CHAPTER SIX
A/N:
Extra LONG chapter... Please enjoy and R&R... I hope you find it interesting...
"Oh, there he is..." one of Ranma's classmates exclaimed as Ranma and Ukyo are approaching the classroom.
"Good morning everyone!" Ranma greeted as cheerfully as he could, pretending nothing happened yesterday.
Usually, someone would greet him back or at least, someone would smile. But instead, everybody was staring at him while he was walking to his seat.
"Don't mind them Ran-chan," Ukyo told Ranma before sitting at her own seat.
"Thanks, Ucchan... I think you shouldn't be involved at this anymore." Ranma went to his seat trying not to mind the people around him staring and murmuring. Though he sat down quietly, without saying a word, he could still hear his classmates murmuring.
Ranma felt small, helpless. Yes, he could pick a fight with anyone there and win. But, he surely couldn't handle people who are murmuring about him, spreading nasty rumors, or those backstabbing him.
He suddenly put his head down against the arm of his chair, covered his face with his arms and started weeping.
Upon seeing this, others stopped...but certainly, others didn't, "Oh! What a crybaby he is!!! Crying like a girl..." one of his classmates teased while everybody laughed.
"Darn you all!" Ukyo shouted and stood up from her seat, "You have no right Ran-chan because the incident yesterday. Shit! You don't even know how it started or even what the hells happening so if you're just gonna add insult to the injury, just shut up and mind your own business. You completely have no right to judge him..."
"Stop it, Ucchan..." Ranma said, his head still covered by his arms.
"But, Ranma, they're..."
"It's okay, Ucchan... Why should I care about what they say? As long as I know that I didn't offend them, I'm gonna be alright...
The can say anything they want to say
Try to bring me down
But I will not allow
Anyone to succeed hanging clouds over me
And they can try how to make me feel
That I don't matter at all
But I refuse to falter
In what I believe or lose faith in my dreams
'Coz there, there's a light in me
That shines brightly
Oh, they can try but they can't take that away from me...
Oh they, they can do anything they want to you
If you let them in
But they will never win
If you cling to your pride
And just push them aside
See I, I have learned there's an inner peace I own
Something in my soul
That they cannot possess
So I won't be afraid
And the darkness will fade
'Coz there, there's a light in me
That shines brightly
Oh, they can try but they can't take that away from me...
No, they can't take this
Precious love I'll always have inside me
Certainly the Lord will guide me
Where I need to go...
Oh, they can say anything they want to say
Try to bring me down
But I won't face the ground
I will rise steadily
Sailing out of their reach
Oh Lord, they do try how to make me feel
That I don't matter at all
But I refuse to falter
In what I believe
Or lose faith in my dreams
'Coz there, there's a light in me
That shines brightly...
Yes, they can try
But they can't take that away from..."
"RAN-CHAN, I'VE GOT A BRILLIANT IDEA!!!!" Ukyo shouted before Ranma could sing the last word of the song.
"Huh? And why suddenly so excited Ucchan?" Ranma asked in confusion.
"Oh, never mind them!!! I've got a brilliant idea!"
"What idea?" he asked.
Ukyo smirked and went in front of their classroom. "Everybody listen up," she exclaimed.
Ukyo called the attention of those who have been listening to Ranma singing, those minding their own business, and those probably absent- minded, daydreaming or probably sleeping.
"Mina-san, Ucchan's House of Japanese Pancake will have something new in store for you all. Three weeks from now, I invite all of you to visit the new Ucchan's. Don't worry! Everybody that will come on that day will be accommodated and will get free meals. It's a one-day promo only..."
Upon hearing the news, everybody started talking about what's gonna happen to Ucchan's.
"Well, what's that gonna be like?" one of their classmates asked.
"I dunno... but there's no harm in seeing what it's gonna be like. Anyway, the food's absolutely free," another classmate replied.
"Yeah, let's go there three weeks from now..."
Ukyo smirked upon seeing the intensity of curiosity her classmates were showing.
Ranma, though confused, is also excited. "Well, since I live at Ucchan's house, I'm the first one to know what everybody wants to know."
"Oh," Ukyo added, "I forgot to tell you that Ucchan's House of Japanese Pancake will be closed for renovation until the said event will come..."
Then, Ukyo went back to her seat and sat down, saying to herself, "Why didn't I think of this immediately?" and smiled even more, praising her own brilliance.
It was still early early in the morning and the news about Ucchan's renovation of her Pancake House is already widespread. Everybody in the entire school grounds is talking about it. And by this time, Ryoga and Akane arrived in school. They were on their way to their room when curousity struck them.
"Huh? What's everybody talking about?" Akane asked, locking her arms to Ryoga.
"I dunno..." the young martial artist replied, "Let's ask somebody over there..."
The two approached the nearest person.
"Excuse me, what's the fuss all about?" Akane asked.
"Free food!!! FREE FOOD!!! I can't wait three weeks from now!" the person exclaimed in excitement.
"Free food? Three weeks from now?" Akane asked in the state of confusion, "That was so useful that I didn't actually get it."
"Oh, there's Nabiki," Ryoga said, "Let's go ask her."
So, Ryoga and Akane approached Nabiki.
"Sis, what's everybody talking about?" asked Akane.
"Haven't you heard?" the older sister asked the couple.
Ryoga and Akane shook their heads.
"Ukyo will renovate her pancake house and re-open three weeks from now. On that day, food will be free." Nabiki said.
"Is that so?" Akane said.
"Oh, and somebody told me that she mentioned something about a surprise too..." Nabiki added.
"I want to go..." Ryoga exclaimed. "Would you want to go with me, darling?"
"Uh... sure..." she replied, unsure whether to go or not. She still remembers all the things that happened there.
