Ryoga walked out of the bath, after soaking for a good two hours, he put on his clothes. The sun was just starting to rise. He had dark circles under his eyes. He walked past the kitchen and was surprised to see Kasumi sitting at the kitchen table, reading and sipping tea serenely.

"Ryoga! Why, I didn't expect anyone to be up so early!" Her eyes searched his with concern. "Ryoga, you look exhausted," She smiled suddenly, "I bet you guys were up having fun, huh?"

"Sure." Ryoga said sarcastically. Kasumi appeared to not have heard him and got up from the table to fix him a cup of tea.

"I always like to be up early. It's my time. The whole house is sleeping. It's so peaceful for a change." She smiled and handed him a cup. This smells great, Ryoga thought as he accepted the tea. They sipped in silence.

"Kasumi?" Ryoga asked after a few minutes. The birds chirped outside.

"Yes Ryoga?" Kasumi looked up from her book. The title showed slightly. 'How to Attract a Man who Seems to be Afraid of You'.

Ryoga raised an eyebrow. "Interesting reading?"

Kasumi blushed, "Very." They went back to their tea. So peaceful, Ryoga thought to himself. The house seemed to be in suspended animation. No wonder Kasumi wakes up early...

Toshi ran down the stairs.

"Why?" Ryoga mumbled to himself. Toshi stopped in the kitchen and smiled.

"I knew I could smell Lavender Tea! One of my favorites! May I have some? I noticed P-Chan was gone..." She asked and sat down at the table, next to Ryoga. "I figured he'd be down here, but I don't see him."

"He'll turn up, always does. And I'll make you a cup." Kasumi got up, smiling, taking her book with her as Ryoga noticed.

"So Ryoga, what happened to you? You look really beat. Hard time being lost isn't it?" Toshi asked.

"Actually, it is."

"It's like one of your curses isn't it?"

Ryoga choked on his tea. One of! He promised on his honor! Ryoga's battle aura turned on, like a neon light.

"Don't worry." Toshi leaned in to whisper in Ryoga's ear, "I know that you can't tell a girl how much you like her. Ranma told me allllll about it. Don't worry about telling me. The sparks just seem to fly between us. See?" Toshi pointed to Ryoga and laughed at her little joke. Ryoga growled. His white fangs showed.

"Ryoga, you look really angry." Toshi observed. "Omigawd! You have fangs! Pretty cool!" Toshi poked his fangs lightly.

"Don't touch those!" His battle aura fizzled out, in surprise that anyone would touch his fangs.

"Did it hurt?"

"No... just don't." said Ryoga, wondering why Kasumi was taking so long with the tea.

"Here you go! Nice and steamy." Kasumi smiled brightly and set the tea in front of Toshi.

"Y'know Kasumi, I think today would be a great day for me to make dinner." Toshi said.

"Great! Let's see your cooking skills, doesn't it sound good to you Ryoga?"

"Uh-Huh"Ryoga mumbled.

"Toshi, by the way, where'd you learn to cook? You haven't really told anyone about how you got here." Kasumi asked nonchalantly.

Ryoga perked up his ears. This should be interesting.

"Maybe later. Oh listen! I hear Akane waking up, I'm sure she'd like some soup!" Toshi said excitedly. Ryoga and Kasumi turned to the stairs to see Akane trudging down.

"But, Toshi-" Ryoga said, as he turned, only to find Toshi gone, "Kasumi didn't make any soup..."