Okay, I'm looking for your opinion on a couple of stories I started over the last few weeks - okay, so it's three in total. Let me know what you think of them and which one's you'd be most interested in me continuing...

Please note that these have not been beta read yet! All mistakes, incongruousness and OOC's are my flaws! Sorry!

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Righto, this one is placed during the time where they pretend to be married. Let me know what you think!

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Ranma paused momentarily. Actually that did make sense – surely if Ukyo thought he was already married she'd back off and they could go back to being friends.

"Okay, Okay. I guess there's no turning back now. I'll help you."

"I'M THE ONE WHO'S HELPING YOU!"

Fuming, Akane glared at him but stopped the moment they both noticed Ukyo peeking around the corner.

"What are you two whispering about?"

Blushing slightly, Akane pressed herself against Ranma and felt his arm touch her shoulder, though it was shaking slightly.

"Um, our relationship-"

Stomping on Ranma's foot before he could say something incriminating that would imply they'd had a fight she cuddled closer to him.

"Now, now darling. A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."

She watched with satisfaction as Ranma blushed even more, avoiding Ukyo's eyes. She was now glaring at them both.

"My apologies, Ukyo.", Akane took the lead again, snuggling under Ranma's arm on her shoulder. Unseen by the other girl she used her arm on his back to propel him forward. God, Ranma's entire body was stiff and awkward. Sending what she hoped was a convincing smile at the other girl she moved level with her.

"You know us, we're not really comfortable with publicly showing our affection, isn't that right, honey?"

Despite her own blush Akane found herself giggling slightly when Ranma's cheeks darkened.

"Ye-yeah, of course, darling."

Smiling slightly to herself, Akane thought that this wasn't so bad. Ranma's arm around her had stopped shaking and their position felt strangely natural. Relaxing into his side, she minutely tightened her hold on his waist. Unfortunately, Akane noticed Ranma's surprised eyes on her and his blush as he realised she was enjoying this.

Avoiding each other's eyes they were immediately surrounded by their family, separating their fake wedding and all other thoughts fled their minds as they set to pretending all night.

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Soaking in the bath tub, Akane sighed. This wasn't going to go well. Ranma and her were to focussed on fighting one another to suddenly present the opposite image. How were they going to do that? Besides, what did married couples normally do?

For a moment her mind drew a blank. She'd not really had any examples except for what she'd seen in movies. Real life tended to be somewhat different... but what did that mean? Despite her engagement, she hadn't ever contemplated their actual life together in such detail. She'd imagined the wedding, vows of undying love, soft kisses and hand holding... but that was it. Sometimes she'd imagined children but she'd never thought what day to day life would be like.

Frowning, Akane leant back in the bathtub. Married couples... slept in the same bed, kissed and hugged... what else would they do? Her making food was out of the question. Despite her vocal protests to Ranma she did try her own food occasionally and she knew very well that poisoning him would not be a sign of love.

That made her pause – but would admitting a weakness not be? Admitting that she couldn't cook? Slowly she planned the next day's lunch, absentmindedly stepping out of the bath to dry herself off.

Just as she was about to put her pyjama's on another plan came to mind. Akane flushed. She couldn't... could she? Her heart raced. No, that was out of the question.

Despite her thoughts she nimbly wrapped the towel around herself and grabbed her pyjamas. Sneaking into her room she dumped them on the bed.

'You can do this.' Akane looked at herself in the mirror. If she was honest with herself, she did enjoy the fact that Ranma was now touching her softly and was affectionate with her even if it did hurt that the entire thing was a charade for Ukyo's benefit.

So, wrapped in only a towel, Akane entered Ranma's room – knowing that both him and Ukyo would be in it. Pasting what she hoped could pass as a sexy smile on her lips, she leant against the doorframe under the wide eyed look from both Ukyo and Ranma.

"Honey, now that we don't need to pretend anymore you can come sleep in my room like always."

Silently congratulating herself for the lack of shakiness in her voice she watched Ranma visibly gulp before sending a short look at Ukyo. To her surprise, Ranma sent another look at her, questioning. And despite herself, Akane knew what he was asking – was this really okay? All for the sake of getting Ukyo to back off?

