Once again, Ukyo and Ryoga were walking down the Tendo garden path. Ryoga shivered inside as he thought about what Akane would say, and, furthermore, how he was supposed to carry himself. Should he be cool, act like nothing had happened? At the last thought, he could barely keep himself from breaking into a hysterical laughter at himself. Right, Hibiki...you acting cool...that's a damn good one...
He halfly hoped that Ukyo would change her mind, say "right, this is stupid," and they could just...just...he shook his head. Just what? Wait another week? It was she who was right. In one aspect, this wasn't stupid. They did have to face this sooner or later; they both knew they'd return, they'd be drawn like two will-less pieces of metal towards the magnet that was the Tendo house. So now was really just a good a time as any...right? And Ukyo just strode on mercilessly.

His head slumped down momentarily, depressively as he contemplated this. She could at least give him an encouraging word, pat him on the back or smile at him or something. Ukyo was so hard to read at times, and now she was even more closed-up. Her face wore no feelings, it simply had business written all over it, as opposed to the easily judged array of inner feelings on his face, almost grey-green from nervousness, fright, worry, nausea, dark thoughts and cold sweat. He wore all his feelings on the outside, often sharing them with the world and shaking his fist at the heavens, even if neither wanted to listen, just gave him odd looks, and only fueled his low opinions of his self-worth. Well...he had worn almost all his feelings on the outside...all but one, and now even that one was exposed! What would Akane say?!

"Ryoga! Ucchan! We were getting worried!"

Ryoga groaned as the pigtailed boy bounded out of the house and dragged them inside.

Ranma sat down, trying to sort out the jumble of nerves forming in his throat. His eyes were closed, his left eyebrow twitched, his mouth a slight downward arch. He vaguely resembled his would-be father-in-law, Tendo Soun, when sitting like this. Something bad was in the air. He felt almost like he did before an encounter with a cat. Ranma had played it casual when welcoming Ucchan and Ryoga, but now at tea, which, unusually, had been running a little late, adding to the tension, he just couldn't keep on acting very happy.
They all sipped their tea in quiet, Soun and Genma peculiarly enough sitting a little apart from the rest, little beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. The news about Ryoga's feelings had, with or without the aid of Nabiki, spread like an angry fire in dry grass. The two older men were simply taking their precautions while awaiting the big erruption. It never came, and they grew more anxious.
When Ryoga sat his teacup down on the table with a loud clink and asked for directions to the bathroom, they all nearly jumped, but avoided it with that special degree of self-control only found in martial artists, babysitters and gunstore clerks. Ryoga didn't really need to go to the bathroom, but was suffering under the pressure of the room, which seemed to be mostly centered around him. Akane was the first one to speak up. "I'll show you, Ryoga." She offered politely, pointedly ignoring everyone's stares, not to mention the fact that Ranma was doing anything but staring at her and Ryoga.

While her dad and Saotome-san exchanged meaningful glances, Nabiki smirked contendedly to herself under lowered lashes and sipped her tea again, a small chuckle drowning in her cup. Kasumi regarded Ukyo and Ranma with a mildly worried and sympathetic smile. Ryoga began to sweat profusely as Akane got up and everyone kept staring. "Could you please pass the rice crackers, Nabiki?" Asked Kasumi, only a microscopic twinge in her voice revealing her irritation at her insensitive sister. She was home on one of her rare visits, and she wasn't interested in seeing any more arguments. She certainly didn't think that Nabiki should find the uncomfortable tension amusing. It did the trick; Nabiki's features shifted from wicked amusement to a bland state, and Ryoga and Akane finally slipped off to the bathroom.

Like Ryoga, Akane had been unable to sleep, contemplating what to do. Many times she had wondered if perhaps she was wasting herself on Ranma, who seldom or never aknowledged any appreciation of her; who she was and what she did for him. Ranma could be very sweet, that was true, but always in brief moments at a time, with painstakingly long intervals, and even if he had gotten slightly better lately...he...he was so bad for her self esteem at times...and what was this constant teasing? So extremely confusing...
Sure, Ranma had protected her many times, but hadn't also Ryoga? Adding to that, Ryoga was the only one who also stuck up for her outside battle as well as in it. When someone insulted Akane, Ranma couldn't seem to care less; in fact he usually joined in on it!
And now...here this sweet and gentle man, her friend, Ryoga, suddenly loved her. The entire night she had been bothered with this nasty fear of the future...what if she didn't take a chance? What if she never, ever did anything about it? Would she wonder for the rest of her life what it would have been like? If it would have been better than this arranged marriage with Ranma? Couldn't she...she could just check it out, couldn't she?

She had been on a few dates with Ryoga before, but then she didn't know about his feelings, and just did it to get back at Ranma, and she hadn't really been in the mood for a date because she was so distressed at what Ranma had said to her. It could be different this time...
She regarded Ryoga's profile as he walked next to her in the hall. He was cute, in a more...err, lost and less cocky way than Ranma, and she liked that. Like someone who needed to be taken care of, and would take care of you in return. She knew he was devoted, as was Ranma, but Ryoga was more...sweet, polite...he respected her, and even gave her gifts. She couldn't remember many gifts she had ever received from Ranma.
They could just go out on a date tomorrow, right, and sit and chat somewhere to find out if they had anything in common. It had struck her last night exactly how little she really knew about Ryoga, except that he was a lonely, talented martial artist who travelled a lot. It would be great to have a new personality to explore, and quite interesting. She wouldn't object to continuing the conversation from yesterday about his travels, either. Ryoga was so full of words, and the outpour of them would maybe put her mind off her troubles. An afternoon of unrivaled attention from a boy would be nice. Someone who didn't put her down her every five seconds, for a change.
If her father or anyone else asked, she'd simply say that he was just a friend, or maybe she'd even say she was meeting Sayuri and Yuka? On the other hand, she wasn't a very good liar, and Nabiki was sure to find out, anyway...

