It was a few hours later when Akane had thrashed lightly against him. She had already done so once in a while, but not enough to stir him until an elbow landed on his face. He yelped at the contact as his eyes snapped open. He grabbed her elbow and moved it gently away from him. Nabiki was right, Akane did have to get that under control. He wondered what caused it.

Ranma chuckled, not too bothered by it, and instead outstretched his hand to slowly brush her hair out of her face. Her eyes fluttered open and brown eyes stared into blue. Ranma wondered what time it was. "Did I wake you?" She asked groggily.

"No." He lied. He bent down to kiss her and was pleased when she kissed him back. He suddenly knew what morning breath was but found he didn't mind.

When they pulled away from each other, Akane asked, "Do you feel better?" He nodded, smiling. Then he leaned back in to kiss her. She met his lips, and he smiled against her. They then slipped into what seemed to become a typical routine. Their hands explored each other's bodies over their clothes. Akane sighed as he leaned down to kiss her neck. He applied little kisses to her neck and collarbone. He wished that the nightshirts she wore weren't so big and flowy. He wished the sleeves didn't go down to her wrists. Without thinking of it, his hands went to her hips and raised until they were partially under her shirt. He paused as he felt the heat of her skin.

When she didn't swat away his hand like she had previously, he raised one hand a little higher until it rested on her naval. He stroked his thumb against her skin and felt her shiver, but she didn't stop him. His hand raised higher still until he touched the underside of her breast. She jumped and he paused but she still didn't say anything to deter him. When his thumb gently grazed her nipple and he heard her gasp, he understood.

This was his reward.

Part of him thought it was silly and a little childish to make him work for this, but at the same time, it filled him with eagerness. He always liked being rewarded when he fought and won a battle. He loved seeing his enemy lay there and watching him with amazed fascination that he would have dared beat them. There was nothing more exhilarating. He figured this was similar.

Ranma didn't have much more to think about once he made that revelation. He brought his other hand up and held both breasts in his hands. He gently squeezed and pressed them together; his thumbs ran over her nipples, and he gave hesitant pinches to them, which Akane seemed to enjoy. She sighed in elation, and he could feel her heart beating quickly. He pushed her shirt up to examine them closely. His breath caught as he looked at the blue veins that danced over her pale, soft chest.

She giggled softly and he looked up to her nervously. She seemed excited but amused. "I thought you were used to seeing breasts." She teased.

"I am," he replied with a gulp, "I'm not used to seeing yours."

"You've seen them before." She countered.

"Not like this." He leaned down and placed a nipple in his mouth as he sucked lightly. Akane hissed and raised her chest to his face. Deciding for once not to throw away a good excuse, his other hand detached itself from her chest and slid down to her pants. He moved slowly, afraid of startling her like one would scare off a baby bunny, and his hand slid to her waist before going to the elastic of her pants. He waited a second and glanced up at her to see her reaction. Her head was turned, but he could see her eyes were closed. Her hips moved up slightly, and that's when Ranma slipped under them.

He made contact with her panties and groaned. He felt the material and was surprised it felt like satin. He always figured Akane would have granny panties when she slept. He had seen her in her undies plenty of times (albeit by accident). They were always made of cotton and a little childish, which he had found cute. He laughed against her at that thought, and as if Akane knew what she was thinking, she answered, "Just in case."

Ranma placed his pointer finger carefully on the seam of her slit and felt where her body opened. He tried to concentrate on how his hands had moved on himself during practice but found it difficult to maintain focus with Akane bucking into his hand. He continued to rub as he flicked his tongue across her nipple, and he rubbed his finger into her a little harder. He could feel the familiar wetness resurface. He shivered and closed his eyes. He dislodged his mouth from her breast and reached up to kiss her again. She sighed sweetly into his mouth.

Ranma bent back down and attached himself to her other breast before his hand pulled aside her panties and placed his finger against her. Akane's wet folds against his skin made him think he was going to blow his load, but he resisted as he focused on placing his fingers in the right spot. He gently moved his two fingers up and down her slit. He tried different pressures and listened intently to all the ways her moans changed. When he found the one that gave the most guttural groan, he continued, going a little faster. "Like… like before," She stuttered the command. Ranma diligently did as she said. "Kiss me," she pleaded, and Ranma was quick to move away from her breast and meet her lips.

