"So now do you understand the solution, Ryoga?" Akane asked as she pointed her pen on the notebook.

With a wide grin Ryoga nodded his head and said excitedly, "Oh gosh Akane, how'd you manage to solve that so easily?!"

"It's my job, Ryoga." Akane smiled at him and sighed tiredly. "Anyway, what was the next problem.."

"Kane!" Ranma stopped her, he placed his hand over her hand which was holding the pen and said, "Don't pressure yourself too much! You already gave him two extra hour!!" Saying that he gave Ryoga a meaningful look.

"But.. I am still confused about this math problem, Ranma!" Ryoga said in a whiny tone.

"What! Are ya planning to finish the whole book tonight? She is tired, can't you see that?" Ranma argued with an angry tone.

Akane noticed the short exchange between them; she could feel how angry Ranma was at Ryoga. She sighed and shook her head as she said, "Don't worry, Ranma. Let me show him this last one.."

Ryoga grinned happily as he said in a playful tone, "Akane-chan would never leave me halfway like you do, buddy! She is my true friend!"

"Friend!?" Ranma spat out with a soured tone, as he said plainly, "She is your tutor, not friend!!"

Ryoga shook his head and said with a wide grin, "Oh you are wrong, Ranma! Akane and I are best buddies now! Isn't it, Akane-chan?"

Akane sweatdropped and said while giggling nervously,

"Umm.. are we?! Haha why not!"

"See, Ranma!! Akane also thinks the same way about me! Aww, you are such a sweetheart!" Saying that, he intentionally laid his head on Akane's shoulder and got satisfied when he heard Ranma's low growling sound.

Ranma stood up from there and looked away from the scene with an annoyed face. Akane gently pushed Ryoga aside and looked up at Ranma,

"Ranma? Where are you going?"

Ranma didn't look at her and said with a hard tone, "I will be waiting for ya outside.. Take your time with your best buddy.!!" The last words came out too much harder than he intended. He huffed and exited the apartment with a quick pace. Akane moaned and glanced at Ryoga when she heard him smirking arrogantly. She gently whacks him on his arm and asked him,

"You did it on purpose, didn't you..?"

Ryoga smirked, he took her hand in his one hand and laid his other arm around her shoulder and said, "But I was only telling the truth , Akane-ch.."

"Hey Kane, don't forge.." Suddenly Ranma re-enter inside the living room and when he saw their current position; he again growled and exited the apartment by loudly closing the door.

The sound of the door closing made Akane react immediately. "RANMA!! WAIT..!!" She was not expecting Ryoga to hold her like this! But before she could react; and move his hand away, Ranma saw them again! She moaned and was about to leave in haste but Ryoga stopped her by grabbing her hand to stop her. She gave him a urgent look as he asked her,

"What about my math problem..?"

Akane pouted at him and pulled her hand away from him and said, "No more solutions for today!"

"But.."

"It's your punishment for teasing poor Ranma.."

Saying that, she took her things quickly and said, "See you next week, Ryoga!"

"Aww!! Dont leave me all alone, Akane-chan! My life would be lonely without you.." Ryoga said in a dramatic tone.

"Shut up, dummy!" Akane giggled hard and poked her tongue out at him. She then waved her hand and left the apartment.

Once alone at the apartment, Ryoga sighed and laid his head back on the sofa. A warm dreamy smile came to his face as he whispered softly,

"What is wrong with me?" He gave a long sigh and said, "Akane.."

Akane walked down the stairs in haste and looked out for Ranma. She didn't have to look for too long though, She found him as she climbed down the last stair. He was waiting for her, his back towards her. She sighed as she walked beside him and said,

"Did I take long?"

Ranma was not expecting to hear her voice so early. He was fuming about the fact about what Ryoga did to Akane and how Akane let him to touch her like that. He knows he shouldn't act like this, what happened between them was pure innocent. But he couldn't jerk of the uncomfortable feelings in his heart whenever he sees them so close together. At least he needs to be honest with himself, that he feels insecure. Insecure that, maybe Ryoga would steal Akane from her by showing off his fake identity to her. He feels scared that Akane might fall for Ryoga and leave him because he has nothing to offer her!

He was also feeling frustrated at himself for thinking so little about Akane. He know he had bad experiences with girls' expectations before; but Akane is very different from those other girls! He needs to trust her! She wouldn't choose Ryoga for his wealth; ... would she?"

