***Forgot the disclaimers in the first chapter: West Side Story and Ranma
½ are NOT mine! Nor do I want them. Also this is a parody - please do not
expect a lot of meaningful dialogue of love as this happens almost exactly
as West Side Story does! Ie) If you don't like that Ryouga and Ukyou fall
in love without saying much of anything - go watch West Side Story and
Maria and Tony! And if you just love it - well go watch West Side Story
and figure out why! ^.^
On with the story:
Ryouga left the dance, walking but not knowing where he was going. He was still feeling the same dizziness as when he first touched Ukyou. Was this what he was supposed to come to the dance for? To meet that beautiful angel?
"I just met a girl named Ukyou!" He cried out into the dark night.
"Shut up!" Someone threw a boot at him.
Ryouga wandered around thinking of her sweet face. Her innocent smile. The kindness he had seen in her blue eyes. It wasn't until he came out of his thoughts did Ryouga realize he was lost again. "Ah Shimate!" he cursed loudly. "What would Ukyou say if she knew?"
Ukyou was standing on a balcony above Ryouga. She had come out to escape Shampoo's berating about Ryouga. Below her she heard a curse and then her name. "Who is there?" she asked a bit frightened. She had been daydreaming about the boy at the dance and hadn't realized she left her giant spatula inside out of reach. She pulled her night robe around her protectively.
"Ukyou?" Ryouga recognized her sweet voice immediately.
"It's you!" Ukyou leaned over the balcony staring down. The moon rising in the sky and the streetlamps helped to show her the boy in front of her. "You know my name. Might I have the pleasure of knowing yours?" she asked.
"It's Ryouga! Ryouga Hibiki!" he called up. His eyes began searching for a way up onto the balcony. He found a trellis and began climbing it.
"Ryouga," Ukyou smiled. She finally knew the name of the boy she loved. 'Do I love him?' she asked herself. It must be love. Nothing else was said to make you feel like this. Like you've been turning in circles for hours on end.
Ryouga picked out a flower on the trellis on the way up and presented it to her when he finally climbed onto the balcony.
"Thank you," Ukyou smelled the sweet scent of the flower then cupped her cheek to the softness of the petals.
"Forgive me for not presenting you with orchids and roses and chocolates," Ryouga's voice was getting louder as he ticked off gifts in happiness.
"Please.." Ukyou put a finger to his lips, "Shh... my parents will wake and want to know why I am out here."
"I'd like to meet them." Ryouga nodded.
"No," Ukyou shook her head, "Not yet. My parents would not understand."
"But we do don't we?" Ryouga took her hands in his. Ukyou stared up into his brown eyes wondering how she could have lived her whole life without knowing this man.
"Our backgrounds are too different," Ukyou told him, "I grew up around my family who are all cursed. Shampoo told me you are part of that Nerima gang. I am not like you. And you are not one of us."
"I don't care," Ryouga shook his head. Then a thought occurred to him. "Are you cursed too Ukyou?"
"No," Ukyou shook her head, "I am fortunate enough to have been adopted into my family. Otherwise I surely would have been baptized in the springs as the others were."
"Then you are different from them!" Ryouga said.
"No I am not," Ukyou shook her head, "I love my family. I am just as they are. They are normal aside from certain water accidents."
"I believe you," Ryouga lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them, "For I must believe everything the woman I love tells me."
"Do you mean that?" Ukyou felt her breath catch in her throat.
Ryouga nodded. She threw herself into his arms. "I love you too!" she told him pressing herself into his chest.
They held each other until Ukyou looked up. Ryouga looked down at her. Their lips moved towards each other and they finished the kiss that had been interrupted at the dance. Their lips met moving over each other in a sensual dance, their tongues exploring where they could not tread earlier.
"If this is a dream I hope I never wake," Ukyou said breaking the kiss. She laid her head on his chest.
"I am glad this isn't a dream," Ryouga said, "Tonight when I saw you it's as if the world was suddenly full of life."
"Yes," Ukyou nodded, "That is how I felt too. It was only a few hours ago, and yet now I cannot imagine my life without you."
"Ukyou..??" a voice called from inside.
