SHE'S ALL ALONE
Out On The Ice
Disclaimer: As you know, I don't own Takahashi-sama's wonderful characters. All I own are two clothes pegs and a pair of underpants.
We're still in the early stages of the fic, so this may mislead you into thinking that the atmosphere is still good with the characters. However, this will start changing by next chapter, and even at the end of this one.
Trust me, something will hit the fan, and believe me, it doesn't smell good…a hint. There is a VIOLENT scene in this part.
* * * *
Mommy, I don't want to go!
Ukyo-dear, you said this was the journey that you and your father were going to embark on. It's important that you do this to spread the name of your father's business…
But why? I'm only 5!
Following in your father's footsteps is the way you've wanted isn't it? This is a great way to do that!
But…what about you mommy?
I'll be fine dear. Don't worry…
MOMMY!
Ukyo sat up in the cave, wiping off the beads of sweat from her face, with it mostly from the dream more than sleeping in a hollowed up volcano cave.
He felt a bit of pain in her chest. Collapsing after doing that…
Hey, she did do it!
A bit of pain was always a sacrifice, as Ukyo knew. She shifted her position so that the small bits of rock were removed, and making sure her straps to bind her chest were still in place.
'You jackass. You didn't have to collapse like that…'
She still felt heavy. That training was brutal, and that was the easiest stage. She was no where near in mastering ki yet, but she was on the right track.
She'd have to tell Master Yo when he came, and thank him…
A stomach grumbled.
Ukyo scowled. She realised that she hadn't eaten anything in a couple of days, well, anything filling.
She had been busy simply doing that technique, pretty much zoning herself from the world.
Well, she had to get some grub.
Heading outside the cave, a small smile hit her lips. All of a sudden…
…she knew how she could repay the master.
* * * *
The night had been an interesting one for the matriarch for the Amazons.
Whilst Shampoo and Mu Mu were sleeping, the Amazon had been awake in thought.
Cologne had an interesting conversation with Nabiki. She had been informed (after she'd paid the necessary fee) that indeed Ukyo had told them and set up details with the restaurant. As the owner, she was still entitled to the profits, but it was obvious Ukyo didn't really care, as she only went for 10% into her account, whilst Nabiki and Kasumi split the rest (Nabiki obviously getting more).
However, what Nabiki hadn't told Ranma was that Ukyo had mentioned something on a journey, and whilst didn't mention specific places, one of them took an interest.
'I might head to China. Heck, maybe I'll go to Jusynenko."
That was interesting. Nabiki had made a crack about Ukyo going to spring of drowned man so that she and Ranma matched, but Cologne never heeded the young Tendo's humour and politely left the restaurant.
Cologne had an excellent talent for reading abilities of a martial artist. When Ryoga was learning the bakusai-tenketsu, she knew the boy had potential, and was probably just as good as Ranma, but with different strengths to son-in-laws. Ranma had so much potential, she knew that Shampoo had chosen good…or got lucky. Amazon's tend to do that. Shame about the cat thing…
Because of her many years of martial arts experience, she was a master at the young age of 18, 8 decades later and her skills were probably even stronger. Her great-grandaughter was the strongest girl of the Amazon village, her aura was cool and calm, unless son-in-law was involved, she could finish a fight quickly with an acupuncture technique and was as nimble as a Chinese acrobat. However, her one weakness was that she figured that was it. Since working at the Cat-Café, Shampoo had never really trained in mastering anything more advanced, even when she saw the Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken. Shampoo had never expressed an interest, because she felt that her 'rivals' were no match for her.
Which may be true…for now. Akane Tendo was weaker, slower and not as skilled as Shampoo…now. Akane was an heir to son-in-laws' dojo as well, and she trained pretty much every day. And one of her trademarks like son-in-laws was when she was defeated in battle, she got better. She trained to get better, to get her pride back, no matter how many times son-in-law called her a gorilla or a mule…Cologne chuckled thinking maybe she could import some Jusyenko spring of drowned gorilla water for Akane…
She hadn't seen her much, but Shampoo had told her of the 'ribbon-girl' Kodachi. Her skill was gymnastics and using weapons, similar to Mousse, but without Mousse's hand to hand skills. Cologne was pretty sure Shampoo was stronger than Kodachi, so wasn't really worried about her.
