Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½ nor do I make any money out of writing this. Just borrowing the characters and settings.

I know I keep writing Ranma/Akane at the moment, but having reread some chapters, including the latest one with China I couldn't help but think what if Akane really could read Ranma's thoughts? So, based on that premise, here's my first attempt. Let me know what you think!

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The week after the failed wedding seemed neverending. The Tendos and Ranma were living together whilst Nodoka had had her house repaired and unceremoniously asked her husband to spend some time with her to remember his manners. Needless to say, Ranma had not wanted to be in the house and finally had a room to himself at the Tendo's.

Akane and Ranma were on tiptoes around each other, confused and unsure, second-guessing every word they said and every action taken. This meant they would not spend more than ten minutes in the same room with one another, uncertain if the other was angry, annoyed, upset or sad. Unfortunately – or fortunately, circumstances soon forced both to a more honest and self-appraising approach towards each other.

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'AKANE!'

The blue haired girl's eyes opened cautiously upon hearing the shout, examining her surroundings before taking any action. It was just past dawn and the voice had sounded like her fiancé's, but... he was nowhere in sight.

Before she could get up, footsteps sounded quietly outside her bedroom. Deciding that a cautious – and curious – approach was best for now, Akane evened her breathing and pretended to be asleep. She knew it was Ranma from the sound of him, the cautiousness and then the sigh of relief that followed it.

'She's safe. She's alive. Everything's okay; she's okay. Better leave now or she'll catch me staring at her asleep... that sounded creepy. And then she'll accuse me of being a pervert again. Argh, bath. Now. Maybe it'll wake me up.'

The door closed just as quietly, whilst Akane stared at the ceiling in shock. Ranma – he had been worried. About her...

She couldn't fault him for it. The stuff that had happened with Saffron – it still sent a shiver down her spine every now and then and she couldn't be more grateful for Ranma's stubborn and persistent refusal to leave her sight since then. He was the only one that made her feel safe anymore, but she hadn't realised that he felt the same.

A flush bloomed on her cheeks as she thought about her fiancé. He must have been dreaming about what had happened in China, and he was worried about her. How sweet.

Deciding not to mention the dream and be extra nice to him, Akane turned off her alarm and started getting ready for the day ahead; their first day back at school.

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"Good Morning Ranma!"

Aforementioned boy paused in shovelling the food in his mouth. Something was off. All his instincts were screaming danger and he stared at his fiancée suspiciously. She'd not been nice to him since over a week ago, especially not this overly sweet. Something was off.

"Okay, what do you want?"

Akane blinked. Want?

"Nothing, why would I want anything?"

'...suspicious... plan... off'

"If you say so..."

Akane, meanwhile, was staring at the boy in front of her. What had that been? That was very odd. She could have sworn she'd heard him say something but his mouth hadn't moved until the "if you say so". What was going on here?

Biting her lip to keep her peace, Akane concentrated on her breakfast. Quietly both made their way to school, ignoring her dad crying in the corner about the fake wedding, Nabiki adding up all the damages and Kasumi quietly cleaning up.

'Remember, be nice. He is worried about you – that's good. Now, behave.', Akane sternly told herself.

"So... Ranma, looking forward to school today?"

Said boy stumbled in his steps on top of the fence slightly as he sent her a queer sideways look that clearly told her what he thought of her question.

"Yeah, you know how much I always enjoy school..." He rolled his eyes and moved forwards again whilst Akane gave a laugh that sounded false and high pitched even to her own ears; but it was better than hitting him. Be nice – but it's so damn hard!

Ranma paused, jumped off the fence and moved closely towards her until his face and hers were only separated by a few millimetres.

'I don't care what she says but something is definitely wrong here. That is not Akane. This is one of these shrill, girly laughs that she does when she's faking and trying to throw you off. Nice try, but I know all your tricks by now, Akane. You're an uncute tomboy not a giggly braindead maniac. Well', Ranma amended. 'maybe slightly cute... sometimes. But she is definitely planning something now! I'll figure it out...'

"Well, we better make a run for it if you still want to be on time for school."

