Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is a trademark of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video. I have no ownership to these characters, or names.
Ranma 1/2
Changes Chapter XXI: Recovery
Ukyo was leaning over Drake. She hadn't quite fully recovered herself, and Tofu told her she needed to be resting. But, she ignored him, she wanted to be near Drake. Shampoo had told her what Drake had done at the end of the fight, and Uyko was not pleased. Drake was in very critical condition, and Doctor Tofu doubted greatly that he would make it. That realization didn't sit well with Ukyo. She remembered grabing Kasumi's husband yelling at him, saying that there had to be a way to save him. Tofu said that there was, but there wouldn't be any way for them to get what they needed in time. He reminded Ukyo that had used the last of the herbs to heal Ukyo and Akari.
"You idiot." She said, tears driping off her chin onto Drake. "You sacrificed yourself, and for what? Ranma could've beaten him, Right? Now what am I supposed to do? Ranma's never going to marry me, Konatsu dissapeared, and I don't like Tsubasa. It's not fair Drake, why are you leaving me?"
"Calm down child, all is not yet lost." Ukyo spun around to find Cologne grining at her.
"Cologne?" Ukyo said
"Yes, it's me." She hopped over to Ukyo. "It was quite the shock when I got home. most of my tribe lay in ruins. That bastard drained the energy out of everyone he could. Thankfully, Mousse and I were able to heal most of them. I came back here to aid all of you but it seems Drake and Ranma took care of things without me. I hear he got you, are you going to be alright dear?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. But Drake."
"Don't worry about him." Cologne produced a vial from her sleeve. "This will regenerate most of his life-force." Cologne poured the contents down Drake's thoat.
"So, he's gonna be okay?" Cologne nodded and Ukyo grabbed her in a fierce hug. "Thank you Cologne."
"Don't mention it dear. I owed him at least that much anyways. Knowing him he'll probably wake up tommorow morning. I suggest you set up a small grill so you can cook the fool breakfast." Cologne winked at Ukyo. Ukyo blushed and nodded.
XD
Nabiki and Kuno were sitting in the garden. Nabiki drug Kuno away from the group first chance she got. After all, she and Kuno had dated for a short while, but she never told any one but Kasumi about that. So she decided to lay down some ground rules for Kuno.
"Look, Kuno-baby, I know you still care about me, but things havn't really changed have they?" Nabiki said.
"But they have Nabiki. I will always care for your sister, but you are the one I wish to be with! Please, Nabiki, give me one more chance." Kuno said.
"We'll see, either way, thanks for the hospitallity."
"Anything for you and yours, my kitten."
XD
The Tendo and Saotome families (plus Shampoo, Dove, Kuno, and now Cologne) were seated in Kuno's main living room. Ranma sat in a corner still looking a bit worse for wear. No one was in a cheerful mood, which was naturally understandable.
"At last the foul demon has been defeated! Alas I too weep at the cost." Kuno said. "I hope that you will accept the hospitality of the Kuno family until we can rebuild your homes."
"Yes we shall do that. But, where are we going to get the money to rebuild?" Nodoka asked.
"I shall of course assist you in that manner as well. But how right you are Mrs. Saotome, I am unsure of how it can be done." Kuno replied.
"Well, Ono and I will contribute. We don't have too much, but." Kasumi said.
"As much as I hate to, I've got some stocks that I could sell, that ought to help a bit." Nabiki added.
"I've caused alot of problems around here." Colgne stated. Everyone turned to look at her. "As repayment, I shall contribute as much as I can. After all, I don't want my Shampoo to have to suffer."
"Great-Grandmother." Shampoo said.
"Ain't there nothin I can do?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma, you've done alot! You killed Happosai." Akane said.
"Yeah, so what? Me an Drake beat him." Ranma stood up and began pacing around. "But now that we ain't fightin I feel so useless!"
"Airen, is okay. You need calm down." Shampoo whispered in his ear.
Cologne sighed. "I think it best to discuss this later. Everyone is still a bit tense, why not call it a night."
XD
Later that night.
Shampoo and Ranma cuddled in their guest room. Shampoo noticed how edgy Ranma had been since yesterday. "Airen, what is bothering you? You can tell Shampoo." She said.
Ranma shifted uneasily. "I took another life Shampoo." He muttered. "I shoulda been able to beat him without havin ta kill him." Ranma began trembling.
Shampoo kissed him, making sure she got his full attention. "Airen." She cooed. "No is your fault. Happosai evil man, he no would stop hurting womens, even if you beat up on him. There no other way but to kill. Shampoo no let you beat self up over this. You and big-brother do right thing."
"Yeah, but."
"No, Ranma, no but. If you no had kill, he would have attacked Shampoo, or Akane. Maybe he even go as far as finish off Ukyo or Akari." She snuggled as close as she could to Ranma. "You need rest, airen. Close eyes, and dream good dreams."
Ranma broke free from her grasp and walked over to the window. "I can't sleep, Shampoo. Everytime I close my eyes, I." He stopped as he found himself in Shampoo's arms again. "I just need time ta think about this, I kinda need to be alone right now."
"Well, is too bad. Shampoo no leave you by self. You is hurting, and Shampoo can help you. But you has to stop being such stubborn man. Is okay to show feelings airen, Shampoo never make fun, or think less of you. She love you, and she do anything to help."
Ranma finally allowed himself to break down and cry. Shampoo led him back to thier futon and rested Ranma's head in her lap. "Is okay Ranma, Shampoo here."
