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...

“You can’t be serious!” Akane cried out as she watched her husband pack his things. “Where would you go? Where will you sleep?”

Ranma didn’t answer her. He was used to roughing it. Beside he had enough money to rent a room at a hotel somewhere. He had made up his mind to move out while he was in hospital.

“Can’t we talk about this for a minute?” Akane panicked.

Ranma stopped packing and faced his wife. “I think we need sometime apart.” he said to Akane softly.

Akane remained silent. She was frightened. She didn’t want to loose Ranma.

“I don’t think I can deal with this right now.” Ranma continued.

“So you’re running away? That’s your answer!” Akane snapped back angrily.

Ranma took a deep breath. “Look at what’s happening to us right now?! Can you honestly tell me that we can talk about this calmly?” Ranma explained trying to restrain himself. What Akane admitted to him was too much to take in. He needed to be away from her and collect his thoughts. Ranma looked at Akane’s tear streaked face.

“Don’t take this as it is Akane. I really think we just need sometime apart and gather our thoughts and feelings. Please try to understand Akane this is for our own good.” Ranma explained. He knew what Akane was thinking. She’s taking this as their ending. In truth he doesn’t know if this was it for them. All he wanted was some time alone and contemplate about what had happened to them to result to this.

Akane look at him from her tear streaked vision. A tiny sense of hope grew. They’re not finished yet. Ranma was right. They do need sometime apart. Perhaps this is something they really both need.

“Where would you go?” Akane hesitantly asked.

Ranma finally turned his attention to his wife and sighed. “I don’t really know, probably in a hotel or something. Don’t worry I’ll let you know once I find a place.”

Akane wanted to question him more. She wanted to ask if he was going to stay with Ukyo but held her tongue. Ranma wouldn’t do such a thing especially when Ukyo was busy taking care of Ryoga. She doubted Ranma would be foolish enough to even try and hook up with Ukyo now.

Once Ranma has finally packed his bags, Akane walked him towards the door. Everything felt surreal to Akane. She felt a little numbed. She knew she should protest and demand Ranma to stay but it felt as though she also needed to let him go and sort out her own feelings. Her mind tried to process the event that was happening right now. She should be crying and begging him to stay, not walk him towards the door and feel like he was just going on a training trip.

“Call me.” Akane managed to say to him.

“I will.” Ranma replied back.

Akane couldn’t help herself. It was almost an automatic response for her, she stepped close to Ranma and gave him a kiss goodbye. If Ranma was stunned, he never showed it. Instead he turned around and walked away.

Akane watched his retreating back. Her mind was full of questions while her emotions where in chaos. She wanted to scream in frustration, instead she just watched him walk away from her hoping that his words were honest and true. That it wasn’t really over between them but merely a hurdle they must jump over.

Kuno was currently sitting in a posh café. He was currently reading the latest business news column when the person he was waiting for finally arrived. She sat before him and gave him a wide seductive smile.

Kuno sighed as he folded the newspaper neatly and set it aside.

Mariko couldn’t help but smile. Tatewaki has invited her for coffee. To many it may seem ordinary but Mariko knew better. Tatewaki never took the initiative to ask anybody out of his own accord, that privilege was only for business purposes and mainly reserved to his wife. This certainly wasn’t business since he would have informed her if it was. This means Tatewaki has finally accepted their affair as what it is.

“What would you like to have?” Tatewaki asked. Ever the gentleman that he was. He always ordered for the lady he dines with.

There was a glint in her eyes that told him exactly what or exactly who she wanted to have but playfully purred out her order. “Just a Latte, thanks.”

Kuno ordered for both of them. They waited for their order and began to talk about how their business was running to pass time. To be honest though, Mariko couldn’t give a damn about business right now, she only wanted to be with him.

