Chapter 2 is here. Right now I'm trying to accurately portray Ranma's fear and how Ranma himself deals with it. The build-up may be slow. Nevertheless, I try to include as many aspects of the series as possible.

Enjoy Chapter 2!

''Tendo Akane, Ranma my fiancée at Amazon law.'' Shampoo said cockily.

Before Akane could say anything against Shampoo, she was pulled away by Ranma.

"Ranma...!" Akane shouted as Ranma looked back at Shampoo and said to Akane, "Do you want to stand in the hallway?"

Akane ran after Ranma. Of course she didn't want to stand in the hallway.

Meanwhile, Shampoo was left behind, who in turn became angry. She had to think of something again to influence Ranma and marry her.

Unfortunately for Ranma and Akane, they were too late and found themselves standing in the hallway together.
Their classmates always giggled about it. But since the failed wedding, the gossip had grown, something that Ranma was especially affected by.

It happened again during the break. Hiroshi and Daisuke who were eating with Ranma started asking questions.

" Okay, tell me! Why were you and Akane so late for school?" Hiroshi asked with a grin.

" How far are you with Akane now? Come on, Ranma, tell us." Daisuke said.

A question that Ukyo also heard and asked for her attention. ''Indeed Ranma'', Ukyo really wanted to know that too.

Ranma started to blush and as he brought his chopsticks to his mouth he muttered, "I don't know what you're talking about."

" Aaah! You're blushing! You and Akane have been up to something!" Daisuke shouted loudly through the class, causing everyone to look up.

Akane also looked up to see a blushing Ranma clenching his fists and shouting back, "We only trained together this morning!"

"Yes, yes, trained, you say. I assume in the bedroom." Hiroshi said and Ranma turned even redder.

"Akane, is that true?" Erika asked and was surprised to see Akane blushing too.

Ranma and Akane, both were martial artists, but when it came to love they were both very shy.

But this morning's workout wasn't just a workout, it was intense.

Up close and in focus, Akane saw how muscular and toned Ranma was in his arms and torso.

And Ranma saw, as he took the plates from Akane's haori, that he had a view of her bosom, which was bandaged.

Akane came back from her racing thoughts and started to defend herself.

" We trained in the dojo. Ranma wanted to test my physical condition after the incident in China."

With that answer there was silence. Everyone knew what had happened.

Sure it was fun to tease Ranma and Akane about their feelings for each other but this was a topic that was sensitive in some perspective.

'' And? How are you doing?'' Ukyo asked worriedly. Rival in love or not, Akane was also a friend to Ukyo.

''I'm not the old one yet. I have just enough strength to fend off Kuno-senpai.'' Akane said with a deep sigh.

Ukyo slumped her shoulders for a moment until an idea struck her.

"Akane-chan, let's run together after school so you can get your old stamina back." Ukyo said and Akane smiled at Ukyo and thanked her.

So after school, Ukyo and Akane went running together which gave Ranma a chance to train with his father.

Nabiki was sitting in a cafe with a Latte Macchiatto deluxe and an apple pie while Kuno sat opposite her with his eyes closed.

''Okay Kuno baby, what can I do for you on my free afternoon?'' Nabiki asked as she took a sip of her coffee.

''Tendo Nabiki... Where are my photos of Tendo Akane and the Pig-tailed Girl?'' Kuno asked seriously and Nabiki almost choked on her coffee.

Nabiki hadn't thought about it at all since the recent events. But Nabiki could actually use some cash.

''Who would you most like to have pictures of, Kuno baby? ¥200 per photo.'' Nabiki asked deviously.

''What are you asking me now? Do I have to choose? Between the stunning Tendo Akane or the indomitably voluptuous Pigtailed Girl? I cannot choose! Do both!'' Kuno shouted in dismay.

''I'll do my best.'' Nabiki said and drank her coffee.

When Nabiki comes home and changes into comfortable clothes, she walks to the veranda with her camera and looks outside.

