Chapter 2
Ukyo lies in her bed tossing and turning. A figure appears in her room standing next to her after the room is filled with a blinding flash of lightning from the window. From the brief flashed of lightning outside, it can be seen that the person is wearing a hooded gray cloak.
Ukyo turns to her side and grabs a pillow next to her, "Oh Ranma! I love you too."
The figure's eyes begin to glow gray as he held out his hand over Ukyo's head. As he places his hand onto her forehead it begins to glow gray, filling the room with blinding light. As the light fades, the figure is gone and Ukyo is still sleeping unaware of what has happened.
Ukyo is standing behind her counter closing up shop for the night. The only person left in her restaurant was her beloved Ranma, who was helping her by sweeping up the restaurant while keeping her company. As Ranma finishes sweeping, Ukyo just stands behind the counter watching Ranma.
"Ranma, thanks for helping out, even if it'll make Akane mad."
He turns and smiles at her, "I rather be here that with that uncute tomboy. At least you appreciate me being here."
Her heart skips a beat That smile, I love it when he smiles at me. Then her heart almost leaps out of her chest when she realizes what he has said. "REALLY Ranma! You rather be here with me than with Akane?" I can't believe he said that. Does he mean it? PLEASE say that you mean it.
"Of course Ucchan! You're a better cook, you don't hit me all the time with mallets, and most of all, and you are WAY cuter than Akane will ever be."
FINALLY! Ranma realizes I'm the one he should love. Now if I can only get him to tell me. "Oh Ranchan!"
He drops the broom and jumps over the counter to stand next to her. He takes her hand into his, causing her to blush. "Ucchan, I wanted to tell you this tonight over dinner, but I can't wait any longer. I have broken off my engagements to Akane and Shampoo. I told them I wasn't ever in love with them and could never love them."
He's going to do it; he's really going to do it this time. Clam down girl; don't get too excited until he says it. "Ranchan, I?"
Ranma gently places a finger on her lips to hush her. "Ukyo, there is something that I've been wanting to tell you for a long time but was unable to until now. Ucchan, I love you, I've always loved you."
Tears of joy fill her eyes. YES! He's finally said it. He loves ME! Not those other hussies. She wraps him into a tight hug, tears pouring out of her eyes "Oh Ranma! I love you too."
She releases her hold on him and looks into his eyes. Ranma wraps his arms around her and moves in for a kiss. Just before their lips touch, the room is filled with a blinding flash of light. When it subsides, Ukyo is left standing in a void with her eyes closed waiting for the kiss that will never come.
Come on Ranma, kiss me already! Ukyo opened her eyes to find that not only Ranma was gone, but so was her restaurant. "Hey, what happened?" Her voice echoed through the void. "Ranma! Where are you?" Nothing but her echo replied. "I bet that Shampoo had something to do with this, since she doesn't realize that Ranma doesn't love her and that she doesn't have a chance of getting him."
"Nor do you." Replied a demonic/angelic voice.
Turning white from fear, "Wh.. who s.. said that?" A figure in a hooded gray cloak appeared six feet in font of her. His face was hidden by the black void inside the hood. Ukyo took a step back in fear. Then, remembering her training went into a defensive stance. "Who are you? Where am I and what have you done to Ranma?!"
The figure just stared at her, as if she posed no threat. "My name is not important at this time. And as where you are, I am in your dreams."
"A dream? How can that be? It felt so real, right down to the way things smelled and felt like." Shaking her head, "No, it can't be a dream. This has to be something that chinese hussy did to keep me from Ranma."
"Child, this is a dream. The only reason it feels so real is because of my involvement." Taking a few steps to close the gap between them. "And as for you and Ranma, I'm afraid that your relationship cannot and must not be anything more than friends."
Tears form in her eyes. "LIAR! Ranma loves me, I know it!"
"Yes child, her does." Her guard drops and a smile creeps over her face. "But, it is a brotherly love and nothing else."
NO! It can't be true. Ukyo falls to her knees in disbelief. "But, I love him." Anger flashes in her eyes. "Why should I believe you? I have no idea who you are."
"Very well, if it'll help you I'll show you my human form." Eyes in the dark hood start to glow gray, causing Ukyo to fall backwards. The figure began to ripple like a rock thrown into a pool. His body was soon an unidentifiable blob, as the ripples began to subside, a well know figure know stood in front of Ukyo.
"R.. Ran? Ranma?"
