A/N: Published it in a haste, so please forgive me if any mistakes happened! Just want to say, be ready for the last drop ;p!!

"Uhh.. Sorry to break this news to you like this buddy, but you are a little late to tell Akane that she doesn't have to leave Nerima anymore! Because she is not leaving anyways!"

Akio blinked his eyes in confusion as he turned his troubled looking face towards Nabiki as he asked her,

"She is not leaving? Really? But how's that happen? I wasn't even here to announce the news to you guys!"

"Well, my imouto kind of succeeded in convincing our aunt Suki and now she is not leaving. But anyway, what's all this fuss about? What result are you talking about, huh?"

Akio fully turned to face her and smiled at her cheekily. He excitedly showed her the letter in his hand and said proudly,

"A letter which will change Akane's life for good, my dear Nabiki! She got a full free scholarship for her studies here and not only that, they are so happy with her result that they are even offering her free accommodation in the university's student hostel!! Isn't it great?"

Akio excitedly handed Nabiki the letter as she hastily started to read it. As she kept reading it , her eyes went wide with surprise as no words came out from her mouth. She looked up at Akane with her surprised eyes; she saw her imouto smiling at her with tears in her eyes. Nabiki became completely speechless, she didn't have anything to say to her at all.. Suddenly, she is beginning to feel so proud of her baby sister.. She proudly smiled back at her, but before she could say anything to her , Suki came beside her and snatched the paper from her hand. As Suki kept reading the letter, she also became speechless! She slowly looked up at Akane and asked her in disbelief,

"But… how?!"

Akane sniffed and started to explain to her, but she was interrupted by Akio as he winked at her saying,

"Let me explain it to them, my princess. You have no idea how many times I wanted to break that damn promise I had made with you. Now that I have a chance to explain my frustrations out, please don't interrupt me..."

Akane softly giggled at him and nodded her head.

Akio dramatically bowed at her and then started saying,

"Well…So, the story goes like this: this year Akane gave two entrance exams. One for the place you guys wanted her to study and the other one which she wanted to study at. And the reason behind this was that she didn't want to leave Nerima. Believe me, It was very tough for her because both the universities are very reputed, I myself only applied for only this one! But she was so determined that she had to make it to this university! I was so surprised when she asked me to keep it a secret from everyone and she also made me promise that I won't tell it to Kasumi or Ranma as well! I was shocked at first but now I know why.."

He gradually turned to face Akane again and gently held her shoulders and said in a happy tone,

"You make me feel so proud today, my friend! You don't know how much it killed me to see you suffer alone. And when I saw how Ranma is blaming you, I so wanted to reveal all the truth to him lots of times , but your promise held me back.."

Akane softly smiled at him and laid her hand over his hand on her shoulder as she said,

"Oh thank you, Akio! You don't know what you have done for me. If you hadn't been by my side I wouldn't have dared to go with this plan in the first place! I owe you big time!"

"Akane…"

Akane and Akio both looked at Suki as she slowly approached them. Her eyes were pouring tears as she held the letter closer to her heart with her shaky hands. Looking at her mother's depressed state , Akane didn't wait any longer as she hastily went to her side. She slowly started to crease Suki's wet cheeks to wipe her tears clean as she said with a broken tone,

"Mom, please don't cry. I am so sorry for hurting you like this and keeping a big secret from you. I.. I didn't had any idea what to do at that time! I know that you never want me to stop my education at any cost . But I .. I couldn't leave Ranma behind like this and I also didn't want to disobey you. That's why I took this step, so that I can stay here and my study won't stop as well. Please don't be mad at me, mom.."

Suki smiled through her tears as she hugged Akane tightly. She sighed happily as she said in a pleasant tone,

"Oh Kami, You have no idea how happy you made me today, my baby! Thanks to you, a heavy load has been lifted from my heart now. Kasumi always used to tell me about your bonding with Ranma; but my rage with Genma always blinded my vision, I never considered giving your relationship any chance. Then after I came here and met Ranma and his mother, all my doubts were washed away! Deep down in my heart I knew that I can never find a better partner for you then Ranma. But I had no plan in hand to how to handle this situation and after what happened with Taichi, I became completely clueless, my dear. I couldn't even meet Nodoka's eyes when I told her that I am going to take you with me. My guilt was killing me. But now, only because of your bravery, I can bury down all my misery. Oh Akane, thank you so much.."

