Disclaimer: I own none of the characters portrayed. They all belong to their creator Rumiko Takahashi and the respective companies. It's gonna rain A Ranma ½ fic Sequel to Winners and Losers *** The sound of morning birds chirping and the smell of the freshly passed storm stirred Ryoga awake. Yawning, he tried to sit up... except he had gained some extra weight... "Eh...?" He slurred, covering his mouth as he yawned once more. Eyes squinted as sunlight washed over them, filtered through the curtains. Ryoga fell back down, shielding his eyes, just taking a moment. "That was one of the..." A feminine voice yawned out, "Ohayo Ryo-chan." Ryoga bolted straight up, Ukyo rolled off him with a surprised yelp. "It... really happened?!" He said, amazed. Ukyo pulled the blanket around their bodies, pushing them closer to each other. She smiled, stroking his cheek, sending pulses of emotion up his spine, "What? You think it was a dream?" She teased. Ryoga blinked and swallowed audibly, "...Er... No... I... think I remember... some... thing." Ukyo leaned in and whispered a few choice descriptions of what they did. Ryoga's eyes widened as his face reddened to intensities even a tomato couldn't compete. "We... we..." Ukyo sighed, eyes closed, nodding, "Yes... we did." She thought, She trembled inwardly, wrapping her arms around Ryoga's waist tighter. As if sensing her hurt, Ryoga stroked her hair, "Good." He whispered. Ukyo pulled away, surprised. Ryoga smiled, letting one of his fangs peek out, She thought. Before she could think or voice anything, Ryoga's fingers traced up her neck and held her chin, "Good." He repeated, "Then it's okay if I do this." With that he kissed her passionately. Startled at the sudden turn of events, Ukyo merely let her self get lost in the kiss. The morning sunshine made the couple seem even more angelic. Still they needed air... "Ryo... chan..." Ukyo blinked, slightly out of breath, "Wow." Ukyo kicked her inner voice into a small closet. Ryoga chuckled, running his fingers through her hair, "What's so funny?" She asked, leaning into his sturdy frame. Ryoga tapped her nose, then his, "In bed. Naked. No nosebleeds." Ukyo smiled, her thoughts still in a jumble, "Ryo-chan?" He picked up the hesitation and nervousness, "Yeah?" "Did... did we do the wrong thing?" "No." Ryoga kissed the top of her head, "No. I don't regret it. I loved it." Ukyo hung her head. Ryoga drew back, "Arigato." Ryoga heard his lover sob, a sound, which yanked at his heartstrings, "Thank you Ryo-chan." Despite last night, Ryoga still didn't know what to do in this sort of situation. Slowly he slid his arms around her, holding her and gently rocking. "Thank you." Ukyo wiped her eyes. She shifted and turned in his embrace, facing him, "Thank you." She ended it with a kiss on his nose. "Err... You're welcome?" Ukyo sighed, "Don't you get what I mean?" "No. Not really." Upon hearing that, her expression turned into one of annoyance and frustration. "Just kidding." He grinned, "I understand. I understand totally." He then cupped her cheeks, drawing the both of them into another kiss. Moaning, Ukyo adjusted herself to get comfortable. Sliding her tongue in the fray, she increased the pleasure level a notch for both of them. She got a low moan in response. Once she felt his body respond fully to their closeness, she parted lips and got up wrapping the sheets around her. Ryoga was left speechless and totally out of it. "After a night like that and you still won't quit." She laughed walking out the door, "Men are pigs." In the quiet room, Ryoga grabbed fragments of his mind and mashed them into something resembling intelligence. "Who're you calling a pig!? *** Ranma groaned as the torture continued. "Arrggghhhh... I... can't... take... it... Akane..." His tomboyish fiancée whispered, trying to keep her voice as low as possible. If they were caught... "Ranma... Just hang in there. It'll be over soon. I promise." Ranma whined, burying his face in his hands. "Please stop. I'll go crazy." Akane shushed him, whispering fiercely, "Oh come on! Take it like a man!" He banged his fist against the hard surface, "Of course I am! I'm a man among men!" Unfortunately the man among men didn't see the blackboard duster smack him dead in the face. "Mister Saotome." Came the gruff voice of Ranma and Akane's physics professor from all