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

AN: I hope you like the outcome of the combat scene: although I wanted to finish the fight in one chapter, it is just taking too long to write it, please excuse me. I am taking great inspirations from Hun in the Sun's 'Wheel of Fate'. Now my story has been playing in my mind for a long time and I hope I didn't rush myself to bring it to paper. My music recommendation is Lindsey Stirling feat. Lzzy Hale with "Shatter me", it has kinda become my personal theme song for Akane.

oOo

Although her anger has settled down after she sprinted the entire way home from the café, the imminent urge to destroy something was still present. Her mind was everywhere: with Ranma, with the previous evening, with the visage of that cursed amazon, but mostly with Kasumi. She gulped down the thoughts about her own emotional mess to concentrate on finding a solution to freeing her sister. She slammed the entrance door to the Tendo house open, meeting her uncle in the hallway with a chicken leg in his mouth. She was in no mood for conversation but had luckily regained some sense of serenity to ask for the only reasonable person to talk to. "Uncle, have you seen Happosai?"

"The old master? He must be in his room." Without a word, Akane passed the corpulent wrestler and headed for the old man's chamber, ignoring his meek question behind her: "Do you know when lunch will be ready?"

"Happosai!" Akane called as she yanked the door open. The old master sat on the ground, busy ironing a piece of his beloved collection of garments. He lifted his head: "Akane-chan, long time no see." Obviously, he had forgotten about their late-night encounter in the dojo. "When did you get so imprudent to enter a man's room without knocking first?" She didn't catch his scolding undertone but blurted: "Happōgoensatsu. Who else did you teach this technique?"

He raised one of his white, bushy eyebrows, vividly aware of the serenity in her question. "If you ask so bluntly, why not make some tea and sit down to talk."

oOo

It didn't take long that the six teenagers made their way towards the agreed meeting point outside of Nerima. After repeated attempts from the Chinese, to wait out the situation, Ryoga, Ukyo and Ranma urged to meet the kidnapper and finally beat him to a pulp. Especially Ranma was bent on venting his anger. He did not know who he was mad at most: Shampoo for blurting out what she had caught from his private conversation with Ryoga; Akane for being the premature tomboy she was and slapping him in front of everyone; himself, for admitting in front of everyone that they have finally kissed … or Ryoga, for trying to beat him up because he told everyone that they have finally kissed.

Of course, she had to show up and get everything the wrong way… things would just go too smooth. Why can't things go the way they should just once in a while? A new challenge, a good fight, and finally getting along with HER… but no, NO, kami just had to get in the way and now she hates me again…

In the end, he decided Ryoga was the one to take it out on, and the boys engaged into a scuffle that could only be stopped by Ukyo. "We mustn't fight amongst each other. Save your energy." That was the last spoken word as the group remained silent during the entire way out of the city. The atmosphere was tensed, as no one knew what they were about to expect. Training or not, they knew Genma was no frail opponent, and despite Ranma's accusations of his old man getting weak, the panda was still a powerful warrior if need be. The fact that he'd lost so easily left a bland taste behind.

They arrived at the targeted area. Without hesitation, Ranma headed towards a small hill besides the mouth of the canal to get the hight ground. Ryoga followed on his heels, eventually breaking the silence. "I'll let you go for now, but only because we got bigger fish to fry."

"Oh shut up, will ya?" Standing on top of the hill, the duo observed their surroundings. There was sufficient space, and the forest began adjoining the small hill they stood on: nothing but trees stretched before their eyesight to the west. A perfect place for combat. Despite all circumstances, Ranma smirked. His fists itched to throw punches. Hard punches. He closed his eyes to focus on sensing nearby auras. He sensed Ryoga's presence: strained, vigorous, grounded, almost earthy. Beneath them, where the rest of the group remained, he felt Ukyo: sprightly, bread awake, compassionate, like a sunray. Next to her stood Shampoo, the total opposite: feline, swift, edgy yet elegant, but with an icy cold-heartedness. Mouse shone with esperance and abandon whereas Taro completely concealed his aura. Ranma frowned and tried to focus more on Taro. I have felt him before when we spared… He opened his eyes and peaked down to the group, immediately meeting Taros gaze. He deliberately hides his aura. He is an expert after all when it comes to combat… I wonder if he did hold back when we were sparing… He saw Taro grin. The Chinese boy knew what Ranma thought and he relished his confusion. Once this is settled, we're at it again, be prepared ox snout.

