AUTHOR NOTES
Hi there. I wanted to add some notes since the first chapter, but couldn't find a way to do it without pasting them directly in the chapter. I've seen in other fanfictions that's precisely what other authors do, so here we go.
The first thing I wanted you to know is that this is my first fanfiction I've ever written, but not my first work of fiction. It is the first I'm writing in english though. English not being my first language, expect some grammar mistakes and maybe even weird wording, so please bear with me.
I don't have an extended knowledge of japanese terminology, but I'll use it as much as I'm able. Besides, I can't replicate the way Ranma talks with all that slang, so he'll talk more normal than usual. My apologies for all of that.
I highly value your opinion, so please, leave a review so I can know your thoughts and we can discuss about the story. In any case, I deeply thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I hope you enjoy it.
How can two rivals, two sworn enemies, become friends? One could say that's not possible, but it happened to two very well-known martial artists in a place where people ended up getting used to crazy situations. That place was Nerima, a district in the highly populated Tokyo. A district with an unusual high population of unnaturally skilled martial artists.
The story of Ryoga and Ranma began like many others between teenagers, with a feud over some food. Yeah, silly, right? But teenagers were often impulsive, and fight over puny things. That feud turned into rivalry between the two youngsters, and a challenge that never came to fruition, because one of the challengers had a very troubled sense of direction, consolidated a game of cat and mouse. After a travel to China, the rivalry turned to hate, at least for one of the rivals, and they became enemies.
You could say that that was it, one trying to kill the other was a point of no return for them, but the unthinkable was something that happened very often in Nerima. That hate, with time, turned into distrust and some grade of tolerance, even collaboration when it benefited both of them. This way, the two sworn enemies became rivals again, this time over the love of certain hot tempered girl with a tendency to quick violence. But to Ryoga's desperation, this girl, Akane, could only see him as a friend (and in a weird turn of events, as a loved pet). The clash of personalities between Ranma and Akane, however, made very hard for the two of them to get along, and to confess their feelings. Because they loved each other, yes, but due to their own stubbornness and overreaction, they were having a hard time tolerating each other as well. This gave hope to Ryoga, but at the same time enraged him, because he could not stand the way Ranma was treating Akane (he wasn't considering the way Akane was treating Ranma though).
This created plenty of fights and disagreements between the two young martial artists, but after battling together to defeat a powerful prince from a dying dynasty, and some time later, a half-phoenix half-human ruler that nearly killed Akane, their rivalry faded away, and something close enough to friendship started to take form between them. After the fight with Saffron and the wedding fiasco between Ranma and Akane, Ryoga gave up his love for her. He realized that it was a lost cause. And seeing Ranma and Akane together after Jusendo, he saw the love between them, and didn't want to be in their way anymore.
This opened a new scenario between Ranma and Ryoga. They started to spend more time together. Sparring and training of course, but talking too, like would do two friends. Ryoga was astonished. It seems that since their rivalry disappeared and their competition over Akane vanished, they started to find that they had things in common besides martial arts, that they both appreciated, like movies, sports or music. Yes, he could admit now that they were becoming friends, and very quickly. Despite that, he was worried. Something troubled him, and didn't exactly know what it was. He always wanted friends, not to be lonely anymore, and Ranma was a good friend. He started to catch a glimpse of a reason, but that couldn't be, not with Ranma. It had to be something else.
And what about the pigtailed boy? He was realizing the same thing that Ryoga. The Lost Boy was becoming a close friend to him, something he could not have predicted some months ago. With no one he had enjoyed so much a sparring session than with him. He was almost his equal (his pride wouldn't let him admit that they were actually at the same level), and thanks to him, Ranma was now a better martial artist. They loved movies too, agreeing to go one of these days to a theatre to watch a new action movie released recently. They even shared the same taste for music, and though they didn't agree in every genre, they had several in common. For the first time in his life, Ranma had a true friend. One he could trust, one he really was enjoying spending time together, though they still had a fight from time to time, being the two a pair of stubborn mules. But beside that, they were getting along really well. This was so new to him. It scared him a bit, afraid that it could make him soft, distracting him from the art (he heard with his father's voice inside his head). But it felt so right. Having a friend, a real friend, couldn't be something bad, and he didn't know how badly he wanted one until now that he had one, and with the most unsuspected person. Why they started as enemies? Look at them now. Heh, life was funny sometimes.
