Hello everyone!

Sorry for acting like I was dead and not updating for forever, I was just really, really busy. School is a bitch and I hate it! Damn homework to hell! But anyway, now I've got a long weekend so I can relax and write((smiles happily)), yay for long weekends!((jumps up and down)). I'll try not to be so long with updating in the future!

Replies to reviews:

Jenna: Thank you! YAY!

Sisana: If only that scenario could happen! But Ranma is so thick sometimes…((sighs)), But! ((does happy dance)) I'm so happy you like my story! Whoopee!

Miko Miko Nurse1: Thank you for saying its good! Yay! I'm on such a high right now!

Maria: thank u! I will try to update sooner! I will!((raises fist to sky)) no force shall stop me!

Onizu-chan: Thanks! I heart all my reviewers!

Misakichi1: Thank you! I like you ur pen name! Tee hee!

Tine: Yes, Shinnosuke shall bring problems! This chapter has a lotta action so enjoy!

Celestartial Blossoms: Yeah I liked writing the kissing scene! When Ranma kissed her he wasn't really thinking at the time at all, so it just sorta happened before he could stop himself. You'll see the result of that in this chapter. Ah boy, Ranma and his problems. And yes, AKANE AND RANMA TOGETHER FOREVER! Yay hehe…Too bad Akane and Ranma are so thick they keep missing eachother completely.

Ikerana:Tee hee I agree with the romance factor! Hmm.. will something with Akane and FR come soon?... hmmm….. he he.

Luna12: Yeah but Ranma is a guy(kinda) and right now he deserves that kiss for whats coming up… the poor guy. Plus, he wasn't really thinking when he did it.

Wonderbee31: Ha ha ha, Ah, will they? Akane and Ranma do have blame to share in the whole start of the fight. But both of them are really thick…((sighs)).

Hououza: Yes, confusion galore! HA HA! Oh yea FR is mad! Amoung other things… Ranma is very thick. Man I can't wait to write the next chapter! You guys are gonna kill me!((jumps up and down))

Thank you to all my reviewers!

Remember To READ AND REVIEW!

Well, here is chapter 5! YAY! So, here goes…

Chapter 5: Rift

Ranma's POV:

I sighed once more as I walked out to the backyard of the Tendo house. Yesterday was absolutely horrendous. If only I kept my stupid mouth shut! We wouldn't have worked anyway…

Akane's voice once again swam through my mind in waves. What the hell did she mean by that? I felt dread in my stomach about it…

"Saotome! If that was your name!" A familiar voice called out to me.

I turned and saw Shinnosuke standing a few feet away from me. Dammit! I should have been able to sense his presence! I'm getting sloppy.

"What do you want?" I snapped as he strided closer to me, I was not in the mood for company, especially not his.

"I heard everything last night." He stated sternly.

My anger rose in an instant, so he was spying on me an' Akane! The little son of a—

"I challenge you Saotome! To defend my Akane's honor and for troubling her!" he yelled at me.

I twitched when he said my Akane. His Akane? Defend her?

"Listen you asshole, Akane ain't yours to defend or protect!" She's mine! I thought fiercely, glaring at him in anger.

"And then who would she belong to? You? I recall vividly that you may be her fiancée but why would she choose a man-if one can even call you that- that makes her cry? I'll defeat you for her and then ask for her hand!"

I clenched my fists, "Ya know, I actually had some respect for you because you saved Akane's life once and I felt that I owed you for that. I'll pay you back for that debt now by not killing you for what you just said."

I got into an offensive position, "We should have finished our fight a long time ago Shinnosuke. This time, Akane isn't here to save you." I snarled.

He too got into an offensive position and held out his staff, "Akane should have gotten rid of you a long time ago," he shot back.

We attacked at the same time, I slammed a fist into the left side of his face while he swung his staff around to hit me in the chest. I saw it coming and blocked it with my other arm.