The figure that stood before Ukyo now, did look like Ranma except for several differences. Ranma's chinese clothing now consisted of dark gray pants and a light gray shirt. His hair looked as if it was chrome plated and his eyes were light gray. Neither his face nor eyes showed any emotion. "Sorry, but I am not Ranma."
"Then, who are you?"
"I am the one that oversees his destiny. I'm afraid that your role in it is not the one you wanted it to be. And your destiny is to be with another."
A single tear creeps down her cheek. "Why? Why can't I have him? Why are you telling me this? And most of all, why should I believe you?"
He walks towards Ukyo and closes the gap so that only a couple of feet remained between them. "Why am I telling you this? Lets just say Ranma has stepped away from his destiny and needs to be put back on track. As for why you can't have him," he holds out his hand to her, "take my hand and I'll answer the question for you."
Wiping the tear from her cheek before taking his hand. His hand felt cold and chilling, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. Yet, there was something else there in the touch that comforted her. "This better be good."
"When this is over you will understand why you can't have him." He gently closed his hand around hers as his eyes began to glow around them.
Ukyo is blinded by a flash of light, when it clears she noticed that she was back at her restaurant. "Why are we back here, I thought you were going to show me why I can't have Ranma."
He pulls her to her feet. "I am, we are 10 years in the future, in a time line the you do marry Ranma." He notices the confused look on her face. "No, they cannot see or hear us. Just observe."
Just then, Ranma came storming out from the back room. Anger and hate filled his eyes. "Ukyo, when CAN I go training? All I do is work all day here with you. You never let me train anymore. I'm so out of it that Kuno beat me yesterday, and Ryoga doesn't even see me as a challenge. Hell, Akane can even beat me now!"
An older and pregnant Ukyo came waddling out behind him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You promised when you married me that you would work here with me. And now that the twins are on the way, you want to leave me to go on some stupid training trip with Ryoga!"
Ranma turns to face her, "Ever since I married you five years ago, all I HAVE done is stayed here and work with you. Day in, and day out, all I do is cook and clean. The only exercise I do get is when I got you pregnant. And the only reason that you wanted kids was so that they can work here too and you wouldn't have to hire anyone."
The younger Ukyo gasps. "I had no idea that it'll hurt him. I've always dreamt of me and him spending our lives happily working together here."
Her guide turns to her, "Watch, there is more."
The pregnant Ukyo rubbed her belly. "If its that damn bad for you then why don't you leave."
Ranma slams his fist on the counter. "I've told you this before, I can't. I made a vow to you and my mother that by my honor I would not leave you. But I AM going on this trip."
"But Ranma?"
"QUIET!" Ranma's battle aura began to glow bright blue. "I said I was going. And when I get back, I'm moving into the guest room."
"But what about the twins?"
"I'll stay and be a father to them, and work to support them." He looks around, "But not here! I'm going to take Mr. Tendo's offer and work at the dojo. Bye Ukyo." Ranma leaps over the counter and out the door, disappearing into the night. Both Ukyos collapses to their knees and cry.
The younger one looks at her guide. "Were we ever happy?"
The guide places his hand on her shoulder, "For the first year of marriage. But as the years passed, you too grew further and further apart and Ranma fell further from his destiny. Having love and pride was the key to him completing his destiny. But with neither, he failed and paid the ultimate sacrifice for it."
Ukyo felt some small glimmer of hope left. "But now that I know what will happen, I can change it. I still can have Ranma, can't I?"
"No child, there is no way to avoid this if you marry him. The fates have guaranteed this. You might be able to stretch your happiness to last a year and a half, maybe two years of your marriage. But in the end, you'll be right back here." the restaurant is replaced by a graveyard. He points to a headstone in front of them. "And Ranma will be there."
The lightning flashes, showing Ukyo the name on the headstone. Ranma Satome. Breaking into tears "NO!!!" Ranma, I've done this to you. I made it so that you can't complete your destiny. "Is there a way to stop this?"
The guide lifts her to her feet, and gently wipes the tears from her face. "Be the friend that he sees in you. Help him to truly follow his heart no matter how much it hurt now. In time, you will get over the hurt and realize that you only saw a friend and brother in him. Then, you will be ready to complete your own destiny."
"Do I know who he ends up with?"
"Maybe, if you can see the clues." Chimes from a clock sound in the distance. "I must go. Take care of Ranma and yourself." He vanished into midair.
Ukyo woke up startled and set up in bed, just as some distant clock finished its chimes; sweat drenching her brow. She looks over at her alarm clock, "Four o'clock! Man, what a dream. I wonder if it was real."
Just then, Ukyo noticed the gray cloak hanging off the chair in the corner.
