DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ranma 1/2. Nor do I own any other recognized series/characters that may appear in this story. Characters and series elements are copyright of their respective owners.


Chapter 3

"No no no no NO!!!! Can't you brain dead bakas get anything right!? I asked for a cappuccino, not an espresso! Take it back! And get this dumb animal away from me!!!" The crewman jumped back as the wrath of the spoiled rotten actress threatened his job AND his life with its' fury. "B...but Miss Kasumi. You asked me for an espresso. I'm certain of it.

"Are you calling me a LIAR?!!!" the furious Kasumi retorted as she shoved a poor helpless Mr. Panda out of her way. It was a lot easier to yell without 500 pounds of fur in your face. "I should be getting paid twice as much rather than letting the studio waste my raise money on your worthless salary!! Now out of my way!"

Ranma shook his head as he entered the studio. *She's like that every morning..* he thought to himself as he watched the furious Kasumi storm past him toward make-up. Ranma headed to his trailer to dump his things before going over to wardrobe. As he walked, he saw Akane entering her trailer across the lot. Smiling a distant smile, he recalled the previous evening.

---

Dinner had gone over wonderfully. Akane seemed to enjoy the meal, she had complimented him on his home and she was a great conversationalist. Ranma found this out once he got over his shyness long enough to talk to her for more than two sentences. As he dropped her off at her house, Ranma stood fidgeting with his hands in his pockets. Unknown to Akane, he was clutching the jewelry box, no doubt trying to work up the nerve to present it to her.

"Well, I had a nice evening, Ranma. Thank you." Akane stated as she unlocked her door. Ranma smiled and blushed a little as he forced out a sentence.

"Glad to hear it Akane. I had a great time. I'm glad ya liked my cookin'."

Akane smiled. "Well, good night." and turned to go inside.

"Akane.." Ranma had said this without thinking and was unprepared for what he wanted to come next. He held the box tight in his pocketed hand and gulped, entranced in her gaze. He found himself biting his lip, though he wanted to do a very different action with it instead.

"Yes?"

"See ya in the mornin'.."

---

Ranma let out a sigh, much like the one he had let out that night. The one he let out after he lost his nerve. After he passed up the chance to end the date on a very special note. Ashamed of his shyness, Ranma headed to wardrobe to change for his first scene.

---

Akane, who had faintly caught Ranma's smile, let out a sigh as she sat on the step in front of her trailer's door. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her.

"Akane, you are always so bright and cheerful in the morning. Might I ask what has you acting any different today?"

Akane's head jerked up at the sudden presence of the voice addressing her. "Oh! Good morning Kodachi. It's nothing, really. I was just wondering if Ryouga managed to make it back for today's shoot."

Kodachi eyed Akane curiously. What was it about that Hibiki fellow that kept her attention? Nodding politely, she smiled to her colleague.

"I am certain he will be fine. It is not as if this is an isolated incident. Hibiki-san has gotten lost on many occasions and yet he always manages to return."

Akane nodded. She was still worried, but she knew Kodachi was right. Besides, she had the rest of her script to memorize before her first scene began. She couldn't afford to worry right now. With a slight nod, Akane let Kodachi know she agreed.

"I trust you're ready for today's shoot." Kodachi commented, noting Akane was casting frequent glances at the script in her lap. "I feel so alive today. Dear Tatewaki gave me a special evening last night. The poor dear slaved over a hot stove just for me. Now that's love." she continued, a starry gleam in her eyes.

Akane paused and only managed to blink at Kodachi's words. What she had said made sense. Though she could never recall Ryouga cooking her dinner. Yet, she had just had a delightful evening with Ranma where he did just that. But it was silly to think anything significant was meant by it, right? Ranma Saotome was the stuck up, foot-in-mouth, jerk Akane fought with on camera. Wasn't he?

"Well, I'd better go rehearse my laugh and prepare for another day of fighting with my *ahem*, 'brother'." Kodachi finished as she walked off leaving Akane alone once again.

---

The director was pacing back and forth. Ranma had just emerged from wardrobe and was ready for his fight scene between himself, Mousse and Ryouga.

"Mousse'll be out in a minute, Nishimura-san." Ranma called as he took his place on-set. The director just kept pacing, his only change in expression being a slight roll of the eyes.

"Tell Mousse he can put down the props, Ranma. We still can't find Ryouga anywhere. We'll film Mousse's scene at the Neko Hanten first."

"Aw, man!" Ranma complained. "That jerk ain't back yet? I was lookin' forward ta warmin' up with this scene." Ranma cracked his knuckles in anticipation of Ryouga's return and proceeded to walk off-set. On his way out, he put his hand on Mousse's shoulder and winked teasingly at the boy.

"Have fun with yer scene with Shampoo, Mousse."

Mousse grumbled as a chuckling Ranma walked away and a blushing, giggly Shampoo came on-set and shot a satisfied smile in Mousse's direction.

---

Elsewhere on the studio, a man with a megaphone demanded the attention of an entire cast and crew. He was directing the crew like a traffic cop, telling them where to set down some of the set's smaller props. His eyes fell on three actors as they entered the set.

