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Here's another one! And this fanfic wasn't a past fanfic.
I made this (present) and I hope you love it

Wow a very... long time not updating this chapter...

English is not my first language
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The Friendship Bracelet
written by: Chette (Chanchan)

Chapter 8: Perplexity

When Ranma covered her mouth with his, Akane's heart began to pound like she'd run a marathon or sparred with someone powerful. Every cell in her body became alive, so alive. Earlier, she tried to fought for this feeling. Her mind reminding her about Shampoo, her best friend. She did her best to fight the heat filling every fiber of her being. She wanted to show that the kiss did meant something but not that powerful. This man, kissing her was her fiancé whom her best friend is so much in love with. Her tears fell feeling the confusion, Kami-Sama she loved him but she is also a good friend. She shouldn't be doing this, This is Shampoo's man. Her best friend's man. She tried, oh God... She tried but she couldn't stop the loving warmth flowing through her veins and overwhelming need to kiss him back.

She felt his hands moved from her face to her waist and tightened his hold there, pulling her closer to him. Now feeling the hard contours of his martial arts body to her much softer martial arts curves, her pulse pulsated and she gave up all charade of resisting. His breathtaking exploration of her tender inner indentation stole her breath and wiped out all thoughts of the past, present, future and even Shampoo’s friendship at the moment, all she wanted to do was relish the delicious sensations flowing from the top of her head all the way to her curled toes inside her white shoes.

With her hands trapped between them, she had to grasp his shirt in order to keep her balance. Ranma felt this, he did not stop the kiss but he positioned his leg between hers to help support her. Akane's heart stopped, when she felt his strong thigh wedged against her legs. Then she felt pain in her wrist making the kiss stop.

"Ite!" she yelled, and knelt down holding her hand where the bracelet is.

"What's wrong Akane?" Ranma asked,

Akane looked at him, ignoring the sincerity in his eyes. "I'm fine.." she said, Ranma frowned, before he could help her, She stood up quickly and set her away from him, "I guess... you got what you wanted" she said, looking down.

"What? I wanted?" Ranma asked, her confident comment and avoiding glance were as effective as a bucket of ice water and chased away all the fire. "What do you mean by 'What I wanted?' huh Akane?" he asked,

"The date... and the Kiss" she said, but still didn't look at him, She started walking away.

Ranma felt as if a big rock hit him, He stared shock at her while walking away. "What the heck!" he growled and started to chase her. After a few minutes his hand on her arm to stopped her. "What do you mean by that Akane? What do you mean by What I want... date and Kiss?" he asked, growling.

Akane stared at his large wrapped around her upper arm. When she could glare enough, she pulled away from Ranma's grasp and glared at him. "You said that you will date my best friend if I go on a date with you, I even gave you a remembrance."

Ranma fought a lot of powerful monsters in the past, and even met people who tried to hurt him but non of these are compared to this monster he's looking right now. Yes. Monster. This isn't Akane. This is some kind of a monster. A monster that has the ability to kill his heart. The next steps wasn't in his plan, better yet after he heard that he felt as if his soul flew and he became a monster like her.

Akane gasped when she felt Ranma's powerful gripped in her arms. "Ite! Ranma! you're hurting me!" she yelled, in pain.

"Where is my Akane?" Ranma asked, "Where the hell is my Akane! You're not Akane!" Ranma yelled and started to shake her. "Where did you hide my Akane!!" he yelled furiously. "WHERE IS SHE??"

Akane gasped, She couldn't take it anymore! her arms were hurting and so is her wrist. Tears falling on her face, "Ranma! Stop it! you're hurting me!" she said, crying.

"WHERE IS SHE??"

"I AM AKANE! RANMA NO BAKA! Get your hand off me!" Akane yelled, struggling at his grasp.

Ranma took off his hand, on her and looked down. "You are not Akane..." he whispered. "My Akane Loved me, My Akane won't give me away... I love my Akane and she loves me back"

Akane took a hold on her swollen arms, "I am Akane. You gotta believe me" she said, looking down.