"My mother.." Ukyou sucked in her breath. "I had better go."
"When can I see you again?" Ryouga asked.
"I do not know.." Ukyou stepped back from him reluctantly.
"Ukyou..??" the voice from inside called again, "Ukyou are you listening to me?" There was a knock heard from within.
"Go now," Ukyou smiled. They kissed one more time. Ryouga climbed down the trellis.
"Ryouga?" Ukyou called out to him when he made it to the street.
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow. I usually cook for a restaurant down the street. We close at 6. I will chase everyone out. Will you come see me?" Ukyou asked.
"Yes! Tomorrow!" Ryouga hoped he could find the shop tomorrow. He'd be damned if he missed that.
"Wo ai ni," Ukyou called down to him. "What's that?" Ryouga asked. "I love you." she smiled at him.
"Wo ai ni!" he called back grinning. Then he disappeared. Ukyou went inside.
* * *
Ryuu punched at a wall bored. "Why are we even meeting with them dirty freaks?" he asked.
"When's Ryouga gonna get here?" Daisuke asked. Hiroshi was flipping through a manga comic. "What's that Hiroshi?" Daisuke grabbed it from him.
"Hey! That's a real good comic. It's about a half demon named Inu Yasha," Hiroshi tried to grab the manga back, "I wanna be just like him someday!"
"Oh really? Why don't you marry him?" Daisuke kept it away.
"I ain't never getting married," Tsubasa declared.
"Who'd want to marry a cross dresser like you?" Hiroshi taunted.
"Hey Hiroshi why aren't you at home sleeping like the baby you are?" Tsubasa glared at Hiroshi. Hiroshi glared back at the cross dresser.
"Why don't you go take a long walk off a short pier," Hiroshi yelled back at him.
"Why you! CHARGE!" Tsubasa attacked Hiroshi. They rolled, with Tsubasa kicking and punching him until the others pulled him off the boy.
"Let me at him!" Tsubasa scrabbled with his nails outstretched.
"Girly boy!" Hiroshi taunted. His cheek had a long scratch on it.
"Cool it," Ranma came up with his arm around Akane. Kunou was behind him with Nabiki. "Such a tragedy a boy like that," Akane commented. Tsubasa stuck his tongue out at her.
"You chicks are gonna have to leave when them sharks get here," Ranma told Akane.
"Who are you calling a chicks?" Akane's eyes started to flame. Ranma backed away quickly, "Sorry sorry!"
"How very droll," Nabiki looked up from where she was kissing Kunou, "We might decide not to leave Ranma. Unless of course, we're paid well."
"I'm not paying you to leave Nabiki," Ranma's eyes shot daggers at her. She merely smiled back at him. Kunou placed some yen into her hand. "Thank you dear," Nabiki kissed him on the lips.
A cop car patrolled by then and stopped. Officer Kunou got out of the car. "What are you boys and girls doing here at this time of the night?" He asked.
"We gotta right to be here," Ryuu challenged. Officer Kunou pulled out his scissors menacingly, "You boys need a trim on your wild actions."
"7-13 in progress at Yerr Street," a voice crackled from the radio in the cop car. Officer Kunou turned around, "You boys go on home now! Kunou you too!"
"As you speak father," Kunou rolled his eyes as his dad left.
"What's going on out here?" Cologne hopped out of her shop on her staff. As soon as the door behind her was open, Ranma's gang infiltrated the place setting themselves up around the counters. "I'm closed for business tonight boys," Cologne waved her staff at them threateningly.
"Yo Old Ghoul," Ranma called, "We're going to have a war council. You either like it or hate it but we ain't leaving."
Cologne stared at the young upstart. He thought he was hot stuff. She could take him out in a second if necessary but the war council had her curious. What had the teens been up to?
A whistle from one of the boys caught their attention. The Jusenkyo freaks had shown up. Mousse, Tarou, and Konatsu filed in one by one with the rest of the gang behind them. Ranma pushed Akane and Nabiki out the door. He went over to where Tsubasa was sitting in the corner and indicated him to leave. Tsubasa gave a pained look then left unwillingly.
