Again, your opinion. This is after Saffron. Not beta-read!

And BIG WARNING: M Rating! This will be talking about dark topics, description of rape (attempted), emotional and everything else that goes with this. DO NOT READ if any of this offends you, bothers you or causes you emotional distress. I've been told that it's rather horrific in its description and evoking of emotions, so you've been warned. SKIP to the next chapter for Fluff!

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Tired, Akane dragged a hand through her short hair, desperately trying to stem the dizziness and nausea. The world around her kept spinning, twisting and duplicating, meshing together and back out in intricate patterns and only hard focus and concentration made sure the young girl was still placing one foot in front of the other.

To be honest, she wasn't sure how she had even made it this far. When Ukyo had issued a challenge it had been a matter of pride that had made her not tell Ranma. What she hadn't expected was to find not only Ukyo but also Shampoo and Kodachi at their meeting point.

Her rivals were normally easily distracted and it was usually a simple matter of turning their attention to one another by reiterating that she had no interest in seeing her engagement to Ranma through while the other ones were very keen on being engaged to him. Unfortunately this time someone had informed all of them that she had agreed to the wedding. Akane was no fool - Kodachi or Ukyo she could potentially take on her own, but Shampoo was playing in a different ballpark altogether; not to mention all three together. The one thing in her favour was her ability and her experience in multiple foes attacking her.

She received a lot of scratches, bruises, bumps and other injuries before the girls were sufficiently deterred and more on each other's case than after her. She had no illusions that this would remain the case. Akane had managed to slip away, head pounding incessantly. She knew the signs of a concussion but even more she'd known she needed to get away, and fast. Since she'd originally been headed for a sleepover with Yuka and Sayuri she continued making her way to Yuka's house; her rivals were more than likely searching for her along her normal route to home and not in the exact opposite direction anyway.

Staggering slightly she used a bench to hold herself upright, waiting for the world to stop spinning and settle down enough so she could continue on her way home. Her legs hurt, she noticed vaguely. A glance down confirmed that there was blood running from her knee.

The world settled and Akane continued her staggering walk to Yuka. The park was dark and she felt kind of glad for it; she would've hated there to be witnesses to her drunken walk. A night's sleep would surely heal most of this. She just needed to get to her friend.

Huh… when had she decided to sink to her knees? Blinking forcefully, the young martial artist pushed herself up, standing motionless as the nausea and dizziness returned with a vengeance. Breathing in slowly she tried to calm down. Stupid Akane! Why didn't you tell Ranma? Stupid Pride! Stupid I can do everything myself! Stupid!

Her instincts warned her before she even heard her attackers. Seven boys came out from behind the bushes and trees around her. She didn't need to see them to know that they weren't here to make friends. Her legs and arms swung out without needing any thought. Survival and adrenaline suppressed the nausea, closing her eyes as she relied on her other senses since her vision was still wobbly.

