if things go well, i think we've got one more chapter to go, and then we're done! yay! i wrote taro just for fun lol (so he might be a bit ooc, but im hoping fun nonetheless)
if you find any grammatical errors, please let me know!
thank you for reading!
words: 4,361

"Stupid," Ryoga groaned, slamming a fist against his kotatsu table, a mild glare towards Ranma. The bandana wearing man was fuming, noticeably upset across his friend, who seemingly appeared as though he was going to be sick. "Now," he continued, gently rubbing his temple in a sense to try and sooth an upcoming headache, "what did you ask her again? If what...?"

Ranma rolled his eyes, annoyed, and frustrated, too, looking away as he shrugged his shoulders, "I just asked how many guys she's stringing along." Saying it out loud stung his chest, knowing very well he'd fucked up, immensely. Because he knew Akane like the back of his hand, if anything, she was doing anything but. He was just caught up in his own emotions, upset and hot-headed...jealous, if you will.

After Akane had kicked him out, he had knocked on her bathroom door for a moment, insisting that they talk as he tried to apologize, but she just kept shouting things at him and ultimately, he allowed her some space. He had dragged his feet out of her apartment, away from the homely hold she'd enveloped him in and straight to Ryoga's.

He hadn't told him everything; that they had kissed, yes, twice, in a matter of fact. In his bedroom, and then in her apartment. But he wasn't so loose with the details of how much she had craved her, and wanted to devour her once he actually took her in his arms. And how worse he felt in actuality, for suggesting such a ludicrous thing.

Ryoga had been quick to exclaim his congratulations, assuming they were an item, until Ranma shattered his dreams by telling him just how bad he'd shoved his foot down his throat in his idiotic moment of insecurity.

Within seconds, Ryoga's gleeful smile diminish into an exasperated sigh, urging to smack the back of his head frenzy in a way to try and rattle any sort of common sense into him.

"You've got to apologize, like now."

"You don't think I've tried?" Ranma tried to explain himself through her bathroom door, insisting that he just didn't know that she was seeing another guy and it took him by surprise, but they should talk about it. He didn't know if he got his point across, though, because moments later when she opened the door a shampoo bottle boinked off his head, signaling him that it was time to go home.

"Do you even know this guy? Is she...seeing him?"

Ranma shifted uncomfortably, his face twisting as he pondered, realizing that he didn't. The voicemail seemed incriminating enough, although her reaction had been what threw him over the edge, finding her quite nervous. But, no, he hadn't actually gotten real answers as to who this mystery man was.

"You're as stupid as they come, I tell ya'."

"Hey," Ranma growled, his eyebrows twitching as he groaned louder, unable to disagree.

"So, what happens now?"

"I've just...gotta' talk to 'er, 's all."

"Sure, that'll work."

"Got any other bright ideas?"

"I've always said, go big or go home."

"What's that mean?"

"What's my favorite word?"

Ranma offered him a peculiar look, searching his brain for anything, ultimately settling on, "Romance?"

"Exactly. You've gotta' romance her. All a girl ever wants is to feel loved." He smirked all-knowing with his sharp fang, a determined look on his eye.

His friend, contrastingly, had a strange feeling about his plan; but desperate times call for desperate measures.

-:-

Akane was avoiding Ranma completely. To say that she was angry was an understatement; she was livid, fuming just remembering what he had implied. Although, she believed what upset her most had been that he genuinely believed her capable of such a thing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had said anything.

He had called her a senseless number of times, texted her an absurd sum, unable to delete the voicemails he'd left just to hear his voice. He sounded desperate, and ironically it brought a smile upon her lips, although she genuinely didn't want him to suffer...that much. But he was such a goof, the way he'd dig himself into a deeper hole each time he'd call and say something more preposterous humored her.

They didn't get to talk that day, still quite bashful about the whole situation, blushing immensely thinking about the things they've done. She had dived in, submerged herself into demands of her heart rather than her mind. She wasn't supposed to kiss him; at least not until she got solid answers, wondering if that had been his answer.

He kissed her wildly, and god, did she miss him. But when she wanted to make a conversation of the situation, he simply brushed it off. Maybe all he wanted to do was hook up.

The short haired woman had walked into the coffee shop just a few blocks from her apartment, in search of the man she was supposed to be taking out that afternoon. He worked a morning shift that day; having worked the opening shift, he'd get to leave midday, just in time for the lunch special at a steakhouse nearby.