Smiling softly, enjoying the small rush of power she felt at Ranma's hesitation and consideration, she replied.

"You know, a girl might be hurt by the fact that you're not falling over yourself to rush to bed. One might think you don't ...", looking up at Ranma through her eyelashes, Akane gave him a coy look, smirk on her lips as she watched his reaction to her next words "enjoy sleeping with your wife."

It took only a moment before the full impact of her words hit him – she watched as his eyes grew to impossible size, his mouth gaped open and he gulped. A moment later his eyes had wandered lower before he visibly tore them away and met her eyes again.

"I ... definitely don't want you to think that.", his tongue licked his lips as he grabbed both pillow and duvet, giving her a smirk as he walked past and the message in his eyes wasn't hard to read.

Challenge understood and accepted.

Grinning to herself, she sent a wink at the flabbergasted Ukyo and followed Ranma into her room. Closing the door behind her, Akane allowed herself to relax against the door momentarily. God, this was more difficult than she'd anticipated.

She gave Ranma a glance as she pushed herself away from the door and closed the curtains. Despite her accusations she knew very well that Ranma was not someone to do anything to her she didn't want herself. Blushing, Akane admitted to herself that that was exactly their problem. There weren't a lot of things she didn't want to do with Ranma.

Looking at Ranma in front of her – who was blushing and desperately trying not to look, Akane sighed. Her entire family was probably sitting outside the door and trying to listen in. Grumbling at her messed up life, she looked at Ranma and mouthed 'Play along'.

"Ah Ranma. I hated having to wake up in bed without you by my side these last few days. I am so glad this charade is finally over."

Blushing herself she sent a tentative look up at Ranma. Stepping closer until she could easily whisper into his ear, she continued talking.

"Can we... go out to the roof and look at the stars? Just the two of us?"

Sending a surreptitious look at the door, Akane lowered her voice to a whisper.

"You had better not look when I change or I swear to god that you WILL die. Slowly. Painfully. Understood? This whole playacting thing does not give you any rights whatsoever to take ... liberties."

She watched as Ranma, to her surprise, actually relaxed at her words and chuckled. He gave her a single nod to confirm he understood before talking out loud, addressing their spectators outside the room.

"I would like that very much, honey."

As per her instructions he closed his eyes and turned her back to her. Akane paused only momentarily before undressing swiftly, blush on her face. This was entirely uncomfortable – knowing that he was close enough she only needed to reach out to touch him. Swallowing, Akane grabbed her pyjamas to quickly pull them on. At least she didn't have the sort of sexy lingerie that Nabiki had.

Tapping his shoulder slightly she watched as Ranma cautiously turned around before carefully peaking out of one eye and only relaxing when he could clearly see the yellow fabric.

Amused, Akane's lips quirked into a smile as she drew back the curtains and opened the window.

"Carry me?"

Okay, so maybe she was enjoying this a bit too much. Sue her.

Ranma merely rolled his eyes. Before she could blink one of his hands was under her knees and the other around her back and she was safely ensconced in his arms.

It took barely a second and they were up on the roof. Clearing his throat, Ranma softly put her back on her own feet and stepped back.

Putting on another fake smile, Akane pushed on Ranma's shoulders. He sat down after a glance at her and with a sigh, Akane sat down between his legs, leaning her back against his chest. With a quick move she'd put Ranma's arms around her stomach and felt him place his chin on her shoulder. Her own arms covered his and Akane couldn't help but enjoy the moment. This was... kind of nice. Breathing in deeply, she reminded herself that this was nothing but an act.

"Aww, isn't this romantic, Ranma? Looking at the stars together, sitting on the roof, just the two of us?"

Ranma made an affirming grunting noise and Akane barely stopped herself from frowning. God, couldn't he even pretend to be romantic?

Annoyed, the blue haired girl nonetheless lowered her voice to barely a whisper instead of yelling at him.

"Have you thought this through? How are we meant to pretend to be married? All we do is fight; it's bound to come out sooner or later!"