"Wow, thank you, darling!!!" Ryoga exclaimed then smacked Akane in her cheeks.
"Well, if it makes Ryoga happy, it would make me happy too..." Akane thought, smiling.
"Well, thank you for the information, sis..." Akane said.
"Information costs 10 yen..." Nabiki exclaimed opening her palms.
"But..." complained Akane.
"Here..." Ryoga said, handing 10 yen to Nabiki.
"There... Well, I think our relationship will be running in a smooth road if you're obedient, brother-in-law to be..." Nabiki told Ryoga.
"Nabiki!!!" Akane shouted while Nabiki giggled her way to her classroom.
"I think we should be going too..." Ryoga told Akane.
"Yeah..." Akane replied, "Let's go, darling..."
News even reached Cat Restaurant.
"What??!!!" Shampoo exclaimed hysterically. "Is it true?"
"Yes," replied Cologne, "after three weeks, it will re-open."
"No, the other one..."
"Which one?"
"That Ranma's staying at..."
"Oh, yes! Grandson is staying at Ukyo's place right now," the old female martial artist of the Amazon tribe said, "It's disappointing Shampoo... you didn't make even a single move..."
"But, why would Ranma stay at Ukyo's place? Won't Akane get mad?" the younger martial artist of the Amazon tribe asked in curiosity.
"Shampoo, haven't you heard the news?"
Shampoo shook her head.
"My, granddaughter, you're missing a lot..." Cologne said then released a sigh. "Akane broke up her engagement with Ranma... Ryoga is currently Akane's boyfriend..."
There was a short moment of silence in Cat Restaurant after Cologne told Shampoo about the real deal between Ranma and Akane.
"Shampoo?" Cologne exclaimed, looking at the blank expression on Shampoo's face. "Shampoo??" she called once again.
"YES!!! THIS IS MY CHANCE!!!" Shampoo shouted, full of felicity.
Cologne, that fell from the table she was standing at exclaimed, "That's the spirit! Don't let Ukyo take your husband away from you!"
A/N:
They said this without even knowing the WHOLE STORY... Hehehe...
"WHAT?!!!" Ranma shouted, already in his room.
"Please Ran-chan... You could do it..."
"But, Ucchan," Ranma exclaimed, "I can't..."
"Ran-chan, you should trust yourself... you should give yourself more confidence..."
"But, Ucchan, why me?" said Ranma while he lay down in his bed.
Ukyo followed and sat the side of Ranma's bed. "It's because I believe in you, Ran-chan. I believe you could do it..." she said, holding the pig-tailed boy's hand.
"Ucchan..." he thought. He could see the trust Ukyo has on him through her eyes. "Ucchan," he exclaimed, "I'll do it... I can do it!!!"
"Oh, Ran-chan!!!" Ukyo exclaimed, smiling. "Thank you, Ran-chan... Thank you..."
Three weeks after...
Everybody came to Ucchan's after school and they were excited to see the appearance of the renovated Pancake House.
The front of the place was covered with a high, black curtain. Each person came because of different reasons.
"Free food! I can't wait for the free food..." some of them exclaimed while they were drooling.
"What's the new concept that Ukyo's going to present? And what's this surprise she's talking about?" others asked in curiosity.
Thus, the moment of truth came.
Ukyo came out from the left wing of the cloth. She was wearing a pink haltered gown, with sleets long enough to flaunt her legs.
"Hello everybody!!! I'm glad you came..." the star for the night exclaimed, "Welcome to the new, and now, spacious Ucchan's..."
Everybody cheered.
"And now, I present to you..." she said while holding the cloth in preparation for pulling it down, "PANCAKE, PLEASE!!! The evolution of Ucchan's Pancake House to Ucchan's Pancake House and Bar!!!!" she exclaimed joyfully, pulling the cloth off, revealing the new LOOK of Ucchan's once Pancake House.
It was styled after a certain bar in Las Vegas and had lots of decorative lights, not to mention a big Japanese Pancake, the symbol of the bar itself placed at the topmost part of the loge "Pancake, PLEASE!!!"
"Wow..." and "Fascinating" were the some of the words that came out from the mouths of some of the people in the crowd.
"Now, now... the space is not enough to accommodate all of you," she exclaimed while some people in the crowd pouted, "But a promise is a promise... Free food will come your way. And..."
Ukyo clapped her hands three times and two men came out, carrying a big, flat LCD screen. They expertly connected this and that, and before the people knew it, the inside of the bar was showcased in the monitor.
"You could watch the whole show that will happen in the stage because tonight, we'll have a surprise performance..." Upon saying this, the monitor showed the stage.
"Sugoi!!! Way to go, Ukyo!!!" exclaimed some people in the crowd. Some gave a hearty applause to express how impressed they are in Ukyo's new concept. And curiosity stuck the others, "Who'll perform in that stage tonight?" they wondered.
"Well, I guess I need to let some of you guys in..." stated Ukyo and opened the doors of the bar.
The bar is truly spacious. Though it only has one floor (because the second floor is where Ukyo, and now, where Ranma also lives), there was a bar- counter, nearly on the right wing of the bar, the stage was placed in front where the instruments were placed, and there are lots of tables, some for two, some for five, and some for a whole bunch.
Ukyo stayed at the door and greeted the people who entered the bar. She spotted lots of classmates but there were some people who stood out among the mob.
"Welcome Furinkan High's Blue Lightning, Tatewaki Kuno!!!" he exclaimed as he entered the bar.
Ukyo sighed.
"Not so fast, brother!" a vaguely familiar voice shouted. Suddenly, the place was surrounded with black roses. "Make way for the Black Rose, Kodachi!" she exclaimed then kicked Kuno out of the way, causing him to bump in one table.
