Chapter six: The Date.
Ranma smiled easily for the first time in a very long while and made his way back down the hall. He spotted an eavesdropping Soun and Genma and the happy expression switched to a look of horror. It was too late to try to escape. When they saw that Ranma had discovered them, the two men ran to him with outstretched arms, crying happily.
"Well done, son! Saotome, I knew he liked Akane all along! It's just like I've always said, a little initiative goes a long way!" Soun slapped Ranma on the back as tears of joy ran down his face, drenching his moustache.
Genma laughed loudly and folded his arms. "That's my boy alright! Well done, Ranma! You make me very proud!"
Ranma blushed, and cast his gaze downward. "It's only a trip to the movies, Pop! It's not like we're getting married or nothing!" We tried that once before and look where it got us!
The two older men ignored his comments. Inwardly Ranma groaned. He knew there wouldn't be any break for him. He tried to step around the two older men, but they unintentionally blocked his path, showering him with compliments.
"I always knew you would choose my little girl over all those others! I'll be so proud to have you as my son-in-law!"
"Look," Ranma protested sternly, "I'm only going with her cause I don't feel like watching a movie by myself tonight, that's all!"
"Tendo, we are successful at long last!" Genma embraced his life-long friend, now ignoring Ranma completely. "We should celebrate the occasion! I think we still have a few bottles of sake stored away!" The two ran downstairs at a mad dash to celebrate.
Ranma trailed behind them to grab a quick bite to eat before he went to get ready. As he entered the kitchen, Kasumi ran up to him and hugged him with all the intended love of an elder sister. "Ranma, I'm so happy! Akane is blessed to have someone caring like you to fill her life!"
Ranma blinked. "Word travels fast!"
Nabiki popped up behind her older sister and flashed him a sly grin. "Well, well, well. Aren't you the lady killer! I always knew you had it in you, Ranma! I should have started a betting pool on this. I'd be making a killing on how far the two of you will go tonight." She sighed with remorse, and shrugged comically. "Such is fate, I guess."
Ranma blushed. "Awwww, come on, it's only a crummy date!"
"True, but this could be the start of something much bigger!" Nabiki stepped up to him, spreading her arms wide. "If this keeps up, Daddy might move you into her room and think of what might happen then! Not even your stubborn attitude and her tempter can compete against a healthy dose of the vertical tango."
"Nabiki!" Ranma couldn't think of anything else to say. He really didn't see what the fuss was about. Why was a date such a big deal?
Kasumi smiled at him in a motherly way. "You are such a gentleman! I know you'll do the right thing." She bowed her head. "Please look after our younger sister."
"Girls…" Shaking his head, Ranma walked over to the fridge and decided that it would probably be best to ignore them until he left for the movies. He wolfed down a sandwich then hopped up to his room to get ready, ignoring the elation that was spreading throughout the house.
Akane chose a pretty dress from her closet and tried it on. It clung to her body nicely, showing off the beautiful athletic figure she tried so hard to maintain. The garment was also a tad on the short side, ending about four inches above her knees. She flashed a mischievous grin, knowing Ranma was in for the tease of his life. There were times when even she liked to dress up, though she had never wore something that provocative to the movies. But tonight was going to be special and she wanted to catch Ranma's attention without the daily distractions from his regular cheering squad.
"Maybe I am overdoing it," she said out loud, shrugging her shoulders. "I am overdressing for a simple trip to the movies. But so what! This is a once in a life time opportunity to change things up a bit."
Applying some red lipstick and a touch of eye shadow, she looked at herself in the mirror and was startled at what she saw. She was no longer the regular tomboy Ranma picked on much of the time. In the mirror she saw a beautiful young woman with a surprised look on her face. She realized suddenly that she looked exactly like her mother had in high school picture she had gazed at once while going through an old family scrap book.
She glanced up, smiling slightly out her window at the night sky. Mother, your little girl is growing up. I'll make you proud of me!
She wondered what Ranma would think of her. Would he like her or would he make a rude remark as was his custom? There was only one way to find out. Slipping on a pair of red high heels, she walked down the hall and knocked on Ranma's door.
"Come in," he called.
She nervously opened the door, keeping her courage up. Ranma was in the middle of putting on his shoes and didn't look up immediately. He was dressed in his best casual outfit which consisted of a white shirt and black pants.
"We'd better hurry, or we'll miss the previews. I hate doing that," he added, lacing up his shoes.
