The hall was gigantic;... extremely crowded! But it was not any ordinary crowd of masses. It was a gathering of a bunch of mannered people, wearing branded attire and accessories, labels of high class written all over their attitude.

Ranma felt suffocated standing there all by himself. Though the place was filled with multiple people, he was still feeling completely lonely and depressed. The slow classical music and the murmuring of all the people began to get into his nerves. He closed his eyes and tried to take some deep breaths to calm himself and to concentrate. But to his annoyance, the murmuring just got louder and louder, making it difficult for him to concentrate on anything else.

He felt sick and disturbed. He gulped in uneasiness as he tried to lose the tie on his neck. But the more he tried to lose it, the more it surprisingly began to choke him tightly. The crowd slowly started to squeeze him, he tried to escape the place, but for some reason, it became excessively congested!

He began to panic badly! He couldn't breathe properly. He couldn't see through the people! The murmuring, laughing, music, it all began to make him feel dizzy! He was sweating, panting! He desperately started to look for an escape, but all he could see were the bodies of the crowded people! And he couldn't find any place where he could run away and hide himself.

Then suddenly, he spotted a light in the distance. He took a deep breath and desperately began to break through the crowd. He could hear people yelling at him and asking about his mannerism . But he damn cared for any criticism at that time! He needs to get out of this glorious prison he is trapped into. Otherwise, he knows very well that if he stays here any longer , he might die of depression and loneliness ! He could feel his breath leaving him and the only way he could save himself, if he managed to follow the light and escape from this place.

'Run, Ranma, run! Run! Run away from here!'

His mind began to scream at him in desperation. His body got tightly squeezed with other bodies! And after much hardship, he finally managed to get out of that mess. He ended up entering into a forest, fully unknown to him. He bent down slightly and began to pant hard to try to catch his breath first. After some moments, he slowly stands up and looks around his surroundings. A fresh breeze wafted through his face, drying his sweat immediately and giving him an impassive sensation. He took some deep breaths and closed his eyes in complete satisfaction, a victorious smile adorning his face. But as victorious as he felt, for some reason his heart was still hurting with emptiness. The pain in his heart was so vivid that he desperately looked around his surroundings to look for any clue to make this emptiness fade away.

Suddenly, the winds picked up its speed which almost pushed Ranma ahead, as if guiding him to walk in a certain direction. He gulped and looked around him. The place was surrounded with various long trees, the leaves were moving with every breeze and making a humming sound. He could hear a shrine's bell ringing from a far distance. He got a little anxious and panicked, when he realized that he might have gotten lost in some unknown place. Then the wind again pushed him forward as if asking him to move ahead.

Though he was lost, he didn't feel lost at all. For some reason his heart felt at peace. He started to walk carefully, following the guidance of the wind. But as he kept walking, he realized that the hollow in his heart and the pain he was feeling a few moments ago, was slowly beginning to fade away and it started giving him an immense feeling of fulfillment. The feeling was so intoxicating that he got more and more desperate to grope the taste of it. He started running like crazy, his mind flooded with the fulfillment of nearing something unthinkable. He frantically looked everywhere, desperate to find the source of the aura that is spreading calmness to his heart . He searched for a few moments then he stopped… His eyes went wide with surprise as he looked at the scene in front of him,

A figure, clad in a white and golden kimono, mysteriously danced as the wind blew by her side…

That girl, no; woman, captured his eyes fully. He couldn't see anything else but her. Though he could only see her backside, that didn't matter much to him, because her presence alone was working like sorcery for him. It's like, just the simple glimpse of her is enough to take away all his misery from him.. For some moments, he stopped breathing as he kept looking at her, mesmerized by her beauty.

Her gorgeous black blue hair was tied up into a bun as she kept moving gracefully. He moved closer to her and tired to focus carefully. He took a sharp breath of surprise as he realized something. At first , when his eyes fell upon her, he thought that she was dancing. But then he noticed that she had a sharp katana on her hand. And she is not dancing; she was indeed performing a complex Martial arts kata with her katana.

He was awed by her performance. She was completely focused on her motion and she didn't even notice his presence. Her movements were sharp, her focus unbreakable; her elegance taking his breath away.

