Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz video. This story is for the free use and enjoyment of those who read it. I own nothing. I am not a beautiful snowflake. I am a part of the great compost heap of life. I've watched Fight Club just recently. ;]
Schools United
Chapter Eleven
By Michael Fetter
Let me recap. It's already late in the game, but I think it's good to sometimes look back and straighten things out in your head. I wasn't always this well thought out, but things change over the years. I used to be a man, and would do anything to remain one. I don't even think my sex change has had the greatest impact on the events leading up to this point.
About nine years ago I was he, Ranma, the pig-tailed martial artist, the womanizer, pervert, baka, and a hundred other things people liked to call me. Day in day out I tried to perfect my Art while avoiding confrontation with my many enemies and fiancees. That rarely ever worked, no one listened and I wasn't exactly the most thoughtful of people.
The first person I tried to avoid, even before I woke up, was my pop. Flying through the air in the direction of a koi pond is not the most pleasant way to wake up. After some sparring where we would traumatize the koi further, pops and I headed inside for breakfast. It was here that I attempted to avoid Akane, my uncute, tomboy fiancée. I should never have tried since she always found something to get angry with me anyway.
After leaving the house I was usually on constant alert for Shampoo and her bike, Ryouga and his damn umbrella, either of those nuts, Kuno, the old pervert, hidden weapons masters, and a score of random challengers. Towards the end I stopped waiting for the challenge and just went in for the fight. When it happens that often you don't ask questions anymore.
That's maybe where I really messed up. I left myself wide open by not asking the questions and becoming used to the 'routine'. After Jusendo, the first time I had to kill to protect Akane, and then the ruined wedding, I was lost in thought. People stayed away, which was good since I wasn't much paying attention, and I tried to work out the new plan in my head. Things had been crazy for too long and it was time for things to change. It was time to answer those hard questions.
I wish I had thought faster.
After the . . incident, Nabiki headed off for college, Akane secluded herself to the school and her room to study for college, and not long after Hiro's birth, Kasumi was gone too. I felt the first stab when my father left; I didn't think something like that would hurt so much. The pain was clouded over by others though. My enemies gave up first, pointing and laughing until I saw them in my sleep. Shampoo, Kodachi, Ukyou, even Akane, they all tried to forget I'd even existed though I was right in front of them. I began to hate.
I used to be so much and now I was, am Okaasan.
My family and friends were jackals. They each hid a darker intent behind smiling masks and insane laughter. These people were strangers to me and I hated them as they came too close, encroaching on what was my last piece of being. Like a snake, I coiled up, ready for action at a moment's notice, hissing at these false allies bearing sweets.
Years passed, my senses dulled, and I was not but a husk. No one looked me in the eye for long, perhaps seeing the vacancy of life in hell. Poor Ranma, and they pitied me. She used to be so strong, and they lamented for me. So cold, and they feared me.
A long time ago I would go to great lengths to protect my family. I even went to the aid of my enemies. The second life I took was my husband's. It was cold and heartless, but I watched him for months, slowly dying from the alcohol he used to pull the illusion over his eyes each night. Until that last night, I hadn't laughed or smiled since the whole episode began.
The third life I took was Ranma's. From being the honorable protector to this cold-hearted killer, I found the transition easier than I thought it would be. All I had to do was the same my fiancées and enemies did - stop listening to the pleas and look away. They were my best teachers.
My journey these past six months had slowly reawakened old ideals and notions. Honor, justice, loyalty . . love. I never thought to feel these things again. They were part of my old life. The speed, the thrill of life, was slowly building again and I wanted to see how much I could get back. The process was slow, made harder by all those who sought me out, but I'm nearly there now. I can feel it. The world has almost come to some clarity with me. It was nearly within my grasp.
Somewhere outside, pyres were burning away the remains of those who had completely lost themselves. Tatewaki, Happousai, Tsubasa, they were piled up, one on top of the other, in an Amazon sacrifice to darker realms where their souls would be punished for an eternity. I closed my eyes and tried to think only of the warm body pressed up against mine.
Off by a cliff side, I could imagine my father stirring some morning gruel, finally noticing the smoke. He knew it was the Master's final mark on the world. None who knew the old pervert would cry at his parting.
On a cot, smelling like a dozen different herbs, grimacing at every move, Kodachi likely picked up on the funeral too. Either she smelled the ashes or heard the revelry. After Cologne's funeral the Amazon's celebrated the passing of a great warrior into the hunter's field where there was plenty of game to share with ancestors in the beyond.
Ukyou stirred, but I kept my eyes closed to let her believe I was still asleep. I could feel her gaze and knew her thoughts. Let Tsubasa burn, the bastard, and allow life to move on.
~
Ukyou sat up in the bed she shared with Tendou-chan and watched the redhead continue to sleep. The braid of red hair had come undone during the night and was spread over the smaller woman's form like a silk blanket. Ukyou breathed in the morning, focusing on the scent of her lover in her arms, and smiled at its sweetness.
Tendou-chan had her arms wrapped about Ukyou's waist, her head lying just below the chef's breasts. She had a paler skin that was smooth and soft until you looked closer. Ranma had trained hard and diligently and the results still shown upon Tendou-chan's body. Small white scars made criss-crossing patterns everywhere. They made Ukyou sad to look at. Ranma left scars on the outside, but Tendou-chan had scars on the inside. Ukyou wanted to help her love put the pieces together again, but still she worried.
"Hold on, hold on to yourself,
For this is gonna hurt like hell.
Hold on, hold on to yourself,
I know that only time will tell."
Ukyou sang softly while she cradled her love's body closer with her arms. She felt the frustration of holding someone who was in pain and not being able to relieve that pain immediately.
"What is it in me that refuses to believe?
This isn't easier than the real thing.
My love, I know that you're my best friend.
You know I'd do anything for you."
She wanted to know what do they do now? Learn to forgive and forget with all that has happened over the years? Perhaps they could return to her restaurant and live happily in peace from now on. If only she could truly believe that, but somehow Ukyou knew there was something left for Tendou-chan to deal with.
"My love, let nothing come between us.
My love for you is strong and true.
Am I in heaven, hero, am I?
At the crossroads I am standing.
Now you're sleeping peaceful,
I lie awake and pray,
You'll be strong tomorrow
When well see another day
And we will praise it
And love the light that brings
A smile across your face."
The grip around her waist tightened and Tendou-chan crept further up Ukyou's body until the two were level with each other. They embraced again, a lingering kiss that expressed their desires for the future. When Tendou-chan broke it she settled her head on top of Ukyou's shoulder, rubbing the sensitive skin of the chef's neck.
Ukyou tilted her head towards her lover and placed her cheek over Tendou-chan's forehead. "Sorry, did I wake you?"
"No." She shook her head and ran a lazy hand up Ukyou's body from thigh to shoulder. "Good morning, Ucchan."
A shiver of excitement ran through Ukyou's nerves and settled in her heart. She moved her own hands along Tendou-chan's skin. "It was worth the wait, Ranchan."
Ukyou heard the redhead sigh.
"No, not Ranchan."
