Disclaimer:

I do not own Rumiko Takahashi's places, characters, or the manga Ranma ½. I did created Kanna amongst other characters which you haven't seen the name before in Ranma's manga (Kanna is a name used in the episode 109 (Shiawase no panda densetsu (Legend of the Lucky Panda) but it's not the same character).

Notes:

Thoughts are in italics

Otōsan (father), okaasan (mother). Chigau (misunderstanding, no, you're wrong, to differ) Masaka (That's impossible, could it be?) Hajimemashite (it's a word that you say when you first meet someone), Itekimasu (a phrase as an announcement that the person is leaving certain place, is in polite form) Oneechan (lady, Ms., Miss, sister), Ki (energy, battle aura. Usually is not seem by ordinary people, just by trained martial artists and/or people with trained eyes or that have a 6th sense.), okawari (it's a word used to ask for another serving in a meal), fūro (bathroom)

Kanne and Akane are pronounced differently ( In Japanese there are no actual intonation rules (none that I know of); yet, Akane, the e is emphasized. Kanne the pause in the double nn takes out all emphasis in the vowels since there is a pause before the n. This note is for you to notice the big difference in the name change, but in the similarity of spelling (at least in furigana)

Tendō and Tengoku means practically the same, or at least give the same idea. Ten- heaven. Do- road. Goku-country. (Tendō means "The laws of heaven and nature", Tengoku "Paradise")

Hebiken A martial technique that I just created. Hebi-snake. Ken- fist (technique). (Don't ask. LOL)

Dōgi- martial artist uniform

I picked the year 1997 since 1987 was the year that the manga started.

I do apologize for the various words in Japanese that I'm using. I watch Ranma's anime and read some of the manga in Japanese. And of course apologizing for my English, it's my second language. Please be patient, if you would like to help me editing, I would appreciate it. Meanwhile, I'm trying to correct myself as much as possible. (I'm still working on "Chigau!", for those that are interested.)

Read. Enjoy. Correct. Review. Do whatever you want (but I hope it the first 2)

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Tōkyō Suburb. Year 1997 Akane Tendō, age 26, was planning to visit her father after 10 years that they haven't seen or spoken a word to each other. Forgiveness was the only word that she was looking for. Not only on her father's behalf, but for herself and for her father.

How could he ask her to slave her youth to a stranger? How could be bare the fact that she was going to be married when she was just starting to live her life and know herself. "Why am I still going back home, anyways?" she said softly to herself as she bought the bullet train ticket to Nerima. As she sat in her seat she shrugged at her own imagination. "Would it have been better if I married that guy; instead of spending all this time alone, running away?" Akane shrugged at the idea of that unwanted marriage, and the unwanted faceless young guy. "Should I have at least met him to try and see if it would've worked? No!!! Love is not something that even father could've chosen for me" Akane frowned. "10 years have passed, and showing up like this will provoke a heart attack. They must think I am dead" The train didn't let her thoughts finished; her destination had arrived.

She walked through Nerima's streets, smiling to all those good memories that she had of her childhood. She couldn't wait to reach that sign that said "Tendō Dōjō"; to see her sisters, to try the divine cuisine of her sister Kasumi, and to conclude the bet that she had with herself whether or not her other sister Nabiki was a millionaire. Even, to meet a new mother. She smiled at the idea that her father would have married again; after all he was still young. Walking through the town, her mind was flooded by memories, and invaded by questions. Did Kasumi marry Dr. Tofu, after all? She sighed. It seemed she wasn't completely over the fact that her sister stole her youth crush's heart. Resentment was never healed.

She passed through the Sensei's clinic nearby her house; she wanted to stop to confirm her fear and her hypothesis, but courage wasn't with her in this matter after all. Suddenly, a little 8 year-old boy appear in the entrance yelling to the inside of the house "Otōsan, Okaasan gave me permission to go to my friend's house. Itekimasu." She kept watching the scene with curiosity. Whispering to herself "Shall I go and say, 'Tofu-sensei it's me Akane'." The young lady paused "'I was in love with you and I ran away because my father wanted to marry me with a stranger'" she shook her head violently. "I think I surely should avoid that second part, besides he's already married." hesitantly she started walking towards the clinic. "But…. with whom?" her pace turned curious.

