[Akane]

 

We sat on a little hill overlooking the lake of the park. Ranma set up the blanket on the grass and right under a tree for shade.

"His mom said we should feed him baby food," I said as I sat with Ryusuke playing with one of his toys in my lap. He just continued to laugh.

Ranma leaned his back on the tree and started rummaging through the bag. "This stuff?"

"Doesn't look too tasty. Look at the ingredients." He held up the little bottle of baby food and began to open it. "I didn't know these things were air-locked. What are these? Adult-proof?"

Pop.

"Ryusuke, it's time to eat lunch," I said as Ranma looked for a spoon.

Ryusuke looked at us and all of us looked at the baby food. He shook his head.

Ranma crossed his arms. "He doesn't want it."

I sighed and stared at Ranma for a moment. Sometimes I can just kill you, Ranma. You think you're such a genius...when it's obvious!

Then, Ranma leaned forward with his elbows touching the blanket. They looked at each other. "I don't blame you, Squirt."

"But it's good for you, Ryusuke." I smiled at Ryusuke as he turned his head to watch me. "Your mommy said to eat it."

Ryusuke shook his head.

"See? He doesn't want it." Ranma pointed at him.

"You idiot, you're supposed to be helping me, not encouraging him."

"Okay, okay. Sheesh." He took Ryusuke into his lap and they looked at each other.

I wish we had a camera...I really did smile that time. The moment was perfect for a picture...

I then took up the spoon and baby food into my hands. "Time for lunch, Ryusuke."

"Yeah, man, it's time to eat. Hey it's better than eatin'-" Ranma stopped.

I was on the verge of screaming at him. I threatened, "You make one more remark about my cooking and you're getting beaten up when he goes home tomorrow."

"So, it's time to eat that good food of yours, isn't it, Ryusuke?" He looked down at him and smiled. "Heh. Heh."

Ryusuke continued to shake his head.

I sighed. "You try some Ranma. Please?"

"Fine." He looked down at Ryusuke again. "See? I'm going to eat it. It's not so bad."

"Yes, Ryusuke. Eat it like Ranma is doing, okay?" I stuck the spoon into Ranma's mouth. "Good, isn't it, Ranma?"

Ranma, who looked like he was going to vomit, continued to force a smile and shake his head up and down. "Mm. Good."

"See, Ryusuke? It's good."

"You're twitching," I whispered. "Is it that bad?"

"Yeah, try it for yourself."

I did...and fell over to one side.

Ryusuke started to laugh and began to eat his food as Ranma held him and I spoon fed him. "Here comes the airplane, Ryusuke..."

When that was finished, I opened the sushi that we bought.

"I'm hungry too, Akane," he said as he continued to hold onto Ryusuke sitting on his lap.

"I know." I split the chopsticks and picked up some sushi. "Now say, 'Aw', Ranma."

"I'm not a little kid." He blushed. "I can feed myself-"

But I stuffed the sushi into his face anyway. "Well, if you don't want any. I'll just eat them all by myself."

"Aw, come on, Akane, I'm starving." He complained even more. "And not to mention the aftertaste of that baby food."

I crinkled my nose and smiled. "Oh, well, Ranma."

"Why won't you just hand it over to me?"

"Because Ryusuke's content there on your lap...I think he's falling asleep."

We both looked down at him.

With a pout, he answered. "Fine, Akane. Ah..."

When we went home, I glanced over at Ranma and Ryusuke, who was tucked snuggly onto his back, sleeping. I smiled and looked at the road ahead of us.

Ranma's really good at this...I sighed. I can't believe he's better at this than I am. And I'm a girl!

First it was cooking and now this...

I know it's stupid to think like this. But I can't help feeling bad-

"Hey, Akane."

I looked at him. "Yeah?"

"You're pretty good at this."

I gave him a strange look now. "Are you feeling all right? I mean you ARE complimenting me and all."

"Fine." He turned his head and pouted. "See if I ever compliment you again."

"Not that you don't do it enough anyway."

"Hey, you're the one always blaming me for stuff."

I was about to shout something back, but I sighed. "I'm too tired to fight right now."

"Same here."

Right then, the sun was setting to show the end of our tiring afternoon. We then turned the corner and walked onto our street.

"No, Ranma, you're the one good at this," I whispered without looking at him.

"What did you say, Akane?" He glanced at me curiously. " I couldn't hear you."

"Nothing, Ranma. Nothing."

--

Author's notes: This is just too cute for words...I'm just going with the flow of the story. That's why I don't have much to say. It's actually been easy to do this fanfic than previous ones I have written.