Ranma and Genma spar throughout the garden.

''Welcome back, Nabiki.'' Nodoka said at the table where she was mending Genma's clothes.

''Thank you, Aunt Nodoka.'' Nabiki said as she sat down while watching the sparring. Ranma gave Genma a kick towards the pond and with a splash Genma was in the water.

Genma resurfaced as Panda with a sign in his paw: ''How dare you kick your own father?''

"You're getting slow, Oyaji," Ranma grinned as he sprinted up again to give his father a few punches.

Only Ranma misjudged so Genma had the opportunity to throw his son towards the water. Ranma flew into the pond and came out as his female other half.

Genma grabbed another plate, ''You're getting sloppy.''

" Shut up! " Ranma growled as he climbs out of the pond and begins to loosen his Chinese shirt, he hated wet clothes sticking to his feminine curves.

Nabiki grabbed her camera and took a picture. When Ranma stands in his wet white top which his feminine bosom shines through, Nabiki takes another photo.

"Ranma-kun, a lady doesn't show off her body." Kasumi said as she sits down at the table with tea.

''Kasumi, I'm not a lady.'' Ranma said irritated as he took off his shirt.

'' Ranma, take a bath and see if you can find Akane. We're going to eat soon.'' Nodoka said.

''Yes, Ofukuro. Akane isn't back yet?'' Ranma asked.

''No, not yet.'' Nodoka said.

Ranma took a sprint to the bathroom, got in the hot shower, quickly got dressed and ran downstairs when Akane just walked in.

"Ranma..."

'' Akane... How was your jog with Ucchan?'' Ranma asked.

'' Good. I'm glad Ukyo wants to help me.'' Akane said. "I'm just going to freshen up quickly before we eat."

"Then I'll see you at the table." Ranma said. Akane nodded and walked upstairs when Ranma walks back to the living room and suddenly a piglet hangs on his pants.

"What are you doing now, Ryoga?"

Ryoga made all kinds of grunting noises, which in turn made Ranma impatient. Ranma walks to the kitchen with Ryoga in his hand and grabbed a kettle to heat up water.

When the water is warm and Ranma throws it over the little black pig, Ryoga comes out and grabs Ranma by the shirt.'

'' Ranmaaaa... don't dare to mess with Akane again!'' Ryoga growled loudly.

"What are you talking about?" Ranma asked as he placed his over Ryoga's hand and pulled away.

" Th-th-that kiss last night!" Ryoga said.

" Kiss? ... Oh... uh yeah..." Ranma stammered, cheeks slightly flushed.

" Ranmaaa... what does this mean?!" Ryoga asked forcefully and then added, "You don't just kiss Akane..."

Akane, who had come downstairs in the meantime, heard that question when she was near the kitchen. She stops walking. Akane would also like to hear an answer even though she knows Ranma loves her. But it was brave to kiss her in front of their family.

Ranma looked at Ryoga seriously but with an expression that Ryoga almost never saw on Ranma: Regret.

" I... am plagued by nightmares... Ryoga."

" So? What does that have to do with anything? I love Akane too!"

" Ryoga, every night I relive... the fight with Saffron... I relive how Akane... lies lifeless in my arms... how she won't wake up... no matter how many times I call her name. .." Ranma explained slowly and swallowed. " ...and then she disappears from my arms... no matter how many times I call her name or say that I l-l-love her."

Ryoga stood frozen. Never before had he thought about Ranma suffering any trauma other than the Jusenkyo curse.

Now his rival aka friend looked lost.

Ryoga looked at Ranma and saw that there were dark spots under his eyes. Ranma looked more tired than Ryoga ever imagined.

Ryoga reluctantly gave in but he wanted to fight Ranma with 100% and that just wasn't possible right now. So there was no other option to temporarily support Ranma.

"Ranma...Akane is alive. You have not failed." Ryoga said sympathetically as he placed his hands on Ranma's shoulders.

" Ryoga..."