A blow to the kidneys, a kick in the ribs, it should've been easy. She could handle forty armored boys with weapons. Her prior injuries slowed her though, made her vulnerable. And then her instincts warned her a little too late; her attempt to duck under the swing of the bat failed. Receiving a glancing blow sent her other attacks off target. Eyes wide, Akane stood woozily for a moment, yelling desperately for Ranma though no sound ever left her mouth, before she collapsed in on herself, glad that at least she wouldn't have to live through what they were planning on doing to her.

~~~~~~~~~~##~~~~~~~~~~

Ranma's head shot up from his dinner. He didn't know what it was but something was wrong - very wrong. His instincts very blaring alarm sounds in his head but he couldn't quite place why; until his eyes landed once again on the empty spot next to him. Of course, Akane. It had to be her, right?

"Err… so where's the tomboy?"

He didn't know why or what but there was a feeling in his chest, an inexplicable tightness, the one he always had when Akane was in danger.

"She's having a sleepover with Yuka and Sayuri."

Okay, so maybe not her. But then why…? Before he could contemplate it further, Nabiki snorted and interrupted.

"She might be but before that she's been challenged by Ukyo, according to my sources. Actually, that was over an hour ago so she's probably with Yuka and Sayuri now."

Ranma frowned.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh chill, my lil' sis can take Ukyo. Besides, it might get her off your back."

He narrowed his eyes. The feeling inside him increased. He'd not seen either Ukyo or Shampoo since lunch time. Shampoo usually would not miss out on any opportunity to glomp him. He still wasn't quite sure how forcefully attacking him and squeezing all the air out of his lungs could be qualified as 'affection' but according to both girls that's what it was. He personally far preferred the gentle albeit rare hugs from Akane when the normally tomboyish girl positively melted into him.

But what if both Shampoo and Ukyo had teamed up against his blue haired fiancée…? His heart started pounding as his instincts told him she was in real danger.

Abandoning his food he made a vague excuse before rushing off. He'd long since memorized the address of his fiancée's best friends, though she didn't need to know that. His fears were confirmed when he arrived in record time at Yuka's house and she was adamant in not having heard from Akane since the end of school today.

Where would the tomboy go? Where would she- the park! Of course she'd always take the shortest route - no matter what time of day. Thanking the girl he jumped off, easily scaling the first tree, hoping for better vision.

He jumped ahead before, half-way through the park, he noticed a gang of men clustered around the limp body of a girl. Ranma's eyes narrowed. If they were doing what he thought they were doing he would not be kind with them.

It was only as he jumped down from the trees and came closer that he truly saw what was happening. The moonlight shone onto the motionless and presumably unconscious face of his fiancée - at least he dearly hoped she was unconscious. She was naked, her clothes torn, ripped or cut on her body, red marks littering her body and breasts from where the boys had bitten her. They were still half-bent over her immobile body. More than one of them had undone their own trousers and one had even gone so far as to have his fingers inside of Akane.

A red haze overtook him. What Saffron had seen was mere child's play compared to what he did to the men harming his fiancée. A rage, a fury overtook him unlike anything he'd ever felt before. This was Akane - his beautiful, pretty fiancée and the one thing she'd always feared was men doing exactly this to her against her will. He'd known that much after barely spending a day with her and seeing the idiots at school attacking her. The stubborn martial artist who refused to admit to being scared of ghosts, crawly creatures and who was extremely frightened just watching horror movies. This was the happy tomboy who would smile at him so brilliantly that he would be incapable of doing anything but stare at her. This was the kind hearted girl who had risked life and limb, again and again, for him, who had faced her fears and nearly died for him. She was his - his fiancée, his tomboy, his everything.

And these- these lowly creatures dared to harm her, hurt her, take what should be freely given by force. He spent no time talking to them, telling them who he was or what they'd done. They didn't deserve that; all that mattered as her and getting them away from her before punishing them for daring to touch his fiancée. They didn't even notice him until Ranma was right by the guy who still had his fingers inside his fiancée. His movements were quick but calculated - the guy was first made immobile before he cautiously, gently pulled the hand out of her. His eyes narrowed when he noticed the blood on them and as soon as he was clear he was the first one to be dealt with.

