This one is bit short, (even by my standards) but I know where I'm going 
now, so I should have another chapter out real soon.


    Chapter Six -- You Want Pork For Dinner?!?
	
	Ranma walked outside, so distracted by thoughts of eating Akane's
cooking, plus being forced to be nice to her, not to mention being nice
about her cooking, that he failed to notice the figure standing next to
the small pond.
	"You're late."

				*****

	Akane waited until after Ranma had left before turning to Skuld. 
"He doesn't mean any of the nice things he said?"
	Skuld thought for a moment of another couple she knew who had once
had trouble saying how they truly felt about one another.  "Maybe..."  *Or
maybe he's finally saying what he really feels.*
	"Fine!  Who needs him anyway?"  Akane tried to ignore the little 
voice that told her just who did need him after all.  *I don't!*

				*****

	"HI-YA!"
	Ranma eyed his oppenent carefully.  It was never easy to win 
against him.  "Ready to go for a swim?"
	"You'll be the one to take a swim, Ranma.  Your arrogance will..." 
	Ranma used the moment while his opponent was distracted to knock
him into the pond, changing him into his cursed form.  "I'll be 
swimming?  I don't think so."  Ranma turned to see Akane coming up to the 
pond.
	"Breakfast is ready."
	"Ok."
	Ranma followed Akane back into the house, and right behind him 
was his early morning opponent, now changed into his animal form.  Ranma 
sat down between Akane & Skuld, then noticed that everyone else was 
staring at Skuld.
	"Oh, whoops.  Akane, did you remember to introduce them to Skuld?" 
	Akane turned to Ranma, then blushed.  "No, I forgot.  You're the
one who called her anyway.  You introduce her."
	"So Ranma...  who is this girl?  Don't tell me you have another
fiancee..."  Nabiki grinned at Ranma.  *I wonder how much he'll pay to 
keep it quiet.*
	"No, it's nothing like that!  This is Skuld, she's a Goddess."
	"Well, she is very pretty, but only Kuno says things like that,
Ranma."  *Hm...  defensive.  That's a good sign.*
	"No!  I mean she really *is* a Goddess!"  Ranma looked around at
the rest of the Tendo and saw only incomprehension there.  "Nevermind. 
She's going to be a lot.  Skuld is going to teach Akane how to cook." 
	"Oh Akane!  How wonderful!"  Soun could feel the tears welling up
in his eyes.  *My girl, learning how to cook finally!  Saotome, you & I
will bring our children together yet!*
	"Akane, you must be so happy.  You'll be able to cook for Ranma 
whenever you like now."  Kasumi beamed at Akane.  
	Akane looked very uncomfortable, and carefully avoided looking at 
Ranma.  Of course, this meant she missed Ranma fidgeting and avoiding 
looking at her too.  "Well, now that we all know who Skuld is, could we 
please eat?  I don't want to be late to school."
	At last, the rest of the clan sat down and started eating 
breakfast.  While Kasumi got a few strange looks for the very 
untraditional breakfast, it dissappeared very fast.
	"Ah, another wonderful breakfast Kasumi.  Thank you."
	"Oh!  I didn't make this father.  I thought Akane did."
	"Nah, couldn't be.  We're still alive."
	Akane turned to Ranma.  "That can be fixed Ranma..."
	Suddenly, Nabiki jumped up.  "C'mon guys, we're gonna be late." 
	Without even noticing Ranma was getting away, Akane got up also 
and followed Nabiki out the door.  *I'll settle with him later.  School 
is more important.*

				*****

	Skuld got up, and bowed to her hosts.  "Thank you for having me 
for breakfast."
	Always the perfect hostess, Kasumi replied, "You are quite 
welcome, thank you for cooking it.  Will you be back when they get home 
from school?"
	"Yes, as long as I'm not intruding."
	Soun thought to himself.  *What perfect manners.  Perhaps Akane 
will pick those up as well.*  "You could never intrude here.  You are 
welcome for as long as you wish."
	"Gomen!  I'll be back then."  Skuld grinned, then skipped out 
back to the pond and jumped in.  When she didn't come back out after a 
few seconds, Soun and the panda exchanged looks.
	"Kids.  Who can understand them?"

				*****


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        Second Member of Ranma-chan's Ever-faithful Disciples (R.E.D.)
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