SHE'S ALL ALONE
I'd Rather Be In China
Disclaimer: I don't own Takahashi-sama's wonderful characters. All I own is a matchstick and two pieces of rope.
Welcome to another instalment in what I hope will become one of the best Ukyo, if not best Ranma ½ fics on FF.net. Thanks for all the reviews, and hopefully I can now stick to the one chapter a week that I had myself planning to.
Speaking of which, I'm unsure how many chapters this will be, but I'm think in the high twenties. There are still plenty to do, including the inevitable Ryoga/Ukyo bit of the story which starts this chapter.
Ah yes, Ryoga and Ukyo. My two favourite characters or Ranma ½. Also one of the favourite 'couplings' of the series. Unfortunately, (and please don't kill me!) I'm not too fond of the two as a couple, simply because there isn't enough evidence.
Sadly, these type of couplings always happen, you want them to be together, but little evidence or something or other (see also Digimon's Matt and Mimi, Slayers Zelgadis and Amelia, and probably the most popular one that will never happen, CCS's Tomoyo and Eriol.) seems to slow it down. (Another one is Nabiki and Kuno for example)
HOWEVER…that doesn't mean I don't ENJOY Ryoga/Ukyo. The Tunnel of Lost Love saga remains one of my favourite Ranma ½ sagas/episodes in both anime and manga, plus the Hiryu Shoten Ha story as well. And if we're going anime only, there is of course the second movie (or as I call it, the movie where they put all the couples that the producers/fans wanted to see…e.g. Nabiki/Kuno, Shampoo/Mousse, Ryoga/Ukyo…and of course, Ranma and Akane. Hey wait, does that mean Kasumi's free? YAY! KASUMI…)
(Gets knocked out of the net by angry fans)
LEAVE KASUMI ALONE AND GET ON WITH IT!
Right…right…so, despite the wedding invitation, there IS some Ryoga/Ukyo togetherness…it starts this chapter, and will develop for the next few chapters, before Ryoga leaves to get married. Or does he?
Let's a go!
* * * *
It wasn't hard for Ukyo to get a plane to China. After leaving Mt. Aso, she went to central Kyushu airport, and got a ticket for Beijing.
She was still receiving money from her account under the name of Ucchan's. Although Nabiki and Kasumi were now the business operatives, Ukyo was still the owner and would receive 20%. Besides, Ukyo had saved a nice nest egg anyway, she hardly spent any money on things other than ingredients, a few clothes, and paying for the place. Konatsu's wage hardly counted.
However, she didn't think she'd be spending the money on this. That money was being saved for her life with Ranchan when they got married…
'Damn it girl, get it together, stop thinking about him! It's over…it's…over…'
She sighed. The plane ride was giving her a headache. She never realised how much problems they were…then again, it was her first time on the plane.
She also made sure she was heading towards the capital, rather than THAT route. She was going to stay away from anything remotely connected to Jusyenko, and ESPECIALLY anything connected to Shampoo.
The Amazons…those were some people she'd like to face…just to shut them up. Shampoo had been a headache for her ever since the Amazon had known that she had existed.
'You at brink of death.' Or some other smart-alec comment she'd come up with, like at that race to the hot springs.
Maybe once she trained a bit…
Even now, inside the plane, which aside from the engines, the conversations, and the occasional noisy kid, it was an easy place to concentrate her life energy. Relaxing was as much as part of training like using her weapons.
She chuckled, seeing how she had given the customs officers problems with the big metal spatula, obviously thinking she was some sort of international ninja assassin who sliced her victims up and then cooked them on a grill.
Of course, the one perverted businessman who tried to feel her up on the train getting there now had a concussion, a few loose teeth and a broken nose, but there was standards she lived up. She WAS a Nerimian after all.
Ukyo's concerntration continued…as her next destination, Beijing China, and to take the next stage of getting stronger…
* * * *
"She's getting stronger."
"YAAAHHH!"
Akane was now showing Ranma that she too was developing special skills of her own, namely, the ability to use her battle aura to power up all her punches, kicks and various other attacks. Ranma was still much faster, but the power of her rage, anger and ki made it hard to even touch her.