"I thought not. What then? Ranko?"
Tendou-chan sighed again. "No." A moment passed, Ukyou's hands running through the long red hair and playing over the slender, strong back. "My mother once said that if she had had a girl she would have named her Keiko."
Ukyou considered this. "Keiko, huh? Sounds like a very pretty name." She found Tendou-chan's chin and tilted it upwards until she could place another kiss on her lips. "It suits you then."
Keiko smirked with a sultry gaze. "Flattery will get you anywhere."
~
Nabiki had woken up early that morning for some reason. The room she shared with Kasumi was cool without the extra person. No matter how early she rose, Kasumi always seemed to have been awake at least an hour earlier. One of these days she would find out how Kasumi did it without snapping at someone. Coffee must be real good in the early morning. Nabiki hoped so anyway.
Nodoka was also gone she realized as she left the house neighboring Shampoo's where they had been set up. The katana was gone from the dresser where it had been left the night before. Nodoka and Kasumi were probably over at Shampoo's looking after Akane. Nabiki found her clothes and washed up a little. Maybe she was strong enough to survive the hike up here, but she felt grimy without a bath no matter what she'd been doing.
The first thing she noticed upon entering the house was the flavorful smell of breakfast. Half asleep, Nabiki let her nose guide her to the kitchen in hopes of discovering a pick-me-up.
"Kasumi? Is that you cooking?"
"In here, Nabiki." Kasumi called from the kitchen as Nabiki had thought.
The door swung open and flapped back into place as she entered. "Oh, good morning, Mu Tsu." He was standing over some boiling water with a baby bottle of milk warming up.
"Good morning, Tendou Nabiki." Mousse pulled the bottle out and tested the milk temperature.
"How is Shampoo?"
"Very well, considering." He grabbed up a tray with two plates of breakfast and nodded to Kasumi. "Thank you for preparing breakfast, Kasumi-san."
Nodding, Kasumi watched him go and then the smile fell from her face. "I never trusted them."
Nabiki blinked and nearly spilled the warm water rather than pour it into the mug. "What?"
"Back in Nerima. I never trusted Mousse or Shampoo." Kasumi stated with some heat.
"Well, neither did I, but they were easily predictable at least." Nabiki countered, wondering over this change in demeanor. Recent events must have been tearing away at Kasumi's tranquil spirit. This is the first time she heard her older sister utter such angry thoughts. It still wasn't much, but from Kasumi it was like a raging storm.
"Always making their potions to kidnap Ranma-kun." The pan over the stove clanged each time Kasumi hit it with her wooden spatula. "And after that last time I can't help but wonder-"
"Calm down, oneechan." Nabiki grabbed the pan out of Kasumi's hands and looked at her as if she'd gone crazy. "I told you I'd taken care of Shampoo's love potion. It couldn't have been them."
There were tears brimming on the edges of Kasumi's eyes. "But what if all those other times . . if the effects were just building up . ."
"The same could be said for Kodachi too." Nabiki countered. She noted the food in the pan was finished and scraped it onto a plate. Kasumi rested against the counter as she ate, probably meditating or doing whatever it was she did to get herself to look so sedated.
Nabiki could see where Kasumi was going with this. Since she actually started learning about how to use herbs recently from Toufuu Kasumi was second-guessing her past actions. Maybe the truth potions were spiked somehow and their collateral effect pushed Ranma over the edge nine years ago. But he'd gone to see Toufuu so often that the good doctor would have seen something like that certainly.
It was time for a change of subject. "Have you seen obaasan up this morning?"
~
Running a hand through Keiko's long red tresses, Ukyou thought of the little boy sitting on her yattai long ago. Smiling and waving as he left, Ranma had hurt her then without knowing. When they were reunited and hearts were bound, Ukyou had sworn she would not let him go to another woman and break her heart again. It felt funny now that she was going to another woman and not Ranma.
"Speaking of names." Keiko was lying on her stomach completely over Ukyou's body and it made the chef feel wonderful even if it was another woman. "I had dreamed of being a Saotome, but I never thought it would be like this."
Keiko snorted, which tickled Ukyou's skin, and kissed her lover's neck. "Well, keep dreaming. My name is Tendou."
"Tendou Ukyou?"
Keiko continued to kiss around Ukyou's neck and jaw. "No, I think I'm ready to leave Soun behind as well."
"Kounji Keiko?" The name was quite a wonder to hear. If Ukyou was going to be the man in the relationship then it made more sense to take her . . his last name. The body was something she'd have to get used to, but Keiko could probably help her adjust.
"It has a certain ring to it." Keiko agreed.
Arms wrapped around Keiko's waist, Ukyou rolled them both over until she was on top looking down into the deep blue eyes that could captivate her senses and pierce her soul. Keiko's kisses were asking Ukyou to hold her and love her. Soft touches danced everywhere across her body, wanting to prove that she was real. The redhead had more reason to fear the future and without Ukyou there may not have been one for Keiko beyond a quiet solitude in a lonely house. Keiko needed someone to help her rebuild her self-worth and Ukyou needed someone to care for again. They would help each other.
"So Kasumi, Nabiki, and Akane will be my daughters-in-law." It sounded more like the punch line to a joke than a truth. Keiko wrapped her legs about Ukyou and claimed another more insistent kiss. Tongues rolled across each other until they had to take a breath. "I wonder who will crack first? Me or them?"
Ukyou could feel the dampness of Keiko's desire grinding up against her thigh. The redhead wasted no words and lost herself in sensations she'd never enjoyed before. By the end Ukyou was breathing harder with a light sheen of sweat giving the both of them a glow. Keiko nearly purred with contentment until they both noticed how light it was outside.
Rolling out of the shared bed and stretching out her body, Keiko picked up a light robe and cinched it closed. "I'm going to check on Akane."
Ukyou nodded once she'd pulled her attention away from the curves of her lover's body. A blush still formed over her cheeks as she watched Keiko. "I'll be there in a few minutes."
With a parting kiss, Keiko headed out the door, her feet padding lightly over the floor in the hall.
~
"Ryo-kun? Are you here already?"
Ryouga blinked as if looking at the corner of the hallway for the first time. Actually he'd been there for almost an hour walking around in circles within the four by four-foot area. He found Tendou-chan walking out of the guest room in a light robe that seemed to spill of her slender shoulders and pert breasts like smooth white chocolate that he could lick off . . . "I, uh, . . haha . . just thought, uh, stop over and . ."
"Well, I'm sure Akane would appreciate it."
"uh, Akane?" He had to think about the name for a while before it made any real significance to him. "Oh, right! How is she?"
Keiko hid her frown in a mask of indifference that she knew so well. What had she been doing anyway? Trying to get Akane together with Ryouga even after she'd been raped? The guy was nice, but what Akane needed right now wasn't a guy. "I'm going to check on her now."
"Well, I'll come along." Ryouga said quickly.
"No. I need to speak to her privately."
Of course she did, he scolded himself for being stupid. Ryouga smiled sheepishly and nodded, looking around the hallway for something to keep him distracted. "O-Oh. T-Then I'll just w-wait here."
