Once again, the next part of my fic.  As usual, if you need missing parts,
or want to send me C&C, just email me.  C&C is more than welcome.

As usual, Ranma and all associated characters are property of Rumiko
Takahashi.  This is a work of fiction written by a fan for fans.  It is
not meant to infringe on any copyrights or offend the creator in any way.
The new characters introduced are copyrighted (to me), and will hopefully
be seen once again in an original work of fiction by me later on this
year.

Enough legal/cover-my-butt banter.

Happy reading!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Eight

	Ken leaned back behind the counter and grill, gazing at the sparse
dinner crowd gathered there.  It was a slow evening, and he was grateful
for it.  Not many people around, and the atmosphere was laid back and
relaxed.  Things were going by at a leisurely pace and it gave him time to
sit back and think about the days events.  Ken chuckled at the thought of
it.
	There was the old man, Happosai.  The master of the Anything Goes
dojo was a pervert; but a pervert that was very accomplished in his
proficiency in the martial arts.  Ken found it amusing that he could be
easily distracted by some women's underwear.  The image of Happosai's
intense battle aura being extinguished by Ukyou's faked interest in
wearing one of his "collectibles" was very ironic.  Weren't all martial
artists supposedly completely focused during battle?  Ken found it just as
amusing that Happosai would then quickly make amends if offered a bottle
of sake.  A truly strange man indeed, Ken thought.
	Then, to top things off, Ukyou had interrupted him after a few
good hours of practice.  Ken had decided to apologize for setting the
wooden practice dummy he had purchased on the roof of Ucchan's.  However,
it still distracted him whenever he thought back to the incident.  Ukyou
had interrupted him with an odd look on her face.  She was blushing and
was obviously feeling hot.  At first, he thought that she was feeling ill,
but she also had a silly smile on her face.  Ken couldn't quite understand
what was going on, but felt a little flattered that she was staring at
him.  People usually stare at me like that when they want something from
me, he thought.  Ken looked over to Ukyou, diligently working at some
okonomiyaki, and chuckled.  He wondered why she didn't simply ask for what
she wanted.  If it was to borrow the sword, it wasn't a big problem.  If
it was for help on the homework he had seen her musing, she could
certainly ask.  Ken simply couldn't understand.  Perhaps I should ask
Ranma's mother, Ken mused.  His train of thought was breached by some
shouting.
	"Hey, Sugar!  Back to work!" Ukyou shouted while waving a small
spatula in front of his face.
	"Hunh?  Oh, sorry Ukyou.  I guess I got kinda distracted." Ken
replied with a sheepish expression.  He hurried away to ferry the finished
okonomiyaki to people waiting at tables.
	Ukyou sighed.  He must have seen me staring at him, she thought.
This is so embarrassing!  Ukyou turned back to the okonomiyaki.
	"I love Ran-chan!  Why is this so hard?" she muttered to herself.
"It's a good thing Ken's pretty oblivious, or I'd be in big trouble."
	"In big trouble over what?"
	Ukyou snapped to attention to see Ken sitting at the counter
resting his chin in one hand and playing with a napkin.
	"Nothing.  Nothing at all." She stammered.
	"Look, I'm your waiter.  As your waiter, it's my job to sit here
and listen to you complain and whine and moan about all of your personal
problems and make objective comments on them.  It's in the job
description." he said with a smile.
	"And you get paid for being lazy?" Ukyou asked with a grin.
	"Of course.  Speak, or forever hold your peace."
	"No offense, but I don't think you're really the one I should be
talking to about it." Ukyou said apologetically.
	"Does it involve me?"
	"No."
	"Then what's the problem?"
	Ukyou's eyes began to wander as she tried thinking up reasons why
she couldn't say.  Ken could tell she was stalling.
	"Hey, I understand.  I shouldn't pry.  I apologize." Ken said as
he turned to leave.
	"Wait.  I guess it's okay to tell you a little bit." Ukyou said
nervously.
	"Shoot." Ken said as he sat back down.
	"Well, it's pretty complicated.  You know that I'm engaged to
Ranma," Ukyou started.  Ken nodded as she continued.  "Well, I love
Ran-chan a lot.  Sometimes I think I love him more than should be right
for a person our age."  Ukyou noticed Ken shift slightly.  She forged
ahead regardless.  "So let's say there's someone at school that I've
noticed.  I like him in a different way than I like Ran-chan."