the way at the bottom of the lecture hall, "Do you have anything to add to this theorem? Or were you just sleeping in my lectures again?" The Prof. ended the last few words in a sardonic tone. "No! No!" Ranma wasn't going to get himself extra homework. He hated the ones he had already. "Just... er... just... em..." "Save it Saotome. Meet me after class." Ranma slumped back down in his seat, "Damn." Akane patted him on the head, "Well at least you didn't get another essay to write." "Oh. And Saotome." Said the Prof. "You'll get another essay to write." "AAARGGGHHHH!" *** "University life blows." Mumbled Ranma taking a bite out of a sandwich he'd made himself. Aforementioned fiancée sat beside him, chewing on some carrot sticks, "Look on the bright side..." "There is no bright side." Akane decided to change the topic, "Say, where's Ukyo-chan? It's not like her to be late for classes." She narrowed her eyes teasingly, poking Ranma's ribs, "Unlike other people." Ranma swatted her hands away playfully, "Stop that!" "You're ticklish? Oooh fun." Ranma rolled out of Akane's poking range. The youngest Tendo wrinkled her nose in mild annoyance and turned back to her snack. Ranma took his seat back and leaned against the tree they were under, "Maybe Ucchan's just..." Akane fell silent, "She is. I know I would." Ranma hung his head in shame, "I'm sorry." "You don't have to apologize to me. Ukyo-chan's the one you need to apologize too." Young Saotome nodded in agreement, "Hai. I'll go talk to her." Akane squeezed his hand, "I'll go with you." "Thanks. I have a feeling I'll need all the female help I need." Akane grinned, "Why Ranma. Is that a request? Are you actually asking for help? From a girl no less?" Ranma waved his hands, "Oh no! No way!" He continued nervously, "I mean... it's just that you girls have... these girl things... If I were a real girl I'd know too and then I'd probably be better at it than any other girl." An eyebrow twitched, <1. 2. 3. Breathe. 4. 5. 6...> Ranma continued his tirade, "I mean you're not exactly..." WHAM! Akane dusted of her hands as Ranma slid onto the ground a babbling mass. The other students having lunch turned their heads. Upon realizing what had happened they went back to their food. "Just Saotome putting his foot in his mouth again." "Oh. I thought a bomb went off." "You just wait till this one guy wearing a bandanna comes calling." *** 12 noon... Advanced Math. "Someone kill me. Kill me now." Akane rolled her eyes and followed her friends into the lecture hall as Ranma griped about the size of the headache he was getting. The bell rang and everyone was seated. Five minutes into the class. Akane had to wake Ranma up as the Prof. was giving him dark looks. Ten minutes later... "Gomen nasai!" "Ten minutes. You're late Kuonji. You've been hanging around Saotome too long." Ukyo swept her hair out of her face and bowed, "I'm sorry for disrupting the class." The Prof. nodded, "Take your seat." Ranma waved at her. Ukyo narrowed her eyes and took a seat in the front rows. Ranma looked down, "Why's she way down there?" A piece of chalk bounced off his forehead, "Saotome..." "Sorry sir." *** Back at Ucchan's… "Thank you! Come again!" Ryoga waved back as another customer left, "Hibiki-san? What are you doing here?" Ryoga blinked, recognizing one of Ukyo's regular customers, "Oh hey. I know you." The elderly woman chuckled, "Of course you do. I see you in this restaurant almost every other day." "Eh?" The woman took a seat at the counter, "I was beginning to think you lived here. But then that can't be it an unmarried couple living together. That's just not proper right?" Ryoga nodded, and rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah... not proper. Right." "Relax. I was kidding." She teased. Ryoga mixed up some batter idly as the lady picked out her toppings, "Of course you were I knew you were." "Right. I was." Ryoga couldn't shake the woman's eyes. They were so... so... burrowing? "Hibiki-san? Hibiki-san?" Ryoga snapped out of it, "Oh? Sorry. Here you are. One seafood okominayaki." The woman took a bite and spoke, "So Ukyo-chan left you in charge?" "Yup. I'm covering for her till she gets back from school." The woman nodded, "And this will continue till?" "Huh? What do you mean?" Another customer called from his table, "One special!" "OKAY!" Ryoga wasn't as