Genderfluid Mechanics
By: JaquiK

Chapter 5: Rivals In Love

"Wait! Hold on Aki, I'm gonna miss out on the cafeteria bread fight!" Ranma complained while he was being dragged along, bento carefully balanced in his other hand.

"Relax. They don't do that here, so you're not missing out on anything," Aki explained as he led Ranma up the stairwell while trying not to think about just how much the other boy's hand was enveloping his own. "Now, we're going to meet up with a couple of my friends on the roof for lunch. They're nice, but I think it'd be for the best if we don't mention anything about the whole arranged engagement stunt our parents pulled. In fact, we should probably avoid talking about our relationship at all for now. At the very least, we'll need to stop with any more big romantic gestures."

"Aki, I keep telling ya I'm totally fine with you kissing me back there. You don't need to worry about it." Ranma said, his voice softening somewhat at the end.

"I know." Aki paused at the landing and gave a sigh before turning around to look up at the taller boy. "I like you, Ranma. Really, I do. But we haven't even known each other for a full day. I'm just worried that we might be going a little fast. Maybe it's better if we take things as friends, at least for a little while, so we can get to know each other a little more first."

Ranma looked like he was ready to protest, but after a few moments, he slumped slightly and started fidgeting with the ends of his braid. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I really like you too, Aki, and I don't want to mess that up by pushing things. It's probably better to go slow for now."

Aki gave a smile and a nod. "Thank you, Ranma."

Ranma gave a nod back, although the smile on his face looked to be a bit more mischievous. "It is a shame though. I'm going to miss all those wonderful kisses from such a cute boy."

"Oh…that's…" Aki quickly grabbed Ranma's hand again and turned his head away as they went up the final set of stairs to the roof entrance. "Okay, we're going to be having lunch with my friends, Yuka and Sayuri. To be clear, they don't actually know that I'm a boy sometimes, but they are aware that I do like girls. In fact-"

Aki suddenly felt himself stopping in his tracks as the person he was leading along was no longer moving. He turned back to see Ranma standing still on the last step before the top, a look of hurt in his eyes. "I was still a guy when you kissed me this morning, remember?"

There was a brief moment of confusion for Aki as he tried to understand the meaning of Ranma's statement. "Yeah, I know that. What do…oh, I didn't mean I only like girls. It should be pretty obvious that I like guys too."

"Should it?" Ranma challenged back. "You were pretty quick to be all kissy and stuff when I was in that cute little red haired form, but now that I'm in this form, you're suddenly talking about taking things slow and junk."

"You really think I only…" Aki could feel the rage start to build up again. After their discussion last night and how supportive Aki was, Ranma was actually pulling this crap? Oh, how dare he!

Taking a quick look around to confirm no one was there to see, Aki took a step forward, fully eye to eye with the pigtailed boy thanks to his lower position on the steps. Glaring hard, he slowly lifted his free hand. Oh yes, he was about to teach this boy a lesson he better not soon forget. Before Ranma could react, Aki's hand shot out, grabbing the other boy by the back of the head and forcibly pulling him forward into a kiss.

Aki took full charge, unrelenting as he pushed his tongue past Ranma's lips into his mouth. Ranma tensed up in surprise for a moment, before relaxing and allowing Aki to take control. It was harsh. It was rough. It was messy. It was maybe, probably, most definitely a mistake. And the taller, dark haired boy still tasted just as sweet.

After a few eternally long seconds, Aki quickly pulled back, making sure to look Ranma directly in the eyes as he said, "Still don't believe me?"

Ranma just silently started back for a moment before mechanically shaking his head.

Aki gave a little smirk at that. "Good, 'cause that's absolutely the last time for a while. Definitely cutting off any sort of kissing starting now. Alright, come on, we still need to meet my friends and have lunch."

