Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½

Honor or Love?

Akane:

XxX

Ryoga chewed his food in silence as he watched Akane from across the table. He's been doing this for the last ten minutes: stealing glances at her, wondering if it's the right time. She loved him, right? So what would be the difference if he told her that he was P-chan? They slept together currently, so why would it matter if he told her he use to sleep with her back then? He gripped his chopsticks, he knew the answer. He betrayed her trust, got her to think that he was someone he wasn't. He sabotaged her, he broke the promise of never lying to her. If only he had told her right from the start, would their relationship be any different? He watched her consume some rice and pickles and his eyes wandered back down to his uneaten plate. She must have noticed this because she was know staring at his plate, too.

"Ryoga?" She placed one hand on her cheek and tilted her head. "You haven't touched your plate. If it helps, I wasn't the one who made this." She told him, her voice getting quieter and quieter. She couldn't help feeling ashamed, who wouldn't be? She had to reassure her fiancee that she didn't intoxicate his food.

He shook his head. Here she went thinking that she wasn't good enough for him. Didn't she know it was the other way around? He was an imposter, a wolf in sheep's clothing. He opened his mouth to respond, but his throat tightened and it became a tedious task to speak. Still, she deserved an answer. "No, its not that." Great, now it made him seem like there was another entirely different problem. Which there was, but he didn't want her to ask about it. He was trying not to think about it. He moved his chopsticks around agitatedly, waiting for her response.

She frowned at his answer. If it wasn't her cooking, then what was on his mind? "Then what is it?" She inquired. Whatever it was, she would support him 100 percent. She smiled at him encouragingly, hoping this would be enough to allow him to speak his mind. A thought fluttered through her mind that made her whole body cringe. What if he was canceling their engagement? What if this was him breaking up with her? She suddenly felt weak in her knees and wondered what the quickest way was to end this conversation.

Her facial expression broke his heart. She placed her hands in her lap now, looking down at her feet. "Akane," this was it, he realized. "I'm P-chan. I fell in Jussenkyo, that's why I was so persistent in getting revenge at Ranma. Please, forgive me for not telling you sooner." He got off of his chair and fell down, bowing to her. Personally, he was proud of himself for actually confessing. He figured a few more years would be enough to mentally prepare him for this. He was too scared to look up and just imagined what she would say. 'Thanks, Ryoga. You are so honest!' He felt a blush creep on his face as he waited for the magnificent outburst that was about to take place.

Akane began to tremble due to uncontrollable anger. "Y-You were P-chan?" All this time, he saw her naked, slept with her, and saw her naked? "Get off the floor. You're disgusting! How could you not tell me this before?" She gripped the edge of the table but let it go; hitting people with abnormally large items were her and Ranma's thing. Yes, she still clung to stupid memories like this one. But since she was so close to breaking this vow, she decided it was best for her to kick Ryoga out now. "Get out, Ryoga. Get out before I do something I'll regret."

Ryoga felt daggers pierce his soul at her words. This was not what he was expecting. He lifted himself out of prostration and looked at her, faltering under her glare. "Akane, I-" He let out one hand, reaching, yearning, for her. She slapped it down as a response.

"Get out." She repeated coldly.

This time, he listened. He got up and moseyed out of the kitchen, still dazed by her hurtful words. It was his fault. If only he had kept his mouth shut and just lived a happy life. He opened the door and shut it behind him, signaling Akane was alone.

What frightened her was the fact that she didn't burst into tears. Usually, when Ranma hurt her she would cry right away. But not the faintest sign of tears appeared in her eyes. Speaking of Ranma, all this time he was trying to warn her about P-chan. All the times he got jealous of her kissing him, babying him, or attempting to shower with him. She felt her lips curve into a tiny smile. Barely noticeable if someone looked at her from across a room. She curled her toes, Ranma was stupid. She was so sure she had heard him say "I love you" at Jussenkyo. But when the wedding came, he denied it over and over. Her thoughts returned back to the day of the wedding. It was so perfect, everything was going so well. But then he went and, and...

