Disclaimer :

The characters in this story aren’t mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and other publications (I.E. Rumiko Takahashi, Viz, Shougakukan, ).… I’m only here so I can practice my writing…lol… I do not own any of the characters and gains no profit from writing this story… so again please don’t sue!… I already have enough problems managing bill payments…..

Previously:

Ranma and Nabiki confronted each other, almost succumbing to each other. Kuno succumbed yet again to Mariko, While Akane unwittingly put doubts inside Ryoga. Ties are slowly unravelling. Who will end with who?

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Ryoga laid awake that night. Unable to sleep. He watched Ukyo’s slumbering form lying almost atop of him. Even in her sleep she clung tightly to him.

He frowned when darker thoughts began to invade his mind.

Is it really me you cling to? Or is it Ranma you want to cling and hold on to?

Is it him you dream about?

Is it him you think about when we make love?

Is it him?

Ryoga tried to block the thoughts that would consume him. He didn’t want to think about him or Ukyo that way. He finally found love. He fought for her love and stayed by her side. Why is it that when he found happiness, Saotome Ranma always comes and tarnishes it? Why couldn’t he be happy?

Ryoga needed answers. Answers only his wife and Saotome can provide. He unconsciously clung tighter to his sleeping fiancée.

“Sleep beautiful angel for tomorrow a storm will break.” He murmured to himself as he succumbed into a disturbing sleep.

Ryoga’s constant shifting finally managed to awaken Ukyo. But she was still drowsy. Looking at the bedside table, she checked for the time. It read 3:15 am in bold red colour. Ukyo was a little annoyed since Ryoga was a sound sleeper, but today seems different. He seems more guarded somehow. She decided to ask him tomorrow since she was succumbing to sleep once again only to hear Ryoga murmur.

“You will not take away my love… This time I will destroy you…Saotome…”

This made Ukyo jump awake, as she stared at her fiancé’s sleeping form. His features etched in a frown of concern and anger.

Was Ryoga just dreaming?

Am I dreaming?

It had been years since Ryoga finally let go of his grudge against Ranma. So why would it resurface now?

Ukyo just watched Ryoga’s uneven breathing. Something was wrong. Ukyo found herself resting her head against his chest as she clung to him. She felt him stiffen before wrapping his strong arms around her. She felt his breathing become even and his moans ceased to exist. His heartbeat began to lull her into a troubled sleep.

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A week has passed…

A week has passed since Ryoga’s return. He had become more distant. More guarded. It made Ukyo nervous. Could Ryoga be having second thoughts? Was he having cold feet?

Ukyo felt him watching her all the time. Every little move she made. She caught him staring at her one time with deep concentration before brushing it aside and told her that he will go out to train. It felt strange and really concerned her. She unconsciously laid a hand on her stomach. Soon she will start showing. While she thought about how happy she was when she found out , she was now unsure because of the way Ryoga behaved around her.

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“So Ranma, what have you been up to?” Dr Yumiko asked.

“Nothing much really. Just teaching some students at the dojo.” Ranma replied back.

“Hows your relationship with Akane?”

“It’s still the same…”

“The same how?”

“We do the same stuff we have done over the years. Idle chit-chat here and there, we argue from time to time.” Ranma replied back as he let out an exasperated sigh.

“Is there anything else you’d like to talk about Ranma? Everything we talk about will remain in strict confidentiality between you and me. Nothing you tell me will leave the room.” Dr Yumiko explained. There is something he isn’t telling me. While Akane was open about her feelings and thoughts, Ranma was close and very distant. Even the way he spoke about his interactions with his wife was vague to say the least.

“There’s nothing much really..”

“But I can sense something bothering you… You can tell me if you’d like…”

“I… Never mind.. It doesn’t matter…” Ranma replied back.

“You seem troubled. Does this have something to do with your marriage with Akane?” Dr Yumiko asked.

“Yes… and no…”

“Your very reluctant about sharing your thoughts and feelings. I think I need to let you understand that what we discuss is in total confidentiality. It also means that I will remain neutral to both parties and will not be judgemental in what ever you decide to reveal to me.” Dr Yumiko explained. “This means that I will not tell Akane what we have discussed without consulting you first.”

Ranma remained quiet for a while. Contemplating whether or not to tell the woman in front of her what had happened during the past few weeks. He looked at her and knew that she was telling the truth. He needed to talk to someone. Why not start with her?

Dr Yumiko waited patiently. She knew Ranma was thinking about what she had told him. He found Ranma to be very distrustful. She thought perhaps she needed to contact Nabiki. Perhaps she knew how to get the guy to open up.

“Are you telling me the truth?” Ranma remained sceptical.