She felt strange around Ryouga knowing that Ukyou was in the bedroom. His infatuation was hard to not notice though she'd tried. He wasn't a bad guy, but he got a little too focused on things sometimes and completely forgot about anything else. Like the past.
Maybe the smell of food would lead Ryouga downstairs to the kitchen. Right now Akane was important to her than dealing with Ryouga's adolescent obsessions.
~
The room smelled like fresh flowers and the shades were drawn back to let the light in. The room was the same size as the one Keiko had shared with Ukyou, but it also seemed smaller with the furniture casting long shadows contrasting with the bright sun. The door squeaked at the end when Keiko closed it. She saw Akane's eyes open and watch her intently. "How are you feeling, dear?"
Keiko sat down on a stool beside the bed and took Akane's hand. It was warmer than yesterday and gripped her back.
"Been better." Akane smiled wanly, studying the grip Keiko had on her.
Stroking some of Akane's bangs out of her face, Keiko couldn't keep the concern from her voice. "Do you remember anything?"
The smile on Akane's lips broke up, quivering. "Some, after . . Someone snuck up behind me and knocked me out and then . . ."
Keiko bit her lip and nodded. She wanted to hear that Akane had been unconscious the entire time and maybe wouldn't have to suffer so much now. "You need to know something." She sniffed and looked into Akane's eyes meaningfully. "We . . did not find you in time."
"What do you mean?"
Keiko sniffed again and tried to brush away a tear. Her past was coming back to haunt her in Akane, but this time she would be able to deal with it. "Tatewaki . . He was there. The one to . ."
Akane looked aghast and placed a hand over her belly. "I'm . ."
Nodding, Keiko put a hand over Akane's. "Very small, but I can sense the developing ki around the embryo."
"But . . But I don't . ." Tears were filling Akane's eyes. "That bastard! How could he?! I'll kill him!"
"Shh." Keiko continued to hold a hand over Akane's belly as she stroked the girl's brow. After a while Akane allowed herself to be calmed and looked into Keiko's eyes pleadingly. "It's okay. I can . . I can abort the child before it grows any further."
"What?"
Gesturing to her hand, Keiko pooled a bit of ki into her hand. There was a darker intent to the subtle ki attacks that she'd used on Herb and Happousai. Ranma had actually gone to work on the technique when he first learned of his own pregnancy. After Saffron, Ranma thought, what was another life? But he could not follow through with his plans. The child growing in his cursed body was an innocent and Ranma Saotome protected the innocent. Okaasan had grown up since then, learned about child development and refined her ki abortion technique in case sometime in the future someone else was caught in her situation.
Akane saw the power and looked back up to Keiko for assurance.
Keiko smiled warmly. "There may be a slight bruise, but that would be all."
"I don't have to-"
"No." Keiko stroked Akane's forehead again and pushed her back onto the pillow. "Lie back now. It will be over in a moment." Her hand closed and opened, the ki forming a ball of energy the size of a bb. Keiko concentrated on the small aura that differed from Akane's and let the ki in her hand capture it. The effects were immediate.
~
"What's going on?" Hiro stopped his early morning practice to find Blush supporting an injured yet conscious Saffron heading for the house.
Blush shook her head, the light purple tresses getting into the Phoenix king's mouth. "No know. Saffron yell he need hurry. No walk on own. I help." She had one of Saffron's arms strung over her shoulder and they were taking stumbling steps.
"Give me your other arm." Hiro said.
Saffron obliged easily. "Thank you, Hiro."
"Where are we going?"
Saffron's eyes narrowed on the house before them and growled. "To find the bitch who did this to me."
~-----Nine years ago-----~
It was just a business venture, just like all the others. Ranma was the cash cow of my high school practice and it only seemed fair considering the amount of food he ate and the damage one of his fights has on the dojo. I think this one was going to be my last since I was leaving for college at the end of the year. There was also a little bit of debt I felt for Ranma saving Akane's life so many times and dealing with all the crap we hand him every day. Even the Ice Queen has her moments.
"Nabiki."
I looked up and found Kasumi looking toward the new hole in our roof. It had been another routine breakfast. Akane makes . . something, and Ranma insults it and gains a new altitude via Akane's mallet. That looks like a pretty fun technique.
For some reason that morning felt strange. The fathers, even Happousai, had this somber expression after trying to get Ranma to say he appreciated Akane's food. 'He' being a loose term for an aquatransexual.
After malleting Ranma into the stratosphere, Akane huffed and left the house for a while. I'm not sure where she went since I was about to get that last project from Kasumi I was talking about before.
"What's up, oneechan?" I watched her finger the apron around her waist and then take a nervous seat in front of me. Something was up and since it was Kasumi I'd probably be helping out in some way.
She seemed to mull something over in her head before looking me in the eyes with a concerned, motherly expression. Now I appreciate Kasumi and all she does for us around the house, but I can't help but think she's a bulb as low watt as Ranma. "Nabiki, I want you to help me put an end to this. It's been almost two years and Ranma and Akane are still fighting."
Like I hadn't noticed. Things calmed down for a bit after the failed wedding, Ranma was still in a funk, but things were starting to pick up all over again like nothing had happened. Ukyou had a bit of sense to keep herself secluded from Ranma and his fiancées for a while, but Shampoo, Kodachi, and especially Akane, were back at their old tricks.
I stared at Kasumi for a moment and tried to go over everything in my mind. Certainly I had the means to put an end to nearly everything, but it would cost me. If she wanted what I think she wanted I'd have to find a plot with a good return. "I'll see what I can do, oneechan."
She smiled brightly and stood up. "Thank you, Nabiki. I knew I could count on you . . now."
The last was said with a little edge. Though it had been weeks no one had forgotten my part in the wedding disaster. Smiling nervously, I headed upstairs. Kasumi's anger with me was enough to motivate my mind. "I need to use the phone for a bit then I might be gone for most of the day."
Kasumi nodded and headed into the kitchen with the dirty dishes. "Good luck, Nabiki-chan."
There was no real easy way to deal with this fiancée problem. Kodachi and Shampoo should be easy if I could keep them from lobbing my head off. Ukyou would be a bit tougher, but everyone has a price. The biggest obstacle would be Cologne. Though a member of that backwater, bimbo nation of female fighters, she was a clever one.
To pull this one off I was going to need her on my side. Time to make those calls. Might as well get one of my lackeys while I was at it.
~
The grill was polished so clean it could have been sold as though it had never been used. The scour was a mass of frayed wire coated in burnt okonomiyaki and other bits. The whole unit in fact had been gone over, pulled apart and put back together until every surface gleamed.
Coming down the stairs that morning I passed Konatsu as he began setting up the customer area and headed for the kitchen. He was dressed up in the waitressing outfit, hair combed and shiny, looking for all the world like the girl he pretended to be, more so than I.
With a desolate sigh I pulled out another scrubbing brush and decided I could go over the grill one more time before anyone showed up. Lots of people came in on the weekends, but not before lunch normally. Sleeping in was one of the things I envied of others. It isn't easy to run a restaurant with only a transvestite kunoichi.
