The morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the landscape. The fire had burned down to glowing embers, and the crisp morning air settled over them. Akane stretched her arms over her head, letting out a quiet yawn, while Raya groggily blinked awake beside her.

"Ugh," Raya mumbled, rubbing his face. "Morning already?"

Akane smirked. "Yep. Time to figure out where we're headed next."

She pulled the map from her pack, spreading it out between them. The parchment was worn from use, the edges curling slightly. Akane traced their path with her finger. "If we keep heading east, we'll reach this city by midday tomorrow."

Raya leaned over, examining the spot she was pointing to. His eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, I know this place."

"You do?"

"Yeah. It's famous for its hot springs. Royals and nobles travel there all the time to relax—lots of fancy bathhouses, inns, and shops that cater to travelers. I've been there before."

Akane raised an eyebrow. "You've been there?"

Raya nodded. "A long time ago. It's a big tourist city, so there are always visitors passing through."

Akane considered that for a moment. "And you think we'll be able to stay under the radar?"

"Shouldn't be a problem," Raya said. "There's a lot of foot traffic, and no one really pays attention to new faces unless they're trying to stand out."

Akane folded the map and tucked it away. "Alright. Then we better get moving."

By late afternoon, they reached the city. The air was thick with the scent of mineral-rich steam, drifting lazily through the streets. Traditional wooden buildings lined the roads, some with decorative banners advertising bathhouses and inns. Stalls set up along the main pathways offered fragrant soaps, herbal oils, and luxurious silks—clearly catering to the wealthy visitors the city often hosted.

Akane inhaled deeply. "It does smell nice here."

"Told you," Raya said with a smirk. "The whole place is built on natural hot springs. People come from all over just to soak in them."

As they moved through the bustling streets, Akane glanced around at the elegant structures and relaxed atmosphere. "So, if you've been here before… where did you stay?"

Raya hesitated for half a second before shrugging. "Different places. There are a few big inns near the central springs—those are the most well-known. But there are smaller ones on the outskirts, too, if you want somewhere quieter."

"Mm." Akane nodded, tucking that information away. "I could really use a nice long soak in a hot spring."

Raya hummed in agreement, his gaze drifting toward the distant columns of steam rising between the rooftops. Despite everything weighing on his mind—the war, the rebellion, Akane's family—he had to admit, there was something comforting about being back in a place like this.

As they weaved through the bustling streets, Akane's gaze lingered on the beautifully crafted inns and bathhouses lining the roads. The scent of minerals and fresh herbs filled the air, reminding her just how much she wanted a hot soak after days of travel.

"Guess we'll have to find a really cheap place to stay," Akane murmured, eyeing a particularly lavish inn with a steaming outdoor bath visible through the wooden fence.

Raya chuckled. "Yeah, about that…" He shot her a knowing look. "All the inns in this city are way out of our price range."

Akane sighed, crossing her arms. "Figured as much."

"But," Raya added with a smirk, "there are plenty of natural hot springs in the forests around the city. A lot of people come here just to find them. We can make camp somewhere near one and soak for free."

Akane's face lit up slightly at that. "Really?"

"Really," Raya confirmed. "I remember there being a few good ones not too far off the main roads. We just have to find one that isn't already taken."

Akane hummed in thought, the idea of a peaceful soak after days of rough travel already easing some of the tension in her shoulders. "Alright. That actually sounds nice."

Raya smirked, stuffing his hands into his sleeves. "Yeah, I thought you might like that idea."

Raya led the way through the lively streets, keeping his pace casual but purposeful as he guided Akane toward the city's outskirts. He had been here before—many times, in fact—but never like this.

The last time he had walked these roads, it was as Prince Ranma. He had been here on royal visits, staying in the most extravagant inns, eating the finest meals, and soaking in the most exclusive hot springs reserved only for royalty and nobility. If things had been different—if everything hadn't fallen apart—he might have brought Akane here the way she deserved. He would have taken her to the best inn in the city, let her experience every luxury available. Instead, they were slinking through the city like fugitives, their clothes dusty from travel, their stomachs half-empty, their only real plan being to disappear before anyone asked too many questions.

His hands curled into fists at the thought, but he forced himself to relax. Dwelling on what could have been wasn't going to help them survive.

Once they passed through the last few buildings marking the city's edge, they returned to the wilderness, following the faint paths leading toward the border with Shiryia. Raya kept an eye on the terrain, his memory serving as his guide. He knew there were natural hot springs around here, but finding one wasn't exactly easy.

They walked for what felt like hours, the sun creeping lower in the sky. The air grew cooler, carrying the distant scent of mineral-rich waters, but nothing was immediately in sight.

Akane sighed, rolling her shoulders. "Are you sure you know where you're going?"

Raya shot her an indignant look. "I told you, I've been here before. It's just been a while."

