Kyo was busy formulating a plan to get Akane. He liked Ranma as a friend but in the short time he's known Akane he has developed some feelings for her and he must try his best to see if they have a chance at being together. Kyo thought to himself that since Ranma does not seem to return Akane's feelings then it's only a matter of convincing Ranma to give up on the engagement. He's got three other girls to choose from anyway. Kyo had somehow convinced himself that it was pride and not love that was the motivation behind Ranma's being protective of Akane. So Kyo did not waste anytime in talking to Ranma. During gym class, Kyo walked over to Ranma to initiate his game plan.
"Ranma, can I ask you something?"
"Sure Kyo, what is it?'
"Would you mind releasing Akane from your engagement?"
"What? Why would you ask something like that? Don't tell me you've developed a crush on that un-cute tomboy?"
"I do like Akane and unlike you, I happen to think Akane is beautiful, kind and deserving of someone who would treat her better. I would like to date her. In fact I have already asked her out but she refused out of respect for your engagement. Now seeing as how you don't want to be engaged to her anyway, why not just let her go and give somebody else a chance to be with her? You have other girls after you, who you like better right? I know this comes as a shock and I would not normally do this to a friend but the way I see it, since you don't want Akane there should be no reason for you two to be tied to each other and I just know I can make her happy."
Ranma was fuming during this little speech. How could this guy who he thought was his friend be stabbing him in the back like this? He had to control the urge to beat Kyo to a pulp. He mistakenly thought that everyone in school understood the situation between him and Akane. Sure they denounced their engagement countless times but that doesn't mean Akane is available. After everything that they have gone through, Ranma couldn't believe he was so careless as to not see this coming. He noticed that Kyo had been spending a lot of time with Akane lately but he did not suspect anything since Akane and Kyo were in a lot of the same school activities. Akane doesn't mention Kyo any more than she does her other friends and in all the time Ranma had spent with Kyo, he has never shown any indication that he likes Akane.
"Listen Kyo, we may not have asked for this engagement but that does not change the fact that Akane is my fiancée and I would appreciate it if you would stop asking her out. You and I are friends and since you don't know any martial arts I will not beat the crap out of you for making a move on Akane but understand this, Akane is mine and if you ever try to steal her from me, I will make you regret it."
It took all of Ranma's strength trying to control his temper but enough is enough, he stormed out of the gym, dragging Akane along with him. He has to talk to her and it cannot wait. Akane was surprised to find Ranma heading towards her direction with what looked like anger in his eyes and she was even more surprised when he picked her up and ran out of the gym towards the park.
"Ranma, what is the meaning of this, we are in the middle of class!" Akane noticed that Ranma was trying to calm himself and it made her worry. Whatever it is that's bothering him, it must be big. "What's wrong, are you okay?"
"Akane, why didn't you tell me that Kyo asked you out on a date? What else have you been doing with Kyo that I don't know about?"
This was the last thing Akane thought Ranma would be asking. She couldn't figure out how Ranma heard about Kyo wanting to date her but it was obvious Ranma could see in her eyes the truth about Kyo so she decided the best course of action is to be honest.
"He did ask me out but it happened only once and I turned him down. I told him that I have a fiancée and that I will not date anyone so long as I am engaged to you. Nothing else is going on between me and Kyo, how could you think me capable of going behind your back?"
"So that's it then huh? So long as you are obliged to keep our engagement you will not date anyone else but otherwise you may have said yes to Kyo or to any of the other guys dying to take you out? I guess I understand why Kyo asked me to release you."
"Kyo asked you to release me? Well, you don't have to worry Ranma, I won't make a fool out of you by going out with Kyo or any other guy. Now would you please take me back to school?"
Ranma wasn't happy with Akane's response but he is relieved for the moment to know that Akane's not seeing anyone else. Back at school Kyo decided to show Ranma the error of his ways. He may not be able to ask Akane out but that doesn't mean he can't spend time with her.
Akane was getting ready for the upcoming school festival and Kyo was quick to offer his assistance at the food stall that Akane was assigned to manage. Ranma was wary of Kyo being so close to Akane, so even though he hated joining in the festivities, Ranma made sure he was at hand to help and to keep an eye on Kyo. Akane was surprised to see Ranma volunteering but she was grateful for the assistance and decided not to push her luck by questioning his presence there. Ranma had been extra attentive to her these days and she was happy that not all of their time was spent arguing. Ranma appears to be making an effort in being nicer to her. He rarely calls her names anymore and Akane made sure to reward him by being more patient with him. This period of calm seemed to good to be true and sure enough within moments, Ukyo and Shampoo arrived at the stall that Ranma and Akane are manning and a fight soon erupted as to who's food Ranma should be having for dinner. In all the chaos, Ranma almost failed to notice Kyo pulling Akane away from the scene. He escaped from the grips of Ukyo and Shampoo, left them to battle it out and quickly followed the two and confronted Kyo.
"Kyo, where do you think you are going with Akane?"
"Oh, hi Ranma, I saw the fight and I pulled Akane away to make sure she doesn't get caught in the middle and end up getting hurt by your other fiancées."
Kyo released his grip on Akane's hand and returned her to Ranma. Ranma couldn't argue with Kyo's logic but he can't help but feel that there's something more to his actions. He knows, Kyo still likes Akane and is convinced that he is doing what he can to make Akane like him. He gave Kyo a good long look before taking Akane's hand and leading her back to the festival. Ranma was mad at Ukyo and Shampoo for starting the fight but he was also mad at himself for letting his guard down. He should have suspected Kyo would take advantage of the situation to get to Akane. He has to be more careful next time.
Akane was starting to get annoyed that Ranma refuses to let her go anywhere alone. She feels like she's being treated like a child and she found it infuriating, so to pacify her, Ranma agreed to train her in the afternoons. Ranma figured that this way, he can keep Kyo away from Akane and perhaps help her improve her skills. Their sessions started out bad with Akane losing her temper with Ranma who refused to hit her but as their sparring continued over the course of several weeks, Akane's skills grew to a level that Ranma feels she can defend herself well enough against the other fiancées. He was also very happy that his plan of keeping Kyo away from Akane was a success. This has also given them both the opportunity to talk to each other more without much interruptions and their relationship has gotten better.