XD
"Ah my kitten, how are you holding up?" Kuno asked.
"I'm fine Kuno-baby." Nabiki responded.
"Are you going to rest? It's rather late you know."
"I will as soon as I'm done with this."
Kuno pulled up a chair and sat beside her. "Ah, Architechure! Are you designing your new home? Please allow me to asist you."
"Alright Kuno. If you come up with any good ideas, let me know."
Kuno studied Nabiki's tenative sketch. "Wait a moment, two houses? And what is that other building?"
"Well, It's cheaper to just expand on the land that we already own, and it'll save loads of money if we just put the Tendo and Saotome house, in addition to the new Ucchan's in one place."
"Pure genious! As usual, my kitten, you've proven you mind is greater than most."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's still going to be really expensive though."
"Come, my sweet. You need your rest."
"Carry me? Kuno-baby?"
"Of course."
XD
The next morning
Drake awoke, much to his surprise. 'Now that's odd. I thought I was dead for sure.' He mentally laughed when he tried to move. 'Still feel dead.' Then he noticed Ukyo right beside him. 'Ah, I see. I'm in heaven.' Ukyo woke and noticed Drake was awake. She imediatly glared at him and started yelling at him. "You Idiot! How could you be so reckless? What did you expect me to do if you had died?" Drake just sat there staring at Ukyo in surprise. Ukyo didn't bother trying to hold back her tears as she continued yelling. "I need you Drake. Don't you dare ever do something that stupid ever again!" She turned away from him, still crying. "I'm sorry Drake, I was just so scared that I'd lost you." She gasped as Drake put his hands on her waist and pulled her back towards him. She turned to face him. "Drake?" She asked. She didn't get the chance to say anything else because Drake kissed her full on the lips. Her eyes bugged out at first, but she let herself enjoy the moment.
Kasumi who had come upstairs to see what the yelling was about, stopped when she saw Cologne staning right outside the door grinning. "Elder Cologne! It's very rude to eavsdrop!" She said. "The least you could do is let me join you."
Cologne silently laughed. She now saw that getting married definently made Kasumi Tendo a much more interesting person. "Please do." She said.
After a few minutes, Drake ended the kiss and looked into a very dazed Ukyo's eyes. "I'm so sorry I had you worried Ukyo. I guess I hadn't realized that you cared about me that much. Plus, I thought you might have died. I just lost all my sense when the house exploded." He said.
Ukyo blushed. "Oh Drake." She fell to his chest and began sobbing again.
"Hey, It's alright. I'm right here Ukyo." Drake said.
Outside the room Cologne just kept grinning while Kasumi's eyes began tearing up. "It's just so sweet." Kasumi said.
"Yes, I think we should go downstairs now and let them truly have some time alone togather."
Back in the room Ukyo crawled off the futon and pulled out her portable grill. "Are you hungry Drake? I can make you some breakfast if you like."
"That would be great Ukyo."
"Hey, Drake?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Could you please call me Ucchan?"
Drake smiled. "Of course, Ucchan."
XD
Everyone else was gathering around the table to eat breakfast. They were joined by a very tired looking Nabiki and Kuno. Everyone looked at the 'couple' but Nodoka was the first to speak.
"Long night, eh you two?" Nodoka said grinning.
"Hey, It's nothing like that!" Nabiki protested.
"But of course," Kuno said. "We were up all night designing the new homestead. Behold!" Kuno unrolled the plans so that everyone could see. "The new Tendo/Saotome residence!"
Soun and Nodoka gasped. "You mean, both homes and dojos on the same property?" Soun said.
"Yeah daddy, you always wanted to join the schools, so now they can be physically joined." Nabiki said.
Cologne smirked. "An intruiging idea Nabiki Tendo. I can see how it would lessen the cost as well. Now, I see both individual houses and dojos, but what is this other building?"
"That will be the new Ucchan's Okonumyaki shop. It wouldn't be right of us to rebuild our homes, but not Ucchan's." Nabiki said.
"Aiya! Shampoo like this plan. But, how much it cost?" Shampoo said.
"I don't know yet. But we'll probably have to take out a loan." Nabiki said.
"Hmm." Cologne mused. "Well, with the amount of revenue Ukyo could generate, you should be able to pay off the loan. But, if you expand her menu to include, oh let's say the cat-cafe's menu, you ought to be able to make a profit."
"Yes, I was thinking that too. It's up to Shampoo of course." Nabiki said.
"Shampoo do! She help however she can!" She declaired.
"Well dear, I meant me." Cologne said.
"But, Great-grandmother, why you stay?" Shampoo asked.
"It's simple my child. Ranma and Drake are allies of the tribe. Whether they know it or not, those two just saved the world. All of you did your part to stop that monster. And it's my duty to make sure that my tribes' allies recover. So, I've decided to stay here and help you all." Cologne said.
End Chapter 21
JohnnyG: Thanks as always.
ss4-link: Play KOTOR II, be a dark sider, and kill everyone, loads of XP! I have to do all the cliche' stuff, seeing as this is one of my first fics. Response to random Quote: Only if it's got sugar.
Innortal: Why thank you.
nonengel: Yeah, I'm still working on making battles more exciting.
borg rabbit: Thank you. That is an excellent idea, I hadn't even thought of that, as this chapter shows, lol.
Wonderbee31: I think, all things considered, they may have taken it pretty well, could just be that they're estatic about Happi being gone.