Title: Ranma 1/2-Different life, Different love
Author:
Part: 6/?
Warnings: R, mostly for language
Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, and heaven forbid she find out what I've been doing with them.
Summary: Ranma gets a job, Akane show her true colors, and Shampoo shows up at the worst possible time.
Pairing:Ryouga/Ranma (mostly)
Misc. Author notes: My apologies to Akane/Ranma fans. Also, I'm going to be gone for a month, so this is the last chapter until late September. Until then, ja ne.

//-indicates flashback
** Indicates thoughts

*****************************
Part 6a. Breakup!

A while later...

"There you are!" Nabiki said to Ranma as he entered the living room. "Check this out." She handed him a piece of paper.

"'The Golden Dragon' restaurant is looking for help? Not that I would mind having some spending money, but I don't want to explain why I have to take a few days off every month." Ranma said, looking the ad over. "Hey, I know this place! It's that really upscale restaurant near Ryouga's house. You really think I even have a chance of getting a job there?"

"Apply as a girl. You'll get better tips for waiting tables that way anyhow. Just use that feminine charm you fake so well. And, I've got connections, so they'll probably hire you, no problem."

"Ick. I hate acting like a girl."

"Look at it this way. I know you don't like freeloading- I saw how quickly you started helping Daddy with teaching his classes. This way, you can start chipping in monetarily, too, if you want." Nabiki knew she didn't have to make any threats, Ranma's sense of honor would do the work for her.

"That's a good point. Even my old man's found himself a job already. It'd be nice to be able to take Akane out to movies and dinner and stuff, too. So what do you want out of the deal?"

How Ranma could be so clueless in some ways and yet figure her out so quickly... "Just a little agent's fee from your first paycheck, plus whatever I loan you to get some nice clothes for the interview. Then you can decide yourself what you want to contribute to the dojo."

Ranma nodded. "Sound's fair enough," he said.

"And Ranma, about Akane..." Nabiki said in a low voice, beckoning him to come in close. "I don't like to say anything bad about my sisters, but I think you have the right to know." She paused, and sighed. "I really hope I'm wrong, but I think Akane's using you."

"Huh? How?"

"Akane's never liked guys, not even as friends. Never has, and I don't think ever will. And I'm talking about before Kunou made that stupid announcement. I think she's only agreed to the engagement because of your girl side. Marrying you means she can have the kind of relationship she wants with no unpleasant confrontations with Daddy. And unless I'm very mistaken, I don't think you want the kind of relationship she wants."

"Are you sure about that?" Ranma asked, not wanting to believe what he was hearing.

"Haven't you noticed the way she manages to get you to stay in girl form most of the time when you're not at school? Or how unaffectionate she is when you're a guy?"

Ranma nodded glumly.

Nabiki was about to say something else, but Akane was coming down the stairs. "Your interview's tomorrow after school. Don't worry, I allowed enough time for you to change and get over there," she said as Akane walked in.

"Interview?" Akane asked Ranma splashed himslef with some cold water.

"I'm going to apply as a waitress at some uppity restaurant," Ranma-chan said. "Nabiki's taking me out shopping for some girl clothes."

"A waitress? Oh, I see. I keep forgetting you get stuck as a girl every month. Say, isn't it about that time ag-"

"Don't remind me," Ranma said, cutting her off. "Believe me, if it weren't for that I'd be applying as a guy, better tips or no."

"What do you have against your girl side, anyway?" Akane asked as they left the house.

"There's nothing wrong with being a girl, but it's not the real me. I was born a guy, and I prefer having a guy's body, that's all."

"Oh." Akane was silent for a while, thinking about Ranma's response.

Nabiki watched the couple in silence. She really hoped Akane would speak up before Ranma had to confront her. She could tell the martial artist was already very attached and the longer this went on, the worse it would be for both of them. As far as she was concerned, arranged marriage was valid only if the two involved agreed to it.

"Here we are," she said. They were standing in front of a very fancy woman's clothing store.

"This place is very expensive, Nabiki." Akane observed.

"Ranma's going to work at a high class place. He's going to need some good quality clothes for the interview. After that, he'll be given a uniform, so it's no problem."

"If I get hired, is my pay going to cover this?" Ranma said as she looked at some of the prices.

"Of course, and you are going to get hired, trust me," was Nabiki's response. Ranma really didn't want to trust her, but it didn't seem she had much of a choice. She wouldn't be able to find anywhere near as good of a job on her own.

