Disclaimer: I hereby (sadly) disclaim ownership to everything mentioned in this fic, whatsoever.

Tasting Defeat

A Ghost Story™

Ranma frowned in deep concentration. A drop of sweet slowly trickled down his chin.

His opponent moved with a phenomenal grace and speed. He tried to block the kick, but the block failed and it connected with his head. A series of punches followed. He tried to counter, but she where to good. He retreated, having taken too many hits already.

"Come on, Ranma!" Akane laughed. "You're fighting like a girl! And you're not even a girl right now!"

Ranma gritted his teeth at the taunt and went on the offensive. A series of kicks followed a combo of punches. He managed to throw her to the ground, but she got up again almost immediately, placing a neat kick in his chest.

Ranma desperately tried to think. He had dished out some damage, but her previous attacks had weakened him allot and if he didn't come up with something good soon she could simply outlast him. He just wanted to scream. He was so used to being faster then her, tougher then her. Now, when they were equals, he found that he just couldn't cope with her superior technique.

How could she possibly be this good? Ranma though as a kick in the face sent him to the ground once again.

"You know, you really should give up now and spare yourself the humility," Akane taunted and made some fancy kicks just for show.

Dammit! She's toying with me!

Ranma decided to put everything on one card. Now or never! Jump-Kick! Roundhouse! Legsweep! Punch-combo! Axe Kick!

Alas, Akane deflected or avoided them all with tremendous skill. Before Ranma had the time to see how she did it, she had somehow picked him up and slammed him into the dojo-wall.

Crash!

"Aw, hell no!" he cried as he tumbled out of the brand new hole.

"Ops!" Akane laughed and jumped out after him. "I have you now!"

Ranma made a final brave attempt. Gotta get up! Gotta…

But it was too late.

A hard kick from Akane hit him in the stomach, throwing him up into the air. Akane jumped up and hit him with a flying roundhouse kick, sending him flying. Even before he hit the ground, he knew it was over.

He was defeated.

Defeated by Akane.

"Nooo!" he cried.

"Yeees!" Akane shouted. "I won again! Woohoo!"

Ranma shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe it! How do you do it? How the hell do you do it?"

"That's, what? 7-0 to me?" Akane asked.

Ranma's world was falling apart. Akane better then him! It was an impossibility! He had to win, even if it was just a stupid…

Kasumi entered the livingroom and spotted the two youngsters in front of the TV-set. "Are you two still playing that video-game? What was it called again?"

"Dead or Alive 3!" Akane cheered. "And I'm kicking Ranma's sorry hide!"

"You don't have to gloat so much," Ranma muttered.

"So, ready for another round, Ranma?" Akane said with a huge grin.

"You just wait!" Ranma growled and selected the rematch-option. "I will beat you at this damned game!"

"Sure you will," Akane said, still grinning. "Sure you will."

What? You thought I'd have Akane beat him in a real fight? :P