Ukyo sighed some more.
"Please don't cause chaos on the first day of this bar," Ukyo begged.
"Oh, we're not causing chaos..." Kodachi exclaimed, "We're giving life to this bar!!!" Then, she gave off her signature laugh.
"Oh boy! This is going to be one LOOOONG night!" Ukyo thought.
The next customer entered.
"Good evening..." Ukyo greeted cheerfully.
"So I heard that Ranma live in Ucchan's..." said a person very familiar to the owner of the bar.
"Yes, Shampoo. Ranma lives here," answered Ukyo, "Why?"
"You win this time, Ukyo. But Shampoo will get Ranma back and Ranma will marry Shampoo..." As she said so, she flipped her long hair and then walked towards an empty seat.
Then, Ukyo suddenly heard two familiar voices. Slowly, the voices grow louder as they get closer to the entrance of the bar.
"Darling, it's a good thing we came here early..." the voice of the boy said.
"Yeah, I don't wanna end up staying outside... It's too crowded out there," the feminine voice replied.
"Damn!" Ukyo thought.
And then, there entered the two people Ukyo know quite well... one that she pities and one that she despises.
"Congratulations! This place is great, Ukyo..." the girl said, facing Ukyo.
"Oh... oh, thank you, Akane! Glad you made it..." replied Ukyo.
"Wow! I like this place!!! Good thing we didn't get lost..." said Ryoga.
"You were with me, silly!" Akane replied tapping Ryoga's head.
"Yeah..." Ryoga said then wrapped his arm around Akane's shoulder.
"Ahem..." Ukyo interrupted, making the couple blush. "Anyway, thank you for coming, Ryoga," she cheerfully exclaimed.
Ryoga nodded. "Anyway, we need to find an unoccupied table. See you later, Ukyo," he exclaimed as Akane and him walked to find so.
"Acting as if nothing happened... What a bitch!!! What a git!!!" Ukyo murmured, pertaining to Akane.
"Oh," Ukyo said noticing something, and faced the crowd left outside, "The bar only has a room left for one person."
Suddenly, it seemed like there was an earthquake. Everybody in the crowd started to look at each other.
"SHAMPOO!!!" another FAMILIAR VOICE shouted, "GET AWAY!!! I NEED TO GO WHERE SHAMPOO IS!!!"
The said person was running at an amazing speed that anybody who blocked his way flew away. At last, he reached the entrance of the bar...
"Mousse... what the heck..." said Ukyo
"Is... is Shampoo...here?" the boy with funny eyeglasses asked, trying to catch his breath.
"Yes..." Ukyo replied
"Shampoo, where are you???" Mousse shouted as he hurriedly entered the bar, rapidly walking and trying to find the table Shampoo occupied.
"Oh well, I guess I need to close the entrance..." Ukyo murmured to herself.
"Ukyo..." a voice called out.
"Sorry, all tables are already occupied," Ukyo said apologetically, "You could watch at the big screen out there, and food will be served also."
"Please Ucchan..." another voice begged, "I'd rather stand inside as long as I could see Ranma..."
"Mr. Saotome... Mr. Tendo..." Ukyo exclaimed, realizing the voices. She opened the entrance once more.
"Hi Ukyo!!!" Nabiki greeted.
"Congratulations for the success of your new bar, Ukyo..." exclaimed Kasumi.
"Nabiki... Kasumi... You're here too?" Ukyo said in shock. "Come in, come in," she invited.
The four people came and finally, Ukyo shut the main entrance.
"I'm sorry I couldn't offer you seats... You should've informed me 'coz I reserved seats for you..." Ukyo apologetically said.
"No, no... It's okay. I just wanted to see Ranma..." Genma exclaimed.
"He left our house all of a sudden without even telling where he's going..." Soun added.
"We heard from Akane that he is staying here now," Nabiki said.
"How is he?" asked Kasumi.
"Oh, he's doing fine..." Ukyo replied.
"Ucchan, could I see him now?" exclaimed Genma, "I just wanted to apologize to what I said to him last time. After all, he's still my son," he explained.
"Oh... Mr. Saotome, Ranma's... er... busy... um... cooking in the... the kitchen... yeah! Cooking in the kitchen..." explained Ukyo.
"Oh, I see... but could I talk to him later? I mean, if he has no more work to do..." asked the father of the young martial artist.
"Certainly..." replied Ukyo, "But for now, will you excuse me. I have to prepare something."
"Okay... Just do your stuff and don't mind us here, right, Saotome?" Soun asked.
Genma nodded.
"Okay, see you later!" Ukyo cheerfully exclaimed and walked away from them.
"I'm sure he'll talk to you..." Kasumi calmly exclaimed, trying to cheer the dad of Ranma.
"I hope so..." Genma replied.
Suddenly, a waiter carrying glasses of water accidentally bumped Genma that caused the water from the glasses to spill on Genma. The waiter was surprised to see a panda inside the bar.
The panda spoke its unknown language and raised a sign saying, "LOUSY SERVICE!!!"
"You might wanna get out of here before that panda eats you..." Soun told the waiter.
The waiter obediently followed what Soun had said while the panda-form of Mr. Saotome was still complaining.
"Shut up there," exclaimed Nabiki.
Kasumi laughed.
Everybody was enjoying in the bar. Some were busy chatting and some were busy eating his or her free food. The people outside are enjoying as much as the people inside. Then, suddenly...
"Hey! Ukyo walked on to the stage!" somebody from the outside exclaimed as he saw Ukyo do so in the big screen.
Everybody, who was then eating, and chitchatting among each other, payed attention to what the owner of the bar was going to announce.
