ROCK 'N ROLL 1/2 PART FOUR : LOVE HURTS
A LEMONY FANFIC BY THE LEAPING GNOME

DISCLAIMER: All characters copyright 1999 Rumiko Takahashi and
Shogakukan. My use of these characters is not meant to infringe
on their rights in any way.

LEMON WARNING: This 'fic may contain descriptions of activities
that you have to be over the age of majority to read about, so
stop reading now if you're too young.

CULTURAL NOTE: White Day is a japanese holiday celebrated one
month after Valentines Day. In Japan, only girls give their
sweeties gifts on Valentines. Boys wait until White Day to return
the favor.  Don't ask me why they call it White Day, I have no
idea.

AUTHORS NOTE: Words bracketed like so: [example] are thoughts.
Words bracketed by asterisks like so: *example* are emphasized
for effect.

WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE: Tomorrow is White Day and the Nerima gang
is in a tizzy. Ranma has broken down and asked Akane to the White
Day dance, much to the dismay of his other fiancees and assorted
girlfriends, especially Ukyo. P.O'd, she squeals on Akane to
Ranma, telling him about how she caught her committing the sin of
Onan over a picture of Nevada Ticket, the band playing the White
Day dance. Ranma, believing the only reason Akane wanted to go
was to throw herself at the band, explodes and goes looking for
her. Unbeknownst to him, Akane has skipped the first two periods
of school to hang out with Nabiki (her older sister) and talk
about Nabiki's first girl-girl experience.
     Ryoga, meanwhile, has been captured by Kodachi the Black
Rose under the mistaken assumption that he was her Ranma-Darling.
The two quickly find that they have an uncertain attraction to
one another and are soon involved in a tryst. We pick up the
story at
lunchtime, at Furinkan High.

AND NOW, ON WITH THE SHOW....

     "Ranma's... angry with me? I wonder why?" Akane asked
wonderingly. Nabiki smirked at her kid sister.
     "Beats me, Akane. You know how he is... He's probably just
annoyed 'cause he missed you in class or something."
     "No, Daisuke said that he was putting out battle aura like
crazy. It's not like Ranma to do that over some little thing... I
should go find him..."
     "Suit yourself, Akane... remember, not a word about our
little talk, or..." She drew a finger across her throat in a
cutting motion.
     "Oh, Oneechan. You know I'd never tell Ranma about that."
     "You'd better not. You may be one of the best fighters in
Nerima, but I'm still your big sister, and I can still kick your
ass as needed. Now, get going. You wouldn't want to keep
Ranma-baby waiting any longer..." Nabiki winked, and continued on
her way down the hall.
     
[I've got to find Ranma! After last night, I don't want anything
to come between us, not anymore...] She rushed away towards the
athletics field.

*   *   *

     Ranma couldn't seem to calm down, no matter how many of the
concrete turf flatteners he destroyed. The PE teacher had
expressed an objection to this wanton vandalism of school
property, but one fiery glare had sent him packing. A crowd had
gathered discreetly at the edge of the field to gawk. Ranma,
uncaring, continued on his rampage.
     [Stupid Akane! I should never have told her how I feel...
She's probably been laughing at me ever since! Damn! So mad I
can't even *think* straight!] He smashed another turf roller to
powder. [This isn't helping... Eventually, I'm gonna run outta
things to bust up...] He wiped the beads of sweat off his
forehead. [What'm I gonna *say* to her, anyway? I can't believe
she'd... she'd...]
     "Aaargh!" With a loud kiai, he demolished the last of the
turf rollers.
     "R-ranma...?" He spun. Akane stood only a few feet away,
hand to her mouth.
     "A-akane!" 
     [He looks stunned!] Akane thought. [But he's still putting
out enough battle aura to toast a city block!]
     "Ranma? What's wrong?" she stepped forward, tentatively,
into the heat of his aura. [He'd never hurt me!] She fervently
hoped that was the case, anyway...
     "Akane I... I..." His thoughts swirled at a thousand miles
an hour. Anger and hurt pride warred with love as he stared into
her big brown eyes, wide with concern. 
     "I... Aaargleblargle!"
     "What?" 
     "Frazzitstam!" [Damn! Can't even talk right!] Making a
concerted effort to calm himself, he continued. "Akane, I need to
ask you something... I..." His tongue stumbled.
     "What is it Ranma? Please... you're frightening me!"
     "Huh? I.. Aw, just c'mere, okay?" He scooped her up in his
arms.
     "Ranma! What are you *doing*! Can't you tell me what's
wrong?"
     "Just... not here, alright? The hills have eyes..." He
sprung off with her, with a series of quick leaps he brought her
to the top of Furinkan's clock tower. Setting her down, perhaps
with a little less gentleness than he'd intended, he turned his
back on her. Looking out over the quad, with great effort, he
spoke softly.
     "Akane? Why did you want me to take you to the dance
tomorrow?"
     "Honestly, Ranma! Do I have to spell it out for you? I want
to go with you because I l-l-lo... You know, Baka!" She finished
shyly.
     Ranma's heart lifted at her words... [She really does care!
But... what about what Ucchan said...?] His mouth tightened.
     "Are you sure it's not because of that band that's playing?"
     "Huh? Well, *sure* I'd like to see Nevada Ticket, Ranma! You
know I like them-"
     "Boy, you sure do!" He snapped back.
     "What? What's that supposed to mean?!" Akane, wounded by his
anger, responded the only way she knew how, with hostility.
     "Let's just say that Ucchan told me about what you do in
study hall, okay?!"
     "Wha..?" [Oh, no! Oh, no, no, no! Ukyo! I can't believe
you'd tell him! How could you?!] "Ranma! It's not what you think!
I-"
     Ranma wasn't listening. His hurt pride wouldn't let him.
     "I can't believe you call *me* a pervert! Doing ...that! In
class, even! What, I'm not good enough for you? You have to dream
about these stoopid musicians?!"
     "Ranma, I wasn't... not about..." Tears formed in her eyes,
his words cutting her to the bone.
     "Forget it, Akane. Just forget it, okay?! As far as I'm
concerned, you can forget about what happened last night, too,
alright?! Forget about what I said, what we did... Everything!
We're through!"
He sprung down off the clock tower, off into the distance.
     "B-but..." She said to the empty air. "I was thinking of
*you*..." She sniffled, collecting herself, the old emotional
self-defense mechanisms coming into play once more. "Fine! You
baka! You..." She looked around. 
"How am I going to get *down*...?"

