Disclaimer: I don't own them, I don't make money off this and its just for fun.

Sake
by kirasmommy

Ranma-chan and Ukyo looked over at the lost boy sitting in the booth. Ranma-chan had come in looking for hot water on her
way home from school having once again been doused by the old woman who was the bane of all the cursed. "How long has
he been here?" asked the red head.
"Since lunch at least. At first I didn't notice him so it could have been longer."
"And you say he's drunk? He don't look it." Ranma-chan said.
"Oh he's drunk al right he even brought his own beverage. Sake from the look of the bottle. He's been drinking all afternoon. I
didn't run him out because he wasn't causing any trouble and I figured he'd be safer here then wandering around out there
somewhere." said Ukyo wiping down her counter. "I do think that it's time for him to go, could you see him home?"
Ranma-chan sighed,"Oh okay I'll take him home. Could you get me that water while I try to get him moving?"
"Sure thing Ranma honey" she said brightly.

"Hey P-chan whatcha doing?" asked Ranma overly loud.
Ryoga whispered "Please don't call me that." he looked ready to pull a Soun Tendo(the only man that can cry more water then
his body possible holds.)
"Hey buddy what's wrong?" she leaned down.
"Nothing Ranma just go away." he laid his head down wallowing in his depression.
"Sorry I can't Ukyo has to close shop early tonight and you need to leave so I'm going to take you back to the Tendo Dojo."
"Why should you care?" he asked with venom.
"Look I don't like seeing anyone so down they think they have to jump into a bottle to feel better. By the way that's a
depressant your drinking it will only make you feel worse in the long run."
"I can't possible feel worse Ranma...."he was interrupted as Ukyo brought the hot water. He studied it as she handed it to
Ranma-chan then he lashed out and knocked it out of her hands spilling it on the floor where it was useless.
"What did you do that for you jerk?" yelled Ranma-chan.
"Never mind you wouldn't understand lets just go." he stood up unsteadily.
"What ever." she muttered taking his arm to keep him from falling over.

As they walked Ranma asked Ryoga once again, "What's wrong? What's with the drinking huh?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me besides even if I don't understand maybe getting it off your chest will make you feel better."
"I doubt it but al right here goes....I'm in love with someone I can never have."
"Yeah so You've been in love with Akane forever and it's never made you this depressed before."
"It's....it's not Akane. I love another and it's ripping my heart out." He held one of his hands over his eyes.
"Oh really well that's wonderful Ryoga but why don't you think you can get her to go out with you. I mean your not that bad a
guy and your not hard on the eyes at all......I mean at least from what I understand....that is....well you know what I
mean.....anyway what's wrong with her?"
"She doesn't date men really and I don't think she even likes me. It's a one way attraction."
"Bummer can't you at least you know talk to her maybe she does like you and is just shy or something, you know one of those
types that for some reason can't tell you how she feels."
"It's a lot more complicated then that." He looked down at his feet as he stumbled along beside Ranma.
"Well I think for your sake you either better tell her or get over it."
Ryoga was quiet for the rest of the way to the Tendo's. Once there Ranma took him upstairs to his/her room.

She had Ryoga lay down on the futon to sleep it off but as she began to turn around to leave he caught her hand. "Wait.....your
right for my own sake I need to tell the one I love."
"You are wanting me to help you over to her?" asked Ranma-chan.
"No,.....Ranma....I love .......you."His head drooped down on his chest.
"What? you're drunker then I thought."
Ryoga shook his head and looked back up tears shimmering in his eyes. "No It's the truth I love you Ranma and I can deny it
no more. I will leave now and never come back I'm sorry."
He tried to stand but Ranma pushed him back down. "Oh no you don't, you don't just drop a bomb shell like that then take off.
You need to stick around until we figure out what to do about this."
"What's to do? What's to figure out? You don't feel the same so I should leave."
"You big jerk" Ranma-chan sighed. Then she leaned down and took his head in her hands, then kissed him long hard and deep.

"huh?"Ryoga smiled with hope in his eyes for the first time in a long time.
Ranma-chan smiled "That's just the beginning my sweet."

The title sake can be taken as the drink or as one's personal welfare.
^_^ :) ;)