Chapter 15: Finally, a Date!

Ryoga was beside himself. The flowers he bought were still alive (mostly). He was in the right building. And there before him stood Hibari's door. He just had to knock.

Okay, 'just' made the task sound to easy.

She'd come out eventually though. Maybe he could just wait for her to open the door, and he'd be waiting there... no. That was creepy wasn't it?

He didn't want to be a creep, so he'd knock. He closed his eyes, and... took a deep breath.

Then he knocked.

The door opened, and he shoved the flowers forward.

"Hello! Ireallylikeyouandwouldyougoonadatewithmeplease?" he blurted before his confidence could give out.

There was the sound of water splashing. Then the response.

"Oh Ryoga! I didn't know you cared so. How romantic!" replied a feminine voice.

Ryoga just blushed with a dumb grin growing on his face. Then his brain realised that wasn't Hibari's voice.

Opening his eyes, he found himself looking at Ranma's bright red hair. (The rest of his short stature was blocked by the flowers Ryoga held.)

"Rrrranma," Ryoga growled.

"Huh, that's a sudden shift pal. You really know how to play with a guy's heart," Ranma replied, before bursting into laughter so hard he cried.

The commotion caused Hibari to open her door (which was of course just one door down... Ryoga had been so close). Looking at the scene the blonde jumped to an instant conclusion.

"I knew there was no way you chased Ranma to China over some bread and one duel!"

"What!?" both boys shouted in unison.

"You're kidding right?" Ranma added.

"He just brought you flowers. And look at the way he's blushing. Definitely a crush."

Ryoga grew even redder. "I had the wrong door!"

"Mhm, knowing this doof, he was probably aiming to ask out some girl in Osaka."

Ryoga punched Ranma in the shoulder. "I'm not that bad! I was only one door down! They really should label these door or something."

"One door... Ooh, are those for me then?" Hibari asked, her face lighting up.

"YES!" Ryoga blurted, shoving them forward with enough force and speed that Hibari barely dodged what could have been a blow to the head.

"Thanks," she replied with only a little sarcasm.

"W-w-will y-you go o-on me with d-date?" Ryoga stammered.

Hibari took a moment to process what he meant before smiling.

"A better invitation for a date than Ranma's ever given. Sounds good. What's the plan?"

Ryoga's brain ground to a halt. He hadn't actually planned that far. He'd barely managed this much.

Ranma meanwhile was seething. Hibari kept claiming to like him, yet had so far agreed to dates with two different guys... even if Shui's had turned out to be just a request to hang out as friends the principle was the same. Of course he was still trying to retain some sliver of a claim that he didn't have any feelings back and it was just Hibari ensnaring another guy that annoyed him. It was a perverted game for the blonde or something right?

Hibari could of course see the jealousy on Ranma's face, and was loving it. If that was the only way to get him to express that he cared then that was the route Hibari would take. She was patient, and willing to chip away at his resistance.

"Ryoga, just stand still. I'll change into something nice and we'll go to a cute cafe in Oizumi," Hibari announced with a giggle.

Ryoga followed the instructions well, being frozen with shock. Ranma however responded by slamming his door and flopping face first onto his bed.

"Ow," he muttered thanks to the pain of landing on his breasts. Darn things were too sensitive.

Why had he used that glass of water to amplify his teasing or Ryoga? Now he'd have to get a shower. And it hadn't been that long since he'd gotten the Phoenix Pill. Was Cologne giving right when she asked if the curse didn't really bug him?

No way. He wanted a cure. Definitely. He was manly.

The sound in the hall revealed that Hibari had finished changing and was busy leading Ryoga off. Ranma sat up in a huff.

"Fine, see if I care. Hibari can toy with someone else heart for a change. Plus, Ryoga can date a guy if he wants to. Even if I think that's wro-"

Then he remembered. Ryoga had somehow managed to be oblivious to Hibari's sex... and had seen Hibari nude only while Hibari had been using that Nyanichuan powder. Staring at the door Ranma paled.

"That could go very badly," Ranma stated, genuine concern clear in his voice. "I have got to keep an eye on them. Who knows how Ryoga might respond."

He might not be willing to admit how he felt romantically towards the blonde, but he knew he at least valued Hibari as a friend. And he knew Ryoga had a bit of a temper. He didn't want to think how the revelation might end up mixing with that.

"So, you're paying... right?" Hibari asked as she and Ryoga approached the more built up area surrounding the Oizumi station.

"Yes," Ryoga replied with a violent nod.

"What's the budget?"

"Uhhh," Ryoga panicked and simply produced his wallet.

Hibari raised and eyebrow, but cracked the wallet open. There was a lot more cash than she expected. The temptation to clean him out was definitely there, but she reluctantly admitted he probably needed that money to live on for a while with his wandering life.

"Alright, the cafe it is," Hibari replied as she returned the wallet.

The cafe in question was a cute little two floor establishment with a wide selection of French pastries. After ordering a slice of mille crêpe each the pair sat down at a booth. Hibari had chosen the restaurant for two reasons: she honestly wanted to go; and she'd told Ranma a few times that she wanted to visit. So Mr. Jealousy should find them pretty easily. She felt a tiny bit guilty using Ryoga for this, but he seemed lost on cloud nine right now so clearly it wasn't that bad for him.

