A/N: Yay, got a second chapter edited and out! :D I still need a beta reader so do let me know if that's a commitment you're able to make!

Akane glanced at Shampoo to see the older woman's expression. She looks so relieved and happy, Akane thought wistfully. She's so unlike me. At that moment, Akane remembered her sisters' conditions and fresh tears coated her eyes.

It should have been me. They should have had more opportunities to enjoy life. It should have been me.

And if it was you, then who'd keep the dojo going?

Akane shook her head to clear it out. She didn't like the unpleasant feeling of loss and worry she felt when she was reminded about her sisters. To take her mind off her them she looked at Shampoo. The woman was sitting down with her head in her arms and sighing.

"Madam Shampoo?" she whispered. Shampoo's head jerked up.

"Shi?" she responded. Akane stared at her. "I sorry," Shampoo laughed, trying to cover up her mistake. "I think Chinese again. I mean, yes?"

"I was wondering if you were okay," Akane explained.

Shampoo's lips curved up in a beautiful smile. "I am very fine. You no need worry about Shampoo. Shampoo only want you know Ranma offering job at dojo."

Akane bit on her bottom lip, a bad habit she was never able to break despite her sisters' teasing. "You mean I should go over there when I can?"

Shampoo nodded approvingly. "Yes. Advise Akane train and check skill first. Ranma be very fussy. Shampoo want Akane get job there first then later tell Akane next step. But first step is job."

Akane looked down at her lap.

It's wrong, Akane. Don't do it.

You need the money. This is justice. Besides, you still need to pay for the hospital bills. Insurance won't cover everything. And you still owe Konatsu. You knew he'd collect.

The warring voices in her head were giving her a headache. Akane sighed and looked up to face Shampoo. "Yes, ma'am."

I like her submissive nature, Shampoo thought in her native language. The heady feeling of power that attacked her when Akane called her 'Madam' pleased her indeed. She will be easy to control. My warrior instinct senses this and it is always right.

"I go now," Shampoo said standing up. Akane bowed her head and showed Shampoo out.

Why do I have the feeling that I'm doing something very wrong?

The same thought plaguing Akane ran through Ranma's mind as he shook his head and groaned. So many people were out there, hoping to be chosen for the prestigious job of teaching in the honored Saotome Ranma's dojo, but none of them even knew how to spar properly, let alone actually sense an attack coming. He covered his face with his hands and groaned again. Were there no good ninjutsu practitioners left in Japan?

He ducked to avoid being hit on the head with a flying bokken that came from the hand of a clumsy man who had pulled his hand back to strike but had accidentally loosened his grip on the handle.

Apparently not.

"Forget it, Ryoga," he announced, standing up as soon as he heard footsteps entering the training room. "I refuse to interview another stinking ninja wannabe!"

"I'm sorry, sir," a soft, lilting voice answered. "I'm not Ryoga." Ranma stared at the doorway in shock. Instead of the idiot Ryoga and his ugly mug, a beautiful brunette was standing in front of him.

She had exquisite chocolate eyes, large and expressive, and her petite body was a little curvy and delicate. Though she remained on the slender side, her hips flared out as a protest against an hourglass figure which put her firmly in the pear shaped territory. Her hair just reached her chin and it was kept in a simple, yet tasteful and low maintenance, style. She had carefully secured the short dark curls with a lovely but practical barrette and some hairclips, leaving her forehead uncovered by bangs. She was dressed in a plain white cotton shirt and jogging pants. She smiled at him sweetly and Ranma felt a slow blush spread over his face.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"I'm sorry," he stammered. "Are you my secretary?" Ranma felt idiotic right after he spoke. He didn't have a secretary. He had Ryoga instead, and Ryoga was sure as hell not a secretary.

The lady's mouth fell open as his internal monologue continued. How could he not recognise his own secretary, whoever she is? Remembering where she was, she recovered quickly. "No, I'm afraid not," she replied seriously. "I'm here to see if I'm suitable for the job."

Ranma continued staring.

Whadda? Did she just speak?

"What job?" he burst out, realizing that she spoke.

"Uh, something about teaching ninjutsu in this dojo." There was a question in her voice which was becoming tinged with hysteria. As far as she knew, there was only one job opening.

"You? Teach ninjutsu?" Ranma couldn't help it. She didn't look anything like a ninja. Judging from her strides, which weren't exactly quiet, and her strongly muscled legs he'd guess that she trained more for brute strength than speed or stealth. She probably specialised in something with more offensive leg strikes, though he wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a hook either. Her arms appeared to be more muscular than he had initially thought.

