Chapter 5


Konatsu was busy serving the lunch crowd. He was worried about Ukyo, she hadn't come down stairs since the night of the dance.

I wonder when Ukyo-sama is going to come down. Its not like her to act this way. Sigh. As he is passing the counter he saw Ukyo coming downstairs. He can tell that by the expression on her face that she is not very happy.


Ukyo-sama, what is the matter, is there anyway I can help? he asked as he paused in front of the kitchen storeroom door.

No, thanks anyway Ko-chan, but this is something that I have to get over by myself, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to though. I mean I . . . I always thought that Ran-chan didn't like Akane. At the dance he. . . he told me that he didn't love me and that he was going to marry Akane. I know I didn't want to admit that I saw what was between them and I knew I was just fooling myself, but a girl can always hope that she has a chance, she said as she walked behind the grill.

Ukyo, I know that you think you are in love with Ranma-san, but when I first came here, I could see how much in love those two were. I know you don't want to hear this and it may not help much, but I have been here by your side and I will always be here whenever you need me," he said as he gathered his courage. Then he went on to say in a whisper, "U. .Ukyo, I. . .I will always love you even if you don't love me back."

Thanks Ko-chan, I have decided to give up the engagement to Ranma and I don't know what I would do with out you, but right now I'm not ready to do that again. I realized that Ranma was in love with Akane at the wedding when he tried to protect her. He has been avoiding me since the failed wedding and he told me at the dance why he wasn't coming around. The dance was a last ditch effort on my part to get Ranma for myself. I just didn't want to admit it.

Oh, Ukyo I am sorry for you, but. . ., he said just as the bell rang signaling the arrival of more customers.

We'll talk later. Right now we have to finish with the lunch rush or we will never be ready for the dinner crowd, Ukyo said, as she started mixing batter in a large bowl for the okonomiyaki she was about to make.

Hey Ko-chan, Order up! Take it to table five, Ukyo said as she flipped the okonomiyaki into the air. Konatsu deftly caught them and walked towards the table.

Here you go sir, he said as he places the dish in front of them.

Hey beautiful are you free tonight.

Konatsu giggled as he hears this. I'm sorry sir but I'm straight and I'm not into boys.

What do you mean? You're a girl aren't you? The customer asked the Konochi.

Actually, I am a Konochi, and I'm a guy. How do I look? Do I really pass for a girl? Konatsu replied while posing for full affect. Secretly Konatsu was laughing because he knew what he looked like. The customer's eyes bugged out of his head, then he stammered a few unintelligent answers as Konatsu walked back to the counter with a smile on his face.

Ukyo saw the familiar expression on his face, smirking, she asks him, Fooled another one didn't ya, Ko-chan?

Yup!, man these people are so blind. What with all the cross-dressers running around this town you would have to look twice to be sure who's who.

Ukyo just giggled as she deftly flipped an okonomiyaki into the air. Then starts another one while the first one is still falling. Ukyo catches the finished one and tosses it to the customer in front of her. The customer was used to that kind of behavior, since he started coming here a few years ago. It was very funny when someone mistook Konatsu for a female. The man thanked her, then he proceeded to eat his lunch while ignoring the conversation going on in front of him.

The bell rang again. Signaling more customers. Konatsu grabbed a few menu's for the new customers that just walked in and asked them to follow him. He led them to a new table that he was sure that wasn't there before but shrugs it off as part of the Nerima weirdness factor. Ukyo gets a strange feeling that she is being watched. Suddenly she hears her name being shouted.

Ukyo! Come on a date with me! The table and chair set off to her left starts moving in her direction when a head pops out.

Tsuba! Ukyo growls as her cheek starts to twitch. She reaches over her shoulder, grabs her spatula, and all in one motion, she flattens him. SPLAT. Then flipping Tsuba like an Okonomiyaki into the air, Ukyo rears back and swings. DRY UP AND DIE! she yelled as Tsuba made a new skylight in the Uc-chans ceiling.

UUUKKKYYYOOOOOOO.. . he yelled as he's flew in a southerly direction.

Oh, Ukyo-samma, that was a good swing. I think he's going to land somewhere near the south pole this time, or maybe Australia, The cross-dressing ninja said as he brought his hand down from shading his eyes against the glaring sun. He looks up at the new skylight and asks. Do you want me to call the repairman or should I finish with the customers?

