12
"But still, you shouldn't have called him and lied to him like that..!" Akane whimpered worridly as she stands up from her sitting position.
"Chill, Akane! You are worrying for nothing.. And where are you going now?!" Akio asked her, surprised. He also stood up from his seat to join her as he saw her slowly making her way to put her book back on the shelf.
"Where else, Akio.. I am getting myself prepared to go home.." Akane said plainly as she faced him with a scowl on her face.
He also puts back his book on the shelf as he asks her, "What's so hurry for? I just called him seconds ago and now you are leaving! Don't be so impatient now, my dear lady… At least, give that poor guy some time to come here..!" Akio said playfully as he snickers and shook his head at her.
Akane sighs loudly and says while crossing her arms in front of her chest,
"Time! Are you kidding me! You just said to him that I am hurt! I know him very well, Akio. He will be here any moment now!"
Akio made a face of disbelief as he said, "But that's impossible! He needs at least twenty minutes to.."
" 'Kane!" Suddenly, Ranma came running through the Library door as he called out her name. But, he couldn't call her anymore as the security came to him to remind him about the rules of being quiet in the library.. But, thankfully, as he entered the door, his eyes immediately found the person he was desperately searching for. He realised a heavy sigh of relief when he found her unharmed and standing straight and adoringly smiling at his direction.
"And you were saying, Akio?" Akane asked the now dumbfounded Akio, who was looking at Ranma as if he had just seen a ghost standing in front of him. Akane giggled at Akio's expression as she shook her head and said, "Shall we, sir?"
Akio turned to Akane as he gulped and nodded his head at her.
They slowly made their way towards Ranma, who at first became scared when he saw Akane trying to walk by herself. But when he finally sees her walking without any difficulties on her tracks, he becomes confused as he shifts his gaze from Akane to Akio. He looked down at her feet again as it walked closer to him.. He slowly looks up at her with concern filled eyes, still panting from his long run as he was trying to understand what was happening. He clears his throat as he asked her in a shaky tone,
" Kane! You 'kay? You are walking? But how? He said to me that you are hurt.."
Akio clears his voice loudly, making Akane smile at his growing nervousness. She smiles at Ranma and says politely,
"Ranma, let's go outside.. I will tell you everything.."
Saying that, she slowly started to move forward of them. But when she was passing Ranma's side, she had to stop as she became surprised, when she suddenly felt Ranma's warm hand over her arm. He turned to her and without saying anything, he started to help her walk by putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Ranma! I am fine! You don't have to.."
She stopped talking when she saw how worried he was looking. She gently smiles at him and lets him support her walk as the trio makes their way out of the library.
Once outside, they stopped walking as Ranma turned to them with a questioning stare as he asked them...
"What is happening here?! Akio?"
Akio sighed and smiled sheepishly at him as he said,
"I uh.. The thing is.. Oh man! Ok listen, I will be honest with you.."
"Akio!" Akane tried to warn him to stop him but Akio winked at her and continued saying,
"Look Ranma.. This Akane here was whining and complaining to me continuously about you guys not being able to talk with each other…"
"Akio! Stop!" Akane gives him a warning glare , but he ignored her completely as he keeps babbling,
"Quite, Princess..! Now stop being shy for once! Let me finish first! So where I was, oh yes! I mean she wants to talk with you so badly and I hope you want to talk to her as well. So, you guys should thank me properly, because I have given you guys an opportunity to talk with each other as much as you guys want to and without any interruption as well.. So, don't be shy guys! Start talking now! what are you waiting for?"
The streets got quiet after his long speech. He traded looks from a stupefied looking Ranma to a furious looking Akane. If looks could kill, he would have been a dead man by now by the deadly glare he was receiving from her. He started to sweat hard, not understanding what he should do next. He nervously clears his throat loudly, and said while hastily leaving the place,
"I .. Uh.. You know what, you guys can thank me later! Now... I think I should leave you guys alone...Bye…"
"WAIT! Where are you going!" Akane shouted at him, but Akio didn't listen to her as he walked as fast as he could to prevent any possible injury.. Akane huffed angrily as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hey, you 'Kay?"
When she heard Ranma's concern-filled tone, she closed her eyes and started to take some deep breaths to calm her nerves. She sighs defeated as she slowly opens her eyes and turned to him as she says politely,
"Yes.. I am fine, Ranma.."
"And your feet?" He asked again, to make sure.
Akane whimpered hearing that as she says tiredly,
"Ranma.. You are such a baka!"
"Me? Baka! Why's that?" he asked her, feeling surprised.
