Chapter Seventeen
Much Ado About Jusenkyo
"This trip will be very difficult for everyone." Cologne started as she entered the massive forest. "I purposely selected the airport furthest away from Jusenkyo, as to have the most time to train. This will not be a pleasure trip. I will expect nothing but the most from everyone here. Your reward will be the Nannichaun…and brand new husbands."
Ranma smiled excitedly. "Oh man…this is gonna be good…I can't wait until we begin our training."
"Your training has already begun, Ranma" Cologne said. Ranma looked around.
"I don't see nothin'…" Cologne cut her off, tripping her with her staff.
"Always be on your guard…" she said, hopping away. Akane stopped and helped Ranma up. Ukyo turned and watched the kind gesture. She smiled. What in the world made her think that she stood half a chance of getting Ranma all to herself? The wheels inside her head started turning…she just had to help those two along in their relationship…as an apology for everything. That would keep her mind from wandering...
The group pressed onward. Cologne was eyeing the map, written in Chinese. Mousse was walking proudly next to Shampoo. Shampoo just ignored his presence, talking with Akane and Ukyo. Ranma approached Mousse.
"Hey Mousse…nice job back there. I didn't think you could win…"
Mousse smiled to Ranma; the light in his glasses was hiding his eyes. "Well…I nearly didn't win. But now…I have my beloved Shampoo."
"Hey…you didn't exactly beat her…more like you won by default. Do the laws still work in that case?"
"The laws do when they say the loser must marry…"
Ranma nodded, fully understanding Mousse's plan.
"I have to admit though…I didn't plan on having Shampoo leave like that. I was confident I could beat her."
Ranma eyed Mousse carefully. "So…that wasn't your plan to make Shampoo give up?"
"No Saotome. I guess I just got lucky!"
"Oh well, at least you are happy…"
"Shampoo is too, just watch this." Mousse said, turning to Shampoo.
"I love you Shampoo!" He said happily
Shampoo turned around, her eyes were like ice. "You shut up duck boy! Maybe you get killed by bear out here…save Shampoo the trouble…"
"But Shampoo…aren't you happier now?"
"Shampoo be happier boiled alive!" She said, turning a shoulder of ice toward Mousse. He turned back to the red haired girl and smiled
"See Saotome. Two weeks ago, she would have just splashed me with water, or just hit me. Now she actually pays attention to what I say. Things are looking up!"
"Wow Mousse…" Ranma said simply. Mousse had issues…but he was right about one thing. Shampoo had gained that missing part of herself. Maybe Mousse was on the right track.
Cologne lead the group into an opening.
"Here…we will make camp for tonight." She said, looking up to the sky. It was beginning to become late after noon.
"Ukyo…would you be so kind as to fix dinner for everyone?" She asked, turning to her. Ukyo gave her trademark smile and set her bag down, pulling out a collapsible Okonomiyaki grill.
"Son-in-law. Would you fetch the fire wood?"
Ranma turned to Cologne, smiling. "Yea…sure thing…"
"Of course I will, honorable grandmother." Mousse said happily. He quickly turned and headed out to get the firewood. Shampoo eyed her great-grandmother fiercely.
"Great-grandmother. Mousse is not Shampoo's fiancée!'' she demanded. "Mousse and Shampoo will never get married!"
"What about our laws child?" Cologne said, calmly.
Shampoo looked at Cologne. She had a point.
"Well…Shampoo go through with it…but, Shampoo find way to get rid of Mousse!"
Cologne just smiled. Ranma was watching her handle the situation. She seemed so confident. Akane approached him, also noticing how Cologne handled the situation.
"What do you think is going on with those two?" Akane asked Ranma, setting down her pack
"I dunno…but I'll bet Cologne knows exactly what she is doin'" Ranma replied. "So…shall we camp out tonight?" She asked with a smile, turning to Akane.
"Fine by me…but aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?"
Akane looked into Ranma's eyes. She didn't have to turn her head upwards at all, but was at eye level with her.
"Never mind…" Akane said, going through her bag.
"Oh yea…I almost forgot!" Ranma finally said, smiling. "Hey Ryoga…where's that kettle you always carry around?"
Ryoga reached in his bag and instantly pulled it out.
