Ryoga's Girlfriend Chapter 7

By: DaisukiFox

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½, Ranma ½ is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media, please support the official release.

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Kodachi & Ukyo

Ukyo was now pinned with the job of somehow convincing Kodachi to team up with her, but, that proved to be quite the difficult challenge. Too many things had to be factored in for her and at this moment trying to explain it in a way that Kodachi would understand was simply too much for the simple chef, she was a cook, not a politician, lying in an expert manner wasn't her thing. 'She's crazy and thinks that Ranma and his girl sides are two different people, so, why would she care about something involving Ranma as a girl?' Ukyo thought.

Far too much time had gone by and Kodachi had much better things to do than wait around for some girl to stop trying to say something, only to retract it and returning to a thinking posture; honestly, Ukyo was acting like a school child who had no idea how to answer a math question.

"If you have nothing to say then I do believe this is a waste of time," Kodachi stated, finding the conversation rather droll and meaningless.

Ukyo, having no real other way to explain the situation, desperately sought any piece of information in her mind to convince the blue haired she-devil. Though she was thinking intensively, she found no way to deal with such a conundrum but a thought occurred to her, this wasn't the way she should be going on about dealing with Kodachi, she wasn't a sane and rational person, she needed to use logic within Kodachi's own means and if she was anything like her brother; which had been proven time and time again, she was. Then she had the perfect plan to draw her in.

"Oh, you're right... you wouldn't want to save your darling Ranma from falling into someone else's hands," Ukyo stated, smiling in a sly manner before doing an about face and shrugging. "Guess it just wasn't in the cards for him to fall for you, now, was it?" Ukyo smirked, knowing that the insane gymnast would take the bite.

Kodachi came to an abrupt stop and did a complete one-eighty before stopping in front of the cocky chef. "I my dare lower class chef! Am in a league all my own, when it comes to the matters of my darling Ranma's heart!" she exclaimed, her eye twitching as she placed her hands on her hips, irritated to think that this commoner would even have the audacity to call her out on her romantic affairs.

"Such determination... that could probably save Ranma from what's happening," Ukyo replied, hoping to peak Kodachi's interest.

There was a pause as Kodachi took a few seconds to relieve the steam that coursed through her before deciding to hear her out. It involved her Ranma, she would do what was necessary. "Continue."

"That's what I like to hear," Ukyo smiled and she also turned around. "Ranma has been cursed to look like that red headed girl you've come to know," she said but was interrupted before she could go any further.

"That makes little if no sense at all..." Kodachi stated.

"Really? Think about it... how many magical objects and people have you come across since Ranma got here?" Ukyo argued, knowing that she had some ground to stand on.

The evidence was overwhelming, now that she thought about it. She immediately went on the defensive, believing her very presence must have been strong enough to break the control; it was cheesy but that's what she viewed as her self worth. "Oh, if that is the case then I would simply present myself to my cursed darling and that should do the trick, I am rather alluring, one could say alluring enough to break any binding curse," Kodachi responded, batting her hand as she closed her eyes and looked away, her smug opinion of herself obviously trying to keep her own ego safe.

Ukyo rolled her eyes and shook her head, but, she needed the help and two heads were better than one, even if that other was probably criminally insane and could possibly be charged for using poisons or paralyzing agents. "Well, Ranma must be on something pretty strong to keep him from running into your arms..." Ukyo stated, averting her head from Kodachi and making fake gagging movements with her hand to her mouth.

The daughter to the Kuno manor remained still for a moment, dropping her head she pondered the proposal but before she could confirm anything she had to ask. "If Ranma is forced to look like the red headed girl then where is the 'real' red headed hussy? And is there any possible way to bring Ranma's former glory back?"

Ukyo yet again found herself in a moment where she needed to use creative thinking. "Uh... she's doing all this! Y-yeah! She's forcing Ranma to fall for Ryoga...uh..." at this point Ukyo was even having a hard time trying to believe herself. "Uh... Ranma can be a guy again when you pour hot water on him, but, the moment he touches some cold water again, he changes to that pig tailed girl."

Kodachi instantly seeing herself as the fair and powerful heroine shot her arm out and clenched her fist out in front of her. "She wishes to torment me, only to spite me for my many wonderful attributes, so, she has concocted this fiendish plan to weaken my will! I 'shall' not allow some perverse fool to take what's rightfully mine!"

Ukyo found herself staring at Kodachi, slapping her forehead hard enough to leave a print, she decided to go with it. "Uh... yeah, sure, whatever... so, we should like, team up to stop Ranma and Ryoga from getting any closer, then go after the red headed girl?"

