Akane's POV
Everyone must be sleeping now.
Well, except for me.
How could I sleep anyway ? I'm going to the USA, tomorrow ! I'm not ready !
I dive into the water and lie there in the furo, until I'm out of oxygen and need to resurface.
"God" I mutter, out of breath.
I just couldn't refuse. You can't refuse this kind of scolarships, you just can't. One of the most renowned universities of America... of the world, actually.
I never would've thought it would work, when I filled in the application form. It wasn't even my idea, it was my teacher's, who said I could easily make it if I really wanted to... But do I really wanna leave ? Tomorrow ?
It's just so sudden, I wish I had a few more days to really think it over... but I was told to make a decision right away, so I decided not to let it slip... anyone with a bit of good sense would've done the same.
I'll always remember Ranma's face when I announced the big news to the whole family. He seemed flabbergasted, like he'd just been hit by a truck.
Maybe it's just me but I thought he also looked kind of... hurt. Could it be that he doesn't want me to leave ? Well, it's not like he ever said the words "don't go Akane" even once. The jerk's probably glad I'm finally gonna be out of his life. He'll be able to go out with Shampoo, Ukyo or anybody else with boobs...
Talking about boobs, I rinse the soap off my chest and get out of the furo, before wrapping a warm towel around my body and another little one around my head.
Putting on my slippers and my bathrobe, I get out of the bathroom and start walking up the stairs when I notice the light's on in the dojo.
Ranma... I think as my heart starts beating faster. I glance at the clock - almost midnight. Maybe he couldn't sleep - just like me, he must be training to tire himself out.
For one second I want to join him - but then I remember what I did just before dinner. I actually kissed him on the cheek. I still don't know what took me to do such a thing... I was feeling so vulnerable, I was so scared that it was the last time he and I were alone before I'd leave so I just...
I just did what I'd been dying to do since I met him.
I blushed as I remembered how soft and warm his cheek had felt. I was unable look him in the eye during the whole dinner and blushed everytime our hands accidentally brushed. I think he blushed too but I didn't look at him to check. Nabiki, as usual, was the only one to notice the strange way we acted but she kept her mouth shut - thank God. Guess she decided to be nice since she won't be seeing me for a while after tomorrow...
Before I realize what I'm doing, I walk back and get out of the house, heading toward the dojo.
The air's freezing outside and I start trembling. My shaky hands open the door of the dojo and...
Ranma's POV
There she is.
My eyes open wide as I catch sight of her in her... bathrobe and slippers. What the heck ?
"Akane... What are you doing here ?" I ask, my eyes looking up and down her silhouette.
She slightly blushes, and closes the door.
"I... Wait that was my line, what are you doing here, Ranma ? It's almost midnight" she says quickly.
"Not tired" I answer with a shrug "Did you just take a bath ?"
She nods. "Can't sleep either. I saw the light here so I came to see what was going on..."
"Uhm... Nothing much. It's just me, training"
My next line's supposed to be : "wanna spar with me ?" but now I'm not sure what to do since she's obviously not gonna wanna spar in her bathrobe. Well whatever, she can still go and change...
"Wanna spar with me ?" I say, taking off my shirt.
She looks away for a second, looking flustered.
"What are you talking about..." she whispers.
"You know, me beating the crap outta you, as usual..."
All of a sudden, her face reddens with anger. I always knew how to make her react...
"You never beat the crap out of me, cuz' all you do is dodge !" she yells, fuming.
"You just gotta admit you never manage to land a blow on me..." I tease.
She shakes her head slowly, an angry rictus on her face. Then she takes the towel out of her hair, which falls down wet on her shoulders.
Next thing I know, I'm ducking my head to avoid her fist.
"Hey ! Tryin' to take me by surprise, huh ?"
"Shut up and fight back!" she yells, launching a series of punches on me.
Smirking, I easily grab both her fists to block them. Infuriated, she writhes to break free but I won't let go. Normally, I wouldn't do such a thing, but right now, I realize how much I like feeling her tiny hands in mine and seeing the red flames igniting her eyes and cheeks. She's never more beautiful than when she burns with such passion and fervor.
Taking advantage of my moment of distraction, she manages to kick the back of my calves in a quick, effective blow. Losing my balance, I fall flat on my back.
Akane's glowing, an air of superiority lighting up her face.
I jump on my feet, preparing for the next blow. Suddenly, I don't see her as Akane anymore, but as my opponent. I must not get distracted again and lose focus. I hate to admit it, but Akane's gotten much better at striking with precision. She trained a lot after she found out about Ryoga's curse, the rage and bitterness helping her make amazing progress.
"You're not striking back?" she asks, putting her arms in front of her in a protective gesture.
"You'd get hurt"
"Try me"
"Don't wanna risk breaking one of your bones"
"Hah! Guess you don't mind me breaking one of yours then!" she spits, throwing her foot in the air.
Her heel hardly brushes the top of my shoulder as I shove it away. Irritated, she throws her other foot at me and my mouth gapes open as something happens that neither I, nor her, were expecting.
--
Muahaha, inspiration runs through me like a river !! Hope you enjoyed this chapter too, it's so fun writing this story. Don't worry, you'll understand soon why Ranma wanted Akane to spar with him tonight.
WARNING : it might get lemonish in the next chapter so don't read it if you're not "mature" enough. It shouldn't go too far though, depends on my mood. I'll let you know in the beginning of the next chapter.
Don't forget to REVIEW !! :)