Bones were broken easily, almost too easily - the guy who had used his fingers inside of her had ever single bone in his hand crushed. Ranma watched coldly as the man screamed and his voice overturned as the bones in his hand cracked and groaned under the pressure he applied, watched as the lust in his eyes turned to pain and horror, watched as his voice ran out and he turned into a gibbering, crying mess, cradling his wrist.

Ranma had always been an excellent martial artist but until now he'd always viewed a fight as fun; he loved the rush, the speed, the feeling of flesh hitting flesh, the adrenaline pumping and the times when you came up against a foe greater than yourself which demanded all your knowledge, all your concentration, all your skill. But his view had always changed when Akane was at stake. But this was the first time that Genma's real training came to the fore; just as his father had been trained, he'd taught his son - ruthless, fast, the win was all that mattered. Ranma had learned morals on his own, taught himself what was right and what was wrong and he'd never ever thought he'd ever find himself in a situation where he'd actually use the knowledge and skills his father had taught him over their training journey.

Until now, that is.

Ranma's mind was cold and analytical as he surveyed the other men, standing protectively over Akane's body. There was no mercy, no painless get-out-clause; if they were to surrender right here and right now, he'd still beat them within an inch of their lives. They had crossed lines which didn't even bear thinking about.

The human body had 206 bones in the body and he knew exactly which one to damage for maximum damage without killing them. Ranma had never needed - nor wanted - to use the knowledge he had of human anatomy until now. He knew just how much the human body could take, how much pain to inflict in just the right way to keep them conscious while he systematically tore them apart. He flew into action and a sick satisfaction curled in his stomach at their cries of pain and terror; they weren't martial artist and never expected the resistance he could give them. They should be terrified of him for what they'd done. He'd never forgive, he'd never forget.

For the next few minutes the park was filed with screams, cries, whimpers, the sound of flesh and bones giving way. Icy anger and dread inside him at the continued lack of movement from his fiancée, Ranma took his revenge. He broke arms and twisted them until the muscles and ligaments tore, pressed pressure points to keep them awake and conscious as he slowly dealt with them one by one. One was stupid enough to come at him with a bat - Ranma immediately saw and identified the substance covering it as blood. His rage heightened to terrifying proportions as his hand closed around the bat and with a firm squeeze it crumbled beneath his hands. The man tried to apologise, tried to retreat, tried to express his submission - but Ranma didn't listen, didn't care. Moments later he, too, was on the ground with his companions, screaming in pain.

When he was finished with them he used the Shiatsu point that Happosai had used on him once upon a time, leaving them in a weak, whimpering mess of twisted limps, cuts, bruises and broken bones. His eyes were cold as he took in the damage he'd dealt before turning back to her.

She was still blissfully unconscious. Eyes softening, warming, he carefully divested himself of his own shirt, pulling it over her body carefully, noting the injuries on her with the practised eye of a martial artist rather than a boyfriend. His fiancée had been hurt and he still didn't think they had suffered sufficiently for it. She was breathing though, if a bit shallow, that much he could see from the gentle rising of her breasts. He took her torn clothing off, guessing it would only frighten her more. Gently he stroked her cheek, feeling the anger slowly subside to make space for horror, sympathy, love and a heightened need to protect her and never let her leave his sight again.

He gently lifted her up in his arms and suddenly the girl started twisting in his arms.

"Shhh… it's okay. It's me, Ranma. You're safe."

He watched as her brown eyes narrowed in concentration, focused on him, before a weak smile settled on her lips. It was obvious that she was still feeling out of it. He needed to get her to Dr. Tofu - quickly.

"Ranma… you came."

Then she paled, obviously remembering what had happened as well as feeling the breeze around her legs and her body even though his shirt covered her until just past her bottom.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god…"

Her eyes filled with tears even as her body shook with revulsion, taking in the marks on her thighs and legs, the tenderness inside of her. She twisted sideways, barely clearing from his arms before she threw up violently.

