WHO WILL GIVE IN?
A Ranma ½ fanfic
written by: Chette-chan

Knowing how she hates men, this day has been the worst day for Akane. Standing near the open door of her car, she looked into the faces of the men gathered around her. The men were utterly shocked when they saw her coming out of her pick-up car and their faces went blank when she told them that she was their new boss. She frowned, had it really been only three weeks ago that her father told her about her grandparents logging business? That their business is going downhill? It seemed forever since her father gave her not only the Doujou but also the farm that her mother's parents own. Well, true the place looks nice... Fresh air, green grass, the Nature… But she is a city girl. She missed being a martial arts teacher, but her father promised her that when the business will be stable then, she can go back to Nerima.

The early morning sun filtered through the branches of the trees that encircled the small clearing where the men stood. Others eyeing her, their eyes traveling from top to the bottom, others smirked they could not believe that she is the boss and the others were fingering the edges of their double-bladed axes. Akane controlled her fear, she is a martial artist. If these men try anything, they'll be sorry. She lifted up her chin and straightened herself. These men are just like those students who challenged my ability and authority.

Akane wondered what these men saw when they looked at her? Since taking over the business, she had been very careful to dress. She hates boys. She was chased by hundreds in Nerima. She even almost got engaged to the son of their family's friend when she was sixteen, but thank God... that guy did not appear in their house. Boys are pervert. Men are worst. She shivered when she remembered Tatewaki and Happosai. Good thing Happosai is dead and Tatewaki is married to Nabiki.

She crossed her arms, and looked at every one of them. "I am not kidding. I am the New boss" she said. The men looked at each other, then return their eyes to her smirking. She wore mandatory jeans, which fit snugly over her slender hips and tapered down her long legs to show the tips of expensive, high-heeled western boots which Nabiki bought before she left them. A plain cotton plaid shirt, brown and white, the first two buttons open, revealing the slender column of her throat. Nothing unusual right?

She spoke firmly, willing her voice to calm, even to the tone that she was far from feeling. "Are you done looking at me?" she asked, that made some of the men looked away, "Good. As for this business, do not worry because I already have a plan. We won't start cutting the new ones right now; we should let the new ones grow. We should go and cut the old ones first, the bigger the better" she said,

A man stepped forward, he is quite charming and wearing a yellow bandanna. "My name is Hibiki Ryouga. When I came here four years ago, your grandparents made me a manager of this business." He paused, while observing her reaction when she did not react, he continued. "I do respect your decision, but that's not the way this business is working-"

Akane gritted her teeth, "What do you mean by that?! Are you saying I can't manage this business?" she yelled at him.

Ryouga frowned, "That's not what I meant Madam" he emphasized the word, 'Madam' "like I said, I do respect your plans and your authority. But what you said is not a good idea," he said while the other loggers agreed by nodding their heads. "We should start on the new ones. Bigger Trees are hard to cut, plus the logs are not in good shape to-"

Akane snapped at him, "If you don't cut the old ones. Then don't cut anything! Nobody will get paid either!" her brown eyes entreated a response.

Still the men made no move. Ryouga shakes his head and crossed his arms. "It's not so much that we don't want to change jobs" Ryouga said, smirking. "But I am telling you. New Trees are good than old trees." He looked at her, face impassive. "Logging business is never for ladies like you" he added,

Akane felt a moment of despair. She had hoped for a help. The men did not move, which signifies that they do not want to follow her orders because she is a woman! Even in martial arts, some students do not take me seriously, what is wrong with this world? Why can't women be allowed to lead? This is why I hate men! Anger at the thought made her set her chin more stubbornly. They don't know Akane Tendou... yet. "I am stubborn as a mule" she whispered while glaring at the group, meeting each pair of eyes. "We are not cutting new trees and that's FINAL" she put her hands on her hips and dug her narrow heels firmly into the ground. "Now! Go and cut those old trees!"

The silence stretched from uncomfortable seconds into a minute. The Men still stood there, looking at her. A feeling of vulnerability assailed her, heightening to near panic, as the men stood silently before her.

Suddenly a firm voice cut through the silence

"I think you should follow the lady"

The voice was deep, masculine and has the authority. Startled, Akane swung toward the direction of the voice, her hand on her throat, as her ears registered the calm ring of command in the quiet words. She gasped at what she saw. In the shadow of the trees edging the clearing, a man sat astride a pretty brown horse. As the horse tossed its head, giving a soft whinny. She heard the jangle of the bit and the creak of saddle leather. But it was the man who riveted her attention.

A black hat shaded, pigtailed, deep aqua eyes, one jutting eyebrow quirked upward as though in question. He wore a deep burgundy flannel shirt, open at the throat to reveal a strongly muscled neck. His firm thighs and log legs, encased in jeans, hugged the saddle, and the toes of his western boots edged through the stirrups. She stood speechless, staring up into the enigmatic blue eyes which held her motionless, unable to break away.

It was the first time, no actually the second time that a man made a great impact in her. It was Doctor Toufou, when she was sixteen and now married to her sister Kasumi. She shakes her head and wondered How long had he been there? Silently watching the drama? She looked around at the crew. There had been a subtle change. Now they seemed just a loose group of men, except the guy named Ryouga.

"Ranma. What are you doing over this way?" he asked, his voice is so cold.