*   *   *

     Nabiki, with the help of her parabolic microphone, had
heard it all. [Ukyo, hmm? I'll show that spatula-slinging tart
what it means to hurt Nabiki Tendo's little sister...]

*   *   *

     Despite what some may have thought, Ukyo wasn't feeling very
pleased with herself. As a matter of fact, she felt pretty darn
rotten. 
     "Ranchan..." She sighed as she saw him confront Akane on top
of the clocktower. She'd hurt him badly, she knew. And she'd done
it in a way that abused the very real trust and love that he'd
always had for his best childhood friend. She hadn't thought
*this* through to well, that's for sure. And Akane... despite
herself, she felt bad about squealing on Akane. Sure, the little
tomboy had never done anything nice for *her*, but... [Sometimes
you cross the line, Ukyo-honey. That was cold, and you know it.]
     "Kuonji! Stay *right* there! Don't even *think* about taking
off!" Ukyo spun to see Nabiki Tendo stalking towards her.
     "Nabiki? What-"
     The middle Tendo sister cut her off with a hard slap across
the face. Shocked into silence, Ukyo froze.
     "Don't you play innocent with *me*, you! I know what you
told Ranma-kun! What the hell were you *thinking*?! I ought to
drop kick you into orbit for what you did! You think that just
because a girl's got a head for numbers she can't kick a little
ass?"
     "I.. Uh.." To say that Ukyo was shocked was an
understatement. She'd never seen Nabiki get this angry, let alone
get physical! It was so... out of character! "Nabiki..."
     "Make it good, Kuonji!" Nabiki was manifesting a battle aura
that would have made Akane proud. Ukyo's first instinct was to
draw her battle spatula, but something held her back. She never
used her full strength on a non-martial artist, but... Nabiki
looked so damn fierce! [Who knows what she's picked up, living in
*that* house...] Ukyo's feelings of regret surfaced once more.
She knew she wasn't justified in betraying Akane like that, even
for Ranma-Honey, especially knowing how his stubborn pride would
make him react.
     "I'm sorry, okay?!" Ukyo said. "It was a really crappy
thing to do, and I know it..."
     "Don't apologize to *me*, Kuonji! I'm not the one whose
heart you broke!"
     "Well, I'll apologize to Akane then-"
     "Not Akane, you dolt! Ranma!"
     "Ranma-Honey?"
     "Yes, 'Ranma-Honey'" Nabiki snapped back. "Do you know what
happened last night? Did he tell you before you spilled the
beans?!"
     "N-no... he just said he was going to the dance with
Akane.."
     "He told Akane he loved her!" [Well, not exactly, but...]
"And then to hear this... Oooh! I should paste you, Kuonji!"
     "Ranma-Honey... *loves*... Akane? Oh, no..." Ukyo's heart
sunk. 
     "That's right, and you've just devastated him! Is that what
you wanted? To emotionally crush the boy you claim to love? Well,
you've succeeded. I hope you're happy!" 
     "I... I... don't know what to say, I-"
     "Well, fine, 'cause I've got *plenty* to say to you, you...
Hey! Are you... crying?" Nabiki, asked, a little surprised. She'd
expected Ukyo to protest, or hit her, or laugh at her, but
actually cry? Sure enough, Ukyo had tears streaming down her
face! "Whoa! What are you.. I wasn't done!"
     Ukyo's face wore the expression of a puppy whose beloved
master had just kicked it in the face.
     "Oh, Ranma-Honey! I'm so sorry! By the Kami, i'm such a
jackass!" She face hardened, the tears drying. "Nabiki, you'll
have to apologize to Akane for me, I've gotta go after Ranchan!"
     "Huh? Now, wait just a minute! Hey! Get back here!" Too
late, Nabiki tried to stop her, but she was already away.
     "Damn." She looked up at Akane, standing mournfully on top
of the clocktower. "Now, how the hell am I gonna get her *down*
from there...?"