Kodachi stopped and turned to Ukyo, blinking for a moment before chuckling and placing her hand over her mouth, finding the team up proposal ridiculous. "My, my... someone has a rather high opinion of themselves, unfortunately I will not be needing your services, I am the fair heroine here and there is no room for bit parts my awkwardly dressed companion," Kodachi stated before turning away and jumping off to the roof tops, uttering her annoying laughter as she did so.

Ukyo stared in disbelief, to think that she actually wanted the help of that self centered, arrogant, manic. Not only that she had also been told off by that manic. "You nut-job!" Ukyo exclaimed, shouting as hard as she could.

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Ranma & Akane

Ranma felt a rampant thumping in his chest when confronted by Akane's feelings. Although he was fully aware of them from before, he wasn't ready to tackle such a fragile subject. Akane was practically the very definition of emotionally fragile, so, chances were that the outcome of whatever he said could only back fire; especially since he wasn't sure what to make of his feelings for the blue haired girl. Why was that? Often times Ranma was in situations where he and Akane would suddenly get very close, only to have it end in a disappointment, being that the two were usually very stubborn, but, he wasn't usually this tempered when it came to romantic implications of him and Akane, was there some sort of gap?

Ranma's eyes widened when an image of Ryoga surfaced to his mind. "Akane... nows not the time for dat," Ranma scowled, looking away from his supposed love interest.

Akane held her hands close to her figure, she lowered his head and averted her eyes, only to try and make contact again but only failing to do so when she lost the courage to continue. Her confidence had been pushed forward by the moment, but, when she was told that now wasn't the time for her feelings all of her determination faded from whence it came. The youngest Tendo sister forced herself to continue.

"Ranma... I think now is the time," she blushed, noticing Ranma cringe she knew this wasn't going to be easy. Did Ranma not believe it was the time for them to have a heart to heart? From the looks of it seemed as though Ranma was stalling, which, she'd be right in assuming by the hurried expression on Ranma's face; obviously trying to will his legs and arms to move him away from her.

"Why won't you take me seriously, Ranma?" Akane demanded, now feeling tears well up in her eyes. She knew that she told herself to wait, but, there was still those feelings of doubt.

"I ain't doing that!" Ranma barked, still refusing to make eye contact with the blue haired temptress. There were many things Ranma wanted to respond with, but, this was a delicate matter and saying something without thinking could very well spell out the end for him and his father staying at the Tendo household. Though there were many things he thought would have gotten him kicked out of the Tendo dojo, but, this was about real love and affection for her, if he broke her heart, what would become of them?

After hearing his retort, Akane gave Ranma a calculating look before sighing. Here they were again, one of them trying to be more tender and the other refusing to address the subject at hand. This tug of war needed a resolution or they could very well be doing this into their thirties.

"R-Ranma! I-I'm not going to let this go!" Akane exclaimed, finding the prospect of dragging out their romantic interest, unbearable. Now it came down to this, she was going to exert her feelings, even if it did make her chest tighten and feel as though a million butterflies decided to have a frenzy in her stomach.

Ranma's legs found more force but not enough to carry him out of this situation. It was like being caught by a dog catcher and forced to listen about the wonders and joys of being in the pound, one might think that Ranma was willing to claw his way out of this moment, had he the strength to do so.

"Ranma... I-I-I..." Akane began but found her will fading, "I-I-"

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Nabiki

The brown haired middle child was seated in her room; on her bed. She looked through her schedule for the next school week. There were many victims for her to score some yen off of; it was always better to get a head start. That did however lead her back to her thoughts on her most important bet. Nabiki figured she would allow Ranma and Ryoga more time to get accustomed to their romantic feelings. What better way to get two people together than to constantly have them around one another? It was as if everything was falling into place. Though instead of trying to push them together, she figured with Happosai's addiction to Poke'mon, she could force them into awkward situations, she might not have been around for those awkward arguments that were bound to ensue, like, for example the one were Ranma, Ryoga and Akane had earlier.

Nabiki couldn't help but enjoy the fruits of her labor, conflict lead to emotions and when emotions are peaked, words are said, when words are said; she could gain from those. Her method of getting people together should have been a form of art, at least, that's what she felt.

"Hm..." Nabiki hummed as she laid on her bed, tapping her journal with her pen while one leg held up in the air and swaying from side to side as her other leg was crossed just behind her knee. "I wonder who else I can pester while those three have their little spats..."

