Ukyou waited patiently outside the door of her spare room. Ryouga opened it at her knock and looked immensely relieved to see her.
         "Morning Sugar."
         "Good morning." He adjusted his pack and allowed her to take his hand. "To the Tendo’s?"
         "And our future."

         Ukyou knocked on the front door and smiled happily as Ranma opened it. Her anger of earlier in the week was forgotten when she saw his tired face. "Oh Ranchan! What’s wrong?"
         "Ukyou! Ucchan!" He swept her into a hug, glad of someone he could touch.
         She laughed delightedly. She’d been dreading this. Maybe everything would be okay.
         "Ucchan, I was worried sick about you."
         She smiled. "Well, I ran off to think, but I ran into Ryouga."
         Suddenly, Ranma went from happy to furious. "Where is the little pig?"
         Ryouga stepped forward. "Have you followed through on your threat Ranma?"
         "Go to hell P-chan."
         Ryouga’s battle aura flared. "I want to see Akane."
         "Oh Ukyou! Ryouga! Come in. You must have heard about Akane and come to visit!" Kasumi beamed happily. "She’ll be so glad of the company. Ranma, why don’t you take them upstairs."
         "What happened to Akane?" Ukyou asked as Ranma grabbed her hand and led them to Akane’s room. Kasumi had cleaned it last night. Akane turned her head as the door opened. She’d been waiting all morning for Ranma to come and see her.
         Although she’d hoped he wouldn’t be holding Ukyou’s hand when he did. Why wouldn’t he prefer a fiancée he could touch?
         "Gosh Akane! What happened?"
         "A science experiment that backfired," she lied easily. If only she could wipe the guilt from Ranma’s face. "I’m glad you’re back safely Ukyou. We were worried."
         "I was okay." She pulled Ryouga into the room behind her. "Ryouga and I ran into each other."
         Akane’s face flushed crimson. "Hello Ryouga."
         "Akane-san."
         Ranma stiffened at the endearment, casually sliding his arm around Ukyou in response.
         Tears glistened in Akane’s eyes. She sighed heavily, her heart breaking. "I’m awfully tired. Thanks for stopping by."
         Ukyou looked from Ryouga to Akane to Ranma. There were some very strange undercurrents here. "I should get back to the restaurant anyway. I really can’t afford more time off."
         "I’ll walk you home." Ranma smiled down at her, knowing he was hurting Akane, unable to stop. He couldn’t even look her in the face, his guilt was eating him alive.
         "Ryouga?"
         "Yes Akane?"
         "Could you stay? Just for a minute?"
         "Of course." He watched Ukyou and Ranma start out of the room - one happy, one furious. He walked over to the chair beside the bed. Taking her hand in his, he was totally unaware of the pain the small gesture caused his rival.
         "Ryouga…I’m sorry."
         "Sorry?"
         "About the other day. I care for you very much Ryouga. But I love Ranma. I was trying to do something noble Ryouga. And I failed. And I’m afraid I may have hurt you in the process."
         "I don’t…" he could feel his heart shattering, knowing that once again, he was going to lose.
         "I can’t love you Ryouga. I wish I could. My life would be so much easier. But you are my friend still…I hope. I’ll forgive P-chan if you forgive me for using you."
         "I love you Akane." He paused for a long moment, his hand squeezing hers tightly. Taking a deep breath, he remembered his promise to Ranma. And himself. "But I would rather have a perfect memory and a friend than an unhappy life. And Akane, it is a perfect memory." He sighed, surprised it didn’t hurt quite as much as he expected.
         "You’ll find a very special girl to love you Ryouga. I’m sure of it."
         He realized he pictured Ukyou at her suggestion. "I think I might Akane." He gave her hand one last squeeze then stood. "I think I might."

         Ranma had been talkative the entire way to Ucchan’s. He had yet to say a work to her though, having instead spent the whole time mumbling about pigs, uncute tomboys and touching. Not that she’d minded. He’d had his arm around her during the walk. She hoped Nabiki had gotten a picture of it.
         "Ranchan?"
         He dropped his arm. "Yeah?"
         She tried not to seem disappointed. "Do you love me?"
         "Gah!" He jumped back about a foot. "Why?"
         "Do you?"
         "C’mon Ukyou, you know you’re my best friend."
         She pouted a little and stamped her foot. "Don’t be such a jackass. It’s a simple question. Answer it."
         "As a friend?"
         "I see." She bit her lip. "Do you love Akane?"
         "What is this? The third degree?"
         "You said you did. In the park that day. Did you mean it?"
         He sighed and thought of Akane in her bed, bruised and bandaged because of him. Maybe she’d be better off without him. Her life had been normal before he’d come along. Just say no. Get out of her life. "Yes." Shit. Where’d that come from?
         "I thought so." Okay, plan B. "I’ve decided to release you from our engagement Ranma. I’ve found someone else that I like and I’m going to start dating him."
         "Really Ucchan? That’s great. Who’s the lucky devil?"
         "Ryouga."

