A/N: Well, the first chapter went fairly well. The words flowed out much smoother than I'd expected.

What About Us?

Chapter Two

Ranma woke up to the smell of his favorite butter cake. The aroma spread through the bedroom like a gentle breeze, but the smell started a war with his grumbling stomach.

Suddenly, he saw a figure enter his room. She was dressed in a very short pair of silk shorts and a deep red tank top that was edged with lace.

"Nihao, Ranma…" she said, still using her old greeting. "I brought you you're favorite breakfast!" she squeaked.

"Thank you," Ranma said, sitting up in bed. "That was really sweet of you to do,"

Shampoo honked like a goose. "Of course!" she giggled, plopping on the bed beside him.

Ranma grabbed the fork and began digging in when she took the utensil from his hand. "Na-ah…" she said, smiling. The Amazon scooped up a bite and fed it to him. "This is much better,"

"Mmhmm," He replied, his mouth filled with the fluffy cake.

"So," Shampoo said, letting down the fork once it was finished. "I'm so glad we get to spend the day together…" she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I've missed you, you know…"

Ranma hugged her back. "I know… you're going to hate me for this, but I've got some teaching to do today."

Shampoo looked up at him. "Teaching? What do you mean?"

"I'm teaching classes every Sunday now at the Tendo dojo."

Shampoo pouted. "But it's Sunday! Is there no other way… for me?" she whispered seductively.

"Sorry," he mumbled, apologetically. Shampoo stared up at him for a moment, her anger bubbling. The purple-haired girl then sulked, feeling rejected.

"Fine, suit yourself. I don't care!"

Ranma let out a sigh, jumping out of bed.

To be honest, lately he'd been fighting with Shampoo more than anything else. He was beginning to get a little sick of it.

Ranma walked over to the bathroom, washing his face and brushing his teeth. Silent thoughts began to fill his head, to his dismay.

Was the dojo still the same?

What about Akane?

Was she… still mad?

The boy shook his head. She was a married woman. It was… dirty to think thoughts like that! However, that sure as hell did not stop him.

Ranma emerged from the bathroom, slipping on a pair of clean pants and a white Chinese shirt. He still wore them, they were always his favorite.

The 23 year old slipped out the door silently, hoping his wife wouldn't see him and start some madness. That was the last thing he needed.

Ranma walked down the street, silently. Honestly, he was happy. He missed the dojo. The good old days. Maybe teaching there after all these years would bring back some old memories. Though, there were some memories he didn't want to return. He'd never gone a day in his life without thinking about what had happened so many years ago. He regretted it miserably and really wished it could've gone some other way. So many of his future plans had been reversed totally.

As he walked to the dojo, he passed Uuchan's Okonomiyaki, the place where his former fiancée worked. However, now she was married- and happily for that matter- to Konatsu, the kunoichi. He'd even heard that soon they were to have their first baby boy.

Ryoga, too, had moved on. He'd gone into a large stage of depression for about a year… trying to find Akane and apologize… never leaving his home… going on months long training trips… when Akari finally healed his wounds. They weren't married yet, but they were engaged. They'd also given Ranma a card a few weeks ago… an invitation to their wedding on the 29th of September.

With everyone in the old Nerima Wrecking Crew paired up… Ranma still wondered who Akane had married. He imagined it would be a martial artist, just like she was…

He quickly dropped the thoughts as he approached the door to the Tendo Dojo. He dug into his pocket and after a moment, realized he'd forgotten his key.

Way to start you're first day, Ranma… he grumbled to himself, silently.

Ranma knocked on the door. He hoped Soun was there. He felt relieved when the door opened softly, until he peered back into chocolate eyes.

"Ranma," Akane said, softly. "Come in. You're early."

Without words, Ranma stepped into the dojo quietly. Wow, did it look different. It hadn't changed a bit, but being away from it for so long made him almost forget how it looked.

"They haven't installed a curtain to split it yet, but daddy promised it should be done soon." She said, not looking at him.

Ranma nodded, not able to take his eyes off her. She was clad in a gi, similar to her yellow one, though this one was a turquoise blue. He watched as she walked across the dojo, bare-footed, and began performing a kata. She was still the same tomboy she used to be. However, back then he never noticed the gracefulness in her steps.

Ranma began warming up, too, starting with a few stretches. He felt the awkwardness between them. The dojo was quiet. Too quiet.

He was about to start some small talk when a bunch of kids ran in.

"Are you our sensei?" a little boy asked.

"Yup, here I am." Ranma replied, with a grin.

"You're too young to be a sensei!" another boy asked.

"I want to be taught by the girl! She's really pretty…"

"Wow! She is hot, huh?"

"Yeah!"

The kids all talked at once, and they started to make Ranma quite annoyed.

"ALRIGHT, guys. If you want to learn some martial arts, come sit on the floor."

No one listened. The kids continued chatting and giggling. Akane walked over and stood, her arms crossed about her chest.

"Guys, come on. Sit down and listen to Ranma, please."