"Okay kiddies, mouths closed and eyes front! This is a take! Now remember, I want to see tons of confusion. The monkey wrench has been thrown into everything your little brains can understand, so make me believe it!" Three calls of "Got it!" came back in reply as the director started to count down the scene.

"Aannnd....ACTION!"

Ryouga was at that peaceful place between asleep and awake when he began to dream of one of his scenes with him, Ranma and Akane. He could even hear the dialogue the three of them spoke, though some of it made very little sense.

"This is all your fault Ranma! I won't allow you to talk to Akane that way!" Ryouga exclaimed in his classic, in-character fashion.

"H - O - P - E 'Hope'?" Akane replied, which made Ryouga blink, but he went on with his lines regardless.

"Ranma Saotome, PREPARE TO DIE!!" he screamed as he launched a kick at Ranma's face. Ranma just stood there as Ryouga's kick didn't even phase him.

"Ranma, fight me! What's wrong with you?" Ryouga demanded.

"Whatever it is, it's totally revolting.." Ranma answered quite calmly. This made Ryouga do a double-take. *Is that in the script?* he thought, quite puzzled.

"Cut, cut, cut, and cease all movement at once!!!" came a scream from out of nowhere as Ryouga awoke with a start and saw a young boy who looked about seven to ten years old staring him in the face. Ryouga sat up suddenly and continued to blink at the boy as the same voice once again spoke up.

"Gohan, my creative vision, she's growing impatient, she's dying here! What is the holdup?"

"Some guy fell asleep in the time machine!" the boy called back. Then turning again to Ryouga, grabbed his arm and continued. "Hey Mister. get outta there. That's an expensive prop!" Before Ryouga could say 'Where in the world am I now?', he was flung headfirst out of his seat and lying on his back looking up at two very miffed actors.

"I don't know who you are!!!....." the woman screamed.

"....But could you please leave? I'm not signing autographs for any guys' girlfriends now. I'm trying to do a scene here." The young man next to her finished.

Ryouga rolled his eyes, bowed out a quick apology and headed out the door, mumbling. "At least I'm not playing a character named after underwear, prettyboy..."

---

"Aiyaah! Shampoo no have time for this! Shampoo go find Ranma now!" Shampoo quickly leapt off camera as her last line for the scene was delivered faster than ramen take-out. Mousse caught his cue and began to go after her when he found himself caught on something. "And just where do you think you're going, boy? We have deliveries to make. And with Shampoo gone, you'll have to cover hers as well." Cologne stated in a matter-of-fact voice topped off with a smirk.

"I won't lose Shampoo you dried up old monkey!!" Mousse shot back as Cologne's staff knocked him clear out of the Neko Hanten and into the path of a nearby fountain.

"CUT!" the director called as as soaking wet Mousse emerged from the falling water. "I wish he would chase me for real, and not just some on-screen pretend act." Shampoo whispered to Ranma, who was now standing next to her, just off-set.

"Give him time. He'll come 'round." replied Ranma as he leaned over to whisper back. His face then took on a look of extreme innocence as Mousse passed by them both while wringing his hair out. Shampoo quickly followed Mousse and Ranma walked casually over to Sasuke, who was just removing his 'Cologne' wig.

"Studyin' the script again?" Ranma said as he peered over Sasuke's shoulder.

"Yes indeed Ranma. I spend most of my time doing so as you well know. It's not easy playing three parts." Sasuke replied, his eyes not straying from the pages.

Ranma smirked. He had to admire Sasuke. The man had three roles. The Kuno's sneaky ninja, the old perv Happosai and the amazon tribe elder. All in all, he should have been the highest paid there. But, since all of his roles were supporting cast, they were just enough pooled together to get equal pay with Ryouga. Ranma had always figured they should pay the man more strictly on the principle that he had to dress in drag a third of the time. Deciding it best to leave Sasuke to study his lines, Ranma headed over to the water cooler. Taking a quick drink, he calculated how much time was left until he'd be needed on-set again. Ryouga still hadn't been located. Which meant they would be doing Ukyo and Kodachi's scene next. This left Ranma free until the end of lunch. Smiling, he went off to locate Akane.

---

Akane sat by herself outside her trailer. She was just about to bite into the pork buns she had packed for lunch when she saw a crewman struggling with numerous cups of coffee. Akane put down her lunch on the step and walked over to the man.

"Here, let me help you with that. Goodness, what ever possessed you to try and carry so many cups of hot coffee?" she asked. The crewman steadied himself and rolled his eyes before replying.

"It's Miss Kasumi. She's a caffeine addict. Every day she demands this many cups just on her lunch break alone! Surely you must have noticed before, Miss Akane?"

Akane blinked and took half of the cups from the crewman, carrying them herself as she accompanied him to the next trailer over. As the crewman knocked on the door with his knee, a yell from inside was heard.

"That had better be my coffee! You slowpokes sure took your sweet time getting it! Leave it on the table outside and get out! I'm busy!"