"Thanks." Ranma replied, waiting for Mousse to return with the firewood.
The Training Begins
"Hiya!" Akane screamed, launching her foot out towards Ranma. Ranma leapt over the attack, flying into the darkening sky.
"Now Akane! Don't let your opponent get a chance to breathe. Once you have the offensive, do not let it go.'' Cologne said, coaching the match.
Akane charged to Ranma, who had landed by now. She threw a volley of rights and lefts to Ranma. Ranma was still able to read her moves, dodging every one of them.
"Come on…Akane…You can do…better…than this…" Ranma said, in between punches.
Akane ignored Ranma's words, spinning around with a massive roundhouse. Ranma ducked the kick, watching Akane bring her other foot around in a front kick. Ranma stuck up his forearm, blocking the powerful kick. The force sent him back a little.
"Yo Akane…chill out…this is just a practice match…" Ranma said, noticing that Akane was going all out. Ranma suddenly felt his arm start aching. That blow almost broke his arm, leaving a large bruise where her foot had landed.
"Sorry Ranma…I still kinda get worked up sometimes." Akane said apologetically. She wiped her forehead, calming herself down. It was then she noticed Ranma was favoring his right arm.
"Oh…did I do that?" She asked; astonished she at the mark she had left.
Ranma smiled. "Oh…that's just a little bruise…it's nothin'" he replied.
"Really…then why are you holding it?"
"Well…maybe it hurt just a little bit…"
"Ranma you…come here. Hold still." Akane said, pulling out a strange smelling cream from her bag and grabbing Ranma's arm.
Ranma sat next to her on a tree stump. Akane was carefully working the cream into Ranma's sore arm.
"It's a cream that Tofu-sensei gave me a while back. I thought I would be useful out here…"
"Thanks Akane.'' Ranma said, smiling a bit.
"There…all better!" Akane replied, smiling cutely. "Sorry about that Ranma. I guess I did over do it."
"Hey…no problem. I guess you really should train as hard as you can up here. You got a long way to go if you wanna match me."
"Not as long as you would think Ranma…" Akane said, getting her and Ranma some of the finished dinner. She looked around. Mousse was happily eating next to Shampoo. Shampoo ignored him. Ukyo was smiling happily from the makeshift grill site. Ryoga was just putting up his tent for the night.
"Maybe we should put up ours…" Ranma said thoughtfully.
"Nah…I wanted to sleep under the stars tonight. It's so warm out here." Akane replied. Ranma nodded, finishing his dinner. Everyone got ready to take a good break. They had been walking all day. Ranma and Akane lay under the stars, happily watching the night go by. Cologne and Shampoo were inside their tent, with Mousse sleeping outside next to it. Ukyo too slept outside. Ryoga decided it was better to be in his tent…incase of sudden showers.
Morning came and Ukyo fixed breakfast. Soon the campsite was packed up and ready to go. Ranma turned to Akane; she seemed to be struggling with her pack.
"Here…" Ranma said, holding out his hand. "I'll carry that for you. I guess I kinda owe ya one for helpin' my arm last night."
Akane nodded happily. Mousse eyed this exchange carefully.
"My beloved Shampoo. I shall carry your…" Mousse attempted. Shampoo just threw the bags at him.
"Good. For once you make yourself useful." Shampoo said, walking past him.
Ryoga and Ukyo looked at each other, seeing all the other couples.
"Don't expect me to carry your bags for you Ukyo." Ryoga said, starting off.
"I don't need any help with my gear, sugar." Ukyo smiled back slyly. She collapsed her grill and started off.
Akane watched that little episode. Her mind started to wander. She stealthily approached Ranma, nudging him to where they could talk without being heard.
"Hey Ranma…look at those two." Akane whispered, remembering how Ukyo had tried to "help" her a few days ago. Payback time.
"Huh? What?" Ranma said in his normal tone. Akane shushed him
"Sorry…what is it Akane?" He returned in a whisper.
"Look at those two…" Akane said, indicating ahead of her. Ranma looked, puzzled.
Mousse was following Shampoo happily. Shampoo was just ignoring him.
"So…those two are always like that..."
"No, not those two. Ryoga and Ukyo. What do you think?"
Ranma eyed the pair, walking next to each other. They were concentrating more on where they were going than whom was next to them.
