SHE'S ALL ALONE

Leave or Be Left

At last! I'm back to working on this fic…and back to my amusing messages, like the one that I don't own any of the characters from Takahashi-sama's Ranma ½…I do own a few plastic sweet wrappers though…

Yosh! I'll be working on these for a while now and much quicker, so I hope you haven't forgot about me, and my beloved Ucchan of course. (goofy smile)

The plot begins here, involving the Bushido troop, as well as getting Kasumi a bit more into the story (KASUMI-CHAN!), and of course, Taro and Ukyou sitting a cave…yeah right, like I'm gonna do that.

Prepare for combat.

* * * *

"Ikadatemasu!"

The Saotomes and the Tendos were together celebrating the leaving of Happosai, and the victory of Ranma in earning a life.

Of course, Akane wasn't completely happy, and neither was Nabiki after they learnt of Konatsu's leaving (that meant a good worker was gone…)

But the real surprise was Kasumi.

"…I was amazed at Tofu-sensei! He moved through the opposition like nothing!" Ranma said, happy at a good food and drink (Akane amazingly deciding not to cook anything for this special occasion)…"

At this point, Kasumi seemed to slip and broke a glass.

"Kasumi-oneechan?" Akane asked.

"Oh my…I must have slipped. Excuse me." Kasumi bowed and cleanly exited the room. All of the family were…surprised.

"Kasumi?" Soun said.

Akane gulped. "So Tofu is going then…" Akane said nervously.

"Yes…" Ranma may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but even he sensed that the temperature had dropped a few degrees.

"Anyway boy, who else is coming with you? Yourself, Tofu-san, Konatsu-chan…and you said another person was going?"

"Well…it's a girl…" Ranma started…

That was enough for Soun to over-react…

"NO! You are leaving my Akane to go with a girl…Saotome, I expected BETTER FROM YOU!" Soun did his trademark scary face as Ranma backed off.

"Geez…she just got through like I did, and the others…although I'm grateful to her…" Ranma said.

"Huh?" Nabiki rose as Genma got suspicous.

"Son, I do hope you aren't…"

SPLASH!

"Unlike you pop, I do have some self control…" Ranma said as Genma-panda held up a sign saying 'I WAS ONLY THINKING OF YOU…'

"As I was saying, this girl…Fujio…she defeated Shampoo to get through to win her round…" Ranma stopped, not sure how Akane would react…and also he was unsure of Fujio himself. Tofu had said that her skills were a combo of aikido and dancing arts, plus she was from Ethopia but…

"Oh…so you're going to leave then…"

They all turned as Akane spoke and finished her meal. She bowed.

"Thanks for the meal."

Akane Tendo left the hall as Ranma looked on, in surprise…

"Did I miss something?" Kasumi re-entered the room, a bandage on her hand and also a dustpan and brush.

"Ranma…" Nabiki said and made a nudge.

Ranma at that moment did realise that this was the last time he'd see Akane. And throughout all the fights and all the problems…

He had lost his best friend without a goodbye.

He wasn't going to lose his other one now…because when it was all said and done, if nothing else, Akane and Ranma were close…maybe not 100% the way the parents wanted it, but still close.

Ranma nodded and rushed upstairs as Nabiki smiled.

"I'll just add your cut of your pay cheques to my tab…" Nabiki said as she noticed Kasumi looking a little…pale. "Ne-chan?"

"Huh? Oh Nabiki-chan…shall we get ready for tomorrow?" Kasumi said.

Nabiki still was unsure, but something had bothered her. Oh well…Nabiki had another matter…to hire someone who worked as well as Konatsu on a similar wage if possible…

* * * *

"At least you're more polite than the others from your place…" Taro said after finishing an okonomiyaki. He admitted…he had never tasted such food before, used to Chinese cuisine and the few occasions he had been to Japan, he rarely had the chance to eat, he was too busy with the old freak.

"I still don't get why you have a grudge against Ranc…I mean Ranma, if he was willing to help you…" Ukyo said, cleaning up the stuff in front of her.

"You wouldn't understand…you'd think he'd walk on water…" Taro cursed. Ukyo cringed but decided not to retaliate.

Taro had a dangerous way in talking, Ukyo had found that out when they first spoke. However, in Taro's mountain home, where the springs could erupt at every touch. However, whilst Taro still regarded Ukyo as a threat, the girl hadn't at least made him get a reason to put a pantyhose around her head…(the biggest threat: making a girls face look silly…)

Indeed, Taro had wanted to talk, about her relationship with 'fem-boy' and indeed everyone else back home. Ukyo hadn't been ready to talk much…Taro had sensed that, she seemed to hold back things that seemed deep in her mind. She had left Nerima, that was something he got out of her, probably something to do with Saotome, maybe even Akane…

Taro, one of the smarter people in the Ranma ½ existence, finally got it.