We landed back on the ground and faced each other, Shinnosuke dived right after wasteing no time. He ran with his staff held out, intending to attack, I kicked the staff away, hearing it break with a crack, and landed a swift kick to his chest, sending him up a good few feet in the air before he landed on the ground with a bang.

He wiped blood from his mouth, panting and looked over at my side to see his staff broken in two. He swore and stood shakily on his feet.

I smirked, "Your already beaten,"

"I am not! I am still standing…uh….whatever your name was!"

I rolled my eyes, "Ranma Saotome, Akane's fiancée!"

"Hmph! Not for long!"

He charged once again and I easily evaded him, he was a lot weaker without his staff. I swung to the ground and kicked his legs out from under him, making him fall once more to the ground. I immediately followed with an uppercut that sent him flying to the nearest tree. He slammed against and I swore I heard something crack. He slid down to the ground. He was still conscience, but looked like that was fading fast.

"…damn you…you don't deserve her…"

My eyes widened. …you don't deserve her….rang through my head. I had always thought that but…

I charged and slammed my fist into his stomach, hearing ribs break, he screamed and I lifted another fist—

SLAM!

I jumped as I felt someone latch on my back put of nowhere, hard.

"Stop it Ranma!" Akane voice yelled from behind me, squeezing me from behind, her arms wrapped around my waist. I froze.

I looked down and Shinnosuke and winced, he had a steady flow of blood coming from his nose and multiple bruises marked his face. He was covered in dirt and blood, hunched over, his arms wrapped around his abdomen. He was unconscious now.

I let my arm holding my fist fall to my side wordlessly.

I stood still as I felt Akane's body slide off me. She came around to my front and stared at me. I held her gaze, "Again?" I said. I knew that she would know that I was referring to her stopping the fight between me and Shinnosuke again. Just like last time… except different.

"You already won Ranma, your much stronger that he is." She said, breaking her gaze with me to look down at Shinnosuke. I watched as she bit her lip in worry. Over him. She's worried about him. "You didn't have to go so hard on him Ranma!" She chastised in anger.

"He asked for it!" I snapped at her while turning around slightly to see Kasumi a few steps away.

"We heard the yelling so we came here to see what was happening! Oh dear, is your friend okay Akane?"

"I think so sis," She replied as she bent down and checked Shinnosuke over.

I kept my gaze focused on Kasumi.

"Well, okay then. I'll call Dr. Tofu and tell him to come over just in case. I better get back to breakfast in the meantime! Do you want anything Ranma?"

"No, just a water bottle from the fridge thanks."

"Just that? Are you now feeling well? You usually eat a mountain of food!" Kasumi exclaimed.

I shrugged, "I'm fine, I'm just not hungry."

"Okay, if you say so…" she headed back into the house, leaving Akane and Ranme alone with a Shinnosuke that's currently out like a light.

"Ranma you really shouldn't have been so hard on him!" Akane scolded, not meeting my eyes anymore. She really is worried about him…I set my jaw in jealously. Trying to ignore it. Pretending as usual that it wasn't there.

I scuffed, "Well he shouldn't get into fights he can't handle!"

"And you should know better!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah! Your such a jerk!"

"Tomboy!"

"Pervert!"

"Macho chick!"

"Dummy!"

"Uncute! I am sorry for kissing you!" I said without thinking.

She blinked in surprise, "You're the one that started it!"

"It was a moment of insanity! BELIEVE me!" I shouted back while my mind screamed 'NO!'.

She took a step back, away from me. Her head bowed.

"W..wait… I—I didn't mean--," I said, approaching her.

SLAP!

My head moved forcefully to the side when Akane slapped me across the face. My right cheek stung as I turned my head to stare at her in a mixture of shock and self-hate. It was a moment of insanity! Why had I said that…?

My eyes where drawn to her face as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She was holding her hand she had slapped me with to her chest.

"I'm sorry Akane… I know it's not enough."

I turned to see Kasumi coming out of the house with a water bottle. I grabbed it and left without another word. I walked away from her and the Tendo house and dojo. Down the block and down the streets buzzing with activity. Akane's tear stained face burned in my mind.