Ryoga woke up rather late today. Since he was discharged from the hospital, Ukyo had been waiting on him hand and foot, fussing over him. He couldn’t help but let his heart swell from the attention he received from his beloved. Ukyo refused to let him out of bed, only letting him go to do a few mobility exercises the doctor has advised him to do.

He slowly got up and disregarded putting on his shirt. It was too much of a bother for him anyways. He then began to look for Ukyo. He searched for her around the house, calling for her name but didn’t get any response. He finally found her outside doing the laundry.

Ukyo was outside and was hanging up the laundry. She was wearing a simple white blouse and matching flowing skirt. A small gust of wind blew by and her unbound hair danced along with the wind sinuously.

Ryoga’s breath caught in his throat. Ukyo was absolutely beautiful. The sun’s ray didn’t do her any justice. She looked so ethereal. Like an angel sent from heaven to watch over him or an earth bound goddess who made his life complete.

At that very moment, he knew he couldn’t live without Ukyo by his side. Not seeing her beautiful visage everyday, not being able to hold her, touch her and make love to her sent chills up and down his spine and a searing pain in his chest.

“Ryoga?” Ukyo’s inquiring voice broke his melancholy thoughts. “What are you doing up? Are you hungry sugar? I can make you something if you want.”

Ryoga merely shook his head as he approached his beloved. He saw her confused look and it made him smile. She looked adorable when she looked confused. He wrapped his arms around her, embracing her tightly, savouring her warmth and her beautiful scent.

Ukyo couldn’t help but smile at Ryoga’s sweet gesture. It was rare for the eternally lost man to ever show such outstanding show of affection. She couldn’t help but wrap her own arms around him and snuggled closer to him. His bare skin was warming her against the cool breeze. She couldn’t help but melt against him.

“Not that I’m complaining sugar but we need to go inside. You really need to put a shirt on before you catch a cold.” She mumbled through his chest, though she didn’t give him any indication of letting him go.

Ryoga merely chuckled. Her touching concern always did touch him, making him love her even more. His other hand began entwining itself around her smooth, ebony hair, enjoying the feel of her hair as it sifted through his fingers. He looked into her gorgeous eyes, asking her to say yes to his request.

“Can’t we stay out here for a while? I just want to hold you like this.” He asked her, under the magnificent bright blue sky. He felt that they were the only two people left on earth.

Ukyo looked into his eyes and didn’t have the heart to say no. She smiled as she gave him a quick kiss on his nose. “Anything you say sugar.” as a huge amount of joy and happiness enveloped her chest. She prayed the happiness threatening to burst out of her would last forever.

Nabiki was surprised when she got in to work; on her office desk waiting for her was a bouquet of exotic flowers. She slowly approached her desk and picked up the bouquet, slowly breathing in the wonderful scent the flowers provided. She hadn’t received any flowers for a long time. Tatewaki always gave her jewellery and other expensive trinkets but rarely any flowers.

“I see that you liked them,” a familiar masculine voice interrupted her musing.

Nabiki whirled around only to see a grinning Kinnusuke leaning against her office door.

“I knew you would.” Kinnusuke continued as he approached her.

“They’re lovely. Thanks Kinnusuke.” Nabiki replied back as she began to look for an empty vase in her office to put the flowers in, somehow the flowers no longer held an appeal it had on her.

“What happened to Kin-chan?” Kinnusuke asked. He rather liked the way she had said his name in that sultry purr of hers as she said that name. The alcohol she had drank and the way she acted and responded to him a week ago, was still buried in his mind. The tightly bound reign she held around herself fell apart, revealing a very sensual and mischievous woman underneath. Something that he wanted to see and experience once again and perhaps even more but without the alcohol induced stupor.

He wanted her, mind body and soul. He wanted all of her. She was his equal and the only woman that deserved him. He didn’t care to wait any longer. He will make his intentions known.

Nabiki stiffened at his response. Flashbacks of what happened a week ago began to flash into her mind. She could only remember bits and pieces of what happened, and while she still felt awkward that she had left herself go, she couldn’t help but be thankful that nothing had happened between them.

