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Akane glanced at the hanging clock to check the time one last time before beginning to stretch by pulling her arms high and then swinging down to touch her toes. She stood barefoot inside her home's dojo, wearing her worn-out Gi, waiting for Ranma but it seemed he was running late. And so, she practiced some solo katas, her arms and legs flying swiftly and firmly into the air, finding herself getting lost in the art.

She had always indulged in martial arts, especially after her mother passed and the only way that her father seemed to distract himself was through training her. It was an enjoyable pastime, something special she believed to have shared with her father, considering none of her older sisters seemed to follow the path of the arts. She was also the only daughter out of the three to continue attending her father's martial arts classes, the one in which she met ranma when they were just six.

The Saotome family had just moved a few blocks down, and were delighted to find that the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts was always accepting students, considering it was something their child seem to be interested in. It came to no surprise that her father and Mr. Saotome became good friends, and before Akane knew it, she was seeing Ranma almost every day.

There were times growing up when Akane questioned whether Ranma was her actual friend, although she never asked him directly. But he never went away, followed her all around in actuality, finding herself getting quite attached to their friendship. Their friendship went through waves of excitement and annoyance along the years, coming to find that Ranma's arrogance matched his actual abilities. And although at times they seemed mismatched, somehow, they never seemed to part.

"Yo, Akane," Ranma called, dropping his duffel bag at the door as he glanced at the young woman stop a kick midair. She huffed an exhausted breath, quickly adjusting her top. The exercise had flushed her apple cheeks, and he found himself almost immediately enthralled at the way she had begun fixing her hair by unclasping her hair clips and adjusting any strands sticking to her sweaty forehead, shimmering. He noticed she was in her baggy and exhausted Gi, remembering she practically lived in that uniform all through high school. "You started without me?"

"You're late," she said, cocking an eyebrow.

"Sorry."

She shrugged her shoulders, placing each palm against her hips, "It's fine." And it was.

He removed his slip-on shoes and began making his way towards her, already dressed in his workout attire of drawstring pants and muscle tee. "Really in the mood, huh?"

"Wasn't going to wait for you all day, you know."

He shrugged his shoulders at her very Akane-demeanor as he began stretching before taking his own fighting stance against her. He was quite familiar with her sparring style, keeping in mind that he'd sparred with her almost all his life. She was never quite as good as him, but she wasn't bad whatsoever. In fact, just now she wasn't allowing him to take a moment to breathe, as he kept having to block and dodge every move she threw at him, finding her agility a pleasant surprise. He usually trained with her (although it had been some time since then), and he didn't remember her being this good. Had she been training solo?

Akane had called earlier in the day asking him about his plans for the evening, inviting him to the Tendo Dojo. It had been a while since he'd been to the Tendo residence, and it always felt good to be back.

Ranma jumped quickly, bouncing back from his backflip, dropping his guard momentarily as she quickly made her way to throw a kick, not thinking her foot would make actual contact against his jaw. She gasped, knowing it hurt by the way she watched his wobbly stance go tumbling down before she could react.

"Oh god, Ranma..." They both knew getting hit, or hurt, came with the territory of sparring but it was always a shock when someone managed to strike any sort of hit.

"God, you're pissed," Ranma tried to joke through gritted teeth, rubbing his lower cheek. She scrunched her nose at him, not understanding why she felt embarrassed (because, yes, she knew she had been upset, she just didn't know at what). Still, she made her way towards him knowing she hadn't done any actual damage, considering Ranma had taken a lot worse, but she felt compelled to at least look at him. "It's fine," he insisted as Akane got on her knees next to him trying to angle herself to gain a better view.

"I'm sure it is, but I'm just hoping it doesn't bruise," she said, her voice stern as she pushed his hands away. Her fingertips reached to gently skim his jawline and cheek, quite unaware at the way he inwardly winced within her touch. He looked at her, her eyes softening with her furrowed eyebrows as she leaned closer, and he held in his breath afraid to accidentally breathe her in too deep.

