1/29/18

So sorry I haven't finished this story yet. Life kind of got away from me the last few months with family, work and the holiday seasons. But I feel like I am getting my groove back and should finish this up soon. I hope you all are still interested in it even though we are WAY past the season. Let me know what you think

~~OO~~

"So Ranma, what should we do first?"

Ranma looked around the room. It seemed like most of the guest had arrived by now and he knew that Daisuke had some 'activities' planned once everyone was here, so he decided to show Akane around while they waited. "You hungry? We made this really cool drink earlier and the spider cookies are great."

As they made their way for the food table they noticed Ukyo and Ryoga walk in dressed as a cheerleader and football player. It was the first time either Ranma or Akane had seen Ukyo since their fight in the dojo. "Hey Ranma," Akane said as she grabbed his arm to stop him "Isn't that Ukyo and Ryoga that just walked in. Should we go over and say hi?"

"Yeah, I think that is them. I didn't think Ukyo would want to show up tonight, but I guess she dragged Pig-Boy here with her. Yeah let's go say hi."

As Akane and Ranma approached their friends they noticed Ryoga yelling at Daisuke about his casket prank. "Well how was I supposed to know that!" Ryoga yelled. "If someone or something jumps out and attacks me I'm going to attack right back. How was I supposed to know it was just a dummy."

"Man Ryoga, remind me later to show you around so you don't go and break any more of my stuff." Daisuke said as she shook his head.

"Hey guys." Ranma said to announce them. "So what did Ryoga go and break now?"

"He completely trashed the casket and dummy outside." Daisuke said as he turned his attention to Ranma. "We need to take him on a 'tour' of the place so he doesn't go and mess up the rest of the stuff. Come on Ranma we may need your help to restrain him."

"Yeah sure, be right back Akane. Good to see you Ukyo." Ranma said as he left to follow his friends. The girls watched the boys leave and heard Ranma messing with Ryoga about his outfit. "How the heck did Ukyo get you to wear that getup? You should have just come dressed as a little black pig. Heck knows you got the perfect outfit….."

As the boys turned the corner Ukyo and Akane shook their heads at their crazy friends."I swear I don't know why Ranma is always picking on Ryoga like that." Once everyone else had left the two girls settled into an uneasy silence as they stared at each other trying to figure out what to say to each other. "You look really cute in your cheerleader outfit, Ukyo. I love the pom poms."

"Thanks, Akane. You look really good too in your…." Ukyo struggled for exactly what Akane was dressed as.

"Belly Dancer. Nabiki had to get me a new outfit at the last minute since….well you know, my last one got kind of messed up." Akane said trying to downplay their fight earlier that week that trashed her costume.

"Yeah about that Akane. I just wanted to say sorry. I shouldn't have just attacked you like that and ruined your outfit. I was just so upset about Ranma blowing me off and then making plans with you instead. I just….well...I was just hurt and I was mad, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Akane could tell Ukyo was truly sorry and didn't want to make this more difficult her her than it already was so she cut off her friend. "I know Ukyo, it's ok. Ranma can be quite a jerk sometimes and that makes all of us do some crazy stuff sometimes. Can we be friends?" Akane asked hoping to finally put their rivalry behind them and start a true friendship. She had always liked Ukyo in the past, well except for when she was attacking her or destroying her home, and she would honestly like to be friends.

"Yeah I'd like that Akane." Ukyo said with a small smile as she hugged Akane. "I know Ranma isn't interested in me like I wish he was and I promise to back off. But," Ukyo continued as she pulled away from Akane to look her in the eyes, "if Ranma ever changes his mind and wants to be with me in the future I will not hesitate in the slightest at the chance to be with him. I still love him and think he would be happier with me, then with you. But I will respect his wishes and try not to interfere with you guys"

Akane was a little taken aback at Ukyo's statement which was so contrary to what she had been saying. As she stared at her and struggled to find the words to say the boys returned. "Man Ukyo I can't believe you were able to convince this guy to come with you tonight, but I am glad you decided to come." Ranma said as clapped a hand at his oldest friend's shoulder. "I've missed you the last few days. I hope we can get back to being friends again."

"Of course we're friends, Ranma." Ukyo tried to laugh off his comment as she reached for Ryoga to make a get away. She didn't think she would be able to witness first hand Ranma and Akane being all 'friendly' with each other. So instead she opted to head to the food table. "Come on Ryoga. I'm thirsty. Let's go get a drink. See you guys later."

"Well I guess everything's all good now." Ranma said as he watched his friends walk off.

"Yeah….all good….." Akane said still confused at how Ukyo seemed to want to be friends but on the other hand would always be waiting for a chance to reinstate her claim on Ranma. "Let's go dance Ranma." Akane said as she tried to lead him outback.

As Ranma and Akane walked outside they notice the dance floor and the surrounding area was very couple heavy. There were a few small groups of friends dancing together but for the most part it was all couples. Their school didn't have dances and neither Ranma nor Akane were much of club goes so they were both very shocked as they took in the scene before them. All the couples on the dance floor were bumping and grinding in some very provocative ways and the people not dancing weren't in much better situations. The couples who weren't dancing had found a seat to share as they made out. It appeared to be an endless sea of teenagers making the most of a parent free scene.

Akane and Ranma shifted uncomfortable as they scanned the crowd, trying to put some space between themselves. "So...um...you want to dance or….something?" Akane asked as she avoided eye contact with Ranma.