"Ryoga. Um, can I ask you something?" Akane stopped and leaned against one wall. "Y-yeah?" Ryoga glanced at her cautiously. Akane looked around for any spying dinner guests, but found none. "I, uh...if it's true, you know, what Ukyo said...then I'd like to maybe... go out on a date?"

Ryoga blinked. "Excuse me, what?" Akane hesitated. "Well, if you want to, that is. Only if you want to." Ryoga regained himself. "I didn't expect-- Akane-san, I'd love to." He wondered for a moment if he should take her hand, and he did. Her eyes widened, and she blushed a little. "Great," she nodded, then as she remembered how bad he was with directions, she added, "I'll pick you up, okay? Where are you staying?"

Ryoga sagged with relief. Now he wouldn't have to be afraid of not finding her, making her think he stood her up. "I'm staying at Ucchan's, for the time being." Akane smiled. "Really? That's so nice of her. But you two, you're not-- no, of course you're not!" She chuckled a little, shaking her head. Ryoga smiled back, red and puzzled. "She just offered me to stay there for awhile, so I wouldn't have to camp outside again, and in return I'll help her out at the okonomiyaki-ya." Ryoga looked at her, then realized he was still holding her hand; he let go. "Oh, I'm sorry, uh, I didn't realize..."
"That's all right, don't worry." Akane smiled faintly. Ryoga nodded, now at ease. "But, ah, how about you come tomorrow at six, Akane?" Akane tilted her head, "I was thinking of more of a lunch date, if that's okay with you?"
"Of course. How about ten thirty, eleven?" Ryoga suggested. "Sure," said Akane, smiling again. "All right," he started walking towards the dinner area.
"Ryoga?"   "Mmm?"  "Weren't you headed for the bathroom?"  "Err, I...not anymore," Ryoga said lamely, then walked on. She smiled.
Akane stayed behind, still leaning herself on the wall. Was this wrong? After all, she was engaged, wasn't she? But frankly, even at the best of times, the engagement seemed more of a joke than anything else, and a bad one at that, which she didn't like being at the center of. It strained her so much. But perhaps it wasn't Ranma that was so horrible, as much as the mayhem that he was constantly surrounded by? However, she still couldn't decide if it was the mayhem that shaped the awkwardness of their relationship or if it was the person Ranma that created both. It wasn't all his fault, naturally, it was many others' too, including hers, but very often the stubborn fool brought it on himself.

All she knew right this minute was that she needed a break, and that she liked herself when she was in the company of Ryoga. She was more relaxed, casual, much milder, maybe even graceful, almost like a more spunky version of Kasumi. There wasn't exactly any fiery passion as of yet, to put it like that, but that was perfectly all right for now. Akane nearly felt normal with him, and foremost, she didn't feel ugly. She felt perhaps even cute, and definitely feminine. In fact, this date could be the perfect occasion to go on a dress raid and repay Nabiki for all the times she had basically cleaned out Akane's wardrobe...because now she had someone who'd notice and appreciate it if she dressed up.

"Well? Well? Well?!"
Ukyo was bouncing up and down like an excited puppy, making interesting parts of her anatomy move in new and interesting ways, since she was wearing an informal kimono for the tea visit instead of her boy's clothes. Ryoga went red at this, but she didn't notice as she skipped along next to him, clutching his arm and demanding to hear the latest news of his progress with Akane. Because as she kept expressing, she knew something was going on. "Oh, come on, Hibiki," she laughed, nudging his side, "don't hold out on me with the sordid details, now! Not from ol' Ucchan!"

Ryoga blushed more furiously. "If you have to know, we are going out on a date tomorrow," he said with forced grace. Ukyo looked at him, "So you finally asked her out? Way to go, sugar!" Ryoga shook his head. "Actually, it was her." Ukyo stared at him. "No, really? Wow! I'm so happy for you!" She hugged him so vigorously that she nearly lifted him off his feet. And happy for me an' Ranchan, she thought to herself. Ryoga frowned and brushed his clothes down as she let go. "Thank you, but aren't you overreacting?" Ukyo shook her head, grinning. "Nope, you have no idea. So, did she kiss you? Did she?"

"Ukyo!" He exclaimed, and his face-- which Ukyo believed had long ago reached the last possible shade of red-- turned redder. Ukyo smiled. "Sorry, sorry," she said with a downturning gesture, signaling that they should just forget it, "I'll stop it. But come on. Since it's Sunday, we can go home and plan a nice dinner, okay? And we have time to relax. Since you have to skip your duties in the first part of the day tomorrow, you're gonna hafta work extra hard in the evening to make up for it. So you're gonna need the rest."

Ryoga felt himself get angry, and opened his mouth to object, but not before Ukyo had time to add, "And we're gonna hafta find out what you're gonna wear on your date tomorrow."  Ryoga's anger suddenly deflated. "Wear?" He squeaked anxiously. "Whaddaya mean wear?" Ukyo rolled her eyes impatiently. "Oh geez...you men! Don't you realize that Akane's probably already picked out a nice outfit for tomorrow? You can't possibly show up in those old rags! Do you seriously think that'll make a good impression?"

