Standard disclaimers apply. Author's notes and shout-outs to the nice people who reviewed at the bottom of the page:)

KISS THE GIRL
by MsChief


Chapter 3. Afternoon showers

White clouds floated lazily across the clear afternoon sky, just as Ranma sat idly on a low-lying branch in the Tendos' yard. His mind, on the other hand, was running through the day's events. Just when you thought this whole arrangement couldn't get any crazier, a childhood friend proposes and Akane gets a new fiancé. Everything happened so fast -- the recollections, the proposal and the disputes all passing by in a blur.

But the one thing that Ranma still sees clearly in his mind was Akane's reaction to what he had said earlier. It was beyond the usual reproachful look he got from her when these things come up. He thought he saw actual hurt in those pools.

'... I don't see why I should mind.' That brought it on. Well, what was he supposed to say?

'May the best man win'? Ack, too cliché.

'I'm sorry, but we're already betrothed'? Too formal.

How about 'Bugger off, she's MY fiancee!'? Sheesh, where did that come from?! he thought, bewildered. Surely, that can't be what she wanted to hear.

That's not it... Like he'd said earlier, they had no choice in the matter of their engagement. That shouldn't sit well with someone as self-willed as Akane.He wouldn't take that choice from her either, by staking a claim. Where there is none.

It's true then, that he didn't see why he should mind… though he didn't mean to come across the way he probably did. Heck he'd never been good with words, Akane should know that by now! He wondered if she was still cross with him.

Maybe I owe her an explanation he finally decided, and set out to look for Akane.

Meanwhile, our three operatives were convening in the kitchen. Nabiki gave Ken a friendly slap on the back. "Nice going, you really surprised us there! A cover that was simple yet elaborate, just ridiculous enough to work," she remarked. "And to think you thought that up at short notice, two... three days?"

Try eight years Ken reflected. Instead he shrugged, explaining "I figured I had to have the same status as Ranma if he were to take me seriously. In any case, we have our work cut out for us. Akane's on her way here so I guess you should be fetching our special spectator soon, Nabiki-chan.. or can I still call you that?"

"Aye to both!" she replied and went on her way, leaving Ken with Kasumi to set out the implements for the next phase of their plan. They shared light banter about Nerima and went over the details of what they planned to do the next few days. After a while, Kasumi turned earnest "I'm really glad you're here Ken… not only because of the plan but because you're a dear friend to us, to Akane. I appreciate what you're doing for her." Then she continued gently,"Anou.. about the ring…"

"Akane deserves it," Ken murmured with a faraway look. Then speaking in a brighter tone "At least we want her to believe that she does, right? And try not to worry Kasumi-chan, you're not the only ones looking out for her," he beamed reassuringly before returning to his task.

"Right." Her thoughtful gaze lingered on the boy before Kasumi resumed her usual sunny expression. Right

Akane arrived to see Ken setting out the cups while Kasumi prepared afternoon tea. "What will you be preparing, onii-chan?"

"Actually, I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Can you please fill in for me, Akane? Ken has volunteered to help, you'll be making fruit crepes," said the elder sister.

"Er.. don't we have biscuits or something, Kasumi?" came the panicked reply. Somehow she didn't feel like displaying her ineptitude to another person, much less to Ken.

"Come on 'Kane. Won't you let me try your cooking?" Ken implored.

"Stop teasing, Ken. You might just get what you're asking for," Akane admonished. When she wouldn't elaborate, Kasumi explained Akane's lack of culinary skills as gently as she could.

"Maybe I can teach you! I didn't know how to cook either but since I sometimes had to cook for myself in the States, I took some classes. It's really simple you know," Ken offered enthusiastically.

"Oh, I don't know. No matter what I do, it always turns out tasting... funny" Akane said, although the term 'lethal' also came to mind.

"And you're giving up? The Akane I know used to be relentless," he challenged. When the girl still wouldn't budge, Ken donned his best injured puppy look, glassy eyes and all. "Ok, ok! Don't say I didn't warn you!" she finally conceded with a helpless grin. In seconds, Kasumi had her fitted with an apron. Akane blinked in wonder and now the latter was seated on the stool, smiling innocently.

The youngest Tendo was now starting to murder.. er slice fresh fruits for the crepes they were making, her brows knitted in concentration. Then Ken heard footsteps from the corridor. Now the curtains part he announced in his mind.

