After everything that happened, all Ranma could do what wonder why her thirst for skill and knowledge drove her to these lengths or rather that's what she had hoped for, the alternative meant that she was legitimately 'interested' in the formerly lost boy. 'I swear either he's weirdly charming or I'm going nuts...' Ranma thought.

Why was this even something for her to wonder? Why did she kiss him with such vigor? Ranma's mental barriers came to the rescue, 'Damn it... am I really letting him kiss me cause I feel bad for em...? There can't be any other reason...' Ranma thought, trying to reason with herself.

Cold as steel was the best way to describe Ranma's expression, a blush rising to her face as though it were the tip of a thermometer. Ranma slapped the sides of her face, closing her eyes as she brought peace to the storm in her head by clearing her thoughts. Simultaneously walking and forgetting the world around her, while still aware of where she was heading.

Her breathing was tempered and even, obviously someone who wasn't a stranger to the practice. Tilting her head back she allowed herself a deep intake of air, her mind projecting only the essentials for her to return home safely.

Gentle winds caressed her neck, sending shivers down her spine as her mind tried only to project herself and the ground beneath her, the winds tinged her love mark left over from Ryoga's silence negotiation. Against her own wishes, her desires produced a glowing version of Ryoga, coming to life as if he were a spirit.

Desperately she fought off this manifestation of her confusion, it was as if the mental image of Ryoga was the actual Ryoga. His face portraying someone who had just been reunited with someone they held dear.

Hands rested on Ranma's shoulders, she tensed, her eyes trembled and eventually squinted, gritting her teeth. Seconds after the spectral vision of Ryoga shut his eyes, he leaned his lips over to her neck, pecking her softly on the neck, savoring each moment.

Ranma was aware of everything going on but found that she had no power over her wants. For her, it was like she was watching herself through a TV monitor. She took a sharp gasp and stopped to slap herself, "And I agreed to a date with Ryoga..." Ranma mumbled.

As much as she wanted to deny the current situation she would just have to make due, there was something in it for her. She dragged herself into this mess, now it was the time she owned up. Those thoughts alone chilled Ranma to her very core.

What exactly was supposed to happen on this date? How much exactly did Ranma enjoy kissing the lost boy? Seriously pondering her situation Ranma also knew that she'd have to explain what exactly their kiss meant.

"Damn it... what did it mean...? I kissed him and... I..." she choked, then looked out in front of her as she had one hand holding the side of her head.

Before she knew it she saw the clearing that leads to her home, she exhaled deeply before traversing the field of lightly dancing grass blades.

----------------------------------------

Cologne & Mousse

Trying with all his might not to make a single sound, the long haired master of the hidden weapon listened in on Cologne's call. His curiosity getting the better of him, 'I wonder if it's anything that involves my dear Shampoo...' Mousse pondered briefly as he heard the elder continue her conversation.

All he could hear was the faint echo of a voice on the other end of the phone, patiently he waited for her to begin. "I've spoken with the elders and we can arrange for you to use the Pot of Liberation, but in exchange, we'd like to borrow your Pail of Preservation..." Cologne replied, crossing her arms and pushing the phone up against her ear with her shoulder.

A deafening silence filled the air, Mousse almost certain he had been caught with how long it had been taking, that was until he heard an echo from the phone, "Let's arrange a meeting... I can assure you that this child is worth it, the oracles have sensed his potential..." Cologne said, her voice urging whoever was on the other line to agree.

"Thank you, Lord Herb..." the aged Amazon said after a short time.

----------------------------------------

Ryoga

At the verge of skipping back to the construction site, Ryoga's arm hung limply at his sides, dangling like wet noodles, "I've got a date, with Ranma..." he mumbled in a delightful stupor.

"Ryoga!" Chingensai hollered, trying to catch Ryoga's attention by waving his arm about.

"So...? How'd it go?" Matsu asked, also waving to the lost boy as well, recognizing a sincere smile on the lost boy's face.

"How about you let me go!?" Happosai ordered, flailing his stumpy feet around as he fought against the restraints tightened by Chingensai and Matsu. It proved to be enough with how The Master's efforts seemed fruitless.

Ryoga found himself at a loss for words and blushed heavily, then averted his gaze from the two as he recalled his and Chingensai's most recent conversation, "I was just saying good night..." Ryoga smiled as they saw him scratch the side of his cheek with his index finger.

"Hey! Don't ignore me...!" Happosai cried and then looked to Ryoga, genuinely smiling at the lost boy for having such tastes in women.

It was met with a cold shoulder from the lost boy, letting him know how deeply Ryoga's respect for him had fallen. The aged master of construction felt his eyes grow to the size of dinner plates, "Oh come on...! Ryoga! I'm your master too! You're so mean!" he exclaimed, throwing a tantrum from Ryoga's attitude towards him.

He closed his eyes for a second before sighing deeply, opening them once more he stared at Happosai with a stern demeanor, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Don't you mind Happy, Ryoga..." Matsu assured, looking to Chingensai who in turn nodded his head at the same moment Matsu did. The middle-aged helper balanced Happosai so that Chingensai could carry the disrespectful elder; firemen style.

Ryoga watched as Chingensai took the fussy teacher away from the two, eventually leaving their sight.

Clearing his throat, Matsu offered his student a warm smile, "So... how'd it go?" Matsu asked, trying to nonchalantly bring up the topic by rubbing the side of his face as if it were a genie's lamp.

"Well, now that Chingensai's gone..." he jolted his head from right, then to the left. "I have a date with Ranma and I really need your help, Master!" Ryoga said, suddenly getting very serious as he for some reason was now a few inches away from Matsu.

He appeared shocked to see such a sudden transition but cleared his throat and blushed faintly, "Oh? Isn't Ranma actually a man?" Matsu investigated, trying to get some answers in his own subtle way.

"He is..." Ryoga replied, looking down to the ground as his own blushed was added.

"You managed to change his mind about you?"

"I wouldn't say that..." Ryoga answered, not sure on how to proceed with his explanation.

This pause did not go unnoticed as Matsu's gaze focused on Ryoga, taking what the lost boy had said into account, he was able to deduce that it was more complicated than he was letting on. "Ryoga... is something wrong?"

"Not really... I just have a date tomorrow and I have no idea what to do or have any money ..." Ryoga admitted, rubbing the back of his head and laughing nervously, having an "Oh, boy" expression.

Matsu prepared himself for what he was about to do, exhaling he looked up to Ryoga and reached into his pocket, digging around he retrieved his wallet.

Ryoga took a step back, watching the old man hand him a moderate stack of yuan notes. Gently he reached out for it, taking it in one hand and eyeing it, unsure of how to react; the lost boy settled for a simple sign of gratitude. "T-Thank you! Master Matsu!" Ryoga said, showing his appreciation with a bow of his head.

"I'm glad I could help... there is something I want you to do in exchange, though..." Matsu began, stuffing his wallet in his overalls.

"Huh?" Ryoga gawked, unsure as to what the master could possibly want.

"Tell me what's been bothering you, something tells me you've had a talk with Chingensai..." Matsu said, trying to make it seem as though he wasn't in some way bothered that Chingensai managed to get to Ryoga first. He chalked it up to convenient timing.

"S-sorry..." Ryoga gulped, feeling a little ashamed but had honestly just gotten into the moment.

"I guess... I could tell you what I told him..."

----------------------------------------

Ranma

A buzzing digital alarm went off, a snoring female Ranma, however, paid it no mind, more than likely too deep into a dream or trying to develop bedsores due to an occasional bout of laziness. The pitter-patter sounds of footsteps ran around Ranma, doing little to wake the heavy sleeper.

