{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!}
"This is Ken." I smiled. I liked Ken a lot.
Ranchan, on the other hand, looked less than impressed. "Hi," he said noncommitally.
Ken was nervous, sweating rivers. He barely got out a greeting in return. "Hi..."
That was my cue. "So who's up for some freebies?" That would get Ranchan; he never turned down free food. This time he seemed unenthused.
"Thanks, Ucchan, but I've got other things to do," he said, rising from his stool. "Maybe I'll see ya later." He gave a half-hearted wave and walked out.
So much for that. Sometimes Ranchan can be so thick-headed. I looked at Ken, who was still nervous. "How 'bout you Ken? You want something?" I must be attracted to guys who can't turn down free food.
"Sure," he answered, loosening up. He smiled a little; I liked to see Ken smile.
I had warned him Ranchan could be a little... Well, kind of a macho pig at times, and that he shouldn't take anything personally. I guess I didn't count on Ranchan taking it so badly. I always knew Ranchan was *slightly* possessive, but he had nothing to be upset over.
So I started to get mad. Damn it. I had made the sacrifice, I had agreed to give him up as my fiance, and now that I had found someone, he decided he wanted to keep me? I frowned and started mixing the batter with a fury.
I know I wasn't always the most rational, forward thinking person; sometimes I could get just a bit violent... But I like to think that once I let something go, I could let it go forever. I liked to think that I had matured. I suppose Ranchan hadn't.
Cooking, something I could do if I was asleep, was also my 'therapy'. I had time to think when I was cooking, but this time I was just mad.
Ranchan pushed me on that date with Ryoga; Ranchan pushed me to find someone else. I convinced myself that I needed to get on with my life and Ranchan had seemed all for it. Too bad he couldn't get over it.
"Hey, Ukyo," Ken's voice came from behind me.
I stopped what I was doing, realized I had been zoning. "Coming right up, Ken," I said, pushing down the anger.
"I'm sorry about Ranchan. He's not usually so rude." Well, most of the time. "He just hasn't grown up." I turned and set the plate in front of Ken.
"The whole fiance thing?"
"Right. It just makes me mad that he thinks he's some sort of... What's the word?"
"Pimp?"
I stared at Ken. Then I giggled. If only Ranchan had heard that. The one aspect that Ranchan really hated about his life, all the girls, and he had just been accused of doing it professionally. I started laughing harder, Ken's smile growing wide.
"I think Ranchan would hurt you if he heard you say that," I said, between fits of laughter.
Ken suddenly stopped laughing. "Are you serious?"
I just couldn't stop laughing. Ranchan as a pimp. The idea was so absurd. I could only nod to Ken.
"Ukyo, I don't want to be hurt. I think Ranma could very easily bend me in half."
I nodded again, the laughter starting to slow. Ken was so silly.
"Come on, Ken. Eat up. And I won't let Ranchan hurt you, even if he is a possessive, thick-headed, macho twit."
"I need advice."
"So why did you come to me? I thought you were mad at me."
"I could never be mad at you."
"Then why did you act like that last week?"
"Act like what?"
"Come on, Ranchan. Don't play stupid. You treated Ken like he was an inanimate object. And you acted like I was made of cold water."
"I don't know..."
"Please. If you're going to be like this, why don't you just leave. I have more important things to do than take your crap then help you out when you get yourself in trouble." I didn't like being angry at Ranchan, but he had to know I wouldn't be his floormat.
Apparently, I got through to him. He had a funny look on his face; it appeared to be disbelief. His mouth worked a little, then his face fell. "You're right, Ucchan. I'm sorry."
Well maybe he was growing up. It was a start.
"You know I just don't think that guy's good enough."
"You'll never think anyone's good enough. I know you tried to dump Ryoga on me so he'd stop hanging around Akane."
He looked down, his face getting a little red.
"I don't need you to act like my father. I'm perfectly capable of living my own life. I think it's about time you tried the same."
"What? You're saying I can't live my own life? I've been living my own life for the past year; and it hasn't been easy."
"You've been going through the motions, meddling with other people's lives. Worry about yourself for once. I don't know why you can't leave well enough alone."
"Are you kidding? If it was possible, you know I'd say 'see ya' to the entire mob and spend my days sleeping in a hammock."
Well, I suppose it wasn't ALL his fault. But enough was to make me annoyed at his innocent act. "All right, Ranchan. So what's your problem?"
"Well, ya see..." He scratched the back of his head and looked at the counter. "There's this girl I like... But we always fight and I can never say what I mean. And there's this other girl who's always been my best friend... And sometimes I treat her bad. I'm just no good with girls. Can you help?"