"Ranma?" Akane waved her hand in front of his face and said, "Are you alright?"

Ranma grumbled and looked away from her. He started walking ahead as he muttered to her in a bitter way, "I didn't expect ya to come so fast! I thought you were going to take yar sweet time with your new best buddy!"

Akane purchased her lips and smiled narrowly. She started following him closely as she asked him in a silly tone, "Well... I am walking with my best buddy now.."

Ranma stopped walking and gave Akane a narrow look as he said, "Ya can't have loads of best buddies; it's either one or none!!" saying that he again resumed his walk as he tucked both his hands into his pants pockets.

Akane giggled and quickly walked beside him. She quickly hooked her arm around his arm and said while looking at him, "You are absolutely right!! You are my one and only best buddy!"

Ranma looked away from her, but Akane noticed the shy smile from the corner. She laughed seeing that and said, "Oh honestly Ranma, you are so childish! I bet you wouldn't have let me make any friends with anyone if we would have meet each other on our toddler times!"

Ranma smirked and playfully looked at her and said, "Feel lucky that we haven't met each other earlier then.."

Akane pouted up at him and shook her head as she said, "I wish I met you earlier.." She sighed and looked down.. 'Honestly, sometimes I feel so surprised how I have been without you my whole life..' She wanted to add; but she kept the last words into her mind.

Ranma sighed happily; then he began to wonder , 'No wonder my life has been so lonely and frustrated without you..' He thought to himself and said in a whispered tone, "Yeah, you are right! I wish we had met before; or else I would have found someone to guide me the right way long before. Like you are doing now.."

"Awww! I am not doing anything at all! You are absolutely God-gifted, Ranma! But really; it would be so exciting if we met each other earlier .."

Ranma smirked and said, "Oh yes! That would have been fun!! We could have argued more!"

Akane giggled and said, "I would have loved that!"

Akane gripped his arm tightly and unconsciously laid her head over his shoulder and they both talked and laughed about silly matters and walked back to the Tendo house.

They walked home very slowly. Not wanting to end their time quickly. Both not minding their closeness, but not understanding why they needed to be close like this and why they are feeling so comfortable with each other. When they reached the Tendo home, Akane looked at him and asked him,

"Why don't you come in, Ranma?"

Ranma shook his head and said, "Oneechan won't let me leave if I go in.. "

"Then why don't you stay?!"

"Stay! I wish! But you know that idiot Ryoga would ask me so many questions and he would find out that I am staying here sometimes! And if he finds out then.."

Ranma gave a dramatic sigh and smirked as he heard her giggling softly. He shook his head and said, "Good night, Kane. See ya tomorrow th.."

At that moment, suddenly the sliding door opened widely as Akio looked at them with urgency. He quickly closed the door saying, "I guessed I heard your voices! Now come here.." Akio didn't let them ask him anything as he guided them into the corner of the Tendo house. Once settled at a corner Akio turned to them and gave a long sigh.

"What happened to you, Akio?" Akane asked worriedly.

"Is everything alright?" Ranma asked..

Akio gave them a big grin and said, "I talked to Nabiki."

"Nabiki!?" Akane asked with a big smile, "How did you get her? I have been trying to reach her for the whole week!!"

"Yeah, she said she was busy with a business trip.."

"Show off!" Akane muttered..

"Anyways,.. There is one good news and one bad news. The good news is.. she will be coming to Japan tomorrow for two days.!"

"Really!! When!! Where?" Akane asked, excitedly.

"That's the bad news!" Akio sighed and said, "She is coming to Kyoto, not here. That's the main problem."

"Kyoto?! But.."

"Won't she be able to come to Nerima?" Ranma asked curiously.

Akane shook her head and said, "Until Oneechan accepts Kuno as a family, she said she won't set her foot on Nerima."

"Oh! I see.." Ranma gave a sigh, then asked, "Then what!? Did you ask her about Oneechan!"

"I wanted to ask her; but she understood what I wanted to ask her. She stopped me in the middle and told me to come to Kyoto and talk to her face to face. And she warned me not to discuss anything about this matter in front of oneechan! I think.. this is serious and we should go, Akane.."

"Kyoto? But it's a little far away! How are we going to manage oneechan?"