But Ukyo…she was a Pandora's box.
Cologne had suspected that her heart may have been broken after the wedding. In a lot of ways, she did seem similar to Ryoga in that respect. As far as a martial artist, Ukyo was intriguing. Like Kodachi, she specialised in using weapons, and had deadly aim with her spatulas. However, Cologne was unsure about her hand-to-hand skills. If they disarmed her, Cologne again was sure that Shampoo could beat her.
However, Cologne also suspected that Ukyo had gone to train.
It wouldn't surprise her. It might be the best way to fix a broken heart.
And Cologne was worried.
The one time when son-in-law was working for Ucchan's, Cologne was working in the Cat-Café, and Shampoo had a spring in her step. She didn't see anything much different, apart from Ukyo being gone and Shampoo thinking she was gone forever.
And then for a moment, she felt it.
Power.
Battle aura, kinetic energy. Something none of the other rivals had. Shampoo and Akane could use their auras in rage or coldness, but none had successfully used it in battle.
And for a second, Cologne had shuddered.
Tonight, Cologne was thinking. Maybe she should go and try to find out where she was…
…it would make things more interesting though if she did return.
With a sly chuckle, Cologne decided to go to sleep, resisted the temptation to beat Mu Mu with her cane, thinking that life could become very different.
She'd have no idea how right she was…
* * * *
It was still hard to get mad at him.
However, that didn't mean he couldn't get mad.
And right now, Konatsu was on the verge of crying. He hadn't seen or heard from Ukyo since she left, and despite the welcoming company of Nabiki and especially Kasumi, it still felt a hole in his heart had gone.
And after yesterday, things couldn't get worse.
It did.
"Hmm…so this Mikado fellow has sent an invitation for you then?" Nabiki said.
Konatsu didn't say anything, but nodded. Nabiki read through the letter again, and realised it indeed sounded familiar to her. Something that Akane and Ranma did not too long after Ranma had arrived on their doorstep.
"Hmmm…interesting." Nabiki said to herself as Kasumi put the kettle on for a few teas. Konatsu pretty much ran it with Kasumi in the mornings, and despite how dense she appeared, Kasumi noticed the little things. And the step in his stride had lost half a step.
All because of this letter.
"To the lovely chef who I didn't get to apologise to yesterday…'
'If you and a friend/partner of your choice come to the Kowaltz Skating Arena at 6.00pm this day, I shall gladly apologise to you personally.'
Sincerely,
Mikado Sanzenin, one half of the Golden Pair of Martial-Arts Figure Skating.'
Nabiki had a few ideas in her head, but first, she decided to call in the experts. (Then a possible troupe to put some bets on…)
"I don't believe it! Doesn't he even know you're a guy?" Akane said, as Ranma had the decency to look a bit embarrassed. Mikado had kissed him (In female form) before, so what Akane was saying did sting a bit to his pride.
"Just don't go." Ranma said.
"I don't think it's that simple Ranma-san…this is like a challenge, and I feel as a martial artist I have to accept all challenges…" Konatsu said.
Ranma sighed. That sounded like something his father would say, one of his rules of the Anything Goes school (which was probably made up). However, Konatsu's pride as a ninja seemed to come into play.
And even Ranma couldn't really hate the guy. He sighed.
"O.K, how's about I join you?"
Konatsu looked on in admiration. The Tendo's facefaulted (except Kasumi, she was too nice to do that).
"Ranma…your skating skills aren't exactly…" Akane said.
"Oh, don't worry Akane. Those two aren't anything to worry about." Ranma said in his cocky attitude.
