"You're going, you're wearing it, and that's final," said Ranko, stubbornly crossing her arms as she strategically blocked the door.

Akane huffed. "You know you can't force me to attend, right?"

Ranko narrowed her eyes at her as if to say, wanna bet?

"Please, girls," said Nodoka, speaking gently and reasonably, even as she shot the tiniest of warnings in her daughter's direction.

The fact that she was here at all was proof of how serious Ranko was taking this odd mission. She knew Akane could turn her down. But her mother?

It was tactfully unfair. It was something Nabiki would've come up with!

"We're only asking you to attend a small ball, dear," her Auntie continued. "I understand your hesitation, of course, but this is Ranma's big night. I'd feel so much better if I knew there was another girl there capable of rescuing him should things turn sour."

"He hardly needsmeto rescue him," said Akane, though her resolve started to crack under the matriarch's pleading gaze. "I mean, it's just a dance, isn't it? What could possibly go wrong?"

Ranko snorted in a very unladylike manner. "Do you know my brother at all?"

"What Ranko means to say is that my husband hasn't quite been honest about the ball's purpose this year, dear. You see, it's an engagement ball."

Akane's chest tightened in response. "W-wait. What?"

"So, you see, Akane, it would truly put my heart at ease to have his oldest and dearest friend by his side should any potential suitors get, shall we say, a mite desperate? Ukyo and Ryoga will be there, of course, but I'm afraid they won't be able to handle them all."

"It'll be a free-for-all. Just you watch," Ranko added with a firm, knowing nod.

Akane put a hand to her forehead, her mind reeling as she tried to make sense of what she'd been told.

Ranma was going to be engaged? Tonight?

A small voice in her head cried, No! No! No! which she immediately tried to quiet. Although she couldn't stop thinking, Why? Why now?

Had Ranma known all this time? He'd mentioned before that this ball would be different—had he tried to tell her outside the conservatory before she freaked out and ran away?

"I'm sorry," said Nodoka softly. "I know that's a heavy burden to lay on you. If you'd rather not. . ."

"No!" said Akane quickly, firmly, before realizing what she was saying. She may have been avoiding Ranma lately, but she couldn't leave him to the wolves! "I'd be happy to help, Auntie. You've both been so wonderful and understanding, it's the least I can do. Really, I don't mind."

"Wonderful!" She said, clapping her hands together gaily.

"Told you you'd wear it," Ranko bragged as she successfully shoved the dress into Akane's hands, who reluctantly took it. "Pretty, huh?"

"I guess," Akane told her. She was just glad the dress wasn't flashy or gaudy. It was a beautiful shade of midnight blue, with a cascading skirt of chiffon and lace sleeves that looked as soft as clouds.

She wouldn't turn many heads, not with her body in it, but she thought it would be hard for Ranma to ignore her outright, either.

N-not that she wanted his attention or anything! She'd been doing her very best to keep her distance from him, to draw a line she was determined not to cross. And every time she felt her resolve cracking, she'd remember her humiliating loss from a month ago and strengthen her will.

This was no time for romance! Even though. . .

"I-I guess it is pretty," she allowed softly as she fingered the delicate material, smiling quietly to herself.

Maybeonenight wouldn't hurt.

Of course, she had no intention of stopping his engagement—she didn't have the right—but maybe she could help vet them a bit if he wanted.

"You'll look lovely, dear," Nodoka replied as she wiped away a stray tear.

"Of course, she will! Leave it all to me," Ranko told them as she rubbed her hands together gleefully. "Now, let's get you ready for the ball!"

…

That's it, Ranma was going to KILL his old man. Of all the dumb, crazy, idiotic—

"Thanks, but I'm all mingled out," he said again, refusing another dance by one of his many hopeful bride-to-be's.

How many was that now?

Ten? Fifteen? He wasn't sure, but he was starting to lose count. Rejection was exhausting!

"Geez, Stallion, save some mingling for the rest of us," Pantyhose joked, despite having Shampoo hanging off his arm.

