Disclaimer: The characters in this story don't belong to me but to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm using them only for story entertainment and no other reasons.

----Close encounter---------

Akane picked the lock to the owner's safe. The lock clicked and- mission successful! She slowly picked out the contents: A gold watch, tons of necklaces, a few gold photo frames with pictures of people, gems, rings and beautiful comb. Stuffing it all into her little pouch, Akane smirked.

She'd stolen so much in a day. At last, her family and her could relax! But they could relax for about.a week? Two weeks? "This should last us a week. Two weeks tops," Akane said to nobody in particular.

Setting a blood red rose on a nearby table, she silently pushed shut the door of the safe and tiptoed towards the window in which she had entered through a few minutes before.

Skilfully, she lifted one leg out and soon, the other leg followed suit. She noiselessly closed the window and hopping onto a tree, she grinned again. She hopped onto the roof of the house which she had just robbed and started roof hopping back to the slum she called 'home'.

"Ah! Akane-san, my daughter, what great treasures have you brought back for us today?" Tendou Soun said as soon as he saw his youngest daughter walk in. "Not much, dad, but we could sell it all off and live like a king for days," Akane replied indifferently, although she was secretly proud of herself.

Imagine, you say, a thief proud of her own work.

Sixteen year-old Tendou Akane was an adept thief and robber who stole from people's house. That wasn't all; she knew pick pocketing as well- or dipping, burglary and lots more. Her family and her lived in the Underworld.

Underworld. The Underworld was a place where numerous gangsters survived. People burdened by poverty and social disorganization also stayed in the area which was filled with dirty run-down housing.

To pull through, the Tendous became part-time robbers. Or, only Tendou Akane became a part-time robber to help her family get money.

"Akane-chan?" Akane's oldest sister, Kasumi, called out from the kitchen. "Hai, onee-chan?" Akane asked.

Kasumi walked into the living room. And then she saw the plundered loot in her father's hands and glanced disapprovingly at the both of them.

"I thought I told the both of you not to do that anymore. It's not good."

Akane could feel her spine shiver at her sister's look. Kasumi hardly scolded people; in fact, she was a kind and good lady. Thus, whenever Kasumi chided someone, that person would feel guilty even if he or she didn't do anything wrong.

"But Kasumi.we can't survive even with Nabiki's help.I'm sure you know that," Akane reasoned.

Kasumi clasped her hands together and gave a sigh. "I know. If only we each had sensible jobs.we'd have enough money to support ourselves.

"It's just that.oh, Akane-san, I'm so worried. What if one day you get caught?" Kasumi whispered, her voice filled with distress. "You know the authorities would take you away from me."

Akane watched her sister. Kasumi was very possessive of her family ever since their mother had died of a malady. After that incident, Kasumi was extremely protective and would give anything to keep her family safe from harm.

Akane sat on their worn out chair and went into deep thought.

I hate the nobility. They're so rich and they hardly work. All they have to do is inherit their ancestors' money and then invest it, so that they can spend some more. While we poverty-plagued people have to labour and strive so hard just to get a few cents.

The thoughts continue until Akane narrowed down on a particular one.

I hate the nobility.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Have you heard?" "Of course. Who hasn't?"

"The Underworld," a blond woman replied loftily.

The red haired woman beside her darkened the look of her eyes. "Oh, them. Those creepy thieves."

"Yes. Recently, there was a burglary which took place at Lord Kihama's house." "Anyway, back to the subject," the redhead reached into her reticule for a handkerchief. "Yes. I just so cannot believe that he's back!" the blond reached up to touch her hair which was set atop her head, with a curl left down to show off her cheekbones.

"After his father left with him, they've returned."

(Readers, I hope by now you'll understand whom I'm talking about.)

"Alas, he was gone for years, but now, he has rejoined us."

"Yes, his wonderful blue eyes."

"The cute hair style."

The two women looked at each other and sighed. "The devastatingly handsome Lord Ranma Saotome has returned."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Ranma! Ranma! Oh, how I've missed you, my son," Nodoka cried as she ran out to meet her son who had left with her husband a few years ago.

Ranma kept himself composed as he saw his mother scurry towards him. He'd seen her in pictures but not up close.

"Ranma!" Nodoka drew her son in for a hug. She hadn't seen him for such a long time. It left a void space in her heart.