She deserves better than me… I'm just a freak who only makes her cry…A freak… I'm not worthy of her at all…Why did I have to lie to her…? What am I suppose to say to her now? I'm such an idiot...What should I do? Why do I always cause these fights between us?...why do I always have to hurt her! WHY DO I ALWAYS HAVE TO SCREW THINGS UP WITH HER!

I'm sorry Akane… you're the last person I want to….hurt….you should only smile…

My chest constricted once more as I saw her teary face in my mind. Why does it always do that every time I see her sad?

I'm sorry Akane… I won't hurt you anymore...I don't want to…I never did…

Akane's POV:

Ranma…

How could you say that? Do you really feel that way? Then why do you keep saying sorry?

I held my hand that I had slapped his with tighter.

I brushed my tears away angrily, not now!

I looked down at Shinnosuke, passed out on the ground. I'll tell Shinnosuke clearly this time that I only like him as a friend. Hopefully, he won't forget. As soon as he wakes up…

I forced the new wave of tears away, I would cry later in my room – not now!

"Akane? Dr. Tofu's on his way!" Kasumi yelled from the house.

I nodded, Dr. Tofu coming here to treat Shinnosuke while Kasumi is here might be certain death for Shinnosuke.

I gave myself a forced smile before I walked in the house.

Future Ranma's POV:

I sighed as I continued my walk through the forest outside the city.

My past self is a moron.

I nodded to myself as I continued my walk, hearing a twig snap as I stepped on it.

When Ranma told me he had kissed Akane… I burned with jealously. I could barely stop myself from punching his lights out. But how, why could I be jealous of myself?

Ranma kissed Akane. Ranma is me. So its sorta like I kissed Akane except I didn't. My past self did. My past self kissed Akane. He kissed her.

I growled as I felt the burn of jealously only increase.

I had wanted Ranma to make up with Akane and ask her out because I knew Shinnosuke would be coming soon and didn't want it to go like it had in his time—Akane taking Shinnosuke out to tour the town with me stalking them, trying to foil their little 'date'. A date, that's what I saw it as, even thought Akane had denied it being a date.

And then Shinnosuke and him ended in a duel over his and Akane's engagement and me saying I had no choice in the engagement anyway. When he asked why I continued the engagement if it wasn't even my choice but I didn't answer and instead knocked him out in the fight.

It ended pretty shitty, with Akane sending me hurling into the sky by her mullet while telling Shinnosuke she only like him as a friend. Nothing more….It could have gone so much better. It seems his past self fucked it up even more than he had… the past was already changing… because I'm here now… and that makes things more complicated.

His past self from what I could determine really messed it up with Akane… but…he got to hold her…and kiss her…even if it was only for a moment.

I closed my eyes and I could almost picture smell her enchanting rosy and cherry blossom scent, feel her arms wrapped around me, her silky black/blue hair that I always wanted to touch, her soft voice, "Ranma…" , her fiery spirit when she was mad at him… he had loved getting her all riled up sometimes just to see her face flush… it made her look so… and her pink, soft lips…the warmth of her touch…

I buried my face in my hands, "…God I miss you… I'm so sorry…Akane…," My voice cracked when I said her name. I love her so much…she's the only one…

I sat down next to a tree this way. I would remain there for a long time.

Ranma's POV:

I jumped rooftop to rooftop trying to vent by running this way as fast as I could.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit dammit," I muttered as I jumped, increasing the speed. I held the water bottle tightly in my right hand.

"RANMA!"

I looked down from a rooftop to see Ryoga standing in the street below it.

"THERE YOU ARE I'VE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE! WE NEED TO FINISH OUT FIGHT YOU COWARD!"

I jumped down next to him, landing just a three feet away, "Then why didn't ya just come- oh never mind," he would never go where he intended to anyway with his no sense of direction.

"Now let us continue our fight as men!" He exclaimed loudly.