Their tongues pressed and tumbled with each other, and this time, it felt more natural. He sucked her tongue lightly, and Akane gave a sharp gasp as his middle finger went down and stuck itself inside of her. She was so wet and warm. The fluid she secreted felt almost exactly like what his own feminine form's body produced. Hers felt a bit slicker, which he found he enjoyed. He brought his finger out of her before pumping it back inside. She seemed to enjoy it as she arched her back at him. He went to add his pointer finger but heard her whimper in pain at the added pressure. He pulled it away quickly and pulled his lips away from her. "Sorry," he said breathlessly.

"It's okay." He kissed her again and went back to feeling her wetness. He thought about their conversation earlier that day and he pulled himself up again and removed his hand.

He brought his mouth against her ear and asked her, "Do you want me to lick you there?" She squirmed and didn't answer right away. He placed his hand back on her pajama bottoms and tugged at the waistband teasingly. "Do you want me to know what you taste like?" He felt her shiver again and when he looked at her, he saw she was scarlet from her cheeks to her neck. When he met her eyes, she looked ashamed as she nodded slowly.

He felt elated as he leaned up and away from her. His hands went to her hips and unceremoniously pulled her pajama bottoms and panties down to her ankles. She wiggled to help him remove them. He looked down at her for a second as his heart fluttered. She was breathing heavily, and her eyes looked glazed, her lips were red, and her skin flushed. Her breasts heaved with the shirt pushed up and away from them, and he watched as she rubbed her legs together, squirming.

He grinned so wide he thought his mouth might permanently stay that way, and then he bent down to her naval and kissed down to her hips. He heard her breath quicken. He was amazed she could breathe any heavier. He got to her mound and kissed it, and she jumped lightly. He pressed his mouth harder and breathed out as his hot breath hit her needs with anticipation. She groaned and squirmed against his mouth. He pulled her lips apart, noticing the small patch of coarse black hair. Her smell hit him, musky and sweet, and he felt himself shiver as he leaned towards her fold and gave a cautionary lick. She gave a careful gasp, and he glanced up to see she was covering her mouth to muffle any sound that may escape.

This was enough for Ranma as he quickly attached himself to her clit. He sucked it lightly, amazed that in under a week, he had found himself licking her most sensitive place. Her smell was intoxicating, and her taste almost had the edge of sweetness to it. He was overwhelmed in his senses and could only briefly think, 'Why would anyone hate this?'

Akane's hand found the back of his head and she pushed his face closer to her as she ground her hips into his lips as he began to suck and lick her more aggressively. He placed a finger back inside of her while his hand reached out to pinch her nipple. He could feel the muscles inside of her squeeze and release his finger periodically.

The whole thing was a bit overwhelming if Ranma could be honest. There were just so many smells, the gentlest murmurs of pleasure, and the pressure of her muff pressed against his face. Ranma thought he may have passed out from the raw want of her.

He released his grip on her breasts and brought it past his waist, his hand reached down and massaged his hardened member over the fabric of his pants. He was going to take her now, he was sure. If Akane had resisted that, he wasn't sure if he could hold himself back. It was almost like Happosai's energy had overtaken him, making him delirious.

Whack!

The sound alarmed them both, and he felt Akane jolt under him. The sound came from the wall Akane shared with Nabiki. They both froze. They were terrified that Nabiki had heard everything. Why did they have no self-control? They knew the reason, but that didn't make it any more frustrating. "Oh no," Akane murmured. Ranma sat up and peeked over to where the sound was made.

"Wonder how much that is going to cost," he said with a sigh.

"More than either of us have," Akane grumbled as she quickly covered herself and scurried to her window. She slid it open and looked at Ranma as she pointed at it. "Out!" She hissed.

"Seriously?" He asked as he could still smell her and taste her on his lips. At this point, his ape brain was telling him he didn't care who had heard. He wanted her now - all of her. He knew somewhere in the recesses of his mind that he did care who heard and that there was very good reason for it, but the throbbing in his loins screamed too loud for that to be a concern.

She looked at him expectantly and pointed at the window again. "I'll deal with Nabiki," she whispered, "so just go before you make it worse."

He rolled his eyes as an irrational irritation slipped into his bones, but he walked over and slipped outside as his hands hung on the window. He looked back at her as his throat ached with want. She looked at him with her cheeks still flushed as her thighs rubbed together. Ranma smirked at seeing she felt the same way. Before he could stop himself, he cockily asked, "You gonna finish yourself off while thinking about me?"