The kid was about to bump into her, but before she could react he jumped high into the air over her head with skill. Akane smiled "At least Martial Arts are still around the neighborhood" she quietly said. She then entered through the main entrance.

She went to the receptionists' desk; there was no one there. After couple of minutes, a lady with a heavenly smile came from around the corner and said, "I'm so sorry, I was helping my son to get ready for school. Do you have a pre-scheduled appointment?"

Akane was nervous. She thought, is this Kasumi? How could I forget her face? Her divine smile? Akane was in shock, up to a point that the lady had to wave her hand to call her back to attention. Akane startled.

"Not really. I came to see the doctor for personal matters," said Akane smiling. The lady started. She wasn't smiling anymore "What personal matters?" She asked suspiciously.

"He has been our family doctor for years, I live in Tōkyō now. May I please see him?" Akane was getting frustrated.

"Are you certain this is the clinic that you are looking for? I've been with my husband for eight years, O-NO-TO-FU-SEN-SEI, and I do not remember you," the lady said now with quite evident jealousy.

Akane didn't like the way she spelled his name to her. It was spelled with a tone that she would never hear from her sister. With this, she assured her that woman wasn't Kasumi. Akane was about to burst, but suddenly a male voice interrupted her monologue-to-come. Half of his body was in the hall. His years were now manifesting in his short hair, his belly was a little bit pronounced, and his hands were over-worked and his face worn out because of so much smiling.

"Kasumi, would you please help me give Shimizu-san her medicine?"

Akane startled. Ka-su-mi…… "Tofu sensei, you said? I'm sorry. I must've confused the street."

The change in Kasumi's face as instant, the smile came back and the politeness as well.

Akane left the clinic with a couple of tears shed. Why am I crying? Is it the fact that he is married to Kasumi or…. Perhaps that Kasumi does not recognize me? It was a little bit of both. Perhaps she should talk to them later on, not interrupting their business hours.

Akane walked through that park, sat down in a swing and started swinging. Ready to notice sensations that her mind would remember. It worked, she felt like a 12 year-old girl again. She spent a lot of time in that park, in that swing. She noticed a couple of kids playing with a dog. One was a little boy about 8 years old and the other a lovely girl about 6.

Akane smiled, wiped her tears and started walking again. She tried not to cry remembering her doctor's words in Tōkyō, a deep sigh followed.

Suddenly she stopped completely, she was on her street. Keeping the doubt is it worth it? She hesitated to move any further. I have to end this, to have peace of mind. She thought, and kept walking.

It was the fifth house on the right side, she was certain. One, two, three, four… FIVE? Where is the Tendō dōjō sign?

"That sign?" Akane asked breathlessly, "why???"

After staring for a moment she went through the main entrance to the house. There was no sign of life in the house although there are loud screams in the building that was once her beloved dōjō. She tried to peek, but it wasn't that effective. A young man, about the same age as her, startled slightly as he saw her. It wasn't exactly because she couldn't hide her presence. He was surprised to see so much beauty concentrated in one single woman.

"Hi! Are you here to start a new class?" the man asked.

"For what? New? Who are you? What happened to the former Tendō Dōjō? Where is Tendō Sōn" Akane was getting desperate, so many unanswered changes.

"Wait, one question at a time. For martial arts, Class will start in a couple of hours, but that one is advanced. I can give you information of the level that you are. And I'm Saotome Ranma, the owner of this house and dōjō," Ranma answered smiling.

Akane eyes widened. "You are the owner of this place?"

"Yes. As for the Tendō's, I really don't know much about them anymore, or at least of their whereabouts. But what I know is that they live happily somewhere here in Nerima. The sister that I was engaged to, Kasumi, got married with Dr. Tofu. She has a wonderful little kid, he trains here sometimes, Tofu-sensei likes my style after all" Ranma said while smiling widely.

