiki.. I was such a coward that time.. I wish I had told her everything from the very beginning."

"Look, don't beat yourself too much about it. There was lots of things that happened that year, that we wished never had happened. But we can not turn the time wheels now, can we?" Nabiki sighs as she continued, "Ranma, you were like our brother, our family. It really disturbs me whenever I think about why you didn't tell us about what Shampoo did to you. Why You didn't share that horrible incident with us? And on top of that, it all happened under our noses and we didn't had any clues!" Nabiki eyed Ranma as she tells him,

"How I wish, you would have shared with us or at least tell Akane, about what Shampoo really did to you that day. If we knew, IF I or Akane both knew about this incident, brother trust me, she couldn't get out of her own mess that time, I would have personally made sure about that. This is not something that happened so casually, Ranma. We would have taken some action against this. But, you choose to keep it to yourself and you get badly trapped into her hands." Nabiki sighs with dismay as she said, "You know Ranma, what is common between you and my sister? That you both are equally dummies! You guys always keep your sorrows to yourselves and always try to keep others happy and protected. You guys don't even realize, by doing so, how much harm you are doing to yourselves. Like, you choose to leave a dumb note to lie to her, so that she would start to hate you. But, did that happen? No! You tried to do it for her wellbeing, but the complete opposite thing happened with her, which you couldn't even imagine, Ranma."

Nabiki sighs as she looks down and starts talking again, "As I told you, you both are equally fools. Always wanted to keep others happy, not thinking about yourselves. That's what my idiotic sister had tried to do that time, when I told her that Kasumi had rejected to marry Dr Tofu because she wanted to take care of Akane first. From that day on, suddenly within a week or so, she started to act like her normal self again. I was suspicious at first, but dismissed all my suspicions when I saw her mood never changing a bit. We were so happy and relieved that, after one whole year, our Imouto was back with us. She made sure Kasumi said yes to Dr Tofu. And soon, they got married as Kasumi left with her husband. And two days after her marriage, I got a letter from a well-known University which said I got a full free scholarship in America, at the University I was dying to study in. Everyone was so happy. I was also very happy that everything became normal and Akane also came back to her old self so it won't be any problem for me to leave her, now.

I had to leave that same month. I didn't had much time left. And Kasumi went on a vacation with Dr Tofu on that same week that I was about to leave. My flight was at night so I was packing with Akane, I still remember that day like it happened just yesterday….

7 years ago, at Nabiki's room

"Ah.. Finally! Your packing is done!" Akane closed the luggage and tried to zip it up quickly. After closing it she flopped down to Nabiki's bed feeling tired as she said to her, "What have you packed in there my God..!"

"I wish I could pack you in there too.." Nabiki said plainly as she looked at herself at the mirror.

"Oh, you wish. I don't think I will manage to get half the scholarship." Akane said as she sat up and looked at her. "But you are gonna come back soon right, Nabiki."

"Of course! I will. And plus, Aunt Nodoka is here to take care of you and Kasumi will come back within two days, so my dear imouto.. Enjoy your life full on." She eyed her slyly as she said, "The house is all yours. You know what I mean.."

Akane threw a pillow at her which she caught while laughing, "Eww.. Nabiki.. But, I will use your room from now on."

"You are sharing my room with me for the last eight months now, sister. You don't have to ask me.. It's all yours. You can….."

"Nabiki! Kuno is here with his car, dear. We are gonna be late. Come down fast." Their father calls out to them.

"Yes, daddy. I am on my way!" Nabiki called out as she looked at Akane and sighed. "You sure you are not coming with me to the Airport? You know everyone is going with me, but not you.."

Akane smiled up at her as she stood up slowly. She went to her and hugged her tightly as she said, "I can't see you leaving me, Nabiki. And I am feeling a little tired too. Don't worry, nothing a nap won't fix. So It's better I stay at home and take some rest."

Nabiki hugged her back as her eyes teared up, "Please Akane take care. And I promise, I will try my best to come back as soon as I can."