"Ranma, what do you think of my outfit?" Akane found herself shaking, and was slightly annoyed as a result. So much rode on his reply and with his track record of bumbling things up, she had every right to worry. Never-the-less, the fact that she found herself ready to cling to his every word seemed slightly pathetic for some reason.
Ranma looked up at her and his eyes bulged out until they were the size of dinner plates. "Akane... what, errr, I mean..." His brain began to overload and smoke vented out from his ears. He took a moment to kick himself and forced his brain and mouth to get a grip before he said the wrong thing.
"Umm, you sure you want to wear that to the movies?" he asked cautiously.
A cold pit formed in Akane's stomach. "Does that mean you think I look bad then?"
Ranma looked up at her again, flashing a look of confusion. He started to answer, but then, by some miracle a dose of realization lit his eyes up. He shook his head. "Nah, you look great Akane, I mean that." He flashed a rare genuine smile.
Akane's shoulders sagged with relief and her soul entered cloud nine air space. "Do you really mean it?"
"Yeah, big time. It's nice ta' see you get all dressed up once in a while!"
Akane blushed. "You look good too..." She loved how his shirt showed off his lean, powerful muscles. She had always admired that about him. Sure she had seen him naked before on accident, and he had seen her to boot, but she found herself admiring more than just his figure. She was attracted to him as a person, and at last she had realized it would do no good to deny it, especially to herself.
Ranma looked down at his shirt. "Yeah, well, I didn't really have nothin' fancy. This is about the best outfit I got."
"It suits you, the white goes good with your black hair and pants."
Now it was Ranma's turn to flush bright red. She had never complimented his appearance like that before and he wasn't sure how to react or what to say. He decided to change the course of the conversation by bringing up a distraction. His chances of saying something stupid increased by sixty percent when he was flustered.
He coughed and looked down at his hands. "We'd better leave if we want to make the show."
Akane nodded. Standing up, he walked over to the door and held it open for her, nodding for her to go. This shocked her to no end. He was never so polite. She smiled at him and walked out the door. I guess tonight will see a lot of first time things between us.
The two filed down the stairs and were greeted by Soun and Genma. Both, it seemed, were already intoxicated from drinking a little too much Sake' They were dancing around the living room and singing old travelers songs, ignoring Nabiki's annoyed shouts as she tried to tune into the stock report on the TV.
"You two look very nice!" Kasumi clasped her hands together, smiling happily.
Nabiki came up behind Ranma and whistled, grinning wildly. "Woohoo! Nice choice of pants, Ranma!" She eyed him up and down appreciatively. "It shows off your butt really well!"
Ranma blushed deeply... again.
"Don't worry, Ranma, I think you have a cute butt." Akane whispered in his ear, clearly not able to resist poking fun at his embarrassment. She brought her hand to her mouth and flushed as well. "Did I just say that?!"
"…." Ranma felt like he was going to pass out.
"Oh, the two of you look so wonderful," Kasumi said, her eye's growing misty. "Mother would be so proud of you, Akane!"
Akane smiled brightly as Ranma led her out the door, winking at her sister. "She is proud of me, Kasumi. I just know it. She's watching over all of us!"
"We won't be out too late." Ranma casually waved good-bye to the others and closed the door, glad to be escaping the embarrassing scene. The cool night air filled his lungs and he breathed deeply, finally feeling up to relaxing his guard, if only a little. Walking beside Akane, he stole a glance at her and felt a light blush touch the bridge of his nose. She was cute, perhaps not in the sexy way that Shampoo came across as, but Akane was different. Akane was Akane, and therefore, the only girl he wanted.
When they were sure their children had gone, Soun and Genma stopped dancing. "Our disguise has been successful, Tendo!" Genma cried out in triumph.
Soun nodded, and struck a manly pose. "Now, we must commence with phase two of the plan! We've waited too long for this moment! We must make sure nothing interrupts them tonight!" With that, the two rushed out the door.
The two Tendo sisters looked at each other in surprise then shrugged, returning to their normal routines. When Soun and Genma got an idea in their heads, one could never know what to expect. Nabiki turned back to the TV and Kasumi began picking up the empty Sake' containers.
"Saotome!" Soun shouted in jubilation as they passed out of hearing range. "We should start planning their next wedding!"
Kasumi shook her head in mild amusement. "Oh father, father, father."