Akane was shocked. Oh Shit! This is the guy that I was supposed to be married with?

"I had initially been arranged to marry the youngest sister so I could inherit this dōjō, but she ran away after knowing that I was coming back to Japan. After years of searching for her, they presumed she was dead. After Kasumi, I was pressured to get married with the middle sister. But by that time, I saved enough money to live on my own. And well, because of an important event in my life, all the arranged marriages were avoided. Eventually Tendō-san decided to sell me this place after all, without any marriage; so Anything Goes Martial Arts, the technique that the Tendō's and Saotome's practice, continue to live. But anyways that's another story. I finally finished buying this place like a year or so. But tell me, why are you looking for the Tendō's? What is your name?" Ranma explained smiling, warmly, so warmly that it made butter (and something else) melt.

So everyone thought I was dead? Let's keep it that way. "Excuse my manners. Hajimemashite. My name is… Kanne, Ten…goku Kanne" Akane bowed slightly.

Ranma bowed in response and smiled widely "Kanne, you say? I don't know if it's a coincidence but the love of my life's name is Kanna," commented Ranma happily. This comment was a little disappointing for Akane.

She noticed his eyes enlightened at the mention of Kanna. That was the most disappointing thing for her, so she improvised "Oh! Maybe… they sound alike. Anyways, nice to meet you, Saotome-san. I knew Tendō-san and her daughters when we were teenagers. But I live in the suburbs in Tōkyō…"

"Really? I would like knowing couple of things about them, mostly about the youngest of the sisters. After all, it was because of her, that my life was turned upside-down, well because of her absence anyway. Perhaps it was the best for all of us. At least for me". That enlightenment changed into angst for a couple of seconds. I can't imagine my life without Kanna.

"Would you like some tea, before my class starts?" Ranma half-smiled to her, as he was trying to control his silent rage.

There was something about him that attracted Akane so much. It was so strong that she decided to stay longer and learn more with his stories. She felt at the first moment that she spoken to her that he was trustworthy. His physical features where stunning. Every inch in his body was worked out; he had a long, thick, glorious braid right above the waist, which it seemed that it wasn't an interruption for his arts. His sleeveless Chinese black shirt showed part of a profound, extended scar on right side of his collarbone. His deep blue gray eyes reflected life itself, that he was filled with bliss every second that he breathed.

She regretted ever running away for a moment.

Ranma noticed her glances of interest. And that was something he didn't mind at all. Her eyes drew his attention like no one else's before; neither Kasumi, nor Nabiki, nor Shampoo, nor Ukyo, nor any other girl that passed through his life's dating agenda (or in his case, pre-forced marriage agenda). Her body was heavenly formed; her smile was beyond 'heavenly'. Her hair was shiny, as long as his and a mysteriously deep blue color. It seemed she had experience, wisdom, and maturity beyond their own age. "Come with me, I'll get some tea"

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"Does it still have koi?" Akane stopped to see the koi pond, refreshing her memories.

"Of course, Kanna takes good care of them, it's one of her favorite hobbies, and we even added couple dozen more."

"Oh! She lives here?" Akane clinched her fist trying to control her disappointment, and her additional short regrets.

"Of course. But she is not here right now. She visiting her… grandmother"

As they headed to the main house, they passed through the common area. It's not that it was abandoned, it just in perfect order and cleanliness, she corrected herself.

"Let me get the tea. Make yourself at home." Ranma said before he disappeared into the kitchen.

Akane sighed avoiding the watery eyes.

Home….

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"So tell me more about yourself, Tengoku-san" Ranma asked his visitor while he was serving the tea in a graceful manner.

Akane took a sip of her tea and said with surprise "This is tea so tasty. It's the best I've tried. What did you added to it?"

Ranma laughed. "It's just ordinary tea. Perhaps I added some love to it. I do that in all what I do, mostly when Kanna is around." He smiled his eyes becoming unfocused.

