Disclaimer:
The characters in this story aren't mine. They are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, the creator of Ranma ½. This is a totally non-profit bit of prose also known as a fanfic. I am writing this for the enjoyment of other Ranma ½ fans and myself. If the great Takahashi Rumiko says she doesn't want her characters used in this way it will be deleted immediately. Any who... onward into the story.
The Days After: Ryouga's Journey
By: Eric Evans
Chapter 2: New Friends, New Companions
In a small park somewhere in the Tokyo area the sun had just started to peak over the horizon causing the sky to turn from black to bright shades of everything from orange to purple. In that park a dirty and disheveled young man was laying facedown on the ground sleeping. The boy began to stir as the sunlight touched his face.
Ryouga slowly regained consciousness after a dreamless night. Oh... my back hurts. Hmmm... I must have sleep on the ground all night... he coughed a couple of times spitting out some dirt, and grass, face down with out my sleeping bag, and with my pack on, no less.... He slowly rolled over to a sitting position opening his eyes slowly for the first time. Hmmm... where am I any way... what happened...? Oh.... Finally, he began to recall the events of the day before. He lowered his head, and rubbed his eyes not fully awake and unsure what he was going to do. As he sat he went over the injuries he had received from the fight the day before. Several cuts, a lot of bruises, but only the throbbing pain from his chest seemed to really deserve any attention was. He had received that blow when Ranma had jumped him the first time, and the real fight had happened well after that, but that didn't mean it wasn't serious. Unlike Ranma, injuries didn't stop Ryouga from fighting, they fuel him on making him angrier but often he also aggravated his wounds and made them worse. Oh well. There is nothing I can do about it even if the ribs are broken.... I had better figure out what I'm going to do now…. He stood up, and walked towards the still empty street.
After about an hour Ryouga was still in a city. He wasn't sure if it was Tokyo or not, but it didn't really matter to him. He continued to walk, his eyes on the ground, until he noticed small sobs from somewhere nearby. He stopped and looked around hoping to find where they were coming from.
The street was fairly empty because it was still quite early. It didn't take Ryouga long to see the small girl sitting on the curb crying. She looked like she was probably five or so years old. She had on denim overalls, and a pink shirt with a big yellow flower peaking out from under her overalls. She had rather long reddish-brown hair that was tied back by a large yellow ribbon, and bright green eyes that where rather red from the tears that streaked her face. He walked over to the little girl, and sat down next to her. "What's wrong little girl?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
The girl looked at him fearfully, remembering what she had been told about talking to strangers, but soon the concern on the young man's face sitting next to her over came her fears, "I... I lost my mommy...." She started to cry even harder.
"Oh... that's terrible! Ummm, but don't cry.... I'll help you find her. What's your name?" he said in the most soothing tone he could muster.
She rubbed the tears from her eyes, and turned to look at him again, "Really?!? I-I'm Ryoko...."
"Nice to meet you Ryoko. I'm Ryouga. Now tell me, what where you and your mommy doing the last time you saw her?"
"We got up early this morning so we could go shopping before she had to go to work. As we were walking I saw a dolly in that store over there," she pointed at the nearby collectable store, "and I went over to the window to look at it, and I-I... I lost her." She started to cry again.
"Do you know how long ago that was?" he said placing a hand gently on her back hoping to calm her down.
"I... I'm not sure... but the sun was just coming up when we left our house...."
"Hmmm... that long huh? Well... that means she probably doesn't know where to look for you, or she would have been back by now...." Ryouga looked thoughtful. The best thing to do would be to take her home if she knows the address, but it might take me awhile to make it there... and I can't even chance it.... If I did happen to get lost I'd probably get charged with kidnapping... but I can't just leave her here.... What can I do...? Call the police? Yeah, that will work. We will just go in one of these stores, and call the police. Ryouga stood up, and offered Ryoko a hand, "Well I think the best thing to do would be to call the police and they can help you find your way home."
The little girl looked scared, and then glomped onto his hand, "But... but...." She started to cry a little again.
"Don't worry. I'll stay with you until we find your mommy if you want," he smiled at her.
She began to smile back, "Thanks Mister Ryouga."
Ryouga led Ryoko who was still holding his hand to the collectable store behind them. They went into the store, and Ryouga walked up to the clerk. Ryoko, still clinging onto Ryouga's hand for dear life, stared at the dolly in the window that had gotten her into the mess in the first place.
After a short exchange with the clerk Ryouga had found out that the phone at the store wasn't working. Ryouga sighed, and looked down at Ryoko then followed her eyes to the dolly in the window.
