Seeing her eyes widen a bit in surprise, he realized that there was something happening. Turning to look, he saw Akane coming up to the pair of them, and seeming to be a bit distressed about something. That explained Ukyo's reaction, and hoped that it wasn't a signal of problems to come.
"Uhh.... Hi Akane," he weakly greeted her. "I'd have thought that you'd be heading over to have lunch with your friends."
Akane blinked slightly as she looked to him. "That was the plan, but I saw you two here when I was heading out."
"Oh. So it was an accident?"
"I'm not sure how else to put it. Seeing you two like this sure wasn't intentional."
"Sugar, you aren't mad at Ranchan for talking to me like this, are you?" Ukyo asked, sounding rather concerned about the prospect.
"Absolutely not! How could you think of such a thing?"
"Sorry, but you did look pretty annoyed when you saw us...."
"That was.... something else that I was thinking of. To be honest, I really don't have much of a problem with you and him talking."
"Really?"
"Sure," the short haired girl responded. "I mean, you're the only one of the girls after him that I've really been able to stick around with. Shampoo and I can... deal with each other, but you don't see me going to the Nekohanten all the time."
"That's true. For which I'm thankful."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Simple. I could use the business," the brown haired girl said with a grin.
"I suppose that's right. Of course, you do well as it is."
"Hard work's the ticket. I'm always in business, you know."
"We both know that, and speaking of it," Ranma inserted. "Don't you have okonomiyaki to sell?"
"You know that I do, Ranchan. Why bring it up?"
"Because it's a lunch period, and I don't want you to miss it."
"You going to join me then?"
"In a minute. I do have to ask Akane something."
"You do? She could come with us," his childhood friend suggested.
"That's nice of you to offer, but it's just something between us."
"Between you two?"
His look to her was deeply apologetic. "Yeah. Something that I don't want to embarrass her with."
"I see.... Well, that's good of you, Ranchan."
"Thanks. And remember, this will let her get on her own way quicker."
"I understand. I'll see you in a little bit."
"Sure thing," Ranma responded, and shifted his attention to the other girl as soon as Ukyo was out of sight. "What's really going on?"
Akane gave him a questioning glance. "Master?"
"I can tell that something is up. So, tell me. You weren't just saying that you liked her, did you?"
"No! That's not it at all!"
"Then what is it?"
"I'm not sure that I can totally explain the reasons for it, but I can tell you what the feelings are," she sighed. "You see, even though I really like spending time with her, there's always been a bit of... me that is constantly aware of just why she's around. I always have that concern that she's going to do something that I won't like because of your dad engaging you to her."
"And that was there just now?"
"That's just the point. It wasn't!"
"You kind of lost me there," he informed her.
"Then let me make it simple. When I saw you with her, I didn't feel any concern about it whatsoever. Sure, I did, and do, want to have your attention for myself, but the idea of you doing whatever you want with her doesn't really bother me."
"It doesn't?"
"Master, I tried to think of you... enjoying her bed with her, and the only things that I could think of were how I hoped that it would be something that you could enjoy, and how could I make it better for you. Now, that is something that has me... confused."
"I'll say. Going from always yelling at me for that...."
"To wanting to actively support you? I know. It's not what I used to be like. But I guess that since I've become yours.... There's just no desire to keep you to myself. I belong to you, not the other way around," she murmured with the certainty of one who had the truth slap her in the face.
"Great. Just great."
"But don't worry about it. I do have to say that I could get used to it. Even find ways to enjoy it."
"If you say so. Just one thing though."
"What?"
"Remember that no matter what happens, you won't just be a possession to me."
"Of course, Master."
"Well then, I suppose that I'd better get to Ucchan before she misses me," he told her with a reluctant nod.
"I understand, Master."
"You know, you could come sit with us."
"Wouldn't that cramp your 'style'? I do have Yuka and Sayuri to think about too."
Her Master gave her a sympathetic smile. "It'll be good for you to sit with Ucchan and me. We always get along great. And you could bring those two along, if you want."
The expression on Akane's face was thankful, while:
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(Posted Tue, 18 Apr 2006 03:19)
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