As the two arrived onto the roof, Aki gave a quick look around. It was now a bright and sunny day. The rainclouds from the morning were well gone, and any leftover puddles had long since dried up. A small voice in the back of his mind quickly pointed out that he brought Ranma up here without even thinking of the possibility of any leftover standing water that would easily summon up a very cute redhead. He immediately punted that thought into the mental stratosphere as he spotted his friends over in one of the nearby corner areas waving to him. Aki gave a big smile and waved back as he pulled Ranma along over to them.

"Wow Aki," Yuka said with an amused smile on her face, "what teacher did you piss off this time to get forced on new kid watching duties?"

"Hey, it's not like that!" Aki quickly disputed. "Look, it's a little complicated, okay?"

"Yeah, that seems to be the case," Sayuri commented. "What with the way you're holding this guy's hand and all."

"Oh, uh…this is…" Ranma stammered out as he quickly let go and tried to hide the rising crimson in his cheeks. "I mean, it's…we're…"

"Ranma, these are my friends, Yuka and Sayuri," Aki curtly stated. "Girls, meet Ranma. His dad and mine are old training partners. He's staying at my dojo for a while to learn about my family's style."

"Yeah, that," Ranma quickly confirmed as he sat down with Aki sitting next to him. "Um, it's nice to meet you and all."

"Likewise," Sayuri said as they started to dig into their bentos.

"So, family friend, huh?" Yuka noted to Aki between bites. "I guess that explains why you haven't knocked his dick in the dirt yet."

"Well, I guess that's true," Ranma casually replied," When Aki went after me with the table yesterday, I didn't actually…wait, no! What I mean is…"

"Dammit, Ranma," Aki grumbled out. "Look, there was just a little misunderstanding when he first showed up. We got it all cleared up and we're fine now."

"You say that now," Sayuri said, "but how are you going to feel when this buff stud has a not so small percentage of the girls in school chasing after him?"

"They will?" Ranma asked, giving a quick nervous glance to Aki. "Uh, well…look, no offense, but I don't really feel comfortable dealing with any of the girls."

Aki looked at Ranma in shock. The other two, however, had much different reactions on their faces.

"Ah, I see," Yuka said. "No wonder Aki doesn't have a problem. So it's the boys that have to look out for you, huh?"

"Oh yeah," Ranma said with a big grin on his face. "Those guys aren't ready for Ranma Saotome!"

"I'm sure they aren't," Sayuri commented. "Although, if you want a little advice, this is definitely not the best place to look for a boyfriend right now."

"Yeah, that's for…boyfriend?!" Ranma shrieked out, before immediately flinching and looking around to see if anyone sitting around at the other areas of the roof heard him. He then continued in a much quieter voice. "I'm sorry, I didn't actually mean…please don't…"

"Hey, it's alright," Yuka reassured, "you're among friends here. Heck, the reason I know about Aki's interest in girls is because she took a chance and asked me out in middle school."

"Really?" Ranma asked in surprise. "So Aki and you back then?"

Aki let out a light grumble at this story being told and buried his face further into his bento, trying to distract himself with his lunch.

"Nah," Yuka responded. "I mean, she wasn't wrong about me, and I do think she's pretty cute. It's just that she was too late." She then turned to Sayuri with a smile and held onto one of her hands. "Someone else was lucky enough to capture my heart first."

"Well, I'd like to think it was a little more than luck," Sayuri said with a smile of her own. "Yeah, we need to keep it on the down low at school, and you know, with our parents and stuff, but we've been together since then. Hey, how about you? Do you have anyone that's special?"

"Oh yeah! He's…" Ranma managed to turn towards Aki just in time to catch the warning glare on his face. "Um…he was a guy from my middle school. We used to hang out and spar with each other all the time. I even walked with him to and from school. I mean…I guess he was my boyfriend, kinda…it's a little complicated. Besides, I haven't heard from him since I went to China."

"Yikes, I'm sorry. Long distance relationships can be really hard," Yuka said. "But hey! Now that you're back in Japan, you can call him up again and maybe get back together."

