A.N.: This is my first ever fan fic! I was just inspired to start it, so what can you say? I am actually writing this note after the original posting of this chapter. Right now I'm working on chapter 16. I never planned on making the story lead that way, but hey! Not everything is a piece of pie! I feel like I should have written a lemon for this because I rated it NC-17. now it's at an R rating, but I may push it back up. I was fixing the flash back sequence, and I realized I never wrote an author's note for this first chapter. I just want to say please review my work and tell me your opinion! I value all of the opinions! You can also feel free to email me. I have another work called the right thing. Check it out! It's a fruits basket fic, and I really am having a lot of fun writing it. I might push the rating up on that too. That's an R because of a couple of the relationships. Back to this story! I enjoyed the events that occur before and after their big engagement party. After might be delving into the serious stuff though—there's more drama and maybe some angst. I'm trying to hook everyone up! Well, please read and enjoy. CJD 3
Disclaimer: This story is 100% mine, but the characters and curse belong to Rumiko Takahashi! She's a cool author!!
Their Love
Prologue
This story begins the next day, as the name of the first chapter states. This day is the day after many, many turning points in Ranma and Akane's relationship. The previous evening was when their relationship moved from constant "I hate yous," to constant "I love yous." The two were obviously caught up in the moment, thus, where the chapter begins. No worries! All shall be explained, but I'd rather explain it in the story.
Chapter 1: The Next Day
"Akane...Akane...Wake up Akane...." His voice was soft. He didn't want to startle her. As much as he loved watching his fiancée sleep calmly, he knew that dawn was coming, and they had to get home before anyone noticed they were gone.
"Akane..." he said again until, "Hm...?" She responded, now stirring out of her peaceful sleep.
"Akane, I'm sorry to wake you but dawn is coming. If we don't get home soon, everyone will notice, and then our fathers will interrogate us, and I don't think they should know about us just yet. It's still settling in my mind. I love you so much and I don't want anyone interrupting our relationship just yet. We can wait a week and then tell them."
"But Ranma, do you mean we have to be secretive about our relationship for a whole week?" she said sitting up.
"Not necessarily. We can be ourselves and they can think what they want. I couldn't stand not holding you for a whole week."
"Yes me either. I love you too much to ever let you go."
"Okay, so why don't we go home, get some more sleep, and then we'll act as if we stopped hating each other, which is so true, in fact, I never hated you." He said hugging his fiancée. "I've loved you for a long time."
"I never hated you either, although I didn't know you were the 'man' I was going to marry the moment we met, but I fell in love with you pretty soon after that."
"Too bad all of that terrible stuff had to keep happening to us. Like Shampoo, and Ucchan, and Ryoga, and Mousse, and well, the list goes on."
"Yeah, well we'll let them know soon enough."
"Yes please! The sooner the better. The only girl I want hanging on me is you! You and no one else!" He said, now getting up and searching for his boxers.
"I'm so happy I'll finally have you all to myself!" She said. He found them and while he was at it, he threw Akane her panties.
"Akane, you always had me all to yourself. No doubt about it." He said with a reassuring smile.
"I love you, Ranma Saotome."
"And I love you, Future Mrs. Saotome."
"Oh I can't wait to get the "future" off of that statement!"
"Well, why don't we just take it off now, Mrs. Saotome?"
"Say it again, Mr. Saotome" she demanded with a chuckle.
"Mrs. Ranma Saotome." He said smiling, and collapsing onto the bed again.
"I love hearing that!" she said hugging on to her now half-naked fiancé.
"Alright, now lets go back to the house. Before anyone notices we're not there." He said pressing a small kiss on Akane's lips. He led her to the hallway, and they picked up their clothes. Once both were fully dressed, they exited the small, secret, cottage, and took one last look around the beautiful garden. He had brought her here last night. She didn't exactly know who it belonged to, if it belonged to anyone. However, she didn't really care at the time. The only thing she cared about was Ranma, her fiancé. The man she loved with all her heart. Only a few hours ago he had told her how in love with her he really was. He was the one stepping out onto a limb and putting his heart on the line. He was so brave, but so delicate. He was scared that she didn't feel the same way, but he didn't care. He realized that he was in love with her a couple of months ago, and finally told her last night.
