And here's the edited Chapter 2. Ta-da!

Ranma's

I stand there shocked. Just a few minutes ago, she was fine. Just a few minutes ago, she wasn't bleeding. Just a few minutes ago, I think rather harshly, I was being hugged by another girl. She was crying earlier and I didn't do shit about it. Hell, I'm eighteen! I'm supposed to be mature!

The horridness of the whole situation set itself in my brain. Dammit. If only I'd been there with her! If only I'd seen this coming… My brain fills itself with 'if onlys'. But I'm wise enough to know, I did not let myself be there to save her and no matter what, nobody could have seen this coming. And 'if onlys' can't be reality, either.

Blessed numbness fills my brain and I continue standing there, watching and staring as Akane is lifted onto a stretcher. Pain wrenches my heart as I consider the cruelty that had been done to her. "Damn those bastards," I bite out.

Kuno touches my shoulder and I turn around to face him calmly. Anger is burning within me and I take no trouble in hiding or disguising it. 'What happened here?" I make sure my sentence is not a question, but a soft demand for truth and cooperation. I said it softly because Kuno is the new principle and he managed to grow up in the two years I had known him. No matter how much I detest the man, I wouldn't want to embarrass him. He is, after all, trying his best.

Kuno Tatewaki bravely meets my gaze. "I honestly do not know, Saotome. Several boys who were definitely not from Furinkan High were attacking her with samurai swords and a few actually threw shurikens at her, all rather roughly. A few had whips." He takes a deep breath and forges ahead. "I wasn't here when it happened, but as soon as I was informed of the situation, I hurried down."

I drive a fist into the ground furiously, Kuno's words fading into the background. Those are some serious wounds Akane has. Damn! Why couldn't she fight them off?

I know the answer and it shames me greatly. Because I didn't take much of an interest in her training. She was always begging me to spar with her and I always did so half-heartedly. If I actually took her seriously as a martial artist, she wouldn't be in this situation.

I can't blame her if she breaks our engagement. Not that I'd be able to take it if she does.

Now that I've come to think about it, I would not be able to stand it if she breaks our engagement. Secretly, I think she's come to love me, or at least care about me, because she has never actually broken our engagement although she has threatened to do so several times.

Kuno touches my shoulder again. "There were too many to fight off. Akane is an excellent martial artist but these thugs have obviously killed before. Their experience, the way they fought… There was no chance of her beating them."

Except if I was there to protect her, of course. I could see the look in Kuno's eyes. He knew that Akane

I look around. A doctor jumps out of an ambulance and approaches me. He's wondering if I know anything about the victim. I feel like laughing hysterically. Anything? I know everything about her! Every damn thing!

Like the fact that her favourite colour is yellow. Or that she smashes bricks when she's angry. I know everything there is to know and more…

Quickly, I explain all that I learnt from Kuno, which isn't much, and I let him know of my being her fiancé. The doctor looks at me in a grave but understanding way before asking me if I would like to join Akane in the ambulance. I accept the offer gratefully and I jump in, praying that Akane won't die despite knowing that the girl will find a way to fight against death.

The sight that greets my eyes is one I swear I will never forget, even up till my dying day. Akane is lying down on a stretcher her body covered with scars, bruises and angry, red blisters, with scarlet blood spilling all over her ghastly pale skin. Deep gashes travel from her thighs to her ankles. I am sure more are covered by her clothing. Her once pretty face is distorted by a gathering of ugly scars and bleeding welts.

I could have saved her.

The doctor interrupts the steady stream of my thoughts by gently saying, "Excuse me, boy. We're here at the hospital already." I follow them as they carry her to the Emergency Room. "I'm sorry, boy. You're not allowed here. Her pulse is thready and very weak. I don't want to keep your hopes up, but we will try our best to save her. I will update you now and then about her progress."

The doctor guides me to a seat, his eyes full of pity. "Sit here. There is a canteen on the fourth floor. You look like you could do with a drink."

As I sit down, only one pathetic thought drums through my guilt ridden mind.

Only one thought plagues, me as I hear the doctor shout instructions to the other doctors.

Only one thought is repeated as the image of Akane looking like Death itself flashes through my mind.

Only one thought, as I recall the way she had smiled at me.

Only one.

I could have prevented this…

Yes, I know. I could do better. Anyone with suggestions or ideas, please let me know.