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 6: Truth and Consequences

Ryouga woke as the first sunlight snuck through the clouds and touched his face.  He blinked a couple of time before his eyes focused on the pond in front of him.  As he sat waiting for his mind to clear he felt something warm and soft against his hand and looked down.  His hand was resting upon Ukyou cheek.  His mind snapped to full alert, and his eyes grew wide.  It wasn't a dream…  It was all real….  I can't believe it!  Ryouga's heart leapt into his throat and his head became light.  Could I really….  Could Ukyou really….  Could we really….  His head swam and warmth grew in his heart.  He started to laugh with pure bliss.  Then a dark thought crept into his mind.  I've been keeping my curse a secret from her.  Ryouga's heart sank.  What if she hates me when I tell her?  I could just not tell her and get the cure but….  No!  I have to tell her.

Ryouga gently nudged Ukyou, "Ummm… Ukyou?"

Ukyou moaned slightly, but remained asleep.

Ryouga shook her a little harder but spoke in a soothing tone, "Wake up Ukyou."

Ukyou moaned again, but this time her eyes opened slightly.

"Time to wake up Ukyou.  We need to get back to the bus station before the bus leaves."

Ukyou reluctantly sat up still only half awake.  "Oh… okay, I… ouch!"  She quickly placed her hand on the sides of her head.  "Oooh… my head really hurts…."

Ryouga looked at her sympathetically, "Well, I think you have a hang over."  Maybe, now isn't a good time to bring up my curse.

Ukyou looked at him shocked, "What?!?  I don't drink!"

"Well I think those oysters you ate had a lot of alcohol soaked into them."

Ukyou gingerly rubbed her temples.  Then her eyes grew wide as she realized were she had been laying.  Finally fully awake the day before came rushing back to her, although the end was a little fuzzy.  She looked over at Ryouga who was staring at her tenderly.  She blushed and quickly looked away, "I guess we had better get going."  She started to stand.

Ryouga got up easily, but Ukyou struggled to stand.  Once she had forced herself to her feet they began to walk toward the bus station, but Ukyou began to fall back down.  Ryouga quickly caught her and put an arm around her shoulders, and continued walking.  Ukyou's blush deepened, but she felt so good with his arm around her that she soon relaxed and leaned into him.  She sighed contently. I can't believe how gentle and tender Ryouga can be….  A smile grew on her lips.  Akane will never know what she missed out on.

With Ukyou leading the way and Ryouga walking for the both of them they soon made it back to the bus station.  They went to the locker where they had stowed their gear and took it out and went into the restrooms to change their clothes.

Once Ryouga had changed back into his regular traveling clothes he carefully packed away the clothes they had gotten for him the day before.  After cleaning up he put on his pack and left.  He sat down on the bench out side the restrooms and waited for Ukyou.

Ukyou had also changed her clothes when she walked out of the restroom.  She had her pack on her arm and looked rather irritated.  She walked over and sat down next to Ryouga.

"What's wrong, Ukyou?"

Ukyou sighed, "Well, I can't find the ribbon I had in my hair."

Ryouga noticed Ukyou's beautiful hair still flowed loosely over her shoulders.  Ukyou continued, "I really wanted to put my hair up.  It gets in the way when I leave it down."

Ryouga scratched his head, and an idea popped into his mind as his hand touched his bandana.  "Well, I don't have another ribbon for you, but you can have a couple of my bandanas if you want."

Ukyou looked at him, "Well…"  She watched as he took off two of his bandanas and tied them together offering them to her, "I guess."

She took the bandanas and put them in her hair.  Instead of the usual one large white bow on top of her head she had two slightly smaller yellow and black bows, one on each side of her head.  She smiled, "Thanks, Ryouga."

Ryouga smiled back at her and stood up, "The bus should be getting ready to leave soon."

