Chapter Twelve: Ukyo's Decision

Ryoga stared at Ranma as she sank into a chair. "Ranma what's wrong? What do you mean Shampoo's in trouble?"

"Back in the alley" Ranma said slowly, "I noticed something about this list. Every name on this list is written in black ink."

"So?"

"Every name except for two of them. Akane Tendo" Ranma pulled out the list and pointed out the bright red letters, "And Shampoo. Which was black a few moments ago until it turned red. Which leads me to believe that Shampoo is now missing too."

"What makes you think that? Besides the fact that their names happen to be similar."

"This is my proof" she showed him Shampoo's signature, "I have a theory. Akane signed her book too."

"What?" Ryoga said thoroughly confused.

"Do you remember yesterday when those suspicious clerks were so insistent that I sign that list?"

"Yea?"

"My name is not on this list Ryoga" Ranma replied standing up, "And I think I know why. But to prove it we're gonna have to test it."

"How are we gonna do that?"

"It's getting late" Ranma ignored him, "We need to get back to Ucchan's. If I'm right, Shampoo won't be there. And then we're gonna have to come up with another plan."

"And what plan would that be?" Ryoga asked exasperated, "Ranma. You have dragged me around enough today. Please explain," he complained as they departed.

"I don't know" Ranma said simply shaking her head, "Let's hurry" she replied as she dashed off once more down the street, with Ryoga right behind her, "Ukyo will be waiting."

"Ranma" Ryoga whined out of breath as he followed, "Wait up!"

(Next Scene)

It turns out that when Shampoo didn't show up Ukyo had spent the remainder of the evening looking for the Amazon girl instead of following Akane. Finally fed up she began to walk home.

"Uh. That Shampoo" she grumbled, "I'll bet she's back at the restaurant having Ranma all to herself" she marched home and walked inside, turning the open sign to closed.

A couple of moments later Ranma and Ryoga arrived and entered in.

"Ranma honey" she smiled, "Ryoga."

"Hey Ukyo" Ryoga smiled back warily.

"Where's Shampoo?" Ranma asked seriously.

"Huh?"

"She's supposed to be with you. Where is she?"

"I don't know Ranma. We split up" Ukyo said with a shake of her head as Ranma sighed, "I thought she would be back here."

"Damn I knew it" Ranma spat angrily.

"What's going on?" Ukyo replied confused as Ryoga and Ranma moved closer in.

"I'll explain everything to you" Ranma said, "But first do you think that you can make us some okinomiyaki? I'm starved."

"Sure no problem" Ukyo nodded starting up the griddle, "How about you Ryoga?"

"I could eat" Ryoga said sighing heavily and sitting on one of the stools. Ranma did the same and Ukyo began to cook for them.

(Next Scene)

After Ryoga andRanma, back in his guy form had their fill, he revealed to Ukyo what he thought. He took out the list and placed it onto the counted along with Shampoo's little pink book. Ukyo picked up the list and read over it carefully before putting itdown in front of the grimacing boy.

"And you think that Shampoo disappeared like Akane because of that silly list?" Ukyo replied.

"It's not just some silly list Ukyo" Ranma replied serious once more, "First of all Shampoo didn't buy the book at the shop. I gave it to her. I bought it."

"That's true."

"And the other thing is the conversation that Ryoga overheard. It was just a bit suspicious sounding to me."

"A bit" Ryoga retorted, "It was more than just a bit."

"Uh huh" Ukyo nodded.

"And my fake name of Ranko Saotome doesn't appear on the list. You know why?" he added as she shook her head, "Because I didn't sign this book. Not the first time or the second" he fingered Shampoo's book, "But Shampoo did."

"It still doesn't tell us where Akane is though" Ryoga spoke up, "Or Shampoo."

"What did you find out Ukyo?" Ranma asked.

"I followed Akane all day Ranma honey, till I lost sight of Shampoo. She seemed to be acting perfectly normal."

"Hmm? All right. Well then I might have an idea how to find the real Akane and Shampoo."

"How?" Ryoga asked as Ukyo leaned in to listen.

"It's late" Ranma said, "I have to get home. Ryoga maybe you'd better stay here again tonight. And in the morning Ukyo can take you to the school."

"School? What for Ranma" Ukyo replied surprised.

"You'll see. I got to get back before Akane wonders where I am," he said slowly standing up.

"And you want me to stay here why?" Ryoga said also standing.

"It's just better" Ranma insisted, "She didn't like having you around last night Ryoga, if you didn't notice."

"Uh yea. I kind of did" Ryoga nodded frowning.

"So it's better this way" Ranma said sighing and walking to the door.

"But what about" Ryoga replied.

"You'll see" Ranma said again, "Good night you guys!" he called as he exited.