Ranma and Akane walked side by side on the way to the theater, truly enjoying each other's company for the first time in weeks. For once there was no casual indifference between each other. They didn't have to pretend not to have an interest in one another and it shocked Ranma how good it felt to just unwind and drop his smart mouth for once. They chatted about little things at school and the dozen's of rumors involving them that circulated through the busy halls.
Ranma gradually started talking about his fight with Ryoga, recapping the details of the entire fight. Akane's eye's glazed over and a look of concern touched her features as he spilled everything, including his fears about how serious things became.
"He's really gotten stronger hasn't he? Are you worried? I mean… worried that things might get out of hand?" She eyed him intently, prepared for his usual reply about he would 'really beat the pants off of Ryoga the next time he saw him.' She was thrown completely off course when he presented a completely different answer than she had anticipated. Ranma was cocky, that was just a fact of his personality. The few times he had been entirely truthful about his own feelings on a matter never failed to take her by surprise.
"Yeah, I'm worried a little. Ryoga is my strongest rival and when he gets mad he goes into a berserk rage. If he gets any stronger one of us is going to get hurt... maybe even killed. I really don't know what to do. I'm good when it come to fighting, but it hasn't solved anything in this case."
Akane couldn't remember the last time Ranma had been so open with her in regards to a touchy subject. She was silent for a moment, thinking of a proper response. "Talk to him civilly for once. Make up with him and put the past behind yourselves," she suggested.
Ranma smiled grimly, turning to look at the long sparsely populated road ahead of them that led through town. "I would if I could, Akane, believe me! It's our past that's keeping us fighting."
"What do you mean?" Akane was more than a little confused.
"I...can't tell you, even though I want to. I took a vow and now I-"
"OHOHOHOHOOHOHOHOHOHOOHOHOHOH O! Ranma, my love, you have finally come for me, perched on the very wings of love itself!"
Ranma's blood went ice cold. There was only one person whose laugh could frighten him to such an extent. The cold feeling settled into the pit of his gut and he found himself wanting to flee, to escape that nightmarish laugh at all costs. He'd rather face the nine levels of hell then the monster he knew was coming.
No, not Kodachi! Why I the world did she chose this night and this exact time to show up!? A cold sweat broke out across his brow.
Sasuke and Kodachi sprinted down the road towards him. The diminutive ninja was carrying a mountain of bags and boxes of various sizes that he just barely managed to balance in his arms. Evidently the two had just been shopping and had just happened to see him by chance. It was just plain bad luck that life wouldn't cut Ranma a break.
Kodachi jumped on him like a hungry Lion pounces on a Zebra, wrapping her powerful gymnastics honed legs around him so tightly he couldn't breathe. "Ranma, my love! Darling, do forget about that homely featured peasant girl and go on a date with me instead."
Akane fumed silently, clutching her hand into a tight fist. "Kodachi…"
Uh oh, Akane's going to go home if this keeps up! I gotta' do something! He tried to push the gymnast off but she clung to his waist fiercely. He mashed his teeth, fighting a tug of war against her with himself being the rope. No! I won't let her ruin this!
He was getting angry. Using all his strength, he finally pried her from his body, pushing her somewhat roughly away from him. "Me n' Akane are going to the movies and I won't let you ruin it! Go home, Kodachi. Now!"
Akane gasped in surprise. Ranma's never told any of the other girls to take a hike before, at least not this directly! What's gotten into him tonight? Could it be that he's actually doing this for me, for my benefit?
Kodachi sighed in happiness, oblivious as ever to his true meaning. "I love it when you talk tough, my dearest darling. It makes you seem so manly."
"I get the feeling you never really listen to what I have to say." Ranma took a hesitant step backwards, unsure of how to deal with this situation.
Kodachi laughed again and drew out her gymnastics' ribbon. "I will free you from this nasty girl's hold, my love!" She threw off her clothes, revealing a green leotard underneath that was more than a tad too revealing. She lunged at Akane with a vengeance, hand trailing back as she prepared to lash out with her ribbon.
"Oh no you don't! Not tonight!" Soun and Genma appeared from the shadows and tackled her. "We've waited far too long for them to get this far! We won't let you ruin all our hard work!"
"Let me go you degenerates! Let me go!" Kodachi struggled desperately; giving them both looks that promised imminent death and misery if they failed to comply. They dog piled on top of her, pinning her body to the ground despite her struggles.