Akane sighed. "Dummy…"
"With all respect Saotome, Mikado and Azusa are skating champions, and you…well, the less said the better…and Konatsu, can you skate?"
Konatsu shook his head. Nabiki should have known. Konatsu had been deprived for so long, he probably didn't even know what skating was.
Nabiki put her hand on her younger sister's shoulders. "Akane-chan, do you mind helping these two before Mikado does something he can really regret?"
Akane shuddered. "Nabiki-onéchan, I don't think I can teach Konatsu to skate in just two hours…"
Nabiki smiled. "That's where I think you're wrong. Unless Stone Saotome over there…"
Ranma sweatdropped.
"…Konatsu's skills probably are perfect for the ice. It should be O.K with him, I'd probably be more worried about Ranma…and the fact that they are going to be a team."
"But Nabiki-san, what about the shop?"
Nabiki sighed. It wasn't in her nature, but Konatsu was Konatsu. And besides, Tuesday's seemed to be slowest anyway, closing a bit early wouldn't hurt. Plus Kasumi could handle the cooking duties anyway.
"Don't worry about it." Nabiki said.
Konatsu smiled and bowed to Nabiki, before doing it once to Kasumi and then to Akane and Ranma. Akane chuckled, not used to so much formality.
With that, a Tendo, a Saotome and a ninja left an okonomiyaki restaurant, to get some skating practice in.
Nabiki slyly smiled.
"Sanzenin, I don't think even you know what you're getting yourself into this time…"
* * * *
"O.K, an iced coffee then…coming right up…"
One of the boys gathered up the order for Yo's Tea Shop (which in reality was a small café, similar to the Nekohanten/Cat Café), knowing that the master was busy sorting out ingredients for his oriental flavours which made the master just as much a legend as his civil war days.
The crowd was only about half full, but that didn't matter. This wasn't really for the money, because the training regime for Yo Sensei was pretty much the main reason anyone came to the shop.
Inside, Yo was busy collecting ingredients. He was smiling as he was thinking about the girl in the cave.
He felt her spirit was something that was unlike any other students. He knew a few resented that a Japanese girl was getting treatment ahead of his students for many years. However, no one questioned his decision, because Yo knew all.
He knew that she had done the first task. However, could she…
He was interrupted by an unusual shout.
"What's that delicious smell?"
Yo knew that there was dishes here, but they were basic Chinese meals, ramen, vegetables, duck's heads, whilst nice, didn't exactly give that kind of reaction.
Curious, Yo popped his head around the corner…
…to see his customers leave the tea shop!
At first Yo was surprised, and even a little upset, until he heard…
"Okonomiyaki Ucchans, now part of the Yo Tea Room! Help yourselves everyone!"
The girl?
A few of the Chinese boys had also gone outside, also seemingly upset that the girl was taking over the yard…but perhaps after they heard what she said, they weren't so mad after all.
That…and they had taken a bite of their first okonomiyaki, a free piece offering that the girl had said.
The crust was firm, crunchy and golden brown. The middle, warm, fluffy. The sauce, delicious, home-made. The fillings, whether it was pork, beef, vegetable, salmon, it was delicious, no question about it.
If there was any more doubts about the girl, it was stopped there.
Yo himself, had a crafty smile on his old face. "She's something else…"
With that, he came in view (to the surprise of many of his customers and even his staff) and ordered one for himself.
"Of course sensei." She said and handed him a vegetable one. With gratitude, Yo sampled it…and then some more…and more…
"He's hooked." Gen said, with a little bitterness which wasn't noticed.
The others however, were entranced.
Ukyo smile was beaming, as she was back in her element, and it was something most of the boys hadn't really picked on before.
She was beautiful.
The guys held in their blushes, wishing that they had no wrong thoughts about her now. She was only helping in her own way, and to pay back for what the master had done.
For Ukyo, it was just a normal day's work.
And she loved it.