Usually, that nickname would call for a beating. But now, there was someone Ranma wanted to kill MORE. . .

Again, he stared at the giant, hideous banner his father had erected. Flanked on both sides by a bevy of colorful balloons, it hung at the front of the ballroom directly above his parent's thrones. In huge, bold lettering, it read:

Prince Ranma's Bridal Ball
(If you're single, come and mingle!)

Yeah. On second thought, maybe his pops deserved to be kept alive and tortured first: Killing would be a mercy.

"Huh. I know that look," Ukyo observed dryly. "But please, do us all a favor and kill your father AFTER the ball."

"Yeah," said Ryoga. "Don't ruin the party for the rest of us, you jerk!"

Ranma thought the party was already ruined. He still hadn't seen any sign of Akane, and any minute now, it felt like his father would call him over and announce his marriage to one of the weirdos milling about instead.

Not that Ukyo cared.

His friend could give a shit about his love life. Even dressed in a pretty mauve dress of her own, Ukyo remained a force to be reckoned with.

Still, on duty, her sword had been fashionably strapped to her hip, a sword she withdrew now, sending quite a few of his suitors scrambling. But rather than put it to good use—like using it to scare away more of his potential brides—Ukyo smacked Ryoga's leg with the dull edge of her blade and seethed, "You're here to work, jackass. Not hit on girls!"

"I can do both," Ryoga complained, even though she really had nothing to worry about. Ryoga had zero game. He could barely look at another girl, let alone talk to one.

"Not without a head, you can't," she reminded him. For a second, even Ranma was nervous. But rather than do the smart thing, like grovel, Ryoga merely squeaked in terror and quickly hid behind Ranma, using his princely body as a human shield.

"Hey!" Ranma groused. "Just who's supposed to be guarding who here?!"

"Oh, shut it! Like anyone would miss you!"

"Man, talk about pathetic."

Ranma was secretly grateful for the distraction, though—all this dumb drama kept his thoughts from spiraling. So far, the only good thing about tonight was the Kuno sibling's notable absence—he'd had nightmares about his father hitching him to Kodachi for weeks.

Given a choice, he'd rather marry a duck.

But since his father was unpredictable, petty, and selfish, Ranma knew better than to let his guard down. If the daft old king realized his son was gunning for a clumsy, stubborn imperial guard wannabe and not someone rich or royal—well, there'd be hell to pay. He might use Kodachi as punishment anyway.

(He could try.)

If things fell through with Akane, or worse, she never even bothered to show up, Ranma had decided on a backup plan . . . he may have agreed to get engaged tonight, but he never promised to STAY that way.

Loopholes were a guy's best friend.

Especially if he was a noble.

Of course, Ranma needn't have worried. As the colossal ancient doors creaked open for the hundredth time that night, his sister and Akane finally walked in, and the relief he felt nearly sent him to the floor.

"Ranko sure knows how to make an entrance," Ukyo said with a chuckle. "Talk about being fashionably late—the party started hours ago!"

Yeah, but who cared about his dumb sister? It was Akane he had eyes for.

As the tomboy walked boldly into the ballroom, dressed to kill, what little determination and confidence Ranma had conjured while putting on his formal wear crumbled and died.

Akane hadn't even seen him yet, and he was already a goner.

Cute didn't do her justice. She looked beautiful.

Even with all the flashy, extravagant gowns surrounding him, they were rags by comparison. Decked in sparkling sapphire just like him, Akane looked like a starry night, the perfect backdrop for the silver dragon on his shoulder to take off and soar. A thin hairband of silver stars completed the look, woven through her short locks, making her look like she'd stepped down from the stars themselves.

Unsurprisingly, he couldn't look away, and to his irritation, he was far from the only one. Already, a small crowd of guys had started surrounding Akane and his sister, and Ranma's blood began to boil. Something primal and instinctive screamed, mine!

But before he could storm over there, suddenly, Ranma found himself shoved from behind.

"You going to stand there like an idiot all night?" his father asked, slapping him on the back. "Get out there and dance, boy!"

