"Leave my daughter alone!"

Ranma looked at Soun as if he was seeing a complete stranger who was demanding something from him that he never should have. Ranma scrunched his brows together as he asked him in a surprised tone,

"What do ya mean by that, Mr Tendo!"

"I meant every word I said, Ranma! I don't want to see you going near my Akane.."

"I think you have forgotten Mr Tendo, Akane is my fiance, she is engaged to me! How could you even ask me such a thing!"

"You have multiple fiances, Ranma, go to them and leave my daughter alone.."

Ranma growled in annoyance and replied bitterly,

"I don't have multiple finances! I have only one fiance and that's Akane.."

"DON'T argue with me, son!" Soun said in a heavy tone as he heatedly looked at him.. Then he said in a more composed tone,

"This engagement was never your idea.. It was mine and your father's decision to unite the dojo by marrying you two. But now, there is no dojo, so there is no promise to take care of!" He took a deep breath as he said in a hard shaky tone, "The day our Tendo dojo broke into pieces, that same day your fate had been decided! That you guys are no longer finances and…"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Ranma stopped him from talking more as he humorlessly smirked at him and said in complete disbelief, "I am sorry I am saying this to you , Mr Tendo, but I don't understand what you guys think of yourselves! Forcing an engagement on us when we didn't want any relationship at all and now that we are ready to accept each other, you are saying this engagement is over!! This is our life you guys are toying with and it's not a joke! Trust me Mr Tendo, I won't allow it to happen! We both listened to you guys ENOUGH!! Now do not expect anything from us anymore! It's me and Akane who are gonna decide if we wanna continue this engagement or not! It's NONE of yar business!"

"I am her FATHER, Ranma!" Soun argued in a heated tone.

"And I am Akane's fiancé!" He argued back with a serious tone as he looked at him with anger in his eyes. Soun got scared by the look Ranma was giving him, then he heard him whispering harshly to him, "I don't know what's making ya say all this! But hear me LOUD and clear, Mr Saotome; Akane is mine, she is my fiancé and no one, means NO ONE can take her away from me!"

"You are being as selfish as your father!"

"Pardon!"

"You heard me right, boy! You are selfishly trying to ruin my daughter's bright future!"

"I don't understand what you mean to say!"

"My daughter is better off without you, Ranma! Tell me honestly, what can you give my daughter if someday you marry her ? What are you capable of doing? Teach martial arts? But where? How? I never thought about this matters before because I had a dojo to offer you at that time, but now I have nothing to offer anymore. Except it Ranma, your future is uncertain and you can't bring happiness to my daughter's life!"

Ranma's heart clenched hearing his rough words. He flinch painfully and helplessly looked at Soun as he tried to convince him in a shattering tone,

"I .. I don't understand why you are saying this all of a sudden, Mr Tendo.."

Soun lowers his tone as he gives him a pleading look, then he said,

"Because.. I don't want to do any more stupidity in my life again, Ranma! And.. and I don't want to lose any of my love ones anymore!"

"Mr Tendo.."

Soun didn't let him talk as he hastily went to him and grabbed his hands in a pleading manner.

"Ranma, I know I am talking like a selfish guy now, but my love for my daughter is making me do all this! You are a great guy, I know you very well Ranma… But I also know that if I come true to you, you will understand why I am doing this! Son, this Taichi guy has offered to marry Akane!! When his grandmother asked me to give my daughter's hands to his grandson, I couldn't say no to her! Son, this family can entirely change Akane's future for good! I would never have to think about her well-being ever. She will get whatever she wants; she won't ever have to see the poverty life that I was giving her. If she marries this guy then her future will be fully secured! This is what you also want, right? To see her happy, to give her everything? Look Ranma, I know you can achieve success in life, but I am a martial artist too and I know how hard it is! Please Ranma, as a father I am begging you to step back from this engagement.. For the sake of Akane's happiness, please leave her, please son!"

Ranma wanted to argue with him in every possible way; but it was as if his lips got sealed for some reason. His body became cold as he looked at him with a vulnerable expression on his face. He releases a shaky breath as he said in whisper tone,

"That.. that's not possible now.. No...We are.. Akane.. She, she won't.."

"Leave her to me, Ranma! I am her father and I know how to convince her!"

"You can convince her!" Ranma whispers, still in a dazed stance.

"Yes! I know I can persuade her! This is for her own good! I will make her see the reality, Ranma! Just promise me son, you won't step in the middle when I will talk to her! Promise me, son! Because I know, if you tried to convince her otherwise, she would listen to you, not me! Please Ranma, please I beg you, don't ruin my daughter's life!"