'What could she be planning?'

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Akane blushed at his proximity and the intensity of this stare. He was so close to her; in the last week they had avoided being alone in a room, unsure where they stood with each other now, after China. For him to suddenly be so close to her...

'...wrong... Akane... tricks... uncute... maniac... figure...'

Hand clenching, fury overtook Akane but Ranma's next words took the fire out of her.

"Well, we better make a run for it if you still want to be on time for school."

Oh no, they were going to be late and on the first day back after half the school had been there for the wedding fiasco. Fantastic!

Cursing, Akane started to run, moving past Ranma.

"But don't think for a moment I've forgotten you insulting my figure!"

Ranma paused, confused as he stared at her back as it slowly disappeared from sight. Her figure? He hadn't in any way, shape or form said anything about her figure! What the...?

The loud bell from school sent him, cursing, hopping across the roofs in a bid to make it to school on time. By some miracle he avoided the usual splashes of water en route and made it, foot inside the door of the classroom, just on time. He was sent to his chair with only a warning glance from his teacher.

Akane studiously ignored him when he sat down next to her and Ranma sat down for a torturously slow three hours until lunch time.

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When the bell finally hit, he was in the yard with Daisuke and Hiroshi before Akane even had time to blink.

Sayuri and Yuka were at her side before she could even contemplate following her fiancé out.

"Is it true? Did you get married? Some say Saotome got cold feet at the last moment."

Her entire class appeared to have halted what they were doing and were staring at her, awaiting her next words. Typical. Gossip-mongers.

Now what? If Ranma had concerns it made her look bad, if she had some then Ranma's masculinity would be in question and if both of them had refused it would deny any feelings between them. God, she hated this – and once again Ranma left her to deal with it. Bastard!

"Well", deciding on a neutral approach, Akane slowly looked at her two friends. "people decided to interfere and by the end of it our house was more destroyed than together; I think you saw that bit. Every lunatic in the vicinity came for a reunion and Ranma was unconscious; either due to violence from his other fiancées or because of his fight with Happosai after he drank the water that could have turned Ranma back permanently. So, as per usual, all our plans were destroyed, property damaged and I think we won't be having a wedding for a while now."

In retrospect, the disaster of her wedding seemed somewhat amusing even if it had hurt her to have this done on her wedding day; she had dressed up and for just a moment, she had been happy. Ah, how fast the wheels turned.

The crowds around her finally dispersed to spread the gossip further – presumably – and she looked at her two friends.

"Fancy being outside?"

Her two friends, bless them, immediately understood her need to be away from the others and consented.

When they had finally found a spot, on the other side of the courtyard from Ranma, Akane unpacked her Bento to share with her friends.

"So, honestly. Where you going to go through with the wedding had there been no interruption?" Yuka looked curiously at her; both friends vaguely knew of her emotional turmoil over the last two years with her fiancé.

Blushing, Akane shyly looked up at her friends.

"I- Yes. I would have. I... I want to marry Ranma, or at least I did – and I would have preferred to have some time beforehand to... you know, become a couple but... with the Nanniichuan at stake I was not averse to having a wedding first."

Sayuri grinned.

"So... Were you looking forward to your wedding night?"

The smile was entirely mischievous and sent Akane blushing, exclaiming at her friend. "SAYURI!"

Unable to stop herself, the blue haired girl looked over to her fiancé. She hadn't really... thought about the wedding night before. They would've been.. Oh dear god, her face must be overheating! And then Ranma's eyes caught hers across the school grounds and she could easily read the concern in him even over this distance.

"Oooh... So you HAVE thought about it! You know, we were starting to think that you didn't think of boys that way with the amount of times Ranma has been half naked in front of you and you – you haven't been bothered one iota and even I can see that he is very well trained, especially in his upper body. But you always seemed... unaffected. Now I see how it is! You are a girl, you do have dirty thoughts!"

Akane blushed even more, ducking her head before sending a small glare at her friend.

"I would prefer if you didn't shout it out loud, you know!"

"You admit it? Woah, what the hell happened in China?!"

And just like that her good mood evaporated.

