Akane exited the changing screen in her regular attire and saw Ranma pacing in front of the couch he'd been sitting on. His movements restless and his expression distracted.

"Tsubasa sure knows how to get under your skin," Akane said with a light chuckle, trying to ease the tension.

Ranma startled slightly, as if he hadn't expected her to come back so soon. He turned toward her, his face still a little pink. "Y-Yeah, well... we grew up together."

Akane raised an eyebrow as she walked smoothly to the couch and sat down, her curiosity piqued. "You did? What's the story there?"

Ranma hesitated, caught off guard by her calm demeanor. Was she really this unaffected by everything that had happened today? Did his apology settle things that easily?

"Tsubasa was a Wallkan nobleman's son," Ranma began cautiously. "We played together as kids. We're... friends, but when she started training as a courtesan, things changed. Not in a bad way, but it meant stepping away from the life of young men. Her path just... diverged from ours."

Akane nodded thoughtfully. "She definitely has a talent for this line of work. She practically oozes charisma."

Ranma let out a quiet chuckle, "Yeah, she's good at that. Unlike someone I know..."

The words left his mouth before he could stop them. He immediately winced, realizing how much worse it sounded than he intended.

Akane's gaze hardened, her exhaustion evident in her voice as she asked, "Do you ever have anything nice to say to me?"

"I... I didn't mean it like that," Ranma said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I always end up putting my foot in my mouth when I talk to you."

Akane tilted her head, "Just me?"

"Yeah," Ranma admitted, his eyes darting anywhere but her face. "I get... nervous."

Akane blinked at him, momentarily stunned. "Nervous?"

Ranma shifted awkwardly, his hands finding their way into his pockets as he mumbled, "Yeah, like... I don't know. I just never seem to say the right thing."

Akane's irritation melted into something softer, though she kept her expression neutral. "Well, you could start with trying to think before you speak."

"Yeah, I'm working on it," Ranma muttered, stealing a quick glance at her. There was something in her eyes now—less tired, more amused. It was enough to make his pulse pick up again.

"Good," Akane said simply, leaning back against the couch with a faint smirk. "Because if you don't, Tsubasa might have to step in and teach you some lessons about 'charisma.'"

Ranma groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Don't even joke about that."

Akane couldn't help but laugh, the sound easing into Ranma's soul. When she laughed like that, it made the tension in his chest unravel into butterflies.

"Don't joke about what?" Tsubasa asked, her voice laced with mock innocence as she reentered the room, her sharp eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ranma stiffened and shot her a nervous glance. "Come on, drop it already! You've teased me enough for today!"

Tsubasa let out a melodious laugh, clearly enjoying his flustered state. "Oh, you're absolutely right, Ranma. And I'd say I've more than accomplished what I set out to do today."

She turned to Akane, handing her a small, elegant paper bag with a cheeky smile.

"What's this?" Akane asked, peering into the bag cautiously.

Her face turned a light shade of pink as she caught sight of its contents. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead as she stammered, "Oh… uh, you really didn't have to…"

"Nonsense!" Tsubasa said, waving off the protest. "You need this little push. Trust me, it'll come in handy."

Before Akane could protest further, Tsubasa's tone turned brisk, though her grin remained teasing. "Unfortunately, I've been summoned elsewhere, so our meeting has to end here. But don't forget—be ready for your fittings tomorrow. Think of it as a date!" She beamed, unapologetic.

Ranma and Akane exchanged baffled glances before looking back at her.

"And Ranma," Tsubasa continued, her tone turning just a shade more authoritative, "make sure to walk Akane around the gardens before escorting her back to her chambers. You two need to spend more quality time together."

Both of them froze, slack-jawed at her boldness.

"Don't make me call King Genma," Tsubasa added with a smirk. "You should be grateful to him, you know. He told me to help you two with intimacy rather than going for the more... hands-on guidance he originally considered."

Ranma and Akane turned various shades of red at that revelation.

"We're definitely grateful that King Genma didn't go that far..." Akane muttered, her voice faint and tinged with disbelief.

Tsubasa's laughter followed her as she sauntered out of the room, leaving the pair to stew in their shared embarrassment.

