DISCLAIMER: The copyrights to Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki is owned by AIC Inc. and Pioneer LDC respectively. The copyrights to Ranma 1/2 are owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Pioneer LDC respectively. This work of fiction is not created for commercial purposes and is done for fan entertainment only without profit.
How Did We Get Here?
By Bain
Bain0001@hotmail.com
bain-net.us Chapter 1
Ranma wondered who would be knocking on his door as he got out of the shower. It had been a long day at the dojo. Although he enjoyed teaching martial arts to eager students, they were a bit trying when they kept overestimating their own abilities. Still, it was very rewarding work he wouldn't give up.
Still wrapped in a towel, he headed toward the front door of his small apartment. He was puzzled who could be, hoping that it wasn't another barrage of amazons trying to get him to marry them.
With a little apprehension, he opened the door. There stood a young woman with wild cyan hair with a sheepish smile on her face. She was wearing a light pink blouse, black tights, with a pair of black high heel boots. She held a small silver suitcase.
"Ohaiyo," said the woman.
"Ryoko-chan?" Ranma said surprised.
She giggled. "Hai, it's me."
"It's been..."
"Five years," Ryoko said finishing Ranma's sentence for him and they hugged.
They both just stood there in each other's arms. Ranma noted that Ryoko hadn't changed one bit while she was gone. Her body was as curvy and supple as ever. It felt wonderful holding her after so long.
"May I come in?" she asked.
Ranma awoke from his daze and finally let her go. "Uhh, ya come on in," he said a bit embarrassed. 'Gee, I was hugging her in only a towel in the doorway for Kami knows how long, how embarrassing,' Ranma thought to himself.
Ryoko entered the studio apartment and placed the suitcase next to the door. "Nice place," she said, as she looked around. The apartment was sparsely decorated. In one corner was an actual bed instead of a futon. Next to it was a small desk with some papers. The other corner held the kitchenette with a small bar with a couple of stools. In another corner there was a small entertainment center and a beat up couch in front of it. Between the bed and couch, there was a sliding glass door leading out to a small balcony. All the walls were bare. "Could use some decorations."
"Please, sit down, make yourself at home. I'm gonna go get dressed." Ranma entered his walk-in closet. "I just got home from work and just got out of the shower," he said while getting dressed.
"Aww, and I thought the towel was because you were happy to see me. You're just so kawii in a towel. Don't get dressed on my account."
Ranma stepped out wearing a black polo shirt and jeans. He noticed that Ryoko was sitting on his couch looking over at him with a smirk. "Ha, ha, very funny. I'm not so easily teased anymore."
"Uh huh, we'll see," she said with a smirk.
"Would you like something to eat? I was about to make dinner."
"Sure, if it isn't any trouble. I always liked your cooking." Ryoko floated over to the bar and sat on one of the stools. She watched as Ranma worked in the kitchenette preparing dinner.
"So how have you been?" Ranma said, not looking up from his work.
"Okay..." Ryoko said eventually. "Ano... how have you been doing Ranma? I expected you being married by now, still in Nermia, not living alone here in Osaka in a small apartment."
"Hai, me too," Ranma said under his breath. "I've been gettin' by. I work at the Takara Dojo as an instructor full time."
"Sugoi! I thought you'd be stuck at the Tendo Dojo 'till ya died."
"Same here. But the fates seemed to have a different idea." Ranma commented.
"Mind if I ask what happened?"
"I don't mind." Ranma responded as he cooked dinner. "Remember when you left, Akane and I were finally planning our wedding."
"Ya, I remember."
"Well, the day before the wedding, Akane was kidnapped again. This time it was some Demon Prince that wanted a moral wife so he could come to earth and conquer... blah blah blah. Anyways, me, Ryoga, Mousse, Shampoo, and Ukyo went and rescued her. It was the hardest fight I ever had, but we won and Akane was safe. As soon as we got back home, Akane broke off the engagement."
"Why did she do that?" Ryoko asked surprised.
Ranma paused for a minute. Emotions that he thought he put to rest were slowly creeping back up. "I thought we were doing so well. We were talking, ya know? Like you told me I should. I thought everything was fine." Ranma took a deep breath. "Kuso, I didn't think this would be this hard," he said under his breath. "Dinner is ready."
