Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma or any of the characters, they belong to the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi.

AN: Both, the wait, and the output, turned out longer than expected, but I really enjoyed the process of musing, writing down, and embellishing. If you have half as much fun reading as I had creating, I am one happy writer.

Music recommendations for the dojo scene: Raimu's record "Kitsune to take" especially the song: "Nap time in Shibuya".

oOo

"Kasumi, this time you have truly outdone yourself. The tempura was extraordinary!" In fact, Kasumi seemed to had use some magic for the last official dinner she would prepare for her family. She had put all her love into the making as she spend the entire day in the kitchen and her heart ached as she poured the tea into her father's cup. Only with vast discipline Soun was able to hold back his tears. She patted his shoulder, and he nodded acknowledging this simple gesture. Somewhat sorrowful that they couldn't share this special dinner in a more private circle because many guests have already arrived, the Tendo family enjoyed the family gathering all the same. Small children were running around, the men were drinking, and the ladies complimented Kasumi on her exquisite culinary skills. Yet two people were oblivious to their surroundings, focussing on their meals and every now and then stealing a glance across the table. They didn't sit together, as Akane was pulled aside from two of her distant cousins she had never met before, who questioned her about that handsome fiancé of hers. Yet as Akane wasn't willing to share any details, the girls soon lost interest and indulged into some girly talk with Nabiki. Akane peered over to Ranma, who was occupied with a garrulous great-uncle of hers, who used to be into sumo-wrestling many, many moons ago. To Ranma's remorse, the fellow wasn't as easy to throw off, so he sat through an odyssey of never-ending stories about gaining and keeping the proper combat weight. He eventually squinted in Akane's direction, secretly rolling his eyes at his converser, which made Akane giggle.

Man, that cute smile of hers…. I wonder if she'll like what I prepared for her, hopefully we'll be unbothered for once if everyone is occupied in here… damn, we need to get out of here soon. Once again, his mind wandered off to Akane-world, while he supported his head onto the table, gazing in her direction and decorously nodding to the jokes from the great-uncle. Unfortunately, the wrestler had just told a joke he him-self found especially funny, so that he slapped Ranma flat on the back with his colossal paw. The distracted boy lost his stability and his head landed right onto the tabletop. With the attention of the whole gathering, the sumo wrestler burst out into an even louder laughter, and the remaining family members joined in. Rubbing the bruise on his forehead, Ranma now had an excuse to leave the table to get a band-aid. He rose, excusing himself, and passed Akane swiftly dropping a paper note into her lap, before slipping out of the room. Flummoxed, she took the note, checked if no one noticed the exchange, and unrolled the paper. "Meet me in the dojo." Immediately, her heart commenced dancing. Yet again she raised her eyes to check if she wasn't being observed by anyone, when she looked right into Kasumi's gleaming eyes. Akane blushed, as she saw the amusement in her older sister's eyes. "Akane, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?" Dumbfounded, the younger Tendo assented, collected some empty plates from the table and followed the bride-to-be into the kitchen. As she placed the tableware onto the counter, her older sister stated: "Why don't you go and check on Ranma? Maybe he needs assistance with the band-aid."

"What…why would I? He's old enough…" Akane stammered, as Kasumi came closer and whispered in an almost threatening undertone: "Father wants to pull out the old photo albums… you know the really old ones. You won't be able to leave the room for the next three hours if you don't escape now!" Kasumi smiled her loveliest smile. "If someone asks, I'll say you went to bed." Akane beamed at her and embraced her dearly. This heavenly creature that happened to be her sister just always knew the right thing to do. Without further ado Akane slunk out of the kitchen towards the dojo.

oOo

When she entered the dojo, the planks creaked beneath her bare feet. She flinched, and Ranma who was just about to lighten another candle, shushed her. She giggled. "They won't hear a thing, everyone's busy arguing which branch of the family tree should start off with showing off old family photographs. What is this about?" She gestured at the dimmed lights and the small pile of scrolls on the floor. Ranma smirked. "It's payback time."