I peered down the street and saw the school right there, closed since it was Sunday. "Hey, we'll fight on the school's yard," I pointed in the direction of the school.

His eyes followed my indication down the street, "Right I see it! We shall fight there!" He picked up his bag and set of in the opposite direction.

Idiot. "Ryoga you idiot! It's the other way I just showed you!"

"Who's the idiot!" He turned, realizing that he was indeed going the wrong way and charged after me as I made my way to the school's field.

I smirked, Ryoga's just what I need to vent.

We arrived at the field and I put my water bottle down as did he with his bag that he always carries with him. We fell into our stances, staring each other down. Ryoga is the only guy I know that can really put up a good fight against me.

After a moment we both attacked at the same time, our fists slammed into each others as we tested the others power. Ryoga had defiantly improved some, heh, this will only make it more interesting. Ryoga swung a punch with his free arm and I blocked it with my own free arm. I then kicked him on the side of his head using my left leg, he responded by kneeing me hard in the stomach. We jumped apart from each other and grinned.

He dived in, meaning to punch me hard- I dodged it, his right fist missing my head by inches as I rebounded with a right hook of my own. It slammed into his left arm, he rolled away, missing my oncoming kick as he gritted his teeth.

I cracked my knuckles, "Your not done already are ya?" I taunted.

"Not a chance," He said as we dove into another frenzy of attacks. Rapid punches, kicks, blocks and blows were exchanged in a matter of seconds.

He was barely hitting me most of the time thanks to my future self's training, but when it did anyone would be able to feel it and not ignore be able to ignore it.

"How'd you get so damn fast all of the sudden!" he bit out over the fighting.

"Believe me, ya don't wanna know," I replied as I kicked him hard in the chest, sending him flying a bit. We had moved while we were fighting so now we were close to the gym.

"Whew," I said as I heard a splash!Ryoga had landed in the swimming pool.

I chuckled as I saw I black pig appear out of the pool, glaring daggers at me.

I left a drop of water on my cheek and looked up. The sky was grey, dark and cloudy. It began to thunder.

Great, this means rain-that's just what I need.

I felt more drops as it became heavier and I felt the twinge and knew I had become a girl.

I scoffed as crossed my arms over my now female chest, now what am I suppose to do?

"See ya Ryoga," I called out to the pig as I set off down the field, wondering where I put my water bottle.

-

I walked through the forest searching for my future self. It had stopped raining a while ago, where was he?

I growled, the one time I need to train I can't find him I thought as I gripped my water bottle.

"Ready for another lesson?"

I instantly recognized the cold yet familiar voice as I turned around to see my future self leaning against a tree. He expression as emotionless as ever,

"Hey, yeah I am. So lets get started, what's for today?" I asked stretching but still holding onto my water bottle.

"Hmmm…lets have a spar instead of a lesson today," He said, but this time his tone sounded more deadlier than usual.

I walked up to him, "Sure, but do I need to be in my male form?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter, you need to be strong in both forms dunce," he said dully.

"Right," I muttered angrily. Behind my back I undid the cap of the water bottle, trying to keep my poker face on.

"Hey what's that!" I yelled and pointed in back of him. He turned around and I brought the water bottle in front of me, and pushed the water out at him from the bottle.

But instead of the water hitting him and seeing if he would change into a girl like I had originally planned, he seemed to disappear from his spot and I saw the cold water splash slowly onto the ground. I felt a presence behind me as not even in a second later I felt a fist slam painfully into my back.

I was sent flying to the ground, face down.

"That was really stupid Ranma," He said as he appeared in my line of view in an instant. He had just been in back of me. "What did I tell you? You cannot know anything about the future that you aren't required to know!" His icy tone stated angrily.

"Come on, your me aren't you? Like you wouldn't have tried to see if you still hadn't gotten rid of this curse?" I stood, trying but failing to ignore the intense pain in my back.

He said nothing as we sparred; he had won in three minutes.

