A/N: Yay!! Finally, after such a long wait, this fic crossed 150 reviews!!!! To be honest with you all, I thought I could end this fic with 18 or 19 chapters and I thought this fic would get max to max 150 reviews..! And now that I have already in chapter 23, I am like, what was I calculating!! This fic is not going to end that fast! It's in the middle now! But, if I keep this pace of uploading chapters, this fic would end on ummm I think, on June!!! And that means, it will be just like "Love you again".. Because that fic also ended in June :).. So, hoping for the best!!!!

But before starting this chapter, I want to thank all of you, who reviewed this chapter and showed your support for this fic. As I always say, this site doesn't have any options where we author could know if the people is liking the fic or not! And we only could find out by the amount of reviews we receive that people are liking our works. So I want to thank, " Niomei, Kaysachan, Bayby Face, Benani0125, Akanelove, D-Infinity, Sury, Ranma420,yuna, James Birdsong, Iliana fajardo, wendy7lindat, Ruuuuu, vanesa112, lselaglezcam, Malak alhamra, CuteClau, oyobass, PurseMonger, sussie123, yuncole97, Michell and to my all guests reviewers..."

Thank you all so much for your constant support. All though I don't know if some of you are still reading or not.. But, I can only hope, right? And I really hope you guys will stay with me on my whole journey of this fic. Last but not the least, "ranii19" I miss you a lot..

"I am sorry, mom!!" Akane whispers harshly as she breaks down into tears. Her shoulder started shaking violently with her sobs as she hids her face on her bending knees over the bed. She was feeling completely blank now. Her brain stopped working and no excuses was making any sense to her anymore. After what she heard Genma and her own father had actually done to her poor mother, how could she defend Ranma after this?! She was feeling as if she got stuck in a lonely dark alley where no one is there to help her to get out from that darkness. Then suddenly, a sense of security enveloped her as she felt a warm arm circling her shoulder as it hugged her tightly. She looked up at that person and became surprised when she saw her Kasumi onee-chan giving her a concerned filled look. Akane couldn't hold back as she fully turned to Kasumi's warmth and laid her head on her chest as she kept sobbing on her arms.

"Oh Akane, Akane, Akane.. Don't cry like this!"

"Onee-chan! I don't know what to do anymore!" Akane shook her head over her chest as she asked her in a helpless tone, "Why have you kept it a secret from us?"

Kasumi laid her hand over Akane's hair as she sighed and said,

"Because I know how difficult it is, Akane. And I know that, if we had told you and Nabiki about what our father did, it would have been very difficult for you guys to pretend to live happily with him. We didn't want you guys to hate him, that's why we kept it a secret.."

Akane looked up at her and asked her with a shaky tone,

"Wasn't it difficult for you then?"

Kasumi smiled and said, "Of course it was! I was angry at our father, but I am a responsible onee-chan of two young sisters. I had to digest it all because I wanted to see you guys happy…" Kasumi smiled as she began to clean Akane's face with her fingers and said, "But now, if I think of it, you are the one who is going through a very tough situation now. Not us…"

Akane looked down sadly, her mind had lost all the explanations she could have made for Ranma. She sighs and looks fully broken. Then when she heard what Kasumi started saying, she looked up at her with hope,

"Ranma is different, Suki.. He is not like his father.."

"Why are you saying this, Kasumi..? And how can you be sure about that?" Suki asked in a hard tone as she looked at their direction.

Kasumi turned to look at Suki as she held Akane's hand tightly, then she said in a confident tone,

"I could tell it, Suki, because I know him. And I trust him with my eyes closed. I have observed him very closely and realized that he is the complete opposite of his father. He is prideful, he is a responsible person, he never breaks his promises and he really takes care of his close one's. You have no idea how many times he had saved our sister's life. In some situations, he could have restored his curse, but he chosed Akane's safety first while ignoring his chance to cure. If he is really like his father, he would have taken selfish decisions like Genma does. But, he is not a selfish guy at all.. He is a very genuine person.."

"Then how are you going to justify his mother's action, Kasumi? She always wants him to be manly and wants him to prove it to her..! And you guys have told me that he is always ready to prove his manliness to his mom! Don't you think this is insane behaviour!" Suki said as she tried to make her point.