Ranma glared at his father, temporarily forgetting where his feet had been headed. "And if I don't?" he shot back, instinctively, fighting against anything his father suggested.

"Then you'll have no right to complain when I finally choose a girl for you. I certainly don't see your pick milling about! If you've already chosen, she should be there by your side!"

"Perhaps she only just arrived," his mother suggested sweetly as she patted Ranma lightly on the hand. Her lips hinted at a smile as she added: "My, but doesn't Akane-chan look lovely tonight?"

Genma scoffed and turned his son in the other direction. "Now there's a woman," he said, pointing at an allied kingdom's unwed heir—one twice his age, with a long curled nose and an obnoxious laugh. Not as grating as Kodachi, but it was up there.

"Now, now, Genma-dear," said his mother as she wrapped her hand around his father's arm and gave him an indulgent smile. "Ranma can pick out a bride just fine without our help. Let's leave him alone to socialize."

Not about to argue with his wife, the king allowed himself to be led away, but not before giving his son a final grim warning. "Decide by the end of the night, boy. Otherwise, I will."

"Fine," Ranma muttered, and as soon as they'd disappeared back into the crowd, he turned back to see how the tomboy was faring.

He half-expected to see the floor littered with bodies by now, but to his frustration, she actually seemed to be enjoying the attention. Despite all that personal space they were invading, she hadn't punched a single one of them out yet.

What the hell was she waiting for? What was the point of all that extra training if she wasn't gonna USE it?!

"Oh," said Ukyo slyly. "So the green-eyed monster does exist."

"I don't know, he looks more blue-eyed and kinda pissed off if you ask me," quipped Ryoga.

"Nobody asked you," Ranma countered.

"You know, you could always ask her to dance," Ukyo reminded him dryly. "It is sort of what we're here for, 'Sug."

"Dance with that klutz?" Ranma scoffed, embarrassed at being read so easily and by those two numbskulls, at that. "I have better things to do than get my toes crushed by an uncoordinated elephant."

"Really? Because Shinnosuke doesn't seem to mind. . ."

At the mention of the other boy, Ranma's eyes immediately sought out the tomboy. And Ukyo was right. Despite thinking Akane didn't even know how to dance, she was doing an excellent job keeping the love-struck sap's attention directly on her face; she was smiling brightly as the music played, and before he knew it, the green-eyed monster had roared to life.

"Oh-ho, jealous?" Ranko nettled after finally escaping her admirers. "I did a pretty good job, huh?"

"Too good," he muttered as he decided two could play that game.

Spotting a cute girl nearby, Ranma grabbed her hand, said, "Let's dance," and led her to the dance floor (because, really, who would be stupid enough to refuse him?). After that, the instrumental music became mere background noise as he expertly maneuvered them so they were dancing right next to the tomboy.

It was infuriating that it took her more than ten seconds to notice him, but when their eyes finally met, her pretty brown eyes widened in surprise.

"R-Ranma?"

"Well," he observed tightly. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

Feeling slighted, his partner slid closer, as if trying to remind him she was there. "I know I am," she whispered, her voice low and sultry.

Akane saw and sent him a look that could kill.

"So do you," she replied dryly, her eyes narrowed on his partner. "I certainly don't envy you, Your Highness. It looks like you have a tough decision ahead of you."

"Not that tough," he told her before addressing Shinnosuke directly. "Sorry, but I'm gonna have to cut in for a 'sec." The other boy looked bewildered as Ranma passed him his partner, and grabbing Akane by the wrist, swapped the two girls out.

Without a backward glance, Ranma led the tomboy away, still dancing.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Akane protested, even as her arms settled naturally into position, her gloved hand fitting perfectly into his own.

"Isn't it obvious?" he asked her, raising an eyebrow. "Dancing."

She scoffed, avoiding his eyes. "If that's what you want to call it."

"Considering that broom-boy had two left feet, I'm not surprised you can't tell the difference," he told her. "Anyway, you both looked happy. When's the wedding?"

"Unlike you, Ranma, I'm not about to shackle myself to someone for the rest of my life just because they can move their feet to music."

