Outlaw ½: Act 10 Melfina & Ranma

By

triviatrap1982

I don't own Ranma ½, or Outlaw Star. They're owned by Rumiko Takahaishi, and Takehiko Ito.

The very next day, Ranma was up. He was with Gene and Jim. Of course he really didn't see what the big deal was. He didn't want to wear his normal clothing. He was laundering the same thing and he needed a new wardrobe. Ranma had some money left over to get him at least a couple of new outfits. Gene had to re teach Ranma how to tie a tie. It had been a long time since he had to wear one. Once Ranma was dressed, he felt uneasy. He knew that Melfina and Gene were very close. On the same token, he also didn't want to be offensive to Melfina...or Gene for that matter. Plus, Gene knew Ranma could take care of himself and Melfina when the time arose. Ranma didn't complain, but he felt out of place. He knew he didn't want to go-all out with this. However, Gene decided this was going to be for the best. This was useful if he got splashed with cold water. Gene spoke up to break the tension.

"Hey it's going to be alright," Gene said, using a lint roller.

"Besides, it'll give everybody a chance to relax," Jim said.

"Why do I feel uneasy?" Ranma said. "I feel like there's something more foul than the old master Happosai."

"Well, keep on your guard," Gene said. "I can tell you with certainty that there are folks who will try to end your life."

"Just relax will you," Jim admonished. "Melfina will feel bad if you're upset about something."

"You know how to lay on the guilt trip, kid," Ranma said.

He was forced to calm down. Melfina came in as Ranma was ready to go. Gene sent them off for a good time. The problem was neither knew where to go. They left the hotel and were going to explore the city. It was quiet, as neither knew what to talk about. The silence was soon broken when Ranma spotted an arcade. Melfina was puzzled. Ranma brought her inside, and the machines were miles ahead of what he was used to. Though, they still maintained the old favorites, like the dance machine. Ranma felt a bit overdressed to come here, but he looked around. There were others in his same predicament. He smiled and felt a bit easier. He decided he was going to actually relax.

"Hey, let's go play this machine," Ranma said.

"Oh...I never played any of these..." Melfina said uneasy.

"It's okay," Ranma said. "It takes practice."

"That racing game looks fun!" Melfina said with a smile.

"I wonder if the mechanics are the same as they were in my time," Ranma said. "They started doing stuff like this in arcades."

"I wonder what Arcades were back in your time," Melfina wondered.

"Like a machine like that," Ranma said, pointing at a straight fighter.

"We can try the racing game first," Ranma suggested.

"Okay! I'll do my best!" Melfina said.

Ranma smiled and they went to the rocket race game. Melfina really did well her first time out, as did Ranma. She smiled as they finished the courses on one credit. They both got the top two scores. They went to the fighter. Ranma picked the weakest character, as some guy butted in and got an ultra strong character. Ranma knew what he was doing at that point. He ended up making sure that the guy was beaten badly in 2 of 3 rounds. The guy got angry, but he walked away. He didn't want to get kicked out. Melfina was surprised that Ranma knew exactly what to do on this game. She has seen Aisha who plays these kinds of games, and dating simulators all of the time. Ranma spoke up seeing Melfina feeling a bit left out.

"Hey you want to play?" Ranma asked.

"Oh sure, I just have to learn," Melfina answered.

"It's very easy," Ranma reassured her.

"Okay, what do I do?" Melfina asked, interested.

"Well, pick a fighter you're comfortable with, then go from there," Ranma explained. He really didn't know all of the move sets. It was the most basic advice.

"Okay, then I'll pick this one!" Melfina said. She picked a beginner fighter. It was a different one than what Ranma used.

A kid came next to Melfina, and he picked an easy fighter as well. He was just only looking to have a good time. Unlike the guy from earlier, he never wanted to make things difficult on himself. He and Melfina had their match, and it was rather close. She lost but still enjoyed herself. After they played in the arcade, Ranma noticed that it was about time to get something to eat. He decided he had to get something quick and cheap. He really didn't have much money on hand, and it would be a disaster if he got caught without enough money. Melfina noticed the worry, and she decided she was going to help pay.