"Don't worry, I have an idea!" Akio said, he looked at both of them and said, "I will stay here. You go meet her and come home as early as possible. I will stay with oneechan and keep her busy. We can tell her that we have an exam and that's why you are giving extra tutorials to Ranma and Ryoga."

"But why can't you come with me?" Akane asked nervously.

"Dummy! If both of us leave and come home late, Oneechan might suspect something! I am already not sure if she had heard me and Nabiki talking or not! I am not sure.."

"WHAT!! How could you be so naive!! You should have checked if she was around or not..!!" Akane argued in a panicked tone.

"I know, I know, I thought she was in the kitchen.." Akio sighed and said, "Look, sorry I messed up! But now there is no other choice! Either one of us have to go alone and talk to her. Anyway, I truly want you to go meet her , because I am totally not comfortable with talking about this type of topic.."

Akane was still hesitating, to Ranma she looked mostly uncomfortable. He cleard his voice and asked her,

"What happened, Akane? Are you scared to travel alone?"

Akane shook her head and said, "No, no, no! Its not that.. Its just.."

"Oh yeah, I forgot! She must be scared because of Kuno!" Akio said, shaking his head.

Akane immediately replied, pouting angrily, "I am not scared, idiot. I am worried! He sometimes gives me the creeps! And if I go there alone, God knows what he will do!"

"What do you mean?" Ranma asked worriedly, making Akio smirk as he said,

"He is a piece of work, Ranma! Anyway, should we cancel the appontment then?"

Ranma shook his head and said, "Don't cancel, I can accompany Akane if you guys don't mind.."

Akane's face lits up with a bright smile as she asked excitedly, "Really, Ranma? You won't mind?"

'I am thrilled to spend some alone time with you!' Ranma thought to himself; as he simply smiled at them and said, "I would love to go."

"Awww thank you, Ranma! If you're coming with me then I don't have to worry about anything! Then we will leave on Saturday. I don't want to miss class tomorrow." Akane said sweetly.

Akio cleared his voice and declared moodily, "If you decide to go on Saturday, then you have to meet her at the venue where they will have a business party.."

"Party!" Ranma repeated as he gulped in nervousness.

Akio smirked and said, "See Akane, you made poor Ranma phobiotic about attending any party! What a shame!"

"What?!" Akane asked surprised, looking at Ranma and realizing the truth behind Akio's statement. To make her situation worse, Akio started laughing as he said while patting Ranma on the back,

"Don't worry, Ranma! You have my permission this time! Just make sure she doesn't drink any orange juice this time though!"

Akane's face got bright red with embarrassment. She moaned and spat at them in an annoyed tone, "You guys are so annoying!! I hate you!!"

She pushed Akio on his chest and started walking back home, fuming angrily.

"Hey Kane! Wait!" Ranma tried to follow her, but Akio stopped him.

"Ranma! Stay here..I need to talk to you.." Ranma worriedly looked at Akane's direction and asked,

"But what about her.?"

Akio shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh forget about her! I love to mess around with her! Anyway, I wanted her to leave us alone for a while, I have an important thing to discuss with you.."

The seriousness of his tone made Ranma anxious, he nodded his head and motioned him to continue. Akio looked at Ranma and said,

"Akane had never been comfortable around that Kuno guy. He is good and everything; but he is too much touchy with Akane.."

Ranma scrunched his eyebrows in annoyance as he asked him, "Kuno is her sister's husband! Why would he dare to do that!"

Akio sighed hard and said, "He always says it's a way he likes to approach his little sister-in-law! But all he managed to do was irritate her and get too cozy with her. Akane doesn't like it at all! But poor her; neither she could beat him or complain. Whenever I am with her, I always stick with her so that Kuno won't get to advance with her, you understand what I mean right?"

Ranma grumbled and said, "Don't worry! I will take good care of her.."

Akio gave him a genuine smile and patted his shoulder and said, "I know I can count on you, buddy! Thanks.."

Saturday

They were overly excited for their train ride towards Kyoto! Their ride started in the afternoon as they made sure not to do anything which might make Kasumi suspicious of their mission. Throughout the journey, they talked, laughed and shared some memories of their childhood with each other. Ranma didn't have much to share. But he was pleased to hear all the memories that Akane was telling him about her childhood. In his heart, all he wished he could be a part of her childhood as well. They didn't even realize how fast the time went! With their chitter-chatter, jokes and laughter, soon they reached Kyoto just on time.