He grinned. "You jealous?"

"Hardly."

When she didn't take the bait or get angry like he wanted, Ranma frowned. "It's not like I have a choice, you know," he told her, defensive. "This was all my stupid old man's idea. If I don't choose someone tonight, he's going to choose someone for me."

He didn't mention he'd been given a month—a fat lot of good that had done.

"Then why are you wasting your time with me?" she demanded, though Ranma didn't miss how her lips trembled, how her voice shook as she promptly withdrew her hands. "I couldn't care less who you marry. I only came to keep the foxes away!"

Following that nonsense, the dummy turned and started back towards his sister—at least she didn't head back towards Shinnosuke.

Not that it mattered.

Ranma stopped her after a single step.

"Akane, wait," he implored, right in the middle of the dance floor. He didn't care that everyone was watching, even his father. Something told him this was his last shot.

If she walked away now, he was screwed.

Akane, noticing the unwanted attention, flushed in mortification. "Dummy," she hissed as she glanced nervously about the room and tried to pull her hand away. "Let go! Everyone's watching!"

"Yeah. Sorry 'bout this."

Ignoring her protests, Ranma began to drag her off the dance floor and towards a quiet place where they could talk.

He didn't feel too guilty about it—he had been watching her train for over a month. If the tomboy wanted to get loose, she'd get loose.

Luckily, the ballroom was full of private alcoves hidden in secret nooks, but Ranma's favorite place was one of two corner balconies. The one farthest away. It was secluded and quiet and had a curtained door to keep the others away.

Once they'd crossed the threshold, Ranma closed the door and drew the curtain, trusting Ryoga and the others to bar the other side so they could have some privacy.

"Sorry," he said again as he stepped away from the door with his hands in the air. "I just, I needed to talk to you and this was the only way."

"And you had to do this NOW? In front of everyone?!"

"I would've done it earlier if you hadn't been AVOIDING me all week!" he snapped, and at least Akane had the good sense to look guilty. Which she tried to hide by looking away.

"I-I had my reasons," she muttered.

"I figured," he said, running a hand through his hair, nervous but determined. This time, he took a long, deep breath, preparing himself.

He'd thought long and hard about how to approach this, and that drunken night was his best bet. "First of all, look. You've probably already realized this, but something did happen that night," he told her, blurting the words out, anxious to get them off his chest. "When you were drunk after the initiation party, you did kiss me. . ."

Watching her reaction, or better yet, lack of one, only confirmed what he'd suspected all along—she knew.

She hadn't even looked surprised.

"Sorry," she muttered, her face a healthy shade of red as she glanced at the floor again with a sigh. "I didn't mean to. I-I never drank before. I didn't know how I'd react."

Ranma filed that information away for later. He knew so little about her already that the bits and pieces she did reveal he selfishly hoarded away like a treasure.

"Is that why you've been avoiding me?" he asked, realizing that maybe this was never about their moment outside the garden, after all. "You were embarrassed about that kiss?"

"W-what? No! Of course not," she told him, but the way she stumbled over her words, still purposely avoiding his eyes, made him wonder.

Could it really be that simple?

Man, he hoped so.

Deciding it was time to take a leap, Ranma leaned towards her, trying to catch her eye. "Really?" he pressed, quiet and teasing, as her face grew more and more red by the second. "Cause it definitely looks like you're blushing. . ."

His playful accusation deepened her rosy flush, and she weakly protested, "T-that's not; it's not because of that!"

"Uh-huh. Sure," Ranma teased as he settled back to give her more space. Putting his hands casually behind his head, he feigned indifference. "You know, it's nothing to get embarrassed about—loads of girls want to kiss me. It's not like I blame you."

He chanced a shy, quick look in her direction, only to find her staring back with wide, surprised eyes as she hung on his every word.

Great! He must be getting through to her!

"Sure, it was kinda cowardly, doing it while drunk," he continued, getting more confident as he turned his gaze to the night sky. "But seriously, I get it. It's not every day you get to kiss a Prince—especially one as good-looking as me. And getting drunk was the perfect excuse! But like I said, I'm fine with it, so don't let it eat away at you, alright?"

