Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma «, and I'm not making any profit off of this story.
Author's notes: Well, here's the second chapter of my little tale. I hope you enjoyed the first
chapter. As I'm sure you're already aware of, words in *...* are characters' thoughts. Enjoy the
next segment. ^_^
Kiss of Death, Kiss of Life: Chapter Two
by Leeman
Ranma Saotome walked slowly along the top of the wall located across from the Tendou
dojo. When he actually neared the dojo, he leapt off the wall and strolled across the street. He
walked through the entranceway and up to the building where he was surprised to see Souun
Tendou standing by the door with his arms crossed and his chin resting on his chest. He didn't
look up as Ranma approached. "Good afternoon, Mr. Tendou," Ranma tried to start a
conversation.
"There's nothing good about it," Souun answered without looking up. Ranma scratched
his head.
"Umm...yeah, well I'm going to go inside and lie down for a few minutes. I've got a bad
headache."
"Not in my dojo. As of now, you are no longer welcome to stay here."
"What?! What's this all about?"
"Yeah, what's this all about, Tendou?" Genma inquired having overhead Souun's
conversation with Ranma on his way to get some tea.
"I'm sick and tired off all the mayhem you two have brought here. Ranma, your
engagement to Akane is officially canceled, and you are to leave immediately."
"What brought this on?" Ranma asked with more than just a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Isn't this a little harsh, Souun? I'm sure we could work everything out of a nice cup of
tea," Genma interjected.
"No! Not this time. You've broken Akane's heart, Ranma, and I'm tired of your
leeching, Genma. I want both of you out of here now!"
"Hold on a second! I didn't do anything to break anyone's heart! What are you talking
about?!"
"You know very well what I'm talking about, and I suggest you leave before I throw you
out!"
"If that's the way you want it, that's fine! Just let me pack up my stuff, and I'll be gone!"
"Ranma, wait a second. Souun, are you sure about this? What about the dojo? Who's
going to inherit it after you're too old to care for it?"
"I'll find a better suitor for Akane, and he'll run the dojo." Ranma clenched his fist, but
said nothing.
"After all we've been through together, you would throw me out just like that?" Souun's
eyebrow twitched.
"Just like that! Just like that! Yes! I would! You've brought nothing but trouble, and
your son isn't suited to marry a cow! I've had all I can take, and I am going to do what I should
have done a long time ago!" Ranma gritted his teeth.
"What did you say!?" Ranma seethed. "So, I'm not fit to marry a cow, eh? Why don't I
show you just how fit I am!?" Ranma raised his fist in his rage. Souun narrowed his eyes, and his
lips curved into a wicked looking snarl.
"Is that a challenge?" Souun growled.
"Both of you stop this!" Genma interjected. "Ranma, let's just gather our stuff and
leave." Ranma dropped his fist and smirked.
"You're not worth my efforts." Ranma walked past Souun into the house. He headed up
the stairs and into his room where he quickly packed up all of his belongings. He walked down
stairs and noticed Kasumi in the kitchen getting started on that night's dinner. "Kasumi. Thank
you for feeding me during my stay here." He bowed to her and left before she had a chance to
reply. He walked through the door, past Souun, who was still glaring at the ground without
saying a word.
Genma emerged a few moments later with his pack. He, too, said nothing as he past his
old friend and training partner. He jogged to catch up with Ranma who continued to walk
forward with a mean frown on his face. Ranma walked out of the gate and never looked back as
he headed down the road. He had no idea where he was going, but he wanted to get away from
the Tendou dojo and the rest of the world. "Well, it looks like we're on our own again," Genma
announced glumly.
"No. You're on your own. You've messed up my life enough as it is, and I'm tired of it!
I bet all of this had something to do with you in some way, shape, or form, and I've had enough.
It's your fault I'm cursed with the body of a woman when I get wet, and it's your fault that I ever
had anything to do with the Tendous. Just leave me alone!"
"Hey boy! You're not the only one with a curse, and I didn't have anything to do with
Souun's actions! Show some respect to your old man!"
"Souun was right about one thing. You just leech your way through life. How many
other 'fiancees' do I have? How many people have you lied to and cheated for your own gain?
Where do you get off telling me that I have to take over that damn dojo anyway, huh? Tell me
that!"
"You should be ashamed of yourself! I raised you in harsh times, and I had to do what I
had to do to survive. Sure, I'm not an angel, but I'm sure as hell no devil either!"
"Just leave me alone. Go find some zoo to stay in. You can have all the bamboo you
want there, and you could spend the rest of your life behind bars where you belong!" Genma's
eyebrow twitched in fury.
"You ungrateful little bastard! You'll look back on this day with regret! Consider
yourself on your own! Let's just see how well you can fend for yourself! Sure, you may be a
great martial artist, but it takes more than raw fighting skills to survive." Genma walked away
from Ranma without looking back. *Good riddance,* Ranma thought to himself as he continued
to walk aimlessly forward.
Dark clouds began forming overhead, and a crackle of thunder was enough to make
Ranma wince. *That's just what I need right now,* he sighed dejectedly. He noticed that he had
somehow wandered to Furinkan High School. *How did I get here? Oh well. Maybe I can find
shelter from the rain that's going to start falling soon.* He leapt over the barred gate and walked
up to the entranceway. He noticed that the doors were far enough into the building that he would
be safe from the rain if he stayed there, and he removed his loaded backpack and sat down with
his back resting against the doors. The wind picked up as more dark clouds passed by overhead,
and he noticed that the temperate was starting to drop. After a few minutes, the first droplets of
rain made their signature splatters on the cement, and withing a minute, it was pouring down in
buckets. The wind blew harder, and the rain danced in sheets to its forceful howl. Thunder
crackled overhead, and flashes of lightning filled the sky. A few gusts of wind brought the rain
dangerously close to Ranma, and he mumbled a few curses and positioned himself as far away
from it as he possibly could.
The storm raged on for a few more hours until it finally died down sometime after dark.
Ranma found himself shivering from the cold, and he hugged his knees to draw as much heat as
he could from his body. *Damn! Of all the things I could have forgotten, why did I have to leave
behind a blanket?* He shivered and leaned his backpack against himself. *I'm definitely going to
have to figure out a place where I can stay. Being homeless isn't exactly the way I want to spend
my life.* Ranma laid down and brought his knees up to his chest. He laid his backpack in front of
him to shelter him from the cold, piercing wind that was still blowing softly. He finally drifted off
into a restless sleep.
Ranma awoke to the chorus of chirping birds. The sky was a light-blue, and the sun
hadn't risen yet. He sat up and immediately sneezed. He rubbed his arms and hands and then his
legs. "Jeez, it's so cold," he whispered. His stomach growled, and he sneezed again. He noticed
that it was difficult to breath out of his nose, and he didn't have any tissues handy to blow it. He
pulled out his wallet to see how much money he had, and he hung his head in despair at the
amount. He had enough to buy a hot cup of tea and a bagel if he was lucky, but that was it.
Ranma sat in complete silence and stared off into space until the sun had risen above the
horizon. *I suppose I'll go ahead a blow my money now.* He slipped on his backpack and
strolled away from the doors of his school. He sneezed as he leapt over the gate, and it almost
caused him to slam into the top of it, but he skillfully curled up into a ball and avoided it by less
than an inch. He landed on the slippery sidewalk with ease and made a beeline for the nearest
restaurant. He mused over his options and found them to be very limited. *Well, I can either stay
with Shampoo and Cologne and work at their restaurant, but I think I'd rather go hungry. I could
also just leave Nerima and travel around Japan like pops and I used to. My last option would be
to ask Ucchan if I could work at her restaurant in exchange for a place to sleep and eat, but it
would be kind of awkward living with her. So, basically, I can become a nomad, be forced to
marry Shampoo, or stay with Ucchan if she'll even let me stay there in the first place.*
Ranma drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before walking into The Ucchan. He sat
down on a stool and waited for Ukyou to wait on him. He looked around and noticed a few other
customers eating, and his stomach audibly reminded him of how hungry he was. He started to
drool as he was overcome with the intoxicating sent emanating throughout the room. Ukyou
finished cooking someone's order of okonomiyaki, put it on a plate, and handed to the customer.
She noticed Ranma sitting at a stool, and she waived at him. He waived back, and she walked
over and stood in front of him. "What brings you here so early?" She asked with a warm smile.
"Well, when you have a moment to spare, I really need to talk to you about something."
"Sure. Just hold on a minute. I've got one more order to prepare. I'll be right back."
She walked away and began talking with an older woman who had walked in a few seconds
before Ranma had. He tapped his fingers on the table and looked at a clock hanging on a wall and
saw that it was 10:00 a.m. *Hmm...it's earlier than I thought it was. Does she really run this
restaurant by herself all day long?* "Ran-chan, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Is it possible for us to talk in private?"
"Umm...yeah. Just let me make sure everyone has everything they want." She quickly
made sure each customer was satisfied, and then she motioned for him to walk around the
counter. He followed her into a backroom, and she turned around so he could talk.
"Well...Ucchan...I've got a really big favor I need to ask of you."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Well...you see, I'm kinda homeless at the moment, and I really need a place to stay. I
was wondering if it would be possible for me to stay with you for a while. In exchange for food
and a room, I'll help you out with the restaurant." She couldn't believe what she was hearing,
and she couldn't suppress a grin that spread from ear to ear.
"Hmm...that sounds like a good deal to me. I was thinking about hiring some help
anyway. You're going to cost me an arm and a leg with all the food you eat, but I'll manage
somehow." He literally leaped in joy and wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug without
thinking about it. She blushed madly, and he lifted her off the ground and spun her around a
couple of times and sat her back down. His tight embrace left her senses reeling, and it took her a
few seconds to recover.
"Thank you so much! I promise to do my best!" He sneezed so hard that it hurt his lip,
and he smiled sheepishly. "Uhh...I think I might be coming down with a cold, though. I slept
outside last night and froze my butt off."