Flashback
She had been having terrible dreams of Ranma, the man she loved, getting hurt. Each night, it was a different dream. One night Ranma would be injured in fight, trying to protect her, or make sure she would be safe from Kuno or doctor Tofu, or any of the men he thought she liked. The next night, Ranma was declaring his love to another girl like Shampoo, or Ukyo. It was so disturbing, she went into the training hall at one am to throw some punches at her aggravation.
Tonight, Ranma had been waiting for this. All week she had been sneaking into the hall for some midnight training. This time he was really worried because she had started falling asleep during the day, and almost got run over on the way home. If he hadn't been there, who knows what would have happened to her.
He figured that her could pester about whatever is brining on this insomnia and he would try with all his might to help her with it. She was in the training hall, punching away in her pajama shorts and matching shirt. He watched her from the doorway, hiding just enough so she couldn't see him. He was watching, and in between punches and kicks, she started talking to herself.
"Stupid dreams! Why does he haunt me day and night! Its bad enough I have to see him all day long, but in my dreams too? This has got to end. I have to tell him soon, or I won't be able to control myself. Dreams will turn into reality and I might embarrass myself. I'm such a fool! Hyah!"
She started punching more and then did a kick, which made her turn around. Someone had caught it. If they had caught her kick, they must've heard what she was saying only seconds before. She turned.
It was the one person she couldn't bear to see. She wanted to tell him how she felt. How she wished that he would declare his love for her, how he protected her from all that was evil, but not get hurt. She ached to tell him that she loved him.
"You're not a fool." He said with a smile. "What are you doing here?!" She said surprised. "Well, I have a few things on my mind that I want to put out in the open." He said, letting her foot go. "Well, what is it?" She asked, trying to keep what she said to a minimum.
"Well, Akane, I know that you are disturbed over something, and I'm worried about you. You are falling asleep during the day, and I want to say that whatever's bothering you, well, I'm here for you. If you would like to tell me about it, I want to help you solve these problems, so you can relax again." He said, becoming more unsettled.
"Ranma, I'm fine. I don't need your help. I can do it." She said reassuringly. "Well, you can try to get rid of me all you want, but I'm not leaving you until you tell me what's bothering you. I want to help you. I want us to not fight all the time. Im tired of fighting. Its not like I try to make you unhappy with me."
"Unhappy? How am I unhappy with you Ranma?" He saw the look in her eyes, which drove him over the edge. "I'm not sure. Akane, I'm sorry but I can't hold it in anymore. There's something that I need to tell you. I realized it a few months ago, and I've tried to be considerate of your feelings, but I can't hold it in anymore! Akane, I love you! And seeing you like this is tearing me apart! I can't stand seeing you worried about something, so I am determined to help you with it." He said.
She was shocked. She couldn't believe this. "Ranma, am I still dreaming? Is this real?" She pinched herself. He stepped closer and took her cheek into his palm. "Yes. It's real. I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way. I just-I couldn't keep it bottled up inside any longer. I love you Akane, and I want you to marry me." He said.
She was paralyzed with emotion. She found her feelings and spoke. "Ranma, I wanted to tell you something too. I love you, and I want to be the only girl you ever hold. I want to be the only girl you ever kiss. I want to be the only girl you ever love. I want to be the only girl you ever marry. I want nothing more than to be the love of your life, and I want to be your wife, Ranma Saotome." His eyes widened.
He couldn't hold back his feelings anymore. He pulled Akane so close to him, pulling her into a passionate kiss. He felt her arms wrap around his, her hands pressing into his back. They stopped to breathe, and Ranma said, "I mean, I know our fathers arranged it when we were born, but forgetting all of that, you are the only one for me. There could never be anyone I could possibly love more than you."
"Ranma, I could never be unhappy with you. If you ever thought differently, I'm setting the record straight. I was worried that I would lose you, and I would never have had the chance to say how much I love you. I don't want to sound too forward, but I think I'm ready to show you." She said, slightly blushing.