"So…you're in love with Saotome, but he's got Tendo, am I right?"

Ukyo's plate cracked neatly in two.

Taro chuckled. "I thought so…"

"Shut up! He was my fiance!" Ukyo said.

"Ah, so Saotome had two double dealings…and he kicked you to the curb…" Taro chuckled slightly.

"It's not his fault! That bastard Genma did that…" Ukyo said, her memories of the past flooding as much as her tears.

Taro admitted that was true. Genma Saotome was a loathsome pile of lard, maybe more so than his son. He wasn't much of a match for Taro when he struck the Jusyenko cursed…heck, he hadn't even come to challenge him whilst fem-boy, pig-boy, duck-boy and cat-girl had.

Taro wasn't one for compassion, he usually cared about two things…his name and getting it from Happosai. So Ukyo's tears had little effect on him.

However, he calmed his words…for now. She could come in useful.

"Very well. I will ask of you no more…but why don't I just try and lure Saotome here with his 'girl' trapped? I assure you…you won't be a match for me if you tried to resist…"

Ukyo wished she could disagree, but hearing about Taro's curse, if things got to worse, then she was going to be a greasespot on Taro's hand.

"What makes you think I want to stay here? I can escape…"

As quick as a flash Tarou jumped and threw a pantyhose towards Ukyo's arm, intending on trapping her like he did against Akane.

What he didn't expect was just as quick a reaction from one of Ukyo's mini spatulas, slicing the 'hose as Ukyo leapt back, quick as a fox, as Taro slyly smirked.

"Well…I never expected you to use your cooking as a martial art. Wow…that's a surprise. I thought all you did was hit people with your massive spatula…" Taro fibbed. He had seen a glimpse of Ukyo's battle aura when the pig-boy obviously did something untoward to her.

"Look…from what I know, if I try to attack you, you could change into something which can hurt me…so I'm holding in my temper because I know my limits…" Ukyo said with gritted teeth.

Taro laughed. "Wow! Someone intelligent…not since Akane Tendo have I met someone like you! And I like it!"

Ukyo was a bit surprised at this turn of events, to say the least.

"Very well Miss Kuonji, I will neither harm you or intend of using you for my own purposes. You may stay tonight without fear of me if you wish. And please do not worry about my whereabouts…I will be somewhere tonight."

Ukyo felt a combination of relief and panic go through her. This guy was dangerous no doubt…but he seemed to have some twisted sense of honour and respect, which didn't seem to affect to many people.

To be one of those, Ukyo seemed to be grateful. She never expected to be seen like this…

"Thank you…" Ukyo said.

Tarou smiled. "And some respect as well…maybe there is hope for you even if you are engaged to Ranma Saotome…Later Miss Kuonji."

As Tarou left, Ukyo looked down, wiping a few tears.

'I let that jackass get to me. However, I guess whatever he was looking for he found…I guess I'm safe from him…for now…"

Ukyo begin practicing her ki immediately…better safe than sorry after all.

Tarou outside the mountain cave looked back and felt the aura.

'She's strong…and she has a good heart inside her. Like Miss Tendo. Maybe after I get my name…"

Tarou smiled once more…but this time, not a sneer nor smirk.

A genuine smile.

A blast of water, and Tarou was flying, to destination unknown.

* * * *

What Akane and Ranma did last night, no-one knew.

No-one knew how long Ranma and Akane were in her room, or what they were doing. They may have had a 5 minute talk, they may have kissed, they may have…

Whatever, we're not Soun or Genma, we're not spying on their lives.

But when Ranma and Akane were embracing outside, with Akane in tears, it seemed that a barrier had been broken inside the hearts of the two fiancés.

Ranma headed out, he was going to meet Tofu-sensei outside the train station, where he and Konatsu would be. He didn't know what the Fujio girl would be doing of course.

As he left, Akane and Kasumi watched him depart along with Soun.

"I never realised…" Akane said.

Kasumi softly added. "Neither did I…"

Akane was wondering if she was referring to herself or to her…but it didn't matter, Kasumi had to head out to Ucchan's, as Nabiki began advertising for a waitress/waiter for Ucchan's, as Kasumi could only handle so much and no way was Nabiki going to do that. She may ask Kuno-baby for a while, but he scared customers off.

A shot of Ranma Saotome jumping on the barriers and walking along them as easily as a normal person on a footpath was common…as was a girl jumping towards him to glomp him.