His eyes were wide, his breathing swallowed, his heart beating wildly with anticipation, as he kept watching her from a distance.

Then suddenly his heartbeat stopped, as he realized she stopped her movements.

She was still showing her back to him.

The wind kept blowing beautifully , moving their attire with every breeze.

His heart started beating painfully hard as he realized that she might have noticed his presence.

He saw with extreme anticipation as she slowly began to turn to face him. His eyes were yearning to see her beautiful face. He started to take deep breaths trying to brace himself as she slowly turned to face him.

His breath hitched as he looked at her gorgeous brown eyes, intensely staring at him. He could only see her eyes because she wore a golden mask over her lips. He started panting hard as he slowly began to walk closer to her..

He could see her eyes getting softer as she kept looking at him. He could swear that he could see her smiling inside her see through golden mask.

Her beauty took his breath away. As he kept looking at her, he could feel a warm sensation enveloping him and taking away all his misery from him.

With a magical leap, he reached her side in a swift motion as she looked up at him with her warm expressive brown eyes.

He released a big breath and slowly, deliberately, he laid his trembling hand on the side of her mask. She smiled at him from under her mask and slowly nodded her head, as if giving him permission to open her mask. He sighed and smiled back at her, and without any further delay, he unwarped her mask to finally reveal her beautiful face to him.

KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK*

"RANMA! WAKE UP, BUDDY! ARE YOU GOING TO SLEEP ALL DAY!"

Ranma almost fell from his bed as he quickly rouse from his bed. For some moment he kept panting as he held his eyes at his door in disbelief. He is drenched with sweat, his heart beating hard as he got completely clueless about what happened just now. But he can not think much as he heard Ryoga knocking on his door more urgently, almost breaking it apart.

Ranma sighs as he shakes his head in annoyance. He got down from his bed and went to open his room door. Ryoga crossed his arms over his chest and impatiently stared at him. Ranma gave an annoyed look to him, as he asked him in a bored tone,

"Don't ya have any other things to do rather than annoying me!?"

Ryoga rolled his eyes at him and said,

"I wish I had! Anyway, it's not me who wanted to disturb you this time, buddy!"

"Huh?!" Ranma became confused.

Ryoga slyly smiled at him and said in a teasing tone,

"Guess, Who just called me and told me that she is on her way to see you, …" He paused for a moment, then finished in a teasing tone; "Ran.. chan.."

Ranma's eyes went wide with surprise as he realized what he must have meant by saying that. His face lights up with a bright smile, but before he could express his happiness to him, he heard the most dearest voice to him, calling his name,

"Ranchan..!"

Ranma took a sharp breath and instantly, he pushed Ryoga aside to look at the person who just called him.

"UCCHAN!"

He cried out happily as he rushed towards her. Ukyo yelled cheerfully as Ranma hugged her tightly and lifted her off the ground in his excitement. Ukyo giggled happily and said as she hugged him tightly,

"Oh Ranchan! I missed you so much, my God!"

"Tell me about it!" He gently puts her down on the ground and breaks their hug. He laid his hand over her shoulder and said, "Look at you girl; ya have changed a lot!"

"Am I? I hope you are saying it in a positive way.." She said laughing.

" 'Course I do!" He smirked at her and told her, "Ya have no idea how happy I am to see you!"

"Aww honey! I have waited for this moment for so long!"

"Oh cut it out already, would ya!" Ryoga said in a bored tone as he continued saying, "You guys are reuniting as if you guys are a long lost couple ! Which definitely you guys are not! So PLEASE STOP creeping me out with this I love you, miss you, kiss you act! Seriously !"

"What's your problem, man?! Ranma said as he and Ukyo both growled at him and narrowed their eyes at him. Then Ukyo said in a harsh tone,

"Why would you care, Ryoga! Why can't you mind your own business? Anyways, why did you even bring him with you, Ranma!"

Ranma gave a big sigh and shrugged his shoulder,

"Not my choice! Mom wanted him to come with me."

"But why!" Ukyo complained in a whiny tone.

