"Hello , Mr Saotome. My name is Jainyu, your parents sent me here to pick you up from the airport."

Ranma's heart instantly dropped upon hearing that, he was expecting to see one of his parents to come over and get him, but he guessed he expected a lot from them for no reason. He sighed and said,

"Where are my parents?"

"I believe they are waiting for you at the hotel. Your mother has asked me to take you there as quickly as possible."

That statement relieved him a bit. His face lits up with hope as he thinks to himself,

'Mom wants to see me? That means what Akane said is right! She did call me to celebrate Mother's Day with her..'

"Hey, buddy! Shall we go then?"

Ranma looked at Ryoga with a big smile and nodded,

"Yeah, let's go."

It was almost evening when their ride to the hotel started. He looked outside from the car window and marvelled at the city lights and the crowd. Their car stopped at the signal and he looked around with his wandering eyes. His eyes suddenly fell on a scene where a family was happily celebrating Mother's Day inside of a restaurant. The mother had a beautiful calm smile on her face as her daughter presented her with a special gift.

He kept looking at the scene with a warm smile on his face until his car started to move again. He smirked and looked at the bundle of red roses in his hand. He traced the soft petals with his finger as he began to miss a particular person so badly. It's only been a few hours since he last saw her, but it felt to him as if he hadn't seen her for a long time. He gave a long sigh as he began thinking about her.

~~~~~SAME DAY: In the morning time..

Ranma and Ryoga were done packing. Ukyo also came to see them off as the three of them sat in the living room and waited for their car to arrive.

"Ryoga ,don't forget to revise your character there! You won't be a billionaire there.."

Ukyo said playfully, laughing when she noticed his sulking expression. He growled and said,

"I would try to restrain myself. But you should worry about your Ranchan, not me. He became used to living like a regular guy, I hope you haven't forgotten how to act like real Saotome, pal!"

"Hmm, that's true." Ukyo agreed with a sad sigh and said, "Ranchan , please be careful of how you behave there. Aww.. I am going to miss you guys so much! Just come back soon ok.."

Ranma nodded and said,

"I also can't wait to come back here, Ucchan. You know how I feel about going back."

"Oh yeah! Tell me about it! I really looked forward to studying with Akane-chan! But you had to break my heart with the news that we have to leave for a few days.."

"Akane-chan! When did you start calling her that, Ryoga?" Ukyo asked, surprised.

"She earned it, Ukyo! She earned it.." Ryoga said, with a wise expression.

"Oh really!" Ukyo giggled and asked him, "Anyway, did you guys told her when to come?"

"Yeah.." Ranma sighed sadly and said, "Yesterday after class I told her."

Ukyo noticed the gloominess in his tone. He was looking rather sad today and she understood why. Ukyo smiled at him and said,

"It's alright, honey. You are coming back next week, you can meet her soon again."

Ranma nodded his head silently. He didn't know why he was feeling so restless. It's like, he couldn't feel his heart going with him this time. All week, he had been so upset about his sudden tour that he hadn't been able to talk to Akane properly. She wanted to reach to him lots of times, but for some reason he couldn't meet her eyes. He didn't know why, he just couldn't think of leaving her. This thought both hurts him and scared him! He never felt like this before! He never felt this nervous before. He can't even imagine not seeing her for a week long! His heart was in a very uncomfortable situation right now. And he didn't have any clue how to relax his beating heart anymore.

*Ding... Ding..*

"I think the driver is here.. Finally!" Ryoga said as he hastily went to open the door. He opened the door and was pleasantly surprised as he cried out happily,

"Oh, Akane-chan! What a pleasant surprise!"

Ranma's heart skipped a bit when he heard her name. He saw her slowly entering their apartment with a big smile on her face. For some reason, he couldn't look away from her face as he kept looking at her with a vulnerable expression on his face. Just like a fresh rainy breeze had wafted over his face, her eye fell upon him as she gifted him the most elegant smile of hers that he had never witnessed in his whole life before.

"Hey.."

Akane whispered softly as she walked towards him. He carefully stood up, without breaking their eye contact as he couldn't say anything to her. She smiled at him again and asked,

"Ready to go already?"

That made his heart slow as he slowly nodded his head.

"Woh Akane, you can put your stuffs on the table! Your hands are full!"

That statement of Ukyo made Ranma realize how many things Akane was carrying onto her hands. He hastily helped her to carry some of the stuffs as he puts some stuffs on the table and some on the sofa.

"Jeez, Kane.. Why are you carrying so much things at once?" Ranma asked, surprised.

"Oh, these are some books I took from the library! I need all this for a project. And... this.."

She said as she pulled out a small bundle of red roses and offered it to Ranma. He looked at it surprised as he asked her,

" 'Kane, is that for... me?"

"Oh honestly, of course it is! Uhhh.. Sorry, its not what it looks like. You see, I bought these roses for you, but it's not for you actually; it's for your mother.."