Akane glared.

"You invited her?" She felt a bit jealous as thoughts flooded back into her head. Thoughts of when Ranma had 'almost' said he loved her at their 'almost' wedding. Just to satisfy his ego. "Whatever, Ranma. When- if you need me I'll be in the house."

She stomped off, obviously angry. Who wouldn't be? Her expected Husband invited her rival! Did he expect her to smile and accept her with open arms? No! But now she was curious to why she was here. She paused before entering her house. Well, if she wanted to find out, she would find out for crying out loud! She crept behind her Dojo and waited for their conversation to start.

"So Shampoo make deal. You like?"

Ranma looked thoughtful for a moment. "Are you serious? No catch?"

"No nothing. Shampoo swear on Amazon honor!"

Well it was a great deal, he had to admit. "Then I accept." Akane would probably be thankful for him later. He was doing her and his family a favor.

"Shampoo so happy!"

Akane tried to put the puzzle pieces together but it just didn't make sense. What kind of deal would Ranma make with Shampoo that would satisfy her so much? Didn't she know that she was getting married to him? She should be upset, not rejoicing! Something was up. She suddenly peeped a look and felt her mouth drop at the sight. Shampoo and Ranma were kissing! Her feet wouldn't move as she watched in horror as the deep kiss lasted for a few minutes. When they broke away from each other, Shampoo was beaming. Finally aware of her surroundings, she charged at the engaged couple furious.

"What in the world do you think you're doing, Ranma?"

Shampoo got to responding before Ranma did. "I made deal with Ranma. I say, if Ranma kiss Shampoo, Shampoo go bye-bye and let be married to Violent Kitchen Cook. Good deal, yes?"

"Yeah, 'Kane. She said she would leave us alone, forever. Pretty good deal, right?" But Akane wasn't smiling in agreement. Instead, tears were spilling down her face, ruining her make-up. "What's the problem?" He asked her, not getting what was making her so angry.

"You kissed her on our wedding day? Our wedding day? You expect me to be happy about this?" Akane couldn't believe what she was hearing. She felt herself choking on sobs but refused to leave without a legit answer. She always walked away before hearing the response she wanted. Not now. Not anymore.

"She said she would leave us alone from now on!" Ranma repeated and watched Akane as she wiped her tears away, but new waterfalls emerged from behind her eyes.

"And you believed her?" There were times where Akane thought Ranma was stupid. Really stupid. These were one of those times.

"Well, yeah," he looked at Shampoo as she was still smiling triumphantly. "Right?"

She revealed her crossed fingers from behind her back. "Shampoo no mean it. I cross fingers," she traced the outline of her lips in amazement. "Airen kiss so good. Too bad Akane never know. Shampoo go now. Bye-bye!" She skipped away merrily, probably going to the Cat Cafe. Shampoo laughed inwardly. Ranma was so gullible. She knew that she could trick him, and now, there would be no wedding. She still had a chance. She squealed in delight before disappearing out of sight.

"Shampoo!" He yelled after her. He couldn't believe she had tricked him, he turned to Akane to apologize. "I didn't think-"

"Right, Ranma. You didn't think," she let out a bitter laugh. "But I've sat by and watched you fight some of the toughest monsters on the planet. But you seemed to think so well then. So here's a thought for you. This wedding, done. This engagement, done. Our friendship or relationship- whichever you prefer, done." She turned on her heel and fled into the Dojo away from her ex-fiancee.

"Akane wait!" But nothing stopped her. He decided to ignore her, this kind of outburst was normal with her. She would get over it soon. "I don't care!" He yelled after her, trying not to show how hurt he was by her statement. But instead of that, he decided to open his mouth without thinking "Go marry someone else for all I care!"

Akane took those words and locked it into her shattered heart.