The soft glow of colored lanterns illuminated the winding paths of the royal gardens as Ranma and Akane wandered side by side. The air was cool and fragrant with blooming flowers, but the silence between them was heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Ranma cleared his throat, sneaking a glance at Akane. "So, uh… you think she's seriously going to force us to spend more 'quality time' together?"

Akane gave him a sideways glance, her lips quirking in a faint smile. "When isn't she serious? This is her job after all."

Ranma groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, she's way too good at it."

Akane chuckled softly, her gaze drifting to a bed of roses nearby. "You have to admit, she's not wrong about us needing to... get to know each other better."

Ranma stiffened slightly, "I guess. Doesn't mean she has to go about it like... like that."

Akane smirked, taking a small step closer to him. "What? Embarrassing you half to death? You're just mad because you're so easy to fluster."

Ranma stopped walking and turned to face her, his cheeks warm. "Oh, and you're not?"

Akane raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain her composure, but the way his gaze lingered on her made her heart skip a beat. "I've got more self-control than you, that's for sure."

"Yeah, right," Ranma muttered, crossing his arms. "You practically looked green earlier when she handed you that bag."

Akane's face heated up instantly, and she jabbed a finger at his chest. "You were the one pacing like a madman while I was changing! And I saw the way you were looking at me in that lingerie!"

Ranma blinked rapidly, then looked away, muttering under his breath, "Well, that's because... Never mind."

"What?" Akane asked, stepping closer. "Because what?"

"Nothing!" Ranma blurted, his voice rising an octave as he turned and started walking again. She's gotta stop talking about this or I'm going to start imagining her again…

Akane followed, her laughter echoing softly in the night. "You're hopeless, you know that?"

"Yeah, well, so are you," Ranma shot back, but there was no malice in his tone—just a hint of exasperated fondness.

They continued their stroll, the initial tension giving way to something lighter, almost comfortable. As they passed under an archway draped in ivy, Akane glanced up at the cloud filled sky and smiled.

"Thanks for walking me out here," she said quietly.

Ranma looked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. He scratched his head, a sheepish smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah, well... it wasn't a bad idea, I guess."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the quiet hum of the garden filling the space between them. Slowly, the awkwardness began to fade, replaced by a tentative sense of connection that neither was quite ready to acknowledge out loud.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?" Ranma asked, his voice tinged with a shy awkwardness.

Akane glanced at him, her tone thoughtful. "I didn't really have any. I definitely didn't plan for a meeting with King Genma, but... it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be."

Ranma smiled faintly at her honesty, but his expression shifted as he caught sight of Ryoga trailing far behind them. "Oh… I forgot Ryoga's your new guard now."

He scratched the back of his neck nervously, his thoughts spiraling. Did Ryoga see me peeking at Akane earlier? That would be... beyond humiliating.

Quickly changing the subject, he asked, "Well... I haven't really shown you around the city yet. Would you want to explore it with me? We'd need to go in disguise, though. It's way too hard to look around when everyone knows you're royalty."

Akane's eyes widened, her face lighting up with excitement. It was the most genuine enthusiasm Ranma had seen from her since their marriage began, and it made his heart skip a beat.

"I would LOVE to explore the city! That sounds so exciting!" she said, her voice brimming with anticipation.

Ranma smiled as he led her back to his chambers, rummaging through a hidden stash of commoner clothes before pulling out a simple set of boy's garments. Ranma noticed how Akane set down her little bag that Tsubasa gave her. He wondered what unique clothing item was likely inside. Stay focused, Ranma!

"I only have these, but with your short hair, I think you'll pull it off," Ranma said, handing her the clothes.

Akane's chest tightened at his words, the subtle sting of being reminded—yet again—of how ungirly she must seem to him. But she quickly buried the thought. Focus on the bigger picture, she reminded herself. You're here for a reason, and your duty comes first. She thought of The Goddess and the role she needed to play until she could meet her. If exploring the city helped strengthen her bond with Ranma, then she'd embrace it.

"Right…" she replied quietly, taking the clothes. "Where should I change?"

Ranma hesitated, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "I won't look, but... well, it's not like I haven't already seen, uh… a lot of you… after, you know, the whole thing with Tsubasa and the lingerie," he said, his voice faltering as he grew more flustered. Nice going, idiot! Ranma's mind had been focused on that bag again...and look what he blurted out.