Time passed. Spring was booming and the weather was offering as many sunny days as rainy ones. It was warmer, and the days were longer as summer was getting closer. Curiously, no more supernaturally powerful enemies appeared in their lives since they defeated Saffron. Just the usual craziness so common in Nerima, with Kuno trying to date Akane and Ranma's girl form (and being pounded for that), fiancées chasing the pigtailed boy, Happosai giving them the usual trouble stealing lingerie, and some weird martial arts challenge from time to time.
Today was a rainy day. It rained during the morning, heavily, and now, close to 5 p.m., the sky was darkened by menacing clouds, but for the moment there was no rain. Ryoga was doing a kata in an empty lot not very far away from the Tendo dojo (he didn't know that though), where he had settled his tent, with his huge backpack inside, and his heavy umbrella resting close to him. He knew very well that rain in Tokyo fell quickly and he had to be prepared, unless he wanted to spend the afternoon as a little black pig. He was finishing the last movements of his kata when he felt a drop hit his head. Not enough to trigger his curse, but very soon there will be more drops, he thought. Without hesitation, he grabbed his umbrella and opened it, sheltering himself under it. Less than a minute later rain was pouring the place. Sighing, he went to his tent and entered inside, careful to not let too much water get in the inner space and over the ground sheet. He left his umbrella outside, and zipped the door of the tent. It was quite dark inside, so he turned on a portable lantern hanging from a hook fixed to the tent's rook.
The rain was pounding the fly sheet, and the sound was a little unnerving to Ryoga. He tried to think of something to forget the rain, at least until it stops. First thing that came to mind was Ranma. That surprised him, but he couldn't help but wondered what his friend would be doing right now. Last time he saw him was a couple of days ago, before he got lost and ended up in this empty lot somewhere in Tokyo (he hoped for to still be in Tokyo). It was during the weekend, and since Ranma didn't have to go to school, they sparred during the morning in the dojo. After that they ate together, along with his father and the Tendos. During the afternoon Ryoga wanted to train somewhere far enough from the dojo so no damage was done to the building or the house, because he intended to practice his Bakusai Tenketsu technique trying to improve it. Ranma went with him, despite Ryoga's excuses to train alone. 'You would get lost and you would be unable to come back for weeks. Besides, I want to improve my Mōko Takabisha too' his friend told him. He was right, of course, so Ryoga capitulated, and the pair of martial artists went together to train to the nearest outskirts area to Nerima. Before getting out of Nerima prefecture, as usually happened with the curse, Ranma was accidentally splashed with cold water from a guy who was spraying his plants with a hose in his front porch, so she spent their training session in her girl form. This was making Ryoga a little worried for the last weeks. He had started to find Ranma's girl form attractive (and who would not, he thought now). Before them getting closer, he never had any of those thoughts about Ranma's female side. He even found the idea of being attracted to the pigtailed boy's female body even disgusting, because under that beautiful form, she was Ranma, his sworn enemy, and a guy to make it worse. But now, he couldn't think like that anymore. He cared for her… him. Now that Ranma had become someone important for him, he didn't felt disgust towards his female form. Quite the contrary in fact. Ranma was gorgeous when transformed into a girl, even adorable. Her body was athletic and well proportioned, with an ample bosom, and her face was one of an angel, so beautiful. He thought often that Ranma was very lucky when he fell in the Nyannichuan instead of falling into a worse cursed pond, like the one he fell into. Not that he wanted to transform into a girl, but surely a better option that to be turned into a black piglet.