The lady drew herself up indignantly and she stood with her arms akimbo at her side. "Well, do you have a problem with me teaching?"

"Of course not!" Ranma winced. "It's jus' that ya don't seem the type." As soon as the words left his mouth, Ranma realized that he made a very big mistake.

Score one for the lovely lady.

"I assure you that I am completely capable of teaching martial arts! And, I demand to know what exactly the fighting type looks like!"

"Fine, fine. Ya have a point, lady. I'm R-Ryu," Ranma said, flinching from her direct verbal hit. Score two for the lady. "What's your name, then?"

"I'm Tendo Akane."

Ranma's eyes opened wide in shock. Tendo Akane? The woman was famous among ninjas! The youngest ever person to reach 5th Dan in ninjutsu. Nobody heard much about her but Ranma had assumed that she was an ugly woman with no life to be so crazy about her ninjutsu. Especially since people often spoke of her gorilla like strength and temper. Some people had even described her as a "violent maniac".

Nobody told him that she would be a desirable woman.

Especially one with such a beautiful smile.

Though he would have to remember to keep out of her striking range.

To be fair, he shouldn't have even stereotyped her. God knows he was obsessed with martial arts and he was definitely good looking. Never let it be said that false humility was one of his faults.

Score three for Akane.

"What the hell?" he burst out. "You should have told me earlier! You coulda saved me a lotta embarrassment an' trouble!"

What trouble? Akane thought. As far as she knew, she hadn't given him any trouble. Embarrassment, yes. Trouble? Nah.

He certainly is good looking. The forbidden thought entered her mind like a thief stealing into a house. She shushed it immediately. He looks arrogant and a little harsh.

"So…" Ranma was at a loss for words. As far as he knew, when he was growing up, Interviewing Beautiful Ninjas wasn't squished between International History and Japanese. But then again, he never did have time for school, and even when he was in class it's not like he ever managed to stay awake. "Jus' grab that bokken there and show me how ya use it."

A handsome man stepped out of the shadows. His messy dark brown hair was kept in place with a yellow bandana. He smiled at Akane charmingly and she noticed his fangs. Cute, she thought. "Here you go," he said, handing her a bokken. She smiled her thanks and without warning a man jumped from the ceiling and hurled himself at her.

(Akane had always prided herself on her instinct but she hadn't noticed the man earlier. It must have been Ryu's fault because she was checking him out the entire time they were talking.)

Her eyes widened for the fraction of a second and she quickly twisted the bokken and successfully deflected the tanto the man was holding. As soon as the man landed she thrust her bokken into his stomach and, as predicted, he flowed backward and the bokken merely brushed against his stomach effectively pressing a pressure point there. He yelped in pain, distracting Akane, and he managed a strike to her arm.

Now knowing that the man she was facing seemed highly skilled, she kept her guard up. She did this by making sure all her pressure points were within blocking distance, while maintaining a fixed defensive stance. The man groaned and reached into a pocket, his hand moving so fast it was almost a blur.

Shuriken!

Akane automatically fell to the floor and rolled forwards, hitting the man in a very painful spot on his inner thighs with her legs while she slid between them. He gripped his middle to double up in his agony (but not before he dropped his shuriken, of course) and Akane immediately seized the opportunity to lunge at his back.

Using all her weight, she pushed him off balance, making him fall to the floor face first, while she captured his arm in a lock behind his back with one arm. She jabbed at a pressure point behind his ears with her thumbs and he groaned with pain. Akane rolled her eyes as it was obvious he was acting and pressed harder. The man yelled with genuine pain and the cute bandanna guy (as Akane had taken to calling him in her mind) winced.

"Now, that had gotta hurt!" the bandanna guy exclaimed.

"Stop!" Ranma barked. Akane loosened her grip and the man stood up, bowed to her respectfully and left the room limping. She remained seated on the ground, stunned. The cute guy with the bandanna rolled his eyes and helped her up. "You okay?" he asked. She nodded. "It was quite a shock, though," she murmured. "I should have been able to sense him but I was distracted." Only god knew how her heart skipped a beat when the man jumped off the ceiling, and the reason for her distraction in the first place.

"That was pretty good," he complimented. "You were the only one who passed both tests." Akane stared at him. "Both?" she said slowly. "The first was to see how good you were with the bokken and the second was to see how you'd react in a life threatening situation," he explained. "I'm Hibiki Ryoga, by the way." He coupled the introduction with a flirty grin. Akane's startled gaze slipped to Ranma's face to see how he'd react to flirtation blossoming right in the middle of a job interview. This has got to be the most unreal situation ever...

