I do not make any money off this story. All characters belong to their respective owners.

I know it's been almost a decade since I've written fanfic, but the cast of Ranma 1/2 has never truly left my brain or my heart, so I thought I'd give typing up some of my old ideas a shot. I'm also hoping to work on my (currently nonexistent) writing skills through these exercises, so any feedback is welcome! This fic, and any that follow, are funny little ideas which have come from reading other fanworks and joking with friends :)

Thanks for giving it a read!

Ryoga Hibiki took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. This was it. Today was the day.

Today was the day he would finally tell Akane Tendo his most mortifying secret: that he was secretly her pet pig, P-chan.

He'd always known lying to her was wrong, and taking advantage of his position was downright cruel, but the affection she showed him as her pet was impossible to resist for the eternally lost boy. And the knowledge of her eventual rejection was the cherry on top. He'd put off coming clean for years, but now he was finally ready. He had practiced what he wanted to say and prepared for every possible reaction she could have.

If only he could take the first step.

As Ryoga stood outside the Tendo Dojo visibly agonizing, a clear and bright voice broke through his gloom, "Good morning Ryoga! What brings you here this time? Another fight with Ranma?"

He jumped three feet in the air.

When he landed, he cleared his throat. "Akane. It's good to see you. A-actually, I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh! What did you want to discuss?" she smiled as a gentle breeze ruffled her hair, and the world seemed to slow down.

He couldn't do this. He absolutely couldn't. Not when she was gazing at him with such kindness and understanding in her eyes! He clenched his fists and spun around, ready to run, but found he couldn't flee from her either. He swallowed and began.

"Akane."

"Yes?"

"There's something I need to tell you. Privately."

"Okay, go ahead."

He'd just have to rip the band aid off. Or that's what he told himself. Steeling himself, Ryoga tried again.

"Akane, I know this is going to be difficult for you to hear, much less believe. But please hear me out. I have a secret."

"A secret?"

"And-and it's been plaguing me for so long. I've been meaning to tell you, really I have, it's just... I didn't want you to think of me any differently. I do care about you, and your opinion matters a lot to me. I don't know what I'd do with myself if I lost your friendship because of this. No matter what, I want you to know that I'm the same person deep down. I never intended to lie to you, and I feel terrible for letting this get like this between us without telling you anything. Akane, I need to tell you, I'm..."

Her eyes widened. "Oh. Ryoga." She reached out and touched his shoulder, smiling a little. "I think I know where this is going."

"Y-you do?"

"Mhmm. And I appreciate your telling me, but to be honest with you, I kind of always knew."

Now this was one response Ryoga was definitely not ready for. She knew? And she didn't even seem mad? This couldn't be real.

... Could it?

"You knew?"

"Well yeah I mean. I know you think you're subtle, but I've been around you long enough to pick up clues. But I'm so happy you finally feel comfortable telling me." She smiled.

"So uh, um, is anything going to change now?"

"Of course not! Something like this would never change the way I see you. But I guess I do have a few questions. Does Ranma know?"

Ryoga's thoughts were flying. This had to be a trap. But, he had started this, he ought to end it. Might as well share everything all at once.

"Yeah. Ranma knows."

"Wait-really? That's... interesting. And he's okay with it? Knowing him, I thought he would be weirded out."

"Don't blame him! It's kind of his fault, so I made him keep it a secret for me. I mean, it's why we fight all the time." He hung his head and mumbled the sentence, still embarrassed at having to share the details. "Or one of the reasons anyway. But I think I've finally gotten to a point where I understand that he isn't wholly to blame. Hell, if I never met him I'd still probably have the curse one way or another."

Akane took a step back. "Well, I don't think it's fair to call it a curse. Honestly, it's just part of who you are. Besides, if Ranma is uncomfortable around you or picks on you because of it I'll kick his butt! That's no way to behave. Unless-

"Ryoga," she began again, more slowly this time. "Are you saying that this is not just one of the source of friction between you and Ranma, but your feelings in this vein concerning him are the reason you chased him down in the first place? And you two have just strung it out since then?"

"Uh, yeah."

"I see. Well. I guess all things considered that makes sense."

"Uh huh." Ryoga was full body sweating at this point. Akane seemed to finally understand the magnitude of his secret identity as P-chan. She must be remembering all the confessions she whispered to him at night, the private thoughts she had never told anyone else. How on earth could he ever atone?!

"Well if Ranma knows, do you mind if I talk it over with him? I mean, in the end it's all harmless really. I'm sure it won't come in the way of your friendship with him or with me, and I'll put in some good words for you."

This was, most definitely, too good to be true. But why ruin a good thing?

"Uh, thanks Akane," He replied. "Please, don't tell anyone else, at this point I still feel like I need to keep it a secret. But Ranma's alright. Honestly you're offering so much more than I ever planned to ask for. Thank you."

"Of course! You know, at times I almost feel as if I... Well you know, I get it. You can count on me, my lips are sealed! And I'm here for you if you ever need anything." She gave his arm a little squeeze of affection as she turned back to the Dojo. "Take care, and I'll see you around!"

"Yeah... See you around."

Ryoga was on cloud nine. Somehow, beyond all hope, his confession to Akane had gone alright. And she even touched him at the end! Maybe he had a chance with her after all!

"BWAHAHAHA! RANMA, TAKE THAT!" He shouted to an empty street.

"So what did you want to talk about Akane?"

"Hey Ranma, I was just curious... How long have you known that Ryoga is gay?"