A little later Ryouga lead Ryoko down the street looking for another store that was open. Ryoko was still holding Ryouga's hand with one hand, but in the other she had a dolly that she was snuggling up against.
Finally Ryouga saw an open sign, and walked in not even noticing the name of the store. Ryoko followed her new friend with out question. Ryouga was quite shocked when he realized that he was in a familiar place, and even more shocked when he noticed the pretty chef behind the grill working contently her spatulas moving with grace.
"Ukyou?!?" he stopped stunned that he had ended up at Ukchan's.
"Ryouga?!?" Ukyou jumped hearing his voice. "I thought you would be miles a way by...." She stopped when she noticed the small girl hanging onto his hand. "Who is that???"
Ryouga was jolted back to consciousness by the question, "Oh... yeah... can I use your phone?"
"Uh... sure...." she led him to the phone with Ryoko following close behind, "So... who is she?"
"Oh this is Ryoko. She was lost, so I told her I'd help her find her mother. I'm going to call the police, so we can get her home."
Ukyou realized the irony of the situation, but turned her attention to the little girl after showing Ryouga the phone. "That's terrible. Are you hungry? I can make you some okonomiyaki on the house if you like while Ryouga calls the police."
The little girl nodded at her, and reluctantly let go of Ryouga's hand, and followed her back to the front. Ryouga watched them go as he listened to the phone on the other end of the line ring. Finally some one answered and he turned back to the phone to concentrate on explaining the situation to the officer on the other end.
Ryoko was sitting at the bar right in front of where Ukyou was hastily preparing several okonomiyaki. Ukyou looked at the little girl who was hugging her dolly tightly. "That's a pretty doll you have there," she said hoping to take the little girls mind off of what had been going on.
The little girl looked up at her smiling slightly, "Yep. Mister Ryouga got it for me."
"Oh! Really?" She thought about this for a second. He really is a nice guy I guess... good with kids too.... Kinda surprising as violent, and destructive as he is sometimes... I guess there is more to him than meets the eye.... Probably a lot of things I don't know about him....
"Miss Ukyou...?"
Ukyou placed an okonomiyaki in front of the little girl, and she began to eat it immediately. "What is it, honey?"
Ryoko began to talk, her mouth full, "Are you..." she swallowed, "you Mister Ryouga's girlfriend?" She stuffed some more food into her mouth.
Ukyou stared at her in shock for a second, "Wha...? No! We're just friends...." Ukyou started to blush.
Ryoko shrugged, and continued to eat.
Ukyou was about to ask why she had brought it up, but just then an officer walked in, and up to the grill, "Is there a Hibiki Ryouga here?"
"Uh... yeah. I guess he is in the back. I'll go get him." Ukyou went to the room where she had left Ryouga, and found that he wasn't there. She searched for a little while, and found him in a closet.
"Geez. You idiot, can't you even walk straight down a hall?!? Come on. The police are here."
Ryouga rubbed the back of his head embarrassed, and follow Ukyou back to the front. Ryouga walked up to the officer. "Hello, I'm Hibiki Ryouga. Thank you for coming so quickly."
About an hour later Ryouga, Ryoko and Ukyou were sitting in the police station. Ryoko was on the floor playing with her new dolly, and Ryouga was playing along with her. Ukyou was on a long bench against the wall watching quietly. Well this is odd, usually it's the women who play with the little kids while the guys just watch, thought Ukyou. It's even weirder that it's Ryouga. I've never seen Ryouga like this before.... Even last night he was fuming, and trying to kill Ranma, and when he left he looked like... like... I don't even know.... I don't think I've seen anyone else look that depressed... and that's just normal for Ryouga... but now... but now he looks content, maybe even a little happy just sitting there playing with that little girl he just met.... Ukyou's thoughts were interrupted when an officer approached them.
"Please follow me," he said in a cheerful tone.
The three quickly stood up, and followed the officer. After walking only a short distance down a hallway they entered a room with a crying woman who was being consoled by another officer. She was dressed in a deep blue kimono. Her face looked a lot like Ryoko's. She had the same color eyes, and the same color hair, although her hair was short.
The officer who led them in spoke, "Ma'am is this your child?" The woman quickly looked up and saw Ryoko standing there with the others. Her face lit up, even more tears running down her now smiling face, "Ryoko!!!"
"Mommy!!!" the two ran to each other, and hugged, and the woman kissed Ryoko's head crying even more.
Ryouga just stood there smiling. Ukyou smiled as she watched the reunited mother and child, on the verge of tears herself, and then looked at Ryouga. She didn't know if she had ever seen him so happy. Then to her surprise he closed his eyes, lowered his head letting out a sigh and turned around to leave. "Ryo-Ryouga... wait... where are you going you idiot?!?"
