Disclaimer: As you know, I don't own Inu-yasha or Ranma.

Last Chapter: But now a bath would be nice.

Ch 19: Akane vs. Kodachi

Ranma left few hours ago and now reached the Tendo's dojo.

His father was in the living room, drinking tea with Soun.

"So, where is that Kagome girl?" Soun asked, peering over Ranma's shoulder.

"She went home but she's coming over to stay the weekend," Ranma answered. "When's dinner?"

"Kasumi's making it right now. It should be ready in an hour or so," Nabiki said, walking into the room.

"Where's Ryoga?" Ranma asked. After glancing around the room, he added: "Where's Akane?"

Nabiki gave a sly grin. "I'll sell you the information for only 100 yen," Nabiki whispered into Ranma's ear.

"Hey! I'm right here!" The shoji screen leading to the yard was opened. Akane stepped inside, sweating in her gi. "I just went out for a workout, that's all."

Nabiki huffed and went back to her room. Losing a deal ruffled her pride as a blackmailer.

'I still have Kuno and Ryoga,' Nabiki thought. 'I need more money. Some Ranko pictures should do.'

"Ranma, you've returned," Kasumi smiled while entering the room. She was stirring a pot with mouthwatering aroma coming from it. "I'm making chicken teriyaki tonight."

"Sounds good," Ranma said, returning the grin. "I'm gonna go take a nap." Ranma started to his room.

"Matte! –[Wait]-"Akane shouted, running after Ranma. They were on the steps to the second floor when Akane finally caught up.

"Where's Kagome?" Akane asked. She had been worried about Ranma and Kagome. After the incident she still didn't remember, she regarded Kagome as a friend. But, even though she thought they were well acquainted, she still sort of regarded Kagome as a rival for Ranma's affections.

"She's at home but she's coming to stay over the weekend." Ranma replied. "Anything else?"

"Oh.... Ano... Kasumi will be done with cooking dinner soon so maybe you should rest later."

"Then I'll just unpack."

"Okay..." Akane turned her back to Ranma and went back to the living/dining room. Ranma shrugged and followed her.

'I need to find Ryoga later but first, dinner.' Ranma thought.

After dinner

Ranma walked out into the Tendo's backyard. Dinner had just finished and it was delightful. Kasumi's cooking was the best he had ever tasted, well maybe second to his mother's.

"Oi, Ranma," greeted Ryoga. He was sitting on top of the stonewall.

"You made a wish yet?" Ranma asked, grinning.

"... Yeah."

"So? You gonna tell me what you wished for?"

"Not to get lost anymore and..."

"And?"

Ryoga didn't answer. He was silent; the only thing heard was the chirping of crickets. He jumped down, landing near the edge of the pond.

Ranma narrowed his eyes. Knowing his friend, Ryoga must've made a wish more important than that but then again, curing his sense of direction is pretty much a miracle by itself.

"I.... told..." Ryoga paused.

"Akane, right?" Ranma said, finishing his friend's sentence. Ryoga didn't confirm his statement, but his silence was enough of an answer. "I also left you one."

"Me?" Ryoga only shrugged.

"Consider it as a birthday gift."

"Too lazy to actually buy me one, eh? So how do I use it?"

"Here," Ryoga tossed the white stone to Ranma.

Ranma caught it between his thumb and index finger. He tilted his head upwards and moved the stone so the moonlight was shining through it. The milky color of the stone could be clearly seen in the moonlight. He knew what the stone was; it was a moonstone. Kagome had showed him once when they were in Sengoku Jidai. People believed that the moonstone had the power to grant wishes and hopes. It was also believed it was a lucky love stone and protected travelers.

"I guess I'll save it. Can't think of anything right now, anyway," Ranma said, pocketing the stone.

"Hey, were did you go to for all this time?" Ryoga asked. He hadn't seen Ranma in almost four weeks now. He was uncertain if it was that long; he really hadn't been keeping track of time.

"Can't really tell," was the only thing Ranma would say.

"How did things go with you and Akane?" Ranma asked, changing the subject.

Ryoga blushed and didn't answer. Ranma grinned and nudged Ryoga in the ribs.

"Let me guess: everyone burst in, right?"

Ryoga turned redder and looked down at the water reflecting the night sky. He still didn't respond, but Ranma seemed to already know.

