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 4: On the Road

When Ukyou woke the sun had already risen in the sky.  She was startled at first when she saw the tent around her, but she quickly remembered where she was, and began to get up.  As she did she thought she could smell food cooking, and quickly got ready and opened the tent.  What she saw however surprised her.  Near the fire there was food being kept warm, but Ryouga was not sitting near-by eating or even waiting for her to eat he was near the edge of the clearing they had camped in, on a rather bare area, going through a complex kata.  He was concentrating all of his strength and thought into each from, and flowed gracefully from one to the next.  Ukyou stared in amazement at him for several minutes until he finished his kata.  Finally Ryouga turned towards their camp, and notice Ukyou there.

"Oh, so you're finally up, Ukyou," he said as he walked towards her wiping the sweat from his face.

Ukyou stared at him dumbly, but finally collected herself, and started, "Do you do that a lot?"

Ryouga sat down next to the fire, and picked up the plate of food handing it to Ukyou, "Usually once a day.  Sometimes more, especially when I'm on training trips."

"It was beautiful Ryouga, I didn't know you could do that.  The way you fight is nothing like that…."

Ryouga blushed, "Well, a lot of times when I fight I get lost in the anger and I can't concentrate…."

Ukyou nodded between bites of her food, and then swallowed to continue, "So you do that a lot when you train, huh?"

Ryouga looked thoughtful, "Yeah, one time I started in the morning one day and didn't stop until around noon the next."

Ukyou stared in amazement, "Really?!?"

"Yeah, I wanted to improve my concentration… but I still can't keep that concentration when…."  With that he got up and began to take down the tent, and Ukyou finished off her breakfast.  After putting the tent in his pack Ryouga rolled up his sleeping bag and packed it away as well.  Ukyou followed Ryouga's lead and also packed hers away.  Then the two cleaned their dishes and put them in their packs, and Ryouga began to shiver a bit, and began to dig in his pack.  After a little searching he pulled out a yellow shirt.  "I guess it's about time for me to start wearing this again," he said to no one in particular.

Ukyou looked at him as he slipped on the orange-brown tunic, and tied a black belt around his waist.  "I was wondering what happened to that shirt," she said lightly.

Ryouga put out the fire, and put on his pack, "Well, are you ready to head out?"

Ukyou lifted her pack onto her shoulders, "I think so but do you have any idea if we are going the right way?"

Ryouga looked embarrassed, "Well, uh… not really."

Ukyou sighed, "You know it might be easier to find this temple of yours if you tell me about it.  Maybe I could help you find it."

Ryouga knew she was right, but he still didn't want her to know about his curse.  She might be my only chance of actually finding the temple and getting that cure, though.  As they began to walk once more down the path Ryouga began to reluctantly tell her everything he could remember about the temple in the mountains except, of course, about the cure.

Later in the day, once the sun had risen high in the sky Ryouga finished explaining the place they where searching for.  He had spent quite a while gathering information and it was difficult to impart it all at once.  For Ukyou remembering all that he told her was just as difficult, but she got the general idea. Finally Ryouga stopped and dropped his pack and began to dig around in one of the pockets until he produced a piece of paper.

Ukyou, who was already weary, was glad they had finally stopped and sat down against a tree ignoring what he was doing.

Ryouga looked at her already half asleep and chuckled as he walked over to her.  "Here.  This is supposed to be a map of the mountain the temple is found on.  I really couldn't find anything about it that gives any hint as to what mountain it is though," he said as he handed the paper to Ukyou.

Ukyou sighed, and looked at the very old looking map for a long time while her mind drifted deep into thought.  Finally she looked at it with a little more interest, "Hmmm… I think I know where this mountain is."

Ryouga who had lain down on the ground next to her having decided to let her rest for a while quickly sat up, "Really?!?  How can you tell?!?"

"Well, this mountain reminds me of one near where I grew up."

Ryouga jumped up, "So how far away would you say we are?"

"Quite a ways… I would say at least two hundred kilometers, maybe three…."

"Great!!!  Lets get going!" Ryouga had already shouldered his pack and was picking up Ukyou's to help her put it on.

Ukyou moaned not wanting to get up, "Oh come on I want to rest some more.  What is your hurry, it's still along ways…."

Ryouga looked at her a little annoyed, "You want to rest longer?  We've been here almost two hours!"

Ukyou looked at him with shock, "Two hours!  Really?!?"  She couldn't believe it, but while she had been staring at the map she had drifted into thoughts of her family and her childhood.  That is how she had recognized the mountain, but she hadn't noticed to the time pass.

Ryouga smiled at her, "Didn't notice did you?  That's one of the reasons I love the woods… you can get lost in your own thoughts."  He knew she had probably been dreaming about her past.  That's why she had remembered the mountain.  "I'll bet you feel a lot better now too," he said helping her to her feet.