"Attention, everybody..." she started, "First of all, I want to thank you all for coming to the opening night of PANCAKE PLEASE!!!"
Everybody (including the ones outside) applauded.
"And at the same time, I want to say 'Sorry' because the bar really couldn't accommodate you all..." she continued, "Secondly, I want to tell you that starting tomorrow, food isn't free anymore..."
Some people laughed while some people frowned.
"But," she added, "I won't ever be asking for entrance fees..."
Everybody started clapping again.
"And lastly, a bar isn't a bar when there's no performer, right?" she asked.
"RIGHT!!!" the crowd replied.
"Okay guys, break a leg!!!" Ukyo exclaimed and got off the stage.
The band started filling the stage area and got on their respective instrument, and not to forget, the background vocalists.
As soon as the band was already ready for action, Ukyo came up the stage again, and, in he microphone, said, "And now, presenting our performer for the first night of the club..."
Music started playing and out came the performer.
"RAMNA SAOTOME!!!" exclaimed Ukyo.
The reaction varied. Some clapped, some were shocked, and some seemed not to care.
"Thank you Ucchan," he started, "Good evening everyone!!!" he greeted as he waved his hand to the crowd.
He was supposed to sing a groovy song but someone caught his attention... namely, Ryoga Hibiki.
Ranma turned to the band and told them to change the music.
"This song is dedicated to all hopeless romantics out there..." he exclaimed while looking at Ryoga with a sad expression in his eyes.
Ryoga noticed and gave a faint smile.
Akane also noticed and raised one of her eyebrows while furiously drinking her glass of iced tea.
The young lad drew the microphone near his lips and sang...
"Though the music is sweet
But the song ain't complete
Now in my life
Boy in my life
Something is missing
It's a tune
Yes it's true
Still there's no me and you
Here in my life
Boy in my life
Something is missing
In my life
There ain't no melody
In my life
There ain't no harmony
To help me sing a song
All I need is a cue
While I'm waiting for you here
In my life
Boy in my life
You are the melody
'Cause in my life
You are the song
In my life
There ain't no melody
In my life
There ain't no harmony
To help me sing a song
All I need is a cue
While Im waiting for you here
In my life
Boy in my life
You are the melody
'Cause in my life
You are the song
Baby in my life
You are the song
You are the melody to me
Baby in my life
In my life
You are the song...
Thank you very much..." Ranma said after his performance.
Everybody applauded, including the numerous people outside the bar.
Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi were also clapping and "Mr. Saotome" flashed a sign saying, "THAT'S MY SON!!!"
But, as an old saying in the show business world goes, "You cannot please everybody." Akane suddenly stood up from her seat and said, "Is this a big joke? C'mon Ryoga... we're going home!"
"But... Akane, the show just started..." Ryoga complained.
"No, Ryoga, we're going home!" she shouted while dragging Ryoga away from his chair.
"Akane, you're being a bitch again!" Ukyo commented.
People started murmuring.
"No, Ucchan..." Ranma said in the microphone, "I'll handle this..."
Upon saying this, he faced the band and murmured something.
Then, facing the crowd, he asked the waiter for a glass of cold water and poured an amount of it to himself.
"Pig-tailed girl!!!" Kuno exclaimed.
"Shut up!" Kodachi interrupted Kuno who was supposed to get up the stage.
Ranma started counting, "1... 2... 3..." and the music started playing...
"How could this bitch
I thought I knew
Turned out to be
Oh just so cold
Could only see the good in you
Pretending not to see the truth
You try to hide
Your lies disguise
In living in denial
But in the end you'll see
YOU WON'T STOP ME...
I am a fighter and I
I ain't gonna stop
There ain't no turning back
I've had enough
Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter..."
"Come on, Ryoga!!! I said let's go home already!!!" Akane furiously yelled then went out of the bar, heading straight home.
"I'm... I'm sorry Ukyo... Congratulations again..." Ryoga apologetically said.
Ranma, still on stage, is catching her breath after hitting those high notes. Suddenly, she saw something familiar among the crowd... a PANDA.
So, she went down the stage for a while after instructing the band to keep the people entertained, and went near the panda.
"C'mon... let's talk in my room..." she told her father who's now in panda form.
They walked until they reached the back part of the bar and from there, took the stairs to go to Ranma's room.
Upon reaching the young martial artist's room, the panda took a seat in his son's bed.
"Here..." Ranma said, handing out a kettle containing hot water to his dad after pouring some amount to himself.
The panda poured the remaining contents of the kettle and Genma finally turned back to his original form.
"So, what do you want to talk about, pop?" Ranman asked.
"So, this is your room..." Genma exclaimed while his eyes are wandering, exploring the room of his son.
"Yeah..." Ranma replied, "It was an abandoned room before Ukyo and I cleaned it up and made it my room."
"Ranma..." Genma called.
"What?"
"I'm... I'm... really sorry for acting so foolish... I... I realized that after all, you're still my son and... and..." Genma said the went near his son and hugged him, "I'm still your father and I just want what's best for you..."
Ranma never felt this compassion from his father since they stayed in Japan. Thinking about this, Ranma, too, fell in tears and hugged his father back.
"Thanks pop... Thanks for understanding..."
After some while, the two martial artists wiped their tears.
"Pop, I guess I need to go back there... After all, the show must go on..." Ranma told his father.
"Umm... Before that, I have a favor to ask you..."
"What is it, pop?"
"If you have some spare time, please do visit me... Soun says you still have a home waiting for you there..."
"Sure pop... When I have some free time... I promise..."
A/N:
Finally!!!! A new chapter!!! Sorry it took so long... Hope you enjoyed it... Please keep doing the R&R so I may improve my fic... See you next chapter...