"Moooom!" a voice whined as it grew closer, opening the sliding door as the owner of said voice looked to a woman resting in a queen sized bed with jade colored, silk bedsheets.

Ranma stirred in her bed and groaned, turning away to hug her tiny green throw pillow.

"Oh mom... you don't need a dream to be thinking about dad..." the voice said in a sing-songy tone.

Stirring in her bed for a second the redheaded beauty sat up from her bed, bags under her eyes as she revealed herself to have been sleeping in red adult pajamas,"What're you on about?" Ranma asked, waking up in a groggy state.

Looking right back at her was an almost mirror like image of the redhead, there was just one noticeable difference that stood out to Ranma. The girl's hair was jet black, her eyes were filled with almost primal levels of savagery.

"What? Something wrong, mom?"

"Mom?" Ranma gawked then looked in her room, spotting a vanity mirror directly across from her, atop a dresser. She saw the similarities the two shared, they were undeniable.

"Hitomi...!? Is Ranma up yet? I sent you up there to get her half an hour ago!" Ryoga's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Uh...Dad! I think something's wrong with mom!" she commented, looking to the redhead and stopping at the side of her bed.

It was as if Ranma had become a dial tone, unsure of what to say at the mention of Ryoga being her husband. "Dad!? " Ranma's eyes came to life as she leaned away, trying to grab the sheets to hide.

"What do you mean, something's up? What's wrong with my Ranma!?" Ryoga cried, heavy footsteps were heard thudding loudly until Ryoga opened the door to the room.

The man that stood before the two nearly identical girls was Ryoga. Dressed in a matching set of pajamas, his, however, were an almost beige colored yellow pair of pjs.

Only able to stare, Ranma felt the heat rising to her cheeks, this was the man she had chosen to be with her but something was off, she just couldn't put the logic together as to why she felt the way she did, was she just really that enamored with him that the very sight of him caused her to become speechless?

Dashing to Ranma's side, he took the Crimson beauty's small hands in his,"Ranma... are you alright?" he asked, the concern on his face so evident it made Ranma bashfully avert hers.

"Aw... you two are sooo cute!" Hitomi declared, clapping her hands together.

"Sorry for not checking in on you myself, I was making breakfast..." Ryoga apologized, his eyes trembled with worry as his hands gave hers a soft but reassuring squeeze.

"My bad! I got lost on my way here and..." Hitomi sighed, her hand to the side of her head as she sighed, one of her small fangs poking out from the corner of her lips.

To which Ryoga responded with a sigh of minor irritation, he lowered his head with his eyes closed and was about to speak up until he felt Ranma slip her hand free from one of his.

"Ryoga?" Ranma questioned, looking him in the eyes and remembering something from the real world. It was an image of her and him kissing in what appeared to be a dirt hole.

"R-Ranma?" Ryoga stuttered, looking unsure of her actions.

"Ya' worry too much..." Ranma replied, blushing a little and closing her eyes as her head tilted down.

"Only because it's you..." Ryoga said, smiling gently as he leaned in and captured her lips, causing her pigtail to raise as though it were a scorpion's tail, poised to strike.

Hitomi held back some feelings of giddiness, probably overstaying her welcome as she quietly made her way through the door. Leaving the two to their display of affection.

She kissed the raven haired teen as intensely as she had when she fell into the dirt hole...

Ranma's real world thoughts flooding her mind, even the date that she had planned with him from their last meeting. She sat up on her futon and looked at the sheets in front of her, with her mind in a daze she expected to be looking into a mirror, instead, she found herself looking at the closet in her room.

Ranma panicked and placed her hand on the side of her face, confusion and worry losing intensity as she gathered herself. The thoughts of her recent dream scattered into the void that was her memory, all she knew was that there was this girl that looked as though she were Ranma's girl side with black hair and no pigtail.

"W-what was I...? Who is that...?" she closed her eyes shut and sighed, losing her train of thought and allowing herself to fall back onto her futon, one hand clasped over her head as if she were checking her own temperature.

Ranma... I want to go on a date with you!

Her mind projected Ryoga's words into her head, it bounced around in Ranma's, reminding the girl of what was to come. Her heart sounded like a beating drum in her chest.

'I have to get ready for a date...' Ranma thought.

She stared vacantly at her ceiling, closing her eyes before breathing through her nose.

----------------------------------------

The morning sun peeked its head out from the horizon, its gradual rise eventually reached such a point that the elders, not excluding one lost boy began to stir. From inside Ryoga's tent, the lost boy pushed open his flap and stood up straight, "I've got my date today!" Ryoga exclaimed and then went over to the identical tent next to his.

"Master Matsu!"

"Ya' sure you'd rather not get dressed before asking someone to wake up...?" Chingensai chuckled tiredly, coming to a standing position as he exited his own tent, dressed in pair red footy pajamas.

Ryoga looked down himself and blushed, wearing nothing but his underclothes. "Probably right..." Ryoga commented, going over to the camping bag nearby, taking from it a spare set of clothing.

From inside the tent, the lost boy was calling to, Matsu stirred, tossing and turning, the sound of Ryoga's voice echoed in his mind, finally various phrases from Ryoga swarmed his mind but only one really caught his attention on the second time of hearing it.

"They're a perfect mix between soft and firm!"

Shooting up from his sudden realization he looked to where he heard Ryoga, 'Huh...' Matsu thought, then looked down to his feet and proceeded to exit his tent.

On a tree with a small hand mirror nailed to, Ryoga's reflection stared back at him as he brushed his teeth. He drank from his rinse cup and gargled loudly before spitting down onto the ground below him.

"You're looking rather nice..." Matsu commented, standing not but a few yards away from the boy clad in yellow.

"T-This thing? It's just the only one I've never used is all..." Ryoga admitted, putting his rinse cup down on a conveniently table sized stump right next to the tree.

"I doubt Ranma will care much... might even appreciate it..." Matsu commented as he saw Ryoga examining himself in the mirror, going as far as checking his teeth for anything stuck in them.

"Well... now that we've had our little talk... something just occurred to me, Ryoga..." Matsu smiled knowingly, the effect not missed on Ryoga.

"O-oh...?" Ryoga asked with a quizzical look on his face.

"How do you know exactly how Ranma's breasts feel?" Matsu quirked a brow, a small smile creeping onto his face.

"O-oh that... w-well..." Ryoga began, rolling his eyes away from Matsu.

A moonlit night was upon the Saotome's home, giving it a faded almost ghost-like glow. From just outside a small doggy door was seen flapping shut.

"Bwee..." P-chan mumbled as he trotted around with tired and half-lidded eyes, he hopped up and through a plastic mudflap, entering their small shack they called their home.

In Ranma's room, the redhead was seen resting on her back, exhaling and inhaling deeply. the small pig entered the room via another small doggy door, hopping into Ranma's room and trotting over to the gently sleeping beauty, truly a sleeping beauty in the eyes of the small hog that noticed that she had sprawled her limbs out, leaving herself uncovered made his way over and with his eyes closed, grabbing the edge of Ranma's blanket and attempting to tuck the girl in, however, upon reaching mid-section the dark colored piglet felt his teethes grasp losing the blanket.

The small pig entered the room via another small doggy door, hopping into Ranma's room and walk past the gently sleeping beauty, truly a sight for sore eyes for the little hog. He saw that she had sprawled her arms and legs all over the bed, leaving herself uncovered. He made his way over with his eyes closed, grabbing the edge of Ranma's blanket, attempting to tuck her in, however, upon reaching her mid-section the dark colored piglet felt his teeth losing grasp of the blanket.