"Akane, could you go easy on those? Just relax…" Ken said sliding smoothly behind her, positioning at an angle viewed clearly from the hall. "Here let me help you," and he held her hand gently so she would loosen her grip on the knife. The footsteps stopped.

Looking over Akane's shoulder, Ken guided her with long, smooth strokes. "There you go. Easy does it," he said encouragingly. Releasing her, he went to get the saucepan holding the syrup they'd made earlier. "This has cooled enough. Try it!" And he dipped the tip of his finger in the sauce, offering to Akane.

In the hallway, Ranma stood rooted to the ground.

Earlier Nabiki had found him standing outside Akane's room, hand suspended in mid-knock and jumping slightly at the sound of her voice. "If you're looking for Akane, you just missed her. She's in the kitchen with Kasumi," Nabiki said, conveniently leaving Ken out of the picture. And before he turned away, Nabiki called out "Be a good boy now, Ranma-kun!"

So he was walking steadily into the kitchen, rehearsing his explanation in his mind while Nabiki's words nagged at him. "Be a good boy" he muttered. They should try reasoning with Akane when that blasted mallet keeps appearing out of nowhere!

And then he heard a boy's voice in the kitchen, which halted him in his steps and led to his current state. It was Ken, standing behind Akane, apparently guiding her with something. And apparently standing close enough, his skin was grazing hers with each movement! But then the guy stepped back and was now holding something out to Akane.

The next scene seemed to play out before Ranma's eyes in slow motion. Akane was closing in to sample the syrup on Ken's finger... She's opening her mouth, lips touching the guy's skin briefly... Then she was moving back, tongue flicking out to lick the small drop left on the outer corner of her lip... It must have tasted good, for she was now smiling sweetly, looking up at Ken... Her eyes glazed with joy.

At this, Ranma was about to turn on his heel and walk away when Kasumi called out "Oh, there you are Ranma-kun. Akane and Ken are making crepes, we'll be having them for tea in a short while."

As Akane turned to look at him, still smiling, he ground his teeth and turned away. "I was just headed for the bathroom. I'm not hungry," came his curt reply as he briskly walked in the opposite direction.

When Ranma got to the bathroom, he leaned against the corridor wall bewildered. He didn't know why he blurted that out. He didn't know why his chest was heaving too much either.

"A bath may be a good idea after all," he shrugged and slid the doors quietly.

Settling himself in the warm bath, he thought of what just happened. He was now resenting feeling so guilty over what he said earlier to Akane. He remembered Akane's smile... Not much gloom in there! In fact, she looked rather pleased, acting so familiarly with that guy. "Hmmph!" he exclaimed before he could stop himself.

Thinking about the smile also led him to remember the lips that formed it. What would it feel like to be touched by those? They say he'd kissed Akane once, a brief, chaste kiss. But he was under the Neko-Ken. Damned cats! Akane's lips seemed so soft, so inviting...

"AACK!!!" he exclaimed sitting up abruptly, as if evading an invisible mallet. I'm no hentai! And why would he think of an uncute, violent tomboy that way?! He had to clear his mind of whatever has gotten into him. Maybe if he sat a few more minutes in the bath, he can like soak it out.

So he did just that, and let his thoughts drift away like the soft ripples on the water surface...

Then he heard the vague opening of the door. It was closed just as quietly, and now tearing through the mist was the object of his unwanted thoughts. Ranma eeped and Akane turned beet red at the sight of her naked fiancé. Turning her back to him, she said demurely "Sorry for barging in. I just thought I'd take a shower after all that cooking."

Ranma cocked his head to the side, as if to check his hearing. No 'hentai' screaming. No mallet pounding. What's happening here?!

He rose from the tub and hastily wrapped himself with a towel. "It's ok, Akane. I'm finished anyway" Ranma said warily. He stepped towards the door when Akane whipped around. Eyes searching, she approached him in a hushed voice. "Did you mean it... Ranma?"

His usual self would do the dense brick routine and ask "Mean what?" But the look on Akane's eyes was haunting, that there was no room for doubt, nor for skirting around the truth. It was the same pained expression he saw earlier. And this time, alone with Akane, he felt this odd urge to hold her and comfort her.

Ranma cleared his throat to distance himself mentally. "I just... I wanted you to have your choice, Akane." The simplicity of the statement belied the turmoil he felt inside over what it may entail. Seeing you held by another, a voice inside him feared.