"Your voice is a little scratchy." She reached out and put a hand on his forehead. "Jeez,
you're burning hot. Come with me." She grabbed his hand and led him upstairs into the living
quarters. "Go take a shower, and then lie down on the couch. I'll bring you a blanket, food, and
some iced tea." She led him to the bathroom in the hallway and then fetched a blanket out of the
closet in her bedroom and tossed it on the couch. Then she ran back downstairs to cook him his
favorite type of okonomiyaki.
Ranma took his time in the cool shower, and when he was ready to get out, he turned the
hot water up to transform himself back into a guy. He stepped out of the shower doors and dried
himself off with a towel. Then, he went over to his backpack which he brought into the bathroom
with him, and pulled out a white undershirt and a pair of striped boxers put them on. He folded
up his dirty clothes and laid them inside of his backpack and then went back out into the living
room where he found a plate full of okonomiyaki waiting for him, and he wasted no time rushing
over there and wolfing it down like a ravenous lion attacking a fresh kill. Then he gulped down
the glass of iced tea. When he was done, he sighed happily and laid down on the couch.
Although he was still a little hungry, his stomach no longer hurt, and he could relax. He sneezed a
couple more times and used a tissue from the stand behind him to blow his nose. He spotted a
trash can across the room and tossed the tissue into it. He laid his head back against the arm of
the couch, and he pulled the blanket up over himself. He shivered a little, as he was feeling chilly
all of a sudden.
Ukyou finished preparing another order of okonomiyaki for a new customer, and she
looked around to see if anyone else needed anything. When she was sure everyone was satisfied,
she took that opportunity to rush back upstairs and check on her sickly fiancee. She walked into
the living room and saw him laying down on the couch. "How are you feeling?" She asked with
obvious concern in her voice.
"I'm feeling cold, and my head hurts a little."
"Here, I brought you a cup of tea and some medicine that will heal your cold symptoms."
She laid them on a table.
"Thanks."
"Is there anything else I can get you?"
"Nah. I'm okay."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Thanks anyway."
"Well, I'm going to head back downstairs. I'll be back up a little later." She grabbed his
empty plate and glass and left the room. He sat up and put the pills she brought him in his mouth
and swallowed them with a drink of tea. He laid back down and eventually drifted off to sleep.
"You what!?!?" Akane Tendou demanded. She had just arrived home from her friend's
house when her father had broken the news to her that Ranma and Genma were evicted.
"I told Ranma and his father to leave and to never come back," Souun answered
emotionlessly.
"Why on earth did you do that?"
"It was obvious that Ranma was breaking your heart, and if he wasn't going to be a good
husband to you, then it isn't my place to feed and shelter him or his father."
"But Dad, where are they going to stay? They don't have anywhere to go."
"That's not my problem."
"That's cruel!"
"Isn't it cruel what he did to you? He was seeing another woman directly behind your
back."
"That's still no reason for you to kick them out on the streets. Even if Ranma is a royal
jerk, he doesn't deserve to be a homeless beggar. He just happened to fall in love with another
woman, and she is also his fiancee after all," she said the last part bitterly. "Besides, what makes
you think I wanted to marry an insensitive slob like him, anyway?"
"Maybe because you love him? Admit it, Akane, you have feelings for the boy."
"No, I don't! Why does everyone always keep saying that?! How could I be in love with
such a idiotic jerk?!" Souun sighed.
"You and that boy were getting closer by the day. It was obvious that you both had
feelings for each other, or so I thought. Right G..." He turned to his side and realized that Mr.
Saotome was no longer there because he had kicked him out. He sighed softly and continued.
"Well, anyway, Ranma betrayed the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, and that is
unforgivable."
"How did he betray our dojo? I don't recall him having a say in any of this. It was you
and Mr. Saotome how arranged this engagement. You never gave Ranma or me a choice in the
matter."
"An honorable martial artist will endure all things for the honor of his dojo. You two
were supposed to carry on the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. Now everything is lost."
"Just because things don't workout exactly the way you planned them doesn't mean that
all hope is lost. Ranma isn't the only guy in the world after all. Why can't you just let me find a
guy that I can love on my own?"
"Ranma may have a brain about the size of a pea, but his skill is incredible. Who else
would be suited to carry on our school?"
"I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. This is our dojo, and I will carry it on with or
without a husband."
"What happens after you're gone? With no heirs, the Anything Goes School of Martial
Arts will just fade into history."
"Just give me some time, father. I have a long life ahead of me, and I'm sure a strong man
will eventually fall in love with me, and I'll fall in love with him. Then, you'll have your heirs."
"Akane, things aren't always so simple. You're not exactly the...well...umm..."
"I'm not what?" She inquired with a certain sweetness in her voice and an overly cute
smile that was a very reliable indicator of her rising rage.
"Well, most guys like a woman who is more feminine than you are." Her eyebrow
twitched, and Souun slowly backed off.
"I am not a tomboy!" She screamed as she rammed her fist through the wall as if it were
made of paper. She removed her arm, which was bleeding from a few various cuts caused by the
wood, and stormed off up to her room.
Kasumi had been watching from around a corner, and she sighed. She grabbed a few first
aid supplies and headed upstairs to nurse Akane's arm. Souun just sat down and buried his face
in his hands and slowly looked up while his hands slid down his face. *Maybe I was a little too
hasty in kicking them out.* He looked down at the chess board that he and Genma would sit
before and play for hours on end. *It's a little late to do anything about it now, though.*
Genma Saotome's empty stomach audibly whined about having no food, and the martial
artist sighed. Sundown was fast approaching, and he was miles away from the nearest village. *I
suppose I'll just have to find a place to put up a temporary shelter for the night.* He reached out
with his senses of hearing and smell in search of water as he had learned to do when he was a
small boy, and he could tell that there was a spring off to the east of his current position. Since he
was traveling north, he merely turned to the right and followed his nose. He came upon a small,
yet fast moving stream that was no doubt coming from the mountains farther off in the distance
due to it's unusually cold temperate. He filled up his water bottle with a drink of the refreshing
liquid and decided to setup camp under a large tree about twenty feet from the edge of the water.
This spot would provide him with easy access to the water, and it would allow him easy access to
his utensils for cooking fish that he would have handy by his shelter once he caught a few fish
using a spear that he would skillfully create out of the stick he had been using for walking.
It didn't take him long to get the shelter setup, but it did take him about an hour to
transform his walking stick into a decent spear. By then, it had grown dark, and the campfire was
his only source of light. He would have to go to bed hungry and fish in the morning. He sighed.
*If Ranma were here, I could have started carving this stick right away while he setup everything
else. Then, I could have caught at least a few fish a piece for us to cook over the fire and eat
now. Dammit. Why does that boy have to be so stubborn?* He chuckled as fond memories of
Ranma throughout different stages of life flooded his mind. He had raised his son to be an
extremely formidable martial artist, and he knew that Ranma had already surpassed his skill level.
He would always have to rely on sneaky tactics in order to trick Ranma or make him very angry
and then use his emotions against him in order to defeat him when sparring. *I guess it's time for
him to be on his own anyway. He'll never improve if he doesn't learn to face the challenges that
the world will bring to him, and I can't always be there for him. I've tried to be a good father to
him, but it's out of my hands now.* "Good luck, Ranma," he whispered as he watched the flames
of the fire sway about in their exotic dances as they have done since the dawn of creation.
Ranma found himself in a very dark room upon awaking. He looked around and found the
surroundings to be very unfamiliar, but the faint scent of okonomiyaki reminded him where he
was. *Oh yeah. I must have fallen asleep. He quickly threw off the blankets that were smothering
him with his own body heat and slowly made his way around the tea table that sat in front of the
couch. Once he reached a wall, he felt his way along it until he made it to the bathroom. Once
inside, he flipped the light on and immediately shielded his eyes from the light by raising his arm.
Doing his best to expose his sensitive eyes to the light, he made his way to the sink and splashed
his face with cool water. Of course, he transformed into a girl, but at that point he really didn't
care. Finally, his eyes adjusted to the light, and he was able to carry on.
He fumbled along the dark hallway and into the living room. He hadn't bothered changing
back into a guy, and despite his smaller size, he still managed to clobber his knee on a corner of
the tea table. He yelped in pain, but still made it to the couch. Being fully awake, all of his senses
kicked into gear, and he could hear someone breathing deeply somewhere off to his left. *Is that
Ucchan?* He wondered to himself. *I guess there's only one way to find out.* He carefully stole
his way over to the light switch and flipped it on. There lay Ukyou sprawled out in the recliner
just a few feet from the couch. He couldn't help but smile at the cute scene. *She's got to be
uncomfortable, though. I wonder if I should take her back to her room...where is her room,
anyway?* He silently treaded down the hallway and peeped his head in a couple different rooms.
The first 'room' he came to actually turned out to be a closet filled with extra towels and other
bathroom the supplies. He knew the first door on the right was the bathroom, so he knew that
her bedroom had to be one of the last two rooms in the hallway. He walked in the room on the
far left and found it to be a well-organized office. *This must be where she sorts out her income
from the restaurant.* He walked into the other door and found a medium-sized room with what
appeared to be a queen-sized bed, a dresser, a large chest, and a night stand on each side of the
bed. *If that isn't a bedroom, then I'm not a martial artist.* He flipped on the light in the room,
and then headed back out into the living room. He stopped suddenly and ran back into the
bathroom to get some hot water in order to turn back into a guy before heading back into the
living room.