Ranma couldn't think straight as he saw Soun's tear-streaked eyes, begging him to let go of something that he could never ever imagine about. For him it's like, if he had asked him to sacrifice his life for him, it would have been an easy decision for him to make! But for him, this is.. this is way bigger than his life itself.. He gives a painful stare to him and said in a low whisper tone,

"I… I don't know, Mr Tendo… But If.. If that's what she wants then... then I promise .." He looked down miserably and continued saying, "If that's what she wants .. then I promise ya that.."

"Ranma!!"

Ranma and Soun, both looked up simulatedly as they saw Suki coming to them with a bright smile on her face. She looked at Ranma and went straight in front of him as she asked him in a warm tone,

"Where have you been, Ranma?! I have been looking for you for so long, dear!"

"Aunt Suki.." Ranma whispers in a low tone, he helplessly looks up at her as he tries to answer her in a shaky voice, "I.. I was just.."

Suki sympathetically smiled at him and said in a generous tone, "That's okay, Ranma! You don't have to explain anything to me.. Anyway, where is Akane!? I thought that I would find her with you..!"

Ranma gives a shaky sigh as he said in a painful tone,

"She was with me… but Mr Tendo said that.."

Ranma looked up at Soun and saw him shaking his head, indicating him to not to say any word to Suki. Suki noticed the distant look on Ranma's face as she turned to look at Soun. She gives Soun a hard knowing stare as she slowly turns to face Ranma again with a small smile on her face. She laid her hand over his tense shoulder and gently jerked him to make him look at her..

"Don't think about anything ,Ranma.. Akane might be waiting for you. Just go to her. And please; don't make her wait any longer, dear!"

The last words were said with a hidden meaning into it as she looked at him in a serious manner. Ranma's mind was still roaming with so many negative thoughts that he couldn't understand the hidden implication of what Suki really meant to say to him. He simply nodded his head and without saying anything anymore, he silently left the place.

Suki sighs sadly as she saw Ranma walking away with a slow gesture as if a big load had suddenly been put on over his back. For the last two days, she had observed Ranma very closely and now she is more than convinced that her daughters are right! Ranma is not like his father at all! Even though she saw Ranma and Akane fighting and bickering with each other for no reason at all, she can easily tell the spark of love and affection in every fight they had..! Not only that, the way he always took care of Akane's all needs and the way he always looked after her; every small thing he did for her was so heartwarming to witness! As a mother, what else would she expect more from a guy! Ranma not only took care of Akane, these last two days, like a reasonable gentleman, he always made sure to take care of everyone, including her. In these two days, the way they stayed together, their careless behavior, laughter filled days, the way they enjoyed themselves as a family; it made her heart filled with warmth for this boy! No wonder Akane had fallen deeply for him; she had been staying with him for almost five years now! She always used to wonder why her daughters are putting up with such foolishness, but now, she knows why! And she is proud of Akane, because she never thinks like her father at all. Her daughter is wise enough to understand a true personality and that's why she never measured a person's position to choose him as a life partner, she is choosing Ranma as her life partner only because Akane knows, he has a heart of gold.

Now that she is seeing this poor young man this broken, she is beginning to feel furious! And she knows whom to blame for this; and she won't allow any person to behave that way with him ever again.. She hastily turned to face her big brother with a hard face as she said in a bitter tone,

"How could you talk to him like that, brother!!"

"What do you mean to say..?"

"I heard everything you said to Ranma! How could you be so cruel to him!"

"Oh I see, you still eavesdrop on people, huh Suki?. "

"It's more like, I hear the right things at the very right time, I won't call it eavesdropping, brother! Now, tell me, why did you say those horrible things to Ranma!"

Soun grumbled and said in a hard tone,

"I just told him the truth! And if it sounded horrible, then I can't do anything about this! I am doing this for the sake of my Akane's future.."

"If you really want to do anything for Akane; then for God's sake, leave her ALONE!"

"Leave her alone! How could you even say that!? She is my daughter, I can't leave her alone! I have to make the right decision for her so that she can get a tremendous future! And what's wrong with you, Suki! I clearly remember that you were always against this engagement! And now that I am willing to break this tie between them, you are questioning me!"

Suki smirked humorlessly as she said while crossing her arms in front of her chest,

"Sorry, brother! But thankfully, we are too late to stop them now! The way things have moved with Akane and Ranma, I don't think we should come in between their relationship anymore! Their bond is something that we can't even imagine! If I had discovered that, Ranma is a heartless person such as you guys, I would have intervened; but now I know, he is totally different from what I had assumed he must be like.. And I am happy and proud of my Akane for her bravery to choose him, despite knowing that he still has nothing to offer her, more than his love and support.. That's why, I am warning you big brother, stay out of it and don't come in between them; otherwise I won't be able to stop your daughters from hating you for interfering this time! So, be careful.."