	"You don't love him, for one." Ken offered.
	"Right.  I don't love this guy, and I don't think he's an
absolutely perfect person.  In fact, I don't think he's perfect.  I'd go
so far to say that he's got a few pretty serious flaws; but I like being
with him all the same.  It's the same feeling I get when I'm with
Ran-chan, I think.  Well, I don't know about that, I guess.  I've never
really been with him for very long."
	"So you like him, but you can't explain why."
	"Yeah."
	"And you're worried that since you're engaged to Ranma, that
you're being dishonest with yourself."
	"You've got it."
	"But you're not in love with this other guy and you've never
really done anything with him."
	"Exactly."
	"Then what's the problem?"
	"What?" Ukyou asked, surprised by Ken's response.
	"I don't see what the problem is.  You're just being friendly with
someone other than Ranma.  Just because you're engaged to Ranma doesn't
mean you can't have other male friends.  If Ranma's engaged to you, does
that mean he can only spend time with one particular woman, namely you?"
	"Well, I'd like it that way, but I really can't do anything about
it."
	"Right.  So you've just found a nice guy for a friend.  So what's
the big deal?"
	The big deal is that I think I'm attracted to him, Ukyou thought.
	"Just for argument's sake, let's say he's a lot like Ran-chan.
He's a great fighter, he's got huge muscles, piercing eyes, washboard
stomach, he's polite, he's considerate-"
	"I get the idea, Ukyou" Ken interrupted with a laugh.  "Someone
exactly like Ranma."
	Ukyou nodded.
	"Then I still think you don't have a problem.  I the person's
exactly like Ranma, so shouldn't you be glad that someone else will be
just as happy as you will be when you're married?"
	"What?!" Ukyou yelled.  "This isn't a joke!" she spat as she
watched Ken trying desperately to contain himself.  To her own chagrin,
she found herself starting to laugh at the comment.
	"Hey, it's what you taught me to think!  Can I help it if you've
been successful at brainwashing me with you own propaganda?" he said with
mock seriousness.
	She reached over the grill to playfully swat his head in response.
Ken caught her hand when it was inches from his face with a roguish grin.
Ukyou could feel his breath on the inside of her wrists.  She thought she
felt electricity running up her spine.  She quickly swatted Ken with her
other hand, making him drop the other.  She felt a slight loss as he let
go of her hand.
	"Please be serious about it, okay?" she asked.
	"Okay, then in seriousness, you should forget about the
hypothetical and get back to work.  You don't really pay yourself to
dawdle, do you?"
	"You're just like Ran-chan!  Don't you see what I'm trying to get
at?" Ukyou pleaded.
	"What?" Ken asked laughingly.
	"What if I'm in love with someone other than Ranma!" Ukyou nearly
screamed.
	The restaurant was suddenly silent.
	"Not saying that I am" Ukyou trailed, twiddling her thumbs.  Ken
calmed himself.
	"Then you've got a problem." Ken said simply.  "I think it's
probably one that you would have to talk to Ranma about."
	Ukyou sighed as Ken got up chuckling quietly to himself.  As he
went into the back room, Ukyou watched him go sadly.
	"What am I going to do with you?" she said quietly.
	"The okonomiyaki's burning."
	Ukyou spun around to face Nabiki leaning on the counter.
	"Thanks for the warning." Ukyou said uneasily as she went back to
the okonomiyaki.  It was browned and close to approaching burning, but it
could be rescued.
"So is he here?" Nabiki asked.
	"He's in the back room, probably washing dishes.  I don't think
he'd appreciate a visit from you."
	"I really feel like I should say something."
	"Trying to save your hide?"
	"Is there something wrong with that?  I'm simply trying to recoup
my losses."
	"I don't think Ken would take too kindly to that.  Why not just
say you're sorry?"
	Nabiki fidgeted.  Ukyou was surprised.
	"I was hoping to work that in." Nabiki said quietly.
	"Your first?"
	"Look, it's not like I've never apologized before!" Nabiki shot
out angrily.
	"Hey, calm down.  I'm not trying to start anything." Ukyou said
defensively.  She worked on the okonomiyaki more before turning back to
Nabiki.  "You know, I get the impression that you like the new waiter."