“You’re remembering what happened aren’t you?” Kinnsuke’s voice startled her. His voice was incredibly close. She turned around only to find that he was a scant few metres away from her. She was only about an arms length away from him.

“No need to jump Nabiki.” Kinnusuke relished how her name rolled off so sweetly on his lips. “I’m not here to ravage you… Unless you want me to.”

“What is it that you want Kinnusuke?” Nabiki cursed herself mentally for her voice quavering.

“It should really be clear by now, Nabiki.” Kinnusuke approached her, eliminating the little space between them.

As he advanced a step forward she took a step back, until Nabiki felt the edge of the desk against her lower back. Leaving no room for her to escape as Kinnusuke’s body filled the space between them.

She leaned back, as she saw Kinnusuke lean forward, his hands resting at either side of her waist and on the table. Trapping her against him.

“I want you…” Kinnusuke informed her before claiming her lips before she could protest any further.

“You can’t be serious!” Mariko hissed under her breath, trying not to make a scene.

“I’m afraid I am Mariko. Please don’t make this harder than this has to be.” Kuno replied back neutrally, as he gazed at his companion. While their little affair has been somewhat enjoyable and entertaining, he was afraid that his guilt was now playing around his subconscious. He began to have nightmares of loosing Nabiki. A thought and fate that was worst than death.

“I will remain to work with you as business goes but do not expect me to indulge you in other things anymore.” Tatewaki replied back seriously as he got up from his seat. “Good bye, Mariko.” he said with finality as the cross he carried seemed to have become lighter as he began to walk away.

It amused him that it could really be this easy. While he knew that Mariko would more than likely, will make his work life a living hell, at least he knew that he wasn’t going to loose anymore sleep from worrying if Nabiki would ever find out of his impromptu affair.

Mariko watched Tatewaki smugly walked away. A sneering smile graced her features. “It’s not over yet, Tate-kun. Not by a long shot.”

Mariko then reached for her cell phone and dialled. She waited patiently until the person in the other line finally picked up. “Kodachi, dear how are you? Listen are you free right now? Yes, we have business to take care of.”

Nabiki pushed Kinnusuke away from her person breaking his kiss but he held her waist tightly.

“Take your hands off me!” Nabiki growled at him.

Kinnusuke merely gave her a smirk but did as he was told.

Nabiki couldn’t help but hug herself for protection.

“I apologise for my forwardness Nabiki, but you did ask. I just couldn’t help myself.” Kinnusuke explained, but his tone was anything but apologetic.

“Get out Kinnusuke. Just get out!” Nabiki hissed. Her mind, body and emotions were thrown in total chaos.

Kinnusuke complied. He had to admit he didn’t expect her strong reaction since she was compliant just a few minutes ago.

As he left and closed the door, Nabiki couldn’t help but collapse. Her knees buckling from the tumult of emotions that assailed her. A part of her was disgusted for not slapping Kinnusuke for daring to kiss her, another part of her was screaming that she should cut off all ties with the man or at least report him but a tiny part of her, the dark part of her enjoyed their little altercation. Enjoyed being wanted, desired.

That little part of her scared her. It was that little part of her that responded to him and that little part of her right now was restraining her to think clearly and take any action right now.

It seemed like forever, as Ukyo and Ryoga held each other under the blue sky.

“Ukyo.” Ryoga murmured as he looked at her.

“Yes sugar?” Ukyo sighed happily.

“Let’s get married.” Ryoga replied back, making Ukyo jump in surprise.

Ukyo looked into Ryoga’s eyes searching any doubt or uncertainness in them.

“Are you sure?” Ukyo’s voice quavered, she fought the urge to cry in happiness. She doesn’t want to get her hopes up once again only to be crushed later on.

“I’ve never been so sure in my life. Let’s get married Ukyo. To hell with the big ceremony, all I want is to be with you.”