"Good morning, Ukyou-sama." Konatsu bowed as he spotted me. I could only make myself turn up half of my mouth in a tired smile before getting back to cleaning. He'd been watching me closely for the past few weeks, probably worried that I would try to kill myself, I think.
. . . and why not? Would it make Ranma care for me anymore?
The door's chime rang and someone walked in. I looked over the counter and swallowed the fear that rose up in my throat. Of the whole group it was Nabiki I feared the most. I think we all did. She couldn't fight, but she could do a number of other things that would make life hell for as long as we lived. I'd almost expected to see her sooner after the wedding fiasco. It was her sister I was trying to hurt.
"W-What brings you by, N-Nabiki?"
She smirked like a shark and sat down at the counter like she owned the place. I got to thinking I should check my lease hadn't changed. "Ukyou, I have something you might be interested in."
Oh please let it not be the lease.
I hadn't realized I'd closed my eyes until I heard something tap the counter. I opened my eyes and found a vial of clear liquid in the middle Tendou's hand. It was displayed at an angle as someone might do with a precious artifact. The light reflecting off the vial flashed over my eyes and I found myself entranced. "What . . What is it?"
"Something that will put an end to this," Nabiki's eyes gleamed like dagger points, "once and for all."
When we were finished, I was a few thousand yen broker and Nabiki left with the smirk still riding her lips. The vial in my hand whispered sweet promises that turned my stomach.
~
The weekend. I loved the weekend. There was more work to do at the Nekohaten and the hours were longer, but Ranma wouldn't be in school the whole day. Saturdays were especially nice. At noon Ranma would come by for some ramen and I wouldn't have to go find him since he was finally coming to me!
I twisted my hips and looked over my shoulder in the mirror, shifted a few strands of hair, smoothed out the silk shirt. I was a goddess of war. No one was stronger than me. No one was faster than me. And I was much nicer than Akane. Any day now Ranma would see my strength and know there is no other for him. After all, no one else can break through walls like I can. Just name one other that wields the heavy weapons like my bonbori.
Snatching the ready ramen take-out box, I waved back to my great-grandmother and headed for the dojo. I still shake my head at the thought of my airen almost marrying the pervert Violent Girl a few weeks ago. It was a good thing I was there to stop it.
It made me sad the first few weeks when Ranma failed to come to the restaurant for his ramen. I'd ended up dealing with Mousse until great-grandmother had grown sick of hearing him squawk and tossed the blind boy into his duck cage, sans water. He still walks a little funny.
"RANMA NO BAKA!!!"
"Aiyah!" Overhead I saw the man of my dreams being knocked into the distance. It was obvious what had happened, but I would deal with the Violent Girl later. First I had to find my airen and make sure he remembered our date!
Unfortunately, no plan escaped the random chaos generated by Nerima. On my way to find Ranma I had the unfortunate luck to hear, "SWEETO!".
"AAA!!!" The delivery box smashed onto the ground as my hands reflexively went to smash the pervert rubbing against my chest. I could now hear the warning of a large mob of women, each wielding whatever they had to pummel the old lech. It was too bad that the only one to really be able to deal with Happousai was Ranma. My fists missed connecting with Happousai's face and he grinned at me behind his purple ninja mask. In his hand he twirled the pair of purple panties I had been wearing up until a moment ago.
"So nice to see you again, Shampoo! You're hardly at the dojo anymore." Of course he sounded sad. Happousai was one of the big reasons I avoided the dojo. If I wasn't there then he couldn't steal my underwear, as easily.
I pulled my bonbori out of pocket space. "Old pervert, you Shampoo kill!"
. . . Shut up about my Japanese. It's a terrible language anyway.
Happousai cackled and thrust my panties into his bag and started down the street again, the mob getting only close enough to believe they had caught him.
The old pervert was fast and agile, I'll give him that, but he was still an old pervert. "Oh, Happousai! You no have Shampoo bra!" I don't wear one, but he'd come to check anyway and then . .
"Nice try, Shampoo!" Happousai had skipped out of the way of my bonbori. His pipe caught my wrist and then I was sent to meet a nearby wall.
"Hey, you old pervert!"
My head was still ringing when I heard his voice. Ranma and Happousai were a little ways off and I couldn't hear what was being said. It mattered little as Ranma swiftly dealt with Happousai. Airen was not displaying his usual amount of flair with his attacks. They were more direct and precise. His form was becoming tighter and it was obvious Happousai wasn't quite expecting it. Ranma freed the bag of underwear from the old man's grasp and then left Happousai to the mob.
Shaking off the pain as well as I could, I ran to find my airen, but he became hidden with the crowd of irate women. When I fought my way through Ranma was gone.
Dejected, I went back for my panties and a quick kick to Happousai's head. I would need more ramen before I continue my search for airen.
"It should get Ranma to declare his love."
Startled out of my thoughts, I looked about for the voice. I was walking along a business area, close to Ucchan's Okonomiyaki. It was coming from an alleyway so I crept up to the entrance and strained to hear the details of this conversation.
"Are you sure?" Someone looked at a vial Tendou Nabiki was handing them, turning it over in their hands and then holding it up to the sun. It was a vial of clear liquid the size of a coin roll.
"Of course." Nabiki snorted. "And it will only cost you three thousand yen."
The other girl looked at the vial again before finally nodding. She pulled out some money from her pocket and handed it over to Nabiki. The Mercenary Girl congratulated the other on her purchase and started heading for the alley's entrance.
I left in a hurry, not wishing to be seen spying in case Nabiki decided to swindle me as well. Where would Nabiki get a potion that would make Ranma fall in love? Only great-grandmother had those potions.
Still, the idea that others had such potions, true or not, frightened me into action. The delivery box was forgotten where it had broken upon the ground. I had more important matters to attend to. If others were attempting to prove Ranma's love for them, then I had to acquire it as well. When I am finished it would be simple to replace the herbs since I still understood the layout of Toufuu-sensei's clinic.
I am the only one that Ranma could love. I am strength, beauty, and skill. Ranma is my airen and he will understand soon.
~
I was dumbfounded. With my glasses down, I was staring at Tendou Nabiki with her hand on a vial of what she called a 'truth serum'. The vial was obviously from Cologne's stock; I had cleaned them often enough to know. The mercenary had a smirk on her face, one that said I would pay her whatever she asked. The horrible thing was, I would.
"Think quickly now, Mu Tsu." Nabiki swung the vial in my face, taunting me. "Shampoo is in there at this moment making a love potion to get Ranma to say he loves her. Wouldn't you rather he told her the truth?"
"The truth?" I asked, staring dumbly at the clear vial like one would at the sun. Shampoo had returned from her search for Ranma with a fire in her eyes. The delivery box was gone and wouldn't have gone unnoticed by Cologne if the old prune had been there. Fortunately, (unfortunately?), she was gone to the market for supplies in between crowds.
After she rejected my love again, I had set about cleaning the restaurant while Shampoo headed into the backroom. I didn't know what she wanted there and didn't ask. Not more than a dozen times at least. After that I might have suffered permanent damage. But it was all out of love, I know it!
