Previous Engagements
By LizMUN
I've noticed that I'm a true believer of the Ukyou & Ryouga
Relationship. (JUST NOW?) Yet I haven't written the required story
getting those two together. Well, until now, only I won't do the
cliché'd "Ukyou gets together with Ryouga to get over the loss of
Ranma," or "Ukyou learns to like Ryouga, after time," or everyone's
favorite: "It's an act! They liked each other from the very
beginnings!" Rather, I will try to do a different approach. If that
fails, eh heck with it, I'm still writing it. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~
"Saotome.. *choke* KISAMA NO CHIKUAHOUME!!" *Sob*
Kuonji-tousan shook his head and sighed. He sat on a rock and
idly twirled his miniature spatula as he observed his daughter
attacking a nearby tree in frustration. He paid her little mind, since
this was not the first time. He knew why she was like this. He knew
what the others at her school were saying behind her back. He knew
what other parents were saying behind his own back. Did he care what
those pompous jackasses think? No. Not in the slightest. It wasn't
anything new to him, in fact, he had been called worse. Life on the
road tends to make you immune to such hardships. But Ucchan, his poor
little Ucchan. He couldn't say her mother softened her, since she was
mearly a toddler when she passed away. He made sure that he wouldn't
pamper her, since there was hardly anything to pamper her with.
They lived on the road, slept in a flimsy tent. Their only
possession was a little yatai to which they cooked okonomiyaki in order
to make ends meet. Alas, that was gone. Ironically, their lives have
been ruined by what was one of their best customers. Funny how one
little thing can make a world of a difference. So, what now? There
was nothing left for any of them.
"Colorful language your child has there. Heh. You look as if
you are about to join him."
Kuonji-san looked up at his visitor. The man was tall and
rugged looking. His clothing, though seemingly overused, was very
gaijin-like. Cargo's that looked outworn; hiking boots full of mud and
tears that should have dismantled them long ago; a grimy, cream-colored
shirt under a thick, brown, leather jacket; a black bandana pushing up
his thick hair, and also blending into his mane nicely, finally; and a
western hat to complete the "adventurer" look.
"Sorry if I'm a bit rude, I haven't been round civilization
often." He smiled, showing what looked like fangs? "Name's Hibiki,
Ryoku Hibiki."
"Kuonji Houan, hajimemashite."
"Doujou. So, Kuonji-san, how is it that you look like the end
of the world is upon you?"
"It is a family matter, that is all I will say."
"Ah… yes… family..." At the mention of the word, this seemingly
cheerful man's expression suddenly turned downcast and isolated.
"Now it seems that you have the world thrust upon your
shoulders, Hibiki-san."
"Hai. Truth to the matter is, I would carry two worlds,
Kuonji-san, if only I could see my family again. I haven't seen my wife
and child for years now. In fact, my son should be the same age as your
kid there. How big he must be. I sorely miss them."
"Why is that, if you do not mind me asking."
"Not at all, I appreciate having to talk to someone other than
myself. *Smirk* As you may have guessed, I am a wanderer, but not by
choice. I travel these lands for the sole purpose of reuniting myself
with my wife and son, but you see, I have a slight problem." He paused,
not sure if he wanted to flat out tell his secret to him. How would
Kuonji-san react to know that a grown man, like himself, could not find
his way out of an open box?
"That's all right, Hibiki-san, if you do not wish to relevate
further, I will not press."
Ryoku Hibiki let out the breath he did not know he was holding.
He smiled at Houan in appreciation.
"Domo arigato. Heh, sounds like the tyke has exhausted
himself." He looks at the severe damage of chopped trees, craters to
which rocks once sat in, and various spatulas embedded into the ground,
and whistles appreciatively. Ukyou herself was now curled up in a
little ball, sleeping off her exhaustion. "Heh, I don't blame him. I
should tell you about the time my Ryouga went into a temper-tantrum and
we ended up with the kitchen connecting to the bathroom, which was
upstairs! Buahahaha!"
By now, Kuonji was busily pondering. He may as well forget
about the engagement he had foolishly made with the Saotomes. Right
now, he should focus on how to take care of his daughter. Get her
married and have her secured in a family of her own. Grinning, Houan
turns toward Ryoku, who was still laughing at old memories.