A/N:
Extra LONG chapter... Please enjoy and R&R... I hope you find it interesting...
"Oh, there he is..." one of Ranma's classmates exclaimed as Ranma and Ukyo are approaching the classroom.
"Good morning everyone!" Ranma greeted as cheerfully as he could, pretending nothing happened yesterday.
Usually, someone would greet him back or at least, someone would smile. But instead, everybody was staring at him while he was walking to his seat.
"Don't mind them Ran-chan," Ukyo told Ranma before sitting at her own seat.
"Thanks, Ucchan... I think you shouldn't be involved at this anymore." Ranma went to his seat trying not to mind the people around him staring and murmuring. Though he sat down quietly, without saying a word, he could still hear his classmates murmuring.
Ranma felt small, helpless. Yes, he could pick a fight with anyone there and win. But, he surely couldn't handle people who are murmuring about him, spreading nasty rumors, or those backstabbing him.
He suddenly put his head down against the arm of his chair, covered his face with his arms and started weeping.
Upon seeing this, others stopped...but certainly, others didn't, "Oh! What a crybaby he is!!! Crying like a girl..." one of his classmates teased while everybody laughed.
"Darn you all!" Ukyo shouted and stood up from her seat, "You have no right Ran-chan because the incident yesterday. Shit! You don't even know how it started or even what the hells happening so if you're just gonna add insult to the injury, just shut up and mind your own business. You completely have no right to judge him..."
"Stop it, Ucchan..." Ranma said, his head still covered by his arms.
"But, Ranma, they're..."
"It's okay, Ucchan... Why should I care about what they say? As long as I know that I didn't offend them, I'm gonna be alright...
The can say anything they want to say
Try to bring me down
But I will not allow
Anyone to succeed hanging clouds over me
And they can try how to make me feel
That I don't matter at all
But I refuse to falter
In what I believe or lose faith in my dreams
'Coz there, there's a light in me
That shines brightly
Oh, they can try but they can't take that away from me...
Oh they, they can do anything they want to you
If you let them in
But they will never win
If you cling to your pride
And just push them aside
See I, I have learned there's an inner peace I own
Something in my soul
That they cannot possess
So I won't be afraid
And the darkness will fade
'Coz there, there's a light in me
That shines brightly
Oh, they can try but they can't take that away from me...
No, they can't take this
Precious love I'll always have inside me
Certainly the Lord will guide me
Where I need to go...
Oh, they can say anything they want to say
Try to bring me down
But I won't face the ground
I will rise steadily
Sailing out of their reach
Oh Lord, they do try how to make me feel
That I don't matter at all
But I refuse to falter
In what I believe
Or lose faith in my dreams
'Coz there, there's a light in me
That shines brightly...
Yes, they can try
But they can't take that away from..."
"RAN-CHAN, I'VE GOT A BRILLIANT IDEA!!!!" Ukyo shouted before Ranma could sing the last word of the song.
"Huh? And why suddenly so excited Ucchan?" Ranma asked in confusion.
"Oh, never mind them!!! I've got a brilliant idea!"
"What idea?" he asked.
Ukyo smirked and went in front of their classroom. "Everybody listen up," she exclaimed.
Ukyo called the attention of those who have been listening to Ranma singing, those minding their own business, and those probably absent- minded, daydreaming or probably sleeping.
"Mina-san, Ucchan's House of Japanese Pancake will have something new in store for you all. Three weeks from now, I invite all of you to visit the new Ucchan's. Don't worry! Everybody that will come on that day will be accommodated and will get free meals. It's a one-day promo only..."
Upon hearing the news, everybody started talking about what's gonna happen to Ucchan's.
"Well, what's that gonna be like?" one of their classmates asked.
"I dunno... but there's no harm in seeing what it's gonna be like. Anyway, the food's absolutely free," another classmate replied.
"Yeah, let's go there three weeks from now..."
Ukyo smirked upon seeing the intensity of curiosity her classmates were showing.
Ranma, though confused, is also excited. "Well, since I live at Ucchan's house, I'm the first one to know what everybody wants to know."
"Oh," Ukyo added, "I forgot to tell you that Ucchan's House of Japanese Pancake will be closed for renovation until the said event will come..."
Then, Ukyo went back to her seat and sat down, saying to herself, "Why didn't I think of this immediately?" and smiled even more, praising her own brilliance.
It was still early early in the morning and the news about Ucchan's renovation of her Pancake House is already widespread. Everybody in the entire school grounds is talking about it. And by this time, Ryoga and Akane arrived in school. They were on their way to their room when curousity struck them.
"Huh? What's everybody talking about?" Akane asked, locking her arms to Ryoga.
"I dunno..." the young martial artist replied, "Let's ask somebody over there..."
The two approached the nearest person.
"Excuse me, what's the fuss all about?" Akane asked.
"Free food!!! FREE FOOD!!! I can't wait three weeks from now!" the person exclaimed in excitement.
"Free food? Three weeks from now?" Akane asked in the state of confusion, "That was so useful that I didn't actually get it."
"Oh, there's Nabiki," Ryoga said, "Let's go ask her."
So, Ryoga and Akane approached Nabiki.
"Sis, what's everybody talking about?" asked Akane.
"Haven't you heard?" the older sister asked the couple.
Ryoga and Akane shook their heads.
"Ukyo will renovate her pancake house and re-open three weeks from now. On that day, food will be free." Nabiki said.
"Is that so?" Akane said.
"Oh, and somebody told me that she mentioned something about a surprise too..." Nabiki added.
"I want to go..." Ryoga exclaimed. "Would you want to go with me, darling?"
"Uh... sure..." she replied, unsure whether to go or not. She still remembers all the things that happened there.
