SHE'S ALL ALONE
Disclaimer: I don't own Takahashi-sama's wonderful characters. All I own are an eyepatch and an old hook saying 'Property of Long John Silver' on it.
Finally, I'm back to work on my Ranma ½ fic. I've been delayed thanks to my Mole project and recent chapters, but now I've caught up with everything, it's back down to business!
Last chapter, we left Ukyo with a victory in the Shaolin School, Cologne setting out on Konatsu's behalf and Akane with a mysterious letter from Ryoga. Shall we find out the answers?
Also, from now on when Ukyo uses a new technique, a description will be used about it. Last time, we saw two new moves by her, let's have a look…
Okonomiyaki Fist – The power of Ukyo's battle aura is channeled into her fist and acts like a fire punch. As long as she can build her aura and hold it, she can keep this energy into her fist and attack with it. She uses it to beat Gen in a 'dragon punch' like way, but she can use it as normal punches. How much damage would you think it would do if she learned the Amaguriken?
Argentine Backbreaker – Known as the Torture Rack in the US, this move is basically a submission move where the opponent is caught on the soulders and are being strecthed across them. It requires impressive strength to do this. Ukyo improvises by flaring her battle aura whilst she had Gen in the hold, making him cooking on her shoulders.
So let's see what happens to Ucchan and company today?
* * * *
"Well done my dear."
Ukyo had been given permission to stay after hours in the tea shop as she shared a late night okonomiyaki and a cup of green tea with Yo. She hadn't felt this good in a long time after her victory against Gen.
"Thank you very much sensei…"
Yo shook his head. "No, that was all you my dear. You managed to channel your ki into a force of attack by yourself. Now all that remains is how to use that at all times…"
Ukyo nodded. "It's going to be tough."
"The road to being a martial artist is not an easy one…but it can be a rewarding one." Yo said.
Ukyo nodded and took a sip of her tea.
"So what are you going to do now?"
The question caught her by surprise.
"Gee…er, I never thought about it. I guess….I'll stay here a while and try to learn my techniques more…but after that…"
Yo smiled. "There is no need for you to stay anymore, you have proved yourself to the school in just one day what you can do. However, if you wish to stay and try and perfect your art, I have no qualms about that. You may or may not come to the school, considering how many fans you made yesterday, I think the atmosphere may be a little different…"
Ukyo chuckled.
"…that, and Gen is pretty much not going to be with us for a few days after what you did to him."
Ukyo sweatdropped. "Heh…er, sorry?"
Yo shrugged it off. "He knew what he was getting into, the fool just didn't contemplate how good you are, and he paid for it. In full contact martial arts, you always expect injury…it's making sure you don't get injured that leads your level in skill."
A sigh of relief came from the okonomiyaki chef. "I guess…although back home I've seen people who can survive what I did and bring back tenfold."
Yo raised his eye. "Oh yes…you've never told me about your life back home really. I want to hear about these other martial arts experts, if they are as strong as you, then maybe I should visit there."
"Maybe you shouldn't…it's pretty much madness, and most of them are better than me…sadly." Ukyo said to herself.
"Really…tell me." Yo said.
Until late hours in the night, Ukyo talked and Yo listened, as life somewhere outside of Nerima became a different story for Miss Ukyo Kuonji.
* * * *
Akane Tendo woke up, not bothering to get up Ranma, and headed downstairs to make herself a glass of milk.
She half expected her father to come in and panic about Akane getting ANYTHING from the fridge, even a bottle of milk already produced and then emptied into a glass…that was how paranoiac they were about her cooking.
God knows how they'd react if she made a sandwich…
"Ohayou Akane-chan." Said a sweet voice.
"Morning Kasumi-oniichan." Akane said. Kasumi would head to Ucchan's in about an hour, but still was able to at least make the family breakfast. Akane was slightly jealous of Kasumi's cooking skills, but it was near impossible to find anything about Kasumi you could actually hate.
"Morning…" Akane yawned.
"Oh my, didn't sleep well?" Kasumi said whilst cutting up some bonito. She already prepared Ranma and Akane's bento for the day, whilst Nabiki preferred to scam someone to buying lunch for her (of course).
"No…Ranma and Ryoga woke me up with one of their stupid fights…and I seemed to couldn't get back to sleep, like I was wondering about some…"
"Oh, you mean this?" Kasumi said, with a letter.