Ranma rolled his eyes in response and cleared his throat loudly. "Ryoga was right," he said grudgingly. "You were great. Jus' so ya know, you were the only one good enough ta go through with the attack." Oh. Akane shrugged. Her bangs, which she had pulled back with simple hairclip, were now hanging off her face limply. Her clothes were a different case. They were all messy and crumpled. Great, she thought.

Ranma frowned. Akane's hair was escaping the hold of the barrette, with a few dark strands framing her face seductively. Her face was beautifully flushed with slight exertion and her cheeks were delightfully rosy. He shifted uncomfortably. He noticed that Ryoga was staring at her in the same way.

Idiot.

He caught Ryoga's gaze and shook his head imperceptibly. She's mine. Ryoga glared at him and looked away. Ranma looked away, too.

"Guys?" Akane called. For some reason, the guys were looking at each other in a strange way and now they were pointedly staring away from each other and she was just there nervously waiting for the results of her "interview"…

"You start Monday," Ranma replied, barricading through her thoughts. "Wear your gi. We have training sessions every day before classes. Ya can change into something more casual after."

Akane's jaw dropped. "Thanks so much!" she cried, joyfully.

Ranma smiled at her enthusiasm. "Jus' be on time. First class starts at eight and ends at nine, but ya have ta be here at 6.30 for an hour of training. Don't worry 'bout breakfast - we provide that. Most of your classes are in the morning or afternoon…"

Xian Pu growled impatiently. "What's wrong, great granddaughter?" Cologne asked. The pair was seated in the living room and Xian Pu was sprawled on the couch. She huffed.

"I'm waiting for Akane's call," she explained, her voice a touch impatient. "I need to know if she got through the interview because if she failed it I'll need to look through my other plans to see which would be the best."

Cologne nodded understandingly. "I know you are impatient, child," she said. "But please, remember that patience should be displayed at all times." Xian Pu gave off an irritated whine.

"It doesn't mean I'm any less bored waiting for the stupid girl."

Ah. So that was her true reason for her fidgeting. Cologne rubbed her head. "Xian Pu," she said patiently. "It is not a question of boredom. It is one of honor. We were honoured with this mission and so we shall fulfill it." She took a deep breath and forged ahead. "We have to meet up to, or exceed, the expectations of the tribe. Our honour and well being rests upon this mission, Xian Pu. Remember that." Shampoo shrugged and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

"I don't care," Xian Pu confessed. "As long as I get Ranma in the end, I really don't care."

Cologne nodded slowly. "I understand, great granddaughter. It's puppy love."

Xian Pu scowled. "No, it's not that!" she snapped. "It's so much more than that!"

Cologne, who abhorred such declarations of love snorted loudly. Plus she was majorly pissed that Xian Pu was being so rude... "Xian Pu!" she shouted. "You are an Amazon! Remember your roots and please, do not ever behave in that manner again!"

Xian Pu immediately looked contrite. "I'm sorry, Elder," she mumbled. "I don't know why I did that." She hung her head in shame. An Amazon who was rude to an Elder was of the same status as a Non-Amazon. It was the ultimate humiliation being an Outcast Amazon and Shampoo had no wish to be thrown out of the tribe. She had to get the jewel.

No matter what it cost her.

She gritted her teeth. "We need back up just in case," she announced.

"You're right, Shampoo," Cologne sighed. "I'll think of something tonight."

Xian Pu frowned and changed the subject abruptly. "She must finish interview by now." She glanced at the clock. The interview started at eleven so Akane's had to start by twelve. It was almost three. Surely that stupid girl had ample time to let them know whether she passed. With her strong background in martial arts, she should be able to get the job. Of course, that was only the short-term goal. In a month or so, she would be invited to the extremely exclusive tournament Ranma often hosted for his martial arts instructors. But that depended on whether she got the job or not!

Noticing her great granddaughter's bad mood, Cologne rolled her eyes and hopped out on her cane as quick as she could. "I'll just go out and eat at that restaurant nearby, Xian Pu." Despite her love for her, Cologne would hate to be stuck with Xian Pu in a bad mood. She was like a wet cat when she was grumpy. In more ways than one, of course.

A few moments later, the phone rang.

Xian Pu snarled and snatched it up.

"Hello?" she snapped.

And when she heard the voice on the line, she dropped the phone like as though it had bitten her.