"Akane, I love you so much, more than words can express. I want this so badly, I want you, and only you so badly. Can I take you somewhere? I want to show you something."
"Lets go." She said without hesitation. He kissed her again and took her hand. He led her a short ways and stopped in the middle of a huge garden. "This way." He said, pulling his fiancée's hand. She followed him through some trees, and they found themselves in front of a small, secretive cottage.
"Ranma, are you sure we're allowed to be here?" She asked. "It's fine. No one's lived here for ten years." He said. He swept Akane off her feet and carried her into the cottage. "Oh Akane, I love you so much. I've wanted to say these words for so long." He said, kissing her.
"Ranma, you're so brave to have told me this, even when you weren't sure I didn't feel the same way. I'm so happy you did tell me, because I do. I feel the same way. I love you and I never want to keep anything from you, ever again."
"Akane...." he said, putting his fingers through her soft hair and kissing her deeply, "Ranma I can't believe I went without you for so long." "Akane, you will never be without me again."
End of flashback
Ranma then lifted Akane into his arms, gave a peck on the cheek, and started making his way home, jumping on top of rooftops. Akane had never felt so safe and secure in her entire life. She was being held in the arms of the man whom she loved with all her heart. She knew that he loved her back with all of his, and soon, they would be getting married. Not for their fathers, not for the dojo, but because they were in a beautiful, strong, love, which reached until the end of time.
Once they got home, they entered through the door of the training hall, which was still open from when they left. They walked down the hall, until they reached Akane's room.
"C'mere." She said, pulling Ranma into her room by the shirt. She fell forward into his arms just to hold him. The feel of his warm body against hers was so refreshing, and it felt so good. It felt like they were meant for each other, meant to hold each other like this, forever.
"Ranma, after you're done training wake me up, ok? She said into his chest. "Alright, will do, my love. Now you sleep, and I'll wake you up when I'm done."
"Thank you, I hope you can get a little sleep too, before you have to train with your father." She said, worried for him. Ranma looked at the clock on her night table, and said, "Yeah, I'll get about a half hour."
"Okay. Now be careful Kasumi doesn't see you leave my room, she wakes up at this time."
"Okay" Ranma said, and with one final hug and kiss, he left her room, to go to his. Careful not to wake the giant panda, Ranma crept into his futon, and fell asleep right away, only to dream of his beautiful Akane.
After training with his father ended, Ranma jumped upstairs and stealthily slipped into Akane's room, making sure no one was around. He did as he was told and gently rubbed Akane's arm to wake her up. She was so beautiful, lying there, asleep, so peaceful, but she woke and smiled when she met the eyes of her fiancé. "Good morning fiancé." She said. "Good morning, fiancée." Ranma replied, kneeling at her bedside. "Oh Ranma, the reason I asked you to wake me was, well I wanted to know-are you hungry for breakfast?" Not knowing what Akane meant he replied, "Yeah, but Kasumi has it downstairs, its almost ready." "So you are hungry?" "Yes. Very hungry." He answered truthfully. "Alright," Akane said. "So after breakfast, we can take a bath."
"Together?" Ranma said a little shocked. "Yes, I said we. Do you mind?" She asked, worried he didn't want to bathe with her. "No, of course not, but aren't you worried about our fathers?"
"No, we'll just bathe. We can save love making for next week. Besides, aren't you exhausted?"
"Ha, no I didn't mean I wanted to make love, I was just making sure it was ok with you-if you were comfortable-we might get-" "I don't care if we're caught. I Just want to be with you. I want to hold you, and I figure a good bath is what we both need. But first-breakfast." Akane said, getting out of bed and beating Ranma out of the room. Ranma hurried out of the room, letting hunger get the better of him.
Breakfast was as good as usual, but there was a lot more eye contact than usual between Ranma and Akane. All of a sudden they both stopped looking at each other, and turned their attention to Soun Tendo, who was sobbing. The tears were pouring down his face as they did every once and a while. Akane and Ranma were now petrified. Had Soun figured it out? How could he know in such a short while? It had only been a few hours! What was up with him?
