Ranma ran at a record speed. He didn't care what time it was or if he was invited or not; he had only one thing in his mind that he needed to tell Akane about his new idea, which would surely change everything and fix all the problems..

It didn't take long for him to reach the Tendo house. In his excitement he didn't even hesitate and started knocking on their door in haste. It became difficult for him to stay still and wait for them to open the door for him. He started pacing impatiently, his breathing still uneven. He slightly bent forward, as he pressed his belly to regain his breathing. His impatience made him knock on the door again and thankfully, this time he heard a noise on the door from the other side of the door as it slowly slids open, revealing..

"Honestly Akio! You are going to break the d.. huh?"

Ranma's face instantly lit up with more excitement when he saw Akane's face. He stood up in haste and pushed the door to open wider and rushed towards her. He grabbed her shoulder tightly and shook her slightly as he said with a bright wide smile in his face,

"KANE! I HAVE GREAT NEWS FOR YOU!"

"Ra.. Ranma, what are you doing here?"

"I am sorry! But I HAD to come here to tell ya that.. that.."

Akane blinked her eyes in confusion.

"What were you saying, Ranma?"

No answer came from him as he kept looking at her with wide surprised eyes. His body became stiff, and his hands and legs became jittery. Akane noticed his face becoming pale all of a sudden as he kept looking at her. She became worried for him as she asked him in a concern-filled tone,

"Ranma? Hey.. Are you okay?"

When he still stood the same way, his face became bright red, she grabbed his arms and started shaking him to bring him back to reality..

"Hey! You are.."

Just then, just like a bulb had turned on, she remembered her state of dressing. And to make things more heated up for both of them, at that exact moment her towel dramatically loses its hold on her. But mercifully, her quick reflection saved the day for both of them. She shrieked in embarrassment and caught her towel just in time and in her embarrassment, she absentmindedly pushed his chest hard, making him step back from the house. She loudly closed the door on his face and hastily ran out from the hall to her room.

"Oh my, what just happened?"

The commotion was loud enough to draw attention. Kasumi ran out from the kitchen and saw Akane running in the hall as she protectively wrapped the towel around her.

"Akane? What happened?"

She asked, but Akane didn't answer her and ran upstairs to her room in a hurry.

"That's strange!"

Kasumi whispered to herself as she decided to look for herself. She quickly walked to the entrance and opened the door. She took a breath of surprise when she saw Ranma standing there with a dumbfounded expression on his face. His eyes are unblinking, his body stiff, for a moment she even thought he was not even breathing.

"Oh my! Ranma! Is that you?"

No answer came out from his slightly opened mouth. He stood in front of Kasumi fully motionless.. His mind became blank, his vision completely blurred. Kasumi got anxious for him, she went closer to him and slightly shook him to bring him back to reality.

"Ranma, Ranma... are you alright,dear?"

Her slight jerk helped him to come back to reality. When he noticed who was standing in front of him, he took a sharp breath of shock and immediately stepped back from her. He started bowing in front of her in panic as he said repeatedly,

"I am so sorry! I am really very sorry! I didn't mean to see her like that! Please, please forgive me.."

"See her like that?!" Kasumi repeated after him, feeling confused as she began to think of the possibilities, then suddenly she remembered, "Oh my! You saw Akane in towels, didn't you?" She started giggling when she realized why this poor guy was looking so flustered and panicked. She sympathetically laid her hand on his shoulder and with a gentle tone she said,

"Oh Ranma, Ranma, Ranma; it's not your fault that my imouto had suddenly decided to welcome a guest wearing just a towel! You know, Akane usually acts like a tomboy all the time! But most of the time she is very clumsy and not to forget she is extremely violent and impatient too, but she surely acted immaturely this time!"

Ranma looked at Kasumi with his wide eyes as she began to describe Akane's hidden talents to him. The more she was describing Akane, the more images of her started blurring his mind. His heart thumped wildly as it never did before, his face felt like it was literally burning with embarrassment. Then he realized that Kasumi had stopped talking and asked him if he was ok or not. He closed his eyes and took some deep breaths to calm his nerves. Then he looked at her and said,.