"DAMMIT!" I shouted from the ground. I can't dodge any of his attacks! They are so fast some I can't even see! His blows are the worse, its like steel cutting right into you, you can barely breathe afterwards. And I don't even know if he's fighting me seriously! Fuck!

"How the hell did you get this strong!" I asked, wiping off sweat from my forehead.

His eyes darkened, "A lot can happen in three years,"

"Like what?" I whispered. I still didn't know why he had come back from the future. He had to have a good reason…but for some reason I don't want to find out…Why is that?

"I can't tell you, which you know already so stop asking pointless questions. Since your still too weak to spar with me, we'll work on your stamina and how long your body can take blows. You're weaker in your female form with this so that's why we'll start this training while your in your female form. You need to be able to withstand a lot so I apologize in advance if this seems too extreme. Prepare yourself,"

Without any more warning then that he struck. Body blow after body blow until I knew no more, it was only one time that between awake and on the verge of blacking out I raised my arm to strike. I felt impact and passed out.

Future Ranma's POV:

I looked at my female body form of my past self lying on the ground, passed out. She looked like hell. I smirked as I rubbed my jaw and started walking away from the forest, I was just letting my feet carry me wherever. My brain not even registering where I was going.

I had been standing over Ranma, her on all fours on the ground. Her eyes had been in a haze, as if not really there. Her body was indeed battered, but that was the point of the training today, to build up her strength…even if maybe I had gone harsher than normal.

Out of nowhere, like a lightning bolt she struck a right hook right across my face, the impact was strong and I nearly lost my balance.

After that surge of strength she quickly passed out, as expected. But it seems that my training is already paying off.

I passed streets and kept my black hood securely over my head so that no one would see my face. Even if people around here would probably think it was normal to see two Ranmas walking about. It was now dark out, people weren't on the streets- probably at home eating dinner.

I continued my haunt, not caring where I was going.

After a while I raised my head and gasped, I was outside the Tendo house. Akane's house. Of course my feet would take me here, I grumbled.

I walked around the house, making sure I was not seen by anyone inside or outside the house, I peered into the first window, Nabiki with Pops and her father, Mr. Tendo playing poker together. It looked like Nabiki was winning. Mr. Tendo started sobbing as he took out his wallet and gave his daughter money. I saw Pops scan the room for an escape route, futile effort. Nabiki wouldn't let him get away, especially if he owed her money. I turned away from the scene and climbed the tree right outside Akane's bedroom.

He settled himself on the tree branch, he had done this many times before in his time, sometimes just to watch her dream. She looked so pretty and peaceful when she slept. I saw her sleeping form on the bed and I felt my heart twist. She's right there. Right there. He would especially watch her all the nights if Ryoga was there with her! Gr…. Stupid pig…. Wait, he was told that Ryoga was here so why isn't he with her? I can't see or sense him anywhere I thought as I scanned the room. Oh whatever, he's probably lost again.

Akane rolled over in her sleep so that she was facing the ceiling, I could see tear stains down her cheeks.

Without another thought I crept into the room, opening and closing the window behind me.

I walked over to her bed and gazed at her. Tonight, even in her sleep she looked so sad and lonely. I felt a well of hatred for my past self, how can I be this stupid? My heart clenched painfully as he brushed a single strand away from her forehead and fought the urge to kiss her.

I leaned down, closer and closer to her. I could see her scent everywhere, the rosy and cherry blossom scent filled my senses… it was lingering all around her. She was so close… I immediately jumped back, away from her.

I can't.

I clenched my fists so hard I felt blood streaming down my fists.

My Akane… I swear I'll save you…God why couldn't I have been the one?

…why did that bastard … She was mine…

I squeezed my eyes shut as a vision of Akane screaming at him to run away passed over his mind with a haunting pain. I fell to my knees, shaking with anger, loss, and self hatred. I kept my clenched and opened my eyes to make sure Akane was still sleeping. She was.

Why couldn't I have been the one?... Why her?...