Akane slowly broke their hug and looked at her with a bright smile on her face,

"No.. Thank you, mom! Thank you for trusting me and giving our relationship a chance."

Suki smiled back at her and gave a warm kiss on her forehead. Then she said in an over-enthusiastic tone,

"Now let's not waste any more time, we have to go tell them now.."

Akane blinked her eyes in incredulity as Nabiki asked Suki in a surprised tone,

"Now!! But it's almost midnight, aunt Su. They might be sleeping.."

Suki turned to face Nabiki with a big smile on her face and said in an excited tone,

" Nabiki, I can't wait any longer to break this news to my dear Nodoka!! I know that I have hurt my closest friend so much, I want to make things right with her as soon as possible! And as much as I know, Ranma and Nodoka won't get any rest after what I have told them. I am feeling so ashamed right now, Oh Kami..!! Please Akane, let's go, we have to tell them now.."

"Yap!! I agree with our aunt Suki! Let's go there and surprise the hell out of Ranma! I can't wait to see his expression when we are going to explain it to him!!" Akio explained happily, rubbing his hands excitedly.

Akane's heart started to beat with extreme excitement. Her aunt Suki turned to face her with a bright smile ; she also looked at her with a smile of her own as she nodded her head to indicate to her that she is ready to go meet Ranma. Suki sighs happily ; she loudly clapped her hands and declared excitedly,

"Let's not waste anymore time! Let's move!"

Hearing Suki's happy declaration, Akio took Akane's hand in his hand and hastily pulled her towards the exit. Suki also followed them as they got ready to leave.

"Wait wait wait!!"

Nabiki stopped them when they almost reach the door to leave the room. Suki scrunched her eyebrows in annoyence as she asked her,

"What happened Nabiki!?"

Nabiki slyly smiled at them and said while crossing her arms over her chest,

"Aunt Su, now that our Akane has revealed her big secret to us, now don't you think you should also reveal your surprise to her as well..."

Suki looked confused at first but soon she understood what Nabiki meant to say to her, but before she could reply to her anything, Akane asked them in a dazed tone,

"What surprise are you guys talking about? Mom?!"

Suki smiled at her and without saying anything to anyone, she hastily went to her personal drawer and pulled out a big envelope. Then turning to them and winking at Akane she said,

"A secret which I will reveal when I will see you and Ranma are together again.."

"So what are we waiting for!" Akio asked impatiently as Nabiki and Suki giggled softly and declared happily,

"Let's go!!"*

Ukyo slowly opened her eyes. However, the scene that welcomed her was not something she was expecting to see. She saw with her wandering eyes that Konatsu was carefully cleaning her shop as things looked so messed up at that moment! Suddenly she remembered what happened before she passed out. She took a deep breath as she sits up in haste! Konatsu noticed her sudden movement, he immediately discarded his broom from his hand and ran towards her and sat beside her. Ukyo became frantic as she asked him in a panicked tone,

"Konatsu!! What happened here!?"

"Miss Ukyo.. First tell me, are you alright?"

"Where is he? Where is Ranma? Tell me please.."

"Oh mistress! I became so frightened when I saw Genma pushing you so hard towards the wall! You instantly passed out after that, but they kept fighting with each other inside the store and they were destroying this place! Somehow I managed to come beside you and I took you in a safe distance from the fight!"

Ukyo blinked her eyes in confusion as she asked him,

"Safe distance! But why?"

Konatsu sighs and said in a serious tone,

"Try to understand, mistress... I heard what Ranma did at Jusando! I know that defeating his father was a matter of fact for him, but he was trying his best to hold himself! But Genma is such a dumb guy, in the drunk state he kept saying bad words about miss Akane and that's what made Ranma blind with anger! I saw how furious he became, I didn't want to intervene in the middle of their fight, I value my life, you know!" Saying that Konatsu puts his hand over his beating heart. Then he began explaining again,

"I had no choice, mistress! They were destroying the shop and I had to stop them at any cost..! And that why when I saw there is no choice left for me, I used a sleeping gas on them! I know it's cowardly and I shouldn't have done that, but.. but, you have to understand my situation, mistress !! I was scared of him..!!"

"Where is Ranma?"

"HUH!?"