"Rags!" Hmmph'ed Ryoga as Ukyo took his arm again and lead him to Ucchan's, but commented no further, because he was still puzzled, and mentally lifted over the fact Ukyo considered him a man. Not a boy. Men, she had said. Men. If she looked at him that way, maybe also Akane did? And other girls? Yes, he was a man, and he was going on a date with Akane. Finally. And she had asked him. Ryoga gulped. It was probably all too good to be true, now that he just thought it over. Would he receive the hard blow of yet another disappointment? Maybe it was all a dream? But no, Ukyo's firm grip on his arm reassuringly told him that it wasn't.
He, Hibiki Ryoga, was really, truly going on a date with Tendo Akane. He squeazed Ukyo's arm in return, smiled at her, and started walking faster, suddenly anxious to get home and start planning.

Kuno Kodachi strode regally towards the Chisai Hoshi. She was only sporting a pair of light blue sailor shoes, blue jeans and a black top, but still looked like an empress. She ran a slender hand through her long, black hair, and pulled out from her handbag a black hat with a light blue ribbon, putting it on her head and adjusting it a little before entering the little shop.
Xian Pu looked up at the sound of her entering, and rolled her eyes at the unwelcome sight. "Look out," she whispered to Hikaru, standing by her side, "the Queen of Crazy has arrived..." Hikaru's lips twitched somewhat, but he managed to contain his laughter. Then he, as did Xian Pu, noticed Kodachi wasn't wearing her usual leotard. "Nice outfit," they commented simultaneously. Kodachi looked around the shop. She shrugged. "Thank you. It's comfortable. Nice little business you have here, by the way. Very cute. My sources have informed me that you have some vintage merchandize." She strolled amiably over to some books.

Hikaru and Xian Pu glanced quickly at each other. "Uh, Kodachi, you..." Hikaru started timidly. How was he supposed to put it? Gee, what's happened to your raving mad, snobby old self there, Miss Kuno? Hah-- she'd probably strangle him either way. To their surprise, however, Kodachi answered the unasked question right away, and quite calmly, never looking up from the book she'd picked up from one of the more dusty shelves in the back.
          

"I'm on Prozac."

In the long, basically silent pause that followed, one could actually hear the sound of the two shop owners' eyes bugging out. Kodachi looked unaffected as she emerged from the back again. "My private doctor also decided that chasing Ranma wasn't...healthy for me. I'll miss the fun competition from other girls, but I'll manage." Here she smiled meaningfully at Xian Pu. "Catching Ranma is still considered quite prestigious, I understand." She went on. Meanwhile, Xian Pu had had to sit down. "Now that I no longer have to be able to fight people left and right at all times, I do not really see any further point in constantly wearing my gymnastics outfit. I can wear what I like," Kodachi made a sweaping gesture across her current wardrobe, "so I thought perhaps I would try what a pair of blue jeans felt like."

Hikaru and Xian Pu nodded in unison. It was perfectly logical, but it still felt weird having an almost normal conversation with her. They both stood there in anticipation of the moment when this would be revealed to be another one of Kodachi's twisted plots. Was she really this...toned down? Who'da thought there was a real person under Cooky Kodachi? Now she stood there, scrutinizing their faces carefully, reading from them what they were thinking. She knew now, and had known in her darker hours then, that most people thought she was bonkers, homocidal...even more of a nutcase than her brother Tatewaki. She'd like to turn that impression around, and she'd start with these two.

"To win a fight, one has to intimidate one's opponent. I do believe I was frightening enough." She said, as if by way of explaining all of her past, questionable methods. She smiled watchfully, but could see even now that it didn't quite fly over. Hikaru wrinkled his brow in a critical fashion. "Then why the Prozac?" Xian Pu nodded and drew herself up again, backing up Hikaru's question. "All right..." Kodachi said wretchedly. "Dr. Hasegai did say I had a little too much, ah...energy and drive. Hence the pills to make me relax."   Yeah, thought Xian Pu, too much sex drive. "Well," Xian Pu exhaled, "I'm glad to see how well you're doing. So, ah, how can we be of assistance?"  Kodachi prodded an old worry doll, picking it up. "I think I'll have one of these. And some inscense, please."

Xian Pu and Hikaru eyed the doll. "Been having bad dreams, Kuno?" They both asked, then blushed, laughing in an embarassed way. "One might say that," Kuno Kodachi said, not even looking up. Xian Pu took the items from her and started bagging them. "And, uh, how's your brother doing?" She asked, trying to be casual. Kodachi smiled, but it faded. "Oh, Tatewaki has his ups and downs. He's still stuck on Tendo Akane and... the pig-tailed girl." Kodachi took the bag and whipped out enough yen to pay for herself. "Some of my servants will be along at about half past one with a list of more things I wish to purchase. I hope they won't arrive at an unfortunate time for you."