“And I with you.” Ukyo replied honestly as tears of happiness began to flow from her eyes.

Seeing the honesty in her eyes, Ryoga couldn’t help but kissed her tears away before capturing her lips in a deep and passionate kiss.

“I see.” Kodachi answered sagely as she looked at the other woman from above her coffee cup.

“Well you don’t really have to.” Mariko hopefully supplied as she smiled sympathetically to the black haired business woman.

Kodachi shook her head. “No. It’s alright. This was what I was afraid of to begin with. I’ll arrange it as soon as I can and set off today.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Leave this to me.” Kodachi replied back as she smiled back to the blonde woman, taking her time savouring her coffee.

Ranma contemplated where to go. He briefly considered staying with his parents but didn’t want his mother to worry about him or meddle in his or Akane’s already fragile marriage. He couldn’t stay with friends for the fear that it will get back to his parents. So far, he knew Akane would try and keep down their temporary separation as much as possible to avoid any talk or gossip. That is why he didn’t take many things.

Just his training pack, so anyone he and Akane knew would think he would be on another one of his training trips. He then briefly considered just going through with taking a training trip. He certainly needed to meditate and clear his head.

“Saotome Ranma?” a masculine voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Kuno.” Ranma acknowledge the nobleman’s presence.

“I’ve heard what happened with Hibiki.” Kuno informed him. “I am glad to see that you are doing well as always.”

”Yeah you know me Kuno. Nothing can keep me down for too long.” Ranma replied back in false cheeriness in his voice that was making him feel sick in the stomach.

Kuno then noticed his pack. “Off to training I see.”

“Yeah.”

“Saotome, I know we haven’t really gotten along but I was wondering if you would postpone you trip for now and join me for a drink at my house.” Kuno invited.

“What’s the occasion?” Ranma suddenly found himself very interested at his offer. The prospect of being able to speak to Nabiki dominated his thoughts. Wanting to hear her voice of reason and guidance. He also realised he was trying to keep the anticipation of seeing Nabiki once again from her own husband.

“I am just in a merry mood tonight and would like to indulge a drink or two.” Kuno replied back. To be honest he wanted to celebrate his triumph over his baser needs and the ability to walk away from Mariko. He would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to Ranma for misdirecting his guilt of having an affair and blaming it on him. Accusing him on having an affair with his wife when he knew different. Ranma would never cheat on Akane, not after everything they’ve been through together and Nabiki would certainly never cheat on him.

“So what say you?” Kuno asked him.

Ranma had to take a moment to really contemplate on his offer. He had an overwhelming urge to see Nabiki and try to speak to her, needing her guidance and voice of wisdom right now but he really did feel uncomfortable around Kuno after their last encounter. Perhaps having a drink with Kuno wouldn't be too bad, they could even perhaps settle their differences after a couple of drinks.

“Sure why not?” Ranma answered as he smiled, though he wondered why he felt a lead weight in the pit of his stomach.

As soon as they reached the Kuno estate, Tatewaki didn’t waste anytime breaking open his expensive collection of sake and wine which Ranma gratefully accepted. He needed to drink his sorrows tonight even though Kuno was celebrating.

In no time at all, both men were under the spell of hazy alcohol stupor when Kuno received a phone call.

“Moshi-moshi? Dachi-chan? Where are you? YOU’RE WHAT!” Tatewaki shouted at the phone in surprise.

“Yeah… yeah… I see but… Is there any other way?” Tatewaki asked solemnly.

“I see, I will tell her then.” and with that Tatewaki hung up the phone.

Ranma just watched the troubled nobleman angrily swipe the bottle of sake and drained it. “Bad news?”

“You could say that Saotome.” Kuno replied back sadly before turning his attention towards his drinking companion. “But never mind me Saotome, drink! Be merry!”