Still, maybe Nabiki's plan would finally get to Shampoo where all of mine had failed. It would be easy. Just swipe this vial for the one Nabiki assumed Shampoo was using to make a love potion. Realizing that Cologne's box of potions was in the storage room, I thought there might be a ring of truth to what the mercenary was telling me.
Oh, Shampoo! Why would you seek out the cad Saotome when I am here for you?!
"Deal!" Nabiki pulled the vial back before I could grab it and shook her head at me.
"Don't forget my price."
I couldn't help frowning. It seemed rather steep, but if it would help me get Shampoo away from Ranma . . "Here." The wallet fell out of my cloak and I flipped out ten thousand yen and promised to get the love potion for her. If I was right, she wanted to use it to make Ranma declare his love for Tendou Akane and that sounded fine to me.
"The love potion now or you can forget the deal."
I stumbled. "But you already have my money!"
Nabiki smiled, her sharp teeth showing through her crooked smile. "I do, don't I."
Shaking in anger I had no choice. It would be child's play to take the vial from Nabiki and if she should get hurt . . My shoulders collapsed in defeat. "Wait here."
On my way to the storage room, I thought about how badly I would hurt if Shampoo caught me. Though I was good, possibly better than she was, Shampoo could still spot me sneaking up on her. I needed to get the vial without her noticing. Inspiration struck as I noticed the ringer on the counter.
Jumping to the ceiling I waited for Shampoo to exit the room to answer the bell. It was sitting beneath a dripping faucet, echoing through the restaurant at regular intervals. Shampoo yelled that I should answer it. The bell continued to ring until finally she left, growling something, which sounded painful to just hear.
As quickly as I could, I found the vial - Nabiki always did have the inside track on events in Nerima - and sprinted off for the front door where Nabiki waited, tapping her foot on the ground.
"Here." I presented the vial. Nabiki nodded and we exchanged the two bottles.
"Good doing business with you Mu Tsu. Now you better hurry and return that to Shampoo before she notices." She left, chortling softly, and I realized my predicament was worse than I had considered.
"WHAT YOU DO?!" Shampoo lavished my face with the affectionate tap of her bonbori. Her hand snapped out and grabbed the vial I was clutching. "You no steal from Shampoo!"
Five minutes later I woke up on the floor with a massive headache and a smile. Soon, Shampoo would be all mine.
~
As a master of disguise I am capable of getting into any building, home or business, completely undetected. I am the unnoticed shadow, so subtle that I might sit at your feet and you would never know I was there.
The fact Ranma and others have spotted me only denotes of some dark skill that they had acquired, unlike my Ukyou who forever feels my love. She knows the truth, but her honor holds her to the hated Saotome. Once he is gone, nothing will stand between us again.
I saw Ukyou handling the vial she'd bought from Nabiki only moments ago. She must have been crushed on how to use it. To prove her love for me, or to shed light on Ranma's darker intentions. The fool couldn't love Ukyou the way a real man does!
Holding my hands over the frill of my pink dress, I jumped down into the kitchen and picked up the vial as my love went to the back room and debate its merits. Plans were already forming in my head that would put the potion to good use. Drinking this Ranma will declare his love, will he? Then if I slipped it into his food then the next he sees . . .
How much do I use? I wish I could have been closer to hear Nabiki's explanation of the concoction.
Swiftly, before any would notice, I left the restaurant with the vial in the direction of the Tendou dojo. There was a chance Ranma was not there so it should be easy to sneak in now. The pig-tailed nuisance was likely across town after the hit Akane must have given him that morning.
"Good morning, Tsubasa."
I froze on the eves of the building I was jumping across. Below me a middle-aged man in a black gi was sweeping his sidewalk. The doctor was a kind and caring man who had patched up my injuries often after my visits with Ukyou. His skill of detection was amazing, but they could only be the product of his healing ability. With a quick nod to Toufuu-sensei I was off again.
Upon reaching my destination, I blended myself against the dojo's perimeter wall with my easily disguisable pink sundress. No one could notice.
"What are you doing, Tsubasa?" Ryouga stood before me, watching me curiously. I was shocked, unable to speak. How had he seen me? More evil detection, yet the 'Lost Boy' had assisted my efforts to thwart Ranma before. I would have to entrust him with my secrecy.
"I'm going to get rid of the dread Saotome once and for all. Say nothing of my presence." He regarded me just as I regarded him. Pedestrians looked at him curiously, no doubt wondering whom Ryouga would be talking to since I was one with the wall.
Ryouga finally shrugged. "Can you tell me how to get to the Tendou dojo?"
Sweating, I pointed to the building I stood beside. He seemed elated at this discovery and rushed around the corner. A moment later I heard a pig's squeal. Perhaps he'd run into Akane's pet, P-chan.
Moving more stealthily than before, I put one hand over my dress to ward off errant breezes and clung to the wall.
"RANMA-SAMA!!"
I shuddered as the chilling laugh fell upon the area. Though I may loathe Saotome, I did not want him dead, yet. So I had a brief moment of pity for him as Kodachi jumped into the yard. Still, no matter my opinion, the vial had still slipped through my fingers in the panic and was shattered upon the ground.
Sighing, I prepared to leave. "Wait!" I ducked behind a bush and looked about to see if others had heard my slip-up.
Was not Nabiki the one who sold the potion to Ukyou in the first place? Then it would be safe to assume she had more of the liquid. The mercenary no doubt would seek to make a greater profit by selling the same potion to all of Ranma's fiancées. Her window was above my position. All I had to do was hope she was not home yet.
My feet scrambled against the wall as I caught a hold of Nabiki's window and slowly levered myself up. The first thing I noticed was the cool temperature of the room. It was a mainly clean and organized room except for the candy wrappers and a few ledgers randomly set about the room. On the bookcase, however, set all by itself, was the clear salvation that I sought. It sparkled at me and I rushed over to snatch it.
I won't detail my efforts to arrive within the living other than to say it was completely inspired. No one would notice my replacing the table on my way to the kitchen!
It was at this time that I found myself in a bit of a predicament. A bundle of black roses landed on me as I was making my way to the kitchen with the vial in hand. Reflexively I inhaled and soon learned that I would be locked in this position for hours. Only able to extricate myself shortly before the fated meal of my Ukyou's liberation from Ranma's clutches. What was a little back pain and cramping to this great victory?
Oh, Ukyou! Soon you shall be mine!
~
Another busy day, it was.
Before I was even washing my sidewalk a great deal of disturbance was in the air. Ranma's screams could be heard overhead as he arced through the sky. That Akane girl was such a tomboy.
Tendou Nabiki passed by not long afterwards. I did smile at her, but as usual she was bothered by this small pleasantry because she could not understand why I would be nice to her. I don't think the child had a friend in the world. It was not difficult to see how she had become the Ice Queen of Furinkan as other students' jest.
