Ranma ½
Love Note
Usual disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, any resemblance to Ranma ½ or Death Note is purely intentional, and the rest of that jazz.
For the purposes of this story, any text within single quotes like 'this' is considered a thought.
Chapter 13
It was a good morning in Ukyo's opinion. The sun was shining, she was feeling perfect, and best of all, no signs of Kodachi. Ukyo was currently on her way to school, and making plans. 'I've been in neutral with Ranma-honey for too long. It is time to make a move,' she thought as she arrived at the gate to Furinkan high.
As she was debating her approach to the topic, a sensation of approaching danger came to her. Stopping, she eyed her surroundings, noticing several concealed movements. 'Now what?' she asked herself in annoyance.
"Ukyo Kuonji, prepare to die!" came a battle cry from high above.
Ukyo looked up to see a girl in a green leotard descending on her wielding a pair of clubs. However, it was quickly apparent that this was not the usual gymnast that Ukyo was familiar with dealing with.
Unhooking her battle spatula from her back, she swung it above her, swatting away the incoming girl. No sooner did she do so, though, when a ribbon wrapped around that spatula's handle from the side. Ukyo looked over to see another female gymnast, similarly dressed, wielding said ribbon. Before she could consider this, another attack came in, this time a ball. Ukyo pulled out a throwing spatula and easily diverted the weapon from its target, while simultaneously yanking on her spatula, overpowering the girl with the ribbon.
This was fortunate timing as two more attackers now appeared, one wielding a pair of hoops, the other a length of rope. Like those before them, they too wore the same green leotard, causing Ukyo to sigh. 'I'm starting to see a pattern here,' she thought and resigned herself to battle.
Such was short though. It quickly became apparent that these girls were poor substitutes for Kodachi. Each was versed only in their one weapon, and not particularly well at that. After only a minute all the girls lay defeated on the ground.
By this point, a small crowd had gathered around to witness the whole incident. Slamming the end of her battle spatula into the ground in annoyance, Ukyo asked angrily, "Did Kodachi put you up to this?"
After taking a moment to recover, the first girl to attack got back to her feet and pointed a finger accusingly at Ukyo. "This is all your fault!"
Ukyo blinked in total confusion, before exclaiming , "WHAT?!"
Another of the girls got up at this point. "Yeah, you made Kodachi quit!"
"WHAT?!" Ukyo found herself repeating. "Back up, would you! What the devil are you talking about?"
"Don't act naive," a third girl said as she joined the others. "You're the cause of this whole mess!"
Ukyo growled, and pulled her battle spatula back up to the ready. "If I don't get a straight answer in the next thirty seconds, I'm going to start making Okonomiyaki out of the bunch of you, GOT IT?!"
The full group now recovered by this point collectively cringed as Ukyo stepped threateningly forward to emphasize her point. After taking a few seconds to conference, one of the group finally stepped forward to speak. "Kodachi has quit the gymnastics club," she said.
"And what does that have to do with me?!" Ukyo asked in annoyance.
"What does it..." the girl started repeating in her own annoyance, but after getting a harsh glare from Ukyo reset. "You're the one that sent her to that stupid doctor and he's the one that told her to quit."
Ukyo puzzled over this for a moment. 'Woah, she actually went,' Ukyo marvelled for a second.
"Yeah," another girl stepped forward to say. "This is all your fault. Our team is totally dependent on Kodachi. Because of that stupid suggestion of yours, our best member is gone!"
"We'll never be on the top again!" Another of the girls complained.
"And we'll never get dates!" Yet another yelled, getting annoyed looks from her companions. "Oops," she said nervously, covering her mouth.
Ukyo looked at the girls tiredly. "You got to be kidding me. Look, I don't control what she does!"
"We demand you talk her out of it!" the first girl said.
"What?" Ukyo said in shock.
"Yeah, you're her girlfriend, you tell her she should come back to the team!" another of the girls said.