"What do you think about what?" Ranma asked, perplexed.
"Those two Ranma…wouldn't they make a good couple?"
Ranma scoffed. "Yea… that would happen. I think Uc-Chan has higher standards than that. Besides…Ryoga would never find his way to Uc-Chan's little store to ask her out."
"Oh…come on Ranma. We started out like that…not noticing what the other was feeling."
"No…we started out with an attempted murder remember? Then we didn't talk to each other…. Then we moved up to wondering what each other was thinkin'"
Akane blushed a bit, remembering those days so long ago.
"Besides…I don't think those two have any feelins' for each other."
"I don't know Ranma…maybe they just need help bringing them out…"
Ranma's eyes widened. "Oh no you don't Akane. Yea…maybe you helped Mousse and Shampoo, but we need to stay outta stuff like this."
Akane smiled. "Well no one said you have to help. I'm going to talk to Ukyo about it. Maybe she does have feelings for Ryoga…they did get along during that trip on the plane."
"Yea…that was 'cuz Ryoga was asleep the whole time and you just kept talkin' to Uc-Chan"
"Whatever Ranma. I'm gonna find out right now!" Akane said, rushing over to Ukyo and pulling her to the back of the makeshift formation
Akane smiled broadly at Ukyo. That smile made Ukyo uneasy.
"Hey…Ukyo…I was wondering…" she started, wearing that smile of hers
"Yea…what about?" Ukyo replied slowly.
"How do you feel about Ryoga?" Akane asked quickly.
Ukyo looked over to Ryoga, seeming to be in his own little world.
She shrugged. "He's alright I guess…got no directional sense though and he's a bit on the stupid side. But I don't have anything against him."
"So…that means you like him then?"
"Well…like I said…he's ok in my book…"
"Just…OK?"
"Yea…wait a second. What are you trying to pull here Akane?" Ukyo said, knowing where this conversation was going.
"Oh…nothing…" Akane said playfully
"You! You're trying to hook me and Ryoga up aren't you?" Ukyo demanded. She wasn't amused.
"Well…come on Ukyo. You have to admit that under that tough exterior…there is a soft, gentle side of Ryoga. That was the part I saw in P-Chan. Maybe you should just get to know him a bit more."
Ukyo shook her head. "Nah…I'll pass."
"Oh…be a sport Ukyo. Ryoga seems awfully lonely over there. He could use a good friend like you to cheer him up."
"Then why don't you go cheer him up?" Ukyo said as a matter of factly.
"Well…for one I'm not the one that is interested in him…"
"What! You think I'm actually interested in a guy like that?" Ukyo said in a loud whisper.
"You mean…you're not…" Akane returned, disappointed.
"No…not that way anyway. Yea, he's a good fighter but I never pictured us going out or anything."
"Well…just go over there and say hello to him or something. Like I said, he always seems to be depressed."
"I…guess I could at least talk with him…but only for you Akane." Ukyo said, approaching Ryoga. She walked along side of him for a few moments, watching Akane return to Ranma and start whispering to him
"Oh…that's how it is huh Akane?" Ukyo smiled to herself. "Well…two can play hook up…"
Ukyo's Plan
Everyone paused for a second, looking around. This would be the perfect place to set up camp tonight. Everyone assembled their tents and such, eagerly looking forward to another wonderful dinner. Ukyo looked over to Ranma and Akane, sitting next to each other. Akane's little plan didn't work. Ryoga was preoccupied with something earlier that day, making any reasonable attempt at conversation a bit difficult. She had been thinking on the subject of Ranma and Akane for a while now, determined that she would help them further their relationship.
"I wonder…" she thought to herself, preparing her grill. She looked around. Ranma was leaving to go get the firewood. Akane was just sitting there; she was gathering a small bucket of stuff and had a towel.
"Hey Akane…where you heading to?" She asked,
"Oh…I figure I would go freshen up a bit after that long walk. It was a bit warm today don't you think?"
"Yea it was pretty warm, even in this shaded forest. Well, hurry back now sugar, dinner will be ready by the time you return."
With that, Akane walked off towards a small crystal clear lake that Shampoo had pointed out. She said the water was warm and sparkling…
After a few moments, Ranma returned, carrying a large stack of firewood. He set them down in front of Ukyo, smiling.