They took a quick ride for the hotel where they had to meet them. Akane was entirely silent throughout the ride as she kept looking out at the car window. Ranma looked at her and noticed her hand was shaking slightly. He took a deep breath and laid his hand over hers. She shook slightly and looked at their hand. Ranma smiled and said,

"Don't worry! I will be by your side all the time.. Cheer up!"

The environment was so familiar to Ranma! The party, the social gatherihng, was making Ranma very nervous. He was afraid that someone might recognize him and his secret will be revealed. That's why he made sure to wear his formal red shirt, and tried every way to look like a regular guy. But still he was unsure. He asked Akane when they could leave, because as the time passed, his nervous system was losing its control. She assured him that Nabiki would come soon and take them to a private place where they could talk about Kasumi.

"But why are you looking so nervous, Ranma?" Akane scrunched her eyebrows together and took her handkerchief out and started to pat his forehead with it, "You are sweating too! Are you feeling okay?"

Ranma gave a long breath and said with a nervous smile, "I am alright! It's just that, this type of place gives me the creeps! You can say I had many bad experiences regarding this type of place.. I hate it!"

Akane gave him a sympathetic look and said with a whispered tone, "Oh Ranma! I am so sorry you had to come here with me.."

Ranma hastily shook his head and said, "Its okay; anyway when is Nabiki going to show up?"

"Yeah, I called her and she told me.."

"My fearless sister-in-law!! What a joy! What a joy!!"

Suddenly Ranma heard a man's voice calling out to Akane. The guy was tall and handsome; only the grey hairs on the side of his head was giving away his identity as an older guy. His arms were wide open as he rushed towards Akane with a big smile on his face! And before he could contemplate what was happening; that old gentleman grabbed Akane's shoulders and gave her a bone-crushing hug.

Akane looked at Ranma with wide eyes, as if asking him for help. Ranma panicked about how to help her to get her out of this situation. Before he could think of a plan, that guy broke the hug and looked at Akane with a.. wait a minute, is it a longing that he is seeing in this guy's eyes! Ranma growled angrily and noticed the way he was still holding her shoulder. Then his lascivious tone made him look at the guy as the guy said,

"I thought your sister was playing with my emotions when she told me that you would come to meet me today! But wow!! You did came!"

Akane gave a nervous laugh as she tried to back out from his leaning face; "Hello, Kuno-san! I am also happy to see you!"

"Really! I know you would be happy! Let me greet the princess more formally!" Saying that with a naughty smirk; he landed towards her face to greet her with formal kisses on both her cheeks. But suddenly, Akane was roughly pulled down on the ground as Ranma said in a fake annoyed tone,

"Damn! My shoelaces are open!"

Ranma pretended to fix his shoelaces; his one hand still had a tight grip on Akane hand; who also had to sit on the ground because of Ranma's harsh pull. Ranma heard a soft sigh coming from her mouth; he gave her a look as she whispered to him, "Thanks, Ranma!"

Ranma just winked at her. He then hastily stood up and quickly changed their position, still holding her hand tightly. He gave a big smile to Kuno and offered him his hand and said, "Hi! I am Ranma! I am here with Akane.."

Kuno looked at their interlocked hand and said, "And why are you holding my precious sister-in-law's hand?"

Akane tried to laugh sweetly to make the tense situation a little bit calmer as she said, "Oh Kuno-san; Ranma is my very good friend! Ranma, meet my sister's husband, Tatewaki Kuno.."

Kuno grumbled and looked at Ranma . He shook his hand formally and started talking with him moodily. "Akane! I thought you were clever like Nabiki! But it looks like you are still childish!"

"Why'd you say that?" Akane asked.

Kuno laughed and showed off his attire and said proudly, "Look, she married a guy like me! I won't say I am old! I am mature! I know how to please a woman! I never imaginied you would date a guy like him!"

Akane's face flushed hard with embarrassment. She shook her head and said, "No! No! Ranma and I are not dating at all!!"

"Oh is that so??" Kuno laughed maniacally and tried to get closer to Akane again; which to his annoyence Ranma blocked with his shoulder as Akane also went behind him. Then Kuno said in between his laughs, "In that case, I have a perfect man for you! He is my age! His luxury is same as mine. You can meet him tonight and I can fix a date for you two!"

