Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma or any of the characters, they belong to the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi.

oOo

His legs were tired but still dragged him through the sultriness. The alleys seemed somewhat familiar, but Ryoga reasoned that it must be due to a sunstroke or the fact that he has been walking for two days without resting. However, he did think the heat was unusual for Wakkanai, but there was no time to think about the weather. He needed to get on that ferry in order to continue his journey to China. There was no time to lose.

Once again, his mind travelled back to Akane, trying to convince himself that the detour he had taken between challenging Ranma two years ago and getting back to the cursed spring in China was worth it, considering the time spend with her was the only quality time he had ever experienced. A sour smile appeared on his face. That was in the past now, never again would he share her bed, or nuzzle her soft bosom or watch her undress…. The events of the past days, however, were alarming, and he needed to become all male again to be ready for combat when things become serious. And they will become serious…

Again, he startled at the sight of a street sign he had read before. Heh, my vision is getting blurry, I should find a place to set up my tent. Looks like a storm is coming up as well… As he wondered, what direction he should head, a familiar voice interrupted his soliloquy.

"You smell like you were pickled in garlic for days." Ryoga turned his head, facing the front of Ukyos restaurant. The young chef emptied a bucket of washing water onto the street and regarded the lost boy mischievously. Perplexed the boy blinked twice, trice until he realized there was no fata morgana in front of him. "I was, but only for a couple hours. They sure love garlic pork down in the south. What are you doing in Wakkanai?" Ukyo's face jerked into a grimace. What a helpless idiot.

"The question is, what are you doing in Tokyo? I thought you were leaving to China once again."

"Hey, what do you mean by once again. I am on my way to China."

"Whatever. How 'bout a bath to get rid of the stench? One can smell you from ten miles." Defeated at the fact that he had lost his orientation once again, he hung his head. "Alright, I guess I can spare one hour or two."

Hesitating, Ryoga followed the girl. Obviously, he hadn't given his consent to the chef in that mountain village who had captured the black piglet, knocked it out cold and indeed pickled it for several hours, before P-chan got back his consciousness. Despite the fact, that he naturally felt reluctance towards chefs, he was quite okay with Kuonji, as a matter of fact, he might get some rest at her place with the upcoming storm.

After scrubbing himself pink in her bathroom, he felt like a new person. Humming, with only a towel around his legs, he sauntered down her corridor and descended the stairs, believing Ukyo's establishment to be empty. The scent of minced onions and cooking oil hung in the air and Ryoga was reminded, how famished he was. In acknowledgement of both, his voracious gaze to the grill and his sparse coverage, she griped at him: "Geez, would you put something on, people eat here." Without hesitation, Ryoga griped back: "I don't have anything. You took all my stuff and put it in the laundry. What am I supposed to wear?"

"I left you my school uniform in the bathroom. It's a boy's uniform, it should fit."

"But…"

"No butt cheeks on my bar stools, move!" Watching him running back up the stairs she had to supress a giggle. He did have some resemblance with Ranma in a way, the girls at school were right. Whenever Ryoga appeared on campus out of nowhere, asking around to find either Ranma or Akane, the female pupils were not only amused by the disorientation of the infamous stranger, but also gauging his looks. If it weren't for his utter stupidity, he might make a good match as well.

Dressed he returned to sit at the bar, not saying a word. "So why are you so eager to return to China again? I mean, you've been there just a couple months ago… Everyone figured you'd finally accept your grunting alter ego" Ukyo laughed, placing a dish filled with the steaming Japanese pancake in front of the lost boy. Sternly, he stared at the plate. "Don't you dare say that. I have never gotten used to it, nor do I accept this humiliation of a curse. There were more important matters we had to take care of at that time. But now…" He lifted his eyes to meet hers. "Now, we will be facing an enemy, that needs to be fought with full strength, and I cannot risk this curse to weaken me." A new enemy? What is he talking about? Ukyo frowned.

"Ill tell you one thing, Ukyo, when that enemy arrives in Tokyo, things will change."