They broke their hug and said their byes to each other. Nabiki went out of her room leaving Akane alone in there. Akane heard from upstairs as all the residents of her house hurriedly made their way towards the car as the car drove off. Akane sat in the bed as she sighed. The sudden silence of the house was making her nervous all of a sudden. She started to feel nausea as she fisted her hands tightly. Thick teardrops started to fall on her balled hands unknowingly, as she started to shake with fear. She looked at her surroundings frantically as she whispered to herself..

"Please.. Please.. Come back..Don't leave me alone here.. Please.. I can't.. I can't.. Please come back.."

At the car

"OH SHOOT!" Nabiki said while searching on her hand bag.

"What happened Nabiki dear?" Nodoka asked her, concerned.

"Auntie, I think I left my ticket on my table in my haste. Please Kuno baby, take us back to Tendo residence fast!"

They drove back to the Tendo residence soon, as Nabiki hurriedly ran to her house and got shocked when she found their front door was still unlocked. She hastily went up the stairs, calling for Akane all the while. But to her dismay no answer was coming from her. She then went to her room and opened the door without even knocking. The scene that welcomed her had made her freeze to her spot where she was standing. In front of her, Akane was lying on the floor, her hands spread both sides of her body as some foam was coming out of her mouth. She was having a hard time believing this is the same person she had left half an hour before. Nabiki, with shaky feet went to her side and flopped down to her side. For a second, she thought she might have committed suicide looking at the foam that was forming. She hastily held her hands and found them ice cold. Her voice gone, mind blank, she carefully gathered her cold body closer to her.

She tried to scream for help, but no voice was coming out from her mouth as tears of agony fell mercilessly from her wide eyes. Then suddenly she found her voice again, as she screamed at the top of her lungs,

"HE.. HELP...HELP..! WE NEED HELP!"

Back to present

Nabiki sighs as she takes another sip from her water. Then she said, "I was sure at that time that she had committed suicide. But when we took her to the hospital, they had told us it was not a case of suicide at all. That's the first time she had her seizure attack. I was so shocked to find the truth. The Doctor told us that, we were late to bring her to the hospital. She might have had it a long time before I found her. Dr had told us that there is very less hope for her returning. Because, if one has a seizure and is as violent as hers, they need to be treated as soon as possible. And obviously, we were late."

Nabiki's voice slightly broke as tears started to fall from her eyes, "I can not tell you guys how helpless and worthless I was feeling at that time. I couldn't do anything for her that time, I could only sit and cry and wait for the bad news to come. Soon, when Kasumi found out, they took the first flight and came back to us. When Kasumi came, Akane was still unconscious and she was in a dangerous situation. Dr Tofu studied her case and found out some bitter truth."

Nabiki sighs heavily as she said, "He told us. Akane had these seizures because she was going through a complete mental breakdown. She had been depressed about what happened to her, which was disturbing her mental health. The major part was, because she had tried to act happy around us in that depressed state, that is what doubled up her stress. That's how she got this major attack. We waited and waited. After three days staying unconscious, she came back to her senses. But she came back as a completely new person. No smile, no anger, no arguments, no violence, no nothing. Just her body was moving. It's like she came back to her life, but only her body not her mind. She became so quiet and depressed. Sometimes, she would just look out at the window and start to cry, without even knowing that she was even crying. Her that state made us realize, how unfair we were with her. How we always ignored her feelings, how we never stood by her side. Her all tears, her lifeless state, was pointing an accusing finger at both me and Kasumi, that how badly we failed as being her sister. And what's her fault? She was the one who took all the responsibilities at her young age. Either, to carry on the family legacy of being the Martial Artist, or to get engaged to a complete stranger, only because her dad wanted to. We promised to ourselves that we wont repeat our mistakes again. We needed to do something fast. Dr Tofu had told us we have to immediately shift her out from Nerima.

Kasumi didn't waste any more time after that, as she packed our bags and sent us to Tokyo first. I dropped that year voluntary, my scholarship opportunity gone. But that time, only one thing that matters for us was to bring our Akane back to us. Akane somehow managed to pass her examination but failed to get any scholarship. So , Kasumi gave our house on rent for ten years and took the money and sent both of us to America. There, we met Mr Matsui, who is Akio's father and a very good Doctor. He is Tofu's close friend, he took care of Akane like his own daughter.