"I'm sorry miss, but we can't do that," Soun said. "Ranma, Akane, go! We'll hold her."
Ranma nodded and, grabbing Akane's hand, he led her off at a fast sprint down the street. He took a left down a familiar side ally, putting all his heart into simply getting away from her. Kodachi was stubborn and he didn't want to have to run around all night with her in pursuit. Akane struggled to keep up, and almost stumbled along the way.
"Watch it Ranma! It's not easy to run in heels!"
"Hang on, Akane! Just a bit more." Dodging into a crowd of people, Ranma slowed up, blending in with the masses to further conceal themselves.
When they were safely away, Soun and Genma released her and helped her up. They bowed to her deeply. Sasuke approached her and looked from her to the older men, not exactly sure of what to make of the situation or what to do about it.
"You understand, don't you miss? We're just concerned parents." Genma flashed a smile that could fool a crooked lawyer.
"No hard feelings, ok?" Soun dusted her off.
"None at all sirs…" Kodachi said sweetly.
Soun and Genma were thrown into the stratosphere seconds later. Kodachi continued home as Sasuke followed close behind, struggling to hold up the mountain of good's she had purchased. "Mistress, could you possibly carry some of these? My back hurts."
Kodachi took no notice of his words and growled, gritting her teeth. I will have you yet Ranma dearest, just you watch!
Ranma paid for two tickets and got them into the movie without further incident. He also bought a tub of popcorn and soda's to tide them over since running through half of Nerima had made them work up an appetite. Few were attending the movie tonight so they had their choice of seats and elected to sit in the middle of the theater.
"Ranma," Akane began, looking over at him once they had settled into their seats. She forced herself to say the words she so dearly wanted to say. It still wasn't easy to open up to him, and that would take time to remedy. "Thank you."
"What for?" Ranma stuffed his mouth full of popcorn, reclining his head against the back of the seat.
"For standing up to Kodachi and caring enough to stop her from ruing our… date."
"Feh, I had to do it! I just get so sick of all these girls harassing me and claiming me all the time!" A strong look crossed his face and he took a long slurp of his soda, far louder than necessary.
She cast her eyes down at her shoes. "Am I one of those girls Ranma?"
He gulped, growing flustered. "O-of course not! You're different."
Akane looked him square in the eye. "Oh? How am I different Ranma?" She wouldn't back down, not this time. Even if he said something nasty to cover up his embarrassment, she wanted to know how he felt about this certain matter. Actions were important but so were words. Nearly half their fights came about as a result of Shampoo, Ukyo, or Kodachi.
"Well, I uh... you just are ok?! I mean you're... my fiancée and all..." He twiddled his fingers nervously. "Man, I aint good at stuff like this. But… you get what I'm sayin' right?"
Akane smiled and took his hand in her own, deciding not to press the matter any further. Ranma gulped again and looked into her shining gray eye's that were brimming over with tears. I love you Ranma Saotome. She smiled inwardly. You may be a jerk at time but you're my jerk! I think I'll keep you around a while.
What is this I'm feelin'? Ranma wondered, holding his free hand to his chest in amazement. He had felt something like it before, like the time when Akane had first cut her hair short and had stared up at him, smiling happily after he had gone out of his way to cheer her up. For all his insult throwing, he knew he truly held feelings for the girl. The question was, how deep did those feelings run?
"You ok, Akane?"
She closed her eyes and smiled slightly, wiping her eyes. "Yeah, let's watch the movie shall we?"
The move started a moment later and the lights overhead dimmed to nothingness. The two teenagers directed their attention towards the screen. Akane laid her head on Ranma's shoulder, allowing herself, for once, to just let go and be his fiancée without any worry or embarrassment. They kept their hands interlocked throughout the whole movie, and each felt a silent thrill as they experienced each other's touch. As Ranma sat there allowing strange new sensations to take him by storm, he found himself wishing the night would never end.
Konatsu sat on his bed in the side bedroom that made up the upstairs living area of Ukyo's restaurant. Dusk had come and the night life and sounds of Tokyo filtered in from the open nearby window. Small and effeminate, Konatus could sit on the window sill without fear of breaking the wooden frame. He did so now, dangling his bare feet in mid air he watched as the last vestiges of light disappeared behind the tall skyscrapers of Shinjuku.
He heaved a heavy sigh, knowing it was the last sunset he would enjoy watching from this window for quite some time to come. It was time to go. The decision he'd been thinking on for almost a month had finally been made. It hadn't been an easy one, especially not after having spent so many months under the same room as the woman he loved.