"Now, now, Nodoka, what about me?" Genma asked, stepping out of the car.

"Oh, my husband," she sniffed as she hugged her husband. "How I've yearned for the both of you to be back."

"How have you been?"

"Fine.but I always felt empty. Without the both of you.my husband and my only son."

"I hope you haven't been wasting your time, Nodoka," Genma said sternly. Then his expression softened. "Ranma and I have trained much and we've spent our time well. I did as you say, Nodoka. Ranma is indeed a 'man amongst men'."

"That matters the least to me, husband," Nodoka wiped away her sniffles and tears and invited her family back in. "Now you're both back, we can be a family again."

Nodoka was so happy to have a husband and a son again. Their absence made her heart ache countless times and she knew that where both of them had each other, she had nobody but herself. But all that was to change. A few months prior, a letter had been sent to her to say that Genma and Ranma were returning back from their training.

Genma had sent pictures of Ranma every passing month and written stories of how Ranma was growing stronger and stronger. What he didn't mention was how he'd put his son into a pit full of starving cats, causing him to be emotionally distressed. Now, Ranma was very frightened of cats.

"By the way, Genma, Ranma, there will be a party tonight at Lord and Lady Hibiki's mansion. I want the both of you to be present."

"Hibiki?" Ranma flinched. "Why does that name sound so familiar?"

"Both of you had the same governess when there was a shortage of teachers, remember?" Nodoka explained.

"Oh.yeah."

"Okay, now remember, I'll be waiting for the both of you. So please go wash up now and we can prepare," Nodoka ordered. Then with a giggle, she added. "Oh, I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"What?!" Akane screamed at her father.

"Please, Akane-san, you must understand."

"I can understand stealing from them, but why must I mix with them?!" Akane shrieked, making her father cry even more.

"They won't suspect us this way. Onegai, Akane-chan, my utmost beautiful and lovely daughter," Soun fell onto his knees.

But I hate the nobility..

Why did she have to attend a stupid party? Being present would mean talking to those filth, maybe even dancing.

"Ugh." Akane groaned at the thought of having to touch them. "Those scumbags, those filthy lowlife bastards."

"But you don't want to be caught by them, do you? For borrowing their stuff without permission?"

"That's very true." Akane hesitated, before firmly making up her mind. "I'll do it."

And then, taking the dress her father had bought with their money, Akane went to wash up and dress.

A few minutes later, Akane came out, with her hair gathered into a ponytail which looked just like Kasumi's. Usually, she wouldn't bother to make her hair look nice, but just secure it with a string and tie it into a loose ponytail, a very loose one.

This time, due to a different situation, she placed a rose in her hair.

"Okay, bye otousan, bye Kasumi and Nabiki onee-chan. Wish me good luck in not dying before the night is over," Akane bade farewell before she left through the window and roof hopped to the venue where the party would be held.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Ranma! Is that really you?" Ryouga asked as he saw his old classmate enter the doorways of his house.

"Ryouga." Ranma didn't know what to do.

"Ranma, hey, old pal."

Ranma replied gruffly to his comment. "I'm not old yet."

Ryouga laughed before taking his friend's hand and leading him to a corner, where they could catch up on old times.

"So, how ya been?" Ranma asked.

"Training, just like you."

"You left home too?"

"Definitely not!" Ryouga looked horrified at the thought of that idea.

"Why?"

"I'd be missing for months," Ryouga replied plainly.

Ranma chuckled. His tension was beginning to melt.

"Still getting lost?" Ranma inquired, still laughing.

"It's not like it's my fault. People never give me the correct directions."

"Or maybe it's you who cannot follow people's directions."

Ryouga was silent for a moment, contemplating Ranma's statement, before he burst out chortling. "You couldn't say it better."

Ranma and Ryouga talked for a few more minutes before Ryouga suddenly stiffened.

"What?" Ranma asked, tilting his head to a side.

"Look b-behind you," Ryoga said, pointing to a space behind Ranma.

Ranma, expecting the worst, turned slowly. He turned more and more and came face-to-face with.

Thousands of excited girls.

"Oh my freaking kami."

Ranma stared at them before he swallowed and turned back to Ryouga.

"You know how to jump over them, right?"

Ryouga nodded furiously.

"Then that's what we're going to do."

Ranma and Ryouga looked at each other and nodded.

"On the count of three. One.two.three!"