"Nothing, I don't see anything." Ryoga frowned. "Maybe we're too early. Let's be watchful." Ranma nodded and scanned the environment.

"Anyway, about you and Akane…" Ranma rolled his eyes, "Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?"

"I don't care what you say, Ranma. You kissed Akane, think I can just leave it at that?"

"You want another beating? Be my guest, I have enough energy to smack you one, too."

"Don't be ridiculous." Ryoga became silent. "I might not be as experienced with girls, but I am not blind either." He paused. "I don't know why she was mad at you, but it was not because you kissed her. She must have accepted it, endured it." Endured… if you knew, piggy! "I have come to know Akane as someone who wouldn't let that happen without thought…without reason." Ryoga sighed, and for some reason, Ranma remained calm, awaiting the next words. "I hate to admit it, but I surrender. Apparently, Akane has chosen you and I will accept it." Ranma gulped, regarding his frenemy with plate-sized eyes. Ryoga smirked. "Don't look at me like that. We're friends after all… I give you my consent."

"Are you thick? Do you think I give a rat's ass about your consent?" Ryoga groused: "I know I don't have a saying in what you do, but I wanted to let you know anyway." Ranma glimpsed a hint of hurt pride in the lost boy's eyes. After all, chump chop had been madly in love with Akane for two years, despite multiple attempts to distract himself. The guy was helpless and Akane's affection for his cursed form had not helped him in the slightest to sort out his feelings. Now, recovery was in sight and this confession, futile as it may be, showed some true greatness. Ranma scratched the back of his head, suddenly flustered by the candour of the boy. This conversation was quite a bit too dramaturgical for his taste, but that was just the way Ryoga ticked. "Well then, thanks I guess." Ryoga nodded silently and turned away, not without mentioning: "Doesn't mean that I can understand her decision. She could do much better than with a poser like you." Ranma couldn't help but grin. "Poser or not, she actually really enjoyed the times we kissed. "

"Times?" Ryoga was just about to give Ranma a side hook when a vociferous tremor came to their ears. They peered downwards and spotted a trench where their friends have been wating just seconds ago. Couple metres apart, the girls and Taro stood in alert. Their eyes were fixed on the ignited duel between Mouse and the new arrival: they fought hard and fast. As the attack caught the amazon off guard, it took him some moments to adapt and react using his hidden weapons. Yet flying chains, nunchakus, and explosives were easily blocked by his opponent and within few strikes Mouse was struck to the ground. The amazon looked to his friend for help, as a splash of water turned the cursed man into the impotent duck he was, quacking and fluttering, caught in his own arsenal of weaponry. The duel didn't even take a minute.

"Not much of a challenge, this one." A low voice stated. His back was turned to the group.

"Not much of a clean fight either, rather an ambush" commented Ranma, who has descended with Ryoga to join the others. A silent agreement was made not to interfere the duel: everyone was curious to eye the stranger and analyse his style - if there was anything to analyse within a mere minute of sparing. Still, even Shampoo was shocked at Mouse's fast defeat: "Strange man is sneaky, or coward." The man turned, finally showing his face to the group. He was tall, lean, but muscular. He might have been of the same age as Genma and Soun, yet he appeared fitter, to say nothing of his style: his clothes were modern, almost chick. Nothing of the image of an old, dotty biologist that Ryoga has drawn. The man smirked. "Do I have to point out, that I am outnumbered? I figured I could give myself a small advantage."

"Who are you anyways? And what do you want from us?" Taro stepped forward and the man eyed the Chinese boy. "Hm, I don't know about you. Ryoga-kun hasn't told me anything about you." The lost boy was startled. "Don't talk about me as if we're friends, you knocked me unconscious and threatened me."

"Hm, I apologize if you took offence to that. Yet I believe I told you what I was aiming at." His eyes sparkled. "However, it was impolite of me to interfere without a proper introduction: My name is Reijiro Sato. I am a biologist with the specialty of abnormal species and thanks to our friend Ryoga here I found a new field of research: Cursed people from the springs of Yusenkyo. First, I couldn't believe when he told me that there are more of his kind, so I had to come and find out myself. When I met the panda this morning, I couldn't believe my luck."