Suddenly, the kids all sat down, in their spot. Not a peep came from their mouths. Ranma's mouth flew wide open. He tried to stifle the chuckles that were trying to escape.

"Ah- okay, guys. Akane and I are going to teach together until we get a curtain installed. Then, you're going to be put with either me or her permanently."

All the boys turned to look at Akane.

Ranma rolled his eyes. "Until then, you guys had better listen to what we say, understand? Okay guys, everybody up!"

The kids all stood up. There were a total of six boys and two girls. There was one teenage boy, one preteen and four younger ones. The girls were both five years old.

"Okay," Akane said, smiling. "We're going to start off with some stretches. You always need to stretch before exercising or you could pull a muscle."

The kids all did what they were told to do. Akane walked over and began helping the ones who had trouble. Ranma marveled at the sight. She was good with kids.

Afterward, Ranma got up and began teaching a few simple moves. Time flew by and eventually lunchtime rolled around.

The kids had all packed food and Akane laid out mats in the dojo for everyone to eat at. Ranma sat down near her, though they did not speak. Akane quietly took off her gi top; a white tank top was underneath.

Ranma bit his lip, thinking of something to say. Suddenly, a little boy by the name of Reiko ran in. Ranma groaned inwardly. He was interrupted by stupid kids twice in one day.

"Miss Akane?" he said. Reiko was the teenager of the group, about sixteen years old. He had emerald green eyes and chestnut brown hair. He smiled at his teacher.

"How old are you, miss?"

"Twenty-three." Akane replied. "Why?"

"I was wondering… if you'd… like to go out sometime?"

Ranma raised an eyebrow. "Kid," he began. "She's seven years older than you."

Green eyes whipped over to Ranma. "So? My parents are five years apart- Wait… don't tell me… you're her boyfriend?!"

Akane's face blushed wildly. "No, Reiko. He isn't. Listen, I'm sorry but I'm married."

Ranma felt a pang in his chest. Why, though? Why did it hurt for her to say that?

"Married?" Reiko said, glumly in disbelief. "But… you're young… Ahh… I'm sorry."

Akane smiled at him. "Don't be. I'm really flattered, Reiko. You're a sweet boy." She reached over and kissed him softly on the cheek.

"R-really?" he said, a huge grin plastered on his face. He walked back to his group of friends, the grin remaining on his face.

Ranma laughed. "Wow, still have boys chasing you, eh, Akane?"

Akane smiled softly. "I'm used to it. Turns out university boys are worse than high school."

"Lemme guess, another hentai horde?"

Akane laughed. "You still remember the old name I used to call them?"

"Of course," he replied, matter-of-factly.

"Well, yeah, actually. They still didn't give up, even after I married Kai."

"Kai?" Ranma asked, trying to hide the pain in his voice. His blood boiled.

"Oh…" Akane said, a bit hesitantly. "He was this boy at my school who lived near my dorm room. He's was one of my friends… though he had a depression problem. He needed someone there for him, and that's why we married."

"Oh. Do you love him, though?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Kai. You said you married him 'cause of his problem… but do you love him?"

Akane bit her lip. "Yes. I love him."

Ranma licked his lips, turning his face away from her. "Ah," was all he could utter.

"And you?" Akane asked, quietly. "You told dad you were married."

"Yes, I am." Ranma said, softly. He begged she wouldn't ask whom.

"Oh… who's the girl?"

"S-Shampoo. Remember her?" Ranma said, worriedly.

Akane's eyes widened for a moment, but remained calm. She spoke through gritted teeth. "How… how could I forget?"

"Yeah," Ranma said, quietly. There was another awkward silence between them, until Akane stood up, putting her gi top back on.

"Alright kids! Time to practice some more."

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At three o'clock Ranma and Akane dismissed their class, allowing everyone to go home. As the kids left, Akane began cleaning up all the loose crumbs and garbage. Ranma helped as well.

"Messy kids," he grumbled.

Akane smiled. "Hey, you're probably still messy too."

"Actually…" he said, suggestively. Akane laughed. Though, Ranma noticed a slight sadness in that laugh of hers. Somewhere, in the pit of his heart, he desperately wanted to fix the loose ends. However, he knew that it was too late. What was done… was done.

Ranma exited through the door, allowing Akane to lock up. He walked back down the street, heading home. Shampoo was probably done her shift at the Cat Café, so she was probably waiting for him at home.

The boy opened the front door to his house. It was unlocked. And he silently walked in. His wife was in the kitchen, a pout on her lips.

He walked in, not speaking to her and grabbed a bottled water.

"What took you so long?" she said, angrily.

"Long? I was exactly on time!"

"You end at 3 o clock! Right now it's four thirty!"

"Oh… well that's 'cause I was helping Akane-"

"Helping Akane?!" She said, gritting her teeth. "You ditch me and come home late… because you were helping Akane?!"

"I had to! The kids made it messy and it's not my dojo anyway. I couldn't leave it dirty."