Slowly letting her down on the ground, Ranma rubbed her back gently.

"Akane, it's okay. They didn't- they didn't…"

They didn't what? Rape her? Violate her? They had. Maybe they'd not gotten as far as putting themselves inside her but they had still violated her, used her body against her will while she was unconscious.

"One of them… one of them had a finger inside you, but that's it. Promise. And he won't be using his hand at all anymore - ever."

Wide eyed, wiping her mouth, Akane turned back to him. She was shaking, trembling like a leaf under his hands.

"What- What do you mean?" Then her eyes seemed to take in the unconscious, bleeding men around her, limbs twisted at odd angles clearly showing signs of broken bones. "Oh god - what did you do?"

Lips twisting into a cold smirk, he looked back at her. He'd been in control, this was not what he'd done in a berserker rage. He wondered if she knew just how far he could go if he ever wanted to - and then he wondered if he even wanted her to know. Would she be scared of him?

"They're alive. I wouldn't let them off that easy. They'll live but it won't be painless…"

Her eyes hardened as she surveyed them, limbs still trembling and vision blurring.

"Good. Ranma… I've… concussion."

"No worries. I'll take you to Dr. Tofu."

"NO! You can't!", Panicked, his fiancée held onto his Chinese shirt with wide eyes. "Please!"

Ranma bit his lips worriedly.

"I'm sorry. But you're bleeding from your head and he needs to take a look. I'll swear him to secrecy but please, 'kane, please let me take you to him."

Her brown eyes watched him though he could see her iris contracting and expanding too often for it to be a voluntary reaction. Finally she nodded her acquiescence, burrowing her face in his arms.

Tenderly, Ranma brought her body closer to his, cradling her gently before setting off. Painfully aware that any jolts may cause her further discomfort he did his utmost to keep her as still as possible in his arms as he ran. Once he was out of the park, he leapt up to the roofs to avoid anyone seeing them as he moved to Dr. Tofu. Twice they'd had to hide, seeing Shampoo and Ukyo out, weapons drawn, searching.

Ranma gritted his teeth - if they had anything to do with this, they were dead.

Finally he reached the clinic he'd been aiming for. He forced the door open and entered.

"Ah, sorry. The clinic is closed - please come back tomorrow."

The voice from the kind doctor was coming from the backroom. Ranma softly deposited his precious burden in one of the beds, before calling out.

"Yo, Dr. Tofu, it's me and Akane! It's urgent, we need you right now!"

Giving his fiancée what he hoped was a reassuring smile, he drew the curtains around her bed closed just as the doctor burst in, first aid kit in hand.

"Listen… we'll need you to keep this secret, doc, okay? You can't tell anyone about anything you see or hear tonight, kay? Not even her father or the rest of her family. No notes, no nothing. We need your help, please, doc."

Dr. Tofu looked startled and frozen.

"Did you- Is Akane pregnant?"

Ranma blinked for a moment before snorting.

"Nah. Nothing like that. She's injured, doc. Pretty sure it's a concussion. Now, until you gimme your word I can't say any more."

"As long as this is Akane's wish I will not divulge any information that she doesn't want me to."

Ranma frowned for a moment, before turning to the curtains.

"Good enough, kane?"

There was a slight pause before she responded.

"Yeah. It's fine… let him in, Ranma."

Shrugging, he stepped through before holding the curtains open enough for the doctor. He watched as Tofu took one look at her, eyes wide and a noise escaping his throat before he glanced over at the pigtailed martial artist again. Ranma gave a short nod, confirming the doctor's worst fears.

"I… Akane, are you sure you want me to…? Normally they'd have a woman-"

"I've known … entire life. If anyone … then you. Or nobody. I'm… I'm n-not scared. Not you or Ranma. I know you'd never… never…", her voice trailed off, face forlorn. He found himself at her side in an instant, clasping her soft hands in his in silent support. He watched her lips tilt slightly upwards in a smile for him, an expression of her gratitude.

Dr. Tofu looked upset and withdrawn as he nodded softly.

"You're a very brave girl, Akane. I'll be back in a moment."

They both watched the doctor leave.

"Ranma…" he turned back to his fiancée. "Stay? Just… look away… but… h-hold my hand?"

Carefully, keeping his hands in her range of view the entire time, he stroked her soft cheeks.

"Of course. As long as you want me here, I'll stay. I won't ever leave you alone again."

