Standard disclaimers apply. Thank you very much for the encouraging reviews, they mean a lot to me:) I hope you enjoy this chapter!

KISS THE GIRL
by MsChief

Chapter 2. The bomb over lunch

It was a brilliant Sunday morning, and Akane was glad to have the sun on her face. Kasumi woke her up early, which was well and good because she had time to do something about her puffy eyes.

'Akane, you've got to stop this nonsense' she admonished herself. On that note, she went out for a jog and came back feeling good from the adrenaline rush. Besides, there's also something in the air... like something was about to happen. 'Smells pretty good really' she smiled breathing it all in, before realizing that it was the guy waiting at their gate whom she caught the pleasant whiff of.

"Uhh.. hello, are you looking for someone?" she asked. When he turned to face her, Akane caught her breath. Standing in front of her was a very striking young man. The clean scent he emanated matched the crisp white shirt lying squarely on broad shoulders, with the sleeves turned up to reveal strong forearms slightly bronzed in contrast. Lustrous brown hair fell and swept gracefully to the side to frame proud, well-chiseled features with all the angles and planes in just the right places, giving him a distinguished, patrician air. But then there were those smiling eyes the color of warm mahogany, dancing with boyish charm. It was his gaze that riveted her to the spot, and when he smiled she was drawn in even more. In a low, becoming voice he spoke, "Hello... Akane."

Good thing she wasn't the swooning type. Still, it felt like snapping out of a trance when she finally blinked 'He knows me?'

"Oh I beg your pardon for being rude, I should have introduced myself first. Akane-san, it's me, Ken Yamato, you're old friend! I do hope you remember.." he stated, his sexy grin softened by a pair of dimples gracing his smooth cheeks.

"Oh," she said, overcoming her initial surprise. "Oh Ken, it's you! No need for such formalities. I'm so happy to see you and my, you've grown!"

"And you've grown even prettier than I remember," Ken commented. She felt the blush creeping up her cheeks and was saved from stammering a reply by her sister coming to the gate. "Still the charmer, huh? Come on in, you two," Nabiki beckoned.

Making their way to the house, Akane inquired "You knew Ken was coming then?" "We got in touch over the internet and he's back in town for some important business, right Ken?" Nabiki said to the lad, grinning conspiratorially.

"Yes... important personal matters," the young man replied intently, facing Akane.

"Oh..." and she didn't want to ask any further, his gaze was making her toes tingle. Ken looked ahead then and said happily "Hmm.. that heavenly smell must be Kasumi's miso soup! Hehe I knew I'd come at a perfect time!"

"Nabiki, who was that at the door?" Kasumi peeked from the kitchen. "It's Ken Yamato, Kasumi-chan. I told you he'd be staying over," came the reply. Kasumi went out to the the hall to meet them, "Oh good morning, Ken! Look at you, you've grown up to be a fine young man. Why, it seems only yesterday when you were running around the yard all covered in mud. Ken cleans up good, don't you think so, Akane?"

"Ah yes.. you look..good!" Akane was finding it hard to show eloquence when the gorgeous topic of conversation is watching her expectantly.

"Speaking of cleaning up, go ahead and change, Akane. And could you please call on Father as well, so he can welcome our guest. It's about time for lunch," Kasumi said.

Going into her room to change, Akane peered at the old photo displayed on her desk. It was a picture of the three sisters and Ken as children. She smiled as she recalled those carefree times, and felt delighted at the chance to relive them. She always felt comfortable with Ken, well not just now when he's being so polite and.. handsome. Looking at Ken's smiling face, she thought to herself 'He looked cute even then.'

And he said she was pretty! Even if he was just being smooth with the ladies, it still felt nice to get a compliment, a salve to her bruised pride. Looking at her hazy reflection on the frame's surface, she uttered "Kawaii" and smiled.

"Hehe, yo Akane.. telling yourself that won't make it come true, you know!" came the taunt from the window.

"You just live for this, don't you? Maybe to you I'm uncute, because you're a pervert! And if you'd like to know Ranma, somebody thinks I'm pretty!" she retorted.

