Chapter 2: I Knew You Once Before

* * * *

~For so long

I was lost in the memories,

Of what could have been,

Trying desperately to find

My way back to then…~

* * * *

Day 3: Sunday Early Afternoon

Ryoga stared down at his feet and watched them move with each step. Left, right, left, right, left, right. He'd learned it didn't make that much difference if he looked where he was going or not. Actually he'd found he'd get where he wanted faster if he didn't try so hard. The places he didn't want to go always seemed to be around the next corner, while the places he wanted to be were always so far away. But now he was just drifting. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Akane anymore. She was always with him, but at the moment he felt that he needed some time away with his thoughts.

His mind had wandered along with his feet and he suddenly realized that he was getting hungry. He looked up and examined his surroundings.

"I don't think I've ever been here before," he muttered. "I wonder where I could be now? Better ask someone." He turned and walked into the restaurant to his left. "Excuse me, but could you…" He trailed off and his jaw dropped.

"Well hey there sugar. Long time no see." Ukyo smiled at him from behind her grill.

"W-W-What are you doing here?"

"Um, this is my restaurant."

"Oh no," he thought. "I came back to Nerima without even realizing it! Why does this always happen to me?"

Ukyo waited while he had his little mental conversation with himself. When she figured he was nearing a conclusion she spoke up. "So, what'll it be sugar?"

Ryoga slouched onto a stool. "What's today's special?"

"Pork."

Ryoga shivered. "I'll just have a mushroom one then."

Ukyo raised her eyebrow but didn't say anything. "Coming right up!" She began to prepare the batter as Ryoga dropped his pack on the floor and began to search through it. Ukyo turned and greeted a new customer as he walked in. She faltered slightly while taking in the features of the dark boy in the black and gold silk Chinese outfit. There was a very unsettling expression on the boy's face. He sat down next to Ryoga, and as she asked for his order she mentally checked to make sure her battle spatula was in place. Just in case.

"I'll just have your special," the boy said in an emotionless, yet chilling voice.

Ryoga froze and the hair on the back of his neck began to rise. He slowly sat up and turned towards the customer who turned to look at him at the same time. Ukyo watched as recognition dawned in both of their eyes and they sprang out of their seats falling into fighting stances at opposite ends of the restaurant.

"You!" the strange boy spat.

"Why do you keep following me?" Ryoga asked.

"I'm not! I learned that lesson a long time ago. You just keep turning up in all the wrong places!"

"Hey look, I still don't know what you've got against me, but I'm ready to take you on any time."

"Hey Ryoga," Ukyo interjected. Under normal circumstances she would have avoided getting involved in one of Ryoga's fights at all costs. However, she felt every potential fight that took place in her restaurant was her business as well. "Friend of yours?"

"Hardly," Ryoga grunted. "I've met up with him a few times throughout my travels and he keeps trying to pick fights with me."

"Well, what did you do to him?"

"How should I know?" Ryoga exclaimed.

While they continued talking, the boy grew impatient and leapt forward with incredible speed catching Ryoga off guard. The boy kicked Ryoga fully in the stomach before he had a chance to regain his concentration. Ryoga grunted as he was pushed back several feet but managed to remain standing.

"Hey!" Ryoga shouted. "I was talking!"

The boy simply ignored him and attacked again. Ryoga was more alert this time, but was still forced onto the defense. As he dodged and blocked the boy's attacks, Ukyo could tell he was struggling to push to the offense, but the boy wasn't allowing him enough space. Ryoga jumped into the air in order to gain some distance, but the boy, being too quick for him kicked him in the stomach again before he was able to get away. The momentum sent him flying over Ukyo's grill, crashing into her shelves, and spilling various condiments everywhere.

Ukyo jumped out of the way and groaned at the sight of her smashed cabinets. Her restaurant was already turning into a disaster zone and her customers had all left at the first sign of a fight, some without ever paying. She looked at the fallen Ryoga as he shook flour out of his hair and jumped to his feet.

"Why don't you just stay down?" asked the boy.

Ryoga scoffed. "That was nothing. Try this!" Ryoga lunged forward with his index finger extended. Ukyo watched in horror knowing far too well where the whole thing was headed. The strange boy merely stood still, completely void of any emotion. Ukyo couldn't read him and there was no way for her to know if the boy knew what was coming. If he didn't know, he might really get hurt. If he did know, he might have some kind of counter attack. Either way her restaurant was going to be demolished, and she wasn't about to sit around and wait for it to happen.

With her spatula in hand she lunged between the two and spun her weapon in a circle smashing Ryoga out of the way and ending up by clonking the new boy on the head. He cowered under the blow and looked up at her from under the metal.

"Why did you that?"

Ukyo ignored the boy's comment. "In any other restaurant you could've probably gotten away with totaling the place and then leaving without paying for the damages, but not here. I'm not one to interfere with other people's arguments, but when you fight in my restaurant it becomes my business. Now, I might have let you off with a mere warning but when you go around picking on my friends for no good reason I start to get a little ticked off. So get out of here before I make you sorry you ever met me or Ryoga here."