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"So, how did you manage to avoid this one? Even the date was set and the invitations were sent. We really thought you were going to come back a married man; and I mean, looking at Akane it wasn't exactly a bad option!"

Raising an eyebrow at Daisuke, the boy backpedalled quickly. Everyone and their horse knew that Ranma was protective of all females, but especially Akane; you never – ever – insult her honour or try to actually harm her. He would be out to kill you.

"I just meant that, from a completely platonic brotherly kind of view – she's quite pretty."

Ranma suppressed his blush, having had similar thoughts about his tomboy before.

"I guess... I mean, it's not like I was looking."

Hiroshi grinned, relaxing slightly at the unchanged Ranma in front of them.

"Are you upset you missed out on the wedding night? I mean, damn, I would be. Akane certainly looks rather... flexible."

A rather unmanly squeak escaped the boy in front.

"Wedding night?"

Hiroshi frowned.

"Yeah, I mean... you did realise what would come after the official ceremony, right? You can't have been in the same house with her for all this time and no have thought about... that... at least once, right?"

"And I mean, she agreed to the wedding, right? So that means she wanted to... marry you and all that that entails."

Eyes wide, Ranma's head turned and he immediately sought out Akane's eyes in the crowd. Her face was flushed and for a moment he was set to walk across there and check her temperature before he realised his own face was probably on fire and she was likely to receive a similar grilling from her friends.

'Did she think about this? Did she realise? She does look rather cute when she is embarrassed... she was ... so beautiful in her wedding dress... She wanted to marry me, she agreed to it... Does that mean...?'

"Akane and I ain't like that!", Ranma protested despite his doubtful thoughts. "She ain't interested in that sort of stuff and... that wouldn't have happened anyway!"

Hiroshi and Daisuke frowned, exchanging glances.

"Is it her, personally? Are you more interested in – what's her name? Shampoo? Or the Okonomiyaki-girl? God, I hope it's not Kodachi, she'd be hell to live with despite any fun you may have in bed. I mean, I guess I can understand that. Akane is more prone to hitting you whilst Shampoo and Ukyo! That's it! Ukyo swarm around you, trying to get dates and basically rub themselves all over you whilst, in Shampoo's and Kodachi's case certainly, exposing more skin than they're hiding. But have you thought about this?"

"ARGH! That's not what I am saying! I don't- I'm not!", Ranma protested, groaning. This was not the fun lunchtime he'd envisioned.

"They may be pretty but it's not like that. I'd rather kiss a cactus than Shampoo or Kodachi. Both girls are nuts; Shampoo chased me and pop all over China for two weeks; she's like a dog with a bone. And everyone knows the Kuno's all have a few screws loose. Nah. Not my thing. And Ucchan is ... well, I still think of her as a guy and a great friend, not anything... that way. I mean, they're all attractive but not such a great personality... you know..."

Daisuke blinked.

"Right, Ranma. You realise we're talking about fucking them not marrying them, right?"

The poor boy stammered and hopped around them in a wild circle, madly denying anything and everything. The other two just sighed and let the subject drop. Ranma was fun to be around and all the excitement around him was certainly interesting but his inability to discuss more... male subjects and his poor social skills sometimes put a dampener on the conversations. They had thought what with the attempted wedding and everything that this would have changed; unfortunately that didn't seem to be the case.

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Akane startled out of her conversation with Yuka when she heard Ranma's voice.

'...she realise?... Cute when... beautiful... wedding dress... me... that mean?'

The blue haired girl looked over automatically and for just a moment their eyes met, before he focussed on his friends again. Akane paused.

'Ranma is all the over on the other side of the courtyard. That can't possibly be him... But then, I'd recognise his voice anywhere. That's definitely him... What's going on? How can I possibly hear him from over here? And is he thinking about me being beautiful in the wedding dress? That's... kind of flattering. He hasn't seen anyone else in a wedding dress, so he must have meant me, right? He even said I looked cute and beautiful on the day... so surely- hold on! Thinking! That's the key. This morning – and back in China! He wasn't talking, his mouth was closed. Was he thinking? Am I hearing Ranma's thoughts?'

