SHE'S ALL ALONE

Give a Little, Get A Little…

I don't own Takahashi-sama's wonderful characters. All I own is a couple of penny candies and a waterproof brush.

As I promised, I'm going to focus on this for around a month as I have been way behind it because of my Animole fanfiction. However, it seems I feel back in my zone with my worship of the spatula-girl…yes, anime girls you like is unhealthy, my therapist has warn me against it…until I shot him (damn you Kirika Yurima!).

Anyway, hope you enjoy this as Taro tries the impossible in luring the old lech towards him…and also see a few more anime references towards the Bushido saga. Enjoy!

* * * *

It was a pain that she hadn't felt much. Ukyo hadn't been used to being hurt this badly…

It felt like a truck hitting her, and the fall following it wasn't much better, she didn't lose unconsciousness until she collided with solid ground.

That thing…that Tarou became…it was like something from nightmares. You never expect to see it…then again, you never expected to see people changing into cats, pandas and boys into girls…

Nothing surprised Ukyo Kuonji anymore.

Nothing surprised Ukyo Kuonji anymore…except being crucified across a pillar of rock like she was the next kami, and as he finally opened her eyes, she saw the executioner.

Tarou (in human form) idly tossed a few rocks in his hand and skimmed them to his side, where a variety of water springs idly waited by.

'Springs!' Ukyo's first thought, and it wasn't a good one. Could it be…

"Ah, you've awoke. It looks like I underestimated you…I thought you'd be out until nightfall…" Tarou said, his trademark smirk glistening across the springs like the blade of a knife in the sun.

Ukyo tried to grit her teeth, but it was no good. Her temper was getting the better of her…

"You jackass! What are you going to do with me…"

Quick as a flash, Tarou jumped in front of Ukyo, as Ukyo's widened eyes grew in shock as Tarou gripped her chin.

"I suggest you choose your words carefully Miss Kuonji."

And with that, he slapped her.

Ukyo would have reeled back, but the rock she was tied to wasn't helping her comfort any.

'This guy isn't your Ranma, Ryoga or Kuno…choose your words carefully is right Ukyo…' the rational thought of her mind was telling her.

The rest of her mind was telling her to tear this guy limb from limb.

"I don't take anyone easy Miss Kuonji…girls are just as big an obstacle as boys. If you get in my way, I won't hesistate." Tarou said, almost solemly.

"O.K…so you got me. Now what?" Ukyo said, trying her best to hide both her anger and pain in at the same time. Tarou probably got pleasure in seeing victims in fear, especially when he was in his cursed form.

Tarou smirked again. "Well…maybe the old lech may come here if there was a pretty acquaintance all ready for him? Or if not him…maybe your beloved Ranma may come…"

Ukyo noticed the taste of disgust when he said the word 'beloved.'

"For now…I'll see if I can find a message to him. Maybe even to Ranma…because there is no chance in hell that a pathetic person like you will…"

"What is wrong? Not long ago you were saying…"

Tarou then threw one of his trademark pantyhoses around the neck of the okonomiyaki chef.

"Forget…it…" he said.

Tarou turned and drenched himself, once more in his repulsive cursed form. He took off, leaving a bleeding, tired and hurt girl to suffer.

"Sadistic bastard…" Ukyo screamed…

A chubby man off the course of the Jusyenko springs thought he heard something, but shrugged.

"Someone fall in spring of drowned rap star…" The Jusyenko Guide said before returning to his duties.

* * * *

The train journey was pretty agonising for Ranma Saotome. He wasn't used to actually just waiting unless it was for some food (although the train ekiben (Station lunches) were quite good). However, the trip with Tofu, Konatsu and Fujio was less problematic.

Konatsu in particular had been really intrigued, being his first time on a train. Again, Ranma had to remind himself that Konatsu had been so poor and so deprived that a simple ride on a train would feel like a limosuine. Ranma still thought that compared to Konatsu, Ranma's training with his dad was close as bad as possible…

Ono Tofu had been quiet throughout the trip. Ranma knew that he had given up a bit back home, not only his clinic, but his love for Kasumi Tendo. He still didn't understand why he had done it, but he wasn't going to ask.

Fujio seemed fine, but Ranma noticed the skill she had used against Shampoo. The way she put her out was unique and measured up to Chinese acupuncturists. However, Fujio wasn't Chinese…of course she could have learnt the skills like Tofu had, but there was something about her which was different…

"We're here!"