"You still don't get what he just did, do you? Akio just played with you! He lied to you about my injury, so that you would come here to pick me up. And you can be so baka sometimes, Ranma! You Should have at least asked him to give me the phone so that I could confirm you about my injury.. Don't just trust every person who would come and say that I am in danger!"
"Well, Ya can't blame me for that! You injure yourself so skillfully all the time, tomboy..! You are the most clumsiest person I have ever seen in my whole life! So it's always believable to me whenever anyone says that you have accidentally injured yar self.." he said plainly as a matter of fact.
"What did you just say?!" Akane snapped at him in disbelief as she balled her fists tightly in front of her..
Ranma stood straight as he started to massage the back of his head as he confessed,
"Well, duh! I just said the truth, ya know!"
Akane huffed and frowned angrily at him,
"Is that what you really think of me, Ranma? Then.. I am leaving.. Don't follow me, you jerk.."
Saying that, she started walking ahead of him, outrage in her every step..
Ranma let's her walk ahead of him for some moment. He chuckled looking at her back as he saw her angrily walking on the road. Like everyday, he had returned home from his work and was moping about the fact about her missing from the home. And at that exact moment, he got the call from Akio and when he heard him saying that she was hurt, he was on his feet before his mind could even register anything properly. Then, when he saw her unharmed and safe, smiling at him, it was as if a large burden had come off from his heart and the relief he felt was priceless. He was confused at first about all this situation, but when Akio boldly explained to him about why he actually called him, his heart started thumping wildly. He felt so glad about the fact that the feeling is mutual and not one-sided.. He felt so overwhelmed that his tomboy felt the same way for him as he is feeling every single day for her. That he is not alone in this 'missing the talk' journey. Now he is excited to know that they both are feeling the exact same need to spend some time with each other. And for that, he mentally made a note to thank Akio properly for making this wonderful opportunity for them to be together.
Ranma sees her turning to a corner and that's when he decides to follow her. He gets ready on his tracks and in a blink of an eye, he jumps down in front of her, making her stop on her tracks.
She took a sharp breath of surprise when she suddenly saw him standing in front of her. She narrowed her eyes at him and put both her hands on her waist. Then she asked him in an irritated tone..
"I told you not to follow me, Ranma..!"
Ranma shrugged his shoulder and said while smirking,
"Well, we live in the same place, don't we?"
"So? Turn to the other corner, you will reach your house in no time..!"
"But that's the long route home, Kane.."
"Look, my back is hurting, that's why I am taking the shortcut.. But if you insist, I will take the long route then.."
Saying that she turned on her heels, but she couldn't take more than two steps as Ranma gripped her arm to make her stop.
"Oh Jeez, Kane! Stop being so stubborn for a second now, will ya?"
Akane turned to him angrily and said while pouting,
"Oh! So first I am a clumsy tomboy and now I am stubborn? Then what else, Ranma?"
"Uhhh.. Let me think... An Over Enthusiastic tomboy..!" Ranma said, while smiling sheepishly at her.
Akane growled at him and said angrily , "Aww! I just can't believe you said that, you jerk..! That's enough! I am leaving.."
She swatted his hand away from her and again took the shortcut road and started walking forcefully. And in her rage, she started to walk in a harsh way , the force she putted on her every step caused her back pain to return to her as it cracked loudly. She abruptly stopped as she hissed in pain as she puts her hand on her back.
Ranma came to her side in a second and asked her in a worried tone,
"Hey, Ya 'kay?"
"Why do you care.. Leave me alone.."
Ranma saw the way she was tugging her lips in pain as she started to take slow steady breaths to calm herself.. Ranma gets really panicked this time and says without thinking about it.
"I can clearly see that you are in pain, tomboy! See, I was right 'bout ya being clumsy an all!"
Excuse me for being in pain!" She snapped at him, but stopped herself from saying anything more, when she noticed how panicky he actually had become. She sighs heavily and said in a gentle tone, her shoulder slumped,
"It will go away, Ranma. You don't have to worry about it.."
"But , how'd ya know that it will go away..?" He asked her as he eyed her worriedly.
Akane calmed down a bit and looked up at him smiling, to make him believe her,
"I know it because it's happening almost every single day now, Ranma…"
"What! But why?"
"Duh! What do you expect, Ranma! I am spending a big amount of time by only sitting and you know I am not working out that much as well.. That's why it's happening.. It's not a big deal at all.. Look, I am fine now.." She finished as she smiled at him. Ranma still looked doubtful and mumbled,
"You should have told me about this before.."