Ukyo lies in her bed tossing and turning. A figure appears in her room standing next to her after the room is filled with a blinding flash of lightning from the window. From the brief flashed of lightning outside, it can be seen that the person is wearing a hooded gray cloak.
Ukyo turns to her side and grabs a pillow next to her, "Oh Ranma! I love you too."
The figure's eyes begin to glow gray as he held out his hand over Ukyo's head. As he places his hand onto her forehead it begins to glow gray, filling the room with blinding light. As the light fades, the figure is gone and Ukyo is still sleeping unaware of what has happened.
Ukyo is standing behind her counter closing up shop for the night. The only person left in her restaurant was her beloved Ranma, who was helping her by sweeping up the restaurant while keeping her company. As Ranma finishes sweeping, Ukyo just stands behind the counter watching Ranma.
"Ranma, thanks for helping out, even if it'll make Akane mad."
He turns and smiles at her, "I rather be here that with that uncute tomboy. At least you appreciate me being here."
Her heart skips a beat That smile, I love it when he smiles at me. Then her heart almost leaps out of her chest when she realizes what he has said. "REALLY Ranma! You rather be here with me than with Akane?" I can't believe he said that. Does he mean it? PLEASE say that you mean it.
"Of course Ucchan! You're a better cook, you don't hit me all the time with mallets, and most of all, and you are WAY cuter than Akane will ever be."
FINALLY! Ranma realizes I'm the one he should love. Now if I can only get him to tell me. "Oh Ranchan!"
He drops the broom and jumps over the counter to stand next to her. He takes her hand into his, causing her to blush. "Ucchan, I wanted to tell you this tonight over dinner, but I can't wait any longer. I have broken off my engagements to Akane and Shampoo. I told them I wasn't ever in love with them and could never love them."
He's going to do it; he's really going to do it this time. Clam down girl; don't get too excited until he says it. "Ranchan, I?"
Ranma gently places a finger on her lips to hush her. "Ukyo, there is something that I've been wanting to tell you for a long time but was unable to until now. Ucchan, I love you, I've always loved you."
Tears of joy fill her eyes. YES! He's finally said it. He loves ME! Not those other hussies. She wraps him into a tight hug, tears pouring out of her eyes "Oh Ranma! I love you too."
She releases her hold on him and looks into his eyes. Ranma wraps his arms around her and moves in for a kiss. Just before their lips touch, the room is filled with a blinding flash of light. When it subsides, Ukyo is left standing in a void with her eyes closed waiting for the kiss that will never come.
Come on Ranma, kiss me already! Ukyo opened her eyes to find that not only Ranma was gone, but so was her restaurant. "Hey, what happened?" Her voice echoed through the void. "Ranma! Where are you?" Nothing but her echo replied. "I bet that Shampoo had something to do with this, since she doesn't realize that Ranma doesn't love her and that she doesn't have a chance of getting him."
"Nor do you." Replied a demonic/angelic voice.
Turning white from fear, "Wh.. who s.. said that?" A figure in a hooded gray cloak appeared six feet in font of her. His face was hidden by the black void inside the hood. Ukyo took a step back in fear. Then, remembering her training went into a defensive stance. "Who are you? Where am I and what have you done to Ranma?!"
The figure just stared at her, as if she posed no threat. "My name is not important at this time. And as where you are, I am in your dreams."
"A dream? How can that be? It felt so real, right down to the way things smelled and felt like." Shaking her head, "No, it can't be a dream. This has to be something that chinese hussy did to keep me from Ranma."
"Child, this is a dream. The only reason it feels so real is because of my involvement." Taking a few steps to close the gap between them. "And as for you and Ranma, I'm afraid that your relationship cannot and must not be anything more than friends."
Tears form in her eyes. "LIAR! Ranma loves me, I know it!"
"Yes child, her does." Her guard drops and a smile creeps over her face. "But, it is a brotherly love and nothing else."
NO! It can't be true. Ukyo falls to her knees in disbelief. "But, I love him." Anger flashes in her eyes. "Why should I believe you? I have no idea who you are."
"Very well, if it'll help you I'll show you my human form." Eyes in the dark hood start to glow gray, causing Ukyo to fall backwards. The figure began to ripple like a rock thrown into a pool. His body was soon an unidentifiable blob, as the ripples began to subside, a well know figure know stood in front of Ukyo.
"R.. Ran? Ranma?"