Ryoga smirked at that and said,

"You should be thanking me that I came here with you, Ranma! Otherwise, you would have been bored to death in this boring town!"

"Hey! Watch what you are saying, Ryoga! My town is not boring at all!" Ukyo said, fuming angrily.

Ranma smirked at Ryoga and said,

"I should be thanking you! Really? Huh; as if you had the choice to say no to my mom! Let me remind you, you were forced to come here with me! Don't take any credit, pal! You are practically trapped here!"

Ukyo chuckled upon hearing that which made Ryoga even more iricked. He growled loudly as he snapped at them saying,

"Look, For your kind information, I was not forced to come here, Mrs Saotome KINDLY asked me to accompany her son! Because she knows very well that without me her precious little Ranma would get lost! Otherwise, why would I wanna waste my time at this boring freaky place !"

"Yeah yeah…whatever!" Ukyo sing songed as she rolled her eyes at him, then she playfully asked Ranma, "So Ranma, how my aunt Nodoka has politely asked him? Can you repeat those polite words to me, please?"

Ranma snickers hearing that as he said in a playful tone,

"Oh that will be my pleasure, Ucchan ! My mother just showed him his future position in the Saotome company! That's all.."

"Oh! I see! I bet she would have shown him the exit gate if he hadn't come with you, right?!" Ukyo said laughing.

"You got it right!" They both laughed and shared a high five , making Ryoga growl.

"Haha! Very funny!" Ryoga said while fumming at her. Then he gave a heated look to Ranma and asked him,

"Anyways buddy, just answer me honestly for a second; out of ALL the countries you could have chosen to do your masters, why did you choose this ghosty place?!"

Ranma sighs as he and Ukyo exchanged a knowing look,

"Well; because I was missing my cousin!" He said as he circled his arm around her shoulder.

"Aww! Ranchan, you are a sweetheart!" Ukyo said while hugging him sideways. Then she hesitated a bit , then asked him,

"Uhh Ranchan, please don't take it otherwise ! What were you doing before I arrived here?!"

Ranma gave her a confused look and said,

"I was taking a nap, why?"

"Really, you are soaking wet, honey! I thought you were exercising or something.."

"Oh , I am sorry for that." Saying that he tried to move away from her, but she held his arm and said,

"Honey, I told you not to take it otherwise. Anyway, why were you sweating? Is the AC not working in your room?"

"Everything is fine , Ucchan.. It's just.." he sighs and looks at her, "I had that dream again.."

"Huh! That dream?" She asked confused, then suddenly she realized what he meant by saying that as she said, "You still have that dream, Ranchan?"

Ranma smiled at her and nodded his answer.

"Aww! That's so sweet!"

"Wait a second!" Ryoga interrupted as he asked them in a cracked tone, "Do you mean by that weird nightmare you always used to have! But I thought you stopped having it a year ago !"

Ranma sighs and said,

"It's not a nightmare, Ryoga! But yeah.. today I saw it again! And you know what!" He turned to Ukyo with an excited face and said, "You remember I told ya I never saw her face and whenever I tried to reach her she disappeared?"

"That sounds so creepy.." Ryoga muttered, shivering, but Ukyo ignored him and said,

"Ignore him, Ranchan. And to answer your question, Yes, honey. I clearly remember that dream of yours and I also remember how it used to make you upset because you couldn't see her face at the end.."

"Yes, Ucchan! Yes! Yes! But today it was different! Today I almost saw her face!"

"What! Really! But what do you mean by almost!"

That made Ranma's smile to vanish as he growled and said in a defeated tone,

"I was 'bout to reveal her face to me, but at that exact moment he decided to intervene.."

Ranma heatedly glared at Ryoga. Ukyo followed his stare and turned to see Ryoga standing there and looking at them dumbfoundedly!

"Aww! Please don't tell me he woke you up!"

"EXACTLY! That's what this jerk had done!"

"Jeez, calm down you two! It's just a haunted dream!"

"Its not haunted! And if you say any more word about my dream then..

"Ranchan, calm down! He won't understand any of it! People need a heart to understand the meaning of love, those who lack one, always see everything as hunted."