	"Did Akane tell you?"
	"Akane didn't say anything.  I just figured, after the picture and
all.  Well, actually I decided that you were either very sick and would
sell that picture; or you were a little new to things and wanted to keep
it for a private collection."
	Nabiki blushed and looked away.
	"I wonder if you've got pictures of Ran-chan" Ukyou mumbled
	"I don't," Nabiki replied, "and I won't be getting any either; but
that's the last thing on my mind right now."
	"Then off you go then." Ukyou said.
	Nabiki looked at Ukyou, trying to gauge whether she was trying to
help, or bring a nuisance; but the okonomiyaki chef was good at hiding
things from her.  Nabiki sighed.
	"Here goes nothing." she mumbled as she headed to the back of the
restaurant.

	Ken scrubbed the last of the dishes and dumped it into an adjacent
sink full of hot water.  He reached backwards to grab a small towel.  As
he was wiping his face, he heard a rapping on the doorframe behind him.
	"Knock, knock."
	Ken face darkened.
	"The counter is up front.  They take orders there.  Deals are made
there." he said flatly.
	Nabiki winced.
	"Can we talk?"
	"No."
	"Look, just listen to me then."
	"I very much regret listening to you before."
	"It'll pay off if you listen to me now."
	"You're forking over negatives?  How nice.  It's too bad I don't
want them."
	"Won't you listen?"
	"No." Ken said.
	Nabiki walked up to him and stared at him intently.
	"What is wrong with you?"
	"What do you think is wrong with me!" Ken shouted. "I thought I
could trust someone to simply lend me money.  I even thought signing some
contract would show that I would honor a bargain.  Then I find out that
bargain involved selling myself like some stud bull so someone else can
milk me for cash!  On top of that, I find out the person I borrowed money
from is taking nude pictures of me!  What do you think my problem is?!"
	"I-I- came to apologize.  Won't you listen?  I'll do all the
talking." she said, on the verge of tears.  She tried to maintain an air
of indifference, but it broke quickly.
	"I've had enough of your talking.  I don't want to listen to you
try to make some new deal.  Ranma was right about you.  I should have
listened to him."
	"What did he say about me?" Nabiki whispered hoarsely.
	Ken leveled a cold stare at her.
	"He said you were a con artist.  You made money, and that's all
your black heart cared about.  You might make it to support your family,
but it's no excuse for exploiting people past their personal limit.  Ranma
told me you'd try to milk me for all I was worth to you; and judging from
the picture, I guess I'm not much more than some piece of meat to you.
You and your kind disgust me, Nabiki." he said evenly.
	Nabiki could feel tears streaming down her face, it hurt.  Every
word Ken said pierced her and twisted inside.  
	"I thought I liked you.  Now I can see why my sister hates boys.
If they're all like you and Ranma, I hope I never see a boy as long as I
live." she hissed.
	"If you keep hiding yourself in a sea of green like a
snake-in-the-grass you won't need to.  Just keep yourself from look up to
people."
	Nabiki's hand flew threw the air towards Ken's face, but it never
made contact.  He caught it a foot from his head.  She threw her weight
into the second one, but it never made it either.  Nabiki simply shook in
anger and shame.
	"I hate you!" she hissed repeatedly.  
	Ken simply stared at her evenly until she broke down.  He hated
what he had done, but it was done.  He'd vented his anger, and gotten what
he wanted; but he hated himself for doing it.  Ken stared at Nabiki as she
stood there, held up by his grip, shaking and crying.
	"I was only trying to apologize." Nabiki worked through her
sobbing.  "I-" her voice was cut off abruptly as she found herself burying
her face in Ken's chest.  She stopped crying to find herself wrapped in a
warm embrace.  She looked up to see Ken looking back sympathetically.
	"I'm sorry, Nabiki.  My outburst was uncalled for.  I hate seeing
women cry.  I apologize" he said quietly.
	Nabiki put her head back against Ken as she wiped her eyes.  She
smiled hesitantly.
	"Apology accepted." she said with a quiet laugh.  "You're supposed
to say that, you know."
	"You haven't apologized yet." Ken replied.
	Nabiki pushed herself away from Ken and brought a fist down on him
in fury.
	"How dare you-"
	Ken caught her wrist as she brought it down for another blow.
