'Why are they taking so long?!'

Akane thought impatiently as she kept looking at the entrance of the shop. She sighed as she found no trace of them. She sadly looked down at her balled hands as she bits her lower lip in worry. The Saotome's have called them an hour ago to inform them that they will be late because Ranma is feeling unwell. But they have promised that they would definitely come. When she heard about the news, she was ready on her tracks to go and see if Ranma is doing fine. But her responsibilities towards her sister had stopped her from leaving them. Since then she has become way too impatient. It was like only her body was present there, but her mind and heart had already left her, to be with Ranma.

"Akaneeiii!!! Come back to earth!! Akaneiiii!"

Akane rapidly blinked her eyes in complete confusion as she kept looking at the hand that was weaving in front of her face. Just like a bulb had turned on, she came to her senses and looked up at the owner of the hand. She sighs when she saw Akio smiling down at her as he said while pouting,

"Are you sure, you're okay sweety! You have been spaced out for quite a long time now!!" Akio said as he looked at her worriedly.

Akane gave him a small smile as she said,

"I am fine.. I am just.."

"Waiting for you handsome fiance to arrive, isn't it?" He said as he winked at her.

Akane's first impression was to deny the fact, but for some reason, her heart was not allowing her to deny the fact anymore. She gives him a genuine smile as she said,

"Yap! Who else….! But.. I am really worried right now, Akio.. They called and said that Ranma is not well! And I don't know if he will come or not.."

"You are worrying for nothing, little sister!" Suddenly Kasumi came to her side and sat next to her, "Nodoka promised me that they would definitely come here and one more thing.."

"What is it, Kasumi?" Akane asked suspiciously as she saw Kasumi giving her a silly smile.

"The thing is… Nodoka said to me that Ranma has an important announcement to make to us. And he is kind of nervous about this.. So, I am assuming that maybe..!!" She sing songed the last part as she winked at Akane.

Akane blushed red as her face brightened up with an elegant smile. Her lonely heart suddenly filled with hope as she becomes anxious about what might Ranma would announce to them..

"Is that only me, or you are thinking the same as me! Maybe he would declare his love to you? If that's so then, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!" Akio said excitedly, pulling some attention towards them. Suki also looked at them and asked,

"What are you guys doing? You guys should choose the clothes, not sit around and gossip! We don't have all afternoon, guys!!"

"Yap, sorry aunt Suki!" Akio said as he abruptly stands up, then he grabbed Akane's wrist and pulled her up with him.

"Akio!"

"Please, help me find the right clothing, miss! I am really confused here.."

Akio asked politely, giving her puppy dog eyes look. Akane sighs as she shakes her head and begins searching for men's clothing….

After several moments, they finally found something that both of them liked. Akio tried the suit on and showed it to Akane who was standing by his side. Akane giggled seeing him as she shook her head and began to fix the collar of the suit, which was unsettled, making him look a little funny. And that's the exact moment when the shop's door opened suddenly making a ringing sound, announcing a new presence in the shop. They all turned to see who the person was and found that the Saotomes has finally arrived. Akane's face immediately brightened with a big smile when she saw Ranma entering the shop. But her smile soon dropped when she realized that Ranma was purposely ignoring looking at her as he again began to give her his cold shoulder.

Ranma was feeling so numb. His days of sleepless nights and the unwanted events he had gone through without his heart on it, had affected him more than he would want to admit. He was still uncertain about his sudden decision that he so recklessly took. His heart is not with it, but his pride is way too insistent this time. It's like every single day his inner self is fighting with its heart and pride, making him more nervous by the second.

Last night was completely a torture for him. He couldn't shrug the uneasiness in his heart that Akane was not at the next room as she was supposed to be. Before, on some of his restless nights, he always used to sneak into Akane's room from the window. He always used to feel an indescribable feeling of security just by looking at her beautiful sleeping face. But sometimes, he would get lucky when he would find her awake and they would silently sneak out from the room and spend time on the roof.