Then, they settled us with this idiot here. Akio was such a messy and chaotic person that time, my God! But this idiot somehow unknowingly managed to bring our sister back to life again. Akane actually got tangled with his mess, he used to call life back then. Then, Kasumi and Dr Tofu came to settle down with us. There, Kasumi gave birth to her first son and everything changed. Our Akane started to take care of Kai like her own kid and took all the responsibility from Kasumi. Kasumi happily gave her kid to Akane and soon she started to live her life again."

Nabiki sighs as she continued,

"It was a long struggle for all of us. But we somehow managed. And for the past two years now, we are actually living a decent life." Nabiki sighs as she stood up suddenly. She slowly went to Ranma and sat on the floor in front of him. She then puts her hand on his face and makes him look at her. When he looked at her with such a distress look, her heart broke as she said,

"Please Ranma... Try to understand.. We can not let Akane be here with you. She would definitely want to stay, but you know it won't be fair with us. Please, Ranma.."

Nabiki couldn't finish as Ukyo stood up suddenly and started talking with a shaky voice, "That's not fair, Nabiki. If Akane doesn't deserve it, then Ranma doesn't deserve it either. And when everything is coming to normal, why are you guys stopping it from happening? It's not fair with Ranma also. You guys can't just do it to him."

Nabiki looked at Ranma, and when she saw him avert his eyes from hers, she sighs hard and stands up swiftly.

"Sorry. But the only thing that we care about now is our sister Akane. We can't let her choose this life.."

"What is wrong with this life? She loves him, he also loves her, Ren loves her the most. So why not!" Ukyo tried to reason with her.

"Tell me Ukyo. Can you give me assurance that Shampoo won't come back for her daughter? Can you assure us that? If by God's grace, if they started to live happily, that one day, Shampoo won't come to destroy their happiness, their life? Can you guarantee me all this?" Nabiki said with a heated stare. Ukyo swallowed hard and bits her lower lips as she dismissed giving her any answers.

Nabiki smirks humorlessly as she continues "No answer! We have long left the crazy life we used to live in Nerima guys. And we don't want ANY one of us to return to that chaotic life again. That is the only reason why we both sisters are against it. And on top of that, this all blame goes to me. It's because of me, why Akane came here in the first place. She wanted to live her life alone for sometime before she had to return to America for my marriage with Kuno. I kept it a secret from everyone, so now it's my responsibility to take her away from her misfortune." She turned to Ranma again and said with a pleading voice, "Ranma… Akane is the last departing gift from our mother. And we had felt for it dearly, when she almost lost her life in my arms. We can not see it happening to her again. Whatever it is, Amazon's links are still there. It means, theart for life, misery and grief for the whole life. We don't want our sister to choose this future for her… Please Ranma, Give our imouto back to us. Only you can do this. Don't drag her to your life. She doesn't deserve to live like this. She had managed a wonderful life back there, don't pull her towards here, please Ranma… I beg of you." Nabiki said as she bowed her head. Then she looked up and said, "I think I have said enough and I should take my leave. Ranma, if you want my sister to live an uncertain life with you, then go ahead and propose to her. But I know, you are not selfish as Kasumi was accusing of you being. That's why I am leaving all it to your hands. Take care... Akio, please drop me home, will you?"

Without saying anything , Akio stood up and he started following Nabiki out of the house. But before leaving fully, he came to Ranma first and whispers to him,

"Hey, buddy. Don't stress too much. Only think about Akane and what she wants. You just can't push her away buddy. Don't you dare.. She is expecting for this evening, so don't break her heart this time. You hear me? ONLY THINK ABOUT AKANE.."

"AKIO.. PLEASE.." Nabiki called out as Akio greeted his teeth in complete frustration as he hastily got out of the house and to Nabiki.

All gone, the trio sat in the house in complete silence. Then after some moments had passed, Ranma abruptly stood up and started walking towards the exit. Ukyo stood up also as she ran to him and held onto his arm to stop him from leaving. She then asked him with a wavering tone,

"Where are you going, huh?!"

Ranma sighs as he tells her coldly, "Please, Ucchan. Let me go.."

