Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½, Viz communications and Rumiko Takahashi, I own nothing, so please go out and buy Ranma products to support the people who do.

Author note: So basically I lost Internet access, then my old computer died, took forever to replace it, and when I did, it was old enough to call ENIAC dad. So now that I got a more up to date computer, I continue writing this story. So now we deal with the fall out of Nabiki versus Akane, as well as build towards a few more things.

First I Giveth

Chapter 19 It's Too Late to Apologize

by Marik Kurakashi

It was morning at Ucchan's, which usually meant a flurry of activity to get ready for the early bird crowd. But curiously, the restaurant that housed the best okonomiyaki chef in Japan was dead quiet, as though its mistress wasn't actually willing to display her craft this day. The time of day had no bearing on this, as she was awake and in good health.

No, the reason why the shop was closed was because the owner was expecting a visitor that she couldn't give the proper amount of attention required. This meeting was far too important to be put off, and couldn't be rescheduled until next week. And by then, it could be far too late for it to be of any use to the vengeance seeking chef. Besides, this meeting had to be handled as delicately as possible, just so Ukyo could get everything she wanted out of it.

Meetings with Yasuri Kaede always had to be handled with caution, especially if she liked you.

Kaede was considered a genius in many fields, medicine her foremost one. They would whisper as she passed, as if she was some super healer that could heal even the most gruesome of injuries. But she ignored them and their light, as she wasn't someone who fit into society's normal kinks.

Sure, she was pretty by most standards, long black hair and smoky gray eyes made her seem all the more mysterious than she probably was. Her figure was appealing by a large number of standards, not that she really cared. She was always called names by most guys, simply because she had no interest in them or their petty macho attitudes.

Being a genius is nice, but Kaede always doubted people would be so complimenting of her if they knew she was a lesbian.

When she had met Ukyo, the Kuonji girl was in middle school, she herself just starting high school. The cross dressing girl had targeted her in order to throw off questions about whether Ukyo liked girls. She still thought it funny that Ukyo had essentially been gay to keep from being accused of being gay.

In fact, she had mentioned that when she found out Ukyo was actually a girl. It had been cute to see the younger girl bluster about not being gay, before she chastely apologized for tricking her into a date with another girl. The owlish look on the cross dressing chef's face when Kaede unveiled her preference in bed partners still made her laugh to this day, no matter the situation.

And that was probably why she always teased the girl whenever they got together.

She was puzzled though, as it had been months since she had even heard from Ukyo. Once the shock wore off from how urgent the girl sounded, she had managed a quick teasing remark about knowing her old flame would come around to see things from Kaede's perspective. To say that she had gotten yelled at for that would be like saying that tossing propane on a fire was a bad idea. Her hearing had just returned in that ear just a scant few hours ago.

It didn't matter, as she knew that Ukyo only got that mad at her when it WAS important. This wasn't just a call to check up on old friends, the girl must have been close to finding the objects of her supreme wrath. If that was the case, she might have to call in sick for a few days to nurse the poor girl back to health.

Now if only that girl wouldn't violently object to her ideas on bedside manner...

- - -

Back at Ucchan's, Ukyo nervously paced the floor of her restaurant. Kaede was always a handful, what with her flirtatious behavior and her hint dropping ways. It was painfully obvious to the girl pretending to be a boy that the older girl carried a bit of a torch for the young chef.

If this was a girl from her past that didn't know her secret, she wouldn't be so apprehensive about it. But this girl KNEW about it, and if anything, was MORE excited about Ukyo being a girl than she had thought anyone would be. Having been told bluntly that the genius Yasuri was a lesbian still did nothing to soften the blow whenever the girl made a pass at her.

After that line about bathing together so Kaede could wash the men right out of her hair with a special blend of shampoo, Ukyo had always minded her words.