To her surprise he was right, most of the pain had disappeared from her limbs and she actually felt quite refreshed.  "Wow… you're right," was all she could say.

Ryouga laughed lightly, "Well let's get going then and after we find the place we can go to your home."

Ukyou was overjoyed at the thought of going home, and she had never seen Ryouga so full of life she was swept away by the moment and threw her arms around Ryouga.  "Oh, Ryouga!  That would be great!"

Ryouga turned a bright red and started to laugh nervously.  When Ukyou finally released him, he started off down the trail.

"Ummm… that's the way we just came Ryouga…."

Ryouga rubbed the back of his head embarrassed and turned around to follow Ukyou.  As they continued down the trail his heart was overjoyed knowing he had made her happy.

The rest of the day passed quickly.  Ukyou was pleased to find Ryouga in a good, and rather talkative mood, talkative for Ryouga at any rate.  As they walked Ryouga began to point out interesting things along the path, including several rock formation, a couple of really strange trees and many small animals which didn't seem to concerned about Ryouga, but kept there distance from Ukyou.  Ukyou loved the fact that Ryouga was so talkative.  She had started to feel lonely before, but she was glad she had decided to come with Ryouga.  This is just what I needed.

After awhile Ryouga quieted down once again, and Ukyou decided it was her turn, "Hey, Ryouga, I was wondering how you do that thing with your bandanas."

Ryouga turned his head to look at her, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you know.  How do you make them sharp like knives to throw them, and why do you never run out?"

Ryouga raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, "Oh, that.  Well, the reason I never run out is kinda the same as why Mousse never runs out of weapons… that's about all I can tell you, but making them sharp is fairly easy.  All I have to do is channel my ki into them, the same way I do with my belt."

Ukyou looked confused, "Your belt?  I've never seen you do that."

Ryouga started to become embarrassed, "Well, I kinda had a bad experience with that technique, so I don't do it any more but basically it's where I used my belt as a sword."

"Really?  Sounds pretty neat.  What happened to make you stop using it?"

Ryouga who had started to fidget nervously forced himself to continue, "Well, one time when I was using it, it got knocked out of my hand, and cut someone…."

Ukyou gasped, "Where they hurt badly?!?"

"No… she was okay, but I felt really bad…."

"Oh, that's good," Ukyou said relieved.  Then after a second, "It was a girl you hit, huh?"

Ryouga lowered his head, "Uh… yeah…."

"Was it someone you knew?"

Ryouga nodded.

"A friend?" Ukyou pried realizing Ryouga was trying to hide something.

Ryouga remained quiet his head still lowered.  Ukyou took this to mean yes, and continued. "Is it anyone I would know?"  After more silence Ukyou was starting to get really interested.  "Come on Ryouga you have got to tell me what happened."

Ryouga sighed, "Well let me put it this way: You may not have known, but Akane had long hair when Ranma and I first met her…."

A shocked expression grew on Ukyou's face, "You mean…?"

Ryouga looked at her and nodded.  After a few seconds Ukyou exploded with laughter.  "Oh my god!  That's too much!" Ukyou exclaimed still laughing.

Ryouga just scowled at her and continued walking.

Near sunset the two came to a road and stopped.  Ryouga stood looking back and forth for a minute until finally he turned to Ukyou embarrassed, "Uh… do you know which way it is?"

Ukyou let out a short chuckle and then asked, "Well… which way would you go?"

Ryouga turned back to the road and thought about it for a second, "Well I guess I would go this way he said pointing one way down the road.

"Well that settles it then," she said as she turned the other way, having already know it was the correct direction, "we go this way."

Ryouga grumbled, but followed her as she started down the road.  Watching the clouds rolling in the distance.

After the sun had set and the twilight hours had begun Ryouga picked a spot for them to camp for the night in the woods out of sight of the road.  Once again Ryouga worked swiftly to set up camp and gather wood for a fire as Ukyou sat at their campsite completely exhausted. 

Ryouga started a fire, and Ukyou cooked them some food while he set up the tents. Ryouga set up both tents because he was worried about the clouds he could see moving in.  That's all I need… rain.

Soon Ukyou had finished their meal and divided it up and handed Ryouga a portion.  "Tell me what you think."

Ryouga took the plate thankfully.  "I'll bet it's great, Ukyou."

Ukyou felt a little rush of joy hearing him say that, and watch contently as Ryouga put the first bite into his mouth.

Ryouga couldn't believe the taste.  Ukyou, of course was a great Okonomiyaki chef, but some how something had gone terribly wrong with whatever it was she had just handed him.  It tasted worse than many of the things that he had forced himself to eat from Akane.

Ukyou stared at him anxiously, "Well?  What do you think?"