"For what?" She raised an eyebrow at him, returning the grin. "You're not telling me you want to spar now? After dinner? Are you so desperate for victory?"

"Huh?" He faked astonishment. "Why, I clearly won the sparring." She pouted. "And besides, this is actually time for your payback." He pointed at the scrolls. "I snatched these from Tofu but haven't found the time yet to study them. In fact, that is actually your part." As he spoke, Akane unrolled one of the papers. "It's a manuscript for the moxibustion therapy! I knew I've seen these scripts before." Akane's excitement was contagious and Ranma leaned back to regard her and savour the sight of her delight. Inwardly he patted himself on the back about this terrific idea. "Look, I told you cannot learn a technique unless you practise it. And I wouldn't trust anyone else but me to survive your attempts."

"Hey!" The trace of fury in her voice faded quickly, as she realized he would let her practise on him. "You'd really do that?"

"Sure." Well, not without some practise in return…

Akane regarded the scroll in front of her. "Now, this technique right here is one of the more complicated ones. I guess I should start off with something easier, don't you think? Like something, where I cannot make too many mistakes?" Hesitantly, she began to roll up the manuscript but Ranma disagreed:

"Nonsense. Making mistakes will help you learn all the more. Unless you want to learn a special pressure point, you can just pick any. You know, that point I used on you, I thought it'd be useful to disable my opponent's legs, so I practised until I was able to pull it off. Practised on my old man and used the opportunity when he was asleep, then woke him up and observed if it worked out or not. It took almost a year 'til I mastered it, but it was worth it." He laughed: "You should've seen his face when he couldn't get up! Now, there are probably easier techniques that provide faster success but why practise them if you cannot put them to good use?" Musing, she regarded him as he spoke. When it came to practising the art, Ranma was the most determined and tenacious person she knew, including herself. For that, she had always respected and admired him. She'd always thought if she showed him equal decisiveness, she could compensate for her lack of physical abilities. Her face lightened up. "Alright, I know a pressure point I'd like to master." She rummaged through the papers until she found the right scroll. Energetically she read out the first sentences of the manuscript to fill in Ranma on the details of the content. "This ancient moxibustion technique was used upon injured martial artist. The trigger point alleviates pain and suffer and quickens recovery after combat." Beaming, she looked up, facing him yawning. "I see your intention, but you can't really practise that one without an injured person. I didn't plan on getting beaten up before serving as your dummy."

"Oh, you're right… Well, if I have your consent, I will practise it once you've gotten thrashed by Taro again."

"That won't happen."

"Yeah, sure." She reached for the next scroll. "In fact, all of these techniques are interesting. See this one, it says if you press these three points," she pointed her right index finger on a spot of her inner thigh and used her other hand to direct the index and middle finger to her scalp, "Your legs will automatically walk you home whenever you are lost. How cool is that! We should use this one on Ryoga." Upon seeing the unamused look on her fiancé's face about her intend to touch his rival, she smiled apologetically. "I'll look for a different scroll." Ranma, slowly becoming impatient, rolled onto his stomach to do push ups to bridge the waiting. As after two minutes Akane was still looking for an appropriate technique, he asked: "The scroll you picked first, what did it say?" Akane halted, then picked up the implied paper and exclaimed, blushing: "I don't know if it's good for first practise…" Upon seeing him rolling his eyes, she said: "Alright, here it goes:

This moxibustion point reveals the patient's inner desires: Upon using this technique, the patient will act on his instincts, ignoring all customs and constrains. Be it sadness, rage, or fear; the most imminent urge to shed tears, scream in fury, stampede, or speak the truth will get hold of the person." She looked up, eased as she saw Ranma's similar irritation. She continued: "This technique has been developed during Edo period and was used on captivated warriors. To make them lose their face and commit to their natural fears and desires instead of sticking to honour, the moxibustion was used on them. Not only would they lose their face: eventually captives revealed important battle plans and hideouts, thus betraying their kind in order to keep their lives." Ranma winced: "Sounds dark. That's like torture." Akane tilted her head. "Well, actually not, they used the technique to circumvent physical torture." She continued: "However, only the sincerest samurai were able to withstand the moxibustion technique: it is therefore known as 'samurai-heart'." They looked at each other, both descrying a fire in their opposite's eyes. Akane was the first to disclose her thoughts: "Now, whatever your imminent instincts might be, if you are a true warrior, you can withstand the moxibustion and save your face."

