Chapter 9
"Ranma, we need to talk." Akane repeated when they entered the dojo.
"There's no time for that. Now come at me." Ranma said, taking a fighting stance.
"I don't want to fight, I want to talk. Why are you acting like this?" Akane asked. She noticed his eyes were red too. But for what reason?
"I'll explain later, now attack me!" Ranma said again. She sighed and took a fighting stance. She ran at him and swung with her fist. Ranma dodged it easily.
"Akane, I know this seems hard, but I need you to give it everything you've got." Ranma said. She nodded and focused her mind. She let loose a punch-kick combo, making Ranma block then dodge. Ranma could see it in her eyes. She didn't want to fight him. For that matter he didn't want to fight her. But he needed to make sure he was in top form for tonight's battle.
"Ranma, I can't do this anymore." She said, going to her knees. "I don't want to fight you right now. I need to know something." Ranma walked over to her and knelt down.
"Akane I'm sorry. I just can't afford to be weak right now. Especially tonight." He explained.
"Why? What's so important about tonight?" she asked. Ranma sighed.
"He's coming again tonight Akane. He's coming for you." He said softly. Akane gasped.
"How do you know? Did he tell you?" She asked him. He shook his head.
"I saw it in a vision last night. He'll arrive around dusk and attempt to take your soul. And unless I'm prepared, he'll succeed." He said, looking away. She pulled his chin around to look at her.
"I believe in you. I know you won't let him get me." She said. Then she leaned in to kiss him. Their lips met and a soft blue aura surrounded them. They sat like that, their lips pressed together, for what seemed forever, yet not long enough. When they pulled apart, they were both blushing furiously. Ranma looked over and noticed the door to the dojo was slightly open. He went over and quickly made a makeshift lock from a piece of wood that would keep the others out. He returned to her and lifted her to her feet. He placed his arms around her and pulled her in for another kiss. This one was brief compared to the last though. Then they separated.
"Do you think our parents know?" Akane asked shyly.
"I doubt it. Though I sort of told Happosai earlier. He won't say anything." Ranma admitted. Akane nodded.
"I told my sisters and… oh my god. I told Nabiki. I'm gonna be broke for life!" Akane said hysterically. Ranma chuckled.
"If she gets any ideas, I'll put her in the hospital. No one will hurt the one I love." Ranma said.
"Oh Ranma…" Akane sighed, placing her head on his chest. She felt a stirring from her heart and stomach. She wanted him. Both his heart and his body. But they were much too young for that kind of thing, weren't they? Ranma had also felt it, but his warrior's instinct forced it back into the recesses of his mind. He softly pushed her off him and smiled.
"Will you help me train now?" he asked. She nodded and the sparring began.
* * *
"Something's not right Kasumi." Nabiki said quietly. "They were quiet for much too long."
"Oh Nabiki, they're in love. Just leave them be." Kasumi replied. They had sworn to each other not to tell Soun or Genma, though Nabiki's mind had already started making plans to blackmail the two. Kasumi returned to the house to start her cleaning, but Nabiki wasn't satisfied. She walked over to the dojo and tried to slide the door open. It wouldn't budge. She tried harder this time, but still the door wouldn't move.
"Ranma Saotome, what are you doing to my sister?!" She called. She heard them giggling inside and Akane call back.
"Nothing Nabiki. We're just sparring." She said. Nabiki didn't buy it.
"Then why won't the door open?" She asked.
"Maybe cuz you're too weak to open it!" Ranma said, taunting her. They both giggled again. Nabiki was getting furious.
"All right you two, if that's the way you want it, so be it." They could hear her storming away.
"I don't like the sounds of that Ranma. She's probably got some tricks up her sleeve." Akane said.
"Oh don't worry about it. Now come on, I want to try some new moves with you." He replied. She nodded and they started their new special technique.
* * *
"I'll show you Ranma. No one keeps me from getting ALL the dirt on my friends." Nabiki said up in her room. She pulled out the picture of him holding a nude Shampoo and looked at it. Then she frowned.
"What am I doing? Those two are finally getting along. What right do I have to cause a ruckus?" She asked herself. *My bank account gives me all the rights I need* she thought. Then she shook her head.
"No this isn't right. They would never forgive me." She said. She sat down on her bed and sighed. As much as she preferred being single, she was kind of jealous at their love for each other. She would just use her information against Ranma and her sister to keep her cash flow going.
"I won't break your hearts this time, but I will not be made a fool of!" She said angrily.
* * *
"They refused lunch and won't come out of the dojo father." Kasumi said, placing some bowls of ramen on the table.
"They must be training really hard for their final battle with the ninja." Genma stated. Soun nodded.
"Tell me Kasumi, is this a new recipe?" Soun asked.
"Why no father, I actually ordered it from the Cat Café. Shampoo said it would be free this time." She replied.
"I just can't place this flavor." Soun said. It wasn't long until they had all finished their meals. It was an even shorter time before they were all unconscious. A purple haired woman slipped past them quietly.
"Shampoo hear about stupid Akane trying to steal Ranma. Won't happen if Shampoo can help it." She said. She made her way over to the dojo. The placed her ear against the wall and listened.
"Come on Akane, hurry up. You're too slow." Ranma said, his breathing heavy.
"I'm going as fast as I can Ranma. Are you sure we can't do this later? I need to rest!" Akane wheezed.
"But it's almost over. Just a few more times and I'll be done. Then we can rest." He said.
*What were they doing in there?* She wondered.
"That's it Akane, right there. Oh yes that feels good!" Ranma cried.
"AIYAHH!!!" Shampoo cried, breaking the door down. "Akane what you doing to my husband?"
"Sh-shampoo?!" Akane cried. She backed away from Ranma.