"When I first talked to you I noticed the enormous passion you have towards life. And mostly the unconditional love you have towards… your wife"

"My wife? Chigau, chigau" Ranma snickered and smiled widely. "Kanna is not my wife," Said the host amusedly, but trying not the make it too obvious.

Is he single? She started to get excited, not only because he shared her lifetime passion, but he also seemed to be the perfect man. Her ki exploded for half a second when she realized that this 'Kanna' was living with him without being married. Ranma noticed the ki explosion but tried to hide his 6th sense. Ranma kept talking with her amusedly while adding some mystery in his conversation. He enjoyed mystery to the fullest. That was something that Akane liked the most about him, kept her more interested, urging her to know more about him.

As she noticed this, she decided to be as intriguing as him, besides she couldn't let slip truths she didn't want to reveal, at least not for the time being.

"I master in Japanese History, and I'm mostly specialized in Martial Arts. I research the different techniques, styles, clans, etc. Putting them to test is easy. Every movement, flow, and technique of ancient and modern times I have experienced. From Tea Ceremony Martial Arts, to Hebiken, to Forbidden Techniques, Chi and Ki flow; as well as icons, symbols, seals and some magical stuff. Although I don't consider myself a martial artist, well at least not anymore. Doing so much research and studies didn't help my physical condition. And I've spent most of my life studying. I live by myself; as well I do enjoy life… But as it seems, not as much as you do, Saotome-san" she said smiling. "And well… I'm single." Her smile disappeared as she thought Why Akane did you have to add that?

Ranma was astonished by her words, her conversation, her knowledge, and her passion towards Martial Arts. He wanted to know everything about her. But the class would start soon. Not enough time. It seemed that with her disappointment of not finding the Tendō's she would leave soon. Not enough time. She was slipping out of his hands.

"Stay with me tonight. I mean, the time that you are inquiring about the Tendō's" Ranma blurted out slightly blushing.

"No. No…I don't want to bother either you or Kanna-san." Akane blushed.

"Don't worry about bothering me, it's more than a pleasure to meet you. And I'm certain it would be the same with Kanna. Besides, if you stay as our guest, Tengoku-san, you will meet her in couple days. I bet that you were planning to stay here, but I bet you don't have a place to stay" Ranma snickered, feeling slightly bad for his new friend's situation.

Ranma kept his smile from ear to ear. Akane started at the offer slightly skeptical. "Are you inviting me, a total stranger, to stay in your home?" He simply nodded. Akane was half-smiling. Her plans went wrong; after all she thought she would be back home by that day's midnight.

"You are right. I did think that if I would stay in Nerima, I would have certain lodging." Akane continued.

"I promise you that I will behave myself. After all, if you are related to the Tendō's I certainly will consider you a friend"

"Thank you for your hospitality, Saotome-san. I really appreciate it"

"You're welcome, Tengoku-san" Ranma bowed slightly "But please, call me Ranma"

"And you…. Kanne" said Akane sincerely smiling the widest she could.

Wow!

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A couple of students with white gis and black belt were staring at the newly acquainted couple.

"Sensei, are we going to have class today?" Asked the students confused, they knew that their Sensei trained a couple of hours before class.

"Goodness. What time is it? I didn't even warm up. So would you like to join my class, maybe you can help me with a thing or two." Ranma asked.

The class started, most of the 18 students were older than the actual Sensei, and all were wearing black belts. Is he that good? Akane wondered.

It wasn't that hard for her to verify the mastery of his art. He wasn't human considering his speed, strength, control, balance, and patience. He was strict with his students, no breaks during the session, no joking, and no distractions. The couple of hours of class seemed to be considered sacred to him.

Regardless in Akane's eyes, he seemed to be a kempo deity, and full of concentration. A beautiful new distraction caused a couple of unnoticed mistakes. Ranma was astonished of how well Akane could keep up with all his students. Her movements were precise, mastered, and graceful.

I can't believe that Kanne doesn't consider herself a Martial Artist.