He was gifted with another one of Akane's heartbreaking smiles. Even the bruising on her throat and her lips couldn't detract from it, though they did cause his heart to break in an entirely different way. He'd never seen her look so petite, so vulnerable. Normally she was a spitfire, larger than life. He was only ever aware of how small she actually was when she was unconscious - now though it didn't seem right. She was awake but there was none of the usual shine to her eyes, that spark that had always made him irrevocably focused on only her.

As he'd promised, his hands held onto Akane's, stroking her wrist gently, allowing the reassuring thrumming of her pulse beneath his fingers to soothe the anxiety within himself.

After what seemed like an eternity Dr. Tofu finally finished.

"Well, good news is that there is no lasting damage. The concussion should heal on its own rather quickly. You'll probably be okay by tomorrow but nevertheless someone should keep an eye on you for the next few days. Also, as you both know, Akane will need to be woken up several times throughout the night to check if everything's alright. Otherwise it's … only bruising and marks, but nothing permanent. It will all heal - probably within the week. No scars. You have some… tearing inside of you but your hymen is still intact. You'll be tender for a few days. I've given you some shots against infection but I would hazard a guess that after a week you will be fully alright. Now… I know you probably won't take me up on this but here's the card for a psychologist who specializes in cases like yours. It would help and she won't talk to anyone."

Akane shook her head but accepted the card anyway. Ranma breathed a sigh of relief - she was safe, she'd be okay.

"Oh, doc - could you call an ambulance and let them know that there are seven guys in the park needing some medical attention?"

Tofu raised his eyebrow.

"They're still alive?"

The young martial artist carefully picked up his fiancée before replying.

"Yeah - but they won't leave the hospital for several months. Most of them will live in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives. I've used the Moxibustion on them - don't cure it."

Tofu nodded calmly. In a few hours - or maybe tomorrow morning - he'd let the hospital know. He watched as the youngest Tendo, someone he'd treated since she was a small child, curled up and hid her face in her fiance's shirt. They deserved everything Ranma had done to them and he certainly wouldn't be helping them - though maybe some other pressure points would aid in driving the point home? It was time to consult his books for something of use…

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They arrived back at the Tendos without any further incident and he easily went into her room through her window. Cautiously setting her down on the bed, he stroked her hair aside, trying to make eye contact.

"How're you feeling?"

He looked at Akane in concern. Her face was pale and sweating. She was either in shock or in extreme pain. Either was quite possible. Her eyes were unfocused.

"'s okay…"

Rolling his eyes he looked at her exasperatedly.

"Right… you're okay. If you weren't so 'okay' I'd have half a mind to start a fight with you. Now I need to look at your head just to make sure I didn't aggravate it during our trip back."

To his surprise Akane turned mutely around, presenting him with her back and bare neck. He barely managed to withhold a gasp, hands clenching unconsciously at the show of trust. Here she was, having just been attacked by a gang of… brutes and yet she willingly extended her trust to him, a male, whom she'd frequently labeled a pervert. The desire to protect her within him grew only more at her subconscious demonstration of her faith and trust in him.

Humbled, he carefully carded through her thick hair, carefully checking the bandage Tofu had wrapped around her head for any sign of new blood. He sighed in relief when he found nothing.

"Now, Akane, who would you like to stay here? I'll just say you had a concussion and explain what they need to do. Maybe Kasumi?"

The blue haired girl turned around, shaking her head mutely.

"Okay.. Nabiki? Or your father? My mom?"

"No… would- could you…?"

Eyes softening, he smiled warmly at her.

"If you want me to, I'd be happy to stay here. It's warmer than outside anyway." At her confused look he elaborated. "I would've stayed outside on the roof to watch over you either way, so this way is much easier for me. Can you… can you tell me what happened? Was it Ukyo and Shampoo?"

Akane shook her head slightly.

"And Kodachi."

Ranma found himself cursing under his breath. He'd half-expected it of course, otherwise there was no way those seven men could've overwhelmed her. But that the other fiancées were indirectly responsible for this…? He felt hate, a cold bitter rage rise up in him. Ucchan…? How…? He still remembered her as the first friend he'd ever had but those feelings were gone now. She'd pushed and prodded and slowly he'd lost hope of ever regaining the precious friendship he'd had with her before but now…? Now there was nothing, no hope, no desire to regain it even.

