Disclaimer:

The characters in this story aren’t mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and other publications… 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…

Bold Italics means sounds/signs

Italics means thoughts...

Previously:

Akane and Ryoga had inadvertently comforted each other while Ukyo was left devastated in Ranma's care. Kuno and Mariko had begun having an illicit affair while Kodachi returns. Nabiki wakes up in a hotel room with a half naked Kinnusuke and Ranma and Ryoga dukes it out in the old construction site. Now on with the show!

“What happened?” Nabiki groaned as she clutched her head. Fighting off the constant pounding that resonates from within.

Kinnusuke merely grinned as he approached her. Sitting beside her which only made Nabiki cringe.

“Now, now Nabiki. Don’t be like that.” Kinnusuke purred. “You need to eat first and then I’ll get you something for your hang-over.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Do I need to give you a blow by blow account?” Kinnusuke replied back.

“Please Kinnusuke. Tell me happened.” Nabiki replied back in near tears. She refused to accept anything that may have happened. She needed to know directly from him.

“You really don’t remember do you?” Kinnusuke replied back masking his expression well. He didn’t want to show her how much she was affecting him. “Tell me what exactly do you remember?”

“If I did remember would I be asking you?” Nabiki replied back angrily.

Kinnusuke ignored her angry retort, instead he put his hands on Nabiki’s shoulder. He felt her stiffen in response but it did not deter him. He gently began to massage her shoulders, enjoying the feel of her warm and naked skin.

“Please Kin-chan. Please tell me what happened.” Nabiki begged him as she turned to look at him.

Kinnusuke sighed. This would be the most perfect opportunity now. She was vulnerable. Looking at her all defeated was not what he wanted at all. But he still wanted her. She was now within arms reach, all he needed to do was pull her against him and make her his.

“You were drunk. So I took the liberty of taking us to a hotel, since I knew bringing you home drunk won’t be appropriate.” Kinnusuke explained. But before Nabiki could interrupt him he continued.

“I knew you wouldn’t like me take you back to my place so I took you here instead. I won’t lie to you, we did fool around a little bit until you passed out on the bed.”

“Did… did anything happen?” She manage to ask, feeling a lump in her throat.

“You mean if we slept together?”

“Yes” Nabiki replied back unable to face the man who sat beside her. She didn’t want to face what ever awful truth that he might reveal.

“Yes and No.” Kinnusuke replied back showing a small glint of delight in his eyes. Watching her vulnerable and so unsure of herself brought a small feeling of triumph within him. That the once mighty ice queen and his formidable foe was vulnerable before him. Arousing him.

Nabiki was now on the verge of tears. She had never been out of control of her feelings before. She was in no mood to play mind games with Kinnusuke. All she wanted was the bitter truth.

Did they or didn’t they?

A million thoughts entered her mind all of them in a wild jumble. What her actions can cause and how can it possibly affect her future.

What happens now and what to do to fix it?

A small prick of sympathy washed over Kinnusuke as he watched the woman he craved for, mull over what possible incident could have taken place the night before. He wanted her, yes. He desired her. Wanted her to be his and his alone but he cannot have her like this. He cannot have her hating him.

“We were about to when you passed out. So I took the liberty of taking off your clothes and tucked you in before we slept.” he explained as he looked away from her. He can’t believe he was doing this. He could have easily have her now, but somehow it felt wrong to him. He wanted her so badly yet he was unable to have her and resent him for it. It can’t possibly be love could it?

“You mean we did sleep together?” She replied back. Or at least slept beside her, half naked and all. A small hope in her voice could be heard when she asked.

“Of course. Just because we didn’t have sex doesn’t mean I would sleep on the couch. I payed for the room after all.” Kinnusuke grumbled as he replied back. While he was unhappy that she sounded somewhat happy that nothing happened between them a faint feeling of joy encompassed his heart when he saw her face become animated with joy. “I figured I get to at least cuddle your delicious body as compensation after you led me on.”

“I did not lead you on.” Nabiki protested but was glad that Kinnusuke never took advantage of her and found herself respecting him for it.

“Didn’t you?” Kinnusuke questioned her before he kissed her. Nabiki was shocked that her alcohol muddled brain was still too late to react and found herself responding to him.