"Huh! Whatever; that's just a silly dream; what a dream could actually mean! Seriously, you both are acting way too crazy for my liking!" Ryoga said arrogantly.

"You know Ryoga honey, a dream could carry lots of hidden meanings, it sometimes shows you future foretellings and gives you hints about what might be coming towards you. Like, today, I saw in my dream that a piggy was fighting with me. I knew it was a bad oman and guess what, I was right, because I got the result immediately."

"Really? What happened?" Ryoga asked in an amazed tone.

"I saw you here, thats what happened, Ryoga Hibiki!"

Ranma started laughing hard, as Ukyo shook her head. Ryoga fummed angrily and said,

"DON'T CALL ME A PIGGY, YOU, YOU!"

"Then stop acting like one..!"

"Guys guys, please stop.." Ranma sighs and shakes his head; then looking at Ukyo, he asks her in an uncertain tone, "Do you really think something is about to change?"

She gives him a warm smile and said,

"You never know, sugar! Maybe, the answer is hidden in your dream that you saw today.. Now tell me, how does she look?"

Ranma gave a dreamy sigh and said,

"She is so beautiful, Ucchan! More then I have imagined!"

"Aww! That's so romantic!"

"You guys are weird! For Kami's sake, stop it now!" Ryoga said in an annoyed tone, "Look Ranma, don't change the subject. I asked you why you chose to come here to study !? Why didn't you choose a better place?"

Ranma shrugged his shoulder and said,

"I told ya, I want to spend some quality time with my sister…"

"Huh! Do ya really want me to believe that!" Ryoga said in disbelief, "If ya wanted, you could have financed her study so that she could join you in any country you wanted to go!"

"Wait, wait, wait! Why would I want Ranma to finance my study? Did you forget that my father actually OWNED this college that you two came to study in?" Ukyo said , proudly puffing her chest.

"Thanks Kami for that!" Ranma said smiling..

"You are hiding something from me, Ranma. Why did you come here, pal, tell me honestly.."

Ranma gave a heavy sigh, then taking his arm off from Ukyo's shoulder, he started walking in the middle of the living area and sat over the comfy sofa. Then sighing sadly he said,

"If ya really want an honest answer, pal, then listen. I chose to come here because I wanted to escape from that golden prison I call my home. I want to breathe for a few days, I want to live my life the fullest! If I couldn't manage to come here this time, I know I would have gone completely insane!"

Ukyo sighs as she and Ryoga also him joined him, she chose to sat by his side as Ryoga sat on the single couch.

"Ranchan, you were supposed to come here to complete your graduation. I was hoping that you would come here ; but when my aunt told me that you are not coming then.."

"Heh! Dad didn't want me to stay here for four years, that's why he canceled it without telling me..."

"Thank God for that!" Ryoga whispered with a sigh of relief, making Ukyo glare at him. "What are you glaring at me for, huh? I am sure they would have sent me with him too! I am getting sick of thinking how I am gonna stay here for two years ; four years of torture! No thanks!"

"Don't you have any sympathy, Ryoga! What are you? Made out of rock or something!" Ukyo said in an annoyed tone.

"Whatever! The problem is not with me , Ukyo, it's him! I mean how could he even hate his life! He has everything that I always dream of having! He doesn't have to think about anything else, but to wake up in the morning, showering, eating feasts, traveling and going to bed again! Now tell me who gets tired of life like this! Not only that, he even got the chance to take that gorgeous Shampoo on a room date!"

"ROOM DATE! Ranchan, really! You really did that!"

"Oh come on! Do you really believe I could ever do something like that? He was the one who set up that date, FORCEFULLY!"

"I knew it!" Ukyo sighed painfully as she shook her head, "As much as I know, you used to dislike her so much! I just can't believe aunt is forcing you to marry a girl like her!"

Ranma looked down on the floor with a foul mood as he said in sad tone,

"That's one of the main reasons why I came here, Ucchan. I wanted to break out from that madness for some moment."

Ukyo laid her hand over his balled hand and asked him,

"Oh Ranchan! You can't just run away like this all the time, now can you? Oww; I just can't believe that Aunt Nodoka is forcing you to marry that Shampoo! That woman is hands down Casanova and evil! Why didn't you say anything to your parents?"