"Well now son, it seems Akane is slowly realising her own potential, as you have." Soun said.
"Don't slack off boy, otherwise your fiancé will be the man of the house!" Genma laughed.
"Oh…and where are your skills pop?" Ranma said, smiling slightly evilly as he warmed up a Mouko Tabashita…
"Erm…in any case…" Genma quickly changed the subject.
"….what are we going to do about dinner? Kasumi is at work and…" Genma said.
Akane stopped her workout. "Oh, don't worry daddy, I'll do it!" Akane beamed…
…and the masses facefaulted.
Suddenly, Ranma got one of his legendary bright ideas.
"Er…h-hey! I know…why don't we go down Ucchan's and have some of Kasumi's tender okonomiyaki! After all, that way she's still cooking for us…"
Akane cast that evil sly look of hers around to her fiancé. "Oh…is there any other reason why you are doing this?"
Ranma sweatdropped. "Er…apart from the obvious reason…"
Cue the anime mallet.
"…I fancy some okonomiyaki…it's been a while…" Ranma sighed.
Akane put her mallet back and smiled. "O.K then…it's a great idea."
'Phew!' Ranma thought.
"Especially because you suggested it, you're buying…and I want a deluxe." Akane smiled sinisterly.
"Me too!" Genma said.
"I won't mind either…" Soun added.
"Ranma, you won't forget me…*splash*…will you?" Happosai came from the blind side, after splashing Ranma into Ranma-chan and well…you know.
"FREAK!" Ranma-chan screamed before punting Happosai into oblivion. The others however had already left as Ranma-chan looked perplexed.
"Guys…wait…talk…ah nuts…"
* * * *
Beijing, or Peking, whichever, the capital of the People's Republic of China.
8.7 million people in a country where over 1 billion reside.
And add one Japanese girl named Ukyo Kuonji.
"Well…here it is. The heart and soul of martial arts. I hope I can grasp the atmosphere…"
Stepping off the plane, the girl knew that the Fuji mountains was a good start. She hoped that no rumours had gone about if she happened to come across…
Never mind.
A picturesque scene as she shook her head clear across the wind (and a few people hit her head across a lamp-post or two), Ukyo took her initative.
"O.K girl, let's head out to the world…"
As Ukyo headed towards Beijing University, she didn't realise that an old friend was also heading towards there…although how he got there was anyone's guess…
* * * *
"Can I have a second helping Kasumi?" Genma said with glee, of course, the fact that his poor son was paying helped. Ukyo once said that Genma had 'no flies on him' meaning he never misses an opportunity for a free meal.
That was for damn sure. Nabiki had charged him an extra 500 yen for the kettle of water he used to change back…
"Geez…I'm just waiting for them to finish now…" It didn't help that Ranma had a couple of helpings himself and realised he was paying for them…no free samples this time, for some reason, he didn't think Nabiki would let that happen compared to Ukyo.
But that wasn't the main thing on his mind.
"Is something wrong Ranma-san?" Konatsu asked the cursed boy.
Ranma almost forgot about the cross-dressing ninja there. After Tofu and Cologne examined him, he seemed back to his cheerful self. However, Ranma and Akane were both still apprehensive around him…just in case…
…but in reality, Ranma knew he was harmless. It was just…
…aw, why the heck. What would Konatsu do?
"Sorry…it's just…well, have you heard about the wedding?"
Konatsu nodded. Kasumi had informed him of the wedding invitation of Ryoga and Akari's wedding. Although Konatsu didn't ever see Ryoga, Ukyo did talk about him a number of times…mostly negative about his stupidity, but she also commented about how shy the boy was, and once, he was certain she said that 'in his own moronic way, he's kinda sweet.' It was a bit worrying, but he knew that Ryoga was in love with Akane-san.
So this marriage to a girl he had never heard of was kinda surprising.
"Well, it's like this. Maybe I've got used to Ryoga being my rival, not just in martial arts…but…well…"
Ranma blushed. Even someone like Konatsu could tell that Ranma was in love with Akane…and vice versa. He and she were just too stubborn.