Ryoko was silent as Ranma made plates of food for the both of them, then sat next to her and slowly began to eat.
"Mmmm. This is as good. Just like how I remembered your cooking was," Ryoko commented. "I missed it."
"Thanks. Hopefully, I'll get to cook for you more often from now on."
"Me too."
Ranma noted Ryoko's unusually quiet behavior but said nothing of it. They finished their meal with minimal conversation. Ranma took the dishes to the kitchen sink and washed the dishes. Afterward, he joined Ryoko on the couch.
Silence permeated the apartment as they sat together. Ranma finally spoke while gazing at the TV, which happened to be off at the moment. "I guess you want the rest of the story," Ranma stated.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Ryoko said softly. "I didn't want to press."
"No, I don't mind. To be honest, I wish you were here, probably could have stopped me from being stupid." He paused for a bit collecting his thoughts, then continued. "Akane told me she loved me, but couldn't live the rest of her life with me. She wanted a normal life, and I couldn't give that to her. I guess the demon prince was the last straw. She said she couldn't take the craziness. I guess I can't blame her."
"I kinda went nuts I think after that. I was lashing out at everyone. Ukyo... kuso." Ranma's voice faltered. He got up and went to the kitchen, and splashed himself with some cold water. A female Ranma went back to the couch and sat next to Ryoko.
"I didn't know what to do after that. I mean I loved Akane with all my heart. And she said she loved me too, but not enough to be with me. It tore me up. I wanted to blame someone but I couldn't, it was my fault, my crazy life." Ranma felt trails of tears running down her face.
"Ukyo tried to take Akane's place. And to my shame, I used her, very badly. I know it's no excuse, but I was hurting so much, and Ukyo was there for me." Ranma started to sob.
Ryoko wrapped her arms around the crying red head and pulled her close. The part time girl let the former space pirate hold her close and wept into her bosom. "What did you do, Ranma?" she asked once Ranma's sobs quieted down.
"I-I just wanted to be loved, feel like that someone could love me, ya know? So I seduced her. I knew I didn't love her like that but I didn't care. Kami-sama, I was so selfish, just thinking of myself. She thought I chose her, and I made her believe that was true when I knew it was a lie. But after a while, she figured it out. Kami, I hurt her so bad."
"I didn't want to face reality. I blamed everyone else for my troubles. It was Ryoga's fault, or Mousse's fault or Kuno or Cologne or whoever was convenient. I lost Akane, and I didn't want to face the fact that my life drove her away."
"I put a bunch of people in the hospital as well. I don't know how I didn't get arrested by the cops. I stopped holding back in fights, and I stopped caring about anything for a while, fighting recklessly, I was pretty messed up. I just wanted others to feel as bad as I did. I left the Dojo right after Akane broke the engagement, I just couldn't live there anymore. Ukyo took me in for a while, till she figured out I wasn't in love with her, and one of my fights destroyed her restaurant. After that, I traveled a bit, fighting anything I could till I ended up at the Masaki shrine."
Ranma looked up into Ryoko's eyes. "Masaki Katsuhito me a lot, helped me find my equilibrium that I had lost. He had to beat sense into me, but it worked. I hated him at first. Masaki-sensei forced me to stop blaming everyone else for my problems, and to take responsibility for my actions. He made me face my pain and fears. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do, harder than Saffron or the Demon Prince. But I did it."
"He also helped me deal with my emotions and not to repress them so much. It was slowly killing me." Ranma giggled a little. "Did you ever think I'd let anyone ever hold me like this and cry my eyes out?"
Ryoko smiled at the short red head. "No but I'm glad you can now."
"I'm still not totally comfortable with showing emotions and all that. I gotta change to a girl to let myself do it most of the time. But I'm not the emotional train wreck I use to be. Anyways after that he helped me get back into school. I owe Masaki-sensei a lot. I got my teaching degree and certifications, and go a job here in Osaka."
"Sugoi! That's pretty amazing," Ryoko said with enthusiasm. "What about Shampoo? Is she still after you?"
"Nah. Masaki-sensei helped me with that. He found a way for me to become an honorable ally to the tribe so the kiss of death and marriage wouldn't apply anymore. I still don't' know how he did it, but I won't complain. Instead now though, I get some amazons showing up every couple of months trying to 'woo' me into marriage."