"No, I'm sure that's, uh...yeah. We'll be here." Hikaru accepted the money and put them in the cash register. Kuno Kodachi flashed them a dazzling smile before leaving. "I must say you look better, Hikaru. I bid you both a good day," she threw over her shoulder; then the door closed.
Hikaru cocked his head to one side and stared at the elegant, retreating figure on the street. "You know, she's kinda cute...?"
Xian Pu grinned. "Fifty yen says you'll be building a shrine for her within the weekend."  Hikaru's mouth tightened, and he blushed with shame at this obvious reminder of the Tendo Akane shrine in his old room. He bridled, "Hey! All I said was that she's cute!"
She laughed. "Just teasing you. But I do know that the Kuno family is one deep end I wouldn't explore if I was you. They may be handsome and rich, but they're way too much trouble." Looking away, he made a gesture of agreement, "Yeah, yeah, don't worry, " he paused, his eyes swivelling back up to meet hers. "But how can you be so sure, though?"

She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, I just know I've had more than my share of their silly and often dangerous plots. And I know you're not really one for gossip anymore, but you must have heard some of the things they say about them. I mean, just look at their father!"  He shrugged, "You're right, I don't really listen to that stuff. Besides, you shouldn't be talking about strange relatives when I think about a certain great-grandmother..."
Xian Pu then smiled sweetly at her friend and locked his head in an Amazon death grip. "Karu-kun," she said in a syrupy voice, "say 'uncle' for me, would you?"  Hikaru coughed violently. "Xian...chan...let...mee...gooo...." A new customer took one look at the scene and fled the store before even getting halfway through the door. Xian Pu put more pressure on Hikaru's wind pipe with surgical precision. "Gack! Uncle, uncle! Uncleuncleuncle! Uuuncle..."
He slumped to the ground as she released him. "I'll go and get us some lunch, shall I, Karu-kun?" She asked, walking away up the stairs to the kitchen, humming to herself. Hikaru sat on the floor, massaging his sore throat and head. "Crazy Amazon wenches," he mumbled, and promptly got hit by a spinning salt shaker coming down the stairs.

Ukyo looked at the handsome young man in front of her who was desperately trying to smooth his hair down while glancing occasionally at the bathroom mirror to see if his efforts were being rewarded. They weren't. "Maybe it'll be easier to do that if you take the bandanna off," She hinted, raising her eyebrows. Ryoga stared at her. "But...it's my bandanna," he finally uttered, rather lamely. "Your call. I'm just trying to help." Ukyo shrugged. Ryoga looked at her again, then at his reflection, then slowly tugged his beloved bandanna off. He ran his hand through his hair a few times. "It still won't stay down," He pointed out, with a small amount of gloating. Ukyo sighed. "Listen, it doesn't have to be slick or anything, just a little less...unruly. You're not the right guy for alotta hair gel and designer shirts anyway. You need some hair to hang in your face."

Ryoga shot her a sour look. "Oh great, so you think I'm the kinda guy who needs to hide his face, do you? Thanks a lot! Way to build up my confidence!"
Ukyo rolled her eyes. "Geez, I only meant your face looks good that way, being framed by your hair. I'm just saying you wouldn't exactly look good with an army buzz, that's all. Trust me. Now, here's a comb." Ukyo walked up to him and held it out, but hesitated to hand it to him. She put her head on one side. "Ryoga, look at me. That's right, here." Then she grinned. And she grinned even wider. "Uhh..." Feeling awkward and obligated to respond, Ryoga gave an uncertain smile. Ukyo squinted, leaned in closer, then she shook her head and gave him the comb. "Just like I thought. When exactly was the last time you flossed, Ryoga?"
Ryoga frowned. "Flossed?"

Ukyo nodded, gesturing. "Yeah, you know. There's a dental product that's kinda like a plastic roll of string and it comes in a little box. You cut off a proper lenght and stick it between your teeth and rub it back and forth so all the bits of food--"
Ryoga glared at her. "I think I have the general idea. Very amusing. No, I can't remember ever using it. In fact I don't think I've ever been to a dentist. Mom and dad were always lost when they were going to take me to the appointments when I was little and now...I just haven't thought about it. It's the least of my problems, mildly speaking. I've used tooth picks, though."

Ukyo cocked her head. "You must have strong teeth, then. Because they're still pretty much white, actually. But you really do need to..." Her voice trailed off as something seemed to cross her face. She took a step towards him and pointed at his mouth. "Say 'ahh' for me. Okay, sugar?" Ryoga grimaced, but obliged her. He felt her brush a finger across one of his fangs. "Wow...you know, I always knew you had sharp teeth, but geez..." Ukyo's eyes were shining with fascination. "Heh, you wouldn't happen to have vampire blood in your family, would you?"
      

"Igg gonk kingk so," Ryoga articulated. "It's still kinda creepy," Ukyo chuckled, drawing back her hand. Ryoga shrugged; he couldn't help how he was made. "Anyway," she piped up, a determined smile on her face, "I'll be sure to get you up tomorrow for a good flossing! Dental hygiene is very crucial now that you're starting to date, you know!" She smirked shamelessly. Ryoga winced at this, blushing, and started to comb his hair. He managed to fight down some of the more pointy peaks and untangle the worst knots so it looked less ragged and floofy, but otherwise it stayed pretty much the same. Ukyo regarded him critically. "Okay, that'll do. So, how do you like the clothes? Do they fit?"  He patted his chest and thighs and picked at the fabric experimentally, shifting a little. "Well...the jacket is a little too tight, I think..."