XxX

Akane forced herself not to think about what had happened. She took in a deep breath of air and tapped her cheeks. No tears. She was impressed with herself, no more crying at this memory. It was his fault for kissing her, and now her engagement with Ryoga was done. She was right, boys were jerks. She should have never changed that opinion from the start. Ryoga could be lost for all she cared, but it was true: she cared. But it didn't erase the fact that he had lied to her and deliberately avoided discussing this! But he was hopeless, and would get lost with his sense of direction. Leaving him without food, water, or shelter. She didn't have to talk to him, all she had to do was let him in. That was all.

She scurried up the stairs to change into her long, pink, sleek nightgown. It was a pretty hot day and she was glad this only made it to her knees. She walked down into the living room and paced in front of the front door. Should she? Should she not? She peaked into the peep hole and saw him sitting down on the front stairs. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for him. He was a lonely guy and he probably found comfort with her as a pig.

She glanced at the clock, hours had past and he hasn't even left the front porch? They said love made you blind to a lot of things, whoever said that was right. She unlocked the door and creaked it open, revealing a symmetrical half of her body. Ryoga slowly turned and saw Akane standing there behind him. He stood up and bowed once more, staying in that position. She opened the door a little more, enough room for him to enter without touching her. He got that hint. Standing upright, he attempted to smile at her.

"Akane," he looked down at the doormat. "You don't understand how hard it was to walk around in a world where no one loved you. All I did was train to destroy Ranma, that was my sole purpose in life. I didn't know what love was. But that day when I had met you and you treated my wounds and then kissed me on the snout- nose, I knew you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Only you. I'm sorry I had kept it from you, though. I also believe you have every right to be angry with me."

Akane stepped away from the door and turned around, heading into the other direction. What he said made a lot of sense to her, he was lonely. She had showed him some sort of compassion. It all added up. Heck, she couldn't say she wouldn't have done it either. Whenever you were lost at words with the one you loved, it was better to show some kind of acceptance. Ranma had taught her that once. She slowly took her hand out and waited for him to meet her half way. In a matter of seconds, his hands slipped into hers and she walked upstairs, him trailing behind her.

Ryoga smiled at the back of her head as he realized everything was going to be okay. He might need to gain his trust back, but that's fine. He would work at it. She was worth it. He squeezed her hand and for a second thought of it to be 'bold' since she was just forgiving him. But in return, she turned to him and began to speak.

"I'm still unimaginably angry at you," she let out a small smile. "But I forgive you because I understand where you're coming from." With that, she squeezed his hand. But then her smile turned cold. "Anything else to confess while you're at it?"

Ryoga decided to turn this into a joke. "I do confess you look absolutely amazing in that nightgown," he smiled at her blush. "I think I got everything."

She tugged at her nightgown. Was it too revealing? "J-Jerk." Was her only response. But a thought made her snap her attention from embarrassed to angry. "Wait a minute, does this mean that Ranma kept this secret from me all this time?"

Ryoga rubbed his arm sheepishly. "Yes, but he made a vow on his Martial Art's honor."

"Right, because Martial Arts was always more important then me." She bit her tongue until she felt a little taste of blood.

Ryoga decided to change the subject and opened their bedroom door. "Who cares, he's not apart of your life anymore. And to me, you are way more important than Martial Arts."

"Yes, I was thinking we could go visit my- er, our family? Maybe tomorrow?"

"Sure, Akane."

Akane walked into their room and stared at herself in the mirror. "Ryoga?" He was covering himself with blankets before turning to her. "Before I left Ranma told me to go marry someone else."

"Uh-huh?" He didn't understand what was making her bring Ranma up. But the look on her face showed him it didn't make her happy. So he sat back and tried to listen to what his fiance had to say, without getting chills down his spine.

"I did."

XxX

A/N: So there you have it! I know, Ryoga telling Akane he's P-chan did make her angry, but when you think about it, its kind of sad. He was a lonely guy without love forever! Plus, whenever Ranma does something Akane never stays mad at him [cause she loves him]. Same thing with Ryoga. Review, now you know why she left Ranma!

Don't I deserve some sort of pat on the back, lol?

Thanks, later. :)