Ryouga looked at her and smiled holding back the tears that where trying to form in his eyes, "Aren't you gonna try some?"  He said not wanting to tell her it was bad, and hurt her feelings.

"Nope it's all for you.  I wanted to make you something special to thank you for letting me come with you.  It's an old family recipe.  So, what do you think?"

Ryouga blush, "Oh… thank you, Ukyou."  Ryouga quickly ate the rest of it.  Gah!!!  What is this stuff I'm eating?!?  After he had forced down the last bite he turned to her and smiled at her again, "It was great."

Ukyou smiled back at him and finished her meal.

Ryouga felt sick, but kept it to himself, and gathered up the dishes, "I think I can hear a stream nearby.  We should wash the dishes there, and refill our water supply if it's clean.  If it's deep enough we could even clean up."

Ukyou blushed, "Hey!  Don't get any weird ideas!  I am not taking a bath with you!"

Ryouga turned bright red, drop the dishes he was holding, and began waving his arms in front of him, "No, no! I…I wasn't… errr…I didn't mean…uhhh… n-not together!  I just meant that we… I mean you and I… errr… well not you and I but… uhhh…."  Ryouga was completely flustered.

Ukyou began to laugh.

Ryouga stared at her for a minute, "Hey wait!  That wasn't funny!"

"That's what you think," Ukyou said laughing even loader.

Ryouga grumbled and picked up the dishes he had dropped and began to walk towards the sound of the stream.

A little later Ryouga had heated some water over the fire and washed their dishes with it.  After drying and putting them away he refilled their water containers, and began to look for the way back to camp.  After noticing that there campfire was in a different direction than the one he was heading Ryouga made it back to camp.

Ryouga put down the water and sat down, "If you want to clean up go ahead.  I'll stay here until you come back."

Ukyou sighed and looked at him, "Okay, but I would much prefer a nice bathhouse, or hot spring you know."

Ryouga who had started to stare into the fire said nothing.  Ukyou gathered the things she would need out of her pack and headed to the stream.

She found the stream easily and sat down her supplies on a large nearby rock.  After turning around to make sure their campsite wasn't in plain view she began to undress.

Once she had removed the last of her garments she began to shiver.  Geez, it sure is cold I really wish this was a hot spring.  As she gingerly touched her toes to the water she let out a gasp.  Oh my god!  It's freezing!  I guess I had better just jump in… other wise I'll never get in….

Ryouga who was still staring at the fire had begun to think.  I'm so close now.  I can't believe it.  I know I shouldn't get my hopes up, but….  Well, even if I can find it with Ukyou's help there is still no guarantee it will work the way it's supposed to….

If it does work… that means… I'll never have to turn into a pig again.  Not only that, but Ranma and Mousse… and even Shampoo and Mister Saotome… we can all have normal lives again….  For once I can be the hero… and no one will be able to deny it, not after I share the cure with them all….  But still that is only if it works… and if I can find it….  I....  His thoughts where interrupted by a high-pitched cry.  Images of Ukyou being attack by snakes, wild boars, space aliens, weirdly dress men with grudges against or love for beautiful women, a guy in a monkey suit and many other things all popped into Ryouga mind all at once.  "Oh my god!  Ukyou are you okay!?!" He shouted as he leapt off in the direction the scream had come from.

As Ryouga leapt from the trees to the edge of the stream he immediately saw Ukyou standing in the middle of the stream soaking wet, shivering and completely undressed.  Her smooth wet skin glistened in the dim moonlight that shown through the clouds and to Ryouga she appeared an angel.

Ukyou stared, eyes wide, at Ryouga uncomprehendingly for a second before she once again let out a shriek.  "You jerk!!!" she exclaimed as she leapt forward to slap Ryouga as hard as she possibly could, but as her hand swung towards his face Ryouga collapse to the ground unconscious, a stream of blood trickling down his checks from his nose.

After covering Ryouga face with a towel to prevent him from waking up and accidentally getting another good look at her, Ukyou dried herself off and put on her clothes.  Once she had gathered up her bathing supplies she walk over and knelt down by Ryouga, still shivering slightly.

"Okay, time to wake up, idiot," she said as she removed the towel from his face and slapped him a couple of times.

Ryouga moaned and opened his eyes.  After a few seconds his eyes focused on Ukyou and he remembered what had happen.  Blushing profusely he sat up and turned his head away from Ukyou and stared at the ground, not wanting to make eye contact.  Finally he began in a quick embarrassed stutter, "Ukyou, I… I… I'm sorry… I was…errr….  I thought you were….  I mean, I heard you scream, and… and… and I was worried that you needed help… So I… and…uhhh….  I'm really, really sorry Ukyou!"

"I screamed because the water was really cold when I jumped in and it startled me, you idiot!  I can't believe you would peep on me like that!  I would never have asked to come with such a pervert!