Groans vibrated in Ranma's throat as she turned onto her side, her arm flopping onto Ryoga's back. This shocked the cursed animal enough to look over his shoulder, 'Did I wake Ranma!?' he thought frantically.

"Bwee!" P-chan squealed, suddenly being pulled into Ranma's arms, the pig flailed his front hoofs, until he was met with the cushy but firm feeling of his entire body pressing against that of the woman he so desperately wanted.

"I deserve this... trophy..." Ranma mumbled in her sleep as said trophy found itself paralyzed, pressed firmly into her breasts. Inside of the pig's head, it began to familiarize the curvature of Ranma's dirty pillows.

A small trickle of blood leaked from the snout of the little black pig.

"I-I was honestly expecting something else, really..." Matsu chuckled as he had honestly expected to lecture the lost boy on decent manners.

Ryoga paused, stupefied, blinking in confusion shortly after, "Like what?" he asked.

Matsu had hoped to avoid having to provide any examples so he opted to try and dodge the question, "S-so what do you have in mind for your date?" Matsu questioned, knowing that if anything could derail a topic for a love-struck teen, it was the object of their affection.

"T-that! W-well... I was thinking we'd go into town or something... see what comes up..." the raven haired teen answered, twiddling his fingers together.

"How about a suggestion?" Matsu asked cautiously, though calmly as to gently nudge the boy, who in his honest opinion could probably stand to use some advice.

Ryoga's eyes widened as he blinked in confusion, "What do you have in mind?"

----------------------------------------

Mousse

Most people after getting such valuable information would run off to find the highest bidder, however, the information he stumbled across had many pros and cons to mull over. His biggest concern was always Shampoo and her feelings towards him, he knew that deep down there must have been some sign of tender feelings for him.

Mousse exited his rather average but square shaped concrete home, "I couldn't even sleep last night... what should I do...?" he whined, his glasses tipping down.

"Mousse! Morning!" a woman called to him from over her shoulder, dressed in a faded pink kimono, one of her long brown bangs hung over her wide set of glasses, kneading what Mousse was sure was dough.

She rubbed her sharp chin onto her shoulder to wipe off some baking powder off, "You still planning on marrying that Shampoo girl, aren't you?" she asked, having a light bit of optimism for her son's capabilities.

"Y-yeah... you know me..." Mousse replied nervously, his arms to his sides, an anime sweatdrop forming on the side of his head.

"Word around the village is that Shampoo has been beaten by some foreigner..." she mumbled, stopping Mousse in his tracks.

"I-I'm working on that, you have my word..." Mousse replied, his lips pursed as he felt the sting of truth in her words.

"Well..." she mumbled looked up to the sky, presumably looking to her son from the corner of her eye given how her head was tilted slightly to his direction. "A mother needs to know their son is in good hands before she moves on..." she finished, sounding as though she were choking on her own words.

"Ma! Don't say things like that!" Mousse cried before raising his arms, hugging his mother from the side, causing her to chuckle timidly.

"You're like your father! I swear!" she exclaimed, still laughing, just a little.

Mousse soon after joined her, laughing with worry but with hope in his eyes, 'I've made up my mind...' Mousse thought as he closed his eyes and vowed inwardly that not only would he do this for his sake but for his mother's sake as well.

'Never thought I'd have to help an outsider...'

----------------------------------------

Ranma

Walking along the dirt path to the construction site, the pigtailed girl swayed her arms to her side, not really choosing anything fancy for her evening with Ryoga, 'He wants Ranma... he gets Ranma...' she thought, although it was meant to come out as more dramatic, to Ranma it sounded a little too suggestive for her liking.

"Wouldn't be the first time..." Ranma mumbled, putting one hand to her mouth and contemplating her situation again, 'Do I really want...' Ranma stuttered in her thoughts, a see-through image of her and the boy clad in yellow popping into her mind.

"Oo!? Remember me!?" Happosai exclaimed as he leaped out from one of the trees above, behind Ranma. His pupils moving about as though they were guided by a computer targeting systems, crosshairs locking onto their targets; Ranma's rear.

Like a cheetah getting caught off guard, she spun herself around as fast as she could, pivoting on her heel. She raised her knee up to her stomach she shot her leg back, heel kicking the old pervert several yards away before his back smacked into a tree branch, leading to him falling onto another branch just below the first one.

"Hope you like feet! Ya' dried up geezer!" Ranma screamed, shaking a fist at Happosai.

"There he is!" Chingensai exclaimed, running over to Happosai, rope in hand as he landed on the ground and quickly got to work, acting as though he were like a very hairy spider, cocooning the annoying fly that was Happosai.

"Ranma!" Ryoga's voice called out from further down the path, with Matsu following closely behind.

"Ryoga?" Ranma blinked then grinned and waved to the lost boy.

"Did he touch you again!?" Ryoga asked, his expression akin to that of a wild wolf ready to sink its teeth into whoever dared touch his mate.

"I took care of it..." Ranma replied, crossing her arms and pointed with her thumb to Happosai over her shoulder, meeting Ryoga's eyes with a hard stare.

Even before Ranma spoke he was able to see Chingensai attempting to cocoon the sexual deviant he was forced to call master. Chingensai's jaw hung open as a look of shame overtook him.

"Again... we're really sorry..." Matsu pleaded, clasping his hands together. Hoping this incident need not escalate.

" Hey! Lemme' go!" Happosai yelled, fighting against his restraints but much like the insects before him in cocoons, he could only struggle.

"Please ignore him, Ranma..." Ryoga's head tilted downward a little, his eyes bashfully evading Ranma's whenever they'd meet.

Ranma instantly knew the atmosphere Ryoga was trying to set, she was unsure of how to react or how someone was supposed to act on a date, well, aside from hand holding and kissing. "It doesn't matter... let's just go on our date or whatever..." Ranma muttered, clearing her throat she took Ryoga's hand by his wrist.

"I don't blame em'!" Chingensai shouted as he waved the two off with one hand, the other tugging on the rope that constricted mummified elder.

Surprised was putting Ryoga's mood mildly, to think Ranma would take his hand this suddenly and in front of others. It was a safe bet to assume that Ryoga was on cloud nine.

----------------------------------------

Ranma & Ryoga

At peace was the way best way to describe Ryoga's mindset, 'It's not actually hand holding but I don't care...' Ryoga thought in an almost giddy sounding manner while Ranma lead them on the dirt road to Joketsuzoku.

Once at a safe enough distance, Ranma looked over her shoulder to sigh as she felt they'd at least have a little time to try and escape if the old pervert came skulking about, "Geez... I hate that old fart..." Ranma said aloud, knowing that Ryoga was more or less alright with her saying so.

Not hearing from Ryoga immediately, the pigtailed girl was met with the sight of a blushing boy, his eyes averted from hers as though just saw or did something he shouldn't have. Her eyes traced the source, she noticed it was her hand holding his. Her initial reaction was to retract her hand as if she had just touched a hot iron but before she could, Ryoga's hand caught hers.

"Huh?" Ranma blinked, seeing her hand in his.

Ryoga looked up to the pigtailed girl as she mirrored his actions, their faces, however, told different stories. Ranma's was filled with shock and a light coloring to her cheeks, whereas the raven haired teen looked shy and bashful. "I-I was thinking since this is a date..." Ryoga began but immediately started to lose steam as he tried to force his words through.