Akane dragged herself across her room to throw herself onto her bed. She had an exhausting day. First, Ryu had insisted upon her staying back to show him her techniques. Then, he wanted to watch her spar with Ryoga (whom she drew with because she was feeling lazy). After that, he still wasn't satisfied so she was forced to spar with him. And if that wasn't enough, Ryu was an excellent sparring partner and she had to give him all she had which meant that he had noticed that she wasn't giving her all with Ryoga. Admittedly, neither was he.

Akane pouted thinking about her match with Ryu. Even with her going all out she could feel that he was holding back and worst of all, she lost. At the end of their session, both of them were breathing hard and neither of them could stand straight.

Ryoga had laughed like hell.

They had glared at him and told him that he had better shut up if he did not want to face both of them.

At the same time.

He had only laughed harder and he replied that seeing the state they were in, he could face both of them and beat them up.

The pair decided to stop talking to him. He had a very good point, after all.

Later, Ryu took the other two out for dinner and and they laughed and swapped training stories, trying to top each other for the most ridiculous training methods they had been through. The guys had laughed their asses off at the lengths Akane had to go to to move while she was learning the Martial Arts Tea Ceremony and Ryoga made a brief allusion to Ryu having a mishap in which he had to learn Martial Arts Dining and lost repeatedly. He had won only when he realised that he had to force feed his opponent - something that didn't come easily to the human food vacuum. The idea that the food on his plate had to go into his rival's mouth was one that he rebelled against.

Akane smiled. Ryu had inspired an intense feeling in her - a sort of tenderness. She had come to care for him despite knowing him for less than a day. He was handsome and kind, albeit a little socially awkward. And he made a damn good fighter. She couldn't remember ever losing so badly. She rather enjoyed learning under him even though he could be cocky and a little fast-paced. She rolled over in her bed and hugged the pillow.

I'm so sorry, sisters, she prayed. I'm happy and I'm supposed to be worried about you. Akane shook her head when she realized that she was being very silly. Her sisters would love her to be happy, especially at this moment.

After all, it's not everyday a woman thinks she's falling in love.

Xian Pu's breathing grew labored with alarm and fear. It couldn't be! It couldn't be!

The thought replayed in her mind along with the sound of the voice on the phone.

"Hello, Xian Pu. I highly doubt you have forgotten me."

The deep voice held no hint of an accent and the words were spoken smoothly, although with the slight trace of a smug smirk. It had taken a few seconds for the familiarity of the voice to sink in and Xian Pu had been shocked when she finally recognized it.

There could be no doubt. The voice could only belong to one person.

And God help her, Xian Pu was afraid.

Ranma choked on his beer.

"Nah, 'course not," he spluttered. Ryoga grinned. He had just remarked that Ranma couldn't keep his eyes off that girl, Akane.

"Well, why did you give her that idiotic name to call you, then?" Ryoga countered. "Eh, Ryu? It's not even an original name." After a thoughtful pause, Ryoga spoke again. "Hey, isn't that the name of that dude? The one that impersonated you for a bit?"

"I dunno," Ranma answered Ryoga's first question, shrugging off the rest. "I just had a Feeling. Plus I didn't want her ta get ta know me as Ranma, her boss. I wanna get her ta know me on more equal terms, ya know."

Feeling with a capital F, Ryoga thought. And when Ranma says Feeling, you know something's up.

Ranma frowned and what he said next interrupted Ryoga's thoughts. "Well, but she is beautiful…"

And it was Ryoga's turn to choke.

"Hell, man!" Ryoga exploded. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one!"

"Yeah, and ya've heard a lot - mostly 'bout how you can't get it up," Ranma returned. Then he turned the mug of beer over in his hands to study the pattern on it. "She really is beautiful, ya know. Very delicate and elegant like. But she is very tough." He continued studying the pattern then he looked up at Ryoga. "And ya know what I like best 'bout her?"

"What?" Ryoga asked, knowing that a reply was expected. Ranma tended to sulk without an audience to his dramatics.

"She doesn't know that she's beautiful. I mean, ya get all these women and they're so - I dunno - aware of how they look and it really puts me off."

"And this shocks you, you sexist manchild?" Ryoga asked a dark brow raised in condescension. "Some would call that confidence and god knows you're more than confident enough for ten Shampoos."

Ranma made a face. Ryoga had a point. "You're right." He smiled. "Guess I've just had some bad experiences."

"Ranma, it's just that you've lived interacting with so many cynics," Ryoga remarked. "You have to meet a few good people for once." He smirked. "And I don't mean a mistress."