"NO! I know you won't come to the party this evening. And you will try to avoid Akane again." Ukyo said with a hard tone, her eyes wide with uncertainty and her voice still shaky.

Ryoga came forward and puts his hands over her shoulder as he told her, "Honey. Let him have some alone time."

"But, Ryoga. You don't understand….."

"Ucchan.." Ranma turned to look at Ukyo with emotionless eyes, as he told her, "I promise.. I won't escape. I will come as soon as I can. Please, take care of Ren for me."

"You go, pal. I will take care of everything. You just take your time and come back soon. Akane might expect you." Ryoga said to him. Ranma nodded his head at him and silently left them standing there…...

An hour later..

Ring.. Ring.. Ring..

"Hello, Hibiki resi.."

"Oh, Ryoga! It's Akio here.."

"Akio! Yeah.. What you want.." Ryoga couldn't finish the questions as Ukyo hurriedly snatched the phone from him.

"Akio! What happened, Akio..? Did you tell Akane about what happened here?" Ukyo asked him frantically.

"We are in trouble, Ukyo." Akio started with a weaving tone, "When I reached home, I straightly went towards Akane's room to warn her about it. But she was nowhere to be found. Then, I found out that Kasumi had taken her to shopping and I don't have any clue where they went to!"

"Then call her Akio!"

"I tried, but.. She left her mobile on her bed. I think, NO.. I am sure it's Kasumi's doing. Akane never forgets her phone. It's the first time and we can't say it's a coincidence!" Akio said annoyingly over the phone.

"Oh no!" Ukyo whispers as Akio begin again,

"Hey.. Is Ranma is there? I am coming over there. We have to make him.."

"He is not here.. He left.."

"WHAT! BUT WHERE TO?"

"We don't know.. But he promised us he will come to the party."

"Awww , Ukyo! Why don't you understand! His coming to the party is not important! WHAT HE SAYS TO AKANE IS THE MAIN POINT HERE, DAMN IT! You guys shouldn't have let him go.."

"What will we do now Akio.." Ukyo whispers helplessly as she starts crying over the phone.

"Hey.. There are still two hours left for the party. So we still have time. I will go and check if I can track Akane fast, so that I can warn her about it. And please, if Akane by chance comes to the party before me, DO NOT let them talk privately. You hear me!" Akio said heatedly ,while warning her.

"Yes.. Yes.. I will try my best, Akio! " Ukyo assured him.

"Thanks darling. And please don't cry. We will make everything right. Don't worry, bye…."

One hour later..

"Oh my God! Kasumi!" Akane huffed as she leaned back at the car seat, "I am so worn out. You shopped a lot today!"

"Yes, dear. I haven't shopped for a while now. So, I thought it would be a great opportunity. You know I like your taste when it comes to shopping.." Kasumi said, smiling at her.

"But, you didn't have to buy me all this stuffs, you know."

"Nonsense. Who else I would buy for, huh? You know I love you as my own daughter.."

Akane got emotional after hearing that. She went closer to her and puts her head on her shoulder as she said, "I am so lucky to have you as my Onechan. Thank you so much.."

"Now, don't start crying or your makeup will be ruined." Kasumi warned her while giggling.

Akane laughed slightly as she told her, "Yeah, sorry. But, it's a great idea to get ready here at the parlor. If we had to go to the house to get ready, it would have taken us too long to reach the party."

"Yeah. And I don't want to make Ranma wait. And I just can't go in front of the whole Nerima crew as my normal self, I had to get ready for the party, you know.." Kasumi said as she puts her head over her head.

"You always look pretty to us. But today you are looking gorgeous." She said while yawning.

"Why don't you take some rest dear. I will call you when we will reach the party area." Kasumi suggested as she rubbed her shoulder lovingly.

"Mmmhmm. Okay. Anyway's it will take us an hour to reach there. Why don't you nap with me too." Saying that she drifted off to sleep on Kasumi's arms.

Kasumi sighs as she thought to herself, 'Let this night pass by, then I can take rest my sister..'.