Using all of his training to be gentle wasn't the easiest thing for him to accomplish, but he
focused his mind on it. He slowly slid his arms underneath her back and legs, and very cautiously
picked her up into his arms. As he started to walk down the hallway, she reached up and wrapped
her arms around his neck in her sleep. He felt a familiar warmness growing in his cheeks, and he
couldn't shake it off. *What's wrong with you, Ranma? There's nothing to be blushing about.*
He tried to convince himself, but he couldn't help it. She was just so cute when she slept, and he
wasn't exactly used to being held by a sleeping beauty after all. He carried her into the room, and
he expertly balanced on one leg as he used his other to push the covers back. He laid her down
gently, but she suddenly pulled him down onto her. He blushed madly and gently tried to free
himself. Finally, she loosened her grip enough for him to slip out of her grasp, and he wasted no
time in doing so. He pulled the covers up over her as a soft smile spread across his lips. "Good
night, Ucchan," he whispered ever so sweetly. He walked to the door and turned around. She
rolled over in her sleep and mumbled something he couldn't understand. He just stared blankly at
her for another minute before he finally came to his senses. He shook his head violently from side
to side and switched off the light. He reached out and grabbed the door handle, and he then
pulled the door towards him and eased it shut. *Get a grip on yourself, Ranma. You're acting
like you never saw a sleeping woman before,* he scolded himself as he walked back down the
hallway and into the living room. He spotted a clock on the wall. *It's 4:30 a.m. and I'm wide
awake. I know I'll never be able to get back to sleep, so I suppose I might as well do some
training.*
It suddenly occurred to Ranma that his cold was completely gone. "That medicine
Ucchan gave me must be as effective as the Saotome family remedy, but it does lengthen a
person's normal sleeping time," he mused aloud. *Oh well. Now I just have to find a place to
train.* He considered his options and hit his open hand with a fist once an idea came to him. He
walked over to the nearest window and slid it open. Luckily, there was no screen for him to
worry about, so he stepped up on the small ledge outside of the window, and pulled himself up
using the outside of the wall. He looked up and was barely to make out top edge of the building
in the moonlight, and it was just out of his reach. He turned around to face the building which
was just inches from his chest, and he hopped up and grabbed the edge. He then used his feet to
carefully close the window halfway before he flipped over the edge and onto the roof. Since the
roof was flat, it would make an excellent training place. It was still dark out, but that wouldn't
stop him from working out his remaining anger brought on by Mr. Tendou and his father.
Ranma faced an invisible enemy in a open ready stance. He stood completely still for a
moment as he mentally prepared himself for the task at hand. Without warning, he sprang
forward and launched his fist towards the imaginary fighter. It took great focus to actually
visualize his opponent moving and dodging his blows, but Ranma was a seasoned martial artist,
and visualization was essential in improving one's skill. Ranma launched a few more punches and
then his leg shot forward in a kick strong enough to crush a solid brick wall. He suddenly
stopped his kick mid-swing and slowly brought it back down. He frowned. *I'm not focused
enough. Perhaps if I...* He never finished his thoughts as he visualized Souun Tendou standing
before him. He unleashed a fury of mighty punches and kicks at the image in his mind. He also
visualized his opponent blocking everyone. Ranma suddenly dropped to the ground and spun
around while swinging his leg out with surgical precision. Then, using the momentum from his
spin, he leapt of the ground, brought his leg around in the air in a deadly tornado kick. Upon
landing, he leapt dangerously high, and flipped and twisted in the air now facing the opposite
direction. As soon as his feet had barely touched the grown, he was already moving forward
sending forth another barrage of punches and kicks. As he trained, he reached out with his all of
his senses, but remained focused on his visualized opponent. He must be able to know what's
going on around him and remain completely calm and focused at the same time. Suddenly, he
stopped in the middle of a punch and narrowed his eyes. He stood up straight and scanned the
area with his eyes. *I'm being watched, but by who? I've felt this before, but I always thought it
was my imagination. This time I'm sure it's not.* He felt a tinge of a powerful aura, but it
disappeared as quickly as it came. *I can't figure out which direction it came from. Dammit, who
the hell was that? Could it be my father?*
The dark figure smirked as it watched Ranma look around on the rooftop. *So, he was
actually able to sense my presence? Hmm...that's very interesting. I'll have to lower my aura
while I observe him. I haven't had to do that in over fifty years.* The figure suddenly shot
backwards and disappeared into the night.
Ranma shrugged and scratched his head. *What was that feeling? It sent chills down my
spine. I'd better keep my guard up until I figure out who's out there watching me.* He sighed
softly and continued his training.
Ukyou woke up, but she just wasn't ready to open her eyes yet. She rolled over onto her
side and snuggled the pillow as she tried to block out the sunlight that poured into her window.
She laid still and tried to keep her mind blank, but a familiar pig-tailed boy began to fill her
thoughts. All of a sudden, she sat up and looked around. *I'm in my room. The last thing I
remember was watching Ranma sleep in the living room. How did I get here?* She threw off her
covers and forced herself to get out of bed. *I wonder how he's doing anyway. I guess I'd better
go check on him.* She yawned loudly and stretched out. Then, she walked out of her room and
down the hallway. When she walked out into the living room, she could see that Ranma was
nowhere to be found. *Hmm...I wonder where he went. I guess I'll check downstairs.*
Ranma stood breathless with beads of sweat constantly rolling down his face. He had
sweat in his eyes, and his shirt was drenched with it. He was still in his boxers and undershirt, but
he didn't care. He was completely focused on the imaginary image of Souun Tendou ahead of
him who he had been battling since the wee hours in the morning. "Chestnuts roasting on an open
fire!" He shouted as his fists rained down on his imaginary opponent faster than human eyes could
detect. He gritted his teeth as he fought a losing battle with his fatigue, but he still pushed on.
His face turned red, and he let out a low growl as he continued the attack. He could feel himself
starting to get dizzy, but he still persisted. He held on to the attack for two whole minutes before
he dropped to his knees and finally stopped his fists from flying. He was panting very hard, and
his head was spinning. He tried to stand up, but he fell over backwards and landed squarely on
his rear end. He just laid back and gazed at the blue sky above him with his arms and legs
sprawled out. He was still breathing hard, and the sweat was stinging his eyes, but he didn't have
the energy to wipe them. A few puffy, white clouds floated overhead, and he started picking out
different shapes. If he could have laughed, he would have as he spotted a cloud that looked just
like P-chan.
Ukyou had searched the house and restaurant areas high and low, but she couldn't figure
out where he had gone to. Since his stuff was still there, he couldn't have gone too far. She
walked into the living room and flopped down on the couch. That's when she noticed the open
window. *Hmm...I wonder if he...ah ha! That's where he went. She pushed the curtains aside
and saw that the window was half opened. She looked across at the building behind hers, but she
didn't see anyone on the roof. *That's where I normally train at.* She pushed the window opened
the rest of the way and jumped over to the roof of the other building. She looked around for any
clues that he had been there, but she didn't see any. *What if something happened to him?* She
pondered as her facial expression transformed into one of worry. *He's not anywhere in the
building, and he's not outside training. Where else could he have gone to? What if someone
went in through the window and kidnaped him? No, Ranma couldn't be taken so easily, but what
if they knocked him out while he was sleeping?* She ran to the edge of the roof and leapt off.
She landed on the edge of her roof in order to lower herself down back in the window, but that's
when she spotted Ranma sprawled out on his back. She immediately stepped off the edge and ran
over to him. She could see that he was breathing very hard as she approached. "Ran-chan, are
you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said as he slowly rolled his head over to look at her.
"You don't look fine to me," she said with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"I've been training since before sunrise, and I'm just a little winded. That's all," he
sputtered out in between breaths. "Just let me lay here for a little while, and I'll be fine." She sat
down Indian style next to him.
Several minutes passed, and Ukyou silently sat beside the pig-tailed boy whose hard
breathing eased up very slowly. "How long have you been out here anyway?" Ukyou asked him
with a tone of curiosity in her voice.
"I don't know. What time is it?"
"9:00 a.m. the last time I looked."
"Then it's been about four or five hours."
"Jeez, no wonder why your so tired." He forced himself to sit up with a few grunts along
the way.
"Well, I also just used my chest nuts roasting on an open fire technique for two minutes
nonstop."
"Wow! Why did you push yourself so hard?"
"Well, I have to improve my skills. I want to be the best martial artist that I can be."
"I understand that, but shouldn't you take it just a little slower?"
"Nah. I'll be fine. I've been through a lot worse, and I probably won't train quite as hard
as I did today that often." She stood up and held out her hand to him.
"Let's go get you something to eat, okay?"
"That sounds great." He reached up and grabbed her hand, and she pulled him up. He
staggered a bit, but he was able to catch his balance. She walked over to the edge of the building
and grabbed onto it. Then, she lowered herself down and looked to see if her feet were right
above the ledge. Satisfied with her position, she let go of the edge and landed on the ledge. Then
she ducked down and went back in through the window. She helped Ranma through the window
and back into the house because he was still a bit weak due to his lack of energy. Then, they went
downstairs and she found the ingredients to make him some okonomiyaki that he loved so much.
"You're not open for business today?" Ranma asked after he devoured his fifth plateful of
okonomiyaki.
"Nope. It's my day off to do whatever I want."
"Oh, I see."
"Would you want to go for a walk with me around Lake Nerima?"
"Uhh...sure, why not?"
"Get dressed and we'll go." He looked down and realized that he was still in his boxers
and undershirt.
"Ahh! I'm so sorry!" He jumped up and ran in the bathroom, and she chuckled. Then
she blushed when she realized that she was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. She
quickly ran into the bathroom attached to her bedroom and took a shower. Then she threw on
some fresh clothes and ran out to meet Ranma who was waiting patiently on the couch. "You
ready to go?" He asked casually.
"Sure, let's go."
Souun Tendou sighed as he stared at his chessboard. He found it very boring to play by
himself like he had before Genma had showed up. *Hmm...perhaps I should actually train to
relieve myself of my frustrations.* He stood up and was about to head out into the training room
when Happousai ran by carrying a bag on his back that was three times his size. Souun sighed in
depression. The contents were certain to be more women's underwear that were to be added to
Happousai's extensive collection. *He's going to ruin my reputation if this keeps up,* Souun
thought to himself, and he knew that he was helpless to stop him. *If only Ranma could learn a
new technique of some sort...* his thoughts trailed off as he realized Ranma was gone, and he
probably wasn't going to return. *I must meditate, or I'm going to go insane.* Souun trudged out
into the training room and sat down Indian style. He closed his eyes and took control of his
breathing. He slowed down his breath and began to focus his mind inwards. He slowed his
heartbeat and dulled all of his external senses. He visualized the entrance to a cave and awaited
the arrival of his spirit totem to guide him through. A large, blue dragon appeared before him and
bowed. "So, you've come to journey once more," it stated in a very deep, yet somehow
reassuring voice.