"Set 'em up Cologne," Ranma commanded, "Cokes all around."
"Why don't you sit Mousse?" Ranma offered, "We'll have a drink.."
"I don't like you any more than you like me. Let's get to it Nerima boy," Mousse sat down. Konatsu sat down next to him. Tarou stood behind them intimidating in stature.
"If you hadn't started stealing our turf," Ryuu growled to Mousse. Mousse challenged back, "You beat me up the first day I came here." They started calling each other names. When the gangs would have fought both Ranma and Mousse stood up with hands out stopping their men. They sat back down tense and strained.
"We have an all out rumble. Whoever wins gets the turf agreed?" Ranma asked.
"Agreed." Mousse and Ranma shook on it.
"Time?"
"Tomorrow. After Dark." Mousse said. They shook agreeing.
"Place?"
"The Park."
Ranma shook his head. "The River." He suggested.
Mousse shook his head. "The highway."
"Agreed." They shook
"Weapons?" Ranma asked.
Mousse looked at Tarou who gave nothing away. "Rocks," he suggested.
"Bricks," Ranma upped him.
"Bats." Mousse became incensed.
"Knives," Ranma upped.
"Guns!" Mousse was practically standing in his seat.
"Whips, Knuckles, Swords," Ryouga stepped into the shop listing. "You guys are a bunch of chickens."
"Who are you calling a chicken?" Mousse's eyes lit up in flame. He stepped towards Ryouga menacingly.
"What a bunch of wimps. Afraid of a man-to-man fight. Using weapons instead of just skin," Ryouga taunted.
Tarou and Konatsu had to hold Mousse back from going after Ryouga who had stepped in front of him. Only when Mousse got his emotions under control did they let him go.
"Who are you calling a chicken?" Mousse glared at Ryouga. "You have a better way?"
"That's how it's done. Fair fight. Best man of each gang fights until a knockout martial arts style."
"Fair fight?" Ranma asked.
Mousse turned and they shook hands, "Fair fight," he echoed.
"I'm going to enjoy beating you," Mousse turned back to Ryouga.
"We get to pick our man. Ranma pointed at himself. "That's me."
"But I thought.."Mousse trailed off staring at Ryouga. His revenge would be incomplete.
"Best man," he said disgusted. A whistle came from the door. "It's Officer Kunou!"
When the cop stepped into the shop ready to cut some juvenile delinquent hair, he found the gangs talking and laughing and pretending they were having a good time.
"Now this is what I was talking about. Peace and quiet," Officer Kunou stated. "But Mousse get your gang out of here. I don't want to see you on the streets again."
Mousse glared at Officer Kunou but it was no use. He indicated his gang to leave. The policeman always would favor the Nerima gang. They left silently.
"Okay where's the rumble going to be?" Officer Kunou wasn't fooled for a minute. "Son?" Kunou turned away from him.
"Hiroshi tell me." he demanded. Hirosh shrugged. He looked back at his manga a bit nervously.
"Damn it! I can help you take down those Jusenkyo freaks if you tell me where it's gonna happen. The River? The Park?" Officer Kunou looked at them all but none gave anything away.
"Fine! When some of you come stretched out in body bags, don't the rest of you come crying to me," Officer Kunou got mad and left. The gang filed out after him except for Ryouga.
"There goes one of the three stooges," Cologne tapped her staff at Officer Kunou. "Those gangs will never mix. Tomorrow is going to be a bad night."
"No it won't," Ryouga was amazed he made it to the shop. Seeing Tsubasa when the cross dresser had stepped out, had helped him know he was where he needed to be. "Everything will be alright. You'll see."
"What's gotten into you, you silly boy?" Cologne bapped his head with her staff, "You act as if you're not even here."
"I'm not!" Ryouga said happily, "I met a girl."
"That explains it," Cologne smiled a mysterious smile. She remembered her days when a certain short guy used to make her crazy like that.
"They'll fight a fair fight and then tomorrow," Ryouga smiled thinking, "Tomorrow after the rumble I'll let everyone know about us."
Cologne shook her head. Young people in love, she sighed.