         Nabiki opened her bedroom window and waited. Soon enough a small ninja climbed inside.
         "Yes Miss Nabiki?"
         "Sasuke, I need you to spy a little. Some bugs perhaps. I want to know what’s going on with Kunou."
         "I understand the master has a new girlfriend, Miss Nabiki."
         "I know about her. She’s the least of my concerns. The usual arrangement?"
         Sasuke nodded. "Yes, Miss Nabiki."

         Mousse sat down on the edge of Akane’s bed. He could see the marks where her tears had fallen. He’d expected them, having watched Ryouga leave and Ranma before him.
         "It seems I have an opportunity to repay your kindness." He pulled a bouquet of wildflowers from his sleeve.
         "How?" She smiled, although it did reach her eyes.
         "Dr. Tofu would like me to work with you to rebuild your strength and keep you muscle tone. I get to make you suffer the wrath of the ointment."
         She laughed. "It’s only fair, I suppose."
         "He feels it is his fault Akane."
         "I’ve told him that it’s not."
         "But he needs to feel guilty right now. Give him time."
         "I can’t. He’s got three other fiancées…Oh Mousse, I’m sorry."
         "No. Don’t be. I’m better off. Besides, was it not you who said this might make her realize she can’t live without me?"
         "I hope for your sake I’m right."

         Ryouga stood outside of Ucchan’s and watched Ukyou stare into space. Dr. Tofu had been nice enough to bring him here. He’d realized as he’d left Akane’s room he had nowhere else to stay. He was almost positive no one there would welcome the return of P-chan. He walked into the restaurant and sat opposite her. "How did it go?"
         "He almost choked when I asked him. But he told me he loves her."
         "She told me the same."
         "So I came up with plan B"
         "I’ll assume plan B doesn’t involve giving up gracefully and going on to find a new love?" he asked sadly.
         "Sort of."
         "Really?" He looked up expectantly. Could it be she was feeling the same way he was?
         "I told Ranchan I’d release him from our engagement because there was someone I wanted to date."
         "Oh?" He tried to hid the joy that was holding together his fragile heart.
         "So, whatcha say Sugar? Will you date with me?"
         "I…uh…"
         "And when Ranma realizes how jealous he is, he’ll come for me. He was already pissed that it was you this afternoon. So see? Pretty soon you’ll have Akane."
         "Akane. Right." His hope shattered. "So we’ll be using each other."
         "But for a good cause!" She looked into Ryouga’s eyes, pleading with him.
         He couldn’t bear to see her pain. "Of course Ukyou. I’d be glad to help."

         Ranma sat in the park swinging slowly. Ukyou and Ryouga. He smiled. They fit together in a strange sort of way. One less fiancée and Ryouga away from Akane. His smile faded. Not that it mattered if he couldn’t have Akane.
         The picture of her in bed hurting because of what he had done haunted him. Not nearly as much as the look on her face when she’d seen him holding Ukyou’s hand, putting his arm around her. He’d more than deserve it if he went home and found out she and Ryouga had decided….no. That he couldn’t think about. But didn’t she deserve a man who could hold her? Touch her?
         Probably. But that didn’t stop the thought of anyone else touching her from driving him into an almost murderous rage.
         "Nihao Ranma."
         "Hey Shampoo."
         She sat next to him, uncertain of his mood. "Shampoo hear of accident. Is husband okay?"
         "Yeah."
         "Is violent girl okay?" She’d heard what had happened this morning when Mousse called to say he would not be returning to the restaurant. Shampoo felt bad for her rival. She’d never intended for Akane to be hurt.
         "Dr. Tofu says she should be okay in a few weeks. Oh hey! He thinks we got some bad ramen that my have been affected by my curse. You think the old ghoul could help try to reverse it?"
         *He doesn’t get it.* "We could ask. May cost."
         "I’ll pay any price for Akane’s safety."
         Shampoo’s heart sank at the words. "Is Amazon cure. May have Amazon price." She hugged him closely. "Husband."
         He swallowed hard and felt a drop of sweat slide down his spine. "Nu-uh. I won’t marry you Shampoo."
         "We go see great grandmother. She know what price."
         "You don’t think the old mummy coulda done this, do you?"
         "Grandmother never hurt violent girl like that. You know that."
         Ranma sighed, "No, I guess not."

