A/N: I just want to thank you guys so much for reading this to the end! Don't hesitate to email me at tineypandahotmail.com I've grown a lot through out this story and I really want to thank you people for telling me what you think, seriously. So what do you think my next project should be? Any challenges? I sort of want to do a one-shot. I have no clue. Thanks for reading, enjoy!

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"Ignorance is bliss." ---Anonymous

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Dinner had gone fine. It was a nice restaurant, a nice meal, and nice manners were present. Unfortunately, this didn't make for interesting conversation; or any at that.

Akane coughed nervously, analyzing the food still left. There was a huge chunk of steak still on her plate and all of her vegetables and potatoes were left untouched. She couldn't bear eating. Ranma, on the other hand, was stuffing his face. Whenever there was an awkward pause in the conversation he would plunge into his food; not so romantic, but it helped to ease the pain. Except, Akane knew that every morsel of food he swallowed would do nothing for him. He had the best diet ever.

"Ranma," Akane said, coughing to get his attention, and his head, away from his plate, "what's it like?"

Ranma raised an eyebrow, "A little chalky, but okay."

"No, not the food," Akane stammered, "y'know, being a ghost, what's it feel like? Can you feel?"

Ranma stared down at his plate, "Akane, I have something to admit to you;" he paused for what Akane thought to be dramatic effect, "I'm not really a ghost."

She winced; he was confessing and yet he was lying. Even in his purest moment of truth, he was telling a lie, "You just can't catch a break can you?"

Ranma laughed, "I guess not," he looked up at her, expecting something to break the moment, waiting until their looks were stale. No one said a word; no nosy waiter came and ruined the moment. Ranma inwardly grinned, things were going kind of well, "This is . . . nice, isn't it?"

Ranma was about to show Akane that this question had a deeper meaning; he wanted to know how she liked spending time with him.

"It's perfect," Akane lied. It would be perfect if she didn't know the truth. She yearned to get up and call Nabiki, just to make sure she hadn't dreamed up their last encounter.

"Akane," Ranma's eyes glazed over, "I'm sorry."

He looked so genuinely hurt, that he had hurt her. He didn't pull a face, or use his big, puppy dog eyes to get out of it; he just wanted to say it. And at that Akane broke; she burst into tears and got up quickly, running to the bathroom; leaving Ranma to take it as he may.

He sat back, wondering if that was her accepting his apology; he really didn't hand them out very often. She had said it was perfect; this raised his spirits a bit. She had sounded like she was longing for something else though, for something more. He knew when something was perfect you wouldn't want anything more.

Akane burst into the women's washroom only to find it packed. She grabbed a paper towel, dabbed her eyes, and slipped out and into the cove of the public phone. She quickly punched in Nabiki's number.

A crackling voice answered, "Yeah, Nabiki Tendo."

"Nabiki! It's Akane," she said clearly.

"I kinda got that, aren't you supposed to be with Ranma right about now?" She asked. Akane could never tell if she was feeling sad or happy by her voice.

Akane sniffed, "I need to know there's no other way. I need you to explain again, please." She heard Nabiki sigh.

"Okay, but this is the last time," Nabiki stated. Akane nodded into the phone, "Ranma is a ghost, but he doesn't know. He will be stuck here, not living or dying; in limbo until his unfinished business is done," she took a breath, "That unfinished business is obviously making amends with you Akane; so you have to let him make it up to you, make him happy. If you don't he'll be here forever and if you tell him he'll get scared, or worse, not be able to be sincere under pressure. So go get 'im Cowgirl!"

"I-I-can't," Akane mumbled, "I need him here."

"Don't be so selfish Akane, he needs to rest," Nabiki scolded. Then, realizing the harshness of her words she consoled, "it will help you get closure too. We both want him to be happy right?"

"I guess, but he's happy here with me," Akane pleaded.

"It's up to you Akane. You can go out there in tears and explain it all, or you can slap on a happy face and make his final moments his favorites. I've got to go, but mull over it for a bit. Whatever you choose, do so tonight, or you'll never have the courage again."

Akane heard the quick click of a receiver and nodded to her self. She knew what she had to do, what she should do, but what she wanted was different. She hung the receiver up and walked back into the crowded restaurant.