Ranma gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, "I won't believe you... I won't believe... you..." he said, trying to control his tears. "Akane maybe an uncute girl, unsexy and clumsy. But she is mine and I know her... My Akane maybe insensitive and stubborn at sometimes but she isn't like you... She is not Manipulative person... She's not a demon like you!" he yelled, looking at her.

PACK!

Ranma shocked at the incident. Akane just slapped him, and because of that his tears fell on his face. He looked blindly at her.

"I am Akane. I am your kawaiikune-Irokegane Fiance. I am not Manipulative but I am a true friend" she said, sobbing. "Remember? Akane is a true friend, and a true friend sacrifice herself for the sake of her friend. Shampoo is my friend, and You belong to her" she said, gently. "Please Understand me Ran-"

"Souka..." Ranma said, looking down. "I understand alright. Even though the true Akane wouldn't say these things. I have to understand that Shampoo brainwashed your head and I can't do anything about it" He looked at her, and gave her a fake smile. "Thanks for the date Akane, and for the Extra thing. I...I" he closed his eyes and clenched his fist more tight. "I will now date Shampoo, and I'll give her an Extra thing so, too don't worry"

Akane didn't know but she couldn't help but to ask what will Ranma give to Shampoo... A Kiss? "You're going to Kiss her too?" she asked, her eyes worrying.

Ranma gave her a sad smile, "better than that... I'll marry her for you"

Akane almost fainted when she heard that, but she composed herself. Although she took a few backward steps. "I.. I see.."

When they came back home, the family knew that something bad happened between the two of them. After entering the house, they walk in silence towards their room and go on with their separate lives.

Nabiki frowned, What happen to their romantic date? She paid a lot of money on that stupid restaurant and told the manager that her sister and brother in law needed a very unforgettable date. What just happened?

Ranma's Room...

As Ranma watched the clouds passing the Moon, he groaned thinking of his actions earlier with her. What the hell had he been thinking when he's say that he'll marry Shampoo for Akane? He acted like some kind of a Macho jerk out to take his revenge. And the only thing he'd succeeded in doing was hurting Akane more. Why did he have to say that?

"Because I was so damn angry..."

Ranma growled, yes he was very angry at her. After the lovingly kiss, she said those words. What a woman! She succeeded hurting him many times. What a Woman. He sighed and lay on his futon. Shakes his head, and closed his eyes hoping to forget what happen earlier. But he couldn't and He couldn't marry Shampoo even Akane rejected him. It was one of his oaths. He sat up, went to his drawer and looked for a piece of paper. When he saw it, he read his oaths.

"One...Loving Akane and only her.. Two...If Akane rejected me, I will leave the Tendous and go back to China for a cure... three... No marrying Ukyou, for she is my best friend...Four...No marrying Shampoo, for she is just a friend..." He finished it, gritting his teeth. He looked for a pen and went to his table. He erased the fourth oath and rewrite it. "Four.. No marrying Shampoo ever! for she is in-human, Bimbo, son of a dog, shrewd, slut, and most of all a self-conniving son of demon and-" he growled and wrote a big cursed word on the paper that almost ripped the paper into two. A knock was heard, before Ranma could speak the door opened and it Nabiki. "Speaking of another demon" he said, glaring at her.

"What did you just called me?" Nabiki asked, wrapping her arms around her.

"SON OF A DEMON!" Ranma yelled,

"Is this how you treat someone who gave you a romantic dinner for two?" she asked, glaring at him.

"What romantic dinner?! We went there and we're rejected! The man there said there was NO RESERVATIONS! So Akane and I had to date under the bridge!" he yelled, "Did you hear me? Nabiki Tendou? UNDER THE BRIDGE!" he yelled,

Nabiki gasped and put her hands on her ears. "Alright! Alright I heard you!" she said, then when Ranma features were a little calmer. She frowned, it was her time now. "Are you sure? I paid a lot of money on that restaurant to make sure everything is perfect" she said,

Ranma eyes became scary again, "I told you-"

"I am not blaming you Ranma, But I am telling you. I swear that I booked you on that expensive stupid restaurant and I didn't canceled the reservation" she said, sighing.