Proud of how responsible he was being, Ranma bravely caught her eye again and frowned. Oh. She did not look happy. If looks could kill, Ranma would be sushi.

"First of all," Akane told him as she poked him in the chest with her finger, making him stumble back a step or two. "I wasn't avoiding you because I was embarrassed, Ranma. I thought you might feel uncomfortable with what happened. I was trying to be nice. And second—"

"Wait, so you do remember kissing me then?" he pressed, latching onto that tidbit in triumph. "Ha, I knew it!"

"T-that's not the point, dummy!"

"Sure it is! If you remember, then there's no point in beating around the bush. You can own up to it and take responsibility!"

"Responsibility?"

"For me," he told her, as his carefully planned confession somehow morphed into this—whatever this was. "It's only fair, right? I have to take a bride tonight, so I guess, if there's no one else, then . . . yeah. You'll do."

The look on Akane's face was almost comical. Her mouth hung wide open like a fish, like she didn't know quite what to say. "Ranma. . ."

"It's just a thought," he hastened to assure her, afraid he'd overplayed his hand. "It could be in name only, even. I'm not saying you HAVE to marry me. We can just be engaged. For a little while. Get to know each other, maybe. . ."

At some point during his spiel, he'd lost his nerve and stopped looking at her. But now he raised his head, braving another glance, feeling strangely vulnerable. "It's not the worst idea, is it? This way, everyone's happy."

Finally, he'd gotten the words out—he thought. It was kinda touch-and-go there for a minute. But now, all he could do was wait. So he watched her, his heart in his throat.

Akane looked shell-shocked, like she wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Ranma. Your Highness," she corrected, strangely formal, her voice steady. "Even if I—if I did feel that way about you, I can't marry you. I-I'm sorry. . ."

As soon as she started talking, Ranma had schooled his expression. The rejection itself wasn't surprising—he'd expected to have to do some convincing. But he was stuck on that one odd line.

Even if I did feel that way about you. . .

He might not be all that experienced with love, but Ranma could recognize jealousy; he'd tasted it himself often enough this past month to know it instantly in someone else. And all those angry, jealous glares Akane had thrown his way couldn't be anything else.

Hell, he'd caught her staring quite a few times, giving him shy, lingering glances when she thought he wasn't looking.

And that kiss? Their charged moment in the hallway last week? The time they'd spent at the hedge maze?

She liked him; he was sure of it. Maybe not love, but he could get her there.

So why was she lying?

"You're sure about that?" he asked as he crossed his arms, a bit irritated as he called her bluff. "Because I think you do like me. I think you like me a lot."

He could tell his accusation aggravated her. But rather than get embarrassed or defensive about it, she just got mad. "I don't care what you think, Ranma," she told him, spitting out his name like an insult. "That doesn't make it true."

He casually raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. So you're saying if I kissed you right now, you wouldn't feel a thing?"

"That's right," Akane insisted, looking him straight in the eye. He wasn't sure if it was bravery or stupidity, but for whatever reason, she was determined to stand by her lie.

But Ranma knew talk was cheap.

"You really believe that?" he asked as he stepped towards her. Akane nodded firmly, not realizing he was getting closer, taking one small step towards her and then another. Before she knew it, she had taken several steps back until she had backed herself up against the balcony railing.

Akane glared up at him. "What are you doing?" she blustered, looking like a cornered deer.

"Just testing your theory."

Akane's eyes widened as she realized he was serious. "D-don't be stupid," she admonished uneasily. "I'm not going to kiss you just to prove some point! This isn't a game."

"Never said it was," he answered truthfully. "Though seriously, what are you so nervous about, anyway? It's just a kiss. You do it often enough when you're drunk."

"That's different," she told him. "I wasn't in my right mind then."

"But you are now, so what's the problem? Afraid you might feel something real?"