"I AM NOT HER GIRLFRIEND!" Ukyo roared, before looking around at the crowd to see several of them already whispering to each other. Growling, Ukyo looked back at her attackers before growing puzzled. "Wait, you're okay with her having a girlfriend?" Ukyo asked.
"Why wouldn't we be?" the first girl asked.
"Yeah, it's not like we didn't know. I mean she always goes to change alone and she's always looking at-"
"Okay, okay, dangerously close to too much information," Ukyo interjected.
Another of the girls stepped forward, pointing once more accusingly at Ukyo. "It doesn't matter. You may have beat us today, but until you undo this mess you've created, we'll forever be hunting you!"
"Yeah," the others declared, and collectively headed off.
Ukyo shook her head, at a loss. 'What did I ever do to deserve this?'
XXXXX
By the time lunch came, Ukyo was asking herself that question even more. Rumors were already spreading through the school about the battle that morning, and becoming more crazy by the minute.
At this particular moment, Ukyo was finishing rapping one particular boy over the head with her battle spatula. "Where would I even get a dungeon, you jackass?!" she yelled. Panting for a moment to relieve her anger, she looked at those gathered around and ordered, "Stop spreading wild rumors about me!"
Her fit over with, Ukyo marched off. 'This is a VERY bad day,' she thought with a sigh before heading outside. So preoccupied had she been with the morning incident and the fall out, she had nearly forgotten her original goals for the day. 'That's right, Ranma...' she thought.
A quick look at his usual haunts and she found Ranma sitting outside by the field. "Ranchan," she called out as she ran over.
"Hey Ucchan," Ranma greeted.
Sitting down next to him, Ukyo looked around curiously. "Where's Akane?"
"Who knows," Ranma replied, betraying a little bitterness. "I heard about this morning. Quite the mess."
Ukyo sighed. "That is only part of the trouble. Half the school is now convinced I'm some sort of dominatrix or something. How the devil do they get to that? Because she did something I told her to? What the heck..." she said in exacerbation.
Ranma chuckled at that. "Don't let them get to you, Ukyo. Although, you might look good in leather," he joked getting a frown from the chef.
"Don't you start," she said, getting another chuckle from him. Ranma's mood seeming to have improved, Ukyo decided to let the matter slide and switched to a different topic. "So, Ranchan, you busy tonight?"
"Yeah. Pops wants to do some training or another," Ranma replied to Ukyo's disappointment.
'Drat,' Ukyo thought. "You happen to see L again?"
"No. I'm not even convinced that he was really L yet. Although, Kasumi seems convinced he is."
"Why's that?"
Ranma shrugged. "Don't know. Although, if he was L, what was he up to?"
Ukyo thought on this, realizing Ranma's point. "What about Cupid? Any new clues?"
Ranma shook his head. "Nothing. You?"
Mirroring Ranma, Ukyo shook her head, "Afraid not."
"Did notice Nabiki acting a bit odd," Ranma noted.
"Odd, how?"
Ranma shrugged in uncertainty. "Not sure really."
"You think she might be Cupid?" Ukyo asked.
"Nah. This doesn't benefit her at all," Ranma concluded.
Ukyo nodded in agreement, but continued to consider. "Maybe Cupid got to her and she's trying to hide it."
Ranma smirked at that. "That would be funny if true." Ukyo smiled in agreement with this. "So, what's Mousse up to?" Ranma asked, looking off at the field to divert his eyes.
Of course, this did not fool Ukyo in the least. 'He really wants to know about Akane,' she thought. "He and Akane are supposed to go out again this weekend," she answered honestly.
Ranma darkened some at hearing this, but he merely huffed.
Ukyo frowned slightly at this. 'Akane with Mousse is a great opportunity to get her out of the picture, but I'm a little worried that Ranma might go to Kasumi,' the chef thought. 'Then there is still the matter of Shampoo too, but she does seem to be wrapped up with Tofu... I just don't know.' Uncertain which way to go, Ukyo decided it just maintain the what was for now. "You shouldn't worry about it, Ranchan," Ukyo said.