"Enemy? I'd rather say, challenge." A male voice Ryoga couldn't assign to anyone he knew, echoed from the entrance of the restaurant. He turned to face him and almost fell of the stool. "You…." Ukyo beamed at the new arrival. "Sugar, I am glad you're back just in time. I think Ryoga is about to tell some exciting news."

A smirk appeared on the distinct face. "Let's hear him out."

oOo

The one thing Ranma remembered was an orange striped feline monster coming down at him, flying right into his face before he lost all consciousness. Please, don't let me do something embarrassing, please…. Was the last thought his mind produced before falling victim to the cat fist. He never was a believer, but these situations, he figured, could be worth of a quick prayer now and then, considering all the stupid stuff he'd done so far in the Nekoken. He woke to the faint chirp of crickets and the rumble of thunder in the distance. Eyes closed he used his other senses to figure out, where the cat fist has ended this time. He felt his head bedded on a warm, living cushion and a small hand was stroking his hair. Relieved he knew that this could only mean one thing and as often, he decided to remain a bit longer on her lap, as he cherished these rare opportunities to be close to her without getting hit, kicked, or punched in the throat. Inhaling her scent, he wondered what she was thinking while caressing him. He felt her fumbling on his ear, as if she wanted to wake him up… Geez, she must be pissed, hoping for me to wake up soon so she can beat the crap out of me… Wait why should she be mad, SHE was the one who sent me flying into the cats… Damn, I better get up before she licks her finger and sticks it in my ear… He was just about to open his eyes when her hands stopped and moved to his neck, slowly and with just the accurate amount of pressure massaging his neck. Hm… That's what I am talking about, THAT'S how one fiancé should behave… Wait, what am I thinking, MAD, I should be MAD at her for sending me off just like that. Stupid tomboy, throwing millstones and yelling at me. As if I didn't KNOW what this conversation with Ukyo was about, I was the one who brought up the topic and made her go talk to Akane in the first place. Man, even her fingers are strong as a boar's, I wish she could use those elsewhere, too… Gaaah, what am I thinking!

Focusing on evening out his breath he tried to recall the conversation with Ukyo. After having thought about it intensively, he knew how he was going to approach the sensitive topic to his 'cuter fiancé'. It has always been hard for him to disappoint or reject Ukyo, as she was his oldest friend. Nevertheless, there was no way around broaching the issue of his true feelings towards her if he wanted her to stop chasing him like a lunatic. He knew she was not like Shampoo or Kodachi, it was her pride that made her competing in the race of the Ranma-cup. Well, and his good looks, obviously, but seriously, deep down he knew Ukyo wasn't that type of person whose priorities were that superficial. Yet when Ranma sat at the counter of her restaurant, waiting for his dish to be prepared, he had a hard time connecting his mouth to his brain. It had been Ukyo who interrupted his stammering and said: "I need to talk to you, Ranma."

"Huh? What is it?"

"I… I've met someone. I cannot tell you who it is, or what happened, but I can already say that I must call off our engagement." Her dramatic facial expression was accentuated by a small teardrop in the corner of her eye. "I am sorry."

"Were you cutting onions?"

"They're in your okonomiyaki, of course I was."

"Ah. Still, good acting."

"Thank you." They both grinned mischievous. One of the things he loved about her as a buddy was that she was such a relaxed person. Wish I could say that of a specific other girl as well. Stuffing the mentioned pancake in his face, he asked between bites and gulps: "So who is that new guy of yours?"

"I told you, I can't tell. At least, not yet. I was thinking of taking him to Kasumi-san's wedding." She put her head in her hand, musing. Ranma used the opportunity: "Ah, about that… I think you gotta talk to Akane first."

"Why, I did get an invitation…"

"Sure, but if you show up at that wedding, she'll destroy the dojo herself this time." His joyous tone was accompanied by severity. Blushing, Ukyo took off her apron and came around the corner to sit next to Ranma. "I know I should talk to her, but honestly I don't know what to say."