Kasumi smiled and said, "As a mother, aren't you expecting the same from Akane? Oh, Suki, Ranma is nothing but a victim of unfair situations! Being a son of Genma proved to be a great punishment for him. I am not justifying Nodoka's actions here, she is also equally to blame for Ranma's situation. But, I am proud of Ranma. Because despite staying with his father for all his life, he lived with his own principal."

"But Onee-chan.. You can't deny the fact that he always takes long training trips! That is one of the reasons why our mother suffered a lot! Can we take this big risk? It's about Akane's whole life..!" Nabiki said with worry in her face.

"That's true, Nabiki.." Suki said hastily, "What if in future he decides to leave on a long training trip leaving his family behind?"

Kasumi turned to Akane and when she saw her sister's helpless face, she sighed loudly and said,

"We can not be sure of what the future holds for us, Suki.. But one thing I know is, in future, wherever we split up, we would always hold our backs.. Our mother didn't had a family support, but with Akane, we won't let that happen. And about that, I can be sure.."

"Oh Onee-chan..!" Akane whispers wholeheartedly as she hugged her again.

Kasumi hugged her back and said in a soft tone,

" You guys are so precious to me. I will take care of you guys with my last breath. Suki, I can't see my Akane suffer like this. It's not her fault that she fell for him. I saw how much she had resisted. But circumstances made them closer to each other and the more difficulties came in their way, the more their relationship became stronger. It happened so naturally, Suki! You can not blame Akane or Ranma for this.. Please Suki, you have to give them a chance.. It won't be fair if we judge Ranma for what his parents did! I am not like my father, my imoutos are not like him either! You are also different from him! So how can we assume that Ranma would be like his father!"

Suki paused as she began thinking about what Kasumi had just told her. After some moment, she slowly stands up and went toward Akane. She sat on the ground and made Akane look at her as she laid her palm over her hand,

"Do you really love him, Akane?" Suki asked in a soft, serious tone.

Akane simply nodded her head as she looks at her eyes.

"Did he confess to you yet? Are you even sure that he loves you?" Suki asked again.

Akane bites her lower lips and said with shaky whisper tone,

"He is very bad with his words.. He can't express himself that good.. But I can tell by his actions that he loves me too.. maybe.."

Suki sighed tiredly and turned to look at Kasumi as she said,

"Kasumi, now you tell me.. She is saying, 'maybe'! Do you even know what a simple 'maybe' could cost you!" Suki stands up angrily and declared,

"You have three weeks, Akane.. And if in this period Ranma confesses his love for you and gives commitment to you, then I won't have any problems with this relationship.. But…. But if he fails to do so, you have to come with me, because I have already made all the arrangements for your study there."

"My study? But the result!"

"I have your result with me, Akane." Suki said as she walked to a table and took a big envelope in her hands. She smiled at Akane and Kasumi as she said,

"Tofu gave it to me.. Congratulations dear, you have been selected to join the most reputed University in our city!!"

"Really?" Kasumi asked surprised..

Suki nodded happily as she said,

"Yes, Kasumi. Our little Akane finally made it to her dream University! Here, look.."

She went towards them and handed them the envelope. Kasumi opened it and they saw the result with shocked expressions on their faces. Akane slowly looked up at Suki and asked her,

"Mom, it says I have got only fifty percent of the scholarship! We can't pay that large amount!"

"But how?!" Kasumi asked surprised as she looked at Akane, "You have worked day and night for this! Isn't this score a little disappointing, Akane?"

Akane gulped and looked at the result in hand. Yes, this result is not that good, because her heart was not with this exam. And after that disaster happened at the Tendo house and after that the way she had spent time with her baka, she realized that if she gives her hundred percent effort to the exam, she might get the full scholarship, which may make things difficult for her and Ranma. She also couldn't risk telling Ranma all the truth about their plan and that's why she wanted an excuse in hand, so that she could convince her elders to give her some more time to prove herself. That's why at the last second she purposely skipped the answers, so that she could make excuses for her bad result. Akane couldn't reply to Kasumi as she peeked at her and whispered,

"I am sorry, Onee-chan.."

"Oh don't worry, honey.." Suki said smiling as she sat at her other side and held her hand.

"But mom, this score, it's almost like I have failed.." Akane tried to point her out.

Suki giggled and said,

"Aw sweetheart, you are so innocent. I am actually surprised that you have managed to score this high!"

