Standard disclaimers apply. Me no own, you no sue.

KISS THE GIRL
by MsChief

Chapter 4. The break for lunch

"Geroff Pops! I want to sleep some moooooooooore!" The complaint trailed the younger Saotome as he was flung into the pond during his usual wake-up call. Still, even in his half-asleep state, he was able to maneuver a dramatic flip in mid-air to land gracefully by the side of the peaceful koi pond. He then abruptly knocked Genma over with a low sweeping kick, and a loud splash punctuated another typical morning in the Tendo household.

"Hehe, oyaji, you're getting rusty!" Ranma sneered as he puffed his chest out and breathed in the cool, crisp morning air. He surveyed his surroundings and smiled at the familiarity: there's now a panda flipping signs in the pond… Kasumi doling out a delicious breakfast… Soun poring over the newspaper. There's Akane in her school uniform facing a young man seated beside her, who's now absently tucking a stray strand behind her ear… See, nothing out of the usu…whaaa! His head whipping back in a flash, Ranma missed the huge arm clawing at his feet and pulling him into the cold water.

Bangs plastered on his or rather her face, Ranma barely made out the scrawled "Your guard was down, son!" She then jumped out of the pond in a huff, and with a quick look back in the dining room's direction, dashed off to the kitchen muttering about stupid pandas and kawaii-kunes.

There she was greeted by a kettle-bearing Nabiki. "Male pride for only one hundred yen!" the shrewd Tendo offered. When the soaked redhead dallied with the transaction, Nabiki continued "Tut-tut, maybe new introductions are in order then, ne Ranko-chan? Oh Kenny…"

Exasperated, Ranma grabbed the kettle from the smirking Nabiki, fixing her with a piercing glare for all it's worth. Now finally back in his male form, he trudged to the dining hall to join the others.

Something tells me this is going to be a long day.

Two bites into his rice, Akane spoke to Ranma, "Uhmm, we really should get going…"

"Yep, I'll be set in five!" he replied.

"Anou, that's ok Ranma. You should finish breakfast; you still have lots of time actually. Ken and I just have to come early to school to ask permission from Principal Kuno so he can sit-in in our classes," Akane explained.

"I'm sorry for the bother, Ranma. I just wanted to see how high school classes go in Japan and I'd also like to meet old friends. I hope you don't mind…" Ken relayed before blinking in astonishment.

"Done!" Ranma announced after having stuffed all his food in in one swoop. "Be down in a minute!" and he was off to his room to get ready for school. Akane sat perplexed until Kasumi cut in "My, I've never seen Ranma so eager to go to class! Could you wait for him, you two? You can get the bento boxes you prepared in the meantime, Akane."

And so it was that the two fiancés stood outside waiting for Akane. Well atleast one of them since Ranma sat on the fence as he is wont to do. Akane emerged shortly after with her bag and the bento boxes, which Ken promptly took. When he still had his hand held out to her, the pig-tailed martial artist teetered on his perch.

Tch, how thick can this guy get?

But apparently, the guy was just offering to carry Akane's schoolbag as well. She gently refused, a blush dusting her cheeks at the gallant gesture. "Really, it's alright Ken," she assured.

'No really' Ranma muttered in a mock falsetto. Why act all coy and dainty all of a sudden? Scoffing, he called out, "Don't ya worry, the tomboy's as strong as a buuuuuuuuuull!" And once again, the sound trailed Ranma as he was launched skyward by a well-placed Akane uppercut.

Good thing Ranma landed in the vicinity of Furinkan High. He saved himself the trip and could use the extra slumber time. 'Pretty good aim for a klutz' he yawned before slumping onto his desk.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeee!"

'Groan' Here comes the swoon-fest. And he had a pretty good idea as to who's causing all the commotion. Ranma tried to bury himself deeper in his crossed arms to drown out the sounds of girlish fascination. But alas, his efforts were in vain.

As he was forgotten in the background though, he stayed in his position.

"Oooh, did you see the guy Akane's with?" Now that can be taken differently.