"I am sorry, Kasumi-san. I shouldn't have come here this late."

Kasumi smiled at him and said,

"I am sure you have reasons to come here, dear."

Ranma nodded his head and spoke up nervously,

"I came here to talk to Akane. Its really important.. I don't have her number that's why I had to come here. Anyway, what I want to say to her is.."

"Why don't you say it to her first. You don't need to tell me, dear."

"But.." he sighed sadly, his face red with mortification as he said, "I ... I don't think she would want to talk to me anymore.."

Kasumi giggled hearing that as she said,

"Oh Ranma, you are still a child. Why don't you come in?"

"No.! It's okay." he said in haste.

Kasumi smiled at him and said,

"Wait here then, I will call Akane for you.." She turned to leave , but stopped and looked at him again, "Please don't leave, Ranma."

All dressed up in her favorite yellow pajama, Akane rolled on her bed as she moaned in embarrassment. She still couldn't believe what just happened and why it happened?! Why did she open the door wearing this stupid towel! And to make matters more complicated, why did this stupid towel decided to lose hold at that exact moment! Oh, what a timing! Can she ask for more bad luck!

'Stupid, Akane! Stupid, stupid, stupid.. Awww!' She thought to herself as she began to bang her head on her pillow as a train of thoughts began to roam in her head.

'Awww! How am I going to face him! This is so embarrassing! Why did he come here! Why did I wear this towel for? Why did I push him like that? Why did I close the door on his face!'

She sits back up quickly as she realized what she had done to him. She moaned again and began thining,

'Oh honestly! What happened to me!? Why did I close the door on his face! Oh God, I even pushed him so hard too! Awww, I am sure he is going to be angry at me.. I should go and apologize to him! But.. but I don't know how to face him! Awww this is so embarrassing!'

Knock* *Knock*

"Akane, dear? Can I come in?"

"Kasumi Oneechan?" Akane moaned and said in a whining tone, "Yes, please come in."

Kasumi slowly entered her room. She smiled and shook her head when she saw her sister's miserable state. She sighed and said,

"Are you going to weep all night?"

Akane pouted at her and said while whining,

"Look what I did, Oneechan! This is so stupid of me!"

Kasumi giggled hearing that and said,

"I know dear. But what is done is done, we can not turn back time now, can we? You should go and meet him."

"But this is so embarrassing! I can't face him anymore! Awww.."

"Oh dear.. You are overthinking about this."

"But Kasumi Oneechan!"

"Akane.."

Her motherly tone stopped Akane from whimpering as she bit her lower lips. Kasumi gave her a serious look and said,

"It's time you act maturely, dear. I understand that this situation might be awkward for you guys, but it will also be a shame if you lose a friend like Ranma just because of this small incident! Awkwardness, shyness and lack of communication draw people apart. It causes good relations to break very easily.." Kasumi's voice felt so depressed as she said that, laced with an untold mystery. Akane sat straight up and looked at her sister, who for a moment looked as if she had lost her focus and forfeited in her daydreams. But before she could ask her sister anything, Kasumi spoke up again with a sober tone, "Go Akane. Talk to him and make things better . Because it won't help the matter if both of you act like kids!"

"Both of us?" Akane looked up at her with a questioning look and then after a moment, she asked her in panic , "Oh Kami, Is Ranma is still waiting for me! Where is he now?"

She smiled at her and said,

"He wanted to leave , thinking you might not want to see him anymore. I asked him to wait in the living room but as I said, he is more childish than you are. Now he is waiting for you outside, where you left him."

"Oh honestly.." Akane hastily stood up from her bed and started running towards the entrance of the house. She paused for some moment as she reached the entrance as she puts her trembling hand on the door. Then taking a deep breath she fearfully slid open the door to see him, hoping that he wouldn't leave and still be there. And when she saw him still standing there, awkwardly examining her reaction, she sighed in relief and shook her head.