Fujio's high-pitched voice broke him out of his stupor, as the four along with the team's representatives got up.

"Ah, so we're in downtown Tokyo now…" one of them said.

"O.K guys, we're not going to beat around the bush…we're going to head there and arrange the visits to you towards our four 'coat-of-arms' if you will…" another said.

"Excuse me?" Ranma asked.

"We have four presidents if you will, two males and two female. Two of them are fighting based whilst the other two are the business masters. They will judge you on your skills in both fighting and personality before decided to offer you a contract."

"You mean we've got here only to maybe go back?" Fujio complained.

"Them's the breaks kid, just go out there and yearn your keep." The men left the train as the four looked on in confusion.

"Feh…whatever." Ranma calmly said as he exited the train. The other three followed slowly after, Konatsu at the back, looking incredibly nervous…or maybe uncomfortable.

* * * *

"This isn't good."

Cologne had been up all night, looking after her great-grand daughter (if she didn't, Mousse might have tried to look after her, not something she wanted) and trying to re-collected the origins of the Gikou mark.

An ancient Ethopian Cult was the basis of the mark…the Gikou cult obviously…a powerful strand of martial arts successors who dwelt within the black arts…

"So, the cult still has ancestry then? No wonder…"

Shampoo's sleep seemed to be troubling her as Cologne looked on in concern.

The ancient matriach had been bothered with so many events recently. Ukyo's leaving and Konatsu's subsequent changes, but this was on a much bigger scale…

"Son-in-law…beware…"

* * * *

"This isn't good."

No, not a repeat of the last paragraph, but Nabiki Tendo had tried and failed to get someone to work even close to Konatsu's wages (or lack of). Nabiki didn't want to get involved with any of the work herself, but there was only so much that Kasumi could do, and as close as a miracle worker that her older sister was, not even she could handle all the trivial duties that she and Konatsu shared.

Plus, there was something that seemed to be bothering her big sister that Nabiki couldn't put her finger on.

Nabiki heard the familiar groans and grunts of her younger sister smashing blocks. Soun had decided to try and get classes going again. Although Ranma wasn't here, neither was Happosai, which meant that Soun could at least get some peace in and get students to the Dojo.

Although Nabiki didn't think that they'd be able to get Akane into a bunny-suit like they did with Ranma-chan…

Suddenly, the phone rang.

Nabiki had given the home phone number to inquire about openings about the job at Ucchan's, but every time it got to pay, the conversation stopped.

Nabiki had a feeling it would be the same again.

"Hello?" she answered.

"This is the Tendo residence right?"

Nabiki was sure she heard that voice before…it was familiar, but only in the distant past kinda familiar…

"Is Ryoga-kun there by any chance?"

Ryoga? That was weird…why would…

A light-bulb opened in her head.

"Um, is this…"

"Yes…and he told me he would be coming back as soon as he got out of China, but I haven't heard from him for two days…"

The girl on the other side sounded distraught. Nabiki wasn't used to feeling too much emotion for someone (unless it involved money), but the girl was near breaking point.

Suddenly, it was bright idea time for Nabiki. Kill two birds with one stone.

"Excuse me…he hasn't come here, but if he does, I've got a proposition for you…"

* * * *

"So, this is where we make or break then huh?" Ranma said rather bluntly.

The foursome were walking through what seemed to be the head office. Ranma was rather surprised, he seemed to be expecting gyms and heavily muscled men and women going through their routines.

Instead, it did look like a business company. There was a receptionist at the door, elevators, stairs everywhere, people running around with papers, drinking cups of coffee and talking.

Ranma (not for the first time in his life) was confused.

Fortunately, Tofu-sensei was a bit more aware.

"I believe this is where they conduct business, and they go to big stadiums around the country and entertain with their matches for the public, that's where the money and fighting side comes, but here…" Tofu nearly finished.

"….it's all business right?" Konatsu added.

Tofu smiled. "Yes, that's right."

Konatsu blushed. "Ukyo-sama used to say that as well…"

Ranma stopped slightly, Fujio nearly bumping into him. "Hey, what's with that Ranma?" The Ethiopian said.

"Er…nothing…" Ranma had nearly forgot about his childhood friend. How was she doing? Damn, he wished he could have told her what was going on…

…then again, better not. Considering how Akane reacted, he didn't want to see how Ucchan might have.