But right now, the tears flowing from Akane's eyes compelled him to touch her face and wipe away the sadness. He stroked her cheek gingerly, savoring the feel of her smooth skin.

Though filled with tears, Akane's eyes caught his, unflinching. "Would you let me have MY choice?" she whispered.

And in one swift, sweet motion she kissed him.

It was only a brief kiss, but one that sent a jolt through his entire body. Akane's face was still upturned, her eyes closed and lips parted slightly. This time, Ranma claimed her lips with a gentle kiss, in fear that she might recoil. When she moaned into his lips, he kissed her more fervently, pinning her against the bathroom wall with his body.

He was kissing Akane and she was kissing him back! His whole being rejoiced at this sensation. His heart thumped wildly, becoming even more erratic when Akane brought up her hand to rest against his bare chest. Ranma held her waist and loved the way its curve fitted his hand perfectly. With his other hand, he fumbled for something to hold on to as his once powerful legs were giving way to the heat forming in his very core. He grabbed onto the nearest fixture as they parted momentarily to catch their breath.

Just inches apart, Ranma looked lovingly at Akane's face, melting in those beautiful orbs. She's so beautiful.. and he was just about to tell her that when he felt the fixture give. His mind sent reeling by the kiss, it took a while before it registered that he had just turned on the shower..

Ranma looked up in fear as the realization, and the first few drops, hit him... COLD water!!!

Back in the tub, Ranma sat up abruptly for the second time. He thought between pants I'm still in the tub... No cold water... No Akane. It was all a dream! No kiss he concluded, his fingers flying to his lips, both in memory and in dismay.

Aiya! He shook his head vigorously. What was happening to him? Maybe it's the heat, or lunch not settling well with him. Or maybe.. maybe this bathwater is drugged! So Ranma stood up at once, looked down and gave a low groan.

Oh man... He'll be needing that cold shower after all. :P

TBC

Hoho.. Ranma you perv! :) /Or should it be MsChief you perv?!/

What can I say, I needed a break after two blasted exams. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it:) Again, reviews and constructive feedback are very welcome! Also I reposted chapter 2 with the formatting revised, I overlooked it before.

Author's notes:
Remember that bit about Kasumi not being the only one looking out for Akane? Thisgoes out to everyone who reviewed and fretted about the fate of our dear Akane. I'd say this much -- I like Akane, being a bit of a tomboy and a short fuse myself. It's Ranma who's going to do most of the squirming in this fic, ok? /smiles evilly/

More notes:
Ryoko Blue and ranmakane4ever: Ain't Ken a hottie? And a gentleman to boot! I did say worthy competition.
Achava: It's Ranma1/2, it's supposed to be complicated! Thanks for keeping up with the story.
prilchan: I love long ones too... Atleast I write long chapters to make up for my not-so-frequent updates hehe.
CatH: Just on simmer here… Guess I should be living up to my pen name, huh
encarna: Your comment reminded me to write in Nabiki and Kasumi with more active roles (an aspect of the fic I personally love). As for weaseling my way out of this mess, I've a couple of ideas but I haven't decided yet. Keep the critiques coming, ne?
aiko-chan: I'll try to keep it grounded, tell me if I get carried away ok
die-eine-andere: We'll see.. hehe
Koala Kitty: Thanks, I'm having fun as well! Does this chapter answer your question?
solsanches: So what did Ranma do next? Haha!
Frida Vaccari: Yep, Ranma can be a jerk sometimes but we still love him! Also, he's nicer here.
livvy22: Thanks for the awesome review ;)
panda-tiney: It was a nice review.. I would love to hear more from you.
da Crazii Blob: May have something big in the works.
jade ashira: That was real sweet of you, I'll try to update more often.
Akane-chan: Does this constitutebeing a little jealous? Hehe
obsessed fan: No pain pls hehe
Darth Hawk 32: Thanks for the nice compliment, I hope I'm doing her justice.
Reiyuka: Erm.. there may be more twists ahead..
bluecabbage: Hope this is shaping up to your expectations.
Drkjester: Hey thanks for my first review, I wish you're liking the storyso far:)
babygurl, me, Just Me, jade 30, ELIE, Plastic strawberries: Thanks! Please keep on reading and let me know what you think.

Whew, hopefully I didn't miss anyone! Thanks again! /glomps all/