Something tickled Ranmas nose. He felt how his body shook of the sleep and reluctantly he pressed his eyes together. He didn't want to wake up. Soon Akane would come running down the hallway, splash him with a bucket full of water and hurry him because they were late again for school. Reluctant and not keen on the involuntary shower he rolled around so he was lying closer to his father. Then maybe Akane wouldn't dare to make this action…

Confident of victory he turned around once more and - slammed out of bed with full force. Shocked Ranma opened his eyes and sad up confused.

He lay on the floor of the beach house the white sheet was wrapped around him and he had pulled it with him. With a pained face he rubbed the back of his black haired head as the memory of the last days returned. Carefully he looked at the bed and wished he hadn't done it. Akena was laying sideways on her belly her face turned to him. One of her long legs she had pressed against her chest and her hand were laying beside her sleeping face. One strap of her tank top had slipped from her shoulder and the hot pants gave away a wonderful sight on her long slim legs and the smooth light skin. To all that he had completely uncovered her by his fall.

Ranma swallowed hard than he forced his gaze from the seduction in person. If she wakes up and catches you starring she's making meat out of you! he warned himself in his thoughts. Then it hit him like lightening. If she wakes up and makes breakfast, I'm dead! Quickly he jumped to his feet and sneaked like a cat out of the room. The only chance the prevent her from preparing something for him was doing it himself. He was a bad cook but at least nobody was dying from his food at stomach burn! At Akane he wondered every time that he survived her cooking despite great pain. But he wouldn't challenge his luck…

He lumbered into the kitchen and looked into the fridge. Eggs, rice, ham, salmon, toast, vegetables, fruits, tofu and many other things were neatly stacked into the fridge. They surely wouldn't starve he thought pleased as he saw some cans, packed meat and fish as well as tasty ice cream. He grabbed the carton eggs, the ham and toast and started his task. Scrambled eggs with ham stripes and toast, it maybe wasn't a 4 star course but at least eatable. Quickly he set the table and looked pleased at the breakfast. His gaze met the fruits and he decided to make a fruit salat.

He was so busy chopping the fruits that he didn't realized how Akane stumbled tired into the kitchen and laid surprised against the door frame. Amazed she watched Ranma how he focused on the fruit as if he was training. Fascinated she watched the movements of his muscles, his focused expression and the careful work of his hands that worked on the fruits as he had made a special technic. Akane grinned and tilted her head. At the same moment Ranma had finished chopping pushed the contents from the cutting board into the fruit bowl and froze to a pillar of salt when he saw the girl laying in the door frame.

Akane slightly blushed and felt caught. Ranma felt the same and embarrassed he crossed his arms behind his head. "Ah…good morning I…I made breakfast…"With a uncertain but deploying movement he pointed at the set table and Akanes eyes widened astonish.

"Oh…ah…wow!" she stammered befuddled and stepped slowly closer. This situation was new. Besides that Ranma was up before her the macho had also made her a massive breakfast! Suspiciously she looked at him.

"Did you fall out of the bed or why are you already awake?"

Akane didn't know why but Ranma practically steamed out of his ears so bad he blushed. Suddenly the floor seemed to be very interesting for the material artist and Akane tried and failed to look into his eyes. What's wrong with him?!, she wondered befuddled but than shrugged and let it be. Curious she stepped closer to the breakfast table. Just now she realized how hungry she was. The last days she had barely eaten. Like on command her stomach roared accusingly.

Ranma looked surprised at her and quickly told her to sit down. Sheepish Akane followed his demand and sat on one of the chairs. The material artist grinned pleased and handed her scrambled eggs and toast and Akane took it grateful.

"I didn't know you can something like this…" the girl mumbled softly and Ranma only shrugged indifferent.

"I can't but better than you I got – "

Startled he clapped his hand in front his mouth and waited tense on Akanes explosion.

Akane sat there as if stirred by thunder, motionless and mute. She felt how the anger craped up her body and clenched her fists trembling. With a cold gaze she fixed the young man in front of her who jumped up and raised his hands surrendering.

"A-A-Akane! I didn't mean it like that!"

"Oh no?!"

"No…well I mean you really can't cook. You have to admit that your food is dangerous and poisonous and nobody thinks its eatable…"

Ranma wondered why he didn't just shut up and if he could blame his brain for intentional murder. Akane growled lightly and went slowly forward him.

"So… you already insulted my cooking today for the second time! Do you have something to say before I kill you, you idiot?"

"Yeah…I wouldn't call it cooking. Though it's an art to cook so badly…" he mumbled quietly and hit the wall with his back when he stepped back. It wasn't quiet enough.

"You…" hissed Akane and jumped with raised fists at him.