Not that it helped, as Kaede seemed like a pro at turning her words against her in whatever fashion she pleased. The embarrassment she faced today was probably why the shop was closed, plus no one knew she was a she in this area. With Kaede's merciless teasing, she couldn't control her octave range well enough to avoid letting her secret out.

But that was the least of her concerns, as she was asking her friend to break the law by bringing her something from the clinic she worked at. She'd endure all of the girl's flirting and teasing, just so she could get what she had requested without too much fuss. This package was vital to her revenge, almost as much as the training she had put herself through.

And if push came to shove, she would take it by force if necessary.

There was a loud knock on the door, which served to stir the young chef from her violent thoughts. Steeling herself with one more deep breath, she quickly got up and answered the door. She said nothing, just stared at her tormentor who held so many things in her hands.

“Not much of a greeter in the morning are you?” Kaede said with a bored drawl.

“And what if I'm not?” Ukyo snapped back, unconsciously putting more boy into her voice than she had wanted.

“Hey hey, no harm no foul.” the part-time nurse said, holding her hands up to ward off the chef's anger.

“Alright then.” the owner of the shop snapped back, before resuming her march towards the main counter of the restaurant.

“So this is your place huh?” Kaede said off-hand, treading carefully to loosen up Ukyo for later. “Looks rather comfy, y'know? Kinda homey too.”

“Thanks, Kaede.” Ukyo said softly, repressing her overtly friendly nature in the hopes of stopping the teasing before it starts.

“No problem,” Kaede responded, biting back the teasing jab she was going to throw out. “Anyways, what was so important I had to hop on the first train here?”

“I think I may be getting close to those two...” Ukyo said, her face twisting into a snarl while she trailed off. “And your job allows you to help me invaluably.”

“You want me to nurse them back to health so you can pound them again after you're done the first time?” Kaede asked, smirking a little. Not that they'd get healthy under her watchful gaze...

“What? No, the muscle relaxants I asked for.” Ukyo said, shaking her head briskly. “That fat thief is good at running away, so I figured I'd slow him down a bit with them.”

“So that's why you needed me to forge that prescription eh?” Kaede asked, receiving a confirming nod for her query. “What do I get for risking my job?”

“Money of course,” Ukyo said, before holding up a hand to stop the impending come-on. “You'll never get THAT out of me.”

“Oh come on,” Kaede whined, pouting and leaning forward to expose a bit of her cleavage. “I could get fired for this, and probably even go to jail.”

“And wouldn't you be the happiest inmate on the block?” Ukyo snapped back, while retreating a step to prevent Kaede from pressing her breasts into her face.

“Maybe, maybe... but I'd miss you sooooo much!” Kaede said, pouncing towards the other girl.

“Damn it, KNOCK IT OFF!” Ukyo roared, rolling away and placing a threatening hand on her battle spatula, before she let loose a ragged breath. “Don't do that again, I might not be able to hold myself back.”

“Shit, those two still really grind your gears huh?” Kaede said, backing off and readjusting her top for a slight bit of modesty.

“Everyday of my life I wake up in a state of perpetual anger.” Ukyo answered, turning away from the other girl. “Hell, I even beat up a guy, just because he was pettily chasing after Ranma for some embarrassing slight that he didn't have the balls to tell me what it was.”

“You don't think that guy was...” Kaede said, trailing off and using hands signs to imply that the guy was gay.

“I doubt it was that,” Ukyo said, shaking her head. “He probably got beat up by that fucker, and was embarrassed by it.”

“Ah ha, his wound male ego won't tolerate him to lose eh?” Kaede asked, rubbing her chin. “Did a number on the guy huh?”

“Used a hana seki to down him.” the battle chef answered back, as she went behind the grill and started cooking some seafood okonomiyaki.

“Hana seki(flower burst)? Shouldn't that be kona seki (flour burst)?” Kaede asked, scratching her head.

“I like flowers better than flour?” Ukyo asked with a sheepish grin, serving up the okonomiyaki.

“It's your attack,” Kaede said, grabbing the proffered food and digging in. “Think he's dead?”