Ranma doesn't know but he believed her. "So what do you think happen?" he asked,

"I don't know Ranma... I don't know" she said, "But I better call them back and will do anything to get my money back!" she said, as she walk towards the door, opened it, exited and slammed the door. It is so obvious that she was really angry.

Akane's room

She had tried to be a good friend. But her feelings yelling to love her best friend's man. She had failed. Blinded by her tears, She made way on her room. Inside, she hit her leg against the side of her bed, while she tried to take a seat but because she was blinded by tears so she couldn't really see. Her knee hurting, her arms were swollen and her wrist was bleeding. But these pain were nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

She heard Ranma's voice calling someone a son of a demon. He was totally angry, He said he loved her, but she couldn't accept his feelings because of Shampoo. Who will she choose? Her best friend or Ranma? She love Ranma... But she is a true friend... Her wrist started to feel pain again. She lay on her bed and closed her eyes. She is so confused.

And why would Ranma say she was brainwashed? What was wrong in being a true friend? She growled and sat up. There were a lot of questions in her mind, and her heart did ache so much when Ranma said he will marry Shampoo for her. She should be happy right? She should be.

She looked down and saw her white dress with stains of blood. She forgot her wound! So she force herself to go Kasumi's room, let Kasumi treat the wound without her butting or questioning what had happen to them.

Morning...

Shampoo was at Ranma's window bright and early the next morning. Dressed in a very sexy red-pinkish chinese dress. She crashed the mirror and hugged the sleeping poor Ranma. "NIHAO Ranma Airen! Let's go date! yes! yes!"

"Sham-poo..." Ranma grumbled

"Shampoo and Ranma-Airen will have whole day of date today! yes?" She asked, her eyes shinning. There was no point in refusing to go with her. He promised Akane after their date, he will date shampoo. But how the heck Shampoo knew he will date her today? Before he could speak, his stomach growled. "Airen is hungry, Shampoo promised a too-too delcious breakfast meal!" she said, giggling.

The door opened, Ranma gasped when he saw..

"Akane?"

"Doing your favorite Morning Routine Ranma?" she asked, her blue aura showing and on her hand was a mallet.

"Good Morning Best friend!" Shampoo giggled,

Akane glared at her, "Who are you calling a best friend?" she asked,

Ranma blinked, Shampoo glared at her and then her eyes scanned her wrist and found none. Just a white bandaged and the bracelet was missing. "Where is the bracelet I gave Akane?" she asked,

"What bracelet?" Akane asked, annoyed. "And can you get your hands off Ranma?" she asked,

Ranma couldn't hear what the conversation is about, he was confused at Akane's sudden outburst. So confused, he fainted.

"RANMA!" "AIREN!"

When Ranma woke up after several minutes, he didn't see Akane and Shampoo but there was a towel on his head. He sat up and saw Kasumi smiling at him. "Where's Akane and Shampoo?" he asked,

"They were outside, challenging one another to cook breakfast for you" she said, smiling. Ranma blinked,

Kitchen...

"You asked for this Shampoo! Bring it on!" Akane yelled,

Shampoo smirked, her only objective is to put back the bracelet back to where it belong. "Oh we will fight pervert-violent girl" she said,

"WHO WERE YOU CALLING PERVERT AND VIOLENT HUH?!" Akane yelled, her veins popping out.

Shampoo stick her tongue, "Shampoo say sorry!" she giggled, "But before Shampoo compete with Akane... Shampoo want to give present for Akane" she said, as she showed her the bracelet. Good thing she got the bracelet before she went to the Kitchen. "Here, Shampoo believes Akane needs charm" she added,

Akane frowned, "Do I even need a charm?" she asked, Shampoo smiled. Akane knew that smile, "I am so sorry, I can't accept that" she said, as she faced the tools in cooking.