Her worried look pulled him in, and he felt himself getting nervous at how close she was, a knot at his throat too large to swallow. God, it was starting to get absurd. "I'll go get some ice." Her voice was just as soft, and alluring, quite sheepish.

"Akane," Ranma called as his hands reached for hers, stopping her before she could step away, gently tugging her back down as he searched her troubled face, "it's fine. I'm fine." Her tawny eyes stared him down, unsure if to believe him. She slightly pouted her lip unconsciously, the way she released a short breath sending the pit of his stomach in a swirl. He could just lean forward.

He could feel his heavy eyelids begin to blink very slowly, her accentuated bottom lip taunting him towards her. She was so close.

"I..." she cleared her throat, watching her gently trying pull herself away, willingly meeting his gaze, "I just want to make sure."

He smirked pleasantly at her, tilting his head, their noses daring to graze each other. "And what, you'll tend to me otherwise?" He hadn't meant to sound so forward, finding himself laughing at the way her flustering cheeks continued to redden, taken aback.

Could she hear his pounding heart the way he heard it boom within his ears?

"I guess we're done for tonight." Her shoulders tensed, taking her hands away from his grip.

"Only if you want to be." He replied, his grunt voice sending shivers down her back, she couldn't help but feel like melting butter att he way he was watching her quite intensely. His thick eyebrows were pinched together, tied by his own unsureness, it seemed. And she wanted to phase herself out of the weird ambience she felt herself suddenly get swallowed into.

"You sure you can still put up?" A sly smirk challenged him.

He chuckled, rolling his eyes and letting his head dangle to the side, "C'mon, 'Kane." His voice was playful, but still very conceited.

There it was: his arrogance.

It was a while until she finally exhausted herself, it seemed. Her stamina didn't match his, it never had, but especially nowadays. Akane let her guard down, and with a meek smile allowed herself to fall to the floor, groaning loudly before releasing an airy laughter.

He brought her water bottle to her, and she slowly sat up thanking him under her breath as she reached for it to gulp down. He was sweating, she noted when he took a seat next to her; his face was ruddy in one area in particular and she couldn't help but blush knowing she did that.

"Not quite bad, tomboy." He said, and she nodded knowingly, quite egotistically for just half a second. He could tell that she needed some relief, especially earlier when she almost knocked him down with a full-blown kick. And he could feel her trying to take out all her frustration out on him, and he didn't mind, knowing if anyone could take her hits it'd be him. He assumed work or school had tensed her, and he wanted to ask her about it. But he also didn't want to seem pushy, having found himself walking on eggshells when it came to her nowadays.

"Thanks, I needed that." Her smile was wide and bright, toothy, finding himself appreciating it quite a lot. It was always a good day when she smiled like so.

"The compliment, or the part where I let you use me as a punching bag?" He found himself asking, eyeing her briefly before taking another sip of his water.

"Hmm," she hummed with a mischievous grin, "both, I guess."

"Glad I could help."

She laughed again, this time her hand reaching over to nudge his shoulder playfully and he couldn't help but smirk back at her.

Her hair was a mess with dark strands all over, rosier throughout her face. She fanned herself for a moment before she began removing her Gi's jacket, fumbling the strained belt before stripping the top down her shoulders. She was wearing a spaghetti strap underneath, the thin tank splattered in sweat stains all about. And she didn't seem to care that he witnessed her in such a state, because in all honesty, he had always seen her in these sorts of ways.

They found themselves talking for quite some time, catching up it seemed. Both were now lying on their backs, staring at the ceiling of the dojo – or at least, she was. He found himself captivated at the way her eyes closed when she laughed, especially the obnoxious laughter that could have annoyed anyone else but him. She'd roll over and smack his shoulder to get a point across. He felt drawn by her serious tone, pondering aloud as she asked him senseless questions, the ones they've talked about a senseless number of times on the same dojo floor, under the same dojo roof. Except this time, he was entranced by her in a way he hadn't expected to be.