'The letter!' Akane remembered. Ryoga had left sadly last night and handed her a letter.
It was addressed to Miss Akane Tendo plus…
"Guest?" Akane was wondering out loud.
"I know, it's very intriguing isn't it Akane-chan?" Kasumi woke up.
At this moment, Nabiki got up. "Morning…" she said drolly. She had to get to college soon, and she wasn't naturally tardy so was all ready to go.
"Morning Nabiki!" Kasumi said smiling.
"Morning Kasumi-nechan…free period this morning, so I can help you this morning…I never realised that work could be so much…" Nabiki started.
"…work?" Akane finished. Nabiki smirked. "That's right."
"Konatsu should be working with us today, Tofu-sensei said he would be fine as long as he continues his current state of mind and hopefully nothing more will come to that." Kasumi said.
"That's good." Nabiki said as she noticed Akane clutching the letter. "Hey, what's that?"
"Huh?" Akane said out of her trance. "Oh, something Ryoga-kun gave to be last night…"
"What is it?" Nabiki asked.
"I dunno…I'm afraid to open it…" Akane said.
Nabki shrugged. "Whatever…I'm going to set up shop. Kasumi-nechan, I'll see you there." Nabiki left as Kasumi waved goodbye to her younger sister.
Akane in the end, didn't open the letter. She felt…like it may change something in her.
But for now…
"RANMA, YOU'RE GONNA BE LATE!"
Later that day, a certain lost boy found his way to Ucchan's whilst searching for the mountains…
* * * *
Cologne had left the Cat Café in her great grand-daughter's hands, and besides, Mousse was easy prey for her if anything went wrong.
Cologne was a bit surprised herself that she was doing this for Konatsu, but maybe she saw Konatsu as a potential mate for Ukyo, thus removing one rival away from son-in-law's vast amount of fiances.
Then again, maybe it was the sweet way he always addressed her when she entered Ucchans. Even many of her younger people back in her mainland didn't give as much kindness and respect as young Konatsu did.
Whatever the reason, Cologne was heading towards the Kunoichi Tea Shop. After son-in-law told them the story of how it was destroyed by himself and Happosai, and how Konatsu was a once in a century genius ninja. It wasn't surprising when Cologne headed to the now repaired shop…
"This should be very interesting…" she said with a small chuckle.
She quickly began to understand why Happosai wanted to destroy it. The women were…not a pretty sight. Huge lips, ugly, some large, some small, including one who Ranma had indicated that was Konatsu's mother.
"Hey, who are you?" one of the ninja women said.
"My…my, this is the Kunoichi Tea Shop I presume?" Cologne said.
"Yes…what is it you want?" the shortest one asked.
"I am here on behalf of a ninja named Konatsu…you know him?" Cologne started, wondering to see the reaction of them.
The ninjas tensed up and seemed…not too happy. The mother then spoke.
"You mean the traitorous one? He left to join with that girl…wait, are you one of them?" she asked.
"I might be." Cologne said, in a bored tone. In her mind she was wondering 'How the heck did Konatsu survive being here?'
"Well, we have rights to bring him back to our shop, so if you please…"
"Just stop there. I came here to ask questions, not answer any." Cologne said.
A few of the ninjas laughed.
"And what can you do to us old woman?" they said.
Cologne's glint her eye signalled something was about to happen.
The ninja's jumped…
Cologne dodged…
* * * *
"So, I'll ask once again, tell me what you know about Konatsu." Cologne said in a bored expression, sitting on top of a pile of ugly female ninjas and one shocked mother of Konatsu.
The ninjas tried to get up, but a Hiryuu Shoten Ha kinda knocks the stuffing out of you, and Cologne hadn't even tried.
"O.K O.K, I'll talk!" the mother said.
She then explained the situation of Konatsu being 'different' in more ways than one. He was raised as a woman, because of the tradition of the tea shop that it was all women. However, despite being a boy, he was much prettier than anyone else, and was exceptionally adapt to ninja techniques. This got on badly with many of the others and they beat him up many times, including when they tried to get 'her' to kill Ranma.
Konatsu's techniques were based on ninjitsu, however he seemed to improvise with many of his techniques, including his martial arts kiss attack, which seemed to only work with him.
Cologne decided not to mention the obvious reason that was such.
Konatsu's betrayal because of his feelings for Ukyo had left a deep scar within them. They could not accept that Konatsu could have a happy life.