"I asked you.. WHERE THE HELL IS MY RANCHAN?"

Konatsu gulped and pointed his finger far away from them. Ukyo frantically looked at that side where Konatsu is pointing his finger at and saw Ranma's body lying on the floor. She hastily sat up and curled towards him. She carefully picked his head and laid it over her lap. She checked his body to check for any visible injury , then gave a big sigh of relief when she saw his peacefully sleeping form. She slowly smiled down at him as she slowly began to crease his hair with her soft hands..

"Mistress… Uhhh. Don't worry they will probably wake up tomorrow morning... I am almost done with cleaning the shop.. After that I will take both of them to Saotome house and.."

"NO YOU WON'T!!"

"Miss Ukyo!"

"NO!! I SAID NO!! No!! No!! Please please no!!"

Ukyo tightly hugged Ranma's head to her chest as she began to sob in distress. Konatsu stood there dumbfounded, shocked by her sudden behavior,

"But…"

Still sobbing she said in a trembling tone,

"This might be the last chance for me, Konatsu.. After tonight, I might not see him anymore! I love him, Konatsu! I love him so much! But after what he heard today, I am sure that he will break all the relationships with me. That's why I want to spend this night with him.. please don't take away this chance from me.."

"But this is wrong, mistress!! You can not spend a night with him without his permission!! This is absolutely unacceptable !! I can't allow you to take advantage of a defenseless person!"

"Konatsu.. I ... I promise you, I won't take any advantage of this situation! I will only spend this night looking at his face. I promise, I won't even close the room door if you want. You can always check on him whenever you feel like.. Please Konatsu, try to understand… I have known him since my childhood; I have fallen in love with him since then. All my life I wanted to make him mine! He would have been mine if Akane hadn't come in between us! The way she selfishly took all his time for herself, it's not fair, Konatsu! I am Ranma's CUTE fiance, he said it himself! I am sure that he also loves me! I AM SURE OF IT!! I AM SURE THAT AKANE HAS STOPPED HIM SOMEHOW! OTHERWISE HE WOULD HAVE CONFESSED TO ME LONG AGO!"

"But mistress, Ranma is not a child anymore! He knows what he is doing and whom he wants to choose as his partner. It's his personal matter! You shouldn't play with his trust like this.."

"JUST KEEP QUIET!!" Ukyo glared at him with fierce eyes as she said to him bitterly,

"I am not a cheap woman, Konatsu! I won't do anything to Ranma without his permission! But… but I can't miss this opportunity at any cost! This might be.. this might be the last chance for me to spend time with him. Please don't take this chance away from me.. Please please.. I promise you, when he wakes up I will send him home and I won't stop him at that time.. Please Konatsu, I beg of you, let him stay with me tonight.. Please…"*

Akane couldn't suppress her excitement anymore. Her heart was thumping so hard; her hands were shaking with trepidation as she looked out from the car window at the city with her restless eyes. They will reach Ranma's house soon. The more they were nearing his house, the more memories of her endless journey keep coming to her mind..

After Jusando, she became confident that Ranma also return her feelings… But when she saw that he didn't want to marry her, all her hopes crashed in a second. After that she didn't have any reason to stay back at Nerima at all. She couldn't wait for Ranma to choose another woman in front of her. She knew that she wouldn't be able to take the pain of losing him. And she was becoming tired of waiting for him and tired of being scared of the uncertainty of the near future. That's why she took this initial step to step back a little from his life, so that it would be easier for both of them. That's the only reason why she again started focusing on what her aunt Suki has advised her to do. Then when Ranma moved out from her house and started living peacefully at his house; she had forced her heart to be stronger for the future ahead; because deep down she understood that Ranma doesn't feel the same for her! He only looks at her as his friend, nothing more than that..

But after what happened to Tendo house, the way things changed for them, it has opened her eyes again . Her doubts were all cleared up and she again believed that Ranma really have feelings for her. His actions were speaking louder then his words . After all those things that he kept doing for her, it has become impossible for her to ignore the feelings that she have for him. After all this, she couldn't even dare to think of leaving him behind and start her life without him. That's when she decided that she needed to take matters into her own hands. She also didn't want to sacrifice her studies as well, because she knows why her mom wants her to be an independent girl.. And she also wanted the same for her future, to be able to be independent. Yes, she does love Ranma, but she could never forget what had happened with her own mother. That's why, she wanted to move forward in her life with making everyone happy and not making everyone uncertain about her future.