"Who's worried?" Ranma reflexively denied. "They're just trying to make me jealous, is all. Like I'm going to fall for that."
'Yeah, you just might,' Ukyo thought, but was not sure whether that was a good or bad thing for her.
XXXXX
Some hours later, the school day done, Ukyo was approaching her restaurant. 'Well, this day has been a wash,' she mentally declared, still unsure if she should push the Akane-Mousse angle or not.
As she rounded the final corner to home, she was brought up short by a very unexpected sight. At either end of the road, two groups of school girls were picketing. After a second of puzzlement over this, Ukyo turned her attention to their signs and was very unamused at what she saw.
Ucchan's Okonomiyaki is a health hazard! Ukyo Kuonji uses substandard ingredients! Ucchan's mistreats its workers!
These and similar claims were made. After taking a moment to fully absorb what she was witnessing, Ukyo rushed over. "What's the meaning of this?" she demanded.
One of the girls turned to Ukyo revealing herself to be one of the gymnastics club members from that morning. "We warned you we weren't finished with you," she said.
Ukyo's eye twitched in anger at this, and impulsively she reached for her battle spatula. "I've had just about enough of you," Ukyo threatened.
"Oh, threatening us, are you?" the girl slyly asked, giving Ukyo pause. "We're just exercising our right to peacefully protest."
"Peacefully protest?!" Ukyo echoed in outrage, drawing her weapon. "If you don't-" she started to threaten but stopped when she spotted one of the other girls filming her with a small video camera. "What are you doing?"
"Just documenting your misdeeds," the girl replied with a smile. "We might just have to send it to all the local authorities, and news agencies," she hinted.
Once more, Ukyo's twitched, but she stood down. "You're not going to get away with this," she muttered.
"Maybe not, but then we'll think up something else," the girl. "So, what's it to be, Kuonji?"
Ukyo tensed, seriously considering the violent approached despite the video tape, but in the end controlled herself. "Fine, I'll talk with Kodachi," she responded through clenched teeth.
"Then you better get going. We'll be right here waiting," the girl said.
Growling, Ukyo turned around and headed off. 'Someone really has it out for me,' she thought.
XXXXX
A knock at the front door of the Tendo home soon brought Kasumi. She opened it to find Shampoo, smiling and greeting her with her usual, "Nihao!"
"Hello Shampoo," Kasumi greeted with a smile of her own. "I'm sorry, but if you're looking for Ranma, he and his father went out."
Shampoo shook her head. "Shampoo know this, come see Kasumi," the Amazon replied.
"Oh, why don't you come in then," Kasumi replied naively and gestured for Shampoo to head to the common room.
Shampoo continued her smile and did so, although inside she reflexively sized up her newest rival in love. 'I could break her like a twig,' she could not help but think, but sighed inwardly and dismissed the notion. It was old thinking. As difficult and unfamiliar as the path set before her by Tofu, Shampoo was determined to at least give it a try as the old ways were a total failure. However, today at least, there was another matter to deal with, and that one Shampoo felt she was more than set to handle.
"Would you like some tea, or juice perhaps?" Kasumi offered politely.
"No," Shampoo replied as she sat at the common room table. "Just come speak with Kasumi." Kasumi nodded and sat opposite Shampoo. "Why Kasumi no see Doctor Tofu anymore?" Shampoo asked bluntly.
Kasumi blinked, caught off guard by Shampoo's directness. "I'm not sure," she replied before shying away. "I thought you and he-"
"No," Shampoo interjected.
Kasumi looked back at Shampoo in confusion. "No? Did not Cupid-"
"Yes," Shampoo replied. She considered briefly telling Kasumi the full truth, but decided against it for precaution's sake. "Doctor and Shampoo both know is Cupid power. We no just accept though. Shampoo still want marry Ranma most."