*   *   *

     At the Kuno estate, an exhausted Ryoga was waking up.
     [Uhhnn. This is nice... I'm in a nice, soft bed... Huh. Silk
sheets. Hmmm. Beautiful naked girl curled up here next to me...]
     "Wha-!" He came all the way awake with a start. Kodachi!
After what they'd begun in the gym they had quickly adjourned
upstairs to Kodachi's room. They'd talked for hours afterwards,
learning more about each other beyond their initial physical
attraction. Ryoga found it easier to talk to Kodachi than any
other girl he'd ever known. He'd told her how upset it made him
that he couldn't follow simple directions, his frustration at
never being able to make any real friends, not knowing if he'd
ever see them again every time he left the room. She was so
attentive, listening closely, then commenting or making
intelligent observations... and that gorgeous laugh! How could he
ever have found it eerie? She'd talked about her family, how she
missed her mother, how her brother Tatewaki tried and failed to
make her happy. Most of all, she talked about her rose garden,
how she loved to spend time amongst the fragrant blooms. He knew
what she meant. He'd always found the outdoors so relaxing. He
looked down at the sleeping gymnast, and his gaze softened. His
Kodachi... or was he her Ryoga? It didn't matter... He leaned
over, kissed her gently on the forehead. Her violet eyes
fluttered open, a quiet smile on her lips.
     "Ryoga-chan..." She lifted her head from the pillow, kissing
him gently on the lips. "Awake so soon? I thought that I had
exhausted you..."
     "It looks like i'm not as tired as I thought, 'Dachi..." He
kissed her earlobe before moving his lips down to the curve of
her neck. This morning, Kodachi had taken control... He'd enjoyed
it, hell, he'd loved it... but he felt like giving now, not just
receiving... 
     "MMmmm, Ryo-chan... Such impudence..!" She smiled at his
caresses, sliding her hands up his back and entwined her fingers
in his brown hair, pulling him closer. "What is this? Taking the
initiative? My, my... how quickly you learn, my sweet..." She
sighed contentedly as her new lover nibbled at the sensitive skin
of her neck with his darling little fangs.
     "Only returning the favor, 'Dachi... you were so nice to me
earlier, it's the least I can do..." He slid underneath the
sheets, kissing, licking and nibbling his way lower and lower
until he found himself between her slender, well-muscled thighs,
her neatly-trimmed sex in front of his face. He breathed on her,
feeling her shiver in anticipation as he moved his hot breath up
and down her lower lips. Soon she was writhing in tantalizing
joy, and he had to take a firm grip of her hips to maintain
purchase. Her hands slid down across her breasts, sliding along
her smooth, taut belly to tangle in his hair.
     "Oh, Ryo-chan... Please don't tease me anymore... Let me
feel your- Aaah!" She gasped as his tongue slid between her moist
lips, tasting her honey. "Y-yes, Ryo... just like that....
Wonderful..." Ryoga continued to lap gently at her, his
fingertips softly tracing the outside of her lips. She wriggled
under his attentions, moaning and giggling as his inexperienced
but enthusiastic touch thrilled her. He paused as a thought
occurred to him.
     "What is it, my lost boy? Kodachi breathed huskily, running
her fingers through his hair as she looked him in the eyes.
     "I was wondering..." He answered, lifting his mouth from
her, "'Dachi... How do you feel about me?" Kodachi smiled.
     "Why, Ryo-chan, I think you're perfectly delightful!"
     "But... what about Ranma? Don't you have... feelings for him
as well?" The worry in his voice made her heart ache. She sat up,
taking his head into her lap.
     "Ryo-chan, I would be lying if I said I did not find him
attractive... He is most comely, but... lately I have begun to
realize that he does not care for me... in fact, it would be safe
to say that he dislikes me rather intensely. Unlike my brother, I
do not deny the evidence of my own eyes and heart. Ranma Saotome
loves Akane Tendo, and I cannot change that. That is why I
extracted that pledge from you regarding the Tendo girl. I meant
what I said. I will not play second fiddle to her again." Ryoga
sighed.
     "'Dachi, I won't lie to you either. For the longest time,
I've had a crush on Akane... but you're right, she and Ranma are
in love. I heard them together last night." Kodachi gasped. "It
made a few things sink home at last. I was fooling myself about
Akane... maybe it was just another manifestation of my rivalry
with Ranma, I don't know... but finding out about them... it
didn't hurt as much as I'd thought it would, you know?" Kodachi
nodded. "So, what I meant to ask was, do you think that, maybe,
you and I have a chance, to, uh... become closer? More than...
this?"
     Kodachi smiled down on him, touching his face gently.
     "Let us see, my Ryo-chan... You are a good man, and a
promising lover... and quite handsome, too, might I add," Ryoga
blushed. "I would be glad to spend more time with you, my
piglet." Ryoga's eyes widened.
     "You know? How-" Kodachi laughed.
     "Silly boy. Did I not say that I cannot ignore the evidence
of my own eyes? Your charming bandanna, for instance."
     "Wow. That's some detective work! Was it that obvious?"
     "Well... do you remember the Martial Arts Obstacle Race?"
     "Yes... I won it... That's right! You and your brother were
competitors as well! Don't tell me you saw me change!" Kodachi
nodded, smiling. "You... don't mind?"
     "Of course not. I think you're kind of cute like that..."
Ryoga looked up at her, adoringly. She knows and she likes me
anyway! I could fall in love with this girl! He gazed lovingly
into her violet eyes, and she stared back, smiling. They looked
at each other for a long. long time, enjoying the knowledge that
something very special was happening to them. It was Kodachi who
pushed him away.
     "Enough of this, Ryo-chan!" Kodachi said, a teasing smile on
her face. "Get back to work!"
     "Yes, my Rose-Petal..." He said, laughing, as he sunk once
more beneath the covers...