After getting on the bus they sat down together in a seat.  It didn't take Ukyou, who was still not feeling very well, long to drift off into sleep with her head resting on Ryouga's shoulder.  Ryouga blushed at being so close to her but was careful not to wake her.  As Ryouga stared out the window at the world that passed them by he began to think about what had happen the day before.  He turned his thoughtful gaze toward Ukyou, and his heart jumped as he looked at her peaceful face.  I can't believe it.  I never thought of Ukyou this way before, but I think I'm… falling in l-love with her.  He shook his head and looked back out the window.  No!  I can't do this!  Not right now.  I couldn't take another heartbreak….  Not after I just lost Akari….  He sighed.  Heh… I'm not even over Akane yet for that matter….  But this could be my only chance at happiness… can I really let it just pass me by….  All he could do was stare out of the window.  He had no idea what he should do.  Finally he reached into his pack and pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil and began to draw to pass the time.

After a while Ryouga stopped drawing and looked at his pad thoughtfully.  He hadn't really been thinking about what he was drawing he had just been letting his mind wander as his pencil flowed across the page.  He blushed as he stared at the page.  The drawing was of Ukyou and himself holding hands, smiling and giving the thumbs up sign with their names written below.  He smiled slightly and quickly scribbled the words "First Date" above the picture.  Suddenly he felt Ukyou stir beside him and quickly stuffed the pad under the cover of his pack.

Ukyou sat up blearily, and yawned.  Ryouga's blush deepened and he turned his attention to the window.

After rubbing her eyes Ukyou turn to look at Ryouga, "I feel a lot better now."

Ryouga looked at her, "That's good."

"So how much farther do we have to go?"

"I'm not really sure, but I think it'll be a while yet."

Ukyou yawned, "Well… maybe I should get some more rest while I can."

Ryouga smiled at her slightly, "Yeah, I think I might try to get a little rest too."  Ryouga leaned against the window watching the world fly past, listening to the hum of the wheels rumbling over the pavement below.  Soon he was lost in their hypnotic music.  He didn't even notice when Ukyou once again leaned into him.

Several hours later they woke to find that they were at their destination and quickly dawned their gear and disembarked the bus.  After Ukyou got her bearings they once again set out by foot on the road with Ukyou holding Ryouga's hand after he managed to get lost as soon as stepped of the bus.

Ryouga was starting to get excited, "So how far do you think we are now?"

"Oh, I have no idea," she teased.

"B-but, I thought you knew where we're going…."

Ukyou giggled, "Oh, don't worry so much.  We should be able to get to the mountain by tomorrow evening at this pace."

Ryouga smiled, "Really?  That's great!  Then all we have to do is find the temple."

Ukyou's face became serious, "You know… you have never told me why you want to get to that temple so bad."

The smile slipped from Ryouga's face.  I guess this is as good of a time as any….  "Well… I was going to… uh…." he couldn't say it.

"Going to what, Ryouga?" Ukyou prodded.

"Errr… uhhh…." he couldn't do it.  "I was going to… ask you if you would spar with me again."

This knocked Ukyou's thoughts off course.  Images of their last sparring session leapt into her mind.  "I… uhhh….  I guess, but…."

Ryouga watched her slightly scared expression, "But what?"

Ukyou's gazed dropped to the ground, "But you have to promise to go easy on me…."  Embarrassment filled her words, "Even if I do something stupid like I did yesterday…."

A sympathetic smile grew on Ryouga's face, "Don't worry Ukyou.  I could never do anything to hurt you….  Besides, I want to practice some techniques I never use."

Ukyou moved her gaze to Ryouga, "You have secret techniques?"

Ryouga began to rub the back of his head, "Well, they are not really secret… I just never really used them…."

Ukyou thought about this as the two continued to walk into the evening.

That evening after they had went through their normal evening routine of setting up camp and dinner, they started to look for a place to spar.

Ukyou looked around at the sparse undergrowth among the trees were they had ended up, "How is this?"

Ryouga looked around stretching his arms, "This should be fine."

Ukyou began to stretch as well, "So what are the techniques you were talking about?"

Ryouga looked at Ukyou sheepishly, "Uhhh… why don't we warm up a little first."

