"Wait mistress!! What are you doing!!!"
Ukyo closed her eyes in annoyance as she bites her lower lip to control her anger. She was currently trying to take off Ranma's dirty shirt to clean it, but as always, Konatsu again interrupted her. She tried to suppress her buildup anger as she said while looking at him,
"What it's looking like to you, huh?!"
Konatsu blushed hard as he said in a panicky tone,
"The plan was to bring Ranma to your room to rest in here only! You just can not undress him without his permission!!"
"Awww!!! Would you just stop it!! I was removing his shirt because it's extremely dirty and it will ruin my mattress if he turns on his sleep, dummy!"
"Oh!! But.. but you promised me you won't do any perverted things to him, mistress!! That's illegal to undress him like this!!"
Ukyo shook her head in annoyance, suddenly feeling too tired of his constant interruptions. She stands up lazily and mentioned to him by her hand,
"So you do it, then.. Anyway it's your fault that he is in this condition! So take some responsibility of your actions!"
"OH MY KAMI!!! How could you be so cruel, mistress! How could you even suggest me to do that!"
Ukyo sighed loudly and said with her greeted teeth,
"Then just keep quiet and let me do my work!"
Saying that she again resumed to open Ranma's shirt.
"But mistress, this is so appropriate!! You can't do that to him!"
"Konatsu!! Either you do it or I do it! Anyways you are sticking with us like glue, what do you think i would do to Ranma when you are sticking with us like this..!"
Konatsu gulped hard as she hasitatedlly went to sit beside Ranma, then he said in a trembling tone,
"Oh Kami, forgive me for this.. I .. I will do this, you don't have to, mistress!"
Saying that, with his trembling hands, he started to unbutton Ranma's shirt. He looked away as he finished unbuttoning him as he carefully took the shirt from him. After finishing his forceful punishment , he quickly handed Ukyo the shirt. He immediately hides his face behind his palms as he kept shaking his head in distress. Ukyo growled annoyingly looking at his state, she shook her head at him and stood up saying,
"You are so pathetic, Konatsu, my God!!" she started walking towards the door and announced while turning to him,
"I am going to take a quick shower now. Do me a favor and take that Genma to the backyard, where our store room is."
"Storeroom!? But that room is full of boxes and stuffs! He won't fix in there.."
"Make it happen, then..! Anyway sugar, it's your fault that they are in this state! Or you want to transfer him to your room, huh?"
"No, no, no!! Oh my, I will quickly manage some boxes there and I will fix him a futon too. Please don't let him sleep with me, mistress!"
"Do whatever you wish to do. I can't let him out of my sight before I let Ranma go. If this greedy old man finds out about it , he will force me to pay him for this. I have already lost lots of money, I am not in the mood to lose any more."
Konatsu hastily stands up on his feet and said in a haste,
"I will be right back, miss Ukyo! Please promise me you won't do any perverted things with Ranma.."
Ukyo blushed madly as she said to him angrily,
"Shut up, dummy!! My house and backyard are not that big, stupid!! You are practically going to the next door."
Konatsu gave an uneasy laugh as he said,
"Oh, you are right! I will be right back then.."
Ukyo shook her head and started walking towards the washroom as she mumbled to herself,
"Baka!!"*
Akio looked at Akane with his guilt filled eyes. He wanted to scold himself hard for breaking such devastating news to her like this. He knows that this is not an easy issue to deal with, but he had no other choice but to confess this truth to her. At first he thought that his eyes might have played a trick on him when he saw a glimpse of Ranma, outside the Ucchan's okonomiyaki shop. He shrugged his thought off that time and in urgency he resumed his task to go to Akane to inform her about her achievement.