The duo hopped over the girls. Ranma looked back at the crowd, feeling relief at being able to escape them.

"Ranma! Watch out!" Ryouga shouted.

Ranma turned his attention back to his front, and looked at the place where he'd be landing.

What he saw shocked him.

There was a girl with long hair in the way.

"Ohmykami!" Ryouga yelled.

The girl, obviously startled, looked up. When she saw that Ranma was about to land on her, she reacted quickly.

"Hyaa!" She cried out as she skipped backwards.

Ranma landed on one leg.

So..a martial artist, too.

The girl glared at them before she flipped her hair, tossed her head away, and walked away.

Ranma stared after the girl. She was wearing an orangey-yellow gown with a few but not too much ruffles. On her neck was a beautiful choker with a ribbon at the front. There was also a flower in her hair- a rose? Yes, it was a pretty pink rose.

She looked beautiful to him. Like an angel. She was different from the others, that was sure; she was unique.

She didn't throw herself at him. There was an air of dignity surrounding her and her expression dared anyone to cross her.

"Ranma? Ranma?" Ryouga asked as he waved his hand before his friend's face. Ranma was staring at something. Or maybe he was still recovering from shock.

Ranma remained in his still state until Ryouga slapped him.

"What the heck was that for?" Ranma yelped.

"Uh.you zoned out on me for a couple of minutes, that's why."

Ranma made up a pathetic excuse as to why he was distracted but one thing was clear to him.

He had to find the angel...and fast.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Akane was getting bored. She had drank punch for the past few minutes and people were going to stare at her if she went to get more.

Sighing, she placed her face above her hand and settled her hand onto the railing. Standing at the terrace, she was staring out into the garden.

A few men had tried approaching her to ask her to dance with them. But Akane, wanting nothing to do with them, simply scowled. Her scowl was enough to frighten even the demons. Thus, the men got her message and left her alone.

A noise bolted her. When Akane realised that it was just the clock, she laughed at herself for being so silly.

It must be my nerves. I can't stand this place.

She decided to count the number of chimes the clock made.

.5..8.10.

Ten? It was already ten?

Akane, shocked, decided to leave.

Hai, I'll leave, but not before I make a move first.

She had heard that the owner of this place was very rich.

Moving towards the family quarters, Akane did her best to stay unnoticed. When the maids asked her if she was lost, she simply giggled (like one of those mad crazy ladies in the partying room. Although she failed miserably) and said that she was trying to find the ladies'.

She found the family quarters easily as it was empty with few people.

Opening a door to what she thought was the master's bedroom, Akane walked in silently.

She lit a candle and looked around. It must have at least been a room which belonged to either the owner's children or not the owner himself.

She saw a drawer, a desk, a bed and a cupboard. Pretty plain. Except the room was also furnished with expensive carpets, drawings created by famous artists and contained some of the most costly things.

"I hit the jackpot," she murmured as she reached for the handle of a drawer. Pulling it open, she saw a map of the house. "Why would any sensible person keep a map of the house?"

Just then, she heard footsteps outside the room.

Better something than nothing.

Akane grabbed the map from its comfortable spot and shut the drawer softly before soundlessly heading for the window.

She pushed the window up and before she could climb out, the door opened.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Ryouga, if we want to talk, I think we need to go somewhere more. private from the crowds," Ranma suggested as he could smell the intoxicating perfume of the women following behind the both of them.

"I agree," Ryouga said, looking as if he might faint any second.

Ranma looked at his friend. "Where should we go, then?"

"I've got an idea." Ryouga said, his face brightened up as he had a brainstorm. "Follow me."

Ranma tried to stop his friend from pulling his hand, but soon, he had to yield to it.

"Be patient and walk slowly, will ya?" Ranma grumbled as his friend pulled him through a cluster of people.

"I'm walking very slowly already." Ryouga replied. When Ranma knocked into a table, he scolded. "And look ahead when you're walking. What are you looking at, anyway?"

Ranma, who had been looking out for the sight of an orangey-yellow dress, answered his friend's question with a troubled face. "Nobody in particular."

Ryouga knew Ranma rather well. Thus, he knew that his buddy was lying. But as Ranma looked distracted, he decided to leave his friend alone.

"Where are we heading to?" Ranma finally asked as they exited the partying room.

"To my room."

"Your room?"

