Disclaimer:

Bold Italics means sounds/signs

Italics means thoughts...

Previously:

Ranma slowly crumbles and is in the pit of depression. Too much reflections about the past made him question his manhood. In desperation to talk to someone he called Nabiki…

Nabiki was drained, she was tired. For the past couple of nights she had barely gotten any sleep. She took the result of court case badly. She knew she never should have represented family. It caused problems but pride got in the way. She was the best lawyer in the region. She has never lost a case before.

Then again most of the cases she handled where business cases, never Family Law but she told herself that it was a cinch. She studied Family Law before and knew how to handle the case. In theory of course, not in Practice.

Who better to represent her baby sister than herself?

She laughed at how impudent and proud she sounded. She knew better. She felt strong hands drew her closer to the warm body beside her. She turned her body to look at her husband and watched his sleeping form.

So peaceful, she thought to herself as she gently caressed his cheek.

"I wonder what you dream of when your asleep" she whispered to herself.

She studied his face. He looked so happy, so content but she knew better. She was being unfair to him. Her heart pounded loudly to her ears. It felt like her heart beat will wake him up.

She loved him, she thought to herself as she looked at his sleeping form. She loved him.

Her fondness for him grew to love in time but it hurts to know. It hurts to know that she can't love him with all of her heart, only part of it but it has to be enough. Her love for him should be enough and yet when she looks at him, she feels her heart breaking. He never asked anything more from her, only for her to love him and she did as much as a wife can love her spouse, only it didn't feel as though that was enough.

She couldn't return his love for her equally. Sometimes she tries to push him away, but he was too damn understanding and it was too hard not to love someone like that.

So why couldn't she?

They had been married for 8 years now and was happy and content.

What else could she want?

She snuggled closer to him. She felt Kuno's strong arms wrapped around her, protectively and lovingly. She laid her head against his chest, where she could hear his heartbeat.

I'm just being silly, she told herself.

Kuno was her best friend, lover and husband. She does love him, that she knows with both heart and mind. She also cared for him deeply. She only wished that in time, she can give her heart to him entirely. She listened to his heart beat, its steady rhythm was soothing to her, and slowly lulled her to sleep.

She had barely shut her eyes when she heard the phone ring from the bedside table. Checking the clock near the phone she noted that it was already 1 in the morning. She felt Kuno grumble for her to leave it but she knew who ever it was wouldn't be calling at this hour if it wasn't important, they knew better than that.

She gently removed Kuno's arms around her and reached for the phone. It better be important.

She then wished it wasn't Kinnusuke calling her. He was causing enough problems to them already. His daily flirtations with her aggravated Kuno, which amuses her. Kuno looked adorable when he was jealous, though he didn't have anything to worry about. Kuno trusted her, he told her once himself, it was Kinnusuke he didn't trust. She looked at husband, who has shifted from the bed, and now his back was facing her. She then picked up the phone.

"Hello?" Came her tired voice.

"Nabiki?" Came a strangled response.

"Ranma? What's wrong?" She asked recognising the voice in the other line.

There was a sudden pause in the other line, followed by heart wrenching sobs. He's crying she realised. She tried to coax him to talk to her but she was a little subdued since Kuno was sleeping. It was a good thing that they had a cordless phone. She got out of the warm bed and immediately felt the early morning chill. She made her way towards the door and headed toward the study.

"Ranma what is wrong? Did you and Akane have another row?" She asked, making her voice a little louder now that she was out of her husband's room, loud enough to get Ranma's attention to talk to her.

She was glad that she managed to get his attention and talked him to calm down. She waited for him to gather himself up. He sounded desperate on the phone. She was sort of happy when he had called. She thought they would never speak to her again after what had happened in court. She swallowed bitterly. She tried her best and she failed. For once in her life she failed. When it mattered the most she failed. She stopped her reverie and focused instead in listening to him voice his problems. To think she thought that once married they will live blissfully ever after. She saw how crazy they were with each other back then. There was no denying how much they cared for each other but what was happening to them was slowly unravelling them, slowly tearing them apart.

She couldn't help but feel sorry for them. No one deserves happiness better than the two of them but somehow, Kami has dealt them a bad hand. It was neither their fault. All she could do for them was listen and offer them advice, though she doesn't know why. She thought by now they should be talking to Kasumi or Tofu about marital problems. Kasumi and Tofu's marriage remained strong all these years and also sported two kids.

Now theirs is a marriage that will last, She thought wistfully. She only wished her older sister lived close enough so she can confide in her, all her problems.

Ranma gradually calmed down. The more he talked to Nabiki, the more he felt himself feel much better. She listened to Ranma's heartache, doubts and insecurities. She reassured him that they only needed sometime to heal. Akane needed sometime to adjust and accept the bitter truth. She bit her lip as she felt tears well up her eyes.

Ranma heard Nabiki pause. He heard her whimper. He knew she was trying not to cry. He knew she was blaming herself about Sakura.

"It's not your fault Nabiki, you did your best." she heard him say.