The boy straightened up brushing her spatula aside and stood up to his full height. He seemed to grow before Ukyo's very eyes and she found it difficult to maintain her demeanor. They locked eyes in a staring contest both trying to will the other to back down. When Ukyo refused to give, the boy glanced over at Ryoga who was starting to get up from the floor while rubbing his head. "If that's how you treat your friends, I'd hate to see how you act towards your enemies. I suppose Ryoga merely allows it because you're a woman." Ukyo cringed in fury at his words. "I didn't realize you had any honor Hibiki." He looked back at Ukyo. "I, however, wouldn't hesitate to fight you." Ukyo tensed, preparing for him to attack. The boy studied her fierce expression for a moment before continuing. "But I hold no grudge towards you at this time. I suggest you don't cross me again though."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah or I'll live to regret it or something." Ukyo growled. "Save the speech, I've heard it all before. Just get out of my restaurant and don't come back, you got it?"

For the first time the boy laughed in an amused manner. He cast a glance at Ryoga. "This isn't over, Hibiki," he hissed.

* * * *

After the boy was gone Ukyo shivered. She felt like she had been drained. "Who the hell was that?" She asked Ryoga as they both began to clean up the mess that was her restaurant.

"Beats me. I haven't a clue what his problem is. I just keep running into him. He's always so upset with me, like I did something, but I don't even really know him!"

"Come on Hibiki, think really hard. He's not just a little upset, he's furious! You must have really done something awful to him."

Ryoga scratched his head, not because he was remembering anything useful, but because the whole situation seemed like a wacky form of reversed dejah vu. He looked at Ukyo who was staring at him expectantly and merely shrugged. She rolled her eyes in frustration and went back to sweeping the floor.

"Just remember Hibiki, you owe me one."

"How do you figure? I could have taken him you know. He just caught me off guard. He hasn't beaten me yet you know!"

Ukyo whapped him on the head with her broom. "I meant about the restaurant you jackass. I couldn't care less if you fought that guy. Just don't EVER do it in MY restaurant, you got it?"

Ryoga rubbed his head and nodded. "Ukyo sure is violent," he thought

"Anyway, so he's never beaten you?"

"Well, no, but then I've never really beaten him either. We never really get to finish our fights."

"Why's that?"

"I'm not sure. It just seems that no matter how hard I fight, he's always equally matched with me. I haven't fought him in a while, but the last time we fought it ended as a draw. But now I've improved a lot, I should have won easily."

"You think he's better as well?"

"No! That's the thing. His moves were all the same. Nothing was different. And yet somehow he was better than before. We were equal again."

"Hardly equal, Ryoga. As far as I could tell he was winning."

"No he wasn't!" Ryoga shouted surprising Ukyo. He took a few seconds and calmed himself down. When he spoke again his voice resumed a normal tone. "He just caught me off guard and I didn't have a chance to retaliate. His fighting skills matched mine though, trust me, we were equal."

"So what do you think that means?" Ukyo asked as she began to adjust her cabinet and rearrange the condiments on the shelves. She was a little afraid to contradict Ryoga again.

"Well, I know it sounds crazy, but I think he adjusts to meet my level."

"But if that's the case why does he adjust so that you're just equal? Why not adjust so that he's better?"

"That's the thing I don't get." He shook his head. "I thought I was rid of him this time, it's been so long. But every once in a while he pops up out of nowhere. It's sort of like he's following me or something. And he's out to get me I tell you!"

"Oh please, you must be imagining things."

"No really, it's like he's on some kind of mission to track me to the ends of the earth or something." Ryoga paused and thought for a moment. "There it is again, that dejah vu thing."

Ukyo shook her head. "I don't think so, he seemed surprised to see you."

"Yeah, I suppose." His eyes got a far off and contemplative look.

Ukyo sighed at her friend's constant habit of daydreaming. "Hey, Hibiki. Don't worry about it okay?"

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and went back to cleaning up the mess. However, he couldn't stop thinking about that boy. "There's just something more to it all. I just know it."

* * * *

~…But now I try not to remember,

That I knew you once before,

It only makes things more complicated

And it's time I learned to live without you…~

* * * *

Sunday Afternoon

The boy strolled onto the field with slow steps, and his typical stern expression that lacked any emotion. The old man looked up from his place on the ground by their tent upon the boy's arrival. "You were unsuccessful?" he asked.

"There were… complications," the boy said flatly.

"You were distracted."

"I was not. There was just some interference."

The old man lowered his head in disdain. "You have failed due to a distraction. Before you complete you mission you must eliminate that distraction."

"That will not be necessary. All I need is a new approach." He turned and walked over to the fire.

"Wait! Tell me what you're going to do first."

The boy sat down and sighed in annoyance. "Hibiki left this afternoon. With his sense of direction he won't be back for a week. In the meantime I'll attend to other… matters." He closed his eyes and began to meditate.

