A/N: Ah! It's Been so long, hasn't it? Here's chapter nine at last! I decided to spice up the storyline a little bit. I just want you to know that the only reason it takes me so long to update is the fact that I have NO IDEA what's going to happen next. That's the naked truth for you. This story is as much a surprise to you as it is to me. I had the first couple of chapters planned, but… it all went downhill from there. ;) Anywhoo, Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Ranma ½, nor do I own the quote below. (Insert witty remark here).

Chapter 9: The Best Steel

"Life asks more of us: demands it. It is not enough to be talented Steerforth, or beautiful Dora, or even simply loving: yes Mother, or even simply loving. We must be strong or else the gifts that God sends us into the world with will just fade and wither in the first cold wind that blows on us... the best steel... must go through the fire."

- From Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield"

Her Forehead burned with the scorching sensation of being touched by Ranma. Her legs lay uselessly sore and bruised beneath her as she picked delicately at the knot of thread where a button had once resided on her newly destroyed blouse. Akane's exhaustion was so bone deep and utterly persistent that she hadn't even the heart to cry.

Since the previous night, she had spent hours trying to sort through her muddled emotions. She couldn't decide whether she was on the verge of a mental breakdown once more, or trembling on the verge of finding happiness. It was a difficult thing to explain… After everything Akane had been through – having both of her parents die in her arms, being taken away from her home, abused, nearly raped… the list was endless… it was astounding she could go on living. But… somehow… it didn't hurt so much. Not when Ranma was there. Not when she could feel his gentle gaze caress her grieving body, or when he sat beside her every morning to watch the sun rise… His presence alone was like an aura of security and relief engulfing her, making her stronger, giving her something to live for. That strange feeling of warmth that settled in her gut every time he spoke her name insured her that she still had enough room in her wounded heart to feel… to love.

And it was at this thought that Akane's swollen eyes finally shed tears. Though she had little left to live for, there was still Nabiki - there was still kasumi… and somehow she knew she would always have Ranma. These people whom she cared for so dearly – they were the reason she summoned her cowed strength back to her. They were the reason she would continue waking up in the morning, continue smiling.

So when Akane finally caught the distant sound of footsteps approaching her rickety bed, she quickly dried her eyes on the jacket Ranma had lent her. She inhaled his distinctive scent, smiling brilliantly as the aroma of soap and man invaded her nostrils.

"Akane? It's nearly ten o'clock. Kasumi and I thought we'd let you sleep in a bit." Akane turned over in her bed so that she was staring up at the rusting tin roof of their ugly little shack. She smiled again, this time for her elder sister's benefit.

"Thanks. I'll get dressed." She said as she slipped out from beneath the blankets. The young enthusiast began to hum a cheery tune that her mother once sang in the kitchen. Her heart was swelling with joy.

Nabiki's gazed darkened slightly, her eyes taking on a sly, calculating gleam. Akane stopped in the midst of undressing from last night's torn outfit. She smiled beguilingly, winking unceremoniously at the quick Tendo.

"Why, Nabiki! I haven't seen that look in your eyes since that young man… Billy? Since Billy asked you on that date months ago. How many smoothies and hamburgers did you get out of that poor boy?" Nabiki didn't so much as quirk a smile. "Three. And a new dress and shoes to boot." Nabiki mulled over a specific idea, before asking bluntly, "Where were you last night, Akane?" Akane froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly in panic. Luckily, she was turned away from her sister, and she reached for her belt under the pretense of unbuckling it as she paused to gain composure.

"Just… taking a walk, is all. Why do you ask?" She looked up innocently, the corner of her mouth twisting upward, like she had seen Ranma's do so many times. Nabiki paused to take in her reaction. Strange. Was it just her, or was little Akane holding information from her dear sister? She smiled back, reaching a hand to the hem of Akane's skirt. She pulled it up as the young girl protested indignantly, "H-hey!"