* * *
Ukyou hummed another tune pouring more batter. Her friends stared at her funny. Ukyou had been making heart shaped okinomiyaki all day long, and singing or dancing whenever she could.
"What has Tarou done to put you in such a good mood?" Shina her friend asked her.
"Tarou? Why Tarou?" Ukyou smiled pouring more batter. She flipped a cooked okinomiyaki onto a plate and handed it to Miki to deliver onto the floor.
"You have a certain look about you," Shina said.
"I do?" Ukyou smiled.
"You are dancing and singing around the restaurant," Shina reminded her.
"I am?"
"I do. I am. She sounds like a parrot. It must be love," Miki dropped off another order.
"I cannot help it if today I feel so great. I feel charming, beautiful and I've met a wonderful boy!" Ukyou smiled.
"Well you will not feel so wonderful if you do not get those orders out on the double," Mrs. Nakoto her employer reminded her. Ukyou smiled and wiped down the grill.
When it was close to closing time her smile got wider. Ryouga was supposed to be here any minute.
"I am leaving," Mrs. Nakoto swept by Shampoo who was cashiering at the door.
"Sayanora," Shampoo finished up the last customer and then turned the sign over. "I want go home and take long bubble bath." She counted out the yen in the register. "Coming Ukyou?"
"You go Shampoo-sama. I will lock up," Ukyou started pulling down the shades. She turned the bolt in the front door. "I have some cleaning to do."
"I going to soak well. Cherry Blossom Bubbles. Is your brother's favorite," Shampoo pulled a compact out and began powdering her nose. "He will be very loving after rumble tonight."
"Rumble?" Ukyou paused in wiping off the grill. "What rumble?"
"Mousse go fight stupid Ranma's gang tonight," Shampoo shrugged, "They have it out. Then Mousse come to me and he will need Shampoo take care of him."
"There cannot be a rumble," Ukyou looked down, "Why must they fight?"
"They are men. Must work out aggression," Shampoo shrugged closing up her compact. She took off her apron.
There was a commotion from the back of the restaurant and Ryouga came stumbling through. "I made it!" he shouted joyously.
Ukyou froze. Shampoo froze looking at the lost boy. She looked at Ukyou. "You go. I will lock up," she mimicked. Ukyou gave a halfhearted smile and shrugged.
"Nihao," Ryouga greeted Shampoo in her own language. Shampoo gave him a suspicious look. "What you doing here?"
"I asked him to come," Ukyou said, "I er.." she stumbled looking for an excuse.
"I know why he here," Shampoo looked disapprovingly between the two of them. "If spatula girl's brother knew.."
"Please don't be angry," Ryouga said stepping forward. "We can't stay apart. We're floating twelve feet in the air when we see each other."
"If Mousse knew.." Shampoo repeated herself and sighed. "You two are major trouble."
Ukyou walked to her and took Shampoo's hands in hers. "You will not tell?" she asked imploring Shampoo with her eyes. "Please?"
"How can Shampoo tell what go on twelve feet above her?" Shampoo sighed, "You be home in fifteen minutes!"
"Thank you," Ukyou threw her arms around Shampoo hugging her. Shampoo left with a warning of "fifteen minutes."
"I am so glad you are here," Ukyou threw herself into Ryouga's arms. His arms folded about her holding her close. She smiled against his chest happily.
Ryouga was glad secretly that he made it too. He wasn't sure he was going to but luck had been with him today when he spotted Shampoo through the front door at the cash register. "I've been wanting to see you all day," he told her.
"I am happy to see you too. But there is something I must discuss with you," Ukyou backed away from him. "There is a rumble tonight."
"Yes I know," Ryouga, said, "I made it a fair fight. Man to Man only."
"No fight is a good fight for us. Ryouga you must stop it," Ukyou looked up into his brown eyes. Surely he must understand.
"But how?" Ryouga was at a loss.
"I do not know. But if they fight, someone will get hurt and it will only hurt us." Ukyou told him. She sighed.
"You are right," Ryouga nodded, "I will stop it."
"Thank you," Ukyou smiled.
"And afterwards I will come and see you. At your front door." Ryouga said confidently.