"Wow, thank you, darling!!!" Ryoga exclaimed then smacked Akane in her cheeks.
"Well, if it makes Ryoga happy, it would make me happy too..." Akane thought, smiling.
"Well, thank you for the information, sis..." Akane said.
"Information costs 10 yen..." Nabiki exclaimed opening her palms.
"But..." complained Akane.
"Here..." Ryoga said, handing 10 yen to Nabiki.
"There... Well, I think our relationship will be running in a smooth road if you're obedient, brother-in-law to be..." Nabiki told Ryoga.
"Nabiki!!!" Akane shouted while Nabiki giggled her way to her classroom.
"I think we should be going too..." Ryoga told Akane.
"Yeah..." Akane replied, "Let's go, darling..."
News even reached Cat Restaurant.
"What??!!!" Shampoo exclaimed hysterically. "Is it true?"
"Yes," replied Cologne, "after three weeks, it will re-open."
"No, the other one..."
"Which one?"
"That Ranma's staying at..."
"Oh, yes! Grandson is staying at Ukyo's place right now," the old female martial artist of the Amazon tribe said, "It's disappointing Shampoo... you didn't make even a single move..."
"But, why would Ranma stay at Ukyo's place? Won't Akane get mad?" the younger martial artist of the Amazon tribe asked in curiosity.
"Shampoo, haven't you heard the news?"
Shampoo shook her head.
"My, granddaughter, you're missing a lot..." Cologne said then released a sigh. "Akane broke up her engagement with Ranma... Ryoga is currently Akane's boyfriend..."
There was a short moment of silence in Cat Restaurant after Cologne told Shampoo about the real deal between Ranma and Akane.
"Shampoo?" Cologne exclaimed, looking at the blank expression on Shampoo's face. "Shampoo??" she called once again.
"YES!!! THIS IS MY CHANCE!!!" Shampoo shouted, full of felicity.
Cologne, that fell from the table she was standing at exclaimed, "That's the spirit! Don't let Ukyo take your husband away from you!"
A/N:
They said this without even knowing the WHOLE STORY... Hehehe...
"WHAT?!!!" Ranma shouted, already in his room.
"Please Ran-chan... You could do it..."
"But, Ucchan," Ranma exclaimed, "I can't..."
"Ran-chan, you should trust yourself... you should give yourself more confidence..."
"But, Ucchan, why me?" said Ranma while he lay down in his bed.
Ukyo followed and sat the side of Ranma's bed. "It's because I believe in you, Ran-chan. I believe you could do it..." she said, holding the pig-tailed boy's hand.
"Ucchan..." he thought. He could see the trust Ukyo has on him through her eyes. "Ucchan," he exclaimed, "I'll do it... I can do it!!!"
"Oh, Ran-chan!!!" Ukyo exclaimed, smiling. "Thank you, Ran-chan... Thank you..."
Three weeks after...
Everybody came to Ucchan's after school and they were excited to see the appearance of the renovated Pancake House.
The front of the place was covered with a high, black curtain. Each person came because of different reasons.
"Free food! I can't wait for the free food..." some of them exclaimed while they were drooling.
"What's the new concept that Ukyo's going to present? And what's this surprise she's talking about?" others asked in curiosity.
Thus, the moment of truth came.
Ukyo came out from the left wing of the cloth. She was wearing a pink haltered gown, with sleets long enough to flaunt her legs.
"Hello everybody!!! I'm glad you came..." the star for the night exclaimed, "Welcome to the new, and now, spacious Ucchan's..."
Everybody cheered.
"And now, I present to you..." she said while holding the cloth in preparation for pulling it down, "PANCAKE, PLEASE!!! The evolution of Ucchan's Pancake House to Ucchan's Pancake House and Bar!!!!" she exclaimed joyfully, pulling the cloth off, revealing the new LOOK of Ucchan's once Pancake House.
It was styled after a certain bar in Las Vegas and had lots of decorative lights, not to mention a big Japanese Pancake, the symbol of the bar itself placed at the topmost part of the loge "Pancake, PLEASE!!!"
"Wow..." and "Fascinating" were the some of the words that came out from the mouths of some of the people in the crowd.
"Now, now... the space is not enough to accommodate all of you," she exclaimed while some people in the crowd pouted, "But a promise is a promise... Free food will come your way. And..."
Ukyo clapped her hands three times and two men came out, carrying a big, flat LCD screen. They expertly connected this and that, and before the people knew it, the inside of the bar was showcased in the monitor.
"You could watch the whole show that will happen in the stage because tonight, we'll have a surprise performance..." Upon saying this, the monitor showed the stage.
"Sugoi!!! Way to go, Ukyo!!!" exclaimed some people in the crowd. Some gave a hearty applause to express how impressed they are in Ukyo's new concept. And curiosity stuck the others, "Who'll perform in that stage tonight?" they wondered.
"Well, I guess I need to let some of you guys in..." stated Ukyo and opened the doors of the bar.
The bar is truly spacious. Though it only has one floor (because the second floor is where Ukyo, and now, where Ranma also lives), there was a bar- counter, nearly on the right wing of the bar, the stage was placed in front where the instruments were placed, and there are lots of tables, some for two, some for five, and some for a whole bunch.
Ukyo stayed at the door and greeted the people who entered the bar. She spotted lots of classmates but there were some people who stood out among the mob.
"Welcome Furinkan High's Blue Lightning, Tatewaki Kuno!!!" he exclaimed as he entered the bar.
Ukyo sighed.
"Not so fast, brother!" a vaguely familiar voice shouted. Suddenly, the place was surrounded with black roses. "Make way for the Black Rose, Kodachi!" she exclaimed then kicked Kuno out of the way, causing him to bump in one table.