"What did you do to Kasumi and pops?"

"Don't worry, they're safe – for now. As I said, I want no harm, just a simple…" He spread his hands apologetically in front of them. "Let's say, expansion of my collection." He smiled. Ukyo frowned, leaning in towards Taro, whispering: "That guy's creepy." Taro nodded, replying: "I agree. His aura is hidden, he's up to something."

"Cut the talking, tell us what ya want. If it's a beating, your welcome. But first you gotta let go of Kasumi and pops, maybe we'll be easier on you then" Ranma yelled. Sato nodded, still the smug smile on his lips. "I fear, I cannot consent with your conditions. The girl, granted, I don't need her. But I'll keep the panda as a trophy. Moreover, I need your bodies, for mere research purpose of course." Ranma clenched his teeth as he watched Sato walk over to the still struggling Mouse, lifting him on his long bird neck. "I guess I can take this one to my collection as well." His expression became stern as he regarded every one of the group members separately. "I dare you: if you are not cursed this is not your combat to fight. Ryoga-kun told me about three more cursed people besides him and the Panda. I don't know who you are, but you should retreat." Ukyo came forward, pulling her spatula: "It's not your decision who you're gonna fight. You challenged all of us." She sprinted towards Sato and swung her weapon hard. Deftly, he dodged her attack, once again a childlike twinkling in his eyes, as he shouted: "So you are trespasser number one!" With lightning speed, he brought his knee up to her stomach to leave her breathless. Ukyo reeled forward, losing grip of her equipment and the man send her to the ground with a precise elbow punch into her spine. With the world becoming dark before her eyes, she never heard Sato claim: "I don't intend to repeat myself: stay out of this." Upon the sight of Ukyo's fall, Taro's battle aura exploded vigorously. Without thinking, the Chinese boy gathered his energy to pull a Ki attack and Ryoga could only attempt to shout a warning: "Taro, no …." as the lightening beam already emerged from the hands of the furious teen. Sato has only been waiting for this to happen and before Ranma's eyes the challenger pulled a five-yen coin to conduct the exact move he has so often witnessed from Hinako-sensei. He inwardly cursed himself for not asking Happosai about who else he taught the Happōgoensatsu: when he had the chance the night before, he was simply too distracted.

Sato absorbed the blast and Ryoga threw himself against Taro to cut off his attack and prevent Sato from sucking in his aura. Taro cursed at his own foolishness, yet quickly regained control of his temper as he searched the ground for Ukyo's unconscious body. When he saw that Shampoo had swiftly picked up the young chef and brought her to safety, he exhaled deeply.

Sato laughed at the top of his voice. "Thanks for the extra boost, son. I'll make sure you regret that mistake." The four remaining teens exchanged quick looks: they knew they had to work as a team from now on, sticking to the rules, attacking simultaneously without using Ki. The game was on. "And we'll make sure", Ranma snarled, cracking his knuckles, "that you'll leave Nerima with no souvenir but a drubbing."

oOo

Fortunately, most clutter from the attic had already been dispelled so Akane did not have to search the remaining junk for too long. After scanning various dusty boxes, she found the correct chest, she felt the presence of its content without opening it. Carefully, she fondled the lid of the chest, brooding if she should make use of what lied dormant inside. She recalled Happosai's words:

"Sato was, alike Hinako, a young child when I started to train him. He also was very fragile and often got himself in danger: he wouldn't have survived without me teaching him Happōgoensatsu. He was the son of a zookeeper, a curious little lad, eager to learn anything about the wonders of the animal kingdom. No surprise, that be became a scientist. As a child, he'd sometimes sneak into the cages of the tigers and bears; it was a sheer miracle that he's never gotten eaten until we met. I taught him the Ki absorbance technique so that he'd protect himself from the beasts he'd visit.

However, I never fathomed that this ability would get to his head. He began to alter the technique and use it to his advantage: he'd drain the energy of a beast to a maximum and collect the sucked hull of the creature as a trophy. It became his hobby to travel the world and seek the rarest and most dangerous animals. I heard he has a collection as big as a thousand animals, and he is always striving for more. If I were Ranma, I'd make good use of the Saotome school stance of submission: carp on a cutting board. He won't be able to win this battle."

