Chapter 2

Feedback: DJ( ) – Um... DJ, pal... I'm not sure what exactly you said in the review... maybe my English is just bad or I'm an idiot but here goes. Nr1. Ukyou is supposed to be 'aware'... it's a self insert, right? Besides... if you spend enough time with children you realize they're not as stupid as everyone thinks. And her desire/thoughts to go with Ranma stem from a lust for adventure since she knows Ranma's basic future, she wants to follow what she knows. Though she hasn't actually asked him to take her with, she still hopes he doesn't leave her behind when she does. That's all those thoughts represented. (Am I a bad writer?) Nr2. Her father only knows what his daughter told him... other than that, he knows nothing of the Saotome family... I didn't imply that they were one of the families that Genma ripped off, just that he got caught by those families, who 'subdued' him, but he managed to escape after enduring some pain... I don't really see a plot-hole there but if you do then explain it more clearly pls :P Nr3 About Genma raising Ukyou... Even the animè doesn't exactly explain why Mr. Kounji would want Ukyou to go with Genma... I'm thinking of a plotline now and you'll soon see it. :P Oh... and something about human nature... sometimes we don't think before we leap so some decisions are illogical, right? :) (Note: About that honor issue... you're right... it is strange that nobody actually tried to contact Nadoka... I mean, tons of people knew Genma's clan name, right... A few mistakes in the animè: Why doesn't the people that Genma messed with ever come looking for him? Why only Ranma's fiancés?... Also the scene in the desert where Genma sells the baby Ranma for food since he's starving... I thought they only left home when Ranma turned five, where the hell does that scene come up? You have the answers?)

AN: I'm thinking of turning Ukyou's travels into a sidestory... all about Vampires and monsters and being alone on the streets... what do you think?

I awoke early in the morning, about hour after sunrise, and headed towards the kitchen to start breakfast. Okonamiyaki wasn't the only thing I was good at... Our style of cooking martial arts had a variety of recipes, though okonamiyaki was our special. I ate my breakfast as I cooked and when I finished I placed some food on a tray and took it up to my father's room. He was still sleeping when I got there so I left the breakfast on the stand next to his bed and headed out, skipping down the stairs and out the door. I took out my cart and headed for the roadside, all the while feeling excited at the thought of seeing Ranma again.

Walking down the street in the early morning light made me feel really good about myself, and my life... If it weren't for the fact that my dad was still sick, I would've been at an all-time high. I pushed all thought out of my head as I started with the daily routine, a small smile gracing my face. For the first time in weeks, people actually started to buy okonamiyaki from me again. Maybe because I was a bit friendlier now and I didn't cook the food half-way either. I smiled brightly at the customers and handed them their food... as the day rolled on I earned at least twice the normal amount but I was starting to wind down when Ranma still hadn't arrived and it was getting close to noon. I packed up my cart and decided to take a break.

Taking out some food I sat under a tree, on top of my cart while I ate. I sighed deeply as I surveyed the scene before me. People walking around or otherwise socializing in the area. I was close to the entrance of the park and I could see the small lake decorated its center. I suddenly jumped as something wizzed past me, too fast to make out what it was. I blinked for a second then I noticed the lightened weight in my hand and I notice my food was gone. Then I heard the sounds of eating coming from above me. I looked up and surprise, surprise... there was Ranma hanging upside-down and eating my lunch, though how he succeeded eating while upside-down escaped me. "Ranma!", I cried happily. "Hey Ukyou. What'cha doin?" "Well... I was eating my lunch...", I said with a mock glare. He gave me a goofy grin and a sheepish look. "Sorry, I was really hungry." I just smiled and shook my head... "I don't mind... do you want some okonamiyaki?", I asked him. "Sure!", he cried enthusiastically. I jumped off the roof of my yattai and started up the stove again taking a few minutes to cook while I was talking. "Ranma... I want to ask you something... My dad he wanted to meet your dad..." Ranma looked up from where he'd been staring at his swinging feet. "Hmm? Why?" I thought for a second, "Um... I don't really know...He's probably just worried about me or something." "Maybe he wants to be friends with my dad.", smiled Ranma innocently. 'Uh... yeah Sweatdrop', "Maybe... So you'll ask him?" "Sure... he just can't move all that much at the moment though...", he said with a thoughtful look. "Huh? Why?", I asked curiously. "Well... some bad people hurt him but he's getting better.", he said as a smile once more sprung up on his face.

"Here you go?", I cried as I flung the food at him like a frisbee. He leaped up into the air and caught it with his mouth before using his hands to gobble up the rest while he was still in mid air... he, of course, then crashed down to the ground but that didn't wipe the smile from his face. I laughed at his antics... "Hey, Ranma, since your dad can't come why don't you come meet my dad?" "Okay." "You'll like him... He loves martial arts as much as he loves food... kinda like you.", I said with a smile, "He taught me everything I know." With that we headed towards my home, Ranma helping me drag the yattai behind us.

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When we arrived home we headed straight up to my father's room. I walked in and opened the curtains to get some light in, revealing my dad sitting up in bed. "Hiya daddy. I wanted you to meet my friend, Ranma.", I said brightly as I motioned for Ranma to come in through the door. He seemed to hesitate for a second before walking in. "H-Hello sir.", he said nervously. 'What's he so nervous about?', I wondered to myself as I watched him squirm under my dad's gaze. After a few seconds of uncomfortably studying Ranma he smiled and said, "Well hello there Ranma. I hear your quite the martial artist.", he said in a kind voice. I almost laughed when Ranma puffed out his chest and proudly said, "I'm gonna be the best!... Sir." My dad just laughed good heartedly at that. "Well boy, I'm sure you will be. So your traveling with your father, right why don't you come sit here on the bed and tell me where you've been so far." I smiled brightly and jumped onto the bed, soon followed by a slightly reluctant Ranma... I was also curious about his travels so far... they couldn't have been on the road too long since as far as I knew Ranma left home just before his sixth birthday. He was probably close to turning seven about now.