Ryouga turned to look at her not nearly as happy as he had been just seconds ago, "Ryoko is back with her mother. There is nothing more for me to do." He turned back away, and started to walk off.
Ukyou was speechless. He doesn't even want to talk to the mother, or say goodbye to Ryoko?!? What is with that idiot?!? She started to say something, but stopped when she saw Ryoko run up to Ryouga with her mother close behind.
"See Mommy. This is him. This is Mister Ryouga." Ryouga stopped, and slowly turned around not sure what to say. Fortunately for him he didn't have to say anything.
Ryoko's mother put her arms around him still crying, "Oh thank you young man! I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to my little Ryoko... she is all I have left ever since my husband died...." her voice trailed off, but she squeezed Ryouga even tighter.
After about an hour and a half of talking, Ryouga playing with Ryoko, Ryoko's mother giving Ryouga her address, and telling him to come by any time he could, Ryouga and Ukyou began to leave the police station. As they got to the door one of the officers approached them.
"Hey, wait a sec."
"Um... what is it officer?" Ukyou answered while Ryouga just stared.
"I just wanted to thank you two myself. That was one of the best parts of my job... reuniting loved ones I mean. I'm really glad to see that there are a couple of kids like you left in this town." The twenty some officers in the room all sounded there agreement. Ryouga smiled nervously blushing slightly, "We just did what we had to... but thanks." Ukyou patted Ryouga on the back, and led him to the door as the officer waved.
As the two exited the police station they were passed by a herd of reporters who were headed inside, but didn't even bother to notice the pair walking out. Ryouga and Ukyou didn't pay much attention to them either, and started off down the street in silence.
Ryouga was the first to break the silence, "Well I guess I had better be going...."
Ukyou looked at him, and noticed he had once again sunk back into a deep depression with out her noticing it. "Uh... are you sure.... I mean wouldn't you like to come back to Ukchan's with me? You haven't eaten today have you? You must be hungry."
Ryouga looked at her for a second then turned back to the ground. I don't want anyone's pity, and that's all I can see in her eye's.... "No I'm fine...." His stomach growled defiantly, and Ryouga looked embarrassed, but still started to walk off away from Ukyou.
"Hey! Don't give me that! I heard your stomach!" she was getting angry at the way the lost boy was treating her like a stranger. She grabbed his hand pulling him along, "Come on you idiot..." Ryouga didn't resist, but never raised his gaze from the ground.
Later, Ukchan's was deserted save two people, Ryouga and Ukyou. Ryouga was sitting at the bar, his pack lying on the ground by his side, and he was staring at his hands. Ukyou was busily working on several okonomiyaki, thinking about what had happen earlier that day. What is with Ryouga anyway.... He was so happy for a while, but then....
"Say Ryouga...." Ukyou looked up from her work.
"Hmmm...." Ryouga continued staring at his hands.
"Well... is something... really bothering you...."
He looked up at her, "I'm fine...."
"Are you sure... I mean you always seem depressed, but now it seems even worse...."
"Heh...." Ryouga looked back down at his hands.
"Come on Ryouga! I'm worried about you, you idiot!" she was starting to get agitated.
Ryouga hadn't really wanted to make Ukyou mad, so he decided to try to calm her down, "It's nothing really... it's just I don't know... I mean I'm not sure what I'm going to do now."
"What do you mean?" she asked having calmed down.
Ryouga sighed. "Well, it's over.... There is nothing more for me here, and... and I don't know where I'm going to go now.... Not that it really matters I guess...."
That hadn't been what she had expected. She had expected him to yell something about Ranma ruining his life or something like that, but this.... "What do you mean... what's over?"
"Everything... everything that we've been fighting for... I've lost... completely. There is nothing left for me to fight for.... That's why I have to leave...."
Ukyou was shocked by what he had said. She had seen him like this several times before, but this time there wasn't even a spark of hope in his voice. She realized the okonomiyaki she had been working on where finished cooking, and served them to Ryouga. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She had seen the way Ranma and Akane had been acting lately, and the fact that they had both consented to there marriage made it just that much more obvious, but she still hadn't given up completely, and she couldn't believe Ryouga was. "Hey you can't just give up. There is always hope. Right?"
Ryouga looked up from his meal, "No, I can't do it anymore... before I always did it because I didn't believe Ranma would ever care for her, or make her happy... but now... now they... they...." he couldn't finish what he was saying.
