A/N: Sorry for the extended hiatus on this... some of you have been waiting for an update for like... two years? And for this I apologize. I promise to finish off this fic by the end of August (before I go back to school/the reason I've been on hiatus..). Well, uhh... enjoy :) Read && review as always ;)

The deal was on! Akane would buy Ranma, no matter the price and they would work together to pay Nabiki back. For the time being, they were working together to attach the freshly built cat-walk to the other sections of the handmade stage. Already, rays of sunshine shone through the paper doors of the dojo. Morning was coming and with that came breakfast and the deadline for the stage. Neither of them had slept but the completion of the task took priority over rest. Soon, the stage was complete and all that remained was the decoration of the stage. They began to hang the streamers and balloons were grouped in threes and dotted the dojo. The balloon arch Akane had begun was the only incomplete task.

"We're... we're almost done..." Akane yawned, her eyes half open.

"Rmmph..." Ranma mumbled in agreement.

They were both physically tired and lacking in sleep, of course, so it was no surprise when Ranma collapsed, face first, to the floor of the stage.

"Good... mmmm idea..." Akane murmured. "Just.. for a minute," she drifted pleasantly to sleep beside Ranma with a little less than three hours to their deadline.

xxx

6:05 AM

"My master wishes for your attendance right away, ma'am," a loyal servant announced to a sleeping beauty. This servant, however, knew not the hours of service for this particular businesswoman. For punishment, he received a swift kick in the face. "Very well, ma'am..." he sighed picking her up. He quickly left for his waiting master.

Nabiki awoke in a room she did not recognize, yet she knew exactly where she was. She was obliged to stretch but she was interrupted.

"Ah, I see you are awake," came a high-class drawl from the shadows where Nabiki's captor resided.

"You..." Nabiki yawned.

"Yes, mercenary, it is I," Nabiki's host or hostess declared as she withdrew from the shadows. "I, Kodachi Kuno, requested your attendance for you have taken for granted, mine. How dare you forget to invite me to your swaray this evening!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"THE AUCTION!"

"I didn't forget to invite you. I just didn't want you there."

"What?" Kodachi yelled in alarm. She held her ribbon threateningly.

"I said I did not request your attendance to the ball simply because I didn't want you there," Nabiki sighed matter-of-factly.

"But... WHY?" Kodachi cried breaking down tearfully.

"This is going to be a long morning..."

xxx

"Breakfast!" Kasumi called pleasantly.

"Mmmm... bacon..." Ranma mumbled in his sleep. He snuggled closer to a soft warmth beside him. He was about to slip back to sleep but he couldn't feel his arm. His eyes shot open, thinking the worst but all he saw was Akane.

They had fallen asleep together and she was resting peacefully on his arm, cutting off circulation. His immediate reaction had been to blush profusely and deny it happened but it took him a mere second to realize how right it seemed. "Akane... wake up, we fell asleep," he whispered, gently lifting her from the ground and off his arm. He sat her up and tapped her face softly, "come on, wake up."

"Breakfast!" Kasumi called once more as she slid open the door to the dojo.

"Breakfast?" Ranma cried, letting Akane fall painfully to the floor out of fret for the approaching deadline.

"Oh my, yes!" Kasumi gasped, not fully comprehending the reason for Ranma's anxiety.

"Ow... breakfast?" Akane groaned sitting up slowly. "Breakfast?" she cried, her eyes darting from Ranma's to the unfinished balloon arch.

"Where's Nabiki?" Ranma inquired calmly.

"I'm not sure, she wasn't in her room when I called her."

"Ok, come on, Ranma, let's get to work... quickly," Akane declared, jumping from the floor.

"I guess you'll be taking breakfast in here," Kasumi left bustling to the kitchen.

"I can't believe we fell asleep!" Akane sighed, busying herself with the task of tying balloons into the arch.

"Yea..." Ranma mumbled, trying to rub feeling into the arm Akane had previously used as a pillow. He couldn't ignore the fluttering of butterflies in his stomach when he thought back on how peaceful Akane looked as she slept, how beautiful. "I think I need to eat," Ranma stated, his face scrunched up in confusion as he rubbed his stomach. Despite his inability to recognize his unnamed feelings for Akane, he couldn't help but notice his admiration for her, how in a few hours, his uncute fiancée had grown on him. He watched as she selflessly rushed through work that would really only benefit him. He suddenly didn't mind having to spend the day with her tomorrow. "Thanks 'Kane," he sighed, joining in on the work.

"... you're welcome," Akane smiled. She noticed his change in attitude over the last few hours. She couldn't believe they'd been able to efficiently work together without a fight since last night. This intrigued her.

In no time, they finished the balloon arch and could eat breakfast with the rest of the family.

"Well... the dojo looks nice..." Nabiki sighed as she appeared from nowhere.

"Nabiki!" Ranma cried. "So I guess the deal is on then, right?"

"Yes, but-"

"No, 'but's, we made a deal," Ranma interrupted.