"No Ranma, it is my fault. Don't you see? Maybe I overlooked something, or didn't try hard enough. Its because of me that Akane's heart is breaking. It's because of my carelessness that caused her and you your happiness." Ranma heard her berate herself.

"Carelessness? Nabiki, you did everything in your power to gain us custody of Sakura, you gave it your all Nabiki." Came his reply.

"I'm so sorry Ranma," she said wholeheartedly.

"Sorry for what?" She heard him say.

There was a long pause.

"Listen Nabiki, I really appreciate all your help. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me." he said before adding. "I owe you one,"

He heard her laugh at the other line.

"I'll put it in your tab Saotome, but for now please hang in there. Akane really does care for you, I'm sure she didn't mean anything she said. She was just angry that's all." She assured him.

It around 4 in the morning when Ranma finally hanged up on Nabiki. He felt incredibly better after talking to her. It felt like the baggage he was carrying was lifted from his shoulders. Nabiki was right.

She was always right, The simple thought made him smile. He definitely did owe her, he owed her a lot.

Nabiki walked quietly towards their bedchambers. She smiled as he saw Kuno tangled in the sheets, his bare chest looked very inviting. She tiptoed towards the bed and snuggled close to him. Kuno's hands automatically wound around her body pulling her closer. Their body fitting almost perfectly together.

Like a glove, She thought. She felt warmth envelope her. She looked at his slumbering face. How can she not love him wholeheartedly?

She felt her eyes grow heavier, soon she was fast asleep.

Kuno woke up two hours later. He reluctantly opened his eyes and soon he smiled. He loved waking up next to her every morning. How he enjoyed having her, waking up in her arms, her scent lingering around them, the warmth she was providing. It was such a chore having to get up every time. How he wished he could stay longer in bed. He tried to move away from her so he could further study her. But his tiny movement was met with a groan and then her body snuggling closer as if she'd been deprived of his warmth. He smiled broadly at her response.

He loved the tenderness she possessed, which only he and her family knew about. He was crazy about her that he knew. He couldn't believe that he deluded himself that he was happy back then, before Akane and Ranma had finally tied the knot, and when she left for China. Only when she had returned from China did he knew true happiness. He remembered the day she left for China vividly, and for an instant he felt his heart stop.

FLASHBACK...

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S LEAVING!" Kuno bellowed at Sasuke.

Sasuke cowered from his master. "It is true Master! I have heard that the Amazon Matriarch had a talk to mistress Tendo Nabiki about accompanying them back to China, something about further developing her skills and ensuring a peace treaty." Sasuke responded.

Kuno felt his heart constrict. It had only been a week since Akane and Ranma's wedding. Nabiki had confronted him about Akane and Ranma. Nabiki made him face the bitter truth, that Akane did indeed not love him. Nabiki even arranged for Akane to meet with him where he had heard her himself admit that she loved Ranma.

As for the pigtailed girl, Nabiki showed him Mousse's curse. When he did not believe it himself, Nabiki used instant Jusenkyo curse on him, enabling him to become a dog but only for a short period time. She then explained to him about the Jusenkyou curses and their victims, finally revealing to him the true identity of the pigtailed girl.

He remembered being very angry when the truth had finally sank in. He was made to look like such a fool. He had taken his anger out on Nabiki for fuelling his supposedly delusions, in which he himself was partly at fault. He then asked her if he enjoyed manipulating him and why she did what she did to him. Her answer surprised him the most.

"DESPITE OF EVERYTHING KUNO, I DID TRY TO TELL YOU A NUMBER OF TIMES! BUT IN TIME I STOPPED, AS MUCH AS I HATE TO ADMIT IT, I REALLY DID ENJOYED SPENDING TIME WITH YOU! DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY?" She calmed down somewhat before continuing.

"Your probably one of my closest friends, I ever had and THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT HARD FOR ME TO ADMIT!" She yelled at him before turning around and running away from him.

It felt like she had slapped him. He remembered showing up to the wedding determined to ruin it. Akane and Ranma had a western type of wedding, probably an idea of Nabiki's. He also saw Nabiki there with the male chinese amazon, keeping an eye on him but that didn't stop him.

What stopped him however was when he saw the looks Ranma and Akane gave each other as she walked down the aisle. It was the look of love they gave each other.

He clutched his bokken tightly. It hurt to see them that way, it hurt to realised what a fool he has been. He bowed his head. Trying to hide his tears. He felt someone next to him, handing him a handkerchief. It was the chinese male amazon. He patted him on the back, as a gesture of kinship. It was at that moment that he decided to be happy for Akane. His eyes followed her descend toward the altar, his line of vision however wondered and then there she was, wearing her bridesmaid dress. She looked so beautiful.

How could he not notice it before?

Because I am a fool that's why. He told himself.

Mousse didn't leave his side. Nabiki probably told him to watch him. He laughed internally. They had nothing to worry about, not from him anyways now that he had seen the error of his of a sudden they heard a loud crash. His younger sister Kodachi entered the room.

She was wearing a black wedding dress, holding black roses and telling everyone to stop the wedding. She began to advance on Akane but Kuno stopped Kodachi's tirade. He asked Ranma to tell Kodachi who he loves, whom he admitted was Akane. Kodachi screamed in rage.