"I'll see you later," Ranma said, waving his hand. He was halfway to the shoji screen leading into the house. He turned around to face his friend. "Don't worry about it. Akane will come around eventually; she likes you." With that, he opened the shoji screen, walked in, and closed the door.

Ryoga let off a heh and decided to leave.

Next Day

It began like any other day. Start out with breakfast, then have Akane dragging Ranma off to school. Beat up the boys who wanted to date Akane, which included Tatewaki Kuno. The itinerary usually ended there.

"Well, if it isn't Akane Tendo?" a sickening voice shouted. The vibration echoed through out the schoolyard. In a shower of black rose petals, Kodachi Kuno appeared in her school's uniform.

Ranma covered his face with his hands. 'Why me?' Ranma groaned mentally.

"Akane Tendo, where have you been hiding Ranma darling all this time?!" Kodachi demanded, pointing an accusing finger at Akane.

"I didn't hide him! He went on a trip!" Akane retorted. She glared at Kuno's sister.

"Don't lie! We shall have a battle tomorrow to decide who will have Ranma's heart. It will be a Martial Rhythmic Gymnastics match at the St. Bacchus School for Girls, five o'clock in the afternoon, sharp," Kodachi announced.

"Hey! I didn't agree to a match!" Akane yelled indignantly.

"Are you afraid you will lose?" Kodachi smirked. "Maybe that's the reason you didn't fight me in the last match."

"Are you doubting my skills?!"

"We'll see who's the better martial artist during our match for Ranma."

"Fine!"

Kodachi cackled and whipped out her ribbon. She twirled it, creating a large gust of wind with a shower of black rose petals. After the wind stopped, Akane and Ranma saw that Kodachi was nowhere to be seen.

Tendo Dojo

It was night, and Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga were in the Practice Hall. Ryoga was brushing Akane up on her Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Akane jumped and lashed out her ribbon. Ryoga dodged and threw the ball at her. Akane batted the ball back with one of the clubs. She rushed at Ryoga and jabbed the clubs at him. Ryoga ducked and used the ribbon to attack Akane's shins. Akane leaped and curled up in midair. She switched the clubs so that the tops were pointed down. Ryoga back flipped, landing on his feet. Akane missed, and jumped back.

Things continued on like that for an hour. Ranma was watching the action from the sidelines, yawning from boredom.

"Good," Ryoga said, nodding. "You should be able to take on Kodachi in tomorrow's match. Get some rest."

Akane yawned and said good night to the boys. She left the practice room rubbing her eyes.

"She still doesn't stand a chance," Ranma commented. "Although she did improve while I was gone. Did you train her or something?"

"Yep," Ryoga responded.

"I need to get some sleep too. Kagome's coming tomorrow. I guess I'll take her to the match but what if Kodachi attacks her?" Ranma wondered, sweat dropping.

Ryoga only shrugged, not knowing what to say.

"There's a greater chance for Kuno to hit on her too..." Ranma said. Both of them sweat dropped at this comment. They sighed in unison, shaking their heads.

Next Day

Kagome arrived during the afternoon. She put her backpack in Ranma's room. Then she and Ranma went down stairs for lunch.

Today Kasumi made mixed vegetables and fried pork.

"It's delicious!" Kagome praised. She was eating some fried pork while Ranma was fighting his old man for a large piece of pork. Akane was seated next to Kagome but was silent. Kagome figured she was thinking of tactics for the match.

"Don't worry, you'll do great." Kagome reassured Akane.

"Yeah, just don't trip and sprain your ankle like last time," Nabiki added.

"Nabiki!" Kasumi scolded. Nabiki only shrugged and continued eating. Akane didn't do anything but eat.

"Mine!" Ranma shouted in victory. He quickly ate the pork before Genma could do anything. Genma glared at his son and smacked him upside the head.

Kagome giggled and continued eating.

"Ano... Kasumi-san, can you teach me how to cook like you?" Kagome asked. She had eaten Kasumi's cooking only twice, but loved it.

"Sure. Why won't you help me with dinner later?" Kasumi smiled. Kagome nodded in agreement.

"The match is going to start in a few hours. We better go," Akane said. She got up and went to her room.

"Hey, Ranma, is Ryoga-kun going to come?" Kagome asked. Ranma only shrugged.