Whilst no longer with Ranchan, it was still her element. She made a note to call Nabiki to see how her restaurant was doing…
Unknown to her, whilst her restaurant was fine, one of her workers may not be…
* * * *
"Well Ranma, it seems at least your skull is still as thick as ever…" Akane said with a shrug.
Saotome groaned as he realised there was a flaw to the old saying 'It's just like riding a bike'…
On the other hand…
"Akane-san, Arigatou!"
Konatsu, whilst his choice of costume had something to be desired, was obviously having a time of his life. Akane couldn't help but smile at Konatsu, skating around perfectly.
He probably took like Mu Mu to springs on the ice with his skills, but happiness and enjoyment were the key factors to the rink. Konatsu had been so deprived in life that even something like a sand pit would be luxury, never mind an ice rink.
He reminded Akane of the first time she and Kasumi went to the ice rink with their late mother. Kasumi herself was an excellent skater, and Akane remembered Kasumi teaching her the basics, before time continued and Akane relished every time she got to learn with her mother and her eldest sister.
Sadly, after her mother died, Kasumi ceased going to the ice rink to pretty much become the 'wife' of the family. Akane made a promise to take Kasumi to the rink one day in the future.
However, that fun couldn't last.
"Well, well, if it isn't the lovely Akane Tendo…"
Akane grunted and scowled, showing that Mikado's opening line had about as much effect on her than Happosai trying to be humble.
Mikado, obviously realising that Akane was star-struck by his appearance that she couldn't fathom a reply, decided that a personal greeting had to be offered to make his entrance known.
Of course, he forgot about a pissed off Ranma there…and got a boot to his perfect face for his trouble.
"That will be the first…and late time you do that." Mikado said.
On the other hand, Azusa was seriously annoying Konatsu.
"That charm is so CUTTE! Angelica! Angelica!" she made a grab for Konatsu's charm.
If it was anything else, Konatsu might have thrown it to her just to shut her up. Konatsu had lived with so little, that nothing couldn't really bother her.
But the charm…
(FLASHBACK)
Konatsu had found the letter to Ukyo's leaving, and was crying…but missed out the last part.
P.S : Konatsu, if you're reading this, I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I'm sure Kasumi would help you much better than I could. Here's a present for you, just to say sorry.
On the bottom was a small charm bracelet, with a small white stone, like diamond in the centre. It obviously wasn't diamond, but Konatsu didn't care.
*END FLASHBACK*
Konatsu had never taken it off since he got it, and this girl was pretty much demanding he would give away his prized possession.
Konatsu however didn't want to hurt the girl. Azusa kept getting closer, and more annoyed.
"GIVE ME BACK MY ANGELICA!"
She created various weapons from hammer space, and if it wasn't for Konatsu's stealth like agility, it would have been rather nasty for the cross-dresser. Fortunately, Akane stepped in.
"Azusa, leave Konatsu alone! You've got to face hi…" Akane slyly smiled. "…her and Ranma now in a skating match for…er, what for?"
Mikado smiled. "Why, for the pleasure of taking a white rose into my company, what else…"
"Konatsu, just don't be sick…" Ranma said.
Konatsu was visibly paling, not really wanting to hear any of this. Despite his cross-dressing nature (although it was mainly because of how he was raised), he was probably the closest to innocent in Nerima as could be. And this, whilst not physically as bad as his life as a once in a generation pretty ninja, it was mentally making the poor boy's mind turn.
"Ranma-san…please…" Konatsu said.
"And give me back my Angelica!" Azusa chirped.
No referee was needed for this ice rink. It had been specially reserved by the Golden Pair.
"And whilst I'm here, Akane Tendo, give me back my Charlotte!" Azusa said.
"For pete's sake, he's MY P-Chan! Besides, I haven't seen him in weeks!"
Ranma sighed. He had no idea where Ryoga went…it was weird. In the past, both Ryoga and Ukyo had been problems for the young Saotome, in different ways, but in a weird way, he missed them both. Ryoga made life more interesting for Saotome and Ukyo…
Without warning, Mikado and Azusa went into their double team stance, whilst complete idiots and airheads, the two were a more than formibidle team in the ice-skating arena. Ranma could take them easily anywhere else, but on the rink, he had to respect their territory.