Again Ranmas body moved out of instinct and he wrapped his hands around her slim wrists when her fists were about to hit him. The force of her attack pushed Ranma again at the kitchen wall and Akane against him. Akane turned in his hard grip like a cat and tried to attack him further but Ranma didn't let go. He loosened his grip somewhat and surrounded her wrists softer. He realized how fragile and slim they were and he was really afraid of breaking it. That she was still fighting made him mad. As she tried to kick his shin he got angry. With a big jerk he pulled her closer and looked deep into her eyes.

"Stop that you stupid goose! You can't cook okay? No matter how much you beat me up!"

Akane whimpered out of anger and mobilized her strength and could actually beat her fist against his chest despite his grip. Rolling his eyes he shook her softly by tensing his arm muscles and shook his hand with her wrists. As she lost her balance he used the opportunity wrapped one hand around her wrists kicked with his left foot against her legs and pulled her close with his free arm as her feet lost the grip on the floor. Now she was laying helpless in his arms the eyes felt with little angry tears and glared at the material artist angry. Ranma returned her gaze without blinking and brought his face close to hers.

"You stupid tomboy! Shall I lay to you and tell you that you cook great?! To kiss your ass and skulk around you like a devoted servant? You don't want that!"

"From where do you want to know what I want?!" Akane hissed back at him breathless then she realized that she was completely at his mercy.

Ranma growled now: "You want a man – a real man! A strong fighter who shows you where to go and can protect you if necessary! With a wuss or bootlicker your superior to you just would get bored!"

Akane swallowed. Both were breathing heavily, looked angry in each others eyes and nobody backed up. They were so terribly close and both suddenly realized the closeness of the other. Akane could smell his own harsh man smell, felt his strong arms around her body and starred into his dark blue gleaming eyes. Akane ignored her fast heartbeat and looked quickly to the ground then she felt caught. He was right.

She liked Ryoga who would do everything for her who never would hurt her with his words or actions. But that wasn't what would appeal to her. Ranma on the other side…Shy she looked at his face. He often hurt her with his words, his unsensitive way or if he did nothing against the advances of his other fiancées. But just as often he searched Akanes closeness on a playful way startled her with ice cold fingers on her cheek or a scary movie and defeated her laughing in a fight. Ranma drove her mad without an effort and she loved those fights if she was honest with herself. And she loved it just as much when he protected her or made opponents sure that she belonged to his side. She hated herself for it but she enjoyed it when he was the strong carefree part. It was never boring with him and still he was firm as a rock. Angry about her self and her corny thoughts she quickly shook her head.

Akane clenched her teeth's and forced herself to look back into his deep blue eyes.

"A little boredom wouldn't be bad…" she took his comment from before even if it didn't sound convincing. Still Ranma cringed a little.

"Oh yeah? If you're the strong one in the relationship you would like that?", Ranma grinned sneering but also uncertain. "I could have thought that…A tomboy like you want to be the man in a relationship."

Akane growled lightly to cover up how much his words hurt her but she was still frozen and so she dropped her head.

"Don't always call me that…" she asked softly.

Ranma put on his crocked grin then her soft vulnerable reaction brought him to an idea. He bend over her and Akane hold her breath as he whispered in her ear: "Then prove it to me that I'm wrong…"

Akane forgot how to breath her heart stopped. His voice sounded so rough almost seductive that Akane really collapsed in his arms. Surprised about the missing resistance in his arms he caught Akane and steadied her. Blood rushed into the girls face and she didn't dare to look up. She had gotten weak knees! Because of Ranma! Oh god girl you're going downhill!

Ranma looked at the young women in his arms astonished. "Hey what's wrong? Everything okay? Are you dizzy?"

Grateful Akane took the submission and nodded eager.

"Yeah…a little. A fight on an empty stomach!" she added explaining where upon Ranma nodded understandingly – hey this she saw there a gleam of bad feeling in his eyes? It must be because he let Akane go just to carry her to the seat at the next moment and sad her down softly. Quickly he sat down opposite her and cleared his throat shy.

"I'm sorry I didn't want that. Let's eat before breakfast gets cold."

Akane nodded in agreement then she even smiled a little. Ranma blushed and quickly bit into a toast.

"You're such a hothead!" he grumbled quietly.

Akane grinned and took a bit of her scrambled eggs. "Don't matter – Macho!" She nibbled the toast with relish. "But…you can cook. Sure you don't want to change rolls?"

Ranma winked impish. "Sure you want that?" He bend over the table and looked deep in her eyes. "Does that mean you give up my challenge that there's more in you than a tomboy without a fight?"

Akane laid forward him and grinned superior then she loved this new game that had started between them. "I never quit!"