"This might be the ultimate test to prove self-control and composure."

"I wonder if one can train it?" He waved her off. "Nonsense, either you do have the heart of a warrior or not." A grin widened on her face. "You do know who you are talking to?" Proudly she tapped her fist onto her chest. "This is the daughter of Tendo Soun. Samurai-blood flows through my veins; if there is anyone to withstand the 'samurai-heart', it will be me." Reeking of contestation, her words posed a challenge to the heir of the Anything-goes-school of martial arts. Any circumstances, be it the power of this technique or the fact that mastering it was anything but self-explanatory, were forgotten. He smiled, his eyes sparkling under his black bangs. "And I am Saotome Ranma, son of Saotome Nodoka: a woman who rather chops of her son's and husband's heads before admitting weak blood. I am pretty sure I can withstand the moxibustion effortless." Amused that he was rather referring to his mother instead of his lying, looting, gambling father, she smiled mischievously. "So, if this is a competition, both of us have to try it on one another." He nodded, once again remembering why he lured her into the dojo in the first place. He felt a slight prickle in his stomach. "Sure thing. I'll be a gentleman and let you do the start."

"Hai. Let me check the instructions." In contrast to Ranma, Akane was professionally focused on the rivalry. However, as she spread out the scroll in front of them, she regarded the execution steps with unease. "Now, come here, I need to place my fingers while reading the instructions." He seated himself in front of her, unbuttoning his shirt.

"W-what are you doing?" she stammered. "What does it look like? If you want to master the technique, you need to be precise." To her relieve, he wore his white tank top underneath the shirt so she didn't necessarily have to look at or touch his naked body right away- the feel of his bare skin would certainly distract her. She refocused on the scroll. "Actually, it says that these days only few practitioners know how to use the technique as there is no real use for it now."

"Officially. I guess, you can gain one or another advantage out of it. Just imagine using it on the old geezer." He tried to think of any weakness that could be discovered so that Ranma might finally have a chance against the old master. Yet he couldn't think of anything. Now it was Akane's time to roll her eyes: "I think Happosai already behaves weird enough and does so without shame. He has no face to lose and I would not want him to be more open about his urges than he already is."

"Hm, now that you say it, everyone that comes to my mind rather shouldn't be treated with this technique. Can you think of anyone?" Akane, currently replicating the position of her fingers according to the outline on the paper, thought about his words and smiled inwardly. She took Ranma's right hand and placed her hand onto his palm as was described in the instruction. "I do, but we already decided to try it on each other. Now hold still" Ranma blushed. "Wait, what advantage would you get out of me?" Not eying him but running her fingers over his lifelines, she chirped: "As great as a warrior you are, no one is ever going to look beyond your composure anyway, so why bother?" She raised her eyes, looking right into his gaze, playfulness mirroring in her eyes.

"You didn't answer my question, why would you…" He paused. She was teasing him, and she relished his insecurity. Ranma on the other hand, hoping he might hold the reins in his hands tonight, realized once again what a tough nut his fiancée was.

So, she is curious what I desire? If that technique works, it could show anything…. Most probably the most imminent desire is the one in front of me… the wish to smooch these soft lips of hers… But she will have to master the technique first, and it is a complicated one. Breathe, Saotome, there is no need to worry.

"Okay" he said, playing off his cockiness once again. "Go try your best. I'll let you know if you mastered the technique." She frowned. "You will?"