The figure that stood before Ukyo now, did look like Ranma except for several differences. Ranma's chinese clothing now consisted of dark gray pants and a light gray shirt. His hair looked as if it was chrome plated and his eyes were light gray. Neither his face nor eyes showed any emotion. "Sorry, but I am not Ranma."
"Then, who are you?"
"I am the one that oversees his destiny. I'm afraid that your role in it is not the one you wanted it to be. And your destiny is to be with another."
A single tear creeps down her cheek. "Why? Why can't I have him? Why are you telling me this? And most of all, why should I believe you?"
He walks towards Ukyo and closes the gap so that only a couple of feet remained between them. "Why am I telling you this? Lets just say Ranma has stepped away from his destiny and needs to be put back on track. As for why you can't have him," he holds out his hand to her, "take my hand and I'll answer the question for you."
Wiping the tear from her cheek before taking his hand. His hand felt cold and chilling, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. Yet, there was something else there in the touch that comforted her. "This better be good."
"When this is over you will understand why you can't have him." He gently closed his hand around hers as his eyes began to glow around them.
Ukyo is blinded by a flash of light, when it clears she noticed that she was back at her restaurant. "Why are we back here, I thought you were going to show me why I can't have Ranma."
He pulls her to her feet. "I am, we are 10 years in the future, in a time line the you do marry Ranma." He notices the confused look on her face. "No, they cannot see or hear us. Just observe."
Just then, Ranma came storming out from the back room. Anger and hate filled his eyes. "Ukyo, when CAN I go training? All I do is work all day here with you. You never let me train anymore. I'm so out of it that Kuno beat me yesterday, and Ryoga doesn't even see me as a challenge. Hell, Akane can even beat me now!"
An older and pregnant Ukyo came waddling out behind him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You promised when you married me that you would work here with me. And now that the twins are on the way, you want to leave me to go on some stupid training trip with Ryoga!"
Ranma turns to face her, "Ever since I married you five years ago, all I HAVE done is stayed here and work with you. Day in, and day out, all I do is cook and clean. The only exercise I do get is when I got you pregnant. And the only reason that you wanted kids was so that they can work here too and you wouldn't have to hire anyone."
The younger Ukyo gasps. "I had no idea that it'll hurt him. I've always dreamt of me and him spending our lives happily working together here."
Her guide turns to her, "Watch, there is more."
The pregnant Ukyo rubbed her belly. "If its that damn bad for you then why don't you leave."
Ranma slams his fist on the counter. "I've told you this before, I can't. I made a vow to you and my mother that by my honor I would not leave you. But I AM going on this trip."
"But Ranma?"
"QUIET!" Ranma's battle aura began to glow bright blue. "I said I was going. And when I get back, I'm moving into the guest room."
"But what about the twins?"
"I'll stay and be a father to them, and work to support them." He looks around, "But not here! I'm going to take Mr. Tendo's offer and work at the dojo. Bye Ukyo." Ranma leaps over the counter and out the door, disappearing into the night. Both Ukyos collapses to their knees and cry.
The younger one looks at her guide. "Were we ever happy?"
The guide places his hand on her shoulder, "For the first year of marriage. But as the years passed, you too grew further and further apart and Ranma fell further from his destiny. Having love and pride was the key to him completing his destiny. But with neither, he failed and paid the ultimate sacrifice for it."
Ukyo felt some small glimmer of hope left. "But now that I know what will happen, I can change it. I still can have Ranma, can't I?"
"No child, there is no way to avoid this if you marry him. The fates have guaranteed this. You might be able to stretch your happiness to last a year and a half, maybe two years of your marriage. But in the end, you'll be right back here." the restaurant is replaced by a graveyard. He points to a headstone in front of them. "And Ranma will be there."
The lightning flashes, showing Ukyo the name on the headstone. Ranma Satome. Breaking into tears "NO!!!" Ranma, I've done this to you. I made it so that you can't complete your destiny. "Is there a way to stop this?"
The guide lifts her to her feet, and gently wipes the tears from her face. "Be the friend that he sees in you. Help him to truly follow his heart no matter how much it hurt now. In time, you will get over the hurt and realize that you only saw a friend and brother in him. Then, you will be ready to complete your own destiny."
"Do I know who he ends up with?"
"Maybe, if you can see the clues." Chimes from a clock sound in the distance. "I must go. Take care of Ranma and yourself." He vanished into midair.
Ukyo woke up startled and set up in bed, just as some distant clock finished its chimes; sweat drenching her brow. She looks over at her alarm clock, "Four o'clock! Man, what a dream. I wonder if it was real."
Just then, Ukyo noticed the gray cloak hanging off the chair in the corner.