A/N: English is not my first language.. So please see my every mistakes with forgiving eyes!! :) .. Anyway, at the end, the thought is the only thing that we should count, right? :) :)..
"Ranma!?"
Ranma turned to face Akane with a questioning look as he absentmindedly asked her..
"Umhm? Anything wrong?"
"It's not that I don't trust you or anything like that.. But.. At least tell me where you are taking me.."
"Why? Ya tired already?" He said smirking as he stopped walking.
Akane sighs and pulled her hand back from him as she eyes him tiredly,
"Oh honestly, Ranma! We are walking for an hour now!"
"So?"
"Ranma!! We came to this area two times already!"
"What! How could ya tell?"
She tiredly sighed and said,
"Because I have been staying at this place long enough to memorize some places, baka!" She paused for a moment and gave him a sly look, "Wait a minute! Have you become like our great navigator Ryoga!? Have you been training with him?"
Akane said giggling at her own silly joke.. Ranma snorted at her and pouted annoyingly,
"Ya are such an uncute tomboy!!!! Here I am getting nervous about this whole situation and ya are laughing at me!"
That made her laugh even more as she said in between her laughter,
"Honestly! The great Ranma Saotome! Nervous!!"
Ranma growled and said in an embarrassed tone,
"Look tomboy! If ya act like this then.."
"Then? Then what, Ranma?" Her laughter slowed down as she gave him a gentle look. Then sighing with her smiling face she asked him in a warm tone, "Would you take me back to my room , then?"
Ranma gave her a narrow look and said in moody tone,
"Ya have ta irrike the life out of me for that, tomboy!"
Akane smiled fondly and shook her head at him. Ranma also gives her a warm smile.. Then he sighs defeatedly and said in a low weak tone,
"Look, I am sorry, Akane! You are right! I don't know where I am takin' ya to! Honestly, I am so stressed out right now I can't even decide what to do next, Kane! I just wanted to get you out of that situation as fast as I could! That's it! That was the only plan I had in mind! Nothing else! Everything is still jumbled up on my damn mind right now! I am totally lost, Kane.. I can't make any proper decision now! I am totally confused… Darn it, I don't know.."
He couldn't continue as suddenly she laid her finger over his lips to make him stop babbling. He looked at her with his surprised, questioning eyes as she said while smiling with mischief,
"I think I know a perfect place that we could use as our hideout, Ranma!!"*
"Did you explain to them clearly why we can't join them for tonight's dinner?"
Hearing Suki's frantic tone, Nabiki looked up from her magazine to Suki and gives her a bored look,
"How many times do I have to explain the same thing to you again and again, aunt Su!! I have told that crazy old granny loud and clear that my baby sister is with her fiance! And we can't come because of that reason! And next time, if you again ask me the same question, I promise I am going to charge you for that.."
"Nabiki!" Kasumi called her to stop, but couldn't stop giggling at the way Suki was looking at Nabiki.
Suki sighs helplessly as she again begins to pace like a beaten human.. Nabiki shook her head and chuckled, then again concentrated on reading the article she was trying hard to give her all focus onto. And on the other hand Nodoka, Kasumi, Tofu and Akio kept playing the card game as if nothing was bothering them at all. After some quiet moments had passed, Suki stopped again and asked them frantically,
"Are you guys sure that Akane is with Ranma?"
"Of course, Suki! Don't worry about it!" Nodoka said confidently while giving her a warm smile.
"NO! Try to understand what I am asking you... It's serious! What I mean to say is, what if it's someone else who had taken my daughter and not Ranma!" Suki let out nervously , breathing heavily.
"Hey! Please calm down! I am sure you're going to come up with a panic attack anytime now !" Tofu said in a tight tone as he fixed his glasses.
Kasumi sighs as she looked up at her and said,
"Suki! Please, don't worry about it at all! Only our Ranma can dare to act like this, no one else! Now stop worrying unnecessarily and come here and sit beside me.."
"But, I can't, Kasumi!! Oh Kami, I don't understand how you guys can act so normally !! Oh no, where is my Akane! I think I should go and talk to the police about my missing child.."
"Oh my! Please stop acting like a kid already, Suki!" Kasumi stood up in a haste as she walk towards her. She held her arms softly as she forcefully began to pull her towards where they were all sitting and playing together...
"You don't understand ,Kasumi!! If Ranma is not the one who took Akane then.."
Before Suki could say anything anymore, suddenly their doorbell rang. They all turned to look at the door simulatedly, all having different thoughts on their minds. Suki was the first one to respond, as she hastily pulled her hand back from Kasumi's grip and ran to open the door.