"That's the cause of this whole exercise, isn't it? If you succeed, you'll get to know my inner desire." Again, it was her time to hesitate. He is pretty self-confident, too self-confident. Probably his inner desires don't have anything to do with me anyways… Alright, I need to concentrate on this technique now. Breathe, Akane, focus, just try not to get lost in his eyes…

While still pressing her thumb into one particular spot in his right palm, she conducted her other hand around him to place it underneath his left shoulder blade. Avoiding facing him she turned her head towards the shoji. The laughter from the family room grew lauder, the dinner evolved into a lively celebration. There won't be any disturbances for the hours to come, this is the perfect opportunity to… She turned to Ranma, watching his peaceful face. He has closed his eyes to concentrate on the exercise. His thick black, often furrowed eyebrows were relaxed, his perfect nose, softly breathing, and his broad mouth, with lips so soft, so inviting… She felt the heat rush through her body and yet again she admonished herself to stay cool. This is about mastering moxibustion, I must focus on the task. He has offered to let me practise on him so I must use this rare opportunity…

Ranma squinted at her with one eye. "Haven't you forgotten one step?"

"Nani?" Deng, I already got flustered. "I know, I know, don't rush me." She peaked over her shoulder onto the scroll. Great, of course it's a spot like that. She removed her hand from his palm and formed the tips of her five fingers in one point that she pressed into the middle of his breastbone, a nuance too forceful. He flinched and watched her puckering her forehead. She regarded him. "You feel anything different?" He arched a brow. "Like an ache?"

"Don't tease. I feel like I made a mistake."

"Yep." He looked down onto her hand awkwardly positioned on his torso. "Seems like you're not even bothering. Try to be a bit gentler."

"Gentler? The scroll didn't say…." He cut her off: "You shouldn't need the scroll to tell you that. You kind of need to feel the Ki point."

"Feel the Ki point?" Irritated she searched along his breastbone. Geez, I cannot feel Ki when my mind goes in all directions. She surrendered. "If you know better, try it yourself. Your turn." She let herself drop on the floor, sitting comfortably before him. Let's see if he can manage to concentrate.

Alike Ranma, she grabbed the bottom of her sweater and pulled it over her head. Underneath, a thin top covered her female curves. He swallowed. She's doing that on purpose only to startle me…. Unfair! He let his gaze glide over her body, unconsciously biting his lip. The fact that she wore her shortest pair of pants was not helping either. She sensed his uncertainty and was once again on top of the game. "I thought you need to feel. Come on, I won't bite." Ranma fixed her with his eyes, thinking: Well, maybe I will… With a scantily clad, teasing Akane in front of him, and the events of the past days in mind, there wasn't much left before he'd forget their exercise and attack her instead. Inhale. Exhale. You're not going to lose this, at least not yet.

He kneeled before her, replaying her exact moves: holding her right hand with his thumb pressed into her palm while reaching around to her back. Unlike her, he didn't avert his face but intentionally leaned into her to catch her scent. Upon seeing that she did not seem to react to his proximity, he let his hands tenderly wander over her back seeking the precise pressure point. As expected, he detected little goosebumps covering her arms. Before making a comment about her taking off her sweater, he wisely bit his tongue and decided to proceed. Once having pushed the spot he thought to be the correct one, he released her hand, inwardly musing about the spot he was about to touch next. Questioning he eyed his fiancé who equally had her doubts. She assured him, with a somewhat shaky voice: "It's okay, it's for practise purpose."

"Yeah, I know." He softly put his free hand onto the fabric of her shirt above her small belly, awaiting her reaction. She closed her eyes to inhale deeply. When she remained calm, his hand continued to wander higher, centimetre per centimetre, as his fingertips moved in- and outward, slightly caressing her. He didn't take his eyes of her, tensed as a whip, anxious but also excited about her reaction to come. The tension allowed him to keep his composure, until he reached in between her breasts. Unerringly he had managed to press his fingertips into her breastbone without touching on forbidden body parts.

