Akane and P-Chan had been making their way through a forest. It was a quiet journey, until Akane tripped on a tree root.

"Ow!" Akane grasped her ankle. She tried to get up, but was stopped by the searing pain that shot through her foot. "P-Chan, what am I going to do?" Akane sounded truly scared.

'My poor Akane. I can't bear to see her in pain. I have no choice,' Ryoga thought. P-Chan made a running dash toward a nearby pond.

"P-Chan! Where are you going?" The pig jumped in and Akane could barely believe her eyes when a naked Ryoga emerged. "Ry-Ryoga? You're…? But you can't be! I never…" Overcome, Akane passed out.

"I'm sorry, Akane," he said scooping her up in his arms. He carried her all the way to Dr. Tofu's house.

"It's a sprain alright. She'll be fine though. A couple of weeks off her feet and she'll be good as new," the doctor said, giving his usual bright smile.

"Good. I'm glad she didn't break anything. Um, thanks for the clothes by the way," Ryoga said scratching his head.

"Well, I'll admit I was a bit shocked to see Akane Tendo being carried in by a naked young man in the middle of the night. I never knew a 'Spring if Drowned Pig' existed."

"Neither did Akane," Ryoga said, glancing at the sleeping girl. "She's never going to forgive me," he muttered.

"Don't be so sure of that! I have known Akane for many years and she has always been a very kind girl. And after all, you did come to her rescue. Well now, why don't I set up a place for you to sleep, Ryoga."

"Thanks, but I think I'm going to be leaving now"

"In the middle of the night?" Ryoga nodded. "Alright, but I'm going to bed now. I'm exhausted. To be a boy again!" he chuckled as he stretched. "Goodnight!"

"Take care of her, Dr. Tofu." Ryoga knelt by Akane's bed. She looked so beautiful, so perfect. He wanted to be P-Chan again, so he could snuggle against her as she slept. He could never do that again. Not anymore. 'She'll think I'm a pervert. She'll never want to speak to me again.' Ryoga gazed longingly at the girl.

"Akane Tendo, I love you."

It was late morning and Akane had just awoken. She was trying figure out where she was and what was going on when she was interrupted the cheerful voice of her older sister.

"Akane! You're awake!"

"Kasumi? What happened? How did I get back here?"

"Dr. Tofu said Ryoga found you hurt in the woods. Did you try to run away again?"

"I just needed some time to myself that's all." Oh yeah, Ryoga. P-Chan. It was all coming back to her.

"It's a lucky thing Ryoga happened to find you!"

"Yeah…Where is Ryoga anyway?"

"I guess he left again after bringing you here. He must be very diligent in his training. He left this for you though," Kasumi said, handing her a folded up letter. "I brought some stew for you and Dr. Tofu. Let me get you some!" She hurried out the door.

Akane remained laying, staring up at the ceiling. She was trying to process everything that she had just leaned. All those times she told P-Chan her deepest secrets, it had really been Ryoga who was listening. He had even seen her naked body! It was all too embarrassing. How could he! She decided to take a look at the letter.

"Dear Akane,

So you've discovered my terrible secret. I was too ashamed to tell you. I took advantage of your kindness toward P-Chan because I liked being around you so much. You must hate me now and I don't blame you. I can't forgive myself for the way I've deceived you. So goodbye forever, Akane Tendo.

Sincerely,

Ryoga"

"Ryoga…"