When aunt Suki had declared that they would go to Ranma's house right away; at that exact moment he again remembered the scene. In his mind, he kept repeatedly prayed to God that whatever he saw outside that shop was nothing but a foolish illusion of his tired mind. That's why when they reached the Saotome house his eyes were constantly searching to look for Ranma. But when he heard what Nodoka said to them, his heart instantly dropped and he began to dread what he had seen is nothing but truth. He didn't want to create any misunderstandings that's why he only took Akane with him. Because after all those hardships this couple had to go through ; he doesn't want to make things more complicated for any of them. Akio sighs sadly and gently laid both his hands over her tense shoulder, then he said in a soft shaky tone,
" I am an idiot! You know that, right? My mother always used to scold me for my overreacting attitude, you know.. Look, when I saw him, at that moment my mind was juggling with happiness and I was very much excited as well. That's why I can't trust myself in that state of mind; so please don't believe what I am telling you. I am just assuming it, babe! Please don't look so distressed!"
Akane rapidly blinked her eyes to control her tears; she bites her lower lip and asked him in a trembling tone,
"What if… What if we found him there? What will happen then, Akio? He was so angry at me when he left the house! What if he.."
He didn't let her finish as he gently shook her shoulder and said in a hard tone,
"Don't you dare think so low about him! Ranma is a very nice guy. You know him more than I do, Akane! He will never do such a thing to you. Trust him! We are just going there to make sure that he is not there, that's all! After that we will go search for him in every corner of the Nerima. Don't worry Akane, whatever happens I will always be by your side..Now, please calm down…"
Akane sighs as she slowly nods her head. Akio smiled at her and held her hand tightly as he said,
"Let's go, princess! We have to bring our Ranma back to us.."*
Ukyo was humming a beautiful tone as she took a quick shower. She dried herself as fast as she could , she knows that she can't waste too much time in the washroom; because she has a wish she had to fulfill before her annoying Konatsu returns to her house again. She smiled as she looked at the shirt in her hand as she swiftly put the shirt on, on herself. She then looked up at the mirror and smiled to herself.
She slowly began to trace the red material with her soft fingers. Her hair was wet as small droplets of water began to wet the shirt she so longed to wear her whole life. This is actually the dream she wanted to live for so long. To wear his shirt; to wrap her body with his presence only. She knew that after what happened today, she can never dream of getting Ranma again and she is definitely not the type of girl who would take advantage of his situation.
She hugged her body tightly as she closed her eyes in complete satisfaction. To be honest, washing his dirty cloth was just an silly excuse she made so that she could at least live her one dream for the last time. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at herself in the mirror again. She looked so perfect now, her body fitted perfectly with his red Chinese shirt. Her wet hair and her pale skin made her look more elegant on her eyes. She was lost on her thoughts as she began to imagine him hugging her from behind her. She tried to imagine his voice whispering loving words to her lonely ears. She lost track of time as she suddenly jerked back to reality when she heard someone opening her house's front door. She sighed sadly, not giving it much of a attention thinking maybe Konatsu has returned as she thought to herself,
'This is so quick!! How did he manage to come back so early!! Strange..!'
"Miss Ukyo Kionji! Are you in here!?! Come out now!!"
Hearing that unexpected voice, she got alarmed as she quickly buttoned up her shirt. She got anxious to find out who would dare to barge into her house at this late hour! But before she could take any action, she heard another voice calling her, which is completely familiar to her.
"Ukyo? Can you come down for a minute, please?"
"Akane!!"
Ukyo whispered in complete disbelief as she looked at herself in the mirror. She heard them calling for her again as she immediately came to her senses. As she kept looking at herself at the mirror a sudden plan has formed in her mind, making her depressed eyes to suddenly twink mischievously as a sly smile formed on the corner of her lips.*
Akane sighs impatiently as she said to Akio,
"I don't think it's a good idea to enter her house without knocking, Akio."
"So what do you want me to do then, huh?! Tell me, how can we catch them red handed if we don't enter without them knowing!" Akio replied without thinking about what he was saying.
That made her little angry at him as she snapped at him in a whisper tone,
"What is wrong with you?! First you asked me to have faith in him and now you want to catch him red handed!!"
Akio sweatdropped as he gave her a silly smile and said,
"Heh heh!! Oh yeah.. You are absolutely right though.. I was just.. I was just checking if ya believe me or not, heh heh.,"
Akane narrowed her eyes at him as she shook her head in disbelief and said,
"You are impossible, Akio! Ummm.. I think we should leave now! We shouldn't be checking on her like this.."