Akane felt rooted to the spot. As she held her breath while feeling the burn of Ranma's fingertips, she repeated her inner mantra all over again: samurai-heart, samurai-heart, samurai-heart… I cannot give in, not yet…. Upon opening her eyes, she mustered his concentrated face as he carefully conducted his hand between her breasts. He closed his eyes to use his aura to locate the Ki spot. He sensed the abundance of her warmth and his focus faltered. Rather than sensing a Ki point, he noticed her powerful heartbeat. The rhythm was in unison with the pounding blood in his head. He opened his eyes, looking right into the depth of hers. "Do… do you feel anything?" He asked bashfully. She hesitated, not averting her gaze. Slowly she admitted. "Yes I … I do." She looked down, the most beautiful hue of rose settling on her cheeks. Despite not speaking it out, they both knew what they were thinking about, what the technique might lead to if executed correctly... or even not correctly. He pushed the point in her back a bit more to move her closer to him. His eyes trailed over her face, to her lips, back into the depth of her eyes where they remained. The tension between them was tangible, yet she did not make any move to kiss him. Have I failed the technique? But why does it feel like she is almost about to give in? Maybe she doesn't want to kiss me after all…

Meeting his serious eyes brought Akane to the edge of self-control. Samurai-heart, samurai-heart, kiss him…no! samurai-heart, samurai-heart, kiss him, Ranma, kiss RANMA… Inwardly, she shook her head. Not yet. Her shaky voice stated "Let me try something" as she tenderly removed his hands from her body to slowly grip his top to pull it over his head. She swallowed upon the sight of his glowing skin in the candlelight. She took his hand in hers and re-enacted the steps: fingering his palm, caressing his bare back, and finally sliding along his chest. The precision of her movements was incidental as she didn't even look at her execution; she was too lost in his eyes. Her composure was long gone and the initial pleasant feeling in her tummy has transmuted to a tremor that took over her whole body. Slowly losing her mind, she had to distract herself with the movements of her hands and focus on the effect she apparently had on him. Alike hers, his initial cockiness was blown away, his breath became heavy.

Ranma had closed his eyes yet all willpower to concentrate on any technique was forfeit. The single question that prevented him from attacking her was if she were okay with it… he couldn't make a move if he didn't know she was all in for it. He didn't know why: despite all self-assurance he had felt lately, her delicate appearance before him and the fragility of this moment now made him insecure like a little boy.

"What do you feel?" Her voice was a whisper, yet full of anticipation. He slowly opened his eyes to behold her expectant face. "I…" he leaned in a little, his voice a susurration, "I feel like I can't withstand anymore…" She let out a sigh, leaning forward. "Then don't."

They met half-way, immediately indulging in a passionate kiss that seemed to break all bonds completely. Intuitively, he lifted her up and placed her back gently on the warm wooden tiles of the dojo floor, tenderly holding her head and not once leaving her lips. Upon her invitation he could finally savour the taste he has become familiar with a couple days ago and ever since couldn't take his mind of. Now that he kissed her again, he felt like quenching a voracious thirst. Akane embraced him as he supported himself above her on his muscular arms. With him above her, a pulsing, hot sensation between her thighs grew stronger and she felt the urge to pull him down even closer. This position ignited desires Akane had not known existed. She deepened the kiss while wrapping one of her legs around him, pressing his lower body against hers. Unmistakable, their new position had awakened something in him as well: she noticed the hard package in his trousers and inwardly cheered at his reaction. She'd always thought that she would be disgusted, inquisitive at most, if she ever touched a male erection; now, however, an excitement got hold of her that pleasantly mingled with her own fervour. Passionately her tongue caressed his, while she grinded against him, forcing him to groan in surprise. He broke loose from her lips and regarded her, cupping her face while softly stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and smiled the most inviting smile he had ever seen. He sighed and with his index finger tenderly traced an invisible line over her cheek, down her neck, caressing her collarbone. With an almost shaky voice, he stated: "You don't know how long I've been wanting to do that. Akane, I …." She placed her finger on his lips. "Don't say it. It doesn't count under foreign influence."