"Yes...yes that's right," Souun replied.
"What do you seek in your odyssey?"
"Relief from the burden of my anxiety, guilt, and shame."
"Then follow me." The dragon flew into the cave, and Souun flew in after him. He saw a
blazing tunnel whose walls shifted and changed both texture and color as he flew at the speed of
light down its constantly meandering path. He emerged in a grassy plain in the middle of summer.
He could feel the sun beating down on him harder than a sledgehammer, and he collapsed to his
knees. The heat was too much for him, and he stripped off all of his clothing. His skin began
bubbling, and he screamed out. The dragon appeared beside him. "This heat is the burden of
emotions you have taken on. It's time you were rid of them. This is your journey, and I am your
guide, but this is something you must do alone. I wish you well..." He disappeared, and Souun
was left to suffer in agony.
He could feel his skin beginning to melt, and he knew it wouldn't be long before his
insides were cooked. He looked defiantly up to the sun who grinned down at him evilly, and he
laughed. The bright-orange sphere looked down at him with a puzzled expression. "I won't lose
to you!" Souun shouted. "You're too weak to defeat me."
"Is that so?" the shining orb bellowed out.
"Yes," Souun stated simply. It grinned evilly and rays of pure energy shot out of it in all
directions. Souun was hit by several of these rays, and he grimaced due to the immense pain it
caused him, but he concentrated, and he healed his body.
"That's not bad. You have a strong will."
"I've only just begun," Souun challenged.
"Same here." The evil sun increased his size to ten times what it was. The heat forced
Souun back down to his knees, but he stood up after just a few seconds.
"Is that all you got?" The sun just grinned and continued to increase his size. Souun
didn't budge as the sun grew large enough to consume everything in his sight. He turned his
focus inward, and he set his body temperature below freezing. Then, he released the cold energy
flowing through him until it froze everything on the ground. Then, he shot beams of ice up into
the sun's surface. It groaned in pain and slowly shrank down to the size of a basketball. Souun
collapsed after exhausting all of his energy. The dragon appeared and smiled down at the sleeping
man.
"I shall return you home. When you wake up, all of your negative emotions will be in
check." The plains faded away, and Souun was returned to a normal state of sleep. He awoke
several hours later feeling wonderfully refreshed. He closed his eyes and thanked his totem for its
help. Then he stood up and returned to the living room. He could smell the aroma of another
excellent meal fixed by his oldest daughter, Kasumi. It brought a smile to his face because he was
suddenly very hungry.
Ukyou sighed in absolute contentment as she gazed at the pinkish orange sky being
reflected off of the surface of the water. The gentle swaying of the canoe that Ranma rowed out
into the middle of the lake was very relaxing. *I wish I could be with him like this forever,* she
thought to herself. She looked over at him, and her eyes softened. *He's so handsome, brave,
and kind. If only he would see me as more than just his buddy.* Ranma gazed at one of the most
beautiful splendors of nature a sunset over the water. He felt eyes upon him, and he turned to
see Ukyou staring at him. "What's wrong, Ucchan?" She was violently jerked from her thoughts,
and she blushed and turned back to the sunset very quickly.
"N...nothing's wrong. What makes you think that?"
"You just seem so lost in thought. Do you want to go back to shore?"
"No. No, I'm fine. It was just so peaceful that I couldn't help but wonder about things."
"Oh, what things?"
"Uhh...umm...oh nothing important. Just girly stuff."
"Oh, I see." He turned his attention back to the sunset, and she glanced over at him out of
the corner of her eyes. *He could be so clueless at times.* She held in a chuckle that threatened to
escape her throat. Then, she turned her attention back to the sunset, and they both sat in silence
until the sun had disappeared below the horizon.
"Well, I guess we'd better head back. It's going to get dark soon," she blurted out.
"Yeah, I agree." He began rowing the boat back to shore under her watchful eyes. She
took notice of how the muscles in his arms rippled so powerfully. He was very well defined, but
he wasn't bulky. His muscles were finely toned and conditioned, and she knew how stong he
really was. He could easily slam his fist through a wall of solid bricks if he so desired, but he had
a gentle nature for the most part. She wanted to be in touch with every aspect of his personality,
even his less than desirable traits. After all, she loved him more than anything else in the world.
"Thank you for the boat ride," she chimed as he pulled up to the dock. She stood up very
gingerly and eased herself onto the dock, and Ranma followed suit.
"You're the one who paid for it. I just rowed it."
"I'm very glad that you went with me. At least let me thank you for that." He grinned.
"Sure, but it was my pleasure," he bowed, and she laughed him. He looked up at her with
a puzzled expression on his face. She quit laughing, but her smile never faded.
"I've never seen you bow before."
"Oh really?' He scratched his head. "I guess I don't do it very often, do I?"
"Nope, but I'm glad."
"Why's that?"
"It's good to see you loosen up. You're normally so serious and reserved all of the
time...unless someone makes you angry."
"I just feel warm when I'm around you. Odd huh?" She blushed slightly.
"No. Actually I feel the same way."
"Good. Then I'm not crazy," he declared in an amused tone.
"Want to bet?"
"Hey! I resent that!" He cried out in a mock angry voice.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" He grinned evilly...too evilly, and she gulped.
"R...Ran-chan. I was only teasing."
"And that means what to me?"
"Come on. You're up to something, aren't you? What are you going to do?"
"Are you still ticklish?" He asked plainly.
"Ran-chan! You wouldn't!"
"Oh yes I would!" He leapt forward and grabbed her before she could get a way. He
trapped both of her arms with his left arm and began tickling her side with his right arm. She
giggled and squirmed, but it was hopeless. She tried kicking him, but he fell backwards onto the
grass to neutralize her kicks. He continued to tickle her while she screamed and laughed. Finally,
she ran out of breath, and he let her go. "Now we're even," he declared victoriously.
"You're so mean! I'm not going to talk to you anymore," she mock pouted.
"Aww, come on Ucchan." She stood up and walked away, and he ran after her. She
suddenly stopped and leapt at him. He tried to avoid it, but it was too late. She pinned his back
to the ground and straddled his stomach. Then she smiled sweetly and thumped his nose. "Ouch,
that hurt!" He reached up to try to grab her, but she kicked her legs out to block his hands. He
groaned as she put her full weight on him and pinned his hands to the ground with her feet.
"Now you're helpless." An mischievous glint sparked in her eyes, and she reached under
his arms and started tickling him. He squirmed and squealed helplessly, and she laughed at his
bittersweet torment. Finally, she let him go and stood up. "Now we're even!"
"Nope." He tripped her with his legs, and she fell backwards. He sat up and caught her.
He began tickling her more, and she flailed about trying to get free. He let her up after a minute,
and then he stood up. It was already much darker outside, and the light was fading by the minute.
"We really should be heading back. I'm getting hungry, and we really should get home before it's
completely dark."
"What's your rush?" A thoughtful expression appeared on his face. *I can't tell her about
the presence I sensed this morning. So, what do I tell her?*
"My stomach, of course."
"More like your bottomless pit."
"Either way, let's get going. Want a ride?" She grinned.
"Sure. I enjoy riding on the back of the greatest martial artist in Japan."
"The world, you mean," he corrected while shaking his finger at her. She chuckled.
"Well, you do have the biggest ego in the world. That's for sure."
"You've got that right! Now hop on, and let's get going."
"Okay." She climbed on his back, and he was airborne in a flash. He leapt from rooftop
to rooftop at an incredible pace. It only took him a matter of minutes to reach The Ucchan. He
landed outside of the back entrance and let her down. She fetched her key from her pocket and
let them both in. "I'll go ahead and start on dinner."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Sure. You could eat it after it's ready," she stated with a wink.
"Don't say I didn't offer."
"Don't worry about it. Since we've had such a great day. It'll be my pleasure."
"Okay." She turned on the light switch and fired up the griddle that was built into the
counter. Ranma effortlessly jumped over the counter and landed softly on the other side. He sat
down in the stool in front of Ukyou and watched her cook. She was extremely skilled in her art,
and the first two plates off okonomiyaki were done in two minutes. She handed the plates to
Ranma and immediately started cooking more.
"I'm stuffed!" Ranma exclaimed happily
"Me too," Ukyou groaned. "Too full, I think."
"Nah. You can never be too full."
"Easy for you to say."
"That it is." He grinned cutely, and she hung her head.
"Oi." Ranma yawned.
"I'm pretty tired. You can really wear a guy out, you know?"
"Hey, it's not my fault that you decided to train so rigorously this morning."
"Hmm...you have a point there. Anyway, I'm going to go take a shower and get ready for
bed."
"Okay. Goodnight."
"You too." He slowly climbed the steps and made a beeline for the bathroom.
Ukyou cleaned up both of their dishes and made sure the backdoor was secure. Then, she
too headed upstairs to try to finish knitting a blanket she had been working on for a while.
Author's notes: That's the end of chapter two. Right now, I have a little bit of a better grasp on
the goals I wish to accomplish with this fic. The ending of this chapter wasn't nearly as
suspenseful as the first. I hope the plot hook of the mysterious figure will be enough to keep your
curiosity alive until I finish the next chapter. I still am writing this as I go though, so anything can
happen. All, I'm doing is sitting back and watching the story take place in my head while my
fingers move. I know everyone's a little OOC...well maybe more than a little, but I'm still having
fun. Besides, this is fan fiction after all. ^_^ Anyway, please take a moment to review this chapter
and tell me what you thought of it. Hey, it just might help speed up production. ^_~ I haven't
decided what's going to happen in the next chapter yet. I guess I'll find out when I start working
on it.