However…it wasn't the normal girl…and it wasn't a glomp.

Ranma's instinct turned around and made a wrist block with the attack, a flying roundhouse kick done by…

"All right, who are…huh?" Ranma said as the girl smiled.

"Saotome-san! You're certainly good enough!" The girl was the one he met yesterday, expect now her hair was tied in pig-tails, giving her an even more cuter look.

Behind that innocence however was a powerful battle spirit. Ranma sensed it, but the smile on the girl was quite infectious.

Ranma jumped down. "Fujio-chan is it?"

Fujio frowned. "I called you Saotome-san…the least you can do is do the same for me…."

Ranma hardly ever said the honourfixes anyway…maybe something he should get used to…

"Gomen ne…Fujio-san…"

Fujio's infectious smile came back on again. "I'm kidding Saotome-san! Just call me Fujio! That works!"

Ranma breathed a sigh of relief. "O.K…Fujio, by the way, I should really thank you for beating Shampoo yesterday…if she had won…"

Fujio waved him off. "I just did what I had to do to go on board…my family abroad are so happy for me…"

Fujio's smile seemed to dip slightly. Ranma was about to ask what was wrong…but fate's hand brought another interruption.

"Girl, you die!"

Fujio and Ranma turned as Shampoo (and a clinging Mousse trying to stop her…and failing) leaping towards the two heading towards the training station.

"Oh, you again…let me guess, Amazon huh? Boring…a toughened Ethopian like myself has survived much worse than you have…" Fujio said, obviously not impressed with Shampoo.

Which made the Chinese Amazon not happy at all.

"I hunt you down to ends of earth!" Shampoo said, poised with her bonburies.

"Aw geez…why now? Shampoo, stop this…" Ranma started, but didn't finish when Fujio gave a smile towards the Amazon.

"It's O.K Saotome-san, Fujio wants to have a little warm-up anyway…" Fujio said and went into a martial arts pose, doing two spin kicks in the air.

Mousse of course saw Fujio's act as something else.

"Saotome…you bewitched another girl with your wicked ways…it's bad enough you have cursed Shampoo…"

Mousse was paid no attention after Shampoo sent him blasting off again.

"You die!" Shampoo screamed.

"Really? You haven't given me the kiss of death yet have you?"

That stopped Shampoo cold.

Ranma chuckled. Of course! Shampoo was beaten by Fujio…but was never given the kiss of death by her…which meant…

"So for you to kill me, you need to give me the kiss of death right? Well, news flash sister, I'm not going to let you or your laws catch me in my grasp…"

Before Shampoo could retaliate, Fujio moved with incredible speed and nailed an acupuncture to the neck. Shampoo stopped frozen in her tracks.

"Huh?" Ranma said as he normally did.

"Oh…just something I pick up…acupuncture points are a mainstay of my style of martial arts…her memory will have been frozen as her body numbs….we'll be O.K just as we get out of here."

Fujio flashed a smile at Ranma who visibly flushed.

"So Saotome-san, let's see who you are shall we?"

As Ranma tried to tell Fujio about himself without being too humble or mentioning a certain Jusyenko curse, the two would head to destiny with Ono Tofu and Konatsu Kuniochi.

But others may wish they hadn't…

* * * *

"Kasumi-nechan?"

Kasumi's smile was still there, and for the people of the restaurant, it wouldn't have been nothing, as long as they were served.

Nabiki at first thought it might have been the slightly more work put on Kasumi's shoulders for the time being. Nabiki of course never did the cooking, although she did help clean occasionally, it meant Kasumi had a bit more to do on her shoulders now that Konatsu had left.

However, Nabiki knew her sister much better than even Kasumi may have realised. This shouldn't surprise anyone, after all, Nabiki is always a good eye for spotting anything in a person, a strength, a weakness, all for profit of course.

So Nabiki seeing Kasumi's slightly paler face and sad eyes meant that it wasn't tiredness. It was something deeper.

Nabiki had been busy finding a replacement chef for Konatsu's place, but it wasn't easy considering the wages that Konatsu was on. Some had applied but under Nabiki's pay, it was impossible to find someone THAT desperate. Besides, Nabiki doubted there would be anyone much better than Konatsu anyway.

Nabiki made regular checks to see if Kasumi was O.K, which she always replied with a 'Daijoubu' or something similar.

'It couldn't be…'

Nabiki sweatdropped. Why did she not think of it sooner?