Last night, he absentmindedly went to her room to find only his mom soundly sleeping there. To say he was left heartbroken, is more than he can describe. And after that he stayed up on the roof the whole night. No matter if it rained or freezing, he kept sitting there, with a hollow heart and a disastrous mood. But soon he had to pay for his reckless behaviour. Because, by the morning, he had come down with a terrible cold. Since then, his mother insisted that he postponed his trip. He was thinking about this matter since then, almost taking a step back from his sudden trip.

He was missing Akane so much. And the way they separated last night was totally not healthy way as well. The animal he had became last night, the so uncharacterised way he behaved with her, whenever he thought about that, it made him regret his action. Because he knows that he had acted so rough with her and didn't even ask her for her permission. They didn't even share a proper gentle first kiss yet, but yet he choosed to act violently with her. To make matters even worse for him, she didn't even flinch a bit and let him vent all his frustrations out on her as well. He is still hurt by what she made him do and what she made him hear. If she didn't had made him go out with Ukyo, he wouldn't have to hear the cheap talking Ukyo so shamelessly said about Akane and he also wouldn't have to see Ukyo trying different tactics. He doesn't want to admit it but Ukyo had played with his thoughts about Akane and Akio very cleverly. Now, whenever he thinks about them, their time together, he gets mortified. It's like hatred is automatically coming out from him because of their their growing closeness. Now, seeing them together has become an impossible task for him.

But… he wanted to see Akane so badly. It's just been a few hours that they have been separated from each other, but it was feeling as if they haven't seen each other for years. He was yearning to see her beautiful smile. He wanted to hear her pure tomboyish voice to soothe his troubled heart. That's why, despite being sick, he decided to join his mother to come to the shop, only to be able to see how his tomboy is doing. Then maybe, he would apologise to her for his behavior last night and maybe… he would ask her to come back home with him…. But, when he entered the shop and the scene that welcomed him, made him blood boil furiously. This scene alone made all his doubts vanish and made him take his decision to leave on his training trip with more determination.. He saw Akane looking at him with her wide eyes and wonderful smile, but he swiftly averted his eyes from her as his sour pride was not allowing him to look at her at that moment.

"Oh my, Ranma! Obasama! You have come at last!!" Kasumi said excitedly as she went to them to greet them.

"Hello dear, sorry we are late.." Nodoka said as she slightly bowed towards them.

"It's ok, Mrs Saotome, all that matters is that you guys have managed to arrive.." Suki said, smiling as she eyed them politely.

Nodoka gently nodded at them as Akio spoke up excitedly,

"Ranma!! Now don't just stand there! Akane has already chosen a suit for you.. Come and try that on!"

" Uhh... That won't be necessary anymore!" Ranma said in a hard tone.

They all got surprised to hear that as Akane asked him,

" What do you mean by that, Ranma! Of course it's important because this is what you are going to wear in Kasumi's wedding..!"

Ranma ignored meeting her eyes again as he said while looking at Kasumi,

" 'bout that, Kasumi oneechan.. I am sorry.. But, I think I won't be able to attend yar wedding.."

"What!" Akane whispers in disbelief.

Suki raised her eyebrows at him and asked him,

"Really! But why are you saying this?"

"Ranma!" Kasumi came in front of him and asked him firmly,

"What do you mean by that! This is not time for any jokes!"

Ranma shakes his head and said in a serious tone,

"I am not kidding, Kasumi. I am sorry but, I have to go on a training mission tomorrow.."

"Training mission!" Akane again whispers in a harsh tone, still not believing what she was hearing.

Ranma ignored her again and turned his gaze towards Suki's wandering eyes as he says,

"I have come here to tell you guys about this. If it is not that important,I wouldn't have taken this step so sudden. " Ranma paused and politely bowed to them and said, "I am really sorry. I hope you guys will have an amazing time!"

"But Ranma.." Akio started, "You can always come back. I mean, the wedding is not happening tomorrow! There are still two weeks left, men!!

Ranma looked hard at him and said,

" I can't cut short my trip. It's important and above all. That's why I won't be able to come.."