Nabiki had a good sense of what Ranma would be willing to wear and quickly picked out several suitable outfits. She handed them to her and shoved her into a fitting room.

Ranma-chan tried all of them on, then came out in a long sleeved, navy blue dress that brought out the color of her eyes. It was tailored like a suit and made her look very professional. "I guess I like this one," she said. "Are you sure I hafta wear a skirt?"

"Just for the interview." Nabiki said. "Here, try these shoes on." She handed the red-head a pair of high-heeled navy pumps.

Ranma-looked at them as if some of Akane's cooking had been put in front of her, but took them anyway. She put them on and took a few experimental steps. "And some girls wear these all the time?! This is so annoying!"

"You seem to know how to walk in them pretty well." Akane commented.

"It just takes balance, and that's what the Saotome school of martial arts is all about." Ranma took them off and put them back into the box. "Is that everything, then?"

"Not yet. You still need a few accessories..." Nabiki said.

Ranma groaned.


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

The next day...

Ranma-chan was sitting, looking uncharacteristicly prim and proper in her new outfit, showing none of the extreme discomfort she was feeling inside.

The manager sat behind the desk in front of her, looking through the resume Nabiki had put together for her. "Well," the man finally began, "You have impeccible references, though this is quite a career change for you. Why did you decide to quit martial arts?"

"Uh? Oh, I haven't quit, sir. This is just in addition to helping out in the dojo. I don't get paid for that."

"I see. There shouldn't be any problem with you being able to lift and carry plates all evening, then." He closed the folder. "Welcome to the team, Miss Ranko. I'll take you to the shift supervisor and let her show you around. When can you start?"


****

Ranma walked home, elated, and not even caring anymore about her appearance.

"Ranma?!" Came a startled voice from behind her. She turned to face Ryouga, who was noting the dress, neatly braided hair, earrings, and...

"Hey, Ryo-kun, you got back quickly this time." She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I coulda used your help earlier- none of the Tendo's know how to braid hair like you do."

"Um, Ranchan, are...are you wearing makeup?" He asked, as he followed her down the street.

"Uh-huh." She grabbed his hand as he started to go the wrong way.

"Should I ask why?"

"I just got a job."

"What, at a place for crossdressers?"

*They have places for that kind of thing?* Ranma thought. "No, it's a really nice restaurant. I'm going to be a waitress."

"They're only hiring women?"

"No, it's just that I can't go to work as a guy, cuz I'll miss a few days every month."

"Why?"

"Uhhh..." Ranma had forgotten that Ryouga had never been around when she was having her cycle. This was definitely going to be awkward. She decided the direct approach was probably the best. She pulled Ryouga down to her level and whispered the specifics of female plumbing into his ear. All the color drained from his face.

"I don't think I needed to know all that," he finally managed to choke out.

"You're going to get married someday, aren't you? It's not something you want to catch by surprise, believe me." She guided him down to the subway stairs.

"Since when do you use public transportation, Ranchan?" Ryouga asked.

"Since I'm wearing a short skirt and very uncomfortable shoes, that's why."

They sat down together. The subway car wasn't very crowded. Ryouga pulled a little at Ranma's ear. "Don't tell me you actually got your ears pierced."

Ranma sighed. "Yeah, I did. It didn't hurt too bad. I have a more masculine pair at home." Ryouga gave her a look that made her squirm a little. "Hey, what can I say, Nabiki's very persuasive. 'Sides, I'm not the only guy at school with his ears pierced."

Ryouga just shook his head. He had to admit, Ranma looked stunning all dressed up like that. Sometimes he wondered if Ranma knew what he/she was doing to him, and was torturing him on purpose.

Kasumi greeted them when they got back to the dojo. "How did it go, Ranma?" She asked cheerfully.

"I got the job," Ranma said.

"That's wonderful. Oh, Akane is spending the night with some of her friends. She said you could come over in girl form if you want."

"Er, I think I've had enough of being a girl for today." What was Akane thinking? Those girls didn't know he was really a guy!

Ryouga followed him upstairs into the bathroom. He had to look away as his friend undressed- he could feel the nosebleed coming on. He waited until Ranma was safely in the tub before he turned around. Then he pointed and laughed. Ranma hadn't had the chance to wash off the makeup yet.

Ranma quickly wiped it off and unbraided his hair. Ryouga jumped in next to him.

"So, when do you start work?" Ryouga asked, rubbing Ranma's shoulders.

"Mmm....tomorrow night."

"Don't you have homework?"