Shampoo growled, "Oh Akane no choice!" she yelled, and jump forward Akane.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"

"Akane!" Ranma yelled, and quickly went to the Kitchen. She saw Shampoo on top of Akane holding her wrist, while Akane is unconscious. Ranma growled, "Shampoo What did you do?" he yelled,

Shampoo blinked and Akane woke up, "What happen?" she asked, then she looked at the wrist where the bracelet is, and without the bandaged. "Oh! Oh! Ranma look! Best Friend Shampoo healed my wound!" she said, smiling.

Ranma blinked and saw the bracelet back in her wrist, and the bandaged wasn't there anymore even the wound.

Shampoo smiled, "Shampoo healed Akane's wound. Any questions?" she asked,

Ranma narrowed his eyes and at the bracelet.

The door in Nekohanten open, the door was thrown into the wall causing a big chaos in the said restaurant. All the people eating there run for their lives. Colonge sighed, as he looked at the Angry Ranma approaching him.

"Next time, will you stop imitating Shampoo and use the door gently?" Colonge asked, without emotion.

"Old Ghoul! What was that Bracelet!" Ranma yelled,

Colonge closed her eyes, "You finally figured out." she said, "It's about time" she added,

"Will you get to the point?" he asked, his eyes were fiercely looking at her. "Old Ghoul!"

"I am not deaf, Ranma. I am just thinking." Colonge said, as she hopped on the counter and looked at Ranma. "That Bracelet is one of Chinese-Amazon Ancient Treasures." she said, narrowing her eyes. "The legendary Shou Zu Qing Shen" she said, with a dramatic pose.

Ranma blinked, "Shou.. Shou what?" he asked,

Colonge sighed, "It's Shou Zu Qing Shen.. the Friendship Bracelet" she looked at him. "The Legendary Bracelet is a terrifying tool to break couples" she said, "Whoever wears it becomes a true friend to the one who gave it to her. Becoming Slave if possible... Sacrificing her true feelings and self for her best friend. It hasn't failed yet, but it can be defeated" she said,

"What can I do to defeat this bracelet?" Ranma asked,

"True Love" Colonge said, looking at Ranma. "This a test for you and Akane-chan, if you two are meant for each other." she said,

Ranma groaned and sat on a chair, looking at Colonge. "But Colonge, I've done everything! I've confess that I love her, I have dated her, I did everything to show how much I love her!" he said,

"True Love isn't just about confessing you love the person, nor showing that you love her. A true Love consist of Sacrifice, of humbleness, of patience" she looked at Ranma. "You do understand that, Right Ranma?"

"No..." Ranma said, honestly.

"You figure it out," Colonge said, as she hops away from Ranma.

"WAIT I AM NOT FINISHED-"

"You are. Good bye Ranma.. We will see each other again tomorrow" she said,

Ucchan...

"And that's what she said," Ranma said, slumping on the table where Ukyou and Ryouga were working. "I don't understand what she's talking about" Ranma said, sighing.

"I do" Ryouga and Ukyou Chorused, looked at each other and smiled.

Ranma blinked, "You do?" he asked,

"We've experienced it," Ukyou said, smiling.

"But sadly, it was a one-sided love" Ryouga added,

"Hold on... Rewind then play. I don't understand" Ranma said,

Ukyou held Ranma's hand, "True Love is about Sacrifice, is about humbleness, and patience. That was what I felt for you. You Love Akane and I know you won't be happy with me... so I stopped chasing you, I sacrifice my love for you so that you can be happy with Akane"

"Ucchan..." Ranma looked down,

Ryouga held Ranma's hand, "And I sacrificed my feelings for Akane, so that Akane-chan would be happy. And Humbled myself to you and accepted that I lost in this part, because Akane truly Loves you" he added,

Ranma getting the 'idea' he looked at them, "And then you waited for the result... and found each other" he said, Ukyou and Ryouga nodded. "If Akane and I were meant to be together, I have to do what you did... and that would mean... sacrificing my feelings for Akane and obey Akane" he said, Ukyou and Ryouga nodded, "But I can't marry Shampoo!" he exclaimed.