She'd done the unacceptable. She'd hurt her, his Akane. If she ever came near him again, she'd regret it. Deeply. He'd make sure of that.

Shampoo and Kodachi had never meant as much to him either way but both would now find they'd stepped over the line.

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It took over an hour before he deemed her safe to fall asleep. He'd agreed with her that he was allowed to remain in her room and wake her up at frequent intervals to check on her.

He'd taken the time to phone Yuka and assure her of Akane's safety - though at his fiancée's behest had not revealed any of her injuries or the assault on her. He'd informed the rest of the family that she'd received a concussion in her fight against the other fiancées and would need to rest. He also told them not to, under any circumstances, enter the room as she would need peace and quiet.

Sighing slightly he returned to her room, leaving behind a wailing Soun who was simultaneously encouraging Ranma to spend the night with her as he was wailing about his daughter's failure to defend herself against the rivals and her 'becoming a woman'. His own father was telling everyone who'd listen that his son was coming after him while his mom told him that a 'man among men' would ensure his fiancée enjoyed it as well. Kasumi kept telling everyone how improper this was despite their engagement while Nabiki merely grinned at the ensuing chaos; she at least knew well enough that neither her little sister nor Ranma would have the guts to do something more than hold hands.

He'd ignored the lot of them, closing the door to Akane's bedroom firmly behind him. It would be a long night, watching her every movement, monitoring her breathing and heartbeat for signs of any underlying consequences. But he didn't mind. There was no way he'd get any sleep tonight either way.

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Morning came slowly. Ranma turned the alarm off before it had a chance to ring, slowly shaking Akane awake again as he'd done numerous times throughout the night. His fiancée blinked tiredly.

"Another check?"

"Yes. But also time to get up if you really are still set on going to school. You don't have to, y'know."

Akane smiled.

"Yes, I do. My name is Akane Tendo, I am eighteen years old and you're Ranma Saotome, my fiancé thanks to machinations by our parents before our birth. What else do you wanna know?"

Ranma chuckled.

"Stubborn tomboy. That's it, nothing else. You're good to go but you're not leaving my eyesight at all except for the bathroom or changing rooms - is that clear? That's my condition otherwise I'll… I'll tie you to bed or something."

His fiancée smiled impishly at him, eyes sparkling again slightly. The teasing between them was a comfortable normality, a routine she longed to return to.

"You couldn't force me if you tried."

Both froze at her wording, uncomfortable.

"I- I'd never-"

She sighed, interrupting him before he could finish his sentence, shivering involuntarily in spite of herself.

"I know."

Her voice was resigned and her eyes sad. Protectiveness surged up in him, drowning out any uncomfortable embarrassment he felt.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you again - or touch you. You're my fiancée. If they even dare to try, they're dead. I will protect you. I'll never leave you alone again."

He knelt in front of her bed, almost at head height with this petite fiancée. He watched her confident façade crumble slowly before her arms closed around his neck and her tears wet his shirt.

"You have to promise me that no one - no one - can ever find out about this. If… I couldn't stand it. If anyone found out that I'd been… touched, no one would ever want me. I'd be a social pariah. Dad would be devastated. Please, Ranma, promise me!"

Frowning, he looked at her in confusion though her head was still buried against his neck.

"But they didn't…"

"It wouldn't matter. No one would want to touch me or interact with me. I can't- I… Please, Ranma."

He sighed slightly hands gently caressing her back soothingly.

"If that's what you want then I promise on my honour.", he gulped slightly, cheeks blushing as he bit his lip. He knew he had to say it, knew she needed to hear it - that much was clear from her earlier words.

"I… You know that this doesn't bother me, right? I mean… you're still the same stubborn tomboy as before. And I…" he cleared his throat nervously. "I.. wouldn't mind, y'know… t-t-touching you, that is."

Her smile was heartbreaking, wide and honest even as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"Thank you Ranma. That means the world to me. And thank you for telling me."

"Ah… 's no problem."

His fiancée wiped her eyes and scrubbed her face slightly before giving him another smile.

"Now out of here with you. I still need to get dressed."