Wide eyed Akane stared blankly ahead, trying to process this latest change. It wasn't that farfetched considering even half of the other things they had been through.

'Oh god, can he hear my thoughts? Does he know what I am thinking? Will I hear everyone's thoughts – no, that makes no sense. So far it's only been Ranma and it's only snippets ... Except for this morning. Why was this morning different? Or was he talking then? And god, I hope he can't hear my thoughts. Surely he would have said something... But then again, I didn't say anything either.'

"God, why can't our lives ever be normal!", groaned Akane before burying her face in her arms to the surprise of her two friends.

"Akane? What's wrong?", Sayuri's voice shook her out of her musings and she focussed on her friends again. She hadn't told them anything about what happened in China and they had simply been gossiping about Yuka's latest boyfriend and the latest trends and happenings of high school. Her sudden mood change was probably rather unexpected.

"I- Nothing, I just..." Akane sighed. In truth she knew this was nothing she could share with her friends, just like so many things before. She so desperately just wanted to fit in but she practiced martial arts as did her fiancé, she was engaged to the number one boy at school and had the oddest occurrences happening around her; most of them dangerous in one way or another. Information such as this one, which could potentially be used against either her or Ranma, could not be discussed with them.

And it galled her that no one had ever asked this of her; it had been her decision alone. There was a limit on the amount of information and the extent of it that she could share with what used to be her best friends. She had what could only be described as a rather superficial relationship with them.

She could share her feelings with them but not explain how Ranma defended her or what happened to cause the disasters in the first place. It was... straining. Every now and then she would bribe Ranma with ice cream and she'd have a chat with his... female half? It was freeing but it had been a long time. She wasn't sure how to bring up the Saffron-thing – wasn't sure if she was even ready to talk about it yet. And there was no way she could talk about her feelings about him with him...

Every relationship she had, she needed to be careful about whom she could say what to and it simply wasn't fair.

The bell rang as a warning and she uttered platitudes to her friends, distracting them as she had been forced to do before. There was nothing she could do about her situation, though she did need to find out if Ranma was able to hear her thoughts.

Unfortunately she only had one idea for a failsafe reaction from her fiancé.

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Unsure how this thought transference thing worked, Akane tried thinking as loudly as she could.

'I WANT TO SEE RANMA NAKED!'

Akane frowned when Ranma did not even look her way, blush or otherwise show a reaction. So... only her then?

'Boring... Can't sleep. Watch Akane.'

Despite her best intentions, Akane's head moved up quickly. He was watching her?

It took another moment and quick glances at Ranma's body language before her brain caught up. He was watching out for her, not watching her per se.

God, how was she ever going to do this? Should she tell him? But... this was her one chance to actually find out what Ranma was thinking of her. He would be unguarded...

On the other hand, it was a huge invasion of his privacy and she would be furious with him if he did the same to her. She couldn't do that to him... but she'd finally know for sure!

For the rest of school, Akane's focus was on her ethical and moral dilemma and it took Ranma standing in front of her, for her to snap out of it.

"You ready to go, Akane?"

"Hmm? Uh, ye-yes, of course Ranma."

Quickly packing her bag she stood up and followed him outside.

'Akane... weird again... this morning... plotting? Or is something wrong?'

"I... Ranma, we need to talk."

'Uh-oh'

"It's nothing bad, it's just... Ranma, I... God, this is hard!", frustrated, Akane punched the wall on her side. Ranma fluidly moved into a fighting stance.

"You wanna fight?"

Akane couldn't help but snort. Would he be thinking about his moves? Would she know every move before he did it and thus defeat him, for once? Ah, who was she kidding; whilst she had kept training, she had neither the strength, stamina nor speed that Ranma had. And that wasn't even taking into account any of the techniques he knew. Even if she knew every move he took it would be a challenge and she doubted she'd beat him.

But that was okay, because he was always protecting her.

Her smile softened as her eyes warmly looked at her fiancé, whose movement halted and he slowly moved back to his normal stance, eyes intently on hers.

'Cute...'