A shoe flew towards him and hit his head, and he lost his balance. He fell off the roof with a resounding thud, and Akane quickly looked outside in surprise.

"I deserved that." He mumbled.

Nabiki's window now swished open, and she poked her head out. She looked down at Ranma and hissed, "You want to get caught?"

Akane looked over at her sister in embarrassment. "Nabiki!" Nabiki turned her head to her sister and continued.

"I never thought you'd be the type to kick out a guy the second you're done with him." She smiled slyly as she said, "Usually that's what guys do with girls they just wanted a one-night stand with. Though I guess you've always acted more like a boy."

"S…shut up!" Akane said as she was unable to keep her voice down. Even from outside, Ranma could hear his father's loud panda snores come to a halt. The house was waking up now. Without saying another word, Ranma bounded back into the house, careful to avoid any other waking soul, and slipped back into his room. The sun was starting to rise.

He had avoided being detected as his father's large animalistic steps pounded down the hallway. Ranma had only just collapsed into his bed as he heard his father stop outside of his room before Genma slid the door open. The furry beast looked at Ranma curiously as Ranma tried to look casual. "Hey, Pops." He leaned with his hands clasped behind his head and his ankles crossed. He almost thought of whistling a tune. Ranma watched as Genma's eyes landed on his crotch. The panda made a grumbling noise before he lifted a sign.

[Pardon me.]

The door slid shut again, and he heard the resounding thumps move away from his room. Ranma raised a brow. He was certain his dad - outrageously hung over - had come to his room to sleep. Nodoka was not a fan of the smell of booze that lingered on her husband's lips, and he had learned very quickly to stay at the Tendo's household when he and Soun decided to go out and drink. Ranma looked down at his erection and blushed.

How the hell was that still up?

He groaned in embarrassment. Well, no point in acting like it was some secret now. Ranma reached down to make quick work of it.

When he was finished, he quickly cleaned up and went to the bathroom to wash up and get ready for the day. He walked downstairs, sheepishly hoping his dad had left after the embarrassing encounter. He was relieved to see he had indeed left. He didn't think he could handle the ribbing he would get. If his dad had decided to hound him and insinuate that he had touched himself to his fiance, he was sure his face would give it away. He knew eventually they would catch on, but for now, he needed to sort out his affairs.

Ranma knew once their fathers had learned what had happened. They would be married by sunset if they had it their way. He didn't mind the thought, honestly. However, he wanted to make sure they were both ready. Besides, they had hidden their love from each other for almost three years; surely, they could hide it from everyone else.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Romeo," Nabiki dryly said as she saw Ranma enter the living room. He ignored her with a roll of his eyes and sat down at the table. It was just the two of them for now, but he was sure the whole family would be in at any minute. She leaned closer to him with her hand lazily holding up her head. "Did you sleep well? Feel any relief after a hard day?" She asked with her foxy smile growing.

"Don't know what you're talking about," Ranma replied in a bored tone as he cast his eyes at the ceiling and threw his hands behind his head. Man, he was good at acting nonchalant, if he could say so himself.

Nabiki blew air through her nose and snorted before saying, "Oh really? Nothing of interest?" She leaned closer still and whispered, "Were you slaying something bad in Akane's room then? Was something hurting Akane?" She leaned back now and clasped her hands together and brought them under her chin. She had a whistful expression on her face as she sang, "Oh! You taste so good, Akane!"

He squeaked in surprise as his face instantly grew hot. "I never said that!" Did he? Honestly, his mind had been completely shut off to his voice and thoughts. All he had been able to focus on was Akane's sounds and the overwhelming scent of her, the succulent taste of her flesh, and the sweetness of cyprine.

Nabiki rolled her eyes at him and reverted to her bored stare. "Oh no?"

"Shut it, Nabiki." Ranma scolded.

She chuckled in amusement before saying, "Don't worry. I won't say anything."

Ranma blinked, not trusting her. "What's it going to cost me?" He asked in annoyance.

She sighed now and said, "Oh, really now, Ranma, do you think I'm that bad?" He stared at her with a look that said 'absolutely.' She shrugged again as they heard the sound of footsteps hitting the ground and nearing them. "I wouldn't put Akane in that situation. I don't want her to have to get married to you until she's ready." Ranma was shocked at how sincere Nabiki sounded. He waited for her to prove him wrong, but instead, she continued, "Besides, don't you still have some unfinished work to do before you can claim your 'prize'?"