It was then that the middle sister was sure she heard someone laughing, it took a moment for her to realize that it was Kodachi's escaped from a mental institute laugh, that, or her usual return laugh, she wasn't sure but she knew this could only spell chaos. "Ugh..." Nabiki groaned, lowering her head and hanging her mouth open in anime like style.

Kodachi

Kodachi dashed across the roof tops of Nerima, laughing hysterically as she did so. There was a certain thrill when it came to fighting for those most important to her, that or just plain worthy enough to be within her presence. There was one man good enough for Kodachi and that was Ranma Saotome, she just needed to remind those foolish enough to touch her property to back off before she showed them her gracious martial arts rhythmic gymnastics techniques.

Coming up to her destination like a shark stalking it's prey, she jumped over the fence and landed in the Tendo background, she crouched upon landing and scanned the area, a smug look adorned her face as she rose to her feet, she was about to announce her presence, until she heard Akane's voice.

"Ranma... I-I-I...I-I..."

Jumping into insane stalker mode, or rather her version of what can be viewed as an acceptable lovers image. Kodachi barged into the dojo by slamming the door open. "Ranma! Do not fall for her half-witted charm!"

Akane darted her head from Ranma to Kodachi and blushed profusely before averting her eyes from the crazy gymnast. "What're you doing here?" she asked.

Ranma on other hand felt relieved to see the crazy lune, just the very thought of discussing his feelings for Akane made him quake, but, he was hoping that Kodachi would begin bickering enough to ruin the moment and have Akane send the deranged Kuno member flying into the atmosphere. That or have his legs recover enough to deal with Kodachi or run away from the discussion at hand. "K-Kodachi?"

"Oh, my darest Ranma!" Kodachi swooned, clapping her hands together before flashing over to Ranma's side and taking his hands into her, nuzzling her cheek into his hands. "How I've longed for your touch..."

Ranma, of course, felt as though her affection was like driving pin needles into his hands, but, then again the same effect might have occurred had Ranma not been in such a fragile state. "L-Let go!"

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Akane felt vein threaten to pop from her forehead, "Don't ignore me!" she exclaimed, towering over Kodachi and glaring her down. Though she was giving her most threatening death glare, she noticed even then, Kodachi didn't seem bothered by he intimidation tactics. In fact, she seemed to be treating her like a pest, which only served to further enrage Akane.

"Am I to assume you wish to fight for my beloved?" Kodachi asked, now entering her smug mode, which was probably the same as regular Kodachi.

"No! I'm going to fight you because you're not welcomed here!" Akane shouted back.

"You protest too much... that will be your downfall," Kodachi stated before jumping back and gaining some distance between her and Akane, reaching behind her and pulling out gymnastics ribbon. 'I was right to have taken a few classes in hidden weapons gymnastics,' Kodachi thought.

Akane rose to her feet and readied herself, this wouldn't be over as quickly as she would like but she was sure in the end that she would triumph. Kodachi's skills were much like Kuno's, but, perhaps weaker in some sense. "Come at me!"

Kodachi pulled on her ribbon before charging in and whipping at the blue haired girl, most of her attacks didn't land but she could tell that Akane was having a difficult time trying to counter. That was only working towards her advantage, there was only so much one could dodge before slipping.

"Wha!" Akane screamed, avoiding a jab from Kodachi's ribbon which could have resulted in death had she not dodged the ribbon, her head would have been in place of the crater that Kodachi's attack left on the wall. Akane looked away from Kodachi for a brief second to see that jagged pieces of wood fell from the impact point. 'Should have known...'

"Byahahaha!" Kodachi cackled as she placed the back of her palm to her hand.

Ranma took a deep breath and managed to focus his body enough to get on his hands and knees, the experience was a little more than agonizing, but, when dealing with the psychopaths at Nerima, one tends to grow a strong resilience to pain. 'Just got-gotta' sneak out, come on Saotome...' Ranma thought as he forced himself to continue. "Ah!" Ranma screamed as his legs gave out. 'Damn it Ryoga... way to screw me over...'

Akane and Kodachi continued their song and dance, mostly Akane dodging and weaving Kodachi's ribbon jabs; completely oblivious to the fact that Ranma was trying to escape. From the side view of their battle, one would mistake Kodachi's quick attacks as blurs that, giving the appearance of moving so fast that her attacks appeared to have afterimages, but, the real case was that she was simply using a trick that showed that she was using more than one ribbon.