She smiled fondly at the tall man who waved at her, shy as his eyes widen once they noticed her, and it squeezed her heart. She didn't want to hurt him...which was why she needed to end things. They were wonderful friends, and if he'd have her, that's all she wanted from him.

Shinnosuke sat across from her, grilling the woman's pieces of meat for her, quieter than she was accustomed to. She felt her hands get clammy, and her heart was pounding fast against her chest, but she needed to do it. She needed to end things. It wasn't fair to him.

She opened her mouth to speak, closing it after a moment, and ultimaely just managing to call his name, "Shinnosuke..."

He looked up at her, a knowing smile piercing through her heart as he took a deep sigh, "You don't see this going anywhere...do you?"

Akane's eyes widen, watching him with tender eyes as she tensed her shoulders, gently shaking her head. "I really thought...if I tried...I wanted to, but-"

"But Ranma..."

"N-no! I-"

Shinnosuke's soft chuckle interrupting her, taking his eyes back to the sizzling beef, using his chopsticks to flip them around as he said, "I saw that the way he looked at you."

She stayed quiet, rubbing her thumbs together as she looked down at the movement he was doing with the food.

"And I saw the way you looked at him." His eyes darted themselves back up at her, offering her a solemn smile that panged her chest. "I just...had wishful thinking."

"I want us to be friends," Akane interjected quickly, narrowing her eyebrows in worry, but her lips spread wide in a genuine smile. She loved his company, and she just wished that was enough. "Can we be friends?"

He didn't stop smiling, picking at the cooked meats and setting a decent share on her plate and then some on his, before settling on a soft, "Yeah."

-:-

Nabiki smacked her lips slowly as she looked down at her younger sister, asking her to mimic her movements. Akane did, just as she rubbed her lips together, carefully watching the way her sister had done it.

"And," the older of the two grinned with pride as she twirled her vanity chair towards the large mirror, "we're done."

Akane inwardly gasped, stunned at her own beauty. She wasn't foreign to the land of makeup by any means, but Nabiki's skills had morphed her into someone else, and she almost didn't recognize herself. Of course, she looked the same; same eyes, and round cheeks with an elongated neck, except she looked elegant.

Her hair had been styled to push her strands away from her face, pinned away with bedazzled clips she hoped were faux diamonds rather than real ones. If Akane were to lose such jewels, she'd be forever in debt with her older sister. Possibly having to marry Taro just to pay her back.

"You look good, sis," Nabiki smiled widely, and Akane blushed at the way her sister watched her in awe, considering it was usually the other way around. "Let's get you changed; the car Taro is sending for you will arrive any moment now."

Akane had called Taro back the following day after the fiasco with Ranma had occurred; although, the act of calling him was slightly forced (considering Nabiki wouldn't stop checking in). Surprisingly, she and Taro had lasted a decent amount of time on the phone, whirling some sort of nervousness at how comfortable she felt talking to him. His whole persona was completely different when comparing him to the man she had met at the club many nights ago. He was responding with more than one-word answers, and inquiring about her in return. It intrigued her.

"And so, she finally calls me back."

His voice was soft spoken, although stern and confident, saying her name so seductively, provocative, imploring her to somehow get sucked through the phone and make her way to him. God, maybe she did need to get laid.

"I want to see you again. There's this event in which my presence is required...would you like to accompany me?"

Of course, once Akane told Nabiki about said event, it was explained with great enthusiasm that it was in fact not just a party. It was the party; the only access had been having received a personalized invitation or becoming a plus one. Many business men and women gather around and network, while sharing a drink and presenting awards (that, in Nabiki's words, ultimately didn't mean much but feed their egotistic self, having some sort of "leverage" within their social circles).

She was now dressed in a gold sequin gown that draped onto the floor, needing to lift the flared skirt when she walked, finding it quite heavy, with a plunging neckline Akane had initially hesitated against. She wore simple dangling earrings, and one singular bangle bracelet. And before she knew so, she was sitting inside a very posh car, not daring to drink the offered white wine on the way to the party.

Akane had first rejected his invitation, by all means having the intentions of elaborating that she did not have any interest in him romantically...desirable, sure. But by all means, that was all, and even then, she was meaning to cut this dance short. And then Nabiki insisted that she must go. "I would love to go, but I can't. Please, just, enjoy it on my behalf."