"I think they must have returned!" Suki opened the door with a happy face, saying,
"Oh! I am so glad.."
But she stopped her excited declaration in the middle as she looked at the person who is currently standing by their doorstep.. Her face faulted, her mouth slightly agape as she whispered in a surprised tone,
"Mrs …… Ema!!..."*
"Oh Jeez! This place is incredible!!"
Ranma whispered in awe as he looked at the view in front of them.. They were standing at the bay of the beach… This place was slightly isolated from the main beach area because it is almost the end part of the private beach side.. It was surrounded by big long trees, dimly lited by the streetlights and the moonlight.. The mixed sound of the wind and the wave was the only sound that was coming, making the place more breathtaking and relaxing.. His dazzled stance broke when he heard her sighing as she whispers softly,
"I know, Ranma!! This is the only place which used to calm me down whenever I.." She paused..
"Whenever ya what, Kane?" He asked her in a concern-filled tone, knowing her answer all too well in his heart.
She turned to look at him with her sad eyes and thought to herself,
'Whenever I used to miss you, Ranma.. And whenever I used to fear that you won't return to me..'
She sighs and turned to look in front of her again as she whispers,
"Never mind.."
Ranma looked down, a small smile forming on his face as he understood the fact that he was not the only one who had gone through with suffering of heart. He looked up at the shore and said,
"But, people could still find us here, Kane.. I mean, if anyone walks around here, then?"
She looked at him and said,
"Umm.. Honestly, I never saw anyone coming here before.. And at this late hour, I don't think anyone would want to come here anyway!"
"But still!"
"I don't know any more places, Ranma!" Akane said with an impatient tone.
He turned to her and winked at her,
"This place is awesome, Kane! Best hideout! But I think we need more privacy!"
"What do you mean, Ranma?"
"I mean to say… this..!
Without any warning, he hastily pulled her towards him, making her eyes wide with surprise.. Her face blushed red, her heart beating hard at their close proximity. She looked at him with her wide doubtful eyes as she asked him,
"Ranma!! What are you...Ahhh!!"
She cried out in shock as she suddenly felt him leaping over some big trees, taking them both to a higher place. She hugged him tightly in fear and closed her eyes tightly. When she felt him stopping and putting her down, she slowly releases a sigh of relief. She opened her eyes and felt his hand holding her securely over her waist. She looked up at him with a questioning look and saw him smirking down at her.
"Ranma?"
" Look, now it's more perfect.."
She saw him winking at her.. She blushed again and turned to look at her surroundings. She took a sharp surprised breath looking at the view in front of her. They were standing over a tree branch, high above from where they were standing minutes ago.. The branch of that tree was wide and thick enough to hold both their weights without any stress on it.. And over their heads, the small leafs of that tree was waving every now and then by the breeze of the ocean...
"Come on! Let's sit over there.."
Ranma guided her carefully to the middle of the branch, where he thought they would enjoy a great view of the sea.. He was holding her hand tightly and helped her to sit comfortably on the branch and lastly made himself comfortable by sitting next to her. They both took deep breaths from the open fresh air as well as marvelled at the view in front of them. They were silent for a long moment, just enjoying each other's company, holding each others hand tightly.. After some calming moments had passed, Ranma slowly turned to look at her and saw that her eyes were closed, a pleasant smile plastered on her face as the wind softly blew her hair in a rhythmic manner. She seemed to glow more beautifully in the dimly lit atmosphere and he completely lost himself at the sight of her magnificence.
"This feels so wonderful, Ranma! This place is.."
She turned to face him and stopped talking when she saw how he was looking in her direction. He immediately turned his face and looked down in embarrassment at getting caught like this. Akane smiled knowingly, her face blushing beautifully as she bits her lower lips.
"I am sorry, Kane.."
"Huh!?"
Ranma sighs and said in a low tone,
"This is all messed up right now! Damn it!"
"What's wrong, Ranma?"
Ranma looked in front of him, a sorrowful expression on his face,
"I am sorry for dragging ya here with me! I mean, today you planned to spend the night with yar sisters, but now ya have ta come with me.." He sighs and continues saying, "When I heard the way that old woman was talking to yar aunt and demanding things from her, I became really clueless! You can say that I acted completely blindly! I didn't even had any plan ready, I didn't know where I would take you to, or if it would be a wise idea to do it or not. That time only one thing was on my mind and that is, I have to take ya away from all that mess !! I was really worried, Kane! What if.. this time what if.." He paused and looked down with a broken expression at their clasped hands.