As I was finishing the washing a cloud of dust suddenly rushed by. It consisted of half-naked women swinging about a number of blunt instruments. They were chasing the small, lecherous creature that visited the Tendou dojo every now and then. Really, I wondered why they hadn't called a pest exterminator to deal with the problem.
So I returned to my cleaning to remove the new layer of dirt. I was terribly surprised when someone suddenly walked in my path. It was the poor redhead girl. The dear always seemed to be passing by at just the wrong time. Her shirt was soaked and she was not wearing a bra still! It was for this reason that I did not apologize. A girl should know better than to not wear basic undergarment when they are so young and healthy.
With the sidewalk finished, I went in for breakfast as it was now nearing noon.
Sitting on the porch with my tea and a bowl of soup on a small table I had a nice view of the relatively quiet day. Ever since the Saotome boy had left for China the last time things had quieted down greatly. I still saw him flying through the air, but it was not so often these days. Could he and Akane be getting along better now? I hoped not. My betting date with the pool Nabiki had set up was not for another few years.
A woman(?) in a loud pink dress stalked by my yard in the direction of the Tendou dojo. A pair of teenagers crashed down onto the sidewalk only minutes later. Having a premonition, I waited the next half-hour for another similar occurrence. As the two handsome Chinese teenagers passed by, I picked up my ladle once again and returned to the sidewalk. It could never stay clean with all the activity at the dojo. There was the positive side effect that I was getting plenty of exercise now.
"Good-afternoon, Ibuki-san. How are you today?"
Smiling, I looked up to my good friend Cologne. She'd come over from China chasing Ranma. I never inquired about all the details, but the two of us became friends. It still amazed me how young she looked for a woman of her age. I hoped I would look so good if I could make it that far.
Bowing, "Good afternoon, Cologne-san. I'm doing just as well as can be expected". I waved to the porch where the tea was sitting. "Would you like to join me for some tea?"
The old woman shook her head sadly, bobbing slightly on her cane. "I'm afraid I have to say goodbye, child. My great-granddaughter and I shall be returning to China now."
It crushed me to hear it. We'd had such good fun together and Cologne had taught me so many useful potions when she came over with one of her projects. "I will miss you, my friend." With tears in my eyes I embraced her briefly. "Write me when you are in China again."
Nodding fondly, she hopped off for the dojo. It was really a sad day for me. Washing the sidewalk no longer had its thrill for me any longer. I was despondent by the time I saw Akane return from her walk. I hadn't even seen her leave.
~
Once you got past the arrogant, macho exterior, Ranma wasn't such a bad person. Kuno may have set up the perverted morning contest during High School, but that doesn't mean all guys are creeps. Ranma who saved me, sacrificed himself for me, even when he thought I hated him, he was my best friend and my only love.
The baka could have been nicer to me though! Always calling me names, making me look weak in front of everyone, hanging out with all of those other girls, he has always been such disgusting hentai! My life would have been more normal and less dangerous without him! It was his fault all those things happened to me. If he'd ever cared and done what I'd told him to do then none of this would have happened.
I shouldn't blame him though. Lots of it was his father's fault. All those fiancées, challengers, and contracts, if not Saotome Genma then Ranma may also have been better off. Still, the stupid old man did bring us together. I'd just have to take the good with the bad.
I remember the first time I met Ranma, he was in his cursed form and being held over a panda's shoulder. Ranma-chan was such a cute girl.
That damn girl, so much prettier than I was.
She looked so lonely sitting there at the table. My father passed out cold on the floor and Nabiki jabbing her in the chest. Ranma-chan looked like she could use a friend. I don't know what I would be like if I'd only been allowed to make two friends for a few months on a ten-year training trip.
Then he had to ruin it all. First he beats me in the dojo, then he sees me naked, and it was all just to taunt me! 'Better built to boot', you damned slut!
It took us a while, especially with all of the others getting in the way, but I think we really started to get close in the end. Maybe if no one had interfered.
But they did interfere. I saw it all. After I worked so hard over that damned stove to try and be a good fiancée . . he just had to insult me again! I know he was trying to confess to me at Jusendo, after I'd almost died, but when we come back things get back to normal all over again!
He was trying to be nicer though. Ranma seemed so depressed. I wanted him to be happy again. So I tried even harder with my next meal. After Ranma had 'left', I went out for supplies. It seemed that I'd used most of the food in the house to make miso soup for breakfast.
I should've force fed him that slop and then kicked him out!
It wasn't slop, it was the best I could do!
Putrid, toxic, disgusting-
NO!
...
...
On my way back . . On my way back from the market . .
Say it.
Nabiki was there.
Say it!
She was supposed to be my sister! Looking out for me!
Who would? A brute, gorilla, tomboy like you.
It wasn't my fault!
It was.
RANMA!!
...
...
I-I saw the vial she was selling. I'd come to expect such things from those Amazons, but Nabiki? She betrayed me and what's worse I knew it was happening.
Let the fool suffer, I thought. Ranma deserved no better. It was about time the hentai got out of my life for good. He was a pest, sneaking off to see his bimbos, making fun of Ryouga, being such an ass! It was about time Ranma felt the hell I'd been going through just by being in his presence!
No, I wanted to prove that he and I were meant for each other. Tonight was going to be the best meal he'd ever eaten.
Hmph, after I dealt with Kuno Tatewaki to relieve a little tension.
That baka. He was out there with another one of his floozies again. Kodachi, he was going to that psychopath now?! Was I that disgusting to him?! Did he feel nothing, the remorseless bastard?! Break my heart will he?! Ranma was mine! Mine! Mine! MINE! And if he couldn't understand that . . if he didn't want me that much . .
The vial Nabiki must have been planning to use in my food, sitting carelessly on the spare table Kasumi brought out, looked like it really would liven up the flavor.
I grinned.
This was going to be the most special dinner we'd ever made our fiancé.
~-----Present-----~
Keiko stared in shock as her youngest daughter grew taller and a bit older. Wings sprouted out of her back and ripped through the flimsy gown she'd been dressed in. The face became more angular and claws grew on the tips of her fingers. Keiko dropped the girl's hand and stood up, wide-eyed. "Kiima?!"
The door clicked shut and a powerful aura enveloped the small room. Akane, her eyes burning with a purple light, glared at the redhead then shot out her hand, catching Keiko by the throat and pounding the smaller woman up against a wall. "You've gotten in my way for the last time, O-kaa-san." She spat out the name like a dirty word, purple flames growing stronger as she did.
"Akane?!" Keiko struggled with the immense strength her daughter was using to hold her up. It was no wonder Akane had beaten Ryouga before, and this ki, it was stronger than the one she'd had to deal with the first time Kiima came to the village.
"Didn't you figure it out, Okaasan!?" Akane snarled, gripping the redhead's throat tighter. "You bitch! How dare you toss me aside like this!"
Keiko's voice was weak. She tried pressure points along Akane's arm but the aura was holding her back or undoing the effects. She couldn't build up the ki to penetrate while struggling with the girl's grip. "You know it never would have worked between us, Akane."
Akane growled right up in Keiko's face. "You never tried."
