Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½. But I do own my original characters, which you can easily identify. Ugh...that sounds so formal.

When I saw all those reviews for my first chapter, I nearly wanted to scream and go to the bathroom, but you probably didn't need to know that. Thank you for your praise, and thanks to those who gave constructive criticism, not that the other reviews are worth less. I actually like being told I'm doing a good job.

Oh, and think of this as taking place somewhere in the middle of the series.

Part Two
Another One Bites the Dust

Rai Kin had never really been the violent type, but something about this 'Ranma' character made him want to knock out the first person in sight. Perhaps it was because of his cockiness and his secure fighting stance. Or maybe because those rags he called "clothes" simply did not match. But perhaps the notion that drove him to the brink of destruction at the sight of this boy was the possibility that he might have his same goal: to marry Akane.

Afterall, he was also an heir to an Anything-Goes school. It would only make sense that this boy with annoying blue eyes and a thick raven braid would also want to marry an heiress to the sister school. If this was true, this was dangerous.

Saotome is a danger.

He was a danger to his oath: the oath that had pulled him all the way from the west coasts of America to the heart of Japan.

So he sternly repeated his statement to Akane, a statement that seemed to stun her just as much as it did the boy in front of him. "We must marry."

-

As if it weren't shocking enough that she had met another heir to an Anything-Goes School, God decided to dump on her another fiancée. It seemed her constant boy problems at school weren't good enough.

She studied his confident stance, looking deep into the golden eyes that refused to look away. His blonde hair was spiked in a stylish yet natural way, and she saw a thin braid trailing down his neck, three inches long, she presumed. He wore a black bandana thathad elegantly tilted to the right, and it was acting as a shield to the stubborn blonde strands of hair had refused to cooperate with the rest of his spiked hair, and would much rather actas bangs. He wore a trendy black tank top that hung just below his waist, and his pants resembled Ranma's, with the exception of the color. She guessed his favorite color was black. He looked like a strong, yet patient guy, but something told her he wanted a response now.

But all she could muster up from the dumbfounded ness of the situation was a confused, "What?"

"Miss Akane," he said with a much softer voice. For him, it seemed, Ranma had magically disappeard into the background, for he walked over to Akane with a look that told her that all that mattered in the world right now was she. She took an uncertain step back, but continued to look into his eyes. It was as if she were hypnotized by their golden color, they were a beautiful mystery to her chocolate eyes.

And she couldn't help but like them.

Just a bit.

Without warning, Rai dropped to one knee and gently took her small hand into his, never letting their eyes part. "Will you be my wife?"

Akane's eye's widened, wondering if she really was awake.

What a way to start the day.

-

He knew her too well to think she would blush on purpose. If he knew her (wich he was pretty sure he did) Akane was making attempts to stop the flow of blood from reaching her cheeks. But her attempts were in vain, for even he could see them grow red, and every second that passed made them brighter and brighter. He waited for her to say something, anything that would make that jerk get his hand off of her. She could say 'of course not!' or 'are you crazy?' Even a simple 'no' would do. But she just gawked stupidly at him with a dreamy sort of stare as if she wanted to say...

Ranma frowned.

Why was it taking so long for her to say no?

Not that he cared. It wasn't like he wanted her to say no. It's just that he knew her (or at least he thought he did five seconds ago), and it would be out of character if she didn't blurt out some retort.

Because that innocent act of an embarassed girly-girl did not fit her at all.

Tired of waiting for Akane to regain her senses, Ranma huffed out an annoyed "feh" and tightened his fist. "Hey you!" he accused. He ran toward Rai, a fist full of angry power waiting to mangle that pretty-boy face. "Did you forget about me?"

It wasn't until she heard his voice that she remembered he was still there, and she looked towards him as he jumped up to give Rai a strong sock to the face. "Ranma?"

Rai looked back at him calmly, his knee still touching the gravel. A split second before Ranma's fist could meet his face, he swiftly grabbed Akane by the waist and gracefully jumped out of the way. "You attack me while my back is to you?" inquired Rai, his arm securely on Akane's waist. "Most dishonorable."

"Shaddup, idiot!" yelled Ranma. "It's your fault for ignoring me while in the midst of a duel!"

"Hey...would you mind letting me go?" asked Akane, the anger of intimate physical contact starting to bubble in her brain. There are certain things one should never say or do to Akane Tendou, and touching her was one of them. However, Rai ignored her and her complaint, too caught up in the heated discussion with his rival.

"Still, that is not reason enough to give a sneak attack...especially when Miss Akane was so close to your attack..."

"I'm not so sloppy as to accidentally hit a girl when I fight!"

"Please get your arm off me," said Akane in vain. Boys, when confronted in such situations of honor, are impossible to talk to. Then again, boys were pretty much impossible to talk to anyway.

"Your will to fight is blinded by anger. I have no intention of fighting you in such a state."

"You shouldn't worry about me! Worry about yourself!"

Nonetheless, Akane didn't give up, though her anger was starting to get the best of her. "Get your arm off me."

"Why are you so angry? Is it because I have your woman?"

"What? My woman? That violent chick is nothing more than a tomboy!"

"Shut up, Ranma!" Akane yelled angrily. "And you!" she said in an accusing voice to Rai. Steam seemed to come out her ears, her face flushed in anger, and with a punch that would make Oscar de la Hoya proud, she sent Rai Kin flying through the air. "I said get off!"

"Heh...serves him right..." mumbled Ranma, watching Rai's form start to fall from the heavens into some unlucky soul's backyard. Akane looked at him, and he looked back at her. He looked away suddenly, startled by a sudden thought that Akane might mistake his behavior with jealousy. "...For thinking a tomboy could be a suitable wife..."

Akane gave a long, defeated sigh.

Why couldn't he just quit while he was ahead?

She walked over to Ranma and gave him a black eye for him to remember her by.

Snatching her schoolbag (that had somehow ended up in a tree), she took long, angry strides to Furinkan High, leaving Ranma and his face alone to enjoy the taste of the morning dirt.

-

He had landed on a tree, his head stuck between two thick, stubborn branches. It was a miracle that he hadn't lost any of his teeth and even more so that he hadn't broken bones. Though his head did feel a bit queasy, as if his brain had literally been scrambled.

It was useless trying to squeeze his head out without a second hand, so he just leaned uncomfortably on the tree, his arms crossed awkwardly in deep thought. "Hmm...Akane Tendou..." he muttered slowly. "...Has a strong left hook."

Feisty, strong, obstinate, and cute. After a few more minutes of pondering, Rai came to an important conclusion. "She'll be a perfect bride."

End of Part Two

It's a bit longer than last chapter, but I still feel it's short. Sorry. I was gonna make it longer, but I also have other stories to write, and it's rather tiring sitting all day in front of the computer. Not only is it harmful to my eyes but also to my buns. Uh...I'm guessing you didn't have to know that. But whatever. Hope you liked it anyway (the story).

Now review please!

Adios!