"Foreign influence?" He let his eyes wander over her body back to her face. "The only influence is you." She blushed yet decided to overplay her shame with a grin.

"I wonder what else that influence will make you do." His eyes grew wide at this daring question of hers and he lowered himself to kiss her wildly. Her words have kindled a lust he has never felt before, not for the arts, not for combat, not for anything. His thoughts tumbled: whatever scenarios his secret fantasies have played out in the past, he'd never thought that Akane would give herself to him so passionately, so willingly. On the other hand, who said that she actually knew what she was provoking. She's just too innocent to realize what she's arousing… I need to save her from myself!

As she broke loose to gasp for air, he started to trace butterfly kisses over her face, not feeling the need to breathe but rather savour every inch of her skin. She chuckled softly as he nuzzled into the creek of her neck, tenderly kissing it. Her smell fogged his mind, it was mesmerizing. Akane buried her fingers in his hair and sighed in pleasure: "That feels nice, don't stop." He halted, a new rush of blood going south upon her words and mumbled into her ear. "Don't say that to me, not like that... You need to stop me if I am going to far… I don't want to hurt you." She turned her head to him, eying him sternly. Almost apologetic he returned the gaze and waited for her to scold him: a habit that just came naturally. Akane used all her strength to switch positions and roll on top of him. She seated herself on his stomach. Within an instant she transformed from the caste girl to a fearless goddess. Ranma could not decide which one he liked better in a situation like this: often he had imagined to be intimate with the sweet, gentle Akane that would now and then come to light in rare situations, yet the sight of this fearless, determined Akane on top of him made him swallow no less. Her eyes, first reflecting pure fire, became softer and eventually mirrored something he'd never seen in her eyes before: complete devotedness. She took his hand and placed it onto her chest-bone where that suspicious Ki point was supposed to be found. His thumb gently brushed the curvature of her breast and he was glad that she was seated above his crotch as she would definitely have felt his twitching reaction.

"Ranma… I know you'd never hurt me. Trust me, if I want you to stop, you'll feel it. But for now, …" She lowered her head to brush a soft kiss onto his lips before whispering. "I want to enjoy that no one is disturbing us."

God, 'Kane!

His mind switched off and primal instincts took over. He darted upwards to kiss her frantically as he buried his fingers in her thick, short hair. He conducted his other hand from the centre of her chest to her side, still using this thumb to slightly caress the bottom and the side of her bust. As she commenced to reposition herself to press herself against his manhood, he vibrantly moaned into the kiss. His hands wandered to the small of her back, slowly descending to the curves of her behind. He now had the power to press her tighter against his throbbing manhood and he did so without hesitation. He didn't know if it was his pure imagination or if he truly felt a blazing heat emitting from her centre, able to burn him through their clothes but at the same time feeling as if life itself emerged from that very hotness. Before carrying out the burning desire to slip a hand under her shirt, his mind bounced back with an urgent exigency that had to be taken care off before anything else. Out of breath he broke away from her lips: "Akane, first I need to tell you this, I lo…." A clattering sound emerged from back of the dojo. Startled the couple halted and directed their gaze towards the dark end of the training hall: the few candles only allowed a small radius of light. Motionless the couple hearkened and anew noticed a clattering sound, muted, as if through the doors of the closet. Startled, they regarded one another. "I'll check" Ranma creaked and Akane nodded silently. The thought of a burglar came to her mind, although it was too early in the night and the whole house was awake; no reasonably sober thief would dare to break into a martial arts school at this time. Ranma however feared worse: the camera of the middle Tendo sister. He gripped one of the candles and tiptoed towards the closet, Akane close on his heels, a hand on his shoulder to signal him her support. As they reached the origin of the noise, something else came to their ears, insistently and unmistakably: the snoring of an old man. "Could it be…" Akane wondered before Ranma tore the door open to expose a drunk-sleeping Happosai, snuggled into the top shelf amongst blankets, with an empty sake bottle next to him that repeatedly rolled from the left to the right side.