"C'mon, we better hurry." Ranma and Kagome pushed back their chairs and walked to the lobby to wait for Akane.

St. Bacchus School

"Don't worry about it. You'll do fine," Kagome said, trying to cheer up Akane.

"Hey, Ryoga's here. I'll go get him. We'll see you in the ring," Ranma said, leaving.

Akane sat on the chair in the room. Her expression was sad. Her eyes were gloomy and her aura only gave off the feeling of depression.

"Is something wrong?" Kagome asked, trying to make eye contact with Akane. Akane only turned her head the other way. "If you have the attitude then, it'll only hinder your match."

Akane was silent. A raging argument was being fought in her mind. Finally, calming down the storm in her mind she spoke.

"Do you like Ranma?" Akane asked softly. She wasn't good at expressing her emotions but she didn't know if she liked Ranma or Ryoga more.

"L...L. Like? Like as in you're my friend, or like as in 'like,'" Kagome said, stressing the last word. She had stuttered because she was caught off guard by the question.

"'Like,'" Akane replied, stressing the word too.

Now it was Kagome's turn to be silent. She didn't really understand her feelings either. Although his demeanor was cold, arrogant, and confident, Sesshoumaru was, deep down, kind and gentle. Ranma, on the other hand, was something like Inu-Yasha: arrogant, loud, doesn't have much common sense, but was still very kind. Ranma had strong morals and wasn't afraid to stand up for people who were weaker than him.

"I can't say. I really don't know..." Kagome trailed off. A thoughtful expression crept on her face. "You like Ranma and Ryoga, don't you?" Kagome smiled slightly.

Akane blushed and made noises that sounded like she was about to make a comment.

"I hate to sound cliché but follow your heart. My mother told me that if your mind can't make up on something, then just choose with your heart."

Akane finally looked up at Kagome, a brilliant smile on her face. She nodded and stood up. She made motions to pat dust off of her clothes.

"I'm ready!" Akane announced. She was determined to win, not for Ranma but for herself.

At the ring

The girl that refereed Ranma-chan's match against Kodachi was refereeing again. She was dressed the same as that day and her hair was the same. She walked onto the middle of the ring holding a microphone in her hand.

"From this corner: Kodachi Kuno, from St. Bacchus School for Girls!" the referee shouted said into the microphone. The crowd cheered and Kodachi stepped into the ring holding a coil of rope and clubs. Banners displaying their support for the Black Rose of St. Bacchus were shown around the stands. People yelled and screamed good luck, you can do it, and other slogans.

"And in this corner: Akane Tendo, from Furinkan High School!" the referee shouted, gesturing to the other side. Akane stepped into the ring clubs in her hands. People cheered for Akane as she stepped onto the ring. Banners unrolled revealing good luck messages and other sayings on them.

"Competitors to the center!" the referee said. "Now shake hands."

Akane and Kodachi glared at each other.

"Remember our agreement, whoever loses must give up on Ranma forever and will not come near him at all," Kodachi reminded Akane, outstretching her hand.

"Then prepare to lose," Akane stated, taking Kodachi's hand. The handshake was brief but they still used a grip lock on each other's fingers in an attempt to crush their bones.

Immediately both of the competitors jumped back holding their weapons in a ready stance.

"The rules are: No time limit. No bare-handed blows. If either of the competitors fall from the ring or gets knocked out they will be deemed the loser!" the announcer said from the table outside the ring.

"Begin!" the referee shouted, bringing down her hand to signify the start of the match. She quickly left the ring.

Akane made the first move. She charged forward holding the clubs like knives. She thrusted the clubs at Kodachi, aiming for her neck. Kodachi ducked and lashed the ropes at Akane's ankles. Akane jumped into the air and shouted for the ribbon.

Kagome from the outside of the ring grabbed the stripped ribbon and threw it at Akane. Akane caught it in the air and lashed it out like a whip. Kodachi used the rope and parried the attack. The ribbon and rope tangled together, and neither of the competitors wanted to let go. Both of the girls pulled at their whip like weapons, hoping the other would let go.

"You won't defeat me with these simple tricks!" Kodachi shouted at Akane. She barked for the hoop and one of her teammates hand it to her. Kodachi threw the hoop at Akane.

'Damn! It's that hoop from Ranma-chan's match with her.' Akane thought, glaring at her opponent. 'Looks like I have no other choice.'