The old man smiled. "And all the pieces fall into place," he said in a low voice so that the boy could not hear him.

After a few minutes the boy opened his eyes and stared up at the sky. With a sigh he stood and walked over to his pack lying next to their tent. He pulled out a flask and poured some of the liquid into a tin cup as the old man watched him inquisitively. The boy looked up at him. "I have a headache," he stated simply as he began to drink. When he was finished he stood up and turned away. "It's about to rain," he said as he lifted the flap of the tent and went inside.

Sure enough, a few moments later a crash of thunder was heard overhead. The old man stared up at the sky. "A prelude of things to come," he mumbled under his breath. He looked to the fire, and satisfied the rain was smothering it, turned and followed after the boy. He disappeared inside the tent, just as a drenched Ranma-chan and Akane ran by on their way home.

* * * *

~…A look in those eyes

It was so easy to relate

But you weren't that person

The one I used to hate…~

* * * *

Sunday Evening

Ukyo flipped another okonomiyaki and tossed it to a customer. It was still a rather slow night. She hadn't fully recovered business since the earlier fight. Another customer walked in and she looked up to say her welcome mid-flip of another okonomiyaki.

"Hello, and welcome to Ucchan's Okonomi…" She trailed off and let the okonomiyaki drop to the floor.

The new customer was a young girl of about Ukyo's age with the most beautiful waist long hair Ukyo had ever seen. It was thick and black with golden zigzagged patterns running through it. She wore a pair of low cut, white sweat pants that were almost see-through and a black halter-top, which only served to show off her ample figure, one that rivaled Shampoo's or even Ranma's girl side. She had immediately attracted the attention of all the males in the restaurant, much to the annoyance of their dates. There was also a fair share of guys that had snuck into the restaurant in order to get another look at her. Ukyo must have been staring for a while, because eventually the girl giggled.

"What, is something wrong?" she asked with a bright, friendly smile.

"N-No," Ukyo stumbled. She couldn't figure it out but there was something really strange about the girl. "No, I'm sorry I guess you just reminded me of someone."

"Oh." The girl blinked in surprise sitting down. "Well, I doubt that we've met, unless you travel a lot." She swung a large pack off of her shoulder and placed it on the floor beside her.

"I uh used to, not any more though."

"Huh, well, I don't think we've ever met. Hi, I'm Sachiko." The girl smiled reassuringly.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Ukyo. Well, what'll it be then?"

"Oh, I'm in the mood for pork," she grinned evilly, an action missed by Ukyo. "And just one, I'm sort of in a rush. I still need to find a place to stay for the night."

"Oh really? When'd you get into town?" Ukyo asked as she resumed cooking.

Sachiko thought about her response for a moment. "A little earlier today. I just haven't had a chance to look for a place yet."

"Hmm, well, I don't think there are really any good hotels around here."

"Oh, well, I was actually just looking for an empty lot to set up my tent or something. Can't really afford a hotel anyway."

"You sure about that? Nerima's a pretty tough area.

Sachiko laughed. "Oh don't worry about it. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

Somehow Ukyo didn't think she could. After all, it was Nerima. "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you. How long you here for anyway?"

"Well, that depends. You see well, you're going to probably think it's crazy," she leaned over the counter and whispered to Ukyo. "But I'm sort of chasing after my ex-fiancé."

"You don't say," Ukyo said nonchalantly. "Wow, yeah I'd have to say that's definitely a new one," she replied sarcastically, an action Sachiko apparently didn't pick up on.

"Yeah well, I'm going to make him pay for what he did to me."

The girl looked down at the table, her bangs falling over her eyes. For the first time Ukyo sensed something unfriendly about the girl. When she first entered she had seemed so chipper and easy going, but now she saw the same blood thirst she had felt towards Ranma all those years. For some reason she was drawn to that. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened?" she asked while serving the girl her okonomiyaki.

"Well, actually, it was the guy and his father. You see, they talked my father, who was totally against the idea, into arranging us to be married. I guess I sort of helped them out there though. This boy was just so sweet." She grew distant and mournful at the memory. "He said he loved me." She paused for a moment in reflection before shaking her head so that her hair fell behind her shoulders. All the guys began to drool while watching her hair cascade down her back, and one even fell out of his chair. Ukyo rolled her eyes in response to the stupidity of the boys, rejecting the thought that she might be feeling a little jealous. Sachiko continued her story. "Anyway, my father eventually figured out that they were just crooks and that they were planning on taking off with all of daddy's fortune and leaving me behind. I didn't believe him though. I told him that this boy would never do that to me, that he loved me." She stopped then and took a bite of her okonomiyaki.

"So what happened?" Ukyo asked anxiously.

Sachiko sighed. "Well, lets just say I was wrong. Anyway, after he left daddy was devastated. And of course, I was heartbroken. So I swore my revenge and have been following him ever since."