Ukyo sighed some more.
"Please don't cause chaos on the first day of this bar," Ukyo begged.
"Oh, we're not causing chaos..." Kodachi exclaimed, "We're giving life to this bar!!!" Then, she gave off her signature laugh.
"Oh boy! This is going to be one LOOOONG night!" Ukyo thought.
The next customer entered.
"Good evening..." Ukyo greeted cheerfully.
"So I heard that Ranma live in Ucchan's..." said a person very familiar to the owner of the bar.
"Yes, Shampoo. Ranma lives here," answered Ukyo, "Why?"
"You win this time, Ukyo. But Shampoo will get Ranma back and Ranma will marry Shampoo..." As she said so, she flipped her long hair and then walked towards an empty seat.
Then, Ukyo suddenly heard two familiar voices. Slowly, the voices grow louder as they get closer to the entrance of the bar.
"Darling, it's a good thing we came here early..." the voice of the boy said.
"Yeah, I don't wanna end up staying outside... It's too crowded out there," the feminine voice replied.
"Damn!" Ukyo thought.
And then, there entered the two people Ukyo know quite well... one that she pities and one that she despises.
"Congratulations! This place is great, Ukyo..." the girl said, facing Ukyo.
"Oh... oh, thank you, Akane! Glad you made it..." replied Ukyo.
"Wow! I like this place!!! Good thing we didn't get lost..." said Ryoga.
"You were with me, silly!" Akane replied tapping Ryoga's head.
"Yeah..." Ryoga said then wrapped his arm around Akane's shoulder.
"Ahem..." Ukyo interrupted, making the couple blush. "Anyway, thank you for coming, Ryoga," she cheerfully exclaimed.
Ryoga nodded. "Anyway, we need to find an unoccupied table. See you later, Ukyo," he exclaimed as Akane and him walked to find so.
"Acting as if nothing happened... What a bitch!!! What a git!!!" Ukyo murmured, pertaining to Akane.
"Oh," Ukyo said noticing something, and faced the crowd left outside, "The bar only has a room left for one person."
Suddenly, it seemed like there was an earthquake. Everybody in the crowd started to look at each other.
"SHAMPOO!!!" another FAMILIAR VOICE shouted, "GET AWAY!!! I NEED TO GO WHERE SHAMPOO IS!!!"
The said person was running at an amazing speed that anybody who blocked his way flew away. At last, he reached the entrance of the bar...
"Mousse... what the heck..." said Ukyo
"Is... is Shampoo...here?" the boy with funny eyeglasses asked, trying to catch his breath.
"Yes..." Ukyo replied
"Shampoo, where are you???" Mousse shouted as he hurriedly entered the bar, rapidly walking and trying to find the table Shampoo occupied.
"Oh well, I guess I need to close the entrance..." Ukyo murmured to herself.
"Ukyo..." a voice called out.
"Sorry, all tables are already occupied," Ukyo said apologetically, "You could watch at the big screen out there, and food will be served also."
"Please Ucchan..." another voice begged, "I'd rather stand inside as long as I could see Ranma..."
"Mr. Saotome... Mr. Tendo..." Ukyo exclaimed, realizing the voices. She opened the entrance once more.
"Hi Ukyo!!!" Nabiki greeted.
"Congratulations for the success of your new bar, Ukyo..." exclaimed Kasumi.
"Nabiki... Kasumi... You're here too?" Ukyo said in shock. "Come in, come in," she invited.
The four people came and finally, Ukyo shut the main entrance.
"I'm sorry I couldn't offer you seats... You should've informed me 'coz I reserved seats for you..." Ukyo apologetically said.
"No, no... It's okay. I just wanted to see Ranma..." Genma exclaimed.
"He left our house all of a sudden without even telling where he's going..." Soun added.
"We heard from Akane that he is staying here now," Nabiki said.
"How is he?" asked Kasumi.
"Oh, he's doing fine..." Ukyo replied.
"Ucchan, could I see him now?" exclaimed Genma, "I just wanted to apologize to what I said to him last time. After all, he's still my son," he explained.
"Oh... Mr. Saotome, Ranma's... er... busy... um... cooking in the... the kitchen... yeah! Cooking in the kitchen..." explained Ukyo.
"Oh, I see... but could I talk to him later? I mean, if he has no more work to do..." asked the father of the young martial artist.
"Certainly..." replied Ukyo, "But for now, will you excuse me. I have to prepare something."
"Okay... Just do your stuff and don't mind us here, right, Saotome?" Soun asked.
Genma nodded.
"Okay, see you later!" Ukyo cheerfully exclaimed and walked away from them.
"I'm sure he'll talk to you..." Kasumi calmly exclaimed, trying to cheer the dad of Ranma.
"I hope so..." Genma replied.
Suddenly, a waiter carrying glasses of water accidentally bumped Genma that caused the water from the glasses to spill on Genma. The waiter was surprised to see a panda inside the bar.
The panda spoke its unknown language and raised a sign saying, "LOUSY SERVICE!!!"
"You might wanna get out of here before that panda eats you..." Soun told the waiter.
The waiter obediently followed what Soun had said while the panda-form of Mr. Saotome was still complaining.
"Shut up there," exclaimed Nabiki.
Kasumi laughed.
Everybody was enjoying in the bar. Some were busy chatting and some were busy eating his or her free food. The people outside are enjoying as much as the people inside. Then, suddenly...
"Hey! Ukyo walked on to the stage!" somebody from the outside exclaimed as he saw Ukyo do so in the big screen.
Everybody, who was then eating, and chitchatting among each other, payed attention to what the owner of the bar was going to announce.