"No, what about him?" Yeah, what's the fuss…

"Girl, talk about hunk materi-al! Tall, about a head taller than Akane. Sun-kissed complexion, wonderfully broad shoulders…" said one.

"Nice bod, I'd say!" pronounced another. "Lean, with toned muscles. That mock turtleneck sure was snug in the right places! And a cute booty too, under those slacks…" Girls talk this way! I'd feel violated! Ranma thought with a shudder.

"Light blue cashmere paired with khakis… very metro!" one assessed favorably. "And did you notice the stylishly tousled hair?"

"Yes! Brown, with touches of cinnamon woven into it… The wisps come down to about his ears and naturally sweep to the side in soft waves, flowing like silk. Oh I can just wax poetic over it!" declared one as she recalled Ken's lustrous mane.

Hmms of approval. Ho-hum

"There's something regal about him, ne? Like his bone structure -- high cheekbones, peaked narrow nose. Almost too pretty." A girly man then! Ranma snorted.

"Almost. His face, a classic diamond shape, is set with a firm chin. I imagine he can look rather imposing with the jaw set and his lips pursed."

"Now don't get me started on those lips!" You don't have to, ya know… But continue she did, "Full and well-formed. And they curve upwards to form that boyish smile, made even more impish by those dimples. Positively drool-worthy!"

"And the way his eyes twinkle, like in some unknown mischief! But oddly, it's also his eyes that bring this sensitivity about him-- almond-shaped, with a hue like warm chocolate… they speak of comfort, security…" shared one, her own eyes dreamy.

"And to top it all off, he's got this impossibly sexy voice… 'After you' he said, and held the door for the rest of us… You just don't get that as much nowadays. Oooh, he's the perfect gentleman!"

"He's simply the perfect guy!" Sighs and pink fluttering hearts galore.

Yeah… just perfect.

Just then, the other members of the class began filing in including Ukyo, Akane and the hot (in more ways than one ne:) ) topic of conversation.

"Akane!" a member of the avid discussion cried out. "We were just looking for you." Wink, wink.

"Oh, right…" Akane replied, rolling her eyes at the obvious hint but smiling nonetheless. "We did a bit of touring of the school grounds after going to the principal's office. By the way, classmates, I'd like you to meet Ken Yamato, my…"

"Childhood friend!" Ken supplied, sensing Akane's discomfiture.

He proceeded to greet everyone warmly, shaking hands lightly and repeating each lady's name as they were given. He held one a tad longer before blurting out "Sayuri? Do you remember me? 'Kane and I used to come near your place to catch ladybugs!" he recalled fondly.

"How can I forget? You were practically each other's shadow!" Sayuri replied. "It's nice to see you again Ken. How'd you been?"

"Well, as you know my family migrated abroad when I was 12 so I continued my studies there. Now I'm back in Nerima for a short vacation, of sorts," he related.

"Ow, can't you stay longer? Bet some lucky girl's waiting for you back there huh?" Sayuri said, nudging him on the ribs.

"No, no" Ken said hastily, and not a few hearts soared.

"But…" and the surrounding girls subtly inched forward. "I DO have an intended. And I'm waiting for her," he concluded, smiling enigmatically.

"Awww… I'm afraid you may have broken a few hearts there." When Ken sheepishly raked his hair, Sayuri patted him on the back "But don't worry, what you said was so sweet, we'd decided to forgive you!"

Ding dong ding dong, ding dong ding dong! (A/N: I love how school bells sound in Japan… so peaceful…:) )

With the school bell, everyone took to their seats. Ken approached Akane, giving her elbow a gentle squeeze in response to her whispered thanks, before heading to the back of the room.

The brief contact was not lost to Ranma, nor to a certain pancake artist. Guess I'll be paying the ice queen a visit over lunch.

Fidget, fidget.

A few minutes before lunch break, Ranma was reaching his limit at forcing himself to pay attention to the lecture. Or atleast, at putting up the appearance of doing so. Not for anyone in particular, mind you.