"…anyway, hearing that he's getting married is a bit of a shock. But it isn't just Akane and even Akari…well…"
Ranma suddenly realised that what he might say might give Konatsu the wrong idea. However, it seemed that he had the chef's full attention, and he didn't want to budge.
"All right…I always thought that Ryoga and Ukyo would get together." Ranma blurted out.
Konatsu's face went cold.
"P-P-Pardon Ranma-san?" Konatsu had hoped that his hearing was a bit out of touch.
Sadly, it wasn't.
"…well, we heard them talking once during a time we were trapped in a cave, and it was something of the lines of Ryoga 'never betraying her again' and Ukyo questioning his trust. It sounded like…well…"
Ranma saw Konatsu with his eyes closed. The young chef either seemed to be deep in thought or trying to hold back tears. Either way, Ranma did realise that might not have been the best thing to say.
And then he smiled.
"Next helping ready Kasumi-san?" Konatsu asked.
"Hai. Thank you Konatsu-san." Kasumi said politely as the 'waitress' headed to give Genma another helping.
Ranma sighed with relief. At least Konatsu seemed O.K…or at least hadn't got mad.
Now the real problem…how to try and get out of paying…
* * * *
It's funny going to China.
Ukyo mused her obvious stupid problem which she never really thought of…SHE DIDN'T SPEAK CHINESE!
Maybe she should have asked Yo for a crash course before she left.
'I guess this time I'm the jackass…' muttered the Kansai girl as finding information in universities and such became almost impossible, as most of the writing was done in the Chinese script.
For now, it was either try and find an information centre and pray that someone spoke Japanese…maybe even English if she was forced to…or just pick a direction and pray.
Well, if it worked for Ryoga…
Ukyo wondered how they were doing back home. She didn't even recollect how long it had been since she left, 2 weeks? A month? Had they forgot about her?
She made a mental note to give them a phone call, hopefully sooner rather than later. She'd just ask about the business of course…but in reality, she wondered if Ranchan would miss her…
'Yeah right.' She thought bitterly.
As far as Ukyo went, life continued, and this was another step on her clensing journey towards forgetting the resturant, her friends, her family, and above all, Ranma.
But first…
"Hungry…" Ukyo groaned.
I guess she HAS picked up some traits of her fiancé, as she headed towards a restaurant, hopefully for some Peking Duck, and hoped someone there would understand her…
* * * *
"He's been doing that a lot lately." Nabiki said at conversation after a hard days' swindling…I mean, working at Ucchan's. Kasumi's cooking skills meant that there wasn't much difference between Ukyo's dishes and Kasumi's. Only the experts would notice the slight difference, maybe because of Ukyo's effort in her field of expertise. Kasumi was excellent, but her heart and soul weren't in okonomiyaki cooking compared to Ukyo.
Not that any of this mattered to a content Genma Saotome, just finishing off his rice meal.
"Wah, wah! Kasumi-dear, can I have another cup of tea please?" Genma said as Ranma by his side was groaning.
"Broke…" He said.
"Don't be such a wimp Ranma-boy! A true martial artist must face all adversities, whether it be matters of the flesh, the fist or the wallet…"
"So when are you treating us pop?" Ranma said with a slight grin.
Genma's reaction was ingenious.
*SPLASH*
"Sometimes I don't even know why I bother…" Ranma said (after clobbering the panda first of course, Ranma had to have standards…).
"Maybe you should start earning some money now anyway Ranma, we are coming into the end of the school year, and you should think about college or work…" Akane said whilst feeding on a bit of rice.
"She's right son. You need to start thinking about your future. When you are married to Akane you will inherit the dojo, but it wouldn't be bad if you earned some money before then…" Soun Tendo said.
"But daddy, since when have you earned a wage on this dojo?" Nabiki said coolly.
Soun really wished he could do the trick that Saotome was doing.
Ranma stood up. "Why just me? Why not Akane as well?" Ranma tried to defend himself.
"Oh my Ranma, haven't you forgot? Akane has been accepted into Nerima School of English and Theatre Arts. She got top marks on that drama exhibit if you remember, and applied. She is pretty much 85% certain of getting in there." Kasumi said all with her beautiful smile…which didn't help Ranma at all.