Ranma then found himself being shoved a bottle of sake, there was no time to refuse Kuno’s offer. He had no choice but join Kuno’s melancholy drink for he too needed to numb some of his own troubles or at the very least try to drown them all away.

The moment Nabiki entered her home; she should have known something was wrong. The house was way too quiet considering Kodachi was staying with them. Well in truth, the house was always quiet for the house helps are normally sent home to their respective families or living quarters but this was a different kind of quiet. A very unsettling type of tranquillity.

She noted a large travel pack sitting haphazardly in the lounge room as she continued to move around the house, mindful not to disturb anyone when she heard faint voices near the kitchen. She could distinctively recognise her husband’s voice slightly muffled by alcohol followed closely by another familiar male voice.

She entered the dim lit kitchen only to see her husband haphazardly sprawled on the kitchen table, before him was none other than Saotome Ranma who looked like he was more than capable of handling his drink.

“Tachi?” She called out tentatively to her husband.

“NAB-CHAN!” Tatewaki replied back animatedly as he tried vainly to reach her. Nabiki on the other hand met him half-way and saved him from falling over.

“How much have you had to drink?” Nabiki asked with full concern as she eyed the number of sake and wine bottles on the kitchen table.

“Not much.” Tatewaki replied back with a wry grin, before promptly passing out.

Seeing that Nabiki was having a hard time trying to keep her husband up-right, Ranma assisted her, taking Tatewaki’s other arm and helped him sit down on one of the chairs.

“Thanks Ranma.” Nabiki smiled at him as she checked on her husband’s condition.

Ranma felt something constrict within him as he watched Nabiki dote on her husband. Not once did Nabiki admonish Kuno, instead she ran her hands upon his hair, trying to sooth him.

“Do you know what is wrong with him?” She asked Ranma. Tatewaki wasn’t type of person to drink excessively. She was too tired to be upset with her husband. Besides there’s no point of her being upset when Tatewaki was obviously passed out.

Ranma just gave her a wry shrug. “Don’t really know. He invited me to have a drink with him to celebrate something or rather and yeah.”

“I see.” Nabiki replied back, unsure what else to say. “Could you maybe help me put him to bed?”

Ranma was unsure of what to do but seeing as he really can’t let Nabiki haul her husband to their bedroom, he had no choice but to help.

Nabiki and Ranma hauled Tatewaki’s heavy bulk up to the stairs and to Nabiki’s and his bed chambers. The moment they entered the room, Ranma immediately felt uncomfortable. The room was huge and tastefully decorated by expensive furniture and fixtures.

Finally they reached the massive four poster bed and ungracefully unloaded Tatewaki’s body onto the soft bed. Ranma could only watch as Nabiki began to meticulously undo her husband’s tie and relieve him of his suit jacket. She undid a couple of his shirt buttons before finally tucking him under the blankets.

She sat there for a minute, making sure that her husband was comfortable before finally turning her attention towards Ranma. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Ranma replied back uncomfortably. “You must be tired coming home straight from work, so I guess I better be heading out now.” Ranma began as the awkwardness between them seemed to have stretched. He felt uncomfortable standing there in their room while she sat next to her unconscious husband. He began to make his way out when Nabiki’s voice stopped him.

“Wait, I’ll walk you out.” Nabiki replied back as she left Tatewaki. As she closed their bedroom door, Nabiki couldn’t help but fidget. Before her stood Ranma, one of the many causes of her sleepless nights and thoughts.

She had heard what had happened between him and Ryoga, yet she couldn’t bring herself to visit him and see how he was doing. She just couldn’t. With her fragile relationship with Akane and the way she left things with Ranma at the park before, she just didn’t know how to face them, and now here he was just an arm's length away from her. For the life of her, she just didn’t know what to say.

“Are you ok?” She finally asked, wanting to ask if he was alright. That simple question seemed to fit all the other questions she wanted to ask him.

Has he fully recovered from his fight with Ryoga?