"Is that enough Uc-Chan?" He asked.
"Yea Ran-Chan. Thanks for doing that for me."
Ranma started back to his seat. Akane wasn't there. He looked around a bit, not finding her.
"Hey Uc-Chan? Where did Akane go?" He asked.
"Oh…she went to…" Ukyo trailed off her words; a light bulb flashed in her head. She paused a few moments. Akane was taking a bath…if her and Ranma were to meet up while Akane was bathing…not even Ranma could mess that up.
"Hey…Uc-Chan? Somethin' wrong?"
"Huh? Oh!'' Ukyo said, coming out of her trance. It was the perfect plan. "No…nothing is wrong Ran-Chan. Uh…Akane said she had a surprise for you. She walked off that way without saying much…" Ukyo pointed to where that lake was; her smile made Ranma a bit suspicious.
Ranma paused for a few seconds. Ukyo was up to something. She had that look in her eye…
Ranma shrugged. "Whatever Uc-Chan. I'm gonna go get Akane. Looks like dinner is almost ready."
"Yea Ran-Chan…you do that…" Ukyo said, grinning form ear to ear. Ranma just walked off to where Ukyo pointed, not wanting to argue.
A few minutes passed. Ryoga approached Ukyo "What's taking Ranma and Akane so long?" he asked her.
"Well…they are busy right now…with any luck. I would give them about an hour or so at the most…" Ukyo said with that big grin.
Ryoga just grabbed his plate and sat down somewhere. Ukyo sure was acting strange…
Ranma followed a little trail for a few minutes, coming across a small lake in the middle of a clearing. Curious, he looked around.
"I wonder if I can trust Uc-Chan," he said to himself, spying a figure standing on the side of the lake. It was Akane. She was looking around a bit, almost as if she was expecting someone. Ranma ducked behind a tree, not making a sound. He peeked his head out. Akane was starting to undress, folding her pants and shirt and neatly setting them down while still in her underwear.
Ranma's eyes widened. "Wh…what is Akane doing? Was Uc-Chan right about her surprise…nah…this can't be it. Somethin' else must be going on."
Ranma watched as Akane turned her back, reaching for her bra, undoing it and throwing it on that pile of clothes. Ranma's heart skipped a beat. Quickly he turned back around, before he could see Akane finish undressing.
Ranma's breathing got faster as his heart beat rapidly. "Oh man…Akane is serious. She is waitin' for me to show up…that means she wants to…" Ranma promptly hit his head. "Nah…Akane would never do something like this…would she?"
Ranma took a deep breath. His palms were starting to sweat and his hands were getting shaky. He forced his head back from behind that tree, seeing Akane facing toward him in the water. Their eyes met, but only for a second. Stricken, Ranma turned back around; his heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest.
Akane looked toward that tree curiously. That looked like Ranma, but he would know better than to spy on her while she was taking a bath. Akane caught another brief glimpse from that tree. Was that Ranma or some other person?
"Ranma…is that you?" Akane asked, puzzled.
"Oh man!" Ranma said to himself, hearing Akane call his name. She was serious, but…they shouldn't do that kind of thing while training. It looked like Akane was just waiting in that water for something to happen…
"Ranma…are you here?" Akane asked again. Ranma decided it was time to show himself. He just had to figure out what was going on.
He emerged from behind the tree with his eyes planted firmly into the ground.
Akane screamed, throwing her arms around her chest. "Ranma! That was you!"
"Hey Akane…I don't think this is such a good idea. I mean…we're trainin' now and we really don't need distractions." Ranma started.
Akane eyed Ranma for a few moments…he was awfully serious about something. "Ranma…what are you talking about?" She asked, concerned.
Ranma looked up from the ground towards Akane. She was just as confused as he was. "I'm talkin' about your…"
Akane screamed. "Ranma you pervert! How dare you follow me while I'm taking a bath!"
"B-bath? But…what about your…"
"Ranma! Turn around!" Akane demanded. Ranma whirled, knowing that he had angered Akane yet again.
"Oh man…this is gonna be bad…" Ranma thought to himself. He looked up, seeing Akane standing in front of him angrily wearing that large towel.