Nabiki of course, always had a solution. "Saotome…I know you are broke now, so I'll put this on your tab."
Nabiki threw Ranma a few pieces of paper his way.
"Huh, what's this?" Ranma looked down.
"It's an invitation for a professional bushido tournament. I think it would be right up your alley…anything goes is the motto."
'Anything goes?'
"And it would be good publicity for the dojo as well!" Akane said.
"As long as you're good enough and you don't get broken in half from doing it, it pays quite well…" Nabiki said. "…however…"
"However…" Ranma said.
"…it would mean leaving home for around 6 months if you got in…"
Ranma thought about it…for 5 seconds. Chance to show he was the best fighter in the world or stay with his pop, a perverted old man and an uncute fiance.
O.K, he only real meant two of those but…
"Count me in."
Akane gulped. "Ranma…"
Ranma gave her one of those cocky smiles of his. "No sweat Akane, it will be good for me. Besides, it's getting paid for something I can do. That's what you are going to do isn't it?"
"Well…I guess…" Akane said.
"HEY, WHAT ABOUT ME? WHAT WILL I DO WITHOUT YOU AROUND?!" Happosai screamed from the other room.
"At least I won't have to worry about getting splashed all the time…" Ranma smirked, although in the back of his mind, what would happen if he got into the circuit and…
"Then I'll enter with you!" Happosai said.
Two fathers smiled inwardly whilst Ranma freaked.
"Sorry oji-san, only those between age 16 and 50 may apply. You're out of luck." Nabiki said.
Two fathers went ghost white whilst Ranma cheered.
"WHAT? I CAN TAKE OUT ANY AMATEUR PUNK YOU LIKE, WATCH THIS…HAPPO DAI…"
A quick bucket over him, one explosion and Happosai fainted.
"We'd better not anyone know about this…what happens if Kuno or Shampoo found out about this…" Akane said, in slight fear.
Ranma nodded. "First I have to get in…" he checked the date. "O.K, it's in two days time…yosh!"
Ranma and his ego were already starting to plan what to do.
Akane was secretly a bit worried.
Happosai was secretly plotting revenge.
Nabiki was secretly planning how to sell this information to Kuno-baby and company.
Soun and Genma were not-so secretly in fear of their master.
Kasumi…nah, no secrets on her.
* * * *
Ryoga Hibiki had never realised how bad his luck was.
Despite his horrible sense of direction, Ryoga always had one good thing about him. His heart. That always led him into the direction of his true path.
For so long, he felt it was destined to be Akane. Whether as a friend, a pet…or something else…
…but now, it was somewhere…and someone else.
Even he could understand Akari's amazing map writing skills to her home in Roppongi's countryside, one of the few quiet areas of the city, allowing her to concerntrate on her pig farming.
Akari had already planned their wedding together, using the wealth from her farming business and also from Ryoga's job which she helped get to him as a quarry worker. He very quickly became hot property when utilising his bakusai tenkesu technique.
After making one final stop to the Tendo Dojo in Nerima, Ryoga was ready to say farewell to his rivalry with Ranma, his love for Akane, and everything else in between.
And then…the water hit.
Passing by an airport, a Chinese couple were heading back to their homeland…and spotted a black piglet.
Sadly, they used the reaction that almost everyone else did with Ryoga seeing his transformation for the first time.
"We cook this yes when we go home? Make feast for family!"
Ryoga squealed, but P-chan was dead meat…
…the plane fortunately didn't allowed pets. However, he was forced to sit in a cage for god knows how long in the baggage area.
Luck changed when a bit of turbulence kicked in and the cage was unbolted and the door opened. Ryoga escaped, but even his mind knew that escaping from a plane was not good.
So he had to wait, until the plane landed in wherever.
In his piggy mind, Ryoga knew that his life was over. Depression was sinking in after knowing he wouldn't be back to see his beloved Akari.
He may not be able to execute a Shi Shi Hodokan in P-Chan form, but he sure as hell was close…
The plane landed and the baggage was about to be sent.
And as luck would have it, a cup of hot tea!