Cologne had heard enough. She left the tea shop, decided to let them live…for now.
On reflection, Cologne pretty much understood why Konatsu may have snapped. His presence with Ukyo was the few happy moments of his otherwise deprived life, and whenever people reminded him of anything bad, like those skaters when the amulet was smashed…it wasn't surprising.
The docile Konatsu had found happiness, and when it was threatened, he changed. It had never happened before because…he'd never been happy before.
Cologne knew that only one person could help him in that regard…and she was lord knows where.
Plus if Shampoo ever found out…
Cologne headed back to the Nekohanten, with more thoughts in her head than she expected…but she still bore a smile on her face.
* * * *
"I wonder if Akane-san has read it yet…"
Ryoga finally escaped the maze that was Nerima, and was working his way through the mountains. It was hard work, but Ryoga's life was an ongoing training mission.
However, this may be his last for a while as now he had found the mountains, he had a map in his hands, with VERY specific directions.
"Akane-san…I will always love you in my heart, but I must be honest. I feel that my life between you and Ranma will always put myself between you…and with my secret, I don't want you to know…that's why I do this now."
Ryoga Hibiki cried in the direction of Nerima…
"Sayonarra…Akane-san."
* * * *
"Atchoo!"
"My Akane-chan, have you got a cold?" Kasumi asked.
"Oh I don't think so Kasumi-oniichan, maybe someone is calling my name?" Akane said with a smile. "So how was work?"
Kasumi smiled. "Oh, fine, thank you for asking. Konatsu-san seems to be fine again, so nothing to worry about…"
Akane chuckled, wondering how Konatsu would react to being called Konatsu-san…
"Oh boy…and I thought I got the easy job…" Nabiki said coming in. "I guess Ukyo never did pay much attention to her accounts, yet this is pretty much a certifiable goldmine…I'm amazed Ukyo never got any vision about expanding or even a franchise…"
Ranma popped in and made a surprisingly intelligent comment. "Well, from what I know the business is actually run by her father's name. Whilst Ucchan does the business herself, she isn't allowed to do much more than that without her father's permission. So I guess that's why Ucchan doesn't expand or whatever."
Nabiki made a sly grin. "Why Ranma, that almost sounded smart."
"Thanks…hey!" The three girls (even Kasumi) had a little giggle at Akane's fiancé's expense.
"Kasumi! You're back!" Soun came in with teary eyes. Akane said, he seemed to worry about Kasumi when she was out more than anyone…it was pretty sad and pathetic at times.
"Kasumi-dear, is dinner ready yet?" Genma asked, as Ranma sighed. Sure, Ranma was pretty much a bottomless pit, but at least he wasn't as blatant as his pop.
And worse…
"Ah! The ladies have returned!" Happosai came into the picture as Ranma really wanted to punt him out, but for once, he decided not to get involved…
…besides, Akane had just smacked a frying pan into his airborne hide.
"…but…why…" Happosai said before falling.
Akane had now put her full attention to the letter. "Wonder what…."
"Just open it please…" Ranma said, unable to hide the fact he wondered why Ryoga the wonder-pig had written to Akane. A love letter…he hoped not. A confession to P-chan? Possibly, but he doubted Ryoga was that brave.
"He wrote it so formal…in nice handwriting with black ink…" Nabiki said. "Unusual for him right?"
'Black ink?'
That got Ranma's attention. Usually Ryoga wrote his letters to Akane in green ink because of the stupid myth that if you wrote a letter in green, your loved one would respond to you.
This may be more than he…
Akane opened it…and her mouth was in shock.
No way…he wouldn't admit he was…
Then Akane's mouth widened into a smile…and looked like a giddy schoolgirl!
"Kasumi! Nabiki! Everyone…read this!"
Ranma was amazed of Akane's reaction, like this, it surely couldn't be what he thought.
Ranma peered over Akane's shoulder…
…and his widen widened in complete surprise.
* * * *
"Great-grandmother, something is wrong!"
Cologne acknowledged her great-grand-daughter a glance, as Shampoo seemed to be in a panic after going to the Tendo dojo for an order. Of course, for Shampoo, it was just another excuse to go and see Ranma.
However, Shampoo was pretty much panicked, which was unusual…
Mu-Mu quacked from inside a cage, ignored by all, but he also noticed Shampoo's demeanour. If Saotome had done anything to her…
"What is wrong child?" Cologne said. To her embarrassment, she had been so busy with Konatsu's problems, she had barely noticed her own 'family'.
