Akane sighed softly as she checked her wristwatch again. It's been an hour already since Ranma broke down into her arms. The poor guy was so tired of the aftermath that he fell asleep on her lap; making it quite impossible for her to move from her position..

She smiled looking down at his sleeping form. He looked so peaceful now, just like an innocent kid. And it looked like he was sleeping in a very comfortable position. His body laid flat on his belly, his head over her lap, his half-face facing her and the other side buried deep on her lap as he tightly hugged her waist with both his hands.

She sighed and continued tracing his scalp softly. His hair was still damp with his sweat; but she didn't care much. Now all she cared for was to give him the rest he badly needed. She doesn't even know how they have come to this position. He was crying for so long, hugging her tightly and then suddenly, his body became slightly heavy for her to hold him up in place. She had to lose her hold on him, which made him lay on her lap. And then she realized why he felt so heavy in the first place, because he had fallen asleep in her arms.

Multiple thoughts began to roam into her mind all at once. So many emotions were making her heart flutter uncontrollably. On one hand, she was feeling concerned for him and wanted to give him all the comfort that she could possibly give him. But in the other hand, she was beginning to feel nervous realizing how close they were now. She never let any guy touch her before; she never felt comfortable with anyone other than Akio.. But with Ranma, everything is happening so quickly and…… unexpectedly!

It's strange that she doesn't feel a bit uncomfortable with him so close to her! But if it's with any other guy, she knows she would have sent him into the Lala Land a long time ago. But not Ranma.. For some reason she couldn't push him away. With him… it felt so right; as if there is nothing to feel awkward about.

She looked deeply at his sleeping form. He looked so delicate and tired at the same time. His eyebrows were scrunched together with a disturbed expression. She carefully traced the line of his eyebrows and smiled when she saw him sighing in his sleep.

With nothing to do anymore, she again checked her watch and flinched when she saw the time. Akio and her sister would definitely be worried for her. She couldn't think of any plan on how to move away from him without bothering his sleep. But she doesn't want to disturb his sleep. He needs to rest and she would try her best to stay as long as needed.

Minutes passed by, as she continued to think about Ranma. If she hadn't witnessed him tonight, she couldn't even guessed how much pain he was hiding in his heart. She thought, her life was tough. But now she knows that she is not the only one suffering. She traced his hair softly and thought how he had manged to act so cool and nonchant infront of her, when his heart was tormented like that! From the day he came to her life, he somehow became an unauthorized gurdian for her. As if he came like an angel and spread a blanket of flowers over the hard rock roards she was walking into. She smiled fondly as she think about all the things he did for her and the way he supported her and stood up for her. And she knows exactly what she have to do next. She still doesn't know how she is going to help him ; but one thing she is sure of is that; she would be by his side always..

At that exact moment, suddenly someone softly knocked on his door and opened the door. She looked up surprised. She sighed happily when she saw Ryoga poking his head inside the room. She brightly smiled at him and laid her finger on her lips to indicate to him to keep quiet and come inside.

Ryoga did as she told him to do. He tiptoed inside the room and with the light coming from the living room, he observed the whole room but didn't get surprised by the scene. This was what he was actually expecting to happen when she asked Ukyo to go look for Ranma. This was not the first time he had seen this happening. Although Ranma always tried to remain calm and composed; sometimes he had seen him losing his temper like this in some events and at that time it always became hard for him to get him out of his anger. It would take him days to get through his furious mind and Ranma used to be disturbed for days. But now as he saw how Akane was handling him, it spread a warm feeling in his heart. He was feeling grateful to her and surprised at her kind gesture towards his friend and he was kind of felling jealous too.

Akane gestured to him to help her with some pillows and a blanket. He did as she instructed him to do and together they carefully settled Ranma on the floor and tugged him comfortably under the blanket and made him hug one pillow instead of Akane.

They tiptoed and carefully walked out from his room and closed the door. Once outside, Akane hastily turned to face Ryoga with a bright smile on her face as she said in a whispered tone,

"I never thought I would ever say this to you Ryoga.. I am SO glad to see you!"

Ryoga couldn't control as he laughed lightly seeing her animated expression. He smirked and replied,

"I should be happy then! Lucky me.."

Mr Hiro joined their conversation as he said with a tired tone,

"Thank you, Miss Akane; if you hadn't come today I don't know how I .."

"Its okay, Mr Hiro. Everything is under control now. I wanted to help you clean his room but I don't want to disturb him now.."