Before, he saw the female form of his rival as a disguise, a fake, something that imitated a woman, but that it really wasn't one. Now, he could see only Ranma, and both bodies belonged to them. They both were his, or hers. More so, she…
"Ryoga? Are you there?" he heard a feminine voice calling outside, interrupting his thoughts. His heart jumped a few beats when he realized it was Ranma, in female form. "Ryo! Are you still human? Or did the rain catch you outside?" The zipper of the tent's door started to go down.
Ryoga helped her to finish opening the door. Ranma, very female, with her hair and clothes pretty wet, was squatting at the tent's entrance in front of him holding his umbrella, sheltering herself from the rain. She was panting, but smiled at him when their eyes met. She was so pretty when she smiled, Ryoga thought, blushing a bit ('Why is this happening to me?').
"Almost" Ryoga said. "As soon as the first drops fell I grabbed my umbrella and run inside the tent. It seems you weren't so lucky".
"Yeah man, tell me about it. I was coming here when the rain started pouring everything. Well, not the first time it happens to me, and it won't be the last, you know" Ranma answered while clearing her wet bangs from her forehead. "Can I come in? Your umbrella is quite big, but it's starting to get heavy, and I'd like to sit down and catch my breath. I had to run to not get totally soaked."
"Of course! So… sorry, come on, get inside." Ryoga said waving his hand in an inviting gesture. Why was he nervous? He knew why.
Ranma moved inside the tent, and once inside, she closed the umbrella and drop it outside. Ryoga moved to make more space for her so she could sit down comfortably, and she did in front of him. Ryoga nearly had a nose bleed when he took a look at Ranma. Her wet clothes were stuck to her beautiful and petite body, and her face with her damp bangs falling over her forehead gave her a look of savage beauty. But the most blatant effect of her clothes being damp was that her red shirt was nearly transparent, and really stuck to her breasts, leaving very little to the imagination.
Ranma noticed the look on Ryoga's face, she tilted her head to look down, and realized what the young man was looking at. She flushed intensely and covered her chest with her arms, looking to one side. Ryoga immediately looked away embarrassed, and tried to come up with an excuse.
"I… I swear I wasn't looking on purpose! You have to believe me! I'm sorry" he said still not able to look at her.
"Pervert…" she said without anger in her voice. Then sheepishly turned her head to stare at him in the eye and smiled playfully. The Lost Boy returned the glare and smiled too, his cheeks red as her hair.
"I can give you a dry shirt. I think I have a few stored somewhere in my backpack" said Ryoga browsing in his enormous backpack. Finally, he found the smallest T-Shirt he had, a black one with an eastern dragon serigraphy and 'Get Lost' written in light blue on the front. He gave it to Ranma, who took it thanking him, and she noticed the text on the t-shirt.
"C'mon dude, really?" she said turning the t-shirt so the front would be visible to him.
"What? It's funny, admit it." He replied while grinning.
"Yeah, it is. I didn't know you could laugh at yourself." she replied with a chuckle.
Ranma left the t-shirt on the ground sheet and started to unbutton her damp shirt. As soon as Ryoga saw this he blushed furiously again, and turned away, sitting down facing the opposite direction.
Ranma smiled again and continued to remove her wet shirt. Ryoga, always the gentleman, she thought. He was so cute when he was blushing and acting timidly.
'Did I really thought that?' she told herself. If something like that had gone through her mind some months ago, she would had slapped herself for thinking something so unmanly, but since she started to have these new feelings for Ryoga, it didn't seem so wrong to her. In any case, it was just a compliment to a friend, from a friend. Friends do that, right?
When she finished putting the t-shirt on, she tapped Ryoga's shoulder and added: "you can look now, heartbreaker".
"Oook." The Lost Boy turned carefully, remembering how she tricked him a long time ago during one of their battles where he sided with Mousse. He would love to be tricked now, he thought, not without some shame. To his light disappointment, Ranma was wearing his t-shirt, and was sitting in the same place, waiting for him to turn and face her.
"I nearly forgot the reason I came looking for you." she said smiling. "I was thinking that we could go to the theatre in Toshimaen station, and watch that movie we talked about."