Ryoko laughed. "That's funny."
"You laugh, I gotta deal with sex crazed amazons tryin' to get into my pants all the time." Ranma pouted.
"But you're just so cute Ranma-chan." Ryoko gushed.
Ranma scowled.
Ryoko busted up laughing.
Ranma decided to change the subject. "So where is your floppy eared side kick that likes to torment me so much?"
"Oh Ryo-oki is out about getting carrots, I think." There was a glint of mischief in Ryoko's eyes. "You know, Ryo-oki has a crush on you."
"What? You gotta be kiddin' me..."
"I'm not. She thinks you're kawii. She especially likes your female form. Ryo-oki loves snuggling up to your breasts cause they're so soft and cushy." Ryoko giggled as she watched Ranma's face get redder and redder. "Me personally, I like your ass in both forms, just want to sink my teeth in and gnaw on them for a while."
"Ryoko no hentai!" Ranma's face was as red as her hair.
Ryoko fell on the floor laughing. "Gotcha!"
"Hrmph. That wasn't funny." Ranma said indignantly.
"Hai, it was," Ryoko said between giggles. Ranma always had a weakness for Ryoko's giggles. They were infectious. Somehow, no matter what mood she was in, if Ryoko giggled long enough, Ranma would join in. Just like now.
"Heh, okay it was a bit funny," Ranma said, unable to stave off the mirth exuded by Ryoko.
"Hey let's go out for some ice cream," suggested Ryoko after she got her laughter under control.
Ranma perked up. "Okay!"
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Ranma stayed in her girl form as they sat at local ice cream parlor enjoying their dessert creations, chatting away amiably. Ranma did most of the talking, describing her study under Masaki-sensei, her adjustment to university life and how different it was from what he was use to.
Ranma got through the university in 3 years to get her degree. It was a difficult path, but she figured it was worth the hard work and extra classes she took. Collage life was so different than anything Ranma was exposed to. Being exposed to such a large and diverse group of people was a huge learning experience for Ranma. Up to that point, she had a fairly sheltered life. Ranma and Ryoko laughed together at some of the stories Ranma told of his university adventures.
This felt good to Ranma. Other than her current students, she didn't have much social interaction with anyone. She hadn't laughed this much or just enjoyed an evening out like this in a long time. However, she did notice that Ryoko wouldn't talk much about herself, and shied away from any questions regarding anything pertaining to the time after she left earth with Tenchi and Ayeka. Finally they finished their ice cream and decided to walk back to Ranma's apartment.
"So Ryoko-chan, how as Jurai?" Ranma asked as they walked down the street. She was curious about what happened to Ryoko in the past 5 years. Ranma felt Ryoko stiffen next to him.
"I-it was okay. Ano, did Yosho show you any of those Jurai sword techniques while you stayed with him?"
The change of subject was not lost on Ranma. "Yep, I got pretty good, although Masaki-sensei is still much better than me with swords. I got more out of his ki manipulation techniques though than sword fighting."
And they continued to talk about various martial arts forms and ki manipulation techniques as they continued to Ranma's home.
They entered the apartment together. "Well Ryoko-chan, where are you staying now, since you're back on earth? Are you gonna go back to the Masaki shrine?" Ranma walked into the kitchen and changed back to a guy using the warm tap water.
"Not sure right now. Do you have any sake?" Ryoko asked, as she sat on a stool at the kitchen bar.
"Sure do, one moment." Ranma went to the kitchenette and got a bottle of sake out of the cupboard. He gave a cup and bottle to Ryoko. "Here you go, enjoy."
"Thank you Ranma." Ryoko poured herself a cup and drank it down. "Ahh, that hits the spot. I haven't had a drink in a while. Come one Ranma join me." Ryoko poured another cup and handed it to Ranma.
"I usually don't drink but what the heck? It's not every day that a good friend comes back from a long trip." Ranma downed his cup of sake and handed it back to Ryoko. She poured another glass and drank some more. "So Ryoko-chan, I noticed ya don't wanna talk about what happened on Jurai or with Tenchi, and I'll respect that."
Ryoko flinched. She looked down not meeting Ranma's gaze.
