Friends?     Ryoga watched as Ranma sat down on the practice mat, his face full of despair.  It had taken him a while to realize that Akane felt more for Ranma than either P-chan or Ryoga, though even now the realization was hard to accept.  Still...  "What's wrong?"
    Ranma glanced up as it noticing him for the first time.  "Nothin' what make's you ask?"
    Ryoga eyes him thoughtfully.  "Does it have anything to do with your fight with Akane?"
    The black-haired boy jumped to his feet, waving a finger in his face.  "You leave Akane out of this Ryoga!"
    Raising his hands he stood up as well, slightly straightening his yellow tunic.  "Whatever.  I just thought you might want to talk about what's bothering you, that's all."  Without another word he walked out of the dojo leaving Ranma to blink at his hasty retreat.
    Not five seconds later Ranma's feet were pounding against the pavement behind him.  "Hey Ryoga!  Aren't you ganna fight me?"
    "Nope."
    He skipped directly in front of him.  "What do ya mean NOPE?  Normally all I have ta do is give ya an excuse and you're ready to rip my throat out."
    Ryoga shrugged in response, "Sometimes things change."  With that he left Ranma staring after him.
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    Ranma sat at the kitchen table but didn't bother to touch the meat Kasumi placed before him.  Instead he found himself alternating glances between Ryoga and Akane.  Normally if one was acting wierd or differently the other on was always there for him to turn to.  He'd never had them both acting strange at once.
    It was about that time when his father decided to intervene in his life once more.  "Ranma why don't you and Akane go do something today.  Maybe... take her out to dinner and a movie."
    He stared hard at his father, "Why don't you mind your own buisness old man?"
    With a deftness born of practice Mr. Saotome sent his son flying through the patio doors, causing him to fly into the cold pond outside.
    Sputtering he resurfaced with his feminine side showing.  "Hey Pops.  If you wanna fight why don't ya get out here and do it."  As he had suspected he didn't get an answer and began lifting himself uncerimoniously out of the water.  When he looked uup he found Ryoga standing in front of him holding a kettle.
    "I thought you'd need this."
    Ranma blinked, barely able to contain his surprise.  "Yah, um, thanks Ryoga."
    The other boy smiled showimg his slightly pronounced canine teeth.  "No problem, glad to help.  I mean, what are friends for?"
    Ranma felt his jaw drop as he set the kettle down and re-entered the house.  For a moment his mind drew a complete blank but moments later suspicion filled the void, just what is Ryoga up to?
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    Ryoga looked up as Ranma came back inside.  What he saw wasn't exactly something he'd expected but should have anticipated.  Suspicion.  Ranma was suspiscious of the friendship he was offering.  Silently he shook his head, black bangs brushing his forehead over top of his black and yellow headband.  He had to admit that he should have expected it, he hadn't exactly been overly friendly, after all.  That meant it would be a fight to gain either his trust or his friendship.  But that was alright because even though he wasn't very good at some things, like directions, he was good at fighting and he never gave up.
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    Akane couldn't help but glare at Ranma and Ryoga as the faced off in the dojo.  It was almost as if they had traded places or something.  Usually Ryoga was the one who attacked and Ranma was the one who stayed on defense, always quicker than his opponent, which was prbably a good thing because Ryoga was the stronger and because of his always practicing and Ranma's slouching he would more than likely become a better fighter within a few months.  Yet, for some reason, they were switched around.  Ryoga was fighting more defensively then she'd ever seen him and Ranma was attempting to use him as a punching bag.
    She was also mad at the fact that neither one would spar with her in a reasonably similar manner.  It just wasn't fair!  So what if she was a girl?  There was no female readily available who could fight her, other than Ranma's alter ego and even in that form he fought her in the same way.  Exasperated she got up and walked from the dojo.  How on Earth would she get any better if she couldn't practice?
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    Ryoga watched as Akane left and he didn't miss the worry that crossed Ranma's face.  In unspoken agreement the practice came to an end.  Clearing his throat he spoke to his friend without taking his eyes from where they  rested on the doorway.  "Do you know what's bothering Akane?"
    The reply he got wasn't what he'd hoped for.
    "Why don't you keep out of it P-chan.  She isn't your fiance y'know?"
    The words stung but Ryoga took a deep breath before he spoke and managed to avoid a snide comment.  "Well if you don't want to talk about it that's fine, all you have to do is say so."  He didn't chance looking back at Ranma as he left the dojo and sat down on the steps outside.  The breeze ruffled his hair and cooled his hot skin.  Inside the dojo he could hear Ranma begin punching the large sand bag in the corner.
    Sighing, Ryoga got up and moved into the house.  Leaning against the doorframe he watched Kasumi as she cut carrots.
    "Want some help?"
    Looking up, seemingly unstartled she smiled at him.  "That's a really nice offer, Ryoga but..."
    He tried not to sound too pleading but it didn't work, "Please?"
    She blinked, "Um, sure.  Could you peel the potatoes for me?"
    "Potatoes?"
    "Yes, I thought it would be a nice change?"
    "But aren't they kinda expensive?"  Ryoga asked, attempting to mask his uncertainty.
    She smiled prettily.  "They were a gift from Dr. Tofu."
    Keeping an outer appearance of calm, Ryoga scanned the room, "Um, Kasumi is the Doctor still here?"
    She looked up from the carrots.  "Oh no, he left some time ago.  He's such a silly man.  Quite funny but very smart..."  She blinked as if she'd been caught up in her thoughts and a faint, red tinge crossed her cheeks.
    Knowing how she felt, Ryoga grabbed a knife and began peeling the skin off and pretended not to have seen.
    The work in the kitchen went quickly and Ryoga found himself at the table after helping Kasumi set the table.  Genma, having a sixth sense where food was concerned, was already there and the others were slowly filing in.
    Ranma didn't even look at him as he sat down and Akane glared at both of them.  Staring at his plate Ryoga lost his appetite, using his chop sticks he pushed the food around his plate and given a little time the table cleared until only Genma and himself were left.
    Genma was eyeing his food and Ryoga had a sudden idea.  "Are you still hungry Mr. Saotome?"
    "Uh, yes.  Yes I am."
    "Well tell you what, I'll give you my plate if you accept me as a student in Anything Goes Martial Arts."
    Genma's eyes got big but he nodded his head and resumed eyeing the plate greedily.  "It's a deal Ryoga.  Lessons start early tommoro before Ranma's."
    Satisfied he gave him the plate and went outside to his tent.
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    The next morning he waited until Genma stepped out the door.  The older man smiled cockily, "So, let's see what you got boy."  Without another word he launched an offensive of flying fists and feet, effectively putting Ryoga in his poorest element, defense.  He managed to elude the general amount of hits until the attacks came faster and he was knocked to the ground, tasting blood.  He looked up in time to see Genma nodd.
    "We'll need to work on your speed but your strength and endurance are formidable though so it shouldn't be too difficult to straighten that problem out.  We'll continue tommorow same time.  Now, for Ranma...."