Kinnusuke just gave her a smirk. As he brushed his thumb against her now red lips. “I didn’t plan to make love to on your drunken state. I wanted you to remember that when we do make love, I want you to remember everything.” he began as he began to plant butterfly kisses on her lips, trailing to her jaw and was now kissing the hollow of her neck.

“No…” Nabiki manage to say. Trying to fight off the after effects of the alcohol still in her system. But her body continued to shiver as it reacted to Kinnusuke’s touch.

Kinnusuke heard her protest and painstakingly stopped his ministrations. “Can you honestly say that you’re not leading me on? With the kind of response I get from you?” Kinnusuke sounded breathless as he asked her as he nuzzled her neck.

“You’re being unfair…” Was all Nabiki could say while she inwardly curse at her body’s reaction.

“He doesn’t deserve you, you know? How long has it been since he made you feel like you’re a woman?” Kinnusuke asked. He knew because of the case they had been working on, the days and late nights that Nabiki had been too busy for her husband. He knew Nabiki had spent most of her time within his company. Something he monopolised to have her near him.

“That is none of your business.” Nabiki replied back sharply as she pulled away from him. She knew Tatewaki tried. They both did but their careers consumed most of their time.

Kinnusuke sighed. “Very well then. Eat up and I will drive you home.”

Nabiki ignored him but did what she was told while Kinnusuke watched her eat. It felt right to have her near him. It felt right that she was with him and he’ll be damned if he would let her husband get in his way. One way or another he will have her.

“So that is why you are here?” Kuno replied back as he ate breakfast with his sister.

“Yes. That is the nature of my visit. I did wish to make it a more social one.” Kodachi replied back. “Which reminds me, I have yet to see your wife.”

“You mean Nabiki? She probably left earlier.” Kuno replied back. He didn’t get home until near the early hours himself. He probably missed her which was good since he really didn’t want to talk about where he was last night.

“Really now?” Kodachi replied back. “And how is she by the way? I heard she’s handling the industrial dispute case with Kashuoh Kinnusuke.”

“Indeed she is. The case is more complicated than they first thought it would and is taking a lot of her time.” Kuno explained but knew his sister was trying to pry into their personal love life. Giving her a sharp look to warn her to drop the subject. Whatever it was she was trying to do, he wasn’t interested in letting her pursue it.

“No need to give me that look dear brother. I was just concerned of my sister in-law’s well being.” Kodachi placated her brother. “After all we have more pressing matter we need to discuss. I was just making idle chit-chat.”

“Indeed you are.” Tatewaki replied back. While Kodachi’s arrival brought some joy in him, her constant acid remarks on Nabiki always rained on his cheerful mood. He did wonder why all these years the two women in his life seemed to be in constant odds with each other. But dismissed the thought. The most important thing right now was the matter at hand and the step he needs to make to rectify it.

Ryoga slowly opened his eyes. The first thing that greeted him was an unfamiliar white ceiling. The smell that assaulted him smelt of sterile disinfectant products and detergent. He groaned as he felt the stress his body was feeling. He heard a faint beeping sound and tried to adjust his sight. It was a vital sign monitor. He raised his left hand only to see an I.V line connected to it. There was no doubt about it. He was in hospital.

Almost immediately he wondered if Ranma was also in hospital. The last thing he saw was the massive bright light both their attacks created. He wanted to know if he got Ranma as badly as Ranma got him. He wanted him to suffer. Just as much as he was suffering.

How dare he!

He felt himself tense aggravating his injuries, making his body flare with pain. It was then that he felt a weight on his right arm.

“You’re awake.” She replied back. “I was so worried.” she continued as she began to cry.

Ryoga was stunned. He was surprised she would be there. It made his heart constrict when he witnessed her cry. It seemed like she had been crying a lot. Her eyes were sore, puffy and red. She had bags under her eyes.

“It’s alright Ukyo. I’m fine.” he manage to say as he watched the woman he loved cry.

“YOU’RE SUCH AN IDIOT!” Ukyo screamed at him. As she hugged him and began hitting his chest as she continued to cry, completely disregarding the bandages that adorned his torso.

Ryoga winced but didn’t voice his pain. He deserved it for making her worry like this. He merely wrapped his arms around her to stop her from adding more to his injuries. Muffling her cries.

“How could you?” She asked once she calmed down.