"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. But, if you want to talk, I'm here to listen. Just wanted to let you know."
"Thanks Ranma," Ryoko whispered. Ranma walked over to Ryoko and wrapped his arms around her. Ranma was a bit surprised how comfortable he felt when he was around the cyan haired girl.
"Hey, why don't you stay with me here? I know the place isn't that big but it's a comfortable place. You can take the bed and I can sleep on the couch, at least until you figure out what you want to do."
"I-I don't want to impose..."
"Nonsense. You're my closest friend. I'd love to have ya stay with me. I won't take no for an answer."
Ryoko leaned into Ranma's chest, as he continued to hold her. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome Ryoko-chan. Let's get ready for bed. It's been a long but nice day."
Ranma disengaged himself from Ryoko and got some extra sheets and blankets for himself, as Ryoko picked up her small suitcase by the front door and went into the bathroom. Ranma stripped to his normal tank top and boxers to go to sleep on the couch. He found himself genuinely happy with the prospect of Ryoko staying with him, at least for a little while.
Ryoko came out of the bathroom wearing silk pajamas of a deep blue color. She padded over to the couch where Ranma was laying down and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you again, Ranma."
"Any time Ryoko-chan," Ranma responded with sincerity. "To be honest, I'm glad you came back. It is nice to have someone to talk to again. I haven't told anyone, even Masaki-sensei, all of what happened. I guess I really needed to let it out, and you helped me again."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long time, unable to move or say anything more. Ranma felt lost in Ryoko's eyes, they held so much emotion flickering back and forth.
Finally Ryoko leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Ranma's lips. It felt electric to Ranma, her soft lips pressed gently against his triggered a response in his body he was not use to. "Good night, Ranma."
"Good night Ryoko-chan."
Ryoko left his side. He could hear her slipping under the covers of his bed. Ranma tried to go to sleep, but that last kiss was on his mind. 'Why did she just kiss me? Why did I let her? Was it a just a friendly kiss? How do I feel about it? I liked it.'
It was about two hours before Ranma's thoughts slowed down enough to finally fall asleep. However, just as he was nodding off, he was awoken by the sounds of whimpering. Ranma recognized the sound and it was coming from Ryoko. Ranma got up off the couch and walked over to Ryoko to see what was wrong. He could tell by the moonlight that she was still asleep, but tears were seeping out of her eyes, while hugging the pillow to her as if it were a lifeline.
'She must be having a nightmare,' Ranma thought to himself. He gently shook Ryoko awake. "Ryoko-chan, wake up. You're having a nightmare."
Ryoko awoke slowly, sobbing softly a little before awaking fully. "Kuso. Gomen-nasai, I woke you, I didn't mean to." Ryoko sat up in bed.
"It's okay, I don't mind." Ranma sat down next to her, gently rubbing her back. "I'm more worried about you. Want to talk about it?"
"No." Ryoko shuddered. She leaned into Ranma's chest and let him hold her.
"Okay." They sat there together in silence. Despite being tired, Ranma enjoyed having Ryoko in his arms as she snuggled into his chest.
"I think I'm ready to go back to sleep now," Ryoko stated finally in a soft voice.
"Okay, Ryoko-chan." Ranma tried to get up but Ryoko slipped her arms around his waist, not letting him up.
"D-do you think you could hold me 'till I fall asleep? Onegai?" Ryoko whispered.
"Of course I can." They laid gently down onto his bed. Ranma drew the covers over them.
"Gomen. I'll get over this, I promise," Ryoko said softly.
"No need to apologize, Ryoko-chan. I don't mind. Just get some sleep."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
Ryoko slept peacefully through the rest of the night.
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Author's Note:
Okay after all the requests (sugoi!). I finally made another entry in this story. I hope you all like it. Please let me know what you all think, I like both compliments and criticisms. If you have any suggestions, don't be shy.
I know some of you will say that both characters are OOC. I want to express that both characters have gone through some drastic events in their lives, and we all know, drastic events can change a person's personality and outlook on life. I think both Ranma and Ryoko show changes that will make sense now and more later as I continue the story, but I think they still show the same general characteristics as their cannon counterparts, if a bit more mature (hopefully). Feel free to disagree, the more feedback the better.