"Ryouga no.. my mother would never approve."
"Well then you'll come to my house."
"Your mother?" Ukyou asked. "She's not home," Ryouga admitted. "Ukyou there's something I have to tell you."
On with the story:
Ryouga left the dance, walking but not knowing where he was going. He was still feeling the same dizziness as when he first touched Ukyou. Was this what he was supposed to come to the dance for? To meet that beautiful angel?
"I just met a girl named Ukyou!" He cried out into the dark night.
"Shut up!" Someone threw a boot at him.
Ryouga wandered around thinking of her sweet face. Her innocent smile. The kindness he had seen in her blue eyes. It wasn't until he came out of his thoughts did Ryouga realize he was lost again. "Ah Shimate!" he cursed loudly. "What would Ukyou say if she knew?"
Ukyou was standing on a balcony above Ryouga. She had come out to escape Shampoo's berating about Ryouga. Below her she heard a curse and then her name. "Who is there?" she asked a bit frightened. She had been daydreaming about the boy at the dance and hadn't realized she left her giant spatula inside out of reach. She pulled her night robe around her protectively.
"Ukyou?" Ryouga recognized her sweet voice immediately.
"It's you!" Ukyou leaned over the balcony staring down. The moon rising in the sky and the streetlamps helped to show her the boy in front of her. "You know my name. Might I have the pleasure of knowing yours?" she asked.
"It's Ryouga! Ryouga Hibiki!" he called up. His eyes began searching for a way up onto the balcony. He found a trellis and began climbing it.
"Ryouga," Ukyou smiled. She finally knew the name of the boy she loved. 'Do I love him?' she asked herself. It must be love. Nothing else was said to make you feel like this. Like you've been turning in circles for hours on end.
Ryouga picked out a flower on the trellis on the way up and presented it to her when he finally climbed onto the balcony.
"Thank you," Ukyou smelled the sweet scent of the flower then cupped her cheek to the softness of the petals.
"Forgive me for not presenting you with orchids and roses and chocolates," Ryouga's voice was getting louder as he ticked off gifts in happiness.
"Please.." Ukyou put a finger to his lips, "Shh... my parents will wake and want to know why I am out here."
"I'd like to meet them." Ryouga nodded.
"No," Ukyou shook her head, "Not yet. My parents would not understand."
"But we do don't we?" Ryouga took her hands in his. Ukyou stared up into his brown eyes wondering how she could have lived her whole life without knowing this man.
"Our backgrounds are too different," Ukyou told him, "I grew up around my family who are all cursed. Shampoo told me you are part of that Nerima gang. I am not like you. And you are not one of us."
"I don't care," Ryouga shook his head. Then a thought occurred to him. "Are you cursed too Ukyou?"
"No," Ukyou shook her head, "I am fortunate enough to have been adopted into my family. Otherwise I surely would have been baptized in the springs as the others were."
"Then you are different from them!" Ryouga said.
"No I am not," Ukyou shook her head, "I love my family. I am just as they are. They are normal aside from certain water accidents."
"I believe you," Ryouga lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them, "For I must believe everything the woman I love tells me."
"Do you mean that?" Ukyou felt her breath catch in her throat.
Ryouga nodded. She threw herself into his arms. "I love you too!" she told him pressing herself into his chest.
They held each other until Ukyou looked up. Ryouga looked down at her. Their lips moved towards each other and they finished the kiss that had been interrupted at the dance. Their lips met moving over each other in a sensual dance, their tongues exploring where they could not tread earlier.
"If this is a dream I hope I never wake," Ukyou said breaking the kiss. She laid her head on his chest.
"I am glad this isn't a dream," Ryouga said, "Tonight when I saw you it's as if the world was suddenly full of life."
"Yes," Ukyou nodded, "That is how I felt too. It was only a few hours ago, and yet now I cannot imagine my life without you."
"Ukyou..??" a voice called from inside.
"My mother.." Ukyou sucked in her breath. "I had better go."
"When can I see you again?" Ryouga asked.
"I do not know.." Ukyou stepped back from him reluctantly.