~~~~~~~~~~##~~~~~~~~~~

He was impressed in spite of himself. Breakfast had come and gone and no one had noticed a thing; not even the normally suspicious Nabiki.

Akane had acted as she normally would and both had vehemently denied sleeping with one another - at which point his mother and father had become disconsolate while Soun had manifested a demon head and asked him if his girl wasn't attractive enough. All in all, just another morning at the Tendos.

Instead of walking on the fence - despite the advantageous view it provided - he was at his fiancée's side, hand reassuringly clasping hers. He could easily see through the façade, could see the sadness, the anger, the helplessness and the fright that hid behind it, but made no mention of it. It only meant he had to protect her even more - no boy would even get near her today; he'd make sure of that.

The protectiveness inside him surged up yet again, drowning out his usual embarrassment and hesitation. Akane was all that mattered.

~~~~~~~~~~##~~~~~~~~~~

Ukyo frowned. Just yesterday she, Shampoo and Kodachi had attempted to teach Akane a lesson. However, somehow, their plan had once again backfired on them as schemes in Nerima had a tendency to. Instead of splitting her and Ranma up and allowing him to finally go be with her, the cute fiancée, they now seemed inseparable. Literally.

They had come in together at a sedate pace and her Ran-chan had dispatched Kuno before the other boy had even gotten a word in edgewise or even come close to them. After that his glare and cold demeanor had successfully parted the crowd in front of them.

No one dared to even go near them and the icy glare Ranma gave anyone who even tried to step towards Akane made everyone freeze. Only Sayuri and Yuka, two friends of the blue haired girl, were allowed near her. He was almost hovering protectively above her, eyes watchful despite the dark circles beneath them, never leaving Akane for even a moment unless it was to glare at someone.

It would've been sweet if he'd done this for her - but for the tomboy, the uncute fiancée? It simply wasn't right.

In class his eyes hadn't left Akane's body for even a moment, constantly scanning, checking, worry and concern clear for everyone to see. Not even Hinako had been able to bring him back to order as he'd answered her questions perfectly, eyes still intent on the youngest Tendo.

From there on it had only become worse. Ukyo had the brilliant idea of luring him away with okonomiyaki at lunch - at least she'd thought it was brilliant. Except that he hadn't complied with her plan.

"Hey, Ranma, fancy a special okonomiyaki free of charge?"

"Kuonji", she'd started. He always - always - called her Ucchan. It was his pet name for her. Not only that but the lack of honorific after her last name was the same as an insult. What the…?

"I say this out of respect for the friendship we used to have." Used to? But then he looked up - his eyes were glacial and there was hate in his eyes - something she'd never thought she'd see in him. Especially not directed at her.

"Don't ever come near me or Akane again. If you do I won't guarantee for anything. You've gone too far, beyond too far. And I can never forgive you for what you've done."

Her spatula was in her hand almost out of habit as she neared the pair. Akane was sitting with her friends, watching but not interfering. Ranma was only a few feet away but nonetheless the moment she came closer his hand flashed out at nigh invisible speeds, clamping around the spatula and easily breaking it apart.

"Wh-what…?"

Ukyo had been beyond stunned at the easy, almost careless destruction of her favourite tool. Ranma stepped up to her, icy and voice threatening as he lifted her head up with a finger so she met his eyes.

"Step away now, Kuonji, or I will forget myself."

Wide eyed and scared of him for the first time in her life, she'd complied. Her beloved spatula and he'd broken it without a care in the world, clearly demonstrating just how little he would be bothered about doing the same thing to her.

What had happened? They always fought, they always competed… what was so different now to the other times?

She would have to try a sneak attack on Akane later, the girl had obviously told her fiancé lies about her. There was no other reason he'd ever avoid her otherwise.

~~~~~~~~~~##~~~~~~~~~~

After watching Ukyo leave he finally sat back down next to Akane.

"You didn't have to do that, you know…"

Ranma's smile was tender as he looked at her.

"'Course I did. She went too far."

Akane smiled at him and his heart beat faster. The bruising on her lips had faded enough to not be noticeable and she wore a scarf around her neck. He'd protect her. From anyone and anything.

Akane was his fiancée.

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