If We Were 3
- Chapter 9
Ranma And Ukyo's Engagement
12 months
Ukyo is a girl. It came as quite a shock to both Akane and Ranma. For 9 months they went on believing that Ukyo was a boy. No one really knew why she didn't just speak up and tell them that she wasn't a boy. It was Akane who finally found out who Ukyo really was.
Akane had started to feel closer and closer to the girl, and sort of developed a bit of a crush on her. It wasn't until Akane explained how she felt that Ukyo finally revealed that she was in fact not a boy. Akane was stunned beyond belief, but mostly embarrassed. She quickly became angry at her and went on to tell her that she should never have lied to her that way.
However Ukyo was quickly forgiven and ever since, the two girls became best friends. They did almost everything together. However something big was going to happen, and both Ranma and Akane were not ready for the big news about to come their way
'It's ow last day her but maby genma wont rememer and he wil let us stay.' Akane looked at her diary with a worried expression. She had filled two whole books with her thoughts. She was now on her third diary.
"It's time to go." Genma stated as the three of them were sitting in the small living area in the cottage.
"What?!" They were both grief-stricken. They had come to love this place as their own home, and they were expected to just leave it all behind?
"I told you from the very beginning," Genma began again. "We were only ment to stay here for one year, and now that that time has passed it is time to move on."
"We can't leave, we love it here." Ranma complained
"And what about Ukyo? I can't just leave my best fiend here alone." Akane added.
"The okonomiyaki girl?" Genma asked, a little intrigued now that the subject of food had been brought up.
"Yeah?" Akane replied.
Genma stopped for a few minutes thinking over the delicious meals he would get every day. He did love their food and the children did seem to like this little girl quite a lot, and he did love their food, he thought twice.
He looked over to the children who were beginning to grow hopeful.
"Alright then, maybe I can think of some sort of compromise." He said as he stood up.
Both Ranma and Akane couldn't shake the huge grins of their faces. Maybe they wouldn't have to leave. Maybe they could stay here for while.
They quickly exited the cottage and ran towards Ukyo's home. She was outside with her father by the okonomiyaki stand making breakfast.
"Ukyo!" Akane called, as they both ran towards the cart. Ukyo turned quickly towards their approach. She plastered a huge smile on her face and jumped off her stool.
"Hi guys, we were just making breakfast, want some?" She asked sweetly.
"Ooh yes, better get me one." Akane said as she climbed onto one of the stools by the cart.
"Better get me two." Ranma added as he followed suite.
It was right then that Genma Approached the cart with a somewhat serious expression. He was trying very hard not to be distracted by the intoxicating smell of the food. hopefully if he played his cards right he would be walking away with that cart in tow.
"Excuse me Mr. Kuonji, can we speak in private?" Genma asked.
The older man looked towards the kids then back to Genma and nodded.
"Of course Saotome, this way." He said as he led him inside his home.
One hour had passed and the two men had still not come back out of the house.
"What do you think their talking about?" Ukyo asked as she bounced one of her small rubber balls on the ground. Both Ranma and Akane shrugged. They had asked Genma to let them stay, but what did that have to do with Mr. Kuonji?
Finally the two adults came back out with determined expressions on their faces. The three children immediately stopped what they were doing and stood up.
"Kids we need to talk." Mr. Kuonji said.
Everyone was seated by the cart as Mr. Kuuonji and Mr. Saotome began to explain what was to happen.
"Kids we will be leaving today." Genma stated.
Both Ranma and Akane deflated, their hope vanishing instantly.
"But," Genma began again, and both Ranma and Akane quickly looked back up at him waiting for some good news.
"Since you both seem to like this young lady a lot we have come up with a compromise." Genma stated as he gestured to Mr. kounji.
"Sweetheart how do you feel about an engagement to our young Ranma over here?" Mr. Kuonji asked as he looked down at his daughter.
"An engagement?"
"What's an engagement?" Akane asked.