"You must be kidding. Ranma is not an animal, he's a martial artist, why wouldn't he be able to withstand that technique?"

"Because it's based on the Happōgoensatsu. Sato absorbs battle aura and Ki: There is no difference if you are fighting a creature or a man, the essence of Ki is the same: be it fear, hate, anger, any emotion that fuels your battle aura can serve as a source of energy for the person using Happōgoensatsu." Happosai shook his head. "I never thought I'd be making a mistake teaching this technique to these young, fragile kids back then. Hinako has mostly used it for a good cause; but Sato, I figured soon enough, was a misfit. However, chasing animals was something I could still live with. Now, attacking people, especially my own students, is unacceptable." he took a puff from his pipe. Akane asked slowly: "With other words, as he'll absorb the battle aura anyways, Ranma is doomed to lose?" Happosai nodded, arms crossed in front of his chest. Akane mused. "So, if no ordinary fighter can stop him, only someone with a disguised aura can beat him: an aura, that he is not able to imbibe but that can still stand up to him…" Happosai pondered in silence, chewing his pipe thoughtful.

As he looked up to answer Akane had already left the room. "Just where have her manners gone? That girl spends too much time with that rascal."

Akane knew exactly what she had to do but she was afraid.

We had closed that chapter long time ago… It brought only trouble, so we decided to lock it away. But now, it is the only chance to help Ranma, to save Kasumi… Is it worth driving yet again a wedge between us?

Her heart felt heavy as she recalled the evening in the dojo. Granted, she was the one who, out of embarrassment, aborted their activities, and later denied him to visit her in her room.

It wasn't because I didn't like it… quite the contrary, I was afraid how much I liked it… the intimacy, this new feeling, the proximity… I was scared how far I might have gone without once having thought about it.

A prickle went down her spine as she memorized the feeling of his hands and his aroused body pressed against hers. A confusing mixture of anticipation, lust, and fear of the unknown mingled inside her and again she asked herself, if her backpedal was the reason, why Ranma had blurted out everything about them. Again, anger overran her emotional dispute.

What a jerk, how dare he. If he doesn't care about my emotions, see if I care. Let alone his audacity to yet again leave me out of a battle that concerns my own family. I will show him: I'll save Kasumi and his father, maybe then he will acknowledge me as the martial artist I am. And afterwards I will beat his ass about making fun of me in front of our friends.

And with vigour she opened the chest and the fabric inside shone in joyful anticipation upon the sight of it's chosen one.

oOo

Ryoga had not been exaggerating - the old lad was a terrific fighter: swift, shrewd, experienced. Despite his age he had no difficulty in dodging the aggressors and as Ranma, Taro, Ryoga and Shampoo intensified the speed of their attacks, it became increasingly challenging for them, to aim at their enemy and not at themselves. It wasn't until Shampoo accidently sent Taro flying that Sato took the opportunity and changed from defence to offence and dished out: hard. With finesse, he dealt with the teens that surrounded him and one after another fell behind. Ranma had an advantage parrying using Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken, but he knew he couldn't last all too long: using the chestnuts roasting on an open fire technique drained his energy, he needed to throw a direct hit. He recognized Taro from the corner of his eye, who came back to his senses.

If only we could use the strength of his cursed form…

"Taro, get back here!" Ranma called out and was right on punished with a kick to his abdomen for neglecting his defence. Sato, on the contrary, was not unfazed that he finally managed to land a hit towards the most skilled fighter and broke out in a haughty laughter. "Running out of breath already? I'm disappointed, I thought this dance might go on a bit longer."

"Dance we will." Shampoo landed a strike, descending her heel right on top of Sato's head which left him crashing to the ground. "Awesome Shampoo!" Ranma shouted, as Ryoga took the opportunity to use Bakusai Tenketsu, smashing the ground beneath Sato and burying him in a pile of chunks and rocks. Knowing he'd soon recover, Ranma shouted towards Taro: "You gotta turn into a bull, we need your strength."

"What?" Ryoga thought he couldn't hear properly. "He'll drain him!"

"He didn't do anything to Mouse either."

