Friendship

Part I

Ray found herself feeling surprised.

Ranma seemed… happy. Not -blissfully-hoping-and-skipping- kind of happy. But happy nevertheless… there was something new about him… something that made him seem… content.

"What's up with you?" She asked amused. It was one of those afternoons in which he helped her at work.

"Huh?" He asked dumbfounded. Looking up from his cleaning task to look at her.

"I've never seen someone enjoy wiping a counter that much"

Ranma looked at her. "What?"

"Look at you!" She said smiling. "You can't whip that grin out of your face."

"Oh… am well" he explained with a shrug before going back to work.

"Did something happen?" Ray asked sitting down on a stool and looking inquisitively at her friend.

"Something like what?"

"I don't know… something. Lately you've seen… different."

"Different how?"

"I don't know… good different, happy different, different."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"It's great!… But, there has to be some kind of reason for it. Don't you think?

Ranma stopped. "I guess"

Ray narrowed her eyes. "Spill it"

The boy sighed, smiling. "Well things have been looking up lately"

"I figured as much."

"You know Ukyo… she has a boyfriend now."

"The cook? Cute, friend slash fianceé girl?"

Ranma nodded.

"Good for her"

"And this boyfriend of hers is Ryoga"

"Cute little piggy?" She interrupted.

He nodded. "I just found out today"

"Oh… so you're happy for them"

Ranma hesitated. "Well… yeah, kinda"

"What do you mean kinda?" Ray asked with suspicion.

"You don't get what it means, don't you?"

"Nop" She answered feeling clueless.

Ranma gave her a huge grin. "It means less complications for me."

Ray frowned at him. Trust Ranma to make everything about him.

"I'm sure Ukyo wants an out of the engagement now which leaves me only with Shampoo and Kodachi to deal with."

"Aren't those two the craziest of the mix?"

"Yeah… but you see Shampoo is running out of time. The old goul--"

"--Her grandma, right?" She asked. Making sure she won't get lost. There always were so many names in Ranma's stories that sometimes it was hard to keep track of them.

"Yes. Well she's not too happy with how things are right now."

"Well none of her stunts have worked out, of course she's not happy" Ray said moving from the stool and going back behind the counter.

"It's not only that. You see, when Akane broke off the engagement the old goul thought that Shampoo had no competition left. And that it was a matter of time before she could get her paws on me."

"She really thinks you don't have a mind of your own, doesn't she?"

"Yep"

"One would think that at her age she would know better."

"But she doesn't... and believe me, she's not the only one."

"Oh, I believe you…" Ray said, remembering how easy it was to convince him sometimes. But only with little things. When he had his mind set on something the guy could be obnoxiously stubborn.

"Shampoo and her can keep on trying if they want. They don't have Akane to bribe me with anymore and now I know all her tricks. I can see that those two are starting to lose it… I'm sure they'll leave for good in a few months"

He smiled brilliantly.

"So that's one less fianceé…Wow… how does it feel to be so close to singlehood?."

Ranma ignored the question.

"And the thing with Kodachi. It's nothing." He continued.

"Well… she is nuts."

"Graduation is coming and after that I won't have to see the Kunos again. At least not on an everyday basis."

"Okay, I can see why you're so happy now."

"Wait, that's not the best part"

Ray looked up expectantly. "What?"

"Akane" He said. And Ray realized that it was not only the best part but the most important too. 'Akane as always' She thought a little bit annoyed. She was curious about the famous Akane. What was with this girl? She often wondered. What was so special about her that had this boy head over heels even though he wouldn't completely admit it.

"What? Did she smile at you again?" She questioned almost mockingly.

"She call me her friend" And he smiled brilliantly.

Ray looked at him, feeling pity for this guy who'd could be so happy with so little. 'He doesn't know better' She told her self and then she smiled a little and played the friend part, the part she was stuck with.

To Be continued.