Disclaimer: I joined the ranks of America's penniless college students two weeks ago. I own nothing but the plot and a few odd characters.

A.N. This is by no means the final version of this chapter. It's actually more along the lines of a second draft and will probably be divided in two and fleshed out, but I thought I'd go on and put it up since I won't be able to update for real for an undetermined amount of time. I'm really sorry that I've neglected this fic and all you wonderful fans, but my writing time right now is practically nil. I'm a full-time student in an honors program with a part time job and a daily two-hour commute. Homework takes up most of my free time, but I am working on this fic between classes. I have no intentions of abandoning it. Be patient with me, and if you really think I'm taking too long between updates, email me privately. If I can't pop out a new chapter in a reasonable amount of time, I'll at least give you some sneak peaks of upcoming events. Thanks so much for your continued support and interest. I love you all.

For Daphne

For encouraging me and for asking without saying a word

Riding Lessons

by

Smarty Cat

[email protected]

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Chapter 2 -- Misgivings

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Maybe this thing wouldn't be so bad after all.

Ranma snorted. What had he been thinking? Two days of a hyper Akane had worn off whatever effects that hug had induced in him. And of all of the things for her to be so ridiculously giddy over, why did it have to be riding lessons? Couldn't Nabiki and Kasumi have picked something a little less girly as a present for Akane? Something they could have enjoyed toge--

Ranma firmly squashed that thought. Like he wanted to spend time with that uncute tomboy. Hah!

And Nabiki certainly wasn't helping the situation.

***

Ranma looked over his shoulder at Nabiki curiously. "What was that thing anyway?"

"Three months worth of free riding lessons at Dragonheart Stables." She smiled slyly. "And I'm so proud that my little sister's getting a head start!"

Ranma eyed her suspiciously but asked the question he knew she was expecting anyway. "What do you mean?"

Her smile widened into a rather evil smirk. "Just that Akane obviously already knows how to straddle--oh, excuse me, that's vulgar--I mean sit astride a horse."

***

Ranma felt his face heating up merely from thinking about Nabiki's remark. And everyone called him a pervert!

He scowled and adjusted his position on the school wall. Why was Akane taking so long today anyway?

A flyer smacked into his face, and the frustrated martial artist peeled it off with a grimace. One glance at the prominent picture on the sheet of paper turned the grimace into large, shimmery eyes and a watering mouth.

This was absolutely perfect!

The sound of Akane's voice drifted to his ears, and he hopped off the fence. This was even more perfect. Two girls were guaranteed to get more free food than one.

"Akane! Look at this! The ice cream shop is having a sale today..." The boy's voice trailed off as his fiancee zoomed by him, calling back over her shoulder that she was going to be late.

Oh yeah.

Akane's first lesson was today after school. Ranma's shoulders slumped, and he crushed the flyer in his hands.

It wasn't like he'd really wanted Akane to go with him anyway.

***

The shorthaired girl felt a momentary twinge of guilt about blowing off Ranma like that. She knew he wasn't happy about the arrangement, but she needed to get out of his shadow. She was tired of being just another of Ranma's fiancees, and an inferior one at that.

Now that she had a chance to be the best at something again there was now way she was going to give it up. And there were other, more personal, reasons for her to take up riding again.

Akane slid to a breathless stop in front of the entrance to Dragonheart Stables. She took a deep breath and composed herself before stepping forward into a world that was both strange and new and comfortingly familiar.

Paths of packed dirt divided areas of lush, low grass into neat geometric shapes. A few people were scattered here and there, all of them accompanied by a horse.

Oh, the horses! Akane's face broke into an eager grin. Equine beauties of all sizes and colors were at her fingertips. She was closer to achieving one of her childhood dreams than ever before.

"Hello. Are you Akane Tendo?"

Akane jerked as the slightly accented voice interrupted her reverie. She turned around and looked up into the open and friendly face of a blonde woman. She nodded while quickly taking in the woman's paddock boots, jodhpurs, polo shirt, and tight French braid.

Licking her lips to moisten her suddenly dry mouth, Akane breathed out a muted "yes" and dug into her pocket for the slip of paper that had brought her there.

"It's all right," the woman said, putting her hand on Akane's arm. She glanced at the school uniform's flowing skirt and raised an eyebrow. "Do you have something...more suitable to wear?"

Akane laughed sheepishly and held up a duffel bag. The woman clapped her hands together and motioned for the girl to follow her.

"My name's Karen. I'm one of the private instructors here. I believe your sisters said you have a special interest in show jumping?"

"And cross-country and eventing, but I didn't know if you could offer that here since you're so close to the city."

"We have a few trails set up with jumps, but you won't be able to ride on those until a little farther along in your lessons." She pushed open a door leading into what appeared to be a locker room. "You can keep your stuff in here. I'll wait outside while you change clothes."

Akane sat down on one of the benches in front of the group of lockers and took a deep breath before reaching into her bag. Several minutes later she stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection. Sleeveless black turtleneck, tan breeches that hugged her trim hips like a second skin, and tall, shiny black leather riding boots clinging to her legs. She blinked. The figure in the mirror looked surprisingly womanly. As she raised her hand to one flushed cheek, Akane could not help but think that she wished Ranma could see the tomboy now.

***

Ranma glanced up grumpily as the sounds of Akane bouncing through the front gate echoed through the house. She was screaming again, excitedly calling for her sisters. He shoved himself to his feet and stalked out onto the porch.

And stopped short.

Akane was practically glowing with happiness. She was talking animatedly to a gently smiling Kasumi.

Karen assigned Duchess to me. She's a chestnut warmblood and one of the more advanced horses. Isn't it wonderful?!"

Nabiki stepped out into the sunlight, stretching lazily. She glanced mischievously at her little sister. "So you've still got what it takes?"

Akane tossed her head haughtily and struck a mock sexy pose. "I've got all that and more!"

Her older sister arched an eyebrow and looked away with feigned indifference. "Meet anyone special?"

Ranma blinked as Akane turned bright pink. She pressed her fingers together shyly then burst out "Oh, Nabiki, he's gorgeous! All that thick hair and that body! I've never seen such a perfect male before!"

Nabiki smirked wickedly. "So you did meet Ryu. He is quite the looker. I thought you might like him."

Akane smiled dreamily as she slowly sank to the floor. She laughed softly. "Like?" And shook her head. "I'm in love."

Ranma felt his heart stop. It was the strangest feeling, the cold numbness that filled his body. He turned away from the three women and walked quietly up to his room.

Nabiki watched him leave through narrowed eyes as her little sister continued to gush to Kasumi about how wonderful her day had been. Neither of them had noticed Ranma hiding in the shadows, and neither of them noticed the small, satisfied smirk that settled on Nabiki's face.

Hook, line, and sinker.

Oh, this was going to be fun!