"Oh no! You have already done enough for us!" Mr Hiro replied and slightly bowed infront of her.

"I am happy that I came here just in time!" Akane sighed and looked at Ryoga and said in an urgent tone, "I have to go home now. It's already been so late."

Ryoga nodded and said,

"Alright, let me walk you home then.."

Akane wanted to dismiss his proposal but paused for a moment. Then she nodded and said,

"Okay, thanks Ryoga."

They were silently walking on the road for a while, then suddenly Akane stopped and called him,

"Umm Ryoga?"

Ryoga stopped walking and looked at her,

"Yes Akane-chan? What happened? Are you tired? Do you want a piggyback ride?"

Akane smiled at him and held her hand in front of her to make him stop his babbling,

"It's okay, Ryoga! I am fine. I just.. can I ask you something?"

"Anything.. What's up?"

Akane gave him a serious look and said,

"Please don't get upset with Ranma. I know he had damaged lots of things in the house , but please don't say anything to him. He was not thinking clearly; he looked so… so disturbed!"

At first he became confused when he heard what Akane was asking him. Then he suddenly remembered why she was saying this to him. That bought a small smile on his face as he said,

"You don't have to worry about anything, Akane-chan! Ranma is like my brother; I know why he did it and personally, I don't blame him. I hope he didn't upset you much though.."

Akane gave a sigh of relief and shook her head and said,

"You are such a nice guy, Ryoga. So unlike of how we met the first time. I am so glad that Ranma has a friend like you.. Anyway, I should go now and you should go back to Ranma as well.."

"But Akane-chan!"

"It's okay, Ryoga. This is my place and I know every corner of this area. Don't worry about me. Please.. take care of him.."

Ryoga sighed and nodded his head. Akane smiled at him and started walking at a quick pace.

"What should we do now, Akio?"

Kasumi asked with an anxious tone as she started pacing in panic. Akio put the phone down and said,

"I called the last person I thought she would be with, oneechan.. But she is not there either.."

"Oh my! Should we call the cops then?"

"No wait.. Let me go and round the parks again. If I don't find her this time then maybe.."

"I am home..!!"

Kasumi and Akio both ran towards the entrance upon hearing Akans's voice. Kasumi quickly reached Akane first, she grabbed her shoulder and asked her in a panicked tone,

"Akane? Oh Kami, I am so relieved to see you! Are you okay, dear?"

Akane assumed this would happen. She tried to give her an assured smile and said,

"Oh oneechan I am fine! Don't worry.."

"Don't worry!!" Akio started in a heated tone, "Do you have any idea what time is it now?!"

Akane sighed tiredly and said,

"I know the time, alright! Anyways, this is not the first time I am late like this! So please don't make a big deal of it!"

Akio growled at her and said,

"Don't give me that attitude girl! That time we knew where to look for you damn it! This time it's different! Where have ya been huh?" Akio asked her angrily.

Akane also glared at him and was about to argue with him, but Kasumi stopped her by laying her hand on her cheeks.

"We were really worried about you, Akane. You never despaired like this before.."

Akane sighed and said,

"I have a reason for that, Oneechan. I am sorry for making you guys worry.."

She gave a worn out look at Akio and explained to them about what had happened. But she made sure to escape some of Ranma's actions from them, not wanting them to judge him without knowing him.. After hearing her explanation , Akio got suspicious and asked her in disbelief ,

"So you are saying, you went to Ranma's house to pick your books and instead, you found him at his apartment, disturbed and you helped him to stay calm?!! What type of DUMB explanation is this?!"

That ticked off Akane as well as she said,

"I told you all the truth ; take it or leave it!!"

Akio growled angrily and spats out,

"If that's the real case then you shouldn't have stayed there with a guy for this long! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!"

Akane sends him a warning stare and said,

"The last thing I want from you is to distrust me, Akio! I was with Ranma and he is my friend!"

"Are you sure it's just a friendship between you two?" Akio argued back.

Akane paused and heatedly looked at him,

"I know what I am doing and I think you should also stop bossing me around. Anyway, there's no point arguing with you anymore. I am going to my room.."

"Hey! We are not finished yet!!"

"Oh my, Akio! That's enough for today don't you think?! It's just Ranma.."

Kasumi suggested with a nervous smile.