Before Fujio could prod either Ranma or Konatsu any further, they were moving up to the final floor, the one where they would meet the four people who held the money so to speak…

"Well minna-san, good luck!" Fujio said, and was the first person to knock.

"Come in." said a firm strong female voice.

Fujio opened the door tentatively. Inside, were four very different people, two women and two men as said.

The youngest of the two men, and probably the youngest of the four overall, he couldn't be much more than early 20s, had a distinguished blue suit on and strong ginger/red like hair. He seemed to have an air of insecurity around him though.

The other man was in his 30s, and looked quite gruff. Dark black hair, he didn't seem to fit in a rich environment, whereas the other three did.

The younger of the two ladies, mid twenties at best, had sleek black hair, and a very business like suit on. Her face was extremely beautiful, like a super models, but her frown obviously meant you didn't want to mess with her.

The final woman was the oldest, early 40s, with cropped red hair, glasses and a look of steel.

It seemed that Ranma had entered a different world when he came here. He gulped.

"Welcome to our Nerima stars." The eldest woman said. "Ranma Saotome, Konatsu Kunoichi, Ono Tofu and Fujio Himejima, I congratulate you on getting here, and hope you'll have a good time working here. I am Keiko Himuro, president of the UBF."

Ranma was stunned. She's the head of a worldwide fighting comp…

The second girl stood up. "I am Giselle Dexter, I represent the business side of us two."

'Such a young girl…and the name sounded American…yet she looks Japanese…' Ono said.

"I'm Nigel Kirkland, I represent the health and safety of our athletes. I judge also whether you are suitable for our fans." The elder man said.

Konatsu gulped.

"And I'm Kentaro Sakata, I am the fourth of this quintessential quartet. Nice you meet you." The youngest of the four said.

Fujio smiled brightly. For her, it was going to be fun…

Keiko resumed speaking. "We all represent different areas of the field when it comes to talent, but together, we always make a decision on whether to accept our new athletes or not. This depends on not only your skill, but your ability in working a crowd…but also to see if you are fine in the world of making business for us, because of course, in the end, that is what it is."

Ranma (again) was confused.

"So, let's begin the testing shall we?"

* * * *

Ukyo was tired, exhausted, hungry and thirsty.

That bastard Taro had 'literally' hung her out to dry. And what for? To 'lure' the old creep?

Yeah right, like that was going to work. All the old lech ever did, was let the others do the work, 'save' the girl and run off with the spoils so to speak…he'd never do anything that meant risking his own life.

'What a jackass…' Ukyo said, as she seemed to drift in and out of unconsciousness.

'This sucks…I wish I knew what I could do…but…I may just die here…'

'Don't you dare even think that…'

Ukyo looked into her mind as her master seemed to be speaking towards her.

"I didn't teach you to be this weak. I never saw you as being weak, so don't drag yourself to that level…" 'Yo' said.

"But master…" Ukyo said.

"But nothing child. The amount of energy that you can raise is beyond all your limits. Exhaustion, fatigue, pain, hunger, thirst…you can still raise it. You can create it into your own form, your own desires, your own wishes…but you must want it!"

Ukyo was confused. "Sensei…"

"Be who you are Ukyo, and escape this prison. Remember, emotions trigger your power, but you must focus it so that you can use it at a whim, without necessary emotions." Yo then faded into the darkness.

"Master…wait please…I can't do this by myself…" Ukyo screamed.

Suddenly, a vision of young Ukyo and her father Akira appeared.

"I..c-c-can't go by myself!" Chibi-Ukyo cried.

Akira sighed. "I know…and I'm sorry, but she'd dead…"

"Momma is never dead!" Chibi-Ukyo screamed as she tried to 'attack' her father who easily restrained.

"We have to live Ukyo…we have to live for ourselves. That's what your mother would have wanted…"

Ukyo watched this familiar exchange. It happened when she was barely 4 years old. It was tiring times for her when it happened over 14 years ago, but now, she still cried…

"Ne, Ranchan?"

Another vision of her past came back as she and Chibi-Ranma shared an okonomiyaki on a rocks whilst their parents talked.

"This…can't be?"

"I'm sorry to say Ranma's already been promised." Said the man that wasn't her father, rather Ranma's dad, Genma Saotome.

"I see. How unfortunate…" Akira commented.

"No way…it is, isn't it…" Ukyo whispered.

"I was going to offer my okonomiyaki cart as the dowry…"

"…but aren't promises made to be broken?"