Author's notes: Well, here's the second chapter of my little tale. I hope you enjoyed the first
chapter. As I'm sure you're already aware of, words in *...* are characters' thoughts. Enjoy the
next segment. ^_^
Kiss of Death, Kiss of Life: Chapter Two
by Leeman
Ranma Saotome walked slowly along the top of the wall located across from the Tendou
dojo. When he actually neared the dojo, he leapt off the wall and strolled across the street. He
walked through the entranceway and up to the building where he was surprised to see Souun
Tendou standing by the door with his arms crossed and his chin resting on his chest. He didn't
look up as Ranma approached. "Good afternoon, Mr. Tendou," Ranma tried to start a
conversation.
"There's nothing good about it," Souun answered without looking up. Ranma scratched
his head.
"Umm...yeah, well I'm going to go inside and lie down for a few minutes. I've got a bad
headache."
"Not in my dojo. As of now, you are no longer welcome to stay here."
"What?! What's this all about?"
"Yeah, what's this all about, Tendou?" Genma inquired having overhead Souun's
conversation with Ranma on his way to get some tea.
"I'm sick and tired off all the mayhem you two have brought here. Ranma, your
engagement to Akane is officially canceled, and you are to leave immediately."
"What brought this on?" Ranma asked with more than just a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Isn't this a little harsh, Souun? I'm sure we could work everything out of a nice cup of
tea," Genma interjected.
"No! Not this time. You've broken Akane's heart, Ranma, and I'm tired of your
leeching, Genma. I want both of you out of here now!"
"Hold on a second! I didn't do anything to break anyone's heart! What are you talking
about?!"
"You know very well what I'm talking about, and I suggest you leave before I throw you
out!"
"If that's the way you want it, that's fine! Just let me pack up my stuff, and I'll be gone!"
"Ranma, wait a second. Souun, are you sure about this? What about the dojo? Who's
going to inherit it after you're too old to care for it?"
"I'll find a better suitor for Akane, and he'll run the dojo." Ranma clenched his fist, but
said nothing.
"After all we've been through together, you would throw me out just like that?" Souun's
eyebrow twitched.
"Just like that! Just like that! Yes! I would! You've brought nothing but trouble, and
your son isn't suited to marry a cow! I've had all I can take, and I am going to do what I should
have done a long time ago!" Ranma gritted his teeth.
"What did you say!?" Ranma seethed. "So, I'm not fit to marry a cow, eh? Why don't I
show you just how fit I am!?" Ranma raised his fist in his rage. Souun narrowed his eyes, and his
lips curved into a wicked looking snarl.
"Is that a challenge?" Souun growled.
"Both of you stop this!" Genma interjected. "Ranma, let's just gather our stuff and
leave." Ranma dropped his fist and smirked.
"You're not worth my efforts." Ranma walked past Souun into the house. He headed up
the stairs and into his room where he quickly packed up all of his belongings. He walked down
stairs and noticed Kasumi in the kitchen getting started on that night's dinner. "Kasumi. Thank
you for feeding me during my stay here." He bowed to her and left before she had a chance to
reply. He walked through the door, past Souun, who was still glaring at the ground without
saying a word.
Genma emerged a few moments later with his pack. He, too, said nothing as he past his
old friend and training partner. He jogged to catch up with Ranma who continued to walk
forward with a mean frown on his face. Ranma walked out of the gate and never looked back as
he headed down the road. He had no idea where he was going, but he wanted to get away from
the Tendou dojo and the rest of the world. "Well, it looks like we're on our own again," Genma
announced glumly.
"No. You're on your own. You've messed up my life enough as it is, and I'm tired of it!
I bet all of this had something to do with you in some way, shape, or form, and I've had enough.
It's your fault I'm cursed with the body of a woman when I get wet, and it's your fault that I ever
had anything to do with the Tendous. Just leave me alone!"
"Hey boy! You're not the only one with a curse, and I didn't have anything to do with
Souun's actions! Show some respect to your old man!"
"Souun was right about one thing. You just leech your way through life. How many
other 'fiancees' do I have? How many people have you lied to and cheated for your own gain?
Where do you get off telling me that I have to take over that damn dojo anyway, huh? Tell me
that!"
"You should be ashamed of yourself! I raised you in harsh times, and I had to do what I
had to do to survive. Sure, I'm not an angel, but I'm sure as hell no devil either!"
"Just leave me alone. Go find some zoo to stay in. You can have all the bamboo you
want there, and you could spend the rest of your life behind bars where you belong!" Genma's
eyebrow twitched in fury.
"You ungrateful little bastard! You'll look back on this day with regret! Consider
yourself on your own! Let's just see how well you can fend for yourself! Sure, you may be a
great martial artist, but it takes more than raw fighting skills to survive." Genma walked away
from Ranma without looking back. *Good riddance,* Ranma thought to himself as he continued
to walk aimlessly forward.
Dark clouds began forming overhead, and a crackle of thunder was enough to make
Ranma wince. *That's just what I need right now,* he sighed dejectedly. He noticed that he had
somehow wandered to Furinkan High School. *How did I get here? Oh well. Maybe I can find
shelter from the rain that's going to start falling soon.* He leapt over the barred gate and walked
up to the entranceway. He noticed that the doors were far enough into the building that he would
be safe from the rain if he stayed there, and he removed his loaded backpack and sat down with
his back resting against the doors. The wind picked up as more dark clouds passed by overhead,
and he noticed that the temperate was starting to drop. After a few minutes, the first droplets of
rain made their signature splatters on the cement, and withing a minute, it was pouring down in
buckets. The wind blew harder, and the rain danced in sheets to its forceful howl. Thunder
crackled overhead, and flashes of lightning filled the sky. A few gusts of wind brought the rain
dangerously close to Ranma, and he mumbled a few curses and positioned himself as far away
from it as he possibly could.
The storm raged on for a few more hours until it finally died down sometime after dark.
Ranma found himself shivering from the cold, and he hugged his knees to draw as much heat as
he could from his body. *Damn! Of all the things I could have forgotten, why did I have to leave
behind a blanket?* He shivered and leaned his backpack against himself. *I'm definitely going to
have to figure out a place where I can stay. Being homeless isn't exactly the way I want to spend
my life.* Ranma laid down and brought his knees up to his chest. He laid his backpack in front of
him to shelter him from the cold, piercing wind that was still blowing softly. He finally drifted off
into a restless sleep.
Ranma awoke to the chorus of chirping birds. The sky was a light-blue, and the sun
hadn't risen yet. He sat up and immediately sneezed. He rubbed his arms and hands and then his
legs. "Jeez, it's so cold," he whispered. His stomach growled, and he sneezed again. He noticed
that it was difficult to breath out of his nose, and he didn't have any tissues handy to blow it. He
pulled out his wallet to see how much money he had, and he hung his head in despair at the
amount. He had enough to buy a hot cup of tea and a bagel if he was lucky, but that was it.
Ranma sat in complete silence and stared off into space until the sun had risen above the
horizon. *I suppose I'll go ahead a blow my money now.* He slipped on his backpack and
strolled away from the doors of his school. He sneezed as he leapt over the gate, and it almost
caused him to slam into the top of it, but he skillfully curled up into a ball and avoided it by less
than an inch. He landed on the slippery sidewalk with ease and made a beeline for the nearest
restaurant. He mused over his options and found them to be very limited. *Well, I can either stay
with Shampoo and Cologne and work at their restaurant, but I think I'd rather go hungry. I could
also just leave Nerima and travel around Japan like pops and I used to. My last option would be
to ask Ucchan if I could work at her restaurant in exchange for a place to sleep and eat, but it
would be kind of awkward living with her. So, basically, I can become a nomad, be forced to
marry Shampoo, or stay with Ucchan if she'll even let me stay there in the first place.*
Ranma drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly before walking into The Ucchan. He sat
down on a stool and waited for Ukyou to wait on him. He looked around and noticed a few other
customers eating, and his stomach audibly reminded him of how hungry he was. He started to
drool as he was overcome with the intoxicating sent emanating throughout the room. Ukyou
finished cooking someone's order of okonomiyaki, put it on a plate, and handed to the customer.
She noticed Ranma sitting at a stool, and she waived at him. He waived back, and she walked
over and stood in front of him. "What brings you here so early?" She asked with a warm smile.
"Well, when you have a moment to spare, I really need to talk to you about something."
"Sure. Just hold on a minute. I've got one more order to prepare. I'll be right back."
She walked away and began talking with an older woman who had walked in a few seconds
before Ranma had. He tapped his fingers on the table and looked at a clock hanging on a wall and
saw that it was 10:00 a.m. *Hmm...it's earlier than I thought it was. Does she really run this
restaurant by herself all day long?* "Ran-chan, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Is it possible for us to talk in private?"
"Umm...yeah. Just let me make sure everyone has everything they want." She quickly
made sure each customer was satisfied, and then she motioned for him to walk around the
counter. He followed her into a backroom, and she turned around so he could talk.
"Well...Ucchan...I've got a really big favor I need to ask of you."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Well...you see, I'm kinda homeless at the moment, and I really need a place to stay. I
was wondering if it would be possible for me to stay with you for a while. In exchange for food
and a room, I'll help you out with the restaurant." She couldn't believe what she was hearing,
and she couldn't suppress a grin that spread from ear to ear.
"Hmm...that sounds like a good deal to me. I was thinking about hiring some help
anyway. You're going to cost me an arm and a leg with all the food you eat, but I'll manage
somehow." He literally leaped in joy and wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug without
thinking about it. She blushed madly, and he lifted her off the ground and spun her around a
couple of times and sat her back down. His tight embrace left her senses reeling, and it took her a
few seconds to recover.
"Thank you so much! I promise to do my best!" He sneezed so hard that it hurt his lip,
and he smiled sheepishly. "Uhh...I think I might be coming down with a cold, though. I slept
outside last night and froze my butt off."
