Wow… I haven't updated in MONTHS! This is my favorite fic I've written, although it is only 1 of 2… lol, but yes… umm…. I've been kind of busy lately. But now I'm not! So I think I'll continue so I can find out what happens!

(Thought)

Day 1 Part 3

Akane walked hastily off of the stage and backstage. (The NERVE of that…that…that GIRL to do that to him! I mean, Ranma doesn't even like girls! And who is to say she wanted her to kiss him! When I see her it won't be pretty! The nerve of her kissing MY fian…) Akane had lost herself in jealousy, then caught herself again when she realized that Ranma was no longer her fiancé. She stopped in the middle of her rampage and stood there staring blankly ahead until a tear rolled down her cheek.

Just then she felt a tug on the waist of her dress. It was Emerald.

"Akane, why are you crying?"

Akane quickly wiped the tear from her face and smiled at the young girl.

"I just want to go home is all!" she said smiling "I'm just a little home sick! Kind of silly huh?" she then started to laugh a little.

"I saw it too Akane" Emerald said empathetically.

"You did?" Akane's voice started to shake as more tears began to roll down her cheeks. Akane dropped to her knees on the floor and began to cry; now making no attempt to hide her sadness. When Emerald saw this she dropped to her knees too and held Akane.

"Akane, lets go back top the main house, there are so many maids here I won't be missed, and you're in no condition to go back either." She stood then out reached her hand towards Akane who was still on the floor. "Come on Akane."

Akane looked up and saw Emerald's eyes, so kind and warm, and took her hand.

The two left the building and returned to the main house.

Ranma Pulled away form the kiss.

"Look Anastasia, your nice and all but…"

"But what Ranma?" she whispered in his ear. She then grasped her chest. "You hate me don't you?" She then pulled her face away and started to cry. (This ought to get him). Ranma hated seeing girls cry.

"No no no! That's not it! I think you're very nice! It's just that…" Anastasia then looked up and interrupted Ranma.

"So that means you wouldn't mind going out with me tomorrow evening. The next Tournament isn't for a week or so, so we have plenty of time."

Ranma sat there in shock. (Should I go out with her tomorrow? I mean, hey, it's only hangin' out right? Nothing is gonna happen anyway)

"Sure! That would be fun! Just please stop crying."

Anastasia smiled and nodded her head. "I'll come get you from your room in the evening, around 5 sound good?"

"Sure!"

Anastasia jumped out her seat and said, "Good, I'll meet you around 5." She then proceeded to leave the building.

Just then the announcer said, "And up next, will be Ranma Saotome…"

Akane and Emerald walked through the courtyard in silence. Akane, too caught up in her own thought to speak to Emerald and Emerald, being too scared off offending Akane, said nothing also.

Akane broke the silence. "You know Emerald, you're still kind of young, so take some advice from me and NEVER get involved with any of them! They're all evil, and perverted, and…"

"But won't that mean I'll never get to fall in love, Akane?" Emerald asked.

Akane stopped walking and stood there "Well, I suppose but, ugh, never mind. Just be careful before you do; because when you do he could leave you or break your heart or find someone else or…"

"Is that what happened to you Akane?"

"ME! NO! I never loved…" Akane stopped speaking.

"Yes, that's exactly what happened…"

The Emerald escorted Akane back to her room and tucked her in.

"Good night Akane, sleep well"

"You too Emerald. And Em, thanks" Akane said as she smiled than drifted off to sleep.

Emerald stood there for a second and watched as Akane drifted to Akane.

(She's so miserable without him, who would not them not to be together? It's so tragic… but what can I do?) She faced Akane as she closed the door silently. After she closed the door she stood there for a moment and placed her forehead against the door. As she stood there she felt a presence on the behind her.

"Emerald darling..." That voice sent a shrill down her spine and she quivered.

"Have you found anything out for me like you were supposed to?"

"It won't work Francois. She loves him too much. The other night at the ball, not even that worked completely. Although she may say mean things about him, it's not because she hates him. She loves him too much. It just won't work, so I even bother." Emeralds voice got a bit more hostile, "So no matter what you ask me to do, IT WON'T WORK. What kind of man tries to separate two people who are in love anyway? I hope you rot in…"

Francoise grabbed one of Emeralds shoulders and turned her around to face him then pressed both of her shoulders against the stone wall so that the wooden door connecting to Akane's room would not be shaken.

"You listen to me and you listen well, What YOU think is of no relevance to ANYTHING that has happened and isn't any of your business either."

Francois loosened his grip on her shoulders and smirked. "Anyway, isn't what you should really be concerned about, is your family."

Emeralds eyes grew wider.

Akane woke when she heard voices outside of her room. She got out of the bed and walked slowly and quietly towards the door and sat by the wall so she could listen more closely.

"That's right Emerald, YOUR family. Why be concerned with a total stranger when your own family is at stake. I'm doing YOU a favor. Your family isn't able to pay their taxes or make ends meat, so I may keep them hidden in my palace, but at least they are being fed. That was the agreement was it not; that you would come do a task for me and your family would be exempt from their previous tax debt, and if you did not carry through with the task that they would be exterminated." He saw Emeralds once strong face start soften and tears swell I her eyes. He knew at that moment that he had her right where he wanted her so he released his grip on her shoulders.

Emerald then put her arms around herself and slid down the wall. Francois knelt to meet her.

"That's right, as long as you do exactly what I say when I tell you to, they won't get hurt. But if you disobey me…" Francois stood, and ran his index finger across his throat. Emerald covered her mouth the muffle the sound of her weeping. Francois flipped his hair back with his hand.

"I can see we're not getting anywhere tonight, we an resume this conversation tomorrow." With that said Francois turned and walked away down the corridor and left the building.

Emerald sat there for a while just crying to herself. Never had she felt so alone and such a burden. "Emerald, is that you" A voice came through the crack in the door. Emerald sniffed and sat up straight. "Akane, is that you?"

Akane Swung open the door and Held Emerald, cradling the young child in her arms. Akane was crying as well.

"I'm so sorry Emerald, I'm so sorry!" was all that Akane could get out for the longest time. (No one, especially such a young girl should have to bear such a burden! EVER, EVER, EVER!) Akane finally stopped crying and looked up at Emerald.

"I'll help you get your family back emerald. Just tell me what it is that he wants you to do and I'll help you with it! No matter what!"

"I couldn't ask you to do that, Akane."

"Well, you're not asking, I'm offering" She said smiling.

Emerald did not return the smile. "For you to help me, it could make the rest of your life miserable."

Akane's smile quickly faded. "What do you mean Emerald?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because it has to do with you… and Ranma" Akane sat there for a moment trying to process what it was that Emerald was getting at.

"Emerald, if you tell me maybe we can think of some way to get your family back and not make me miserable, but I need you to tell me what is going on."

Emerald looked down the corridor where Francois had left from then turned and looked Akane in her eyes and continued to divulge the information which she knew may save, or kill her family.