What made her uncomfortable had been that she believed him to think this was a date, because in actuality, it was. She had obviously hoped for something less flashy; maybe a nice drink at a local restaurant, now she needed to wait for another date to do the deed. She wouldn't be rejecting him on such a lavish outing.

"You look...beautiful," he complimented, taking her hand to press his lips against her slim fingers.

"You sound surprised."

"Not at all," he smirked. "Just stunned."

Taro had greeted her at the top of the stairs, swiftly swooping her arms into hers, and gently tugging her towards the entrance, where the place was beyond words. There was so much going on; the ballroom was huge, and the decorations consisted of shimmer everywhere. It was absurd. Nabiki would feel more at home; she felt out of place, in a costume, almost. This was definitely not just a party.

He had handed her a drink, and Akane took the tall glass in her hands, smiling widely at him.

"What made you change your mind?"

"Excuse me?" Akane glanced at him, watching him take a measly drink as he watched onto the ongoing gala.

"You had said no, the first time I asked you to accompany me." Taro's eyebrow rose as he was now staring down at her, and even his intense stare made her blush. "And then you called me back."

She shifted uneasily in her stance, tensing her shoulders before shrugging them, "I don't know," she answered truthfully. Although Nabiki had been the one to urge her towards her function, she ultimately didn't have to agree to it. She hadn't known why she allowed herself to get persuaded to such an event.

"Well, thank you for coming."

Akane smiled wider, finding herself asking, "Why did you invite me to such an important...gathering."

"I can't deny I wanted to be seen in the arms of a beautiful woman."

Oh, god. Talk about charming.

She had spent most of the night meeting people she probably wouldn't ever see again. Most of the guest always seemed deferential towards her, respectful, offering her opportunities she wasn't interested in. Mainly because she wouldn't know how to take on those jobs, although they were tempting offers, nevertheless. She didn't have anything to show for any of these things, no portfolios or work history background in such jobs, but they were ready to hand her whatever opening was available. During conversation, she'd mentioned that she enjoyed cooking as a hobby (whether she was good at it, was another story), and one man chuckled hefty towards her, "I've got a restaurant near Nagoya that needs running, if you're interested, swing by." And when she mentioned that she had interest in needlecraft, another man was quick to interject, "I've got some designs that need tinkering. If you're willing, I can send some files your way."

It got a tad...overwhelming.

Taro must've noticed, because soon after he was whisking her away from the crowds towards a quiet area. It was an exterior setup, twinkling lights dangling above them as he took another glass of champagne to hand to her. She sipped on it timidly, not wanting to admit how much she actually liked the drink, finding the bubbly sensation against her tongue delicious.

It was a pleasant evening, for the most part. She was starting to get convinced that Taro was mainly interested in simply having a pretty face to flaunt, considering he seemed to be working. All of the conversations Taro indulged in seemed to be continued discourse from previous times, and he was simply needing updates. And Akane wouldn't join said topics, modestly standing by, or near him, with a glass of champagne or white wine at hand. She'd offer a saying when she deemed it appropriate, mostly finding herself talking with the other women that were accompanying their partners, it seemed.

"Are you always this delightful?"

She smirked, a low chuckle dragging up her throat as she twitched an eyebrow, "Did you think otherwise?"

"We did meet at not the nicest of places."

"You were there, also."

He shrugged his shoulders, looking away with another sip, and she couldn't help notice the way his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. He glanced back down to catch her looking up at him, her eyes large and full of wonder as they were probably a bit too close. Feeling herself get flustered, Akane quickly glanced away, fidgeting in her stance. His loud chuckle brought her attention back to him, "What's so funny?"

"You like me."

Akane gasped, "Wh-what?"

He leaned down, the tip of his nose skimming hers softly, intimately, his cheeky smirk pulling her in as he said, "I think you've got a crush on me."

Why was it so hot, so suddenly? She narrowed her eyes at him, dumbfounded at the way he was being so forward. "Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" She tried to play along, crossing her arms over her chest and take a stance as if she knew what she was saying.

"Yeah. I would."

She gulped nothing in particular, feeling her heat rise from up her neck towards her ears. What did she reply to that?

"I'd also like to kiss you."

