She likes Akane, but not enough to risk losing her Ranchan.

Errr... Since WHEN has Ukyou shown ANY sign of being a friend of Akane?
She's as much of a friend of Akane as Shampoo is ... They both eat (with
Ranma) at the resturants, at time ... they don't try to kill Akane ALL
the time ... So does that mean that Shampoo is Akane's friend?

        Since how many times have we seen Ukyo fighting with Akane, as
opposed to Shampoo fighting with Akane?  And keep a firm hold on your
@Bapstick(tm), willya!? ^_^