"What if, what Ranma?" Akane asked as she sat closer to him and bumped his arm with hers to encourage him to talk to her openly. ..
Ranma softly whispers to her,
"What if they managed to convince all of you how eligible that Taichi guy really is!!"
"And what made him so eligible in your eyes, mind say?"
"Well, duh! He is a rich guy! He can give ya a life that almost all the girls wish to live!! And he and his family are well established and well mannered, unlike my family.." He said, sighing defeated.
Akane was paused for a moment, then said in a whisper tone,
"Oh! So, I see! But you know what Ranma, for a second there, I thought you were talking about Kuno!"
Ranma turned his head to look at her with a record speed and saw her making a face as she continued saying while she gave him an annoyed look,
"What! Why are you staring at me like that, baka?! If being rich and having a well established family makes a guy eligible then we should count Kuno as well, right?! He is also rich, isn't he? So he also should definitely be an eligible guy in your eyes then!"
"But I was talking about Taichi!"
"And I am talking about Kuno here, Ranma! You know what, you almost made me double-think the fact that why I haven't considered dating Kuno before!!"
Akane blurted out with a frustrated tone and immediately made a face thinking about what she just suggested. Ranma also made a disgusted face at her, they both pouted and silently looked at each other. Then within seconds, they both blurted out saying similarly,
"NAH!!! NOT A CHANCE!!"
They both burst out laughing saying that as the tension slowly died down. Akane wiped the tears from her eyes as she said in between her laugh,
"Oh honestly, Ranma! You are such a baka! But you know what, you may be right about girls wanting to live a lavish life! But you are forgetting something important here, I am a tomboy, remember? So you don't have to worry about anything at all!!"
Akane said, winking at him as she giggled hard looking at his dumbfounded face. Ranma chuckled and shook his head in amazement.. He looked straight at the beach and suddenly, a plan formed in his brain.. He hastily turned to face Akane with an urgent-looking expression, making her laughing stop as he said in a serious tone,
" Akane.. I think I have a master plan!"
Akane became surprised by his sudden seriousness as she said, "Uhh.. Okay.. What's that?"
"Let's leave this place, Kane!"
"Huh!"
"Let's just leave this damn place! Let's leave this dumb hotel and those crazy people!"
"I don't understand what you are saying! But, to where?!"
"The place from where I just returned from, 'Kane!" He released a big breath as he said, "Akane.. The truth is, I always wanted ta take ya to that place with me.. But whatever happened with Ukyo.." he sighs and continues, "After ya send me with her, I was so mad at you that I cancelled all my plans. And come to think of it, that evening, I came to you to ask you, if you want to accompany me on my training trip or not.. I wanted ta surprise you after you have finished all your exams.. But before I could ask anything about it, you had managed to surprise me with your own silly demanding..."
Akane's eyes tears up as she listened to his sorrow filled tone,
"Oh Ranma!! I am so sorry about everything!! That's what you wanted to ask me that day?! I am so daummy! I am already feeling so awful right now!! " Akane whispers in a guilt-filled tone.
Ranma sighs and shook his head slowly and said in a slow tone,
"Look, just forget about those ridiculous days! We can't bring back time..! Ya made dumb decisions, I made stupid mistakes!! But we have to admit that, this time we both had to suffer because of our so-called prides!! Let's just forget it and move on, okay tomboy? We really do need to move on!!"
He meant every word he said as he looked at her with determination. She also gives him a warm look, her eyes shimmering with the pain that she had to go through for the last few days without him, but she was softly smiling at him as well. Ranma slowly wiped her tears clean as they both held each others hand tightly, then he asked her in a low trembling tone, eying her with a serious expression,
"No one will find us there, I promise ya.. Only I know where that place is. It's a secret hideout of mine! I always wanted ta take ya there with me, to share that secret with ya.. My travel bag is ready to use anytime and I am sure ya won't have any problem using my clothes with me.. And if Ya want, I can run back ta yar room and grab something for Ya.. So what's say Kane..? Please let's not take any chances! Let's leave this place immediately!"
Ranma was feeling desperate! He couldn't understand why, but he is having a very bad feeling about this Taichi guy.. He knows that, whatever Akane was saying is true, but for some reason he couldn't shrug off the fear from his heart. Fear of losing her, fear of seeing her choosing someone else. He knows that this is her right to choose who she really wants to be with. If she wants to have a life filled with uncertainty and struggles with him or to live a lavish carefree life with a guy like Taichi. He knows he is acting like a selfish guy now! He has no right to decide for Akane's future.. But he can't lose her! He can't bare to lose her! He knows that he might not have good possession in his life now, but he will make sure to fulfill all her wishes. He badly wanted to explain to her about all his fears.. But.. He stopped himself! Because he doesn't want her to feel pressured to choose this path with him. He looked at her with a pleading look and held her hand tightly as he waited patiently for her reply to his request..*
"Just calm down, my God!! Kasumi!! STOP OVERREACTING!!"