"So… these bruises… and your torn hem are… from when you ran into wild wolves down by the soldier's quarters?" She guessed easily, flicking the skirt back toward her sister's shapely legs. She glanced at the girl's awe-struck face, which was now glowing pink and her eyes were downcast.

"Well… I was walking and – you know how old and ragged these buildings are – I got caught on a board. I ended up hurting myself pretty badly." Akane mumbled pitiably, her face glowing a warm red and her voice quivering.

"You never were an admirable liar, Akane." Nabiki stated bluntly her dark eyes boring into her younger sister with renewed curiosity. "Spill." She grunted as she dropped into a squat where she stood. Akane fell back onto her bed hesitantly, wincing as the springs groaned. She lifted a delicate white hand to her hairline, and allowed it to flutter nervously by her forehead before it dropped once more onto her lap.

"Nabiki." She began, priding herself in the renewed strength in her voice. Like iron. Steel.

"I was out late… I really did go for a walk… and I ran into some trouble." She paused for a moment while Nabiki nodded to her in silent encouragement. "Continue." She prodded.

"There was a man – a young man no older than you or me – and he…" She sucked in a breath, only now remembering the fear that had coursed through her veins, the pure terror that had spawned in her a strange kind of courage. It felt as if her blood had turned to ice, her fear strangely suppressing any emotions or reasonable thought that might occur to her in such a situation.

"…Attacked me. I managed to get away- I threw his gun away into the shadows… I don't know where it went." Nabiki remained eerily silent, opting for listening – sucking in Akane's every expression. She would know if her sister was lying. Wouldn't she? Could it be Akane was… Raped? Would she know? Would she? She just didn't know anymore. And that's what frightened her most – She no longer knew her sister.

"After that I ran. I'm not sure where I ran to – I was so lost – but I came across another fight. Some man was attacking a girl… I didn't recognize her."

"Christ." Nabiki whispered, her breath coming out in a subtle 'whoosh'. Did her sister have the worst luck in the world? Maybe it was hereditary.

"Yeah. I, uh, couldn't leave her so… I interrupted. The girl ran. He said something strange. He said he'd 'heard of me'… Something about me being 'prettier than he had thought'… or something. Nabiki, I- I was scared. I realized... they know who I am, but… I don't know who they are." Akane's breath quickened slightly, a sheen layer of sweat glistened on her forehead in the mid-morning light. Her eyes were wild, flickering over everything in the room in a fir of paranoia until finally resting on Nabiki herself.

"Hey, Akane… Don't – don't worry. We'll figure it out. I'll hunt those bastards down myself if I have to. But tell me… what happened when you were with this guy?" Just like that, everything about her changed. Akane stopped her frantic breathing, her face became even more pale. Her eyes shifted to the floor, remaining there. Nabiki could feel her own heartbeat stop as she awaited an answer.

"Nothing Happened. I got away, and found my way back here." Akane smiled weakly at her sister, hoping her lie wasn't too obvious. She stood up, pulling an old pair of sweats over her bruised and battered legs, hiding the cuts that snaked up her arms under an old long-sleeved cotton t-shirt the color of ash. It was one of the only outfits she had left that had not been torn or otherwise ruined. With that said, and herself fully clothed, the awkward girl strode out the door, whipping a hand through her short blue-ish tresses.

It was all Nabiki could do not to cry out in frustration. She had said it once before. Akane couldn't lie for shit. She was hiding something from her, and Nabiki feared for the worst.

Ranma sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time. Somehow, he had managed to provoke the god of hangovers into bestowing upon himself a very insistent, very miserable, headache. Not to mention he'd ruin another good pair of pants doing God knows what. He still had to stop by the post-gate, where they held all mail being sent in until it could be fully checked for possible dangers or contraband. He had to scan the letter for news about the new officer being sent in. She was supposed to have arrived this morning.

And through all of this, he still couldn't get the damn image of Akane out of his mind! She was there every time he closed his eyes. He could see her petite, delicate body being suspended in air as that cretin who had attacked her held her by the throat. He remembered his burning rage when the man had reached for her blouse, and the look of utter defeat and hopelessness that had shone in her eyes, the fear in her voice when she called his name.