"So, when are you going to return, Ranma?" Akio asked in a grim tone.

"I have no idea.. It could take months or.."

"YOU ARE SUCH A BAKA!! BAKA! BAKA!BAKA!!"

All of them turned to Akane when they heard her sudden outburst! She looked so angry as she furiously stared at Ranma,

"Akane!" Kasumi tried to intervene.

"NO!" Saying that she hastily ran to Ranma and without thinking much about her actions, grabbed his collars roughly and snapped at his face,

"Why Do You Have To Do This Now? What Training Trip Are You Talking About, You Jerk! If You Had Planned It Before I Knew You Would Have Told Me About This!! I Know You Are Making An Excuse To Escape!! HOW DARE YOU! YOU.. YOU FOOL!!"

"Akane stop!" Kasumi tried again.

But Akane didn't listen and continued to scowl at Ranma while jerking him,

"Tell ME! TELL US, RANMA, THAT YOUR JUST KIDDING! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ANY TRIPS! STOP KIDDING AROUND!!"

Akane kept giving him a frantic look, her eyes pleading, lips trembling in anticipation. Ranma kept looking at her with hard eyes. He didn't answer her as he not so gently grabbed her hand on his collar and made them leave him.

"Ranma.." Akane whispers in a broken tone, as tears welled up in her eyes, " Why….. You…. You have promised me.."

"I am a Martial Artist first! You call yar self a Martial Artist too, Akane.. So at least I don't owe ya any explanation for this.."

Suki kept silent the whole time. Their exchange was fully visible to all of them. She silently observed the exchange between them and chose to not come in between them. Akane is seeing the obvious now. This is what she was warning her about last night. And if now, she can't see the reality, then she has nothing to do anymore. That's why despite she saw Akane breaking her promise to not to push him or stop him, Suki let it pass by as she too wanted to observe every bit of his attitude towards her daughter. But she is getting more and more disappointed to witness how Ranma was constantly behaving with her daughter. More then that, she is more disappointed at her own daughter for letting any guy talk to her like that…

Kasumi felt the cold vibration around her. For the first time she could feel her baby sister's feelings because she was feeling frustrated too. Here, Akane is trying her best to convey to their aunt that Ranma is different, but now Ranma has successfully ruined everything for her. His sudden declaration worked like lemon juice over boiling milk. And the way Ranma is constantly ignoring her sister, is making things worse for them. She is feeling lucky enough that their aunt is being silent, despite Akane's outburst. But after what Ranma had said to Akane and the way she saw her sister breaking down, she couldn't hold back anymore and came in between them. She slowly stood at Akane's side and looked at Ranma with hard eyes,

"If you are not coming to my wedding then I am positioning it, Ranma.."

Every eyes looked at Kasumi with surprise in them as all started protesting..

"Oneechan..!!" Akane whispers as she looks at her.

"Kasumi, you can't decide that as you wish to...!! What about Tofu?!" Suki said with a serious tone.

"Kasumi Onee-chan.. Please don't say that.. I mean.." Ranma couldn't say more as Kasumi started saying again.

"I know Dr Tofu will understand why I am doing this. Ranma, you are my brother. I can not get married without my family not attending it. If this trip means so much for you then, it's better we postponed it."

"No..! Please try to understand.." Ranma tried again.

"I have already decided, Ranma… I am getting married today because of you. You are the one who declared that my wedding is more important than fixing the dojo! And now, you are saying you can't come! Then its better we…"

"Ok! I will try.."

At Ranma's sudden declaration, Kasumi smiled at him and held his hand,

" No trying.. I want a promise from you, Ranma. Because I know, Ranma Saotome never breaks his promise. No matter what.."

Ranma sighs defeated as he slowly nodded at her. Then he said,

"Okay, oneechan.. I promise I will try my best.."

" No! Say that you WILL come!" Kasumi insisted.

Ranma sighs again and said,

"I promise ya, I will come.. Just please don't postponed it anymore!"

Kasumi smiled broadly and said,

"Now it's better.. I won't postponed it, don't worry!"