Ukyou shrugged and dropped into a fighting stance, and Ryouga did the same.  Ukyou pulled her combat-spatula from it's binding and brought it to the ready.  Ryouga leapt at her, and Ukyou swung where she thought he should be.  However Ryouga changed his momentum and rolled to the left under the swing.  From his new position he swept at Ukyou's feet, but was surprised when she flipped over him bringing her combat-spatula straight for his head from behind.  Ryouga roughly blocked the crushing blow and twisted himself back on to his feet.  Ukyou sprang at him as soon as she touched the ground and thrust her combat-spatula at his midsection.  Ryouga sidestepped the blow and pulled on the spatula causing Ukyou to overextend, and leaving her off balance and quite unguarded.  Ryouga once again swept at her legs.  Ukyou couldn't do anything to avoid it and began to fall.  As Ukyou fell Ryouga completed his sweep and spun around in a kick that connected with Ukyou's oversized spatula knocking it completely out of her hands.  Once Ukyou had hit the ground she twisted around and locked her legs around one of Ryouga's.  Ryouga began to fall, but as he did he twisted around countering her move and locking his legs with one of Ukyou's.  Ukyou yelped in shock and pain as she felt one of her knee joints get pulled into a lock and start to overextend.  Ryouga quickly released the pressure afraid he would snap Ukyou knee, which was very likely had he waited any longer.

The two stood up and brushed themselves off, and Ukyou tenderly stretched her knee.

Ryouga watched her, "Not bad."

Ukyou looked at him annoyed, "Yeah right…."

"No really, you did really well.  I barely blocked that one blow."

Ukyou's mood lightened, "Heh… thanks."

"Well I guess now is as good of a time as any."

Ukyou looked and him confused, "Huh?"

"The techniques I was telling you about….  If you're ready, I'll show them to you now.'

Ukyou smiled, "Oh, okay."

Ukyou watched as Ryouga rolled his head around stretching his neck.  As she did she noticed his entire body started to become relaxed.  Ryouga fell loosely into a very sloppy fighting stance.  A crooked smile had grown on his lips and his eyelids drooped making him look half-asleep.  He raised a hand and motioned for her to attack.  Ukyou looked at him skeptically, but leapt at him with a kick, having not recovered her spatula.  Ryouga stumbled to the left causing Ukyou's kick to miss him.  Ukyou turned and threw a series of quick punches at him, but Ryouga once again stumbled out of the way, but this time as Ukyou began to follow him, Ryouga's momentum suddenly changed direction and he barreled into her stomach knocking the wind out of her.  She jumped back hunched over, and quickly located her combat-spatula.  She turned to look for Ryouga, and found him still standing where he had been before, and swaying unsteadily.  Ukyou charged at him bringing her gigantic spatula around in large arc.  As she did Ryouga fell over backwards, and Ukyou tripped over him.  She flew over Ryouga and crashed into the ground face first.

This was really starting to get on Ukyou's nerves.  She had no idea what Ryouga was doing, but it seemed like he was just playing with her, and making her look stupid.  She charged at the once again standing Ryouga.  She was more careful and made a more precise swing with her spatula.  Ryouga bent down like he was picking something up causing Ukyou to miss once again, and to her surprise Ryouga instantly stumbled forward and stood up between her arms.  Ukyou quickly dropped her spatula and began to try to pummel Ryouga.  Ryouga blocked the blows clumsily his hands occasionally tapping Ukyou lightly.  Finally Ukyou stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.

She was sitting on the ground with her arms propping her up from behind, and panting heavily.  She stared at Ryouga in disbelief.  Ryouga merely stood there swaying unsteadily.  "H-how did you… what did you… What was that?!?"

Ryouga closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  He once again stood steadily, and smiled at Ukyou.  "It's known as Zuiquan or the Drunken Forms, also called Drunk Fist or Drunken Fu."

Ukyou just stared at Ryouga.  Ryouga offered her his hand to help her up, and she involuntarily took it.  Ryouga pulled her to her feet, "I think that's enough for tonight."

Ukyou began to regain her senses, "But how… how did you… when did you…?"

"I learned it while I was in China.  I'll tell you the rest later.  Let's just get back to camp right now."