“I will stake my reputation to it. I always keep my word.” Dr Yumiko replied back.

Ranma nodded. Before hesitantly speaking up. “There is something that really is bothering me.”

“What is it Ranma?” Dr Yumiko asked patiently.

“I think… I feel…”

“Yes?” Dr Yumiko was almost at the edge of her seat.

Ranma let out a loud sigh. This is it.

“I think… I’m falling out of love with Akane.” Ranma replied back sombrely.

Dr Yumiko was shocked but didn’t show it. She knew Ranma and Akane where having problems. But from what she had heard from Akane it didn’t sound as though it was that severe. It sounded like they were getting along.

“What do you mean Ranma?”

Ranma sighed once again. “ Don’t get me wrong I care about her. But I find that my affection for her is no longer as strong as before.”

“What made you come up with this conclusion?”

“Nabiki.” He thought. He wanted to say it was Nabiki who occupied his thoughts now. For a week now, he had yet to see or speak to her. He found that he missed her. Longed for her.

“Ranma?”

Ranma shook his head. “When I look at Akane, I don’t see her the same way anymore. It’s as if I don’t know her anymore.”

“I see.” Dr Yumiko replied back. She knew he was holding back something but what?

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Ryoga approached Ukyo. Questions still plagued him. Akane’s words were honest and he knew Akane will not lie to him. But he was unsure. He and Ukyo were to be married in a couple of weeks time. Can he really trusts her?

“Ryoga honey what’s wrong? You looked like you were run over by a bus.” Ukyo joked. But to her dismay Ryoga didn’t even smile.

“Ukyo I need to ask you something.” Ryoga said. Unsure how to exactly say what he was about to say.

“What is it sugar? Is it about the wedding?” Ukyo asked. He looked deadly serious.

“No. I need to know. Did you or have you spoken to Ranma lately?” Ryoga asked. This was it.

“Yes. I’ve seen Ranma lately.” Ukyo answered. She was bout to ask why when she was suddenly cut off by Ryoga.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Ryoga’s voice was suddenly filled with anger and jealousy.

“It must have slipped my mind… Ryoga calm down… What’s wrong?” Ukyo replied back. She hadn’t seen Ryoga this upset before.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you still see him!” Ryoga asked harshly. His anger clouding his head.

“Ryoga calm down!” Ukyo pleaded as she saw his aura rise.

“Akane was right!” Was all Ryoga said. Not trusting himself of what he might do to her, he walked away from her and left. Slamming the door behind him.

“RYOGA WAIT!” Ukyo called back in panic as she watched her fiancé storm out. For the life of her she didn’t know what was wrong. Why was Ryoga so angry? He knew Ranma was just a friend and nothing else. What could possibly set him off like that?

Then it dawned to Ukyo what Ryoga had said.

“Akane.”

“No! It can’t be!” Ukyo said to herself. As she began to break down and cry.

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“Working late?” Kuno asked his wife on the phone. She had called him to let him know that she will be able to make it to dinner.

“I’m sorry Anata. I really wish I could. But the opposition really had us up on our toes at the court today.” Nabiki replied back tiredly. She was really tired and stressed out. The case was really trying and was taking up too much of her time and energy.

“I understand. Another night then?” He replied back. Fighting back his disappointment. He knew Nabiki didn’t really need another stress on her shoulders.

“I’m really sorry anata. I knew you went to great lengths to make us that dinner reservation at Pavarotti’s.” Nabiki couldn’t hold back her guilt. Pavarotti’s was a very exclusive Italian restaurant. It was really hard to get a reservation. “ I promise I’ll make it up to as soon as the case is finish.”

“Don’t worry Nab-chan. Just don’t stress yourself too much. I’ll see you tonight at home then.” He assured her.

“I don’t know what I’ll do without you Kuno-chan. I love you. I‘ll see you tonight.” Nabiki replied back.

“I love you too.” Kuno replied back as he heard the phone line went dead.

“How very sweet. It almost made me have cavities.” Mariko replied back sardonically. As she made her presence known. She had been in the room and had heard most of his conversation on the phone. She had no doubt it was Nabiki on the other line.

“Mariko what are you doing here?” Kuno replied back.

“I work here. In case you forgot.” Mariko replied back as she made her way towards him.

“I meant how long have you been standing over there.” Kuno replied back. As he saw her approach him from the door.

“Long enough to know that your wife has cancelled on you.” Mariko smirked.

Kuno ignored her and simply went to the nearby cabinet to pour himself some much needed whiskey.

“It’s too early to drink.” Mariko pointed out to him. It was only 1 in the afternoon.