Her cheeks blushed and she looked down, embarrassed.

"I can hear what you're thinking", Akane burst out, realising that knowing what Ranma was thinking was flattering but it would be much nicer if he actually said it to her rather than a subconscious thought.

"Oookay? As in you know what I would really like for dinner?"

Akane shook her head, before squaring her shoulders and facing him head on.

"I am sorry, but it took me until lunch time to figure out. I can hear your thoughts – or at least snippets of them."

Ranma flushed. Lunchtime he'd been talking about... certain things he certainly didn't want Akane knowing that he thought about.

"What did you hear at lunch time?"

Akane looked puzzled as Ranma cowered away from her and looked uncertain as to why she wasn't beating him up.

"I... am not sure", she found herself saying. "Like I said, it's only snippets. Why, what were you thinking about?"

"I – nothing! Nothing at all. I mean, there is nothing worth thinking about, right?"

Akane hesitated. What did that even mean? She knew there was some sort of hidden meaning and Ranma was cautious, so this was probably about emotions. Maybe she should reassure him - in the usual roundabout way that had become their normal way of communicating feelings. None of his thoughts were getting through to her and this seemed a likely option.

"Maybe, maybe not."

As she had tried to maintain eye contact with Ranma she watched as he blushed scarlet and gaped at her, before, embarrassed, starting to fiddle with his clothing.

"I.. you.. I... we had never... I didn't..."

'Consummation... wedding... Akane... want...'

At hearing those thoughts it was Akane's time to be embarrassed.

"I thought you were talking about feelings! I didn't realise... I thought... Oh god!"

Fully mortified now at this misunderstanding she hid her face behind her hands, tempted to just run home blindly and lock herself in her room. She felt more than heard as Ranma came closer, feeling his body heat hers before a large, masculine hand landed on her back.

Looking up, she noticed he wasn't looking in her face but away, cheeks still slightly red.

"It's Hiroshi and Daisuke... I didn't – I would never... err... say anything, you know?"

Against her will, Akane smiled. Typically awkward, but every now and then Ranma said just the right things.

"I know. Can we just pretend this never happened?"

"Sounds good to me."

She could hear the relief in his voice.

'...remember. Does this... Akane wants...?'

"Eh... Ranma... I can still hear you."

It took him a moment to catch on and when he did he flushed first, but that went away quickly as he angrily kicked a lamp post.

"It's thoughts, Akane. Not like I can just stop them."

"I am not sure I want you to. I kind of like hearing your thoughts every now and then. It's... reassuring."

The boy didn't look back and they continued on their way home.

"So... Any idea how?"

"No, best I can figure the first time was after ... I thought... in china. When you said you didn't say it? I... think that's when it started. I have been hearing snippets but over the last day – so since we have been together in the same room for longer than ten minutes, I have been able to occasionally even get a full sentence. But I have no idea what caused it. Dying whilst fighting a sort of god... don't think there's a handbook out there for me."

She watched as Ranma's hands clenched.

'Failed... couldn't protect her...'

Her eyes softened as her heart went out to her fiancé. She didn't like remembering it either; it had been a particularly close call and they both knew it. It had scared her.

"Ranma?"

"Hmm?"

"I.. am not ready to talk about what happened, but I think you should know that you are the only one who makes me feel safe."

Eyes blazing, Ranma whirled around.

"What does that matter? I couldn't protect you, Akane. You nearly died – in my arms. And I could not do a damned thing to save you. I... I was helpless. Without you, I don't think I would have won and you nearly died, you stupid, selfless, uncute tomboy! I- We nearly lost you and I was meant to protect you! Damn it!"

Akane smiled softly.

"It's okay, I'm okay. We did make it all out of there alive. And you forget – I can protect myself. I am a martial artist and I know all the risks. It was no different than any of the previous fights where you protected me and didn't save yourself. This- this was no different. I know the risks, Ranma. But you have to let me fight too. Even if it is tomboyish, I will not back down from a fight or a challenge. I... I like that I can rely on you to protect me, but if you taught me we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place! I know I am not as skilled as Shampoo nor do I know how to use weapons like Ukyo, but you can teach me, Ranma. Please. I-"

Akane took a deep breath, brown eyes meeting blue ones, silently pleading.

