<<Insert token Takahashi disclamor here. She made it, not me ;)>>

This is my second fic, but I figured I'd start with a short one and see
the response.

In all my fics:
    "This is spoken"
    'This is thought'



*********************************
A Pot of Tea? Feelings Boil Over!
*********************************

"Why won't he even try?"

Kasumi had no idea what to tell her youngest sister. She just
couldn't understand why Ranma refused to keep an open mind
about Akane's cooking. True it wasn't up to par, but she was
trying so hard.

****

"Doesn't she even try to learn to cook? I couldn't even
figure out what that was she tried to force feed me."

"It was tea Ranma! You have to treat your fiancee with more
respect." Genma couldn't understand his son sometimes. It's
obvious to everyone that he likes Akane, but he refuses to
get along with her... 'Mayby if I hadn't forced them into
engagement he would have...'

Genma's train of thought was derailed by Ranma's next
outburst.

"Tea? I thought it was some kind of stew! And she is _not_ my
fiancee!"

Productive thoughts forgotten, Genma turned to face his son.
"Yes she is Ranma. You..."

****

Kasumi decided the direct approach might work, "Akane-chan...
Why don't you just tell him you like him?"

Akane stiffened "Nani?"

Kasumi sat down beside Akane and clasped her hand. "Akane...
we've all waited for you and Ranma to get together...
Everyone knows you like Ranma, except Ranma."

"But I..."

Kasumi hushed her. "Please let me finish Akane-chan."

Akane was about to continue, but nodded instead.

"Everyone also knows that... No, I cant be the one to tell
you."

"Kasumi? What is it?"

Kasumi just shook her head "No Akane. you'll find out
eventually. Just try to be more level headed when Ranma
insults you alright?"

Akane didn't dare guess at what Kasumi was going to say. But
She knew her sister was right. She did like Ranma. She was
willing to try anything. "hai. I'll try."

****

"Only because _you_ forced her on me! I'm not taking it
anymore!" Ranma turned and stalked out the door.

"Ranma! Come back growf!!!"

Ranma put the bucket down on the floor, idly wondering why
there always seems to be one lying around. "I cant figure out
what youre saying as a panda, pops. I'm heading out."

The panda just stood there fuming as Ranma left.



**** ****



Most household members would have quietly left town at the
sight of Akane entering the kitchen, but everyone was already
out for the day. Akane had faked being sick to practice
making tea.

"I'll make Ranma the best tea he's ever had or I'll die
trying." She promised to herself as she gathered the
ingredients.

****

'Doesn't she mean I'll die while she tries?' Thought Ranma
who had been hiding from his father up on the roof. He
silently slid down to the kitchen window so he could watch
Akane.

'She tries so hard to foul it up just right.' He thought as
he watched Akane struggling to mix a pink tar-like
substance.

He was about to go inside and tease her about it when
somthing stopped him. 'She... She's crying?' He quickly
changed his mind and went back up to the roof to think.

'She said she wanted to make it for me? She's not just trying
to prove herself... She's trying to impress me... Me! I
thought she didn't like me...'

Ranma spent the next couple hours re-evaluating his feelings
for Akane.

****

Later that evening after everyone had returned and most had
left again, Akane and Kasumi were in the kitchen. Kasumi had
finished cleaning the mess while Akane sat with a steaming
tea kettle in front of her, figeting nervously.

Kasumi finally sat down across from Akane and poured herself
a cup.

Akane waited impatiently for Kasumi's verdict. She didn't
accept any help at all from her older sister this time. She
had to do it on her own.

Kasumi finished her cup and looked up at Akane. She teased
her for a moment by looking thoughtful.

"Kasumi!"

"It's very good Akane."

Akane was off looking for Ranma before Kasumi could say
anything else.

****

'She must like me!' Ranma finally concluded, "I'll have to
try to be nicer to her.'

Ranma got up to go find Akane when she appeared on the roof
and sat down beside him.

"Ranma? A... Are you busy?"

Ranma sat back down next to Akane "Nah... just avoiding
pop..." He looked down at the teapot that Akane brought with
her and cringed. 'She'll ask me to try it. Force it down and
_don't_ insult her about it!'

"R... Ranma I'm sorry about the mess I made with
breakfast..."

"I's okay Akane I've always survived your meals before..."
Ranma pulled a mental double take 'BAKA!!!'

'Why that jerk! Can't he see how hard I'm trying for him?'

"I... I'm sorry Akane... I didn't mean it."

'He apologized?! I can't belive it!' Akane was speachless for
a minute. "That... That's okay Ranma. I know... I made some
tea, without any help. Kasumi wanted to but i wouldn't let
her.I worked on it all day to make it just right for you."

Ranma knew this but he lifted an eyebrow anyway. "For me?"

Akane blushed and looked down at her hands. She slowly nodded
"Please try it."

Ranma poured himself a cup and prepared for the worst. He
didn't merely sip to taste, nor did he down it all in one
gulp to get rid of it. He actually drank it. He was prepared
to endure the most unbearable muck anyone would ever have to
ingest when he realized it was quite good!

Akane didn't get a reaction and looked up, worried that Ranma
was going to insult her again in some way, only to find he
was smiling! It wasn't even forced! "You... You like it?"

Ranma nodded and poured a cup for both of them. "It's great
Akane! You made this yourself?"

A beaming Akane nodded "Yep! It took me all day!" She picked
up her cup and tasted it herself. 'Better than I hoped!'

****

Kasumi had heard enough. Smiling sweetly to herself, she left
the room she had been evesdropping on her sister and Ranma
from to go start dinner.

'At least it's a beginning.' She thought to herself.

        End.

By Shona - Slayer of Five


I appriciate any C&C you might have. respond publicly or privately, I'll
leave that up to you. ^_^