"Ranma doesn't love her! He loves me!!!" Ukyou was angry, and tears welled up in her eyes, and started running down her cheeks. There is no way I'm giving up on Ranma.
"Ukyou... you've seen them. I didn't want believe it before either, but I know now that they... they love each other... and I can't… I won't do anything to interfere... not if Akane is happy... that's all I want… for her to be happy…. She deserves to be...." He could hardly believe what he had just said, and the darkness threatened to consume his soul.
Ukyou was burning with anger, and crying at the same time, "Fine then! Just run away! Who needs you anyway, idiot! Get out! Now!!! You're not welcome here anymore!!!" She swung her battle spatula at him, and hit him square in the side of the head, and knocked him across the room, and into the wall. He got up, grabbed his pack and walked out without a word.
Ukyou stood there crying for a little while, and then realized what she had done. Damn it! He was depressed enough as it was I shouldn't have.... I know... I know he was... right.... She started to cry even harder, but raced out the door hoping to find Ryouga. She didn't want to be alone.
After leaving Ukchan's, Ryouga started to run. Damn it!!! I almost thought Ukyou understood, that she cared.... I shouldn't be so stupid! Why would anyone care…. His heart felt like it was about to shatter once again. He wondered how it could do that so many times and still have anything left. He had no one, no one who cared about him, no one for him to care about. Then he began to think about Ryoko... about how happy he had been to just be around her, even though it had only been a short time that he had known her. He began to cheer up slightly. He sighed. Oh, well.... I guess it's back to looking for a cure. At least that's a start. I can rebuild my life after that.... He settled into the state of depression he was used to. He had nothing, and yet... he had a goal to head for.... He slowed his pace down to a walk, and hoped that he was going in the right direction for once.
Luckily for Ukyou, Ryouga was always easy to follow when he was angry, or really depressed. All she had to do was follow the path of destruction. Holes in walls, over turned vehicles, craters in the ground, and so on were all beacons lighting her way. Unfortunately for Ukyou he could run really fast, and hardly ever got tired. She, however, had followed the damage for quite awhile, and was starting to get worn out.
"Damn it!" she wheezed still running. I hope I catch him soon. If I don't I'm gonna collapse from exhaustion. She looked around a little trying to figure out how far she had ran, and noticed the clouds in the sky. Great! That's the last thing I need... if it starts raining I'll probably catch a cold.... Her thoughts were interrupted when she ran into something... hard. She hit, and bounced back, and landed sprawled out on the ground. As she opened her eyes everything was very blurry, but she realized that it hadn't been a wall, or a car she had hit it had been a person....
Ryouga turned around, and saw Ukyou laid out on the ground out of breath, and somewhat in pain. Ryouga's first reaction was anger, but it quickly faded into concern. "A-are you okay?"
"I-I'm sorry I was looking for someone.... I guess I wasn't watching where I was going...." Ukyou's head was throbbing with pain. God damn it!!! I feel like an idiot!!! I should have been watching where I was going!!! Her vision still hadn't cleared, but she couldn't believe the guy was still just standing there after she had hit him so hard. That was enough force to almost knock me out... how did he.... Then she realized, "Ryouga?!?"
Ryouga was a bit confused by her reaction, "Uh... yeah."
"I should have known!" she began to laugh despite the pain in her head.
Ryouga features hardened. What?!? She came out here just so she could laugh at me?!? I don't need to take this!!! He turned and started to walk away burning with anger.
Even though Ukyou's vision still hadn't cleared she realized something was wrong, and began to stand up, but became very dizzy, and collapsed to her hands and knees. "H-Hey... Ryouga w-wait a sec...." She couldn't think straight. I bet this is what it feels like when you run into a brick wall at full speed too....
Ryouga stopped, and turned around slowly, his face still burning with anger, "What?"
"I wanna talk to you...." Ukyou choked out.
"Then talk, but make it quick...." Ryouga hadn't softened even the slightest.
Ukyou wasn't happy with how this was going. She wanted Ryouga to listen to her with out all the anger... listen to her like he had been before... before she had snapped at him for opening up to her, and chased him out of her restaurant.... That's too much to ask I guess.... "I.... Well I wanted to just talk to you again...." Ryouga didn't seem to want to listen, but she continued, "I wanted to say I'm sorry.... I shouldn't have done what I did.... You where trying to talk to me and I... I-I couldn't...." she had been talking as best she could through the pain, but she couldn't concentrate anymore. She knew that he hadn't forgiven her. She could see it on his face. There was nothing she could do. She wanted to just cry.... After a little time had past, and Ukyou hadn't said anything else Ryouga started to leave. Ukyou felt loneliness swooping down from all around to surround her.... All she felt like she could do was to cry, so she did.