When she stayed put on her side, continuing to stare at him, he wished he was closer. And when she closed her eyes to take a deep breath, he wished he had the courage to lean forward and kiss her. Was he stupid, or what? And he cursed his brain – and Ryoga, of course – for thinking about such idiotic things. She was so beautiful, in a way that he couldn't describe. Because, although yes, she was attractive in a lot of ways that meets the eye (and God was he painfully aware) she was also beautiful in the way that she was generous and patient. She was beautiful in the way that she always asked about his parents, hoping they were doing good. She was beautiful in the way that she always included him in her plans, and aspired more of him than he did of himself.

"Hey," she said, quietly, her voice in a murmur as her eyes bounced about his face, watching him watch her, "I've been meaning to ask you something."

"What's up?" He asked, his droopy eyelids showing how his exhaustion was beginning to overflow.

"Do you feel like going on a date?" Her question was so blunt, it took him by surprise, and yet he could feel his entire body numb as the words had left her mouth. Was she asking him out? He should probably say something out loud, but all he could do was soak in the fuzziness within his stomach.

She watched him cautiously, her eyes taking him in completely for a few seconds longer, before she began laughing quietly, embarrassed probably. "Not with me, obviously."

Obviously.

"Oh." Was she messing with him?

She quickly got on her feet and rushed toward her own duffle bag to pull out her phone, reaching for his without having to ask for permission. She returned, sitting down and handing him his before typing on hers. Within seconds he received a notification.

He sat up, unlocked his phone, and then eyed her confused.

"That's my friend," she cleared her throat, putting her phone down, "she wanted me to give you her number."

He didn't say anything.

She watched him curiously, because usually Ranma would take advantage to gloat at his confident self when a cute girl wanted his number. She found it quite odd that he wasn't.

"And you don't care if I date ya' friend?"

She took a deep breath, her shoulders lifting, "I mean, I don't care who you date."

Ranma's face soured, his nose scrunching the way hers usually did.

"She's pretty," Akane smiled.

"I'm not interested."

She felt herself getting angry again, and she didn't understand why she cared so much if he dated or didn't date her coworker. She should feel better about it, right? She should feel relief, like she could breathe again, but something was nudging at her. And she asked, blurting, "Are you already seeing someone else?"

"No."

"You like someone else?"

"Jeez, what's with all the questions, 'Kane?" They were quiet again, but this time it was a tad more awkward as she looked at him, not aware of the pouty face she was offering because if he wasn't already seeing someone else why wouldn't he be interested in someone as pretty as Akari? And then he sighed, quite loudly, startling her as he said, "You really wan' me to take her out?"

"N-no, that's not-"

"Unryu Akari," he mumbled to himself, staring at the contact's photo, "she's...pretty."

"O-of course she is," she agreed through gritted teeth, and he looked over at her, confused to say the least.

Did she want him to take her friend out, or not?

"I'll, um," he cleared his throat, "shoot her a text later."

Ryoga welcomed Ranma into his small studio apartment as soon as he heard the knock coming from his door, instantly regretting it. He was almost choked, feeling Ranma's arms suddenly wrap him on a headlock, unaware he was going to do that. The bandana-wearing man huffed dramatically, not using his full strength but some to try and push his friend off him, unsuccessfully. Ranma's bulky arm squeezed his cheeks rather than around his neck, and only after seeing Ryoga tap out did he release.

"What the heck, man?" Ryoga spat, taking a moment to feel about his jaw, glaring at his so-called friend now casually letting himself fall on the floor to sit at the kotatsu table that took most of the space within the living area.

"I'm mad at you."

"What did I do now?"

Ranma quickly tapped on his phone and slid it across the small table, staring at his friend as he asked, "What do you think about her?"