"Doubt it," Ranma said, looking down at picking at the tiny bits of food remaining in his bento. "He ends up traveling a lot, not really by his own choice." He gave another awkward glance towards Aki. "And, well…I just don't think it'll work out anymore."

"That's rough, buddy," Sayuri said. "Unfortunately, like I said, Furinkan's not the best place to go looking for a new guy."

"I know. I saw Aki's fight this morning. Buncha jerks if ya ask me," Ranma growled out. "Especially that Kuno guy. I really hope I get the chance to pound his dick in the-"

"RANMA SAOTOME!"

Aki and the other three turned towards the loud cry to find Kuno standing at the roof door in his kendo gear and wielding his bokken. There was a look of absolute fury on his face along with, perhaps most notably, a harsh bruise on his forehead in the shape of the kanji for 'idiot' plainly visible, even if not written exactly correctly.

Huh. Maybe Ranma did get the better of that exchange after all.

"Dammit, I didn't mean right now! I'm still eating my lunch." Ranma looked down at his now empty bento for a moment before looking over at Sayuri's. "Hey, you gonna finish that?"

"Saotome, you fiend! You pitiful excuse of a man!" Kuno yelled, pointing with his bokken. "I will never accept your engagement to the fair Aki Tendo!"

"Hey! What did ya say 'bout…wait, what did you say?" All of the anger appeared to melt off Ranma as the implication of Kuno's words within earshot of a roof full of students became clear.

Aki felt those implications as well as he slowly turned to see several shocked faces looking right at him and Ranma.

"Really, Aki?" Sayuri leaned over to quietly whisper. "I know the whole mutual beard is kind of a thing, but an engagement?"

"I said it was complicated," Aki whispered back as Ranma stood up and started walking over to Kuno.

"Hey, it's not what you think. My pops decided-whoa!" Ranma quickly dodged out of the way as Kuno slashed his sword down, cleanly slicing Ranma's bento in half.

"I have no need for your vile words," Kuno bellowed as he continued to slash his sword wildly, Ranma deftly dodging each swing. "Now stand your ground and face my blade of justice!"

Taking a leap back, Ranma looked around at the crowd on the roof, including a glance over to Aki before addressing Kuno once more. "Hey, this ain't the best place for a fight. Follow me." He then turned and ran across the roof, hopping over the edge with Kuno leaping close behind.

Aki's eyes widened, the shock of the situation being the only thing that kept a scream from escaping from his lips. Okay. Okay. He's probably fine. You saw how high up he got in his spar this morning. The roof is only, what, a dozen meters or so, maybe fifteen? I'm sure that's nothing for him. There's absolutely nothing to worry about.

"Wow," Yuka noted with no hint of worry in her voice. "It's a good thing he knew what side the pool's on."

"Oh, that's a re…pool?!" Aki rushed over to the edge of the roof, his friends following close behind. Looking down, he saw the pool far below, along with a single kendo garbed body slowly floating face down towards the edge. Wait, or…

Aki leaned over more and squinted his eyes, as there looked to be someone below Kuno, dragging him along to safety. Right, he may be a complete creep, but he doesn't deserve to drown. Plus, I guess Ranma can use him as a shield to hide his curse.

Unfortunately, that apparent plan was foiled as the kendoist regained consciousness and attacked the person below him. The end result being Ranma reaching up to grab Kuno, throwing him up and over to land hard on the concrete edge, using the momentum to somersault away from the pool and the school.

"Oh, I think Ranma's bleeding!, "Yuka cried out. "Did he hit his head on the diving board?"

As Aki turned to exit the roof, he could hear Sayuri comment, "I don't think that's blood."

A few minutes later, Aki was looking around the field outside the school that Ranma escaped to. The sound of falling water drew his attention, and he looked over and up at a nearby tree, finding the red haired boy sitting on a branch and wringing out his soaked pants.