*   *   *

     Ukyo found Ranma where she'd figured she would, loitering
around the door to Ucchan's Okonomiyaki. What she was surprised
to see was that he was a she at the moment. As Ukyo approached,
Ran-ko looked up and attempted a friendly smile and wave. She
failed miserably.
     "Hey, Ucchan. You open?" Ran-ko almost sighed the words. It
broke Ukyo's heart to see her best friend so depressed.
     "Sure, Ranchan. Anytime you want." Ukyo's smile looked
forced, but RanÄko didn't seem to notice, so wrapped up was she
in her own sorrow. The two old friends entered the empty
restaurant. Firing up the griddle, Ukyo went to work preparing
Ranchan's four-seafood special. They were silent for some time as
Ukyo finished the okonomiyaki and served it to her old friend.
Ran-ko only picked at it. [She's really upset!] Ukyo thought.
[I've never seen *anything* affect her appetite!]
     "Ranchan?" Ran-ko looked up, her eyes misty. "I... I want to
say I'm sorry about... well, you know. Maybe I shouldn't have
said anything, I-"
     "No." RanÄko sniffled. "I'm glad you did. You were only
looking out for me..."
      Ukyo's heart broke.
     "No!" She yelled tearfully. "I wasn't! Forgive me Ranchan, I
was only trying to split you and Akane up! I should never have
told you, I was being a jealous jackass!" Ukyo continued to weep
as Ran-ko enfolded her in her arms.
     "Ucchan... Shh... It's okay. I know that... but that doesn't
change the fact that she *was* doing it. Over some pin-up
prettyboy jerks, to boot. It's not your fault..." Ran-ko gathered
up her dear friend and carried her upstairs to her apartment.
Setting her down on the futon, she gave her a hug.
     "Hold on, 'kay? I'll close the store and shut off the gas.
Be right back..." RanÄko disappeared down the stairs, only to
return a minute later. "All taken care of..." She sat down on the
futon next to her weeping friend. Ukyo was dried her eyes with a
hanky, and tucked it back into her shirt pocket.
     "Ranchan, I..."
     "Shhh... it's okay..." Ran-ko leaned in, holding Ukyo's head
in her hands, and kissed her once, gently on the mouth. Ukyo's
eyes popped open.
     "Wh-what was that for?"
     "Because I love you, Ucchan. You're my best friend!"
     "B-but, what about Akane...! Don't you love her, too?"
     "Well, I, uh..." Ran-ko flushed red. "Yeah, well... she
means nothing to me, not anymore." Ran-ko leaned in for another
kiss, but Ukyo pushed her away.
     "No, Ranchan! We shouldn't be doing this!" Ran-ko looked
hurt.
     "Why? Don't you love me anymore?" The look of heartbreak on
her face was enough to melt Ukyo. She gave in to the kiss, not
caring that Ranma was Ran-ko right now, not caring about Akane...
Akane!
     "N-no!" She pushed Ran-ko away. "I love you, Ranchan, but
don't use me to get back at her!"
     "But she doesn't want me! She wants that guy in the
magazine!"
     "Oh, Ranchan! Every girl *fantasizes* from time to time!
That doesn't mean she doesn't want *you*, it's just..." She
wasn't getting through. Ran-ko looked so fragile... Ukyo realized
that her Ranchan was emotionally vulnerable right now, her
wounded pride needed salving, and that's all she was trying to do
with this clumsy seduction attempt. She loved Ukyo, but not that
way... [I can't believe I'm doing this for *Akane*...] Ucchan
tried another tack.
     "Look, Ranchan. Don't you ever think about different girls
when you're... y'know...?" Ran-ko looked uncomfortable.
     "I don't... have a lot of chances to, uh, *do* that kinda
thing... What with Pop in the same room as me and all." Ukyo
smiled a little smile at that.
     "Puh-leeze, Ranchan! You're a teenage boy, most of the time
anyway! I went to an all-boys school for a while, y'know. Boys
find a way..." She finished, smiling. Ran-ko blushed.
     "Well, uh... sometimes, I guess, when Pops is out..."
     "Uh-huh. And?"
     "Well, sometimes I think about... different girls..."
     "See? Why is it bad for her to do the same?"
     "'Cause... 'cause... she's a girl! Girls don't need to do
that sorta thing! Not when they're in love..."
     "Ranma Saotome, don't you pull that crap on me! I'll have
you know that I do *it* all the time and, for your information, I
*don't* always think about *you*!" 
     Ran-ko looked shocked, then the reasoning sunk in...
     "Yeah, but... she did it in class! That's perverted!"
     "Well... sometimes, when you're really in the mood, ya gotta
do what ya gotta do! Remember, it's not as if she whipped up her
skirt and showed the whole class! The only reason I noticed was
that I was trying to crib her English notes over her shoulder!"
     "Pshh! Girls'r supposed to have a little self control!
Especially martial artists!"
     "Oh yeah?"
     "Yeah!"
     "Well then, what do you have to say about this?" Ukyo opened
her shirt seductively, and began to unbind her breasts..
     "U-ucchan? What are you doin'?!"
     "Proving a point..." she whispered huskily, letting the
elastic bandage fall to the floor. Her breasts, unconfined, were
almost as big as Ran-ko's. "When I think about you, Ranchan,
*here*, all by ourselves and you unattached, I can barely control
myself.." This time, it was Ukyo who initiated the kiss. Ran-ko
resisted only for a moment... It was Ucchan, her best friend, and
she loved her... Ukyo's hand led hers to her breasts, as they
caressed one another hotly. Their hands slid around each other's
backs, stroking one another like old lovers. Ukyo kissed her way
down Ran-ko's neck to her collar, then, gently, began to unfasten
her shirt, sliding her soft, strong hands under the fabric to
touch her warm skin. Ran-ko gasped, sliding her own hand gently
down Ukyo's leg until she reached the gusset of her black pants,
rubbing insistently through the fabric. Ukyo moaned into Ran-ko's
mouth as they kissed, enjoying the caress. With extreme effort,
Ukyo pulled away, glancing down at the crux of Ran-ko's thighs.
     "A-Ha!" She cried, pointing.
     Ran-ko looked down. Her own hand had found its way down her
pants!
     "Still think female martial artists can't lose control?"
     Ran-ko giggled, embarrassed. She drew back, shy again.
     "I guess they can..." Ran-ko blushed.
     "Ranchan..." Ukyo said, buttoning up her top, "There's
nothing I'd like more than to finish what we just started, but it
wouldn't be fair to anyone. Not to you, not to me, and not to
Akane."
     Ran-ko sniffled. "B-but..."
     "Ranchan, I love you with all my heart, but... you just
don't feel the same way, and..." She swallowed hard. "I can...
*learn*... to accept that, that you're just my best friend,
nothing more, nothing less. Doing this now would only make things
worse. I'm sorry, sugar."
     Ran-ko stood, hugged Ukyo tight.
     "What'm I gonna do, Ucchan? I'm all wound up now..."
     Ukyo laughed. "Take all that good stuff home and give it to
the person you love, that's what."
     "Really? You think she'd take me back?"
     "I don't know, sugar. Depends on what you said to her on the
clocktower."
     "I-I was pretty angry..."
     "Well... It can't hurt to try, can it?" She pushed Ran-ko
away playfully. "Go on, get outta here, before I change my mind
and rape you where you stand!"
     Ran-ko giggled.
     "I *do* love you, Ucchan..." She said, stealing a quick
kiss. "You're the best..." She dashed down the stairs, and Ukyo
heard the door open and shut behind the red-haired whirlwind.
     "I love you too, sugar..."