fast as Ukyo, or as good as her. But it was good none the less. And he solved the problem of getting lost reaching the tables. Taking good aim, he threw out the plate first. Once settled, he flipped the okominayaki on to it. "There ya go! Enjoy!" The customer gave him a thumbs up. Ryoga returned the gesture then turned back to the old lady, "Gomen. You were saying something?" The woman smiled shaking her head, "Nothing. You used to be very dark and depressive. Seeing you lighten up somehow makes me feel better." Ryoga scratched his head, "Errmm... well... thanks... I guess." She finished her meal and paid the bill, "And I'm sure she feels the same way too." Ryoga slid the money into a drawer, looking up, "What? I'm sorry I didn't get that." "Nothing. Just this old woman having a little remembrance." She waved goodbye, "Good luck to you." "Y... Yeah... you too." The whole conversation left Ryoga scratching his head, "Okay... that was odd." "Two beef okominayakis!" "Well no time to think about that." He shouted back to the new customers, "Okay coming right up!" "Err... make that two pork okominayakis!" A muscle twitched and a spatula was crushed into little tiny pieces. *** "Ucchan! Ucchan!" Ukyo tried to tune out Ranma's voice as he called her from the other side of the field. Ukyo clamped her hand over her mouth even though the sentiments were thought not spoken. "Ukyo-chan!" Ukyo stopped and slumped her shoulders. She could at least be civil to Akane. The whole thing wasn't her fault. "Akane-chan! Gomen. I didn't hear you." Akane looked at her friend up and down, "Ukyo-chan... you look great." "You're just saying that." "No really. You've got this glow about you today." Ukyo blushed, "Err... yeah. Must be the tonic soups I've been drinking." Ranma shrugged his shoulders, Akane's voice grew serious, "Ukyo... we need to talk." Ranma butted in, "Ucchan... Akane's right... we need to talk." He took hold of her shoulders, "About the whole fiancée thing... I... I." "Ran... ma." Ranma blinked, Akane blinked, Ukyo smiled sadly, "Get your hands off me." She paused then added, "Please." Ranma's hand flew back to his sides as if burned. Akane stepped forward, "Ukyo..." Ukyo held up her hand, still smiling, "Look I just wanna be alone right now. Okay?" "Ucchan..." She narrowed her eyes, almost hissing, "Don't call me that." "Sorry." She said, bowing slightly, "I have to go now." Leaving Ranma and Akane behind, Ukyo clamped her hand over her mouth, small tears falling down the side of her cheeks, Ranma turned to Akane, "Akane... what... just happened?" Akane didn't answer him. She was close to tears herself, had it been her in Ukyo's shoes... *** Ryoga cast a glance at the wall clock, "Hmm... Should be about time... I wonder where she is?" He turned his attention back to the few customers left. "Usually, it'd be swamped... where's everyone. Did my cooking turn them off?" A sharp realization hit him, "Oh crap. If Ukyo sees the lack of business I'll be sleeping down here again." Ryoga blushed, reaching up to feel his nose heat up, A customer's shout broke his little inner debate, "One special please!" "Coming right up!" He yelled back, turning around to get the batter and ingredients, "Well at least I'm not bored out of my mind." He mused tugging at the collar of his yellow sweatshirt. The heat from the grill was getting to him. "Man it's hot." Suddenly the sound of chairs dragged against the floor quickly was heard along with several yells. "Hey! Watch it!" "Oi!" "Oh great not him again!" Ryoga turned around, "Eh? What's up?" A pink blur leapt on him, seriously freaking him out, "AAAAAHHHHH!" "UKYO!" The customers winced as a pink fluffy table latched itself onto Ryoga's face ala facehugger. Worse thing was it had begun to snuggle. A cold wind passed for a few seconds. A pretty face popped out of the table. Kurenai Tsubasa surveyed her... I mean his surroundings. "Wha? You're not Ukyo." Ryoga growled, face hidden by the flat of Tsubasa's table disguise, "I'm going to count to three." Tsubasa ignored him, still latched to him looking around, "Where's Ukyo? Where's Ukyo? Where's my darling Ukyo?" "Three." The cross dressing slash disguise artist was thrown to the floor. Tsubasa rubbed his head, "Hey! I was just asking where Ukyo was!" "You could have gotten off my face first!" Tsubasa hopped on to a stool