"Don't be ridiculous," she answered slowly, as her eyes strayed defiantly to his lips, then back to his eyes. Despite her bravado, she didn't look so sure anymore.

"Liar," said Ranma softly as he leaned closer, his steel-blue eyes boring into hers. "If you felt nothing for me, then this should be easy."

He knew he had won when she failed to reply. He saw a change come over her then, watched the internal battle playing across her face as she fought to keep the upper hand, and failed.

Ultimately, Akane was a warrior.

She squared her shoulders, eyes bright with challenge, ready to fully commit. "Alright then. Fine. Go ahead and try it, Ranma," she dared as if to say, I can withstand one stupid kiss. "I still won't change my mind."

Standing on the balcony in her gorgeous blue dress, red tainting her cheeks, she tightly closed her eyes.

Waiting for him.

Once he had her permission, of course, Ranma realized he had no fucking clue what he was doing. Aside from Akane's drunken kisses, he'd never kissed anyone before. Loads of girls had tried, sure, even snuck a quick peck here and there, but this was the first time he had actually wanted to kiss someone.

And worse, this was the first time it mattered.

"Okay," he said, trying to work up his courage, to quiet his nerves. "Just remember. You asked for this, Akane."

A slight, nervous nod was the only sign she'd heard him—even as an unseen clock in the ballroom struck eleven, reminding him with every chilling chime that his time was running out.

It was now or never.

He had to make this kiss count.

Moving carefully, Ranma took her face in his hands and pulled her towards him, sliding his lips against hers in a gentle caress, his chest full of butterflies as he fought not to drown in the intoxicating scent of jasmine and vanilla that tickled his senses and sent his mind reeling.

He could tell she was struggling not to react. Her arms fluttered uselessly at her sides, hands balled into fists, her body tense.

Like she was fighting rather than letting it happen.

But Ranma was patient, his lips sweetly coaxing. Inspired, he moved down, tilting her chin with his fingers so he could kiss the edge of her jaw next, then lower, down the column of her throat, until he'd reached the hollow there.

And she wasn't so stiff anymore.

"Y-you're cheating," Akane complained, her voice catching on a stuttered breath, totally unaffected.

Ranma grinned against her soft skin as he slipped one arm behind her head to cradle her neck. "Well. I never specified where," he told her before lifting his head and returning to better conquer her lips.

And just like that, Akane gave in.

When he pulled her closer this time, her arms slipped behind his neck, and she began to kiss him back, slow and careful at first, until finally, it was just him and her, her lips just as eager as his own.

Together, they grew greedier until, hearts racing, hands clutching, they both became lost in the sweetest ecstasy they'd ever known.

The feeling of her sent something primal in his chest spinning out of control, and Ranma was lost. All he knew was he could have stayed that way forever—holding, kissing, wanting Akane. However, he still had something important to ask her.

So reluctantly, Ranma pulled away.

Chest tight with all these strange new feelings, he stared down at her, at those red, swollen lips, giddy at the thought that he'd made them that way. "So," he told her, his voice breathy and low. "I know you felt that."

Slowly, Akane's eyes drifted open, and the dazed, contented expression mirroring his own turned stricken and pained in the span of seconds. Taking a step away from him, she wrung her dress in her hands, looking distraught.

"You dummy," she whispered, pained. "You've ruined everything."

"What?" he replied, not upset, not yet, so certain he'd misheard her.

"What was the point of that anyway? To make us both miserable?"

"Don't be stupid," he told her, getting upset now. "Why are you so determined to fight this? If it's my father you're worried about, then don't be. I've talked to him—he'll whine and be a huge ass about it, but he won't go back on his word. Not with my Mom and Ranko on our side. I can choose you, Akane."

"You don't understand," she muttered, looking away. "I don't have the luxury of marriage, of kids, of a normal life. I'm here to train, to get stronger, and that's it. I told you that, Ranma!"

He shook his head. "I don't accept that. You can do both! I wouldn't stop you!"

"It's not that simple."

"Uh, yeah. It actually is."

"Dummy! If you won't listen to what I tell you, then it looks like we're done here!"