"W-wait a sec Akane…I can explain."
"No Ranma…no need to explain now. I caught you in the act! We may be getting married soon but that gives you no right to spy on my while I'm taking a bath!"
"Spy? Wait a second Akane. You were the one that left before dinner. What about that little "surprise" you had for me?"
"What surprise?" Akane shot back.
"You know…you told Uc-Chan that you had a surprise for me and then you just walked off."
"What kind of surprise?" Akane asked, figuring out what was going on.
"Well…I saw you there…and you were looking around. Then you started undressing…I figured you…you know, expected company or somethin'"
"So…you weren't spying on me?" Akane asked.
"No…why on earth would I do that?"
Akane smiled. "Sorry for yelling at you Ranma. I think I know what's going on here."
"What?"
"I think Ukyo is starting to plot again…"
"What'cha talkin' about Akane?"
"Nothing…just don't worry about it."
"Well…so much for that surprise. Don't' worry. I couldn't bring myself to watch you change back there." Ranma started off to the camp leaving Akane time to finish her bath.
Akane returned to the camp. Ukyo had a satisfied look on her face. Akane sat down next to her, starting her dinner.
"You two have fun?" Ukyo asked, smiling to her.
"We had a blast!" Akane said happily. Ukyo examined her. She snapped her fingers.
"Dang…didn't work did it?"
"Nope…sure didn't. Better luck next time Ukyo." Akane said, with her smile
"Well…maybe next time…" Ukyo started. Akane cut off her thinking out loud.
"Hey Ukyo…I appreciate the help, but I don't think either one of us is ready for that kind of commitment."
"Really?" Ukyo looked disappointed. "But I thought that if I helped you two like that, it would…be the perfect way of apologizing."
"Hey…don't worry about it Ukyo. We have already accepted your apology, remember?"
"Yea…I know…But…" Ukyo's once happy face started to take a sad tone. A tear made it's way out of her eye. She had started to think of how she loved Ranma and just wanted him happy. She promised herself she wouldn't do that. She soon gave up her fight.
"Ukyo? What's wrong?" Akane asked. This went a lot deeper than her just trying to help out.
"I…I'm sorry Akane!" Ukyo said, sobbing on Akane's shoulder.
Cologne looked at what was going on. She turned to Mousse and Shampoo. She just hopped off. Mousse and Shampoo followed suit.
Ranma was also watching this. He hit Ryoga on the shoulder. "Hey…let's go have that match now." He said. Ryoga, unaware of what was happening, looked around. He saw Ukyo's shape and decided to follow Ranma.
"Ukyo…" Akane said, at a loss for words. She looked around. It was safe to talk. Akane figured out why Ukyo tried so hard to get Ranma and Akane together and why she was crying like this so.
"Ukyo…you still love him don't you?" Akane asked sadly
Ukyo managed a weak nod through her tears. "I know…I was stupid to let myself fall in love with an engaged man…but…he seemed to care about me so much. I couldn't help it."
"Ukyo…I'm sorry." Ukyo looked up to Akane. She was also starting to cry. Seeing her best friend hurt so took its toll on Akane.
"No Akane…I was the stupid one. I even tried on purpose to make you two argue…I…I thought if I got you two together…that it would be a suitable apology. I almost ruined your relationship, so I thought if I helped rebuild it…"
"Ukyo…it's ok now…" Akane tried.
"I knew I shouldn't have come along on this stupid trip!" Ukyo asserted "I knew this was gonna happen…"
She got up, frustrated that she let herself lose control of her emotions like that. She knew it was risky with Ranma and Akane here, but she just couldn't fully let go of Ranma. She had to see him one last time before they got married. She just walked into the darkness. Akane watched her sadly. She did not follow.
About an hour passed. Everyone returned. Akane explained that Ukyo needed time to think things out. They would wait until she came back.
Inside the Tent
A rain shower had built itself through the night, dropping its revitalizing water on the surrounding plants. Everyone was forced inside their tents for the night. Ukyo still had not returned.
Ryoga awoke, hearing the gentle sounds of the rain against his tent. He looked outside, hearing something else. Everyone else was asleep. He looked toward where the fire was. Ukyo was sitting on a log next to it, sobbing all by herself. It looked like she was soaking wet, but she didn't' seem to care. She may catch a cold.
