Ranma sighed heavily as the battle lingered on between his two least-favored fiancés. Until Ukyo finally pulled her hands off in one swift motion. "Alright Shampoo," She mumbled in exhaustion. "You can have him today because I'm losing money every pointless minute I waste here arguing with you. But, don't think that this is over.. See ya tomorrow Ranma-Honey!" Ukyo waved as she began to walk off, her silver spatula reflecting the sun's glare as it swung back and forth with each stride. "Hi-ya! Ranma come home with Shampoo." She squealed. "This is officially one of the worst days I've ever had." Ranma muttered under his breath as Shampoo began to drag him in victory towards the Cat Café. Ranma was too weak to resist and by this point, he didn't really care because he knew nothing could possibly make his day any worse.
A slight breeze toyed with random strands of Ryoga's hair as he stared down yet another unrecognizable deserted ally way. "Now where the hell am I.." He said as he brought a strong hand in confusion to scratch the mass of coffee colored hair on his forehead. "A few seconds ago I could have sworn I was on the way to Tokyo to get Akane a souvenir.. He sighed as he tightened his loosened bandanna. "Oh, Akane. If only you were here," he whispered amorously, glancing at the various hues of soft red and orange portrayed by the sunset. "I know just hearing your voice would be enough to lead me out of any mess.." He began to walk towards the sunset, turning his gaze intently onto an unmistakably upside-down map of Japan, trying desperately to find his way. The map, unfortunately, was obscuring his view of other things as he felt something soft bump into him, sending him back in surprise. He cautiously lowered the map to reveal a startled Akane sprawled on the ground. "A-Akane!" Ryoga shouted in revelation. Throwing the map aside, he questioned himself as to whether she had heard his words. "I'm so sorry.. Akane." He said shyly as he knelt down, her small was lost within his. She rubbed her head as she began, "It's alright Ryoga, I wasn't looking where I was going… I was a little distracted." Ryoga's eyes leveled, "Something dealing with Ranma I'm guessing..." Akane nodded, her eyes locked briefly with Ryoga's as she was instantly rapped up in his compassionate stare lost deep within his chocolate eyes. Shyly she tilted hers toward the ground as Ryoga did the same. It felt like her stomach was up in her throat, what were these new emotions and why had they decided to show up now? Ryoga and Akane stood in unison, both of their faces a little flushed. Akane was the first to speak, "Do you.. Need a place to stay for the night Ryoga? I'm sure my family wouldn't mind." Ryoga fumbled with his fingers bashfully, "I guess.. I had no where else to go anyway." He replied glancing up at her with a slight smile. She returned a grin as she grasped his hand. "Come on Ryoga, I don't want you getting lost." He never noticed how soft her hand was, did she use some kind of lotion? Lost in euphoria, he trailed behind her to the Tendo dojo.
Ranma leaned all of his weight onto one elbow, using his hand for support. Somehow he had wound up with a bowl of piping ramen at the Cat Café. "Why so down, grandson?" Shampoo's great grandmother asked from atop the table. Ranma twirled the pliant noodles in the air using his chopsticks. He sighed, replying, "It's been a rough day." Shampoo approached as she engulfed Ranma in a tender hug. "Hi-ya, poor Ranma." He rolled his eyes as he took the noodles into his mouth in one swift movement. "You know, there are cures for such things." The old grandmother responded, facing away from the adolescents, towards the kitchen. "What?" Ranma shouted, placing both hands open palmed onto the table. "I'd do anything to end this streak of bad luck…" He retorted as a resolute look came across his face. "There will be consequences.. Still interested?" She replied turning mischievously to face him. He answered with a series of nods. "Very well," she sighed, bringing out a tiny pink pill with a Chinese inscription from a pouch at her side. "This oughta take all those unfortunate events away." She said placing it in his steady palm. With one eager swallow the pill was gone. The grandmother stood stern, "Regrettably, you will lose the one thing you have come to love the most. Sorry, but for each drastic choice there's an unkind effect." Ranma nearly choked. "I'll lose what I love the most?!" He yelled, "When'll that happen?" The great grandmother glanced at the clock, "Why, any minute now." she replied. Ranma searched her eyes to see if she was only joking, but she stood firm. Without a second's hesitation, he was out of the sliding doors into the soft encroaching lilac night.
Sharp points of light started to appear one by one in the evening sky. "What I love? What do I love.." Ranma panted as he rapidly ran in the direction of the dojo. "Can't be.." He thought as his heart skipped a beat, stalling in front of the entrance to his home. His father was away on a "training mission" or something, looking for the ancient springs of Nanichuan in China. He should be safe; at least he didn't think the curse could travel that far of a distance. He slid open the panel door, slipping off his shoes and sprinting into the dinning room. "Is everyone okay?" Ranma inquired cautiously, glancing from one family-member to the next. They stared back blankly, "Are you okay, Ranma?" Kasumi questioned. 'Oh-no..' Ranma thought as he noticed one member missing, "Akane! Where's Akane?" He asked as the people around the table exchanged perplexed looks. "Wasn't she with you?" Mr. Tendo responded. Ranma shook his head. "Oh, Akane.." Mr. Tendo looked about on the brink of tears. Feeling regret and responsibility weighing on him heavily, Ranma put his hands up in objection, "I'm sure she's okay.." he assured her father, whose lips were already beginning to quiver. 'What have I done..' Ranma questioned himself remorsefully. Suddenly, the sliding of the entrance door was heard once again. A familiar voice called out, "I'm home." Recognizing it, Ranma ran in its general direction to discover a startled Akane and content looking Ryoga. In the spur of the moment, Ranma ran to Akane, embracing her tightly, "Thank god… You're okay." Akane mouthed her words breathlessly as Ryoga looked on in puzzlement. She slowly pushed him away, searching deep within his cerulean eyes to discover the answer to her question, "Who… Are you?"