Ryoga grumbled, quite upset about the element of surprise Ranma threw this way, still he walked to him and joined the table. Within seconds he forgot the strain around his face and quickly fished for the phone as he stammered, "Whoa, she's pretty." The young woman in the phone offered soft features, with round and rosy cheeks and wide doe-like eyes framed by her dark hair. "Taking her out?" He asked, unable to stop staring before Ranma snatched his phone away, observing the young woman once again.

"I dunno'."

"You don't know?"

"She's one of Akane's friends," he sighed, catching the way Ryoga winced at the given information, now watching him with squinted eyes.

"How did that happen?" he inquired, prying, feeling as though he missed a few details.

"Akane."

"What?" Now he was really confused.

Ranma groaned, quite audibly as he let his head fall on the table, digging his fingertips into his hair with frustration. He felt muddled, and delusional. Akane had never shown any signs that she wanted anything aside from a friendship with him, and now he felt himself tumbling all the way down, it was unbearable at times. He lifted his head back up, weakly, and said, "She just gave it to me," still trying to make sense of it, "said her friend liked me, or somethin'."

Ryoga's sympathized with him, staring at him unsure, because even now he also felt lost. He had been their number one cheerleader, but at this twist of events, what was a guy like Ranma to do? "What are you gonna do?"

"I mean," Ranma eyes wondered about the small living space, "she's real cute, but I dunno', she kinda' seems like the type to want a relationship, or somethin'."

Ryoga slowly nodded at that, as if finally understanding although he's known all along. "And," he began, knitting his eyebrows as he eyed Ranma wearily, "she's not Akane."

Ranma smacked his tongue against his teeth, annoyed, "She ain't even into me like that."

"But you are?"

He groaned, beyond frustrated, somehow angry for feeling so foolish and allowing himself to get caught up in these nets, "Whatever the case, it just ain't happening."

"Aha," Ryoga grinned, "but you want it to!"

"Whatever."

Ryoga chuckled, laughing eagerly as he leaned against the table, "This is good!"

"What?"

"You're finally admitting to liking a girl beyond her looks! And you enjoy her personality, too."

"Akane's pretty." Ranma found himself defending her, bashfully, although his friend hadn't stated otherwise.

"I never said she wasn't!"

"It just..." This was Akane. Thinking ahead, way beyond, he couldn't forgive himself for losing her after a failed relationship because the chances of this being a failed relationship were way higher than not. After all, he was quite notorious for having short-lasting relationships that have never started on the right foot to begin with. And Akane had been a primary witness to most of them. How do you date a woman whose seen you use unredeemable tactics just to get a hookup?

Besides, if she was giving him another girl's phone number, she hadn't been interested in him to begin with. Although of course she wasn't. Why would he pine after something that just wouldn't happen? He knew it wouldn't happen, and he knew because she hadn't even been tickled after they kissed – that stupid, tiny, insensible kiss.

"Ranma," his friend called rattling him out of thought, his voice low and serious as he usually tried to be, "I think you should tell her."

The pigtail wearing man pursed his lips, pondering, trying to convey the pros and cons to this narrative he hadn't asked to be a part of, and quite frankly felt like he was standing alone.

One of the first things Akane heard her work-friend chirp as soon as she walked into work was, "He texted." And she felt herself tense up, her wavering smile greeting her as she slid her tote bag off her shoulder.

"A-already?" It hadn't even been a week.

"I know!" Akari beamed, her cheeky grin too pure, she felt her own knees wobble. The younger woman felt her cheeks fluster, reddening at the thought of actually talking to him, and in her own crazed-self felt her heart flutter. "He's not much of a texter, is he?"

Akane thought about it, knowing that Ranma she knew wouldn't necessarily portray to the Casanova he usually tried to be with girls. "I mean, once you get to know him, I'm sure he'll come around."

"You think?"