Ukyo grinned. "Hey, no big deal; show off your muscles! She'll be impressed!" Ryoga bit his lip, pulling at the sleeves. "Nah, I dunno...I think I'm nervous enough already without having to wear undersized clothes to emphasize it..."
She threw her hands up in defeat. "All right! Then we'll have to wash one of your sweaters. But what about the pants? Are they okay?" Ryoga made a contemplative noise in the back of his throat. "They're kinda snug as well, but way better than the jacket." Ukyo nodded, satisfied. "Great. And you need some shoes."
"What's wrong with mine?" He looked puzzled, and not only a little suspicious. She cocked an eyebrow. "Ryoga," she said slowly, deliberately, "those shoes consist solely of five per cent fabric, ten per cent mud and eighty-five per cent sheer will power. If shoes had nine lives, this pair would be on its eight and a half--"
"All right, all right--"
"Seriously, Ryoga, they look they've been walked in from Alaska to Australia at least once!"
"They have," Ryoga flourished, "so what do you expect?"  Ukyo blinked blankly, but quickly regained herself. "Sure, sure...but they're simply not anything to wear to a date." Ryoga slumped his head. "You're right. But I seriously doubt any of your shoes will fit me, so where--" Ukyo smiled. "Don't worry, I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve. But first, let's go and see if you have any decent sweaters..."

Ryoga grumbled as they walked upstairs. "But why can't I just wear what I was wearing? She did ask me out while I was wearing my normal clothes, so they can't be that bad..." Ukyo huffed, waving dismissively. "Well, then she must've had a clogged nostril or something, cause you don't exactly smell like a bed of roses. And trust me, she'll be expecting you to dress up a little. In fact, she'll be disappointed if you don't."  Ryoga's walking pace slowed down a little as he thoughtfully sniffed his arm. "I smell bad?"  Ukyo mumbled uneasily, "Well, I...um, not exactly bad, but-- hey, do you smell something?"

Ryoga flustered, "That's what I just asked you!" She shot him an annoyed look. "No, no-- not you, you dope. Hmm...I think it's coming from the guest room...I just hope we don't have a dead body on our hands or something..." She muttered darkly.  "I don't smell anything." Ryoga wondered why he was whispering. Ukyo tore open the door and stared at the offending object. It was standing in the center of the room, stinking up a storm. Ryoga's backpack.
"If you didn't smell that, you must either be immune or as nasally challenged as you are directionally!" Ukyo exclaimed.
"But it didn't stink so much yesterday!" Ryoga protested. "Maybe because it wasn't open then." Ukyo pinched her nose and advanced on the backpack, reaching very, very gingerly into its depths. "Dear kami, what have you got in here?" At this, Ryoga promptly started ticking off things on his fingers, "Dirty laundry, some empty ramen containers, some pretty rocks, a jar of pickles from New Zealand, my primus and of course my tent, my sleeping bag--" Ukyo interrupted him sharply. "I don't think I need to hear any more." Her face writhed in disgust as she prodded the smelly recesses, but finally her hand resurfaced, holding an item of clothing. It was covered with dirt and grime and smelled like sweat and suspiciously of pickles, but it was a sweater, and it'd have to do. "Ittai...I think this is gonna need a very good scrub..." She mumbled, looking preoccupied. Then she shook herself and glared at the backpack. "And after you've removed your tooth brush or whatever you need, that thing is outta here."

Ryoga's head snapped around to face her. "What?! But I need it! You can't just--" Ukyo held up a hand. "Look, do you wanna continue to live here?" Ryoga was silent, but Ukyo went on. "I can't have that thing stinking up the entire second floor, now can I? You can keep it under the tarpaulin in the backyard for the time being, and then we'll see if you wanna wash it or throw it out...do whatever you want." Ryoga was angry. "Why do you have to be so--" Ukyo sent him a warning glance, and he picked up the backpack and followed her downstairs. They placed it in the backyard like she said, and then went to the washroom together, where Ukyo lay the sweater in a bucket of soapy water to let it soak. Crouching down, she opened one of the cabinets and pulled a shoebox out of it. She straightened again and looked at Ryoga before handing him the box. "Here...these were my father's..."

Ryoga's eyes widened. "Ukyo, is he...?" Ukyo shook her head. "No, no... he's alive, and still at home, I guess. Where I left him. We didn't get along too well, you see...but he did give me some money...so I wouldn't have to borrow so much from the bank to start this restaurant. But I'd rather that he'd given me more of his attention than his money...and even so, I still had to borrow quite a considerable amount. He didn't hate me, I know that, but he didn't even hug me goodbye. I guess he just wasn't too good with those kind of things. But that's what he did, he just helped me out in little ways, he just wasn't good with the mushy stuff. So I took these shoes from his closet as an alternative farewell, you might say. The only thing I had the time to grab."
She smiled vaguely. "I wonder what he wears for his Sunday best now...he probably doesn't have the money to buy another pair like this; he didn't even buy this one. It was a wedding gift, you see. He was a good chef, but things kinda went a little downhill after my mom died...and after Ranma's old man ripped off my father's okonomiyaki cart." 

Ukyo's mom is dead? Ryoga thought, and had to grit his teeth to hold back the tears he felt like shedding for Ukyo. I'm too damn sensitive! Ryoga growled involuntarily at the back of his throat. "Those Saotomes..." He muttered, cursing the name. Ukyo sighed. "It's all right now...Ryoga, don't worry. I've forgiven Ranma and I'll probably get my revenge on Genma someday." I'm going to make my future father-in-law's life sour, that's for sure. The young martial artist regarded her carefully while opening the box. Inside was a pair of simple but evidently exquisitely made shoes, black, smooth and shiny. He wiped his feet thoroughly before stepping into them and coaxing them on properly. He moved his feet around, and seemed pleased with his new footwear. "Thank you, Ukyo." He smiled, reaching out for her arm, but along the way somehow he changed the movement to scratching the back of his head. She smiled back, then looked down at his feet. "Whaddaya know. A perfect fit."