*   *   *

     "Eww.. I don't think anyone's *ever* been in here before!"
Nabiki exclaimed as she brushed the cobwebs out of her face.
She'd found the janitorial stairway that led to the roof of the
clocktower and, flashlight in hand, was attempting to navigate
past old roofing tar buckets and bags of gravel.
     "Well, there's the door..." Her flashlight beam found the
small recessed panel on the roof. Clambering up the fire ladder,
she pushed hard, and the trapdoor swung up and open with a
horrendous screech of rusty hinges. Daylight streamed in,
temporarily blinding her as she eased her way out and up onto the
roof.
     "Akane?" She scanned the roof, blinking in the bright light.
     "Over here, Oneechan." Akane was sitting on the edge of the
roof, her feet dangling into space. Nabiki walked over, standing
back just enough that she wouldn't have to look over the edge.
     "Uh, Akane... You're not gonna jump, are you?"
     "Don't be ridiculous! I'm just thinking, that's all."
     "Well, good... Could you, uhh, maybe come over here? I don't
like being so high up..."
     Akane sighed, and got up, joining Nabiki at the rim of the
trapdoor.
     "So, Akane... What exactly *were* you doing in study hall,
anyway?"
     "You heard? How?" Nabiki smiled.
     "High-powered mike. Well... ?"
     "I, uh... well, I thought I was being discrete..."
     "About... "
     "I was, uh... y'know... doing *it*..."
     "What?! No, really?" Akane nodded, red-faced. "Oh, man!"
Nabiki sat back, eyes wide. "That's uh... pretty risque, all
right. Couldn't you wait until you got home? Or go to the
bathroom?" Akane blushed a deeper shade of red. Nabiki, seeing
her sister squirm, decided to let her off the hook on this one
for now.
     "Well, never mind... What we have to worry about now is
damage control. Ranma's being a jerk, as always... The question
is, do you even *want* him back?" 
     "Of course! He may be a jerk, but he's *my* jerk!" Nabiki
smiled at the vehemence in her little sister's words.
     "Well, then... You'll just have to corner him at home. I'll
run interference on Daddy... If he's gotten wind of you two
fighting, he'll have another breakdown, especially since you guys
were so cute at breakfast..."
     "What am I gonna do?"
     "Well, start by apologizing." 
     Akane looked annoyed. 
     "Hold it right there. I know and *you* know that you've got
nothing to apologize *for*... except maybe a poor sense of
timing... but it'll make Ranma feel better to hear it."
     "Geez, Nabiki! Why should I have say sorry, when he's the
one being a jerk?!"
     "Because one of you has to be the mature one here, and it's
not likely to be Ranma-baby. Take one for the team."
     "Take one for the team?"
     "Yeah. Trust me. You'd be surprised how far you can get if
you massage a guy's ego. Men are fragile creatures, Akane. They
need to have their pride stroked every once in a while."
     "Tsk. How dumb is that?"
     "Guy-dumb. C'mon, let's get down from here, class is
starting in fifteen minutes." She ruffled Akane's hair and stood.
     "Oneechan? I think i'd rather just go home... can you get me
out of class?"
     "Sure thing..."