“Nah, I didn't have time to mix a lethal amount of gunpowder in to kill him.” Ukyo said, nibbling on her own.

“But say you're wrong and he is dead.” Kaede persisted, staring at Ukyo. “Then what?”

“Then he's...” Ukyo started, pausing to reign in the strong feeling of despair flowing through her. “Then he's dead I guess.”

“Gee, that's awful callow of you, isn't it? Not even a prayer for safe passage to his ancestors?” Kaede asked, eyes filled with shock.

“Then he shouldn't have pissed me off!” Ukyo snapped, hands shaking a little to belie the harsh attitude. “I'm on a mission of revenge! I may have to kill either one or both of them. If I pause to bemoan the death of some jackass who didn't have enough sense to defend himself properly, then how could I carry out my mission?”

'She does care, it's just she can't show it.' Kaede thought, before speaking to placate her friend. “You're right, but can you say you honestly believe that?”

“I have to...” Ukyo said quietly, turning away to finish eating, unable to look at her friend at the moment in light of the questions. “I have to...”

Wordlessly, Kaede got up and came around the counter, coming to a stop behind Ukyo and embrace her gently. The other girl started to try and struggle free, before she calmed and sank back when she realized Kaede wasn't trying to cop a feel. Ignoring the sensation of breasts poking into her back, Ukyo tried to resteel herself for her battle with the Saotomes.

'I always wanted to hold you, Ukyo.' Kaede thought, enjoying just the feel of contact with her emotionally charged friend. 'I never thought it'd be like this, but I...'

'I like it all the same...'

- - -

It was easy to say that Tendo Nabiki was not a morning person, a fact that she'd tell you herself...for a price naturally. There was no point in giving away information, important or not, away for no cost to the inquirer. As such, she had gained a well-earned, a very proud of, reputation as a mercenary, one who would do just about anything for the right price.

Naturally, she wouldn't do THAT, but anything short of that was fair game. Sure, she shouldn't have taken advantage of Akane like she had been, but ill-tempered sibling often DID take it in stride so much that she pretty much forgot that Akane ever really minded. Oh, she knew that Akane did, but she gave up caring after the first few protests carried no threat of physical violence.

Of course, that changed yesterday, when her little sister had been ready to pound her face in for some perceived scheme against Ranma.

Luckily for her, Ranma had arrived to stop Akane, stop Akane from a huge mistake of making an enemy out of her. Even with her recent rededication to martial arts, the reason she was even cognizant at this blasted hour, she knew she couldn't truly challenge her sister in the physical realm of combat yet. But there was more than one way to fight, there were ways to win a battle without a single punch being thrown, something Nabiki was close to a master at.

Sure, Akane HAD been driven to physical violence, but that was Nabiki's intent the entire time she had browbeaten her younger sister. There was nothing disarming about railing on every flaw, real or imagined, every single insecurity that you could think of at that moment. One does not stop a spear thrust by handing it to the wielder, then goading them into doing said action.

As far as Nabiki was concerned, a few facial bruises would have been worth the satisfaction of proving to her little sister just how much of a violent maniac she really was.

It was a sad fact about the youngest Tendo, Nabiki mused, that she did have her bouts with self-control and discipline. Sure, Akane was far from a bully, but when her temper did escape her control, watch out. Just like a volcano, when Akane erupted, the results usually weren't too pretty for the intended victim.

Besides, it wasn't like one could dismiss Akane's temper out of hand, just like one couldn't relax around a dormant volcano. If Akane came at her like that again, it would only end the same way, Akane losing her temper, and perhaps Nabiki getting a beating. She had already signed off on the idea that she wouldn't be able to take Ranma from her sister without some retribution.

And if it didn't come before Nabiki surpassed Akane, more's the pity.

“Fuu,” Nabiki muttered, finishing her kata and wiping her brow with her gi sleeve. She'd been at it for about two weeks, and it wasn't getting any less exhausting. “Ah well, can't expect it to change just so soon because I start training again.”