         Nabiki sat in the library leafing through a financial magazine. Her mind was elsewhere. She’d been so caught up in her unexpected romance that she’d forgotten to pay attention to her crazy household. And now Akane was hurting. Could have been killed if she’d landed differently, Kasumi had said. Well out of Ranma’s hearing.
         Only two people could have done something like this. Cologne, who would normally be Nabiki’s first choice, and Kodachi. She usually wouldn’t suspect Kodachi since she tended to be less….subtle. But Kunou’s change in behavior had her thinking.
         "Good afternoon fair Nabiki."
         "Hey Kunou-baby."
         "Once, perhaps, I would like to hear you speak my first name."
         "When you least expect it." Like this romance. No one had ever tried to ask her out. Everyone was either afraid or in debt. Was she reading too much into this?
         "And how is your sister?"
         She thought back to the night before. He’d sat quietly next to her, holding her hand while Dr. Tofu had explained Akane’s condition. Afterwards, he’d hugged her tightly and gone, promising to see her the next day. "She’s doing okay. Ranma is punishing himself. He seems to think it is all his fault."
         "I checked around. Last night, my twisted sister was at a gymnastics match in Tokyo. I spoke with Sasuke and he swear on his ninja honor that he went nowhere near ramen at my sister’s behest." He laughed at her surprised look. "I do know what my sister is capable of Nabiki Tendo. And I know she imagines Saotome as her true love and Akane as her rival. She seemed a likely culprit."
         "You amaze me."
         He bowed slightly. "I live to serve you."
         Nabiki smiled and let herself hope.

         Akane was lonely. No more P-chan to talk to. Nabiki was out with Kunou. She didn’t want to encourage Ryouga. Dad and Mr. Saotome were at a shogi tournament. Kasumi had gone to the market. Mousse was in the dojo. And Ranma…he’d left with Ukyou. And he couldn’t even look at her.
         And sad. If he wouldn’t look at her, how was he supposed to love her, marry her? Would he be able to after she was better? No more bruises or cuts? Or would he just move on to a fiancée he could touch?
         The phone rang, startling her. Kasumi had hooked up an extension in her room. She answered it quickly, glad of someone to talk to. Maybe one of her friends.
         "Hello?"
         "Hey. It’s Ranma. Um, I’m not gonna be home for dinner, okay Kasumi?"
         He thought *she* was Kasumi? "Oh my. Okay Ranma."
         "Look in on Akane for me, huh? Tell her I’ll be home late so I won’t see her." He knew it was Akane. "I’ll see her tomorrow."
         "I’m sure she’ll be looking forward to it."
         He listened to the tears in her voice. *Oh Akane, don’t cry.* "Okay, I gotta go. Bye Kasumi."
         "Good-bye Ranma." She hung up the phone, tears running silently down her face. He was at the Cat Café. First Ukyou, now Shampoo. Her voice broke with sobs barely louder than a whisper. "Good-bye Ranma."

         Ranma blinked back the tears standing in his own eyes. What was he doing? Why was he hurting her? He’d called from the phone inside the restaurant deliberately.
         "Ranma?" Shampoo lay her hand gently on his shoulder. "You okay?"
         "Sure. Just telling Kasumi I wouldn’t be home for dinner. C’mon, let’s go talk to the ghoul."
         Cologne listened as Ranma described the ramen and the subsequent explosion, as well as the explanation Dr. Tofu had given Akane. "Your doctor is correct. Unfortunately, there is no known remedy. But there are many works of the ancients that have not been researched."
         "So there may be?"
         "Yes. But there is a price."
         "What is it."
         "You must work here, since Mousse will not return. And once a week you must date Shampoo."
         "Akane’ll kill me."
         "And risk killing herself?" Cologne smiled. "If she strikes you it is as though she will be striking herself. Three weeks of your life son-in-law. Is it worth it?"
         Ranma thought for a moment. If he explained to the family, did he have to tell Akane? She’d be bedridden for those weeks anyway. The Cat Café was no problem. But the dates?
         Cologne watched his concerns play out over his face. She was right to use the true love spell. Oh well, feelings could be taken care of. She needed Shampoo to have Ranma.
         Shampoo watched Ranma as well. She’d never intended for Akane to be hurt, but this plan seemed foolproof. She carefully avoided seeing the sadness in his eyes. It was too much like the pain in Mousse’s.
         "All right, old ghoul. Three weeks of work. Three dates. One cure."
         Cologne smiled. "We have a deal son-in-law?’
         "We gotta deal."