Then he would see her again, this time overcome by tears, the almost distant look of happiness that now possessed her gaze as she clutched the fabric of his shirt in her tiny, trembling hands. Akane. Even her name made him weak for her company. But… It wasn't allowed. He'd be put to jail, shamed, labeled as a spineless traitor and disowned by his father.

If anything, he should be focusing on his responsibilities, ignoring her. But… she was his responsibility. He was the only one that would ever be able to save her, to hold her… Ranma shook his head vigorously, growling as he slammed his fist into the newly built walls of the soldier's quarters. The soft wood splintered beneath his knuckles, and he gritted his teeth as he quickly pulled out several wooden shards from his hand. He should get going.

She saw him again. He walked right past her, heading toward the post gate. She sat quietly in the shadows, admiring his glistening black coif, his tanned, sculpted body… everything about him was perfect. Too bad she had to keep her distance.

The poor fool. He had no idea what was going on … behind his back. As he turned a corner toward the post-gate, she stood quietly, following him at a safe, easy distance.

She had to admit… it was rather disappointing. Genma had told her to be careful. He knew what he was doing. Ranma was strong, well-trained, quick, etc., etc., but she had yet to see any such training. He didn't even notice her for crying-out-loud. If he was such a brilliant martial artist… why didn't he know she was tailing him? Idiot. But… he was kind of cute. Following him around from behind all day wasn't so bad. At least she had a good view.

"Hey Kasumi… how's the laundry going?" Nabiki drawled, taking a seat on the front steps of their cozy little hole-in-the-ground. The said Tendo daughter glanced behind her and smiled quietly, her arms raised above her head in the midst of pinning an apron to the line. Her smile faltered, instantly forming a slight frown, marring her otherwise pretty features.

"What's the matter Nabiki? Is everything alright?" Nabiki quirked a smile, eyeing her elder sister appreciatively, and laughed, "Am I that transparent? I must be losing my gift." At that, Kasumi left her laundry tangled damply in the basket by her feet. She made her way over to the stairs, gracing Nabiki with her mild and comforting presence.

"Kasumi, I think something happened to Akane." Kasumi's frown deepened, her eyebrows knitting together with worry. She shook her head; evidently clearing whatever had been going through her mind. "What do you mean?"

Nabiki shifted uncomfortably under her sister's intense gaze, for once dropping her guard enough to show worry for her young sister. She couldn't be sure. Not exactly. How did she know that that's what Akane was hiding? Maybe she hadn't… you know. Maybe she had accidentally… killed the guy or something. Maybe she had cut off his dick and fed it to the coyotes. No. That was just wishful thinking. But still…

"I'm not sure, but… I think Akane may have been raped." She stated in her blunt manner. She cringed at the stricken look on her elder sister's face. What if she had been wrong? Maybe she shouldn't have told Kasumi… not until she was sure. It was so unlike Nabiki to go to others with her information and worries, but… things had changed between the three Tendo sisters. They were all each other had. So here she was, laying it all out on the table. She only hoped Kasumi's gentle nature could handle it.

"…I think Akane may have been raped." Ranma stopped dead in his speedy gait. What? Raped? His Akane? Ranma's cheeks glowed at the unconscious protectiveness his mental comment had implied. But… that had been Nabiki talking. He was sure of it.

"What the hell?" He muttered to himself vaguely. It couldn't be. He had saved her… hadn't he? Had he been to late? His uneasiness turned slowly to horror, which again turned to guilt. He was a mess of emotions until finally, he settled on anger. Jealousy. How could she let someone do that to her? How could she let someone touch her like that? She was so strong… she could have prevented it. But she didn't. And… why was he so angry anyway?

So many questions spun through his head, he leaned against the wooden boards of Akane's shack, putting a hand to his already throbbing head in agony. One thing was certain. He would kill the asshole that dared to touch her.

But right now… he had to ditch whoever it was that was tailing him.