"Um- D-daddy? What's wrong?" Akane said, a trembling hand clutched in Ranma's underneath the table.
"I'm just so happy!! I think there's been a breakthrough!! You two haven't fought once this morning! Not once! Oh I believe it won't be long that our schools will be united!" Soun said sobbing. Then Panda-Genma, tears also streaming down his face, held up a sign which read "Go Get 'em you dogs!" Akane wanted to act like her usual self, so she let go of Ranma's hand and stood up. "Thank you very much for that assessment Daddy. I'll be in my room devising plans to incriminate Ranma here, the next time he so much as looks at me the wrong way!" She stormed out of the dining room and upstairs. Ranma got the idea and played along. "Yeah how can you guys be so dumb?! I could never ever like that uncute tomboy." The words were harsh, but they did the trick and Soun and Genma's hopeful looks disappeared at once. He then got up and stormed upstairs also. "I'll be in the bath, so don't bother me! I need to relax over all the trouble she gives me!" It was a perfect cover. Akane was "in her room," and Ranma claimed the bath, so they would have no disturbances. Ranma entered the bathroom and slammed it to give everyone downstairs the impression he was mad. Akane was already in the bathroom waiting. She had the water pouring into the tub.
"So was all that true? About me, that is?" She asked sarcastically. "Yes," he replied. "Its true. I can never like such an uncute tomboy. I already love you." He said and hugged on to her.
"I'm so happy you thought to keep it a secret, for at least a little while." Akane said. "I'm glad we're not being pressed for details, and –my father-poor daddy. He's wanted this for so long but he'll be sad to lose his youngest daughter." Akane sighed.
"Hey, he still has two more! Besides it's what he wants, so we're making him happy and we're making my father happy too. More importantly, we are making each other happy. I don't think I'll ever be sad, knowing that you are in my heart." Ranma said, smiling and hugging Akane. "So what about that bath, Ranma?"
"Do I smell that bad?" Ranma said with a chuckle. "No, no silly." She said, and pulled Ranma close to her, moving her hands to his waist. She then pulled his shirt over his head, and moved her hands towards Ranma's pants. She had dreamt of doing this for so long, but never believed she would actually do it. Once Ranma was in his boxers, he started unbuttoning Akane's pajama top. He slid it off of her shoulders, kissing the skin where the fabric had once been. Akane then slid her fingers into the waistband of Ranma's boxers and pushed. Once he was fully undressed, he returned the favor.
"Akane?" "Yes Ranma?" she asked worried she was doing something wrong. "I can't get over how beautiful you are. You are the most perfect angel I have ever seen." He said, looking into her beautiful eyes. "I can't even imagine how lucky I am to have such an amazing girl-woman in my life." "And I can't believe I have you, Ranma. You are so wonderful, and words don't even express how much I love you."
She placed a gentle kiss on Ranma's lips and led him over to step into the almost full tub. He stepped in and sat, his back against the far end of the tub, across from the spout. Akane then stepped in and sat in between his legs, and moved so her chest was resting on his stomach and her head lay listening to his heart. Once the tub was full, she turned off the faucet and just lay on her fiancé. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed. It was a peaceful sigh that told Akane, without words, that he was calm and happy.
"Ranma?" "Yes?" "Did I ever thank you?" She asked moving her head a little to look into her fiancé's deep eyes. "Thank me? What for?" he asked looking back into her eyes.
"Did I ever thank you for caring about me so much?" "What do you mean? How so?"
"Well, if you didn't care about me, then you never would have asked me what was wrong last night. And if you didn't tell me that you loved me, then, I guess we would still be pretending to hate each other."
"no Akane, don't you realize? I've loved you for a long time. I was going to tell you one way or another. Last night, I just, took my opportunity. You are part of me. You hold my heart and soul. And whatever was going on in your head really seemed to be taking a toll on you. If I wasn't there when you walked out in front of that truck, then –I don't even want to think about it. I wanted to tell you so you would understand why I wanted to help you. I was fed up with you not even looking at me for a week, like you were ashamed of me. It was torture to see you in such pain."