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"I paid the bill, we can get outta here now if ya want," Ranma told her sheepishly, pushing in his chair and stretching his broad shoulders. Everyone could see him now; it was all too complex for her. Nabiki had said that if he became relaxed, people would be able to see him less. Akane noted his appearence and decided he must be frigid.

They walked out of the restaurant and as Ranma slung Akane's coat over her shoulders she turned up to him and whispered, "Sorry about getting all emotional back there, I accept your apology and I guess I'm sorry too." She smiled brightly and he could feel his heart skip.

"You are one complex girl," he remarked. Akane nodded her head in thanks and they walked on. It was late and dark. They were near a beach and decided to walk on the boardwalk for a bit. They didn't actually decide with words, their feet just wandered toward it, worried the night was ending, "Of course if it were the good ol' days you would be one complex wench, kinda suits ya, eh?"

"And you Sir, are a psycho," Akane elbowed him in the chest lightly and he pretended to be horribly hurt, flailing his arms. Akane grinned and sneered at him. He stopped and caught up with her as she continued to walk ahead.

They walked on in silence; side by side, at the same speed, neither one stepping ahead of the other. Ranma stared out at the vast ocean and pulled Akane next to him. This was it, he was going to compliment her, she was going to like it, and then he'd kiss her; he always loved a good plan.

Akane stared at Ranma, watching him think. He was about to do something, she could tell. He was so complex and yet she felt like she knew him so well. Suru was completely out of her mind now. When she finally got rid of all the distractions, they didn't have any time left.

"The world moves too fast for us, Ranma," She determined sadly.

He stared back at her; this was it!

Ranma twirled Akane in his arms and grinned, she didn't want it to stop. He smirked again, "You're the only person that could ever make me speechless," he told her sweetly. Grasping his hands in hers, he rationalized lightheartedly, "usually because you'd punch me in the face and my lips would be too swollen for me to talk."

Akane punched him flippantly; worry creeping over her face, "Did I actually hurt you," she began, needing a real answer, "truthfully?"

Ranma stared back at her impassively for a second. He cupped her face in his hands and looked at her, staring for more than a few moments. Finally he parted his lips, sighed lightly, and continued, "Naw doll, ya never left a single scar."

And then they kissed. And it was everything she had thought it would be. And it was everything he thought it would be. And actually, it was perfect.

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"Do ya wanna go get somethin' to eat again?" Ranma asked as he and Akane held each other, walking slowly, still on the boardwalk.

"What," Akane teased, "are you trying to fatten me up so you can eat me?"

"Hey," Ranma played slyly, lifting his arms over his head in surrender, "whatever you're into."

Akane stopped and turned into him, propelled closer to his grasp, "You're stupid, masochistic," Akane tried to go on but Ranma gravitated closer to her, swooping in, dipping into her lips. She tried to go on but every time she opened her mouth and said a word he swooped in again, "indecisive," merited another kiss, "a liar," and another, "a cheat," and again. Akane pushed away and pointed a finger at him, trying her hardest to be serious and get the goofy smile off her face, "and you run away from your problems."

Ranma flung his head bang in thought, grinning devilishly. Akane loved how the light slung over his features, chiseling him even more.

"You need help," Ranma said, the words rushing, propelling out of his mouth.

Akane stood back, "I beg your pardon!"

Ranma grinned again, "I love it when you beg," he pulled her closer, "but ya do need help."

Akane tried to squirm away but gave in, "Why do I need help?"

Ranma wily smiled and raised his eyebrows, "'Cause your in love with a psy- cho," he said sing-song. Madly, he pulled her in, dipped her and they fell into another kiss.

Akane was in heaven, she was blissful. There was a lot of loud noise a little down the boardwalk and they noticed a late wedding reception on the beach. Two young people held each other closest; one in white and one in black. Akane noted western weddings were beginning to become increasingly popular. There were tons of roses everywhere and things had basically died down, a few people still danced on the makeshift dance floor; a wooden board. There was an open cage with one frightened dove still inside, quivering in the back.

"You're a dove," Ranma noticed, squeezing Akane, loving it.

"Yeah," Akane said, "I am, aren't I?" She beamed again and walked up to the cage.

She stuck her hand gently inside the cage and cupped the bird in her hands so it's upper section partially showed.

"It's all right love, you can go now. You know what you are; you're a dove, silly. Now get out there and soar with the rest of them," Akane whispered to the dove's head. And with that she opened her hands and it sprung out, flying high and free. Akane stood in awe, grinning madly and watching it leave.