"Yes, my room. Now, if I'm correct," Ryouga looked at a blue arrow. "I should be following this arrow."

"'Arrow'?" Ranma queried.

"Yes. And stop laughing, Ranma, it's not funny," Ryouga grouched. "If I can get lost outside, can't I get lost inside, too?"

"B-but," Ranma spluttered, "this is your home, isn't it?"

"Whatever. 'Turn left at the ripe peach'. There's the painting of the peaches," Ryouga instructed.

"And what's next? 'Jump out the next window you see'?" Ranma roared.

"No, it's 'go straight into the room beside the mahogany table'," Ryouga directed, failing to recognise his friend's sarcasm and joke.

They neared a room with the words 'Ryoga' on it.

"This is my room," Ryoga announced proudly, as he turned the door knob and pushed Ranma in.

The moment they entered, the duo could sense that something was wrong.

They couldn't quite place it. Searching the room, they felt a cool breeze embrace them.

"I didn't know your room was so windy," Ranma commented.

"It never was. We always shut the window but then if it was shut how could there be a breeze? So that means- oh my god!" Ryouga screamed.

"What? What?"

Instead of answering, Ryouga extended his hand and seized the thing closest to him- his collection of bandannas.

"Ryouga? What are you doing?" Ranma asked as Ryouga flung the object out the window.

"There was somebody in this room, Ranma. A robber."

"A what?"

"Lately, there have been consecutive cases of burglary committed. The targets are of mostly wealthy people. We have reason to suspect that the thief is from the Underworld. He is a very sneaky person and I think he's targeting my house," Ryouga paled at the last sentence.

"What? How could somebody do that? And who is the Underworld? And- Ryouga, if you're going to just stand there, the thief will escape. Let's give chase!" Ranma jumped out the window, ignoring the fact that Ryouga was still standing, frightened.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As the door opened, Akane jumped out onto a tree, clutching the map close to her.

"Whichever bastard that is will have to pay," Akane gritted out through her teeth as she tucked the map behind her chemisette.

She could hear voices coming in. The people inside were talking about.the weather?

They could still comment about the weather and not notice the open window? How dense could the nobility remain?

Suddenly, she heard a whish through the air; something was aimed at her. Looks like they weren't that dumb after all.

Akane tried hopping onto another branch but she slipped and had to try to maintain her balance. Unfortunately, Lady Luck was not on her side. She slid past the branch and would have fallen if her hands had not grasped the tightly to the branch.

"Oh, no. There're people below this tree on the terrace. If they see me fall, it'll be the end of my career." Akane gasped.

For the first time in her life, Akane was truly terrified.

She heard a similar whish in the air. The bandanna!

Akane felt pathetic. Swaying from the tree, with no form of help whatsoever, she was frightened.

The bandanna was closing in on her, if only she could retaliate!

Looking down, she saw the flowers in the garden. There were tulips, carnations and.why was she thinking about flowers at this moment?

Flowers.that's right! She had a flower in her hair!

Taking the rose out of its position, Akane hurled it at the advancing babushka.

Both weapons hit and bounced back. Akane caught the rose with little effort and swung herself atop the branch. The rose floated to the ground and landed daintily on the ground, attracting the attention of several blear-eyed people who muttered, "Is that a sakura?"

Time to go back after all this excitement.

Akane hopped onto another branch.

*Whish!* "Darn, not again!" Akane cursed. The bandanna was approaching again. "Can this bandanna actually smell me out?"

Determined to ignore the bandanna this time round, Akane hopped onto the roof of the house.

Sadly, the bandanna managed to slice through her hair, which sank to the ground. This time, the blear-eyed people gasped, "Is there a horse in that tree?"

Akane, flabbergasted, inhaled sharply before leaving the scene.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ranma was landing on the ground when he heard a few people muttering, "..sakura?"

I don't see any sakura anywhere.

He looked at the place where the people were staring at. There lay a pink flower.

*Pphh.* Something else drifted onto the bottom beside the 'sakura'.

He could hear the 'few people' muttering again. ".horse.tree?"

Ranma ran towards the thing and picked it up. It was hair. From the thief. It was long hair.

The thief isn't a man as we thought he-I mean, she was. 'He' is actually a 'she'.

Then hearing something jump onto the roof, Ranma hopped onto the tree, determined to hunt down the robber.