No, I'll call them. I should have known it was too good to get my hopes up. All I wanted was a nice peaceful day today. She says as she sighed.


Just as he is about to wait on more customers he hears a voice screaming from the kitchen storeroom.

SHIT! WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW!

Konatsu rolled his eyes and started to walk faster towards the back so he could catch the lost boy before he got lost again. Great just when I though we would have some down time, someone always shows up. He mutters to himself as he walks through the door. Konatsu spots Ryoga standing in the supply closet, facing away from the door. Konatsu clears his throat.

Ahem, Ryoga-san, Can I help you? Konatsu asks the lost boy as he taps him on the shoulder.

Ryoga turns around and sees him; he rubs the back of his head, smiling nervously and asks, Konatsu? What are you doing in Okinawa?

Umm.., Ryoga-san this is Nerima and you're at Ukyo's restaurant, He said as he gave the lost boy a smile while thinking to himself. Oh boy, Ukyo wasn't kidding me when she said that Ryoga could get lost in a closet!

Ryoga laughs a bit, then he asks Konatsu, Um Konatsu? Can you take me to the Tendo Dojo?

Sure Ryoga, just give me some time to finish up here and we'll go, ok? the ninja replied as he finished up gathering the ingredients that Ukyo needed, then turning back towards the main room he said to Ryoga. Just follow me please.

Um, ok replied the lost boy as he turned around to face the ally doorway. As he took a step towards the door, he felt a hand grip the back of his shirt.

This way Ryoga-san, Konatsu says, tugging the lost boy in the right direction while he smiled at the flustered expression on Ryoga's face.

Konatsu stepped through the door and into the main room with Ryoga's sleeve firmly griped between two fingers. Spotting an empty seat, Konatsu lead the lost boy to the chair. Sit here Ryoga-san, I will be with you as soon as I can.

Ok, I'll wait here Kona. . . just then the lost boys stomach made its presents known with a loud rumble that practically shook the room.

Whoa! Earthquake! Ukyo yelled jokingly as she griped the counter top and smiled at Ryoga.


Ryoga held his stomach while he blushed and stammered. Gomen, I haven't eaten in a few days and that stuff sure smells good Ukyo!

Well sugar, why don't I make you a few, what do you want? Ukyo asked as she started mixing up more batter for Ryoga's order.

Um, what is the special for today? he asked.

Shrimp, and then there is the pork special," she said. Ukyo tilted her head when she noticed his complexion starting to turn green. What's the matter Ryoga honey, something wrong?

Oh, um, I'll have the shrimp please, the pork makes me sick and I'm against eating it, he said as he tried to get himself back under control. Ryoga knew that ever since he got cursed to turn into a little black piglet, he couldn't stand to eat any pork.

If anyone knew just what he went through it would be Mousse. Ryoga hated to be chased by crazy cooks, who wanted to serve him for dinner. Just this week he had managed to escape a cleaver-welding maniac in a white hat who spoke gibberish. Ryoga shuddered as he remembered the few word of what he understood the cook saying.

Come back mah tasty piggy, Ah wheel make a fine pork chop tonight! Wee wee piggy, you shall be mah main dish! the chef yelled as he chased a fleeing Ryoga down the street while waving his cleaver over his head.

It wasn't until sometime later that Ryoga realized he was in one of his most hated places. FRANCE! Ryoga thought as he shuddered with revulsion as the memory faded. All the crazy cooks lived in that country. I never want to go back there again, he thought. Ryoga glanced up just as Ukyo served him his lunch.

Here ya go sugar, she said as she smile at him, then stared to make two more for him all the while talking about what has been going on lately while he was gone.

Ryoga listened while he ate his lunch. Nodding politely, He then filled her in on what had happened to him during his travels. When he finally finished, the lunch crowd had disappeared and Konatsu was finished with his chores.

Hey Ukyo, you want to come with us to the dojo? Ryoga asked her politely.

Sure! Let me finish up, then lock up. I can take this last few okonomiyaki to Ranma, she said as she finished wiping down the counter and scraping the grill. Ten minutes later the shop was closed and the three friends were on their way to visit their friends.

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