"Whatever," Shampoo mumbled, turning her back on him.

"Shampoo…?" he said, softly. The boy walked over, wrapping his arms around her stomach. He pulled her to his chest. She struggled against him for a moment, but gave in, embracing him back.

Shampoo turned her head to kiss him, and he obliged, kissing her softly.

"Mmm," she said. "I missed you."

"Me, too." He replied, though he wasn't quite sure if that was entirely true.

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At night, Ranma just couldn't sleep. His thoughts just flooded his mind over and over again, not letting his mind shut down. So many things left unspoken… undone. It was just too much to bear.

Eventually, he gave up, jumping out of bed. He tucked in his wife, silently shutting the bedroom door behind him. The last thing he wanted was for her to wake up.

He walked outside, deciding that fresh air was all he needed. After a moment, he decided to take a little walk, over to his favorite park… the one behind Furinkan High. When he was younger, he would always come there to think. It was his favorite place. However, he hadn't returned there in years.

As he approached his old school, he marveled at the sight. Silently, he began pointing out all the things he remembered. He also began wondering what had happened to his old friends.

The boy walked further, until he could see the park in the distance. His favorite place. The Park.

The place he loved the most, however, was the bench. So many things had happened on that bench… so many memories. The engagement ring… the battle dougi…

So many memories.

As he approached further, he saw a person. There was someone sitting on the bench! He walked further and further until he saw it was...

Akane?!

"A-Akane?" he whispered, walking over to her. "What are you doing here?"

"Ranma?" Akane said, softly. She wiped her eyes. "Is that you?"

Was Akane… crying?

Ranma's eyes widened. "Akane, are you crying?"

"N-no!" she said, however, the sound of her voice definitely reeked of tears.

"Akane," Ranma said angrily. "Don't lie to me." He placed an index finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look up at him, the darkness outlining his face. His heart sunk as he saw the proof… there were tears running down her cheeks and her eyes sparkled.

Ranma growled. "What happened!?"

"No-nothing." Akane's voice shook. "K-Kai…"

"What?!" he hissed. If she were to tell him that another man had made her cry… he'd tear him apart with his bare hands.

"Nothing, Ranma." She said. "He's just… been drinking again."

"And..?"

"Well… when he drinks he gets angry and…"

"Don't fucking tell me he hit you?!"

"Sh…" Akane said, motioning him to settle down. "No… listen, he's going through some problems right now…"

"That's no excuse! Look at you, Akane! You're crying!"

"I'm fine, Ranma… sorry."

"Don't… don't apologize, Akane."

"Why… why are you here, Ranma?"

"I just… needed time to think."

"And you come here?"

"It's my favorite place."

She smiled. "Mine, too."

"R-really?"

"Yeah… it brings back memories… doesn't it?"

"Yeah…"

Deep down, Ranma worried for Akane. He wondered what her bastard husband was doing to her.

"Akane." He said, softly. Ranma took a pen out of his pocket. "Listen, I'm going to give you my phone number. If that ass does anything to you… call, okay? Please don't keep it to your self."

"No, Ranma… it's okay. I can handle it."

Ranma laughed, grabbing her hand. "Stubborn as always, eh, Akane?"

She struggled against him, but he managed to scribble his phone number on her palm.

She huffed. "I'm not calling."

He winked. "Oh, we'll see."

Akane sighed. "But… thank you."

"You're… you're welcome, Akane."

Akane checked her cell phone. "Gosh, look at the time… I'd… I'd better get home. Kai's probably asleep now."

He gritted his teeth. "Okay. Want me to walk you there?"

She smiled. "It's okay, Ranma."

"Still... Akane, it's dark out…"

"It's okay, Ranma. I made it here on my own, didn't I?"

"That was you're mistake! Okay, it's settled. Too bad, I'm walking you."

The two walked silently, not speaking a word to one another. It was strange, them taking the same path that seemed so familiar years ago. Ranma wondered if they could ever be able to talk to each other normally again.

There was a pause. "You know… you're… still the same." Akane said, smiling softly.

"Huh?" Ranma said, caught off-guard.

"Five years have passed… you haven't changed much, Ranma Saotome." She replied, looking at him with a huge grin.

"Well… neither have you, Akane."

"You're still the same careless, annoying, perverted, egotistical jerk…"

"And you're still the same flat-chested tomboy!" He joked.

She laughed. "Alright, alright. Whatever you say,"

Even if they were the same, the two had still matured. It was funny how the old comments that would cause tears now didn't phase either of them.

Although it seemed like merely seconds, a half hour had passed by and Ranma and Akane had reached Akane's house. It was a fairly medium-sized house, much like the Tendo residence with deep brown bricks and a large back yard.

"Thank you, Ranma." Akane said, standing at the porch.

"No… no problem, 'Kane."

She gave him one last smile as she turned her back and exited, walking into the house. He watched as the door slammed behind her.

He didn't know why, but he felt his spirits were a little bit lifted. As if his problems had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt much better, even without the bench.