Idly, she turned and stepped out of the dojo to sit on the steps and watch Ranma spar with his father and hers. It was odd to see the three male residents battling against each other, but her father had said it helped get him into the spirit of teaching faster than warming up on his own. Before, she'd have dismissed the sight before her as the fathers attempting to bully Ranma into something.

Not that they'd ever have success in that regard, unless they got Ranma when his guard was done.

“Hang in there, Ranma-kun!” Nabiki cheered, drawing a brief look and smile from the boy, before he was back on the defensive from the two masters of Indiscriminate Grappling.

As the spar moved back and forth across the yard, Nabiki took whatever notes she could from them as they displayed the Art in its purest form. She didn't delude herself in believing that she could ever truly match the skills the three men before her were displaying, another difference between Akane and herself. Where she understood her limits and wanted to reach them slowly, Akane wanted to be the best NOW, everything else be damned.

Maybe she was being unfair to her little sister, and she should be nicer to her kin. But really, after the confrontation yesterday, she really didn't feel up to playing nice when her thoughts settled on her little sister. Sure, she herself wasn't flawless, but to her own biased opinion, that just made her better than most people, Akane included.

To be frank, if Akane really did have a problem with Nabiki, then more really was the pity.

- - -

Back at Ucchan's, the proprietor of the establishment had finally gotten her nerves under her control and separated herself from her guest upon recover. Kaede, deciding pushing Ukyo's buttons wasn't a good idea in a rare moment of insight, made no noise of disappointment. Nor did she make one of her usual come-ons to the chef, deciding to just enjoy that brief moment that she got to embrace the girl before her without any repercussions.

“Thanks, Kaede,” Ukyo said quietly, after a few seconds of contemplation. “I needed that.”

“Hey, what are friends for, Ukyo-chan?” Kaede asked with a friendly smile.

“Right, right, I keep forgetting.” Ukyo replied, shrugging her shoulders. “So, are you gonna give me the stuff, or do I have to take it from you?”

“Alright, alright,” Kaede said, reaching into her back pocket and pulling a small case and placing it on the counter. “Here they are, the strongest muscle relaxants available, now mind you, they only relax muscles but would require a tremendous dosage just to numb the slightest bit of pain.”

“Why's that?” Ukyo asked, somewhat confused by the distinction.

“These are used for surgeries and such, to get tightly constricting muscles to relax so the surgery can proceed.” Kaede explained, tapping her chin. “Anesthetics are used to dull pain receptors, this just causes the muscles to go slack and stay that way.”

Ukyo's eyes showed she still wasn't getting it.

“Look,” Kaede said gently, “if I shot you in the arm with it, your arm would FEEL numb, but if I hit you in it, it'd still hurt.” She smiled when she saw Ukyo's eyes flash with recognition.

“So if I use this on him,” Ukyo said, hoisting the case up. “He'll still feel the beating I'm gonna give him?”

“Right,” Kaede said, before grinning evilly. “In fact, there's a greater chance that you could do serious intermuscular damage to him if you hit him in the infected area.”

“So, I could do more than leave a few bruises eh?” Ukyo asked, her own evil grin spreading across her face.

“And he'd deserve it, I'd say.” Kaede answered, rubbing her hands together in glee.

Somewhere, a man who sometimes was a panda shivered in terror...

- - -

Jogging, it was the usual morning exercise of Akane, one that she had been doing ever since she was little. Still upset at both Nabiki and the fact that yet again, she wasn't asked to join the morning warm-up spar, she put a little more oomph to her pace as she stampeded around the block. Sure, she could admit that she wasn't as good as Ranma, but if no one was willing to take the time to help her, then she'd never be.

Deep down, she knew Nabiki lacked the true drive to be a Martial Artist. Her older sister could accept being second, the middle daughter always was complacent with just doing alright. She lacked the drive and determination that Akane had in spades, which is why she always quit when the going got rough.