He couldn’t answer her. He wanted to tell her that she meant the world to him. He didn’t want to let Ranma to steal what was his. He had already lost the woman he loved once or so he thought he loved once. He can’t handle to loose Ukyo to Ranma. Not again. Not when he finally found his happiness. He can see Ranma gloating at him at the back of his mind and it made his blood boil.

“I love you so much Ukyo.” was all he could say. Hoping it was enough to explain what he couldn’t say to her. What he feared the most. He didn’t realise how his vision began to get blurry as his own tears joined Ukyo.

Somewhere else in the hospital...

Ranma laid down in the empty room. Ukyo had seen him earlier and demanded what had happened. He told her that Ryoga had began attacking him and he had no choice but to defend himself. That was all he manage to say before Ukyo broke down and cried again. He tried to reassure her but she kept on crying. He had never seen Ukyo so miserable before. Her eyes were red and sore by the time she managed to get herself together and go to Ryoga’s room.

Ukyo was unsure if she should even go to Ryoga. Ryoga was unconscious when he was brought in. She didn’t know if Ryoga even wanted her to be there by his side since he left her so abruptly. But Ranma had reassured her that Ryoga needed her now more than ever and so she left him and went to Ryoga.

So now Ranma laid awake in the sterile room. Feeling more alone than ever. He wondered if Akane had been informed, if she was even on her way to see him. But despite all these questions Nabiki’s image seemed to keep occupying his mind.

How was she?

Did I destroy their friendship like so many failed friendships I once had?

Was Ryoga and Ukyo’s relationship on the rocks because of me?

Was all of Ryoga’s accusations true?

Am I the reason?

He needed to speak to Nabiki. Wanted to hear her words of wisdom. Wanted her to reassure him that none of these things were true. Nabiki was and always has been the voice of reason. Only she can ease his troubled mind. But had he destroyed all that because of his growing attraction to her? Had he pushed her away when he needed her the most? Was he being selfish?

His thoughts were interrupted when Akane burst into the quiet room. Shattering the silence that engulfed him earlier.

“Oh my God Ranma!” Akane exclaimed as she burst into the room. Her conscious kept nagging her as guilt began to eat her.

Akane was immediately by Ranma’s side. She grasped his hand in hers and began to cry. “I’m so sorry.”

Somehow she knew. She knew it was her fault. Ranma must have seen her and Ryoga together that’s why Ranma and Ryoga fought.

“What do you…” Ranma began, about to ask what she needed to apologise for but was interrupted by Akane’s nervous ramblings.

“I was lonely… He was there… and you’ve been so cold to me lately…” Akane continued to sob.

Ranma admits he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the block but over the years he had learned to put some things together. He looked at the woman who held his hand and for once couldn’t feel anything. His whole body felt numb. All at once he hoped that whatever it was Akane's rambling was not true. That what he was thinking was not true.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen! You were so cold to me! We don’t even sleep in the same bed anymore.” Akane continued to ramble on, unaware of Ranma’s stunned reaction.

Ranma felt the last piece of his heart finally shattered. He no longer saw the woman before him as the woman he loved.

No.

If she loved him he would never do this to him. Not to him. Not his friends. She had single-handedly destroyed what little love he has for her. All was left now was pity.

“Akane…” he wanted nothing more to do with her. He cannot look at her face knowing she had betrayed him. But despite all this, he couldn’t feel anything. No rage, no anger or sadness assaulted him. He just felt empty and hollow. He felt numbed.

“Ranma? Please speak to me!” Akane continued to cry. Unaware that she had told unwittingly admitted to Ranma the awful truth that he didn’t know about.

“You… you slept with Ryoga.” Ranma stated. It wasn’t a question.

It was then that Akane realised she had incriminated herself. Hearing the wonder in his voice, a nervous statement of fact that was asking for an honest truth but was too afraid to hear it nor accept it.

“You… You didn’t know.” Akane looked stunned that Ranma didn’t know. If so then why did he and Ryoga have that awful confrontation that took out the whole two kilometre radius of the abandoned construction site?

“Then how come you and he…” Akane manage as her voice quivered. It can’t be happening. It just can’t be.

“We crossed paths on my way home. He was angry and confuse and decided to take his aggression out on me.” Ranma relied back. His voice sounded so surreal. Like it has lost all feeling. He met her eyes and saw the look of pain in them and somehow he still felt nothing.