Akane smiled sweetly, genuinely, as she watched her friend stammering and twiddling her thumbs together in the nervousness she couldn't withhold, nonetheless quite impressed at the courage to actually do something about it (something she couldn't say about herself). "Yes, I do."

Akari followed Akane throughout the lounge room, watching her hang her coat and pour herself a cup of coffee, trying to sustain the urge to ask about him. But finally, like an overflowing glass of water, the young woman found herself imploring, "So, what's he like?"

"Excuse me?"

"Ranma," she grinned sheepishly, pushing her embarrassment away, "you know, your friend."

"Oh!" Akane breathed in with a pondering face, glancing left and right trying to find the better qualities compared to his usual goof-self. "Um, he's..." He wasn't the kindest. Or smartest. Sometimes he was funny. Pretty strong, but such a weird thing to point out, right?

Akari stood there, waiting, yearning to know more. "He seems strong, and gentle."

"Wouldn't it be better to find out yourself?" Akane chuckled nervously, beginning to make her way towards the elevator, Akari's steps following suit.

"I'm just so nervous."

"What about?" Akane was prying now.

"Our date."

"Your d-date?" Already? Why wasn't she surprised? She wasn't jealous or upset. She shouldn't be, couldn't be – not when she was playing messenger between the two, whether she wanted the job or not.

"Tonight," she hummed cheerfully, her cheeks blushing, unable to sustain her cheeky grin, "I asked him out."

"Oh! Well good," Akane encouraged, "taking initiative is a great quality."

The rest of the day had felt quite uneventful, except for the accidental phone hang-up rather than transfers and the wrong appointment scheduling, earning her an earful when confirmation came to show that she had input all the incorrect information. She had found most of her morning quite distracting, because this wasn't her usual self; she'd like to believe she was a much better employee than this.

She groaned, leaning back on her reception chair, feeling a headache emerging. Ranma and Akari, huh? She was very pretty, and kind, and wonderful in so many ways.

Her phone buzzed quietly, pulling her out of thought as she reached for it, smiling small when she answered it with a low sigh.

"Rough day?"

"Do I sound that exhausted?"

"You sound like you need a distraction."

Akane chuckled lowly, "Any suggestions?"

"Yeah, I've got tons!"

"Like what?"

"There's a showing on that classic throwback we talked about, actually."

"For tonight?" Tonight.

"Did you want to go, maybe?"

"It sounds...distracting."

"Okay, great! Pick you up at six?"

"Sure," she said last, tapping her phone off as she looked up to see her friend leaning on the counter, smirking knowingly. "A-Akari," Akane laughed nervously as she began fixing her hair by pushing short strands behind her ears.

"Who was that?" She singsong, a teasing grin plastered on her cheeks as she leaned forward, still managing to appear quite innocently.

"Uh, a friend." She wasn't lying.

"Just a friend?"

Akane rolled her eyes endearingly, nodding slowly, "Yes, just a friend."

"What's his name."

"Shinnosuke."

"Such a noble name."

Akane nodded in agreement, suddenly feeling her cheeks get flustered. A distraction. That's all Akane needed, a good time with a friend.

Akari twirled once in front of her full-body mirror as she smiled widely at herself. She was wearing a lightweighted sundress, with a flower pattern all around with a matching headband. She wanted to make a great impression, seeing that it didn't seem they were hitting it off great through texting and she knew this was the man she was supposed to fall in love with. But maybe he just wasn't a great texter, and he happened to have such a great personality that he didn't display well on screen.

"Ranma," Akari said to herself, trying to get used to saying his name as she looked down at the photo-less contact, considering she hadn't bothered asking Akane for his social media. She wished for an untainted impression of the man, and she figured any misinterpretation through his accounts could ruin the experience. That had been the main reason she kept insisting on her work-friend for crumbs of his authentic self rather than his social-media persona.

Akane had ensured her that he was a nice man, friendly and sweet. What more could someone ask for, right?