As stated before, I'm a sporadic writer at best, I don't know when I'll get the next chapter done, but hopefully not 6 months like this last time snicker
Bain
How Did We Get Here?
By Bain
Bain0001@hotmail.com
bain-net.us Chapter 1
Ranma wondered who would be knocking on his door as he got out of the shower. It had been a long day at the dojo. Although he enjoyed teaching martial arts to eager students, they were a bit trying when they kept overestimating their own abilities. Still, it was very rewarding work he wouldn't give up.
Still wrapped in a towel, he headed toward the front door of his small apartment. He was puzzled who could be, hoping that it wasn't another barrage of amazons trying to get him to marry them.
With a little apprehension, he opened the door. There stood a young woman with wild cyan hair with a sheepish smile on her face. She was wearing a light pink blouse, black tights, with a pair of black high heel boots. She held a small silver suitcase.
"Ohaiyo," said the woman.
"Ryoko-chan?" Ranma said surprised.
She giggled. "Hai, it's me."
"It's been..."
"Five years," Ryoko said finishing Ranma's sentence for him and they hugged.
They both just stood there in each other's arms. Ranma noted that Ryoko hadn't changed one bit while she was gone. Her body was as curvy and supple as ever. It felt wonderful holding her after so long.
"May I come in?" she asked.
Ranma awoke from his daze and finally let her go. "Uhh, ya come on in," he said a bit embarrassed. 'Gee, I was hugging her in only a towel in the doorway for Kami knows how long, how embarrassing,' Ranma thought to himself.
Ryoko entered the studio apartment and placed the suitcase next to the door. "Nice place," she said, as she looked around. The apartment was sparsely decorated. In one corner was an actual bed instead of a futon. Next to it was a small desk with some papers. The other corner held the kitchenette with a small bar with a couple of stools. In another corner there was a small entertainment center and a beat up couch in front of it. Between the bed and couch, there was a sliding glass door leading out to a small balcony. All the walls were bare. "Could use some decorations."
"Please, sit down, make yourself at home. I'm gonna go get dressed." Ranma entered his walk-in closet. "I just got home from work and just got out of the shower," he said while getting dressed.
"Aww, and I thought the towel was because you were happy to see me. You're just so kawii in a towel. Don't get dressed on my account."
Ranma stepped out wearing a black polo shirt and jeans. He noticed that Ryoko was sitting on his couch looking over at him with a smirk. "Ha, ha, very funny. I'm not so easily teased anymore."
"Uh huh, we'll see," she said with a smirk.
"Would you like something to eat? I was about to make dinner."
"Sure, if it isn't any trouble. I always liked your cooking." Ryoko floated over to the bar and sat on one of the stools. She watched as Ranma worked in the kitchenette preparing dinner.
"So how have you been?" Ranma said, not looking up from his work.
"Okay..." Ryoko said eventually. "Ano... how have you been doing Ranma? I expected you being married by now, still in Nermia, not living alone here in Osaka in a small apartment."
"Hai, me too," Ranma said under his breath. "I've been gettin' by. I work at the Takara Dojo as an instructor full time."
"Sugoi! I thought you'd be stuck at the Tendo Dojo 'till ya died."
"Same here. But the fates seemed to have a different idea." Ranma commented.
"Mind if I ask what happened?"
"I don't mind." Ranma responded as he cooked dinner. "Remember when you left, Akane and I were finally planning our wedding."
"Ya, I remember."
"Well, the day before the wedding, Akane was kidnapped again. This time it was some Demon Prince that wanted a moral wife so he could come to earth and conquer... blah blah blah. Anyways, me, Ryoga, Mousse, Shampoo, and Ukyo went and rescued her. It was the hardest fight I ever had, but we won and Akane was safe. As soon as we got back home, Akane broke off the engagement."
"Why did she do that?" Ryoko asked surprised.
Ranma paused for a minute. Emotions that he thought he put to rest were slowly creeping back up. "I thought we were doing so well. We were talking, ya know? Like you told me I should. I thought everything was fine." Ranma took a deep breath. "Kuso, I didn't think this would be this hard," he said under his breath. "Dinner is ready."
Ryoko was silent as Ranma made plates of food for the both of them, then sat next to her and slowly began to eat.