         Kasumi stood in Akane’s doorway and watched her sister. Akane wasn’t good at sitting still. She couldn’t sew or knit or anything that required staying still and following directions. "I brought you a present Akane."
         Her sad hazel eyes raised to meet her sisters. "Really Oneechan?"
         She held out a neatly wrapped gift and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I even had it wrapped so you could undo it by yourself."
         Akane pulled the string and smiled as the paper fell away. "The plays of William Shakespeare. Thank you Kasumi."
         "I thought maybe Ranma could sit with you and get Romeo right this time."
         Her smile faded. "Ranma won’t be home for dinner Kasumi. He’s with Shampoo."
         The closest Kasumi usually got to anger was a small frown and a slight furrow in her brow. So it was unnerving when she slapped the bed. "That boy!"
         "Um, Kasumi?"
         "He has no manners."
         "He did call."
         "I’m sorry Akane." She shook her head, once more the calm, serene Kasumi. "Perhaps Mousse will read the plays with you."
         "I’d be glad to." He stood in the doorway, holding the bottle of ointment. "But first you must suffer as I have suffered."
         Akane laughed softly. "I think you’ve still got a few treatments to go, don’t you?"
         "I can’t win." He tried to look sad, but his smile ruined the effect. "C’mon. sit up. You know, ladies first."
         "I don’t think anyone has ever accused me of being a lady before."
         "Well you are. And a lovely one at that." Mousse uncapped the ointment and helped her sit up. "Arms first."
         Kasumi left the room as Mousse began gently rubbing the healing salve on Akane’s arms. She really needed to talk to Ranma.

         Ryouga sat on the bed in Ukyou’s guest room and looked around. His own room. And a job. And a…girlfriend. Sort of.
         "Sugar, what are you doin’?"
         He smiled up at her. "I’m a little nervous." He looked down at his thigh he’d been repeatedly punching. "It’s been since junior high that I’ve had a room of my own. I’ve never had a job and a girl…girlfriend."
         Ukyou sighed. "It’s just pretend. Ryouga. Until Ranma and Akane get jealous." She sat down next to him and took his hand. "There’s nothing between us really." She turned to look at him and found herself lost in his eyes.
         "Right. Nothing at all."
         And suddenly, Ukyou found she liked second kisses much better than first.

         Ranma walked into the darkened Tendo house quietly. He’d spent the entire evening as a girl to get better tips, so all he wanted was a warm kettle and a soft, warm bed. "Gah!"
         Sitting at the table were his father, Mr. Tendo, Kasumi, Nabiki and Mousse. "Hello Ranma." Kasumi’s sing song voice was not happy. "Akane tells us you were with Shampoo."
         "Nah. It’s not like that. The old ghoul is looking for a cure in exchange for me working there the three weeks Akane’s in bed."
         "And that doesn’t seem suspicious to you?" Nabiki’s voice was laced with sarcasm.
         "It’s all up front. Three weeks, three dates, one cu….oops."
         Soun’s monster head aura was suddenly in his face. "Three dates?"
         "With my Shampoo?" Mousse reacted instinctively, shooting a weapon at Ranma who easily deflected it.
         "Damn it! Listen!"
         "Stop it." Akane’s voice came from the top of the stairs, freezing everyone in place. She leaned heavily on the banister as she looked at everyone except Ranma. "He can date whomever he wishes. I think since this happened Ranma’s come to realize what good is a fiancée you can’t touch. Right Ranma?" This time she did look at his, the look of betrayal cut him to the heart. "Leave him alone." She turned and slowly made her way back to her room.
         "Akane!" Ranma ran after her, catching her outside her bedroom door. Once there, he didn’t know what to do or how to meet her gaze. Just the sight of her filled him with guilt.
         "Yes Ranma?"
         "I just want a cure for you."
         "We don’t need a cure Ranma. We just need to not touch each other or fight. Which is fine with me. I'm tired of fighting."
         "I don’t love her. I don’t even want to be with her."
         "Is that why you were holding Ukyou earlier?" She leaned against the doorframe for support as her knees trembled. He reached out to steady her before he remembered.
         They both stared at his hand, caught in midair. "What kind of husband would I be to you like this Akane? With a cure…."
         "What will the cure cost you? Why would they cure us? They have you right where they want you Ranma. Safely out of my reach."