Akane sighs tiredly and says,
"It's not that big a deal! Don't starch the matter anymore, please.. Now, all I have to do is walk at a normal phase, that way, this pain won't even bother me at all..!"
Saying that in a low voice, she smiled at him and started taking normal steps. Ranma sighs and starts following her. He went by her side and peeked at her. Then he heard her saying,
"I am sorry, Ranma.."
Ranma blinks his eyes in confusion as he asked her,
"Why are ya sorry for?"
She turned to him while still walking as she says,
"You must be so tired after your long shift.. And Akio called you here for no reason.. And now you are stuck here with me, walking like a turtle.."
Ranma smirked and asserted,
"Well now that I am here.. let me be a little helpful then, what say tomboy?.."
"Huh, what do you mean?!" She asked him, confused.
Ranma abruptly came in front of her and turned around and sat on his knees, his back towards her. Akane was so shocked that nothing came out from her mouth at first as she kept looking at him in complete shock. Ranma turned slightly to look at her as he says,
"What are ya waiting for? Hoop up!"
"But, Ranma! Why are you giving me a piggyback ride? I said I am fine.."
Ranma sighed loudly and said tiredly,
"Look tomboy, it's either this way or I am gonna carry ya on my shoulder.. I am just being a little gentle here and giving ya a choice, that's all.."
Akane's lips curled up in a brilliant smile as her face became red. She hesitated a bit at first, but then when she remembered why Akio did all this for, she gave up and went to him.
She slowly circled her arms around his neck and in a brief moment, he stood up with her and turned to the opposite side of the road.
"Hey! Ranma, why are you talking the long route home!"
"Do ya mind if we take advantage of this moment to talk without interruption as well?"
Akane giggled hearing that as she mumbled while holding him closer,
"No, I don't mind. In fact, I think this is the greatest idea ever!"
That being said, Ranma started carrying her on his back on their way back home. He was taking his sweet time walking as they talked about all the things that came across their minds. It was as if a certain barrier had been removed from them, as they laughed and talked with each other, nonstop. They both missed moments like this a lot. When they used to live in the Tendo's, they frequently got the opportunity to share their thoughts with eachother. But, after they started living at the Saotome's, they learned to value this type of random moments. In the middle of their careless conversation, suddenly Ranma stopped talking and started contemplating whether to ask her the question which is on his mind for days and bothering him nonstop .He hesitated at first to ask her what was on his mind. He clears his throat and asked her in a trembling tone,
" 'Kane?"
"Umhmm.."
"I uhh.. I wanna ask ya something.."
"What do you want to know, Ranma.."
"Should I… umm.. Should I be worrying about You being with Akio?"
"Huh! I don't understand…"
"What I mean ta say is.. Uhh.. That he.. ummm... I uhhh... Oh damn.. I actually don't know how to explain that ta you… Forget that I ever asked ya.."
He finished saying, his feature faulted as he started walking defeated. Akane smiled knowingly and whispers to him,
"Akio is just a friend, Ranma.."
"Not just a friend.. He is soon becoming yar family too…" he said while groaning.
"So? Does that make any difference?"
"Well, of course it does!"
"Like!"
"He is more closer to you than.. More then.."
"You?"
"Oh man! Yeah that's what I mean.. Now laugh at me, if ya want.." He said moodily.
Aka e giggled, making him groan in irritation. Then she said as she circled her arms more securely around him as if hugging him,
"You can be such a baby sometimes..!"
"Hey! Why are ya laughing for!"
She laughed even more at his protest, her heart started beating hard with the overwhelming feeling she was feeling for him.. He has been behaving way too generously with her, just like a true gentleman.. So, for that, she decided to swallow her shyness for once and to be honest with him,
"Dummy! I am laughing because of what you just said.."
"I said the truth though!"
"Do you really want to know the truth?" She asked him softly and felt him nodding. She smiled and whispers to him,
"You are more than family to me, Ranma.."
His heart skipped a bit when he heard her saying this . His face turned red as he smiled fondly at her. But he decided to play with her for the time being,
"More than family! It's family or out of family.. What is the meaning of more than family!"
"Oh honestly, Ranma! Don't twist my words like this!"
"No seriously, Kane! What is the meaning of more than family, huh?"
"Ranma! Would you drop the subject!"
"Nope! I won't! Let me guess what you meant by more than family ! Uhhh!"