"YEOWCH!"
A cup of boiling tea.
* * * *
Ryoga walked out the plane, almost unnoticed and everyone presumed he was just another passenger.
Of course, a couple were looking over for their 'lunch' as Ryoga shuddered.
But to him, the oh too familiar words of old came about.
"WHERE ON EARTH AM I NOW?"
Answer: Beijing, China.
* * * *
So Ryoga somehow found himself in China. It did mean one thing.
A chance to go to Jusyenko!
Now if only he knew where it was…
"Shame Akari never knew where it was…it would be a real help…" Ryoga said. One thing he had managed to get right was get a call through to Akari's home.
The young pig farmer was very upset about what happened, but the wedding wasn't to be until 2 months time so as long as Ryoga got back by then, it was O.K.
Maybe Akari didn't realise how bad Ryoga's luck was…
"I guess I need to get to the airport then…"
So he headed…towards the mountains…
* * * *
Ukyo had finally got her stomach full. It was nice to try things from authentic China, and it's cuisine was excellent.
But now, she had to get with training. The mountains were the best start to say the least, but she didn't really want to do anything strenuous now she was on a full stomach.
She chuckled, thinking what some of her former acquaintances would have said at that back home.
So far, China was surprising her. Maybe she felt it was a place of magic and laws after encounters with her dim-witted fiancé, and Shampoo, but so far, so good. No-one wanted to kill her...yet.
"Maybe I should call…"
It had been preying on her mind, should she call back to the Tendo Dojo? She did want to hear Ranma's voice again…
…but in the end, she declined. She reasoned that this was her reason for her leave, for her training. After being 'rejected' by Ranchan, she had left her old life to begin anew.
Still didn't mean she liked it though.
Finally, she decided to head out to the mountains. It was her next stop, she was going to develop her ki, and try to get into the world of martial arts that only people like Ranchan, Ryoga and the old crones.
Inwardly, she smirked. She smirked as she knew that Akane, Shampoo and Kodachi wouldn't have a chance against her when she got back.
Or rather, if she did.
Ukyo dismissed these thoughts as she headed up. She didn't want to hate them…well, maybe Akane anyway, the other two…
* * * *
"BAKUSAI TENEKSU!!"
Another meddlesome rock blown away as Ryoga pretty much either punched his way up the mountains or blew parts of them up. Who needs Chinese fireworks when you got the 'breaking point' technique?
Ryoga was part way up when he realised something important.
*GROWL…*
No, it wasn't an Asian beast of any sorts, it was similar sounding to an earthquake…
…it was Ryoga's stomach.
"Oh….forgot…food…" Ryoga groaned.
He quickly realised that the mountains weren't exactly a brilliant source of animals and herbs he could have used for food. Unless you liked rocks of course…
"Well, where is that dang airport anyway?" he moaned as he continued up the rocks.
For the night…he'd hope he'd have some scraps of food in his backpack, maybe he hid a morsel or two in his umbrella…either that or his emergency rations…
…shame he'd then have to find a water source.
"WHY AM I CURSED?!" Ryoga screamed to anyone who could hear him.
Somewhere down below, just beginning her move up the mountains, Ukyo Kuonji could have swore she heard that somewhere before…
* * * *
The next day…Ranma was bright and early for once out of bed, as he was mentally ready to go for the tryouts of this bushido circuit. Ranma knew he could take them on, and if it meant getting some money from something he was good at.
Plus he wouldn't have to keep owing Nabiki 'favours' so to speak.
His one regret was…no, he wouldn't say that to anyone, let alone think it.
The people would be in Nerima 8.00am sharp, it was roughly 6.30am, and Ranma wanted to be first in line to prove he was a dedicated martial artist.
With a yawn, he got up, and realising that Kasumi was still asleep, simply got himself a small bread roll and a glass of milk. Although hungry, not even Ranma would let Kasumi get up for his sake, Ranma knew that Kasumi was pretty much his saviour in disguise…(a.k.a. if Akane got up before…)
"Ranma…"
The cursed boy froze. Damn.
Akane was there.