Ranma came over and stroked Akane's back, "Well aren't you the delinquent. You know that wasn't yours, right?" Ranma teased, laughing lightly.

Akane's face turned serious, "It wasn't there's to cage."

"Well," Ranma explained, "they bought it. If they own it then they can do what they want. Besides," Ranma said loftily, "don't hawks eat doves?"

Akane threw her hands up in the air and stormed forward, leaving Ranma behind her, "Just because you're going soon it doesn't mean I have to take this!"

"What are ya talkin' about?" Ranma asked from behind Akane.

Her eyes bulged, "Did I not say that in my head?"

"I dunno," Ranma played, "maybe ya should ask the people in Finland that heard ya."

"It doesn't matter, you can be in whatever situation you want, I hate you!" Akane yelled, miffed.

Ranma sighed, "Fine, then you won't get your surprise."

Akane raised a brow, "What surprise?"

"Oh, and she's curious too!" Ranma quipped.

"It better be good," Akane warned suspicious.

"Oh, you'll love it," Ranma promised.

Akane stepped back and put a finger to his lips, "A promise from those lips is not a promise at all."

Ranma stood motionless, "Happy Birthday, Akane."

Akane, bewildered by the words, stood puzzled, "It's not my-" She stopped herself and counted the days, "thanks," she whispered.

He felt in his coat pocket and brought out an aluminum foil ball. He tossed it in the air towards Akane and she scrambled to get it before it fell. Quickly he snatched it, inches away from the ground, "You're too slow, Hun."

He lifted it up to her, on one knee from catching it. He held it up to her and she gasped.

Two words slipped from her lips, in terror, ". . . oh fuck."

The only she could think was; he is on one knee, holding a small something and they were alone, and it was romantic and she was gonna cry again.

Not the words I expected but they'll do," Ranma quipped, his defense mechanism kicking in, "Open it," he instructed bravely, nodding towards the lump of shine.

Akane nodded and breathlessly open the package delicately. Every fold was opening a new thought into Akane's mind. She remembered sounds, smell, emotions from the past and every second got better than the last. As she finally got it down to one final unraveling she turned to Ranma and smiled unconvincingly, "Can't wait to find out what surprises this might be marrying," she corrected her self quickly, "I mean carrying."

Ranma raised an eyebrow and waited for her to continue, in one of the few occasions he kept his mouth shut.

She unraveled it once more and waited to see a ring, nervous of how she would act. She wanted to be happy but he would leave tonight, she had to make sure of that. If she said no it would scorn him, but if she said yes it would be tricking him. Oddly though, as she unraveled it; she found nothing.

She turned to his face in slight shock, "Ranma, there's nothing in here, it must've fallen out. I'm sorry," Akane turned away, trying not to show the relief on her face.

Ranma smirked, "Actually, there was never anything in there."

"What?" Akane asked, "Not that I'm being greedy or anything, but why did you . . . ?"

"Well," Ranma explained, delicately as he could, taking her hands in his, "I give you my heart. I couldn't very well rip it out of my chest and shove it in here," Ranma quipped, "red clashes horribly with aluminum."

She smiled, tears brimming up again, "That's beautiful, thank you Ranma."

"Naw, I'm just kiddin' ya, here's your real present," he coolly told her, turning away from her surprised face as he tossed a small velvet box at her.

She caught it, surprised and angry at the same time, "Ranma," she whispered, "you really didn't have to."

She breathed hard, she could do this. She just had to act happy, right? Not disappointed that they wouldn't be able to act on his gift. She slowly opened it to reveal a silver ring with what seemed to be the normal three stones symbolizing past, present, and future. Except, one was missing, it looked to be chipped out at the last minute. Akane turned to Ranma to report this but he stopped her.

He vindicated the ring, "The past is the past, so it doesn't have anything to do with our new relationship. And sure; we shouldn't forget it, it's outline should be in our minds forever, but what really matters is what's goin' on now, or in the next ten minutes, or the next ten days, or the next ten years. Who cares about yesterday?"

Akane nodded, "The past will always leave a shadow," as she said it she rubbed her finger over the groove the rock had made, "but it will be the shadow of the real, true events coming. Thanks Ranma."

Ranma nodded towards it, "It's not a weddin' ring of course," he explained more, "it's a sort of, uh, I'll-be-here-tomorrow-to-check-ya-didn't-lose-it kinda ring. Ya get it?"