Downstairs Ukyo was humming a tune as she cleaned up the kitchen and closed shop. The tune was especially cheerful which led Konatsu to believe that she was going through the cherished ritual of counting the cash register. Just thinking of her sent a pang of anguish screaming through his heart and Konatsu leaned forward, folding his hands on his lap, expertly balancing his weight on the thin window sill.
Ukyo had been so very good to him. She took him in and gave him food, shelter, and even a miniscule income. It was a far better life than the one he'd endured at the hands of his cruel family. For the last six months he'd been ever so happy. Each day the sun came up he rose to happily face the day.
Under normal circumstances he would have been content to live this lifestyle indefinitely. There were two problems that kept this from being a reality however. The first was that all the good intentions, all the good efforts he made on Ukyo's behalf didn't make up for his clumsiness in her restaurant. He could balance a sharpened knife on his fingertip without drawing blood but carrying an order on a tray was a task that often resulted in broken dishes. This had earned the ire of Ukyo on more than one occasion.
The second problem and by far the more serious was that he'd fallen in love with the warrior chef. Originally he'd been fine with enduring an unrequited love an counted himself lucky just to be in her presence. However, despite his feminine charms, mannerisms, and dress habits, he was still a man at heart. Like all good men, he could only endure so much of the powerful one-sided emotion before the pain became unbearable.
Konatsu brushed a hand through his long black hair as the wind caught it and blew it into his face. He wanted her to himself. It was selfish and greedy but he couldn't deny his heart. There had been enough time spent in Ukyo's company to know with utter certainty that she wasn't into the idea of entering a relationship with a cross-dressing ninja. He would have to change for the chance to win her heart and in order to change his life had to change. The only way to make his life change was to do what most warriors did in order to improve themselves. He would go off on a long training journey and he wouldn't return until he could be the man Ukyo needed and deserved. He certainly did not want to go but unless he did there would be no future beyond what now existed and he would forever exist outside of Ukyo's heart.
Nodding sharply while wiping away tears, Konatsu back flipped out of the windowsill and began to pack up his meager belongings. The entirety of his life's possessions fit into one backpack and he hoisted it onto his shoulders with a grunt of effort. His dark eyes scanned the room one more time, burning it and the memories of his time here into his mind to recall during hard times to come.
Packing had been the easy part. Now came the monumental task of breaking the news to Ukyo while staying strong. He'd dropped hints the last few weeks but had offered nothing concrete. Gripping the banister, he stepped heavily down the stairs and rounded the corner to the kitchen.
"Good evening, miss Ukyo," he said softly, moving into her line of sight.
"Hey there." Ukyo half turned from the kitchen sink. Her smile turned to one of confusion as she noticed the backpack on his shoulders. She gave him a questioning look, drying her hands on a hand towel and turning to face him.
"I uh…" Konatsu cleared his throat.
"What's wrong?" Ukyo asked, putting her hands on the countertop.
"N-nothing." Konatsu shook his head. "I just… need to leave. Go. On a training journey."
Ukyo relaxed visibly. "Oh, why didn't you say so? I'm engaged to a martial artist. I know how these things go."
Konatsu chuckled without humor, casting his eyes towards the ground when the word engaged came up. "Yes. I am aware."
"So, how long are you going to be gone for?"
The question he was dreading to answer. It took all of his willpower to look her directly in the eye. "I'm… I'm not sure, Ukyo."
Her smile faltered somewhat. "Oh."
"It isn't like you won't see me again," he said, waving his hands frantically. "I'll just be gone for a while." A pause. "Maybe a long while."
"I see," she said. Even though it was clear she didn't. "This is rather sudden, huh?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't make my mind up until about an hour ago. But this is something I need to do. I can be so much more and I owe it to myself to try. If I don't, I'll never know what kind of a man I could be."
Ukyo looked at him in surprise. It wasn't often that he acted like a man. Behind the girlish looks and timid nature there might be a man among men waiting to come out. He was certainly no Tsubasa, that much was sure. Perhaps this training journey was exactly what was needed.
"You gotta do what you gotta do, sugar," she said, wishing she had something more profound to say. The suddenness of the situation had caught her completely unaware.
Konatsu lowered her head until her bangs concealed eyes threatening to run over with tears. "Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. I'll not forget your kindness and I swear to you, one day I'll return a better man and repay you."