Nabiki said with a harsh whisper tone as she forcefully dragged Kasumi with her to their other room. She hastily closed the door and locked it properly. She turned to face her furious Oneechan with a determined face, who was screaming at her with an uncontrolled rage,
"ME OVERREACTING!! HOW DARE THEY.."
"Kasumi!!" Nabiki again whispers in an urgent tone, "Please listen to me! Keep your voice down for a minute! Let me explain please.."
"WHAT YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN TO ME, NABIKI! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY ABOUT THEIR CONSTANT INTERRUPTION!?"
"Don't you think I also want to react as you are doing now, Kasumi! But IF WE react like this it could ruin our Aunt Suki's every hard work!!"
Kasumi clamped her mouth shut and looked at Nabiki for a proper explanation. Nabiki sighs and said in a whisper tone,
"Try to understand Kasumi, they have constantly helped our aunt Su from the very beginning and supported her in all her hard times!"
"But that doesn't give them any right to force their decision upon us!"
"I know!!! I know, okay!!" Nabiki released a big breath and said again, "Listen carefully Kasumi, Suki has been working on a project for the last five years... It's her big dream! If we blindly follow our rage and act nonchalantly, this could hurt her career! I know how she manages everything, Kasumi! We can't act impulsively in this situation! It won't be fair with her, because our aunt will only face the consequences. She has been working day and night only because of our well-being, Oneechan.! Now, when she needs our help to fulfil her dreams, how can we betray her? Just think about it!"
Kasumi sighs tiredly and said in an an irritated tone,
"So what are you saying, Nabiki? We go and give them what they want? Do you want us to force Akane to marry that stubborn guy!"
"No! I am not saying that.."
"You are not making any sense now!"
Nabiki laid her hand over Kasumi's tense shoulder and said in a warm tone,
"We never forced our baby sister before and we won't do it now as well! All I am saying is, let's handle this situation calmly and wisely, Kasumi! Rage and haste will only destroy what we built, while if we cool down and think properly, we could come up with a proper plan, right?"
'And we could give you a wedding that you deserve, Kasumi! I can't bare to silently watch anyone ruining my sister weeding again!' Nabiki thought the last part to herself as she gave Kasumi a pleading look.
Kasumi looked confused as she bites her lower lip and whispered to her,
"Yes! You are right, Nabiki.. But.. But I can't think of any plans now!"
Nabiki smirked and said,
"Our Ranma has already managed to help us out of this mess, Oneechan! He has taken our baby sister out of here at a perfect time! I don't know how and why he did it suddenly! But I am glad that he did it! Now, we just have to go with the flow and make them understand how deep and serious their relationship is! So that they could stop bothering them and leave us alone, of course!"
"What if they don't want to see what we want to show them?!"
"It's not our call, Kasumi! I mean they could think whatever they want to think, we can't change their motives! However we will be crystal clear to them about who our baby sister really wants in her life.. We will ignore their persistence, go with the way it is going and after the wedding, we are leaving this place anyway! And one more thing is really making me excited, Oneechan! I mean, what if Ranma and Akane decided to elope this time and won't return to this place anymore! Oh that would be so great, isn't it!! Then, we won't have to worry about facing them at all!"
Kasumi smiled and shook her head,
"I also wish the same now, Nabiki.. But.. But I know my imouto very well.. She will definitely come to my wedding! She won't miss it!"
"Are you sure?"
"Umhmm… But what you said is really appling, my dear sister!!" Kasumi giggled happily and said in a low tone, her eyes twinkling with mischief, " I think I have a better plan now! But I need your and Akio's help in it!"
Nabiki sceptically looked at her direction and nodded her head in anticipation,
"Okay……! I am listening!"*
"Kane! Please say something!" Ranma asked her with a hopeful voice and got worried when he saw her giving him a helpless look..
"I am sorry, Ranma.. But, I can't go with you now.."
Ranma's heart started beating painfully hard when he heard her apologising to him. She was looking at him with her pleading eyes as she bits her lower lips in worry. Ranma started sweating hard, his aura suddenly became pessimistic.. He slowly left her hand and looked at his lonely hands with a grim manner,
"Ranma!"