"So, Ryoku-san, tell me more about your son, Ryouga."
~~~~~
I sat there, watching her last night, sitting quietly in the
porch with that _pig_ upon her lap. She loves that pig, but does she
love me more than him? Does she love him more than me? Do I love her?
What a stupid question! Of course I love her! I am just not worthy of
her. I never will unless I get this curse off me. She does not deserve
a "half-man". Anyway, how does one expect such a forced marriage to
work? How do I tell her? But, if I do tell her, she'll give me that
look of hurt, betrayal, and loneliness. Damn.
"Ryouga-sama?"
"Ano... Hai Akari-ch-ch-san?"
"Is something the matter?"
Okay, this is it! Now tell her that this relationship won't
work! That she deserves better! Tell her you're not ready for such a
commitment! Tell her...
"No.. Hehe! Nothing's the matter."
Tell her you're a complete wuss! Okay, one more try! This time
get it right!
"Akari-san?"
"Hmmm?"
"I... I.. think .. What do you think of my curse?"
*Sighs* Ugh! Okay. Okay.. progress.
"Oh, Ryouga-sama! We've been through this many times! I don't
mind your curse! In fact, I love you even more because of it! Is that
what was bothering you?" She giggles.
"But, what if I didn't have the curse?"
Huh? Where did this come from? Nevermind! This is good! This
is different! Go with it. Hmm. She does seem to take her time
thinking. Is she thinking of excuses? Come to think of it, she would
always give the same excuse whenever I asked about my curse! Maybe
it's all an act! An act to convince herself that the engagement's going
to work. Maybe she's not too happy with this whole fiancée thing as
well! Why is she laughing? Does she think this is a joke?
"Oh Ryouga-sama! I'll still love you, curse or no curse!"
Hoo-kay, this is going nowhere. Going... That's it!
"Akari-san! I'm... leaving tomorrow."
"Le... Leaving?"
Oh Gods those eyes! Hurry up, stupid!
"On... on a t-training trip!"
Phew! That was close.
"Um, does this have anything to do with Ranma-san?"
"Um... well... That is..."
"It's all right, Ryouga-sama, I understand. There is that
matter of your 'revenge', is there?" She giggles again. "As long as you
promise to come back to me! Ryouga?"
I... I.... Damn. I nod. Now she's leaning against me. I'll
never get used to such affection. She's caring, trustworthy, and me, a
coward. How could I ever think I deserve her? Akari-chan, I will
return and when I do I'll be able to proclaim my love to you! *Sigh*
Yes, perhaps some good will come from this trip.
~~~~~
To say she was "pooped" was an understatement, Ukyou Kuonji was
downright, dog-gone exhausted! First she had to open early after
spending the previous night preparing a new batter, to which she didn't
have enough ingredients to make a decent batch. Second, it had seem
that the damn Nekohanten clan had left for China about some sort of
"Amazon Elder Initiation Ceremony" or something along that line.
Anyway, with them gone, those who had always gone to glimps at that
Amazon hussy every morning graced her restaurant, Ut-chans, for a quick
fast-food breakfast. Not that she minded the increase of business, but
she could have done without Tsubasa harrassing the customers. That
jackass would constantly disguise himself as one of the stools, tables,
and he even dared to hide himself in her last batch of flour. She
greatly repaid the cross-dressing human chameleon with a
re-introduction of her spatula and a one-way trip to the Ozone layer,
curtesy of Kuonji-spatula airlines.
If that weren't enough, school wasn't much help. The teachers,
trying to stabilize their reputations as educators, not referees to the
year-round chaos that seemed to be attracted to the school, all decided
to give pop-mid-terms. She was nearly sucked out of her chi when
Hinako-sensei tried to control a couple of protesting delinquents
because of this.
Lunch time held a bit of sanity, but one can only hold on to a thread
of ice too long before it deteriorates. Poor Ran-chan, she often
wondered if all the chaos would stop if he would only get a clue and
marry her! Akane could then have Kuno.. nah.. perahaps Ryouga. Mousse
and Shampoo could get together, right, when hell froze over. Then
again, what was it those silly gajin folks called it? Eii Nin-nio,
sounded close, well it's been known to weird out climates over the
world, who knows? Kodachi.. let's not kid ourselves, shall we? Well,
it was near closing time. Hopefully she can get Konatsu to go buy some
provisions early tomorrow. Her priority right now is to get some peace
and quiet.