"Nevermind all that formal stuff. Just come back and let me know you are ok," Ukyo said. "I hope you can find what you are after."
What I want is right here in front of me. Earning her is what I seek. He smiled to conceal his heartache. "Well, I better be off. See you again one day, Ukyo."
Rounding the counter Ukyo walked him to the door and stood there giving a small supportive smile as Konatsu took to the streets. "Good luck to you, Konatsu. See you again."
He turned and waved before heading out down the street. "Bye for now, Ukyo."
She waved until he made it further down the street and out of sight. Unbeknownst to Ukyo, the determined yet grieving ninja left a trail of tears on the street as he walked away, intent on trading the only real happiness he's ever had in a hopeful bid for even greater happiness to come.
Ukyo stepped back into the empty restaurant. Looking around she noted the silence and couldn't help but feel a little melancholy. It had been fun having someone else to share her space with and talk to on a regular basis. The next few days were going to be especially lonely. Konatsu had been a strange one but even a blind man would have noticed just how big of a heart the unfortunate ninja had.
"Guess I should finish up."
Stepping back outside her restaurant, Ukyo took down the flag curtain that hung from the front of her restaurant, signaling that she was closing down for the evening. Wiping away sweat from her bangs that had accumulated from long hours over the hot grill, she enjoyed the pleasant night air as it whispered through her hair, cooling her skin. Her attentive brown eyes scanned the stars as they twinkled across the heavens and she thought, as she usually did during the evenings, of Ranma. The bright blue stars matched his eyes. She wondered if he too was looking at the same stars as she was.
Ranma was as far from a romantic as a person could get, but Ukyo still had her hopes and dreams. He was still maturing, changing in ways the boys of his age did and while the boy certainly wasn't about to come over and sweep her off her feet anytime soon, it didn't mean he wouldn't wise up eventually and get with the program. Ukyo knew all she had to do was be patient and wait. She had waited over twelve years. A few more couldn't possibly hurt.
Speaking of sweeping… Whistling softly, she grabbed her broom from its resting spot against the wall and began to sweep clean the walkway in front of her restaurant. Her skinny arms were stronger than they looked, honed from years of wielding her huge combat spatula. She pushed the broom around at a pace so fast it was nearly a blur. She smiled slightly, pleased with her skills, especially since she had never received formal martial arts training. Her techniques and styles were completely unorthodox and the fact that she was better than Akane, who had always been a dedicated student to the Anything-Goes style, pleased her to no end.
She smiled with self assurance. That's why Ranma will choose me. He's a fighter and is naturally drawn to strength. Akane's not a bad person but she's too weak and her temper will only keep pushing him away. It's all so sad really. At this rate, she'll never find a decent husband, especially not with that volatile disposition. Ah well, C'est la vie.
She shrugged her shoulders and resumed sweeping. The problems within the Tendo household weren't really her concern. If anything the chaos there could only speed up the day in which Ranma would wise up and come rushing to her waiting arms. She stood the chance of making quite a bit of money in the coming years if the restaurant continued to do well. She knew all too well that a secure financial base was very appealing to any man.
The streets were nearly empty so she couldn't have missed the familiar, and extremely disliked, face of Kodachi as she walked with her little ninja manservant in tow. Her normally psychotic disposition was currently dampened by a look of distress and shock, two emotions she clearly wasn't used to expressing. Feeling a mischievous streak run through her, Ukyo couldn't help but make fun of her rival's troubled expression.
Grinning, she dropped the broom and placed her hands on her hips, tossing her long brown hair over her shoulder. "What's the matter, Kodachi? Did the mental therapy clinic turn you down again?"
Kodachi turned her head to look at Ukyo and her downcast expression hardened as her eyes exploded with contained anger. It couldn't replace a rivaling look of sadness though, and Ukyo noticed it right away. "Simpleton, if only you knew why I was mad, you wouldn't be so quick to mock me."
Ukyo's grin faded some. That hadn't been the reaction she had been hoping to create. "I don't think you'd be so quick to insult me if I planted my spatula against the side of your head. Then again, that might fix the loose screw up there. Are you lookin' for a fight?"
Kodachi seemed to deflate again, toning down her Kuno family arrogance a notch. "Oh, what's the point? I've lost my motivation tonight. Poke fun at me if you wish. You'll not get another angry reaction out of me."