His face became bright red, so was hers. He was nervous to even look at her in the eyes, so was she. His heart stopped beating for a moment, and so was hers. He started to feel a new wave of embarrassment washing over him, as it washed over her as well. He looked down nervously as no word came out from his mouth. His nervousness made her nervous as well. But she kept looking at him with courage, gulping down all her embarrassment, she said with a hard tone,

"What happened to you? Why are you looking so ashamed, huh? Haven't you seen any girl wearing a bikini?"

He slowly looked up at her and blinked in confusion. Then understanding what she meant to say, his face became even more brighter shade of red as he nodded his head. She growled at his reaction and said hissing,

"I swear, Ranma. If you had run away like before without meeting me, thinking you had seen a ghost; I would have hunted you in your dreams for the rest of your life!"

He couldn't stop but smirk hearing her say it so casually. She started giggling as well as she said without thinking about it,

"Don't worry, I won't tell your girlfriend about what just happened between us.."

Ranma smiled at her and looked at her with a warm expression on his face. He looked her up and down and got lost in his thoughts.. He had never seen anyone looking so beautiful wearing simple pyjamas! She looked so warm, so cosy, so…. huggable…

His silence was torturing her for some reason. She doesn't even know why she suddenly wanted to know about his girlfriend. She wanted to know if he really had a girlfriend or not, but at the same time she doesn't want to hear about it as well. It's like she can't hear about any other girl beside him… But why can't she hear about another girl in his life? What is happening with her? She started to feel anxious about her change of behavior. Why is it bothering her so much if he has a girlfriend or not. It shouldn't matter to her, right? But what would she do if he says..

"I don't have any girlfriend.."

"Huh!" She was roughly brought back from her daydreaming.

Ranma smiled at her and said,

"I don't have any girlfriend. I never had one in my life."

For some reason, his words rang like music to her ears. She was ready to cry in happiness , but she bites her lower lips to control herself. She took a deep breath of relief and said in a casual tone,

"Good, then you don't owe anyone any explanations to anyone.."

He smirked and shook his head. She smiled back at him and grabbed his hand tightly.

"Come inside now. It's getting cold outside.."

The three of them sat on the living area as Kasumi served them late night snacks. Ranma was hesitant to join them but Kasumi insisted him and he couldn't say no to her. They were having a good time eating and talking about random things. After a few minutes, Ranma got a chance to explain his plan to them as he cleared his thorat and said,

"I came here to tell you guys that.."

"First finish your food, Ranma! If these noodles get cold, it won't taste good anymore." Kasumi said smiling sweetly, as she resumed eating as well.

Ranma tried to tell his reasons for coming here to these two ladies many times, but every time a new excuse appeared which stopped him from telling them his motive. He sighed defeatedly and said,

"Uhh.. Yeah sure!"

He then turned to look at Akane, who was eating at a very fast speed. He got stunned seeing her as he said to her,

"You look hungry!"

"Huh?!" Akane stopped eating and gulped, "You are a very slow eater, Ranma!"

"Well.." he looked down at his food and said, "If you want I can finish before you.."

"Is that a challenge I hear from you ?" Akane asked, raising her one eyebrow at him.

Ranma cheekily smiled at her and said,

"You scared?"

"Oh phelease.. bring it on!"

"But wait!" Kasumi said as she pointed to them, "Akane, you already finished half of your bowl, this would be cheating."

Akane and Ranma both looked at their bowls as Kasumi came up with a plan.

"Don't worry, I have an idea!"

She quickly went to the kitchen and bought the bowl that she saved for Akio.

"Hey sis, isnt it for Akio?"

"Oh don't worry, I will make him a new batch!"

Saying that, she giggled sillyly and filled Akane's bowl again and declared by clapping her hands,

"Now you guys can compete!"

They didn't need to hear it twice. They send each other a competitive glare and devoured at their food.

Ranma was having difficulties competing with her speed, but he was not ready to give up. He paused for a second and told Akane as he pointed behind her,

"Oh look who came, hi Akio!"

"Huh!?"

As Akane put her bowl down on the table and turned to see Akio, Ranma laughed hard and laid his hand over her bowl to prevent her from eating.

It didn't take long for Akane to Understand what Ranma just did,

"HEY! That's cheating!"

Akane whined like a kid as she tried to remove his hand from her bowl.