Akane groaned loudly and pulled his neck tightly towards her as she harshly whispers to his ear,
"Who has more than one finance to offer and not only that, who always insults and fights with that person.. But despite all that, if that person still counts on that baka so blindly and has faith in him and always stays at his side, not caring if that person is so annoyingly arrogant, the most insensitive egotistical jerk. Despite knowing all that, if you see that person still sticks with him and trusts him with her eyes closed, that's when you know that you are more than family to that person, Ranma Saotome.."
Ranma never felt this emotional before today.. In his lifetime, no one had ever made him feel this valuable. All the people in his life he came across to, either they needed something from him or they wanted him to to prove to them how worthy he is for them. But, Akane… she never wanted anything from him in return. When he feels tired of pretending to be the manliest man and tough guy in front of others, she is the only one he could go and drop off all his barriers and live without any resistance… He knows very well that this is the only person who would never let him feel down, that he can breathe a different kind of life with her, without any fear of getting caught off guard.. And she is the one who never will accuse him for being unmanly or unworthy.
His face lights up with a genuine smile, he sighs as he lays his one hand over her joined arms and his other hand was left on her thighs to support her piggyback ride. He looked down at the road and whispered to her,
"I understand now… So, does that mean, ya are more than family to me too? Because the feeling is completely mutual, ya know.."
Akane smiles and hides her blush on his shoulder as she mumbled,
"If you feel the same for me then.. Yes.." She heard him smirking as he adjusted her weight on his back, then out of nowhere she asked him,
"Ranma… do you.. do you feel the same for your other fiancées as well?"
Ranma frowned hearing that as he asked her in an annoying tone,
"You really had to ruin the mood, didn't ya?"
"Hey! But I never said anything to you when you asked me about Akio!"
Ranma sighs heavily and mumbled,
"You are different.. Don't ever compare yourself with others. At least not in front of me.."
"But, Ranma.."
" 'Kane please… let's not talk about them.. I am here to spend time with you…"
Akane smiled hearing that as she nodded and rested her head over his shoulder as she whispers,
"Okay, I am sorry.. I won't talk about Shampoo or Ukyo.." But then suddenly she remembered why Akio had called Ranma to come here and pick her up.. She got so lost in the magic of the moment that she completely forgot to ask him about the Ukyo's incident. She clears her voice and asks him politely,
"Ranma.. Can I ask you something?"
"Yap..!"
"Why did you leave Ukyo's place today without having your lunch?!"
Ranma stopped on his track and turned his face slightly to look at her,
"How'd ya know about this?"
"Sayuri called me.." She replied smiling..
Ranma sighs and nods his head. Then he resumed his walking as he said with a hard tone,
"She shouldn't have insulted ya.."
"But Ranma.. She must be really upset about this.."
"She should have thought before she behaved that way with ya.."
"Ranma…"
"Look, Kane.. I know, sometimes I behave like a complete jerk towards ya. But that doesn't mean I will let others treat you the same way! You don't deserve to be treated like that. And if doing this will teach those other girls their limits, then be it… I damn care what they feel about it.. And.. Umm.. I am really sorry for what she did today, Kane.. It's actually my fault that she is behaving this way with ya.. I should have known better.."
Akane's eyes tears up as she hides her face over his shoulder again as she silently nodded and whispered,
"Thank you, Ranma.. It really means a lot to me.."
Ranma turned his face towards her and patted her hands softly, then he tried to change the subject for now,
"So, tell me, tomboy.. How many days are still left for your final exam..? Trust me, this boredom is killing me.."
Akane sniffed and giggled as she replied,
"Just another week! Then it's done..!"
"Jeez! Finally some good news..!" He hears her giggles as he pauses his talking for some moments. He sighs and contemplates whether to ask her now about it or not, but he gives in.. He had to ask her about going out with him after she is done with her exams.. He has to know if she is okay with this idea..
"Say 'Kane.."
"Yes.."
"I I.. Umm.. Would ya.. Would you mind going…"
"WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING IN HERE!"
Hearing the unexpected scream from behind them, Ranma almost dropped Akane on the ground. But, he gripped her even more securely to him and turned to face the person who screamed her heart out at them and who was looking in their direction with hatred in her eyes…
A/N: Oh God! This fic is now slowly entering to it's exciting parts! If you guys had followed me from "Love you again", you guys may already know how a complete nervous wreck I become in this type of situation. You guys always tell me about the raw emotions I put in my writing. Trust me guys, it's really really really hard for me to pour out all those emotions into writing. It's funny because sometimes it doesn't allow me to sleep as well.. So, please my dear readers, show your support for my this fic, so that I can get encouraged even more and be more courageous about writing my emotions out.. Read and review please and wish me
luck! :) :)