"Huh!"

"Of course, silly!" Suki sighs and said in a warm tone, "Last few months, the way things had happened to your lives, this is the least you could achieve, honey.. I am so proud of you, Akane.."

Her plan shattered, she looked up at Suki with surprise as she asked her,

"But… but mom.. It will cost you.."

Suki lays her finger over her lips as she said,

"It's my duty you are talking about. You don't need to think about that. Your mom is more than capable enough of taking care of this matter. You only think about your part of the task, where you only have to try and do better in the future.. So, stop worrying and let's enjoy this victory!"

"But, Mom, three weeks! This is a really short time limit! Ranma won't be able to come clear to me in this short period of time!!!"

"Three weeks looks short to you,Akane? Then let me make this easier for you. Four years, seven months and twenty one days… Now tell me dear, isn't it enough time for a person to confess to the person that he may love?"

Akane become lost for words as she looked so troubled. Then she felt Kasumi's hand over her shoulder as she said,

"Suki is right, Akane. I also don't want you to compromise on your study. Trust me dear, every year counts. So, in this case, Ranma has to understand the urgency and come clear to you.."

Nabiki stood up and came in front of Akane and said while crossing her arms in front of her chest,

"Knowing you little sis, you may want to go and confess to him first. Please, don't do that so recklessly.. You have to give him a chance.."

Suki looked worried and said,

"Akane, I have listened to you and agreed to give this relationship a chance. You can't betray me, honey. Promise me that you won't confess to him first. But if he does confess, then you can.Anyway, if you want you can give him some hints … And if you want, I could always tell him about you leaving with me and Nabi…"

"NO! Please no!" Akane interrupted in an urgent tone and said, as she looked at Suki with sad eyes, "I am sure he is going to misunderstand the whole situation..! Please ,don't make it more difficult for me! I promise you mom whatever happened I won't confess to him first, but you also can't tell him about my going with you guys."

"But, you can't keep it a secret for them, right?" Suki asked, worried.

"You have given us three weeks, right? That's all , mom! Don't reveal anything to anyone until then.. Please.. Please keep it a secret from everyone.." Akane asked desperately as she held Suki's both hands.

Suki sighs as she said,

"Okay, then! My lips are sealed till then.." She smiled at her and asked, "But Akane, tell me something, if you love him this much, why'd you send him to date another woman?"

Akane sighed also and looked sad as she replied,

"Because, I am a baka.."

That made everyone in the room calm down as they giggled softly. Nabiki shook her head as she walked up to the bed and flopped on her back as she laid down tiredly and said,

"Here you go, aunt.. She has confessed.. That dummy!!"

"Hey!!" Akane protested..

"Oh my, Nabiki! Don't call her like that! Akane could be a more clueless nincompoop when she wants to be!! "

"Aww Onee-chan, you too!" Akane pouted and whined, making all of them laugh at her.

Suki shook her head and said,

"Hey! Stop teasing my baby!"

Suki said smiling as she smooched Akane on her cheek and stood up as she said,

"But you have made a dumb decision, sweetheart. And I could tell that Ranma was upset with you for this and he might be ignoring you for this.."

Hearing that, Nabiki smirked and sat up quickly. Then she whispers to Akane's ear,

"Hmm so much ignorance, which would leave a bite mark on your lips! You are lucky that our so inexperienced, dense elders still hadn't figured it out, little sister.."

Akane's eyes became wide with horror as she hastily turned her head to look at Nabiki with a horrific expression. Nabiki giggled and winked at her as she flopped back down on the bed, as she kept laughing to herself. Akane was still looking at her with complete shock, still couldn't believe what Nabiki had just told her. Then her whole body shook in furore when she heard her aunt talking to someone on the phone as she hastily turned to look at her aunt. As she turned, She made sure to put her hand over her mouth, to cover any marks.

"Mrs Saotome, this is Suki. Akane's aunt.." Suki began saying as she eyed Akane with a beautiful smile, "Sorry to disturb you at this hour. Actually, we were discussing about the shopping that is pending for our Kasumi's wedding .. We were thinking that, maybe tomorrow we will finish shopping for the boys.. So, would you please be kind and bring Ranma to the shop, so that we could buy the suites for them!" Suki was paused as she heard the reply from the other side, then she said happily,

"Then it's decided, Nodoka! We are meeting you guys tomorrow ! Is it okay with you? Oh that's great! See you guys soon then.. Buy!!"