But in the meantime, Ranma tried to finish his bowl with his other hand. Akane laughed and started to tickle Ranma's side, knowing very well how ticklish he is. That trick worked for her, as he laughed hard and removed his hand from her bowl immediately.

The room filled up with laughter and funny bickering between Ranma and Akane. However, after a comical battle, finally Ranma finished his bowl of noodles and won the competition. He gave Akane a victorious smile and said arrogantly,

"I won!"

Akane growled childishly and said,

"You cheated, baka!"

"Whatever, I won and that's what matters.." Ranma said more arrogantly.

"Alright, alright, you guys! Haha, now stop fighting you two.." Kasumi said as she kept giggling hard.

Akane stopped fighting with Ranma and looked at Kasumi and sighed happily. Ranma also paused when he noticed the way Akane was staring at her sister. After few moments, Kasumi noticed their silence. She looked at them, confused at first, then asked them,

"Oh my.. What happened? Do I have anything on my face?" She asked and began to wipe her face.

Akane smiled and nodded her head and said,

"A big smile, oneechan. Please don't wipe it from your face.."

Kasumi stopped and beamed at them. Akane turned to face Ranma with a wide grin and said,

"You know Ranma, after a long time I am seeing my oneechan laughing wholeheartedly like this."

Ranma glanced at Kasumi and said while grinning,

"In that case we should compete with each other more often, don't you think.."

Kasumi and Akane giggled hearing his excited tone and agreed with him.

"What is going on here?"

Akio came home long before, but he didn't let them know his presence immediately. For a few moments he observed their actions and when he thought he had seen enough, he walked to them on the porch. He was not expecting to see Ranma there. He became shocked and angry at the same time when he saw the three of them laughing and chatting with each other. He tried to control his annoyance, but he couldn't control the bitter tone he had used to ask them.

All of them turned to look at him. Ranma waved at Akio to greet him, but he ignored him and he asked him,

"Why are you here, Ranma? You very well know what time it is!"

"Uhh…. yeah, sorry man.."

"Hey! Why are you talking to him like this, idiot?" Akane said angrily, but Ranma stopped her as he placed his hand on her hand.

"It's okay, Kane. Anyway, it's late. It's normal if he asks me that."

"But he could have asked you normally!" Akane said as she pouted up at him.

Akio glared at Akane angrily and said harshly,

"I asked what is he doing here!?"

"Oh my, Akio! Where are your manners? Ranma is our guest, please apologize to him for your behaviour." Kasumi said with a disapproving tone.

"What!?" Akio asked in disbelief.

"It's okay, please.." Ranma stood up in haste and tried to make the conversation more casual, "Look, I came here to talk to Akane about her new job."

"Oh yes, poor Ranma was trying to tell us about it for so long, but we were enjoying his company so much that we didn't let him say anything.." Kasumi said, with a pleased face.

Akane also stood up and looked at Ranma and asked,

"What about my Job, Ranma? Can we talk about it tomorrow, at my workplace?" She asked, eyeing Akio with a worried expression.

Ranma beamed happily and said,

"This can't wait any longer, Akane. You don't have to go to that place anymore."

"What?!" Akane asked in a whispered tone.

Ranma smiled and said,

"Kane, you gave me one condition and I fulfilled it. Finally, I got a job offer for you which will pay you as much as they are paying you.."

"This is not possible!" Akio rushed in as he broke his silence.

Ranma looked at Akio and said,

"This is possible.."

Akane shook her head and asked him,

"Ranma, I am not doubting you, but who would want to give me this much salary?"

Ranma gave her an assurance nod,

"Everything is taken care of, Kane; ya don't have to worry about anything."

"But what is the job?" Akane questioned uneasily.

Ranma hesitated to say it, but then he spoke out in a quiet tone,

"You have to tutor…"

"Tutor?!" Akio intervened as he smirked humorlessly and said, "Are you kidding me, man? I also do several tutorials and I don't even earn half of what she earns there!"

Akane's face had a gloomy expression on her face, but still, she looked at Ranma with hope in her eyes. Ranma looked at Akane in the eyes and said,

"She will earn the same because she would tutor the son of a rich family."