"I have enough time to do it before I leave." Ranma arched himself toward his friend as Ryouga moved his hands further down to massage his back. The lost boy kissed his cheek. Then Ranma gasped suddenly and bolted out of the tub.

"What's wrong Ranma?!" Ryouga asked, alarmed.

"Nnngh...cramps!!" No sooner did he get the word out than he turned female.

She was on all fours with her butt facing Ryouga, so he got a complete eyeful of Ranma's womanhood, and promptly fainted.

"Ungh..." Ranma pulled her friend out of the tub to keep him from drowning. Then she, er, took care of her 'condition', which included taking a large dose of painkiller. By that time Ryouga had come around.

"Ranma..." Ryouga groaned, "Don't ever let me see you naked when you're female. You have no idea what that does to me."

Ranma blinked. "But you know I'm really a guy..."

"Who happens to be a very hot babe when he's female. Haven't you been hit on enough to know that?" Ryouga rolled over to face Ranma, who was lying on the futon next to him.

"Yeah, but I thought since you knew about my curse, it was safe."

Ryouga shook his head. "I wish. Man, if you were a real girl, I'd...never mind, you don't want to know."

Actually, Ranma had a pretty good idea what his buddy would do. He'd already done it without knowing! He should've known Ryouga would be just as attracted to his girl side when he was awake.

"At least you like me in both forms," Ranma muttered.

"Huh? I didn't hear that, Ranchan," Ryouga said.

"Forget about it. I have to ask Kasumi something, so don't get lost 'kay?"

Ryouga nodded.

Ranma went downstairs to find the eldest Tendo washing dishes in the kitchen and sat down. "Um, Kasumi?"

"Oh, hello Ranma. Is something the matter?" Kasumi said sweetly.

"I...I have a kinda awkward question to ask."

"What is it?"

"It's about guys and girls and relationships and romance and stuff."

"Oh!" Kasumi put down the pot she was scrubbing and joined him at the kitchen table. "What is it you need to know, Ranma?"

"Um, well..."

**********

Almost and hour later...


Ranma-chan was beet red. Kasumi had calmly explained everything to him in detail, not in the least embarrassed, even explaining same-sex relationships.

She hadn't had the courage to ask the question that burned most in her mind. She knew she had to, though. "Kasumi, um, er, do straight people, um, experiment at all with same-sex partners?"

Kasumi thought a moment, "Some children do. That's normal enough."

"But not when they're older?" Ranma asked.

"Not normally. Oh dear, you're asking because of Akane, aren't you? Nabiki and I thought maybe she was gay before you came. Then she showed an interest in you, so I thought we might be wrong. But, from the questions you're asking, I'm afraid we weren't.

"I see. Oh, one more question. Is it possible to be attracted to both sexes?"

"Yes, but I don't think Akane is."

"Oh. Thanks, Kasumi." Ranma hung his head glumly and left the kitchen. He found Ryouga standing by the door.

"How long have you been here listening?"

"For most of it." He looked slightly mortified himself.

"I guess we screwed up, didn't we?" Ranma said as they headed back up the stairs. She had started to suspect it, but there was no doubt about it now. She/He'd gone straight to third base with a guy without even bothering with first or second, and she was engaged, at that.

"Yeah." Was all Ryouga could think to say.

"We'd better stop. The, um, you know..."

"I know." Any further discussion was aborted by the sound of the front door being opened and slammed.

"RANMA!!" Akane yelled.

"What?!" The red-head called down to her.

"Aren't you coming to the sleepover?!"

"Akane, girl form or no, I'm a guy! I can't go to a girl's slumber party! It's not right!"

The tomboy stormed up the stairs. Ryouga wisely ducked into the guest bedroom. "I told you I wanted you to come!" She fumed.

"Actually, the message I got was, I *could* go. But I didn't think I *should*."

Akane glared a 'how dare you!' look at her, and went into her room. Ranma-chan caught the door before it slammed in her face.

"Hey! We need to talk!" she said, forcing her way in.

"Get out of my room!!" Akane shrieked.

"Not until you tell me what I want to know!!" Ranma-chan retorted, and slammed the door behind her.

***

Ryouga lay on Ranma's futon, lost in thought. Periodically, the discussion next door became heated enough for him to hear them screaming at each other. He was fairly certain Ranma's engagement was over, judging by what little he could make out. After a couple of hours, his assumption was confirmed as the distraught red-head burst into the room. Tears streamed down her face, as much as she tried to wipe them away.