They began to go back to their camp, and Ukyou realized how much she ached all over.  The blows she had received from Ryouga had been very light but for some reason the pain and stiffness were quickly becoming overwhelming.  Luckily they got back quickly and she laid out on her sleeping bag next to the fire and moaned.  Ryouga sat down next to her, "Sorry about that.  I guess I got a little carried away."

Ukyou looked at him, "I don't get it.  You hardly even touched me…."

"Actually, I hit several of your pressure points…."  Ryouga lowered his head, "Sorry…."

Ukyou dismissed his apology, "You were gonna tell me about how you learned that, right?"

Ryouga blinked, "Uhhh… yeah.  Well it all started when I followed Ranma to China.  I had been lost for a while, and I hadn't seen Ranma at all.  One day I came to a village and I decided that it would be a good idea for me to rest there for the night and buy supplies."  Ryouga started to stare into the fire, "Well, the only place in town to get a room was above a bar.  So after I had gotten the room and rested for a bit I decided I would go down stairs and get something to eat."

Ryouga stopped as he realized Ukyou's muscles were starting to cramp up from what he had done and moved over behind her, "Here, let me massage your shoulders."

Ukyou blushed but pushed herself up and lean back into Ryouga's lap.  "Thanks.  Go on with the…." her words were lost when Ryouga began to knead the muscles in her shoulders soothingly, and a moan of joy escaped her lips.

Ryouga continued, "While I was down there a fight broke out.  I'm not sure why, but some young guys were threatening to beat up this old drunk guy.  I decided I should do something so I beat up the young guys.  After I was done I went to check on the old guy.  He thanked me and told me he wanted to show me something in return.  I told him he didn't need to do anything, but he insisted and told me he would be back the next day and that I should get plenty of sleep.

"The next morning I walked down the stairs from my room carrying my pack and there he was, waiting for me like he had said he would be.  I followed him to his cabin in the woods, and that's when he told me.  He said he was a master of the martial arts style called Zuiquan, and he offer to teach me.  At first I was reluctant, but in the end he convinced me.  We went into his cabin and…." Ryouga looked down at Ukyou who was staring at him contently.

"Well, what happened?" Ukyou asked enthusiastically.

Ryouga blushed, "Well… I don't really remember much more….  All I really know is that I was drunk for what turned out to be nearly two weeks straight…."

Ukyou just stared at him.  Finally it began to sink in and she started to laugh.

Ryouga smiled back and the woman lying in his lap and decided it was time.  I have to tell her now.  I can't wait any longer.  "Uh, Ukyou…."

Ukyou stopped laughing and looked him in the eyes, "What is it, honey?"

"Well… there is something else that happened in China that I think you should know about…." He felt his heart begin to race.

"Oh?  What's that?"

"Well, you know why I went to China right?"

"Sure, you went to find Ranma and beat him up because you hadn't been able to get to your guy's match or something like that.  Right?"

Ryouga didn't like hearing it put that way, but she was right, "Yeah… pretty much.  Did you know that I actually found him once?"

"Really?  That's kinda surprising."

"Yeah, well… nether of us realized it at the time…."

Somehow Ukyou did think she liked where he was going, "Is that it?"

Ryouga began to stare into the fire again, "No….  It was a cool morning when I found myself walking along the top of a large cliff.  I had already been searching for Ranma along time.  At the bottom of the cliff there were hundreds of small springs shimmering in the sunlight.  It was a great sight actually… the way the fog covered the valley it made it look mystical….  I wasn't really paying attention to it though….  As I walked suddenly a huge panda came flying out of the bushes behind me.  I barely jumped out of the way in time, but before I could recover and regain my balance a red-headed girl wearing a white karate gi leapt out of the bushes right afterwards…."  His face started to show signs of anger, "She didn't even notice me… she just stepped on me like a rock in the path.  I was nearly knocked off the cliff, somehow I managed to just barely land on the edge of the cliff… but it didn't matter…."  He was burning with anger, "The cliff collapse under my weight… and I fell.  I fell into the springs.  I fell into… Jusenkyo."  Ryouga's throat was dry and worry covered his face.

