The sun was shining brightly that day as the birds chirped melodically, slow winds were blowing inside Ranma's open window, bringing the sweet earthy smell inside his room . Akane stirred in her sleep as she moaned slowly and tried to stride in her sleep in complete satisfaction..

'Mmm! This is the best sleep I had in a long while, but…. why is my back hurting?!'

She moaned again and tried to lose some weight that was slumped over her backside. She was feeling so well-rested and relaxed at that moment , but the weight on her back was painfully bringing her back from her great slumber.

Ranma was in the same state as hers. He was having the best rest of his life after a long time. The comfort he was feeling at that moment was on another level. He tightened his grip on that comforter and makes him more relaxed. But suddenly he felt the warm sensation wiggling and almost moving away from him.

'Why it tosses and turns so much!'

He growled at his sleep and put more pressure over his solace, to prevent it from moving away from him.

"Mmm.. Let me go. .." Akane whimpers sleepily as she tries to sit straight up.

He also grumbled in irritation as he mumbled sleepily,

"Stop movin'! I wanna sleep more…"

"No… I have to wake up.." She tried again sleepily, with her eyes still closed.

" Later, not now.." He whispers as he almost falls asleep again, holding his comforter tightly.

"Mmmm… But,we have exams, Ranma.."

**'Ranma!'**

"Just a little bit longer please, Kane.."

*'Akane!'*

Simulately, they opened their eyes and it instantly got wide with surprise. It was as if time had froze for both of them as they kept looking at each other, without even daring to blink their eyes.

Ranma couldn't believe his eyes at what he was seeing at the moment! He is still having a hard time believing that they woke up like this.. It seems like, they might have fallen asleep last night while studying together. And it's not like it's their first time sleeping together, in some past circumstances, they had slept next to each other.. But the problem is, in those circumstances, they never fell asleep this close to each other. And in those circumstances, he never held her the way he is doing right now, almost putting half of his weight over her back, as he hugs her sideways tightly and making her glued to his side. And their faces, it was too close to each other, so close that his bangs ruffles with every heavenly breath she was taking. And he could actually notice every trace of her beautifully messy face. Her messy blue hair, her big brown stunned eyes, her slightly opened mouth, her beautiful pink lips, her face flushed adoringly. He lost himself fully just by looking at her beautiful features. Then he saw as she slowly licked her drying lips as she bits her lower lips in worry. And in response to that, he unknowingly licked his own lips as he growled and instantly heard her taking a sharp breath which made his dazed stance break with that sound of it. He gulped nervously as he thought to himself..

'Oh man! Damn!'

Akane was having hard time breathing. She couldn't believe her eyes at what she was seeing or what she was feeling at that moment.. She remembered falling asleep next to him last night, but she also remembered they were maintaining a safe distance, like they did lots of times before when they had to sleep next to each other. But, how come they have come this close? She knows that she should move from this position as soon as she could, but it's like her body stopped listening to her brain. She had the most wonderful sleep last night under the heavy comforter, which was keeping her warm and comfy all the time. But, now that she knows who the comforter was and whose load was over her back, she became too embarrassed to even move her body to make it go away. So she kept lying there, their forehead almost touching as she could see every detail of his handsomely messy face. His messy black hair as it bangs sways with every breath she takes. His ocean blue eyes as it sparkled with anxiety as he watched her with curiosity. And his slightly open mouth… She gulped in anticipation as she unknowingly started to trace every detail of his lips with her eyes. She licked her lips which suddenly became dry for an unknown reason and bits her lower lips…She almost got lost in her own thoughts when suddenly she saw him licking his own lips as a soft growl came out of his mouth, making her tremble with excitement as she hissed unknowingly.

'Oh Kami!'

Ranma, with a painfully slow motion, realised Akane from his deadly trap. They both sat straight up and looked down in embarrassment as they tried to fix their messy attire as much as they could. Ranma cleared his throat as he said,

"Uhh.. Kane.. Umm I. .. Uh.. We.. I think..We.. What I mean to say is.. Uh.. That we.. Uhh.. Damn, my mouth!"

He almost yelled in frustration when he couldn't even manage to say something as simple as what he wanted to say to her. Knowing him way too well, Akane started giggling softly as he turned to her, shocked at first then his face also lits up with a smile when he saw her laughing softly.

Akane stopped giggling as she looked up at him and said,

"See, I have told you last night that you won't be able to study with me for more than an hour.."

Ranma smiled sheepishly at her as he started to massage the back of his neck as he said,

"Guess I had fallen asleep before the time was up.."

"Yap! Within thirty minutes you were sleeping like a baby.."

"Really!.. Then, why didn't ya wake me up?"