He looked up at her surprised and asked,

"For my mother? But why?"

Akane narrowed her eyes at him and asked,

"I told you why she might have called you! Did you buy a Mother's Day present for her?"

"I... I uhh.."

Akane smiled knowingly and said,

"I knew it! That's why I bought it! I know you could have bought it from there but I couldn't help myself buying it for a mother! I bought one for Kasumi Oneechan and one for you so that you can give it to her.."

"Wow! That's so thoughtful of you, Akane!" Ukyo chimed in.

"But where is mine, Akane-Chan?" Ryoga asked with a sad face.

Akane looked at him dumbfoundedly and said with an obvious tone,

"Your mom's expectations would be much higher, Ryoga! Sorry, but I can't afford that.."

Ryoga growled and sent an envious stare towards Ranma. He ignored him, too occupied to believe the thoughtfulness of her. He gave a long sigh and with his shaky hands, he accepted her flower.

"Mastar.. The driver has arrived.." Mr Hiro declared to them.

"Oh boy.. Time to say goodbye then.." Ukyo said, as she stood up in haste. She grabbed a hand luggage with one hand and with her other hand she grabbed Ryoga's arm as she said,

"We are going downstairs, guys!"

"Hey! Leave my arm Ukyo..!"

Ryoga kept complaining but Ukyo ignored his plea and almost dragged him out to give Ranma and Akane some alone time together.

Ranma's heart again started to beat painfully. He didn't want to leave her at all, but he had no other choice in his hand. He looked down feeling more miserable than before.

Akane again noticed the gloomy expression on his face. He has always been so lively and jolly; but ever since he found out he had to go to meet his parents, he had been acting so weird. It really bothered her to think about what might be the reason for him not wanting to see his parents. She sighed and carefully grabbed his hand. He looked up at her with a dazed expression on his face. She smiled at him and said,

"You will do just fine, baka! Why are worrying so much for? Just go and come back soon, okay? I.. I will be waiting for you.."

Ranma blinked his eyes rapidly to wash away his emotions. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then looking into her eyes again, he whispered softly,

"Thanks for coming, Kane.. I am.. I am gonna miss you."

She smiled hearing that. She reached her bag and pulled out one small note from there and handed it to him,

"Here, this is my phone number, you can call me if you feel like talking to me.."

Ranma looked at the note with complete astonishment! He took the note from her hand and when he saw her number there, a big smile spread throughout his once tensed face.

"Ya mean ta say, I can call ya anytime I want to?" He asked, excitedly.

Akane giggled hearing that; she held both his hands and said to him, blushing hard,

"Anytime.."

~~Back to the present~~

Although Ranma had already saved her number on his cellphone, he kept her note safely in his pocket. He tried to call the number numerous times, but all the time he lost his nerves and cancelled the call.

"Hey Ranma.."

He looked up at Ryoga as he said,

"We reached the hotel.. Let's go, buddy."

Ranma sighed as he looked out from the car window. He was so lost in his daydreaming that he didn't even notice that they had already reached.

He got out of the car. The fancy large hotel buildings and their beautiful interior and exterior didn't even fascinate him a bit. Ryoga and Ranma were separated into different rooms. After settling into his room, he immediately called his mother to let her know about his arrival. Her assistant received his call again, to his annoyance, and told him his mother's room number and when to meet her.

An hour later, he came to his parent's room and found his father getting ready as if he was going to a party.

"Father?"

Genma turned, his hands in his tuxedo. He gave his son a smirk and said,

"Nice to see you, Ranma! But hey, why are you not wearing your tuxedo? Nodoka dear, haven't you told him yet why we called him here?"

Nodoka came out from another room, wearing a fancy 'party attire. She looked at Ranma with a gorgeous smile on her face as she said,

"Darling, why don't you leave me and my son alone for a while ?"

"Sure sweetheart.." He went to her and kissed her on her cheeks and left the room.

Nodoka sighed and went closer to Ranma.

"Son, I am happy to see you, dear!"

"Mother.. How are you?"

"We can talk about this later, honey. Now we have more important things to do.." She paused for a second and noticed the small bundle of roses in his hand. "Oh dear, did you buy this for me?" She asked, unsure.

Ranma looked at the flower in his hand, he smiled and offered it to her,

"Yes, Mother. Happy Mother's Day.."

"Today is Mother's Day?! Oh God, it totally slipped my mind."

Ranma was shocked to hear that as he asked her in complete disbelief,

"It slipped your mind!? Do you mean to say you haven't called me here for Mother's Day ?"

Nodoka gave him an obvious look and said, " I have so many things in my mind, Ranma. You can't just expect me to remember all these dates.. ! Since when did you start caring for these days, hum? And why would I call you here just to celebrate Mother's Day! Anyway, I would have appreciated more roses, but I will settle for this for now.. Thank you, honey."

She took the flowers in her hand and gave a soft kiss on his cheek. He sighed and said,

"Mom, I really missed you back there."

Nodoka shrugged her shoulders and said,