She smiled, "Like a promise ring."

"No, not like a promise ring," Ranma defended swiftly, not quite knowing what it was he was defending, "those are for high school kids."

"Fine," Akane gave in and replied sarcastically, "I suppose an I'll-be-here- tomorrow-to-check-you-didn't-lose-it ring is easier to say."

"Oh yes," Ranma agreed covertly, "less syllables I think."

They stood silent for a few moments.

He nodded, "So . . . that should get me off the hook for everythin' I ever did to ya, right?"

Akane rolled her eyes, taking it jokingly.

"No, really," Ranma earnestly remarked.

Akane stared back at his figure in astonishment.

"You-you have this disease where you ruin the moment, do you realize that?!" Akane spat.

Ranma pretended to be shocked, "I do not!"

"Yes, you do," Akane accused, "everything gets too serious so you ruin it, thinking that will even things out. Well Ranma, it doesn't," she yelled, "it just makes you look like a jackass."

"Yeah? Well, you spout water outta your eyes more than a fire hydrant," he countered, leering.

"Whatever Ranma, I'm too sick of this back and forth wrestling match we have every time we meet. I gave up," Akane told him.

At that he whipped around, "Oh those wonderful three words every man loves to hear!"

"You're no man, Ranma Saotome," Akane mutter, hugging her self in the cold.

"You're right," Ranma conceded, handed Akane his jacket, "I'm more."

Akane rolled her eyes at his remark, "You," she pointed a finger at him, wavering it a little, "are good at what you do."

"And what is that?" Ranma asked coyly, wrapping the jacket over each of Akane's shoulders, getting as much contact as possible with her at that same moment.

"Charming girls," She continued, "it's your forte, Ranma."

"Then I'm a very lucky more-than-a-man aren't I?" He asked sincerely.

"Usually," Akane pointed out, "but in very minuscule doses."

"Like any good medicine should be taken," he noted.

They stood again, him hold her now, still under the guise of pulling on the jacket. Complete silence fell over.

"Come sit with me, you're hoggin' the jacket," he teased, fading a bit.

Akane stalled for a second as he began to walk towards a park bench. Giving in, she followed him over.

As they sat there they stared up at the stars, talking about nothing for more than an hour, just normal everyday things. This, of course, was foreign for Ranma and Akane.

"Things will get better," Ranma told her, "I promise."

Akane choked back the tears, "Don't make promises you can't keep, Ranma Saotome."

"I'm not; I'm going to devote all sorts of things to you."

"Ranma...don't," Akane warned, this was going to cut her deep, and she knew it.

"I'm gonna devote the way I do my hair to ya," he promised. At this she laughed, "And the way I smell," she pretended to be shocked, and he moved closer and whispered into her ear, "Which I promise will make a drastic change from the present toxic situation."

"Well," Akane caved, "I suppose I could devote the way I do my hair to you."

"Are you kiddin'?" Ranma quipped, "Who'd want their name attached to that mess?"

Akane pushed away in disbelief and, in realizing his mistake, Ranma pulled her back towards him, "And I will shut up for longer intervals," he squeezed in between light kisses, "just," he kissed her on the nose, "for," he kissed her on the forehead, "you," and he finally kissed her on her lips again, melting into them.

"Fine," Akane conceded, "you're forgiven."

And they stayed there, under the moonlit sky, like every romance movie Akane had ever seen. It was so odd, the feeling she had; she felt normal. Normal with Ranma, clearing her head of any other possible thoughts. She let her self sink into the moment. Alone with Ranma, imagine that.

"Oh, and Akane?" Ranma murmured sleepily, remembering something.

"Yes?" She whispered back, staring out into the darkness from beneath his coat and arms.

"Don't leave me."

Akane nodded and tears rolled down her cheeks as she took her weight off him. He looked at her and she smiled.

"Did I ever tell ya you're cute when you smile?" He asked sweetly, gazing at her, lightly stroking her moonlit face. She grabbed onto his hands as they fell over her face.

She nodded and as he wiped away fresh tears, bending down for a final kiss, he disappeared from her arms. Akane sat there; completely alone in the dead of the night, and for the moment, happy.

A/N: So, what do you think? Send me your responses and favorite quotes, okay? Thanks again. The clip show will be up soon.