"Mmmm. This is as good. Just like how I remembered your cooking was," Ryoko commented. "I missed it."
"Thanks. Hopefully, I'll get to cook for you more often from now on."
"Me too."
Ranma noted Ryoko's unusually quiet behavior but said nothing of it. They finished their meal with minimal conversation. Ranma took the dishes to the kitchen sink and washed the dishes. Afterward, he joined Ryoko on the couch.
Silence permeated the apartment as they sat together. Ranma finally spoke while gazing at the TV, which happened to be off at the moment. "I guess you want the rest of the story," Ranma stated.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Ryoko said softly. "I didn't want to press."
"No, I don't mind. To be honest, I wish you were here, probably could have stopped me from being stupid." He paused for a bit collecting his thoughts, then continued. "Akane told me she loved me, but couldn't live the rest of her life with me. She wanted a normal life, and I couldn't give that to her. I guess the demon prince was the last straw. She said she couldn't take the craziness. I guess I can't blame her."
"I kinda went nuts I think after that. I was lashing out at everyone. Ukyo... kuso." Ranma's voice faltered. He got up and went to the kitchen, and splashed himself with some cold water. A female Ranma went back to the couch and sat next to Ryoko.
"I didn't know what to do after that. I mean I loved Akane with all my heart. And she said she loved me too, but not enough to be with me. It tore me up. I wanted to blame someone but I couldn't, it was my fault, my crazy life." Ranma felt trails of tears running down her face.
"Ukyo tried to take Akane's place. And to my shame, I used her, very badly. I know it's no excuse, but I was hurting so much, and Ukyo was there for me." Ranma started to sob.
Ryoko wrapped her arms around the crying red head and pulled her close. The part time girl let the former space pirate hold her close and wept into her bosom. "What did you do, Ranma?" she asked once Ranma's sobs quieted down.
"I-I just wanted to be loved, feel like that someone could love me, ya know? So I seduced her. I knew I didn't love her like that but I didn't care. Kami-sama, I was so selfish, just thinking of myself. She thought I chose her, and I made her believe that was true when I knew it was a lie. But after a while, she figured it out. Kami, I hurt her so bad."
"I didn't want to face reality. I blamed everyone else for my troubles. It was Ryoga's fault, or Mousse's fault or Kuno or Cologne or whoever was convenient. I lost Akane, and I didn't want to face the fact that my life drove her away."
"I put a bunch of people in the hospital as well. I don't know how I didn't get arrested by the cops. I stopped holding back in fights, and I stopped caring about anything for a while, fighting recklessly, I was pretty messed up. I just wanted others to feel as bad as I did. I left the Dojo right after Akane broke the engagement, I just couldn't live there anymore. Ukyo took me in for a while, till she figured out I wasn't in love with her, and one of my fights destroyed her restaurant. After that, I traveled a bit, fighting anything I could till I ended up at the Masaki shrine."
Ranma looked up into Ryoko's eyes. "Masaki Katsuhito me a lot, helped me find my equilibrium that I had lost. He had to beat sense into me, but it worked. I hated him at first. Masaki-sensei forced me to stop blaming everyone else for my problems, and to take responsibility for my actions. He made me face my pain and fears. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do, harder than Saffron or the Demon Prince. But I did it."
"He also helped me deal with my emotions and not to repress them so much. It was slowly killing me." Ranma giggled a little. "Did you ever think I'd let anyone ever hold me like this and cry my eyes out?"
Ryoko smiled at the short red head. "No but I'm glad you can now."
"I'm still not totally comfortable with showing emotions and all that. I gotta change to a girl to let myself do it most of the time. But I'm not the emotional train wreck I use to be. Anyways after that he helped me get back into school. I owe Masaki-sensei a lot. I got my teaching degree and certifications, and go a job here in Osaka."
"Sugoi! That's pretty amazing," Ryoko said with enthusiasm. "What about Shampoo? Is she still after you?"
"Nah. Masaki-sensei helped me with that. He found a way for me to become an honorable ally to the tribe so the kiss of death and marriage wouldn't apply anymore. I still don't' know how he did it, but I won't complain. Instead now though, I get some amazons showing up every couple of months trying to 'woo' me into marriage."
Ryoko laughed. "That's funny."