Suki sighs loudly and came in front of Ranma. Then giving him a card, she said,

"I am glad to hear that you will try to join the wedding, Ranma. Here, please take this. This is where the wedding is happening. Not in Nerima, we are doing it in Okinawa. My close friend has a hotel business there, he had arranged everything for us. The wedding hall , where we will stay, everything has been arranged already. All you have to do is come there on time. Can you manage the tickets to go there, Ranma? Do you want me to buy you one?"

"No! Thanks, I can manage.." He said firmly as he took the card from her hand.

"That's great, then! ... Nodoka dear, please come with me, I want to show you something.." Saying that, she excused herself from them and left the place.

"Yes, dear..! Ranma, I will be right back.." Nodoka said as she followed Suki.

Akane was still looking down, her depressing aura had surrounded her every feature. Akio also excused himself and left to go shopping. Eventually, only three of them left as Kasumi said,

"Anyways, Ranma, let's go buy your suit! You have to wear it on the wedding day.."

"No, it's ok! I have one in my closet. I will ask mom to bring it with her."

"Nonsense! Of course I will buy you one! Don't deny it! Now come.."

The rest of the day passed somewhat awkwardly. Kasumi stayed by Ranma's side and prevented him from leaving sooner. Akane wanted to get out of that shop so badly, but her commitment toward her sister didn't let her leave that place. She was feeling suffocated, her heart clenched whenever she saw how Ranma was ignoring her. She tried to talk to him multiple times, but it was no use. He talked with everyone, even laughed and enjoyed himself with others, but not her. She eventually stopped trying and at the very end, she excused herself and left the shop alone.

After she left, the hollow feeling at Ranma's heart returned to him. He knows he had purposely ignored Akane, but it was like his wounded pride was healing as he saw her upset because he was doing that to her. Is he guilty? Yes, he is.. All he wants to do is to run to her and apologise to her for his rude behaviour. But, his pride is not letting him do that. So, as bad as he feels for this situation, he is not going to be the one to make amends with her this time. After some time, Ranma also excused himself from everyone and bid his goodbye. When he was out from the shops, suddenly he had to stop when he heard Nabiki calling him to stop,

"So, you are really leaving then, Saotome?"

"Uhh.. That's what I had told ya guys, right?" He said with a obvious look look on his eyes.

"What is the real reason behind it, mind tell me!" She asked him as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Pardon!"

"Don't try to act innocent with me, Ranma. I know you very well.. I am sure you are still upset at my sister because she has foolishly send you to date Ukyo.."

Ranma growled annoyingly and said,

"If ya know, then why are ya asking then!"

"Ranma.. Ranma.. Ranma, you are still so childish!"

"Hey!"

"Don't hey me, brother. But I sure hope that you know what you are doing… Hasn't Akane told you anything about our aunt Su?"

"Yes, she did.. So what!?"

Nabiki sighed defeated as she said in a low voice,

"Look Ranma, if you purposely want to put a blindfold over your eyes then sorry, I can't help you with anything."

"What the! What is wrong with ya! Why are ya talking to me like this?"

"Because as Kasumi said, we really see you as our brother, Ranma. And we care for you. In past all you have done was denying things, saying a word 'it's not what it looks like', just like a mantra. But, now, you can't continue doing things like this! It's serious now! Try to understand!!Don't let my baby sister do all the work alone while you act like a dumb angry child!"

"I AM NOT ACTING LIKE A CHILD! Don't say this again.."

"Whatever Saotome, just remember my words, your every action and your ever word will have consequences from now on. So please take your steps wisely… "

Saying that, she shook her head at him and left him standing there...

A/N: Sometimes, I think why I do this to myself! I am so sick right now. My eyes are literally hurting because for the first time I had gone through exhaustion attack (I named it :p)!! It's not an easy thing to deal with. But despite all this, I posted today! Because, I was feeling guilty for my late update.. If any mistake happened in this chapter, look at them with forgiving eyes. This is the least I could manage dears. I hope you liked it. Do send me your reviews! Trust me, your words always motivate me to write more..