Ranma sneered "Yeah I'd really like to know who... so I can lead him straight to Dr. Tofu's clinic! Maybe he has some medicine for blurred vision. Or hallucinations!" Before the girl could hurl the nearest book at him, he was off, shouting "I'll see you downstairs for lunch, uncute tomboy!"

'Hmmph, you'll see' Akane thought determinedly.

If the youngest Tendo took more time fixing herself when she hadn't bothered before, it was to show that pervert. 'And it wouldn't hurt to justify Ken's opinion either' she told herself as an afterthought. She donned a simple sunday dress with yellow flowers dotting its length, the hem skimming her knees. She adjusted the tie at her back, the ribbon hugging her waist lightly. Giving herself a final whirl in front of the mirror, she thought she looked quite nice. But then she shrugged "What am I thinking?" before heading out the door.

Now Ranma wasn't expecting to see unknown company at the dinner table. His father and the rest of the Tendo family was sitting with a guest, and peering closer, he found out that it was a young man about his age. 'Must be a family friend'

"Ranma, come sit down with us," Soun called out. "I'd like you to meet Ken Yamato. He's Akane's childhood friend." Ranma bowed and Ken extended his hand. "Oh and he'd just come back from the States." By now the two teens have switched positions, and Ken loooked up laughing a little. "I'm sorry about that... but I'm pleased to meet you, Ranma, is it?" "Ranma Saotome. And I'm pleased to meet you too, Ken," the other beamed back.

"By the way, Ranma here is Akane's..." but Soun was cut off by Akane's arrival at the dining hall, leading every eye in her direction.

Akane met Ken's gaze first and was quite pleased to note the appreciation in it. She smiled at him shyly and when he returned it, she looked down, suddenly feeling conscious. Then she looked anxiously at Ranma's reaction and was surprised to find his expression to be well.. confused at best. 'Atleast it confounded him.'

However, by the time she sat down across the two men, Ranma had regained his composure. Letting slip just a little jeer in deference to their guest, he asked "Why are you wearing 'that', Akane?"

"It's Sunday, baka." Nabiki interrupted coolly before Akane fumed.

"Nabiki, mind your words. Ranma-kun, Akane will be taking Ken out to town later, you know, to show him around. But it will have to be after tea this afternoon. Is that ok with you..." Kasumi looked meaningfully at Ranma before turning to her left and continuing "...Akane?"

"Uhmm.. That would be great!" she smiled to her sister, then to Ken.

"Thank you, Akane. Maybe you'd like to come with us then, Ranma?" Ken asked cordially.

"Nah, I'm... pretty busy.. I'll pass for now" was Ranma's reply to which Ken nodded, but which left everyone else on the table wondering what their resident bum would be busy with. Anyhow the topic was dropped as Kasumi brought out their lunch. Everyone was eating and laughing heartily, talking about the old days when Ken was still in Nerima. If Ranma stole a couple of glances in Akane's direction, the other Tendo ladies kept their smiles to themselves and pretended not to notice.

"Time for presents!" Ken announced and started rummaging through his stuff. He brought out an electronic shogi board for Mr. Tendo, recipe books and spices for Kasumi and some techie stuff for Nabiki, describing them as he went. To the thank yous expressed, he replied "I'm really glad you liked them."

Then taking a deep breath he continued, "And for you Akane..." He was smiling, but she caught just a hint of nervousness there that made her own stomach flutter. "I guess something this special calls for a longer explanation," he said, holding a small item in his hand. Now everybody fell silent, tuning in to the young man.

"I'm glad that your family, as well as friends," he paused to look at the Saotomes, "are here for this. Well, here goes. Do you remember when we had that beach trip for our class, back in grade school?" Akane could only nod mutely because for some reason, she could feel her heart racing.

Turning to address everyone, Ken continued, "I wandered too far from shore and started having leg cramps. I was out there for minutes, bobbing in and out of the water when Akane spotted me. And even though she didn't know how to swim, she jumped in to save me. She ended up drinking more water than I did..." Ken relayed, chuckling a little.