"Hey, Ranma!" Aki called out, holding up the kettle he got from the janitor's closet. "I got some hot water for you."

"Oh, great!" Ranma said with a smile as he hopped off the branch, leaving his pants hanging there to dry. "Gimme…uh, you alright?"

Aki was certainly not staring at the redhead's bare legs and was definitely not being distracted by the way his wet boxers were clinging to his hips.

"You!"

The two turned to see Kuno rushing up to them. Ranma blinked a couple of times before pointing in a random direction. "Uh, that Ranma guy went that way."

Kuno stopped and held his bokken out in front of him in a ready stance, a grin of triumph on his face. "Oh, do not believe you can deceive one such as myself so easily, Saotome!"

"W-what?" Ranma looked over to Aki, then down at himself, then back over to Kuno. "Look, I can explain."

"Your lies shall no longer work on me, you fiend," Kuno continued. "Your dark plots for a hoax marriage crumble to dust all around you, for indeed, I have borne direct witness to that pathetic disguise you used to delude the fair Aki melting away. Now that your deception is exposed, I shall smite you!"

Ranma's eyes narrowed and his expression of shock quickly turned to rage. "It ain't pathetic and it ain't a disguise!" he yelled as he shifted into a fighting stance. "Alright then, come on. Let's finish this, man to man!"

Kuno remained in his stance unmoving for several moments, finally he blinked and stood up straight, his sword to his side. He then closed his eyes, as if in deep contemplation, although with Kuno it probably wasn't all that deep. He stayed that way for almost a full minute, with Ranma remaining ready and Aki unsure what to do, before finally opening his eyes again.

"Indeed, I can sense no lies within your words," Kuno declared. "It seems that in my righteous fury, I have allowed myself a rush of judgment. However, let it still be known that while I shall acknowledge that you are indeed no woman and never have been, that does nothing to change our current fates."

"Excuse me?!" For some reason, Ranma looked to be even more pissed off now.

"Ah, were we to meet in another place, another life where I could, as your upperclassman, provide you guidance in the ways of manhood, among perhaps other things if you so desired. Alas, such is not meant to be," Kuno continued with a tinge of sadness in his determined tone as he went back into his own ready stance. "For you clearly still hold the fair and delicate Aki Tendo under your foul spell, and it is my duty to set her free by-"

Ranma didn't let Kuno finish, instead leaping forward into the air, landing with one foot on Kuno's bokken while the other foot connected solidly onto the side of Kuno's head. As Kuno fell backwards in stunned amazement, Ranma grabbed onto the wooden sword, flipping it around as he landed and finished in a victory pose with the sword resting across one shoulder and his other hand on his hip.

"So, anything else you'd like to say about 'fair and delicate' women?" The redhead looked down with a sly smile at the kendoist's unconscious body. "I thought not," he finished, dropping the bokken on Kuno before turning and walking back to the tree where his pants were still hanging to dry. He leaped up and grabbed the pants from the branch, landing gracefully and turning to Aki with said pants now flung over his shoulder. "Alright, let's go home."

Aki continued to stare, mouth agape in wonder at everything that just happened before Ranma's words finally caused him to shake it off. "We still have the rest of school, you know."

"Oh. Oh yeah." Ranma gave a chuckle while rubbing the back of his neck. "Not sure if my dad would really care, but I suppose yours wouldn't like it if you skip."

"Yeah, I think you're right," Aki responded, not actually caring what his dad thought. Although, Kasumi would probably be a bit disappointed. He held the still warm kettle out in front of him. "Let's hurry back before lunch is over."

Ranma smiled and reached for the kettle, only to pull back suddenly, worry evident on his face as he looked down at his hand.

Or, no…at her hand.

Aki nearly dropped the kettle at the realization, but quickly recovered and gave a reassuring smile. "Hey, it's alright. We can skip the water part and just go back. I'm sure we can come up with an explanation.