"Are you alright, Ranchan?" Ryouga asked softly, as he pulled her into his arms.

"I-it's over," Ranma-chan sobbed into his chest.

"You broke off the engagement?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Yeah...but she's not accepting it. Nabiki was right- Akane wants me to marry her, but on her terms. And I don't want to play the game her way."

"Are you moving out then?"

"I want to, but I can't- because of our father's agreement, I feel honor bound to the engagement until she agrees to break it off as well. But our relationship as it was is over." She buried her face in her friend's shirt. "That bitch! She gets so nasty when she doesn't get her way."

"So I've noticed."

"I should've seen it before- the signs were there. But I always went along with what she wanted until now."

"Shh...it's alright," Ryouga soothed, stroking her hair. "I'm here for you."

"This is what I hate so much about my girl form," Ranma sniffled, "I get so emotional, especially around this time of the month."

"Ranma, you were in love with Akane. It was obvious. You'd be crying now even as a guy."

"Maybe." *Love?* Ranma was about to say she felt the same way about Ryouga as she did Akane, but thought better of it at the last second. *Am I in love with Ryouga?* she wondered. *If my feelings for him are as obvious as what I feel for Akane, no wonder she hates him so much.* She already knew she was physically attracted to him in both forms, like it or not, but did she love him as more than a friend? *I did think I loved Akane, at least the sweet, cute girl I thought she was. Maybe I do love them both.*

She slid out of Ryouga's lap. "I think, it's time to go to bed." She said, not daring to look up at him, fearing her conflicting emotions would betray her. She'd lost Akane, and that was bad enough. Losing Ryouga too would be unbearable.

"All right." Ryouga got up and started undoing his bedroll. At Ranma-chan's questioning glance he explained, "It would look bad for us to be sleeping together, you being in girl form, and the way we tend to cuddle."

"And it doesn't look bad when we're guys?" Ranma snorted.

"I didn't realize it before you had that talk with Kasumi." Ryouga replied sheepishly.

"Yeah, I guess we were both completely clueless. G'night."

"Sleep well, Ranchan." Ryouga lay awake for a while. His body ached with desire for Ranma, but he didn't dare do anything about it. He thought he heard her start to cry softly again, but she batted his hand away when he reached out to comfort her. If only he had known that she was no longer crying over Akane, but the fact she had faced her feelings for Ryouga, and knew that she couldn't have him, either.

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

Ranma-chan headed over to the other side of town right after school for the next few days, opting to do her homework at Ryouga's house before she had to go to work. Akane was furious. She was still making plans for the two of them, and expecting Ranma to participate. The red-head finally told her flat out that she didn't want to spend any more time with her. That really didn't go over well. It took quite a bit of makeup to hide the bruise on her face, and even then she had to admit to her coworkers that her ex-fiancee had done it. They all assumed it was some asshole guy, of course.

Ryouga actually managed to stay at his house after Ranma dropped him off her first day of work, and was trying to catch up on his studies. Ranma-chan ran upstairs to see him.

The lost boy turned as she entered his room. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

Ranma hopped into his lap. "They didn't need me tonight. Wanna go catch a movie?"

Ryouga couldn't resist. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

Ranma lightly smacked him upside the head. "Dumbass. You know what I mean. We can go anywhere, just as long as I don't have to spend the evening near Akane. She's gotten so spiteful, I can't see any of the cute girl I liked in her anymore. I can't stand it."

"Are you over her, then?" Ryouga asked.

"Not really, it still hurts. A lot." Ranma replied. "Anyway, let's go. I hafta change clothes before we go anywhere."

"Why bother? By the time we get to the Tendo dojo and you get changed, it's going to be too late to see a movie."

"No it won't. I don't hafta go to school when I'm stuck as a girl, and you don't go to school period, so we can stay up as late as we want. And I'd prefer Akane to be asleep by the time I get home, anyway."

"For someone who doesn't want to give you up, she's not exactly doing much to make you want to stay with her."

"Tell me about it."

*********
Part 6b.


A Nasty Shock



Ranma entered the Tendo house to be greeted with a horribly familiar purple-haired girl having tea at the family table. The Chinese Amazon looked up before she had a chance to disappear.

"RANMA!! You I kill!!"

"Aw, shit!!" She turned tail and ran.

"LEAVE RANMA ALONE!!" Ryouga hollered and kicked the bonbori from her hand. It landed on her head.