Before Suki could put her cell phone down she felt Akane running toward her as she hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, mom! I love you.."

Suki smiled and said,

"I love you too, honey.."

But before she could say anything to her anymore, Akane hastily broke their hug and ran towards the washroom..

"I need to use the bathroom.."

Suki laughed as she shook her head in amazement,

"My baby still hasn't changed a bit! Oh Kami, please help her! She is really innocent!"

"U-huh!! Way too innocent!!" Nabiki mumbled while smirking to herself….

Akane closed the bathroom door and rested her back on it. She sighed with relief for her quick escape as she slowly looked up at the mirror in front of her. She went closer to it and saw a red mark on her lower lip. Suddenly, the scene that caused this mark came to her mind, making her blush with embarrassment. She smiled looking at it over the mirror and unconsciously licked it. Her heart, which was filled with fear and doubts minutes ago, started to soothe out. As she kept repeating the incident in her mind while looking at her mark, which Ranma had left over her lips, it was taking away all the uncertainty of her doubtful heart. She touched the bite mark slowly and thought to herself,

'We will come clear to each other.. I am sure he wants to tell me now.. I could feel that he is ready for the next step…. So am I…! And I am sure we are gonna make it.. Three weeks is more then enough time for us!!! Everything is going to be alright.. I know, nothing could go wrong.. '

Satisfied with her positive thinking, she smiled at herself as she got ready for the night…….

Nodoka sighs as she puts down the phone back to it's place. This house is so quiet now. It feels as if this house has lost all its charm. She remembers she used to live like this before. But, after the Tendo girls came to live with them, she have become habituated to all the noises and cheerfulness which always used to calm her mind. To think of it, it's not only her thought, she could tell that her son also feels the same way as her. Because, when Akane was here, he was way too energetic, always ready to annoy that poor girl or to have a fight with her without any reason.

She is dearly missing all these commotions. It's like this lonely environment is trying to eat her alive. Her so energetic and full of life, son, suddenly became so quiet and distant.. How she wishes this things to come back to normal again as it was before.. How she wishes Akane to come back for her and her son.. But, she knows she can't.. She had other responsibilities to take care of now. Like as an obaa-san she has some responsibilities toward Kasumi. She sighs thinking that and slowly goes up to Ranma's room. She knocked on his door and asked if she could enter. Upon hearing his response, she slowly opened his shoji door and the scene that welcomed her made her shocked to her bones.

"Son! Why are you packing, dear? Where are you going?"

Ranma busied himself packing his things on his travel bag as he said,

"I am going on a training trip, mother.."

"Now!? But why?! Kasumi's wedding is nearing!! Why are you leaving at this time?"

Ranma sighs as he looked up at his mother,

"I have been lacking in my training, mother! I need to go on this trip."

"But what about the wedding?" She asked, panicking.

"What about it, mother! It's Kasumi and Tofu's wedding, not mine. Me being there is not important!" He replied modily.

Nodoka felt like crying as she composed herself and said,

"Kasumi at least deserves some explanation, son! Before you leave, please tell her yourself.. Just wait for one more day, dear. Tomorrow we have planned to go for shopping for the guys for her wedding, so…"

"I am not going anywhere.."

"But I have given my words to them.."

"Then STOP making decisions for me!" Ranma said not so politely as he looked at her eyes. He instantly regrets his tone as he saw tears in his mothers eyes.

"Mother, I am sorry.. I didn't mean ta.."

"I know.. And I am sorry too.. It's ok if you don't wanna go then, it's fine.. I will let them know… Good night, son."

She was at his doorstep when she suddenly stopped when she heard him calling her,

"Mom! I will come.. Don't worry! I uh.. I will tell Kasumi Onee-chan myself.. You don't have to worry about that.."

Nodoka turned to look at him with a sad smile as she nodded her head,

"Thank you, son. Thanks for taking this load off my back…"

Ranma smiled at her and nodded at her in response.

A/N: Hmmmm!!! Now I wonder what will happen next!!!! (Hands rubbing in excitement)!!! See you soon...!!!!! Please don't forget to leave a review!!! :) :)