Ukyo crouched down in agony. She didn't want to be reminded of that. How Ranma left her…how that bastard ran off without taking her…without…

All her life, she had never been taken seriously…

"Ukyo-sama!"

"Dang it, now what is Tsubasa?" Ukyo sighed as Tsubasa Kurenai entered the fray (dressed as a mailbox). Ukyo casually slammed her spatula, as many of the boys around them chuckled about the two 'cross-dressers' (until Ukyo gave them the 'glare')

She had never been lucky in love. The only people who had been interested in her were cross-dressers. Tsubasa was one thing…

"Wai! What a cute uniform! Arigatou Ukyo-sama!" Konatsu said to her…I mean his boss.

"Hai hai…Kon-chan, you're embarrassing me…" Ukyo slapped her head to the forehead again, but chuckled.

…Konatsu was a little different though. He was so sweet and hard-working she couldn't hate him really. However, that was it, she didn't feel any romantic feelings for him…she cared for him definitely, but it was more looking after a deprived little brother who idolised his older sister.

It was like life made her struggle one term after another.

"I can't…break out of this prison…" Ukyo sighed.

"You can…daughter…"

Ukyo stared up towards the light, as a flash came.

"Ukyo? Ukyo?"

"M-m-mother?"

Ukyo tried to reach up, but couldn't find the strength to do so, the pain was in her and she couldn't reach the light.

It started to reach away…

"No mother, don't go! Please mother no…"

She stretched out, ignoring pain, her energy of life breaking through all barriers, physical, mental, psychological…

"MOTHER!"

Ukyo's eyes opened.

Her body was dripping in sweat, there were blood stains on her wrists and her shoulders, cuts were fairly minor but the pain was there as stone parts grated off her body.

Then she realised.

She was free.

She had broken free of Tarou's crucifixion.

The first instinct was to scream out, but her physical needs were more important. She needed food, water…and a desire for revenge.

Ukyo knew that as long as Tarou had that ace up his sleeve, she would be a fool to go into battle against him.

She tiredly got her uber-spatula and her mini ones from where Tarou had kept them. She wanted revenge…but she knew at the moment…

'Wait a minute…'

She located her surroundings again. She was in Jusyenko…

This was where Ranma was cursed.

A thought struck her in trying to find any 'young boy' spring or something, the cure as Ranma always called it, the spring of drowned man. He'd never had any luck getting here for course…

…but maybe she could find it.

On the other hand, they were springs she didn't want to touch. Their magical properties had always heeded warnings, but always ignored.

Ukyo sighed.

Then she got a sly smile.

Maybe she could use the springs to her advantage….

She decided to go and fix herself a quick lunch. She was tired, hurt…but determined.

Tarou would pay…

* * * *

Next chapter;

Ukyo vs. Tarou – the fight begins, and what's this? Tarou can't transform himself…Ukyo has disabled his one main threat! Can Miss Kuonji beat the terror from Jusyenko?

Happosai as expected, avoids the confrontation…but he's interested in getting Ukyo in his grasp. So he watches the battle…and makes his move…

…but is there a fourth party ready to save the day?

Plus, the waitress of Ucchan's makes her debut. Watch as the customers flock in to see this cute waitress…but no-one for some reason makes a move on her…

Plus, Ranma, Tofu, Konatsu and Fujio get the nod of approval, and Konatsu seems to return to his old ways (for gimmick). He and Fujio also begin to get along, is there romance in the air? However, could that end with Cologne's wonder of Fujio's ancestry?

* * * *

Next chapter is going to be a doozy, and I hope you can look forward to it.

Now the four anime references;

Sakata Kentaro: From the Love Hina anime (not manga), a rich boy with the hots for Naru Narusegawa, although he seems more a playboy type and has gone 'after' Kitsune and Shinobu (even Haruka) at fleeting interests. However, he slowly becomes a good guy as the series ends and in the OVA as well.

Giselle Dexter: A girl from Pokemon, although her last name unknown, I've used this for her name for god knows how many years. She's just a one-shot character, but she's a rich narcissistic student at a prep school. In this, she's much older although many of her characteristics remain.

Nigel Kirkland: A mechanic from Bubblegum Crisis 2040. I feel that as he's used to working on bodies for mobile suits, he should be used to helping in a doctor type role in this.

Keiko Himuro: The head of the Kisaragi's schools in Princess Nine. A successful businesswoman who always seems to be able to get what she wants. Her role will probably be the most important of the four.

O.K, until next time!