Once she'd assured herself of her place next to Ranma, Akane would make sure to point that out to her quitter of a sister.

Yeah, she was still pretty ticked at her sister for the slandering she had absorbed from the mercenary Tendo. The confrontation didn't go how it was supposed to, Akane was supposed to be in control, supposed to direct it to the proper conclusion. But for all her physical prowess, she couldn't hope to beat the cobra that called itself Nabiki's tongue.

Nabiki hated her, to some degree or another, hell, she came out and said it. Then her sister climbed up on her high horse and brow beat her about the very few minor flaws she had. The gall of the girl to act like she was wronged, when she was doing the wronging.

Ranma was hers, deities and everyone else be damned!

Her sister couldn't love him like Akane could, couldn't give him what he really needed in a wife. There was no place in Nabiki's heart for love, not even the love of money could survive THAT frozen tundra. She didn't want to crush her sister as hard as she was going to, had hoped to spare her sister's non-existent feelings by letting her down gently.

But now, it was time to let her down, and let her down hard. It was going to hurt, and Akane would love every second of it. All pity that she may have felt before, every bit of compassion for her greedy sibling had died yesterday.

Slowly, her features twisted into a vicious sneer, as the vision in her head was one she rather liked.

This time, she'd ignore her sister and this time go straight to Ranma. There was no way Nabiki would be able to complete her plans once she got Ranma away from her sister long enough to find a way to break her hold on him. This would be the sudden killing stroke for Nabiki's scheme, swift and brutal, just how Akane liked it.

It was time she put an end to this silliness, and finally claim Ranma as hers. Oh how beautiful it would be, when Ranma finally admitted how he really felt about her. She would reciprocate those feelings, irregardless of if she truly did have the same feelings he surely did.

And once he was in her arms, he'd be there to stay.

- - -

It was lunch time at Furinkan High, a brief respite from the boring lessons that didn't seem worth learning. Nabiki sat alone at a table under a tree, deciding to magnanimously let the students of Furinkan keep their money, for today at least. Her minions had looked at her funny, but had given in to her wishes to be alone.

“So how's it going Saotome?” Nabiki asked as the pigtailed boy approached her at lunch.

“Good, I guess, Tendo-san,” Ranma answered as he sat down at the table. “Just trying to get through the day.”

“How’s Akane doing?” she asked, trying to pretend like she wasn’t interested in the answer.

“Oh, she was moody today, a bit grumpy too.” he said, ticking off on his fingers. “She even got sent to the hall for snapping at our English teacher.”

“I see,” she said, humming a bit at her sister’s behavior. “Well, at least she isn’t taking it out on you.”

“That’s what’s weird about it.” he said, shaking his head. “It’s almost like she’s fighting herself about that.”

“Better than her fighting you, right?” she said, a friendly smile on her face.

“Maybe…” he said, looking up at the sky.

“Maybe Saotome?” she asked, not sure why that struck a nerve with her. “You can't tell me you liked fighting tooth and nail with her for the past month or so.”

“It's not that,” he said with a shrug. “Just sees weird without Akane being upset or defensive about something, you know?”

“Ah, true, true.” she agreed, nodding her head along to his reasoning. “You know, today I feel like something is off, and I don't mean Akane.”

“Like a threat just out of your range of vision,” he said, turning to look at her with a puzzled expression. “But you're not sure if it really is a threat at all, eh?”

“Exactly.” she said, looking up at the sky, which was clear without a single cloud visible. “Though the blue sky goes on forever, I can't help but wonder where the storm clouds are.”

“Yeah,” he whispered, staring into the sky as Nabiki did, wondering about how life would turn out further from today.

Gently, the wind breezed by, and an enjoyable silence engulfed the pair, leaving them to their thoughts.