He looked at Kasumi and asked her in disbelief,

"Oneechan.. you too?" He sighed and shook his head disappointedly and said, "Fine! Do whatever you guys want to do, see if I care anymore! I just … I just hope… history won't repeat itself again.."

Akio quickly left the place, his heavy steps were telling them how disappointed he was with them. Kasumi kept looking at him, she bits her lips hard as her eyes blurred with unshead tears. Akane slowly stood beside her and hugged her sideways,

"Oneechan, I am sorry.."

Kasumi sighed and shook her head in dismay and whispered softly,

"I trust you, Akane; but .., what he is saying is right.. We can't argue with that… So please, be careful, okay?"..

The Next Day

Ranma flattered his eyes lazily. At first, he became confused seeing his surroundings. Then suddenly, after a few moments of blinking his eyes and recalling, he remembered everything. His eyes wide open with realisation, he hastily sat up from his sleeping position. A sudden headache hit him badly, he hissed in pain and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You finally woke up, master!"

Ranma growled and looked up and saw Mr Hiro entering his room.

He shook his head and looked at him and asked him with his cracked tone,

"What time is it now, Mr Hiro?"

"Uhh..it's 3 in the afternoon, master! Your lunch is all ready."

"It's already that late?! Damn it.." He whispered the last part in disbelief.

"Yes, Master. Ryoga also came back last night.."

"What! He came back! Where is he now?"

"He went to attend his classes and he asked me to tell you to take rest for today."

Ranma wanted to ask more, but he paused himself and looked down, not knowing what to do anymore. Mr Hiro understood his hesitation, he slowly started cleaning his room and said,

"If you are wondering about Miss Akane; then... She stayed with you last night for a pretty long time, then she left after Ryoga came back home."

"Is she.. is she mad at me?"

Hiro looked at him and said with a warm smile on his face,

"I am not sure, Master. But to me, she looked more worried for you than angry. I must say, you are really lucky to have her as your friend. I would suggest that you should always treasure your friendship with her."

Ranma sighed and slowly stood up,

"I know, Mr Hiro.." he looked around his room and felt guilty for his actions. "I am sorry for what I did. Let me help you clean up the mess."

Ranma tried to help him, but he stopped him and said,

"I can do it myself, don't worry about that. Why don't you go and meet Miss Akane?"

Ranma's face immediately became sad again. He looked down and shook his head.

"Our class will end soon anyway; what reason would I give her for coming at the end of the class. It would feel awkward.."

"Oh yes, I remember now.. Wait here, Master."

Hiro said and went out of his room and came back with some stuffs in his hands. Ranma looked at them wondering as he asked him,

"What is it?"

"I think last night Miss Akane came here to take her books back which she left the day you guys left. And I am assuming this grocery bag is hers too. Would you be kind enough to bring this things back to her master? I think she would be happy if you take this to her.."

Ranma's facial expression immediately changed into a pleased one. He nodded his head excitedly and hastily tried to grab the bag from his hand, but Mr Hiro stopped him and said,

"After you take a quick shower, master.."

After a brief shower and quick dress-up, Ranma quickly ran out of his apartment with Akane's belongings in his hand. Once outside, as the fresh air washed through his face, he stopped walking and for a moment he completely spaced out and began to think to himself,

'How am I gonna face her? What am I gonna say to her? Would she forgive me for what I did? Is she going to ignore me? Is she going to hate me? What should I do….'

As if Kami had answered his questions immediately he saw a flower shop nearby. A warm smile spread across his worn-out face when he saw the flower which he remembered is Akane's favorite one.

"Please Akio please help me, Mr Kata (librarian)* would definitely believe you. He will be really upset at me!"

Akio walked straight to the library and said arrogantly,

"You deserve the scolding. You should have been more careful..!"

"I know! But.." She paused, not wanting to bring last night's memories back to him again. She sighed and said, "Please , I know he would listen to you if you ask him. Help me, please!"

"I don't want to! Go and enjoy his outrage sister!"

Saying that, he smirked at her and went to one of the bookshelves to keep himself busy.

Akane pouted at him and said,

"Rude!"

"Uhm uhm.."

Akane got nervous as she slowly turned to face their librarian, Mr Kata. She gave him a wavering smile and said,

"Hello, Mr Kata! How are you today? (I hope you are in a good mood!)" She thought the last part.

He nodded his head and said,

"You know my job is not easy, Miss Tendo. I have to deal with so many adults who loves to act like they are kids and break the rules in the library. Anyways, I believe you are supposed to return me some books today. Where are they?"