"Attention, everybody..." she started, "First of all, I want to thank you all for coming to the opening night of PANCAKE PLEASE!!!"
Everybody (including the ones outside) applauded.
"And at the same time, I want to say 'Sorry' because the bar really couldn't accommodate you all..." she continued, "Secondly, I want to tell you that starting tomorrow, food isn't free anymore..."
Some people laughed while some people frowned.
"But," she added, "I won't ever be asking for entrance fees..."
Everybody started clapping again.
"And lastly, a bar isn't a bar when there's no performer, right?" she asked.
"RIGHT!!!" the crowd replied.
"Okay guys, break a leg!!!" Ukyo exclaimed and got off the stage.
The band started filling the stage area and got on their respective instrument, and not to forget, the background vocalists.
As soon as the band was already ready for action, Ukyo came up the stage again, and, in he microphone, said, "And now, presenting our performer for the first night of the club..."
Music started playing and out came the performer.
"RAMNA SAOTOME!!!" exclaimed Ukyo.
The reaction varied. Some clapped, some were shocked, and some seemed not to care.
"Thank you Ucchan," he started, "Good evening everyone!!!" he greeted as he waved his hand to the crowd.
He was supposed to sing a groovy song but someone caught his attention... namely, Ryoga Hibiki.
Ranma turned to the band and told them to change the music.
"This song is dedicated to all hopeless romantics out there..." he exclaimed while looking at Ryoga with a sad expression in his eyes.
Ryoga noticed and gave a faint smile.
Akane also noticed and raised one of her eyebrows while furiously drinking her glass of iced tea.
The young lad drew the microphone near his lips and sang...
"Though the music is sweet
But the song ain't complete
Now in my life
Boy in my life
Something is missing
It's a tune
Yes it's true
Still there's no me and you
Here in my life
Boy in my life
Something is missing
In my life
There ain't no melody
In my life
There ain't no harmony
To help me sing a song
All I need is a cue
While I'm waiting for you here
In my life
Boy in my life
You are the melody
'Cause in my life
You are the song
In my life
There ain't no melody
In my life
There ain't no harmony
To help me sing a song
All I need is a cue
While Im waiting for you here
In my life
Boy in my life
You are the melody
'Cause in my life
You are the song
Baby in my life
You are the song
You are the melody to me
Baby in my life
In my life
You are the song...
Thank you very much..." Ranma said after his performance.
Everybody applauded, including the numerous people outside the bar.
Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi were also clapping and "Mr. Saotome" flashed a sign saying, "THAT'S MY SON!!!"
But, as an old saying in the show business world goes, "You cannot please everybody." Akane suddenly stood up from her seat and said, "Is this a big joke? C'mon Ryoga... we're going home!"
"But... Akane, the show just started..." Ryoga complained.
"No, Ryoga, we're going home!" she shouted while dragging Ryoga away from his chair.
"Akane, you're being a bitch again!" Ukyo commented.
People started murmuring.
"No, Ucchan..." Ranma said in the microphone, "I'll handle this..."
Upon saying this, he faced the band and murmured something.
Then, facing the crowd, he asked the waiter for a glass of cold water and poured an amount of it to himself.
"Pig-tailed girl!!!" Kuno exclaimed.
"Shut up!" Kodachi interrupted Kuno who was supposed to get up the stage.
Ranma started counting, "1... 2... 3..." and the music started playing...
"How could this bitch
I thought I knew
Turned out to be
Oh just so cold
Could only see the good in you
Pretending not to see the truth
You try to hide
Your lies disguise
In living in denial
But in the end you'll see
YOU WON'T STOP ME...
I am a fighter and I
I ain't gonna stop
There ain't no turning back
I've had enough
Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter
Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
It makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter..."
"Come on, Ryoga!!! I said let's go home already!!!" Akane furiously yelled then went out of the bar, heading straight home.
"I'm... I'm sorry Ukyo... Congratulations again..." Ryoga apologetically said.
Ranma, still on stage, is catching her breath after hitting those high notes. Suddenly, she saw something familiar among the crowd... a PANDA.
So, she went down the stage for a while after instructing the band to keep the people entertained, and went near the panda.
"C'mon... let's talk in my room..." she told her father who's now in panda form.
They walked until they reached the back part of the bar and from there, took the stairs to go to Ranma's room.
Upon reaching the young martial artist's room, the panda took a seat in his son's bed.
"Here..." Ranma said, handing out a kettle containing hot water to his dad after pouring some amount to himself.
The panda poured the remaining contents of the kettle and Genma finally turned back to his original form.
"So, what do you want to talk about, pop?" Ranman asked.
"So, this is your room..." Genma exclaimed while his eyes are wandering, exploring the room of his son.
"Yeah..." Ranma replied, "It was an abandoned room before Ukyo and I cleaned it up and made it my room."
"Ranma..." Genma called.
"What?"
"I'm... I'm... really sorry for acting so foolish... I... I realized that after all, you're still my son and... and..." Genma said the went near his son and hugged him, "I'm still your father and I just want what's best for you..."
Ranma never felt this compassion from his father since they stayed in Japan. Thinking about this, Ranma, too, fell in tears and hugged his father back.
"Thanks pop... Thanks for understanding..."
After some while, the two martial artists wiped their tears.
"Pop, I guess I need to go back there... After all, the show must go on..." Ranma told his father.
"Umm... Before that, I have a favor to ask you..."
"What is it, pop?"
"If you have some spare time, please do visit me... Soun says you still have a home waiting for you there..."
"Sure pop... When I have some free time... I promise..."
A/N:
Finally!!!! A new chapter!!! Sorry it took so long... Hope you enjoyed it... Please keep doing the R&R so I may improve my fic... See you next chapter...