Akane's face instantly heated up. "T-That was different!" she stammered, clutching the clothes tighter.

Ranma smirked shyly, his eyes darting away. "Yeah, maybe… but still."

Akane hesitated, her heart pounding as she searched for a response. Finally, she looked at him with a mix of embarrassment and defiance. "You really know how to make a girl feel awkward, don't you?"

Ranma responded nervously. "Hey, I'm just being honest. You're not the only one feeling awkward here."

Akane softened slightly, her lips curving into a small smile. "Well, maybe next time, don't bring up lingerie if you want things to be less awkward."

Ranma nodded quickly, "Fair point. I'll, uh, wait outside."

As he stepped out, Akane exhaled, holding the clothes to her chest. Her heart was still racing, but she couldn't deny the small thrill she felt at his shy, teasing side.

Disguised in commoner clothes, Ranma and Akane walked through the bustling streets of the city, blending in effortlessly with the crowd. Akane wore the boy's outfit Ranma had given her, her short hair tucked under a plain cap.

"So, what do you think?" Ranma asked, watching her take in the sights.

"It's incredible!" Akane said, her voice filled with wonder. "There's so much life here. I've never seen anything like it."

Ranma grinned, pleased by her reaction. "This is just the market district. Maybe we will get a chance to stop at the docks. It's a little chaotic, but the view of the water at sunset is worth it."

Akane looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "You've done this before, haven't you?"

Ranma shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Many times. It's nice to get away from all the royal stuff sometimes."

Akane tilted her head, her smile turning mischievous. "You mean all the royal responsibilities?"

Ranma groaned, rolling his eyes. "Don't start with that. I get enough of it from Pop."

Akane laughed, and for a moment, Akane found herself captivated by Ranma's boyish charm. I see why many of the courtesans and noble women like him.

As they wandered further, Ranma couldn't help but sneak glances at her. Even in the boyish outfit, there was something about the way she carried herself—her curiosity, her excitement—that made her look…cute.

Akane caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. "What? Do I look that ridiculous?"

Ranma quickly looked away, scratching the back of his head. "No! I mean, you look fine. Better than fine, actually…"

Akane's cheeks turned a little pink, and she looked down, trying to hide her smile. "Thanks… I think."

Ranma led Akane through a winding side street, the lively market district gradually giving way to quieter lanes. The air was rich with the scent of roasted nuts, baked goods, and sweet confections.

"Where are we going now?" Akane asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and amusement as she tried to keep pace with him.

"You'll see," Ranma replied with a sly smile, glancing over his shoulder.

Soon, they stopped in front of a modest little shop with a striped awning. The window displayed rows of colorful sweets—candied fruits, sugary pastries, and jars of what looked like hand-pulled taffy. Akane's eyes widened as she took in the cheerful display.

"This," Ranma said, gesturing grandly to the shop, "is the best candy store in the entire city. Maybe even the kingdom."

Akane chuckled. "Is that so? You must've been here a lot to make such a claim."

Ranma rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish. "Yeah, well, when I was a kid, I used to sneak out of the palace with Tsubasa or Ryoga to come here. The owner makes everything by hand, and it's all amazing."

He opened the door, the little bell above it chiming pleasantly as they entered. The shop was cozy, with shelves lined with colorful jars and a counter showcasing an array of freshly made treats. A kindly older woman behind the counter looked up and smiled warmly.

"Rayta! It's been ages!" she greeted him.

Ranma grinned, clearly at ease here. "Hi, Madam Fumi. Yeah, it's been a while." He gestured to Akane. "This is…uh...Ayase. Thought I'd introduce her to the best sweets in town."

Akane gave a polite bow. "It's nice to meet you." Giving a bit of side-eye to Ranma, but realizing that the civilians must know the royal names and so they had to go by aliases.

Madam Fumi looked between them with a knowing twinkle in her eye. "Ah, finally bringing a girlfriend to my shop! It's about time! You're too handsome to not have a girl on your arm!" She laughed cheerfully.

Both Ranma and Akane blushed furiously at the comment.

"Uh, yeah, thanks," Ranma mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

Madam Fumi chuckled. "Take your time looking around. Let me know if you want to try anything."