"Oh that's a great idea, Mr Kuno!" Ranma said , still shelding Akane as be said, "You have amazing taste! You definitely should arrange a date for both of them..ahh..!"

Akane roughly stepped over his feet which made him quiet. She hissed at him and wanted to let go of his hand. But he grabbed her hand tightly and gave her an apologetic puppy dog look.

"What's going on here?"

"Nabiki?" Akane hastily turned when she heard the familiar voice; she smiled broadly and went to hug her sister. They shared a quick hug as both of them looked at each other. Nabiki laid her hand on Akane's cheek and said,

"You look different, Akane!"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Nabiki smiled at her and looked at the handsome looking boy who was staring at Akane with a wondrous expression. She chuckled and asked her, "Won't you introduce me to your new friend?"

"Friend? Oh Ranma!" Akane smiled and nodded her head.

They walked towards them as Akand began to introduce Ranma and Nabiki.

"Ranma, this is my sister Nabiki! And Nabiki,he is my friend, Ranma.."

Ranma blinked his eyes in nervousness, he stood straight and bowed slightly and greeted her.

"Hello, Mrs; I am Ranma. Nice to meet you.."

"Nice to meet you too, Ranma!" She casually offered her one hand to Ranma. He looked at her elegant-looking hand and carefully held it and felt at a lost about what she was expecting him to do. Nabiki giggled slyly and said boldly, "I won't mind if you kiss my hand as a greeting…"

Ranma gulped and nodded his head and quickly did what she asked him to do. Akane glared at Ranma and Nabiki's hands furiously! She balled her hands at her side as she saw Nabiki and Ranma talking with each other as if they had known each other for a long time! She growled angrily and then a sudden touch on her waist brought her back to the moment. She shrieked as she hastily looked at her side and noticed it was Kuno who just casually laid his hand on her waist. She started sweating as she tried to back out from him,

"Uhhh, Kuno-san, can you please.."

Kuno blinked his eyes innocently and said, "Why don't you come with me and let your sister spend time with your friend.."

Akane laughed nervously and said, "I.. I.. Uhh.."

"Kane! Why are ya standing here? Nabiki is calling you!" Ranma grabbed her wrist and quickly pulled her towards him and took her beside Nabiki. Akane was shocked at first, but when she met Nabiki's playful eyes; she growled softly and shrugged off Ranma's hand from her.

"Kane?"

Akane just gave him a narrow look and then turned towards Nabiki and said, "You called me?"

"Did I?" I wonder why.." Nabiki said, chuckling playfully..

"Hey! Ranma or whoever you are.. I was having a serious talk with my sweet Akane, why did you bring her here? She wanted to come with me, isn't it , my fierce sister-in-law?"

Akane giggled nervously and went behind Ranma to use him as a shield. She grabbed his hand in urgency, which he held with protection. Nabiki smiled as she noticed everything. Then she heard her perverted husband saying again,

"Come on, Akane! Let me show you around.." Kuno extended his hand towards her, expecting Akane to take it. But instead of Akane, Nabiki laid her hand on his chest and said,

"Honey, I forgot to tell you; that friend of yours you have been waiting for, is already here and wants to see you.."

Kuno smiled and said, "Oh he is already here?! I wanted to introduce him with your sister. You know what I told you last night.."

"Honey, we can meet him later… Why don't you go and meet him first. Then we will join you later?"

Kuno sighed and nodded. He gave a kiss to Nabiki and nodded at Akane and said, "He is a very nice wealthy guy, Akane! You are going to like him for sure. Honey, please talk to your sister about it. She won't regret it.."

"Yes! Sure, I will talk to her about this.."

After that, Kuno left them to go and see his friend. The three of them sighed simultaneously, which made them laugh as well. Nabiki shook her head and said,

"I am sorry for his behaviour! He sometimes acts like a complete maniac! But he is a good guy.."

Ranma nodded his head with a smile as he said, "Yes, I am sure he is a good guy."

Akane cleared her voice and said, "Nabiki, can we please go somewhere private.. We have to catch our train within two hours!"

"Hmmm.." Nabiki checked her wristwatch and said, "Well then, come follow me.."

A/N: Honestly, when I started writing this chapter, I was very confused how to write my imagination. But I think it came out pretty good. I am very satisfied with this chapter :)! What do you think guys? I think it's pretty cute the three-way jealousy round! Haha! See you in next chapter! Please don't forget to review :). Thank you...