Ukyou squeezed Ranma's hand, "You don't have to go there, all you have to do is show that you love Akane by following what she wants" she said, smiling.

"And then Akane will realized how much she loves you and whatever Shampoo did to her, and that bracelet will be defeated" Ryouga said, squeezing his hand.

Ranma smiled, "Thanks Guys... Thanks Ucchan... and Ryouga..." Ranma said, smiling then he suddenly glared at Ryouga. "I really appreciate this but can you get your hands off me Ryouga? You, squeezing my hand feels so weird" he added,

Ryouga let go of his hand on Ranma and frowned, Ukyou laughed hard, while removing her hand too.

Back at the Tendous...

Akane stared at the Black Phone in front of her. It's been exact thirty minutes, she's been standing there deciding what to do. She come up with an idea earlier but she doesn't know if its the right idea. "In order for Akane Tendou to forget Ranma Saotome is to date other guys" she recited her idea before she picked up the phone, "But who will I-"

"Akane, Colonge is here for you, with Moouse" Kasumi said, smiling.

Akane blinked and felt Nabiki's hand on the phone, "Go ahead and I have to use the phone and sue someone at the restaurant" she said,

Akane blinked but went outside to talk to Colonge and Moouse.

Outside...

"Akane, I know you're looking for someone to date so you don't have to worry, Moouse is here" she said,

"But I never-" Moouse stopped when Colonge kicked his stomach.

"Thank you Colonge but I don't think Moouse wants to-"

Moouse was about to nod but when he received a death glare at Colonge he sighed and takes Akane's hand "I will gladly date you Akane-chan, I am thrilled too, so please date me" he said, without emotion.

"Here's your dress for today, it's on me." she said, giving the box to her, Akane accepted it and looked at her. "So Moouse will pick you up later around seven in the evening, be ready" she said, Akane nodded. While Colonge dragged Moouse away from the House.

Evening...

Akane stood in front of the closet, a towel wrapped around her body. She sighed as she looked at the mirror. This is it, if she could forget Ranma... then she doesn't really love him, and Shampoo can take him. She let the towel drop to the floor and with a defiant toss of her head, she reached for a red sexy Chinese that Colonge gave her and wondered where Moouse will take her. She guess it would be a chinese party because of the dress. She sighed and wore it.

At exact seven, Moouse was standing in front of the Tendous while Akane was accompanied by his dad crying and asking Akane why would she date Moouse when she has Ranma. Akane smiled fakely at Moouse, while Moouse even though he doesn't want to accompany the Beautiful lady, his eyes got fixed on his lovely date.

"Where are we going?" Akane asked, as Moouse and her left the House.

"Colonge told me to go to this party" he said, giving a ticket to Akane.

"Figures, its a Chinese Romantic party" she said,

Moouse nodded, "Forgive Colonge for forcing me to date with you, she doesn't know how much you-"

Akane shakes her head, "I really need this party, and I am glad it's you who is my escort" she said,

The Restaurant was fabulous, it was a free romantic Chinese party and dance for the Chinese people because Nerima gave the Chinese community a treat. It was something like a sign of friendship between Nerima community and the Chinese ones headed by Colonge. The restaurant was crowded when they arrived, mostly with Chinese couples or Japanese couples. There were also seldom japanese-chinese couple but they can be counted by fingers. A Chinese romantic song was played as they took their seats, Akane smiled and looked around. Moouse just explain to her about the party, after a few seconds the music turned into a dance and Moouse took Akane's hand and asked her to dance.

Akane smiled, took his hand and followed him to the dance floor.