Ranma smirked without humour as he whispered softly,

"I tried to convince them; but both my parents instead that I have no other choice but to follow their wish…Mom said I won't even feel anything! You won't believe what she told me, Ucchan, she said it's just a ceremony where I have to give some false vows to a girl, that's it! After that, I am free to do whatever I wish to, just like Shampoo is free to do anything. "

Ukyo squeezed his hand tightly and said,

"So, are you okay with that? Is this how you fantasize about your future, Ranchan?"

Ranma sighed sadly as he kept silent. Which made Ukyo angry at him as she said in a hard tone,

"They just can't play with your life and make decisions for you, Ranchan! This is so unfair! You should fight for it!"

Ranma smirked humorously as he looked up at her and said,

"Mom said it's important that I marry her. It's for the sake of our business. And I blame myself too, Ucchan, because if I was capable enough to run a business then they wouldn't have forced me to do this thing!"

"Wait a minute! Who said that you are not capable? Have a little sympathy on yourself ,Ranchan! This is ridiculous!"

"But you have to agree with me that I don't do that good learning business and things like that either!"

"Ranchan, you are lacking on this because your heart is not with it! You just can't blame yourself all the time! This is wrong! The whole thing that is happening with you is wrong! They can't force you into marrying someone you dislike, they can't force you to choose your career, and they also can't force you to do something that you feel uncomfortable doing! For God's sake, you are a born martial artist! But because of them, you have to stop training as well! This is so unfair, Ranchan!"

Ryoga yawned and said,

"I dont know what you guys are complaining about! You Know what; you both are the same; insane!"

Ukyo growled and snapped at him,

"Oww... Would you just keep your mouth shut! If you say one more word then.."

Ranma intervenes as he held her shoulder and said in a happy tone,

"Look, Ucchan! Don't sweat it too much! For now, all I want is to forget about all those things! I want to enjoy every moment I stay here! So I don't want to think about those people ; especially Shampoo! So please don't ask me any more questions about them." He stood up smiling as he declared with a forced excitement, "I will ask Mr Hiro to serve us some snacks! Wait, I will just be back."

Saying that he left them in the living room area.

Ukyo growled and heatedly glanced at Ryoga and told him,

"Shouldn't you be the one doing that?"

Ryoga smirked and shrugged his shoulder as he replied,

"Why would I do that! My job is to be with him all the time and that's what I am doing, honey."

Ukyo huffed and turned away from him. She was waiting for years for this day to arrive. She always wanted her Ranchan to break free from his critical circumentes and come to her place, so that she could actually make him believe that life is indeed beautiful and not as toxic as his parents present to him. She sighed sadly as she thought about her beloved cousin; he is such a generous person. She knows him very well. Since childhood his parents had pressured him in every possible way. From eating to what to wear and how to act; it's like he only has a body without any soul in it. She thought, that once he would come to Nerima, he would see the world in a different light and his soul would come back to him. But now, he was looking more broken than before.

When she heard the news of Shampoo and his possible engagement, she couldn't believe the news at first! But when her father confirmed the news to her ; she could only feel more miserable for him. This is so unfair; he doesn't deserve a girl like Shampoo. She just can't keep quiet about this anymore. If she can't change what is happening with him, at least she could give what Ranma wants the most. Two years full of happiness and a load free life. But can she do that for him..?

"Guys, guess what! Mr Hiro has already made us some tea and snacks..!"

"Master, please! Let me carry that tray!"

Ukyo looked up, surprised and saw Ranma entering the room with a tray in his hand as Mr Hiro followed him with a panicked expression. She smiled seeing that happening. She knows how down to earth her Ranchan is. But the level of kindness he sometimes shows , it always mesmerized her.

Ranma put down the tray on the table and turned to Mr Hiro,

"Mr Hiro, how many times do I have to repeat myself to you? It's Ranma! Not Master."

"But Master! Mrs Saotome will get angry at me if.."

"Uh Uh.. That rule is not valid in my place! Maybe at my mother's house; but not here! Understand, Mr Hiro?"