- - -

Hunger was something of a friend and foe to Genma, being that eating caused him a lot of joy and a fair share of grief. While Ranma often complained about his father's insistence over fighting for food, at least he had never know the true horror of going days on end without food. He never blatantly starved the boy, his heir's physical prowess a testament that he had managed to at least keep him healthy nutrition wise.

Oh sure, his son would often like to make it seem worse than it was, such as the younger Saotome often did. Besides, the only thing wrong is that Ranma simply inherited his father's voracious appetite, which could be blamed on genetics. If anything, Ranma should be glad that his father was for more lenient than the elder Saotome's own master, demon that he was.

Shaking off the violent shudder that rocked his body, Genma opened the door to Ucchan's and stepped in.

It was by fate's fickle musing that Ukyo didn't see Genma right away. You could say that it was by fate's love of irony that Genma didn't recognize the name of the restaurant as the nickname his son gave a certain girl all those years ago. But in any event, Genma looked around the place, unusually deserted at lunch time.

“Sorry, we're clo-” Ukyo began, before she got a good look at the person who just stepped in. “YOU!”

“...Me?” Genma asked uncertainly. The person behind the counter was vaguely familiar.

“My name is Kuonji Ukyo!” the chef screamed, vaulting over the counter and landing before the startled Saotome patriarch. “You stole my father's yattai, you discarded me on the side of the road like trash!”

“Now wait a minute!” the part-time panda yelled back, brow furrowing. “How do I steal what was mine? Dowry is a gift to the father of the groom after all.”

“I don't care!” she screamed, wildly swinging her giant spatula at him, causing him to roll away. “I don't recognize that engagement anymore! Like I'd marry YOUR son!” She punctuated her point by spitting at him.

“Now, now.” he said nervously, backing away from the enraged girl. “I'm sure there's a way we can work this out without violence.”

“The time for talk is over!” she roared, charging towards him and forcing him out of her restaurant.

“Are you sure?” he asked, dodging a swipe from the oversized cooking utensil.

“YOU CAN TALK ALL YOU WANT WHEN YOU'RE DEAD!” she bellowed, letting loose with several quick swings of the battle spatula, each one narrowly missing.

Deciding that talking wouldn't help, Genma decided to find a way to disarm his youthful opponent without harming her. This was easier said than done, as she did her best to keep him from getting a hold of her weapon. Rolling away from her, he sprang in with a jump kick, aimed at bending the handle of the spatula.

“Hah!” she called, pulling the weapon away at the last second and twisting around behind him. “Tentou tsutome!” Putting action, she dipped her odd weapon under her opponent, scooping him up onto the blade before flipping him like an okonomiyaki and slamming him down.

“Guh!” he grunted, not expecting the swift counter. “Not bad girl.” He rolled to his feet, eying his opponent with caution.

“Hmph,” she snorted with obvious contempt. “Underestimated me, eh?”

“I won't make that mistake again.” he promised, dropping into a loose stance.

“You're still fighting me, which IS your mistake.” she taunted, gripping the spatula in one hand, then stuck another in her pocket.

“Believe what you want,” he said, popping his knuckles free hand. “I don't intend to allow you to beat on me.”

Ukyo just shrugged, which Genma took as an opening and attacked. She rolled deftly away, before weaving her way around a few more strikes. After a few more futile swings, Ukyo dove at Genma, but past him, rolling to her feet and retaking her earlier stance.

Genma turned to press, but stumbled as his left leg went numb all of a sudden. Looking down, he saw a syringe sticking out of his leg. His head swiveled up to see her chuckling at him, obviously pleased about something.

“Please,” she said, stalking towards the man. “You didn't think I wouldn't do some research on you right? After all, the Saotome fighting style is based on mid-air combat, which requires powerful legs. Ergo, take out the legs, and you're as helpless as a newborn kitten.” She punctuated this by rushing forward and slamming the flat of her spatula into Genma's face solidly, his numbed leg not allowing him to dodge.

“H-have mercy,” he pleaded, having collapsed from the blow, now down on the ground and sliding away.