That's why, with all her savings, she had done everything she could to attain this exam. Ranma always used to ask her why she is being so hard on herself for this exam. She always wanted to tell him why she is working this hard for, but she was afraid to tell him. She was afraid that this information would leak and her aunt would stop her from giving this exam. That's why she only asked Akio to help her. For her this was like a do-or-die situation! If she wanted to stay with Ranma, then this is the only option she could think of.

Akane Sighs as she laid her head over the window glass. She forgot how many sleepless nights she has gone through! She could still remember how tired she used to become all the time, but she never stopped trying.. Sometimes, whenever Ranma used to come home tired from his work, but still used to give her time as if he was not exhausted at all, that side of him motivated her the most. Sometimes, all she wanted to do was to rest on his shoulder to forget everything, but she didn't have time for that as well. Now, after all her hard work has been paid off, all she wants to do is to run to him and tell him that she hasn't betrayed him. She wants to fearlessly confess to him how much she needs him in her life and all she ever want is to be with him. She want to hug him tightly and cry onto his shoulder and tell him how tired she is. She wants to share with him all the things she had to go through just so that she could stay by his side. She wants to assure him that all their hard times have pass now and from now on no one can separate them ever. She wants to see him so badly, because whenever she remembers the hurt look on his face, it always breaks her heart into pieces…

Akane bit her lower lip as she carefully wiped the single tear from her eye.

"We are here, Akane."

Akane's dazed mind came to reality when she heard Nabiki's voice, she blinked her eyes in confusion and soon realized that they had actually reached outside the Saotome house. She took a deep breath and opened the car door. The four of them slowly walked towards the entrance as Suki knocked on the door with her trembling hand. To their surprise, they didn't have to wait for too long as Nodoka came in a hurry and opened the door in haste. She was completely shocked to see them standing outside her house and all she could do was stare at them with a dumbfounded expression.

Suki took the step forward and without saying anything, she gave Nodoka a tight hug . Nodoka immediately came back to her senses as she slowly puts her hand on Suki's back. Suki gave a big sigh of relief as she break their hug and looked at Nodoka with happy tears in her eyes.

"Suki! Dear, are you ok?"

"Oh Nodoka! I am so sorry for hurting you, my friend! I shouldn't have said those things to you and Ranma.."

Nodoka gave a small smile to her and said in a soft tone,

"Oh Suki!! Don't worry, my dear! I am so proud of you for what you did. I am a mother too and I know why you did this. You are so brave, Suki. But did you guys come here at this late hour only because of this?"

Suki smiled at her and said in a soft tone,

"No Nodoka.. I have something important to tell you! You won't believe what our Akane did for us! You can tell that she had saved a drowning boat."

Nodoka looked at Akane and then turned to look at Suki again. Then she asked her again,

"What my Akane did this time? Please tell me.."

Suki smiled at her and quickly explained to her about what had happened. Nodoka left completely speechless after listening to Suki, she looked at Akane with surprise in her eyes. After some moment of pause, she quickly ran towards Akane and gave her a warm hug. She started sobbing on her shoulder as she said in between her tears,

"Oh, Akane!! I can't tell you how happy you have made me today! Thank you so much, my dear. You have no idea how I am feeling right now..!!" she held her cheeks with both her hands as she said in between her tears, "I don't want to lose my daughter! But after what I heard what Genma had done to your family, I couldn't say anything to stop you from leaving me!! I was dying to make you stop, but it was like my hands were bonded with steel barriers."

"Oh obasama.." Akane whispered happily as she held her hand with her warm hand. "I am so sorry I had to keep it a secret from you guys! I never wanted to leave Ranma and that's the only reason I had to keep it a secret! I never betrayed him, obasama, believe me..."

"I know.. I know you can never betray my son! You are the only person who ever cared for him with honest heart!"

Akane's bits her trembling lips as she said,

"Ranma didn't even let me explain anything to him! He believed that I have betrayed him!"

"You know how dumb my manly son is!! And he really needs a girl like you who can keep him in line! Or if you want, you can always leave everything on my hand to punish him with my seppuku.."

