Warning:  Clich� taken to an extreme.


The Addiction
by Caine


	Akane struggled to catch her breath.  She couldn't believe the pain
that she was going through.  She didn't think her guilty pleasure played
such an important part in her life.  She thought she could stop anytime
she wanted.  She was wrong.

	It was with great effort that she managed to make it to her bedroom
door.  Maybe Kasumi would be able to help her.  After all, it was Kasumi
who convinced her stop in the first place.  She seriously doubted it
though.  It had only been a few days since she last indulged herself. 
She was already so weak.  She couldn't see how she could continue on
like this.

	She stumbled out her door.  Unfortunately, she tripped over the door
frame.  She just laid there.  The fall had caused the pain to become too
great.  It gradually forced her into unconsciousness.

					********************

	Akane awoke to see Ranma's worried eyes looking at her.  She was back
in her room, on her bed.  The down time had done her some good.  She had
some of her strength back and the pain was more muted.

	"Ranma."

	"Akane, are you okay?"

	"Come, come a little closer, Ranma."

	"Yes, Akane."

	"Ranma no baka!"

	As Ranma went sailing to parts unknown, Akane heaved a sigh of relief.

	"And Kasumi said it couldn't hurt to be nice to him."

					********************

Author's notes:

	You had to have seen that one coming.