"Ukyou..??" the voice from inside called again, "Ukyou are you listening to me?" There was a knock heard from within.
"Go now," Ukyou smiled. They kissed one more time. Ryouga climbed down the trellis.
"Ryouga?" Ukyou called out to him when he made it to the street.
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow. I usually cook for a restaurant down the street. We close at 6. I will chase everyone out. Will you come see me?" Ukyou asked.
"Yes! Tomorrow!" Ryouga hoped he could find the shop tomorrow. He'd be damned if he missed that.
"Wo ai ni," Ukyou called down to him. "What's that?" Ryouga asked. "I love you." she smiled at him.
"Wo ai ni!" he called back grinning. Then he disappeared. Ukyou went inside.
* * *
Ryuu punched at a wall bored. "Why are we even meeting with them dirty freaks?" he asked.
"When's Ryouga gonna get here?" Daisuke asked. Hiroshi was flipping through a manga comic. "What's that Hiroshi?" Daisuke grabbed it from him.
"Hey! That's a real good comic. It's about a half demon named Inu Yasha," Hiroshi tried to grab the manga back, "I wanna be just like him someday!"
"Oh really? Why don't you marry him?" Daisuke kept it away.
"I ain't never getting married," Tsubasa declared.
"Who'd want to marry a cross dresser like you?" Hiroshi taunted.
"Hey Hiroshi why aren't you at home sleeping like the baby you are?" Tsubasa glared at Hiroshi. Hiroshi glared back at the cross dresser.
"Why don't you go take a long walk off a short pier," Hiroshi yelled back at him.
"Why you! CHARGE!" Tsubasa attacked Hiroshi. They rolled, with Tsubasa kicking and punching him until the others pulled him off the boy.
"Let me at him!" Tsubasa scrabbled with his nails outstretched.
"Girly boy!" Hiroshi taunted. His cheek had a long scratch on it.
"Cool it," Ranma came up with his arm around Akane. Kunou was behind him with Nabiki. "Such a tragedy a boy like that," Akane commented. Tsubasa stuck his tongue out at her.
"You chicks are gonna have to leave when them sharks get here," Ranma told Akane.
"Who are you calling a chicks?" Akane's eyes started to flame. Ranma backed away quickly, "Sorry sorry!"
"How very droll," Nabiki looked up from where she was kissing Kunou, "We might decide not to leave Ranma. Unless of course, we're paid well."
"I'm not paying you to leave Nabiki," Ranma's eyes shot daggers at her. She merely smiled back at him. Kunou placed some yen into her hand. "Thank you dear," Nabiki kissed him on the lips.
A cop car patrolled by then and stopped. Officer Kunou got out of the car. "What are you boys and girls doing here at this time of the night?" He asked.
"We gotta right to be here," Ryuu challenged. Officer Kunou pulled out his scissors menacingly, "You boys need a trim on your wild actions."
"7-13 in progress at Yerr Street," a voice crackled from the radio in the cop car. Officer Kunou turned around, "You boys go on home now! Kunou you too!"
"As you speak father," Kunou rolled his eyes as his dad left.
"What's going on out here?" Cologne hopped out of her shop on her staff. As soon as the door behind her was open, Ranma's gang infiltrated the place setting themselves up around the counters. "I'm closed for business tonight boys," Cologne waved her staff at them threateningly.
"Yo Old Ghoul," Ranma called, "We're going to have a war council. You either like it or hate it but we ain't leaving."
Cologne stared at the young upstart. He thought he was hot stuff. She could take him out in a second if necessary but the war council had her curious. What had the teens been up to?
A whistle from one of the boys caught their attention. The Jusenkyo freaks had shown up. Mousse, Tarou, and Konatsu filed in one by one with the rest of the gang behind them. Ranma pushed Akane and Nabiki out the door. He went over to where Tsubasa was sitting in the corner and indicated him to leave. Tsubasa gave a pained look then left unwillingly.
"Set 'em up Cologne," Ranma commanded, "Cokes all around."
"Why don't you sit Mousse?" Ranma offered, "We'll have a drink.."