and shoved his face into Ryoga's. With eyes bright and innocent, he asked, "So where is she?" Then he narrowed his eyes, "And why are you here!? You're one of Saotome's friends aren't you?!" "No I'm not Saotome's friend. And I'm covering for Ukyo while she's in school. Now kindly get off the stool. You're dirtying it." Ryoga was amazed at the calmness he had, considering he was talking to a table with a head "Then I'll just wait for my love to return to me." Smiled Tsubasa. Ryoga felt sick, "I'd rather you not. Ukyo doesn't like you." "She does! She does!" Ryoga groaned mentally, "Look get out before Ukyo gets back and screams at me for not throwing you out the first time." Tsubasa stuck out his tongue, "Ukyo doesn't hate me. She's just playing hard to get. We're perfect together. We're the same." Tsubasa continued, "I mean... she likes men's clothes... I like women's clothes. How kawaii is that?" He squealed. Ryoga spun around, trying to drive the rising urge to puke down. "Hey you okay?" Asked Tsubasa with genuine concern. It made Ryoga feel worse. Coughing, the lost boy wiped his mouth, "Look Tsubasa..." "Oh? You know my name?" Ryoga nodded, "Ye... yeah. Look. Ukyo-chan doesn't..." Tsubasa was stunned, "Ukyo-chan? You call her Ukyo-chan?" Ryoga slapped himself mentally, "Er... Yeah. What I'm saying is..." "How dare you!?" "Eh?" "You're just like Saotome! You want to take Ukyo from me! You vile fiend!" "Taking speech lessons from Kuno haven't you?" Tsubasa snarled. Rather shocking to Ryoga, "I fought off Saotome to reclaim Ukyo. I will do the same to you!" "Since when did you beat Ranma? You've never even touched him…." Ryoga grimaced as a image formed in his mind, "OH GODS! YUCK!" A pair of large hands grabbed Tsubasa's collar, "Listen here!" He rasped, "Come here again and I'll make sure Ukyo gets first whack at you with her shiniest spatula." "Ukyo-chan wants to whack me?! Oh happy day!" "Get it through your skull! Ukyo hates... well maybe finds you annoying and whiny. I sure as hell do. But I am sure that she doesn't love you!" "How can you be sure!?" Defied the cross dresser smugly. Ryoga faltered, He looked at Tsubasa's smug grin. Just like Ranma. Ryoga shook his head, "I'm sure..." He started. Tsubasa stopped grinning, "Because I'm sure." "What kind of reasoning is that?!" Ryoga was at his limit, "Just get lost before I make you!" "Hah! I'm not afraid of you!" The front door slid open… "Tadaima Ryo-chan. How're things..." Ukyo's mood, already in a bad state, soured even more, "What's he doing here?!" Her eyes burned holes in both men. Tsubasa, of course, felt none of the heat Ryoga was getting. "Uk... Ukyo-chan... I was just asking him to leave." Tsubasa struggled in Ryoga's grasp, "Ukyo-chan! At last!" Ukyo raised an eyebrow, "Asking him to leave?" Ryoga nodded slowly, shrugging indicating that he had not luck in the matter, "Asking him to leave?" She repeated walking past her lover. Tsubasa stretched his arms out to touch her, "Mou... Let go of me you big boar!" Ryoga clenched his fist, stopping himself when he realized he'd snap Tsubasa like a twig. Ukyo picked up her set of spatulas, "Asked him to leave?" "That's what I said." Ukyo laughed, "Ryo-chan. Put him down." "What?" "Yay! Ukyo! I knew you'd..." WHAM! Ukyo swung her main spatula with the force of a gale wind, sending Tsubasa bouncing off the walls. "You don't ask him to leave. You make him." She smiled pulling him down for a kiss. Resulting in applause from her customers. "Wow! That was fast!" "At least she doesn't have to pander to that Saotome guy again." "Yes. Hibiki-san is much better for her." Ryoga's eyes were still locked on Tsubasa's body as he bounced around the room. "But I didn't want to hurt him." Ukyo shrugged, "The only way I know how." "But he'll just come back." Reasoned Ryoga handing his spatulas over. "True. But I don't know what else to do." Ryoga grinned evilly, "I might know what to do." "Oh?" He nodded, "When you've worked with Mousse, you'll learn the true meaning of being evil" He chuckled, rubbing his palms. "Mousse... Poor guy. You think he's alright?" Ryoga cocked his head, "I think so. I met him on my way back to Nerima." "Really?" "Yeah. The amazons let me pass when he said he knew me. You know? You don't see a guy for two years and the first thing he asks you is..." "How's Shampoo doing?" Ryoga