Ryouga flinched at her words like they where a knife in his chest, "But I… I mean… I'm so sorry Ukyou… I was worried about you… and I…I….  I'm really sorry Ukyou…."  As Ryouga finished he lowered his head till it was almost touching his knees.

He looks like a puppy after you just swatted it with a newspaper for chewing on the mail.  It's really cute.  Ah well, the poor guy I guess I've had my fun.  I had better let him of the hook now.  Ukyou smacked Ryouga across the back of the back of his head, "Of course you are.  Like I said I would have never asked to come with you if you were a pervert."

Ryouga quickly turned toward Ukyou and looked into her eyes, "But you said…."

"I said that I didn't believe you would peep on me on propose," Ukyou smiled

Ryouga blushed, "Oh…."

After they had went back to the camp it was Ryouga's turn to take a bath.  He picked up his pack and carried down to the stream.  Once he got to the stream he put down his pack and began to dig around in it.  First he pulled out a small gas burner, and lit it then he filled a pan with water and set it on top of the burner.  Once it had started to heat he placed a bar of soap on a rock next to the water.

He then undressed and pulled out a towel placing it beside his pack.  Once he stuck a finger into the water on his burner to check if it was warm enough Ryouga reached down into the stream and splashed himself in the face with the water.

He hated this part it was hard to wash as P-chan, but it was much quicker than washing with one pan full of hot water at a time.  P-chan walked into the water just deep enough that he could submerge himself but not get carried away by the current, something he had done far to many times.

Once he was soaked he got out of the water, and walk over to his soap.  Unlike humans, little black pigs can't pick up a bar of soap.  Instead, P-chan climbed on top of the soap and began to roll back and forth until he was covered in a good lather. 

Now a bubbly white blob, P-chan went back into the water and rinsed himself off.  Satisfied he was clean P-chan walked out of the stream and tipped the now quite warm water on his burner over on top of himself.

After drying off and getting redressed Ryouga walked back toward the light from their campfire.  He found Ukyou lying by the fire watching the flames.  As he approached her Ukyou changed her gaze to him.

She noticed that he hadn't put the cords back on his calves, and the way his pants swayed loosely as he walked seemed strange to her.  She couldn't remember him ever not having his calves bound.  "Say Ryouga, what's with those cords you where around your legs anyway?"

Ryouga sat down near her after setting his pack inside his tent, "What do you mean?"

"Well, what are they for?  Why do you do it?"

Ryouga thought for a second, "Well, it helps protect my legs… that's about all."  Although he had other reasons he didn't feel like getting into it.

"Oh…" Ukyou had expected a more dramatic answer, "I guess I should try it some time…."

They both sat in silence for a while staring at the fire.  Surprisingly Ryouga broke the silence, "Ukyou…."

"Yeah."

"I was wondering… well… why are you here…?"

Ukyou just stared into the fire for a while then turned her eyes to the ground, "I needed to clear my mind….  Forget about everything…."

Ryouga thought for a minute, "But why with me?  I wouldn't think you'd want be around someone like me…."

Ukyou looked up to meet Ryouga's eyes, but found they had turned to the ground, "Huh?  What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean… if you want to cheer up I'm definitely the wrong guy to be around… I'm depressed myself most of the time, and I couldn't figure out how to cheer you up no mater how much I want to….  If you're trying to forget about the past… I'm just a constant reminder of it… of him….  If you just don't want to be alone… well… I know I can't be much better…."

"Oh, Ryouga….  Don't be so hard on yourself.  So what if you are a little depressed, shy or stubborn?  You're a great guy.  Not only are you strong, but also you're honest, honorable, brave…" she thought for a second, "gentle... sensitive, sincere, kind and handsome…."  Oops, where did that last one come from?  "Well you get the idea Ryouga.  Anybody would be lucky to end up with you."

Ryouga looked up at her his eyes cold and tired from years of loneliness and depression yet hoping to see that she had meant what she said.  What he saw was Ukyou smiling at him.  Ryouga began to smile back his eyes seeming to thaw slightly,  "Thanks Ukyou….  You know… you're really great…."

After sitting for a while longer Ryouga got up, "Well, I think I'm going to go to sleep now."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Ukyou said yawning.

Ryouga knelt down if front of his tent to get in, "Good night Ukyou."

Ukyou got up to do the same, "Good night….  Oh, wait a sec."

Ryouga turned his head towards her, "Hmmm?"

"Ryouga would you mind sparring with me tomorrow instead of going through a kata?"

Ryouga thought for a second, "No, that would be great if you really want to."

"Great!  See you tomorrow, Ryouga," she said as she ducked into her tent.

Ryouga did the same, and only the crackling of the fire and the blowing of the wind remained.