"I don't like you any more than you like me. Let's get to it Nerima boy," Mousse sat down. Konatsu sat down next to him. Tarou stood behind them intimidating in stature.
"If you hadn't started stealing our turf," Ryuu growled to Mousse. Mousse challenged back, "You beat me up the first day I came here." They started calling each other names. When the gangs would have fought both Ranma and Mousse stood up with hands out stopping their men. They sat back down tense and strained.
"We have an all out rumble. Whoever wins gets the turf agreed?" Ranma asked.
"Agreed." Mousse and Ranma shook on it.
"Time?"
"Tomorrow. After Dark." Mousse said. They shook agreeing.
"Place?"
"The Park."
Ranma shook his head. "The River." He suggested.
Mousse shook his head. "The highway."
"Agreed." They shook
"Weapons?" Ranma asked.
Mousse looked at Tarou who gave nothing away. "Rocks," he suggested.
"Bricks," Ranma upped him.
"Bats." Mousse became incensed.
"Knives," Ranma upped.
"Guns!" Mousse was practically standing in his seat.
"Whips, Knuckles, Swords," Ryouga stepped into the shop listing. "You guys are a bunch of chickens."
"Who are you calling a chicken?" Mousse's eyes lit up in flame. He stepped towards Ryouga menacingly.
"What a bunch of wimps. Afraid of a man-to-man fight. Using weapons instead of just skin," Ryouga taunted.
Tarou and Konatsu had to hold Mousse back from going after Ryouga who had stepped in front of him. Only when Mousse got his emotions under control did they let him go.
"Who are you calling a chicken?" Mousse glared at Ryouga. "You have a better way?"
"That's how it's done. Fair fight. Best man of each gang fights until a knockout martial arts style."
"Fair fight?" Ranma asked.
Mousse turned and they shook hands, "Fair fight," he echoed.
"I'm going to enjoy beating you," Mousse turned back to Ryouga.
"We get to pick our man. Ranma pointed at himself. "That's me."
"But I thought.."Mousse trailed off staring at Ryouga. His revenge would be incomplete.
"Best man," he said disgusted. A whistle came from the door. "It's Officer Kunou!"
When the cop stepped into the shop ready to cut some juvenile delinquent hair, he found the gangs talking and laughing and pretending they were having a good time.
"Now this is what I was talking about. Peace and quiet," Officer Kunou stated. "But Mousse get your gang out of here. I don't want to see you on the streets again."
Mousse glared at Officer Kunou but it was no use. He indicated his gang to leave. The policeman always would favor the Nerima gang. They left silently.
"Okay where's the rumble going to be?" Officer Kunou wasn't fooled for a minute. "Son?" Kunou turned away from him.
"Hiroshi tell me." he demanded. Hirosh shrugged. He looked back at his manga a bit nervously.
"Damn it! I can help you take down those Jusenkyo freaks if you tell me where it's gonna happen. The River? The Park?" Officer Kunou looked at them all but none gave anything away.
"Fine! When some of you come stretched out in body bags, don't the rest of you come crying to me," Officer Kunou got mad and left. The gang filed out after him except for Ryouga.
"There goes one of the three stooges," Cologne tapped her staff at Officer Kunou. "Those gangs will never mix. Tomorrow is going to be a bad night."
"No it won't," Ryouga was amazed he made it to the shop. Seeing Tsubasa when the cross dresser had stepped out, had helped him know he was where he needed to be. "Everything will be alright. You'll see."
"What's gotten into you, you silly boy?" Cologne bapped his head with her staff, "You act as if you're not even here."
"I'm not!" Ryouga said happily, "I met a girl."
"That explains it," Cologne smiled a mysterious smile. She remembered her days when a certain short guy used to make her crazy like that.
"They'll fight a fair fight and then tomorrow," Ryouga smiled thinking, "Tomorrow after the rumble I'll let everyone know about us."
Cologne shook her head. Young people in love, she sighed.
* * *
Ukyou hummed another tune pouring more batter. Her friends stared at her funny. Ukyou had been making heart shaped okinomiyaki all day long, and singing or dancing whenever she could.
"What has Tarou done to put you in such a good mood?" Shina her friend asked her.