"You laugh, I gotta deal with sex crazed amazons tryin' to get into my pants all the time." Ranma pouted.
"But you're just so cute Ranma-chan." Ryoko gushed.
Ranma scowled.
Ryoko busted up laughing.
Ranma decided to change the subject. "So where is your floppy eared side kick that likes to torment me so much?"
"Oh Ryo-oki is out about getting carrots, I think." There was a glint of mischief in Ryoko's eyes. "You know, Ryo-oki has a crush on you."
"What? You gotta be kiddin' me..."
"I'm not. She thinks you're kawii. She especially likes your female form. Ryo-oki loves snuggling up to your breasts cause they're so soft and cushy." Ryoko giggled as she watched Ranma's face get redder and redder. "Me personally, I like your ass in both forms, just want to sink my teeth in and gnaw on them for a while."
"Ryoko no hentai!" Ranma's face was as red as her hair.
Ryoko fell on the floor laughing. "Gotcha!"
"Hrmph. That wasn't funny." Ranma said indignantly.
"Hai, it was," Ryoko said between giggles. Ranma always had a weakness for Ryoko's giggles. They were infectious. Somehow, no matter what mood she was in, if Ryoko giggled long enough, Ranma would join in. Just like now.
"Heh, okay it was a bit funny," Ranma said, unable to stave off the mirth exuded by Ryoko.
"Hey let's go out for some ice cream," suggested Ryoko after she got her laughter under control.
Ranma perked up. "Okay!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranma stayed in her girl form as they sat at local ice cream parlor enjoying their dessert creations, chatting away amiably. Ranma did most of the talking, describing her study under Masaki-sensei, her adjustment to university life and how different it was from what he was use to.
Ranma got through the university in 3 years to get her degree. It was a difficult path, but she figured it was worth the hard work and extra classes she took. Collage life was so different than anything Ranma was exposed to. Being exposed to such a large and diverse group of people was a huge learning experience for Ranma. Up to that point, she had a fairly sheltered life. Ranma and Ryoko laughed together at some of the stories Ranma told of his university adventures.
This felt good to Ranma. Other than her current students, she didn't have much social interaction with anyone. She hadn't laughed this much or just enjoyed an evening out like this in a long time. However, she did notice that Ryoko wouldn't talk much about herself, and shied away from any questions regarding anything pertaining to the time after she left earth with Tenchi and Ayeka. Finally they finished their ice cream and decided to walk back to Ranma's apartment.
"So Ryoko-chan, how as Jurai?" Ranma asked as they walked down the street. She was curious about what happened to Ryoko in the past 5 years. Ranma felt Ryoko stiffen next to him.
"I-it was okay. Ano, did Yosho show you any of those Jurai sword techniques while you stayed with him?"
The change of subject was not lost on Ranma. "Yep, I got pretty good, although Masaki-sensei is still much better than me with swords. I got more out of his ki manipulation techniques though than sword fighting."
And they continued to talk about various martial arts forms and ki manipulation techniques as they continued to Ranma's home.
They entered the apartment together. "Well Ryoko-chan, where are you staying now, since you're back on earth? Are you gonna go back to the Masaki shrine?" Ranma walked into the kitchen and changed back to a guy using the warm tap water.
"Not sure right now. Do you have any sake?" Ryoko asked, as she sat on a stool at the kitchen bar.
"Sure do, one moment." Ranma went to the kitchenette and got a bottle of sake out of the cupboard. He gave a cup and bottle to Ryoko. "Here you go, enjoy."
"Thank you Ranma." Ryoko poured herself a cup and drank it down. "Ahh, that hits the spot. I haven't had a drink in a while. Come one Ranma join me." Ryoko poured another cup and handed it to Ranma.
"I usually don't drink but what the heck? It's not every day that a good friend comes back from a long trip." Ranma downed his cup of sake and handed it back to Ryoko. She poured another glass and drank some more. "So Ryoko-chan, I noticed ya don't wanna talk about what happened on Jurai or with Tenchi, and I'll respect that."
Ryoko flinched. She looked down not meeting Ranma's gaze.
"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. But, if you want to talk, I'm here to listen. Just wanted to let you know."