"I don't know why I bother talking to ya, Ryoga," Ranma commented, shaking his head.

"Well, I do," Ryoga cut in. "I'm one of those great, uncynical people."

"Uncynical's not a word," Ranma groaned, exasperated by his friend's unusual concern.

"Well, now it is."

"I'd better go now, anyway. Gotta meet Shampoo and ya know what she's like when people are late," Ranma said, ignoring his friend.

Ryoga snorted and lifted his mug of beer in a mock toast.

"Good luck, mate."

And to his everlasting despair, Ranma discovered that Shampoo had cancelled their 'appointment'. He had arrived at her house only to discover that she wasn't in.

Apparently she had a 'famly thin to attd to'.

Or at least, that's what she said in her note.

Ranma sighed and walked away from the Chinese girl's home. What should he do?

And then a wicked thought occurred to him.

It must have been the beer or Ryoga's company.

Whatever it was, he desired Akane more than Shampoo at that moment.

Ranma grinned and straddled his bike.

Ryoga discovered the wonders of the pattern on the beer mugs that had so entranced Ranma earlier. He was very 'in-the-mood' cough horny cough and not a woman had approached him.

Do I look like a drunk? After all, I'm a pretty good lookin', strappin' fella. Surely some lady would've hit on me by now.

He looked around his dreary surroundings and dissected the women carefully.

Nothing interesting. Unless…

Ryoga smiled.

Unless that pretty brunette there was counted.

She was wearing a mini skirt and clutching an adorable pet… Pig? A pig in a bar? Why?

Ryoga groaned.

Just his luck. The only beautiful lady around him had a pig fetish. Lady Luck really hated his guts.

Akane rubbed her eyes. Whoever could be calling at such an hour? It was almost one in the morning and Akane had been sleeping rather peacefully when the doorbell suddenly rang.

She slipped on a wine red bathrobe Kasumi had gotten her over her pyjamas and yawned. Then she shuffled to the door with a zombielike gait.

"Who is it?" she mumbled, her hand on the door handle. When she heard the reply on the other side of the door, she nearly slipped on the hem of her oversized bathrobe.

"Ryu?" she repeated disbelievingly while unlocking the door. "What are you doing here?"

She looked breathlessly at the handsome man at her doorstep. He had an almost mystical appearance under the moonlight and it took Akane's breath away to look at him. He looked like almost unreal - untouchable. His gray-blue eyes were heavy lidded with desire and a thrill of fear of unknown desires ran through her body.

"Jus' visitin', I guess?" He grinned and leaned in closer to Akane. "I didn't know ya owned a bike. KTM RC 390? Good sports bike. A real hellcat and real eye-catchin'. Suits ya."

Akane lurched backwards at the smell of alcohol. "Uh, Ryu, you aren't drunk, are you?"

"No, I'm not," Ranma answered. Lying is better than admitting I can't drink.

Akane looked at him closely. "What? Did you say something?" She touched his face gently and rubbed her thumb over his stubble-roughened cheek. She shuddered at the cold air of the night and Ranma grabbed her hand.

"We'd better get in," he whispered softly, dragging her in. "You wouldn't want to get cold, would you?" He shut the door behind them and all of a sudden, faster than Akane's senses allowed to her react, he moved, pressing his lips to hers in a deep kiss.

Akane gasped at the intimacy. Her skin grew warm and she tentatively reached out and laid her fingers against his jaw. His tongue probed into her mouth and he explored her thoroughly and feverishly with his hands and tongue. Akane clung to him and moaned as he cupped her bottom, pulling her closer.

"…"

That was all that got out of her mouth as he dragged his mouth from hers and stared into her eyes. "God, I've never had a kiss like that," he whispered reverently. Meanwhile, Akane started seeing red as she realised what had just happened.

"You do not kiss me without my consent!" SMACK. Akane's handprint left a red mark on his face. She glared at him, placed her hands on the sides of his face, and then yanked his lips down on hers while saying "Now I consent." She bit on his lip none-too-gently, part-punishment for his previous kiss and part-reward for his mumbled apology. If his previous kiss was torrid, this one was tender and almost apologetic.

Akane shivered. She couldn't help it - she was so young and the passion was far too much for her to control. She leaned against him and sighed, breaking their second kiss.

"Where's your bedroom, Akane?" he asked in a low voice. He was already unbuttoning his shirt.