The class was dismissed, yet the sensei made a quick announcement. He went towards Akane and whispered to her "Would you like to work with me with my next class, it will be in couple of days?" Akane was surprised with his proposal but still nodded in confusion.

"Students, wait. Next class we will have a special guest. Tengoku-sensei is a historian specialized in Japanese Martial Arts. So bring any question that you have and we will answer them. See you next class."

As Ranma dismissed his class, jokes and funny faces along with advices and loud laughs were dominant. Ranma was flexible; he gave a few pointers to his students about certain movements. A few young female students were flirting with him, yet Ranma didn't seem interested. Akane observed the disgust on his face when other female bodies were near him. Ranma is the faithful type. The rest of the students were asking about Kanna and why she was absent. Akane noticed that for some reason Ranma didn't want to talk about his beloved in her presence, so Akane started walking towards the koi pond.

Akane sat on her ankles to watch the pond; it was clean and harmonious. Even the koi seemed happier.

Akane felt slightly envious His life is so perfect, Ranma is so happy…

Akane was certain that Ranma didn't need anything or anyone else….

Or did he?

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After endless comfortable conversations, 7 o'clock arrived. "It's 7. I will start making dinner. Today on the menu is…." Ranma placed his finger under his chin and looked at the roof "…sushi with crab sunomono"

"That sounds delicious" Akane added. And in fact it was delicious.

"May I ask you who taught you how to cook?" Akane asked as an 'okawari' appeared on her forehead.

"Well, when I was engaged with Kasumi, she was in the kitchen all day, since the rest of the family didn't know how to cook or were too lazy to cook. To establish a relationship with her, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen watching her and eventually Kasumi started teaching me. Even though our age wasn't that different, I always saw her as a big sister, as a mother I never had. I remember quite well, we were making tori yakimeshi and oden, and she confessed to me with all the pain in her heart that she was dating Tofu-Sensei, that she couldn't marry me because she was in love with him. I jumped in bliss and danced around with her. Her face was so funny. Kasumi was so surprised. We kept everything a secret; I helped her in all the preparations for her to elope with him. Kasumi did, and I took the position of cook, since they knew that I could cook well. Kasumi eventually came back to tell Tendō-san that she was already married with Tofu-sensei." Ranma finished the tale amused by his own memories. "I visit Kasumi and Tofu-sensei quite often. Their son is virtually my nephew."

Akane felt her heart melt with Kasumi's story. Akane was sincerely happy that they found happiness, regardless if it was with 'her' Sensei.

After dinner, the serious talking started. The subject was: Sōn Tendō and Ranma's inheritance of the dōjō. Ranma didn't like to talk about this subject; yet, he tried not to avoid it since he was there to help her. Ranma continued, "What do you want to know about Tendō-san? He wasn't the greatest dad I had. Sometimes he was worse than my own dad when I was training in China. His character was bitter, always crying for the youngest sister, he even blamed me that she ran away. I was so fed up that I even cursed her and her disappearance, it wasn't really my fault, you know? My father let me know about the engagement two blocks and a sidewalk away from this house. I thought it was quite unfair. And the funniest part is that I never met her. They told me a couple of stories about her, but why would I care. By that time, I was only focused on Martial Arts… and curing myself"

"Curing… yourself? Are you ill?"

"I thought I was. Until Kanna arrived in my life, I stopped looking for a cure and accepted my curse. Besides… it became useful. But we will talk about this, another day." Ranma smiled to Akane "Let me show you your room." and Ranma extended his hand to help pick her up.

"Oh! One more thing; I beg you not to enter the room at the end of the aisle. Let's just say that is sacred." Ranma asked as they were climbing the stairs.

Ranma opened the door to one of the three rooms on the aisle. "This was Nabiki's room, make yourself comfortable. Do you want me to get you something to sleep in?"

Akane was speechless in horror. That's the last thing I needed. "No. No. Please don't get Kanna's clothing. I would be really uncomfortable"

"I wasn't really lending you HERS. But would you like… one of my boxers and a T-shirt?"