Ranma swallowed at her mention of Kodachi. How did she know about that? Had Akane already cornered her and begged for her sister's silence? Did she have to give intel or pose for pictures to get Nabiki to agree? He eyed her carefully but could find no answer.

As if reading his thoughts, Nabiki tapped her forehead and stated, "I have eyes everywhere."

Then, the family entered one by one, and breakfast was served. They idly discussed Akane's plans for her birthday the following day.

—

When school ended, Ranma grabbed his bag and headed to the Kuno manor. Akane had asked if he'd like her to come along, but he quickly shot her down, "No need for her to get all crazy on you, too." He had said. He didn't want to add that Kuno may have been home from school for the weekend. Akane had seemed a bit relieved at this and had instead walked off with her friends. They had said something to her about getting ice cream to celebrate her birthday, and Ranma ached to go with them.

He liked ice cream.

He sighed as he stood in front of the manor now. A part of him thought of leaving a note to the effect of "I've moved to Russia." Who knows, maybe she'd chase after him.

He shook the thought and entered the property. He heard the thick doors shut behind him and shivered. Even from here, he could hear the frantic laughter coming from the gymnasium. He walked towards it and saw the alligator she considered a pet leap up and grip his jaws around something before sinking back into the water.

He entered the gymnasium now and watched as Kodachi was practicing with her baton. 'Great,' Ranma thought tiredly, 'just great.' "Kodachi," he shouted.

She stopped mid-move and looked over at him. It took her a moment before her face twisted into a frown and the tools in her hand dropped to the ground. Her hands flew to her face in surprise as she gasped, "Ranma!"

He braced himself as he waited for some paralysis powder or tonic to go flying at his face. It wasn't that Ranma couldn't beat her, it was more so that she was so dastardly and unpredictable that even if he succeeded now in telling her his true thoughts, she would compartmentalize it and twist it to whatever fantasy world she had created for herself.

"Hey Kodachi," he said again with a limp wave.

To his surprise, she quickly turned away from him and dramatically pushed the back of her hand to her forehead. She swooned backward slightly as she wailed, "Oh no! I knew you would never be able to take this well! Damn, my womanly wiles!"

He raised a brow as his hand held limply in front of him. "What's that now?"

She spun around and looked at him with pity. "Oh, Ranma, did you not receive my letter?" He looked further confused before he remembered the letter he received from her a week ago. He had never bothered opening it as he was afraid it would be laced with some mischievous potion.

Seeing his confusion, Kodachi dropped to her knees. It almost looked like a spotlight was aimed at her.

Oh wait, there was a spotlight aimed at her. Ranma could see one of the guards high up in the corner, manipulating the giant spotlight. It was almost like they had practiced this. Kodachi's hands clasped to the ground, and her arms shook with fervor. "Oh! I had hoped to lessen the burden on your heart! Of course, you would come to me after reading such devastation!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ranma asked as he felt confusion be replaced with annoyance.

She looked back at him with bewilderment. "Don't tell me you never received it? The letter?" She dropped her head at his obvious confusion. "Oh! To hurt such a sweet boy who has been nothing but lovingly lustful to his beautiful black rose! So tender as he kissed me! And here I am, about to break his heart!"

Ranma snapped out of his annoyance at her words and he asked her incredulously, "Break my heart?" A bouquet of black roses wiped at his face. He grabbed it in shock without thinking of what secret powder may nestle in the petals. "What is this?" He asked.

Kodachi shuffled from the ground and twisted her body away from him again. Her shoulders were slumped, "Please. Read the card."

Curious more than anything, Ranma turned the flowers around to see a small white place card. He plucked it out and read it before turning his eyes back to her, "You're breaking up with me?" He asked incredulously.

"Oh, believe me, Ranma! I would never dare try to break your heart, but you see…" her hands folded to her chest, her head bowed down, and she closed her eyes as she whispered, "I have found someone else that I love."

Ranma's fingers twitched as he stared at her in absolute disbelief. For a moment - and only a moment - he thought of demanding her to tell him who this guy was. How could he be better than Ranma? The great Ranma! Did she not know how many women had cried over him in the last week? Many! Well, three, and one of them was his maybe-girlfriend, and that was because of the other two and Kodachi. Regardless, Ranma felt insulted and angry and-and…

-jealous?

'Wow, Akane's right. I really do have an ego.' He thought and then pushed away the misguided anger that had surfaced. Besides, Kodachi probably had set her sights on someone as equally unwilling as himself.