Ukyo scratched her head in puzzlement. "That isn't like you at all. Just what was it that happened tonight to depress you so much?"
Her rival turned her nose up. "Humph! Why would I tell you? You're my enemy after all. I don't gossip with my foes. Go back to sweeping, commoner! Slave to the masses and sweep up the garbage on the streets. That's a perfect lot in life for you."
That struck a nerve and Ukyo had to resist the urge to run up and slap her. "Listen here, psycho, and listen well! I don't know who you think you are, but unlike you, I work for my living! I go to bed every night knowing that I accomplished something and earned my own money and to finance my way through life. You've always had everything given to you on a silver platter by your rich family. You don't know the meaning of a hard days work and if you ran out of money tomorrow you would have no chance of surviving in the world. I'll be able to support Ranma when he comes to me knowing I did so with my own hands as a working girl. That's one thing you cant say for yourself."
At last Kodachi did laugh, though it was bitter and not as loud as was her custom. "From the looks of things, Ranma will not be gracing your life or mine anytime soon. He's busy with that Tendo tramp."
Ukyo felt her stomach contract. It felt like a fist of ice had just reached within her gut and enclosed it, squeezing painfully. "What are you talking about?"
Kodachi thumbed over her shoulder. "I just saw Ranma a little while ago. He and Akane Tendo are out on a date."
Ukyo found herself shaking her head, almost laughing. "A date?! Those two? No. Not in a million years. No, you're lying or mistaken or something."
Kodachi grimaced. "You have no idea how much I wish I was. I tried to take him away from her clutches but their meddling fathers stopped me. I have no idea where they went and I'm not feeling up to prowling the city searching for him tonight."
Ukyo leaned up against the wall of her restaurant, her mind spinning. "One date doesn't mean anything." She tried so hard to appear confident and cool with her response but she found her voice shaking. A deaf person could tell she was lying and she cringed visibly.
Kodachi resumed walking down the street, turning away from the overwhelmed girl. "Come along, Sasuke." She turned her head to look over her shoulder. "Spatula girl, I know I won't give him up without a fight and neither will you… but you should at least accept reality. He loves that girl. Heaven knows why, but he does." Her steps echoed away as she made her way down the street without saying goodbye.
Emotions in turmoil, Ukyo clutched at her heart. Her head swam as she struggled to regain her composure. "One date doesn't matter. They'll be fighting again like cats and dogs in no time!"
If that was the case, why was she struggling so hard to convince herself? Clenching her eyes closed, she fell to her knees, her hands over her heart as she felt it start to break. Ranma had never offered to take her on a date, so what made Akane worthy of such an honor? What did Akane have that she didn't?
"One date doesn't… mean anything… It doesn't. It doesn't!"
When the show was over, Ranma and Akane walked home in silence. It was a crisp, pleasant spring night and the entire town seemed to be enjoying it judging by the crowds that hadn't been there on their walk to the theater several hours ago. Several school kids passed them and pointed but Ranma and Akane paid them no heed. Tonight had been special and both of their spirits were soaring high. Let the student's gossip and talk about them tomorrow, tonight there would be no regrets.
They took their time going home and it only took Ranma a few moments to work up the courage to fish for her hand. Giggling cutely, Akane interlaced her fingers with his own, marveling, not for the first time, at the side and strength of his hand. They watched the businesses in town close shop for the night and the clubs started up, attracting the social night life to their exciting atmospheres.
Finally, they reached the front steps of the house. Ranma stopped short and felt a twinge of disappointment flood through him. It was so pleasant, why did it have to end? Why couldn't time allow such nice moments to last forever? After the last two chaotic years, wasn't it time for a break?
Suddenly, Akane turned to Ranma and gave him a quick, shocking peck on his cheek that sent electrical surges coursing through his body. Her eyes met his and she smiled shyly, judging his reaction. "Thank you for a wonderful time, Ranma. I promise I'll never forget it."
She turned with the grace of an angel and walked into the house, winking at him as she turned. Ranma just stood there by the front steps long after she had gone inside. A look of pure happiness crossed over his blushing face and a grin parted his lips. At last he finally understood the true concept of his attraction to Akane. He loved her, and he had for some time. Whistling happily, he walked into the house and hopped up the stairs to change his clothes and get ready for bed.
Watching from a nearby bush, Soun and Genma grinned broadly and slapped each other high five. "Operation Uninterrupted Date: Success!"