"I don't want to be helpless anymore, Ranma. Please..."

'She's right. I can't be around her 24/7. I can't protect her.'

Sighing, Akane stepped closer to Ranma and her arms went around him in a warm embrace. Maybe she was pushing too much.

"I- you are right. But I won't go easy on you, you realise that? You have to let me know if it's too far. I was only taught by dad... and as you know, for him there is no limit to sacrifice for martial arts. So, let me know if training methods are off. Promise?"

His hot breath ghosted over her ear and she could feel a shiver of pleasure run through her body, setting her nerves on fire.

"I promise. Thank you. I know how hard this must be for you."

They separated and Ranma looked uncharacteristically serious.

'Don't want to hit you...'

"You are insulting me as a martial artist by even thinking that."

"Akane?"

"Yes?"

"I... I can hear your thoughts too, you know."

Wide eyed, Akane's head shot up and met Ranma's mischievous grin before he shot ahead.

"RANMA!"

Furious – and embarrassed – Akane shot after her fiancé.

'God, I hope he didn't hear what I thought when I returned to the classroom!'

The look and grin he sent back at her told her everything she needed to know; he had. Fuming she put on an extra burst of speed and caught him on his back, sending him down into the water before he had a chance to regain his balance. An annoyed, female Ranma came back up, but not before sending her another smirk.

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"So... when did you realise?"

Akane sat awkwardly in the dojo. It was hers and Ranmas 'neutral' zone. They had endured a dinner with her family before realising they really needed to talk to clear this up.

'Pretty much when you came into the classroom and thought... what you thought. No one else was reacting and then you were thinking about telling me so I kept quiet.'

Ranma was clearly thinking, before addressing her out loud, intent expression on his face as if he was studying a new technique.

"I was curious, sorry. You could hear all that, couldn't you?"

"I- Yes. How did you...?"

'I am... I don't know, pushing the thought towards you? Eye contact seems to help. Unfortunately I can't seem to suppress my thoughts from you, just communicate this way with you.'

'...Like this? Can you hear this?'

To Ranma's amusement even her thoughts sounded hesitant.

"Yep. I hear you loud and clear."

'So what, this is another oddity in our life? Will this go away or are we stuck like this?'

'Dunno. But it could be pretty interesting communicating like this. At least your sister won't be able to listen in on us. Neither will your or my dad.'

Akane giggled, imagining Nabiki outside the door trying to make out any noises.

'That is a funny image. Didn't know I would be able to see things you're imagining.'

Almost in the same moment they both realised the implications of any daydreams or nightly dreams they might have being shared, eyes wide and faces scarlet they stared at each other.

'Fuck!'

Akane suddenly bend over, laughing.

"Akane? What's wrong?"

Ranma leant over, concerned, but shot back the moment he heard her thoughts.

'Literally?'

"Akane!"

'It's not that funny, you know!'

Despite his thoughts, a reluctant smile was tugging at his lips.

'Okay, it's not.'

Akane's head came back up and as soon as she met Ranma's eyes both were doubled over in laughter.

'You know... that this makes no sense. It's not even that funny.'

'It kinda is. We were going to get married just a week ago. We were about to DO more than any images we may have or not have and now here we are. I had never... I mean, I have thought about it but not... you know, as reality, as us, as so soon. It just, they were such separate events to me. I... Have you ever...?'

Ranma grumbled, looking at the ground before replying. It was... somehow easier in his thoughts to talk to Akane. As though he was only talking to himself and it just so happened she could listen to it; which was good because his thoughts and his actual words often didn't match.

'I am a boy, you know. I have... thought about it... but admittedly I didn't think about it in connection to the wedding either. Like you said; two very separate things. I mean, I would like to kiss you fi-'

Realising what he was about to admit to, Ranma's head shot up.

'I mean-'

Akane's hand covered his and paused his thoughts momentarily.

'So would I.'

