This took me some time because I've been working on how I want the plot to work. I still don't know what I'm writing, but I hope it takes shape as time continues. Enjoy it, and sorry for the wait.

Not long ago Ranma returned from her small trip around Nerima. It's amazing what can happen in such a small amount of time.

Now, at the side of Ryoga she's been sitting for quite some time now, both ends quiet.

With what happened only minutes ago, it's hard to think on something else but on that small moment they had for each other.

"Ryoga…" said Akane.

He was too distracted to hear, lost in his thoughts as usual.

Ranma was no different, her thoughts were focused on all those small moments she had with him, and each made her blush deeper than the last. Hard to say the reason behind such reaction. From her own perspective that is.

Nabiki was the first to help Kasumi with the dinner, Akari was about to get a plate for Ryoga, but Ranma got there first.

"Here you go" said Ranma before focusing on her dinner.

"A-Aye, thank you"

Despite most of the Tendo Family was talking with one another and Akari tried her best to keep up with it, there was tension on the air.

Ryoga paid more attention to Ranma's conversation after they both snapped out of it, and Ranma didn't seem to dislike his eyes focused on her.

Akari felt unwanted in the circle but she wouldn't give up and soon tried to claim his attention.

"Ryoga, say Aaahh~"

He turned around only to be stuffed with both food and fork, choking him. Akari panicked but quickly Ranma started to beat his back to a pulp. It did help, but she also caused him more pain, to which he answered with anger.

It was a comedy, and the Tendo were the audience who were enjoying it.

Not long ago Ryoga explained the situation to Ranma, therefore the reason why she isn't hiding from Akari. Knowing Akari isn't quite familiar with her female form, Ranma claimed there should be no problem if they both met.

Akari may be violent sometimes but she's a naive girl, maybe too naive for her own good. After excusing her behavior to Ryoga it was clear she was feeling somewhat jealous of this "friendly" environment he had with Ranma. Thankfully the evening passed on quick.

"She is a nice girl with Ryoga, right Dad?" said Kasumi as she picked the dishes from the table, with everyone now stuffed.

"Of course, every man these days need the love of a woman" replied Tendo, smoking just outside their home.

Of course, he didn't understand Kasumi was talking about Ranma and Ryoga. For the rest of the family it was too unclear to see, but Kasumi noticed Ranma's change of attitude in the last couple of days.

"Where did those lovebirds go?"

After the dinner, Ranma had to give up her room, leaving Ryoga and Akari together for this night. For this night only.

"I'm sorry Ryoga. I didn't want to hurt you that way"

Ryoga turned his head around to her, and sighed.

"What are you talking about? You only tried to be nice with me, that's nothing to be sorry about" replied. Not wanting to really think about it as it make his back sore.

Her mood quickly changed, and without notice she threw herself at him, hugging him in the process.

"Wait, what are you doing all the sudden?!" Her actions panicked him.

"That's why I love you, Ryoga!"

"T-This isn't the place for that! ... Ah?" While trying to spread her arms from their tight grip on him, he looked behind again. This time seeing Ranma just outside the room door.

"…" It was hard to know what to do in that moment. Part of her felt like fainting, but the other part felt like turning him into pulp. "Sorry for disturbing you"

Ranma did neither though and honestly she didn't have much energy by this point. She left the extra sheets and pillows she carried just inside the room, and closed the door.

"W-Wait, Ranma! She hugged me, that's all!" said Ryoga with a broken voice, after shaking Akari away from him.

Akari was left alone, confused but at the same time happy because Ryoga loved her too much to be angry at her. With this, she quickly fell asleep.

Ranma swiftly ran to the training dojo and shut the door behind her, gasping for air. Her body felt quite heavy after she recovered. Ryoga was outside the dojo on what it felt like moments to her.

"Oi Ranma…?" he said calmly, prepared for the worst.

"Leave me be" she couldn't say much without her throat feeling sore, which hadn't been an issue up until now.

"I can't do that, I want you to understand she was only hugging me!"

Ranma blushed, but her entire face was fully red by now. Her head was spinning the more she thought about it. "... It doesn't matter what I think about it, just do what you want!"

"If that's so then I'll hug her too to my heart's content!" Ryoga only bluffed. He didn't know why but he didn't want her to be distant by a misunderstanding. An impulse feeling that something would happen if he didn't taunt her.

She stood up and turned around, slamming the gate open to the point of breaking it, with the one fist ready to leave its mark on Ryoga's face. "Who do you think you're going to hug, huh?!"

He had it coming for saying that but it was the attitude he was used to. Ryoga was expecting the fist any moment now, but it never came to him. When he opened his eyes, he saw a wobbling Ranma falling on her knees. "Eh? Ranma!"

"Stupid. Don't say such things" she said with a much softer voice than usual, as if she just relaxed with his presence.

Ryoga didn't know what to say or do for a moment or two. He only looked at her before quickly coming back to reality and drag her to the center of the training room, checking on her body.

"Hey, hey… what are you planning you pig pervert…?" she laughed out loud, she was drunk.

He sighed and poked her head with some strength, trying to make her come back to her senses.

"What the hell were you drinking?!"

"Eeeehh? It was there, Gramps must have been saving it… Too bad, I guess I took it all"

Ranma laughed some more until then her smile turned grim, and looked at him.

"Hug me too" said as she let her upper body fall on his chest.

"J-Just like that?!" he was a mess of emotions, alright. Ryoga never saw her acting this way before.

"Bummer... I wanted to spend another night with you… but she is with you…" said Ranma with a weak voice.

He didn't know what to do, but before he could think of a way to reply, Ranma's snores ruined the atmosphere.

She was impossible, but he would let it be for tonight and ask her tomorrow about the reasons behind her drinking.