Anyhow, what good would theorems and angles do him? Ranma stifled yet another yawn.

In contrast, Akane sat perfectly still. He often wondered how Akane can do that for long stretches of time. Like now, you can clearly see that she's really listening to the professor's blabber. Brows furrowed and eyes trained on the board, she's started to nibble at the end of her pen, a habit of hers when she's thinking hard about something. She holds it out, and cocks her head a bit to the left. Then, she bites down on her lower lip and with brows furrowed, blinks slowly a few times.

It'd be funny if it weren't so cute…

NO NO! That should've been 'It would be cute if it weren't so funny!' Nope, doesn't sound right either… Believing his brain to be addled due to lack of his customary class-time sleep, he moved to catch his chin on one hand and snooze.

But doing so led his gaze back to Akane, and the smooth curve of her neck. She's bringing the pen tip back to her lips. Lips that are forming a sexy pout right now, closing in on the damned lucky pen...

'Aargh!' Ranma swiftly looked away, remembering to clamp his mouth shut at the same time. This scene looks awfully familiar… He couldn't very well doze off now could he, not with that little incident yesterday! (A/N: I believe it was a 'little Ranma' incident, harhar) Even if that was a freak occurrence, he added quickly.

Meanwhile, Akane turned around after she felt a prickling on her nape, as if someone was watching her. She just missed Ranma's averted gaze and instead, spotted Ken further back. He grinned at her and she smiled back. Then making a twirling motion with his finger, Ken mouthed "Listen up!" in pretend admonition. Akane stuck her tongue out at him before chuckling as she turned to face front once more.

Witnessing this carefree exchange, Ranma felt a strange tugging at his chest. Bewildered, he excused himself from class and stalked off to the school rooftop.

A pair of concerned eyes followed him out, her resolve now complete.

On the rooftop, another wave of hunger pangs swept through Ranma. 'That's it! Must've been referred pain' he thought, pertaining to the foreign sensations he'd felt earlier. The supposed brilliant conclusion however, did little to help his present predicament.

He was famished, more so because he ate so little during breakfast. He didn't bring a bento and all his lunch money went to that scheming Nabiki. He could borrow money from Akane, but nah… he wouldn't want to disturb the cozy lunch the two are probably sharing right now. Both stomach and boy unconsciously growled at the thought. His only salvation lies in…

"Ucchan! You're here!" Ranma almost jumped in delight.

"Wow, you really that glad to see me Ran-chan?" Ukyo teased.

"Hehe, why wouldn't I?" Then turning all glassy-eyed, he asked "You wouldn't have an okonomiyaki by any chance ne, Ucchan?"

"Oh-hoh, so that's it!" The girl crossed her arms in annoyance, but eventually relented. "You know I can always whip something up for you."

And so Ukyo, armed with a spatula and some valuable (and costly) information she haggled about the new Tendo house guest, proceeded to do just that.

Having finished their share of the packed lunch Akane brought, she and Ken were now walking the hallways back to the classroom. Hearing Akane heave a distracted sigh while clutching the remaining bento, Ken commented. "Thanks for the lunch, Akane. It was delicious!"

"Thanks to you! You've been very patient with me," she replied. "I didn't think anyone will ever describe my cooking as such. Definitely not Ranma…" Akane disclosed, looking wistful for a while before suddenly asserting "That BAKA! Didn't even turn up to taste what I prepared," she fumed.

She ranted on "Sure, he may have gagged most of the time… puked every now and then… occasionally doubled up in pain… That doesn't… " Akane paused in ticking the list of Ranma's pathologic reactions to her cooking when she noticed Ken looking up, lips sealed tight and the dimples poking his bulging cheeks. "Whaat?" Akane ground out.

Finally unable to contain himself anymore, Ken burst out laughing. "THAT vile, huh?"

Veins began to pop on Akane's forehead, fist clenching at her side.