Both teenagers exchanged embarrassed smiles at the admission. They had come close so many times over the last two years but had never actually taken that last step, never felt what it would be like to kiss each other.

'So...'

Twisting his braid, Ranma looked at her uncertainly.

'Have you ever, you know... thought about me... us that way?'

Akane flushed and before she could help it she remembered the one moment she always recalled whenever she had any thoughts of them together.

Ranma, in her front yard, doing one of the more complicated kata without his shirt on, skin glistening with sweat as his body moved fluidly, dangerously, through the complicated motions. Moments like those she could definitely see themselves doing other... strenuous activities. The play of muscles under his skin, his grace and yet the contradictory tenderness in his arms whenever he held her and the deadliness of his movements whenever he was in a fight; the fierceness in his expressions when in combat, the passion he held for the arts...

Heart thudding loudly she stared at her fiancé. Judging by the wide eyed look he was giving her he had received at least a part of these thoughts.

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Ranma, unable to stop himself, stared at his fiancée. He had thought every now and then that she may be interested but this? He had never thought... His martial arts were a love and a passion for him. Shampoo seemed to practice them solely because that is what her clan did. She took pride in her skills the same way any one took pride in something they were good at. Ukyo seemed to have taken it up to defend herself and to be a match for him. Kodachi – well, who knew what her twisted reasons for anything were.

But Akane had always held the same fierce devotion he had to competition and being better, to constantly improving and being the best of the best. She loved martial arts with a passion that rivalled his own, only she had not been given the opportunity to flourish as he had; he knew her father was always extremely cautious with her and he suspected she would blossom if she just knew how to.

Marriage had always been an abstract concept to him since he had always been alone with his father and most times not even exposed to other families. He had taken it as a live in the same house, eat the same food and protect her kind of deal.

Over time, after meeting Akane, that had changed, one bit at a time.

She could and wanted to protect herself, fiercely possessive of her independence and desire to prove her own skills, to not be seen as a damsel in distress. And then she had slowly turned into a friend and confidante, someone that supported him and had his back, someone who helped him and told him (though often through violence) when he was wrong. She was not whimpering, not helpless, not weak and giggly and expecting kisses and sudden marriage proposals. She was a tomboy – and she was perfect.

Sometimes he really didn't understand her moments of self-consciousness – yes, Ukyo's and Shampoo's food was better, but did she really think him so shallow? They couldn't hold a candle to her. And if she ever... He vaguely imagined Akane doing as Shampoo had, confessing her love, big doe eyes on him... he would not even think twice about anyone else.

He had never really thought about Shampoo that way anyway; whilst at first it had been kind of flattering she had proven herself a threat and real annoyance sooner rather than later and he now wished he had turned her down at the beginning of the entire escapade. And Ukyo – well, he wasn't screwed up sufficiently yet to want to start something with someone he thought of as both a boy and a sibling.

And even if he were shallow enough, did she not realise why exactly most of the boys at her school had been willing to be beaten into the ground once a day for even the slightest chance of a date with her? He had realised it the first time she had smiled at him on their first day at school. She was... nothing short of beautiful. She didn't need to turn up half undressed or with huge amounts of makeup on, she just would be who she was and it stunned every male in the vicinity.

'Akane Tendo, would you... come on a date with me?'

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Akane flushed at Ranma's thoughts. It was... without this they probably would never have talked as frankly – well, they still weren't, really. It was just their own thoughts and the other could somehow listen in. But she had never known, never even had an inkling that Ranma held her in higher regard than any of his other fiancées.

'Akane Tendo, would you... come on a date with me?'

So when he asked, the answer was easy.

'I would love to, Ranma.'

The boy panicked.

'You know I can't take you anywhere fancy or anything? I mean, I would like to, but...'

'Ranma- I don't mind. I would love to even simply sit on a roof with you somewhere and watch the stars. I just... I would love a date.'

'Tomorrow? After school?'

'Okay.'

'Err.. and... after all our discussions today... I mean... I can't, you know... control my dreams. No accusing me of being a pervert?'

Akane grinned almost maliciously, setting Ranma's inbuilt danger sensors off.

