Akane was carefully watching out her window at the discussion Ranma is having with Kyo. She wanted to make sure Ranma doesn't end up fighting with Kyo. Ranma's behavior has not gone unnoticed by Akane and she is flattered at the obvious jealousy that Ranma has been showing but it has left her confused as well. He has denied his feelings for her and yet here he is guarding her fiercely against another guy. She somehow can't help but be thankful to Kyo's behavior because it has brought about a marked difference in Ranma's treatment of her. However she feels that she really must talk to Kyo. She still sees him as a friend and he doesn't want him to get hurt. Ranma is not someone to be trifled with. She resolved to talk to Kyo soon.
The end of term is fast approaching. Akane and Kyo won the Math competition but Akane still has not had the chance to speak to Kyo, what with Ranma refusing to leave her side. The opportunity finally came when Genma insisted on an afternoon training session with Ranma. Akane made some excuse about going to Sayuri's for a last minute cram session. She called Kyo to meet her at the park and Kyo was only too happy to oblige. Akane thanked Kyo for coming. She had something important she needed to discuss with Kyo that she didn't want anyone else hearing.
"Kyo, I don't know what your intentions are, but I've noticed that there seems to be some friction between you and Ranma. I hope I am not the reason for this since you two used to be friends but if I am, then I must ask you to please stop whatever it is you are doing to irritate Ranma. He is an incredibly skilled Martial Artist and you do not want him to lose his patience with you. You must believe me when I tell you that if you give him reason to, he can hurt you real bad."
Kyo was touched with Akane's concern for his wellbeing and he was about to respond when he heard someone screaming Akane's name.
"Akane!"
"Ranma? What are you doing here? I thought you were sparring with your dad?"
"We are, I left him a few minutes ago by the fountain to rest. Nabiki is busy studying and didn't want to be disturbed so we decided to do our training here."
"Kyo, I see that our talk has not had any effect on you. I told you, you would regret not leaving Akane alone. You've had your chance and now you're going to pay for your mistake."
"Ranma, wait! I asked to meet with Kyo here. There was something I needed to tell him, now before you do anything rash, please wait. Give me a few minutes with Kyo and I will explain to you everything. Please just let me finish talking to him?"
"Fine, you have a few minutes, but I'll be here waiting."
Akane turned to Kyo.
"Kyo you really should go, Ranma is seriously mad and I meant what I said about his skills."
She doesn't understand what Kyo's motivations are, but it is clearly making Ranma mad and Akane wants to put a stop to all of it.
"Akane, I only wanted Ranma to realize how lucky he is to have you for a fiancée. I was hoping that he'll learn to treat you better."
"Kyo thank you for your concern and for what it's worth, Ranma has been better these last few weeks, he has definitely shown me more patience and has even started training me. Please don't aggravate him further, he really has improved a lot and thank you for all your efforts."
"I am relieved to hear that Akane, all I want is for you to be happy and for Ranma to start appreciating you more. I promise I will back down and not bother Ranma anymore."
Kyo started walking away, defeated but content that he has done all he could to help Akane out. She has been a good friend and he hopes things will work out for her and Ranma. He may not be able to help with regards to the other fiancées but this is a start.
Ranma anxiously waited for Akane to finish her conversation with Kyo. He was curious about what Akane had to tell Kyo and it hurt him to know that she met with him in secret. Could Akane have fallen in love with Kyo? Is that why she is meeting him in the park alone? It seemed like they were talking forever but when Akane finally made her way back to him, he was surprised to find that he was even more apprehensive about what she has to say to him.
"Akane, why did you meet with Kyo here alone? Please don't tell me you've fallen in love with him and that you have been meeting him in secret all along?"
"Ranma, how could you think that? You have barely left my side these last few months. How could I have found the means to be alone with Kyo? I only asked to meet him here so that I could find out why he seems to be trying his best to get you mad at him. I see the looks you two give each other and I had to ask him if it had anything to do with me. I came here to ask him to stop whatever it is he is doing to irritate you. I just had to know why he was purposely trying to annoy you."
"And did he give you a response?"
Akane felt uncomfortable telling Ranma, Kyo's reasons but she answered him anyway.
"Well, he told me he wanted to make you jealous so that you would learn to appreciate me better."
If Akane thought her face was red, then Ranma's face was sporting a similar shade.
"Akane, he was right. I'm sorry that it took yet another rival for me to start behaving better towards you. I almost lost you in Jusenkyo and yet what do I do? I go back to my old ways and continue to take you for granted. It scares me to think that I could lose you either in battle or to some guy like Shinnosuke or Kyo. I have been stupid in acting tough and acting like I don't care. I care a lot Akane, and I'm sorry it has taken this long for me to tell you."
"Ranma, why has it taken you this long to tell me?"
"I was afraid of how you might react. I was afraid that you would reject me, I still am but I am more afraid of losing you to someone else without my having told you that I love you. I know I may not be much of a catch what with my curse and all but if you agree to have me, I promise to do my best by you. I will try harder to watch what I say around you, I will try harder in school, and I will continue to protect you from all harm. I will do everything in my power to deserve your love if you could only give me the chance to show you."
Akane was speechless and so overjoyed that she hugged Ranma.
"I love you too Ranma. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before but I had the same fears that you did. I just can't believe you didn't understand my feelings for you, especially after what happened in Jusenkyo."
"I could say the same about you Akane, just as you were willing to die for me, I was willing to kill for you and I nearly did."
Akane and Ranma had to think about everything that's been said and allow things to sink in. This revelation has been a long time coming and they need a little time to take it all in.
"We really owe Kyo a lot, it's because of him that we were able to tell each other how we feel. I feel sorry now for threatening him"
Ranma made a mental note to talk to Kyo before school is over.
The two decided to stay in the park and enjoy each other's company a little while longer before heading home. It has been a challenging road for Ranma and Akane these last couple of years and it is finally starting to look up for both of them. They still have the other suitors to deal with but so long as they are together, Ranma and Akane are certain that they will resolve this problem as well. Ranma remained true to his word and worked hard at being a good fiancée to Akane and Akane has started her bridal training so that she may someday make Ranma proud to call her his wife.