"I wasn't ashamed of you, I could never be ashamed of you. I was ashamed of myself, for thinking things and making stupid assumptions."
"Don't be ashamed of yourself. You were right in worrying if you loved me."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I was worried that someone would take you away fro me, and I would never have the chance to tell you that I love you." She said. "And now, I'm so happy that you love me too. Last night was the best night of my life."
"Yeah, I'm still so shocked that you would love someone as foolish and childish as me." He said, kissing the top of her head.
"I think you mean someone as brave and heroic as you. But at times, you can be foolish and childish, but only sometimes, and with just cause." She smiled.
Ranma picked up some soap and put some into his hands. He gently started smoothing it over her skin. It was like silk on silk. Ranma absolutely loved the feel of her soft skin under his hands. He rubbed her back and then her shoulders and then her arms and hands, occasionally going back for more soap. He then repositioned her so he could wash her front. He moved his hands softly around her stomach and then her chest, and her neck. He wet her hair and then put some shampoo on her head, starting to massage it. She was in absolute ecstasy and wished this could last forever. Ranma couldn't believe how nice this was. He had wanted to touch her like this for such a long time. Now that he was actually doing it, he never wanted to stop. Eventually, every single inch of her soft skin had been massaged, and it was now Akane's turn. She picked up the soap and started rubbing his muscular chest. It felt so nice against her small, soft hands. She massaged his neck, down to his abs, and moved behind him, so she could massage the tense muscles in his back. It was absolute heaven to both. Each loved he touch of the other's skin. "Akane?" he said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Ranma?" She asked back, still massaging his back. "How are we going to tell them? What are we going to tell them? When are we going to tell them?" He asked.
"Hm... I guess we better figure that out, shouldn't we?" She said, stopping the massage, and wrapping her arms around his torso and leaning her cheek on his soapy shoulder. "Well, what do you think we should do?" she asked.
"Well, I was thinking that the more we wait, the more details they'll want to know, and the angrier they'll be." "Yeah, that's true. Maybe waiting a week isn't a good idea. Plus, we can't keep acting like we hate each other all the time." She said with a sigh. "I mean, it was hard enough at breakfast. I love you too much to say things like that ever again." "Hey here's an idea! Why don't we tell them tomorrow night, so we can have the rest of the day and most of tomorrow in peace? We can tell every one tomorrow night at dinner, and that will be that!"
"Yeah that is a good idea," Akane said, putting the shampoo in her hands, and started rubbing it into Ranma's hair. "Yeah, it is a good idea. We can I guess be ourselves at school, to let everyone know, I guess and then we can surprise them at dinner tomorrow night." "That way, our father's won't be too mad. They'll be crying no matter what though. Oh that tickles!" he said to Akane, who was rubbing his ears. "hehe, looks like I've found your weak spot." She said giggling. "Oh, I have many weak spots." He said turning around and grabbing Akane, bringing her in front of him again. "Now I have to find one of your weak spots! Hehehe lookout!" he said almost pouncing on her, tickling her all over. She was laughing and when Ranma stopped to let her breathe, she pulled him down for a kiss. Her hands roamed all over his body. Moving along his soapy back and through his hair. They stopped kissing to catch their breath and simultaneously said, "Wait." They both felt relieved, being that they both didn't want to do anything too compromising, while four other people were in the house, four relatives. They both smiled and understood. "Not now." They said together. Ranma, placing a soft kiss on her lips said, "Why don't we wash off all of this soap, eh?" "Good idea." Was Akane's response. Ranma placed a soft kiss on Akane's lips and slowly stood, bringing Akane with him. She pulled the plug on the bath, and Ranma started the shower. The water was warm, which was good. Ranma wanted to stay a man for Akane forever. He wanted to rid himself of the curse now more than ever.