nodded, "Yup." Ukyo sighed, "I hope he's doing alright. I hope Shampoo suffers for what she did to him." Shrugging, Ryoga left the restaurant to Ukyo's better management, dragging Tsubasa's sorry carcass out to the curb, he turned around. "You think she's heard... about Ranma and Akane?" Ukyo fell silent, "I don't care what that bimbo thinks." "I know. But you know how she is. She'd end up demolishing the whole of Nerima..." "Just like you would." Ryoga hung his head, "Yeah. Just like I would..." Ukyo stroked his cheek. A few young girls sighed at the romantic scene. Ryoga blushed, "You don't have to feel bad about it Ryo-chan. I stopped you didn't I?" "Yeah... but who'll stop her?" "Not our problem. It's Ranma's now." "Yeah. It's always been his problem." They both shared a grin and chuckle. When the merriment died down. Ryoga was left feeling a little better. Ukyo cupped his cheek. The contact sent flashes through his skin. Smiling she brought her face closer, He wondered parting his lips. Instead of a kiss, Ukyo jerked him around in his seat to face the dining area, "Where are all my customers!? What have you been doing Ryo- chan?" The lost boy sweatdropped, "Ano..." *** "We should talk to her." "But you saw how she acted. Better wait till she cools down." "But... but..." "Trust me on this Ranma. Its female intuition." "But she's my best friend! I gotta look out for her!" Akane's flinched, "And how long are you going to do that?" Ranma faltered, trying to retort, "You can't keep doing this Ranma. She'll think you're there to make up. You're making her think she has a chance. You've got to stop this. Stop putting your ego in front of everyone else. "I can't!" He admitted, guilty for that one time he asked Ukyo if she still loved him, He slapped himself. Akane caught his hand, "Why did you do that!?" "I'm like my father..." Akane hugged him, "Yes. Yes you are." Ranma was shocked. Akane soothed him down, "But you're still a good person. Just badly brought up." "Gee thanks..." Akane hit him just as fast as she had comforted him, "Damn it! Stop thinking about your image!" "Okay... okay." "So you'll listen to me when I said not to talk to Ukyo. Not just yet." Reluctantly Ranma nodded, "Okay. I won't. I just hope Ucchan'll forgive me." *** "I'll never forgive you for that!" Ryoga covered his head as Ukyo missed slamming the spatula by a hair's breath, "I'm sorry! The customer's didn't say anything! I thought I was doing fine!" Ukyo tasted some of his cooking, grimacing, "Ryo-chan. I know you put effort into it. But this isn't the perfect okominayaki." "Yeah well. When you've got nothing but berries to eat, you take what you can get." Ukyo growled than softened, "I'm sorry Ryo-chan. Today's just been taxing. I appreciate your help." "S'alright." Smiling at him, she shoved an apron into his hands. "What's this for?" He asked, he read the words on it, "Kiss the cook?" Ukyo placed her hands on her hips, "Well? What are you waiting for?" She held out her arms. Ryoga sighed, kissing her. "Weird gaijin stuff." Breaking the sweet kiss, Ukyo pushed back out into the dining area, "Get to work Ryoga, those orders won't get to the tables themselves." She laughed, "And remind me to teach you how to cook later." "Hai. Hai." Business didn't pick up until around the early evening. And then it was still small, according to Ukyo. Ryoga found himself hard pressed to keep up with the amount and speed of okominyakis Ukyo was producing. "Order up!" Ryoga dived, catching the plate of food as he landed on the floor flat, not wasting time, he quickly got on his feet, placing the order on the correct table. "Enjoy." He panted, "Ukyo! Slow down!" "Think of it as speed training!" She yelled above the din, sending three more orders in three different directions. Ryoga watched as they went sailing through the air, "Oh crap." He muttered jumping to catch the nearest one. *** Ranma looked at Ukyo's banners fluttering in the wind. The wind was picking up as thunder rumbled, "Another storm?" The door opened as a few more satisfied customers walked out, smiling to themselves. "At least she's able to make her customers happy." He said, ready to slide the door aside. "Ukyo-chan!" Ryoga grimaced as he said the next words, "Pork special! Table six!" Ukyo grinned inwardly, seeing Ryoga's discomfort, "P-chan? What are you doing