Mousse and Kuno moved and dragged her outside. Kuno hated to do it to his little sister but he had no choice. He called for Sasuke, who immediately appeared at their side. He ordered him to give Kodachi a mild sedative in order to calm her down. When the sedative took effect he ordered Sasuke to bring her home, in which the little ninja complied.

He and Mousse then went back to the wedding signalling them to continue. Akane wore the most beautiful gown Kuno has ever seen as she stood there with her bridesmaids, Kasumi and Nabiki while Ranma was accompanied by his best men, which was Ryoga and Ukyo. He had to admit that Ukyo looked handsome in a suit. When the wedding song began, it was then time for the wedding to proceed and it continued without any further hitch after that.

At the reception, Kuno mingled with the other guests. There were a lot of dancing, food and talking. It was happiness all around. However, he noticed Nabiki step outside of the reception hall. She seemed sad or was she tired? He didn't know. All he knew was he was making his way towards her.

"Hey," she said to him not turning around to face him.

"Hey," he replied back. He noted some dejectedness in her voice or was it only his imagination?

There was a long pause of silence. They stood there with each other. It felt strange standing alongside her. Strange yet comforting. There was no words exchanged between them but it felt like it was the best conversation he ever had. Testing the boundaries he stepped closer to her. She didn't flinch or move away. She remained where she was. Gathering enough courage he placed his hand on her shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze. He saw her lift up her hand. He thought she intended to remove his hand away from her person, but instead she clasped her hand around his and squeezed it, turned around and smiled.

He felt his heart stop. She was beautiful, especially when she smiled like that. Almost immediately he made a decision to always make her smile. He heard her say that she was heading back in. He followed her.

------

NO!

HE COULDN'T LET IT HAPPEN!

HE CAN'T LET HER OUT OF HIS LIFE YET!

His mind screamed as he raced down the towards the Marina. Not when he just realised he cares for her! He pushed his way out of the crowd.

I'M NEARLY THERE!

WAIT!

His mind screamed once again

He ignored the fire building up his legs. He was out of breath and severely gasping for air, but he ignored his limbs and continued running. He saw the ship. He was nearly there!

The sound of the horn of the ship made his heart sank as he saw the ship that carried the Amazons and Nabiki began to set sail. NO!

He screamed. "NOOO!"

He saw the ship, sail away. He saw the others, Ukyo, Ryoga, Mousse, Saotomes and the Tendos waving goodbye. He was too late. Too late. He felt his heart constrict and overwhelming pain washed over him. He didn't even get to say goodbye. He didn't think anyone saw him arrive and he didn't care. Soon the others left the dock. Only he remained. He sat by the dock and watched as the ship vanished from the horizon. Carrying the girl he cared about with it.

END FLASHBACK...

He waited for her at that dock for 3 days, wishing the ship would come back but it didn't. He then thought about following her.

But then what?

What if she didn't feel the same way?

What if she rejected him?

He nearly died that day. It took every amount of strength he had to get himself together.

And now here she is, sleeping beside him. Her arms around him, snuggled against him. Married to him. He couldn't be any happier! He then gently kissed her on her forehead, making her eyes flutter open.

"Good morning anata," she said huskily.

"Good morning Nab-Chan." he replied back.

"Have you been awake long?" she asked.

"I don't know, I got distracted when I gazed at your lovely slumbering form," he replied back before kissing her passionately on the lips.

"Aren't you going to be late for work?" she asked him barely out of breath when he finally pulled away from her lips.

"Work can wait but for now, I think I won't be able to wait." he replied before capturing her lips once again.

Nabiki wound her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Their bodies filled the space between them. His hand caressed her body the way his mouth caressed her. She responded to him passionately, moaning in delight. They made love slowly, passionately, savouring each other. They're love making gradually became fierce, taking them to new heights of ecstasy and climax.

It was 9 in the morning when Kuno phoned in sick. Actually Kuno didn't really care. He was in charge of the business, the business can survive a day without him. He whistled as he cooked breakfast, wearing only his black satin robe. He felt two arms encircle his waist and felt her body pressed against his.

This is simply heaven, he thought to himself. She gave him a quick kiss in the cheek before she headed to the enormous refrigerator to get the milk and juice and set them on the table before going to the percolator to turn it on to make both themselves coffee.

They talked about idle things during breakfast. He felt like they were still hormonal teenagers that couldn't get enough of each other. He certainly couldn't get enough of her. After clearing up, Nabiki excused herself to take a shower.

A few minutes later her husband joined her.

In a few hours, Nabiki called in at work. She phoned in sick…

Author's Notes:

What do you think?

LOL.

No the story isn't finished yet…

It sound like it though but I assure you its not… Like it or hate it? Please review!

Trust me you have no idea what I have instored for the next chapters and if your dying to know then I suggest you review this story quickly!

The more reviews the better!

Also please read and review my other FICS Please! I've already removed one story… I dont want to remove another…

till the next episode then! CYA later! Got to BOUNCE!

Ja Ne