"Um… Can you tell me where I am?"
Ukyou looks up, blinking toward the door at the main entrance.
Great, Ryouga was back. Not that she minded the jackass, but whenever
he was around, there was hardly any chance to get any peace and quiet.
Sighing in frustration, she walks over and slides open the screen.
"Ryouga, you jackass! I'm trying to…. Er.. ano?"
Upon closer examination, Ukyou could take a well mannered
guess, and figure this guy wasn't Ryouga. Although he had a tall,
muscular build, and a bandanna on his forehead, that's where the
similarities ended. Her first clue was that this guy was smilling.
Not a wiry smile Ryouga would sometimes put on, this was a honest to
goodness smile. Then the speckled grey hairs wrapped in a *black*
bandana, giving him the appearance that he looked past his fourties.
Lastly, he had an outfit copied from one of those "Indiana Jones" gajin
movies.
The man bowed in introduction/appology, and blinked at her, a
look of confusion and hope in his eyes.
"Did you say Ryouga? You wouldn't perhaps mean Ryouga Hibiki,
would you miss…?" He asked, letting the last part of the sentence drift
for her compleation.
Ukyou snapped out of her shock, and put on a business smile.
"Ukyou Kuonji's the name, Okonomiyaki's my game!"
The man just blinked at this, and shook his head, laughing.
"Wonders never cease. Well, I can do for a little fast food,
so how bout we go inside, and you can tell me about what my boy's been
up to?"
"Your what?"
"Haha! I guess I forgot to introduce myself again, didn't I?
Name's Hibiki! Ryoku Hibiki."
Ryoku blinks as Ukyou fainted.
"That was different."
~~~
1.) Kisama no Chikuahoume = roughly means "You son of a Bitch"
(Colorful, ne?)
2.) yatai = cart
3.) "hajimemashite" = "Nice to meet you"
4.) "Doujou" = "Same here/Diddo"
5.) Domo Arigato- Thank you
6.) Ano= Um
7.) Hai= yes
By LizMUN
I've noticed that I'm a true believer of the Ukyou & Ryouga
Relationship. (JUST NOW?) Yet I haven't written the required story
getting those two together. Well, until now, only I won't do the
cliché'd "Ukyou gets together with Ryouga to get over the loss of
Ranma," or "Ukyou learns to like Ryouga, after time," or everyone's
favorite: "It's an act! They liked each other from the very
beginnings!" Rather, I will try to do a different approach. If that
fails, eh heck with it, I'm still writing it. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~
"Saotome.. *choke* KISAMA NO CHIKUAHOUME!!" *Sob*
Kuonji-tousan shook his head and sighed. He sat on a rock and
idly twirled his miniature spatula as he observed his daughter
attacking a nearby tree in frustration. He paid her little mind, since
this was not the first time. He knew why she was like this. He knew
what the others at her school were saying behind her back. He knew
what other parents were saying behind his own back. Did he care what
those pompous jackasses think? No. Not in the slightest. It wasn't
anything new to him, in fact, he had been called worse. Life on the
road tends to make you immune to such hardships. But Ucchan, his poor
little Ucchan. He couldn't say her mother softened her, since she was
mearly a toddler when she passed away. He made sure that he wouldn't
pamper her, since there was hardly anything to pamper her with.
They lived on the road, slept in a flimsy tent. Their only
possession was a little yatai to which they cooked okonomiyaki in order
to make ends meet. Alas, that was gone. Ironically, their lives have
been ruined by what was one of their best customers. Funny how one
little thing can make a world of a difference. So, what now? There
was nothing left for any of them.
"Colorful language your child has there. Heh. You look as if
you are about to join him."
Kuonji-san looked up at his visitor. The man was tall and
rugged looking. His clothing, though seemingly overused, was very
gaijin-like. Cargo's that looked outworn; hiking boots full of mud and
tears that should have dismantled them long ago; a grimy, cream-colored
shirt under a thick, brown, leather jacket; a black bandana pushing up
his thick hair, and also blending into his mane nicely, finally; and a
western hat to complete the "adventurer" look.