Akane giggled softly and shook her head saying no to her,

"No Obasama! I have brought my mallet with me. That would be enough for him.."

"Anyway, where is Ranma? I am sure he is mopping inside his room as always.."

Hearing Nabiki laughing tone, Nodoka's facial expression instantly changed into a worrisome one. Akane noticed this happening as she asked her in a soft tone,

"Obasama? What happened to you? Where is Ranma?"

Suki came behind Nodoka and laid her hand over her shoulder. Nodoka turned to face Suki and said in a panicky tone,

"When I heard the knock, I thought he came back.."

"What do you mean by that, Nodoka?"

"Suki, after you guys left, he left too.. I still don't know where he went to.."

"Oh Kami.. Then I think we should go and search for him..." Akane told them in a panicked tone.

"Yeah; Akane is right.. He went out from home in anger, he could do anything by now. You should have call us , Nodoka.."

Nodoka gulped and said,

"I .. I wanted to but.."

They all stopped when they all heard Akio smirking. They all turned to look at him with surprised eyes as he shook his head at them and said,

"You guys are so over dramatic, my God!"

"Akio! Do you even understand what situation we are now in?" Akane asked him restlessly.

Akio smirked again and said,

"Baka! I know what situation we are facing and I am not reacting like you guys that doesn't mean that I don't care!" He sighs and said, "Look I know where he went ok? So don't worry.."

They all simulately released a sigh of relief as Nabiki asked him in a suspicious tone,

"Wait a second, if you knew where Ranma is.. then why did you bring us here then? Why you didn't take us to him?"

"Uhhh… because I thought he might have returned home by now! He wouldn't have stayed at his friend's house the whole night.."

"Ok then, please take us to him, Akio.." Nodoka said getting ready to go to her son.

Akio smirked again and said,

"Guys.. please , give some privacy to our couple. I will take Akane with me and she can explain everything more privately to him. You know what I mean.. You guys just stay back at home and relax! I promise I will bring them home safely, okay?" Akio looked at Nabiki and winked at her.

Nabiki smiled at him and then turn to look at her blushing sister; she smirked to herself and said,

"Yeah sure, why not? Let's go inside then.. They can bring Ranma home for us.."

"But Nabiki dear.."

"Oh Nodoka obasama, I am extremely hungry. Please can you make some late night snacks for me.."

"Nabiki!!" Suki gave her a look of disbelief.

"Oh dear, where are my manners! I should be the one asking you that, Nabiki. Please come inside you two , I will quickly fix a snack for all of us."

Nodoka said with a smile on her face. Akio took the opportunity as he quickly went towards Akane's side and grabbed her hand. Then pulling her with him , he said,

"Let's not waste standing here, Akane.. We can eat after we bring Ranma back home , you know.."

Saying that , Akio quickly began to walk as fast as he could as he kept dragging Akane beside him.

"Hey! Akio, slow down! I know you are in haste, but we don't have to run like this, you know.."

Akio didn't answer her as he slowed down his pace as they both began to walk at a moderate rate. Akane smiled at him seeing that as she said,

"Akio.. Thank you for caring so much..! You have no idea how nervous I am feeling right now! It's silly, but it feels as if I am going to meet him for the first time!!"

Akio was still quietly walking as he kept listening to her,

"Akio, I can't wait to tell him that I didn't betray him! He looked so heart broken; honestly, I never saw him this broken before.. I .. I just hope that he will understand my situation and forgive me.. What do you say Akio, he won't stay mad at me, right?"

Akio didn't answered her.. At that exact moment Akane realized that something is off with Akio.

"Akio.. What's wrong with you? Why are you silent like this?"

He kept walking, not answering her. That made Akane more worried, she stopped walking and gripped his hand more tightly to prevent him from walking as well. Akio stopped walking, but didn't turn to face her.

"Akio! Look at me.."

He slowly turned to look at her and she got completely taken aback by his devastated look. She gulped hard and asked him again,

"What happened, tell me , Akio.. Why are you looking so worried? Where is Ranma? Where are you taking me? TELL ME, AKIO.."

Akio just plainly looked at her, then giving a big sigh he said to her with a frown on his face,

"Akane, I think he is at Ucchan's Okonomiyaki shop!"…..

A/N: Don't forget to leave a review! That will surely effect the next chapter publication time :)! Hopefully see you guys soon!!