Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma, Akane, or any other "Ranma 1/2" characters that appear in this story. However, the story is my own, well as much as my own as the people in my head tell me it is.

Author's Note: This chapter rated R for adult scene. Please be advised.

Chapter Four

"That's it! I've had enough!" Akane screamed as she stormed out of the house. Why is everyone hiding things from me? What is going on here? Does father think I can't handle it because.... because of what happened to me years ago? Hmph! Whatever it is, I'm gonna find out, even if I beat out of him! Akane thought as she marched down the street towards the market. As she turned the corner something bumped right into her, knocking her to her feet. "Hey! Watch where ya going!"

"Oh! Sorry Akane! I didn't see you. Oh, you look mad. What did he do now?" Ryoga replied as he helped Akane to her feet.

"Never mind. You should really watch where you are going. Where are you headed anyway?"

"To the market. I heard there were some sales on today and I wanted to see if I could get a new kettle."

"Uh... You do know the market is the other direction, right?" Akane asked, looking confused.

"Oh! Of course! Um... Do you want to come with me? It might be easier that way..."

"Why not. I have to find Kasumi and I think that is where she was headed earlier. By the way, why do you need a kettle?"

"Uh.... I think mine is broken...." Ryoga said, trying to think of another excuse than Ranma chasing him while he was in pig form and knocking it over. Ranma thought that by catching Ryoga and pouring water on him in front of Akane he could finally show her the truth.

"Well, okay then. I might as well see if there are any deals on cooking supplies. I accidentally used all the vinegar up while cooking father breakfast last week and there is this really good pasta recipe I wanted to try."

"Damn! I thought this is where they were coming. Oh well. At least I got what I needed. I wonder why the merchant looked at me strangely when I told him my recipe?" Sigh "So Ryoga, did you get the kettle you wanted?" Akane turned to face Ryoga, but he wasn't there. Where did he go now? That's the fifth time this afternoon! Hmph! Well, I got to go home anyway, it's starting to get dark. So without waiting for Ryoga to appear, she walked down the road towards home.

Akane arrived home to an empty house, which was amazing because there was no one there. A note on the counter said that her father and sisters went out somewhere and would be back later. Feeling frustrated enough from her day, Akane put the food away and decided to just go to bed. As she laid in bed, she remembered her mother in the picture she found that day and subconsciously held her stomach. When Akane finally dropped off into sleep, thoughts of a time in her own life entered her mind. A time she wished with all her might she would be able to forget.

"Akane, you know that since your mother died, I haven't taken another wife and I don't plan on it, don't you?" Soun asked his eleven year old daughter. They were sitting at the table, just the two of them. Akane knew this and was rather happy about it, so she wasn't quiet sure why her father wanted to speak with her. Akane nodded slowly in response. "Good. You see, Akane," Soun shifted in his seat, clearly unable to find the correct words to explain the situation to his daughter. "Kasumi is the eldest of you three, and isn't really suited for fighting. She is more of a mother for you kids then I ever could of hoped for. And Nabiki, well, I think she starting to care more for money than fighting as well."

"Daddy, what are you trying to say? I have homework to do and if I don't get it done Mr.Yamaguchi will put me in detention!"

"I'm sorry, Akane. It's just that..." Before Soun could finish, a frantic looking women came into the room.

"Mr.Tendo! Ryoga is missing again. What if he finds my boy? What if-" Mrs.Hibiki screamed, her eyes streaming with tears.

"Clam down, Mrs.Hibiki. I'm sure he just got lost again. Akane, I'm sorry, but we'll finish this later." He stated as he followed Mrs.Hibiki out of the house in search of her son. "You stay here, go do your homework or something. I'll be back soon, okay?" Akane sat there, trying to understand. She knew Ryoga got lost sometimes and knew it wasn't his fault. But she began to worry about him and decided to go look for him herself. She put on her shoes and tried to catch up with her father.

It was dark, and she soon lost sight of her father and Mrs.Hibiki. She started running down a street, calling Ryoga's name. Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed her from behind, she tried to scream but a hand went over her mouth before she could make a sound. The hands pulled her back into the shadows, into building. Akane tried to fight back but the person holding her was too strong.

"Hehe, lookie what I found. Never thought I would find another one so soon. No matter, I'll make use of you." The man's voice hissed. Akane tried to breathe through the stench of the man. He smelled like something awful, something Akane couldn't describe. The man turned Akane around and put a knife to her throat. "Now, you're not gonna scream are you? Hehe, not yet anyway." Akane's muffled whimpers escaped from her mouth as she shook her head. "Good." He pushed Akane down to the floor on her stomach and he began to tie her hands behind her back and put a gag on her mouth.

"Yusoko, what have you there?" Another man approached slowly from the shadows, his footsteps echoing on the floor. "Ahh, so soon Yusoko? Why not? Those stupid police have no idea where to find us, they just found that first girl last week! How long ago did we do her?" Both men laughed and Akane felt her blood run cold.

"Heh, she's pretty one, isn't she Mitsuru?" Yusoko sneered. "Shall we drink first, or shall we play? Either way, I get her first. I found her, I get her first, alright?"

"Fine, just don't break her too badly for me. I like them able to feel it." The two men laughed at this as Akane started to cry. She kicked and beaten while they drank their sake. Soon enough they were ready and all that could be heard were Akane's muffled screams.