Akane blinked her eyes in shame as she said while stuttering,

"I… umm. Oh honestly, Ranma, you were looking so tired and I didn't want to wake you up.. And.. Umm.. I wanted to leave but I couldn't, because.. Umm you held my hand tightly and didn't let me move.." She finishes as she looked down and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I did!?" Ranma asked, surprised to know his previous action as he said, "Then, umm, I am so sorry 'Kane.. I didn't mean ta.."

She looked up at him and whispered, "You don't need to feel sorry for anything, Ranma… Honestly, I had the best night's sleep after a long time.." She finishes as she blushes red.

That statement of hers made him blush too as he said,

"Umm.. 'Bout that. .. I uhh.. I actually had the same experience as yours, tomboy.."

"Really!.." She saw him nodding quickly as his face became bright red. She then smiled and said, "Well, that's good to know.."

Ranma sighs feeling relieved as he asked,

"So, now that we are well-rested, should we continue what we left yesterday?"

"Now!?"

"Yeah, why not..?" Ranma asked, slightly feeling weird about letting her go. He was feeling way too comfortable with her now that he is hesitant to let her leave him this soon.

All Akane wished to do was to return to her hard comforter which made her so cozy minutes before. But she knows she can't get that back now and that's why she needs to freshen up as soon as she could so that she can get her laziness out from her body. But when she heard him asking her this, she said while stretching her back,

"Ranma.. We will start, but not now.. I need to use the washroom and I am way too hungry right now.. Let's have our breakfast first thing, then we will start studying again.."

Her every syllable pinched his heart so badly. He didn't want this moment to end this soon and he also didn't want to let her go this early.

'Why is she insisting on leaving this room so early. Doesn't she want ta stay by my side? Pst.. She is right that we need to have our breakfast before starting any study session.. but… Oh Kami, I don't want her to leave.. What is wrong with me?!'

He thought to himself, his features suddenly became gloomy as he looked down at his fisted hands on the table, looking away from her. Then he whispers sadly,

"Yeah, 'kay, I understand.. You can leave..."

Akane got confused when she saw him getting so upset all of a sudden. She sighs and thought to herself,

'Awww, I don't want this to end like this. And he behaved so gently and thoughtful with me. And now he is being way too valuable.. What should I be doing then! We just can't stay here all day now, can we? I think I should leave.. But.. I think I should at least give him something in return for his thoughtfulness.. Yeah.. I should..'

She was hesitating to even cross the line. Her hands were trembling with nervousness as well as she started sweating too.

'Oh sesh Akane.. It's just a peck on his cheek.. Just close your eyes and do it and leave in a flurry.. Don't act like a nervous wreck.. Now do it!'

Gathering up all her courage, she took a deep breath and without thinking any more, she closed the distance between them and takes her trembling lips to it's only goal, which was Ranma's upset looking cheek.

" 'Kay Kane.. See ya at…"

And he stopped talking, and not because of his talking issues this time. He stopped because, as soon as he turned his face towards her to smile at her and to tell her that he would see her at the breakfast table, his lips got sealed by a sudden soft touch, by her soft lips.

Akane's eyes went wide with surprise as well as Ranma's. Their time again stopped as they kept frozen to their spot, not daring to move a muscle or to blink their eyes. But suddenly, they came back to reality as their body felt the electricity that went through their bodies by their sudden touch. Akane was the first one to move as she hastily stood up and started babbling in a quick pace,

"Oh Ranma.. I.. I am sorry.. I didn't mean to.. What I mean to say is.. I was trying to kiss you.. I mean to say... I was going to kiss you on your cheek and you suddenly turned around and..and.. I am sorry.. It was just an accident.. Ranma I…"

" Hey, it's 'kay.."

Ranma said in a soft tone as he looked up at her with a dazed look on his eyes, expecting her to say something.

.

Akane realises a shaky sigh as she slowly turns towards the door in a painfully slow gesture. Her shoulder slumped as she reached the door and opened it.. But she didn't leave immediately, she stood there , contemplating what she should do next.

Ranma looked at her retreating form with a broken heart. When he felt her lips on him , it felt as if his long time desire had suddenly gotten full-filled. He knows that it was not intentional, it was just an accidental act, but does he have any complaints against it? No, not at all! Before, he never ever felt this light-hearted and delighted the way he is feeling right now. This innocent act of hers felt so right and adorable. But, is she disgusted by this act? Didn't she ever wanted to kiss him? Has it always been one-sided? He just can't let her leave him like this, he won't get any rest if she leaves him hanging with doubts. So, without thinking much, he asked her hastily, "Kane! Wait!"

Akane slightly nodded her head, but didn't turn to look at him, then he asked,

"We are still gonna study together , right?"

Akane released a sigh as she smiled to herself. Holding onto the door frame, she slowly turned to face him and warmly smiled at him. Then said,

"I will be waiting for you downstairs. Please don't take too much time, we have a lot to do.."

