{These characters are not property of me. I would never attempt to claim them as my own. This story may not be used without my permission, and may not be used to make money in any way, shape or form. Characters and certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny stuff!}
"Come on, Ucchan. He's all wrong. He's too short and his arms are too thin."
"He's got nice hair. And kind eyes."
"How can you see his eyes from here? Besides, those arms are a dead giveaway. No good."
"I'm only looking for someone to meet, not marry. Don't be such a harsh judge." I looked at him sternly. "You know, I bet a few people could say some not so nice things about you before they actually met you."
He looked at me, that familiar smirk taking its place. "Yeah, I guess I could give some people the wrong idea." He looked at the young man walk down the street. "I still think those arms are too skinny..."
I swatted him lightly on the arm and laughed. "Ranchan, you'll never change."
"Ucchan, you know Ryoga." He shoved Ryoga forward. Yeah, I knew him. Barely.
"Hel.. hello." Ryoga smiled, his little fangs peeking out. "Oof!" He turned and glared at Ranma for elbowing him in the back before holding out a fistful of flowers. "These are for you."
Why, oh why, did I let Ranchan talk me into this? I smiled at Ryoga. He was a little cute, I suppose. I took the bouquet, a collection of brightly colored wildflowers, and spared a quick glance to Ranma. He winked at me. "Thank you, Ryoga," I said. Why did I feel so nervous? This was definitely the last time I let myself be set up on a date.
"Um, why don't we go get something to eat," Ryoga suggested. There was a tremor in his voice. Apparently he was as nervous as me, the silly smile he couldn't get rid of was all the proof I needed.
"Sure. Where did you have in mind?" Might as well try to make the best of it.
"Well, I thought, maybe we could..."
Ranma backed away slowly, leaving us to our date.
"So how was it?" Ranma's eyes were glittering like he had just discovered a cure for his curse.
I shrugged. "All right."
"All right? That's it?" He better not be taking this as some knock to his honor. He was taking this whole thing far too seriously.
"Yeah. It was fine. We had a good time and that's it." I felt like some sort of new ki technique under heavy study. His eyes were wide and focused right on me.
"So you had a good time then?"
"That's what I said. We had a good time. Dinner was fine and the movie was fine." Fine, good, but not great. I leaned forward a bit in my seat. "You know Ryoga's a nice guy and all but..."
"Nice guy... I suppose. But what?"
I reduced my voice to a whisper. "He is _really_ hung up on Akane."
Ranma laughed, nodding his head. "Yes he is. He just can't give her up. There was Akari, but he was too stuck on Akane to keep with her. I think Akari was too nice for him anyway."
I gave him a sour look. "Too nice for him? Then what are you saying about me?" What nerve, it seemed like Akane was going soft on the tough love for him to say something like that.
His laughter died. "No, nothing like that. I just think he could do with someone who wouldn't treat him like the sun, moon and stars all the time. I've been on the receiving end of your spatula enough to know..."
Eh, I suppose it was true. But still...
"Ryoga, you know you're a nice guy and all... But you're just not my type." He was looking at me strangely, almost like he was mentally lost. "I enjoyed when we went out, but that's all." He was missing something, something that I had seen in Ranchan. Maybe it was that carefree spirit; I don't think Ryoga could _ever_ be carefree.
"Of course." His voice was flat and emotionless. I hoped he wouldn't fire off one of his blasts, those can get ugly. I really hoped I didn't hurt his feelings, that wasn't what I wanted. I didn't want to hurt anybody.
I suppose if we had started out as friends, maybe I could have gotten to know him a bit better. But a half blind date is not the way to get to know someone. "I'm sorry, Ryoga. It was a mistake to let Ranchan push me into this." The tough part. "Maybe we can be friends? You know, and just hang out sometimes." The thing everyone knows is the kiss of death: let's be friends.
He looked at me, his eyes bleary like he'd been crying. But he'd been here since the morning. I guess Ranchan's stories about Ryoga's depression weren't exaggerated. "Friends?" He asked. He sounded pitiful too. He really needed to get off the downers.
"Yeah. Maybe Ranchan has a problem with you, but I don't. I had fun the other night. I know I didn't say anything, but I haven't enjoyed myself that much in quite a while."
"Even though I got us lost?" His eyes cleared up almost immediately. Sometimes I get so tired of the macho ego of martial artists. Did Ryoga think I was counting on him to be my future husband or something? He apparently thought I would hate him for not being a good match. Heck, I didn't even know if he wanted to go out with me, why would he be so upset?
So I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Yeah. Even though you got us lost. We found our way back didn't we? Though we didn't see the movie I wanted to, I still had fun."
His eyes got that little shine to them, like he was seeing a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Just how desperate was Ryoga? The answer to myself would have to be very. I don't think he'll ever get what he wants, Ranchan and Akane are too lost in each other when they're not arguing. Well, I can be a friend. I always liked to think I was easy to get along with, easy to talk to. And that's what it seemed like Ryoga needed.
As for any more 'dates', no way. Sure it's nice to go out and do the things that friends do, but he could never be my boyfriend or anything. At first it was because I didn't know him; now it's that I know him too well. He's perpetually depressed and thinks the whole world is out to get him. He keeps grudges longer than I do (or at least did) and he refuses to think anyone would be his friend. But he needs a friend. He needs a friend a lot more than a girlfriend.
Me? I'm still young, I don't need to grab on to the first guy I go on a date with. And I don't need anyone to set me up. I know I can find someone on my own. Gods know I've got the time to find someone just right for me, whoever and wherever he might be. Possibly, in a few years, if he ever manages to grow up, Ryoga wouldn't be too bad...
I turn my attention back to the okonomiyaki cooking in front of me. It's a little overdone, but Ryoga eats it like there's no tomorrow. He really is a good guy and I can't keep myself from smiling at him.