Presented with this opportunity, Ranma panicked inwardly. Here she was with the chance to show a sign of actual emotion and before she was allowed to actually make a choice, she felt the lost boy's hand begin to slip free.

"S-sorry... I didn't mean-" Ryoga wasn't able to finish his apology as he felt Ranma's hand squeeze his.

"It's okay... maybe for just for a little..."

"R-Really?" Ryoga blushed, raising his head up to no longer cover his eyes, a deep shade of red on his cheeks.

"Y-yeah... it's just like when I was teaching you about things and how to walk and stuff..." Ranma replied nervously, with her free hand she scratched her cheek, not wanting to meet his gaze.

----------------------------------------

Happosai

Happosai hung from a steel girder stuck into the ground, looking as though he was going to be crucified for his actions against their comrade and his supposed true love. To think he had fallen so far as to being bound to a piece of metal like some shriveled up old hot-dog roasting over the flames of his own annoyance.

"Aw... come on guys! I have to go to the bathroom! Please!" the dried up elder cried.

Two vague images were seen darting around Happosai, the two being familiar looking co-workers. One suddenly stopped, "Of course, old friend!" Chingensai said, sounding forgiving as he turned to him with a smile.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

To say Happosai was delighted was an understatement,"Oh! Thank you! I knew I could count on ya'-" he paused to hear a shushing sound, he looked down to see that Chingensai was asking him to be quiet, confusing the creepy old man.

Seeing that they were on the same page he dropped his hand and smirked, "Right after Ryoga's date with Ranma!Ho-ho!" he laughed, before getting back to what he was doing.

"That's no fair! Gettin' my hopes up! You backstabbing dwarf!" Happosai barked, fighting against his bindings but only ended up jostling the rope around.

All he could think about was how touching Ranma didn't actually count as him touching a woman inappropriately, since, in actuality, she was, in fact, a man, 'I can't believe I'm actually stuck...' Happosai lowered his head, a small stream of tears coming from his eyes.

Tink

Happosai tried to look over his shoulder, worried that some bird had landed, "Get off me! Get off me!" he whined, kicking his bound feet back and forth. His eyes widened as he felt something fuzzy atop his head, a woodland critter perched itself on the flesh that was the aged martial artist's bald head.

He was glad that it wasn't razor sharp talons burrowing into his skull but before he could spectate further his answer came in the form of an upside down greeting from a squirrel. It began to sniff him, almost as if intrigued by the old man, 'Why's there a squirrel-' Happosai thought when all of a sudden he felt it scurrying around his person.

"Hey! Shoo! Get outta' here!" he demanded of the creature, trying as best as he could to free himself.

Seconds later he could feel the small animal near his pant's pocket, biting at the ropes that bound him, 'That's it! The little feller is after my bag of nuts! Forgot I had those!' he thought, looking to the corner of his eye.

With his companions thoroughly distracted on the side opposite to them, the squirrel chewed away at the rope that kept Happosai tied to the girder.

A devilish smirk crossed Happosai's face.

----------------------------------------

Ranma & Ryoga

Among the general public of the nearby marketplace, Ranma and Ryoga approached. The closer they got, the more pleasant aroma's filled their nostrils.

Ranma panicked for she wasn't going to the market as Ranma but rather, as Ryoga's date.

Ryoga, all the while was beating himself up over not being able to break the ice during their hand holding session.

The two awkward martial artists walked in relative silence, a furious blush on the lost boy but only because he was at a loss for words. He had wanted this but was far too into the moment to really say or do much. A somewhat nervous smile on his face as Ranma lead the way.

Unlike him she was treating this as though she was guiding him like a lost child, she appeared more worried about being seen than anything, giving how she was looking around, it was she keeping an eye out for something or someone.

"Ya' can let go whenever..." Ranma said, sounding nervous but finding that she didn't need to continue any further as Ryoga did what she asked.

They strolled through the marketplace, Ryoga noticed Ranma's eyes immediately land on the stands with her favorite foods, which were usually ones that didn't involve pork. She quickly approached each food stand with a wide-eyed look of wonder, her pupils feasting upon the array of delectable appetizers.

Ranma gasped as she came across her favorite food in the whole world, "Takoyaki Octopus puffs..." she whispered.

For a second Ryoga had to admire how cute Ranma was whenever she was actually excited about eating. It was at the moment that Ranma spotted a man at a stall, adding a pinch of aosa powdered seaweed to finish the freshly served batch of puffs.

Ryoga pursed his lips for a moment before thinking, 'This is a date... it's time I treated it like one...' he swallowed hard before clearing his throat and addressing the man working the stall, his hand extended outward as he pointed to a picture on the menu board hanging just above the cook's head.

She watched Ryoga pay for their meal and be handed a batch of octopus puffs in a paper food tray, also receiving a pinch of aosa seaweed for their order. He returned and presented them to Ranma, blushing nervously as he smiled with his mouth hanging open a smudge.

Ranma blinked as if having to register what had just happened, she looked down to the tray and gently reached for the contents of the tray. She looked to Ryoga as she casually tossed the delicious bite into her mouth, getting her taste buds caressed by the savory flavor of her favorite snack food, "Mmm..." she groaned as she closed her eyes and allowed the tasty orb to sit in her mouth before swallowing.

Ryoga watched as she caught him in a trance, causing a strange sort of pause in Ryoga. If he would have to describe it, it was as if all other functions of his body had suddenly stopped. His hearing, his sense of smell, except for his ability to stand and watch as the girl of his dreams showed what he believed to be, too cute for words.

"Thanks..." Ranma smiled and grabbed another, her arm, however, wasn't in the position for eating but rather for throwing.

Ryoga's eyes widened like a dog having a treat waved around in his face before the ball flew through the air. His head snapped forward and caught the morsel in his mouth.

"Aw..." cheered the small audience that had gathered around the two like a flock of seagulls.

Realizing the implications of her actions, Ranma's eyes widened, 'Damn it... they think it was...' she thought, cringing with one arm crossed over her chest before she grabbed Ryoga by the hand, escorting him while he chewed on Ranma's offering.

Just the fact alone that Ranma reached for his hand instead of gripping his wrists. To him, it was an improvement.

----------------------------------------

Chingensai & Matsu

Matsu was applying some shingles to some rectangular home, while on his knees he held a shingle in place before aligning his nail and hammer. He finished and wiped his brow, straightening his back, bringing his hands to his hips and shaking the sweat from his brow. He stopped, lips pursing for a second before looking over his shoulder to see that Happosai was no longer tied and bound to the tree they left him on.

"Chingensai! Happy's missing!" Matsu hollered, hand to the side of his mouth.

"What!?" Chingensai shouted, appearing from behind a cement mixer, then sighing before moving over to shut the machine off.

The two construction workers expressed their frustration in the forms of exacerbated sighs. They promptly dropped what they were doing and went out to correct the wrong that was their friend's insatiable lust.

----------------------------------------

Ranma & Ryoga

Eventually, Ranma stopped and looked over her shoulder, Ryoga in tow as they came to a halt. The boy clad in yellow swallowed as they stopped abruptly.

"I guess I fell back into habit there..." Ryoga commented, chuckling nervously, 'I'm not a pet pig anymore but why couldn't I j-just catch it with my hand...' Ryoga thought, then found himself wondering why Ranma had done it.

"H-how do you think I feel? I'm the one who fed ya' a treat..." Ranma cringed at the very idea, she couldn't help but envision all the times she had tossed Ryoga some table scraps when he was just a little pig.