"Well, Shampoo make delivery for Tendo Dojo…" Shampoo started, decided not to mention the part of adding a few 'love drops' in the laced ramen. "…and I go in, and no-one there, not even goddess-girl*, that surprise Shampoo…
*Author's Note – I think 'Goddess Girl' would fit Kasumi quite nicely, aside from being near perfect, considering she is also the same voice of Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess (both played by Kikoku Inuoe), it's no surprise.
"…and Shampoo hear talking, and go upstairs to see what going on…and all there, excited for some reason, and barely notice Shampoo! Shampoo get mad, and yet Shampoo no notice, so Shampoo left. Shampoo no like being ignored…"
Cologne was surprised. Something had happened in their house…true, she didn't like her great grand-daughter being ignored, but if even Kasumi wasn't downstairs in the house…
Life was always interesting in Nerima that's for sure…
* * * *
(3 days later)
"You sure Akane-chan?" Maya, one of her friends asked.
Akane nodded a 'Yep' on her friends behalf. "I've already asked for two days off for the day it happens, I managed to get Ranma to come…it's the least he can do after all the hell he's put him through, I can invited a few of you I think…"
"Hold on, you mean the Principal said YES?" Shinobu, another of Akane's friends said.
Akane simply smiled and cracked her knuckles. Her two friends gave a chuckle.
"Curse you vile Saotome!" said a familiar voice.
"Kuno, don't you have a college to go to or something?" Ranma said. It seemed Kuno still liked to give idle threats to him whenever he had a free moment.
"It seems you are too afraid to me you now have to vacate somewhere on a sabatical for a few days…I wouldn't mind your face not to be shown around here…BUT why does the fair and noble Akane Tendo…why thoust come along as well?" Kuno said, indicating the Tendo girl.
"Oh boy…" Akane groaned. How the heck did he find out?
(In an okonomiyaki restaurant, Nabiki felt a slight chill…maybe from conscience or not…)
Kuno went in his routine of swinging his bokken at incredibly high speeds…and Ranma countered with his usual routine of avoiding the attacks with extreme boredom whilst provoking the kendo master.
"You know Kuno…this is starting to get real old, real fast…and sorry, but it's true, me and Akane are going somewhere, but not to be alone…why would anyone want to be alone with that macho ch…"
A handbag embedded into the face of Saotome, as Kuno slammed his bokken into the thick skull of Akane's fiance.
"What…was…that…for…" Ranma groaned with a headache.
"Gee…I wonder…" Akane snorted.
"Anyway, as I was saying before I was RUDELY interrupted…" Ranma said, rubbing his head. "…we are going to see…well…an old friend I guess." Ranma said.
"But what is the reason for this leave of absence?" Kuno said.
Akane reached for the letter…
…just as a bicycle reached the school (and flattened Kuno to boot).
"RANMA…is not true you leaving yes?" Shampoo said, ignoring Akane and putting her whole attention to Ranma.
"It's true Ranma leaving yes…" Akane said making fun of Shampoo. "…but don't worry, it's only for a short live, you can see him soon…" Akane chuckled.
Shampoo fumed slightly. "Aiyah! Shampoo no want Ranma to leave!" Shampoo tried to glomp Ranma which Ranma panicked…
…and was pulled away from a ribbon.
"Aiyah?"
"OHHOHHOOOHHHOOOO!" Kodachi Kuno was in the house. "Why my dear, the reason why Ranma won't be here is because he is so in love with me, we are planning to elope to the far country, isn't that right Ranma-darling?" Kodachi said.
Ranma was pretty much paralyzed, and not from Kodachi's concoctions, rather from fear.
Ranma realised the situation. Kodachi here, Shampoo here, Kuno here…great, all he needed was…
"SAOTOME!"
Bingo.
Mousse began running towards the school. "HOW HAVE YOU BEEN BEWITCHING MY SHAMPOO NOW?" Mousse said running to kill Saotome…
…well, he would if Shampoo hadn't kicked him in the skull first.
"Why…why Shampoo…why?" Mousse sobbed as Shampoo ignored the blind swan.
Finally, Akane couldn't take it any longer.
"HOW THE HECK DID YOU ALL FIND OUT ABOUT THIS?" Akane screamed.