Saying that, she began to slowly walk away when Soun stopped her again,

"Tonight, this is all going to be over! My Kasumi got married and she will soon leave us to live with her husband! And then, Nabiki will soon leave with you to study abroad! Tell me Suki, where will Akane return to? To that Saotome's house? Did you already forget what we heard Genma and Ukyo saying that day! After hearing all that, how can you even think of sending Akane to that place!! I have no place to go, no house, no dojo, no nothing! After getting a hard blow from the harsh reality I finally came back to my senses! And you are telling me to mind my own business! Suki, it would be very easy for me now to leave everything behind and go ahead with my own journey! And soon, I will do that, but not until I secure my daughters future!"

His voice trembled as he said,

"I don't have much money to repair my house, Suki! But I promise you, I am trying my best to earn! I will leave tomorrow to the place where I found a job! I know it won't be enough, but I will give my everything to build back that dojo for my Akane! She is the hair of that dojo after all! I have made so many mistakes in my life and because of me Natsumi…" his voice broke as he continued saying, "Trust me Suki, dying seems like the easiest way to forget my past ; but I know my Natsumi won't want it! How can I rest until I see my daughters hands are in a secure place and they wouldn't end up with a heartless guy like me! I know Ranma more than you do, Suki! I know how good a person he is! But, being this good never helps you in your times of need! You, Natsumi, my daughters, you guys were the nicest people of all; but could it save my Natsumi? But.. but if I had a tremendous amount of money, I could have saved her by using that! I don't want my daughter to suffer like her mom did! And that's why I will intervene, Suki! Even if it makes me the worst person in my daughters eyes, then be it that way! I want good for my daughters and I would do anything for it! And I hope you don't stop me from doing good for my daughter!"

Suki sighs sadly and said in a shaky tone,

"You are wrong again, brother! You still didn't get it, did you? All My Natsumi oniichan needed that time was your time, nothing else could have saved her.. If you loved her and stayed by her side, this day wouldn't have come to us... All she needed was your love and support, Which you failed to give her.."

Suki finishes saying as she sees her brother leaving in a foul mood; not replying anything to her… Sadly, this time, some of his words does make sense.. In these few days that she has spent with the Saotomes, she had totally forgotten about the conversation between those two people! She was so fascinated by the bonding of Ranma, Akane; everything else became blurry to her eyes! Now that her brother reminded this brutal truth to her, she couldn't do much but to stand their with a broken heart…*


Akane's eyes were desperately looking for a glimpse of Ranma. She doesn't know why but she was having a bad feeling about something. She was mentally beating herself for leaving him with her father. After she left his side, she desperately searched for her aunt Suki but she couldn't find her anywhere! When she finally gave up looking for her, Kasumi and others came to her and she had been stuck with them ever since for photo shoots.. She became restless to leave that place, but it was as if the unwanted crowd had focused all their attention upon her, thats why, escaping became a bit harder for her.

Thankfully, after several moments of waiting, she managed to run away from them and soon, found Ranma entering the hall. She gives a sigh of relief as she quickly ran towards him and looked at him with concern filled eyes. She could tell by looking at his miserable face that something must have happened to him and she have to find out, what...!

"Ranma.. Are you alright..?"

Ranma just stared back at her with a vulnerable expression on his face. He wanted to tell her all the truth; truth that he is not fine at all! He wanted to tell her that, he was scared! Scared of losing her! He wanted to confessed to her that she has become the reason of his existence; and now if she leaves him because of some other guy, his very soul will leave him as soon as she leaves him.. He needs her to live! If she leaves him now then... he would…

"Ranma..!"

Akane got scared when she saw the hunted look on his face. She hastily clasped his hands tightly and looked at him with nervousness in her eyes as she whispers to him in a low tone,

"I know something is bothering you! Now tell me what's the matter.."

Ranma gulped down the lump that just formed as he said in a shaky tone,

" 'Kane… Kane I…"

"Oh! Finally I found you, Akane dear! I was looking for you everywhere.."

Ranma grabbed her hand more tightly and looked up at Soun, who was approaching them with a bright smile on his face.

Akane notices the force Ranma suddenly puts on their interlocked hands. She squeezed his hand with the same force and gave him an assuring smile. Then turning to her father she said in a small tone,

"You will always find me with Ranma, father.. You don't have to look any further! Anyway, why are you looking for me?"

