Disclaimer: Don't own Ranma 1/2...Never did...Never will...

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Desperate Measures

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Chapter 1 - Never Compare Your Fiancee To Another Girl

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The shoji door slid open revealing a familiar red Chinese shirt. Ukyo smiled and set aside the towel she used to wipe the counter. "Welcome to Ucchan's Okonomiyaki, Ranma Honey."

Holding his stomach, Ranma slid the door closed behind himself. "Oh man, am I starving. Ya got anything good to eat?" He took his usual seating by the grill and smiled.

"Sure do. Just a sec while I finish serving the other customers." The spatula girl turned her attention to the molding pool of dough, bubbling on the grill. She seized a spatula and testfully wedged it underneath the semi-cooked pancake. When satisfied with the results, she flicked her wrist, gracefully hoisting the okonomiyaki into the air. It accomplished two complete flips before slapping the grill with a sizzle.

A duo of applause came from two impressed male customers who obviously were freshly viewing her skill. They threw out compliments.

"So..." Ukyo turned to Ranma during her wait. "I'm sure you've been informed of the banquet at the Neko-Hanten."

Ranma blinked. "Banquet?"

She nodded. "It's being held next week. It's supposed to be like a special event to bring in more customers, I guess."

"Hmm... I havent heard anything about it."

Ukyo raised an eyebrow. "Really?...I would have thought that you'd been the first to receive an invitation."

"Well...come to think of it, I haven't run into Shampoo in quite a while...But a banquet?" He glanced up at the ceiling. "And she invited you?...That sounds suspicious."

Ukyo shrugged. "I don't know. But it's supposed to be a formal event. We're allowed to bring one guest..." She patted the okonomiyaki with her spatula. A slight blush crept over her face as she avoided eye-contact with him. "I-I was wondering...If you decide to go...w-would you accompany me?"

There was a slight pause as Ukyo waited for a response. She kept her eyes glued to the grill.

"Sure."

She looked up at him. "Really?"

Ranma shrugged. "Yeah, sure. I don't see why not."

Ukyo sighed and smiled.

The sound of the shoji door sliding open and shut suddenly drew her attention. Her face fell. Ranma immediately noticed and turned to find the reason.

"Uh-oh," he said. He instantly wished he hadn't.

"So this is where you've been!"

"Hello, Akane," Ukyo said nonchalantly.

The rabid, blue-haired girl marched toward him. Scowling, she put her hands on her hips. "Why did you run off? You're supposed to be helping me shop."

"Uh...I know, I-"

"This is the third time you've abandoned your responsibilities. You told Kasumi you'd help me buy the household supplies!"

"Yeah, I-"

"What do you call yourself doing anyway?"

Ranma peered around the restaurant nervously as he noticed the eyes of customers gawking at them. He opened his mouth to respond, but lost the opportunity.

"Forget it! I'll just go by myself." She turned around and stormed toward the door. Ranma sighed. He turned to Ukyo. "I-I'll come back later."

She nodded. Many amused eyes followed him out of the restaurant.

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"Geez Akane, why do you hafta go embarrassing me like that?" Ranma shuffled to catch up with his fiancee.

She gaped. "Embarrass you? It's your fault! You shouldn't do things like run off to see Ukyo when you have responsibilties."

Ranma frowned. "When did you become my wife? You're not the boss o' me, okay? Besides...I was gonna do it. I just needed to stop and eat first." Akane glared at him. She turned her nose up. "Well then... Since the food that my family prepares for you isn't good enough, why don't you eat at Ucchan's from now on."

"Akane, that's not what I said. Why do you always hafta make a big deal outta nothing. That's what I mean. You're so uncute."

Akane slowed to a halt. She clenched her fists and swung around. Just when she prepared to strike him, the pig-tailed boy hit the ground with a thud.

"Huh?" Akane looked up.

"Aiyaa!" Ranma lay trapped under Shampoo's bike. "Shampoo look for Ranma while now."

Peeved, Ranma groaned. He dragged himself from underneath. "Why bother looking for me...when you can just run me over!"

Shampoo abandoned her bike and glomped onto him. Body tensing, Akane frowned. "Ranma come with Shampoo?"

He wiped away the dirty tire tracks from his head. "No thanks."

"Oh, but Shampoo practice too too delicious new meal for banquet next week. Is free if you come."

Suddenly gaining interest, he turned to her. "Really?"

Akane rolled her eyes."Oh, honestly...I swear Ranma, all you do is think of your stomach." She turned away. "Forget it! I'll just do the shopping alone."

She left the two standing there. "Hey! I didn't even agree to it yet...Wait up!" He removed Shampoo's arms from his torso and took off after Akane.

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"You know...If I didn't know better, I'd say you're jealous." He flashed a smug grin that was all too familiar to her.

"Jealous of what!"

"I don't know. You tell me."

Akane increased her pace so she wouldn't have to walk side by side with him. She scoffed. "Like I'd get jealous over an idiot like you..."

Ranma felt a stab at his ego. His smirk faded and he stared at her. "Maybe you're mad because your cooking skills will never match Ukyo's or Shampoo's."

Akane jolted as a vein appeared at her forehead. "What!"

He lifted his arms and rested them behind his head. "Or maybe you get jealous when I pay the slightest attention to the cuter fiancees."

Incredulously, she glared at him. How could he say that? "There's no way I'm jealous over you. And so what if I'm not that good a cook...Or maybe not as cute as Shampoo or Ukyo. What's your point?" she pouted.

Ranma chuckled. "You outta take some lessons from them. Especially if you plan to get married one day."

The pulsating vein at Akane's temple suddenly popped. Her mouth fell open. She halted.

Huh? Ranma cautiously peeked at her from the corners of his eyes. Her body trembled violently. Little vapors of rage simmered from her. Her bangs drooped over her eyes, concealing them. "Uh...Akane...?" He carefully leaned towards her.

She didn't respond.

"Hey..." he said leaning a bit further. Akane drew a slow, deep breath. She lifted her head, revealing frantic, demented eyes. Ranma inched back quickly in worry.

"JERK!"

CRACK.

He struck the ground, face first, shattering the cement of the sidewalk. Akane humphed and stormed away.

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Chapter 1 complete. ^ ^

This is an awesome idea I thought of a while back. So excited to have finally started it. This will lead to some drastic situations for our couple.

Can you guess how?

Please leave your comments and opinions and I promise to update as soon as I'm able. Thanx.