…I'd die for her…I looked once more at her sleeping form and whatever was left of my heart ripped. No… I don't have a heart anymore… my heart died a long time ago…only she can bring it back now…who am I now…? A murderer? A person driven by revenge?

I just want her back… I don't care what else happens as long as I get to hold her again… this time forever…but would she want me now…? I'm not the same person I was three years ago…

I'm a cold blooded killer…I buried my head in my hands, I just want my Akane back…

Why couldn't I save you…?

Why couldn't save the one person I truly love?...

I wasn't aware when I felt water on my cheeks, tears…

Why didn't you run away when I told you?

Why did you… try to help me… I'm your protector…Akane…

Why couldn't I save you?

"Akane… she's dead…" My eyes shot open as that voice from the past come to the surface. I pulled at the roots of my hair and swiped angrily at the water coming from my eyes.

…I swear on my honor… I won't let you die again. Not this time. I'll make it right. So when I come back to my time… you'll still be there.

Ranma's POV:

I got up from the ground and first realized that it was dark out. Perfect.

I started my trek back to the Tendo house, praying that everyone was asleep so I could raid the fridge for much needed food in peace.

I limped my way out of the forest, this would take a while.

My mind flashed back to Akane…

I had used the training and the fight with Ryoga to try to ignore that problem, what should I say? Sorry isn't enough anymore…not this time.

I groaned in pain and felt I deserved it as I continued walking. Maybe I could gain her trust again…?

Or make it up to her in some way that won't end in a fight?

My head continued to run with these thoughts until I finally came up with a plan. Hopefully Shinnosuke will be gone tomorrow.

Ryoga's POV:

I walked down the streets, greateful that no one was basically there to step on me as I was in my pig form.

I need hot water!

I walked into a restaurant that was open and my eyes bugged out to see a familiar Amazon girl stand before me.

Shampoo!

There was no one else in the establishment, as it was pretty late.

"Aiya, look it the pig-boy!" She smiled as she grabbed the bandana behind my neck and picked me up.

LET ME GO I JUST WANT HOT WATER! DON"T COOK ME! I tried to say but it just came out in frantic squeals.

Shampoo smiled evilly, "No worry pig-boy, I won't cook you and you'll have your hot water in moment," my eyes widened that she knew what I wanted, "You help me with plan!"

A plan? A plan involving helping Shampoo and her Amazon ways?

I shook my head quickly.

She glared at me and I saw the fire in her eyes, Wow, I thought as she brought me closer to her face.

"You will help me with plan or I do cook you!" She snapped.

I sighed, I don't wanna take the chance. Better not risk it.

I nodded and she dropped me with delight.

Ouch.

She went over to the counter and got out a hot kettle and went over to me. Ack! She's going to pour me with hot water here? I tried to signal that I would do it myself, preferably in a bathroom or something.

But she instantly poured the hot water on he and I changed back into a guy, I immediately covered myself up and grabbed my clothes that I had brought in with me. I looked at Shampoo's pink face and ran to the bathroom. Instead it was a closet.

I changed in there anyway and came out, glaring at Shampoo, very red in the face. She saw me naked!

Instead she only smiled coyly back.

I grumbled, "So what's your plan?"

Her smile deepened, "A plan to finally break up Akane and Ranma! This time we no fail!"

"How?" I asked, interest starting to take over.

Future Ranma's POV:

I climbed back out the window and settled myself once again on the tree, this time for the night.

I don't care what it takes; Akane will not be taken from me again.

Consequences be damned.

And that the end of Chapter 5!

What did ya guys think?

Now all of you who didn't or wasn't sure before- yes Akane does die in the future! I know, I'm evil.

Also FR gave more clues as well!

Two plans are being made: One for Ranma to make it all up to Akane, and One by Shampoo and Ryoga to split Akane and Ranma up for good!

Also FR is more messed up than ever of course.

READ AND REVIEW!

In the next chapter things get all too interesting as two plans clash!

Bai!

Fireashes