	"Hey!  Take it easy.  I understand.  Ukyou's trying to teach me to
not hold a grudge, and you're making it pretty tough for me." he chided.
	Nabiki stopped and wiped her eyes.  She took the offered tissue
and blew her nose and straightened herself.
	"Get going.  I have some work to do.  Ukyou doesn't pay me to
dawdle." Ken said with a laugh as he turned back to the dishes.
	"I can try to get her to." Nabiki said with a mischievous grin.
	Ken rolled his eyes and groaned.  Nabiki laughed.
	"Fine.  No more deals with you around."
	"It's a deal." Ken said with a grin and offered a soaked hand.
Nabiki smiled and grabbed it with a squelch.  They shook firmly.
	"Friends?" she whispered.
	"What do you think?" Ken said with a smile and a laugh.  He shook
his head and turned back to the dishes.  "You really have to hear
everything said, or see it in writing, don't you?"
	Nabiki smiled broadly and gave Ken a playful punch in the arm.
	"That hurt you know." he said jokingly.
	Nabiki harrumphed and walked back to the restaurant.  As she
walked out the door to the dishroom, she saw Ukyou leaning against the
wall nearby.
	"Eavesdropping?" she asked.
	Ukyou snorted derisively.
	"Making sure you weren't making any new deals." Ukyou replied.
	"Just making a new friend." Nabiki replied.  She looked at Ukyou
thoughtfully.  "I might have wished for more, but I wouldn't want to move
in on taken territory." she said with a wink.
	Ukyou blushed as Nabiki left with a laugh.  When the sound of the
door closing reached Ukyou's ears, heralding Nabiki's departure, she
leaned in the doorframe to the back room.
	"So what did she want?" she asked.
	"Not much.  She apologized, and I yelled at her some." Ken said as
he turned around from washing dishes.  He grinned sheepishly.  "Well, not
actually in that order.  I actually yelled at her first, and then she said
she was sorry; but I said I was sorry for yelling at her." Ken finished.
	Ukyou laughed.
	"Sounds like you two worked out some agreement regardless.
Whatever you said really must have hit her pretty hard.  I could tell she
was crying."
	Ken sighed.
	"Well, I was pretty mad, and while it wasn't the right thing to
do, I think it was justified.  Bad form though, I'll admit."
	Ukyou chuckled.
	"Do you know how many fights with Akane Ranma would avoid if he
said that?"
	"Bad form?"
	"Yeah." Ukyou agreed with a smile.
	"They do get into fights pretty easily from what Ranma says."
	"He usually comes here afterwards.  It really helps him to talk
afterwards."
	"So you play the role of the bartender?" Ken asked.
	"More like the dutiful, loving fiance." Ukyou corrected with a
grin.
	"Sorry, should've guessed that." Ken admitted with a sheepish
grin.  The smile hid his sudden feeling of loss from Ukyou fairly well.
She thought she saw something dim in his eyes, but he turned to wash the
dishes, and she ignored it.
	"So what do you do in the mornings?" Ukyou asked.
	"Well, I practice mostly.  Sometimes I visit a few of the shops
around for equipment.  Speaking of which, I hope you don't mind my putting
the practice dummy up on the roof.  I can move it somewhere else."
	"It's not a big deal, but won't it get a little worn from the
rain?"
	Ken stopped in thought for a moment.
	"You're right.  I should ask the Tendos if I can put it in their
dojo.  Thanks for pointing that out."
	"No problem, Sugar.  When you're done, don't forget to bring out
some more batter and toppings."
	Ken nodded and went back to washing dishes.  He stopped for a
moment and thought back to what Ukyou had asked previously.  He never had
anything to do in the morning, and while it was easily filled with
practice, it seemed repetitious.  Ken knew that it would be infinitely
more fulfilling to have a more spontaneous day; but he had no idea where
he could find it.  I wonder why Ukyou asked, he pondered.
	When Ken left the back room, he found Ukyou talking with Ranma.
He looked a bit sullen and depressed, but he obviously was cheering up in
the presence of good food.  And a loving dutiful fiance, he said mentally.
He noticed Ranma make eye contact.  They held it for a moment, until Ukyou
noticed, and Ken broke contact.  He placed the batter and toppings close
to Ukyou.  She motioned to the new customers, and Ken picked up a pad and
pencil and went to take orders.