'Ahh... so you do have dreams of the tomboy with no sex appeal, too big hips and thighs and who is flat-chested?'

Against his will, Ranma recalled the first time he saw her naked, coming into the bathroom, towel held between her breasts, baring most of her physique to his eye; he had tried not to look but he hadn't been able to stop himself entirely. Perfect, round bosom, slender waist curving out to her hips and moving in for toned thighs and silky skin, hair flowing over her shoulders. She had taken his breath away; no one else had ever done that. Thanks to his female form he knew a woman's body more clearly than most men ever would but... for some reason, Akane's was different; she was... extremely attractive. His other fiancées had certainly never caused him to have these thoughts.

He choked, knowing he'd projected his thoughts clearly.

'Well... I wouldn't say no... sex appeal... you are... you know?'

Akane blushed.

'Were you disappointed that time with your mum when you needed to prove your manliness and I was wearing a swimsuit?'

Hesitantly, Ranma chuckled. He could still remember the way his stomach had dropped when there had not been silky smooth skin and bare flesh but instead a swimsuit. He had been very disappointed. Akane reached out to him again, shyly looking up at him.

'I- I don't mind, you know. You thinking about me... in that way. It's... strangely flattering? I... think you are very attractive too, you know. So... same no pervert rule goes for me, okay?'

'You don't mind? But I thought you'd...'

Akane shrugged, uncertain and self-conscious. It was an odd thing and she wasn't entirely sure if she, herself, understood.

'You thought I'd flip? Yeah. I don't like boys because they leer and gawp and look at you as though you're an object. I always felt dirty. With you... it's different... Sorry, this isn't coming out right, but I am not even sure what I think.'

Akane sighed, before attempting again to explain her thoughts on this, blushing as her eyes met Ranma's.

'What I mean is that it is flattering you have... are thinking of my body... Shampoo has been unashamed about her nudity and around you, hugging you whilst naked even. Ukyo whilst not lacking inhibitions like Shampoo is incredibly beautiful too. As you have pointed out your own female form is more attractive than mine. I just... it is kind of nice to know that despite all that it's me you're thinking of, if that makes sense. You actually... desire me and that is flattering whereas it wouldn't be with anyone else.'

Blushing at her words, Ranma sent her a wry smile before thinking in a moment of bravery.

'Trust me, Akane, I have never thought about my body the way I have about yours...'

Heart pounding, cheeks flushed, Akane looked at Ranma in both gratitude for the reassurance as well embarrassment at contemplating his actual thoughts on the matter.

"Shall we go to bed?"

"Ye-", clearing his throat, Ranma tried again. "Yes. I think that would be best. ... I'll see you tomorrow, Akane?"

'Good to know our verbal communication is just as stilted and awkward as it used to be and full of ways to misinterpret it.'

Ranma grinned at her, relieved at the levity remaining between them.

'So, any ideas on how to stop this?', Akane continued.

'No, not as yet. I am not sure whether or not to consult our family or Cologne. They may know something but chances are it's going to get spun into something grander than it is and we will come to at the altar.'

'I know. It's moments like these that I wish Dr. Tofu was still here.'

'So do I. Now, I haven't forgotten about my promise, but how about we go on our date tomorrow first? That way, if it does not go well or – surprise, surprise – magically gets interrupted by either my other fiancées or your wannabe fiancés, you get to beat me up the next day. Free of charge.'

Akane laughed.

'Sounds perfect, Ranma.'

Both stopped in front of their respective rooms, hesitating, uncertain about the correct protocol for this.

'Good night, Ranma.'

'Good night, Akane.'

Smiling happily, Akane changed into her pyjamas, feeling optimistic about hers and Ranma's progress for the first time in a week. She even laughed when Ranma sent her a thought, which was obviously him being cheeky.

'Sweet Dreams.'

Life, even now, in all its strange complications and twists, was good. For once it was not one step forward, two steps back, but rather three steps forward, none back.

She couldn't help but feel excited about what the morning would bring. This new closeness to Ranma was making her ... oddly happy.

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Well, that's it for now. More over the next few days ;)