"Because Mouse is not a threat as a duck…" Their quick chat was yet interrupted by Sato breaking surface, covered in dirt and clothes ripped. He was fuming. "Until now I played nice with you kids, but the game's over now." He eyes Shampoo: "You." She gulped audibly. As Sato accelerated towards her to retaliate her former strike, they were startled by a bloodcurdling roar that emerged from the river. Ukyo, who had rested beside the quacking Mouse tied in his own chains, regained consciousness. "No" she whispered as she eyed her boyfriend who surfaced from the water, winged, furred, and furious. Within a split of a second Taro had to evaluate the chances they might have with him changed. The sex changer is right, so far it doesn't seem to make any difference what form we're in... He bet on his advantage as a beast and thus dove into the river to put an end to the fight.

Sato's expression changed from mere astonishment to pure gratification. "You are yet another trophy for my collection… come here beauty!" With Taro approaching, roaring and huffing, the elderly man pulled yet again his coin. Ryoga tried to stop him with a series of punches but was easily dodged and was sent flying by a kick. Sato jumped into the air, madly shouting: "Come to me beauty..."

The maelstrom of the attack was tangible as a glistening white beam blinded the bewildered teens. Regaining their eyesight, they only saw the lifeless shell of the beast laying on the ground. Ukyo, frozen to the spot, formed the words without voice: "Taro-chan…". Ryoga and Ranma stood astounded: they have seen this technique before, yet not with the same outcome. They couldn't tell if the energy drainage left Taro alive at all. Sato took his time to amble towards the lifeless body, knowing that the teens were too afraid to attack. He bent down to the ox and caressed an ivory horn. "Now, that I have defeated the strongest beast it is only a matter of minutes until I can collect the rest of you."

"Or you look for an opponent who is a match for you." The fierce, female voice startled the man. He squinted against the sun towards the hill, on which stood a slim figure with short hair and a water kettle, looking down on the battle ground. Ranma blinked twice, thrice until he realized who once again was about to butt in and put herself in danger. "What the …"

She slid down the hill, throwing the kettle towards Ukyo, who swiftly caught it and began to pour some hot water over Mouse. Akane landed between Ranma and Ryoga, not paying attention to their dumbfounded looks. Again, she addressed Sato: "I know who you are and who taught you. I warn you, return Kasumi and Mr. Saotome and leave us be… otherwise you'll regret it." The man burst out into a laughter and Ranma eventually regained his ability to speak: "What the hell are you doing here? I told you not to chime in …" She turned, eying him with the coldest gaze possible. He froze. "I don't need you to tell me what to do, understood?" He ground his teeth. "I see that differently…"

"Who are you?" Sato interfered, slightly amused at the sight of the petite girl. He wasn't interested in elongating the fight but her statement about knowing his master aroused his interest. She turned towards him. "I am Tendo Akane, heir to the Musabetsu Kakutō Ryū. My father, Tendo Soun, was trained by master Happosai."

Sato smiled knowingly. "The old master… some time has passed since I've heard of him. Hope his health is well. As for your father school, I haven't heard of him. I believe the old master has trained some chumps in his long life. I am not impressed." Naturally, she took his words as an affront. With clenched fists she commenced to walk towards him. Ranma tried to get hold of her wrist but missed to catch her. "Whatever you've heard of. I dare you do surrender and leave." Sato relished that the new arrival was so completely convinced of herself. She wasn't even aware of the respect, the fear the other teenagers would have; whoever she was, she must have been totally ignorant to his power. He ogled her paternalistically and spoke: "And you are the sister of that girl I caught? I am not interested in her. I didn't do her any harm …" Before he could finish the sentence, Akane lunged and slapped his face, hard and unexpected.

"You've kidnapped my sister the day before her marriage, you've already done enough harm!" If she'd ever been dead serious, this was the time. The corners of her mouth twitched and her usually warm, fawn-like eyes were frigid. That man was the reason for all the misery she endured, well, not really… but practically… if it wasn't for him, Kasumi were definitely still safe and Ranma had not had a reason to meet up with the amazon to gossip about her… if there was anyone to vent her wrath, it was him.

The others were dumbstruck, only Ryoga managed to whisper: "She does like dramatic scenes, doesn't she?" but Ranma was fast enough to leap forward and throw himself against her to push her out of the way from a furious backlash from Sato. They fell to the ground, rolling until they came to a halt. He pinned her to the ground: "What do you think you are doing?"