Akane put the dark, delicate dress on her bed and and bent down so she could reach for some pumps at the bottom of her closet. She was looking forward to the date, and though she felt kind of odd, she also felt strangely giddy. She found herself humming a tune, and let out the softest of giggles as she let her fingers run over the fabric of the shoes.

"Playing dress-up, are we?"

The sudden voice from the doorway made her jump, and she tore some clothes and some hangers down with her as she fell backwards onto her floor, grappling for something, but finding only things that yielded and fell down. She crawled on her hands and knees, and as she wiped her bangs away from her face, she shot an icy look towards the entrance to her room.
"What are you doing here, Ranma?" She demanded snippily as she shoved the pile of clothes away. The boy was leaning on the doorframe, the familiar cocky look plastered across his features. He ignored her question. "I heard you're going out with Ryoga,"  Akane smirked ironically. "I won't even ask how you came to know that. But anyway...what's it to you?"

Ranma shifted in a show of carelessness, "Nothing much. I just wonder if he'll be able to find the way, that's all." He grinned lazily. Akane's smirk didn't fade. "I'll have you know that I'm picking him up at Ukyo's, so there won't be any of that trouble." Ranma's face fell for a split second, then he mentally shook himself. "Our fathers won't like this, you know," He tried, crossing his arms authoratively. Akane got up. "I won't shame my father. It's only a date, and frankly you've done enough shaming for the both of us, so you shouldn't talk." Ranma snorted. "Yeah, well...I'm warning you, Ryoga is a pretty desperate and lonely guy. There's no telling what he'll do." Akane lifted her chin. "What Ryoga is...unlike you, Ranma, Ryoga is the perfect gentleman. Maybe I wanna enjoy a date for once without getting attacked by a hundred fiancées. And without being insulted."

Ranma looked uncomfortable. Filling with desperation, he wanted to tell her about P-chan, about everything...but he just couldn't. He was honour bound. "Aww c'mon, Akane... you know I don't really mean those things, right?" He settled for, wringing his hands. Akane just narrowed her eyes. "Do I?" Ranma looked helplessly at her, his mouth opening and shutting. He had been so sure that Ryoga could never take Akane away from him, because Ryoga was just so goofy and stuttering and apathic...but was he really any better? And he'd never expected, he'd never even considered, that Akane would ask Ryoga out. That just wasn't how it all worked, was it? That just couldn't happen...

Akane looked hard at him, shutting the door behind her. Then she started picking up the clothes again. He wouldn't spoil her mood this time.

"Ryoga, look at me-- Ryoga, you're gonna be okay! Settle down! Um...Ryoga?" Ukyo looked concernedly at her friend. He was wearing a disturbingly glazed look on his face, and it seemed like he was more than due to hyperventilate. He did.
She shook him. Evidently, he had just realized that Akane was most likely already on her way over there. "Ryoga!" He just kept on snapping for air. She tried calling his name several more times, and then finally, stumbling a little, Ryoga began to babble. "I look like a complete idiot, she won't like me-- no, she won't even show up, or I'll do something stupid, or I'll get splashed with water...Ranma will ruin it! I'll make us get lost, I'll be unable to talk, I won't even know where to take her, where do people go on dates, anyway--"

"Ryoga," Ukyo said calmly, "don't insult me. Kuonji Ukyo has sproused you up, and you don't look like an idiot, okay? As for all the other disasters you're summoning in your head-- I'm sure it'll be quite all right. And above all, you must remember that it was in fact she who asked you out. Now...Akane's a nice girl-- so go and get her!"
She saw Ryoga's face start to flush, and she quickly pinched his nose. "You know that's not what I meant, you hentai, so don't you dare getting blood all over your fresh clothes," She grinned, letting go of his nose again. Ryoga swallowed, running a hand across his forehead. "Are you sure I'll be all right?" He asked weakly. She smiled, "I'm sure," She said forcefully.

The door bell rang.

For a second there, Ryoga looked just about ready to throw up out of nervousness. He glanced at Ukyo. "I...I don't still smell bad, do I?" He whispered. Unable to help herself, Ukyo laughed noisily. "Seriously, Ryouga, I've done everything but run you through the car wash. You don't smell bad, all right?"

 "Good," he mumbled, walking stiffly after her down the stairs and to the front door. Ukyo stopped, turning to him. "Do you want to open, or should I?" Ryoga's eyes darted around, an ambushed look in them, until he spotted a paper. He grabbed it, diving into a chair. "I'll just pretend to read the newspaper, be all casual, and you'll go and, um..."
Ukyo shook her head, amused. "Maybe you'd seem more casual if you weren't holding it up-side down?" Ryoga blushed badly. "Just open the door, okay?" He said, righting the newspaper. Ukyo shrugged and threw the front door open.

Not wearing one of her usual flowery pastel dresses, Akane was a vision in deep sea green, and Ukyo sighed, feeling awfully like grey wallpaper all of a sudden and wondering if perhaps they had that dress in blue somewhere. Ryoga slowly lowered the paper from his face, looking up, a lump forming in his throat in the face of this beauty. Akane smiled and greeted both him and Ukyo, Ryoga only nodding in response as he got up from the chair and made his way across the floor. As Akane was walking back outside, adjusting her purse a little, Ryoga stopped and double checked his pockets for his wallet.