"I am a good dancer Akane-chan, especially if I have my glasses on" she said, Akane giggled as Moouse drew her into his arms. Moouse is right, he can dance. Akane tried to concentrate on her dance but she couldn't help it but to feel someone is looking at her.

She is right.

He is watching her. Ranma, with her best friend Shampoo in the dance floor too, dancing. He was holding her in his arms; Shampoo was so beautiful in her white Chinese satin dress, and watching Ranma and her was like looking at the Japan Flag. Red and White. Akane stared at the two of them, she didn't know why but a wave of jealousy unlike anything she ever known before flooding through her. She clenched her hands into tight fists, and Moouse saw her face.

Moouse was about to react the same, seeing Shampoo with Ranma but when he saw what Colonge said to him, the bracelet was glowing and shrinking. He looked at Colonge and surprisingly Colonge was looking at him. She nodded and Moouse nodded, "So the plan wasn't a hoax" he said,

"What plan?" Akane asked, her focus suddenly went unto him.

"N-Nothing Akane-chan" Moouse said,

The song ended and everyone clapped their hands. All the couples left the dance floor, except for the two pairs. A few minutes later, the lights dimmed and the strains of a soft slow Chinese ballad filled the room. As they danced, Ranma didn't look at her ever again and smiled at Shampoo. Ranma laughed at her and the sight filled Akane with pain and confusion, she thought she might collapse right there on the dance floor. The bracelet shrink once again. Moouse knew that this will happened because Colonge said so he followed what Colonge said before the date. He grabbed her wrist and tried to calm Akane, so that the bracelet won't be able to shrink anymore. One shrink and it will cost Akane to bleed or even death. But the bracelet continue to shrink especially when she saw Ranma kissing Shampoo. She couldn't see Ranma's face though, only Shampoo and Shampoo's face at first was shocked but closed her eyes.

Ranma seeing what Moouse said, make him feel so angry. So angry that he force himself to kiss Shampoo.

Shampoo was startled, this wasn't her time she felt Ranma. She always kiss Ranma when she gets a chance. But this time, Ranma kissed her. But she did felt anything. There was no tenderness, no softness, His mouth plundered her until she couldn't breathe but Ranma kept his eyes opened. Until he saw Akane leaving with Moouse, that he stopped the Kiss.

When the Kiss ended, Shampoo felt something awkward. She should be happy but why isn't she? Ranma just kissed her. But no sparks or anything. Then she saw Ranma looked at Akane and Moouse leaving the dance floor. "Was the Kiss Ranma-Airen gave to Shampoo was Shampoo Benefit or Akane's?" she asked, then Ranma looked at her. "Ranma-Airen don't have to answer that," she said, tinged with anger.

"Let's just stop dancing" Ranma said, as he went to their table, followed by Shampoo frowning at him.

Shampoo saw Moouse leaving the party hand in hand with Akane, and she felt something burning in her. Is it Jealousy? She never saw Moouse with any other woman that looked so romantic, and it was Akane wearing a very sexy red Chinese dress that looked the same color of Ranma's shirt as she glanced at him. Then, she's wearing a white one just like Moouse.

"Damnit!"

"Airen?"

Ranma shakes his head, "Nothing.. nothing..." he said, looking at the glass in front of him.

Shampoo looked down, this isn't working. She should be happy but she is not. She felt like a jealous woman seeing Moouse with Akane and at the same time, a traitor friend because she knew that Ranma only dated her for Akane and Akane loves Ranma so much.

"Let's get married"

Shampoo thoughts were interrupted when she heard Ranma, said the magical word that every woman want to hear. She also longed to hear those words from him, but how come they feel so empty now? "Airen.. are you sure?" she asked, seriously.

Ranma looked at her, "Yes. I will make Akane happy" he said, "I will marry you" he said, looking back at the glass.

Shampoo bit her lip, trying to control her tears. She felt perplexed. Ranma will marry her... because of Akane.

To be continued...

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