Ranma led Akane toward the counter, pointing out various sweets. "These here are candied plums—they're kind of tart but really good. And this," he said, pointing to a tray of golden-brown confections, "is a honey-sesame brittle. It's my favorite."

Akane leaned in to examine the display, her eyes sparkling. "Everything looks so good. How am I supposed to pick just one thing?"

Ranma smirked. "Who said you have to pick just one?"

He turned to Madam Fumi. "Can I get a box of the candied plums, some of the brittle, and whatever your freshest treat is today?"

"Of course," she replied, bustling to prepare the order.

As they waited, Akane glanced at Ranma, "You didn't have to do this, you know."

Ranma shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "It's not a big deal. I just thought you'd like it."

Akane smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Ranma. This is really sweet of you."

The words made his stomach flip in delight, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, well… don't get used to it."

Madam Fumi handed them a neatly wrapped box, and Ranma paid before they stepped back outside. The afternoon sun bathed the cobblestone streets in warm light, but Ranma was already heading down a quieter alleyway, beckoning Akane to follow.

"Where are you sneakily taking me now?" Akane asked, clutching the box of sweets carefully.

Ranma glanced over his shoulder with a small, mysterious smile. "You'll see. It's not far."

He led her away from the bustling streets, weaving through narrow paths lined with ivy-covered walls. The noise of the city faded, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds. Finally, they arrived at a secluded little clearing.

In the center of the space stood a grand, ancient tree, its sprawling branches forming a natural canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the grass below. At the base of the tree was a smooth, flat rock that looked like it had been worn down by time, perfect for sitting.

Akane stopped, her eyes widening in surprise. "This is beautiful, Ranma. How did you find this place?"

Ranma shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I've been sneaking out of the palace for years. Stumbled across it one day and figured it was a good spot to, you know, get away from everything."

Akane walked closer to the tree, marveling at its sheer size and the tranquility of the spot. "It's so peaceful here. I can see why you like it."

Ranma stepped up beside her, setting the box of sweets on the flat rock. "It's not much, but it's a good place to just… breathe." He glanced at her. "Figured you could use that after today."

Akane smiled softly, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Ranma."

They sat down together, the sweets between them. Ranma opened the box and handed her a piece of honey-sesame brittle.

"Here. Try this one," he said.

Akane took it, biting into the treat. The crunch echoed in the stillness, followed by her delighted hum. "This is incredible. You weren't kidding about how good this place is."

Ranma grinned, leaning back against the tree trunk. "Told you."

They passed the sweets back and forth, sharing bites and exchanging light conversation..

Akane looked around the clearing, her gaze lingering on the way the sunlight played through the branches. "It feels like a secret world here. Like no one else knows about it but us."

Ranma glanced at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a gentle smile. "That's kind of the idea. Sometimes you just need a place where no one's watching."

She met his eyes, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them. Akane quickly looked away. I need to get a hold of myself, but this feels so good. Like…we're just two people enjoying each other's company…like my life is normal. I wish that was what this really was.

"So," she said, trying to break the moment, "do you always bring people here, or am I special?"

Why did I ask that? Do…I want to be special to him? Akane's heart sank into her stomach. She wanted something more, but she couldn't allow herself to think like that. And yet, she kept slipping back into the idea despite her conscience fighting against her.

Ranma rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze. "I, uh… I don't usually bring anyone here. It's kind of my own spot. But…" He hesitated, then glanced at her shyly. "I guess you're special enough. You are my wife, afterall."

Akane blinked, "I appreciate you trying to treat me…in such a romantic way. It does make this whole, arranged marriage, easier to deal with.

Ranma's thoughts scattered throughout his mind. Did she still think he was trying to butter her up? He hadn't really been thinking anything about trying to make her feel better about being his wife. He genuinely just wanted to show her a place that he liked. He wanted to share with her…be closer. He wanted to know this reclusive foreign-born woman.

"Can you tell me about Shirya? You might be my wife, but I don't feel like I know much about you at all or where you come from?"

"What exactly do you want to know?" Akane responded skittishly

Why does she always seem so hesitant to talk about home?

"Well, earlier, you said you'd never seen a city with so much life before. Have you never traveled to the cities of Shirya?"