Ryouga had only taken a few steps when he heard the sounds of sobs coming from behind him. His anger couldn't hold out any longer. His heart started to ache. I can't just leave her like that.... What should I do.... He stopped trying to clear his mind for a second.
Ukyou felt terrible. She was embarrassed about the way she was kneeling on the ground crying. She was scared by the realization that she had lost Ranma, and that she didn't really have anyone else. She was angry that she had chased off Ryouga just when she really needed someone. She was exhausted from chasing after Ryouga, and she ached all over from when she had found him. She couldn't think straight, and she couldn't muster the energy to collect herself, and start to head back to her house, but all of that disappeared when she felt two strong hands squeeze her shoulders, and lift her to her feet.
Ryouga stared into Ukyou's eyes, concern had overwhelmed everything else and it was all that was left on his face. "Come on... lets get you back home...." He started to gently nudge her in the direction he thought was Ukchan's, but she stumbled, and almost fell back down. Ryouga caught her, and swept her off of her feet, and began to carry her in his arms. Ukyou who had just been staring at him uncomprehendingly finally started to cry again, and rapped her arms around Ryouga. She laid her cheek against his shoulder, happy to be near some one, and feeling safe from the world for the first time in a very long time in his strong arms.
Ryouga started to blush as he headed in the direction he thought Ukchan's should be, but didn't say a thing. He just let Ukyou nudge herself as tight against him as she wanted, and continued to carry her, not noticing the dark clouds rolling in the distance in front of them.
After having walked about three times as far as he should have had to, even with Ukyou pointing him in the right direction, Ryouga made it back to Ukchan's. He walked in, and set Ukyou down on one of the stools in front of the bar. After a little prying he managed to get her to let go, and walked around to the other side of the grill. To Ukyou's surprise he began to cook something. It kinda looked like... well she really had no idea, but it smelled good anyway. Finally he finished one, and served it to Ukyou, and began working on several more.
Ukyou began to eat the... whatever it was... and found that it was actually really good. Just a little later Ryouga had finished the others, and walked around, and sat down next to Ukyou, and began to eat on one himself.
Ukyou looked at Ryouga, and watched him eat for a while, and then decided to break the silence. "So what is this Ryouga? It's really good."
Ryouga swallowed what he had in his mouth, and looked at her, "It's just kinda something I made up while I was traveling...." Ryouga looked rather embarrassed.
Ukyou was stunned, "I didn't know you where such a good cook!"
Ryouga turned bright red, and then returned his attention to his meal.
Ukyou giggled a little to herself. Man... the slightest complement, and he gets really embarrassed... he he he... it's kinda cute.... Ukyou shook the thought out of her head. "Thanks, Ryouga... for being here I mean... I really needed someone...." she sighed. " So what are you going to do now anyway?"
Ryouga looked thoughtful, and then turned to her, "Travel I guess... that always seem to be the only thing that clears my mind."
Ukyou frowned slightly. She had hoped she could convince him to stay there with her for a little while, but she could see how Ryouga's eyes longed for the peace, and serenity that he found in his travels. She couldn't ask him to give that up.... "Oh...." She wanted to say something encouraging to him, but could only think of how much she dreaded the thought of being left alone again.
Ryouga looked at her again realizing something was on her mind. "Is something wrong?"
"I don't know... I just...."
"What?"
Ukyou's eye brightened, and she looked up at Ryouga, "Ummm... Ryouga, would you... m-mind if... if I came with you?" Her voice faded off overwhelmed by embarrassment.
"Huh?!?" Ryouga was taken aback.
"N-never mind! I... I was just...." Ukyou couldn't believe she had asked him that.
Ryouga looked at her sternly, "I guess it would be okay, but you have to realize it's not easy traveling with me... and I'm not very good company...."
Ukyou couldn't believe that Ryouga had actually considered what she had asked. "R-really?!?"
"Yeah sure... if you really want to."
Ukyou threw her arms around Ryouga, and squeezed him as tightly as she could. "Thanks Ryouga."
Ryouga blushed brightly and laughed nervously, "Uh... well... you'll have to get packed. Do you have any gear?"
"Yep. I have some from back when I was searching for Ranma. I never really used it though. I ended up staying in hostels all the time."
Ryouga rubbed the back of his head, "Well, I guess it would be best if we stay here tonight and leave in the morning."
Ukyou released him and headed towards the stairs looking very happy, "Great, I'll start packing right now!" She went up the stairs, and was quickly out of sight.
Ryouga was still sitting at the counter dumbfounded. What have I gotten myself into....