Ranma's whispered back furiously, anger easily felt by the tension in his shoulders.

"Well you didn't have to go along with it. You're the one who thought Nabiki's plan was a good idea."

Akane squeezed his hand, trying to refrain from replying in kind or hitting him. She could feel their fathers watching them, which meant Ukyo and Nabiki were probably somewhere nearby as well.

"Listen to me for once, would you! That's not what I'm saying. We can pull this off, but we need to be on the same side for once. Now, I hate to say this but I'm not sure how a married couple should act. Any ideas?"

Ranma paused. He'd lived on the road with his old man for most of his life and couldn't really remember his mother. He had no particular idea of what marriage would be like though he hoped to himself that if or when he ever got married, he would never WANT to leave his wife for ten years.

"Dunno. Guess I kinda figured that with my dad's promises I'd end up in an unhappy marriage one way or another."

Shoulders slumping, Akane found herself sympathising with the boy behind her. She'd noticed it on multiple occasions – no one ever listened to him, always trying to force him one way or the other. Persisting, Akane pressed on.

"But if you think about it, what would a happy marriage be like for you?"

Blushing, Ranma looked up at the sky to avoid looking at the girl in his arms.

"Y'know... I could only be happily married if it was with someone I l-love."

"Same here.", Akane admitted. "All I ever imagined was kisses, touches, hugs and just.. sharing affection. Saying 'I love you'. Sleeping in the same bed together, waking up together. I... don't know what to do beyond that.", Shrugging slightly despite the embarrassment she was feeling, Akane looked up at Ranma.

"Can you cook?" Her voice was soft, trying not to think about what she was about to say and confess.

Sending her a surprised glance, Ranma nodded against her shoulder.

"The old man couldn't cook anything edible beyond a couple of dishes. I'm not great, but I can make some passable dishes. Why?"

"Well, much as I hate it... I'm not a great cook. I... always had this image of myself cooking for the man I love and at some point in the future for our kids. I always wanted to be feminine like Kasumi." Akane shook her head. She hadn't meant to open up that much to Ranma. "My point is, my only idea of married life was for me to bring a bento to school for you. I know, however, that you'd run the other way and that would end up with you probably comatose and our fake marriage out in the open."

Ranma grinned slightly as Akane glared at him.

"If you ever use what I've just told you against me, you will regret it. Cat phobia regret it."

"Hey, I wouldn't do that."

"Uh-huh. Anyway, my point was that if you could make a bento for tomorrow it'd sort of be the same gesture?"

Ranma grimaced.

"That's not very manly."

Akane giggled slightly. Ranma's obsession with being a man was always amusing. Due to his curse he was always rather touchy about the subject.

"Okay. Then how about you help me make a bento? That's sweet, romantic and still manly. You're helping the poor, poor female..."

Ranma grinned at her sarcastic tone and Akane couldn't help but smile back. This wasn't so bad.

"Sounds good to me. So long as I don't die from food poisoning."

A quick jab into his ribs stopped Ranma's laughter and the blue haired girl frowned. Just when she thought they were getting along – another fight.

"That's another thing. We always fight, how is that affectionate?"

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Ranma hesitated only for a moment before his mouth opened and said what he'd been thinking.

"What about using 'my tomboy' instead of darling?"

He flushed. He could feel the heat in his cheeks and avoided Akane's eyes. There was no need for her to know that it was already what he called her in his head.

"That- That's brilliant. Though I still don't understand how calling me a tomboy is affectionate."

Licking his lips, Ranma paused. Did he dare...?

"Well, y'know... Not everyone likes quiet and meek girls..."

He felt her freeze in his arms, could see as she turned her face to him.

"What do you mean?", her voice was soft and her brown eyes were wide and fastened on him.

"Don't get any ideas. It's not like I'm talking 'bout myself or anything. Just... some boys quite like being challenged rather than a compliant girlfriend. A tomboy... Just sayin'."

He flushed at how happy Akane was looking, her brilliant smile so close to his face made his blood sing and his heart race. If only she knew how stunningly beautiful she looked when she did that – it still took his breath away – which was probably a good thing as he would've almost certainly ended up insulting her with his next sentence.