Akane snapped out of her daze. She was falling in love with him, she knew, but is that truly a good enough foundation to sleep with him? He did return her love, didn't he? If not, he wouldn't have kissed her with such ardor, would he? She turned to look at him. He was gazing at her with a predatory gleam in his eyes. He looked almost…

Possessive.

Her mind made up, she turned to him and smiled almost provocatively. "Follow me." They made their way up the stairs and when they reached her bedroom, Ranma grabbed her and kissed her again. This time, the kiss was more passionate than the last and the passion created a thick haze in Akane's inexperienced mind.

What's that sound? Akane thought drowsily as Ranma's hand moved higher up her midriff. It sounds like ringing… it sounds like the...

Doorbell.

Ranma groaned and pulled away from her. "You'd better go down and answer the door," he said. "I'll wait for you here. Come up when you're done, or call out for me if you need any help." Akane nodded, still a little confused, and ran down, her bathrobe still over her nightgown.

And when she arrived at the door, she did so only to see Shampoo standing outside. "I here to know result of your interview," she declared without much panache. She made her way in quickly and Akane noticed that she kept looking backwards as if she were afraid of being followed.

"Good evening, ma'am," she greeted. "I passed and I'll be teaching my first class on Monday." Shampoo clapped her hands together. "Good!" she laughed happily, her mind filling with thoughts of success. God, this feeling was addictive.

"Akane, you done yet?" Ranma's voice called.

Shampoo frowned. That voice certainly is familiar… She narrowed her eyes and glared at Akane furiously. "That Ranma?" she asked angrily. "I no believe Akane sleep with him and only know him little?" Her grammar was slipping again, Akane noticed.

"No, ma'am," Akane sighed. "It's not him. It's a guy who works at his dojo, Ryu, they call him." Shampoo 'hmmphed' and looked away.

Ryu…? I've never heard of him before…

She looked at Akane again and saw nothing but genuine honesty. "Okay, Shampoo no want disturb." She gave Akane a sleek smile and she stalked out smoothly with a swift "good night". Akane stared at her open mouthed and she saw an old lady on a cane waiting for Shampoo outside. As soon as Shampoo reached her, she began whispering hurriedly in Chinese. The old lady nodded at her in acknowledged and the pair left.

Great, I'm sleeping with one boss and the other knows I'm up to naughty stuff.

Akane was tempted to hit her head on the wall. Life was getting increasingly frustrating for her. At least she had a proper job to supplement her dojo, but she had had to change her classes to the late evening and night. She turned and made her way to her room again. Ranma was sitting on her bed. His gaze was half lidded, shirt half undone, his lips pulled up in a half smile. She felt her mouth grow dry.

"I'm sorry, Ryu," she said apologetically. "You have to go now."

Ranma got up, confused. "What? I thought we were jus' getting started."

Akane bit her lip. "I can't sleep with you yet, Ryu. I don't know you that well." In her dismay, Akane didn't notice the emphasis she unwittingly placed on the word 'yet' but Ranma did, which is probably why he understood her feelings on their little tryst.

Ranma's brows drew together. Dammit, he was taking out his frustration on her. He immediately softened his voice. "Ya mean ya don't exactly sleep with guys you're unfamiliar with?" When Akane nodded he forged ahead. "Alright, 'Kane, I understand. After all, we've only met today."

She smiled at him, relieved that he understood her, not exactly wanting to tell him that she actually didn't know how to deal with one night stands, or that she was really still a virgin. "Thanks for understanding."

He shrugged. "No big deal." Then, recklessness glittered in his eyes as realization dawned upon him. "But we'll have to spend lots of time together starting Monday." He tossed her a smirk as he got up. "Till a later time, I guess."

He strode out of her room, his clothes in disarray and his hair in a mess (definitely not conforming to the latest style).

But Akane didn't really care.

Because she kind of sort of loved him.

But that didn't mean she was going to sleep with him.

Not yet, anyway.

A/N: I was super disappointed to see only 2 reviews for Chapter One. :( I mean, even if it's just to say "hey I like/dislike this", just lemme know? I'd appreciate some communication with those reading this story so I can make it better for ya'll, you know?

Anyway, I headcannon so hard that Ranma and Akane ride bikes. I picked the KTM for Akane because it's the sportiest thing I could think of for all of the entry level bikes that's still also very affordable. I would have liked the Kawasaki Ninja 300 but I think the Ninja would be way too common as a casual bike.

As for Ranma, I figured that the Kawasaki H2 would suit him. It looks evil and sexy and seductive as hell.

If you guys have any suggestions or feedback, please please pleaaaaaase let me know!