And he still didn't want to go for Azusa, so Ranma was going for Mikado. He hated making Konatsu the scapegoat, but he knew he could handle Mikado…
…and then he tripped.
"Baka." Akane sighed.
"Saotome, I don't think how it's possible, but your skating skills have gotten worse since we last faced. I might as well finish you quick…behold – Cormorant Swallow!"
"Uh oh…" Ranma based this wasn't good and got up ready to fend for himself…
…and Mikado bypast him and went for Konatsu.
"What?" Ranma said, but was struck from behind by Azusa…
Konatsu saw Mikado come towards him, and braced himself. He skated back, but Mikado was still the superior skater and couldn't keep up…
"Uh oh…Cormorant Swallow…that means…" Akane, always the brighter of the two fiancées, realised what he was up to…
"Konatsu, he's going to try and kiss you! Move!"
Konatsu didn't need to be asked twice. With dexerity which even Ranma was surprised, Konatsu bridged back, put his hands on the ice and with his right foot, slashed a skate blade at Mikado's open chest.
Mikado was surprised, and the powerful slash didn't connect fully, but the air of Konatsu's technique was almost as strong as if it did connect. Mikado held his chest protectivelly as Konatsu nipped up.
"KUNOICHI STEALTH STRIKE!"
Suddenly, Konatsu slid in with speed as quick as Mikado's Amaguriken technique and struck a punch through Mikado's guard in the chest. Mikado was stunned and stepped back, trying to see him.
"DANCE OF THE SWAN!"
However, Konatsu forgot about Azusa.
Azusa began figure skating on the same spot, and shreds of ice became a cloud of snow, blinding everyone.
The drawback with this technique…
"Where is that spirited filly?" Mikado said.
…partners can't see anything.
Ranma was finally trying to recover. He didn't need to use full strength on this two clowns, but he preferred to finish this quickly. The ice wasn't his home, and he intended to keep it this way.
Mikado aimed for the fences, seeing Saotome. Both called their moves at the same time.
"KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!"
"DANCE OF DEATH!"
The last time Ranma had been in this, Ranma had landed 518 punches on the fool…and that was BEFORE he learned the Amaguriken technique…
Akane knew instantly what was going to happen, and all she could think of was…
"This is going to hurt."
Indeed, Ranma let himself get caught in the dance, and whilst his endurance wasn't as good as Ryoga's, he was still tougher than before, and with the Amaguriken technique, this was a piece of…
Mikado quickly felt the blows glance and realised the same mistake. For once, he realised he was not invincible and quickly took a knee and slid out of danger.
Azusa got out of her Swan Lake dance, Konatsu to the air and somersaulting to where Ranma was. Mikado smiled.
"Oh, Saotome, are you taken with this one as well as Tendo too? Very well, we are going to have to foil this…"
"Uh oh…" Akane said.
Ranma quickly whispered to Konatsu about something, but for everyone else, Mikado and Azusa were getting ready to whirl…literally…
Azusa hopped onto Mikado's back and they skated towards them, intending to go for the Couple Cleaver, a.k.a, the Goodbye Whirl.
Which is great…except for one problem.
The fact that Ranma knew what they were going to do.
Just as Ranma and Konatsu skated towards them, Azusa jumped, ready to trip Ranma up…
…but Ranma wasn't there, he slipped to the side.
"HEY! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ESCAPE OUR FINISHING MOVE!" Mikado complained.
"Then allow me for you not to escape mine…"
Mikado turned to see Azusa way behind Konatsu, and the ninja chef speeding up to Mikado.
"Alas, has the girl realised her destiny is with me? Very well, I applaud your ideology with my simple blessing…" Mikado said.
"Kunoichi strike attack…Doppelganger Slash!"