"Your voice is a little scratchy." She reached out and put a hand on his forehead. "Jeez,
you're burning hot. Come with me." She grabbed his hand and led him upstairs into the living
quarters. "Go take a shower, and then lie down on the couch. I'll bring you a blanket, food, and
some iced tea." She led him to the bathroom in the hallway and then fetched a blanket out of the
closet in her bedroom and tossed it on the couch. Then she ran back downstairs to cook him his
favorite type of okonomiyaki.
Ranma took his time in the cool shower, and when he was ready to get out, he turned the
hot water up to transform himself back into a guy. He stepped out of the shower doors and dried
himself off with a towel. Then, he went over to his backpack which he brought into the bathroom
with him, and pulled out a white undershirt and a pair of striped boxers put them on. He folded
up his dirty clothes and laid them inside of his backpack and then went back out into the living
room where he found a plate full of okonomiyaki waiting for him, and he wasted no time rushing
over there and wolfing it down like a ravenous lion attacking a fresh kill. Then he gulped down
the glass of iced tea. When he was done, he sighed happily and laid down on the couch.
Although he was still a little hungry, his stomach no longer hurt, and he could relax. He sneezed a
couple more times and used a tissue from the stand behind him to blow his nose. He spotted a
trash can across the room and tossed the tissue into it. He laid his head back against the arm of
the couch, and he pulled the blanket up over himself. He shivered a little, as he was feeling chilly
all of a sudden.
Ukyou finished preparing another order of okonomiyaki for a new customer, and she
looked around to see if anyone else needed anything. When she was sure everyone was satisfied,
she took that opportunity to rush back upstairs and check on her sickly fiancee. She walked into
the living room and saw him laying down on the couch. "How are you feeling?" She asked with
obvious concern in her voice.
"I'm feeling cold, and my head hurts a little."
"Here, I brought you a cup of tea and some medicine that will heal your cold symptoms."
She laid them on a table.
"Thanks."
"Is there anything else I can get you?"
"Nah. I'm okay."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Thanks anyway."
"Well, I'm going to head back downstairs. I'll be back up a little later." She grabbed his
empty plate and glass and left the room. He sat up and put the pills she brought him in his mouth
and swallowed them with a drink of tea. He laid back down and eventually drifted off to sleep.
"You what!?!?" Akane Tendou demanded. She had just arrived home from her friend's
house when her father had broken the news to her that Ranma and Genma were evicted.
"I told Ranma and his father to leave and to never come back," Souun answered
emotionlessly.
"Why on earth did you do that?"
"It was obvious that Ranma was breaking your heart, and if he wasn't going to be a good
husband to you, then it isn't my place to feed and shelter him or his father."
"But Dad, where are they going to stay? They don't have anywhere to go."
"That's not my problem."
"That's cruel!"
"Isn't it cruel what he did to you? He was seeing another woman directly behind your
back."
"That's still no reason for you to kick them out on the streets. Even if Ranma is a royal
jerk, he doesn't deserve to be a homeless beggar. He just happened to fall in love with another
woman, and she is also his fiancee after all," she said the last part bitterly. "Besides, what makes
you think I wanted to marry an insensitive slob like him, anyway?"
"Maybe because you love him? Admit it, Akane, you have feelings for the boy."
"No, I don't! Why does everyone always keep saying that?! How could I be in love with
such a idiotic jerk?!" Souun sighed.
"You and that boy were getting closer by the day. It was obvious that you both had
feelings for each other, or so I thought. Right G..." He turned to his side and realized that Mr.
Saotome was no longer there because he had kicked him out. He sighed softly and continued.
"Well, anyway, Ranma betrayed the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, and that is
unforgivable."
"How did he betray our dojo? I don't recall him having a say in any of this. It was you
and Mr. Saotome how arranged this engagement. You never gave Ranma or me a choice in the
matter."
"An honorable martial artist will endure all things for the honor of his dojo. You two
were supposed to carry on the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. Now everything is lost."
"Just because things don't workout exactly the way you planned them doesn't mean that
all hope is lost. Ranma isn't the only guy in the world after all. Why can't you just let me find a
guy that I can love on my own?"
"Ranma may have a brain about the size of a pea, but his skill is incredible. Who else
would be suited to carry on our school?"
"I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. This is our dojo, and I will carry it on with or
without a husband."
"What happens after you're gone? With no heirs, the Anything Goes School of Martial
Arts will just fade into history."
"Just give me some time, father. I have a long life ahead of me, and I'm sure a strong man
will eventually fall in love with me, and I'll fall in love with him. Then, you'll have your heirs."
"Akane, things aren't always so simple. You're not exactly the...well...umm..."
"I'm not what?" She inquired with a certain sweetness in her voice and an overly cute
smile that was a very reliable indicator of her rising rage.
"Well, most guys like a woman who is more feminine than you are." Her eyebrow
twitched, and Souun slowly backed off.
"I am not a tomboy!" She screamed as she rammed her fist through the wall as if it were
made of paper. She removed her arm, which was bleeding from a few various cuts caused by the
wood, and stormed off up to her room.
Kasumi had been watching from around a corner, and she sighed. She grabbed a few first
aid supplies and headed upstairs to nurse Akane's arm. Souun just sat down and buried his face
in his hands and slowly looked up while his hands slid down his face. *Maybe I was a little too
hasty in kicking them out.* He looked down at the chess board that he and Genma would sit
before and play for hours on end. *It's a little late to do anything about it now, though.*
Genma Saotome's empty stomach audibly whined about having no food, and the martial
artist sighed. Sundown was fast approaching, and he was miles away from the nearest village. *I
suppose I'll just have to find a place to put up a temporary shelter for the night.* He reached out
with his senses of hearing and smell in search of water as he had learned to do when he was a
small boy, and he could tell that there was a spring off to the east of his current position. Since he
was traveling north, he merely turned to the right and followed his nose. He came upon a small,
yet fast moving stream that was no doubt coming from the mountains farther off in the distance
due to it's unusually cold temperate. He filled up his water bottle with a drink of the refreshing
liquid and decided to setup camp under a large tree about twenty feet from the edge of the water.
This spot would provide him with easy access to the water, and it would allow him easy access to
his utensils for cooking fish that he would have handy by his shelter once he caught a few fish
using a spear that he would skillfully create out of the stick he had been using for walking.
It didn't take him long to get the shelter setup, but it did take him about an hour to
transform his walking stick into a decent spear. By then, it had grown dark, and the campfire was
his only source of light. He would have to go to bed hungry and fish in the morning. He sighed.
*If Ranma were here, I could have started carving this stick right away while he setup everything
else. Then, I could have caught at least a few fish a piece for us to cook over the fire and eat
now. Dammit. Why does that boy have to be so stubborn?* He chuckled as fond memories of
Ranma throughout different stages of life flooded his mind. He had raised his son to be an
extremely formidable martial artist, and he knew that Ranma had already surpassed his skill level.
He would always have to rely on sneaky tactics in order to trick Ranma or make him very angry
and then use his emotions against him in order to defeat him when sparring. *I guess it's time for
him to be on his own anyway. He'll never improve if he doesn't learn to face the challenges that
the world will bring to him, and I can't always be there for him. I've tried to be a good father to
him, but it's out of my hands now.* "Good luck, Ranma," he whispered as he watched the flames
of the fire sway about in their exotic dances as they have done since the dawn of creation.
Ranma found himself in a very dark room upon awaking. He looked around and found the
surroundings to be very unfamiliar, but the faint scent of okonomiyaki reminded him where he
was. *Oh yeah. I must have fallen asleep. He quickly threw off the blankets that were smothering
him with his own body heat and slowly made his way around the tea table that sat in front of the
couch. Once he reached a wall, he felt his way along it until he made it to the bathroom. Once
inside, he flipped the light on and immediately shielded his eyes from the light by raising his arm.
Doing his best to expose his sensitive eyes to the light, he made his way to the sink and splashed
his face with cool water. Of course, he transformed into a girl, but at that point he really didn't
care. Finally, his eyes adjusted to the light, and he was able to carry on.
He fumbled along the dark hallway and into the living room. He hadn't bothered changing
back into a guy, and despite his smaller size, he still managed to clobber his knee on a corner of
the tea table. He yelped in pain, but still made it to the couch. Being fully awake, all of his senses
kicked into gear, and he could hear someone breathing deeply somewhere off to his left. *Is that
Ucchan?* He wondered to himself. *I guess there's only one way to find out.* He carefully stole
his way over to the light switch and flipped it on. There lay Ukyou sprawled out in the recliner
just a few feet from the couch. He couldn't help but smile at the cute scene. *She's got to be
uncomfortable, though. I wonder if I should take her back to her room...where is her room,
anyway?* He silently treaded down the hallway and peeped his head in a couple different rooms.
The first 'room' he came to actually turned out to be a closet filled with extra towels and other
bathroom the supplies. He knew the first door on the right was the bathroom, so he knew that
her bedroom had to be one of the last two rooms in the hallway. He walked in the room on the
far left and found it to be a well-organized office. *This must be where she sorts out her income
from the restaurant.* He walked into the other door and found a medium-sized room with what
appeared to be a queen-sized bed, a dresser, a large chest, and a night stand on each side of the
bed. *If that isn't a bedroom, then I'm not a martial artist.* He flipped on the light in the room,
and then headed back out into the living room. He stopped suddenly and ran back into the
bathroom to get some hot water in order to turn back into a guy before heading back into the
living room.