Akane blushed, and nodded slightly. Ranma sped up to his room, and came back with some red boxers and a white t-shirt.

"That'll do. Sweet dreams" Ranma half smiled.

Before Akane closed the door she added shyly "Ranma-kun. Thank you, for your kindness." And Ranma lost her smile behind the door.

Ranma went directly to his room, and slapped the door closed behind him.

"Whoa!!! What was that all about? Who is she? Why did the Tendō's never tell me about Kanne-kun?" Ranma whispered desperately to himself.

Ranma couldn't blink, His body was frozen, but his heart was boiling. Neither voice nor breaths were ready to come as usual.

"I have to stop. I feel I'm betraying Kanna, after all… Yet Kanne is so wonderful" Ranma slapped his own face a couple of times. "Ranma, control yourself. Kanne is just someone that you met because of lack of updates." Ranma whispered to himself harshly. "Yet… I asked her to stay because… Ahhhhh! WHAT SHOULD I DO? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME? After all that I've struggled to make Kanna and I happy? All that I went through for people to leave us in peace. We have everything we need, everything I wished to give her."

Ranma was struggling so much; it felt like he was in full combat with his thoughts. "…How is it possible not the like her that much, though?" Ranma paused, and then took off his shirt.

"I just hope that Kanna will not be mad at me…" Ranma sighed deeply and finished his monologue in Dreamland.

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The last of her host's wish was impossible to keep. Since that forbidden room was precisely the one that Akane wanted to visit the most, her own.

In the middle of the night Akane sneaked through the aisle and opened the door slowly so as not to wake up the new owner. To her surprise, every item, every belonging, every memory was intact. It was as though Akane never left that house 10 years ago. She was happy, even though her family thought Akane was dead; she knew that deep down inside they were waiting for her.

Akane closed the door, satisfied; and went to the kitchen to get some water. She wasn't sleepy; her thoughts wouldn't leave her alone.

After drinking some water, Akane went outside for some fresh air.

"THE ROOFTOP! HOW COULD I MISS GOING TO THE ROOFTOP?" Akane suddenly exclaimed as she remembered.

That rooftop that Akane liked so much in her adolescence, where Akane thought about Tofu-sensei, about school drama, about how much Akane hated boys; and mostly, about the decision of leaving her home those ten years ago.

The sky was amazing, not as starry as before, but it was more than Akane could ever see in Tōkyō.

Suddenly, there was some noise nearby the koi pond. It was the pigtailed man with a stranger facing him. "It's 2 a.m. What is Ranma doing?" Akane whispered. She tried to eavesdrop on the conversation.

The stranger said, "I know that Kanna is not here right now. Let's fight."

Ranma defended himself, and spoke desperately, yet softly "No wait Ryōga; I have a visitor right now. We can't fight"

"A visitor? What visitor? Your mother?" Ryōga asked stopping his ki dry.

"No, she's a stranger. Tengoku Kanne. She is an old friend of the Tendō's. She is the most wonderful woman I've ever met. Ryōga, She's the girl of my dreams!" said Ranma excited.

Akane eyes widened. "Masaka…."

"What? I thought that you promised yourself to Kanna?"

"And I have kept my promised since she's been with me. Then again, Ryōga, I think Kanne is the one that I've been looking for."

"Ranma, be careful. I know how passionate you are about things that interest you. Don't get yourself hurt"

"Thank you for worrying about me, my friend. I will be careful. Sorry that we couldn't fight tonight."

Before coming down to her assigned room, Akane added another thought to the rooftop. That stranger wasn't a stranger anymore. That fiancé that Akane was destined to and fled from as fast as possible was a real, amazing man that would give her everything she could want, even to come back home. Ranma was the companion that Akane has been looking for, for all these years. Akane was alone, she felt alone, Akane had never been loved, at least… not as loved as she wanted to be.

After listening to his words, Akane felt she had angel wings and could fly around the backyard.

How is this possible? Why does Ranma have to be so amazing?

The wings were clipped.

Why does Ranma have to be taken?