Konatsu ran towards Mikado, Mikado intended the lass to jump into his arms. Well, he did jump…
…and looked like he had split into 5 people.
"What the…"
Mikado never put the pieces together, because Konatsu did the job for him. All 5 images slid in with one slash…and Konatsu reappeared behind him.
Mikado turned, smiled…and collapsed.
Konatsu sighed. "It's over…"
"Hmm…not bad." Ranma thought out loud.
Akane sighed. "Those dummies…Ranma knew all their moves, couldn't they at least do something different?"
Sadly, one of them didn't take that to heart.
"GIMME BACK MY ANGELICA!"
They forgot about Azusa….again.
As Konatsu's back was turn, the girl grabbed at the back of him, trying to strangle him with the chain of the charm…and Konatsu tried to struggle free…
…and it snapped.
The chain fell to the ice, and the stone smashed upon the pretty ice.
Azusa looked at the broken remains. "YOU…YOU BROKE MY ANGELICA! YOU'LL BE SORRY!" she raised her hammer, like she always did when someone did something to hurt anything that was cute.
What didn't normally happen was a cross-dressing ninja hit a punch in the mid-section of the irate girl.
"Konatsu!" Akane said, shocked.
"Hey man, what are y…" Ranma stopped.
But Konatsu had an expression that they hadn't seen before. It was so unlike the ninja to be like this, but it was.
He was pissed.
"You…you…you broke the one thing Ukyo-sama gave to me…YOU DESTROYED IT! HOW COULD YOU?" The tears fell from the heartbroken ninja, but a heartbroken face transformed into a vengeful face.
Azusa coughed, totally unprepared for the strike. Azusa turned to see Konatsu approaching. Even her ditzy head knew she was in trouble and tried to skate away…but Konatsu was on adrenaline and rage.
Konatsu grabbed her by the head and put a headlock on her, with one turn, he hit a chop to the side of her neck, knocking Azusa instantly unconscious. But he wasn't done…with that, he jumped, and smashed Azusa's pretty face into the ice.
"No…" Akane may not like Azusa, but this…this was not like Konatsu.
By this time, Mikado was also getting up. "My fair…maiden…what happened…"
Seeing Azusa on the floor was a surprised next to the remains of the shattered charm. Mikado did put two and two together, but made less than four.
"I guess my partner finally met her match. I apologise for her behalf for the destroyed charm, and as a token…"
Mikado didn't finish his winding speech, as a winding kick from a skate nearly took his head off, blood pouring from the open wound.
Konatsu's tears were flooding, as was his rage. "You bast…"
He stopped.
Ranma's fist caught him in the gut, and Konatsu collapsed on his shoulder.
"Akane, call a hospital for those two." Ranma said as he hoisted the ninja on his shoulder.
"Hai." Akane said, worried, nervous and scared. Konatsu had snapped, that she never thought could happen. He was sweet, kind and loyal. He never snapped.
Akane never thought about how much Konatsu may have missed Ukyo, but obviously, this day had been too much for the ninja.
With Ranma carrying Konatsu off, and Akane calling for an ambulance, somewhere in a cave, more developments were happening.
* * * *
"Well, my dear, you've seemed to have applied yourself incredibly well to the candle, and it seems you've have helped us in more other ways as well…" Yo explained outside the hollow cave.
Ukyo bowed. "I'm sorry that I didn't consult you about this, but I felt it was the best way to pay for all the hospitality you have given me since…"
Yo smiled. "It's not a problem. In fact, you've certainly been more than a help, you've been a pleasure to be round my girl."
Ukyo blushed from the praise. It always embarrassed her, like when anyone called her cute. Shame Ranchan wasn't here, no-one she had an excuse to hit over the head with her giant spatula…
"However, using kinetic energy to blow out candles is different from creating something to be used in battle. Now, you've seen other than myself, variations of kinetic attacks?" Yo said.