"And you are going to train her so that she becomes stronger than ever before. If necessary, we will do it together." Ryoga said.

Ranma smiled and clasped his hand in Ryoga's.

" Thank you. "

It was Saturday and Akane's birthday was being celebrated. The guests were Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne and just in time Ryoga.

Happosai had gotten a one-way ticket from Ranma because Happosai had tried to put a freshly stolen bra on Akane as a birthday present.

Ukyo had made her best Okonomiyaki and Mousse had a silk flower as a hairpin. Shampoo and Cologne had a tea set as a gift, which consisted of a small teapot, 2 cups, a bowl and a bamboo whisk.

''Akane, this is a blend of Chinese healing herbs. You still look a little pale.'' Cologne said.

''Thank you, Elder.'' Akane said with a smile.

''Nothing to thank, child.'' said Cologne.

Ryoga shuffled forward and handed over his gift, which Akane unwrapped, it was a black pig plush toy with a yellow scarf.

''Thank you Ryoga. The plush looks a bit like my pet.'' Akane said and Ryoga laughed awkwardly.

"Really, Akane-san?"

''Yes, although I haven't seen P-chan since this morning. P-chan!'' Akane shouted and Ryoga started to get very nervous.

"A-a-akane-san, m-maybe P-p-p-chan is looking for food outside somewhere." Ryoga said to reassure Akane.

''Maybe, Ranma, have you seen P-chan? Ranma?'' Akane asked and called out to Ranma who didn't respond.

Ranma who was lying on the porch with his head on his hand for support was staring out into the garden, deep in thought.

''Genma... something's wrong...'' Nodoka said slowly and Genma nodded. Genma got up to go to Ranma but Cologne stopped him.

''Don't come in his turn. He will react like Akane did with that Sleep incense. Kasumi-san, would you mind calling Ranma?'' Cologne said to Kasumi.

'' Me? Ranmaa-kun, wake up!'' Kasumi shouted but Ranma still didn't respond.

But Ranma still doesn't respond.

'' Ran-chan... '' Ukyo said worriedly.

Akane sat next to Ranma and touched his arm.

'' Ranma, it's me Akane... Ranmaa~...'' Akane said.

'' Shampoo has idea... '' Shampoo said and ran to the pond and jumped in and then came out as a cute kitty.

Then Shampoo ran back to Ranma and stood in front of his face and meowed.

Still lost in his thoughts, Ranma's pupils moved towards Shampoo and looked at a white little kitten.

Registering what stood for Ranma took a moment until Shampoo mewled again.

Ranma's eyes suddenly went wide, goosebumps reaching his toes and his braid standing on end.

Ranma jumped up and shouted, ''CAT! CAT! CAT! I HATE CATS! WUAAAAH!''

Ranma quickly ran to Genma and took cover behind him.

''Are you calling yourself a guy?'' Genma said.

'' This isn't very manly...Ranma...'' Nodoka said, a little disappointed.

''Ofukuro! It's Oyaji's fault! He tortured me with cats!'' Ranma shouted in dismay.

"The shame... I would do anything for my son and this is how he treats me..." Genma said with crocodile tears running down his cheeks.

Meanwhile, Shampoo was back in her human form and looking at Ranma.

"Ranma awake now..." Shampoo said with a smile.

Ranma who slowly came from behind Genma sat down next to Akane and looked at her.

''Sorry Akane for the noise.'' Ranma apologized.

Akane grabbed Ranma's hand with both hands and brought it to her chest and looked at Ranma.

''Ranma... what's going on? Please tell us.'' Akane said worriedly.

''Ranma-kun, this is not just about you but also about us.'' Nabiki said and Ranma looked at the ground.

He had just told Ryoga, which already required so much energy. Did Ranma have to tell it again?

'' Son-in-Law has PTSD combined with Lost Happiness disorder. In China they also call it: The Lost Soul of Happiness.'' Cologne explained.

'' The Lost Soul of Happiness?'' said everyone in the same time.

This was chapter 2. What do you think?