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A week passed and Ranma would come meet me at home every day... He went to the market with me to buy some more supplies for my yattai and we met and beat up the gambling king after we caught him cheating. Together Ranma and I made some of the special sauce that was supposed to be stored for ten years before use... my father showed me the recipe.

I finally met Genma at their camp and talked to him a bit but he refused to come meet my dad for some reason... I suppose that's because he wanted to stay out of sight for a while... If the town's people saw him he'd probably be hunted down again. I relayed this to my dad and he said that he'd just have to go out and meet the man for himself then... I protested but dad was adamant, saying that he'd had enough bed rest and it was time for him to get back to work again anyways...

As Ranma and I took the yattai out the next day dad was with us. I kept glancing at him worriedly, looking for any signs of fatigue or pain but he showed none. He looked perfectly healthy and determined. Though the doctor's words kept playing in my mind... 'I'm sorry Mr. Kounji but your heart is too weak for you to exert yourself like that every day. If you don't take it slowly...' My heart was racing with worry... I may have been planning on asking Ranma to take me with them but I could wait if dad needed me... Frankly I think that dream is already scattered to the wind... I know I couldn't leave my dad behind with nobody to care for him. He may still be able to do some things at home and have the income from the franchise restaurants but he needed me to make him breakfast and to care for him. Yes. I decided... I wasn't even going to mention to Ranma that I wanted to go with them... my dad needed me and his life was more important than my own. We finally arrived at the Saotome's camp just outside of the city limits.

The two older men greeted each other heartily though I could see the slight glare Genma sent his son. "Why don't you kids go play while I talk to Mr. Saotome here.", said Dad. I hesitated wondering what he was up to... 'In the animè I know Ukyou had asked to be Ranma's fiancé so there was no way that marriage was the topic', I assured myself. What I neglected to think of was that in the animè Ukyou's dad was also healthy and didn't have a heart problem like mine. I hesitantly took a few steps towards town and looked back at my dad before Ranma grabbed my arm and said, "Come on Ukyou!" I sighed as I walked off towards town.

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Dad sat down heavily on the wooden log near the fire pit, a weary expression appearing on his face. "I'm sorry Saotome-san. I'm just tired... sigh You've raised Ranma to be an honorable and kind young man... my daughter has taken quite a liking to him." Genma smirked at the comment, "He will be the best there is, a man among men." A small smile graced my father's lips, "I know... I can already see him turning into a fine man... The truth is Saotome-san... I don't have very long... my time in this world is almost up and from what I've seen you've raised your boy quite well. My daughter is still young and I need someone to take care of her when I'm gone... I was wondering if you could take care of her..." "Uh..." Dad continued, "I'd never trust my brother to take care of her and I have no-one else to turn to. If you could become her guardian or perhaps we can arrange a marriage proposal between my child and yours." "Um... Kounji-san... I'm not sure-""Nonsense! I'll even throw in her yattai as dowry. Come, let's talk about this over a few drinks. I could really use one now." Genma's face brightened... He wasn't one to turn down the offer of sake.

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When I dropped my yattai off at home that afternoon I was surprised to find my dad had already returned and was passed out in the living room with the stench of sake billowing around him. Since dad was home I said goodbye to Ranma and set about the task of making Dad comfortable while he slept. I made myself some dinner and relaxed, watching the sun setting over the horizon. I'd been so worried about dad all day that I was exhausted and was almost dead on my feet by the time I went to bed.

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The next morning I went through the normal routine, waking up dad who had one hell of a hangover. I gave him some aspirin and sent him back to bed before taking his breakfast to him. I took out my cart and looked up and down the road... Ranma was late, he was usually here by now... I sighed and shrugged my shoulders... 'No time to waste, I'm sure he'll find me later...', I thought to myself... The entire morning there was a slight sense of foreboding though... it was like something was wrong. Suddenly during lunch break I felt something... something was defiantly wrong. I rushed towards home, leaving the yattai out front as I rushed up to my dad's room... I opened it to see Dr. Kisho and a few other men picking up my dad. Dr. Kisho quickly moved in front of me, blocking my view as he pushed me out of the room. "Come Ukyou-chan why don't you make me some okonamiyaki in the kitchen, okay?", he asked with a overly happy voice that seemed a bit strained. "What's wrong with my dad?!", I cried at him... He just looked at me sadly as he kept walking me towards the kitchen... "Tell me!!! NOW!", I cried, tears already forming in my eyes. "I'm sorry Ukyou... He- He's gone... We couldn't save him... He managed to call my clinic during the heart attack but by the time we got here it was too late." I just stood there in shock looking at him wide eyed. 'It can't be... It's not possible... I decided I was gonna stay with him. It can't be. He's lying.' "You're lying!!", I cried, tears now spilling from my eyes uncontrollably. I pounded my fists against his chest as he hugged me tightly... "You're lying...", I whimpered.

Note: Please tell me if you spot any mistakes so I can fix them. Also... I'm a bit unhappy with how this chapter turned out... any suggestions and mods I can make will be appreciated.

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