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Later on that night (5:23 a.m. to be exact), Ranma and Ryōga were laughing with tears in their eyes. Their uncontrollable laughter was the perfect excuse for Akane to come down and meet the stranger.

Akane couldn't sleep, not after listening to that pre-dialogue of that promising fight. She stopped to the restroom, looked at herself at the mirror and changed her blissful face into a sleepy one.

Akane came down wearing the boxers and the shirt that Ranma lent her.

Ryōga stopped laughing as he saw the stranger coming down. Ranma just… blushed.

"Kanne-kun. Did we wake you up? I'm so sorry," said Ranma nervously.

"It's alright. I was jealous of so much laughter that I wished I could join you" confessed Akane "besides this is about the time that I wake up every day."

Ranma smiled. "Kanne-kun this is Hibiki Ryōga. He's one of my closest friends. Ryōga, this is my friend, Tengoku Kanne"

"Hajimemashite" both said gleefully.

"So, Ryōga-kun was telling me a story about his wife Ukyo."

"Yeah, I confess she's adorable but sometimes she's just out of her mind, mostly when she gets mad. Do you see this burn in my arm" Ryōga showed his arm to her.

"Okonomiyaki?" Ranma asked surprised.

"That's about right!" Ryōga laughed.

Ranma laughed so much that fell to the side, crying. Even though Akane had no idea what was so funny; Akane was mesmerized with Ranma's laughter.

"Ryōga here has been one of the people that has helped me the most. Mostly he helped me to set things right with my love life. Even though, helping was the least he wanted to do." Ranma snickered.

"How is that possible?" asked Akane confused.

"Well… his wife was one of my old fiancées. Another foolish arranged marriage made by my father." Ranma laughed. "By that time, I was still engaged with Kasumi… and Shampoo, and well Ukyo. Yet Ryōga managed to make our childhood school rivalry into a love one. Ryōga, you took so long in confessing your love for her," Ranma laughed more.

"Being your enemy was worth it. And being your friend, is even more, Ranma"

"I feel the same, my friend," said Ranma. "Ryōga, please be prudent with Kanne-kun. Remember that she will meet Kanna soon." Ranma added directly to Ryōga. Akane felt out of place in that moment.

"Kanne-kun. Please feel at home. There's coffee and cookies my mother made yesterday." Ranma smiled and headed to the fūro, as he suddenly wanted a bath.

"Well, I was hoping I could fight Ranma while Kanna wasn't home, I guess it will be another day" said Ryōga shyly, getting ready to leave.

"Why didn't you?" asked Akane trying to get some information.

"Well. When we fight, sometimes we get out of hand. We fight for real, not only sparring. So we usually spar at the patio, or we go on a trip to have full combat. I guess Ranma didn't want to disturb such honorable visitors" Ryōga slightly bowed "It was a pleasure to meet you, Kanne-san. Hopefully we see each other another day.

"Wait! Ryōga-kun. May I ask you a question about Ranma-kun?"

"I'll try to answer as wise as possible."

"What is Kanna to Ranma? Would Ranma ever betray her?"

"Not in thousand years. Ranma loves her so much that he would die for her any day, any way, against anyone. Kanna is everything to him. And Ranma is everything to her" said Ryōga bluntly watching his words carefully. After all, Ranma asked him for prudence.

"Then why…" Akane stopped before messing up. "No. Nothing."

"Okay. Tell me, why are you asking me? Is it possible that …." Ryōga stopped. "Well, don't mind me. If it's something I've learnt from Ranma is not messing in my friends' love lives. Good bye."

Akane blushed furiously from embarrassment. Or was it because of rage. Messing with others' love lives? That's exactly what I'm doing. I'm messing with a man that loves someone else so much. I feel horrible, feeling so attracted to him. I really should leave this place. I guess I will talk with Kasumi. For some strange reason, now it's much easier.

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Kanne…

A sigh appeared suddenly at the Saotome's fūro. Suddenly a wide smile appeared in Ranma's face.

Kanna…

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Enjoy….

äynömaÿac