Ukyo couldn't help thinking that dejah vu thing Ryoga was talking about was contagious. For some reason Ukyo felt for the girl. Sachiko had been through the same kind of thing she had. It was like they shared an immediate bond. She thought for a moment before coming to a decision. "Hey, look, like I said before, Nerima's not the place for some girl to be out on her own, and my roommate Konatsu's going to be out of town for a while. How about you just stay with me while you're in town?"

"What are you crazy? After the story I just told you? Don't you think I'm insane?"

"Yeah well, I can relate believe it or not."

"Really? What do you mean?"

"Well, it's a long story, I'll tell you about it later okay? The spare room's right up the stairs over there and to the right. Just make yourself at home."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, sure. Why not. And besides, if you try to kill me in the middle of the night or something it'll be good practice for me. Been a while since I had a good fight."

"Wow, people in Nerima sure are friendly."

"No, people in Nerima are insane, which is why I'm going to have to insist you stay here."

"Well, okay then. Wow. I don't know what to say! Thank you so much!"

"No problem."

The girl picked up her bag and made for the spare room Ukyo had indicated. "Oh, and if there's anything I can help you with, like with the cooking or anything just let me know. I was a pretty good cook before the whole you know swearing my life to revenge thing."

Ukyo laughed. "Okay then, I'll hold you to that." Sachiko laughed and disappeared up the stairs. Ukyo smiled to herself as she continued to cook. "Well, this should keep me entertained for a while." She looked around at her full restaurant and smiled. "Be good for business too."

* * * *

~…Stranger,

Could I have known you once before?

Though implausible it must be so

For I feel I've known you forever

Though logic tells me no…~

* * * *

Sunday Night

"Phew! I'm exhausted," Ukyo exclaimed to Sachiko. The two of them were sitting around one of Ukyo's tables. After Sachiko had unpacked, she had come down to help Ukyo, and the two had a great time, serving Ukyo's crowded restaurant together. When the last customer had left, the two had sat down and Ukyo told Sachiko all about Ranma, as promised. Sachiko had trouble containing her laughter as Ukyo recounted some of the more ridiculous stories, and the girl was so high-spirited that Ukyo found her laughter contagious.

"Yeah, I'm tired too. Here, I'll make you some tea," Sachiko said, standing up.

"Oh no, that's fine."

"Oh please, it's the least I can do. I promise you'll like it," Sachiko said pulling some herbs from her pocket and walking over to the stove to heat some water. "It's an old family recipe. Besides I want some myself. Seems I can't sleep without a good cup of tea these days."

Ukyo gave in and nodded, although it didn't make much difference, considering Sachiko had already started.

"So when are the two of you getting married?" Sachiko finally asked from across the room.

Ukyo's frowned. "I um, well, I'm not sure really."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's a little complicated."

"How so?"

Ukyo fiddled with her hands in an awkward manner. "He um, he sort of has another fiancé."

Sachiko paused slightly. "Really?"

Ukyo sighed. "Actually he has three other fiancé's."

"What? Three?" Sachiko shouted in surprise almost dropping the two teacups in her hands.

"Well, one of them isn't really his fiancé. But she seems to think she is."

"And the other two?" Sachiko asked eagerly.

"They're more or less official. Kodachi, she's just kind of in love with Ranma so she claims him as hers. But the other two actually have some kind of claim. First there's Shampoo, she's a Chinese Amazon, and well, Ranma beat her in combat and apparently the Amazon laws dictate that now she has to marry him. Then there's Akane. She's actually his primary fiancé. They were engaged before they were even born by their stupid fathers. But they hate each other. They're constantly fighting.

"Akane... Hmm... What's she look like?" Sachiko asked. Ukyo looked at her, somewhat confused by the relevance of the question. "I mean is she cute at all?"

"Akane? Well, she has sort of short hair and is just a little shorter than me. I don't know. I guess she's kind of cute. But Ranma doesn't think so. He's always calling her un-cute. I'm the cute fiancé," Ukyo said with a smile. "That's what Ranma-honey says."

"Ah, how sweet. Sounds like you guys are the perfect couple. That is if it wasn't for the other girls."

"Yeah, I know. But Ranma doesn't love any of them. So I'm sure we'll get married, just as soon as he can figure out some way to break it off with the other girls."

Sachiko sat down with the two cups. "Oh, right I'm sure he will," she said, sounding only the slightest bit skeptical. Ukyo pretended not to notice. "Anyway, here you go."

Ukyo looked at the tea closely. She watched Sachiko as she took a sip, just to be sure.

Sachiko set down the cup and looked up at Ukyo. "Well?" Sachiko watched Ukyo expectantly as she lifted the cup. Just as she raised the cup to her lips, Ukyo began to notice something and her eyes grew wide. However, Sachiko was still watching her so she took a drink.

She sat still then with the cup poised just below her lips, with a far off expression.

"Ukyo?" Sachiko asked cautiously. "What is it?"

Ukyo blinked and shook her head. "I-I don't know," Ukyo muttered, confused. She noticed Sachiko looking at her in concern and smiled to reassure her. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Sachiko breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay then. What do you think of the tea?"