"Hey, Gigi! What's the matter with you!" Happosai opened an eye to squint woozily at the couple and hickuped in response: "Genma, how dare you wake up your old master from his beauty sleep?"

"Who are you calling Genma, gaffer?"

"Grandpa Happosai since when are you back in Nerima? How long have you been in the closet?" It was a mistake that Akane stepped forward to ask the old master: once he caught sight of her sparsely clad body, he seemed all awake again. Worse, jumped in her direction. As fast as the master has set off to the jump, Ranma caught him on his collar and lifted him up. "Not so fast. I'll bring you to your bedroom where you can sleep off your delirious state. And you call yourself a master of the arts." He looked at his fiancé, relieved as well as apologetic on the repetitive disruption. She blushed. "I guess it's better I'll go inside as well. It's late and … I guess it's enough moxibustion practise for tonight."

"Moxibustion?" Happosai babbled, "you were practising moxibustion? Oh Akane-chan, we can practise together, you can press all the spots you want…"

"Zip it, gramps! Wait what, we are done?"

"Yes, I think so." Akane put on her sweater again. As much as she enjoyed their activities, it was irresponsible of her to be doing things like that in the open dojo were anyone could have barged in. Luckily Happosai was too drunk to have noticed anything. She sensed Ranma hanging his shoulders low and thus letting out his grudge on the old master by passing out clouts. Alike her, he dressed himself and together they collected the scrolls and candles. As they ambled over the roofed path towards the main house, Ranma sighed: "I guess I have to take care that this pest doesn't bother the other guests, particularly the girls."

"Mh." An odd silence stretched between them, long enough for Happosai to doze off into the land of dreams once again. Akane chewed her lower lip. Yet again, we got so far and still we cannot talk about it…

Ranma harrumphed: "Do you want… do you want me to come over later?" It took all his courage to come forward with this question. Not only was it the awkwardness of the fact, that once again they were almost being caught; also, it has been quite some time since he secretly visited her in her room late at night. Homework sessions did not count: the whole family knew about them and would therefore make sure to have at least one spy hanging around to burst in periodically. Apart from the incidental check-ups after Jusendo, he has long stopped from sneaking into her room at night due to three reasons: firstly, as they've gotten along better, they would eventually talk things out after a fight so there was no need for late night apologizes. Secondly, P-chan made fewer appearances in her bedroom, lately the pig had not showed up at all, which was a huge relief to Ranma. Yet most importantly, he knew that her room was her safe space and as much as he had not respected that during his first year at the Tendo house, he vowed to himself to give her at least this bit of privacy to herself. The harder it was to now ask for her allowance to visit her tonight.

Akane hesitated, one second too long for Ranma's taste. Before she could answer, he interfered: "You know what, don't bother. I guess I have my hands full with this guy here."

"Hm… okay." They halted in the corridor, both waiting for the other one to say something. Akane broke the silence: "Thank you for offering me to practise with me. I really enjoyed it…" she flushed.

"Er, you're welcome." He scratched the back of his head, holding the snoozing master in his other hand. "Happy to help. We can repeat the exercise and work on some more techniques. Any time you want." She smiled. "I'd like to. I believe I kind of coped with this one pretty well tonight."

"Yeah, you did." He smiled, somewhat clumsily, as he was searching for words. Akane smiled back and she had to supress the urge to fondle Ranma's cheek and place a soft kiss on his lips. He was the most adorable man right know, standing in front of her, all shy and insecure, although just minutes ago he had been so daring. Her heart danced and she wanted to embrace him and invite him into her room so bad. It's too dangerous now, we've almost been caught.

So instead, she said: "Good night, Ranma."

"Night." She ascended the stairs, not looking back, while he leaned against the wall, looking after her, already longing for her touch. He lifted the sleeping bundle and snarled "You owe me big time, old bastard."

oOo