Chapter 7

AN: I must apologize for the delay of this chapter. I was away for X-mas vacation and I had some pretty critical reviews so I had to sit and rethink my writing. One such review is being ignored, but that's no concern of yours. There is a battle going on, as it seems many people prefer the way the story is headed, yet certain others are pointing out problems with it. I'd prefer feedback on which way the readers would prefer it continue. I'll write this one more towards the original point of the story. Hope you enjoy.

Ranma was walking down a hallway in the Kuno estate, following Satsuke closely. He knew the little ninja could be sly, but he wasn't stupid either. He heard a loud cough a few doors ahead and ran forward throwing open the door.

"AKANE!" He cried, trying to see her.

"Ranma?" She asked. Ranma's jaw almost fell off his face when he saw the room. It was almost an exact duplicate of hers. "What's wrong?"

"I can't believe it… Akane this isn't your room." Ranma started to say.

"Now what's that supposed to mean?" She asked, her anger rising.

"I mean we're inside the Kuno estate! They musta drugged you or somethin and brought you here." He said, still amazed at the likeness. Akane raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of idiot do you take… Satsuke?" She asked. The ninja nodded.

"He speaks the truth Miss Akane. I'm afraid it's my fault. Kuno ordered me to do it. I didn't want to, but he threatened me with harsh punishment." He said, bowing. Ranma rolled his eyes.

"We'd better get you home. You look terrible." Ranma said, making his way over to her bed.

"Oh and how do you propose we do that? I can't go outside like this!" She said. Ranma paused. How would he get her home? The night air would make her cough even worse.

"If I might make a suggestion?" Came a small voice from the doorway. Satsuke brought out a robe made out of thick fur. "This should keep her warm even in the coldest temperatures. But it's a Kuno family heirloom, so I must ask that you return it." Ranma nodded and, with a little struggling, managed to get Akane into it.

"I don't need your help you know." She said, her pride welling up inside her.

"Yeah right. Just shut up okay? I'm trying to be nice here." He said, trying to keep his calm. She sighed, but didn't have time to protest further as he lifted her into his arms. After a short while, he was out a window, and roof hopping towards home. As he skipped over the rooftops, Akane could feel something different about him. Something so small she almost missed it. Was it his aura? Or something else? She just couldn't figure it out. Her thoughts were disrupted for a moment when she was caught up in a coughing fit. She noticed Ranma's speed increase and soon the arrived at the Tendo Hall.

"Do you need anything before I take you up to bed?" Ranma asked softly. Akane raised an eyebrow and lifted a hand to his forehead.

"You don't feel warm, but you're sure acting weird." Akane said as he held her. Ranma bit back the retort that was on his tongue. He started to carry her up to her room when he heard a knock at the door.

"Anybody home?" Came a female voice. Ranma sighed. He slowly placed Akane in a chair and went to the door.

"What is it Ukyo?" Ranma asked as he opened the door.

"Everything okay Ranma? I was just closing up when I got the coldest chill of my life." She said letting herself in. Then both of them froze. A soft cry was heard from the other room.

"AKANE!" Ranma cried running back to where he had left her. She was backed into a corner, Shampoo glaring down at her. A ceremonial dagger lay imbedded into the chair where Akane had been.

"Shampoo… did you just do what I think you did?" Ranma asked, his voice growing dark. Shampoo smiled upon seeing him.

"Airen, I finally get rid of this girl. No more distraction. Then you and I become one." She said cheerfully. Ranma's fists clenched, and Ukyo grew nervous. Ranma had never struck a female while in his male body before. But this was different. Now that female was threatening the woman he loved.

"Ranma-honey, I got this. You get her up to bed." She said. Ranma blinked and slowly nodded.

"You got nothing. I kill both of you if have to." Shampoo said.

"I'd advise against it if I were you Shampoo. Can't you tell?" Ukyo countered.

"Tell what? You hide something from Shampoo?" She said glancing over at Ranma.

"Well I uh… you see…" Ranma said, his throat cramping up. Ukyo dropped her spatula, stunned.

"It's no wonder it's taken so long. Ranma-honey you're so hopeless." She said a smile spreading across her face.

"What you talking about?" Shampoo asked, growing angry.

"I mean he's made his choice!" Ukyo said, a great sorrow entering her voice.

"Choice? What choice?" Akane asked, finally calming down. A single tear rolled down Ukyo's cheek. Shampoo glowed with a fiery red aura.

"Is not true. I won't believe!" She said. Akane looked on confused. Ukyo grabbed her spatula and moved between Shampoo and Ranma.

"The least you could do is respect his choice." Ukyo said. Akane's temper started to flare.

"What the heck are you guys talking about? What choice has he made? And why is Ukyo so upset?" She roared. All three turned to look at her in disbelief.

"She's as dense as he his." Ukyo said.

"As thick as brick she break." Shampoo added. Akane let out a low growl. Ranma sighed. The time had come. There would be no backing down now. Not with all of his fiancé's here.

"What the mean Akane is that… well…" Again he couldn't say the words.

"Don't hurt yourself Ranma. I'll help you out." Ukyo said. Before Ranma could react, he got her large spatula over the head.

"What'd you do that for?" He yelled.

"For making me you're ex-fiancé." She said.

"Ex-fiancé? Why would you be his ex-fiancé?" Akane asked. The others fell over.

"You stupid tomboy get it through your head! She's trying to tell you that I love…" he froze. He couldn't say it. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't say it. But naturally, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. All Akane heard was 'stupid tomboy'.

"Well if I'm so stupid, why are… Oh never mind. I'm going to bed." She said as she started up the stairs. Ranma's face fell. He had done it again. Lost control of his temper and not only put his foot in his mouth, but began to gnaw on it too.

"Akane wait!" Ukyo called. Akane stopped, but didn't turn around. "Can't you just hear him out for once? Akane?" Instead of turning or continuing, she started to topple. Ranma rushed to catch her and noticed her face flush with fever and sweat.

"You dummy. You've gone and overdone it again." He said, cradling her in his arms.

"This stupid. How you love kitchen destroyer? She bad for you." Shampoo spat.

"She's not bad for me. And I just do. So why don't you just leave." Ranma said, stroking Akane's forehead. Shampoo was stunned.

"Ukyo, thanks for being there. You'll always be the greatest friend." He said, carrying Akane upstairs.

"Just a friend… what more could a girl ask for?" She said, fleeing the house. She would hide her tears just this once more. Shampoo quietly left the dojo, not sure how she should feel. She needed to walk, and think. It would be some time before she would return to the Nekohaten.