Ran's expression quickly shifted to hard determination as she looked back up to him. "No. I have already made my decision, and a martial artist sticks through until the end." She then held her hand out, silently asking for the kettle.

Aki looked over at Ran's hand, hesitating for just a moment before giving a small nod. "Okay, but here, let me do it for you."

Ran looked back for an additional moment before giving her own nod, stepping forward and bending down. Aki lifted the kettle and carefully poured, making sure the water only got on the girl's head. In what seemed like an instant, she shot up several centimeters, her hair darkened to a pitch black, and the curves on her body noticeably shifted. The now taller girl stood up straight, shook out her hair and looked down at Aki with a warm smile, although Aki also noticed that her hands were shaking ever so slightly.

"Are you alright?" he found himself asking.

"Yeah, of course," Ran said before her smile dropped and a hint of red appeared on her cheeks. "I should probably go and put my pants back on though."

"Oh, oh right," Aki said, turning away with a blush of his own.

"Okay, I'm good," Ran said after a few seconds and Aki turned back. "Are you ready to go back to class?"

Aki wanted to give a nod, but he couldn't fully shake off his concerns. "You know, everyone's going to have a lot of questions for us. Are you ready for that?"

"Don't worry, I can handle it, no problem," Ran said with a big grin, thumping her currently flat chest with a fist for emphasis. "This is something I've dealt with my whole life, so I've gotten really good at hiding it at this point."

"Yeah, I guess I have, too," Aki said with his own smile as tears started to form in his eyes. Yes, he knew quite well about the hiding and the lying that was needed to keep safe. "I…I just wish we didn't have to."

Ran's smile dropped and she lifted a hand up, placing it gently on Aki's cheek. "I know." She then slowly started to lean forward. Aki followed, leaning up on his toes to meet the taller girl halfway.

He allowed her to take the lead, surrendering control as she wrapped her other arm around his waist. Ran kept the kiss light, but not brief, allowing Aki time to fully savor the warmth and flavor of the girl's lips.

Unfortunately, nothing could last forever as Ran finally broke away from the kiss. Aki looked up at her with a thankful smile, lightly noticing that one of Ran's legs was popped back in the air. "Not that I'd ever complain, but I thought…"

"Yes, we will slow down," Ran said, bringing her foot back onto the ground, "but I just remembered that there was one combination you didn't get a chance to kiss yet."

"Ah, good point," Aki said, feeling himself turn even more red. "It's important to not leave a set uncompleted."

"Exactly," Ran said before giving another sly grin. "So, which one of me did you like the best?"

Aki slowly blinked before giving a big grin. "Oh come on. It should be obvious that I like all of you equally," he said with complete sincerity in his voice.

At this point, Aki had gotten really good at lying.

Ran gave a hearty laugh as the two released their embrace. "Alright, we better get going before we're late. I…oh…" she paused and looked over to the school building.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's just…I mean, it wouldn't be the first time I've gone to school as a girl. It's just the first time I've known about it. Guess it's a good thing I've registered as a guy since I don't really know how I should act as a girl, huh?"

Aki looked down at the ground, then back up to Ran. "Wednesday."

"Huh?" Ran looked back in confusion.

"Wednesday is a half day," Aki clarified. "After classes, we can go out to another district where no one from here will see us. Just the two of us together, as girls. It can be your first lesson."

"Oh, great! That sounds like so much fun. I can't wait!" Ran gave another big grin before turning and walking back towards the school. "You know, it's a little funny. No one else will know that the boy from this morning will end the school day as a girl."

"Yeah..." Aki started to follow, only to stop and look down at himself, remembering all the times he pulled the same thing in middle school with no one else knowing about it. However, lately it seemed that…"

"You coming?" Ran called out behind her.

"Of course," Aki responded, hurrying to catch up while trying and failing to shake the thought now clinging inside his mind.

When was the last time I went to school as a girl?