Ukyo nodded. "Yes. I've have friends and acqaintances use techniques revolving around that force of energy, and I myself felt myself doing something similar one time as well."
"I thought so." Yo nodded. "Your spirit was at it's highest when you could perform a ki attack, but I presume you've never done it again since that time."
Ukyo shook her head. "I did the attack not long after I completed some training to get my love of my work back. Since then, I don't think I really even tried to get to that level…"
"Again, as I thought. You're adreneline and spirit was at it's highest, because you were at your most confident. They are different kinds of ki my dear. Positive ki and negative ki, one comes with confidence and strength, the other with depression and destruction. Ki from courage, ki from bliss, ki for healing as I demonstrated. It depends on who can use it."
Yo lit a candle inside the cave as Ukyo sat opposite him cross legged, wondering what Yo was up to.
"Last time, you used the most basic form of energy to blow out a candle. This time, we're going one small step further."
Yo moved his arms in a crane stance, a bit too fast which surprised Ukyo, but she knew the man was concentrating, and decided not to voice any opinions for the moment.
Yo moved his arms from the crane stance together to merge his hands together in a fist. His hands slowly moved to the second unlit candle…
…and Ukyo saw the light emerged from his clenched hands.
Yo was breathing deep and chanting slightly, as he opened his hands…
To Ukyo, it was a sight she didn't think she'd see, never mind do, but the ancient sensei had a small ball of energy, no bigger than 2cm width and height, but he slowly guided the ball to the unlit candle…which went into flame.
"Sugoi!" Ukyo said silently as Yo opened his eyes and smile.
"This is the basic technique for all ki martial arts masters to learn. Do this, and you can increase the energy as much as you want depending on your state of mind, known around here as…well, the name is poor, but it's known as Kin-Ki."
Ukyo blushed out of embarrassment, but remained neutral.
"A small ball of energy can be amplified by the person using it. You may not know it, but during these last two days, you've gotten stronger simply with your training of the candle. Your endurance, concentration and poise are better. Using this will increase this things as well. But to totally strength ki practice, you need to increase your skills in speed, strength and agility as well."
Yo smiled.
"Tomorrow, 6.00am, meet me and my students at the Shaolin School I keep. I'll be waiting for you…no weapons, I want to see if you are just based on your style of martial art…or are you hiding more than you expect…"
Yo bowed to Ukyo as the Kansai girl bowed back and left the cave. Ukyo looked on, realising he hadn't actually told her how to use the technique.
Then she realised. This was something you learnt on your own inside your body.
"It depends on how strong I am…"
Ukyo turned back, looking at the two flickering candles and blew one of them out.
She would be there tomorrow morning, she was going to get stronger.
But she could give it a shot…right?
* * * *
Next chapter;
Ukyo enrols in the Shaolin School, and begins to notice slight resentment from the Chinese students. When one of them goes too far with a 'spar', how does Ukyo retaliate?
Dr. Tofu begins to span Konatsu's mind. What did make him snap? And just when the good doctor seems to give up, another helping hand is here…but her reasons may be more suspicious…
P-chan returns! Ryoga is still torn between Akane and Akari, but as he returns, he realises things are different. Is Ryoga still thinking about how to keep Akane happy, but also not marry Ranma?
* * * *
That's it for another chapter!
The positive vs. negative ki is a simple explanation based on the two different ki attacks demonstrated by Ranma and Ryoga. But which one will Ukyo fall into?
Kin-Ki…yes, stupid name, but I think Kin is a rough translation to 'Gold' so my poor translation is pretty much 'Gold' or 'Golden Life Force'.
Don't worry Ryoga fans, he's pretty much the second main character in this fic. He and Cologne play the big roles, although as you can see, I had fun with Konatsu as well. Konatsu is an underdeveloped character in the manga, so I decided to 'develop' him a bit, not just with giving him attacks, but also with a possible darker side to his sweet persona. That's what next chapter will be about, to scan the kind, yet tortured mind of this ninja chef.
Anyway, until next time!