"K-kiss?"

She watched him half-lid his eyes, a tender expression built upon his features as he began leaning down, closer and closer until she couldn't tell where her breathing ended and his began. And just as he was striking for the landing, his lips pressed against her soft cheek. Akane had turned slightly, closing her eyes nervously, feeling the prickling sensation at the way he finished kissing her skin before pulling away slowly.

When he did pull away, he stayed leaning, searching her eyes, and all Akane could do was gulp down her glass of alcohol.

"W-would you like another?" He asked, and she couldn't help but nod eagerly, mainly due to her nerves.

Why had she turned? Why didn't she let him kiss her? It's not like it would be the first time. Plus, he was such a good kisser. A great one, in actuality.

In a snap of his fingers, one of the attendants was already standing by them, offering them a platter of more drinks. Taro gently took her empty glass and replaced it with a full one, his face serious, not helping her jitters.

"You don't want to...kiss me?"

"It's- trust me, it's not that." Akane sighed, glancing around as she sipped her drink, wanting to find the proper words. She couldn't reject him here, but she also didn't want to give him false hope. Why was she placed in these circumstances? That's all boys ever did...induce trouble, and mild inconveniences.

She didn't want any of this drama. Not a jealous best friend trying to get her into bed, that she might be in love with. Never wanting to break a nice guy's heart, making her reconsider finding a new coffee shop to frequent. And definitely not a suave, Casanova-like man that seemed to have more power than she assumed. It was no wonder Nabiki wanted his account. She groaned inwardly. Nabiki. She couldn't reject him just yet.

"Then...what is it?"

Akane mindless gulped another glass. She blinked a few times, looking at him, although her vision was beginning to fuzz occasionally. She touched her forehead, why did she feel hot?

"Do I have a fever?" she found herself asking him so suddenly, he just stared at her curiously. Unable to stop herself, her free hand reached for his face, squeezing his cheeks and hauling his face towards hers until she was pressing her face against his. "I feel...hot."

He pushed himself away, gently removing her hold from his chin as he looked down at her with a cocked eyebrow, silently saying, "I think you've had enough to drink." He reached for the glass had had just handed her, but Akane unconsciously went to guzzled what was left of the champagne in one breath.

"Are...are you okay, Akane?" He inquired, guiding her towards a table, sitting her down as he called for another attendant, this time taking the full tray of bite-sized okonomiyaki. He needed to get food into her, guessing she probably hadn't eaten much since they'd arrived. But she seemed calmed, and composed, which was always a good sign.

"I'm..." she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she scrunched her nose, "I guess I've been better." Maybe having a tad too much alcohol was bringing out the honesty in her.

"Anything I can help with?" He was now sitting next to her, his face still seemingly stern, eyeing her with a sharp stare as Akane pondered momentarily. He sure was a good kisser...too bad she didn't want to kiss him. She wished she did. He was beautiful, and appeared as though he had all his life figured out and put together. She wanted to be with a man that knew what he wanted in life. And he wanted her. Unlike Ranma. She didn't even know if Ranma wanted her. Not the way she wanted him.

"You're cute." She smirked, softly and small, enjoying the way he momentarily grinned down at her. "But..." and then she sniffed quietly, groaning lowly as she looked up, feeling her glossy eyes begin to bulge up tears at the corners, "he..."

"Oh." Was all he said, pulling back as he awkwardly looked at her. There was a 'he'. He couldn't help but notice just how beautiful she looked, even as she cried.

"It's so stupid, really."

"What..." he didn't want to ask, if he were being honest. He didn't quite care, but being the gentleman that he was, he had no other option but to continue, "happened?"

"You called."

"Ah."

"He got jealous."

"Boyfriend?"

"No!" She huffed, now seemingly furious as she rolled her eyes. He was looking at her weirdly, a bit intrigued if he were being honest, but she could feel his judgment seeping through her skin as she tried to shrink herself on her seat. "I... think I like him, though?" How was she having this conversation with everyone BUT Ranma? Why was it easier talking to someone, like, Taro, rather than him? Although, she knew.

Akane Tendo was scared of rejection.

"I think I need to take you home, Ms. Tendo."

"But the party's not over."