"Maa maa… You have to admit, it IS funny!" Ken held his hands up but Akane's battle aura was not abating. He ventured on "Atleast it makes for a good human interest story. After all, overcoming challenges makes the goal worthwhile, right?"

Relieved to see the flare slowly receding, Ken continued. "And besides, look at it this way. You're a martial artist, an ace student, a natural leader, and from what I've heard… the most sought after girl in your school." He paused to grip both her shoulders and make her face him, his eyes turning into dark mahogany as they bore into hers.

"Akane, you don't have to take yourself so seriously. It's okay to be lousy at something!" The lass could only nod mutely, as her heart fluttered from the sincerity in his deep, soothing voice.

"There you go!" he said encouragingly. Then he rubbed his chin in a thinking pose. "Man, I'd make one handsome shrink, don't you think? And I rhyme too!" a chibi-Ken exclaimed, pleased with himself.

Akane couldn't help but smile at such silliness. "My, my… aren't we conceited?" she chided. But truthfully, she wondered at his uncanny ability to lift her spirits. Like he always has since they were kids. "Thanks…"

"Yare, yare. Next time I might have to charge you." Rolling her eyes, Akane's gaze fell upon Daisuke struggling with a banner, several posters heaped at his feet.

"Hey Daisuke! What's that for?" she asked when they reached him.

"Oh, this? Banner for our school ball on Friday. You know, the one all the girls have been talking about for weeks?" he replied. "Yo, hi Ken! Nice to see you again" Daisuke said, spotting the old friend.

"Pleased to see you too! A ball huh? That's great!" Ken said, noting how Akane's eyes lit up immediately at the mention of the school dance.

Ken engaged Daisuke in some light chat but kept an eye out for the silent Tendo. She's biting down on her lower lip, a sign she's deliberating something. Then her eyes flickered to the bento she was holding. Akane turned to him and opened her mouth once as if to say something, but quickly closed it. She peered at the half-hung banner, and clutched the bento tighter to her chest. Then she was turning to him once more. "Ken, I… anou... I need to remind…"

"Akane, why don't you go ahead?" he cut in for her. "I'm going to help Daisuke with this stuff, you go on ahead and I'll catch up with you later. Is that ok?" he suggested, smiling gently at her; the request a masked affirmation for her to seek out the other.

"Oh… right. I'll see you later then!" she beamed at him. He watched her walk away, with a slight bounce to her stride. Akane really hadn't changed much, he reflected. Having practically grown up together, he's learned to read her moods and musings. And at the moment, she seems happy.

And really, he thought frowning at himself, he should find comfort in bringing about even a small part of that.

But one can only ask so much of his heart.

"Itadakimasu!" Ranma announced before wolfing down the stack of Japanese pancakes Ukyo prepared for him.

"Whoa, you really are hungry!" the cook cried out.

"Yep! At this state…" munch, munch "I'd even eat Akane's cooking…"

Through her peripheral vision, Ukyo saw the door leading to the rooftop open, and a sliver of short blue black hair sway in the wind as the owner hurriedly hid behind the said door. 'Let's see how this goes…'

"Or NOT!" Ranma continued, laughing heartily.

After some time, Ukyo ventured: "Well, I guess Akane's new fiancé can do that for her now. I saw them eating together earlier," she remarked casually.

Ranma tensed imperceptibly at that. "So you know, huh?"

"Explains a lot really," she replied, watching him closely. "Ken's mention of an 'intended'… their apparent closeness… the small, meaningful exchanges…" she listed.

Forcing a cheery smile, Ranma interjected "Oh well… Maybe I should warn him about the cooking bit, ne?"

"It doesn't bother you?" inquired Ukyo.

"What? Delegating the role of guinea pig to Akane's cooking disasters? Not really," he grunted, munching on. "Hah, I'd happily hand THAT over!" Ranma declared.

Imagining Akane holding out a rice ball to Ken with her chopsticks, Ranma promptly conjured a different scenario in his mind. One in which Akane wields a mallet. Hehe. "As well as constantly getting pounded by her mallet-from-hell…"

Unaware of the danger from the very same thing slowly approaching him from behind, Ranma plowed on.