"Just tell her what you just told me: you're not interested anymore." He halted at that, just realizing what Ukyo had just confessed: she turned him down. His narcissistic ego began revolting in his cerebellum but was scotched by something, that has matured drastically during the last months: his sanity. He turned to her smiling his brightest smile and said: "It'll make things way easier, for all of us. Akane will love to hear that." Ukyo raised an eyebrow and smirked: "She will, won't she? And what about you Ran-chan?" Quickly, he averted his eyes to continue devouring his meal. With her head in her hand, she watched her best friend eat while smiling. It would make things easier… unless she really turns up with that new boy at the wedding….

Incredibly happy and proud of the outcome of everything, Ranma had to supress a smile. Everything would be going the way it should. There will be a way to get rid of the other two hussies as well. He hardest nut to crack was still he girl who, at the moment, started to let her hand slight down onto his chest. Yet again, his thought got totally distracted… But due to the developments with Ukyo he felt bold and slowly turned in her lap to give her more excess to continue her expedition. Let's see, where this is going… Sensing her hesitation, he began to imitate a purring sound that he was told he usually made when in Nekoken. Surprisingly, Akane bought the cake and her hand continued moving over his body. Ranma thought, he had never felt anything as wonderful and soothing as Akane's hands before. It was like his entire Ki was swarming to the very spot his skin touched hers. He wondered if there might be any chance, he could ever enjoy her proximity while not acting as he was still hypnotized. Now, what am I thinking? She can't be mad, you're not touching someone like THAT if you're mad at them. Is she scarred? First time having such a stud at her hands, yeah that must be it, scarred that she might be a klutz and make a weird move. I guess she has the hots for me. She must be blushing like a tomato. Man, her aura conseils her feelings…

Slowly, he opened one eye to squint at her, as he was super curious of what her facial expression would be like. But as he saw neither dumb grinning nor furious blushing but a fine line of concern between her eyebrows and sadness in her eyes, he opened his eyes and regarded her with caution, as she counted his scars and touched every one of his beauty marks. What is she doing? Has she never seen a scar before? It's not like she doesn't know about the injuries I get now and then. Probably she is scarred… Does she think they are …. Ugly!?

Slightly, but surely, his self-esteem crashed into a pile. Yes, his Greek-god figure did catch on some nasty cuts that would remain, but it wasn't like the fight wasn't worth it. He fought hard against Saffron and in return, he had saved her. She didn't have the right to find him ugly, not after what he went through. But as he watched her, he sensed that there was neither disgust nor disdain in her expression, only affection. She seemed devoted to touch every single one of his scars as if to absorb the very essence of the wound and experience herself what it must be like to receive them. The thought of that made Ranma shiver: she wanted, no, she needed to see everything of him, only then she would understand, why he was the way he was. A harsh, insensitive, foot-in-the-mouth guy who let his fists and kicks speak with emphasis. Maybe, just maybe… We ought to let our bodies speak for once…

At that very thought, Akane turned her gaze towards his face and he felt himself submerge into her fawn like eyes. A small eternity seemed to pass by, during which neither of their hearts dared to beat. Akane was the first to regain her mind. "You're hurt" her small voice stated.

"It's nothing."

"No, you are actually bleeding." She finally broke eye contact, directing her eyes back to his torso. His eyes followed and he detected a small scratch, probably caused by one of these damned cats. It was nothing, just a tiny red stripe under his chest. Not worth breaking eye contact, moron.

"I'll get you some band-aid" she prompted, secretly relieved to have a reason to let go of him as she was trembling with embarrassment. As she rushed up, his head plumped down into the floor. "Outch!" What's the matter with her?!

He watched her haste towards the kitchen, ready to yell some insult at her, yet she halted and quietly exclaimed: "I have an ointment for these scars of yours. I'll get it very quick" and she was out of his sight. Perplexed, he remained laying on the floor. What was that? Outside, the rain started pouring as the thunder grew closer.

oOo

AN: Thank you for your lovely feedback and sorry for the imperfection of the language. I am grateful for any remarks and I will fix my mistakes. Once I get the time, I will be looking for a beta-reader, for so long, I hope you can forgive me and still enjoy the story.