"Akane, c'mere." Ranma said pulling Akane into a tight embrace. They stood, holding eachother tight and swaying back and forth gently. Ranma rinsed the shampoo out of Akane's hair, and she did the same. They stood under the warm water until they were soap free, and then got out of the shower. Akane took a towel to Ranma's hair, worrying that it would get cold. Ranma followed suit and started drying off his fiancée. "This is bliss Akane." Ranma whispered into her ear. "Yeah. Thank you." "Tell me we can do this tomorrow." Ranma asked with a hopeful look. "Early, before school. I want to start my day off right." She said. "Yes ma'am." Ranma said with a sly smile. A look of realization on her face, "Oh darn. I didn't bring any clothes with me. And I don't want anyone thinking I was with you." "Well then, I'll be back in a jiffy, babe." He said, wrapping a towel around his waist.
He exited the bathroom and hurried down the hallway to his room. He threw on some boxers and a pair of pants. Grabbing a shirt, he ran out and hurried into Akane's room. He grabbed a pair of panties, which he thought were cute, a bra, and the sundress he really liked on her. He ran out again and back into the bathroom. "Here you go, catch." He tossed her the clothes. "Thanks." She said with a smile. He put his shirt on and Akane got dressed. She finished and saw Ramna messing with his hair. "Oh, here, can I do that?" "Yeah, thanks." He said and Akane picked a brush up out of the basket on the counter. She ran it through his hair, careful not to mess up his braid.
"Akane, would you like to go out for lunch?" Ranma asked, being that it was almost time for lunch. "Sure. I'd love to. Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere we won't run into Shampoo, Ucchan, Kuno, Ryoga, or Kodachi." Ranma said with all seriousness. "Ok, then we can walk through town and see if there's anything good." "Ok, and then when we get back we can spend the rest of our after noon doing homework. I hate to say it, but we do have school tomorrow and there is homework. Of course you missed the lessons because you were sleeping, but I can help you." "I seriously forgot we're still in school. Wow, you just totally made reality a blur. I guess I was having such a good time, I forgot the world spins and we're part of it. When I'm with you it feels like time stops." "Yeah, I just realized that too. I don't want you missing homework because of me now." "No, and I don't want that to happen to you either." "Ok, now its lunch time! I'll leave first, and then you can leave after me." He said. "And don't worry, we'll never have to sneak around after tomorrow." "That sounds good. See you in a few minutes."
Ranma went down stairs and announced to the room that he was going out to lunch, and that he would be back later. He left the house and headed down the path towards town. Akane waited a minute and went down stairs. "I'm going into town, I might stop off for lunch." "Oh, Akane, what a coincidence, Ranma just left for town as well. Maybe you could catch up and have lunch together?" Nabiki asked with a hopeful look. "I'll pass, thanks. See ya later!" Akane said and left the house. She started heading down the path, and was startled when Ranma pounced on her from behind a bush. "Haha, there you are. Shall we go then?" "Yeah, lets go!"
They walked hand in hand all the way to town, and down the street lined with restaurants. Akane spotted a nice soup restaurant and suggested it to Ranma. He agreed, and the two went in and claimed a nice little table. While they were waiting for their soup, Ranma took Akane's hand and said, "Akane I was wondering, should we have an engagement party?" Her eyes widened. "Really?! You think we should?" "Well, yeah! We should celebrate our love right? Besides it's a perfect way to tell everyone about our love! This way there won't be any more interruptions by anyone. There will only be us and arrangements for a-June-wedding?" "June? Haha im not sure if its too soon, or not soon enough!" "Well, I figure, we'll need a couple of months for getting everything together. How about we announce that at our party? Hm... why don't we have the engagement party this Saturday? And then we can have wedding the two months from then- by then, school will be out and everything will be perfect!"
"What a great idea!" Akane exclaimed. We can hold the party at our house and invite everyone! This is going to be so much fun! Oh, but there's one problem. What are we going to wear?"
"Well, since we are in town, why don't we buy something to wear?" he asked. "Should we wear matching colors?" Akane added as an after thought. "Well, why don't we find an absolutely stunning dress for you, and then we can find something for me afterwards."
They continued the discussion during lunch, sharing ideas on the wedding and the upcoming party. After they left the restaurant, they walked down to a small boutique, which sold dresses for dinner parties and similar events. An hour later they walked out carrying and shopping bag, and headed for a store where they could find something for Ranma that would match Akane's dress. A half hour later, they left with another shopping bag, and headed home.