"Or trying to explain to a brick wall, with an equally heavy hand…" Now he imagined a hapless Ken covered in bumps and bruises after another failed argument with Akane, almost feeling sorry for the guy.

But then it was replaced by memories of Akane tending to his own injuries, her touch both gentle and comforting. Ranma was reminded of blue eyes shining with worry, along with the sweet lavender scent of Akane's hair as she peered closely at him, concern etched on her soft features.

AARGH! Ranma's mind struggled against such dissonance, and so he blundered on.

"Or… or having to save the klutz from various accidents brought on by her own stubbornness, and lack of grace and coordination! You'd think a martial artist would have some semblance of it…"

This time he remembered Akane rushing in blindly into the massive vortex he made, diving in to save Happosai's pressure point map. He could see her falling as before; only now she's enclosed by the arms of another, her body held flush against one Ken Yamato.

At this, a strong surge of resentment, laced with a kind of panic, washed over him. For a person as easygoing as Ranma (apart from matters concerning his craft), one who rarely gets truly riled up no matter the provocation, feeling such intense emotions unnerved him so. Thus, Ranma dealt with it the only way he knew how—- by fighting it.

Meanwhile, standing only a yard away from him, anger and frustration filled Akane. She had come up to the roof to remind him about the upcoming ball; and what she got was a different kind of reminder. Trust Ranma to be an insensitive jerk, pick at her every insecurity and… still affect her so deeply. Thus, Akane dealt with it the only way she knew how—- by hitting the baka. She poised to strike…

"Ya know what?" Ranma defiantly exclaimed, halting Akane in her motion.

Ranma pushed on, his voice inadvertently rising in volume, as if willing himself to heed his own words. "NOT having to deal with an uncute, violent tomboy would certainly be a LOAD off for me!"

His words struck Akane, the revelation crashing down on her at full force. Part of her refused to believe it, clinging on to the few treasured moments when she felt he did care for her; perhaps, even enough to choose her. But the rational part of Akane espoused what was plainly said: 'A load off…'

So that's how he saw her, all this time. An obligation, an unwanted burden…

"I see…" Ukyo commented, interrupting Akane's thoughts. Seizing this opportune time, she raised, "You don't HAVE to go with her to the ball then?"

Wrapped up in his own musings, Ranma unthinkingly said "That too…"

"Great! You'll come with me!" pronounced Ukyo, glomping the distracted martial artist in her delight.

Akane now froze at the sight, her limbs lacking the power to flee. She found herself swaying unsteadily, until a warm body sidled up to her and supported her faltering frame.

"So the problem's solved!" a low voice stated, bringing Akane's blue eyes, which were shining with unshed tears, up to meet the warm brown of Ken's.

That also made Ranma turn around with a start. "W…what? Problem?" he asked, surprised to see the pair. Meanwhile, he briskly extracted himself from the eager cook.

"Oh." Ken mirrored his confusion. "Oh! So Akane haven't told you?"

Ranma shook his head, but refused to look at Akane, not knowing if she had witnessed the earlier scene. How long has she been standing there?

"Well, that's a relief then," Ken related. "I was thinking you guys had changed plans just to accommodate me, and I wouldn't like to impose on you," Ken added amiably. When the pigtailed boy still hadn't caught his drift, Ken carried on.

"You see, I've asked to be Akane's escort to the ball, but she'd already talked to you about it beforehand. However, since it appears you've made other plans," Ken paused ever so slightly, "this new arrangement will suit us all, won't it?"

Ball… Ranma jogged his brain for details of what Ken just claimed. He recalled Akane asking him coyly about some school event, her eyes having that faraway look… that was a few weeks ago. Then just now, Ukyo was hugging him ecstatically over… the same ball. Ranma gulped as the realization dawned on him. Oh shit!