Is everything fine now between him and Akane?

Are things alright between them?

Ranma seemed to have read all she wanted to ask with those simple words, and it touched him. “I’m fine, I wouldn’t be standing here if I wasn’t.” he chuckled trying to be more aloof.

“You know that’s not really what I mean.” Nabiki sighed as she walked pass him and headed towards the staircase.

As Nabiki walked past him, Ranma couldn’t help but be aware of her. Some invisible electricity seemed to crackle against his skin as he caught whiff of her subtle perfume or the faint scent of her shampoo. As he turned to follow her, he couldn’t help but be hypnotised to the subtle sway of her hips or be aware of her womanly figure. He followed her wordlessly down the stairs and back to the lounge room where he had left his training pack.

As he gathered his pack and began to make his way out, her soft hand caught his elbow and somehow her touch against his skin seemed to set his body on fire. He tried to reign in his senses. It was probably the alcohol that was messing him up.

“It’s late and you’d have too much to drink,” he heard her softly say. “You can spend the night at one of the guest rooms if you’d like.”

Nabiki couldn’t let him go, knowing he had something to drink. She also didn’t have to add things up to know that Ranma and Akane had another fight. He wouldn’t go on a training trip so suddenly after being shortly released from the hospital. Something happened between him and Akane again and she didn’t want him to be doing anything rash.

“I’ll be fine Nabiki, honestly.” Ranma assured her but she refused to let him go.

“Please Ranma? It will ease my mind knowing that you’re safe and not on the streets at this time.” Nabiki pleaded to him.

Ranma didn’t now how to refuse her, especially how those brown eyes looked at him. He sighed dejectedly. “Fine. Alright, I’ll stay,”

And then something unusual happened, he could swear his heart skipped a beat when he saw her smile as she began to lead him into one of the guest rooms.

“You can stay here for the night,” Nabiki informed him, she then began to show him where everything is, like where the toilet and bath is located at. “And that’s about it really, our room is down the hallway if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask, you’re family after all.”

The word Family seemed to have struck a cord in Ranma, though he didn’t know why. The room was huge, not as huge compared to Nabiki and Tatewaki’s room but it was certainly big to him. It even has its own private toilet and bathroom.

“Is there anything else you need?” Nabiki’s inquiring voice snapped him out of his dazed state.

Ranma shook his head negatively, and once again he was rewarded by Nabiki’s smile.

“Well good night Ranma.” Nabiki bid her farewell as she closed his door. Ranma then began to get ready for bed.

As Ranma laid down on the bed with his arms behind his head, he couldn’t seem to find any sleep. The room was comfortable and the bed was probably the best mattress he has ever laid upon but he couldn’t seem to close his eyes. Too many questions plagued his mind. One of them was currently sleeping not too far away down the hallway.

“What am I really doing?” Ranma sighed as he asked himself. He couldn’t help but let his eyes wander towards the open window. He could clearly see the night sky illuminated by the crescent moon and scattered stars.

“Why can’t I stop thinking about you?’ he once again asked as though the very person who plagued his mind was right before him, unaware that the object of his thoughts was wondering about the exact same question, as she too tried to find sleep in the comfort of her husband’s embrace.

xxxxxxx

Author's Notes:

I would like to apologise for the delay in updates. I have once again under estimated the time it will take me to edit the chapter and I probably still did not do a good job. Sigh.

I would like to thank Lord Nightfyre for giving me the nudge to actually update. I actually forgot about this chapter because of my exams and other projects. I hope you like this update.

The next chapter is under revision at the moment since there is something in the chapter that's not actually flowing smoothly for my taste.

Thank you for the readers that have continued and supported this story, it's because of you readers that I find the strength to continue coupled by stubborness. )

Everything seems to be fine and dandy, but is it the calm before the storm?

Please tune in next time for a next exciting chapter of "Thy Neighbour's Wife"

Ja ne