Hiro, the middle aged man, gulped in nervousness as he hesitated to say anything. Ranma smirked and laid his hand over his shoulder and said,

"Don't worry; you'll get used to this soon! Now, go get some rest. I will serve the tea to them."

Ukyo kept looking at the scene with a distant expression on her face. Ranma never ceased to make her amazed by his kind gesture. If they were not related as cousins ; she would have made him her fiance and eloped with him right away. But that's a silly thing to imagine! He is just too sweet. She knows lots of wealthy people like him ;but there is a huge difference between them and Ranma. Ranma never shows off or disrespects any person judging by their appearance. It's like , he doesn't even care about the position he has; his only desire is to live his life peacefully.. She just wishes that she could help him somehow, to fulfil his wish, to make him happier than ever … But how can she do that? How...

"Hey Ranma, please put two spoons of sugar on my tea." Ryoga said casually .

"Wait, let me serve our special guest first." Ranma replied with a smile on his face.

Ukyo was heatedly glaring at Ryoga with anger in her eyes. She sometimes wonders how Ranma calls him his best buddy! Ryoga clearly takes advantage of him all the time! But because he is his childhood friend, Ranma never tells him off! But now, she is determined to teach him a lesson. A lesson he would never forget..! As she thought about that, suddenly... a plan formed in her frantic brain,

"Here you go , Ucchan.." Ranma said as he handed her some tea.

"That's it! That's IT! THAT'S IT!"

She stood up hastily, as she screamed happily and gave two leaps in excitement. Ranma became speechless to see her act like that. He carefully puts the teacup down on the table, as he and Ryoga shared a surprised look with each other. Ranma cleared his voice and asked her with concern,

"Ucchan ; you 'kay?"

"I think it's time for her to take her medicine maybe!?" Ryoga suggested, smirking .

Ukyo gave him a heated look and snapped at him,

"What do you mean by medicine, huh! Baka!"

"You are acting like a crazy woman! I am sure you are going through some medication or something like that.." Ryoga said as a matter of fact, but got interrupted.

"Hey! Stop teasing her!" Ranma stood by her side and gave Ryoga an annoyed look. Ukyo smiled at that and looked at Ranma with a happy face,

"Ranchan, I have a solution for your problem."

Ranma raised his eyebrows in confusion as he asked her,

"Solution! Of my problems! What are you saying, Ucchan?"

"See. I told ya she definitely needs treatment.." Ryoga teased her, smirking as he began to serve himself some tea.

"Would you please just KEEP QUIET!" Ukyo fummed angrily and turned to look at Ranma , who was giving her a surprised look. She sighed and said,

"Oh Ranchan, I know I cannot do anything to solve all your problems; but I can at least try to give you some special memories that you can hold onto your life , so whenever you look back , you can smile and remember all these wonderful things happening with you."

Ranma still looked doubtful ; he shook his head and told her,

"Hey, please don't take it otherwise; but, I still can't understand what you want to say, Ucchan!"

Ukyo smiled at him and said mischievously,

"First answer me correctly , you have come here to forget about everything and enjoy your life, isn't it?"

Ranma nodded his head and said,

"I know its stupid to think that.. But I wish I could.."

"Then Ranchan; ... Your wish is my command!" Ukyo giggled saying that as she began to tell them about her new plan…

A/N: Hello my dear readers! How are you all doing? I missed you guys so much! But the only way I could get connected with you all by posting a new chapter :p. So I had to post :D.

I know it's late, I am sorry for that. I am trying hard to update regularly; and your comments will always encourage me to update faster. So please, dont forget to send me a review and tell me what you think.

I want to thank , Bayby Face, Akanelove,Benani0125, Sandy, Skyviolet1511, Kaysachan, James Birdsong and my guest reviewers A BIG THANK YOU for reviewing the fic and I also want to thank all who is following this fic ans added this to their favourite list. Thank you so so much for your support. I also want to thank "Mundo Fanfics Inuyasha Y Ranma" for always staying by my side :).

Last but not the least, I have a page name, "Mrs Impatience", where I post all my latest updates.. Thank you so much! See you all , hopefully soon!