"I wish I could say the same to you. I was so busy with work! Anyway honey, let me tell you the reason why I called you here. It's really important. I want you to go get ready as quickly as possible."

"But why?"

"Today is Shampoo's pre- birthday celebration! We have to go to her party!" She said, smiling.

Ranma looked at his mother as if she had just cracked a most disgusting joke in front of him. He still couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his head and asked her in utter disbelief,

"Shampoo's pre-birthday?! Do you mean ta say you called me here just so I can attend her birthday parties?"

"Of course! Why not!" Nodoka replied as a matter of fact and continued saying, "Don't forget Ranma, she would soon be your fiance.."

Ranma balled his hand in aggression and wished nothing more than to act on his impulse. But he controlled his anger and said with a hard tone,

"I would rather go and sleep, mother. I am really tired right now.."

"Watch what you are saying, Ranma! You are not allowed to talk back to me like this..! Come to think of it, you never did that before; I wonder if I have made a mistake by sending you to study at your uncle's place..!" She said with a hint of a warning.

Ranma's whole body got rigid after hearing that. He knows that further provoking his mother would cause him big trouble. He cleared his voice and said in a haste,

"I am sorry, mom. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. Actually, I thought maybe if I take some rest then tomorrow on her birthday I could present myself well, you know.."

Nodoka thought for a second,

"Hmm.. You are kind of right, honey. But..we can't take any risk. We have to show your interest in her. I have heard from a source that she is dating a guy who is related to the royal family. If she decides to marry him instead of you then.."

"Then it will be great for her future, won't it?" He asked as a sparkle of hope lits in his heart.

His mother growled disapprovingly and said,

"Don't you dare think like that. You HAVE to marry her, no matter what!"

Ranma sighed heartbroken as he asked,

"What about her feelings, mother?" 'What about my feelings?' Ranma didn't dare to ask the last part to her.

Nodoka sighed tiredly and walked towards her mirror and started fixing her makeup as she said, "In business there are no feelings required, Ranma.. Your so-called emotions and feelings won't feed you extravagance foods! Just try to impress her with everything you have. I just hope that she would be kind enough to announce your engagement with her tonight or tomorrow."

"WHAT! But that can't be! I am not ready for this, mother!"

Nodoka loudly puts her perfume bottle down on the table. She looked at him heatedly and said,

"Stop acting like a child, Saotome. You know you have to marry her one day."

Ranma grumbled feeling frustrated as he said, "I know that, mother! But ... why now? You told me I can study in Nerima for two years! It's only been 5 months! How could you take my time away from me?"

"Who are asking you to stop studying, silly!" Nodoka laughed softly and said, "I am just asking you for a simple engagement; after that you can go back to finish your study, no problem . Anyways, Her father strictly told us that he wouldn't let Shampoo marry until she finished her studies too. So you don't have to worry about marrying her right away. You are complaining like I am asking for grandchildren from you! Haha! You are so silly sometimes!"

Ranma tried to argue back with her but she said,

"It won't be manly to make your lady wait, Ranma! I just hope she will make up her mind and agree to go with the engagement. Quickly go and get ready . This discussion ends here, sweetheart."

"This is a SCAM! How could they do this to you! Now I am kinda feeling your pain, buddy.."

Ryoga's words did nothing to help Ranma to lift his mood. He kept his room's light off, he stood by the large window as the shadow from outside kept his expression hidden from him.

He still couldn't believe what was happening with him. He forgot the last time he felt this helpless. He shouldn't have gotten used to living the way he lived at Nerima! It's all his fault! What was he thinking when he thought his mother could call him to celebrate mother's day! When did that happen before, and why would it happen now..!

Back at the Nerima, he forgot how it felt like to be lonely. He forgot.. how it felt to be a human without a heart. His heart started paining so badly. He wanted to run away from that place. But he knew he couldn't do that. What would he do if he ran away.. where would he go if he ran away; who would accept him without his real identity.. he is nothing without his real identity..! Nothing!...

Ryoga felt sorry for his friend. He cleared his voice and said with a soft whispered tone, "I wish we could discuss this matter with Akane-chan! She is just so wonderful! I love the way she solves all our doubts. I used to hate doing accounting, but now I love it.. ! Because she made it seem so easy for me! I am sure if she knew about your messed up life, she would have fixed your accounts too.. But.. telling her would mean losing everything. Isn't it, Pal?" He finished with a defeated sigh.

Ranma couldn't point it out directly but , when he heard Akane's name, his heart felt so much in peace. For a moment, his heavy heart became so light and he felt like breathing again. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his restless mind by thinking about her.