Soun didn't miss the double meaning of her daughter's words, he ignored it and tried to talk as casually as possible,

"Come with me please, I want to introduce you to someone special.."

"I have to talk with Ranma, father! I cant leave him now, sorry!"

"But its important, Akane! I need you to come with me now.."

Akane sighs and nodded her head saying,

"Ok then.. Ranma, let's go.."

"Not him!" Soun said, almost yelling at her.

Akane looked up at him angrily as she said,

"I am not going anywhere without him!"

"Ranma has something important to do, isn't it, Ranma?"

Soun said as he gave him a meaningful look. Akane didn't miss the exchange between them. She felt as Ranma slowly left her hand as he said in a shaky tone,

"You go on, Kane.. I.. I will be right back soon.."

Akane balled her hands tightly as she greeted her teeth in anger. She wanted to yell some sense at her father and Ranma, but she decided to keep quiet for now and see for herself what her father is plotting this time. She realises a heavy sigh and looked at Ranma with a serious expression as she whispers to him,

"Ranma, if I see you leaving me this time, I promise I will leave this place without telling anyone where I am going.. So please, be aware!!"

Hissing that to him, she slowly left to go with her father, to find out what's going on in her father's brain and what was really bothering Ranma.

Ranma looked at them with a broken heart as he saw Soun taking her to none other than to meet Taichi and his grandmother. His stomach twisted in anxiety when he saw the way Taichi and his grandmother were behaving with Akane. His fear doubled up when he saw Akane also smiling at them and looking at them with a pleasant expression on her face. His eyes were glued to the scene as he noticed that Akne was trying her best to ignore looking at his direction. He felt relieved when he saw as Kasumi and Tofu suddenly approached Akane and they were not looking as pleasant as Akane is. He saw them debating about something and he could clearly see that Kasumi was slowly losing her cool.

Then the scene that totally shook him was, when he saw as suddenly Akane said something to them and without any hesitation, she and Taichi went to the dance floor.

It was as if he was living his worst nightmare as he dumbfoundedly witnessed his Akane dancing with Taichi in a slow romantic song. His feet became like jelly as he kept watching them dancing slowly. He balled his fists tightly when he saw how Taichi laid both his hands over Akane's waist.

"What the hell are you doing, standing here like a dumb fool! How could you let that guy touch yar girl like that!?"

Suddenly, Akio appeared beside him as he said in a tipsy tone. Ranma scrunched his nose in disgust as he remained silent…Then his face suddenly turned blue when he saw Akane slowly circling her arms around Taichi's neck as they began to whisper soft words to each other.. That scene alone made his blood go cold as he began to see blank suddenly.. His breath become unsteady, his whole feature broken, as he kept looking at them with a devastating way.

"Take this..!!" Akio said shakily and handed Ranma a bottle of some alcohol in it.. Ranma looked at Akio first and then at the bottle in hand. "I know you don't drink 'em! But it pretty much looks like ya need them right now!! Look brother, just a sip of it and it will give ya all the courage you need now... Now don't be shy, take a sip and go snatch your woman's arm out of that filthy guy! Man up, pal!! Drink it!! Grab Akane and declare to the whole world that… that.that.."

"That she is mine.." Ranma whispers absentmindedly..

Akio smirked cheekily and said, "That's it, brother! What are ya waiting for then?."

Ranma took a deep breath and without any further ado, he swiftly take a big sip directly from the bottle. The taste disgusted him, but the situation he was in was more toxic than what he was having at that moment. He looked at Akane with rage filled eyes and saw them still dancing with the slow rhythm tone as they smiled at each other. The scene sickened him, the betrayal was chocking him alive, he took more sip from the bottle and without saying anything anymore, he left the place in a haste.

Akio looked at his side and he was surprised when he found it fully empty..

"Where did he go!! This was meant to make him courageous! Hik; did it make him more cowardly!!! Hey Ranma!"

"Akio!!"

Suddenly Akane came running towards him and asked him in a panicked tone,

"Where is Ranma? Where did he go?"...


A/N: I am surprised that I have managed to finish this today! But I am glad that I did :)!! Feeling a little bit heart broken and this place always manages to heal my broken heart! Thank you all so much for your reviews.. I got lots of reviews on last chapter, must say!! And I am so happy to get it! What else do we get by writing this! Nothing… But when I see people get engaged and interested in my story, that's the only payment I get from here! So thank you all so much, I have earned a lot on the last chapter ;p!!!

The next chapter is something that is already making me anxious! I am scared! Because too many things will happen.. Too too many ;p!!

For those who don't know, I have a FB page name, "Mrs Impatience", where I post sneak peeks of this story and many more! Hope I will get your love and support!! See you soon!!