"W-why did you do that?" Ryoga blushed as he bashfully avoided meeting Ranma's eyes.

"Muscle memory... don't you remember when Pops taught us that?" Ranma said, for some looking to the sky, her hand reaching out and scooping up some more takoyaki octopus puffs before cramming them into her mouth.

Ryoga indeed recalled a where Genma spoke to them while training, the two would often stand side-by-side as Genma walked behind them.

"You two are going to practice these stances until you've got nightmares about em'! Muscle memory boys... get acquainted with it..."

Those words rang in Ryoga's ear, the man who had denied him any sort of affection no matter how hard he tried. His depression spilled into his aura like a pen spewing ink.

"Yo! Ryoga!" Ranma called, looking over to Ryoga with her hands behind her head.

"H-huh?" Ryoga gawked, coming to life and blinking in confusion.

"Could ya' get us some drinks?" Ranma asked feeling a tad off for asking. "I'd do it but..." Ranma chuckled nervously as that just meant she didn't have much money.

For Ryoga the situation was to his advantage, "Alright, j-just get whatever you want..." he replied then took a handful of takoyaki into his hand before stuffing his mouth; much like his redhead companion.

Taking into account that she was on a date she contemplated the following, 'We're on a date and I doubt any of these guys understand us...' Ranma thought, thankful for the language barrier for once. It was then that she became a little timid, 'You're doing this for him... remember how long he could have...' Ranma's eyes trembled, a light stinging spread through them as she prepared herself for what she was about to do next.

Ryoga became perplexed as Ranma appeared distressed, at first he felt a nervous panic in his chest, fearing the worst, she had become too embarrassed to continue with their date. Before the lost boy knew exactly what was going on, he felt Ranma's arm interlock with his. He swore he felt sparks when she held onto him. "R-Ranma...?" Ryoga stuttered, his jaw slack.

Attached to his arm was Ranma, looking as though she were a girl calmly holding onto the arm of her boyfriend, 'It's for Ryoga...' she repeated in her head, a sigh shortly following her internal distress. "This is a date, right?" Ranma asked, her stare looking cold and calculated as she met Ryoga's gaze.

'W-why is Ranma being so bold...? Is she treating this like a date or is she...' Ryoga thought, desperately wanting this to be real. He found himself unable to voice his concerns as the moment her warmth pressed up against his, his thought process distorted by her actions.

"D-don't make this harder than it needs to be, pig-boy..." Ranma said, pouting a bit as she looked away.

To think that he'd be holding Ranma like this, it was almost too much for the love-starved boy. He started out noticeably stiff after Ranma asked him not to make it harder on her but soon relaxed into Ranma's hold. "O-okay! Thanks!" Ryoga thanked the redhead, looking to her and blushing with a nervous smile.

'Here I thought I'd probably be on the ground with-' Ranma thought as her eyes widened, the ground suddenly far more interesting than usual to her.

"So... y-you wanted something to drink, r-right?" Ryoga began, trying to change the subject as he rather unstrung.

"Sure-" she stopped in mid-sentence as she felt a tiny hand slap her keister.

Their eyes were filled with terror as a child wearing a goofy whistling octopus festival mask skipped away merrily as though he had done nothing wrong. "Perverted brat!" Ranma shrieked, releasing Ryoga's arm, waving a fist at the toddler in white colored Chinese silk shirt and pants.

"Ehehehe...!" the child chuckled underneath his mask, his own mask adding a vibrating tone to his speaking voice.

Ryoga closed his eyes and contained his anger, how would they look if they went and attacked a kid or scolded some child for maybe 'accidentally' smacking Ranma on her well-toned fanny. "Just drop it... we don't want to attract too much attention..." Ryoga warned as he looked to Ranma, resting his hand on her shoulder.

"You're right..." Ranma groaned with her eyes closed.

Ryoga sighed but kept his eyes open and on the child, watching him skip until he realized something, 'Since when do kids have white hair...?' he thought, pausing as though he felt a fuse inside his brain, short circuit.

In that span Ryoga was allowed to think, Ranma sighed with her arms to her sides, "Whatever, let's just get back to our..." Ranma's suggestion was stuck in intermission as she saw that Ryoga's face had become disturbed looking.

His left eye convulsed as though he were having a seizure of some sort, 'Happosai disguised himself so he could... damn you...!' he thought, his internal voice sounding as it had when Shampoo had threatened to end Ranma's life all those times.

"Hey... are you, okay?" Ranma asked, with a brow quirked up.

"Just fine..." Ryoga grunted and then looked down to see Ranma blinking at him. A single blush crossed his face as the look of curiosity was almost cat-like in his opinion.

"Let's just get sumthin ta' drink..." Ranma could just feel how depressed the lost boy was now that they had separated, in all honesty, she didn't know how much he had liked it. She swore she even heard him curse his luck, 'Subtle, buddy...' she chanted her mantra of 'It's for Ryoga' in her head, allowing Ryoga to catch up to her as they started walking together again.

Ryoga hadn't noticed, far too absorbed in his sorrow to see what Ranma was doing, so it came as a surprise to him as he felt Ranma's arm lock with his again. "R-Ranma?"

"I'm your date, ain't I?" Ranma asked, opening one eye and looking at him with a look that almost screamed, "Don't make me regret this".

Swearing he heard a chorus of angels singing in beautiful harmony, Ryoga stared before nodding his head and almost beaming with a smile. "Y-yeah! Thank you so much!" Ryoga showed his appreciation, knowing it must have taken a lot for Ranma to swallow her pride and do what already must have taken her a lot of courage.

"How's about proving it by getting me something to drink?" Ranma asked, clapping her hands together while still keeping the arm she had locked with Ryoga, together.

"Get anything you want..." Ryoga offered, smiling warmly as he noticed Ranma's pleasant smile grow, gradually, into a full-blown grin.

"Anything...?" Ranma asked, clearly this being the first time she has ever had anyone say those words to her.

What followed was Ranma leading Ryoga around the various stands, caught in the moment as if she had a spell placed while she got whatever she wanted. Ryoga all too eager to oblige, as long as it kept her by his side and her arm linked with his.

----------------------------------------

Happosai

Dropping his pants while standing on a tree branch, the elderly construction worker looked to his green sack resting against the tree truck. Dressed in only his beater and boxers, he stopped in front of his bag, rummaging around for his next disguise.

"What's that old fool gotten himself into now?"Chingensai questioned as both he and Matsu walked through a thick field of grass.

"Wait... I know that voice..." Happosai muttered, looking down.

He quickly crouched and followed their movements, his eyes narrowed like a hawk watching its prey, 'Think you can ruin my fun, eh?' Happosai thought, a coy smile across his mug. He calmly waited for them to leave his sight, silence filling the air as they walked out of view.

Happosai turned back to his bag and continued from where he had left off.

----------------------------------------

Ranma & Ryoga

Getting what she wanted was something new to the redheaded girl, although, never had she figured she could use it to get free things from men, 'Guess there's a plus side to everything...' she thought, finishing a sweet in a paper cup before tossing it over her shoulder and into a nearby trashcan.

A pleasant sigh escaped Ryoga's mouth since he was also partaking in the wide spectrum that was their menu. He raised a skewer with assorted meats and veggies, his mouth expanded, putting the entirety of the kabab in his mouth before closing it around the stick, he dragged his head back to clear the wooden utensil.

"Mmm..." Ranma sighed as she looked to Ryoga with a friendly smile.