Using all of his training to be gentle wasn't the easiest thing for him to accomplish, but he
focused his mind on it. He slowly slid his arms underneath her back and legs, and very cautiously
picked her up into his arms. As he started to walk down the hallway, she reached up and wrapped
her arms around his neck in her sleep. He felt a familiar warmness growing in his cheeks, and he
couldn't shake it off. *What's wrong with you, Ranma? There's nothing to be blushing about.*
He tried to convince himself, but he couldn't help it. She was just so cute when she slept, and he
wasn't exactly used to being held by a sleeping beauty after all. He carried her into the room, and
he expertly balanced on one leg as he used his other to push the covers back. He laid her down
gently, but she suddenly pulled him down onto her. He blushed madly and gently tried to free
himself. Finally, she loosened her grip enough for him to slip out of her grasp, and he wasted no
time in doing so. He pulled the covers up over her as a soft smile spread across his lips. "Good
night, Ucchan," he whispered ever so sweetly. He walked to the door and turned around. She
rolled over in her sleep and mumbled something he couldn't understand. He just stared blankly at
her for another minute before he finally came to his senses. He shook his head violently from side
to side and switched off the light. He reached out and grabbed the door handle, and he then
pulled the door towards him and eased it shut. *Get a grip on yourself, Ranma. You're acting
like you never saw a sleeping woman before,* he scolded himself as he walked back down the
hallway and into the living room. He spotted a clock on the wall. *It's 4:30 a.m. and I'm wide
awake. I know I'll never be able to get back to sleep, so I suppose I might as well do some
training.*
It suddenly occurred to Ranma that his cold was completely gone. "That medicine
Ucchan gave me must be as effective as the Saotome family remedy, but it does lengthen a
person's normal sleeping time," he mused aloud. *Oh well. Now I just have to find a place to
train.* He considered his options and hit his open hand with a fist once an idea came to him. He
walked over to the nearest window and slid it open. Luckily, there was no screen for him to
worry about, so he stepped up on the small ledge outside of the window, and pulled himself up
using the outside of the wall. He looked up and was barely to make out top edge of the building
in the moonlight, and it was just out of his reach. He turned around to face the building which
was just inches from his chest, and he hopped up and grabbed the edge. He then used his feet to
carefully close the window halfway before he flipped over the edge and onto the roof. Since the
roof was flat, it would make an excellent training place. It was still dark out, but that wouldn't
stop him from working out his remaining anger brought on by Mr. Tendou and his father.
Ranma faced an invisible enemy in a open ready stance. He stood completely still for a
moment as he mentally prepared himself for the task at hand. Without warning, he sprang
forward and launched his fist towards the imaginary fighter. It took great focus to actually
visualize his opponent moving and dodging his blows, but Ranma was a seasoned martial artist,
and visualization was essential in improving one's skill. Ranma launched a few more punches and
then his leg shot forward in a kick strong enough to crush a solid brick wall. He suddenly
stopped his kick mid-swing and slowly brought it back down. He frowned. *I'm not focused
enough. Perhaps if I...* He never finished his thoughts as he visualized Souun Tendou standing
before him. He unleashed a fury of mighty punches and kicks at the image in his mind. He also
visualized his opponent blocking everyone. Ranma suddenly dropped to the ground and spun
around while swinging his leg out with surgical precision. Then, using the momentum from his
spin, he leapt of the ground, brought his leg around in the air in a deadly tornado kick. Upon
landing, he leapt dangerously high, and flipped and twisted in the air now facing the opposite
direction. As soon as his feet had barely touched the grown, he was already moving forward
sending forth another barrage of punches and kicks. As he trained, he reached out with his all of
his senses, but remained focused on his visualized opponent. He must be able to know what's
going on around him and remain completely calm and focused at the same time. Suddenly, he
stopped in the middle of a punch and narrowed his eyes. He stood up straight and scanned the
area with his eyes. *I'm being watched, but by who? I've felt this before, but I always thought it
was my imagination. This time I'm sure it's not.* He felt a tinge of a powerful aura, but it
disappeared as quickly as it came. *I can't figure out which direction it came from. Dammit, who
the hell was that? Could it be my father?*
The dark figure smirked as it watched Ranma look around on the rooftop. *So, he was
actually able to sense my presence? Hmm...that's very interesting. I'll have to lower my aura
while I observe him. I haven't had to do that in over fifty years.* The figure suddenly shot
backwards and disappeared into the night.
Ranma shrugged and scratched his head. *What was that feeling? It sent chills down my
spine. I'd better keep my guard up until I figure out who's out there watching me.* He sighed
softly and continued his training.
Ukyou woke up, but she just wasn't ready to open her eyes yet. She rolled over onto her
side and snuggled the pillow as she tried to block out the sunlight that poured into her window.
She laid still and tried to keep her mind blank, but a familiar pig-tailed boy began to fill her
thoughts. All of a sudden, she sat up and looked around. *I'm in my room. The last thing I
remember was watching Ranma sleep in the living room. How did I get here?* She threw off her
covers and forced herself to get out of bed. *I wonder how he's doing anyway. I guess I'd better
go check on him.* She yawned loudly and stretched out. Then, she walked out of her room and
down the hallway. When she walked out into the living room, she could see that Ranma was
nowhere to be found. *Hmm...I wonder where he went. I guess I'll check downstairs.*
Ranma stood breathless with beads of sweat constantly rolling down his face. He had
sweat in his eyes, and his shirt was drenched with it. He was still in his boxers and undershirt, but
he didn't care. He was completely focused on the imaginary image of Souun Tendou ahead of
him who he had been battling since the wee hours in the morning. "Chestnuts roasting on an open
fire!" He shouted as his fists rained down on his imaginary opponent faster than human eyes could
detect. He gritted his teeth as he fought a losing battle with his fatigue, but he still pushed on.
His face turned red, and he let out a low growl as he continued the attack. He could feel himself
starting to get dizzy, but he still persisted. He held on to the attack for two whole minutes before
he dropped to his knees and finally stopped his fists from flying. He was panting very hard, and
his head was spinning. He tried to stand up, but he fell over backwards and landed squarely on
his rear end. He just laid back and gazed at the blue sky above him with his arms and legs
sprawled out. He was still breathing hard, and the sweat was stinging his eyes, but he didn't have
the energy to wipe them. A few puffy, white clouds floated overhead, and he started picking out
different shapes. If he could have laughed, he would have as he spotted a cloud that looked just
like P-chan.
Ukyou had searched the house and restaurant areas high and low, but she couldn't figure
out where he had gone to. Since his stuff was still there, he couldn't have gone too far. She
walked into the living room and flopped down on the couch. That's when she noticed the open
window. *Hmm...I wonder if he...ah ha! That's where he went. She pushed the curtains aside
and saw that the window was half opened. She looked across at the building behind hers, but she
didn't see anyone on the roof. *That's where I normally train at.* She pushed the window opened
the rest of the way and jumped over to the roof of the other building. She looked around for any
clues that he had been there, but she didn't see any. *What if something happened to him?* She
pondered as her facial expression transformed into one of worry. *He's not anywhere in the
building, and he's not outside training. Where else could he have gone to? What if someone
went in through the window and kidnaped him? No, Ranma couldn't be taken so easily, but what
if they knocked him out while he was sleeping?* She ran to the edge of the roof and leapt off.
She landed on the edge of her roof in order to lower herself down back in the window, but that's
when she spotted Ranma sprawled out on his back. She immediately stepped off the edge and ran
over to him. She could see that he was breathing very hard as she approached. "Ran-chan, are
you okay?"
"I'm fine," he said as he slowly rolled his head over to look at her.
"You don't look fine to me," she said with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
"I've been training since before sunrise, and I'm just a little winded. That's all," he
sputtered out in between breaths. "Just let me lay here for a little while, and I'll be fine." She sat
down Indian style next to him.
Several minutes passed, and Ukyou silently sat beside the pig-tailed boy whose hard
breathing eased up very slowly. "How long have you been out here anyway?" Ukyou asked him
with a tone of curiosity in her voice.
"I don't know. What time is it?"
"9:00 a.m. the last time I looked."
"Then it's been about four or five hours."
"Jeez, no wonder why your so tired." He forced himself to sit up with a few grunts along
the way.
"Well, I also just used my chest nuts roasting on an open fire technique for two minutes
nonstop."
"Wow! Why did you push yourself so hard?"
"Well, I have to improve my skills. I want to be the best martial artist that I can be."
"I understand that, but shouldn't you take it just a little slower?"
"Nah. I'll be fine. I've been through a lot worse, and I probably won't train quite as hard
as I did today that often." She stood up and held out her hand to him.
"Let's go get you something to eat, okay?"
"That sounds great." He reached up and grabbed her hand, and she pulled him up. He
staggered a bit, but he was able to catch his balance. She walked over to the edge of the building
and grabbed onto it. Then, she lowered herself down and looked to see if her feet were right
above the ledge. Satisfied with her position, she let go of the edge and landed on the ledge. Then
she ducked down and went back in through the window. She helped Ranma through the window
and back into the house because he was still a bit weak due to his lack of energy. Then, they went
downstairs and she found the ingredients to make him some okonomiyaki that he loved so much.
"You're not open for business today?" Ranma asked after he devoured his fifth plateful of
okonomiyaki.
"Nope. It's my day off to do whatever I want."
"Oh, I see."
"Would you want to go for a walk with me around Lake Nerima?"
"Uhh...sure, why not?"
"Get dressed and we'll go." He looked down and realized that he was still in his boxers
and undershirt.
"Ahh! I'm so sorry!" He jumped up and ran in the bathroom, and she chuckled. Then
she blushed when she realized that she was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. She
quickly ran into the bathroom attached to her bedroom and took a shower. Then she threw on
some fresh clothes and ran out to meet Ranma who was waiting patiently on the couch. "You
ready to go?" He asked casually.
"Sure, let's go."
Souun Tendou sighed as he stared at his chessboard. He found it very boring to play by
himself like he had before Genma had showed up. *Hmm...perhaps I should actually train to
relieve myself of my frustrations.* He stood up and was about to head out into the training room
when Happousai ran by carrying a bag on his back that was three times his size. Souun sighed in
depression. The contents were certain to be more women's underwear that were to be added to
Happousai's extensive collection. *He's going to ruin my reputation if this keeps up,* Souun
thought to himself, and he knew that he was helpless to stop him. *If only Ranma could learn a
new technique of some sort...* his thoughts trailed off as he realized Ranma was gone, and he
probably wasn't going to return. *I must meditate, or I'm going to go insane.* Souun trudged out
into the training room and sat down Indian style. He closed his eyes and took control of his
breathing. He slowed down his breath and began to focus his mind inwards. He slowed his
heartbeat and dulled all of his external senses. He visualized the entrance to a cave and awaited
the arrival of his spirit totem to guide him through. A large, blue dragon appeared before him and
bowed. "So, you've come to journey once more," it stated in a very deep, yet somehow
reassuring voice.