"Sorry if I'm a bit rude, I haven't been round civilization
often." He smiled, showing what looked like fangs? "Name's Hibiki,
Ryoku Hibiki."
"Kuonji Houan, hajimemashite."
"Doujou. So, Kuonji-san, how is it that you look like the end
of the world is upon you?"
"It is a family matter, that is all I will say."
"Ah… yes… family..." At the mention of the word, this seemingly
cheerful man's expression suddenly turned downcast and isolated.
"Now it seems that you have the world thrust upon your
shoulders, Hibiki-san."
"Hai. Truth to the matter is, I would carry two worlds,
Kuonji-san, if only I could see my family again. I haven't seen my wife
and child for years now. In fact, my son should be the same age as your
kid there. How big he must be. I sorely miss them."
"Why is that, if you do not mind me asking."
"Not at all, I appreciate having to talk to someone other than
myself. *Smirk* As you may have guessed, I am a wanderer, but not by
choice. I travel these lands for the sole purpose of reuniting myself
with my wife and son, but you see, I have a slight problem." He paused,
not sure if he wanted to flat out tell his secret to him. How would
Kuonji-san react to know that a grown man, like himself, could not find
his way out of an open box?
"That's all right, Hibiki-san, if you do not wish to relevate
further, I will not press."
Ryoku Hibiki let out the breath he did not know he was holding.
He smiled at Houan in appreciation.
"Domo arigato. Heh, sounds like the tyke has exhausted
himself." He looks at the severe damage of chopped trees, craters to
which rocks once sat in, and various spatulas embedded into the ground,
and whistles appreciatively. Ukyou herself was now curled up in a
little ball, sleeping off her exhaustion. "Heh, I don't blame him. I
should tell you about the time my Ryouga went into a temper-tantrum and
we ended up with the kitchen connecting to the bathroom, which was
upstairs! Buahahaha!"
By now, Kuonji was busily pondering. He may as well forget
about the engagement he had foolishly made with the Saotomes. Right
now, he should focus on how to take care of his daughter. Get her
married and have her secured in a family of her own. Grinning, Houan
turns toward Ryoku, who was still laughing at old memories.
"So, Ryoku-san, tell me more about your son, Ryouga."
~~~~~
I sat there, watching her last night, sitting quietly in the
porch with that _pig_ upon her lap. She loves that pig, but does she
love me more than him? Does she love him more than me? Do I love her?
What a stupid question! Of course I love her! I am just not worthy of
her. I never will unless I get this curse off me. She does not deserve
a "half-man". Anyway, how does one expect such a forced marriage to
work? How do I tell her? But, if I do tell her, she'll give me that
look of hurt, betrayal, and loneliness. Damn.
"Ryouga-sama?"
"Ano... Hai Akari-ch-ch-san?"
"Is something the matter?"
Okay, this is it! Now tell her that this relationship won't
work! That she deserves better! Tell her you're not ready for such a
commitment! Tell her...
"No.. Hehe! Nothing's the matter."
Tell her you're a complete wuss! Okay, one more try! This time
get it right!
"Akari-san?"
"Hmmm?"
"I... I.. think .. What do you think of my curse?"
*Sighs* Ugh! Okay. Okay.. progress.
"Oh, Ryouga-sama! We've been through this many times! I don't
mind your curse! In fact, I love you even more because of it! Is that
what was bothering you?" She giggles.
"But, what if I didn't have the curse?"
Huh? Where did this come from? Nevermind! This is good! This
is different! Go with it. Hmm. She does seem to take her time
thinking. Is she thinking of excuses? Come to think of it, she would
always give the same excuse whenever I asked about my curse! Maybe
it's all an act! An act to convince herself that the engagement's going
to work. Maybe she's not too happy with this whole fiancée thing as
well! Why is she laughing? Does she think this is a joke?
"Oh Ryouga-sama! I'll still love you, curse or no curse!"
Hoo-kay, this is going nowhere. Going... That's it!
"Akari-san! I'm... leaving tomorrow."
"Le... Leaving?"
Oh Gods those eyes! Hurry up, stupid!
"On... on a t-training trip!"
Phew! That was close.
"Um, does this have anything to do with Ranma-san?"
"Um... well... That is..."