Ryoga found himself becoming braver than usual, he calmly hooked his arm around hers, a gesture usually reserved for the girl or a boyfriend. That was something Ryoga wasn't aware of, so Ranma could allow this to pass if anything she didn't know it was a rule either since it took her by surprise.

"Ranma..." Ryoga started, his voice started sounding nervous as though he was afraid to tell her something.

"Y-yeah, Ryo?" Ranma asked, eyes wide as she looked to the ground beneath their feet.

Ryoga gave a slight pause as she referred to him as "Ryo", 'Is that a nickname...? Does that mean we're close or s-something!?' he thought. "Guess I should just say it..." Ryoga's features became much timider suddenly.

To say Ranma was scared would be an understatement, she was about to pull back and tell him they were in front of others, "Is now really the time, Ryoga...?" Ranma questioned, inclining her back a little.

"I'm almost out of money..." he blurted out, dipping his head in self-imposed shame.

"Oh... sorry... guess I was I really hungry, eh?" she laughed, glad that she was a date, so him spending on her was the norm.

In truth, Ryoga was more depressed by the fact that Ranma wouldn't be looking at him with that gleeful look he so admired, that rush and surge of contentment he felt whenever he saw that smile he had come to adore. "It's alright... it just means we can keep this or maybe find one more thing you'd like to try...?" Ryoga asked, trying to keep Ranma interested, even though he probably didn't have to.

"One more thing... huh?" Ranma placed her hand on her chin and weighed out her options. She already sampled most of the food there and whatever she got last would have to be something she'd want to remember, something new.

Ryoga put his hand in his pockets and knew that although he was spending some time with her. It just showed him how her presence and companionship filled him with a gentle warm and serenity.

His mind wandered as he waited for her answer, he thought back to their more intimate moments, the look of desperation and need in Ranma's eyes as she...

"That!" Ranma exclaimed, looking over to Ryoga, who, she saw was bright red and looking to the sky like a turkey on a rainy day.

"Huh!?" he wondered, in a daze as he turned to where Ranma was pointing.

"Something up...?" she questioned, a puzzled look on her face.

"C-course not!" Ryoga replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Okay..." Ranma muttered, looking away for a brief instance before looking back to Ryoga. She noticed him staring at where she had been pointing and noticed the look of utter shock on the lost boy's face.

"R-Ranma... isn't that, really...?" Ryoga asked, clearing his throat and making sure he was still talking to the Ranma he knew.

"I-I know okay! I've just... always wondered and now that I'm a..." Ranma stopped herself, she couldn't reject the reality of the situation, she wanted something that could constitute her as being 'unmanly'.

"A parfait?"

"Look... I know it's weird but girls get to have it and I just wanna' know if it looks as good as it tastes..." Ranma removed herself from Ryoga's arm and crossed her own, unable to be near him as she gave her reason. More than likely just too embarrassed to admit to wanting such a thing.

Ryoga listened to her reasoning, reaching into his pocket he saw that he had some change and a few notes to work with but nothing worth too much, 'Just enough for one...'

"Ya' ain't gotta' buy it anymore, forget I said any-" Ranma only got so far before hearing Ryoga thank the stand holder with a bow of his head.

She stared in awe, she could never have the guts to up and ask for something like that. She knew the vendors would probably be alright with her just buying it as a girl but the cutesy looks she'd get from just sitting down to enjoy it, something which she wasn't far too open about, even when hooking arms together with Ryoga.

"Here... I hope you don't mind I got a spoon for me too, I was thinking we'd..." He averted his eyes, trying to play it cool for the redhead.

"You wanna' try it too, don't cha?" Ranma asked, smirking at him playfully until growing into a wide grin.

It was Ryoga's turn to evade eye contact, he maintained a stern look before nodding his head once.

Many things in Ranma's life surprised him, this happened to be one of them. She wasn't sure exactly what was happening in her chest but the idea of sharing such a thing and with a man, 'Wouldn't that be like a couple sharing...?' she thought.

"Alright... besides we've shared food before..." Ranma said hesitation apparent in her voice but sadly that had gone to waste on the lost boy.

"Want to make it, to go...? I'm pretty sure we're already pushing our luck..." Ryoga looked in the direction of the Nekohaten.

"You been worrying about that too?" Ranma asked a bit befuddled.

The two began to walk, a shadow lurked in the nearby foliage, the obscured Specter was one with the shadows, his presence completely undetected as he hovered above his unsuspecting victims. Now was his time to strike!

Ryoga agreed with a simple nod of his head, about to hand over the dessert they had both wanted to try, that was until a loud screeching sound filled the air, "What the!?"

Buried face first in Ranma's ample bosom was a brown furred monkey, his tiny hands gripping the sides of Ranma's chest twins. What further escalated the situation was that wandering creature, was that it was doing so without restraint, all over Ryoga's date.

"Damn it! Get your hands off!" Ryoga stopped as he saw Ranma brutally clobbered the monkey over its head.

"I got you now! You old fart!" Ranma shouted, grabbing and shaking the monkey in her arms as it was revealed to be Happosai himself.

His eyes swirled as though they were narutomakis, "Ugh..." Happosai groaned as landed on his stomach.

With her eyes closed, Ranma's fist trembled, white smoke coming from her knuckles, due to the amount of heat pressure that her wallop gathered, "I know those grubby little hands anywhere...!" Ranma exclaimed as she reached down and pulled the back of Happosai's mask to show that she was not, in fact, committing an act of animal cruelty but rather disposing of some lecherous pervert.

Only a few paid witness to this, others went about their business and some probably weren't even bothered by the cruelty.

"Ranma...?" Ryoga stared as she shot her face over her shoulder, fist in her palm. He knew that she was supposed to be intimidating but he couldn't help but find himself lost in her furious intensity.

"Gimme a hand here!" she ordered.

To which Ryoga complied with a nod of his head he placed the parfait on a nearby table and made his way over to her, taking her side. Waiting on the queue the raven haired teen and fiery redhead looked to one another before nodding. Jerking their legs back they sent Happosai as though the two were trying to score a field goal in a game of football. Given it was Ranma and Ryoga the kick was more like being shot out of a canon; minus the loud banging noise.

"Ah!" Happosai screamed while soaring out of sight and hopefully soon, out of mind.

They stomped their feet into the dirt and closed their eyes, sighing through their noses as though they were two bulls working in glorious harmony. Ranma was the first to open her eyes and seek out her treat, she needed it after being lit like a flamethrower.

"Damn it..." Ryoga whispered, slouching with his arms hanging from his body like wet noodles.

"You coming?" Ranma asked, stopping to looking over her shoulder and holding up their parfait.

'Are you forcing yourself to enjoy this, Ranma...?' Ryoga thought with a downtrodden look before shaking his head once.

"Right behind you..." he answered.

----------------------------------------

Happosai

All Happosai could see was pitch-blackness, the seemingly endless tunnel had a thin line of light, in fact, it looked like a horizon to the aged sage. He had been launched with enough force for him to not only crash headfirst into a tree but enough for said head to be poking out from the other side.

Blurry masses eventually came into focus and the martial artist found himself unable to move his arms.

The two small and oddly colored blobs closed in on him.

"Here he is... I knew Ranma or Ryoga must've sent em' flying..."

"Let's tie him up before causes more trouble..."

"I don't know... the tree looks like it can hold em..."

Happosai heard some chuckling but could no longer hold consciousness before passing out, yet again.