An hour later, at the party area,

The place was the same, as the atmosphere around them. Lights and banners, people cheering voices, loud music, all were present as they were yesterday. But, Ukyo and Ryoga, both their minds were feeling numb. They just dressed themselves modestly as not to pull any unwanted attention towards them. They looked around and started becoming impatient as they still couldn't get any trace of Ranma nor Akio. They let the kids enjoy themselves with the group of kids as they kept fidgeting and biting their lips on nervousness.

"I stopped him... BUT BECAUSE OF YOU I HAD TO LET HIM GO, RYOGA..!" Ukyo whispers with greeted teeth.

"He promised he would come, honey. The party just started, please don't be impatient." Ryoga tried to assure her while doubting his own words.

" I.. I don't know.. But what I will do if he.."

"UKYO!"

Ukyo hastily turned over when she heard the familiar sound of her dear one. She saw with nervous feeling eyes as Akane happily waved at them and started to come towards them. Ukyo noticed that she was not coming alone as Kasumi and Nabiki both were accompanying her. She gulped in anticipation as Akane came to her and hugged her tightly,

"How are you doing, Ukyo? Why are you looking so pale?" Akane asked worriedly as she broke their hug and looked at her in the eyes. She then puts her hand over her forehead to check her temperature and asks her, "It seems alright.. What happened dear?"

"I.. I umm.. I am fine Akane." Ukyo then hugged Akane again and tried to whisper to her,

"Akane, please listen carefully, I need to tell you something important.."

"Hello there! Oh my! Ukyo and Ryoga, you guys are together now! I never thought I would see you guys married.." Kasumi said with a cheerful voice.

Akane broke the hug with a big smile as she looked at them and said, "Surprise guys! Look, who I bring with me today!"

"Nice to see you again Ukyo and Ryoga. We meet after what.. After eight years or so right?" Kasumi asked while eying her.

Ukyo tried to fake a smile as she told her, "Yeah.. We umm."

"Come here! Let me give you a hug." Kasumi went forward and hugged her and then she shook her hands with Ryoga. "I am so glad that Akane had found you guys here." She then looked at her sides and asked her, "Where are your and Ranma's kid?"

Ukyo was still having difficulty answering her as Ryoga came forward to give her answer,

"Kasumi-san, they are with their friends. Let me call them so that.."

"Oh! No! No.. They should play. We should not bore them." Kasumi said while smiling at them.

Akane started to fidget with nervousness as she thought to herself, 'Now where is Ranma. He was the one who told me to be on time. But I can't see him anywhere..where is he anyways?'

"Where is Akio?" Ryoga asked suddenly, well almost shouted his query.

"Oh! He will join us soon. Don't worry.." Nabiki answers them plainly, then she asks them, "By the way, where is Ranma? We all came to meet him."

Ukyo took the opportunity as she blurted her answer, "He won't join the party today!"

Akane was shocked to hear that as she asked her, "What? But why? He was the one who asked me to come…"

"Yes Akane. But suddenly, he had to leave for work. Sorry, I don't think you should, I mean you can't talk to him today. Tomorrow may be?" Ukyo said hurriedly.

"Aw! That's bad! We wanted to meet him today because we don't have much time left, you know." Kasumi said while faking sadness.

"There is always tomorrow. You can meet him tomorrow. Yes! That will be great." Ryoga said frantically.

"Why do they need to wait for tomorrow? I am right here.." Suddenly Ranma's hard voice rang to their ears as they all turned around to look at his face.

Akane was so relieved to see him standing there. She was almost on the verge of tears when she heard Ranma won't be here today. They don't have time to play hide and seek anymore. She was ready to break down, but then all of a sudden she heard his voice. Looking at his blue eyes, as he looked at her, she forgot everything. A tear fell from her eyes as she hastily wiped it clean as she smiled up at him. He also gave her a warm smile and started to come towards her. She can tell, just by looking at his eyes that he has lots to say to her. And she can't wait to hear it all. Because, she knows, everything would change. Her lonely life will be filled with happiness after today. She might get which she dared to wish before. She was almost holding her breath in anticipation as he came closer to her. His eyes only on hers as he came towards her, stopping only inches away from her. Her always shy Ranma, seems to forget about all his shyness, as he forgets his surroundings and only gives his attention to her. He smiled his handsomely smile at her, as he said..

"Hey, Kane….."

:) :) See you soon :):):)