"Thanks Ranma," Ryoko whispered. Ranma walked over to Ryoko and wrapped his arms around her. Ranma was a bit surprised how comfortable he felt when he was around the cyan haired girl.
"Hey, why don't you stay with me here? I know the place isn't that big but it's a comfortable place. You can take the bed and I can sleep on the couch, at least until you figure out what you want to do."
"I-I don't want to impose..."
"Nonsense. You're my closest friend. I'd love to have ya stay with me. I won't take no for an answer."
Ryoko leaned into Ranma's chest, as he continued to hold her. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome Ryoko-chan. Let's get ready for bed. It's been a long but nice day."
Ranma disengaged himself from Ryoko and got some extra sheets and blankets for himself, as Ryoko picked up her small suitcase by the front door and went into the bathroom. Ranma stripped to his normal tank top and boxers to go to sleep on the couch. He found himself genuinely happy with the prospect of Ryoko staying with him, at least for a little while.
Ryoko came out of the bathroom wearing silk pajamas of a deep blue color. She padded over to the couch where Ranma was laying down and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you again, Ranma."
"Any time Ryoko-chan," Ranma responded with sincerity. "To be honest, I'm glad you came back. It is nice to have someone to talk to again. I haven't told anyone, even Masaki-sensei, all of what happened. I guess I really needed to let it out, and you helped me again."
They stared into each other's eyes for a long time, unable to move or say anything more. Ranma felt lost in Ryoko's eyes, they held so much emotion flickering back and forth.
Finally Ryoko leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Ranma's lips. It felt electric to Ranma, her soft lips pressed gently against his triggered a response in his body he was not use to. "Good night, Ranma."
"Good night Ryoko-chan."
Ryoko left his side. He could hear her slipping under the covers of his bed. Ranma tried to go to sleep, but that last kiss was on his mind. 'Why did she just kiss me? Why did I let her? Was it a just a friendly kiss? How do I feel about it? I liked it.'
It was about two hours before Ranma's thoughts slowed down enough to finally fall asleep. However, just as he was nodding off, he was awoken by the sounds of whimpering. Ranma recognized the sound and it was coming from Ryoko. Ranma got up off the couch and walked over to Ryoko to see what was wrong. He could tell by the moonlight that she was still asleep, but tears were seeping out of her eyes, while hugging the pillow to her as if it were a lifeline.
'She must be having a nightmare,' Ranma thought to himself. He gently shook Ryoko awake. "Ryoko-chan, wake up. You're having a nightmare."
Ryoko awoke slowly, sobbing softly a little before awaking fully. "Kuso. Gomen-nasai, I woke you, I didn't mean to." Ryoko sat up in bed.
"It's okay, I don't mind." Ranma sat down next to her, gently rubbing her back. "I'm more worried about you. Want to talk about it?"
"No." Ryoko shuddered. She leaned into Ranma's chest and let him hold her.
"Okay." They sat there together in silence. Despite being tired, Ranma enjoyed having Ryoko in his arms as she snuggled into his chest.
"I think I'm ready to go back to sleep now," Ryoko stated finally in a soft voice.
"Okay, Ryoko-chan." Ranma tried to get up but Ryoko slipped her arms around his waist, not letting him up.
"D-do you think you could hold me 'till I fall asleep? Onegai?" Ryoko whispered.
"Of course I can." They laid gently down onto his bed. Ranma drew the covers over them.
"Gomen. I'll get over this, I promise," Ryoko said softly.
"No need to apologize, Ryoko-chan. I don't mind. Just get some sleep."
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
Ryoko slept peacefully through the rest of the night.
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Author's Note:
Okay after all the requests (sugoi!). I finally made another entry in this story. I hope you all like it. Please let me know what you all think, I like both compliments and criticisms. If you have any suggestions, don't be shy.
I know some of you will say that both characters are OOC. I want to express that both characters have gone through some drastic events in their lives, and we all know, drastic events can change a person's personality and outlook on life. I think both Ranma and Ryoko show changes that will make sense now and more later as I continue the story, but I think they still show the same general characteristics as their cannon counterparts, if a bit more mature (hopefully). Feel free to disagree, the more feedback the better.
As stated before, I'm a sporadic writer at best, I don't know when I'll get the next chapter done, but hopefully not 6 months like this last time snicker
Bain