He tensed up as he felt hands grip his shirt from behind. "Oh, Ryoga?" Ukyo whispered into his ear, "Ruin the shoes, understand, and I'll ruin you." A shiver ran down his spine. She let her grip loose. "Have fun, you two!" Ukyo said brightly, waving at Akane who had already walked a few yards down the road and was now waiting for Ryoga. "Thank you!"Akane said in return, smiling warmly.
Then Ukyo went back inside. Ryoga stared after her before following Akane, careful not to drag his feet so he wouldn't wear the soles out so quickly. And of course, trying desperately not to step in any puddles.

Ranma walked on the fence, or rather stalked, not bothering to concentrate on balancing, and not needing to either. Anyone looking at him and knowing who he was, would know what plagued him. A difficult opponent...or Akane. Often both were one and the same.
He wanted to wipe the fangy grin off of pig-boy's face...but then again, he had said himself that Akane should be able to choose. But he'd just said that because he hadn't thought there would really be any competition, hadn't he? What was that saying again? Oh yeah...you snooze, you lose. For once, Ranma had been too slow.
      

What bothered him the most was that it wasn't even pig-boy who'd "won" this thing...it was Akane, stepping into the ring and messing up everything. He had thought it would be the stuttering, shy fool babblingly asking her out-- maybe even bleeding a little on her, Ranma grinned-- and her saying no, and then it was Ranma and Akane, happily ever after. Sure, sure, he grudgingly thought, Akane should be able to choose in theory, but... Ranma gritted his teeth as it dawned on him that maybe he hadn't been the honorable, big man after all when laying this suggestion out to Ryoga. He shoulda just said, Akane is mine, so deal with it, but that woulda gotten things nowhere-- though nowhere is probably better than three steps back, thought Ranma glumly-- and he had at least meant it when he said he didn't want to fight Ryoga anymore.

Ranma usually walked with his head held high, but today his neck was forced down by anger and disappointment as he glared at his annoying shoes, that annoying fence, that annoying ground and that annoying...that annoying oxygen!
On the other hand, he mused, he had probably been curious too...would Akane really haven chosen him, Ranma, to date, to love...anything? Maybe he had had his reasons to make this deal with Ryoga, other than to stop them being enemies...but it wouldn't stop them being rivals. When push came to shove, Akane had the final word in this...as much as he wanted to, he couldn't herd her into loving him, and if Ryoga was her choice...well, he'd just have to bite it down. Though now he'd wonder if he'd been the one to drive her into his arms...

Kuso...

"Geez...it's only a date! I've even been on dates with Ryoga, and it doesn't mean I love the guy, fer gawd's sake..." Ranma grumbled to himself, digging his hands deeper into his pockets. However, something nagged at his mind. This wasn't even remotely similar to Ranma's-- or one should say Ranma-chan's-- mock "dates" with Ryoga, of course...maybe Akane did love him? Or could it just be to spite him? Should he let time tell or should he find out himself?
"Better not pester Akane about it, anyway..." He shuddered; this morning's rendez-vu with her had him still shaken. She'd sorta changed, and wasn't so easy to phase anymore. Perhaps she'd grown sick of his insults. My kawaiikune baka...

Ranma looked up; a smile spread on his face. There lay Ucchan's before him. Ucchan would know what was what. She seemed to know Ryoga pretty well now, anyway. Maybe she had some idea about what had happened and what was happening. But how to ask her without upsetting her? Oh, Ucchan...if only his relationship with her was less complicated, especially now that he needed a buddy to ask for advice and confide in. And he was so bad with words, too...how in the world was he going to go about doing this?
If he asked her after the obligatory okonomiyaki, and didn't tread carefully, he'd get spatula'ed through the ceiling for insulting her and moochin' free dinners. The giving away of free food never seemed to bother her if he was nice and complimented her and her cooking, though. But he had no other choice, lest he ask Nabiki, and he truly didn't need her to be entangled in this...

Here goes...

Ukyo was humming as she cooked herself lunch. She'd been delayed this morning in opening Ucchan's because of having to give Ryoga some emergency confidence boosts and getting him ready, and she knew she should open up her store as soon as possible; she was already calculating in her head approximately how much money she had lost this morning and was losing by the minute-- but she decided to give it another hour. What the hell, right?
She was so pleased; Akane had got them over the first difficult hurdle by asking Ryoga out. Ukyo wondered if Ryoga would have ever managed to do it himself, the silly dolt. She held up her glass of water and made a quiet toast; "Here's to hoping Ryoga and Akane will have a perfect date today!" After all that work she'd had with him, he'd damn well behave himself and charm the socks off of Miss Tendo! Though she couldn't quite picture Ryoga as a smooth talker... she giggled to herself. Ryoga was charming, that was true, but uh, not in the ordinary sense of the word...he was helplessly charming, more like a puppy. She giggled again, this time having to cover her mouth with her hand. 

She heard someone clear their throat. "Uhm...Ukyo?"