"Right now? It's raining Ranma" he wanted to watch that movie, but heavy rain was a big reason of concern for him.
"I think it has stopped" she said, staying silent for a moment. Ryoga imitated her, and yeah, he couldn't hear any rain hitting the fly sheet of his tent. "Anyway, you can bring your umbrella, just in case. Look Ryo, I had a fight with Akane, a big one, and I don't want to be there for a good while. Come on man, we'll have some fun. I need to get distracted, to get away from that madhouse, and a good movie might just be the perfect solution" she ended with a smile and a very feminine pleading look in her eyes.
Ryoga flushed one more time at that look, a look he couldn't resist. "Ok, ok, a movie would be great" he said laughing. "But you're right, I'll bring my umbrella just in case, unless you want to argue with the guy in the ticket office about getting inside of a theatre with a piglet."
Ranma laughed out loud. "Yeah, that would be a bummer" she said winking at him.
The two martial artists got out of the tent and looked at the sky. It was grey, but it didn't look too menacing. Ten minutes later, with the tent and the heavy umbrella packed in Ryoga's gigantic backpack, they were heading to Toshimaen Station, walking side by side, and chatting of inconsequential things. Then, in a crossroad, Ryoga turned to the right and started to get away from Ranma when she noticed and called him.
"Hey Ryo! That's not the way!" she yelled. Ryoga realized how close he was of getting lost again, and walked towards Ranma, who was waiting him with her hands of her hips. "Come on, the movie will start soon and we can't risk you getting lost" she said and grabbed his hand, resuming walking in the right direction.
Several people were staring at the young pair with approving looks, and Ryoga was really self-conscious of how much they looked like a couple. A couple on a date. A date with Ranma. The idea would have cringed him months ago, but now, it didn't bother him at all. Just he couldn't help to feel embarrassed for being the focus of so many glares.
Ranma did notice the stares too, but interpreted them differently from Ryoga. "I must look like a crazy granny with these clothes and my hair all messed up and wet" she thought, while trying to comb her hair with her hand. "Wait, what's wrong with me? Anyone who could hear me would think that I'm speaking like a girl." However, the looks were not disapproving, but quite the contrary. "Now that I consider it, I'm a girl right now, so it shouldn't be wrong to think about that, right? I'm just a regular girl, walking with a regular boy to go to the theatre, holding hands… oh crap".
Ranma looked at Ryoga, and though he seemed to be a little nervous, there was no concern on his face. He looked back at her. Something is troubling her, thought Ryoga. Probably she reached the same conclusion as him. He should try to ease her concern.
"Don't pay them any attention. If you want, I'll let go your hand and follow you closely" said Ryoga with a comforting smile.
She seemed to calm down a bit. "No way pal, if you get lost we will miss the movie, and it's starting in 20 minutes. Don't worry, it's ok. I don't mind." she said returning the smile and giving a light squeeze to his hand.
Soon they were at Toshimaen, and walked towards the theatre's entrance. The ticket office was just by the main entrance, and there was a short line of people buying tickets. They waited their turn, and there was an awkward silence between them. Ranma had a thoughtful look on her face. Ryoga had an idea about what could it be. Breaking the silence, he asked her.
"I thought things were going better between you and Akane, you know, after Jusendo and all that. Why you keep fighting?
"I.. I don't know. I thought that too, but we can't talk to each other like civilized people. We end up saying something the other finds offensive and the fight starts. I'm tired of this, I'm tired of the engagement, and I'm tired of everyone taking decisions, decisions about my future, don't giving me a chance to have a say about them." Ranma tilted her head to look the floor. A sad expression in her gaze.
Ryoga felt an ache in his heart. He could feel nothing but sympathy for the redhead that was in front of him. His own life was not easy, always getting lost, being alone so much time. But at least he had the final decision over his future. Even despite the fact that he barely saw his parents because they constantly got lost too, he knew they would never impose their will to him, like Ranma's parents were doing to her. He couldn't believe that some time ago he thought that Ranma had a great life, especially compared to his, with all those fiancées fluttering around him. He was wrong, but hate had clouded his judgment.