The hoop nearly grazed her. Akane dodged and let go of her hold on the ribbon. She immediately charged forward.

"Akane!" Kagome shouted, throwing a hoop to Akane. Akane quickly caught it.

Kodachi thrust her club at Akane, the spikes coming out of the top. Akane held the hoop in front of her while ducking. When Kodachi's wrist was passing the hoop, Akane twisted it so Kodachi dropped her club. The other side of the hoop hit Kodachi's shoulder, making her flinch. Quickly using her heat, Akane picked up one of Kodachi's clubs in between her toes and swept kicked.

Kodachi jumped and twisted her arm so that her hand was holding the hoop. She yanked it out of Akane's hand and landed on the other side of the ring.

"What a clever maneuver from Akane!" the announcer said while the people in the stands cheered their heads off.

"Akane has improved," Ranma commented from his seat next to Kagome. "A little bit better, but still ain't good enough."

Ryoga was silent. He hoped that Akane would win. He knew that Akane wasn't fighting for Ranma but it still hurt him because this fight was all about Ranma. Akane couldn't win. Kodachi was only playing with her, and that pissed Ryoga off.

"No more games!" Kodachi shouted. She had the rope in her hand and an evil glint in her eyes. She and Akane jumped onto posts opposite of each other.

Ranma's and Ryoga's stomachs sank. "Akane's going to lose" kept running across their minds.

Kagome stood up, her hands in fists. She was cheering Akane on in her mind, hoping Akane would win.

But at that very second, something strange happened. The ground was rumbling.

"Earthquake!" the crowd shouted. Everyone in the stands began to panic.

Akane faltered, surprised by the sudden shaking.

The ground shook more violently and shook dust from the ceiling. The crowd was screaming now. The rumbling was so violent that Akane and Kodachi lost their balances. They fell from the ring at the exact time.

Slowly the trembling ceased. The referee was back in the ring.

"Both of the competitors have fallen from the ring. Tie!" the referee shouted.

Kodachi jumped up like something had shocked her. She ran over to the judges and announcers screaming that it was unfair and they should have a rematch.

Ranma's and Ryoga's eyes were as big as saucers. It was a miracle. Ranma grinned stupidly. Ryoga still looked surprised.

Kagome, on the other hand, was a bit confused.

'How did that earthquake happen at this time?' she wondered. 'It doesn't matter now; at least she didn't lose.'

Akane was sitting on the floor, shocked.

Night at Tendo Dojo

Akane was still ruffled by the earthquake. She shook her head and began eating.

When the match was over, Akane, Ranma and Kagome left for the dojo. Ryoga said he needed to do something and left.

When they came home (E/N[Editor's notes]: well, Akane and Ranma's home), Kasumi immediately began the cooking lessons with Kagome. Akane went up to her room while Ranma went to the dojo to meditate.

Now it was dinner time. Kagome and Kasumi made fish with mixed vegetables. Everyone was enjoying their cooking while the cooks were trading recipes.

After dinner, they did their usual routine and went to sleep.

Next Day

The next day was nice. Though there were some surprising events, Kagome enjoyed her stay with the Tendos and Saotomes. The day went by quickly. Kagome got cooking tips and recipes from Kasumi, while making a great lunch for them. Ranma got what he considered a good score on a test. Akane cheered up a bit from the match against Kodachi. Nabiki conned Kuno out of 300 yen. Soun was just happy that Happosai didn't appear for the past few days.

When the time came for them to say good-bye, everyone was there.

"Hey, Pops, I won't be comin' back for a while" was the only thing Ranma could tell his old man.

"Why?" Kasumi asked, giving Ranma a look of concern.

"He needs to help me with..." Kagome drifted off. Though she accepted her curse, it was still hard for her to say it out loud. Though she didn't say it, everyone understood the unsaid words.

"Just take care," Kasumi said, "and here. I thought you two would be hungry so I made snacks for the both of you." She handed a rather large package wrapped in a checkered cloth.

Kagome nodded her head in appreciation. Then the duo headed off to the Higurashi Jinja –[Higurashi Shrine]-.

"Good luck!" Akane shouted after them as their figures faded into the horizon.


That was quick. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I also know Akane could've never done those things in the match, but hey it's a fanfic. REVIEW! So I can get some motivation in the next chapter.