"Oh! Right!" Ukyo took another sip and tested the flavor. "Wow! That's delicious!"

Sachiko smiled in delight. "See, didn't I tell you? I knew you'd like it. And it'll help you to sleep better."

"What's in it anyway?"

"Ah, ah, ah," Sachiko tsked, wagging her finger. "I can't tell you that, it's a family secret."

Ukyo smiled. "Fine then, I won't tell you the secret to my okonomiyaki."

The two laughed and continued to talk for a while, but Ukyo couldn't help feeling a little uneasy about something, although she couldn't figure out what it was. After the two had went to bed, Ukyo immediately fell into a dreamless sleep, and her uneasiness disappeared completely.

* * * *

~…I used to deny the truth

I pretended not to know

That you didn't love me

While I loved you so…~

* * * *

Day 4: Monday, Noon

Ukyo entered the classroom with her lunch and found a rather unusual sight. At the back of the room, not so far away from Akane's usual friends, sat Ranma and Akane, eating their lunches as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Ukyo was a little daunted but made her way over to the unusual pair anyway.

"Hey, Ranma-honey, Akane!" she smiled brightly.

Both of them looked up. "Oh hey Ucchan," Ranma said. They didn't appear either disturbed or relieved by her interruption. They were simply… neutral.

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Oh not much," Ranma began, chatting cheerfully. "Just this movie we saw yesterday. You know, that new one that just came out? It's really good, you should go see it."

Ukyo blinked as she processed two things. First of all, Akane and Ranma didn't have a legitimate reason to sit together other than enjoying each other's company, and second, the more important of the two thoughts, they had gone on a date without being forced or hating each other the next day. She had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't having a dream of the nightmarish type.

"Y-You two went out together? Like on a date?" She asked choking out the last word.

Akane frowned at the question and looked at Ranma, waiting to hear his answer. Ranma looked a little fidgety but still managed to answer simply.

"Nah, it was nothing like that. We just went together as friends." Akane only seemed half satisfied by his answer. "But really Ukyo, you should go see it. Very good movie. Right Akane?"

"Hmm?" Akane jumped slightly snapping out of her thoughts. Ukyo frowned wondering what she had been thinking about. "Oh! Um yeah, it was good," she replied lamely.

"Oh, well thanks. Maybe I'll go see it with my new roommate." Ukyo responded, remembering what she had wanted to tell Ranma in the first place.

"Roommate?" Akane and Ranma asked in unison while blinking curiously.

"Damn," Ukyo thought while looking at the mirrored inquisitive looks on their faces. "This is creepy."

"Yeah, she came to my restaurant last night and needed a place to stay so I offered. Her name's…"

"Akane!" came the gleeful shout of Akane's friend Yuka as she rushed over. "Akane!"

"What is it?" Akane asked the overly excited girl.

"Come quick, Tori just left with Sayuri. I think he's going to ask her out! Let's go watch!" Akane and Ranma exchanged knowing glances and rolled their eyes.

"Excuse me. I'll see you later Ranma. Bye Ukyo," Akane said as she stood up to leave.

Ranma lightly grabbed her wrist. "Hey, wait a sec," Ranma said pulling her back down. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Akane started to smile as he talked and laughed slightly when he was done and hit him lightly on the head.

"Dummy," she said playfully. "Kay, got to go. Later!" she called as she exited the room with her friend.

Ranma watched her for a moment. Ukyo felt as if her heart was beginning to crack more and more with every second his eyes lingered on her retreating form. Finally he turned back to Ukyo.

"Anyway, you were saying?"

"I- uh don't quite remember."

"About your roommate? How long is she staying for?"

"Oh right, um, I'm not sure really. She's really nice though, and so cheerful! Not to mention cute. Her hanging around is going to be great for business."

"Sounds just like you."

Ukyo blushed taking his comment as a compliment but frowned at the truth of the statement. "Maybe in more ways than one."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she came to Nerima to track down her ex-fiancé to get revenge."

Ranma stiffened. "You-you didn't tell her my name, did you?"

Ukyo rolled her eyes. "Oh please! Don't tell me you have another fiancé out there somewhere!"

"Well, you never know with pops!"

"Yeah well, the odds of that are highly unlikely, don't you think?"

"I suppose…"

"Besides, I told her about you last night, and she didn't act like she knew you or anything."

Ranma visibly relaxed. "That's good. The last thing I need right now is another rival or another fiancé."

"Rival! That reminds me. There was someone else that came into my restaurant yesterday. It was this guy that came in and got in a fight with Ryoga. They knew each other from China or something. You know anything about that?"

"No, I don't think so. I didn't really know about Ryoga until he came to Nerima. What's the guy look like?"

"Well, he's definitely the type of person you'd remember. He was wearing Chinese clothes like you; only they were black with gold trim. And he wore a gold headband as well. Then he had really dark black hair."

"What's so significant about all that?"

