Inner Child
by Darth Wraith

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is not mine.

' ' - thoughts | " " - speaking
[ ] -Ranma's thoughts, heard by Akane

"...Oh my goodness......" Ranma was at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry...I should've told you earlier...." Akane felt like crying.

"I always thought that I loved you!"

Akane widened her eyes and said, "Me too!"

*smooch* *smooch*

"NOOO THIS CANNOT HAPPEN! DIE RANMA/AKANE!!!" (Enter every fiancée/suitor). Ranma and Akane nod, and they form Rankane, the golden mighty morphin power ranger who blasts them all away.

THE END!

NOTES: Whew finally the story's complete! What a masterpiece...hyuk hyuk... R&R!

NOTE 2: JUST KIDDING! Hehehehe...I felt like putting a gag ending ^_^. And now...let the REAL story continue.....

"...Oh my goodness..." Ranma was at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry...I should've told you earlier...." Akane was on the verge of tears. "...how could I do something so stupid as to eavesdrop on your thoughts...." Suddenly she felt a warm sensation on her shoulders. She looked to see Ranma's hands resting on her shoulders. Instincts told her to punt Ranma, but common sense told her that the situation is precarious and one wrong move could mean bye-bye to their relationship.

~~~~~~~~

"Geez Akane! Ranma is TOUCHING YOU! Hit that pervert already!" Instinct shouted.

"Fool, can't you see that Ranma's only trying to comfort her?" Common Sense growled at Instinct. "Akane, please control yourself. Ranma's just trying to take care of you."

"You're such an idiot Common Sense. You don't seem to understand that for the past few hundred thousand times she's punted Ranma for touching her."

"Instinct! Geez! You're so thick-headed aren't you!"

"Wanna fight it out, punk?!"

"Bring it on!"

The battle raged for a few moments, and finally Common Sense planted a 'foot' on Instinct, smirking. "Now, let nature take its course."

~~~~~~~~

In other words, Akane was in turmoil whether to bash Ranma or to accept his warm, concerned touch. Eventually she gave in, and willed herself to enjoy while she can, which really wasn't very hard to do. She looked up at Ranma's face.

"Don't worry about it Akane. I've no secrets to keep from you, so there's really no reason why I should be mad at you. Although I still kinda feel weird that you can read my thoughts."

"Really now..." Akane, in better spirits, evilly grinned.

"Urm...yeah?" Ranma sweatdropped. He smiled nervously. [What is she up to now?]

"Nothing much. Go to sleep. We've had enough excitement for one night." Ranma yawned in response.

"Ok..." he said between the yawn, "good night Akane. And sweet dreams."

Akane inwardly chuckled. 'It depends on what you dream about Ranma...'

Dreamland....

It was sunset, and it was Akane and Ranma on the beach. In fact, they were the only ones on the beach. No signs of Soun, Genma, Kasumi and Nabiki, and even the fiancées were all gone. It was just them, sitting together peacefully, devoid of any trash-talking and mallets.

"Wow Akane...this is so...great...so romantic...so peaceful...so fiancé-free." Ranma looked at Akane's frame. Tomboyish, indeed, but wholly a woman.

"Mmmm..." Akane replied, who studied Ranma's well-developed muscular body. Not like those on steroids or body-building, but enough to give him an intimidating yet a non-bloated look.

They searched each other, and when their eyes met, they both turned away quickly, while shades of red covered their faces. It's a good thing they couldn't see, but the crimson sunset camoflauged the blush anyway.

"Uh..." they both started. Ranma laughed.

"You...you're such a tomboy...yet so beautiful...what a woman." Akane chuckled at the weird compliment, but liked it nevertheless. Meanwhile a wind blew around the beach. The pine trees swayed as if singing the lullaby, and Akane's hair rippled. Ranma gulped at the sight.

"You're so weird, Ranma." Ranma regained focus and scowled at Akane.

"What's that supposed to mean??"

"You're such an insensitive idiot, and at the same time you're so caring and so determined, but not possessive." Ranma smirked.

"Of course! That's me, SaotoMEE!"

"Baka..."

"Kawaiikune..."

"Hentai..."

"Kawaiikune..."

"Can't you think of anything else?" Akane stuck out her tongue.

"Errrrrrrr...." Ranma scratched his head, slightly annoyed that he couldn't find any other insult besides kawaiikune. But...he had this...

"Beautiful. Akane, Ashiteru..." Akane's eyes softened. She felt the tears glazing her eyes.

"I'm sorry! I take that back!" Ranma panicked. Akane smiled.

"Tears of happiness, baka... and I love you too."

Ranma felt like he was the happiest man alive. Ever so slowly he reached towards Akane. Akane did likewise. The lips drew closer, and finally, at the climatic moment...

The world turned black.

NOTES: NOW it's the real end of the chapter ^_^. Sorry but still no love declaration yet. It's a bit short as well..but an update will soon come! In any case, r & r thank you!