"I'm sorry that they're putting you through all this, Ranma. It's not fair. I wish I could do something to help you" he said, staring at the pretty redhead with frustration in his eyes.
Ranma raised her head to look at her friend and smiled at him. "You're already doing more than enough, big guy. Being here now helps a lot, believe me." She said while resting one of her petite hands on his shoulder. Ryoga felt butterflies inside his belly when she touched him with such a close gesture.
The line kept advancing and finally it was their turn. They had to leave the conversation for later. They looked at the screens where all the movies were listed until they found the movie they wanted to watch. They purchased two tickets, and after Ryoga payed for both of them (Ranma didn't argue), they headed to the food booth. There they picked a big bucket of popcorn and a soda drink for each one. Ryoga wanted to pay for both again, but this time Ranma refused and payed her part. This was looking enough like a date to let him pay everything for her, she thought.
The room where the film was going to be projected was located following a long hallway to the end and turning right. Ranma had an eye on Ryoga just in case he tried to go in the wrong direction, despite the path being pretty straight forward. Luckily, he was being very careful to follow her lead without getting behind. Once they were in the room, they looked for their seats and sat down, willing to enjoy a good action movie for the next two hours.
One hour and fifty minutes later, the two martial artists were exiting the theatre, exchanging their impressions about the movie. It was dark already, and the streets were brightly illuminated by the numerous streetlights and shops colourful signs.
"I think it could have been better, but at least it was funny. The action was totally crazy" Ranma told to Ryoga, making circular moves with her finger beside her head.
"Yeah, absolutely crazy, but it gave me a few good laughs. And it was entertaining. The martial arts choreography was really good. It reminded me of the old Jackie Chan movies" explained the Lost Boy while smiling and imitating some of the moves shown on the movie.
"Yeah, you're right. Shame the plot was a bit lame" she told him making a grimace. Then her expression softened. "Thanks Ryo. I really needed this" she was looking at him with gratitude in her eyes, blushing a little. To Ryoga, at that moment, she had the most adorable face in the world, and his cheeks turned to intense red at the thought. This didn't go unnoticed to Ranma, who grinned. Again, that cute look.
"N.. no problem. What are friends for?" he replied sheepishly while scratching the back of his head. "Should we return home? It's way past dinner time, and you must be hungry."
"You're right. It's late, and we should eat something, but I don't wanna go to the Tendo's yet. Why don't we dinner somewhere along the way back home?"
"Yeah, sure. Good idea. Do you know of a good place? I know a few food stands around here, but I wouldn't be able to find them. I always stumble upon them by pure chance when I get lost." Ryoga admitted.
"I know a good one. They sell takoyaki and ramen with curri. It's not far from here" she said pointing with her arm extended in a specific direction. "C'mon, they should still be open".
Ranma grabbed Ryoga's hand again, who at this point didn't worry anymore about the stares, and she led him to the precious food stand.
After several minutes walking, they were sitting in a couple of stools at the front of the takoyaki food stand. The stand was pretty small, with little more space than the necessary to accommodate the mini kitchen, the different compartments with the ingredients to make the food, and with a side door for the clerk to get in and out of the place. The clerk was an old man with a thin moustache and a tired but kind expression. When they arrived, the old man took a look at them and grinned, thinking what a nice couple they made.
They ordered ramen with curri for both of them, and after a few minutes, they were eating the delicious meal with their chopsticks. At the Tendo's, during meals, Ranma had to fight with her father for the food every day. She hated that habit of his. Kasumi always made plenty of food for everyone, but Genma was a selfish bufoon. Always trying to take advantage of everyone. Right now, it was just Ryoga with her, and she didn't have to worry about him stealing her food, so she took it easy, and ate slowly, enjoying the food. Ryoga noticed this, and smiled.