"Neither of us did." She was starting to feel light-headed. She could see Kiima trying to move, but so did Akane. A swift kick knocked the Phoenix woman against the wall. "Akane, please, we need to get you help."
"We're beyond help now, Okaasan." Her grip grew stronger causing Keiko to gasp and struggle with both hands to keep her neck from being snapped.
Her sight was becoming darker around the edges. She was going to have to do something she wouldn't like if Akane didn't let go. "You killed me once, Akane, and it hurt us both. Can you really do it again?"
"Last time I killed Ranma. I'm just disposing of the body this time." Akane brought her other hand up to help break Keiko's neck. Keiko moved quickly and stabbed at the open palm. The nerves in Akane's right arm suddenly bolted with electricity and she lost her hold on Keiko for a moment. The powerful ki helped her recover quickly and she caught Keiko again before the redhead could run.
"AAAHHH!!" Keiko screamed and dropped to the ground holding her side where Akane had just thrust her knee into the healing rib. The bone snapped completely this time and she could feel it cut into flesh.
"Keiko!" The door was knocked off of its hinges. Ukyou had come as she said she would. The chef found Kiima struggling with unconsciousness in the corner while Akane stood over Keiko leveling punches on the redhead's body. "Get off her you lunatic!" Ukyou screamed, grabbing a chair and breaking it over Akane's head without a thought. Akane wavered a moment then returned to Keiko after tossing Ukyou aside with an easy flick of her wrist.
Ukyou crashed against the wall and knocked over the nightstand. She wished she had her spatulas because her hand to hand skills were pathetic compared to Akane's. The past nine years, Ukyou had almost completely neglected her training, but she had to save her love. "Did you hear me you stupid tomboy!? Sexless, macho chick! Fight someone your own species!" Akane's head came up and she glared at the chef, purple flames licking at the ceiling of the room. Ukyou didn't flinch. She saw Keiko covered in bruises, blood dribbling out of her nose and mouth, a large red stain was beginning to cover the inside of her robe near her side. Ukyou spat with anger. "Built like a brick!"
Akane stood up and wiped a little blood on her knuckles over her shirt. Ukyou didn't have time to react as she was knocked onto the ground by a powerful right hook and it was followed up with a swift kick to her stomach.
Coughing and vainly attempting to protect herself, Ukyou was seeing double, but she had to keep Akane's attention off of Keiko. "Skilled as a rock."
Keiko's arms felt like lead weights as she attempted to get up. Her side burned like fire while her feet and hands went numb from cold. "Ukyou." She said. Akane glanced back her way once Ukyou was unable to do more than grunt beneath her blows. The girl growled and charged Keiko again starting with a kick to the redhead's side. "AAAHHH!!"
Others heard the commotion and were coming to help, but were held off by the powerful aura and the viciousness of Akane's attacks. Nabiki tried to jump in, but Akane caught her with a back kick that left her knocked up against the doorframe. Through tears she cried, "Okaasan! Akane get off of her! You're killing her!"
More came. Kasumi and Nodoka caught Hiro before he could enter. Saffron was still being helped by Blush to the door.
Hiro struggled in his sister's grasp. "Let me go! Momma! Akane-neechan, please stop it!" He must have hit her because Kasumi pulled away like she'd been stung. Hiro ran into the room intent on catching Akane with a flying kick to the head. "Stop it!"
She stopped him with a quick grab by the throat. Akane had her hand pulled back to punch through his skull when she felt the anger abate with the little boy in her hand. "Hiro?"
She had her hands around Hiro's neck, slowly squeezing tighter and tighter. Hiro struggled, grabbing at her wrists and trying to twist them away, but if Okaasan couldn't do it then he wouldn't be able to either.
With her hands around his throat she could feel his pulse beating hard against her palm. The little sounds he tried to make were cut off, but his eyes continued to plea with her. Her eyes began to tear and she didn't know why. She tried gripping harder, but her body shook with sobs and her hold weakened.
Poor Ranma. What was she doing to him? Akane looked at the boy in front of her, the dark blue eyes dropping a shade lighter, the wild black hair drawing back into a pigtail. She was holding Ranma by the throat again and he was in pain. What was wrong with her?
The illusion faded and Hiro returned. Akane understood now. Hiro wasn't Ranma, he was some sort of grotesque puppet that had taken his image. Hiro wasn't supposed to be here, Ranma was! How dare this thing take away her Ranma, try to replace the wonderful man she'd fallen in love with. This was his fault!
Hiro strained, but he couldn't put up much of a fight against his sister. She was too strong. Her hands felt like hard steel around his neck and the pressure was becoming too much for him to bear for long.
A blast of steady energy suddenly brushed by Hiro's body, burning the edges of his clothing as it slammed into Akane. Her hands released his neck as she smacked up against the wall behind her. The energy continued to pin her there, hammer blows crushing her body.
Saffron was breathing hard, a crippled wing lying from his back, and he continued to hold his hand up until he was certain his friend wasn't in danger any longer.
Released from the blast, Akane finally slumped over and began to slide down the wall trailing blood in her wake. She tasted the heavy coppery fluid in her mouth and the warmth of it running down her arms and legs. Akane staggered on her feet until she fell for the floor.
Hiro jumped right back up to his feet and caught her before she landed on her face.
Akane felt the little arms holding her up and smiled at the boy. "My Hiro."
The rest entered with Akane lying on the ground. Blush and Kasumi went to check on Hiro, who was still breathing hard and smattered with a bit of blood. Mousse gave Nabiki a look over and found nothing serious then hopped over to Kiima.
Keiko could see Ukyou approaching her. Something was being said, but she couldn't make it out. Her side no longer hurt, but Keiko felt so tired. Someone grabbed her shoulder and Keiko opened her eyes again. Ukyou was there, a little battered, but okay. Ukyou spoke again, others turned to watch, but again Keiko couldn't hear her.
I love you, Ukyou, Keiko spoke wordlessly as she stared into her love's concerned eyes. Ukyou was so beautiful, the 'cute fiancee', Keiko thought with a smirk. This is what she had been waiting for, the warmth she felt, the love they shared, the commitment she was ready to give, Keiko had wanted this for so long. When she woke again it would be to a new world, but now she was tired. Keiko's eyes wavered between closed and open before the strength left her.
"Keiko! Keiko!" Ukyou screamed, shaking the redhead by her shoulders. "Stay with me, please! We only just found each other. Don't leave me now!" Keiko fell limp in her arms as Ukyou cried out her anguish, cradling the redhead in her arms, pressing her cheek against her loves.
The rest stood with sad, unblinking expressions as Ukyou continued to call out Okaasan's name. The dark blood spilling from Keiko's side continued to spread, sinking through the cracks of the floorboards. Keiko's right hand trailed through the red pool as Ukyou rocked her back and forth.
~
The new markers were simple and white.
Ukyou stared at them for a long time with Hiro at his side. Hiro held a few flowers and a small sad smile. Neither spoke as though waiting for a whisper to carry over the wind from the past. Some signal that they were acknowledged and accepted in the presence of these graves.