"Good night Ranma!" Ukyo called back as Ryoga frowning more than ever walked back over and sat down with a huff.

"You'll see" he repeated, "That's all he ever says lately."

"Boy. You weren't kidding Ryoga" Ukyo interrupted him sadly.

"Hmm?"

"He is more depressed than I have ever seen him."

"I told you so" Ryoga leaned on the counter, "Man I'm tired" he yawned loudly, "Ranma dragged me all over town today."

"He's really determined like you said. To find Akane."

"Ukyo?" Ryoga looked over at her as her face fell, "What's wrong?"

"I've just been doing a lot of thinking," she said as she wiped down the counter on her side, "About what you said regarding Ranma and Akane. It's quite clear to me now about how much they care for one another."

"Yep."

"Maybe I've thought about this all wrong?"

"Huh?"

"I mean I love Ranma. I really do, but the past month I haven't exactly been proud of the things I've done. Ruining the wedding like I did. That was not me. I behaved worse thanthat Amazon I think."

"But you love Ranma so it's understandable."

"Ryoga" she said looking at him directly, "That's just it. How can I say I love him when I hurt him that way? And I know I did. When you love someone, truly love someone; you don't force your will onto them. I know that. Also deep down in my heart that Ranma will never see me the way I want him to. He won't see me or Shampoo, or that weird Kuno girl in that way. Because there is only one girl that he does. And that's Akane."

"Yea" Ryoga nodded bitterly.

"And as much as it pains me to say this, I don't want to put Ranma through that kind of suffering anymore. I don't want to be like Shampoo. Because I care about him. I've known him a long time, even before you and Akane. He's more than just my fiancé. He's my friend. And to Ranma that's enough. He likes to think of me as just another one of his friends. So shouldn't that be enough for me too?"

"Are you saying that you are giving up on Ranma completely?" Ryoga asked surprised.

"I think so" Ukyo nodded sitting on the stool next to his, "I don't want to be second best in his life Ryoga. And if Akane is what makes him happy than that's enough for me. I won't stand in their way anymore. And if you were wise, you would do the same with Akane."

"I can't" he shook his head.

"Ryoga you do know that Ranma was her fiancée before you ever came into the picture?"

"Yes I know that. But he doesn't deserve her. I mean he's so selfish and pigheaded and mean to her all the time."

"True but isn't Akane the same to him?"

"Huh?"

"If you haven't noticed lately, they don't fight as much as they used to. Even before her change. Ranma and Akane do love each other just like you said Ryoga. I think it's time that you and I grow up and accept the fact that they're meant to be."

Ryoga sighed. "I know you're right. But it's hard to let her go so easily."

"Think about this then Ryoga. Akane will never hear you tell her how you feel will she? I know you want to tell her but you won't. Because you know that she loves Ranma, and deep down that's what stops you. It's just a suggestion" Ukyo replied standing up and placing a hand gently on his shoulder before moving back behind the counter, "I've made up my mind."

"But Ukyo" Ryoga replied, "If Ranma isn't the one you want to be with anymore. What's next for you?"

"I don't know" she shrugged as she flipped off the lights, "I guess I will find someone who wants me as much as I want them. Come on Hibiki let's hit the sack," she said leading the way to the guestroom.

"Coming!" Ryoga nodded jumping off the stool and following her up the stairs, "Ukyo" he said as she walked over to her bedroom door and opened it, and he paused in his own doorway.

"Mhm."

"I hope you find him someday. This person of yours."

"Thanks" she smiled sweetly, "Goodnight Ryoga" she said closing the door.

"Goodnight" he replied leaning against the doorpost and contemplating her words.

(Next Scene)

Shampoo's eyes fluttered open and she raised her head wearily, gazing at her surroundings. It was very hazy and as she sat up her eyes became wide.

"Hmm?" she thought, "Where Shampoo? Hey!" she shouted, "What is this place?"

She heard shuffling behind her back and rose slowly. As the figure became clearer, Shampoo's eyes became even more wide as the girl fell at her feet.

"Akane? What you doing here?" she asked as she squatted down and touched her onthe top of her head.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Ranma sat in his room and stared at his new copy of the little pink book. As he looked at the page where his name was to be signed he frowned but then smiled as a new idea entered his mind. One he was sure to help him locate Akane at last.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay that's it for the chapters today. See you all later in the week. Oh and thank you for all the great reviews! You guys rock!

Next Chapter: What happened at Jusenkyo?

Using Ukyo as the next target Ranma and Ryoga set a trap for the unsuspecting kidnapper. But along the way Ranma sees something that flashes him back to memories of the past, and finally the truth may be revealed about the disappearance of Akane and the other girls. See you next time!