Akio releases a big breath of relief as he said,
"Yeah! I think I was wrong! He is not here! Let's go and find Ranma elsewhere.."
They nodded at each other happily and slowly turned to leave the place. They just reached the door when they suddenly heard footsteps coming from the staircase. They fearfully turned to look at the person and when they saw Ukyo coming down, yawning tiredly, they both became completely speechless.
Ukyo tiredly rubbed her one eye as she lazily looked at them; she instantly took a breath of surprise as she laid her hand over her lips, then she said in a trembling tone,
"Oh my goodness!! Akane!! Why are you here?"
Akane became too shocked when she noticed Ukyo's appearance, nothing came out of her mouth as she kept looking at her with her slightly opened mouth.
Akio came back to his senses fast as he growled at her and asked her heatedly,
"What the hell!! Where is that DAMN RANMA?"
Ukyo gulped hard, her face became bright red as she answers him in a trembling tone,
"Ranma honey!? Umm.. uhhh.. why'd he be here? He is not here .. You guys please leave my house now.."
Akio balled his fists tightly as he said in a harsh tone,
"Oh really!!! Then why are ya wearing his shirt then, you damn woman?"
Akio's words brought Akane back from her surprised state. She began to take deep breaths as she observed Ukyo's state more closely. Ukyo's hair was wet, she was glowing beautifully and all she wore at that moment was Ranma's shirt , nothing else then that.. Her few buttons were undone as she was trying hard to cover her exposed body with her shaky hands. And then she noticed something unusual;…… some red marks down on her ear and her neck area, which looked nothing less than….
"Believe me, please. Ranchan is not here. Please leave or else.."
Ukyo couldn't finish her talking as suddenly she saw Akane running past her. It didn't took her time to understand where she is heading towards as she hastily began to chase after her.
"Akane!! Please don't go to that room.. Akane please .."
Akane didn't listen to Ukyo as she quickly reached Ukyo's room. Without any hesitation, she quietly opened the room's door to see what she never wanted to see in her life.
And there she found him, lying face down on Ukyo's futon. He doesn't have any shirt on, as his half bare body was covered with a comfortable blanket and she could clearly notice the red marks on his back and arms as well. Her heart dropped instantly as she kept looking at his peacefully sleeping state. She still couldn't believe her eyes, she still couldn't believe that her Ranma would betray her like this..! But whatever she has witnessed just now, it is loudly yelling at her that he did betray her. And this is reality and not her nightmare.
She slowly turned to leave but bumped onto Akio, who was standing right behind her. She looked up at him with emotionless eyes and saw him giving her a hurtful stare. She looked down and began to walk past him.
Akio also started following her as he turned for the last time to see Ranma's sleeping form. He shook his head in disgust as he ran downstairs to follow Akane. Akane was walking slowly, her head down as she slowly reached the door. Ukyo also came down with them and said to them,
"Oh Akane! I am so sorry, honey! I didn't want you to find us like this! That's why I was stopping you! Oh Kami, this is so embarrassing!! Please Akane, don't tell this to anyone that me and Ranchan just made love with each other before getting married. Please I beg you, keep it a secret.."
Hearing that, Akio growled angrily and snapped at Ukyo,
"YOU HEARTLESS WOMAN!! JUST KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!"
Saying that, he quickly ran towards Akane and held her hand tightly and began to make her walk with him quickly as they both left her shop.
When Ukyo saw them leaving, her face lit up with a sly smile. She smirks to herself and said while rubbing the red mark on her neck,
"Mmmm who knew, this red lipstick really came in handy more then I expected… But.. but my work is not finished yet.."
"Mistress!!"Suddenly Konatsu entered the house and looked at her with surprise as he asked her dumbfoundedly , "Why are you wearing Ranma's cloth? You were supposed to be cleaning it , not wearing it!!"
"Shut up!!" Ukyo hissed at him and narrowed her eyes at him. "Go up and look after Ranchan for me. I will be right back.."
"But…"
"Just do as I tell you!! I don't have time for this silly arguments!!"
Saying that she left her shop in a hurry, leaving Konatsu to look after Ranma...