(In an okonomiyaki restaurant, Nabiki felt herself sneezing for a few minutes. Kasumi went to get some cold medicine.)
Akane sighed. She didn't really want anyone to know about this, but if it was to get them out of her life…
"Fine." Akane got the letter from her recovered bag and opened it. She read it aloud…
And a loud 'NANI?' came from the rivals…
Shampoo was stunned. This meant that her best chance of removing Akane without actually killing her was out of the window.
Mousse secretly smiled. This meant that Ranma now had a better chance with Akane, which meant he could have a better chance with Shampoo…
Kodachi thought it was pointless in the end, until she suggested that she and Ranma have a double…
Kuno saw it as another rival for Akane's affections gone.
But for Akane and Ranma, it was simply this.
Akane Tendo
You are invited to the wedding of Akari Unryu and Ryoga Hibiki. You are considering among the grooms closest friends and may invited as many guests as you wish.
The wedding will take place on June 20th at the Kinkakuji Replica Temple in Western Kyoto in a Shinto setting. Please be there.
Thank you for everything Akane-san.
* * * *
(One week after)
It seemed that the shock of Ryoga getting married had worn off, but it was obvious that the lost boy only wanted it to be a private affair. From what Akane could understand, was that if Ryoga ever actually found where his family was, they'd be there, whilst Akari and her family (plus their infamous sumo pig of course) would be there.
Akane felt quite privileged that Ryoga counted her as one that he could call to be with there.
Of course, Ranma had to be a bit pig-headed (forgive the pun) about it, but Akane felt that Ranma had to be there, just out of respect after all the trouble the two have been through.
Akane smiled. In reality, she always felt that Ryoga and Ranma had some sort of friendship…it might be hard to see, but it was there.
On all other sides of the field, it was a mixed blessing. Cologne in particular released now that Ryoga was getting married, that means that her hopes of Akane and Ryoga getting together for Shampoo's sake were almost null and void.
Cologne shook her head. She wasn't going to interfere, as Cologne knew all too well, life when you're in love should not be trampled with. (At least in this case, there wasn't a love square around Akari…)
Shampoo had been…annoyed of course. She too saw Ryoga as an opportunity to 'get rid' of Akane so that she could be with Shampoo. The stupid duck on the other hand was quite pleased…until he got beat up of course.
Around Nerima, almost all that knew Ryoga in one small way or another, knew of the marriage, and mostly were smiling.
All that is…except one…
* * * *
"So, you are leaving now?" Yo said.
Ukyo bowed to her sensei for the last fortnight. "Yes, regrettably. I feel that I need to expand my life into the word if I'm going to get over my life. However, I will never forget how you helped me through these difficult days…"
Many of the boys were with him, and it was obvious that whatever ill feelings there may have been between them had vanished. Ukyo's natural friendly nature and her impressive martial arts skills (plus being quite cute I suppose helped), as Ukyo bowed in respect to all of them.
At the back of the room, on a crutch with bandaged ribs, Gen groaned slightly seeing Ukyo.
The girl chuckled, but in the eye of the boy, she swore there was some sort of respect between them now…
Ukyo had been building her ki energies since her win over Gen, and she realised that it was based on a state of being, and a state of mind. She had slowly began to force her ki energies with the aid of Master Yo, and in the week, she was getting quicker.
However, she knew that sitting in a volcano cave wasn't the best way to explore these discoveries. So with a heavy heart, she decided she was going to continue her journey.
"Thank you for everything…ookini!" Ukyo said with a final wave as the boys and Yo waved back to her retreating figure.
Yo smiled. "She's going to be something else in the future…"
How right he would be…
* * * *
NEXT CHAPTER
Ukyo headed off to China, to take in a new culture, to use the style she chose, and most of all, to see if she can adapt to a life that one of her rivals has…
Ryoga's wedding plans have surprised Ranma more than anyone. He absent mindly comments about a situation in a cave once to Konatsu…much to the ninja's shock…
An old friend of Ranma's comes into play next episode…but what does he want with Ukyo?
And who is lurking in the shadows watching them?
* * * *
As you may have noticed, this chapter focused a lot more on Ryoga and the letter rather than Ukyo. This was intentional as Ryoga from next chapter will become rather more important as the story goes on (plus lets me delve into how I interpret the Ukyo/Ryoga relationship.)
At least the story is back on. Hopefully I can start posting a chapter weekly without too many problems now.
Anyway, please R & R! Ookini!
