Chapter 16

Co Written by Blue Imp

The restaurant finally opened. Ukyou came down right when the doors were opened to show the few waiting customers in. Ukyou managed to keep a good face on for her customers, but a few of her regular customers noticed a difference. Even though the crowd was light, the food was ready quickly. Ukyou threw herself into cooking her okonomiyaki. Her staff stood aside as much as they could, so they wouldn't hamper her.

It gave Ryoga lots of time to think. Was Ukyou mad at him? Was she mad because of the fight? What was Taro playing at? Did Taro plan to cure Akane? Did Taro have enough for a cure to Ukyou? Did Ukyou get any cure water at the springs? Did he want the cure? Hell Yes.

At closing time, the staff quickly finished their individual tasks. Ukyou was running down, but she had still covered most of the work during the night. Konatsu, Ukyou and Ryoga let the rest of the staff leave while they finished the last of the duties.

Konatsu took the mopping duty, as usual. Ukyou was frowning over the register tape trying to balance the cash drawer. Ryoga looked around. He knew they didn't expect much help when it came to the duties with water.

Ryoga walked over Ukyou. "Ukyou?"

Ukyou looked up. Ryoga continued, "Are you ok?"

Ukyou sighed and put down the register tape. She took her time to answer, which Ryoga took to ask another question. "Did you led me to the Tendo's?"

Ukyou nodded. "Yes. That was me." She paused and continued, "That was when I realized you were P-chan."

Ryoga said slowly, "Oh." Ryoga sat down across the table with Ukyou.

"It was your sense of direction and bandana." Ukyou offered.

"So, how long…when did it happen?"

"What? Getting cursed?"

Ryoga nodded.

Ukyou thought about it. "Do you hear about my recent family trip? With my grandfather ill and everything?"

Ryoga shrugged, "Something about it."

Konatsu announced, "It was last month, Ukyou."

Ukyou nodded, "I wasn't home… that was my China trip."

"You wanted to get a cure for Ranma?"

Ukyou shrugged. "Who doesn't want to give that to him? There are about a dozen of people involved with Ranma. If he would get cured, maybe it would push him to make other decisions in his life."

"Like choosing you?" Ryoga skeptically said.

Ukyou narrowed her eyes at Ryoga. "I... would like to think I did this because I'm Ranma's friend. I…" Ukyou looked at Ryoga, looking at him to see if he was judging her already.

Ryoga shrugged defensively, "You've schemed things like this before. Ranma would be extremely grateful."

Ukyou glared. "That's exactly why I haven't done anything with the…his cure yet."

"You have it? Here!" Ryoga got to his feet.

Ukyou yelled back. "Sit Down!"

Ryoga sat down forcefully.

"You tell anyone and I'll leave you to get lost. No one will get cured, if everyone finds out. You were there several times when someone managed to get the water, or something else. Chaos ensued and the water was wasted."

"Fine. Can I have some of the cure?"

"Not until Ranma gets his. I have extra. I made sure to take more then I thought was needed. I want to keep all I have to be sure that at least Ranma gets cured. Ranma is at the center. Whether he picks Kodachi, Akane, or Shampoo-" Ukyou hurried to explain. Ryoga was looking more and more unreasonable every word she said.

Ryoga interrupted, "Kodachi!"

Ukyou glared, "Or Whoever! It would allow everyone else to make their choices."

"So wait, it's really about Ranma?"

Ukyou sighed. "Well, Shampoo isn't going back to China until it's hopeless. Which hangs Mouse up. Kodachi isn't doing any other dating than throwing herself at Ranma. Even Akane, the reluctant fiancée has her hopes on Ranma, that could turn to you…"

"She's made it clear about her feelings of me already." Ryoga said darkly, unwilling to hear more on that subject.

Ukyou shrugged, "The point is, Ranma has four official fiancées. They in turn have guys waiting on them. Therefore, lives will start moving again once Ranma starts his again."

Ryoga thought about it. He wasn't waiting on that to resolve. Not anymore. He knew, as P-chan there was little hope, Akane's heart was firmly set on Ranma. Talking to Akane, confessing to her about P-chan, proved it to him.

"When are you planning to give the cure to Ranma?" Ryoga asked. Ukyou looked up to see Konatsu leaning on the mop waiting for her answer.

Ukyou answered the both of them. "I don't know guys…"

Konatsu shook his head and stepped to the table.

"Doesn't Ranma need the cure so that you can move on?" Ryoga asked.

Ukyou shook her head. "Ranma's my friend, only. I've come to realize that. I don't need him choosing someone else to prove that to me."

"Then why hold the cure? Just give to him."

Ukyou glared at Ryoga. "Yah, that easy. Pour the cure on him…on all the guys. Then, someone will realize…" She didn't want to go on.

"Realize that you paid the same price most people do going to the springs. Give the cure out would reveal your own curse." Konatsu offered.

"I'll go!" Ryoga cried out.

Ukyou looked at Ryoga. "Honey, that's exactly what I fear. They'd go in sympathy and get recursed. Just because they feel they owe me."

"But, I'll go now! I'm already cursed!"

"No, Ryoga… Not to be cruel, but you're the last person I'd ask. Your lack of direction would slow you down."

Ryoga deflated, "Then get Ranma to do it."

"As payment for his cure? That's not what a friend would do. A friend would just hand the cure over not expecting a payback."

Which would led to Ranma realizing the cost… Stupid logic circle! Konatsu sighed. "Everything's done, Ukyou. Maybe we should sleep on this. The three of us should be able to come up with something."