They didn't say too much while eating, just a few more comments about the movie, and how they would improve it had they been the directors. When they finished eating, they left the food stand and headed towards the empty lot where Ranma had found Ryoga. She grabbed again the Lost Boy's hand, to make sure he didn't honour his nickname. It was starting to become a natural gesture. They entered a small park with a zone with swings for the children and a few fountains for the people to drink. Bushes were more predominant than trees in the place, which in sunny days would not offer too much protection from the sun. It was past 8:30 p. m. and the park was moderately lit by several streetlights. No people could be seen here. Something odd, but not unthinkable, considering how late it was.
When they were passing the swings zone, Ranma stopped and spoke to her friend, who stopped by her side.
"You don't have to spend the night in that empty lot. You know it, right? You can stay at the Tendo's with us. You're always welcome there, and you can sleep in the dojo. Or I can kick Pops' ass out of our room and you can sleep there with me." Ryoga started to sweat at that last option. He had slept many times with Ranma, but since he started to have these sentiments for her, he couldn't do it anymore without feeling nervous.
"I know. And you know I wouldn't mind, but I don't want to risk to transform and Akane finding me. Like I told you, I'm done with P-Chan. It's not fair for her, nor it's fair for you. Besides, I'm not in love with her anymore, and that makes it worse… No. Thank you, but no. I'll stay in my tent at the empty lot. We can meet again tomorrow." Ryoga ended, trying to comfort the redheaded girl.
"You know the same as me that as soon as you walk away from that lot you'll get lost, and, who knows how long will be until you find your way back?" said the pigtailed girl, disappointment in her voice.
Ryoga put a hand on her shoulder, trying ease the girl's fears. Was this the cocky and self-confident martial artist he had always known? There must be something else that is troubling her, so he asked.
"Ranma, is something wrong? I know you, this is not like you. And I'm sure it's not just the fights with Akane. What's the problem?"
The redheaded girl sighed and looked to one side. After a few moments of silence, she spoke. "My parents and mr. Tendo want to arrange another wedding ceremony. If Akane is as pissed as I am with all this, she doesn't show it, and… and I don't want to marry, Akane or anyone right now, but nobody cares about what I think."
A glimpse of tears was starting to form in the corners of her eyes. Ryoga could feel her pain, her frustration about a situation that was out of her control. Again, he felt that ache in his heart.
"I do care." he said after a few seconds. Then he did something his senses were warning him not to do, but he couldn't stop. His feelings for her were too strong. He was now sure of it. He lifted her chin softly with his hand, and looked her in the eye. Ranma's sapphire blue eyes met his with a startled expression, not sure if she should let him do this.
"I.. I know" was all she could reply. She was blushing furiously.
Then, Ryoga closed the space between them, closing his eyes slowly, his lips seeking hers. She knew she had to do something, put a stop to this, but didn't do what she expected. Instead of pounding the Lost Boy and sending him into orbit, she closed her eyes too, she moved so her lips could meet his, and they locked in a affectionate but deep kiss. He moved his hands to hold tenderly her cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning softly, not wanting to let him go.
There was no turning back. They had crossed the line, a line drawn by her family, by society prejudices, by fear to what wasn't traditional. Ranma was raised to be an example of manliness, a Man Among Men, and here she was, kissing a man with desperation, with passion, in female form. She didn't care anymore. She was sick of not having control over her own life, sick of acting as her father expected her to be, sick of being afraid of that stupid seppuku contract. She couldn't stand it anymore. The man in front of her, who not so long had been her mortal enemy, was now a dear person to her, a close friend, her closest friend. She cared for him, she valued his company, she.. loved him. Yes, now she could admit it. She loved this man, a man who had risked his life for her, who once protected her in her weakest moment, while every other rival was taking advantage of the situation. They were still rivals at that moment, but he was the only one who defended her, who did not seize the opportunity to finish her for good. Even after that, he aided her to learn the Hiryu Shoten Ha, a technique which let her regain her strength. Yes, this was a man she could trust with her life, she could share her life with, she could count on to endure the adversities that awaited her, now that she had challenged so many preconceptions and plans set on her behalf, without asking her whether she liked them or not.