*   *   *

     By the time Ran-ko got home, the Tendo house was in an
uproar. Soun had been into the sake and was weeping openly,
Nabiki attempted to console him, and Kasumi calmly made dinner.
Mr. Saotome was on his back in panda-form playing with his tire,
and Akane was nowhere to be seen. As Ran-ko entered, taking off
her shoes, Soun exploded into a teary mess all over her.
     "Ranma!! How could you do such a thing to my daughter!!! You
break her father's heart!! Saotome, how could you let your son
behave so disgracefully?!!"
     Mr. Saotome held up a sign. (Don't ask me, I'm just an
ordinary panda...)
     "Thanks a lot for the backup, pop!" Ran-ko yelled. [Where's
Akane, anyway? I gotta talk to her...] She noticed Nabiki was
trying to discreetly get her attention. The older girl nodded her
head towards the door to the dojo, winked at Ran-ko, and mouthed
the words "Akane's in there...". [Hunh. Nabiki's sure being
nice... wonder what her angle is...]
     "Forget this, I'm goin' to train for a bit. I'll be back
when things stop bein' crazy in here..." (like that'll happen,
she added sotto voce.)
     She jogged over to the dojo, sliding open the door
hesitantly.
     "A-akane...? You in here?"
     "HiiiYaaah!!" The sound of cinderblocks shattering filled
the room. [Guess so...]
     "Akane? Do you, uh, have a minute?"     
     "Sure, Ranma...whatever..." She stood, mopped her forehead
with a clean cloth. She wouldn't look her in the eye as she
straightened her gi.
     "I.." They both said simultaneously. They blushed.
     "You go first-" Again in chorus. 
     They giggled, the tension breaking a little. Akane smiled,
decided to wait for Ranma.
     "I, uh... I wanted to say that... I... maybe I overreacted a
little..." Akane opened her mouth to respond, but Ranma stopped
her with a finger to her lips. 
     "Let me finish before I lose my nerve, okay?" Akane nodded
slowly. 
     "I reacted the way I did 'cause, well... it kinda hurt my
feelings that you'd, uh, y'know, do that over some stoopid
pictures in a magazine... I mean, if you're gonna be doin' that,
I'd hope that you'd, y'know, be doin' that over, uh... me..."
     "Ranma..."
     "No, hold on, I ain't done yet. I know that uh... there's
nothin' wrong with, y'know, fantasizing, about other people...
an' I maybe shouldn't have blown up the way I did, so... I'm
sorry, okay?"
     "Ranma... I... I was going to apologize to *you*! I didn't
mean to hurt your feelings! I just... I don't know what I was
thinking, but I never meant for you to get hurt! After what you
said last night, I never want us to fight again, okay? Please..."
     Ranma smiled in relief as she felt a huge weight lift from
her shoulders.
     "Akane... I don't ever want us to fight either... I love
you..."
     "I love you too, Ranma!" She leapt into her fiancee's arms,
and they kissed.
     It felt weird, kissing Ranma as a girl, Akane thought. Just
as passionate a kiss as last night, but subtly changed all the
same... For one thing, the height ratio had changed... As a girl,
Ranma was about three inches shorter than her. Instead of looking
up into his gorgeous brown eyes, she looked down into a pair of
sapphire blue orbs. Akane was acutely aware of the feeling of
Ranma's full, unrestrained breasts against her own as they
embraced. Ranma even smelled different as a girl, tasted
different, too. Nabiki was right. Being with a girl *was* nice...
definitely different, but still nice... She wondered about
something else Nabiki had said... [I wonder how Ranma'd look with
her hair down?] She pulled her lips away, gently.
     "Ranma?"
     "Mmm-hmm?" Ranma murmured contentedly into Akane's ear.
     "Could you, maybe... undo your pigtail?"
     "Huh? Whuffo'?" She whispered, snuggling closer.
     "I'd just... like to know what you look like with your hair
down, that's all..."
     "Really? It gets kinda outta control, Akane..."
     "Please? For me?"
     "All right..." Ranma disentangled herself from Akane's arms
and, reaching up, undid the braid of her pigtail. Her red hair
cascaded down past her shoulders, still wavy from the tight
braid. Akane gasped.
     "What? What's the matter?" Ranma asked with concern.
     "N-nothing... it's just... You're beautiful..."
     "R-really? I, uh..." Ranma was a little confused... She'd
never thought of her cursed form as being anything more than a
nuisance, or a device to be exploited... 
     "You think I'm... beautiful?"
     "Uh-huh..." Akane smiled. "Remember when we first came here
to spar, that first day?" Ranma nodded, eyes wide. "You beat me
and I said I was glad you were a girl, right?" Ranma nodded
again, remembering.
     "'Cause you hate, er, hated, boys. I remember."
     "Did you ever wonder why I hated boys?"
     "Well, I figured it was 'cause of those jerks tryin' to beat
you up every morning..."
     "Yes, but... It's more than that. Guys are usually
insensitive, stubborn, prideful idiots. That's why, when I found
out about what your curse meant, I allowed myself to start to
feel something for you. Because you knew what it was like to be a
girl, to have guys make your life miserable just because they
thought you were pretty, and they wanted you..." 
     Ranma nodded, thinking about Kuno's daily glompings.   
     "Does this mean you only like me as a girl?"
     "No, baka! I love you as a boy *and* a girl. I want to be
with you forever, no matter which you are." Ranma smiled, hugged
her tighter, leaning up for another kiss. This one lasted a
while...
     "Ranma?"
     "Mmm?"
     "I wasn't thinking about that band when Ukyo caught me, you
know."
     "Huh? You weren't?"
     "Nope. I was thinking about you..."
     Ranma gasped, but Akane cut off any further exclamations
with a deep, loving kiss. Ranma melted into it, returning it with
as much passion as her body could muster. The two slowly sank to
the floor, their arms twining around each other. Gently,
tentatively, Akane explored Ranma's body with her hands. It was
so... soft, compared to Ranma's male form. Ranma moaned quietly
into Akane's mouth as her touches became more insistent, less
hesitant. It was so strange, she thought. Feeling these feelings
while in girl-form, it was so different from the driving urge she
felt as a male. The hunger was no less consuming, but somehow,
more deeply felt. She returned Akane's caresses uncertainly, but
as the dark-haired girl gasped at the touch, she became more
confident in her loving. They struggled out of their clothes,
eager to feel each other's nakedness against their own fevered
flesh...