When they got home, she was going to have a good talk with BOTH her sisters. Akane had been moping about since leaving Ranma…she hadn't gotten mad when Genma had avoided her goodbye pie this morning…no wonder Ranma had ran without a trace…

Nabiki sighed. She never thought she'd be the one sorting out the families personal problems…

* * * *

"Great…grandmother.."

Cologne was very surprised to be Shampoo struggling against Mousse's side. Mousse had been given a trademark beating…that was assured…but Shampoo's look of drowsiness and despair was VERY surprising.

"Rest up child…what ever can the matter boy? You fail to catch son-in-law in his dash to the station?" Cologne had heard of course of Shampoo in the tournament, although quite surprised to hear that Shampoo had actually lost. The obligation of the kiss of death had not been applied either, which made things worse for the Amazon tribe…

"Son…in…law…what…is…that…"

Shampoo nearly collapsed again, Mousse managed to catch her.

"Shampoo, I'm here for you now, it's O…DOOF!"

Cologne caught the blind boy with her staff and as he collapsed, Cologne searched her great-grandaughter's body, trying to find something which explained her weakness. Her body wasn't beaten, Cologne could see this, which means the most likely explanation was an acupuncture point.

Which was weird in itself, because Cologne was a master of acupuncture, and pretty much knew all the points of the body. There wasn't really one which the symptoms were completely drowziness and weakness.

When Cologne got to the neck, her large eyes bulked out.

The mark on her neck was like a two point black spark which shocked the ancient Amazon.

"The…G…G…Gikou mark?" Cologne gasped.

* * * *

None of this registered to the girl who applied the mark as she hummed whilst walking towards the station.

Ranma was rather…surprised by what the girl showed, and admitted that anyone that could take down Shampoo had to have some impressive skills.

For the moment however, Ranma's cocky smile came back.

"Ranma-san!"

Ranma and Fujio looked ahead where a few representations from the Bushido Tournament were there, along with Tofu-sensei and…

"Huh?" Ranma had to take a double take.

Konatsu's two Chinese-esque ponytails had been cut off. His hair now represented a front cut with bangs sticking out. His innocence looks were still there…the fact that he was wearing a shirt and jean shorts was a bit…awkward for Ranma.

"Konatsu?" Ranma said confused.

One of the officals explained. "Despite what people suggested of having a cross-dresser as a gimmick, this is a martial arts bloodbath, not a wrestling show or a circus. We've decided to see if we can see some of that skill in a natural state…"

Ranma would have laughed, but anyone who transformed into a girl when got wet had no right to laugh about this. He prayed that something wouldn't 'happen' in the tournaments…

Fujio however had a different look at the 'new' Konatsu.

"Wow…cute!" she said out loud.

Konatsu now was the one who did a double take as his girl-like features went a beetroot read. A few of the officials sighed with a 'where did they come from' kind of look. Tofu smiled.

"It's O.K minna-san. Let's go…to our new lives…"

Ranma in his head thought 'Tofu-sensei may be the one regretting this the most…' He glanced over at Fujio, who seemed the most excited. Her aura however seemed to have dimmed a bit, and Ranma wondering if there was anything worrying her.

"O.K…you four, we'll be going to down town Tokyo and preparing you at HQ. There you will be signing contracts for 6 months. If you impress, you'll be asked for a more formal contract, which could be up to 3 years…"

In his head, Ranma panicked. '3 YEARS?'

But before the Saotome heir could speak up, he was hustled inside the train which was just making it's stop.

Ranma sighed. He'd make it work…he needed to, if he was going to create a life…

Soon, he was joining Tofu who was making a last goodbye to the world of Nerima.

"Sayonarra…Akane…" Ranma said very quietly, before turning and contemplating his fate.

* * * *

Away in a different country, Ukyo Kuonji woke up as the sun shone above the great Chinese mountains.

"I guess…I worked out a bit too hard…" Ukyo said to herself.

She stretched out, groaning slightly of the bits of rock and pebble in her hair. She chuckled slightly, she never used to care about her looks, at least until she met Ranma anyway…

The events of last night then came about.

Meeting Ryoga, sending him out, meeting Tarou and…she didn't want to think what could happen today but…

Tarou! Where was he?

Ukyo turned a corner, remembering that Tarou had 'went out' last night. She didn't know if he was back, if he slept here or what…

The thought of anyone sleeping with her other than Ranma seemed to make Ukyo feel a bit sick. She hated to admit it, but she was a bit naïve about this sort of thing…when he was one of the 'choices' for Prince Toma, she and Kasumi had pretty much paled. Of course, the dresses and all that were fine, but the aftermath…

She never thought she'd be thankful for Ryoga…

A grunt caught her attention and she turned to see the man known as Tarou (and as he had warned her, ONLY as Tarou) was sitting on a bench. With he had brought what looked like some food, some spring water…and a document, a newspaper of some sort?