"Ukyo…what are you doing out there in the rain?" Ryoga asked. Ukyo did not respond.
"Ukyo…you need to get out of that rain."
"I…I didn't bring a tent…I can't stay with Ranma and Akane…Mousse and Shampoo were…"
"Come on Ukyo…I'll make room for you…unless…you want to be by yourself right now."
Ukyo looked at Ryoga, making that kind gesture. She really didn't want to be alone right then. She entered Ryoga's tent silently.
"Are you…ok Ukyo?" Ryoga tried. He was more used to listening than talking.
Ukyo did not respond. She sat in his tent, a bit embarrassed. She had her arms around her body for warmth.
"It's about Ranma isn't it?" He asked. Ukyo said nothing.
"Ukyo…sometimes we just have to get over things…"
Ukyo interrupted Ryoga's friendly attempt "What do you mean, "just get over things!" It's not that easy!" Ukyo said
Ryoga took a deep breath.
"Ukyo…just to let you know. I know exactly how you feel right now." He started. Ukyo looked in his eyes. He was trying to hide the hurt in them. Ryoga did love Akane…
He clenched his fist. "Akane…I loved her, but I could never tell her how I felt. I tried many things to get her and Ranma to break up, but it was no use. They loved each other too much. On the day of their duel…I decided to give up on Akane. But she would never leave my heart. If Akane was happy…no matter who she was with, I decided I would be happy for her too. Sometimes all we can do is let go…but I couldn't do that. I just had to follow Akane up here to Jusenkyo. I couldn't stand the fact of missing an opportunity to see her again. I loved Akane…but I would never have it returned. I know what you're going through Ukyo…"
Ukyo looked up to Ryoga. A tear came down his face, even though he tried with all his strength to keep it inside. She had never seen this side of him…that soft gentle side that Akane said. It made her feel comfortable. More tears came out of Ukyo's eyes. It was nice to have someone that could understand what she was going through.
"But…but Ryoga…it's not fair!" Ukyo said, jumping into his arms. "I loved Ranma…but…it was so cruel…I was so stupid to fall for that guy. It was like I was cursed, never able to hear those words from him, even though I told him how I felt."
Ryoga examined Ukyo, letting all of her guard down. He had been in this situation before…but this time he could do more than just be held. He placed his arm around Ukyo, comforting her. "Fate can be cruel like that Ukyo. The best thing was can do is wish those two a happy marriage."
"It…It's just…not fair…" Ukyo said weakly, sobbing. Ryoga looked at what was left of Ukyo, crying in his arms. She really was a female deep inside…Ryoga just sat there, listening like he always did with Akane. Ukyo was a lot like Akane…sweet and loving…
Morning came. Ukyo's eyes opened. She was holding someone, a person lying next to her. It was Ryoga…She mover her eyes around, seeing if anyone noticed.
"Man…I told myself I wouldn't let my guard down like that. Now what's gonna happen?"
"U-Ukyo?" Ryoga asked. He suddenly remembered last night, where Ukyo cried herself to sleep
Ukyo looked at Ryoga. He sat there in the tent, embarrassed. Ukyo was blushing too. Sometimes in life there are no words…
"Well…I uh… better get outta here. If anyone saw me in here, who knows what they would think.'
Ryoga nodded. Ukyo peeked her head out, almost bumping into a smiling Akane.
"Hey, you two sleep well?" She asked, looking inside. Ryoga and Ukyo were blushing heavily.
"Well…Shampoo fixed breakfast, whenever you two are done in here." She said teasingly. Ukyo ran out, embarrassed. Ryoga slowly made is way out, sitting by himself and eating.
Neither of the two seemed to bring up what had happened. The camp was packed and everyone started off. Each person had different goals in mind. Whether it is a cure for a curse or the hopes of a fiancée, or even closure…to a story in the book of someone's life; in a chapter that was never meant to be written.
*****Heh. Well, here's chapter seventeen. Classis set up. Next chapter, they arrive and that's where all the fun begins! Well if you like action and fighting and martial arts and stuff it will be fun. If you like that sappy romance stuff I'm prone to writing, you should also have fun. Anyway, nothing much to report on. Except see ya next chapter!*****