"Here we are!" Melfina said.

"Thanks," Ranma answered, "hey you and gene are very close."

"How do you figure that?" Melfina started.

"I don't know," Ranma admitted. "Just in the way you both talk to each other."

"Are you saying me and Gene are more than friends?" Melfina asked blushing.

"You tell me," Ranma said smiling.

"I never thought about it like that," Melfina returned.

"Well, have you thought about dating him?" Ranma asked.

At this point, Melfina went red. She really didn't expect Ranma to be so forward. She giggled a bit because that was something she didn't even think about that at all. Ranma was now more relaxed than he normally is. He didn't realize that Aisha was there. Aisha was there, and she was quiet. She was jealous that Melfina was with Ranma. However, she was trying not to cause a scene. They then got up and left before Aisha could see them. After, Ranma did some exploring the other day and he found a spot where there were barely any city lights. The stars above were shining through. Ranma looked up and smiled. He actually did this back when the trained with Genma. This actually was the one thing he looked forward to. Melfina looked up and she smiled.

"Wow...that's beautiful!" Melfina said happily.

"It is," Ranma said smiling. "It's a chance I can get to clear my brain."

"So that's why you're alone, you want to be at your highest peak mentally."

"That's right," Ranma said. "Also, I just sometimes like the quiet."

"Oh, it does help to actually just sit and think?" Melfina asked.

"It does," Ranma said. "That's the rare times where you can actually not have to deal with anything."

"Ranma, would you consider dating one of us?" Melfina asked.

"Well..." Ranma started, "I don't know..."

Melfina giggled. She did catch him off guard. Considering he has explained to her about his past Fiancée problems, it felt unnatural to be asked this. Here, however, he wasn't under any threat of being bashed with a mallet, a spatula, a bokken, or any other bunt force trauma instrument. Melfina giggled when she saw Ranma blush. Either way the question stood. Ranma wasn't exactly sure how he felt right about now. Ranma did feel an attraction to Aisha; of course she was older by two years. However, he still had a lot to learn about her. A little bit later, Ranma and Melfina made their way back to the hotel. It wasn't entirely silent. Ranma and Melfina talked with each other about small things. Ranma kept his cool, and by the end of the day, he was now a lot more relaxed. He smiled and took Melfina back to her room.

"Hey I enjoyed today," Ranma said.

"I did too," Melfina said. "I hope we can do this again sometime."

"We should invite Aisha, I don't think we should let her be left out," Ranma suggested.

"That's a good idea!" Melfina said excitedly.

"Thanks for today," Ranma said, "I actually needed to have this sort of moment."

"You're welcome," Melfina said blushing.

Ranma, before he knew it, kissed Melfina on her cheek, to cause her to blush. He went back to the guy's room. Melfina opened the door. Aisha was there, she got back when they went to the gardens. She wasn't willing to be a super snoop. The long walk tired her out and she fell asleep. Melfina smiled and closed the door. She decided to get ready for bed, because it was going to be a full day. Ranma came into the room, and he knew Gene was waiting up. He had a scowl on his face ready to rip into Ranma if Melfina wasn't happy. To Gene's surprise Ranma spoke up and told what happened on the date...even to kissing her on the cheek. This caught Starwind off guard. That was something he didn't expect.

"That ended up being a good day," Gene said surprised.

"I know," Ranma said. "The next time Aisha will come with us."

"I think that's probably a bad idea..." Gene said.

"It's as risk I'm willing to take," Ranma returned.

"Well...we have a lot to do tomorrow," Gene said.

"I know it," Ranma said. "We need to get some rest."

"Yeah well...when you're ready," Gene yawned.

Ranma got out of the stuffy clothing and got back into some comfortable clothing. He usually slept in his boxers and a white tank top. He knew there was a lot to do between now and the race up coming. He needed to be at his best. However, him blowing off steam was just what the doctor ordered. As for Gene, he looked to him, and he knew that the same would be true of him. He sighed and he lay in bed. He knew exactly what kind of challenges would be there to greet him at the race. He also knew that things really were going to get interesting, when he hears of something that is quite important before then.