	"What was that about?" Ukyou asked when Ken had gotten out of
earshot.
	"Nothin'." Ranma responded quietly.
	"Then why did you look guilty?" Ukyou asked.
	"Just this thing with Akane." he responded with a sigh.
	"You really shouldn't insult her cooking.  She does try, even
though she really is horrid at it." Ukyou chided.
	"Can I help it if her cooking could pass for something alive?" he
protested.
	Ukyou laughed.
	"You really should stick to fiances that can cook." Ukyou chided
with a smile.
	Ranma quickly buried his face in the okonomiyaki Ukyou passed to
him.  She watched wistfully as Ranma nearly inhaled her cooking.
	"Three specials when you have the time."
	Ukyou quickly snapped out of her reverie to see Ken looking at her
and slipping forward a slip of paper with a new order.  He sat down
silently as she went to work.  Ranma tapped him on the shoulder and
motioned to sit at a table.  The two of them wordlessly sat down at a far
table despite the inquisitive look from Ukyou.
	"So what's wrong?" Ranma asked.
	"Nothing.  Why do you ask?" Ken responded.
	"You had that look.  The same kind Akane gets when I'm talking to
any of the other people that are engaged to me.  You know, she looks at
them with that look when I'm talking to them."
	"The look?  I don't understand."
	"I'm not making you jealous when I talk to Ukyou, am I?"
	"No.  Why should it?  You are engaged to her after all."
	"Yeah, but you get that look.  Well, it's a little different, but
it's still the same.  You look like some kind of puppy that got kicked in
the side."
	Ken winced at the image.  
"No, nothing's wrong.  I appreciate the sentiment though."
	"Something's wrong.  I didn't grow up being a martial artist so I
could walk around and beat people up blindly." Ranma replied.
	"I don't understand what you're getting at."
	"I can see people's expressions and tell what they're thinking.
I'm getting good at it."
	"So what was I thinking."
	"You wished Ukyou was engaged to you."
	"Isn't that a big leap?" Ken asked defensively.
	"Well, I guess so," Ranma said with a laugh, "but it doesn't hide
the fact that you get all gooey-eyed when you look at her.  I'll bet she
can tell too."
	"So what am I supposed to do about it?  She's engaged."
	"Yeah, I know.  I have no idea what to do."
	"Then that's that."
	"Ukyou act strange lately?"
	"No, other than asking what I do with my time.  She's never shown
any interest in it before.  It was a little sudden, but I think she just
wants me to do something extra while I'm waiting for her to come during
lunch to set up shop."
	"Oh.  I heard you talked to Nabiki too."
	"Yeah.  I did.  She apologized.  I decided it was better to just
forget about the whole thing."
	"You know, she actually said she was feeling guilty about the
pictures and all.  She told me she'd give me more money for taking them."
	"I still think it's sick."
	"I still owe her money." Ranma said ruefully.
	Ken just shook his head.
	"You know, Mom said she was hoping you'd stop by tonight."
	"I already told her I would."
	"What do you do there?"
	"Just learn how to meditate.  I've only done it once, but I think
it'll be good for me.  I think I scared her the last time though."
	"Did you freak out?"
	"Yeah.  In a big way, you could say.  Your mother was really nice
about it.  I really wish I had a mother right now.  I miss my mother a
lot." Ken said as he looked out the door with a distant look on his face.
	"I think my Mom's got something in store for you."
	"Speaking of which," Ken interrupted suddenly, "how would you like
a practice dummy?  I just got a used one, and I need a place to put it.  I
thought I could keep it on the roof, but Ukyou's afraid it'll get rain
damage."
	"Sure!  The dojo could use a dummy.  Akane broke the last one.
Thanks!"
	"No problem."
	"Say, you wouldn't want to spar in the mornings, would you?  I
practice with my Pop when he's around, but I don't really have anyone that
I can work out with anymore."
	"If it's in the mornings, sure."
	"It's before school starts."
	"I guess I can make it."
	"Great!  So we can start tomorrow?"
	Ken laughed.
	"Sure."
	"So what are you two boys talking about?"
	Ken turned around to see Ukyou looking over his shoulder.
	"Nothing much.  Guy talk." Ranma responded.
	Ukyou snorted derisively.
	"In case you forgot, I used to be one of the boys, remember?