"Well, it's not so much his looks, but this incredibly dark aura that seemed to surround him. It was so unsettling."

Ranma laughed. "Well, once again, you're not giving me much to go on. We live in Japan, most people do have black hair, and clothes are changed quite frequently. And I've fought plenty of people with evil auras and such. Of course I always beat them anyway."

Ukyo rolled her eyes ignoring Ranma as he swelled with pride. "Okay, granted, but that's not all. The weirdest thing about him was his eyes. They were framed by some kind of tattoo or something made up of these five dots going around the rim below each eye. But the eyes themselves were the strangest thing about him. They were as black as his hair only there were golden flecks in them. I can't say I've ever seen eyes like that before. If they hadn't been filled with such anger they would have been so beautiful."

Ranma suddenly grew interested. "Really? And it was a guy right?"

"Um, yeah."

"You positive?"

"Of course I am! I used to dress like a guy myself, remember? I can definitely tell if a guy's really a girl, even if she is cross dressing." Ranma seemed to accept her response. "Why do you ask Ranma?" His questions had peaked her interest.

"Oh, it's nothing really. I just sort of knew a girl like that once. With the eyes I mean."

Ukyo suddenly shivered. It felt as if she should be remembering something, but couldn't. Something was buried in the back of her mind. Just as she thought she had almost remembered what it was, the bell rang, shattering her concentration.

Ranma sighed. "Well, time for class," he said as he stood to make his way towards his seat.

"Ranma," Ukyo began nervously. "I… Just wanted to know… About you and me…" she glanced up at Ranma who was looking over to where Akane had just reentered the room with her friends and Tori. Tori was walking next to a blushing Sayuri, but he kept looking at Akane as she talked. Ranma was frowning and paying very little attention to Ukyo. "Ranma?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Ukyo. Look, I just remembered something I need to tell Akane before class starts. I'll talk to you later," he said as he quickly moved over to Akane.

"Oh, yeah. No problem," she said more to herself than to Ranma since he was already out of earshot. "Not like I had anything important to ask. Just wanted to know how you felt about me." She sighed and made her way to her assigned seat, not wanting to admit to herself that her question had just been answered, even though she hadn't gotten the chance to ask it.

* * * *

~…Who are you,

Stranger that's entered my life

From where do I know you?

Are you the one I've been hiding from?

For so long…~

* * * *

Monday Afternoon

"I don't see what the big deal is," Ranma muttered as he and Akane walked home from school. "I mean what's so great about that Tori guy anyway?"

Akane rolled her eyes. "You're not still jealous, are you?"

"I'm not jealous!" he shouted. "I just hate those smug, flirty types."

"You're just upset because he stood up to you and you're used to everyone at school being afraid of you."

"I am not!"

Akane giggled. "Oh come on Ranma, he's not that bad. He's pretty nice once you get to know him, and I have to admit, he does have really nice eyes. And he… Ranma?" Akane turned around as she noticed Ranma had stopped walking. "What is it?"

Ranma looked uncertain for a moment. "I uh, just remembered I have to do something."

"Oh, okay. Well, do you want me to go with you?"

"No, that's okay. You go on ahead. I'll be home in a little while." He noticed her looking a little uncertain and smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to beat up Tori or anything. See ya in a bit," he said waving as he began to run off down the street.

Akane stood in the street hesitating for a moment. "Come on Akane, you trust him…" She bit her lip, watching his retreating form. "Ah who am I kidding," she said to herself as she began to run after him.

As she reached the end of the street she cautiously peered around the corner and immediately spotted Ranma.

"He certainly didn't go very far," she muttered to herself. She watched as he slowly walked over to a mailbox. "What is he doing?" she asked herself as she watched him reach into his pocket and pull out a letter. He looked at it for a moment and then opened the flap of the mailbox, holding onto the letter for a while, reluctant to let it go. Finally he released it and breathed a sigh of relief. He shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking back towards the house. Akane began to feel guilty for not trusting him. She was about to hurry home as well, but then Ranma stopped walking and stood tensed.

"I know you're there," he said. "Come on out."

Akane cursed herself. "Dammit, he's going to be mad." She hung her head and began to step out of the shadows, but stopped short. At the same time someone else stepped out of an ally in front of Ranma. Akane gasped and dashed back behind the wall.

"I thought so," Ranma said. "You've been watching me for several days, haven't you?"

The boy laughed. "Impressive. I was sure you hadn't noticed."

"Who are you?"

"I used to be called Yuri, but now I have no name."

"Okay then," Ranma said noting that the boy definitely had a few screws loose. "You're the one that picked a fight with Ryoga aren't you?"

"Yes."

"I thought so. What do you want from me then?"

"Many things. None of which you can grant. At least not willingly."

Ranma caught the drift of his meaning and dropped into a defensive stance in order to prepare for an attack. "Then come and get it."

The boy cocked an eyebrow. "We hadn't intended to fight you at this point, but since you insist." Without taking the time to prepare himself, he lunged forward to attack.