     Behind the Dojo's door, Mr. Tendo could barely contain his
tears of happiness. He'd heard everything. Ranma and Akane,
together at last! It was a dream come true! Nabiki, I have no
idea how you did it, but you've made your father so very proud at
last! Discreetly creeping away, he left the lovers to their
passion...

     "Akane..." Ranma half-spoke, half-moaned. "Are you sure you
want to do this? Now, like this? Don't you want to... wait?"
     "Yes, Ranma! I've never been so sure of anything in my
entire life... I love you..." She showered Ranma's face with
kisses, and was showered in return.
     Ranma could taste the salt of her Akane's sweat on her skin
as she licked a meandering trail down her sternum into the soft
valley of her cleavage. Akane shuddered at the gentle, loving
touch. She reached out with her own hand, ran her fingers through
Ranma's soft, fine red hair, enjoying the silky feel of the fiery
strands. She ran the other hand down her love's body, across the
full curve of her breasts, down her abdomen to sample the feel of
the coarser hair below. Ranma hissed in response, lifting her
hips to meet Akane's touch, instinctively guiding her hand lower
to the sensitive folds of her sex. Angling her body slightly, she
bent her head to Akane's lower lips, kissing the tender flesh,
gently inserting her tongue as Akane's hips rose to meet her. For
a timeless time, they merely enjoyed each other's loving
caresses, gasping and sighing their pleasure.
     Ranma rose up on her knees until she straddled Akane,
turning so they were face to face. Smiling, she leaned down to
kiss her lover hotly on the lips, sharing the tart taste of her
juices before sitting up again, tossing her hair forward so that
it hung between them, the tip of the red strands barely touching
Akane's fevered skin. Sliding downwards, she gently tickled
Akane's pale pink nipples with the ends, gliding up and down her
torso murmuring endearments. Using one hand to balance herself,
she reached back with the other to gently probe into Akane's damp
folds, stroking the sensitive nubbin of her clit with each
upstroke. Akane moaned, her movements becoming more and more
frenzied underneath her lover's touch.
     Nearing completion, Akane dragged Ranma's face down for a
deep kiss, screaming her climax into her mouth as she shuddered
in joy.
     When it was over, Ranma sat up once more and smiled down at
her, eyes holding all the love they had just shared between them.
     "Akane..." she breathed. "I love you..."

*  *  *

     In the bushes at the corner of the Dojo, three figures
crouched, observing all.
     "Damn, dude! This is better than american cable t.v.! Lookit
those two chicks go!"
     "I think one of them's a dude, dude."
     "No way! I don't see no-"
     A quick cuff from the third silenced them both.
     "Be quiet, you fucks! We gotta wait for the other dude to
show up. He's gotta come back eventually, and when he does...
Biggety-Bam! We kill the fucker for what he did to us!"
     "Sure dude, you got it."
     "Yeah... But I still gotta say, those chicks are HOT!"
     "SSHHHHHHH! ...Idiots..."