“I am a grown man and you are not my keeper.” Kuno replied back hotly.

Mariko only held both of her hands up. “Whoa! Temper, temper Kuno-chan.”

“Do not call me that. Only Nabiki can call me that.” Kuno replied back harshly.

“No need to take it out on me Kuno-baby. I’m not the one that cancelled on you.” Mariko replied back as she examined her nails.

Kuno just took a swig of his drink and ignored Mariko. He went to seat down at his desk.

Mariko merely followed and stood behind him. Putting her hands on his shoulders as she began to massage them.

Kuno found himself calming down somewhat.

Mariko smiled as she continued to knead his tensed shoulders.

“Let me make it up to you.” Mariko whispered to his ear as she began to nibble on it.

Kuno sighed. As he stood up and walked away from Mariko. Which made Mariko irritated.

“What are you doing tonight?” Kuno asked. His back facing her.

Mariko only smiled.

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Nabiki on the other hand was very stressed. The case brought out the worst in her. She didn’t like how the opposition made their claims trivial. Now she was back in square one. Beside her was her partner Kinnusuke.

Like herself he looked aggravated. Both had their ego’s handed over to them when the opposition found a hole in their case. A massive hole that they should have seen. The Yamato Case is proving to be the most difficult case she had ever handled.

“DAMN THEM TO HELL! How the hell did they get a hold of the shareholder’s assets?” Kinnusuke cursed in his breathe.

It was true, the opposition just found out some dirty dealings involving some of the companies CEO. Something that they should have known about. At this rate the case will have to through Criminal Court as well.

“We have no other choice but to take their offer.” Kinnusuke sighed. The opposition offered a good deal. They should take it now while the offer was still good.

Nabiki let go of the breathe she never knew she held. She was tired. So very tired. Most of her energy went to this case and everything was going to hell. She winced as she remembered she also had other issues to deal with. She needed this case to prolong the inevitable that awaits her.

She was too preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn’t notice Kinnusuke’s movements. She was caught in surprise to feel his hands knead her tense shoulders.

“Relax Nabiki. I know how hard you worked in this case. But I think its time we admit defeat. In any case everyone got what they wanted. The workers got their compensation pay outs while Yamato Industries will survive. We can’t win them all.” Kinnusuke soothed her. He was standing behind her and began massaging her shoulders.

Kinnusuke noticed how tense she was and took a little time till she relaxed against his comforting touch. He smiled at being able to be close to her like this. Her closeness was creating havoc to his ever growing awareness of her. He could smell her subtle perfume and the softness of the skin waiting to be explored under the expensive women’s suit she wore.

It was time to act.

“How about I take you out for drinks? My treat.” He asked.

Normally, Nabiki would have said no to his offer. But right now her judgement was clouded by stress. She needed to distract herself. His soothing touch was not helping her either.

“I would like that.” she replied breathily.

She didn’t see his smirk, that graced his features. Nor the look of triumph in his eyes.

After all that work. The spider has finally manage to weave his web on the unsuspecting fly.

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Akane felt restless. She felt something stirring in the air. She could practically feel it. Like something was about to happen. Something big that will change not only her life but the people around her. A feeling of dread filled her. She tried to push them away by tending to the plants in the front yard.

She was so preoccupied with such thoughts when she heard someone calling her name.

“AKANE!”

Akane turned around only to see Ryoga rush to her. He looked worst for wear.

She met him half-way.

“Ryoga? What on earth happened to you?” She asked the out of breath martial artist.

“I-it’s true… what you said was true…” he manage to say while struggling to breath.

She felt her heart constrict. She was right. Ranma was having an affair with Ukyo behind both their backs.

“Let’s get you inside and let me fix you a drink.” She said as she led the way towards her home.

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Meanwhile…

Ranma was on his way home when he bumped into none other than a dishevelled looking Ukyo.

“Ucchan? What’s wrong?” He asked his best friend.

Ukyo could only cry in reply. Ranma immediately engulfed her in his arms trying to soothe her.

“What happened?” He asked but all he got was more agonized cry from his friend.

She looked weak and sick with worry. Ranma immediately worried about the state of health she was in. she was near hysterical.

“Come on Ukyo… I’ll take you home…” he told her as he assisted her home.

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Author's Notes:

I bet you guys you can't guess what happens next. Or Maybe you could? In anycase I hope you liked the chapter. Everything is slowly unraveling. It's just a matter of time before everthing hits the fan and it won't be pretty...

As always please review. You'll never guess what happens next. Thanks to all that reviewed. It was greatly appreciated.

See you in the next chapter of "Thy Neighbour's Wife." entitled "Something wicked this way comes"

Till then...

Ja Ne