Taro glanced towards the inside, the way everyone danced about while they continued drinking bottomless glasses of wine and champagne, careless to the world. And then he looked back at her, her pouted face as she furrowed her eyebrows, lost in thought, her mind far away from his. "I've had enough for tonight," he said, pursing his lips in a sense of trying to smile, but somehow unable to.

He rode at the back of the car on the way to her apartment with her, her tipsy state hitting her quite stronger than he had initially thought, considering her wobbly stance almost didn't make it to the car. And as they waited for the car up front, she leaned completely onto him, shamelessly asking, "Can I borrow your jacket?"

She had fallen asleep on the way, nuzzling her cheek against his arm in such a comforting way, he felt himself beginning to get quite flustered. She smelled, rather, nice.

Her phone had kept buzzing, eventually reaching for it, just to snoop. Whoever this person kept calling really wanted to get ahold of her. He stared down at the incoming call, a picture of a man with the word 'IDIOT' in place of his name. He couldn't help but smirk at that.

"Akane," he tried shaking her, but she wasn't waking. Instead, she slapped him. His eyebrow twitched. He understood the hit had been done in her sleeping state, nonetheless, it hurt. With a heavy sigh, Taro got off the vehicle and reached for her limp body to hold bridal style. If he remembered correctly, she had mentioned the third floor on the fifth building. He had no choice but to try every door until one unlocked.

With a tight grip, Taro held Akane against his chest, admiring the way she breathed slightly loudly, her rosy lips parted as she snuzzled her cheek against him. She looked comfortable.

He slowly made his way up the stairs, one step at a time, stopping just as he reached the third floor. In front of him, he couldn't stop the bewildered look on his face when he locked eyed with a familiar man. He was holding a quite large bouquet of red roses, wearing a seemingly enraged face.

"A-Akane?" He asked, carelessly dropping the roses on the floor as he made his way to them in a couple strides. Without waiting for further explanation, he had begun trying to take her away from his arms, and Taro couldn't help but pull away, his eyes sharpy glaring at the pigtail wearing man.

"Who are you?" He demanded, and they both fixated onto each other, throwing daggers that could have killed. Of course, Taro easily recognized him as the nameless contact photo from the incoming call buzzing Akane's phone.

"That's my question," he snarled, once again making his way to try and steal the sleeping maiden from his hold. "Why is she knocked out, what did you do to her, you bastard?" After a moment, Taro allowed Akane to be taken away from his arms, and he couldn't help but notice the way the man brought himself to his knees and began inspecting her face by soothing her cheek. "She's warm."

Taro cleared his throat, "She had a lot to drink." Digging his hands into his pocket, not ready to leave just yet, he said, "You must be the not boyfriend she told me all about." His voice was low, but sharp, and edgy. His eyes were half-lidded, as if not impressed with what he was looking at. "What's your name?"

"What's it to ya'?" he replied after a moment, searching his pockets for the key.

Taro had followed them into the apartment, his arms crossed over his chest, eyeing him in wonder, cautiously. Akane never did tell him the name of the man she was interested in, but it had to be him. He was very clearly interested in her. Not anyone just waited outside your apartment with a bouquet of flowers.

He glanced about the apartment; it was small, the whole space was probably the size of his bedroom alone. She had worn out furniture, and most of her wall ware bare, but he couldn't deny that it felt homey.

After a moment the man came back out, his glare never faltering, softly closing the door behind him.

"Who are you?"

"Voicemail."

"Ex-excuse me?"

Taro smirked, "I'm the one who left the voicemail. The one you didn't misinterpret."

"You mean-"

"I'm very interested in Akane."

"Listen, you-"

"Unfortunately," Taro rolled his eyes, annoyed more than anything, "she seems more interested in you."

Ranma's features soften as he continued to stare at the brunette, his stance never folding. He was tall, and couldn't deny he was a very attractive man. Why was he telling him this? "Did...did she say anything about me?"

Taro snickered, "What am I, your girlfriend? Don't be a coward. Ask her yourself."

Ranma's face soured.

"I will call her tomorrow, nonetheless. Don't freak out." Now he was just being an ass, taunting the man, noticing the way his fists tensed, knowing he probably wanted to punch him. It was reciprocated feeling. And then he was gone.

this chapter kind felt like a filler to me lmao but it was fun to write. pls pls pls let me know what you think, your comments mean sm! again, tysm for reading! again, not beta read, so if there's errors, my bad.