"Yes...yes that's right," Souun replied.
"What do you seek in your odyssey?"
"Relief from the burden of my anxiety, guilt, and shame."
"Then follow me." The dragon flew into the cave, and Souun flew in after him. He saw a
blazing tunnel whose walls shifted and changed both texture and color as he flew at the speed of
light down its constantly meandering path. He emerged in a grassy plain in the middle of summer.
He could feel the sun beating down on him harder than a sledgehammer, and he collapsed to his
knees. The heat was too much for him, and he stripped off all of his clothing. His skin began
bubbling, and he screamed out. The dragon appeared beside him. "This heat is the burden of
emotions you have taken on. It's time you were rid of them. This is your journey, and I am your
guide, but this is something you must do alone. I wish you well..." He disappeared, and Souun
was left to suffer in agony.
He could feel his skin beginning to melt, and he knew it wouldn't be long before his
insides were cooked. He looked defiantly up to the sun who grinned down at him evilly, and he
laughed. The bright-orange sphere looked down at him with a puzzled expression. "I won't lose
to you!" Souun shouted. "You're too weak to defeat me."
"Is that so?" the shining orb bellowed out.
"Yes," Souun stated simply. It grinned evilly and rays of pure energy shot out of it in all
directions. Souun was hit by several of these rays, and he grimaced due to the immense pain it
caused him, but he concentrated, and he healed his body.
"That's not bad. You have a strong will."
"I've only just begun," Souun challenged.
"Same here." The evil sun increased his size to ten times what it was. The heat forced
Souun back down to his knees, but he stood up after just a few seconds.
"Is that all you got?" The sun just grinned and continued to increase his size. Souun
didn't budge as the sun grew large enough to consume everything in his sight. He turned his
focus inward, and he set his body temperature below freezing. Then, he released the cold energy
flowing through him until it froze everything on the ground. Then, he shot beams of ice up into
the sun's surface. It groaned in pain and slowly shrank down to the size of a basketball. Souun
collapsed after exhausting all of his energy. The dragon appeared and smiled down at the sleeping
man.
"I shall return you home. When you wake up, all of your negative emotions will be in
check." The plains faded away, and Souun was returned to a normal state of sleep. He awoke
several hours later feeling wonderfully refreshed. He closed his eyes and thanked his totem for its
help. Then he stood up and returned to the living room. He could smell the aroma of another
excellent meal fixed by his oldest daughter, Kasumi. It brought a smile to his face because he was
suddenly very hungry.
Ukyou sighed in absolute contentment as she gazed at the pinkish orange sky being
reflected off of the surface of the water. The gentle swaying of the canoe that Ranma rowed out
into the middle of the lake was very relaxing. *I wish I could be with him like this forever,* she
thought to herself. She looked over at him, and her eyes softened. *He's so handsome, brave,
and kind. If only he would see me as more than just his buddy.* Ranma gazed at one of the most
beautiful splendors of nature a sunset over the water. He felt eyes upon him, and he turned to
see Ukyou staring at him. "What's wrong, Ucchan?" She was violently jerked from her thoughts,
and she blushed and turned back to the sunset very quickly.
"N...nothing's wrong. What makes you think that?"
"You just seem so lost in thought. Do you want to go back to shore?"
"No. No, I'm fine. It was just so peaceful that I couldn't help but wonder about things."
"Oh, what things?"
"Uhh...umm...oh nothing important. Just girly stuff."
"Oh, I see." He turned his attention back to the sunset, and she glanced over at him out of
the corner of her eyes. *He could be so clueless at times.* She held in a chuckle that threatened to
escape her throat. Then, she turned her attention back to the sunset, and they both sat in silence
until the sun had disappeared below the horizon.
"Well, I guess we'd better head back. It's going to get dark soon," she blurted out.
"Yeah, I agree." He began rowing the boat back to shore under her watchful eyes. She
took notice of how the muscles in his arms rippled so powerfully. He was very well defined, but
he wasn't bulky. His muscles were finely toned and conditioned, and she knew how stong he
really was. He could easily slam his fist through a wall of solid bricks if he so desired, but he had
a gentle nature for the most part. She wanted to be in touch with every aspect of his personality,
even his less than desirable traits. After all, she loved him more than anything else in the world.
"Thank you for the boat ride," she chimed as he pulled up to the dock. She stood up very
gingerly and eased herself onto the dock, and Ranma followed suit.
"You're the one who paid for it. I just rowed it."
"I'm very glad that you went with me. At least let me thank you for that." He grinned.
"Sure, but it was my pleasure," he bowed, and she laughed him. He looked up at her with
a puzzled expression on his face. She quit laughing, but her smile never faded.
"I've never seen you bow before."
"Oh really?' He scratched his head. "I guess I don't do it very often, do I?"
"Nope, but I'm glad."
"Why's that?"
"It's good to see you loosen up. You're normally so serious and reserved all of the
time...unless someone makes you angry."
"I just feel warm when I'm around you. Odd huh?" She blushed slightly.
"No. Actually I feel the same way."
"Good. Then I'm not crazy," he declared in an amused tone.
"Want to bet?"
"Hey! I resent that!" He cried out in a mock angry voice.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" He grinned evilly...too evilly, and she gulped.
"R...Ran-chan. I was only teasing."
"And that means what to me?"
"Come on. You're up to something, aren't you? What are you going to do?"
"Are you still ticklish?" He asked plainly.
"Ran-chan! You wouldn't!"
"Oh yes I would!" He leapt forward and grabbed her before she could get a way. He
trapped both of her arms with his left arm and began tickling her side with his right arm. She
giggled and squirmed, but it was hopeless. She tried kicking him, but he fell backwards onto the
grass to neutralize her kicks. He continued to tickle her while she screamed and laughed. Finally,
she ran out of breath, and he let her go. "Now we're even," he declared victoriously.
"You're so mean! I'm not going to talk to you anymore," she mock pouted.
"Aww, come on Ucchan." She stood up and walked away, and he ran after her. She
suddenly stopped and leapt at him. He tried to avoid it, but it was too late. She pinned his back
to the ground and straddled his stomach. Then she smiled sweetly and thumped his nose. "Ouch,
that hurt!" He reached up to try to grab her, but she kicked her legs out to block his hands. He
groaned as she put her full weight on him and pinned his hands to the ground with her feet.
"Now you're helpless." An mischievous glint sparked in her eyes, and she reached under
his arms and started tickling him. He squirmed and squealed helplessly, and she laughed at his
bittersweet torment. Finally, she let him go and stood up. "Now we're even!"
"Nope." He tripped her with his legs, and she fell backwards. He sat up and caught her.
He began tickling her more, and she flailed about trying to get free. He let her up after a minute,
and then he stood up. It was already much darker outside, and the light was fading by the minute.
"We really should be heading back. I'm getting hungry, and we really should get home before it's
completely dark."
"What's your rush?" A thoughtful expression appeared on his face. *I can't tell her about
the presence I sensed this morning. So, what do I tell her?*
"My stomach, of course."
"More like your bottomless pit."
"Either way, let's get going. Want a ride?" She grinned.
"Sure. I enjoy riding on the back of the greatest martial artist in Japan."
"The world, you mean," he corrected while shaking his finger at her. She chuckled.
"Well, you do have the biggest ego in the world. That's for sure."
"You've got that right! Now hop on, and let's get going."
"Okay." She climbed on his back, and he was airborne in a flash. He leapt from rooftop
to rooftop at an incredible pace. It only took him a matter of minutes to reach The Ucchan. He
landed outside of the back entrance and let her down. She fetched her key from her pocket and
let them both in. "I'll go ahead and start on dinner."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Sure. You could eat it after it's ready," she stated with a wink.
"Don't say I didn't offer."
"Don't worry about it. Since we've had such a great day. It'll be my pleasure."
"Okay." She turned on the light switch and fired up the griddle that was built into the
counter. Ranma effortlessly jumped over the counter and landed softly on the other side. He sat
down in the stool in front of Ukyou and watched her cook. She was extremely skilled in her art,
and the first two plates off okonomiyaki were done in two minutes. She handed the plates to
Ranma and immediately started cooking more.
"I'm stuffed!" Ranma exclaimed happily
"Me too," Ukyou groaned. "Too full, I think."
"Nah. You can never be too full."
"Easy for you to say."
"That it is." He grinned cutely, and she hung her head.
"Oi." Ranma yawned.
"I'm pretty tired. You can really wear a guy out, you know?"
"Hey, it's not my fault that you decided to train so rigorously this morning."
"Hmm...you have a point there. Anyway, I'm going to go take a shower and get ready for
bed."
"Okay. Goodnight."
"You too." He slowly climbed the steps and made a beeline for the bathroom.
Ukyou cleaned up both of their dishes and made sure the backdoor was secure. Then, she
too headed upstairs to try to finish knitting a blanket she had been working on for a while.
Author's notes: That's the end of chapter two. Right now, I have a little bit of a better grasp on
the goals I wish to accomplish with this fic. The ending of this chapter wasn't nearly as
suspenseful as the first. I hope the plot hook of the mysterious figure will be enough to keep your
curiosity alive until I finish the next chapter. I still am writing this as I go though, so anything can
happen. All, I'm doing is sitting back and watching the story take place in my head while my
fingers move. I know everyone's a little OOC...well maybe more than a little, but I'm still having
fun. Besides, this is fan fiction after all. ^_^ Anyway, please take a moment to review this chapter
and tell me what you thought of it. Hey, it just might help speed up production. ^_~ I haven't
decided what's going to happen in the next chapter yet. I guess I'll find out when I start working
on it.