Akane sighed and headed back to her trailer to eat her lunch. Even though Kasumi's trailer was right next to hers, Akane had been spared most of her co-star's screaming fits. The more Akane thought about it though, the more sense it made. Kasumi had one of the most active, non-combatant roles in the series. Nearly every scene she was in, she was on the move. Sweeping, cooking, doing the laundry, and every other household chore the role called for. So naturally, she'd be tired without a pick-me-up. Akane sat down and took a bite out of her pork bun as if nothing had happened.

---

"Hey Akane." came a voice from above that gave Akane a start. She looked up, and there was Ranma, a shy smile on his face as he looked down at her. "I was gonna ask ya if ya wanted ta have lunch with me er sumthin'..." he trailed off as he saw she was already eating. "..but it looks like ya brought yer own." he said with a shy yet somewhat disappointed smile. Akane smiled back and decided to repay Ranma for the meal he had cooked her the previous night.

"I have more in my trailer if you'd like to join me, Ranma." she said as she got up to open the trailer door. Ranma blinked at the invite, not expecting to ever be allowed to set foot in Akane's trailer. But he wasn't about to refuse her offer. "S..sure!" he blurted out with a wide eyed stare, shock still in his voice. With that, he followed Akane inside.

Her trailer was gorgeous. Much more professional looking than the mess in his own. Akane motioned for Ranma to have a seat at the small table inside. He nodded and sat down politely, determined to give off the impression of a proper guest. Ranma subconsciously put his hand in his pocket and blushed furiously when he realized he was still carrying the small jewelry box intended for Akane. Akane saw him blushing and shrugged. Letting out a small smile, she placed a plate of food in front of Ranma. Akane couldn't help but laugh a little. She was imagining art imitating life as the image of Ranma turning a rather insulting nose up at her cooking came to mind. Akane quickly snapped out of her reverie as she noticed Ranma had politely and without hesitation taken a morsel of food from the plate and into his mouth. Akane watched, nearly as hopeful as her in-character persona as Ranma swallowed the bite.

"Akane, this's delicious! Yer an amazin' cook!" Ranma said with a smile as he took another bite, twice the size of the first. Akane smiled and sat down with her own plate identical to his.

"Why thank you, Ranma. That's very sweet of you. I'll have you know that off camera, I'm quite the little gourmet."

She finished her statement with a giggle that Ranma thought was the cutest noise he'd ever heard. He smiled and continued eating his lunch, taking time to look around Akane's trailer, since he figured he'd never get the chance to be inside it again. But more importantly, he stole glances at Akane at every opportunity. *Man, even when she's eating, she's beautiful.* he thought. Ranma gulped down another morsel of food as he got up the nerve to speak.

"Um, I had a great time at dinner last night Akane. It was great cookin' for ya. Though if I'd known what a great cook ya were, I would've tried ta make our dinner a little fancier." Ranma let out a soft, nervous laugh as Akane smiled.

"It's okay Ranma. Dinner was wonderful. I could tell you put a lot of effort into it." It was only as she heard her own words that Akane realized the implication behind them. It would go unnoticed to Ranma, but Akane's mind flashed back to her earlier conversation with Kodachi.

*"The poor dear slaved over a hot stove just for me. Now that's love."* The words echoed in her mind as she sat there. But she quickly shooed them away before Ranma could notice anything was wrong. Ranma finished the last of his meal and stood up to give Akane a formal bow. As he rose to his feet he forced out a sentence he'd been silently working on since he had sat down.

"Thanks for havin' me. Maybe you could..." He could feel the sweat building on his brow. "..come over for dinner again sometime?" Akane blinked in surprise. She had not expected Ranma to ask her out again. When she saw Ranma was going into a bow, she held up her hand to stop him, feeling she did not deserve such a formal thanks. It was only lunch after all. As she brought her hand up, Ranma completed his bow. The downward angle of his head met with her hand and before he knew it, he had accidentally brushed his lips across the back of it. Mortified, a beet red Ranma quickly stood upright and put his hand behind his head as he simply stared at the shocked Akane before him.

Uh err, I better get goin'. See ya round Akane!" Ranma blurted out as he backed out of the trailer as fast as he could. *Oh man! Now I've done it. She'll think I'm some kinda casanova. I can't believe I did that!* Ranma sprinted away to his own trailer, his entire body as red as his chinese shirt. Akane, stood silent at her doorstep and simply stared at the red speck disappearing into the distance as her other hand came up to cover the one that had received the kiss.


A/N:

(kept to the end to avoid spoilers)

- The crossovers in this fic are a big melting pot of old and new anime. They range from series made around the same time as Ranma, to older, to fairly recent. For the purposes of the fic, it's assumed that each one was "filmed" around the same time period.

- Some crossovers are downright obvious while others are kept a bit vague. Sometimes too vague *sweatdrop* For the DBZ crossover I actually re-wrote the scene. Originally, the clues were the time machine and the characters' lines that Ryouga heard half asleep. However, those lines were taken from the english dub and we all know dubs and subs differ in dialogue slightly so I threw a bit more obviousness into the scene. Most notably, Gohan's name.

That's about it for now. To the Kasumi fans out there, please don't kill me. Then again, since no Ryouga fans have killed me for turning him into a sexist... well.. pig, I think I'm safe for now. Thanks for the reviews I've gotten so far. Happy reading!