Chapter 10

Akane stood dumbfounded. There was Ranma, holding her letter. Was he the writer of that letter? Did he know? Was he mad? Those, plus a bunch of other questions, whirled around in her head as he looked at her. They hadn't even noticed Satsuke and Ryoga sneak away to leave them in peace.

"Wha. what are you doing with that?" She finally asked.

"It's your reply isn't it? To your mystery writer?" He asked.

"Like it's any of your business." She growled.

"It is my business. I'm making it my business." He shot back. Her eyes went wide.

"Ranma, I." She started.

"This is the second letter where you've turned down Ryo. this other person. Now I want the answer." He said, holding the letter towards her. Suddenly his voice went extremely soft.

"Who is it Akane? Who are you in love with?" The softness in his voice caught her off guard. Why was he so worked up over this?

"I. can't tell you." She said.

"Why not? I'm your fiancé aren't I? I have the right to know." Ranma shot, his despair rising.

"Because I don't know if he feels the same." She replied, her gaze down. Ranma took a step forward. He wanted to hold her. To tell her how he felt. Yet so many times she had hit him when he touched her. His fist instinctively clenched in frustration.

"You know what Akane?" Ranma started, then lost his coolness. His brave, unbeatable exterior shattered like a pane of glass. "That's what I've been worried about all these years." Her head snapped up at his words. Her open mouth revealing the shock that was tearing through her mind.

"You mean." she asked. He nodded.

"I love you Akane. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say it. Correction, to say it to you and not cower before what everyone else thought." He said. It only took a second for his words to reach her heart. When they did she couldn't hold back. She flung herself at him, desperate to be held by him.

"Oh Ranma, I've waited so long to hear those words." She said, a tear rolling down her cheek. "During the failed wedding, when you couldn't do it, I didn't know how you felt. I was so afraid that you didn't want me." Ranma shook his head.

"I've wanted to tell you for so long, but I just couldn't say the words. I was too afraid you didn't love me in return. I couldn't stand the thought of your rejection." He said, holding her close. Suddenly Akane was overcome by a loud coughing fit. The cold air was getting to her. When she finally stopped, Ranma picked her up into his arms and started for the house. Then, the only thing that could have stopped that perfect moment happened.

"Ranma, what are you doing up so early?" Came a voice from the doorway. The two of them froze in terror. If it was Nabiki, they were doomed. If either of the fathers, then marriage by tomorrow. But instead it was Happosai.

"What do you want you old freak?" He asked, ready to fight. Although he had forgotten he had Akane in his arms.

"That's no way to speak to your master. But I'll let it go for now. That is of course if you'd be willing to tell me what Akane's doing in your arms?" He said, a sly smile spreading across his face. Both teens went a deep crimson.

"Alright you freak, but on one condition. Not a word of this is leaked to either of our fathers." Ranma growled. "Or Nabiki!" Akane added quickly. Happosai nodded. His word was usually good, unless it involved panty raids and free food.

"We've admitted our love for each other and we plan to get married. Just not the way our parents want it. Especially not so soon." Akane said. Happosai hopped up on Ranma's shoulder.

"I'm proud of you Ranma. I know how much you've been struggling with this lately, and it just goes to say a martial artist always achieves his goals. Maybe there's hope for the school after all." He said. Ranma wasn't sure whether to hit him or thank him. Instead he chose the latter. He was in too good a mood to be mad anyway.

"Now if you don't mind, I need to take her to bed before she catches her death." Ranma said, moving inside. He moved quietly up the stairs and placed her gently on the bed. She pulled him into a tight embrace, not wanting to let him go. Then there was a knock at the door.

"Akane, have you seen Ranma? I went to wake him up for school, but he wasn't in his room. Oh my." She said seeing the two in each other's arms. Ranma quickly shut the door, ushering Kasumi into the room.

"Geez at this rate the whole house will know before breakfast!" Ranma sighed. Kasumi raised an eyebrow.

"Know about what Ranma? Have you been doing indecent things with my sister?" She asked. Ranma went a fiery red, and Akane giggled.

"No Kasumi, we just. admitted our feelings for each other." Akane said.

"Oh Akane, that's wonderful. When will you tell father?" She asked. Akane sighed.

"We're actually not planning on it right now." Ranma said. "Soon as pop hears, he'll have the wedding planners knocking on our door. We just want a little privacy for now."

"Then I suppose telling Nabiki is out of the question as well." Kasumi said with a soft giggle. The two lovers nodded.

"Thanks for understanding Kasumi. We'll tell everyone sooner or later. Just not right now." Akane said. Then again, there were already a bunch of people who knew. Ukyo, Shampoo, the Kuno's, Happosai and now Kasumi. It wouldn't take long for word to spread.

"That reminds me, Dr. Tofu called last night. He said you should be back to your old self by tomorrow morning, so try to take it easy ok?" Kasumi said, closing the door behind her. Ranma and Akane looked at each other.

"I feel so light. Like a huge weight has been lifted from my chest." Akane said. Ranma nodded.

"It is nice having finally said what I've been meaning to say for so long." He agreed. "But what about my curse?" Akane smiled softly.

"It doesn't matter Ranma. It hasn't bothered me for some time now. In fact it can be quite entertaining at times." She giggled. He grinned and gave her a soft hit on her arm.

"I should go. I'm going to be late for school. And I just KNOW that stupid principal will have some scheme waiting for me." He said, starting to get up. She quickly grabbed onto his arm.

"Wouldn't you rather stay home with me? With this?" She asked, pulling him down into a soft kiss.

"I'd probably just sleep through class anyway." He said with a grin, snuggling up beside her. The next time they woke up would be the beginning of a new life for the both of them.

AN: Well I guess that's it. I know it kinda tapered off in the end, but it was sort of hard to close it off. Too many options, too many ideas, so I basically went with the first one I thought of. Hope you enjoyed it. Reviews are always appreciated. Also, this is my 2nd Ranma fic. Good chance for a third, possibly a crossover. Not really sure. Thanks for reading all.