Smiling warmly, she again nodded at him and left the room…

Ranma realises a deep sigh of relief, the last thing he wanted from her to get angry and disgusted about this whole situation. But when he sees her calm and smiling face, a tiny hope lights up in his heart that she is ok with what just happened, that she is not offended at all.. And that's what gave him the great relief as he beamed with happiness, while still looking at the place where Akane was standing minutes before.

Kasumi was preparing two plates of breakfast for Akane and Ranma. Surprisingly, they didn't come down to have breakfast on time. She wanted to go and wake them up, but Nodoka had stopped her and requested her to let them take more rest. And to be honest, after last night, her heart also didn't allow her to go there and disturb them anymore. So, after they finished their own breakfast, Nodoka left to go shopping and she started preparing their plates because she had plans with Dr Tofu that day. Kasumi sighs half-heartedly as she finished her works and got startled when suddenly she heard her imouto coming behind her,

"Onee-chan!" Akane announced cheerfully as she came behind her and gave her a big hug.

"Oh my, Akane! You seem to be in a good mood today!" She said smiling, feeling happy to see her sister giggling after so long time.

"Oh yes, onee chan. I am in a really good mood today… But, still, I have to study hard for the exam.." She said while pouring some water for her in a glass.

"Oh my! So, haven't you and Ranma studied enough last night? Oh, silly me, how can I forget, you both were sleeping when I went there to get you.." She said with a knowing smile on her face. But when Akane heard her sister's sudden words, she got so shocked that she started coughing out the water she was drinking. Kasumi hastily came by her side and started patting her back to make her calm down, then she asked her in a concerned tone,

"Akane, Are you okay?"

Akane calmed down and looked at her as she nodded her head.

"Yes,Onee-chan..".

Kasumi sighs as she lays her hand over her head as she asked her,

" Akane, tell me honestly, are you really alright?"

Understanding what she meant to ask her, Akane everted her eyes from her and looked down,

"I am fine, Onee-chan.."

She lays her both palms over Akane's cheeks and makes her turn to her. When she saw her imoutos trouble looking face , she said,

"Akane, I am sorry that you have to go through all this.. But don't worry, you know after you finish your exams, you can get rid of all these problems.." Akane shook her head as she asked.

"Why are you suddenly saying all this? I am really fine here, Kasumi.."

"So, you want to say that you won't give the entrance exam for that college that Aunt Su has selected for you?"

Akane's heart skipped a bit, as she gulped and replied half-heartedly,

"I didn't say that… I. ... I am studying for it, ain't I? And if I got the required marks, why won't I.."

Knowing her sister very well, Kasumi smiled pitifully at her and said,

"Aunt Suki was asking for you. She wanted to talk with you.." Akane tried to interrupt but Kasumi didn't let her as she continued, "You have barely talked to her after that marriage incident, Akane. Don't just run away from her, you know how much she loves you. She is really worried about you, dear."

Akane sighs and says, "I also love her and miss her a lot, Kasumi, but, I am really confused right now.. It's like I can't even think straight anymore. And I can't just face her when I am not feeling sure about myself anymore. And it's not like she will come now and I have to face her right away, so I am not thinking about that matter right now. All I want to do is concentrate on what I am doing now , Kasumi.. Please, I can't take any more pressure now."

"But you are going to sit on that entrance exam, right?"

"Yes, yes I will… But please don't reveal it to anyone now, Kasumi.."

Kasumi smiled and said, "I won't, don't worry…" She paused for some moment then said, "Then, it means you don't have that much time left, Akane.. Will you be able to fix all the finance problems in this short period of time? Because you know very well that if you manage to pass the entrance exam or not, Aunt won't let you stay in Nerima anymore. She took Nabiki with her and then it's your turn.. "

Akane sighs as she looks down and says, "I don't know, Onee Chan.. To be honest, I have no idea of what path I am choosing right now… But, as I said before, I won't break the promise that I made with Aunt Su, so don't worry.."

"Kane! Where are ya?"

They heard Ranma calling her from the living room as they both composed themselves. Akane smiles at Kasumi as she gives her the plates that she had prepared for both of them. Akane nodded and started to leave the room. When she was about to leave completely, Kasumi stopped her as she turned to look at her,

"Yes, Oneechan?"

"I forgot to tell you that… that.. Aunt Su may.." Kasumi stopped when she saw Akane panicking again. She sighs and decides not to give her any information related to her coming to Nerima. She smiled at her and said,

"Don't worry, I will talk to Aunt Su on behalf of you and let her know about what you said. She will be pleased to know that you are attending the exam for her… "

Akane nodded her head sadly as she made her way towards the living room where Ranma was impatiently waiting for her..

A/N: I hope you liked it :).. And if you did, Please do review and let me know :) ... Thank you all so so much! :)