They parted their lips to recover some air, so long they had been kissing. Ryoga looked at her blue eyes, her beatiful blue eyes, and caressed her cheek, smiling to her. She hesitated for a second, but finally returned him the smile. Everything seemed so right now. He had left behind the doubts, the prejudices, his self-imposed limitations, the fear of being rejected. He was like in a dream, one of those dreams you don't want to wake up. So this is love, he thought, true reciprocated love. With no one he had experienced this feeling, not with Akari for sure, but not even with Akane. He had loved her, but she never returned him her love, she could only see him as a friend. Now, he could see that sought after love in Ranma's eyes; true, honest, selfless. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel alone. He had someone now, someone who would never leave him behind. A person who cared for him, and whom he cared for.
"You have not kicked my ass, so I guess that's a good sign." Ryoga almost whispered to her, still caressing her cheek.
"I've considered it for a moment, but you're a good kisser, and I didn't want you to stop." she said almost whispering too, a mischievous smirk on her lips, while moving her hands to his hips.
Ryoga's face turned serious, but with a warm and kind expression in his eyes. "I love you Ranma. I love you more than I've ever loved anybody else. I'm certain now. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it." he said getting lost in her stunning sapphire like eyes.
She was smiling at Ryoga's declaration, and then her eyes showed a firm determination. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I love you too. I always wanted to be your friend, but we kept fighting, arguing. But when it really mattered, you helped me, even protected me. And since Saffron, you've been the best friend I could ask. You've been there when I really needed you Ryo, and I'm happier when I'm with you. Yeah, I love you dammit."
Ranma closed again the distance between them. She yearned for his lips, and he offered them to her unconditionally, she letting out a moan when their lips touched. This kiss was more passionate, more wild, and she slid her tongue into Ryoga's mouth, asking for his. She wanted to taste him, to show him how much she loved him, and he complied, touching her tongue, timidly at first, but after a few seconds, they were rubbing each other, toying in a game of passionate fire. She raised her hand to stroke Ryoga's hair, feeling his black locks of hair between her fingers. His hands were caressing Ranma's hips slowly, her skin under his fingers through the black t-shirt he gave her a few hours ago. The burning game continued until they needed air again, and they parted their lips once more, not without a grunt of disappointment. They were panting, gasping for air, their foreheads touching while they stared at each other.
Ranma was still moving her fingers through Ryoga's hair, her other hand was resting over his strong chest. Her touch was delicious, making him feel a little giddy. Meanwhile, he slid his hands to caress the small of her back, delineating every curve he was touching. He wanted to memorize her body with his touch.
"Wow." She finally said. "You know, I could get used to this. You're a natural."
"You're not bad too. You're the first g.. person that I ever kissed, and it's been amazing" Ryoga said while smirking lightly.
"Girl. You can say it. I don't mind. Right now it's what I am." She said sheepishly, putting some distance between their faces, but not averting her gaze from him. "Wait a minute, you mean you never kissed Akari? What kind of girlfriend is that?" Ranma was perplexed. She assumed that, at least, they would had got that far.
"I'm asking myself that question as well". said Ryoga looking down. "I guess we never actually connected. She was obsessed with pigs, which, as you would understand, made me really uncomfortable. And she was really hesitant to any physical contact beyond some hugs and holding hands. That's why I didn't visit her too often. I preferred to spend time here in Nerima, with you." He smiled at her, and she returned the smile, her cheeks turning pink.
Ryoga kissed tenderly Ranma's forhead, and embraced her, with great care, but firmly. He wanted to be like this with her forever, not wanting to think about the consequences their new relationship will bring. Ranma's arms moved to wrap his back, in response to his embrace, holding him tight, giving him a light squeeze, and resting her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes, and wondered how she was going to tell Akane about this, or her parents. They knew they'll have to fight to keep what they had now between them, but this time, they will do it together.