here?" The bustle of the dining area died out. All eyes turned to Ranma, making him sweat, "Er... Hi." He smiled nervously, waving. Ryoga set the current order down, not bothering to face Ranma, "Take a seat. We'll be with you shortly." Ukyo did likewise, completely ignoring the man she had once pursued, "Great! How about the usual?!" Called Ranma from the far end of the hall. Neither Ryoga nor Ukyo seemed to have heard him. Maybe they just didn't want to. "Must be the noise." Ranma said to himself, quietly taking a seat. By nine the crowd had cleared. The last few customers paid their bills and waved goodbye. Ukyo and Ryoga bowed to the last two, a couple walking hand in hand. Ukyo thought. Wondered Ryoga. "Ucchan? Over here." Two pairs of eyes snapped and locked onto a new target. Ranma gulped under their stares. Ukyo whispered into Ryoga's ear. He nodded and went outside to take down the banner. Ukyo pulled out a chair and sat in front of Ranma. "Well? What do you want?" She said curtly. "Ucchan... come on... don't be like that." "I have half a mind to throw you out right now." "That's just the anger talking." "No. What? You've come here to make up? Come to make me say 'I love you' just to make you feel high and mighty?" "No Ucchan..." Ranma said, clasping his hands, "I just wanna know if you're alright. If you hate me... I understand. Pop did some stupid shit in the past..." Ukyo cut him off, jabbing her finger in his chest, "YOU and your father have done some stupid shit in your lives! Both of you!" "I didn't want it to be this way!" Ranma raised his voice, "Really. I didn't!" "Then why didn't you tell us that!? Kept us hanging on to false hopes!" She yelled, "Ucchan..." Ranma lowered his voice, "I... I..." This was going to be hard. "I liked it. Made me feel good." "Asshole." She hissed, apparently she'd upgraded her swearing from 'Jackass' "Damn you!" She slapped him. Her hand hurt, but it felt good. Very good. Ryoga, who had been listening outside, rushed in, fearing the worst. He blinked when he saw Ukyo standing over Ranma, her hand outstretched and trembling. Ranma's face was jerked to the side by the slap. "Ukyo-chan..." "Stay there Ryo-chan. Just stay there." Ranma turned his head back to face her, "I deserved that..." "I don't know if I can call you my friend. You hurt me Ranma. You hurt me." Ranma held her trembling hand. Ryoga flinched, Ukyo's previous request barely stopping him from ripping Ranma's head off. "Ucchan. I do love you." If Ranma was expecting any giddy school girl response... he wasn't going to get it. Ryoga gnashed his teeth. "But as a friend. You're like the sister I never had." Ryoga was seriously hurting to place the hurt on his old rival. Ukyo shared his sentiments, "I told you already. I want to be alone right now. Please leave." She pointed to the door, just past Ryoga. "Ucchan... please..." "I'll forgive you. If and when I see fit." She snapped. Footsteps ran up to the door, "Ranma!" Ryoga turned around, "Akane?" "Ryoga-kun?" She turned to Ranma, holding Ukyo's hand. Fighting the old rage, she walked towards them, "Ranma?" Surprised, he dropped Ukyo's smaller hands, "Akane?" Ukyo didn't want another trademark Ranma-Akane argument right now, "Please leave." Akane looked at her, "Ukyo-chan…." Ukyo smiled back, "It's alright. I'll be fine. Just need to think." Her smile was directed to Akane, but her eyes on where Ryoga standing by the door, Akane nodded, "If you say so. But we're here for you." "I know." This time both eyes and smile were on Ryoga. "Come on Ranma. Night Ukyo." "But... Ucchan..." Akane soon shut Ranma up. As they walked out the door, Ranma pulled Ryoga outside, "Ucchan said she wants to be alone. What're you doing here anyway?" Ryoga shook off Ranma's arm with disdain, "None of your damn business!" "Ucchan's my best friend! It is my damn business!" Ryoga snarled, "Ranma! Stop it!" Ranma listened to his fiancée, "Akane..." "Just stop it. Obviously Ryoga-kun's helping Ukyo more than you can." Ryoga blushed, "Eh?" "His helping with the restaurant must be a great relief to her. Let's not argue about this!" Ryoga breathed a sigh of relief. "Good night Ryoga-kun." "Eh? Oh. Night Akane." He sneered the remainder, "Saotome." Soon the couple was out of view. A bush jumped in front of him, "Damn you! Ukyo-chan! I'll save you!" "I don't have time for