"Akane!"

Ignoring his plea, Akane roughly pushed past him and flung the balcony door open, rushing past a stunned-looking Ukyo and Ryoga and an eavesdropping Ranko.

But Ranma wasn't far behind.

"Seriously? Do you think running away will make me change my mind?" he yelled, close on her heels. "Dummy! I can be just as stubborn as you!"

"I'm done talking about this," she muttered, quickening her pace.

"Well, that sucks 'cause I'm not!"

However, despite his bravado, Ranma was quickly becoming aware of ALL the curious onlookers gathering to watch their altercation. Even the music seemed to have stopped.

But Akane didn't seem to care that they had an audience. She never once slowed down. And before Ranma could catch her, he felt the restraining grip of his father's hand on his arm.

"Ranma," his father growled, his voice low.

"Can't you see I'm busy?!"

Rather than get angry, his father laughed out loud and spun him around, clapping him on the back. "Well, it appears my son here has an announcement to make," he declared, his voice booming throughout the room, no longer addressing his son.

Ranma could do nothing but glare, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. "Pops," he warned quietly, attempting to be respectful, because once everyone left, he definitely wouldn't be.

"It is my pleasure to announce to all the fine people here today that my son has finally chosen his lucky bride! The princess of Tanbarun, Ukyo Kuonji." He gestured to a shell-shocked Ukyo, who looked just as stunned as he did. "My wife and I couldn't be prouder." Looking to the bandstand, his father raised a glass of champagne and said, "Maestro? A song to celebrate?"

Not about to disobey the king, a rousing, happy tune began to play, even as heartbroken maidens throughout the ballroom quietly sobbed, their mothers crying with them.

Ranma wasn't thrilled, either.

Suddenly, he was surrounded by annoying, fake well-wishers, a bunch of annoying suck-ups who were more interested in gaining power and favor than in who their future queen would be.

Still, there was no way in hell he was marrying Ukyo!

At the very least, Ukyo would never agree. She had left Tanbarun and her birthright for a reason. And then there was Ryoga to consider. . .

Of course, his father knew all that; all his family did. So, what kinda game was he playing at?

And why, even in this fucked up situation, could Ranma not stop thinking about their stupid kiss?

…

With a disbelieving scowl, Ranko watched it all unfold. But unlike her idiot brother, she wasn't tongue-tied.

"What the hell," she muttered, glowering at her stupid old man. "What's he on about? His actual fiancée just ran out the door!"

"That's what I'd like to know," Ukyo agreed, still seething, as she clutched the hilt of her sword tightly. "Because I definitely don't remember agreeing to any of this!"

"I apologize for his rashness, dear," Nodoka said, laying a comforting hand on Ukyo's shoulder. "We know you have no interest in your family's court. I believe my husband was attempting to stop any rumors my son's behavior may have caused. He must've thought you'd be the safest bet."

"Mind telling Ryoga that," she muttered, gesturing to the gobsmacked boy who'd turned entirely to stone.

Ranko eagerly took to the task. "Stupid, she's not really marrying him," she said as she waved a hand before Ryoga's stunned, glazed eyes.

"I think he's out," Ukyo observed wryly.

"Yeah, well, he's not the only one," Ranko muttered, glaring at her brother.

Ranma, the dork, still hadn't gone after Akane. Instead, he'd been surrounded by a bunch of morons eager to congratulate him on his "engagement."

She didn't envy him one bit.

Her brother looked ill.

"I'm afraid that could've gone better," Nodoka fretted, staring in the direction Akane had run off in. "I hope the poor dear's alright."

"She'll be fine," Ranko assured her with a wave of her hand. "I'll go check on her. Someone's gotta tell her the good news."

"The good news?" Her mother repeated.

"Yup! After all my hard work, she's not getting away with this," she muttered as she made her way towards the large banquet doors, moving with purpose.

"Did you hear me, you jackass?" She heard Ukyo yell from behind her, followed by the sound of Ryoga getting smacked. "I said it's not true!"

End of Chapter 11