"That's typical Akane alright! Sinks like a brick, can't swim to save her life! Hehe," Ranma laughed while Akane flushed.

"But somehow, she saved mine that day. And while she was still out of it, held in Mrs. Tendo's arms, I realized something..." Now facing Akane, Ken said solemnly, "I realized... and I swore... to take care of you, and keep you happy for the rest..."

"Whoa! Hold on a second buddy!" Ranma interrupted, uncomfortable with the serious turn the conversation has taken. "Oaths that go 'for the rest of your life' can get you into trouble... I should know!" he explained, thinking of his own experience with a certain pancake artist.

Ken acknowledged this but smiling, he countered "Actually, I was thinking more of..." Now Ken transfixed Akane's eyes with his, and slowly opened the small satin box he held, "...for the rest of OUR lives."

The solitaire diamond sparkled on the ring cradled in velvet lining, while the collective "whaaaat?" hung in the air, unspoken. No one stirred until a soft "Ooohh.." was heard.

"How romantic!" Kasumi exclaimed in delight, holding Akane gently by the shoulders as the latter began to sway slightly.

Next came Genma, sputtering "Tendo-san, there seems to be a little misapprehension here!"

Soun sweatdropped and explained, "Ken, son.. we have a problem with your proposition. You see.. Ranma here.. is Akane's fiancee. The two families had agreed on this..."

Now it was Nabiki's turn, taking on Ken' defense. "If I may correct you, father, it was an agreement between you and Mr. Saotome. And, as mom was the witness to Ken's oath, I don't see why it shouldn't have equal bearing..."

"But that would mean two fiancees for Akane, and under the same roof at that! It's unheard of!" cried Soun.

"Technically..." Kasumi came through with her sweet voice "... Ranma-kun has three. Atleast." Ranma almost choked on his drink. "Why don't we ask Akane what she thinks about it?" she continued, and gave her baby sister's arm an encouraging squeeze.

At this, Akane sat upright, hands clasped neatly in front of her. "Well," she opened quietly. "We've known Ken forever and now he's our guest. There's no question as to his staying here," she stated simply. "As for.. your offer," she said haltingly, unsure of how to continue. Ken was giving her a most earnest look, which was making it more difficult.

"I..." she fiddled with her hands, then slowly, her gaze drifted to Ranma. On cue, Genma said "Don't you have anything to say, boy?"

Now all eyes are focused on Ranma, everyone itching to hear what he had to say. Ranma squirmed under the scrutiny. Damn, he'd gladly face three Happosais on a panty-raiding rampage rather than deal with all their probing stares, this unnerving silence. He chanced looking at their faces while deliberately refusing to look straight across the table; he already felt caged as it is. Finally, trying to act casual, he crossed his arms at the back of his head and leaned back.

"Look... It's not like this fiancee stuff was MY idea. So... yeah..," he closed his eyes. "I don't see why... I should mind."

He opened them in time to see what looked like hurt flash in Akane's eyes. But it was a fleeting emotion, one quickly replaced by defiance. "Fine!" she spat back, keeping one clenched fist under the table to keep it from landing on a certain baka's face. "Ken, I..." She wanted to continue but had difficulty finding her voice.

And then she felt a warmth enclosing her other hand, holding it gently. "I know Akane. You need time. Don't worry, nobody's rushing you," Ken warmly soothed her and Akane was able to smile to that. "Thanks," she said softly and looked at him with gratitude.

'Ranma-no-baka!' Nabiki wanted to get Akane's mallet and bop the boy herself, watching these events unfold. The bomb was dropped, and she thought it would have more impact on the annoyingly stubborn boy. 'This might not workout like we intended' she pondered, looking at him.

But following Ranma's line of sight, she saw that he was eyeing the still held hands of the 'new fiancees'. And he was also gripping his cup a tad too tight, his knuckles were turning white.

At this Nabiki's eyes twinkled. 'Now we're in business!'

TBC.

A nice little twist here... Btw, the thought bits are now in italics, somehow the formatting wasn't preserved the first time I uploaded the chapter. Again, kindly review:)