"It's all right, Ryouga-sama, I understand. There is that
matter of your 'revenge', is there?" She giggles again. "As long as you
promise to come back to me! Ryouga?"
I... I.... Damn. I nod. Now she's leaning against me. I'll
never get used to such affection. She's caring, trustworthy, and me, a
coward. How could I ever think I deserve her? Akari-chan, I will
return and when I do I'll be able to proclaim my love to you! *Sigh*
Yes, perhaps some good will come from this trip.
~~~~~
To say she was "pooped" was an understatement, Ukyou Kuonji was
downright, dog-gone exhausted! First she had to open early after
spending the previous night preparing a new batter, to which she didn't
have enough ingredients to make a decent batch. Second, it had seem
that the damn Nekohanten clan had left for China about some sort of
"Amazon Elder Initiation Ceremony" or something along that line.
Anyway, with them gone, those who had always gone to glimps at that
Amazon hussy every morning graced her restaurant, Ut-chans, for a quick
fast-food breakfast. Not that she minded the increase of business, but
she could have done without Tsubasa harrassing the customers. That
jackass would constantly disguise himself as one of the stools, tables,
and he even dared to hide himself in her last batch of flour. She
greatly repaid the cross-dressing human chameleon with a
re-introduction of her spatula and a one-way trip to the Ozone layer,
curtesy of Kuonji-spatula airlines.
If that weren't enough, school wasn't much help. The teachers,
trying to stabilize their reputations as educators, not referees to the
year-round chaos that seemed to be attracted to the school, all decided
to give pop-mid-terms. She was nearly sucked out of her chi when
Hinako-sensei tried to control a couple of protesting delinquents
because of this.
Lunch time held a bit of sanity, but one can only hold on to a thread
of ice too long before it deteriorates. Poor Ran-chan, she often
wondered if all the chaos would stop if he would only get a clue and
marry her! Akane could then have Kuno.. nah.. perahaps Ryouga. Mousse
and Shampoo could get together, right, when hell froze over. Then
again, what was it those silly gajin folks called it? Eii Nin-nio,
sounded close, well it's been known to weird out climates over the
world, who knows? Kodachi.. let's not kid ourselves, shall we? Well,
it was near closing time. Hopefully she can get Konatsu to go buy some
provisions early tomorrow. Her priority right now is to get some peace
and quiet.
"Um… Can you tell me where I am?"
Ukyou looks up, blinking toward the door at the main entrance.
Great, Ryouga was back. Not that she minded the jackass, but whenever
he was around, there was hardly any chance to get any peace and quiet.
Sighing in frustration, she walks over and slides open the screen.
"Ryouga, you jackass! I'm trying to…. Er.. ano?"
Upon closer examination, Ukyou could take a well mannered
guess, and figure this guy wasn't Ryouga. Although he had a tall,
muscular build, and a bandanna on his forehead, that's where the
similarities ended. Her first clue was that this guy was smilling.
Not a wiry smile Ryouga would sometimes put on, this was a honest to
goodness smile. Then the speckled grey hairs wrapped in a *black*
bandana, giving him the appearance that he looked past his fourties.
Lastly, he had an outfit copied from one of those "Indiana Jones" gajin
movies.
The man bowed in introduction/appology, and blinked at her, a
look of confusion and hope in his eyes.
"Did you say Ryouga? You wouldn't perhaps mean Ryouga Hibiki,
would you miss…?" He asked, letting the last part of the sentence drift
for her compleation.
Ukyou snapped out of her shock, and put on a business smile.
"Ukyou Kuonji's the name, Okonomiyaki's my game!"
The man just blinked at this, and shook his head, laughing.
"Wonders never cease. Well, I can do for a little fast food,
so how bout we go inside, and you can tell me about what my boy's been
up to?"
"Your what?"
"Haha! I guess I forgot to introduce myself again, didn't I?
Name's Hibiki! Ryoku Hibiki."
Ryoku blinks as Ukyou fainted.
"That was different."
~~~
1.) Kisama no Chikuahoume = roughly means "You son of a Bitch"
(Colorful, ne?)
2.) yatai = cart
3.) "hajimemashite" = "Nice to meet you"
4.) "Doujou" = "Same here/Diddo"
5.) Domo Arigato- Thank you
6.) Ano= Um
7.) Hai= yes