"Tarou? Why Tarou?" Ukyou smiled pouring more batter. She flipped a cooked okinomiyaki onto a plate and handed it to Miki to deliver onto the floor.
"You have a certain look about you," Shina said.
"I do?" Ukyou smiled.
"You are dancing and singing around the restaurant," Shina reminded her.
"I am?"
"I do. I am. She sounds like a parrot. It must be love," Miki dropped off another order.
"I cannot help it if today I feel so great. I feel charming, beautiful and I've met a wonderful boy!" Ukyou smiled.
"Well you will not feel so wonderful if you do not get those orders out on the double," Mrs. Nakoto her employer reminded her. Ukyou smiled and wiped down the grill.
When it was close to closing time her smile got wider. Ryouga was supposed to be here any minute.
"I am leaving," Mrs. Nakoto swept by Shampoo who was cashiering at the door.
"Sayanora," Shampoo finished up the last customer and then turned the sign over. "I want go home and take long bubble bath." She counted out the yen in the register. "Coming Ukyou?"
"You go Shampoo-sama. I will lock up," Ukyou started pulling down the shades. She turned the bolt in the front door. "I have some cleaning to do."
"I going to soak well. Cherry Blossom Bubbles. Is your brother's favorite," Shampoo pulled a compact out and began powdering her nose. "He will be very loving after rumble tonight."
"Rumble?" Ukyou paused in wiping off the grill. "What rumble?"
"Mousse go fight stupid Ranma's gang tonight," Shampoo shrugged, "They have it out. Then Mousse come to me and he will need Shampoo take care of him."
"There cannot be a rumble," Ukyou looked down, "Why must they fight?"
"They are men. Must work out aggression," Shampoo shrugged closing up her compact. She took off her apron.
There was a commotion from the back of the restaurant and Ryouga came stumbling through. "I made it!" he shouted joyously.
Ukyou froze. Shampoo froze looking at the lost boy. She looked at Ukyou. "You go. I will lock up," she mimicked. Ukyou gave a halfhearted smile and shrugged.
"Nihao," Ryouga greeted Shampoo in her own language. Shampoo gave him a suspicious look. "What you doing here?"
"I asked him to come," Ukyou said, "I er.." she stumbled looking for an excuse.
"I know why he here," Shampoo looked disapprovingly between the two of them. "If spatula girl's brother knew.."
"Please don't be angry," Ryouga said stepping forward. "We can't stay apart. We're floating twelve feet in the air when we see each other."
"If Mousse knew.." Shampoo repeated herself and sighed. "You two are major trouble."
Ukyou walked to her and took Shampoo's hands in hers. "You will not tell?" she asked imploring Shampoo with her eyes. "Please?"
"How can Shampoo tell what go on twelve feet above her?" Shampoo sighed, "You be home in fifteen minutes!"
"Thank you," Ukyou threw her arms around Shampoo hugging her. Shampoo left with a warning of "fifteen minutes."
"I am so glad you are here," Ukyou threw herself into Ryouga's arms. His arms folded about her holding her close. She smiled against his chest happily.
Ryouga was glad secretly that he made it too. He wasn't sure he was going to but luck had been with him today when he spotted Shampoo through the front door at the cash register. "I've been wanting to see you all day," he told her.
"I am happy to see you too. But there is something I must discuss with you," Ukyou backed away from him. "There is a rumble tonight."
"Yes I know," Ryouga, said, "I made it a fair fight. Man to Man only."
"No fight is a good fight for us. Ryouga you must stop it," Ukyou looked up into his brown eyes. Surely he must understand.
"But how?" Ryouga was at a loss.
"I do not know. But if they fight, someone will get hurt and it will only hurt us." Ukyou told him. She sighed.
"You are right," Ryouga nodded, "I will stop it."
"Thank you," Ukyou smiled.
"And afterwards I will come and see you. At your front door." Ryouga said confidently.
"Ryouga no.. my mother would never approve."
"Well then you'll come to my house."
"Your mother?" Ukyou asked. "She's not home," Ryouga admitted. "Ukyou there's something I have to tell you."