“Ranma I can explain.” Akane tried. She wanted to explain to him. To erase whatever it was in his eyes. He looked utterly defeated.

Ranma merely shook his head. “We both knew we were headed this way. It just happened a lot sooner than expected.”

“What are you saying Ranma?” Akane felt her heart beat fast and painfully constrict.

“You know exactly what I mean Akane.” as Ranma removed his hand from hers.

“NO! IT CAN’T BE! I LOVE YOU RANMA! YOU KNOW I STILL LOVE YOU! WHAT HAPPENED WAS A MISTAKE!” Akane protested.

Ranma shook his head. “Please leave Akane.”

Akane wanted to scream at him. Yell at him and tell him it was his fault. Blame him for the very mistake she committed. Pushing her to the arms of another man. But what she saw in his eyes made her stop. For once in her life she had never seen Ranma so defeated. He had given up. Given up on them. Akane trembled as tears continued to flow from her guilty soul. She had finally done it. She had broken him.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” Ranma replied back as he turned his back on her.

Akane didn’t know what to do. She loved Ranma. She wasn’t prepared to loose him. “I love you Ranma. You know that don’t you? It was a mistake and I’m sorry.” Akane continued to plead to him but Ranma didn’t reply back.

She couldn’t take Ranma’s reaction anymore. She needed to leave before she made things worst and begin yelling at him. It’s not what he needs right now. It not what they both need right now.

“Please forgive me... for I love you and I know deep down, you love me too.” She replied as she began making her way out of the room. Hoping that he will respond to her words.

“You're right Akane. I do love you. That’s why I can forgive you.” Ranma murmured softly but still reached Akane's ears.

Which brought a small joy in Akane as she walked out the door. It was a small consolation and she knew Ranma would never hate her. She knew she and Ranma could work their way through this. They were both stronger than this. After all the things they've been through, this was just another milestone for them to overcome. Ranma for now just needed some time and space. So with those last thought she left Ranma alone, giving the space he needed. Leaving Ranma alone in the cold sterile room.

“What you don’t know is I used to loved you. That’s why I can’t be with you.” Ranma murmured to himself. Tears he never realise began to flow in his eyes. “You just killed what ever love I have for you Akane.”

His hands began to clench until his knuckles were white, but he never noticed. He was left alone in the room. No one to talk to, alone with his thoughts and memories of what he and Akane once had. From the happiness and chaos of their union to the betrayal and pain he felt, followed by the excruciating numbness caused by her actions.

He surrendered himself to the feeling of emptiness. He was tired.

It was now lunch time. Nabiki had returned home and was surprised to be greeted by her sister-in-law. She had Kinnusuke drop her to work first to pick up her car and drive home. The two faced each other with civil indifference, making idle chit-chat. The typical social niceties before they parted ways. It seems while Nabiki had just got in, Kodachi was heading out.

Kodachi smirked as her car drove away. Catching Nabiki surprised was amusing, unfortunately as much as she wanted to catch up with her dear sister-in-law there was more pressing matters to discuss. She had already spoken to her brother. It was now time to speak to Mariko Konjo.

Nabiki on the other hand groaned in frustration. Of all the things to come home to, she never expected to be greeted by a smug Kodachi. She sighed. The case was finally over, there was nothing else she or Kinnusuke could do but to take the opposition's offer.

She sighed once again. It had been a rollercoaster of a week. All she wanted now was a glass of red wine and a long soak in the tub.

"Well I'm glad that this fiasco is all over." Nabiki resigned before taking her much needed soak, little did she know that the worst is about to come.

Author’s Notes:

Hope you readers enjoyed this latest update. This is a three part chapter but was too long to be posted as one. So instead I divided it into three. “To Love, Honour and Betray” you could probably guess what will be contained in the other two. I just thought I would post this one for now since I haven’t really been updating my Ranma ½ stories lately. It’s getting harder and harder to find a time to write, and it doesn’t help matters when I haven’t had any inspirations lately.

But I do hope you like this recent update. As always please leave a review. I’m just editing Honour and Betray and will post it up as soon as I have time.

So what happens to Ranma and Akane now?

What happens to Ukyo and Ryoga?

What is Kodachi up to?

All this and more so please stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Thy Neighbour’s Wife”

Ja Ne