Unlike Ryoga, Ranma was not caught off guard. As the boy landed in front of Ranma, he threw his first attack, but Ranma dodged to the side and spun around with a high round house kick to the face. It would have been a simple, yet perfectly executed counter, but the boy was not there to receive it. At the last moment he ducked underneath Ranma's leg, and came up inside of Ranma's defense with an uppercut to his jaw, which Ranma did not block.

"Ranma!" Akane called, running out from around the corner. Her concern faded, as she realized why Ranma hadn't bothered to block. He was only thrown backwards a short distance, and managed to land on his feet.

Ranma slackened his stance and smiled. "If you want my advice," he taunted, "Work on your strength. Your forms good enough but there's very little force behind your moves. Until you get a little stronger, don't waste my time."

The boy chuckled. "The lack of strength is of no fault of my own."

Ranma raised his eyebrow. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't care to go into all the details. Apparently someone isn't quite ready to hurt you though. Let's just leave it at that." The boy's gaze drifted away from Ranma and towards Akane. "However, that person seems to have no discretion in regards to her."

Akane gulped as the boy's eyes settled on her. Even as Ranma moved to stand between them, she felt unsettled.

"You touch her and I'll kill you," Ranma said, his voice now dripping with anger.

The boy smiled. "I suppose you'll have to fight me then." The boy blurred as he attacked, but Ranma matched his pace and avoided the kick aimed for his face. They began to trade blows at a rapid pace. At first Ranma didn't concentrate on defense so much, choosing to take the majority of the boys hits, until the boy managed to land a strong punch to Ranma's stomach, causing him to double over. Ranma moved out of range to regain his composure and acknowledged the boy with surprise. "Why'd you suddenly get stronger?"

"You defended the girl."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Ranma asked.

The boy simply sneered and lunged at Ranma again. This time Ranma took his attacks less lightly and put effort into both dodging and attacking. Few of the boy's hits actually landed, whereas the majority of Ranma's hits made impact. Though it was clearly evident that the two were equally matched in speed, the boy had the advantage because while Ranma put a great deal of effort into defending himself, the boy rarely blocked any of Ranma's attacks. In addition, it was clear that the few hits that had gotten through Ranma's defense were taking their toll, while the numerous hits Ranma landed seemed to have a minimal effect on the other boy.

Akane watched the whole battle closely and began to grow even more worried. She always had great faith in Ranma, but the boy he was currently fighting didn't seem to be even the slightest bit affected by Ranma's attacks, and he wasn't even wearing out. Meanwhile, she could tell that the boy's hits were slowly dragging Ranma down. Then, suddenly, she noticed a change in Ranma's pattern of fighting. The boy grew pleased as more of his punches managed to get through Ranma's defenses, oblivious to Ranma's true intentions. The only reason Akane noticed the spiral was because she had seen Ranma use the Hiryu Shouten Ha numerous times in the past.

Akane smiled as she saw Ranma nearing the center of the spiral. "Just a few more steps," she thought. "3… 2…" Just before Ranma reached the center, the boy happened to glance over at Akane. Instantly, Akane realized the mistake she had made by showing her confidence. Quickly the boy looked back to the fight, and realizing his position quickly jumped into the air landing on the fence.

Ranma spun around to face him still tensed, but the boy no longer appeared to be interested in fighting. "I guess I underestimated you," the boy said. Ranma didn't say anything, trying to hide his astonishment that the boy had avoided one of his greatest moves. A clap of thunder was heard overhead, and the boy looked up and frowned. "I suppose we're finished then." He then made direct eye contact with Ranma. "For now at least." Akane felt chills crawling down her spine. Then the boy looked directly at her and she froze, feeling his eyes reaching directly into her soul, and somehow, she couldn't move. The boy fixed her with an icy stare for several moments before another clap of thunder was heard and he broke his gaze. He turned and dashed away, quickly disappearing.

* * * *

~…Why return to me now

Just when the world makes sense to me again

Just when I learn to trust someone else

Someone that reminds me so much of you…~

* * * *

Immediately Akane collapsed to the ground breathing heavily. Ranma quickly rushed over to her. "Akane, you okay?"

She gasped for breath and nodded shakily. "I'm fine just… just…" she searched for an explanation for what she was feeling but quickly gave up on finding one.

Fortunately she didn't need to. Ranma nodded his head. "Yeah, I know what you mean." He bent down and began to pick her up. "Come on, I'm taking you to Doctor Tofu's clinic."

Akane shook her head and pushed him aside. "No, really, it's okay. I'm fine. Besides, you're the one that should be seeing the Doctor Tofu."

"What me? Nah, I'm fine," he laughed, and Akane smiled seeing that he was acting like his normal, confident self. "Come on, at least let me help you up." He offered his hand and she took it, letting him pull her to her feet. "Can you walk?"

"I told you, I'm fine!" She glanced over at him. "What about you? You sure you're alright?" He began to respond but she cut him off. "The truth."