you, you freak!" With one yank he pulled Tsubasa out of his disguise, and opened the door, "Ukyo. Are you alright?" The chef raised her head, wiping tears away, "Fine. Harder than I thought it would be. But it felt good to give him one good slap." Tsubasa cheered, "Yes! Now we can be together!" Ryoga punched him out. Ukyo blinked. "What? You said we had to make him leave. And I have a good idea how to." With that he left the restaurant, Tsubasa in tow. Ukyo tried to stop him. "It's okay Ukyo. I won't hurt him that much." He was gone, leaping from roof to roof quickly. Ukyo gnashed her teeth, "No you aho! You'll get lost!" She screamed into the night, "AAAARRRGGGGGHH!" Growling, she slammed the door shut and stomped off to her room. *** "Okay... I remember this lamp post. I must be on the right track." Ryoga looked down the street lined with lampposts, "I'm dead." After disposing of Tsubasa it had been midnight. "Now what?" He jumped onto a roof, "Maybe I can see it from here." Nothing. "Arrgggghhh! Damn you Saotome!" He always felt better yelling that. "Ryo-chan?" Ryoga looked down, Ukyo was looking up at him from her window, "What're you doing on the roof?" "Wha? You mean I actually found my way back? Wow!" Sighing she dragged him back inside, "Come on you'll catch your death of cold." Lighting flashed followed by thunder, "Just in time too. P-chan's cute. But not that big to cuddle." She smiled. Ryoga returned it in a nervous fashion. "Thanks..." WHACK! "What was that for?!" "That was for running off like that! What if you didn't find your way back?!" "Sorry." "Damn right you are!" She clipped him over the head once more, lightly this time. "I said I was sorry! I won't do it again! Well... not on purpose anyway." "Oh I give up!" She threw her hands up and threw him a robe, "Come on. Get cleaned. You're a mess." Ryoga held up the soft cloth, "It's got flowers on it." He commented. Ukyo rolled her eyes, "Sakura actually." "I know that." "Well?" "I'm not wearing a flowery robe!" "Ryoga!" "No! Why don't I get something like yours?" He pointed to her plain blue yukata. "Cause it's the only other one I've got after... our... er... ya know..." She blushed. "Oh." "Oh? Is that all you can say?" "Err... oh?" "You're hopeless!" Grabbing his arm, she dragged him into the bathroom downstairs. Kicking open the door, she threw the robe next to the bath. Keeping a firm grip on his wrist she turned on the hot water tap, "Ryo-chan! You're acting like a child!" "I am not! I just don't wanna wear that!. Ranma's mother wears that!" The bath was filled, "Well you've got no choice." "Huh?" She turned on the shower, the cold shower. "Bweeee!" "Heh." She dropped him in the hot water. "Rght. Get clean. You pig." "Who're you calling a pig?!" He yelled pulling her in reflex and retaliation. Ukyo cried out as she fell headfirst into the steamy water. Ryoga, suddenly felt the pressure rise in his throat as Ukyo's hands shot out of the water to choke him, "Why you!" Ryoga choked and coughed trying to get her to release her hands. It wasn't the choking that affected him, it was her nails digging into his skin. "Uk... yo... that hurts..." "I don't care!" She shook him by the neck vigorously. Ryoga blinked the water out of his eyes, his hair plastered to his face as the waters lapped against his chest. Ukyo was in the same state, difference was that her wet yukata was clinging to her like a second skin. "Now look at me! My last yukata!" She cried drawing his attention to her body. He began to feel certain areas of him starting to heat up. Namely the nose. Thunder rumbled outside, a sound soon followed by rain pattering against the windows. "Oh great. Now we'll have to get out before we get pneumonia." Ryoga pulled her close and kissed her to silence her. Ukyo protested at first but slowly melted into it. Catching her breath, Ukyo pulled back, eyes wide, "What brought that on?" She asked. "Bath. Hot. So are you." He said moving for another kiss. Ukyo didn't complain this time. Her hand ran along his face touching his nose, "Hmmm... no blood. Guess you really are cured." "Rrr..." He mumbled. Ukyo pushed him off, "Get cleaned." She stood up, the wet yukata adding weight to her every step. Ryoga swallowed as he admired her lithe body. She noticed his appreciative gaze, "Ecchi." She whispered, kicking the side of his head