Akio snorted and questioned him in annoyance,

"And who that might be?"

Ranma looked at Akane uncertainty and nervously said,

"Ryoga.."

"What! WHO?!" Akio asked angrily.

"Oh my!"

"Ryoga!" Akane whispered in disbelief.

Ranma sighed as he tried to convince her,

"Akane, please listen to me.."

"No wait!" Akio intervenes again as he harshly said to him, "How dare you think that Akane would wanna spend time with that jerk!"

"Akio, try to understand, man! It's just for a few hours! If she agrees to do it then she won't have to go to that place anymore!" Ranma desperately tried to reason with him.

"DID YOU FORGET WHAT RYOGA DID TO AKANE!"

"I didn't forget, Akio! But he also tried to apologize to her for a long time!" He turned to Akane, and told her, "Kane, you are the one who told me to give him another chance , didn't you? So why can't you give him another chance?"

Akane shook her head and said,

"But I don't understand where all this is coming from? And why me?"

Ranma sighed and prepared himself to make more lies,

"Look, his parents are desperate for him to get better at his studies. They asked me to look for a person who can help him with his studies; they are ready to pay any amount. So I thought I should.,"

"You know what, YOU SHOULD STOP THINKING FOR HER!" Akio said angrily, "And leave us alone!"

"Buddy please.."

"AKANE WON'T GO NEAR THAT RYOGA! This discussion is OVER…!"

Akio glared at both Akane and Ranma. Then he dismissed talking to them further. He was ready to leave the place but he had to stop when he heard Ranma's growl and venom filled tone,

"Wow; so you are okay with Akane working at a place which makes her uncomfortable all the time! You are okay with the way some sickening guys make nasty comments on her! Your ego is higher than your sister's safety, huh Akio?"

"What did you just say!?" Akio came face to face with Ranma, both looked frustrated and ready for battle. Akio huffed and turned his face to Akane and asked her bitterly,

"So you already told him about us not being engaged! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, AKANE!"

"DON'T YELL AT HER! So what if she told me! That's not the main fact here Akio, if Akane agrees with this job then she won't have to .."

Akio angrily turned to face him again and snapped at him,

"I HAVE TOLD YOU ALREADY! SHE WON'T DO THIS JOB!"

"Why won't she?"

All of them turned to look at Kasumi. She slowly stood up and said in a soft tone,

"Ranma is right, Akane should agree to do this."

"But Kasumi oneechan, you don't know what Ryoga did to our Akane.."

Kasumi held up her hand to stop Akio,

"I know what he did. And I also know how many times he tried to apologize to Akane. Akane told me everything and she also told me how Ranma stopped talking with this guy because of his behavior towards Akane.." Kasumi smiled at Ranma and nodded her head, "I may not know this Ryoga person fully, but; I trust Ranma. And I believe if he thinks that it's safe for Akane, then I would be really happy if Akane do this job."

Akane was silent all the while. She sighed and looked down. Akio calmed down a bit and shook his head as he said,

"Alright then, but I have one condition."

Ranma nodded and asked,

"Yeah, tell me.."

"Ryoga have to ask Akane. We will see his behavior towards Akane, and if we see he is serious about it and behaving normally with her, then maybe she can decide what she wants to do with this offer. Now tell me Ranma, would your rich friend wanna come and ask Akane for help or his ego is higher than his condition ?"

Ranma looked at Akane, who was also looking back at him with an uncertain expression on her face. He smiled at her and said,

"He will meet you guys tomorrow morning, at the same park where we first met.. Would you come, Akane?"

Akane thought for a second, then sighing deeply she nodded her head and whispered to him,

"Okay, Ranma. We will be there tomorrow."

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter. Please don't forget to let me know. And this time, I would like to request all the readers who are reading this fic to send me a review, so that I know how many of you are actually reading this fiction. Please don't hesitate. Your hesitation to write a review may break my confidence. Your support and encouragement would really help me to continue further. If you don't have an account here, you guys can always comment to me as a guest as well. Thank you for your love and support. I hope to see you guys soon in next chapter! :) :)