Minutes
Chapter 9
Ranma's new favourite food is chocolate

Ranma yawned as the warm sun caressed his face before slowly setting in the distance. It had been a rather relaxing day for Him, unlike his usual chaotic life.

He owed this peace to a series of much appreciated coincidences. Shampoo, Moose and Cologne were called back to china for an emergency meeting of the amazons.

Ukyo was offered a large sum of money to cook for a party and Ryoga was, once again, lost. Ranma was giving him a few days to find his way back here.

Then there was Kuno and Kodachi, both had to leave town for a family reunion with the principle of course. No one knew where Happosai was.

With all the fiancés away for a day, Ranma never felt more at peace. A serene sigh escaped his lips as he fell backwards, lying on the back veranda. The warm air danced over his skin and he happily welcomed the peace and quiet. A soft rustle of clothing and a gentle thud, sounded next to him, pulling him out of near sleep. He looked over to see Akane sitting next to him holding a plate of small brown balls.

"What's that?" he asked flatly as he sat up straight. Akane smiled largely and giggled in a way that flushed Ranma immediately. He prayed she couldn't see the red that came unwanted to his cheeks.

"They are berries dipped in chocolate." She answered. Yum. Ranma was about to snatch one from the plate but her next words stopped him instantly.

"I made them myself!"

"You did huh." He suddenly dreaded where this conversation was going. So much for his peaceful day.

Akane didn't seem to notice the green shade Ranma went or the way his eye twitched she just kept rambling happily.

"I tried making a cake first but it didn't work out, so I tried cookies but they were badly burnt. But then I found this recipe in mother's book and I just know it worked perfectly! It's a fool proof recipe!"

"Yeah but is it Akane proof?" Ranma muttered. A glare from her eyes sent cold shivers of dread down his spine. But to his surprise she just took a couple of deep breaths and calmed herself. After a moment she smiled again, not as widely as before but still, much better than a mallet hitting him.

"Would you try one Ranma?" Ranma melted in that moment. Her words were said so sweetly, there was some flour smeared on her cheek, chocolate on her lips. Ranma could only guess she licked the spoon. Her eyes were pleading and expectant... she was simply too cute!

The way Ranma could see, he had two options...

He could stand there and take the chocolate as slowly as possible, admiring her cuteness for as long as possible before her food killed him. Or...

He could run like a frightened Rabbit from a hungry fox. If he ran fast and long enough she may tire out, cry in her room and forget about it in a day or so, but hey, he would be alive to admire her yet another day.

But she was so adorable! The warm wind played with her hair and the new apron Kasumi gave her was flattering to both the dress she wore and her figure. He was so happy Kasumi brought it for her. Also the thought of making her cry tore shreds into his heart. He hated seeing her cry.

"Ranma?" Her delicate soft voice pulled him back to reality and his mind was made...


"RANMA GET BACK HERE!" Akane yelled as she sped after him down the hall. Ranma couldn't die! He was too young to die; he had his whole life ahead of him!

He barged into Nabiki's room and hid behind her, Standing in the door way Akane seethed as fire burned in her eyes. Nabiki held her hand out to Ranma

"It cost 5000 yen to use me as a shield." Ranma dug in his pockets but only pulled out pocket lint. To his horror Nabiki stepped aside with arms crossed.

He managed to escape Akane's grasp and run into Kasumi's room. She looked up from the book she was reading; this was the first time Ranma saw her do anything other than chores. With the sound of Akane's loud footsteps he dove into the large pile of pillows on Kasumi's bed and held his breath. Akane ran in, panting heavily and nearly breaking the plate in her grip.

"Have you seen that JERK!" Kasumi glanced at the pillows before directing a kind smile toward Akane.

"What is that you have?" she asked in her honey like voice. Her motherly warmth calmed Akane momentarily and left the girl blushing slightly.

"I made chocolate berries." She mumbled as she looked at the plate. Kasumi inspected the food with a warm smile.

"Oh my. They look incredibly good. Would you make more for dessert tonight? I'm sure everyone would love to try them." Akane brightened up at the thought of everyone complementing her cooking, when suddenly the moment of silence was disturbed by the sound of a window opening.

Ranma gulped as he froze under her deadly glare. Damn she caught him. Quickly he leapt out of the window and Akane growled, as she turned and ran out of the room, resuming her chase.


Ranma could hear her coming down the stairs and he quickly hid behind his father who just so happened to be in panda form. Akane soon arrived and looked about the area furiously.

"Akane dear, what's wrong?" Her father asked as he looked up from the game he and Genma were playing.

"Have you seen Ranma?"

"No, I don't believe we have." He lied, spying the plate in her hands. Ranma inwardly thanked Soun and promised he would forever be in his debt.

Akane sighed sadly, and her father immediately tried to cheer her up. Ranma thought Soun was the best man in the world! He not only saved his butt but now he was calming down Akane so she wouldn't kill him! He was a great man. A great, great man.

"Daddy, Mister Satome, would you like to try some?" Both grown men tensed looked at each other laughed. Genma reached behind him and pulled Ranma out, presenting him to Akane whilst holding out a sign that said 'found him!'

"Look at that! It's Ranma! Ranma I believe Akane was looking for you." Soun laughed. They were dirt. All respect Ranma just gained was thrown in the dust. He will kill them both!

Akane grabbed his hand and lugged him away to a private part of the house, forcing him to sit on the ground of the Dojo. But he was determined! No girl would make him eat that deadly dessert! But Akane was much more stubborn.

"I will prove they are good." She hissed as she grabbed one and tossed it in her mouth. Ranma was glad it wasn't him but also fear struck him; he searched the room for a bucket she could throw up in. But what happened next caught him completely off guard.

She grabbed his pigtail and pulled him to her face pressing her lips to his. His eyes were wide with shock as the chocolate ball was forced into his mouth with her tongue. Although he carefully chewed it he refused to let her pull away yet. Closing his eyes he kissed her back and licked every trace of chocolate from her soft lips. Pulling away he looked at her flustered cheeks, her lips were parted as she panted from both the chase and the kiss. His heart beat furiously as he suddenly felt really hot, fanning himself with his hand as the other hand tugged at his shirt collar.

He finished the chocolate ball and was delighted it was actually very delicious. Once gone he realised his mouth was very empty and a sly look spread a crooked smile on his face. He leaned closer to Akane as he spoke,

"I didn't get a good enough taste...I think I need another one." Akane smiled playfully back but rather then abiding to his new little pleasure she stood and began to walk out the Dojo.

"I don't know, I had to chase you all over the house... you obviously don't want one..."She giggled, running away as Ranma bounded after her. She only just made it to the dojo door before he caught up, his arms wrapped around her from behind as his sly smile grew. He held her tightly so she couldn't escape and whispered in her ear.

"no...I'm pretty sure chocolate has become my favourite food." Akane glanced over her shoulder and smiled as she slipped another chocolate into her mouth.

it took akane 25 minutes to catch Ranma and only 2 minutes for Ranma to be happy that he was caught.

Authors note: Well I'm meant to have only one chapter to go, but an awesome reviewer has asked me to keep going with the story. I have decided to go to 15 short stories instead of 10. I hope you guys are okay with that. Thank you to all who are reading this story and thank you to all the wonderful people who have reviewed so far. I really appreciate it and hope I don't bore any of you :D

a special thank you to jd who realised i forgot to type how many minutes at the end of this chapter. i can't believe i forgot that bit! its a main theme of the story and i just forgot it! i'm sorry everyone! i blame the fact i'm like really sick at the moment. my heads full of snot so its not workin right. lol. thanx jd!