As she finished up the crêpe Hibari was feeling a bit disappointed to have not yet spotted Ranma. Maybe he was just going to sulk about the date? That was no fun. Hibari did have a feeling of being watched though (as the children of a Yakuza boss one of the first things any of the Oozora kids were taught was how to know when you were being watched... just in case). Scanning the room Hibari realised the feeling was coming from a small brunette in large glasses and a very feminine pin-striped pink dress. Someone in love with Ryoga perhaps? The girl seemed familiar... probably just the hair. It was the same cut as Tsubame's. Maybe not the intended audience, but Hibari was still ready to put on a show.

"So, Ryoga, did you think of anything you might like to do next?"

"N-next? Um... Do you like lizards? There's a new reptile store that opened up in Shinagawa. We could walk over there?" Ryoga replied, desperate to think of anything interesting in the area.

Hibari felt a bit of sweat run down her face, realising that Ryoga's sense of direction would leave her having to do all the planning. (Shinagawa was not in walking distance after all.) Lizards also weren't totally her thing, but kittens and guinea pigs were a bit of a different story.

"There is a pet store that's a bit closer. They tend to have some cute animals you can watch. Oh, and maybe we should see if they've got anything pig-sized you'd like Co-chan."

Ryoga's gut lurched as he realised he was being teased. "Pa-pardon?"

"It's just a joke. If you don't want to visit the pet shop, then... well, we could go see a movie. I hear A Taxing Woman's Return is funny."

"Sure," Ryoga nodded. Moving away from the teasing was a good thing. (It had been playful though, right?)

Hibari dragged the fanged boy off towards the theatre. She made sure that they weren't too fast, so the 'stealthy' brunette could keep following them. As they walked though Hibari was able to take a peek back at their pursuer a few times, and noticed that the girl's movements were surprisingly unfeminine. Maybe... no. Hibari dismissed the thought. After all the fuss he gave Hibari, there was no way Ranma would show up in a dress. Right?

Approaching the theatre they were surprised to find a massive line, visible from a few blocks away. Looking up at the posters it became clear as to the reason: that American movie Robocroc was finally hitting Nerima theatres. Hibari had completely forgotten how excited some of the guys at school had gotten over the idea. The blonde let out a sigh, not wanting to be stuck in line.

"Well, I guess that puts a damper on the date."

"N-no. It's still the best day of my life. Your willingness to overlook my curse. And my nervousness," Ryoga began nervously as he took Hibari's hand. "You make me happier than I've ever been."

Ryoga's grip on Hibari's hand began to grow painfully tight. She tried not to wince.

"Hibari-chan! I-I... I love you!" he shouted, before moving to give what would be a painful bear hug.

Luckily he was interrupted by a flying mailbox to the head.

"Two timer!"

Turning to the sound of the voice Hibari and Ryoga saw the small brunette had caught up to them. And looked ticked off.

"Dating some Tokyo hussy when you have me, your fiancée, back in Nagoya. I knew I needed to keep an eye on you!"

"F-fiancée?" Ryoga stammered. "But... I've never seen you before. I swear, Hibari, I have no idea who she is!"

The brunette produced a microphone dramatically before explaining: "I suppose it's no surprise. It was an arranged marriage, decided when we were both young. But you father has told me so much about you Ryoga. I fell in love before even meeting you!"

Ryoga began to panic. Two beautiful girls ready to fight over him. How had he gotten so lucky? It was all about to come crashing down, wasn't it? He was never allowed to be this happy.

"Oh? You're his fiancée? I'm sorry! I would have never come between such true love. Here, have him," Hibari replied with excessive flair before shoving Ryoga forward. The voice of the 'brunette' was the final clue she needed to know for sure.

"Gah!" the brunette managed as the confused Ryoga went for a hug.

Ryoga's grip was clearly far too tight, forcing the smaller figure to squirm in an attempt to escape. The squirming caused the brown wig to tumble off, revealing Ranma's bright red hair beneath. Both boys froze.

"If you two need a room I know where the nearest love hotel is," Hibari told them with a laugh. "You could have just told me I was too feminine for you though Ranma."

That comment efficiently sent Ranma into a momentary state of shock.

Ryoga released the slight shocked Ranma from the hug, but quickly switched to a choke hold.

"Rrrraaanmaaaa...I'm going to kill you. Tricking me in front of Hibari like that! Do you really think I'd want to go on a date with a cross-dressing guy?" Ryoga seethed as he tightened his grip.

"That was. The whole. Point of. Interruptin'!" Ranma managed to reply as he struggled. He managed to free an arm to point at Hibari. "You on a date with him was going to end badly, I knew it!"

Ryoga's grip loosened slightly as his mind raced. "What do you mean 'him'? Hibari is a girl! I saw... accidentally... but I saw!"

"Gak," Ranma grunted as the short redhead struggled for air. "Tell him the truth Hibari. He hangs out at your place enough he'll find out eventually! Howdya think he'll handle someone else tellin' him."

Hibari blushed. "Heheh... instant Jusenkyo powder... had red hair too."

Ryoga released Ranma. The small redhead gasped for air. Ryoga was left looking back and forth between the two, his face an unreadable mess of emotions.

"I-I-I have to go!" he shouted, before bounding off onto rooftops.

Hibari crouched down beside a Ranma still gasping for air.

"I knew he wouldn't handle it well. This way he might not want to kill us," Ranma gasped.

"I ... I suppose I appreciate the thought," Hibari replied a bit coldly. She was bitter about Ranma making her say that... but he had come to rescue her in the best way he could think of. Which was strangely chivalrous. "Also, cute dress. Of course you have to admit you're a total hypocrite now."

"This is a disguise!" Ranma fumed as he recovered his breath. "Totally different concept."

Hibari's only reply was a light chuckle.