She took a deep breath as soon as she heard the doorbell to her door sound, allowing herself to relax. It was going to be a fun night! She already thought him cute, and if he was hanging around people like Akane he was bound to be great!

The young woman quickly pattered towards her entrance, pulling on her dress gently to smooth out any creases, and with a welcoming smile she flung the door open.

"Yo," Ranma greeted with a heartthrob smirk, holding a singular rose, now handing it to her. If someone knew how to make an entrance, it was him. Her eyes widened slightly, surprised, a befuddled expression to say the least; still she reached for the rose. "Nice to meet you, Akari."

"Um," she chuckled softly, pressing the rose against her chest as she took a small bow, "nice to meet you, too." Her cheeks were round and pink, and her dark waves of hair cascaded over her shoulder.

"Well, where did ya' wanna head to first?"

"I'm sorry," Akari said, unconsciously biting her lower lip as she squinted her long eyelashes at him, as if trying to make sense of things, "would you mind telling me your name, again?"

"Uh," he cleared his throat, "Ranma. Ranma Saotome. You're Akari Unryu, right?"

"Yes, that's me," she smiled softly.

He could notice her uneasiness. Had Akane said something embarrassing just to mess with him? Still, he didn't want to go anywhere if she was already this uncomfortable. But what was the problem? "Is...is everything alright?" He inquired, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Had the rose maybe been too much? Was he trying too hard? He definitely hadn't meant to. But he also has that effect on women.

"It's just..." Akari felt squeamish, never been in such a circumstance before. Her hands were holding the stem of the rose a tad too tightly, and with one deep breath she finally said, "I'm deeply sorry," her voice was carefully spoken. She took another bow, deeper than before, never lifting her head as she said, "but I can't go on a date with you."

"Oh." Was he getting rejected? Before he even took her on a date? What was it with these women? "Can-can I ask why?"

She lifted her head back up, straightening herself as she looked left and right, "You're not who I'm interested in."

"Huh?" Who else then?

"That day, when you visited Akane at work, you came with another man."

"Oh." Oh!

"There must have been a mix up when Akane and I talked. But you're all dressed up, and brought me a rose, which was so kind of you! I just..."

"Don't even sweat it," he smirked, scratching the back of his head as she sighed deeply, somehow...relieved. If he were being honest, he was taking her out as a favor to Akane. And although she was a very cute girl, she just wasn't his type. Tsk, look at him rejecting a pretty girl just cause she's not his type. Such a Ryoga move. Ryoga! "W-wait," Ranma chuckled, "are ya' crushing on Ryoga?"

"Ryoga?"

Ranma giggled like a teenaged boy as he quickly took his phone out and began scrolling until finding a flattering photograph of the buffoon. "Is this your guy?"

Akari's eyes widen, beaming with a glowing smile as she nodded enthusiastically, "That's the man I'm supposed to fall in love with."

Ranma chuckled inwardly, wincing at the way she had said the word love so casually. In love was maybe too sudden, but knowing his friend, she maybe was the right fit.

"Would you mind, um...?"

"No problem, here ya' go!" Within seconds the contact was shared, and all Ranma had to do was walk away. No foul, no harm.

"I really do feel bad, you're dressed so nicely."

Ranma shrugged his shoulders, very nonchalant, a sly grin aimed her way as he said, "I'll probably go drop by Akane's."

"Oh," Akari said, pondering aloud as she replied, "isn't she with Shinnosuke tonight?"

"Sh-Shinno-who?" Oh God, he was with that sex-maniac! He tried to stay cool, calm, and get his thoughts together. "Where are they, exactly?"

She eyed him curiously, making her think for a second before she wondered if she wasn't supposed to say anything about Akane's outing. "I don't know." And in all honesty, she genuinely didn't.

"Well," Ranma took a deep breath, "see ya' later, Akari. Call Ryoga," he grinned.

Why did he feel like he was back on square one?

hopfully i won't take as long next time to post :)
thank you for reading