Akane's smile softened as she looked at him.

"My baka."

There was no mistaking the affection in the term and he felt his cheeks redden in embarrassment. Clearing his throat, he looked back at her.

"So, we good? For tomorrow?"

"Yes, I actually think we might pull this off. I'll try to not jump to conclusions, you try to not insult me and we'll be fine."

Nervous, Ranma nodded slightly at her words, before looking at her cautiously.

"Do you want me to, y'know, be a girl for when I sleep in your room?"

He watched as her entire body twisted slightly to look at his face, incredulous expression on her face.

"And how, pray tell, would that help?"

Blinking in surprise, Ranma looked at his fiancée.

"Well... I'd be female. I thought it might-"

Akane's glare shut him up.

"Tell me one thing, when you're a girl do you want to kiss guys?"

"Urgh! Akane! What the- Of course not!", he barely refrained from shouting and instead whispering the words to her though he was still outraged at her suggestion. His face was twisted into grimace, remembering Mikado Sanzenin kissing him in his cursed form.

"Then how would it help? I'm not scared of myself being overwhelmed with passion and mauling you in your sleep, so whether you're female or male makes no difference."

Wide eyed he stared at her, heart racing. Did she...? Was she for real? He had tried to get other to see it, argued until he was blue in the face. He was male, even if his body wasn't all the time. He was interested in women only. And yet here, out of nowhere, his fiancée said exactly the same thing to him.

He could kiss her.

That thought made him flush.

"Err... so what do we do?"

Finally she blushed as well in embarrassment.

"Well, we'll keep our hands to ourselves and we'll be fine. ... Right?"

"...Right."

He was not going to get any sleep tonight, was he?

He watched as Akane leant forwards slightly and found himself missing the feeling of holding her in his arms already.

"I'm starting to get cold. Let's go get some sleep, okay?"

Nodding and smiling a similarly fake smile he suppressed his nervous tension and swept Akane up into his arms again. Grinning slightly at her he easily jumped down and let them in through the window.

"Show off."

Smirking he looked at Akane, still securely held in his arms.

"You're just envious."

"Pah. You wish."

They exchanged smiles at the familiar banter and relaxed slightly. Laying her down on the bed, Ranma took a step back, looking at his pillow and duvet.

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Akane stretched slightly. This was going remarkably well. Despite a few insults, she and Ranma now had a workable plan to fool Ukyo. And besides, Ranma would never do anything to hurt her, of that she was certain.

A knocking on the window made Akane frown and jump up. Ranma had already opened the window and to her surprise, Nabiki was outside.

"Well, I wasn't going to suggest this until tomorrow. Now, I had a feeling this might happen.."

Akane and Ranma exchanged a glance in amusement at the bucket of water being offered. Ranma took a slight step back, letting her deal with her own sister.

"Wow, well, Nabiki, this is terribly nice of you but I don't swing that way. If I do anything with my husband I much prefer him to be male. Of course I don't have anything against it, Nabiki. You really should've told me!"

Smiling widely, Akane patted her sister on the shoulder and closed the window in front of her. This was the first time she'd ever managed to really pull one over her sister. Giggling, she turned back to Ranma. He was chuckling and gave her a thumbs up.

After she'd closed the curtains and turned back around, both teenagers hesitated, feeling awkward. Unable to make eye contact, Akane looked at her bed.

"So... any preference about which side of the bed you'd rather sleep on?"

Ranma gave her a funny look.

"I was happy if I had a bed to sleep on. Never mind which side of it."

Akane laughed slightly. Okay, that had admittedly been a rather stupid question on her part.

After a moment of hesitation both crawled under the duvet, blushing, lying with their backs to one another.

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It wasn't the alarm that woke Ranma up, rather it was his fiancée stretching over his body to reach the alarm. He gulped, eyes flitting over her body before refocusing on her face, fearing she would notice his distraction any moment now.

"Sooo... my baka, you ready to teach me how to cook?"

It took a moment and some tongue biting before Ranma merely nodded in reply, suppressing his initial answer which would have surely sent him flying.