Ranma came back to investigate. "Uh oh," she said, "I don't think you shoulda done that, Ryo-kun."

"What was she doing here, anyway?" Ryouga asked.

A sweatdropping Genma-panda held up a sign. 'She followed me home.'

"Thanks a lot, old man. This is all your fault, you jerk! Now she's going to want to kill Ryouga, too." Ranma complained.

"Ooh.." Shampoo moaned.

*Oh great, here we go.* Ranma thought.

Shampoo unsteadily pulled herself to her feet and stumbled toward Ryouga. To everyone's surprise she grabbed him and kissed him full on the lips. It only took the lost boy a couple seconds to come to his senses and shove her away as quickly as possible. "What was that for?" He gasped.

"You I love." Shampoo answered.

"WHAT?!!"

Shampoo pulled out a book, and opened it to a page to show him.

"Um, I don't read Chinese." Ryouga muttered.

Ranma looked peeked under his arm. "Moron. There's a Japanese translation on the other page. Ryouga put her into a friendly headlock.

"Says here that in the event that a woman warrior is defeated by an outsider, if the opponent is a woman, she must give her the kiss of death and kill her."

"We already knew that, URk!" Ranma's comment was cut off by another squeeze of Ryouga's arm.

"HowEVER," Ryouga continued, "If her opponent is a man, she must...WHAT?!! MARRY HIM?!!!"

"So what's the problem?" Ranma asked. "She's pretty enough, if you don't mind the fact she wants to kill me."

"Shut up, Ranma," Ryouga growled, and released her.

"Groom help Shampoo kill Ranma?" Shampoo asked hopefully.

"No! Ranma's my best friend! I'll hate you if you hurt her!"

"Is so?"

"Yes, is so!!"

"Groom come outside with Shampoo for minute?"

"Sure," Ryouga said dubious, not certain of her intentions.

Once outside, Shampoo asked, "Groom love red-head girl?"

"Yes." *Please let that make her give up* Ryouga thought.

"That what Shampoo think." Shampoo turned from him. *Is she...is she crying?* Ryouga wondered, and that was the last thing he remembered. He awoke to Shampoo leaning over him. Confused, he got up and went back in the house.

"Hey Ryouga, you okay?" Ranma asked, noting his dazed expression.

Ryouga stared at her blankly. "Um,y-yes, Miss. I feel oddly refreshed for some reason, heheh."

Ranma's eye twitched. Why was Ryouga acting so nervous? "Are you sure you're alright?"

Ryouga nodded. "Never better. And who are you, Miss?"

"What?! I'm your best friend, you dolt!! Ranma, remember?" No! This couldn't be happening! What did that Chinese witch to to him!! Tears started to sting her eyes.

"Don't get upset, Miss!" Ryouga said hastily. "I can't imagine why I don't remember you, you're so pretty I don't know how anyone could forget you."

Ranma couldn't take it anymore. She burst into tears.

Ryouga panicked. He'd just met this beautiful girl who seemed to like him, and already he'd made her cry! "I-I'm sorry. Please don't cry." That only seemed to make it worse. Acting on instinct, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her full on the lips. Ranma's eyes widened, but she made no move to push him away.

The Tendo family, who had been sitting back watching the drama unfold, did a double-take. Akane recovered first.

"You son of a bitch!!" She screamed, and hit Ranma over the head with the family table.

Something snapped in Ryouga's brain. "Leave Ranma alone!!" He yelled and threw a couple of bandannas at her, which she barely dodged.

"Oww," Ranma groaned. "This is not the way to win a guy back, Akane."

"Why would I want to win you back? As far as I'm concerned, our engagement is over!!" Akane turned and stormed out of the room.

Shampoo blinked as she watched Ryouga help his friend to his feet. "Groom very strong. Shiatsu no work long at all. Now have more reason kill Ranma."

"Eeeeee!!" Ranma screamed as she saw the bonbori coming at her. Ryouga saw it coming, too, and met it with his fist. It cracked, then crumbled into pieces.

"Shampoo," Ryouga said, his voice cold and taut. "If you hurt Ranma, so help me, I'll kill you."

The tone of his voice sent chills up the amazon's spine. Tears filled her eyes, and she seemed to come to a decision. "Bie Lao," she said, and jumped over the wall.

Nabiki had the Chinese/Japanese dictionary out. "That means 'We'll never meet again.'" she said.

"Thank heaven for that," Ryouga muttered.

"Raannnma...." Soun Tendo began...

*************8


TBC in a month.