----------------------------------------

Ranma & Ryoga

Happosai's actions created a chasm from which neither were sure they could escape, given how upset Ranma seemed after firing the powerful sleazebag. Thankfully it would take a little time before they'd be able to get Ranma home, now one of them just had to work up the courage to break the ice while they walked down a dirt road, some houses and huts scattered about on their way out of the area.

Although it had only been a few minutes since the incident, the feeling of being touched stung Ranma's memory, 'Give me Ryoga's hands any...' Ranma thought but then stopped as though her mind had blown a head gasket. She looked for any sort of distraction and was glad to see that the parfait they had gotten was still in one piece after all that chaos.

"Thanks..." Ranma started, clearing her throat and indicating to that by looking down at it.

Ryoga had noticed that before Ranma spoke, she had intentionally decreased her rate of travel as to walk side by side with Ryoga. He was unsure if that was because of her wanting to speak to him without talking over her shoulder or if she did it because she may secretly care about him to a certain extent.

"No problem..." was his response, the silence hung in the air and the lost boy found himself unable to bring up what he really wanted to 'Especially now that I got her all to myself..' he thought nervously.

"It's not just this, I wanna' thank ya' for that fight yesterday..." Ranma looked to the lost boy, displaying a reassuring smile, 'Hope he's not too disappointed that I ain't some girly-girl of a date... being a guy and all...'

"R-really...?" Ryoga asked, wondering if she was also, in part, thanking him for the chance at going on a date with him.

"I haven't had a real challenge in forever, it was such a rush..." Ranma expressed, smiling as she then took a spoonful of the parfait, getting her first bite of the delicious treat.

To hear that it was because Ryoga posed a threat as an enemy, he genuinely took that as a compliment, especially considering who she was. That hadn't been exactly what he had been expecting or hoping for but the sentiment wasn't lost, 'Gotta' admit... her spirit is contiguous...' Ryoga thought, the corner of his mouth curling up into a smile.

"Ya' wanted to share, right?" Ranma asked with a delighted smile on her face.

Glad to see that the mood shifted, he took the other spoon that had been embedded in the parfait and dug in. He cautiously sniffed his bite before opening his mouth and eating it.

"Good, huh?" Ranma asked, taking another bite.

"It's unbelievable..." Ryoga said with the plastic spoon still in his mouth, retracting it he followed Ranma's example.

Several mouthfuls later the two dropped their disposable utensils into the plastic champagne flute, luckily for them, they had yet to completely exit the village so a trash can was right around the village limits, so they were easily able to ditch without worry of littering.

Ranma dusted her hands off as she casually walked with Ryoga, pleased smiles on their faces as they continued on the path to the redhead's home.

"That was so good..." Ryoga said his lips curling upward, in a somewhat goofy way.

"Yeah, it was... but do you know what else was good?" Ranma asked politely belching into her hand.

Ryoga thought it was cute how she was polite enough to do that, though, otherwise still very manly. "Huh?"

"How you made that explosion with your finger!" Ranma exclaimed, holding her own pointer finger up in the air.

"Well... you know how your punches weren't hurting at first?"

"Oh yeah... I was going to ask about that after..."

"They're kinda' related, after the masters taught how to jump higher they tied me to this boulder with a rock tied on the other end to teach me the Bakusai Tenketsu..."

"That's why you're so damn tough now..." Ranma said, punching Ryoga's shoulder as she would regularly hit anything, only to see that Ryoga wasn't even phased in the slightest.

"Tough? I don't think it compares to your speed, it's a little overwhelming but one hell of a thing to power through..." Ryoga complimented, rubbing the back of his neck, mostly in memory of the pain she inflicted on it.

Ranma closed her eyes and crossed her arms, "That was the Kachū Tenshin Amaguriken! I ain't even mastered it yet... so it's gonna' get better..." she gloated.

"Really? I hope I can say the same when I master the Bakusai Tenketsu..."

"Wait? Yours is incomplete too?" Ranma asked, somewhat surprised but it still managed to catch her off guard.

"Y-yeah... you're not supposed to hit yourself with the explosion..."

"That probably should've tipped me off..." Ranma said, chuckling a little as she realized that it was strange he'd learn a technique and then get caught in the crossfire.

Ryoga joined Ranma, able to laugh such a thing off with her. Their laughter eventually died down, the two found themselves in a serene silence with one another. "There's actually one more thing I think I should thank you for..."

"Huh? What's that?" Ranma asked, not sure as to what he was getting at.

"For putting your arm back around mine, twice..." Ryoga bashfully looked to the ground when revealing this.

Despite being so cool with it at the moment when it happened, having it brought up this way only ended up unsettling Ranma a little as she wasn't exactly sure she wanted to say in response to that, so, she went with the first thing off the top of her head.

"A-a deal's a deal, right?"

Presented with a new feeling the lost boy felt that her just treating it, as if it were 'just' a deal, well... it didn't sit too well with him. At first, he wasn't sure what to say, his indecision kept his lips sealed shut.

"Sorry... for not being so great a date..."

"Look Ranma..." Ryoga's mouth opened to reveal his fangs as he fought with his inner self. "This date isn't about just about upholding some deal..."

Ranma stopped and looked to Ryoga, not knowing what to say, she knew what was coming and the thought alone terrified her to no end. This was the very same man that had rocked the very foundation of what she considered to be the norm. He loved Ranma Saotome... the redheaded beauty that was his curse.

A curse that he had admitted to existing just as much as Ryoga's human side.

Getting nothing but silence for what felt like the longest time, Ryoga continued,"Ranma... do you like me?" Ryoga asked, lifting his head as he stopped walking alongside the scarlet beauty.

No longer sensing Ryoga's footsteps, she stopped herself, her head dropped as though she had just received some bad news. In all honesty, she was just scared, she wasn't even sure they'd reach a point in the date like this but part of her mind told her that she should have expected this.

"Course I do!" she exclaimed but didn't look to him, all she knew was there was a man standing behind her, seeking a real answer.

"It's alright..." Ryoga closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "I'll just start..."

Ranma's voice must have either been misplaced or scared out of existence, 'If I could just say no...' Ranma thought but found herself unable to bring herself to stop what was going on.

"I know why you're acting more like a girl, Ranma..." Ryoga stopped to await confirmation from her.

He received his answer loud and clear by her refusal to meet his eyes, "What am I supposed to say, huh?" Ranma asked, no emotion behind her voice.

"You don't have to say anything..." Ryoga said, expressing this by making his way over to her and calmly placing his hands on her shoulders. He expected a flinch from her, which came but quickly receded.

"After today, I swear I could die a happy man..." Ryoga said, embracing Ranma from behind.

After fully processing what Ryoga's words meant, Ranma shook her head in denial, "What's this dying about, huh? Don't throw in the towel already!" Ranma exclaimed, clenching her fists at her sides, 'I know what you really mean with that Ryoga!' she thought.

The only thing Ryoga could see from his angle was that Ranma was upset given how her hands balled into fists. He knew she was upset, at least that much was a given.

"Ranma... the only other options I have are to stay by your side while you marry Shampoo..." he said, his face belied his true feelings, however, the hitch in his voice gave it away.

"What's so wrong with that...?" Ranma muttered before turning around, keeping Ryoga at arm's length, "You get to live!" she exclaimed.

To this, Ryoga had nothing to say, he desperately fought the urge to lash out at her but knew that by how she spoke, that she was aching as she made her plea to him.

"To stay... with me... " she continued, her voice going soft and somewhat hoarse.

His heart ached but he couldn't accept such a fate, "Then what? Live out my life hoping Shampoo either dies early or I've become an elder myself!?" he asked as if he was expecting a suitable answer.