"Huh?" She looked up, confused. There, standing in front of her with a strange look was Ranma. Ranchan. "What's wrong, Ucchan? You didn't hear me?" He asked as he sat down, still looking at her. "It's not like you to daydream, is it?" He flashed a lopsided grin.
Ukyo shook her head, still not quite managing to get rid of the giggles. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ranchan...yeah, I guess I didn't hear you..."
"What were you thinking about?" He asked curiously, cocking his head to one side. Ukyo shrugged. "Oh, just Ryoga..." She smiled to herself, then at him, but stopped as she saw the weird expression on his face. Then she realized what it must have sounded like, and opened her mouth to explain. Ranma clenched his fists in irritation. "Not you too! Why does everybody suddenly find Pig-boy so attractive?"
Ukyo looked at him blankly, then her smile resumed. "You're not jealous, are you? Huh, Ranma?" Ranma glared at the grill. "Of course I'm not, I just think it's weird...I mean, it's Ryoga for kamisama's sake!"

"Oh, I don't know, I think he's kinda cute..." Ukyo grinned mischieviously, wanting to see how far she could take this. She wanted to see Ranchan's reactions. She took a bite out of her okonomiyaki. Deliscious, as usual. "Cute?!" Ranma's jaw fell; was this really Ucchan?
Come to think of it, there was something strange today... "Uhh..." He stared at the proximety of her chest regions, and held up a finger lamely.
"Your br...uhh, I mean, don't you usually, err...bind 'em down?" Ukyo followed his gaze, grinned a little, then shrugged. "I don't pose as a boy anymore, so why should I? Besides, I wasn't wearing any chest bindings at the tea party, remember?" Ranma hesitated, he had been so wrapped up in his thought then that he'd hardly noticed his food. And for Ranma, that was bad. "Err...but you useta wear them at work, ne?"

Ukyo leaned forward, her eyelids low, in a distractively intense manner. "Why did you come here, Ranma?" She asked softly.
"Err..." Ranma swallowed. Ukyo was acting so strange. She wasn't just cute today, there was something more to her...and was she looking a little older? Maybe she was a little taller? Maybe her face was a little slimmer and more mature?  It just dawned on Ranma that quite some time had passed since he last really noticed Kuonji Ukyo.  "I just wanted to know what's going on around here...you know, with Akane and Ryoga...I just thought you'd know." Ukyo blinked and righted herself, taking a swig of her glass of water. "Oh. I see." She paused, looking at him.  "They're on a date right now. Didn't you know?"

For a second, Ranma's eyes glinted madly with the forming of dozens of crazy plans, like the dozens he'd planned and put into life in the past; he grabbed Ukyo's arms and looked into her eyes. "Do you know where they went?" He asked almost feverishly. Ukyo stared at him hard for a long, outdrawn moment. What was he thinking? What was this? To get back at his rival, or did he care about Akane? Either way, it was wrong to ruin their date. She grabbed his wrists and shook him. "Ranma, you won't do anything stupid today, or else, so help me kami, I will do something stupid all over your scheming little head! The boy's in love, can't you see? I'm sick of the nasty things you do to Ryoga! Leave him alone! You know what it's like when people do it to you!"

She heard him whimper, and suddenly realized she was holding him a couple of inches above her still sizzling grill. What was wrong with her today? Ukyo put Ranma back in his seat and smoothed down his hair. She fought down an urge to stroke his cheek as well. "No," she repeated, "no plans today. You've done enough meddling." She looked away. "And so have I. Let this day be peaceful...you just stay here and I'll cook you some okonomiyaki." Ranma nodded solemnly and looked at her, fascinated, as she as quickly and professionally as ever prepared his meal. Something was definitely going on with Ukyo.

Something was going on all around him these days, and strangely, it wasn't fights. It was something much stranger. It was feelings. What was happening? What were they all thinking? Was anybody setting him up? Was Akane trying to make him jealous or was she really interested in Ryoga? And Ryoga-- would he faint on the date, or had he changed? After all, he'd been gone for quite a while...and what was this with him suddenly moving in with Ukyo? Ranma was starting to get some unpleasant ideas in his head, some horrific scenarios were starting to form. Ryoga was doing Ukyo and was in love with Akane...Ryoga was in love with Ukyo and doing Akane just to annoy him, Ranma...Ryoga was in love with both Ukyo and Akane...and was doing them both...and they were both in love with him...and they'd all move in with Ukyo...and have threesomes every night and send him, Ranma, video tapes of it to frustrate him...
"What's next, you hentai Pig-boy? Kasumi?" Growled Ranma to himself, completely caught up in his daydream...or you could call it daymare. Ukyo gave him a look as she passed him his plate. "What was that, Ranchan?"

His head shot up. "What?" Ukyo started putting away some dishes. "You were talking to yourself." Ranma reddened, hoping he hadn't said anything else out loud. But judging from Ukyo's relatively calm expression and the fact that he didn't have a giant spatula imbedded in his forehead right now, told him that he probably hadn't. "Oh, nothing, Ucchan..." He shook himself and started to eat. Geez...you'd think Akane is right...maybe I am a little bit of a pervert...

"I wonder what Akane sees in him..." He mumbled.

Akane looked worried. "Gee, Ryoga, are you sure you're all right? You've been sneezing for five whole minutes now! Maybe you should-- aaahtchoo! Aatchoo! Aaaaahhhtchoooo!"
"Oh, Akane, I'm sorry-- I hope I haven't infected you!" Ryoga blurted.
She shook her head and smiled mildly at him. "No--aahhh-- that's perfectly--aahhh-- all right-- aaahhhtchooo!"