Akane must be seething right now!Tentatively he turned to look at her, expecting an incensed glare aimed at him. But Akane had her head hung low, her expression veiled. Akane… he reached out to her mentally. There was a gnawing in his stomach, a curious curling of fear. Look at me…

Ding dong ding dong, ding dong ding dong

"Well that's that!" Ken stated, ending the spell. "Break's over ne? Pity we didn't get here in time to give you the bento Akane prepared. But there's always a next time right?" he said congenially.

"Do we head back now, Akane?" Ken addressed her, as he slid his hand down from supporting her elbow to clasping her hand. Akane only nodded silently. Ken felt the heated gaze directed at them, but resolutely stared it down with a straight face.

"We'll go ahead then, Ranma, Ukyo-san." Ken said, giving each a courteous nod. He then steered Akane back to the doorway, throwing the unmoving martial artist a calculating glance before he followed Akane in. The boy looked pensive now, and rightly so.

Now walking slowly down the hall alongside a still visibly shaken Akane, Ken's eyes narrowed slightly. That's right, Ranma. Break's over.

TBC.

Author's ramblings:

Thanks for reading and again, reviews are very much appreciated. I've self-edited so far, which isn't exactly good for a rusty writer like me. So feedback is very welcome:). Which brings me to the first order of business: Anyone out there interested to be my beta? o.o

Secondly, some overdue clarifications on the timeline: Akane and Ken have been neighbors since birth and friends long before the drowning episode, which I place at around the time they were 9 y/o; Ken moved 3 yrs. later; and the present time is 2 years into the series so they're now 18 y/o. (Thanks to ranmakane4ever for asking :) ). And another note, I've decided to give Ken brown hair to make him more distinctive from Ranma.

Then there's the ball scene coming in the next installment and I'm 'open' to suggestions (the lazy author that I am). I have some ideas as to a theme, but haven't decided yet, and also haven't found the right song. Which goes to show that the next chapter may take some time:( Sorry, I'm quite uninspired, and currently writing at a snail's pace and still churning out crap. And just as I was raring to up the angst and the sap… Bummer /

But I will try and snap out of it for the wonderful reviewers of this little fic of mine. Shout-outs!

Kachie: Thanks for the sweet sentiment!
Wonderbee: I hear you but I'm thinking of the purer intentions of the siblings and their better knowledge of how Akane is like. Also I'm planning for the scheme to work out as it would in the series. So pls. bear with me and my plot in the meantime, ne:)
Ryoko Blue: I tried to make Ken more bishie anime-wise, hope you like :)
Bluecabbage: And I go torturing him some more / It will get better, eventually.
Achava: I finally updated. I guess reverse psychology doesn't work on me haha.
Panda-tiney: Thanks! And that should've been I 'try' to write long chapters ehehe.
Koala Kitty: Wtf eh? I wanted to go for shock value… so there :p
Concetta: Haven't seen that other series yet, but I'm glad you're enjoying the fic so far.
Susan Lopez: Oh you had me worried for a bit there! Anyway, I'm sticking to this rating so we're good :) Thanks!
Hey there!: An alternate ending huh? At this rate, that would take me light years! Gomen :)
Akane Kinomoto: Very flattering, thanks!
Rinoah8tr: Thanks for the constructive criticism! I tried to work out the descriptions here, but conversations allow limited eloquence. Anyhow, I hope it's a clearer picture of Ken. Might post a sketch if I get to it.
Angela Jewell: Thanks for a detailed review:)
Andreiush: Luv Ken! Though that's a bit narcissistic of me isn't it, having created him and all. Oh well!
Indygodusk: Hehe that's a good take on it :) Maybe you could write that up!
Plastic strawberries: Interesting change of name:) I was working on this chapter when your review came in, thanks for the boost!
Many thanks to cleverwitch, ashira-BoOKLoVeR, akane10, saija-chan, the-shadow002, Gennie Kag's and Sess's Child, lady mokodane, lexi and melany.

Thank you! I'll be going to the beach for a few days and it would be nice to come home to reviews. Wink, wink.