"What? I am rescuing my sister, get off me…"

"Stop it. You don't know what you are dealing with here…"

"If you'd included me into your plans, I would" she fired back.

Sato's voice chimed behind them. "I don't know what this is about, but that girl's asking for some positioning…" Obviously, his pride was hurt, being struck by two girls in a row. Slowly he strolled towards the couple. Akane tried to push off Ranma. "Leave me alone, I know what I am doing" she pushed. He prevailed: "I can't let you fight this guy, he's too strong of an opponent for you."

No! She was sick of it. The ongoing bickering, the usual degradation, the never-ending humiliation of her abilities. All that, even despite the hard training she went through the past weeks and the progress she has made. She was a martial artist, the heir, yes, the heir to the Tendo school of indiscriminate grappling. Not Ranma, he just happened to be the heir to the Saotome Ryū of the anything-goes-school of martial arts. And he just happens to be my fiancé… Ranma was everything but her guardian.

Her anger maxed into an igniting battle aura that was beyond the power of anything Ranma has felt in a long time, maybe since the battle in Jusendo. Again, his eyes were blinded by a glaring beam of light emitted from her body and he was thrown back by a shockwave of energy. Painfully, he landed on his back a couple meters apart and he squinted one eye to espy what just happened. He swallowed hard at the spectacle before him and his heart skipped a beat for an instance. He has experienced it before; anew, he did not like the outcome of what was happening.

The second Sato stroke towards the couple, Akane's body was wrapped in a fine, Chinese-style, silken fabric of black and white, ornamented with an ostentatious sign of Ying and Yang on her belt buckle. She stood immediately, it seemed as if she floated in the air for a second; her gaze still directed at Ranma. He didn't know what to see in her expression: pride, disdain, gloom?

What the hell is she trying to prove? Why doesn't she see that I can take care of things, even if… no, especially if they are her personal matters… they are my matters as well. She would just never leave it to me, she just can't trust me… He swallowed at this very thought, unconsciously shaking his head. "You're such a thickhead!" he called out in anger, igniting her fury even further. Her battle aura grew manifold, and Ryoga, as well as the rest of the group were left in awe.

Sato stood and frowned, concentrating on the alternation of energy fluxes before him. He smiled. "Now, I see what you mean by finding a match. I am delighted!" He lunged at Akane, aiming a swing, yet was easily blocked by her. She followed up and punched him with force in the pit of his stomach; he flew back, crashing into a nearby tree stump. "Violent girl so strong" Shampoo mumbled impressed.

No further announcements were needed. Sato came straight towards his new opponent, lunging three, four attacks at her, yet at the prospect of not gaining any supremacy, he quickly decided to finish the clash, pulling out his coin.

Akane smirked knowingly, once again potentiating her battle aura. Mouse swiftly raced towards Shampoo, getting hold of her and carrying her out of the danger zone, followed by Ryoga. Whatever was about to happen next, any spectator was better off not standing too close. Ukyo, who had waited patiently until Sato retreated from Taro, had rushed to the bull's side to pour the remaining hot water over the lifeless body. Her and human Taro were caught by Ranma, who ran after the other fleeing teens. "Ran-chan, Akane will be sucked out just like Taro. We can't leave her…"

"It won't happen" He answered short tempered, and the second they hid with the others in a small crevice, a giant shock wave of energy emerged from the tussling duo. She had made it, Ranma thought somewhat prideful. Akane had pulled a Ki-attack and it was vigorous. "Ak…." Ryoga was eager to sprint outside towards her, yet Ranma held him back. "Wait!"

The outburst imploded rapidly. Clouds of dust thinned out and the teens essayed to make out the remnants of the explosion. Slowly, a silhouette appeared: erect, unhurt, sole. A goddess. Ryoga blinked. "She's safe. How? Why didn't Sato utilize Happōgoensatsu?"

"He did" Ranma exclaimed. "Akane's in possession of a suit that multiplies her power. It distorts her battle aura, creating a bubble that will do no good to Sato or anyone using Happo Five-Yen Satsu. She's invincible." Almost invincible. Ryoga ogled him. "Why didn't you say so before? We could have asked her to help right away. She's amazing." The lost boy melted away as he regarded his fierce tigress, still standing in the open, trying to centre her Ki.