Akane hesitated and said,

"Yeah about that.. Umm, can you please give me an hour; I will quickly run and bring those books back to you."

"One hour!! Are you crazy? I have to leave within fifteen minutes and with those books too! What happened to you Akane? You never acted this irresponsibly before!"

"I know.. I am sorry.. I was just…"

"You are just what! I just cant believe.."

"Are you talking about these books?"

Suddenly Ranma's voice interrupted them; Akane hastily turned and became surprised to see Ranma standing with her books in his hand. He smiled at her and walked towards her and handed her the books. She looked down at the books and gave a sigh of relief. She smiled at him and returned those books to Mr Kata. He checked the books and nodded.

"Good; finally! You really gave me trouble this time, Miss Tendo. I hope you won't repeat your mistake again."

"Sorry, Mr Kata. Thank you.."

Akane slightly bowed down respectfully in front of him. She then quietly grabbed Ranma's hand and pulled him out of the library.

They stopped outside the library area. Akane left his hand and looked at him with a wide smile on her face.

"Oh Ranma, thank you so much! You have no idea what you have done right now! You just saved me from a big lecture!"

"Is it because of those books?"

"Yeah! I was supposed to return them today but.."

"Then I should say sorry to you. Because of me, you had to.."

"Oh honestly, Please Ranma, now stop saying all this.." She smiled at him and asked with a concerned filled tone, "How is your hand? How are you today? I thought I wouldn't see you today."

"I…." he gave a big sigh, "I am fine, I just…"

"Hey.. You okay.."

"Are ya angry at me, Kane? I am sorry; I am really really sorry for what I did last night.."

Akane silently kept looking at him for few moments, then she asked him with a sober tone,

"So you are sorry for sharing your thoughts with me, Ranma? Am I not trustworthy to you?"

Ranma quickly looked up at her and said,

"I didn't mean that! What I mean to say is… I… I..." He gave a long breath and said with soft whispered tone, "Thank you.."

Akane softly smiled at him and said,

"That's much better. It's better to be thankful than sorry. Anyway, I would really appreciate it if we stop this type of formalities. Now I really need a friend with whom I can share my happy and sad moments all together and I won't feel sorry for that. Now tell me Ranma, would you be my that friend from now on?"

Ranma's heart started beating with an unknown excitement. He softly smiled at her and nodded his head with utmost appreciation. Then Akane said with a slight pout,

"Although It's true that I am a little angry at you for coming back without any souvenirs for me.."

She said jokingly, giggling sillyly. Ranma smiled upon hearing that, he hesitatingly put his hand in his shirt pocket and pulled out the white and blue Lili that he bought for her before coming here. He hesitatingly handed her the flower with his shaky hand and saw her looking at the flower with complete amazement. He couldn't read her expression at all and that, scared him. Suddenly, he became nervous about what he did as he recalled his mother's disappointment-filled voice when he offered her some flowers. He started to mentally scold himself for not thinking before buying her flower and giving Akane only one flower. What would she think of him now?! How could he be so dumb! How could he..

"You remembered?" Akane asked with a soft whisper tone.

"Huh?" was his brilliant answer.

She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling as she said,

"I told you my favourite flower and you remember it .."

Ranma gulped hard and said with a shaky, unsure tone,

"Yeah, I do.. I just.." He sighed nervously and said, "I am sorry I just bought ya one flower..This is really dumb of me.."

She giggled and held the flower close to her heart and said,

"This is so beautiful, Ranma. I really loved it! Thank you so much."

Ranma's voice caught on his throat as he kept looking at her, completely mesmerized by her action. After some moment of silence, he smiled at her and asked her softly,

"So, does that mean ya forgive me now?"

She laid her finger on her chin as if giving it a big thought. Then giving him a serious look, she said,

"I have to think about it more deeply. Its a serious issue after all! What about a cup of hot chocolate? Come, it's my treat.."

She didn't let him say anything; she giggled as she took his arm and started walking out of the halway.

Unknown to them, Akio kept looking at them from the library's large window. He growled angrily and held the book in his hand tightly as he whispered to himself,

"It's going too far now!…"

A/N: I am sorry for the late update! My health was not good and still I am very unwell. But I wanted to distract my mind from all the medicines and sickness; and my Ranma fanfic again helped me to take my mind off. I hope you enjoyed this chater. Please dont forget to let me know about it! Thank you so much..