"No, I never traveled to any of the big cities. I did sneak around sometimes to hangout with some martial arts students though. One of the students snuck me to a small village with him to meet his grandpa. Besides that, I never got to see the capital, except from palace windows."

Well, I never got to see the capital because I was a prisoner when I finally made it to the big city,

Ranma's ears pricked up, she said a guy snuck her to see his grandpa, "Why did he want you to meet his grandpa? What was your relationship with him?"

"He wanted me to meet him because his grandpa was sick. I think he just thought his grandpa would like me. And, well, we had a mutual interest in martial arts. His name was Shinnosuke. He was a kind boy."

"Was…?"

Akane looked down sadly at the candied plum in her hand, "he is probably dead. He was part of the rebel forces that tried to overthrow King Gosunkugi with The Goddess's forces. When she backed out and accepted his surrender - well, Gosunkugi sent his forces to crush the rebellion. There were mass executions." Akane's voice trailed off quietly. It was clear she was getting emotional.

"I…don't like talking about home. I love Shirya, but my country is in pain. We're ruled with an iron fist and Gosunkugi is cruel to all. Those within the palace and those outside as well. No one is immune from his wrath."

Ranma felt his blood run icy cold, "I had no idea…I..I'm sorry for your loss."

'Yeah…well…I am going to make sure his sacrifice will not be in vain." Akane replied with power in her voice.

"...what?" Ranma replied feeling uneasy. What could she be talking about? King Gosunkugi has already surrendered. What more could be done that wouldn't jeopardize the peace that has been established

Akane looked apprehensive, "I'm just saying…The Goddess shouldn't trust King Gosunkugi so easily. I intend to tell her that if I get the chance. Do you think I could get the chance at Shampoo and Mousse's wedding?"

Ranma considered her words, his brow furrowing. "Your father must be a truly cruel man for his only daughter to distrust him this much." He paused, unsure how to broach the topic. "As for The Goddess, you might get the chance. She rarely appears in public, though. I've only seen her once, and even then, she was inside a palanquin."

Akane nodded thoughtfully. "Have you ever spoken to her? How do you know she's actually a goddess? What's her story?" She hesitated. "In Shirya, no one worships or reveres her. Most of my people don't know anything about her."

Ranma leaned back against the tree, arms crossing as he thought. "We're taught her story as kids. She was a priestess of the 'old religion,' back when people worshipped dragons. The Blue Dragon of Ice chose her to merge with, and together they became The Goddess. She's been alive for centuries, and since she came into power, there's been peace in Alganon. No wars—until the invasion of Shirya, anyway."

Akane's expression was skeptical. "How does anyone know that's true?" How could it be true if she left the rebels who helped her to be slaughtered?

Ranma shrugged. "She's been alive for hundreds of years, and Alganon's history before her was full of constant war. Most people believe in her because of that. But I get why you'd feel differently. Shirya's… an outsider to all of this."

Akane's gaze dropped to the ground. "Yeah…"

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the rustling of the leaves above. After a moment, Akane reached into the box and pulled out another candied plum. "Well, anyway," she said, her voice quieter now, "here. Your turn."

Ranma leaned forward to take it, their fingers brushing briefly. For a moment, their eyes met, and an electric stillness passed between them.

I want to know all her secrets, Ranma thought, his heart twisting.

The moment broke when he coughed awkwardly, leaning back and rubbing the back of his neck. "These plums are… really good."

Akane managed a small smile but said nothing.

Ranma cleared his throat. "So, um, how was it that you knew someone who ended up in the rebellion? Were you… close?"

Akane tilted her head, as though deciding how much she could trust him. "I met him sneaking around, kind of like how you met Madam Fumi. I got lost, and he helped me. And yes, we were close. I loved him—not romantically, but… he was a good man."

Ranma's chest tightened at her words. What would it be like to have someone care about you that deeply? He found himself wishing Akane might someday feel that way about him. That they might become close.

He pushed himself to his feet, brushing off his pants. "Well, we only have so much daylight left! Want to stop by the tailor before the official fitting? You could browse some dresses and help them figure out what you'd like to wear for Shampoo's wedding."

Akane's expression lightened with relief at the change in subject. "Yes, I'd like that."

And together, they stepped out from under the tree, leaving their unspoken thoughts behind for the moment.