Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

Warmth

"Brrr," the female Ranma shivered as she threw her arms around herself to warm up, her teeth clattering together as she walked towards the fire. In the distance, she saw the fire come to life, roaring with its flames dancing wildly, erratically, in its contained spot. The warmth of the fire traveled through Ranma as she neared the site and sat down to warm herself up. Rubbing together her hands for the friction of heat, and circulating blood once again, Ranma held her hands mere inches from the flames.

A snapping of a twig caught her attention, she turned her head to see Akane, bundled up in a thick sweater and large scarf, drop some wood for the fire onto the ground. The blue haired girl then reached up to tug her scarf down to reveal a flushed face, "Did you honestly fall into the creek?"

Her words were not laced with sarcasm, rather, more of concern than anything else. With that, Ranma could not help but smile a cocky grin, "Couldn't have avoided it, 'Kane." Akane smiled as she pulled her scarf over her face again and went around the fire, there, nestled on a makeshift potholder held a boiling kettle. Slowly, she poured half a cup of the scalding hot water and then added some cool water to even it out. Walking back, she held the cup out to him, "Then, please change into dry clothes."

Ranma smiled fondly at the girls' actions and took the cup and dosed himself, the water was not too hot, but triggered his curse and allowed him to return to normal. He stood up and made his way into the tent. Akane sat down and rested her knees up to her chest as she listened to the ruffling Ranma made while he changed clothes. He emerged later, bundled up in a jacket and scarf as he took the seat next to Akane.

Akane glanced up at the sky, watching the orange hue disappear and be replaced by the darkness of the night, a few stars twinkling their appereance as night approached. "Thanks," Ranma mumbled under his breath as he leaned back to watch the sky.

"You're welcome," Akane whispered as she placed her arms to her side as she mimicked Ranma's actions and leaned back too. Ranma watched, from the corner of his eyes, Akane as she leaned down, her hand free in the cold night air. His eyes traced her small frail hands, and saw that they seemed to shake from the cold.

A brilliant hue of red over the crown of his nose and the top of his cheeks as his own hand made it over hers, hovering for a moment before he swallowed his pride and intertwined their fingers together in an innoncent hold.

He felt his face grow hot and then he let out a sigh of relief as he could feel her squeeze back. He turned his head slowly only to capture the gaze of her honey brown eyes staring at him.

No matter how hot the fire burned, or the intensity of a thousand suns could measure the warmth he felt when she smiled at him at that moment.

And smile only for him.

Author's Note:

I started writing this back in Jan., but only today actually finished it. It was originally going to be part of the Hatsukoi collection, but I feel as though this particular stort needs to be on its own. Enjoy my fluffy drabble. :)