Ranma eyed her from afar. Just now he recognized the tranquillity his body had adopted. Despite the danger Akane had gotten herself into, he'd believed in her abilities that she'd manage Sato. He'd seen it in her eyes: she knew what she was doing, and something in his heart told him he could trust her. Unlike her, who never even thought of having faith in what he said or what he did. The incident in the café was the best example.

"Once she has given her heart to a person of the opposite sex, she won't be able to wear the suit anymore." Soun's words resounded in his mind. It's been almost a year since Akane first put on the suit and it has been quite a hassle to get rid of the damn thing. Granted, it seemed that he'd played with her emotions back then, but it was all a misunderstanding. No one had ever asked him about his feelings. That he really was scared of the prospect not ever again being alone with her. To lose her to a damned rag. He clenched his fists. There she stood, wearing that cursed piece of cloth again. She'd told him that she'd gotten rid of it, that she'd given it to the second-hand store.

It was a damn lie. She kept it cuz she wanted to. And she can still wear it, despite… despite everything we've done… despite yesterday night.

His thoughts were interrupted by a noisy impact, a piercing loud rumble from afar, in the forest, where Sato apparently had been sent to.

Akane startled: she didn't expect him to survive whatever she had managed to throw at him. Not that she had intended to kill him: the Ki attack that emerged from her hands was anything but anticipated. Her anger, her excitement and the instant buzz of combat must have overwhelmed her. It was like intoxication, she'd heard Ranma talk about that phenomena in combat, but she'd never experienced it herself. Yet it had drained her. She was tired, worn out, and not happy to hear, feel Sato coming back at her. She turned and saw the small cavern where the others hid. She ran towards them, stumbling to the ground just meters before the refuge. Ryoga came to her aid. "Akane-san. You were amazing. You almost got him. I think we got real chance of beating him for good."

"No," she exclaimed, "I am too weak. I don't know if I can pull off another attack like that."

"You might not need to." Ranma exclaimed prudently. "His aura is fainting, you've sapped his energy." Her breathing was heavy. "Maybe, but he's still not defeated." Not giving Ranma a glance, she turned to Ukyo. "How is Taro?"

"Weak, but alive." Akane nodded. "He's sapped Taro's energy, so he has a lot in store."

"If he really is the old geezer's student" Ranma exclaimed, "He might be able to pull off Happōtsurisengaeshi."

"What kind of a technique is that?" Mouse asked, aligning his glasses.

"Happōtsurisengaeshi", Ukyo answered, "is an attack where he will release all of his stored chi in a large Ki attack."

"If we can make him do that" Ranma continued, "we could attack him simultaneously and he won't be able to use the Happo Five-Yen Satsu."

"Haia, Airen correct. We attack from all sides, he lose."

"But how will we make him release his power?"

"I'll do it." Akane wheezed. "Do-chan can take the impact. I'll provoke him…"

"We'll provoke him" Ranma stated. The two exchanged a quick glance. Ryoga, Mouse, Shampoo. Go and hide near that hill, so you can attack him from the sides. Once he'll use Happōtsurisengaeshi, you can pull off whatever Ki attack does the most damage. Akane and I will take it." Ukyo nodded. "I see. I will help as well. Little can I do but at least I need to revenge Taro's pride." They nodded and off the four went, leaving the couple and the unconscious Taro behind. The sound of the approaching opponent came closer.

"I don't need you to help me, I can take it alone." Akane hissed.

"Don't be ridiculous. I know you don't need my help with the suit. You can do it, I trust you." He paused and fixed her with his eyes. They were warm, sorrowful, and proud. Her heart stopped.

He trusts me?

"I'll simply help you to provoke him."

"Ranma…" He regarded the clearing where he expected Sato to come forth any second. "One more thing" he stated, "Whatever you thought you heard today at the café… it's not true. I didn't tell anyone about us. Shampoo overheard a discussion between Ryoga and I about moxibustion techniques, that's all. As simple as that. Just wanted to let you know." He darted outside, glancing back at her.

"I know you can't trust me. I got it."

Akane swallowed. The next second Sato came forward and the two men clashed.

oOo