That made Akane's task of defeating her all the more difficult, but, she would persevere, this was a battle she would give her all. "Enough!" Akane exclaimed, reaching for one of the ribbons and tugging it forward, pulling it while being mindful of her opponents other weapons.

Kodachi shrieked when Akane pulled one of her ribbons, revealing her trick. "Ah, think we're clever, huh?" she smirked, having dropped all her spare ribbons in the process. "No matter... one or thousand, your skills fall far behind mine."

Akane narrowed her eyes to a dangerous degree, if there was anything she hated it was being mocked about her skills. Ranma had a certain pass to do so and even then she enforced some punishment if he went too far. "Just fight me!" Akane grunted, now taking her offense stance, letting her rage take over she commenced her onslaught of fierce punches.

Kodachi countered most of her attacks with her limber gymnastics, continuing to mock the blue haired girl as he even sent counter attacks but they did little to stop the rampaging Tendo girl. At about seventeenth punch was thrown at her, Kodachi countered Akane's attack by wrapping her ribbon around the forearm of the middle Tendo sister, but, that proved to be a costly mistake.

Akane's eyes widened when her window of opportunity came, she jolted her arm around and tightened the ribbon's hold on her forearm, using her immense strength Akane reeled in her opponent in order slam her fist directly to Kodachi's face, her face caving in ever so slightly as she was sent flying backwards into the fence, causing the fence to crackle and gave way to Kodachi's pressure.

The blue haired girl bent her knees and gasped for breath, her sore body having taken a good deal of damage. "And stay down..." Akane stated, before standing straight up and wiping the sweat from her brow. Using her mallet so many times in one day took it's toll on the Tendo girl.

Ranma came crawling out of the dojo, just in time to see the conclusion of Akane's and Kodachi's battle. Ranma was relieved to see that Akane could handle herself, hopefully Akane's fight took away all her will to continue their previous conversation. "Way to go, Kane'..."

"Not so fast..." Kodachi said meekly as she rose to her feet, knees wobbling before coming to a complete stand. "The Kuno household is also known for enduring pain..." Kodachi groaned while looking around, when she looked to her side she noticed that her ribbon had been thrown nearby, within arms reach.

"Damn it..." Ranma grunted he may not have wanted to talk to Akane about their feelings for each other but he also didn't want her battered and bruised for his sake.

Kodachi stood to her feet and tightened her hold on her ribbon, causing it to making a whipping sound. It was then that she charged at the blue haired girl, dropping her arms to the side, when she was close to the discarded ribbons she reached for one, now duel wielding ribbons.

Akane although being forced with in a difficult position raised her arms in defense. There wasn't much she could do at this very moment, since her reserve had been wasted giving Kodachi all those mallets, only to have one hit her dead center in the face; with a fist print to prove it.

Ranma urged his body to respond, but all he was able to do was enter a kneeling position, showing signs of recovery. "Don-"

Before anyone knew what was happening, a huge spatula came soaring through the air and hitting the ground in between Kodachi and Akane. Ukyo then swiftly changed the direction of her attack to Kodachi 'Missed ya' the first time, I ain't missin' this time, sugar!' Ukyo thought.

Kodachi diverted the spatula's attack by flexing her wrist and snapping the one of the ribbons in her hands, triggering a mechanism that stiffens the ribbon to a solid pole-like weapon. Kodachi quickly backed away from the chef, preparing herself for another battle. "I should have known the unworthy would challenge me!"

"Who are you calling, unworthy?" Ukyo demanded, swinging her spatula at Kodachi. The nerve of this woman, she was going to pay dearly for making her look like a fool. She had insulted her cooking, mocked her, took her knowledge of events and used it for her own gain, she was going to feel the cold end of her spatula, no matter how ridiculous her weapon was it would still do the job.

Kodachi could really only defend at the moment, the hulking mass of a weapon Ukyo was using made it hard to counter with just modified ribbons.

Akane sighed in content, there were certain perks to some manics, especially when they came to rescue you from a crazy gymnast. Akane sought some way to reach the back porch, maybe those two would defeat each other and allow her a chance to rest.

"Come on, Kodachi... hold your own, just enough for me to come and get you after," Akane mumbled with a disgruntled look.

Kodachi dodged another sideways slash before seeing that Ukyo reeled back her spatula, probably aiming to bring it down on her. Quickly she whipped her ribbons around the handle of the spatula and made it change directions, allowing Kodachi a chance to bring her foot against Ukyo's side, erupting a groan of pain from the okonomiyaki chef. That did little to keep her from attacking, regaining her wits she pulled her spatula back; releasing it from Kodachi's bind, she brought her spatula back over her shoulders and with much more force and speed attempted to bring her spatula back down on the eccentric rich girl.