"You're right but-"

"Nabiki, you can't possibly go back on our deal," Akane interjected.

"Of course not! Do you really think so lowly of me? Well then, my lips are sealed."

Ranma and Akane briefly glanced at one another before shaking their heads triumphantly and resuming their meal.

Nabiki just "hmphed" and laughed to herself as she swallowed her information for now.

As breakfast came to a close, the momentum of the day sped up as everyone in the Tendou household did what they could do to tie up loose ends before the ball.

Kasumi busied herself in the kitchen, working her culinary magic.

Soun and Genma amassed sake (for those old enough to drink, of course) and conspicuously guzzled a couple of bottles.

Nabiki greeted the participants of the auction, namely the unwilling participants, as they filed into the dojo. When all of the men finally gathered, she strode to the guest bedroom. "Ranma! It's time! What do you intend on wearing?" she called through the door.

"Uh, this?" Ranma shrugged as he left his room.

"That's what I thought. That is why I took the liberty to pick this out for you, free of charge..." Nabiki's voice faltered on the word free as she presented Ranma with a nice tuxedo with a dark blue cumberbun and tie to match his eyes.

"What's this for?" Ranma knitted his brow curiously.

"What can I say? You're sure to bring in top dollar and I just want you to look your best. Try it on. Kasumi wasn't sure what size you wore so I did my best," Nabiki smiled. She handed him the tux and headed to the dojo to address the gentlemen.

Seeing Nabiki head toward the dojo, Akane snuck upstairs to hear Ranma grumbling through his bedroom door. She gave a short knock and waited as Ranma padded toward the door.

"Look, Nabiki, you should know-" he began. Seeing Akane, he started once more, "Hey, what are you up to?"

"Mostly waiting...and thinking. What if Nabiki catches us? What would she do?" Akane whispered worriedly.

"What could she do? Come on, Akane, it's all right. She can't be sore just because we got her at her own game! Sides, my plans always work sometimes!"

Akane chanced a giggle and continued, "Well, alright but, just in case, we can't let on to our plans. Nabiki can't know."

"Right, so act normal, then?"

"Uh... yea.."

"Ranma, we're waiting!" Nabiki called from downstairs.

"Oh, well, I have to change. We're starting in a few hours and Nabiki wants to 'prep' us, so..."

"Yea, of course," Akane left Ranma to dress. "Maybe Kasumi needs help," she pondered, knowing part of her agreement called for her avoidance of the kitchen/cooking , so she settled in the kitchen with a plate of cookies and kept Kasumi company.

"Oh my, Ranma! I'm afraid I've never seen you like this!" Kasumi gasped as Ranma entered the kitchen, dressed sharply in his tux.

"Chyea! There's no food in your mouth!" Akane quipped. She grinned at her own joke and gazed up to see Ranma at the fridge with food in his hands. Normally, she'd have probably laughed at his predictable behavior, but she couldn't find the breath to do so since he had taken it away. His crisp suit made him look dapper and even more handsome. His eyes shined as he smiled impishly.

"Um, well actually, the suits a little too big so-" Ranma stammered.

"You can't even tell..." Akane blushed sheepishly.

"Oh my, yes, you look wonderful!" Kasumi smiled.

"Ranma! We've been waiting for you!" Nabiki stated impatiently as she appeared in the kitchen. She grabbed him by his pigtail and dragged him from the kitchen to the dojo amongst the other mail participants. She then took her place on-stage to properly speak to her peers. "I'm glad to see everyone has accepted my generous invitation and have dressed accordingly. I hope you're as excited as I am..."

xxx

"So, Kasumi, who do you think you'll bid on?" Akane sighed finishing off the cookie in her hand.

"Well, I suppose Tofu Ono, I mean, he's such a nice man... But if he won't make a move, I guess I must."

Akane nearly choked at her sister's bizarre analysis of Dr. Tofu since all the world, as far as Akane knew, thought she was oblivious to his bashful advances. "Um... yea.." she coughed.

"Some women believe they are above making the first move but when it's a guy like Ranma, sometimes a girl must make a move or else."

Akane was about to agree without hearing the knowledge in her sister's words but then she questioned, "Wait... Ranma?"

"Well, Akane, I suppose when dealing with Ranma, you should make the first move, as well, I guess, but-"

"But... you were just talking about Ranma."

"No, Akane, I was talking about Dr. Tofu. When a man is so afraid and unsure of himself, only a strong woman can take the proper initiative to-"

"I could have sworn you said 'Ran-'"

"Dr. Tofu!" Kasumi cried as Dr. Tofu appeared in the kitchen.

"K-K-K-Kasumi! Am I in the- is this the- I didn't mean to barge into the kitchen! I was- and then I-" Tofu stammered as his glasses fogged up with the sight of Kasumi.

"Oh, Dr. Tofu, let me lead you to the dojo." Kasumi smiled kindly and grabbed Tofu's elbow as she lead him to the dojo. She flashed Akane a mischievous smile over her shoulder and disappeared from view.