In a moment, he had crushed it. He cursed in Chinese, at least that's what it appeared to be like…

Tarou turned and caught the movement of the okonomiyaki chef.

"Um…don't mind me, I'm just going to wash up…"

The tension Tarou had seemed to lessen, but his scowl didn't one bit.

Something had upset him.

Ukyo felt that the gaze of destruction was somehow her fault, so Ukyo asked him straight out.

"Have I done something?"

Tarou chuckled slightly. "Oh no…not you, but maybe one of your acquaintances…I wonder…do you know the name…Happosai?"

Ukyo shuddered. Hell yeah she knew that name. Happosai was Ranma's 'teacher' if you could put it like that. In reality, Happosai was a lecher of the worst kind, stealing panties, intimidating the Tendo/Saotomes, etc.

Compared to Akane, Shampoo and Ranma-chan, Ukyo had not really had as many bad experiences with the old lech, but that didn't mean she had liked the creep. Fortunately, a firm whack with the spatula usually stopped any advances.

But Tarou's face was filled with rage.

"Tarou?" Ukyo asked.

"I will get him this time…" Tarou said, getting angrier by the second.

Ukyo looked a bit scared. He was obviously angry enough to tear down a building…what had that old man done to him?

Ukyo's fear seemed to increase as he turned to her. Was she going to feel his wrath?

Tarou stormed towards her as Ukyo stepped back.

"L-look sugar, I don't know what that old creep has done…but leave me out of this! I've left my life behind there, I don't want any of…"

Tarou chuckling grew more insistent…

"Oh, you misunderstand…Happosai will come to me with your help…you think the lecher will resist an old acquaintance…especially…a pretty girl like you?"

At that, Ukyo's face dropped slightly. Even Tarou seemed to want to stop his anger.

However, whatever thoughts he had for Ukyo took in the back of his mind when his revenge for Happosai came into plan.

"So…you're coming with me…." He made a lunge for the girl who took a step back.

"WHEN DID I DECIDE TO BE YOUR HOSTAGE?" Ukyo screamed…but then Tarou took his water pouch.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice…"

Tarou splashed the water, almost saying sorry…

…but the creation that came from it certainly wasn't sorry.

Ukyo had never seen this creation from Jusyenko, but she wished she hands.

"By the kamis!" she screamed as the minotaur monstrosity that was Tarou.

The creature roared and slammed a giant fist into the ground, causing massive crushing and a spring hitting. As it was cold, Tarou didn't reverse the effects and Ukyo became more and more afraid.

Tarou screamed, like he enjoyed intimidating the enemy, because Ukyo was beyond intimidated.

"How the heck can I fight a thing like that?" Ukyo said out loud. All her training with Master Yo had not prepared her for this. Her attacks probably would bounce off this demon creature…

Tarou lunged forward in a movement that could only be called a headbutt, as Ukyo failed to realise just how damn big the thing was. She vainly tried to block, but the circumstances that were, she just couldn't do anything.

Her last thought was plunging down the cliff to what appeared to be a hot spring…

Monster and girl smashed into the hot spring, the girl unconscious…

…and the boy rose from the springs, Tarou now in human form, looking over the unconscious girl.

He bent down and put a hand to her face.

"Delicate…yet tough. Beautiful…yet stony. I pity you Kuonji…for getting involved with Saotome…but you can be useful to me nonetheless…"

Tarou put his hand on her legs and slowly lifted her up to crouching. He sneered as he slung the girl over his shoulders, almost like he was enjoying the feeling.

"Happosai…she's mine…come and get her…"

Another splash of water, and the flying minotaur, plus one prisoner was heading to parts unknown.

* * * *

At last, a chapter done. Fairly brief, but a lot of the plots will come together.

Nabiki gets a cute new waitress to help her sister's burden. And it's a nice familiar face as well…don't worry, it's a SANE face.

The foursome of bushido fighters sign their contracts, and get booked into their first matches. Whilst Ranma is confident, Konatsu and Ono antagonise. It's up to Fujio-chan and some new friends to help them out…

Tarou brings Ukyo to a familiar spot, Jusyenko, where he threatens to drown her in a spring unless Happosai comes. He tries to send a message…but he underestimates Ukyo's power…

Ukyo vs. Tarou: This time, does she have a chance, especially without her weapons?

I hope you forgive me for not keeping up with this, but this will be my main focus for the next month or so whilst I prepare my next fic so enjoy!