Hundreds others were laid out in the field of trimmed green grass. Statues of faith and the sentinels to the dead stood along the edges of the cemetery. The graves were in a nice spot, Ukyou thought. A cherry blossom tree sat languidly in the wind, long branches brushing the sky with tired movements.
The Tendous were placed side by side here. This warm, sunny day, on the close of spring when the leaves are only now showing signs of browning, where birds bounce along the ground in search of bits to eat, peace seemed a physical force that might be stroked within the air. Sounds of civilization were far off, a gravel walkway, ten-minute walks to and from this remote spot of quiet.
An age-old tradition was implied within the funeral permanence of the cemetery. No one spoke much higher than a whisper in the face of the departed. Flowers were the common gift to lost relatives.
Ukyou felt the texture of Hiro's cotton shirt, stepped from his side. Crying, even soft sobbing seemed called for by the young in this place, yet Hiro's eyes were dry. His hands did not shake or his feet shuffle. Simply set the purple 'night callers' at the base of the stones and stood up again. When he returned to Ukyou's side, Hiro grabbed the lip of Ukyou's pant pocket, a security Hiro had taken to be sure Ukyou would not leave.
Ukyou regarded the boy lovingly. Hiro seemed to grow more every day. It was uncanny how he seemed to follow in the footsteps of a man he would never know. Ranma's innocence, pride, confidence, need for life, generous smile, they were all Hiro's now and he took to them with the same charm that had already captured one Amazon girl's interest. Hiro is not the prodigy of the Art Ranma was, but he trained and sought greater pursuits more attuned to a social, progressing world. Ukyou was certain Ranma would have been proud.
After China . . After Ranma and then Akane; they did their best to settle into the new home Nabiki helped set up. She was there every day to speak with the contractor and supervise the additions to a new Ucchan's Okonomiyaki. Kasumi too had stopped by on occasion, with the twins and Toufuu if possible. Ukyou had never had such large family dinners before. It was a good thing Konatsu still liked to work for him.
Someone stepped up behind them, a crunching sound falling beneath each step. They bent to kiss Hiro's cheek and then stood to reach Ukyou's. A hand wrapped gently around his waist.
"It was nice of you to do this for them." Ukyou whispered.
Keiko rested her head against his shoulder and nodded. "Soun never had a fair chance and poor Akane . . . I only wish I would have known how to cure them while they lived."
There was a pause as they each stared at the new markers, replacing the one Tatewaki Kuno had broken with his bokken. Keiko, Ukyou understood, still felt pain for her time with Soun, but was slowly learning to forget. Forgiveness may never come, but it hadn't been expected by anyone. The epitaph, 'Lost before his death', was Keiko's addition. She wanted to believe Soun had been sick the last years of his life.
"C'mon Hiro. It's time to go home." Keiko took Hiro's hand and then one of Ukyou's before they began to head for the arching gates of the cemetery's entrance.
As they left Soun, his first wife, Kumiko, and their youngest daughter behind, Hiro fell more into his nature, the serious facade washed away in a smile. "Can we go to the amusement park this weekend, momma?"
"Saffron and Blush are visiting again." Keiko commented, a speculative look coming over her. She turned to Hiro with a small smile. "Ask your father. I'll be with Kiima and Shampoo in Tokyo."
Ukyou sighed. Such were the activities of the parent, chauffeur. Oh well, at least girls didn't hit on him with three children around. Maybe he could get Kasumi and the twins to come along.
There was a pull at his arm. Keiko still limped carefully on her left to lessen the soreness in her side. "How are you feeling, Keiko?"
"Well enough." She smiled into his concerned eyes. Keiko was a terrible liar.
"Keiko . . ." Ukyou growled warningly that his attentive affections were justified, especially considering how long she walked through Japan and China without seeing a doctor.
Scowling, Keiko looked like a little kid trying to hide the cookie she'd stolen before dinner. "Hey, I had a rib removed. It's going to be sore, but I'm fine otherwise."
"Alright, sugar." He relented and gave his wife's hand a reassuring squeeze.
Returning to her previous smile, Keiko spoke up for both Hiro and Ukyou. "You know, one good thing about having one less rib . ."
"What's that?" Ukyou asked. He and Hiro watching the redhead curiously as she put a little more sway in her hips.
"I'm a bit more limber. That'll be really useful if I decided to start fighting competitively again."
"I don't know." Ukyou rubbed his chin with a free hand then smiled lecherously at his wife. "I can think of a few more interesting things to do with that extra agility."
Hiro looked blank and shrugged.
Mouth open, Keiko took a moment to look shocked at her husband, though she'd expected the reply. Slapped him on the shoulder half-heartedly. "Pervert. Just for that tonight we shall have dinner and dancing out. Your treat."
Ukyou rolled his eyes. "Isn't it always."
"I was talking about me."
Ukyou saw Keiko's face break in a wide smile as he shook his head. "Jackass."
Keiko pulled him in for a quick kiss as they stepped through the stone archway. The gloom of the cemetery washed away in the brighter, bathing light of the sun on the other side.
End Chapter Eleven
* * *
'Hold On', Sarah McLachlan
Hi there, everyone! If you've read this far then you must consider my thoughts important on at least an artificial, pond scum beneath a rock, level. That's okay, I'm not sad. I can deal with the criticism . . really(sniff) . . (sniff) . .
NO I CAN'T!! WHO ARE YOU?!?! I WILL FIND YOU! DON'T TURN YOUR BACK CAUSE ONE DAY SOME STRANGER MAY BE THERE AND ACCUSE YOU OF SOMETHING BEFORE BEING CARTED OFF BY THE POLICE!!! AND IT WON'T BE ME!! WON'T YOU BE SAD THEN!!!
Ahem, anyway, I'd like to thank the ladle lady for her account. She's not a major character and isn't paid the money Ranma and the rest are so she made some real sacrifices to make that interview. Live on, old woman! Dirty sidewalks everywhere await your visit!
An explanation of the rose petals outside Kuno's cell in chapter ten: they were there mainly to throw you off. Kodachi wasn't about to transport her brother if he could fight back. So the paralysis drug, really the only potion she knew, were for Tatewaki. Unfortunately, that plan backfired as Akane was already there to take Kuno away in her plan to kidnap the other fiancées.
Why did Akane treat one fiancée worse than another? It has a lot to do with her interactions with them. From Kyoto, Akane knew Ukyou was all right since Okaasan only wanted her as a godmother, as far as she knew anyway. Shampoo was pretty much the same since the Amazon was married to Mousse. Of course she hated Kiima, being almost drowned can do that to you. Kodachi, well, she was raving and ranting a bit too much about her Ranma-sama back in Kyoto and that made Akane hate the girl even more.
For those of you who were upset about the number of deaths here let me just say alternate endings were planned with Saffron, or Ukyou, or Shampoo and Mousse, or Okaasan and Hiro being added to the list. The Shampoo and Mousse thing was pretty damned bloody too!
Thank you to everyone who entered my contest and/or sent emails.
Send C&C to jehtek@hotmail.com
Or visit my website at: www.geocities.com/jehtek/
Ja ne.