C'mon Ken, back to work." Ukyou chided.
	"I know, you don't pay me to dawdle." Ken replied with a laugh.
He got up and went to the back room.
	"So what were you talking about?" Ukyou asked as she sat down in
the vacated seat.
	"Nothin'."
	"Oh really?"
	"Really.  So why did you ask Ken what he was doing in the
mornings?" Ranma countered.
	"I just thought it might be nice if he went to school with us.  I
figured he might get lonely sitting around for the first half of the day."
	"That's not a bad idea, but I don't think he'd go for it.  He said
he's pretty advanced for a student.  I don't think he at our level."
	"So he gets stuck in Nabiki's class."
	"Why don't we just ask him?" Ranma said.
	"I will, when he gets back." Ukyou said dismissively.
	They both sat in silence for a moment while they watch Ken walk
about the restaurant refilling glasses and clearing tables as people left.  
	"Say, Ucchan," Ranma started, "you wouldn't happen to be doing
anything tomorrow night, would you?"
	"Are you asking me out on a date!  I can free it up easy!" Ukyou
beamed.
	"Well, I was kinda thinking we could get a few friends and watch
some movies." Ranma stammered out.
	"Oh." Ukyou said crestfallen.  "Well, I guess that'd work." she
said with a quick smile.
	"Great." Ranma said as he got up from his seat.  "I should get
going before Akane gets any more mad than she is now." he sighed.  "See
ya!" he called over his shoulder as he left.
	Ukyou felt a loss when he left.  She looked over to Ken who
quickly turned away nervously.  There was a sudden feeling of guilt, but
she couldn't tell if it was because of Ranma or Ken.  What am I going to
do with him, she thought.

	"Uh, Akane?"
	"I don't want to talk to you, Ranma." she said coldly through the
closed door.
	Images of Akane pounding him danced through his head.
	"Look, I know you don't want to talk right now, but-I-well."
	"What is it, Ranma?" Akane demanded.
	"I wanted to say that I'm sorry." Ranma shot out nervously.  He
pivoted on his feet and strode into his room, closing the door after
himself.  Even after the constant chiding from his mother and the images
of Akane happy, apologizing was still difficult.  There simply was
something that was painful about admitting guilt.  At least he was getting
used to it.
	"Stupid tomboy." he muttered to himself.  He quickly hit his
forehead with the butt of his hand.  He mentally castigated himself over
the insult.  Insulting Akane was the last thing he needed to do now.
Ranma flopped onto the floor and stared at the ceiling.  He was starting
to really feel something after fighting with Akane.  It was an
overwhelming sense of guilt and shame.  It made him feel better when Akane
smiled and laughed, but she never did that sort of thing after a fight,
naturally.  He sighed loudly and closed his eyes.
	A knock on his door stirred him.
	"Ranma?"
	The door opened when he didn't respond.  He heard the sound of
feet and then he saw her looking down at him.
	"Ranma?"
	"Hey, Akane." Ranma said nonchalantly.
	Akane kneeled next to him.  It looked like she'd been crying.
Ranma winced visibly.
	"Ranma, why do you say such mean things when you eat stuff I
make?" she asked sadly.
	"You're not going to pound me?" he asked in a surprised voice.
	Akane's eyes went from sad to angry in a heartbeat.  Then it
simply extinguished itself.
	"Forget it." she whispered and moved to leave.  A hand on her own
stopped her.  She turned to look at Ranma.  He had moved to sitting across
from her.
	"Before you go, I just wanted to say that I like not getting
pounded on; and I say mean things about your cooking because I just act
that way.  I know it's not nice, and my Mom tried to get me to stop, but
it's kinda hard not to.  I'm workin' on it." He said guiltily. 
	Akane sighed and looked at him sadly.
	"Ranma, why is it that whenever I think you're finally coming
around, you make me so sick of you.  Kasumi said that you told her that
you loved me, but I don't know anymore."  She was on the verge of tears.
	Ranma recoiled.
	"K-Kasumi told you that?!" he asked incredulously.
	Akane nodded silently.
	"Then you don't really care, do you?" she asked quietly.  Ranma
simply looked at her in shock.  Akane shook her head as anger slowly
worked it's way through her.  "And to think I let you kiss me.  And then I
kissed you back!  Ranma you stupid, jerk! I-"
	Ranma clamped a hand over her mouth.  Akane shot a fist to his
face.  It connected solidly and Ranma fell over backwards.