*   *   *

     When the afterglow had faded, the two dressed once more and
walked, hand in hand, back to the house.
     Soun and Genma, still in panda-form, were playing shogi at
their table, looking for all the world like they'd been there all
day.
     "Oh, hello you two! You're just in time for dinner!" Kasumi
chirped merrily. "Did you have a nice workout?"
     Akane and Ranma blushed furiously. Nabiki cast a knowing
glance over the top of her magazine.
     "Uh, yeah, Kasumi!" Ranma stammered. "Akane really put me
through my paces today..."
     Akane swatted her. Nabiki barely stifled a laugh.
     "Oh my! Did I say something wrong?"
     Akane blushed a deeper shade of red.
     "Uh, no, no Oneechan! Uhm, What's for dinner?"
     "Well, some nice tender bamboo shoots for Mr. Saotome, and
for the rest of us... Oh! Ranma! You've taken out your pigtail!
It looks very nice!"
     "Uh, thanks, Kasumi..."
     There came a knock at the door. "Oh! We have visitors...
Ranma-kun, could you get the door, please?"
     "Oh, uh, sure Kasumi!" She gave Akane's hand a quick
squeeze, then darted off down the hallway. They could hear the
door slide open, Ranma's tentative "Hello?" Then silence.
     "AAaaagh! W-what are *you* doin' here?!" 
     A familiar, manic laughter echoed throughout the house.
     "Kodachi?" Akane said. "It's not like her to use the front
door when there's a perfectly good window nearby..." Akane ran to
the door.
     Bypassing a stunned and frozen Ranma, she saw, framed in the
doorway, Kodachi and Ryoga, smiling calmly and... holding hands?!
     "Ryoga? Kodachi? What's going on? And... why are you holding
hands..?"
     Ryoga opened his mouth to speak, but Kodachi cut him off.
     "Pig-tailed girl, Akane Tendo, I, Kodachi the Black Rose,
wish to formally renounce my affections for Ranma Saotome. Might
I speak with him please? He will no doubt be devastated, and I
should give him the news personally... Do hurry, Ryo-chan and I
haven't all night..."
     "Ryo-chan...?" Akane whispered, amazed. Ryoga blushed
slightly at the sound of the pet name. Ranma, flabbergasted,
opened her mouth to speak, but nothing but silence issued from
it. She shook herself, scratched the back of her head.
     "Uhh, I'll... just go get... him... then. Wait ri-ight here,
okay?"
     "Very well, if we must. Hmm. I must say, I approve of the
change in hairstyle..."
     "Hunh? Oh, yeah. Pigtails are out this year, heh-heh. Be
right back..." 
     She grabbed Akane by the arm, dragging her stunned form back
into the dining room.
     "D-did I just see... what I thought I saw?" Akane stammered.
     "Yeah... talk about weird, huh? D'you think Ryoga's
drugged?" 
     "He looked all right to me... except for the growth attached
to his arm..."
     "I'd, uh.. better go change back to a guy... Hey, Kasumi, is
there a kettle on?"
     "Of course, Ranma-kun. On the stove."
     Ranma dashed into the kitchen and doused herself with the
steaming contents of the teapot.
     "Hot! Hot! Hot!..." A sopping, steaming male Ranma
reappeared in the kitchen doorway.
     "Okay. let's see what the heck's goin' on here..."

*  *  *
     
     "You guys are WHAT?"
     "I believe the vulgar vernacular term is 'going steady',
Ranma-san. So, I must regretfully end our relationship here and
now. Adieu!"
     "Ryoga? What's goin' on, man?"
     "Simple, Ranma! 'Dachi and I are dating, so she's dumping
you. Try not to take it too hard, hey, 'old buddy'? looks like
the better man won in the end, that's all..." 
     "Oh, Ryo-chan! You are *so* right!"
     "Thank you, 'Dachi-darling."
     [Oh gag!] thought Ranma, thankful his stomach was empty.
     "I hope you two are very happy," Akane said, smiling
sweetly, "Ryoga deserves to have such a... devoted...
girlfriend."
     "T-thanks, Akane! I'm glad you aren't upset!" Ryoga spoke
cheerily.
     "Why should I be upset?"
     "Oh... no reason, I guess. Uh, well, see you later, then!"
     "O-okay, bye!"
     "Uh-huh. Bye now..." Ranma echoed.
     Ryoga and Kodachi waved from the street before walking off
arm in arm.
     "Well... *that* was unexpected..." Ranma said quietly.
     "No kidding..."

*   *   *

     The three mysterious watchers saw the young couple leave.
     "There he is, dude! And that chick who's with him, she's the
one from last night!"
     "She won't be a problem this time. We're ready for her! Get
the net, boys, we're goin' in!"
     "Finally! Ryoga Hibiki'll pay for what he did to us! Pay in
spades!!!"

*  *  *

     Dinner at the Tendo Dojo was rarely a quiet affair, but
tonight's meal was even more rambunctious than usual. Ranma
fought with his father over a dumpling as Nabiki and Akane looked
on, giggling and whispering to each other. Soun wept openly at
the happiness he felt, loudly declaring to anyone who'd listen
what a fine, fine man his future son-in-law had become... Kasumi,
as always, was a island of calm amidst the chaos as she quietly
served tea.
     Once again, a knock was heard at the door, much more frantic
and frenzied.
     "Oh, my! Ranma-kun, could you get the door again, please?"
     "Sure Kasu- Hey! Pop! No fair, that's *my* dumpling!"
     Genma-panda held up one of his signs.
     (Have some pity on your poor old father! He's hungry!)
     "Grrr. Pop! You're *always* hungry! I'm gonna-"
     "Ranma-kun, please... The door?"
     "Sigh... Get right on it, Kasumi...." He strolled off down
the hall, making a face at his father over his shoulder. The
pounding came again.
     "Yeah, yeah... keep your shirt on, I'm comin'... Who is-
Kodachi?!"
     Kodachi looked like she'd just gone five rounds with a
three-hundred-pound gorilla.
     "What happened? Where's Ryoga?"
     "Oh, Ranma-san! You *must* help me! Ruffians have taken my
Ryo-chan!!"
     "Oh, man..."

*****************************************************************
**

So ends part four of Rock 'n Roll 1/2! Part five should be along
shortly, so stay tuned!

LINER NOTES: Thanks as always to my pre-reading team of Matt and
Marsha Higgins, (and my Kato-chan, she knows who she is...)

Address all comments, kudos, questions and flames to me at:
<leapinggnome@hotmail.com>
I guarantee a response, so talk to me people!

99/10/07