Ukyo's weapon was met with Kodachi's ribbons as she crossed them in an X-formation, but they only held for an eighth of a second before giving way, breaking through her defenses and sending her skidding across the Tendo grounds, her clothes becoming tattered and torn as she did so.

Ranma noticed all this and stood to his feet now, "Stop this and get outta' here!" Ranma demanded, but, his pleas fell on deaf ears, since Ukyo hadn't even paid Ranma the slightest attention. She was his pretty fiance and she knew that sometimes she had to make decisions for her husband, since Ranma was known for making wrong choices. "Ranma, you can't make the right choices anymore and the only way to get through your thick skull is by getting rid of the competition," Ukyo exclaimed, dashing towards Akane.

Ranma gasped as he began trying to run over to Akane, though his legs thought otherwise, keeping him from advancing any further he noticed that he certainly wouldn't make it on time.

'Damn it, not enough time!' Akane thought as she saw that Ukyo ascended to the sky and was aiming to bring her finishing move on Akane. Though that move never came as she opened her eyes to see that Ukyo had been hit by a ball in mid-air, comically slapping her in the face and sending her into the nearby koi pond.

The splash from the koi rod shot out and sprayed over Ranma, reverting him back to his girl form and pushing him back enough to make him land on his butt or rather 'her' butt. "Argh..." Ranma groaned, her body trembling slightly as she held in her pain.

Akane looked in the direction from where the ball was thrown and saw that Kodachi had been standing on one knee, smirking as she too was trembling slightly. "You'd be wise not to ignore a Kuno..."

After the splash, Ukyo popped up from the water, her eyes as thin as pin needles, "Just stay down, ya' parasite!" digging into the koi pond Ukyo reached for her oversized spatula; going for the kill.

Planning on using her finishing move on Kodachi instead. Akane could wait, this woman needed to pay for being such a thorn in her sides.

"Take this!"

Kodachi reached for her other ribbon and quickly snapped it into a pole, planning on just dodging the spatula in mid-air and slapping Ukyo down with it, if she could pull such a feat off in her condition, but, since she was a Kuno she lacked the basic thought process to release that her plan would more than likely fail.

However, before the two could collide, a yellow blur passed between the two and reached it's arms out, grabbing the two by the wrists and completely by surprise, it began twisting them around in circles before releasing them one after the other, launching them into the sky and away from the Tendo household.

Ryoga raised his head as he came to a halt, looking into the sky to see that Ukyo and Kodachi were now nothing but mere twinkles in the sky.

"R-Ryoga?" Akane asked, "but w-when?"

"Just a few seconds before all this." Ryoga replied, then looked towards Ranma. There she was, the fantasy girl that was now realized to be Ryoga's one weakness; a false woman.

Ranma looked towards Ryoga and felt a ping of jealousy for having lost to the lost boy. Though she wasn't allowed much time to think of anything to say before Ryoga went over to her, picker her up into his arms; bridal style. "W-What're you doin'?" Ranma demanded, feeling her cheeks redden.

"You're wet and you're still in pain from my technique, you need to get inside," Ryoga explained, then looked towards Akane. "Akane, can you still walk?"

Akane watched the strange little display of affection between the two, but, throughout it all, she noticed a cold indifference emitting from Ryoga's person. It seemed as though he were crying out for attention, crying out for Ranma's attention. It made no sense to her, how could he be this way towards Ranma? It must have been her imagination, while shaking her head she heard Ryoga call to her.

"Uh... I think I can..." she replied, wobbling before eventually maintaining her balance.

It was then that Kasumi made her presence known, "My... such a mess, I suppose I should clean this." she stated, now dressed in her normal attire.

"Sorry, Kasumi..." Akane apologized, lowering her head a bit.

"It's okay, Akane. When you've had Ranma in your life long enough, you get used to all his social norms." Kasumi stated. "Ryoga, please get Ranma to her room, she needs to rest."

The entire time that Akane and Kasumi had been talking, Ryoga had kept his eyes squarely on Ranma. Ranma could only lean her head back and avoid eye contact since the situation was making her feel awkward. It also didn't help that she was about as red as her hair color. "S-stop staring..."

Ryoga averted his eyes and now came to realize that he was staring, a tinge of red gracing his cheeks as he stood there. His heart thumping a million miles per second and not easing up anytime soon, but, he forced his cold indifference back and looked towards Ranma's room.