	"Hate me." Ranma finished through his hand, as it covered his
mouth.  "You really hate me don't you?"
	Akane's eyes went wide when she saw the same expression she saw
when Ranma had beaten Saffron in the end, at the moment he thought she was
dead.  Here it was amplified a hundred-fold.  It was fear.  It completely
drained all the anger she felt and sobered her.
	"N-No, Ranma.  I don't hate you." she said quietly.
	"I don't hate you either." Ranma said simply.
	"Then was Kasumi right?" she asked hopefully.
	Ranma didn't respond.  He looked at the mat with an intense gaze.
	"Ranma?"
	Akane reached out to shake him.  He recoiled, as if burnt, when he
hand touched him.  Ranma looked at her and slowly nodded his head.
Akane's feelings turned one hundred eighty degrees.
	"Why didn't you ever say anything?" she asked quietly, a smile
slowly working its way to her face.
	Ranma went back to looking at the mats in his room.  Akane
shuffled over to sit next to him.  She could see a single tear run down
his face.  He still kept a hand clamped over his mouth.  Akane slowly took
it in her hand and pulled it away.  There was a small trickle of blood
from the corner of his mouth.
	"Ranma, what's wrong?"
	"I feel sick." he said quietly.
	"Why?"
	"I never said anything before.  I guess I should have.  I feel so
ashamed." he said quietly.  "I guess I deserved to get hit."
	Akane looked at Ranma intently.  After all this time, when he'd
shown that he wasn't afraid of staring down someone that could potentially
kill him, he was afraid to say he loved someone.  
	"It takes a lot of courage to say that you care about someone."
Akane smiled ruefully.  "I guess I should have said something too."
	"I don't want to fight anymore, Akane.  I'm just sick of arguing
and yelling.  It really hurts now.  It really does." Ranma said in a voice
barely above a whisper.
	"Why didn't you say any of this before?"
	"I didn't know how to say it.  I guess it wasn't something I
wanted to do, but I guess hearing that you knew forced me into it.  It's
hard for a guy to say that kind of thing."
	"That you care?"
	"Yeah."
	"So you do care?"
	Ranma grinned sheepishly.
	"Jeez, Akane.  Isn't once good enough?"
	"No, it isn't.  I want to hear you say it Ranma.  For once, I want
to hear it from your own mouth."
	"Hear what?  Every time I say something, you get all fired up."
	Akane looked at him evenly.  She could feel butterflies dancing in
her stomach and pounding in her throat, begging for some kind of release.
	"Ranma, do you love me?"
	Akane could feel her heart pounding.  It was loud and it drowned
out everything.  Then she could see him close his eyes tightly, and his
mouth started to move.  An instant silence enveloped the room.  Time
seemed to grind to a halt.
	"Yes.  I love you, Akane." Ranma whispered, as he cautiously
opened one eye.  He braced himself for some kind of impact.
	Akane felt like everything fell out from under her, and suddenly
came back up again.  It felt like a rollercoaster, the feeling of dropping
and rising and being completely disoriented; but when she closed her eyes
and everything stood still again she could hear his voice clearly in her
mind.  He'd said it; and Kasumi was right.
	Ranma stared at Akane.  She had a look of complete shock one
instant, and then a look of complete concentration the next.  Her eyes
were closed tightly, and her hands covered her mouth.  It looked like
she'd taken a bite out of a lemon.  Then she opened her eyes again, and
Ranma instinctively backed his head.  A tear worked its way from the
corner of her eye to her cheek.
	"Akane?" he asked cautiously.  
	Her answer caught him by surprise.  As he landed on his back from
the sudden weight of Akane's body on him, a single thought passed through
his mind before his body kicked in.
	No, I guess it wasn't a lemon, he decided.  Can't taste a lemon
here.




*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Ethan Tsai
1 N. College Street
Northfield, MN 55057

Member of SAUCE (it's what should* go on the okonomiyaki)
Civilian Advisor to the Warehouse, Chemical Superfreak
	Free Consultation on a Referral Basis
Member of USSRTFW:SR

TSAIE@Gridley.ACNS.Carleton.edu
http://public.carleton.edu/~tsaie/ethan.html