"You are going through this then." Akane wasn't angry, she was just speaking from what was happening.
"I am Akane. Hopefully, I'll make it and I'll prove to all of you I can make something of my life!" Ranma said.
"Ranma…baka!"
That comment was regular for Akane, but the tears in her eyes made Ranma second guess her.
"Akane…"
"Geez, do you have to be so macho about this? You and your ego…you don't need to prove yourself dammit…you have to me already!" Akane screamed.
To Ranma's shock, Akane collapsed sobbing. Ranma in a rare occurance, felt a bit humble.
"Akane…"
Ranma could only do one thing.
He bent down and hugged her.
Akane sobbed a bit more, no hentai bashing, no pervert calling and no parents spying. Just two fiancés enjoying a tender moment.
As rare as it is, because it could become rarer…
Ranma let go.
"I'm sorry Akane…but I will do this. There is another reason as well…" Ranma wouldn't say the reason, but Akane understood.
"Go."
It was the single word he needed from his fiancé, as Ranma headed off. Was it the last time thought she'd see him…
…of course, a collapsing wall ruined the moment as Soun, Genma and Nabiki had appeared watching the sweet scene.
And cue Akane the angry.
* * * *
Back in the mountains, Ryoga Hibiki was just waking up, dazed, groggy, and still wondering where that dang airport was.
"Akari is going to kill me if I don't make it back…" Ryoga sighed.
Well, another day of searching for an aiport…
…rumble…
…but first…
"O.K, I hear you eat now, or there is going to be trouble…"
Ryoga was hoping he could last long enough so that he could get off this mountain, and find a food place…like the one nearby with a nice aroma…
"Huh? Food on a mountain?"
Ryoga smelt the food…and it was a familiar odor…Japanese cabbage, sauce, vegetables, soy beans…
"I know that recipe…but from where…"
Ryoga decided that it would be better to find out than to sit around, so he moved from his spot.
The smell came from a cliff face directly BELOW the one he was one…so as challenge as he was, he went UP.
Fortunately, he slipped on a rock.
"YARRRGGGHHHHH!!" Ryoga screamed.
A reflex motion from the person below him meant a familiar metal object was sent his way, embedding himself in the cliff face.
As Ryoga slid down, familiar words came from his mouth…
"I…know…that…spatula…"
Ryoga nipped up and stared into familiar eyes.
"Ryoga-hun?"
Ukyo stared into familiar eyes as well.
"U-Ukyo?"
Someone else however was watching the guy with interest above him.
"So…pig-boy has returned. Ah well…I'd have preferred Saotome but…'
The man was cloaked in darkness, as he then turned his attention to the girl.
"But this one is unfamiliar…another one of those Amazons…no, she appears to be Japanese. Besides…she can't be cursed…I would have known."
The man snickered.
"Well, no matter. If pork-chop is here, he might be looking for a cure. Well…business first…"
Before he turned, he took one last look at Ukyo.
"…and pleasure later."
* * * *
NEXT TIME
Ukyo and Ryoga together isn't what either of them had in mind…and they let each other know it as well…
Ranma isn't the only person trying out in the early hours, as Nabiki's scheming has made almost all the martial artists in Nerima try out…including Konatsu. What motive does the young chef have in trying out?
The cloaked man seems to have an interest in Ryoga and Ukyo…but for different reasons. Who is he and what does he want?
Happosai comes further into the story as he now have an evil way of vengence on Ranma. But what is he up to?
Cologne begins to realise the link between Konatsu's snap and Ukyo's vanishing act. But will she do anything about it?
All this…and more, next time.
* * * *
Roughly a third of the way through the fic, and we are starting to get more indepth. And we haven't even scratched the surface. A lot of anime only characters will come into play, some for Ukyo's good…and some, we'll dwell on for the moment.
Next chapter will begin the sub-plot for the fic, Ranma's travels. This is also where I get to use my anime knowledge to good use as various anime and game characters will also be in Ranma's bushido tournament, and we'll see how he does…plus whoever else makes the cut as well.
I think most Ranma fans will figure out who the guy in the cloak is, it's pretty obvious when you think about it.
So until next time…Zai jian!