lightly. Grabbing a towel she dried her hair and face off. "Don't take too long. You'll end up like a raisin." Ryoga leaned into the bath as she walked out. "Aahhh... nice hot bath..." *** Ryoga had no problems finding his way back to Ukyo's room. All he had to do was follow her wet footsteps, "Easiest trail I've ever followed." He stopped outside the door, fingers set to push the door aside, He kicked himself, His memory decided to send a torrent of last night's images through his brain. He shook his head violently, Taking a deep breath, he slid the door open. Ukyo was already asleep, wearing one of his sweatshirts, the large garment served to cover her up to her thighs. Tiptoeing, he got around her and settled himself on his futon. He noticed the rips and tears, Lightning flashed as the rain drummed against the glass windows. Thunder followed soon after. He looked at the small clock next to them, "One. And I still can't sleep." Another rumble of thunder stirred Ukyo, "Damn storm..." She mumbled, rubbing her eyes, "Ryo-chan? What're you doing up here?" "You mean I'm not sleeping here?" Ukyo's palm cracked across his forehead, "Sukebe!" She said fiercely, but blushing badly. Unable to continue her next words, simply because she had none. "I wasn't thinking about... ya know... that!" Ukyo rolled her eyes, "Why don't you just say it?" "Okay. I wasn't thinking about sex! Happy?" Ukyo pinched his cheeks pulling his face towards her, "You. Are the most exasperating person I've ever met. I can't stop worrying for you." She ended her statement with a kiss. Caught of guard, Ryoga could do nothing more than just let himself go. Ukyo smiled into the sweet exchange, running her fingers through his thick messy hair. "Mmmm..." Ryoga pulled back, breathless, "Ukyo... Maybe we shouldn't..." "You think the first time was a mistake?" He shook his head, "No." Idly stroking her long hair, "I don't think it was a mistake. I know it wasn't." Ukyo smiled moving closer. Ryoga backed off to her disappointment. "I just think... we're going a little too fast." Gently, he took her hands in his, clasping them as if in prayer. Ukyo bit her lip, She giggled to herself, "You're right... We might be taking this too fast." She joked. "So... I'll just take this." He rolled up the mattress and motioned towards the door, "And..." A small hand held his, "It's okay. What's sleeping in the same room mean anyway?" Ukyo's smile did things to him. Things he'd never want stopped. "Okay. If you're comfortable with it." He said, She nodded, "I am. Now get some sleep. It's already one thirty." "It's okay. It's a Saturday tomorrow." She wrinkled her nose, "Oh? And do you think this restaurant runs itself?" "Eh..." She huffed, smacking him on the head lightly, "Baka." "Can't I take a break?" "No." "Damn." "Baka." She related, cuddling into his arms. "Err..." "Oh quit being such a baby." She snapped, grabbing the covers over them. "Okay." Both lay in silence for a moment. Ukyo spoke up, "What did you do with Tsubasa anyway?" Ryoga grinned, "It came to me in a dream." "Really?" "A very scary dream." Ukyo nodded, Kissing his cheek she stroked his hair, "Oyasumi Nasai." Returning the gesture, Ryoga whispered back, "Oyasumi." Slowly, with the sounds of the storm raging outside, both of them fell asleep cradled in each other's arms. *** Saturday morning. Tendo Residence. "Oooh... Akane..." Ranma groaned, face showing signs of concentration. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he shifted to make himself comfortable. "Yes... I love you... I was an idiot..." He draped his arm over the body next to him, pulling it closer to savor the warmth, He kissed the silky hair, stroking it, "I love you." "I love you too." Ranma smiled, "Akane." "Ukyo-chan." Ranma's eyes snapped open, "Ukyo-chan?" "Akane?" mumbled Tsubasa, just waking up, rubbing his eyes. Both parties took one look at each other. "AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!" *** Amazon village, Qinghai China. A bespectacled weapons master stood up, scratching his head, feeling an odd sense. "Funny." He mused. His students looked at their master in equal confusion, "What is it Shi fu? (Teacher/ Master)" Mousse, face still contorted in befuddlement, "I... I have this sudden urge to laugh. I don't know why. I just do." He shrugged, returning back to his lesson, "Oh well." End.