The very notion of Ryoga being denied the human experience irked her, to hear him reject her proposal... she expected as much. It didn't mean that she was any less hurt, "Why do you even like me, huh!?" Ranma demanded, poking Ryoga's shoulder with her finger.

"I want to know what you see in me!?"

Not foreseeing these events Ryoga could do little but allow Ranma's questioning and constant poking, he soon felt his back bashing up against a tree, unable to walk backward anymore.

"That's a stupid question..." Ryoga scoffed before closing his eyes, only to open them and give Ranma a looked as though it could pierce her very soul.

Ranma was taken aback by Ryoga's sharp retort but gave no rebuttal, only quietness, looking as though she was more curious than bothered to say anything.

She watched as he stared back at her, taking a deep breath began, "Ranma I love that no matter how self-absorbed you are, you still care..."

Ranma looked away, she didn't know what to say to that but it hadn't kept it from being any less faltering, 'H-how can he know that, do I do that...?' she thought before hearing him go on.

"You inspire me to be stronger..." Ryoga spoke softly. "Before I knew you Ranma... who knows what I would have become... if you hadn't taken me in, I-I'm not even sure I'd even have to worry about my lifespan..." Ryoga allowed his head to fall, scrunching his face together as to hold back the floodgates that were his eyes.

Any doubt Ranma had towards Ryoga's feelings being based solely on the fact that she had a girl side slowly began to fade from Ranma's mind. That not only made her his savior but also a close friend. Given their positions in life, there weren't many choices to be had but that didn't mean they had to deny themselves the right to have any of these feelings.

"D-don't talk like that..." Ranma warned, feeling like her chest was collapsing in on itself.

"Tell me, Ranma... how am I supposed to talk? How am I supposed to think? When all I can see is..." Ryoga pushed past his insecurities, 'Who knows how long I have...' was Ryoga's thought shortly after voicing these feelings.

Ryoga wasn't even given the chance to finish as he felt Ranma trying to shove him but only succeeding in taking a step further back from him, "How do you think that makes me feel, huh!?" Ranma asked wanting desperately to change the topic.

Taken by surprise he could feel the pain in her eyes and the way her feelings radiated was enough to cause Ryoga's own defenses to drop even lower. He had no idea what to say, her intensity coupled with the suffering she must have endured after all this time.

"I take you in! Mom and I care for you then you up and leave us... some crazy great-grandma forces me to marry into a tribe I want no part of! Who do I have to help me with this? No one! Mom's too always too busy and can't help... Dad won't help, the only one who makes living here bearable... " Ranma found her burning anger leave her body like a mist of smoke dissipating, she dipped her head in sorrow.

Ryoga felt Ranma's words cut through him like a sword through flesh, the longer she spoke the more he looked away from her until she mentioned his part in this whole mess, 'I've really hurt Ranma, haven't I...?' he mulled over in his head.

Distracted by her own feelings of agony she felt two strong arms envelop her form in a hug, his head rested atop hers, 'This is so weak... why can he do this to me?' Ranma contemplated before raising her own arms up slowly and tenderly, almost fearfully returning the sentiment.

Only wanting to find comfort in her moment of weakness, knowing that she needed someone like Ryoga for that, not only made her feel weak but... safe at the same time.

"I'm sorry, Ranma... I've put you through so much... I can't lie to myself anymore! You mean so damn much to me, Ranma Saotome... you give my life reason! I'm sorry I can't be exactly what you want me to be! Just like I know you can't do the same for me! Please... please... understand..." he cried while shifting his head from side to side.

They desperately wanted each others company but knew that forces were at play preventing them from doing so. Fight it she might but Ranma was confounded by the cursed boy, driving feelings of uncertainty throughout her life. She couldn't forget the boy as she much he couldn't stop loving her.

Each second that went by felt like an eternity for the two, that the very heat death of the universe would reach its end before they would find their answer. It was these feelings of entrapment that drove the two together, their common grounds but deep concern for another only further elevated their attraction to one another.

As if controlled by the forces of nature themselves, they pulled back, no longer able to bear the weight of their circumstances they turned to one another. They sought to comfort each other, regardless of the fact that they were also the source of their problems.

Consumed by their own frustrations the two strangely calm and uncertain faces met. They tried to read into each other but found only the feelings they had addressed before. None of the two could stop the magnetism between them. To them, it was as if they had gone into autopilot.

The star-crossed couple narrowed their eyes, slowly and gradually they tipped their heads to their sides, transfixed on their targets; each other's lips.

Ryoga closed the most distance between the other two. The redhead was much more conservative and withdrawn but still on the same path as that of the lost boy's.

It was as if they were zapped by a form of lightening when they kissed, they acted on the feelings from before but now that they had shared their pain, the two were able to delve further than before.

Ranma's hands removed themselves from Ryoga's back, traveling along the sides of his torso before circling back around to his chest.

Her hands stopped at his abdomen, slowly getting a clearer mental image of Ryoga's physique. She reached his collarbone and eventually to the sides of his face.

Ryoga's hands, which had previously wrapped around the small of Ranma's back had found their way to her hips, tugging her hips closer his, the contact drove their senses wild as it provoked a primitive need in them.

Pushing them ever closer to seeking relief for the goose bumps that spread throughout their excited bodies, their urges kept at bay only by their own insecurities. No longer able to sustain a tolerable amount of carbon dioxide in their systems.

A thin strand of saliva that connected the two, split once far enough apart. Breathed wildly through their mouths, they rested their foreheads against each other.

Their hearts pumped blood at fast and uneven rates, they both swallowed at the same time. Another moment of uncomfortable silence, at this point the lost boy had expected this to be their finishing point.

That was until he saw Ranma look away from him, her bangs concealing her eyes. Fully ready to stop he weakened his hold on the girl's hips before feeling her hands dig into his collar, this grabbed his attention.

What he saw was Ranma exposing her neck to the lost boy, her eyes still hidden behind her hair. Her actions ignited a fire in Ryoga, a need for dominance, a need to show intense intimate feelings with the one he called his mate.

Before Ranma knew what was going on she had been grabbed and spun around, switching positions with Ryoga as he suddenly pressed her up against a tree, grabbing her leg by the back of her thigh, while the other remained on her hip.

Feeling helpless but at the same time excited, she opened her eyes in time to see Ryoga leaning his head down, his hot breath tickled her neck like a warm summer's breeze, 'Argh...! Why does Ryoga make me want to...nnngh!?' Ranma's thought dispersed after his lips touched her exposed skin.

Each stroke across her neck only served to heighten her levels of arousal, the way he'd occasionally drag the very tip of his moist appendage drove Ranma partially insane. The warm tingling sensation that spread throughout them grew to such extents that they were now subconsciously rubbing up against one other.

It was only till Ryoga pushed just far enough that Ranma felt his uncontrolled desire and where it wanted to be. They gasped as the sensation and heat throughout their groins spread, begging for them to act on these needs.

'What am I doing!?' was their thoughts as they finally hit the on switches in their minds and stopped.

Ranma was able to finally able to finally touch the ground with her feet, no longer supported by Ryoga's body against hers. All they could do was pant heavily and accept what had almost just happened between the two.

The blushes painted across their faces were so thick one had to wonder if someone had taken a paintbrush to their faces. Sitting in silence, they dared not speak. Closing their eyes, forehead against forehead.

'Am I really...? Do I want to be...?' Ranma thought to close her eyes.

'Ryoga...'