"Oh, Ranma!" She shouted again, standing up. She straightened herself and wrapped her arms around her waist protectively as she closed her eyes. "I had never meant to hurt you, but surely one day you can get over me." Then she peeked one eye open to look at him and gauge his reaction.

Ranma didn't know why, but he dropped to his knees and wailed, "Please, Kodachi! I can change! I can be a different man!"

Kodachi, seemingly pleased with his desperation, said, "It would never work! You and my brother are sworn enemies, and the man I love now is so gentlemanly and gorgeous - even more gorgeous than you!"

Ranma felt the slightest pang in his chest as his ego was once again bruised. 'Don't get competitive,' he reminded himself, 'some guy is probably locked up in her house, trying to claw his way out - if he can even move!' He sighed, turned away from her, and asked in a forlorn tone, "And there's nothing I can do to convince you?" He asked as he looked over his shoulder to see her looking at him with a thrilled expression.

When she caught his eyes, she dropped her smile in an attempt to hide how pleased she was at the drama of it all. "I'm afraid not." She said, and then she sighed. "Perhaps it is time you return to that fiance of yours. Perhaps it was wrong of me to take you from her." She bowed her head, "But who could ever blame two young high schoolers in love?"

"Not me," said Ranma dramatically, "I'll never forget you, Kodachi!"

She looked up at him with an evil glint in her eye and said, "I know you won't." Just then, the roses he had held exploded into a pile of smoke and Ranma felt his eyes snap shut.

"Ranma! Are you okay!" Ranma heard Akane yelp as he fluttered his eyes awake. Akane was bent over him and looking at him with concern. She pushed his bangs from his eyes, and he stared into her honey-brown ones. He could smell the citric scent from the shampoo in her hair as the breeze ruffled through it and towards him.

It took a few moments for Ranma to realize he was right outside the walls of the dojo. "What's that?" Akane asked as she grabbed a note that was pinned to Ranma's chest.

"Don't open that!" He shrieked, "It's from Kodachi!"

Akane had already opened it as she said, "Well, it was addressed to me. What? Does she want a chall-" she stopped mid-sentence and her eyes turned thoughtful.

"W-what is it?" He asked, curious.

She smiled sweetly and tucked the note into her pocket. "She said she will call the police if you ever come onto her property again uninvited, and told me to take care of you."

Ranma stared into her eyes as he tried to read if she was telling the truth or not. When he had seen that she had, he sighed and let his still sleepy head hit the wall. "Can you move?" She asked. Ranma tried to lift a hand but it groggily fell back down.

"Not yet."

Akane chuckled and went past the gate. A few minutes later, she was back with a bucket of water that she unceremoniously dumped on his head, turning his sex in an instant. "What the hell was that for?" He trilled.

Akane laughed again and turned to him before leaning beside him and draping his arms around her shoulders. "Piggyback," she said before she lifted him and carried him into the grounds of the dojo. He wanted to resist, but honestly, it felt kind of nice. Akane brought him to the living room and laid him in front of the TV. "Need anything else?" She asked.

"Kiss me," he said with a slight pout.

Akane giggled as she pushed his red bangs back. She kissed him gently, and Ranma wished he could bring his arms around her and pull her closer. Akane disengaged from him and stood. "I'll come drag you out when dinner is ready." And then she left.

Ranma sat there and idly watched the TV while his mind went through the last week. Who would have ever thought Kodachi would be the one to go down like a kitten? Still, he was relieved. A thought hit him then. That was all of them - at least the ones Akane had an immediate problem with. Akane's whispered words came to him in the quiet.

"You can have me." She had said.

He could do it now! No more obstacles, no more fights, no more waiting in agony as she touched him. He could have her completely and make her his. He could finally feel what it meant to be a man, a real man! He was very glad at that moment that he was in his female form as he felt a tingling down in his groin. It felt so different than when he was a man, but he knew it meant the same thing.

Ranma was so excited that he felt new strength return to him. It was the type of strength only an 18-year-old man who could get laid for the first time could ever feel. He lifted himself up -

And then quickly faceplanted back to the ground with a thump.

Okay, okay, okay. Tomorrow he could have her.

—

A/N: Well, I had originally planned on ending this in four chapters, but it looks like there is one more in the chamber. Thanks so much for reading to this point. I have to admit, I started having an idea for another long-form story - a nauseatingly sweet one, but I figured I owed it to those of you who have been following this one to finish it before moving on. See ya soon!