Ranma crossed her arms and looked to the side, feeling rather weak since she needed a guy to carry her, especially when she was in her girl form. Ranma was supposed to be the man amongst men and here she was playing the damsel in distress, life liked to mock her sometimes and honestly she was getting feud up with it. Ranma then gasped as she felt Ryoga begin to walk them over to her room, out of instinct she wrapped her arms around Ryoga's neck, leaning into him.

The hairs on Ryoga's neck stood up like pin needles, but, he managed to maintain his composure and continue.

For Ranma, now that was a different story, she noticed her actions and immediately wanted to retract her arms, but knew if she did she could possibly cause them to lose balance and make him drop her.

That little stunt Ranma pulled ended up resurfacing some of Ryoga's recent memories, the memories of a certain dream he had just had. It gave him a sense of longing, longing for that red headed girl he knew he couldn't have, to him, it felt as though the world around him had become pitch black, except for the small stage light that surrounded him and Ranma. This moment felt familiar, like all those times he had saved Akane, only to realize that even though she was right within his grasp, he could never really reach her.

Now Ranma and Ryoga were traveling up the stairs, Ryoga's face devoid of emotion as he carried the frustrated red head. Ranma honestly didn't want anything to be said, she just wanted to get back on her feet and go on about as they had been before this entire mess. Although she wanted to blame Ryoga for everything, he still ended up saving them, so, she had to be thankful.

Images of his dream continued to flash through Ryoga's mind, bombarding him over and over again like dozens of drops of water. Making him take deep and shallow breathes, shallow breathes which caught the attention of Ranma.

"Why are you outta' breath?" Ranma asked, tugging at her collar and avoiding his eyes.

When Ryoga looked to her, all he could see was those radiant blue eyes, those eyes that called out to him. Those eyes that helped to clear the skies, those eyes that made him feel weak. 'Damn it, Ryoga... calm down, she's asking you something...' Ryoga thought, lingering on Ranma's question.

He couldn't out right say that she took his breath away, that would be too cheesy and probably keep Ranma away from him forever as if he needed any more pain in his life.

"I-I don't know, Saotome... just focus on your own health before you worry about mine." he countered as they now stood before Ranma door, using his foot, Ryoga quickly slide the door open and walked into the room.

"Jeez... I was just wonderin' is all..." Ranma pouted.

As they neared Ranma's futon, Ryoga gently placed her down. Feeling rather cold as Ranma slipped her arms away from his neck, "Just keep your mouth shut..." Ryoga growled.

"Whatcha gonna' do if I don't, huh?" Ranma shot back, remaining strong, even in her weakened state.

Ryoga grits his teeth before meeting Ranma's eyes, engaging in another one of their famous stare down scenes. Ryoga relaxed his demeanor and returned to his cold expression; featureless. "I'll put it to better use then..."

"Huh?" Ranma blinked.

Before she knew it, Ryoga placed his hand on her cheek and leaned his lips over to hers, pressing his over hers. This level of intimacy was reserved for couples, yet, Ryoga was doing it to Ranma like he was meant to do this one specific task in life.

Ranma's pig tail rose up behind her, her eyes widening before she took on a stone like an appearance.

Ryoga parted his lips from Ranma's for a second, only to return back to the task at hand. It only served to make Ranma even redder, since she still didn't have a response to this moment. Everything that was going on was too much for her mind to process or try to even accept as fact.

Pulling his head back, Ryoga with a timid look on his face rose to his feet and left the room. His head refusing to raise as he left the room with a serious but somewhat down casted look; the look he would have when he was depressed about Akane.

Ranma laid in a still silence, softening her facial features and turning to lay on her side. The numbing pain was the least of her worries because now she knew that Ryoga was probably going to pull another 'kiss' . Why didn't it frighten her as much as it should have? Why was that all she wanted to do was lay there and think? 'Why...? Why do that you big stupid pig? Ya' don't even have an excuse for this...' Ranma thought.

In the past there was usually some excuse for Ryoga kissing her, but, what was the excuse for this? Mulling it over, Ranma was unable to come to a conclusion, which frankly scared her.

"He can't like me... cause I'm a guy... right?" she whispered to herself as she stared at the futon beneath her.

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Now here's a joke for all of you. A parody of a scene from this chapter.

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As Kodachi and Ukyo flew through the sky, Kodachi held her hands down to her skirt. "Looks like we're blasting off again!"

"Meowth, that's right!" Ukyo shouted.