Akane smirked. "So you don't know exactly where you're going."

Raya scoffed. "We're looking for a natural, unclaimed hot spring. It's going to be a little hard to find."

Just as Akane was about to fire back another teasing remark, they finally stumbled upon a break in the trees. A soft mist curled up from the earth, clinging to the air with a warmth that sent relief flooding through their travel-worn bodies.

A small, secluded hot spring sat nestled between a cluster of rocks, its water crystal-clear and gently steaming. The surface rippled slightly from the natural heat bubbling up from beneath. The area around it was quiet, untouched, and, most importantly—empty.

Akane let out a breath of relief. "Finally."

Raya grinned, stretching his arms. "Told you I knew what I was doing."

Akane shook her head, but she couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips as she stepped toward the water, already eager to rid herself of the exhaustion clinging to her bones.

As soon as they arrived, Akane wasted no time. She dropped her pack onto the ground, stretching out her sore muscles before peeling off her travel-worn clothes. The moment the cool night air hit her skin, she shivered and hurried toward the steaming water, eager to sink into its warmth.

Raya, however, had immediately turned around, his face heating as he clenched his jaw. He squeezed his eyes shut for good measure.

"You can go first," Raya said hastily, his back rigid as he kept himself facing away from the hot spring.

Akane paused mid-step, blinking at Raya in confusion. "What? Why?"

"Uh—" Raya scrambled for an excuse, trying to keep his voice steady. "It—it wouldn't be right for a mere servant to bathe with a royal."

Akane frowned. "But I'm not royalty. You know that."

"Still," Raya insisted, "it's a matter of propriety."

Akane crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "Why would you care about that when I'm a commoner?"

Raya groaned inwardly. Of course, Akane wasn't going to make this easy.

"It's just—" He waved a hand vaguely. "It wouldn't be proper for me to bathe with you."

Akane raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Raya gritted his teeth, realizing he was digging himself into a hole. "Just go soak already, would you?"

Still looking suspicious, Akane slowly lowered herself into the hot spring, letting out a pleased sigh as the warmth eased the tension in her muscles. She leaned back against the edge of the spring, her head tilting as she watched Raya stubbornly sitting on the ground, her back to her, arms crossed.

"You're being really weird about this," she commented, a playful lilt creeping into her tone.

Raya stiffened but didn't turn around. "No, I'm not."

Akane smirked. "Oh, you definitely are."

Raya huffed.

"You've been acting so high and mighty about being a courtesan, but now you're shy about bathing with another girl?" Akane teased. "I thought you were supposed to be all experienced and worldly. What happened to all that confidence?"

Raya clenched his fists. 'Damn it, why did I say that courtesan thing back then?'

"You know," Akane continued, clearly enjoying this, "I kinda expected you to be the type to just strip down and jump in without a second thought. Not turn into a blushing maiden at the idea of sharing a bath."

Raya groaned. "Just relax and enjoy your soak, would you?"

Akane chuckled, resting her arms along the edge of the spring as she eyed Raya's stiff posture. "You really are so weird sometimes."

Raya wasn't sure how much more of this he could take. He was already embarrassed enough just thinking about Akane being in the water behind him—completely unaware that he wasn't actually a girl. He clenched his jaw and kept his gaze locked on the trees in front of him, determined to survive this encounter with what little dignity he had left.

Akane smirked to herself as she watched Raya sitting stiffly with her back turned. She totally deserves this after teasing me so much last night. The more she thought about it, the more she convinced herself—if Raya was going to act all shy and proper, then Akane would just have to fix that.

Moving slowly so as not to make a splash, Akane waded to the edge of the hot spring, eyes locked on her unsuspecting target. Then, with one swift motion, she reached up, wrapped her arms around Raya's waist, and yanked her backward into the water.

The moment Akane's arms locked around Raya's torso, she felt something off. Her body—under the layers of clothing—felt…different. The shape, the density, the way her waist wasn't quite as small as she expected—

'Wait, what—?'

Before she could fully process the strange sensation, she pulled Raya completely into the water with a loud splash.

Akane surfaced first, pushing her wet hair from her face and expecting to see a sputtering, indignant Raya. And sure enough, "Raya" popped up right after—but something was very, very wrong.

The figure in front of her turned around sharply, shaking water from their now slightly longer, more unruly hair. Their body—where once had been a petite frame—was visibly broader. And their voice—

"Hey! What was that for?!"

Akane's breath caught in her throat. That voice—deep, unmistakably male—sent a jolt of recognition through her entire body.

And as if on cue, "Raya" froze, eyes widening in sheer horror. Slowly, hesitantly, they looked up at Akane.

Their face. Their hair. Their eyes.

It was him.

Akane felt the world tilt beneath her as she took an unsteady step back, her mouth falling open.

"R-Ranma...?"