~~~"Ya mean ta say, I can call ya anytime I want?" He asked, excitedly.

Akane giggled hearing that; she held both his hands and said to him, blushing hard,

"Anytime.."~~~

He opened his eyes widely as he remembered the last conversation they had together. He desperately searched for his phone and found it on the table. He didn't even hesitate a bit and dialed her number as his heart desperately wished to hear her voice. After some rings, finally someone answered the call. And to his relief, he heard the voice that soothe his beating heart instantly.

"Hello? Tendo residence.."

No answer..* He kept listening to her voice as he rested his head over the glass window.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Silence and long breathing *

There was a brief pause from her side too. Then after some time, she asked in a soft whispered tone,

"Ranma.. Is that you?"

Ranma was shocked when he heard his name from her mouth. He took a long shaky breath and tried saying,

"...A..kane.."

Akane smiled hearing him, but her heart skipped a bit when she heard the tone of his voice. She sighed and asked,

"I was expecting your call, Ranma.. Thank you for calling.."

Ranma's voice caught up in his throat. He gulped hard and closed his eyes again.

For some reason, Akane could make out everything from his silence. It didn't take her long to understand that he was really disturbed at that moment. Suddenly, his expressive blue eyes came to her mind, making her more worried about his well-being. She silently kept holding the phone, and after some moments she tried to start a conversation with him.

"You know Ranma, today I felt so weird. Guess I became so used to hanging around with you guys so much lately! I know it sounds strange; you still haven't gone for one day and here I am; missing you like I haven't seen you in a long time..!"

He opened his eyes and looked out of the window as he kept listening to her soft voice , her voice working like a soothing ointment on his wounded heart.

"Ranma? Don't worry...; everything will be fine.."

Ranma desperately shook his head and said with a harsh whisper tone,

"Nothing will be alright, Kane..."

Akane bites her lower lip and said,

"Hey, I don't know what is going on there, and you are really making me worried now. Look Ranma, I really care about you. You are a very close friend of mine. If you ever feel lost, you know where to come, right?"

Ranma gave a shaky breath and said,

"Yeah.. I know.."

Akane smiled upon hearing that and said,

"Now cheer up a little and come back home as soon as possible, okay.. My mallet is missing you as much as I do.."

Her giggle over the phone bought a small smile on his face. He sighed tiredly and said,

"I am on my way, Kane. Thanks for your time."

"Anytime Ranma. Take care.. Don't worry.."

They hang up their call after a few minutes. After the call Ranma started to feel a little lightheaded. The feeling of someone missing him and wanting to see him, without knowing his real identity, was making his heart flutter with joy. He stood up straight and declared with a hard tone,

"Let's go, buddy! We have to finish this drama and return home, Kane's mallet is waiting for us.."

Ryoga laughed upon hearing that as he also stood up hastily as he and Ranma left the room to welcome a hectic night..

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! I am in the verge of sleep that's why i can't write more. Hopefully, I will get my reviews when I wake up .. And also A BIG THANK YOU! Finally, after a year, this fic crossed 100 reviews. I appreciate all the love you sent me as reviews.. Hopefully you guys will continue to support this fic and me. Thank you