Ranma didn't say anything as he kept looking at his balled hands,
"Ranma, please look at me!"
Ranma turned his face to the opposite side and murmured ,
"That's fine! …. I understand!"
"Look at me!"
He ignored her plea again.. His pride was too much harmed to respond to any of her anymore.. Akane moaned and without thinking, she pulled his braid carefully so as not to hurt him. She forcefully made him face her and the sudden action made him stunned as he faced her furiously,
"What the hell is wrong with ya, ya uncute tomboy!"
"What's wrong with me!? What's wrong with you, Ranma! Why are you ignoring me?"
Ranma angrily pouted at her, but he couldn't said anything to her, as he kept looking at her with his annoyed pity eyes,
"And here you said that you understand me!" Akane sighs sadly as she slowly realised his braid and said in a warm tone, "If you really had understood why I said that you wouldn't have ignored me like that dummy! I said no, that doesn't mean that I don't want to go with you! Of course I WANT to go with you, baka! But this is not the right time to do it! What I mean to say is that Kasumi's wedding is going to happen in the day after tomorrow! How can we leave her at a time like this! And why are we planning to escape like a coward? For whom we are doing it?!! For this Taichi guy!! Who is he anyways! Why should we care, Ranma! My Kasumi Onee-chan's happiness is more important to me than fearing what some strangers might do to us! I trust you, I trust myself, who can force us! Besides, you know very well that we don't have anyone but us for each other, Ranma! Kasumi means everything to me! I can't leave my sister at a time like this, Ranma! Please understand.."
Ranma's anger of rejection instantly turned into a stunned realization! He began to feel ashamed for even forgetting about this important event. In his haste to take Akane away from everyone, he didn't even consider Kasumi's upcoming marriage at all! He should have understood how important this day is for all the Tendos! And here he was childishly demanding her to elope with him at a vital time like this! He started to feel silly and embarrassed.. He sheepishly smiled up at her as he began to rub the back of his head nervously, then he said in a low apologetic tone,
"Uhhh!! Yeah!! Umm... Yea are right! I am sorry, Kane!"
Akane narrowed her eyes on him, she crossed her arms in front of her chest as she huffed and turned to face in front of her. Her small sly smile was hidden from him as she pretended to be angry at him.
"Akane! Hey Kane.. Hey tomboy, I said sorry ta you, aint I?"
"So what that you have said sorry! You really hurt me this time , Ranma.. You misunderstood me again.."
"I know! I really acted stupid again!! I am saying sorry ta you.." He said in a haste, trying his best to break the anger of his tomboy.
"I can forgive you in one condition!" Akane said with her eyes closed .
"And that is?"
"That is.. If you promise me to take me to that training spot after this wedding is finished..."
"Okay... Huh?!" Ranma was surprised to hear that as he dumbfoundedly looked at her ..
She smiled and turned to face him with a smug expression on her face. She giggled softly as she saw how dumbfoundedly Ranma was staring back at her.
Her soft giggle snapped him out of his stupor. He smirked at her and shook his head in amazement.
'Ya will never cease to amaze me, tomboy!'
He thought to himself as he saw her glowing beautifully as the moonlight illuminated over her face. He blushed hard and hesitated a bit, then gathering all the courage he could manage, he opened his trembling palm and offered it to Akane.
Akane's giggling stopped as she looked at Ranma's offering hand. She looked at him and saw him blushing furiously as he began to sweat in nervousness. He was not meeting her eyes, his eyes glued to his shaky offered hand as he fearfully waited for her reaction. She warmly smiled at his innocent act. Without any hesitation she slowly wrapped her hand with his and heard him releasing a big sigh of relief as if he was holding his breath in anticipation. His stiff body loosened up a bit as he began to inhale and excel slowly, blushing madly as he strongly interlocked her hand with his. Akane smiled at his action and without any second thought, she sat closer to him and gently laid her head over his shoulder. She sighed in complete contentment as she felt him getting stiff again. She closed her eyes and smiled when she felt his other trembling arm going over her shoulder. This new position helped her to lay her head over his chest, which was rapidly beating the same as her's. After some moment, they both settled comfortably, leaning on each other.. Eventually Ranma's body got relaxed, he slowly laid his head over Akane's head. They got relaxed in each other's arms as both of them sighed simulately, with complete satisfaction..
A/N: Yay!! Finally ,I managed to finish this chapter T-T !!! Oh the struggles I had to go through T-T!!! I am extremely sorry for taking so much time to update this time! I hope you guys will like it and don't forget to leave your thoughts :)!! See you guys soon :)!!! Hopefully :p!!