Mr. Kuonji let out a chuckle as he looked upon the innocent little children.
"In time you will know. All I can tell you right now is that it would mean that you would be able to travel with Mr. Saotome and your friends."
"You mean she can come with us?" Akane asked. her eyes gleaming with joy.
"Yes, we will also be brining along the cart." Genma stated, almost as a reminder to Mr. Kuonji. The man rolled his eyes and said.
"Yes you will be brining the cart as well."
"We get to bring Ukyo and food? This is awesome!" Ranma exclaimed as he threw his hands in the air.
"You will come won't you?" Akane asked as she held onto Ukyo's hands. Ukyo looked up to her best friend then to Ranma and lastly her father.
"Please?" Akane almost begged. Ukyo looked back at her and finally came to a decision.
"Okay, I'll come." She answered and was immediately enveloped in Akane's arms.
"Yay!" Akane gleamed with joy.
"This is going to be so much more fun with you around. Right Ranma?" Akane exclaimed as she looked back at Ranma.
"Yeah." He smiled.
"Then it's settled." Genma stated with pride. Little did any of them know that he had absolutely no intentions of brining her with them. She would just be a distraction and he didn't have the time or patience to teach anyone else much less another girl, besides if he did bring her it would jeopardise the engagement plan with Akane.
Akane and Ranma were quickly packing up the little stuff they had. They had bought a few more things while they were here and so it was a little harder to fit everything in the bags they had, but they managed. They were both so excited to be traveling again with their best friend.
Akane and Ranma were now waiting on the outskirts of town for Genma and Ukyo to arrive. Genma had told them to wait there while he got the girl and the cart. He really emphasised the cart. Though it didn't really surprise them. They both knew that he loved food more than anything, and he was very greedy with it.
"We've been waiting here forever, when are they coming?" Ranma asked as he slumped down on the road.
"Hey, I think I see them." Akane said as she squinted her eyes to see something in the distance. It got closer and closer and then she realized that it was moving a really fast pace. She could finally make out Genma running down the road dragging along the okonomiyaki cart.
"Why is he running?" Ranma asked.
"And where is Ukyo?" Akane added.
"WAIT, YOUR GOING TOO FAST! DON'T LEAVE WHITHOUT ME!"
The two finally noticed Ukyo following right behind him. Well not right behind. She wasn't nearly as fast and was quickly falling behind.
"Hurry kids hop on!" Genma called as he neared them. "We gotta split!"
Even though neither Ranma or Akane knew what split was they could both clearly see that he had no intention of slowing down for Ukyo.
So when Genma got to where they were standing they refused to get on.
"Come on kids, we haven't got much time!" He was frantic and was trying to rush them on.
"You lied to us!" Akane yelled. "You were going to leave her behind."
"Oh come on, we don't have time for this. You'll find new friends. So let's go, NOW!" Now he was getting worried as Ukyo gradually got closer.
"WAIT FOR ME!" She called out.
"Uuuhhh, I don't have time for this!" Genma groaned. In one fellow swoop he picked up the two kids and placed them on the cart. He was about pull away when both of them jumped of and landed back on the ground. Akane didn't waste any time and ran towards her friend, while Ranma looked at his father with a little disappointment clear in his face.
"Ukyo!" Akane called as she met up with her. Ukyo finally stopped running and collapsed on the ground.
"I... I thought...I thought you were...going to...leave me." She said in between breaths.
"Never." Akane replied as she helped her friend up and they made their way to the cart.
"Shes coming with us." Akane stated with great firmness in her voice.
Genma looked at the pair of girls and his son and realized that he really had no choice. Maybe he could find a way to ditch her on their trip.
"Fine," He said pointing to the cart. "Get on."
"Yay!" Akane squealed as the trio jumped onto the wagon and made themselves comfortable. However; it didn't last very long as Genma, after 10 minutes told them to get off and walk themselves. None of them complained as they were glad to have their friend with them.