"Bizarre..." Akane murmured as she finished her plate of cookies. She left for her room to ponder her sister's words and prepare herself for the evening's events.

xxx

In the dojo, Nabiki gave a brief, over-spirited "pep talk" where the phrases "do or die", "get that money", and "do what you must... whatever you must" were used over zealously over and over again. After, the male participants were left to mosie aimlessly about the dojo, socializing and griping about the impending doom the night was sure to bring.

"Maybe it won't be so bad..." Hiroshi conceded.

"Yea, I mean, my girlfriend's bidding on me..." another gentleman interjected.

"But what about the rest of us! Those without girlfriends or fiancees to save us? TO not know is killing me!" Mousse cried anxiously. Muttered agreements followed.

"Or worse... what if no one bids... I don't think I could handle that kind of rejection!" Gosunkugi ranted, a fist over his heart.

"As goes for me, I have nothing to worry about. My lovely double loves will bid on me," Kuno stated confidently as he swept at his bangs. Ranma's fist crashed over his head leaving him crumpled on the floor.

"Well, he's kind of right... no matter how deluded. It'll be good to see who is out there bidding on me..." someone volunteered. Again, some mumbled their agreement.

xxx

As the time approached to begin the Ball, the men were shepherded into the house as eager women were encouraged to enjoy lavish appetizers that Kasumi had spent the day preparing. True to the name, many of the guests made it a point to dress up for the night's festivities in elegant gowns and dresses. Some, however, did not quite get that memo.

Akane was embarrassed as she swam in the ocean of satins and silks in attire that she would normally be caught fighting in; a yellow collared shirt and a red skirted jumper.

Another interesting addition to the guest list, wore a black mask adorned simply with a diamonds that obscured the top of her face which she held to her face, haughtily. She hovered over the table piled high with food and eyed her competition. One particular filthy girl caught her attention, that of course, being Akane Tendo. "Hmm, I do ponder as to her intentions toward my Ranma-sama this evening... does she intend on bidding? Well, that will have to be changed." Kodachi mused as she glared from beneath her mask.

"I no see why we not asked to cater event... Neko Hanten only too happy to do favor for mercenary girl who make it possible for Shampoo to have her Airen!" Shampoo bubbled as she nibbled politely at some of the food on her plate.

"Probably for fear that you might try to poison someone," Ukyo countered. The obvious knowledge that Shampoo would be one of her fiercer competitors this evening in trying to bid on Ranma intensified the tension between them. She was itching for an altercation.

"Shampoo no need to poison no one. After spending one day alone with Airen, Airen will be all Shampoo's and all Shampoo have to do is out bid spatula girl! Don't be jealous, Shampoo sure there is some other boy you be mismatch with." Shampoo shrugged flippantly.

"Why you!" Ukyo started angrily.

"My, my, calm down, ladies. Save it for the bidding," Nabiki interrupted as she suddenly stood between them. "Akane!" she called to her sister.

Akane, saved by her sister, managed to cut through the crowd and made her way to Nabiki's side, eyeing Shampoo and Ukyo's garments embarrassedly. Shampoo dressed in a purple dress with a traditional Chinese cut, brocaded with ivory flowers. Similarly, Ukyo was sporting a strapless dress in a deep green color. Next to her stunning adversaries, Akane was reluctant to even stay for the auction. What was she to go against these two lovely young ladies, not in the auction but in life. While she never held her title as fiancee to Ranma in a particularly high respect, never had it been called to her attention that she was in competition with such beautiful, strong and skilled women, at least not until that very moment when just standing beside them in her everyday attire made her feel ashamed of herself.

"What are you doing? You need to get dressed!" Nabiki questioned.

"I... I am dressed." Akane admitted bashfully.

"No, you're not. Go upstairs and change." Nabiki ordered.

Thankful for an excuse to escape the company of Ukyo and Shampoo, Akane scurried to her room, all the while contemplating what she could possibly wear that would put her on a level in view of that which Ukyo and Shampoo were contentedly perched.

Nabiki walked away, off to boss about some other unexpecting member of the Tendo household leaving Ukyo and Shampoo standing together.

"Hey..."

"You don't think..."

"What? That mercenary girl in cahoots with violent girl?"

"I mean... they are sisters... do you think this is rigged?"

"What you do about it?" Shampoo eyed Ukyo suspiciously, all the while belying her wishes.

"Are you suggesting I try something underhanded?"

"No, course not." Shampoo shrugged leaving Ukyo.

As Akane entered her room, she saw a present left, presumably, by Nabiki. A black strapless dress hung in her closet, excitedly, she tried it on noting how the dress gathered beautifully in the back making Akane elegant and sophisticated.

With such glee did she change that she didn't even notice an uninvited presense lurking just outside her door.

xxx

A/N: Now. If all goes according to plan, I'll have another chapter up by tomorrow. :) I hope you like it so let me know if you readers are still out there and... reading. haha If not tomorrow, Tuesday indefinitely.