"Ryouga.. buddy" Ranma bent his head slightly, which made Ryouga flare up more. It was more of an insult to him rather than respect. "As I've said, you should follow your boss" he said,

"Now wait a minute!" Akane broke in. Who is this guy? and who did he think he was giving orders with her crew? "Who are you?! Why are you minding other people's business?" she yelled,

But the two men ignored her. They were looking at each other, their eyes challenging one another. "I still am not okay when you trespass my property" Ranma said, coldly. "If you don't want me to continue suing you...then you start following your boss" he said,

"Damn you Ranma... What happen to the 'Let's fight! guy? Why do you leave everything to the court today?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I've changed Ryouga. I am not the Ranma you used to know" he said, smiling. "Now... are you going to follow her, or I'll sue you?" he asked,

Ryouga defeated he clenched his fist and walk away, then he yelled at the men and told them to follow their boss.

Akane let out her breath. She didn't know how she felt. One minute she had been in the middle of a crisis, her authority challenged, her crew in mutiny. Now with just a few words from this 'Ranma' they were all going to work as though nothing had happened! Akane looked at the guy who was still glaring at the back of Ryouga. "I suppose I should thank you, Mr.-" she said doubtfully. A tiny shock went through her as she met those wonderful aqua eyes. She didn't feel him coming closer to her. He is a martial artist…

"Saotome. Ranma Saotome. You seem to have a little trouble with your men"

She heard a suppressed laughter in his deep voice, Akane's face burned as she felt his gaze moving over her. Resentment flared in her. He was like appraising her like a horse at an auction! "...and I am likely to have trouble the next time" she said tartly. "Thanks to you, It's been hard enough establishing my authority. This will just make it harder!" Hands on her hips, she glared at him, not knowing whether she was angrier at his casual usurping of her command or his calm appraisal of her physical attributes.

"How uncute.. she can be" he said, whispering

"What did you say?!" Akane asked, yelling.

Ranma rolled his eyes, "I said you'll always have trouble controlling a crew" he said flatly, "These men don't take orders from a woman, Miss Tendou"

Akane gasped, "H-How did you know my name?" she demanded with a surprise.

Ranma smirked, "There can't be more than one tomboy trying to handle a logging crew in these parts. Everybody in this place knows you're Soun Tendou's daughter, the owner of the Tendou's Anything goes martial arts and now handling the logging business too" he said,

"and apparently everybody is sure that I won't make it!" Akane yelled, "Well they don't know Akane Tendou then!" she said, crossing her arms.

"Well..." Ranma grinned, "I thought you can...but now that I've seen you-"

Akane was about to reply but was shock when Ranma put one lean finger under her chin, titling her face upward. She had a desperate suspicion that he was about to kiss her! Well Men are Men.. and Men are pigs! But although that was her theory, she felt the increased beat of her pulse. She had a crazy impulse to reach up to meet his lips. Argh! Ranma has so much appeal to her! Hastily she stepped back, putting several feet between them, hoping he didn't see the flush she could feel on her face. Typical men... perverts... jerks... pigs... The real reason why she choose to be forever man-hater... or.. was she? "I assure you... that I'll make it" she said, coldly. "If I don't receive any more help like yours!"

Ranma chuckled, "Oh I wasn't really trying to help you" he said, then his eyes narrowed. "I'd like to see all the logging stopped. It ruins this beautiful place and sometimes your crew trespass my property. I Love nature, . But I understand you, so you cut everything in this damn place. But do not touch any that are in my land."

Typical Akane, she misunderstood. "Are you accusing me-?" she sputtered with indignation. How dare he intimate that she would steal some trees!

"No accusations" Ranma said, sighing. "Just be sure you stay on your side, tomboy" Ranma smiled.

She raised her chin defiantly, how many times this guy called her tomboy?! And how many times this guy insulted her and harasses her with his eyes?! She didn't trust this man. He is an enemy... "So you hate loggers" she said, "So why did my men immediately do what you suggested?"

Ranma smiled again, a slow, easy and a teaser smile, his eyes lingering on her mouth. "It takes a man to speak to men, I suppose" he said,

Akane shakes her head, "Maybe. And maybe the fact that you're a Saotome has something to do with it" she said, her eyes glaring

Ranma gaped at her, "H-How did you know... about the Saotomes?" he asked, Does she know?

"Everyone knows that Saotomes, has the biggest ranch around, and who knows what else you're into!" Akane said, Ranma sighed in relief. "Certainly you have the biggest ego around! Why, every one of those men is probably under some obligations to you!" she yelled,

"Probably" His lips twisted in a sardonic smile. "Then you are lucky" he added, Akane flared, but still beautiful Ranma thought.

"I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!" Akane yelled, why was the mere sight of this man, so lean, so confident, infuriating her so?

Ranma got hurt. "And you won't get my help. I told you - you can sink for all I care. You loggers only care about money. What about the nature? Don't you wish to see one day. This place will be full of trees and fresh air with fresh fruits and vegetables?"

Akane then became speechless.

"Pathetic" Ranma whispered, then he approached his horse and ride on it. Ranma didn't even look at her, as he left her.

Speechless, Akane watch him go, her eyes glued to the broad shoulders of the man riding so easily... Did she hurt him?

Meanwhile…

Ranma commanded his horse to stop, he sighed and turned to the place where he came from. "Akane Tendou, the daughter of Soun Tendou." He smiled, "So she is supposed to be my fiancée huh? The fiancée I stood up when we were sixteen. Now that's one thing I regret" he chuckled. "Oh well... Let's just try to charm her... shall we?" he asked, the horse. The horse answered with his sound.