The walk back home was filled with dreadful silence. Akio was still holding her hand as they were walking back to the Saotome house . It's not like he didn't want to talk to her, but whenever he tried to approach her and when he saw how devastated she looked at that moment, no words came out of his mouth .
What can he tell her anyway!! After what they both have witnessed with their very eyes, is there anything left for him to say to her! When he saw the scene it made him sick to his bones, he can't even wonder how Akane is feeling about all this. And after what she had to go through, after all her tears and struggles, this is what she is getting as her reward!! It's so hard to believe that Ranma would commit such a big betrayal with her, but he did it and there is no turning from this now.
Soon they reached Ranma's house and entered the house without any announcement. They saw that Nodoka, Suki and Nabiki were happily chatting amongst themselves and when they noticed their presence, all of them got excited as they all stood up to greet them. Suki came running towards Akane as she asked her in a pleasant tone,
"You came earlier than I expected, dear!! Anyway, where is Ranma? Did you tell him everything?"
Akane was still looking down with an emotional expression as she didn't answer her. It didn't take time for them to understand that something is not right with her. Suki got worried as she laid her hand over Akane's shoulder; she shook her gently as she asked her again,
"What is wrong, baby? Where is Ranma?"
Akane still didn't answer her as she kept looking down. That made Suki even more anxious as she shook her hard to draw her attention towards her as she asked her in a loud tone,
"What is wrong with you? Why are you not answering me? Where is Ranma?"
Akane slowly looked up at Suki. She then slowly looked at every person standing there, who were waiting impatiently for her to answer. Akane again looked at her aunt as no word came out of her mouth.
"Akane?! What happened, my child? Won't you tell your mom about it?" Fearfully, Suki tried to approach her again as she laid her warm hand over Akane's hot cheek.
"Mom!!" Akane took a deep shaky breath as she began saying in a trembling tone, "Mom.."
"Akane!!"
"Please ... I .. I beg you... Please take me with you, mom.. please.. please I beg you.. mom please .."
Akane broke down into tears as she hugged her mom tightly. She was sobbing hard as she kept repeating same thing again and again to her, that she wants to go back with her. None of them were expecting this reaction from her, they all became completely shocked. Nabiki ran towards them as she slowly tried to comfort Akane, but she was way too broken to hear any comforting words at that moment.
Nodoka stood there looking at the scene with a stunned expression on her face. She slowly turned to look at Akio, who was standing beside Akane , his face down. She slowly approached him and asked him in a whisper tone,
"Akio.. please tell me what happened.."
Akio looked up at her with a miserable expression on his face and explained to her what they have witnessed some moments before. Nodoka's eyes filled with tears as she turned to look at Akane's broken state. She controlled her emotions as she slowly approached them. When she reached their side she heard Suki saying in a panicked tone,
"Akane!! Don't say that please!! Everything is going to be alright, honey! I am going to apologize to Ranma if you want. Don't give up on your love like this.."
"Please mom.. take me with you mom..please please.."
Suki helplessly looked up at Nodoka and asked her,
"Nodoka! Don't just stand there, help me out to make her understand!!"
Nodoka came beside Akane and slowly began to crease her hair. Then she she said in a warm motherly tone,
"Suki, don't forget that you have promised your Natsumi one-chan that you will look after her daughters. It's time you prove it to her. I am telling you , take my Akane away from this insane place. My daughter can't live peacefully if she stays here." Her voice broke with tears as she said, "Take my Akane with you, Suki. Keep your promise.. I can't see her suffer like this.. Please take her with you..."
Ranma rolled in his sleep; this was the most restless sleep he has ever had in his life. He slowly tried to open his heavy
eyes, but for some reason his eyes were hurting so painfully that he had to keep his eyes shut for some moment. After a long time, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at his surroundings. For some reason he was feeling extremely tired as he examined his surroundings. He knows this place very well, but for some reason he can't be sure where he is right now. Suddenly he noticed the window, in between the curtains he could see that it's almost night time. He growled in the pain of his eyes and head. He again closed his eyes tightly as he thought to himself,
"Oh Jeez.. What happened to me!? Where the hell am I ?"
A/N: Sorry for late update! I tried my best and thankfully I managed to post today. Don't forget to leave your valuable review for me! :)