“Mercy?” she chuckled darkly, lifting spatula high. “I never bothered to learn the meaning of that word, fatass.” With that, she brought it down violently.

The pained screams of a man who was getting what he marginally deserved filled the air, passerbys shying away from the spectacle...

- - -

It was the next day at school, and Ranma was feeling off about things. His father didn't come home for dinner, something his father would never miss. No one had seen him since he left around lunch yesterday, which made Ranma's feeling of unease increase.

But in any event, he went to school in hopes of using the familiar activity to calm his nerves. His father would show up eventually, and he'd be perfectly fine. There was no point in worrying about the old panda, he could take care of himself.

And yet, why did none of that reassure him?

“Okay class,” Ranma's homeroom teacher said, trying to get their attention. “we have a new student. Please, introduce yourself.”

“Grandfather always said that introductions were like festivals without fireworks.” the new student began, setting down a portable grill and pulling out a few containers, all while turning on the grill. “So, want to see some fireworks?”

Before anyone could speak, the student exploded into motion, opening the containers and quickly started cooking okonomiyaki. As quickly as one was done, it was sauced and flung at the crowd. The students gawked at the speed and skill of the young chef before them.

“I have trained at this my whole life.” the student stated, juggling the small spatulas for flair. “I have staked my life to be the best okonomiyaki chef in Japan. There is nothing that will stop me.”

Pausing, the chef made one final one and slowly sauced this one, before flinging it unerringly straight at Ranma. Not seeing if it made it to its destination, the chef whirled to the blackboard and grabbed a piece of chalk. Deftly writing down their name in a flash, the chef turned and bowed to the class.

“My name is Kuonji Ukyo,” Ukyo stated. “And I am the best okonomiyaki chef in Japan. If you doubt me, then try what I have given you.”

As ordered, the students began to eat the proffered food. All except for Ranma, but that had little to do with appetite or the food's quality. It smelled fantastic, in fact, it had all his favorite toppings, even his favorite sauce on it too!

But it was what was writen in that sauce that gave him pause. Memories flooded back to him as he began to numb, memories of a long lost friend. A friend who used to write goofy messages on okonomiyaki as a reminder of their friendship.

This message, however, was far from friendly or goofy.

“Meet me tomorrow at the field,” he said, reading it quietly aloud as he ignored the dull ache in his chest. “I formally challenge you to a duel, Saotome Ranma.”

Slowly, he gazed up at the chef that had grown from his old buddy. The hatred, rage and pure malice dancing in a sea of nothing showed through his eyes. That passive yet intense stare got to Ranma more than he would, or could, admit. Was he really that upset that Ranma had left and never came back to see him?

Looking down at the okonomiyaki cooling on his desk, he realized it really was too late to apologize...

End Chapter 19

Teaser for Chapter 20:

Akane paced her room nervously, butterflies from hell itself deciding her stomach was a proper nesting ground at the moment. Okay, so thinking about asking Ranma out was a lot easier than actually doing it. She lemented that fact as she had tried yesterday after school, but froze up and lost her nerve.

Stupid nerves, getting in the way of her ultimate victory over her sister. This was no time to start blushing like a shy schoolgirl and be unable to even speak in his presence. Even if it was a big step for them, a step that should be easy.

Not for the first time, she lamented that love was just too complicated and fickle for her.

But she was going to do it! She was going to ask him out today, even if she had to get up on a podium like Kuno and announce it to the whole school! Then her common sense took over and reminded her it was never a good idea to copy Kuno.

That, and she didn't want Nabiki to know about it. Her sister would try to ruin the date somehow, needing him to stay vulnerable for her wicked schemes. There was no way that was going to happen, no way for Nabiki to stop her from this mission.

And then Ranma would tell Nabiki to leave him alone, a certain deathblow to her wicked sibling's plans.

Author note: It's done! Yay. See ya next chapter for Ukyo versus Ranma.