He stopped mid-sentence and sighed. "That guy landed some good hits. Nothing serious though. I'll be fine by tomorrow." Just then there was another clap of thunder overhead and a few light drops began to fall from the sky. Ranma looked up. "Ah man! Now it's going to rain! Come on Akane," he grabbed her arm and pulled her over to the side of a building under an awning, just as the rain began to pick up. In a few moments it was pouring. "Well, guess we're going to have to wait it out then. It's really coming down."

Akane merely nodded. "Ranma?" she asked after a few moments.

"Hmm?"

"I just wanted to say thank you."

"For what?"

She looked straight at him, with a look of genuine gratitude. "For always protecting me."

"Hey," Ranma said in a serious voice, looking straight down at her. "You don't have to thank me for that. There's no way I'm ever going to let anyone hurt you."

Akane blushed and looked down at the ground. "And I'm sorry I was following you."

Ranma chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I knew you were following me."

Akane looked up in surprise. "You did?"

Ranma laughed again. "Yeah, you're pretty obvious, you know?"

She glared at him. "Why didn't you tell me if you knew I was there?"

"What, and miss the fun of having you rush home before me?"

"You jerk," she said, hitting him lightly in the arm.

"OW!" Ranma screamed, wincing in pain.

"Oh! Sorry!"

"It's alright, just a little sore there," he said, whimpering slightly.

"Uh huh. Sure. I thought you were fine?"

"I am! Just as long as I don't move too much."

Akane laughed lightly, but something was still bothering her. "You think he'll come back?"

"I don't know."

"Aren't you worried?"

"Who me? Nah."

"But Ranma, he didn't seem to feel pain."

"Yeah, I know," he said, sounding a little more serious. "And I can't figure out why he was holding back at first. It didn't seem like he was pulling anything." He shook his head. "I just don't know." Then he realized that Akane was still looking at him in concern. "But hey, don't worry about it. If he shows up again, I'm sure I can take him."

Akane rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "He's just as confident as always," she thought.

"Aren't you going to ask about the letter?" Ranma asked after a brief moment of silence.

Akane shook her head. "It's none of my business," she said. "If you want to tell me about it I'm sure you'll tell me when you're ready. I'm not going to say I trust you completely, because if I did I wouldn't have followed you. But I'm trying to."

Ranma nodded, thinking for a moment. "Alright then. This weekend. We can go out to dinner or something and I'll tell you all about it."

"Are you sure? You don't have to..."

"Hey, if you can trust me, then I can trust you," Ranma said, cutting Akane off. "That's fair, don't you think?"

"I suppose so, but…"

"Okay then. End of conversation. Anyway, look, it stopped raining. Ha! I can't believe I made it through that whole thing without getting wet!" He began to laugh until suddenly the awning ripped directly over his head and a ton of water fell directly on him. Suddenly Akane found she was the one laughing. "It's not funny!"

"Yes it is! Come on, you have to admit, you did ask for it."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on, let's head home. I feel the sudden urge to take a really long bath."

Akane laughed and muttered some kind of response, but Ranma wasn't listening anymore. He suddenly sensed something. However, all was quiet and he figured it must have just been his imagination. Yet, he couldn't help wondering about the strange boy. "Why?" he asked himself. "Why is this guy that I've never met before trying to fight me and Ryoga?"

"Because," whispered a voice drifting in the wind. "Because I knew you once before."

"Ranma?" Akane asked when she noticed he had stopped moving and was standing completely still, looking around curiously. "What is it Ranma?"

"Huh? I uh, don't know." He paused to listen for a moment but then shook his head and gave up. "Guess it's nothing. Come on, let's go home."

* * * *

~…Ultimately bad timing

Just when everything's going right

I've finally forgotten you

Don't return, my memories…~

* * * *

End of Chapter 2

A/N: Confused? Good, it's not supposed to make sense yet. But it'll all be revealed in good time.

Just a few notes. First of all, Sachiko does that annoying anime/manga thing where she goes around with her eyes closed all the time. I have no idea how to write this delicately into the story so I figured I'd just mention it here.

I'm not really an Ukyo fan. I mean I don't dislike her character at all, but I'm just not as obsessed with her as some people on the internet. So anyway, I'm doing my best trying to write her character accurately. As far as Ryoga's curse goes, I'm aware that many debate whether or not Ukyo knows about it or not. There's no evidence either way in the manga or anime that Ukyo does know about it, at least not that I know of, so therefore I tend to figure it can go either way in a story. In this story she doesn't know about it. However, I don't think that's really going to be important to the actual plot. Also, I know very little about Konatsu and figured he'd kind of get in the way of my story so I just decided to leave him out.

Like I said at the end of Chapter 1, I'm trying to show the progression of Ranma and Akane's relationship, so though it may look like they're a little bit out of character, I look at it more as their relationship is just changing.

Anyway, sorry if this chapter wasn't as good as the previous one. It sets the stage for what's to come though. Hope I've caught your interest!

Coming Soon: Chapter 3: The Face in My Dreams