Ukyou stared at him blankly, "So Ranma knocked you into a spring at Jusenkyo?"  His words started to sink in, "So you are cursed?"  Her own words began to sink in, "So… so you change?"  Finally it hit her, "Oh my god, Ryouga!!!  You change?!?  Into what???"  Ukyou had leapt out of Ryouga's lap and was kneeling in front of him staring expectantly.

Ryouga's gaze fell to his lap, "I… I fell into the Hein Nii Chuan….  I change into a… little black pig…."

Ukyou stared at him for a second and began to laugh uncontrollably.  After a short time her mind began to work again.  "That's too much!" Ukyou choked out still laughing, "No wonder you were always so mad at Ranma.  I guess Ranma knew too, huh?  That's why he always called you pork-but and P-chan."  Ryouga flinched at the latter name.  Ukyou thought about this while she continued to laugh.  A new thought entered her mind and she stopped laughing, "Hey… wait a sec….  P-chan…?"   Ryouga winced as he felt her coming closer to the truth.  Ukyou's voice grew grave, "A-are you…."  Ukyou didn't finish but Ryouga knew what she was thinking and nodded slightly his gaze remaining cast down away from Ukyou's penetrating glare.

"Y-you're… P-chan?" she said still not comprehending it entirely.  "But that would mean…" her voice grew dark, "that would mean… all that time that Akane spent with P-chan….  It was you… all of it…."  A look of disgust and horror grew on her face, "Even when she slept with P-chan and sat P-chan on her bed while she changed her… and…."  Ukyou's voice grew into a shout, "Oh my god Ryouga!  You pervert!!!  How could you?!?  You… you lied to her… abused her trust!!!"

Every muscle in Ryouga's body was tense.  His face was contorted in pain and his eyes clenched shut in an effort to hold back the tears growing in his eyes.  His heart of glass had shattered.  He had thought Ukyou might understand, but she didn't, and he couldn't blame her.  Still he need to explain, "B-but, I…."

Ukyou jumped up, "Shut up!  I don't want to hear your stupid excuses!  I can't believe you would do that to someone you cared about so much, you pervert!  I can't believe I came out here with you!  God, what was I thinking?!?"

"I didn't…."

Ukyou didn't let him continue, "Shut up!!!  I said don't want to hear it!  I never want to see you again!  Get out of my face!!!"

Ryouga couldn't take anymore.  Ukyou is right!!!  He couldn't blame Ukyou for hating him for what he had done.  He hated himself for it, so why shouldn't she?  He leapt up grabbing his pack and ran off into the forest night yelling back as he ran in a sobbing voice, "I'm so sorry, Ukyou!  You'll never see me again."

Ryouga ran to escape, but what he really wanted to escape was himself.  His heart ached as he once again lost someone he cared about.  Tears rolled down his checks.  I can't do this!  Not again!  How many times do I have to ruin my chances at happiness?!  I can't even blame it all on Ranma… Ukyou was right… I was the one who decided to do those things… no one forced me….  I'm to blame… I'm the one who has ruined my life.  Ryouga continued to run, consumed by the darkness in his heart.

Ukyou had stumbled to the ground as Ryouga ran off.  She stared in the direction Ryouga had gone for along time his parting words ringing in her ears.  "I'm so sorry, Ukyou!  You'll never see me again."  She was stunned.  She still couldn't comprehend Ryouga being P-chan.  She was angry, she was hurt… but she wished she hadn't reacted the way she had.  She wished she could have been a little more understanding.  She wanted to talk to Ryouga she wanted to ask him why he had done it, to try to understand… but she couldn't.  He was gone.

Ukyou shook her head and rubbed the tears she hadn't realized she had been crying from her eyes.  She unrolled her sleeping bag, and crawled into it, but it was a very long time before she fell into an uneasy sleep.

Ryouga ran long into the night.  He continued to run as hard as he could until his muscles gave out.  He stumbled to a stop as he almost passed out.  He punched the huge stone object next to him and collapsed to the ground unconscious as it crumbled.