"Oh," Kasumi responded in surprise.
"And Doctor most want be with Kasumi," Shampoo said, further surprising Kasumi.
Kasumi smiled and shook her head. "I'm sure you misunderstood. Tofu and I-"
"No misunderstand," Shampoo insisted. "Doctor say is true, he love Kasumi."
Kasumi reflexively blushed and looked away.
"Doctor much shy," Shampoo continued on. "He no can get nerve tell Kasumi this by self, but Shampoo know is true."
Kasumi was struck by this, and unable to respond for a moment. Finally though, she lowered her head and admitted, "In truth, I had been avoiding him because of... but if what you say is true..."
"Is true," Shampoo insisted. "You see Doctor and ask for self and see," she instructed.
Kasumi thought on this. "I... will think on it," she conceded, giving Shampoo a slight smile.
Shampoo frowned, the response less than she had hoped, but decided it was best to accept it for now. "Okay," she said and started to get up.
"Thank you for telling me this, Shampoo," Kasumi said.
Shampoo nodded and turned to leave, but paused. "Shampoo know Cupid make Ranma love Kasumi too," she said, again surprising the other girl. "This be Cupid though, and Shampoo no hate Kasumi, but no give up on Ranma either."
"I understand," Kasumi replied.
With a last nod of acknowledgment, Shampoo headed out.
Kasumi let her leave, and continued to sit at the table in thought.
XXXXX
At the gate to the Kuno mansion, Ukyo rang the bell and waited. 'How did I ever get into this mess?' Ukyo thought with a sigh.
After a minute the large gate creaked opened and Sasuke peaked out. "Oh, Ms. Kuonji," he said in surprise.
"I'm here to see Kodachi," Ukyo said tiredly.
"Of course, of course," Sasuke replied, pushing the gate enough to allow entry. "This way," he instructed and lead the way. With a sigh, Ukyo followed along and into the mansion.
'This place is huge,' she thought as they walked.
"Um," Sasuke hesitantly said. "You're the one that told Kodachi to see the doctor, right?"
"Yeah, you got a complaint too now?" Ukyo responded.
"Oh, no!" Sasuke quickly replied. "Actually... it has been... good."
"Good?" Ukyo echoed skeptically.
"Oh yes. Lady Kodachi has been much more... umm..."
"Sane?" Ukyo suggested, causing the house ninja to cringe, but nod. "So, she really went to see a psychologist huh?"
Once more Sasuke nodded. "Yes, very frequently actually. He prescribed her this nice pill and-"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Ukyo said dismissively. "I have serious doubts that any pill can fix her."
Sasuke chuckled nervously at this before stopping at a door. "If you just wait here, I'll-" Sasuke started, but Ukyo ignored him.
"I haven't got time to be wasting here, Sugar," she said and barged by and into the room, much to Sasuke's shock. Oddly, he made no attempt to enter and stop her, instead merely calling for her to come back, but Ukyo ignored this. "Kodachi, we got to talk!" Ukyo called out as she walked into the room.
It took a moment to fully appreciate her new surroundings. The room was a huge one, wide and spacious. Ukyo continued to walk in, looking around curiously at the boulders and plants within. 'What is this, some kind of weird greenhouse?' she wondered as she came up to the edge of one of the boulders and stopped before a large body of water. 'Indoor hot spring?' she wondered, seeing an artificial waterfall feeding the water in and feeling the warmth coming from it.
At that moment, a gasp of surprise caught her attention, and she looked down to see she was standing nearly on top of Kodachi who was in the water. A second more and Ukyo realized Kodachi was in fact naked and blushing in embarrassment. "Oh, it's the bath," Ukyo concluded aloud before fully appreciating the situation she was now in. With a start she turned away and covered her eyes. "Gah, why didn't you answer me?"
"I did not hear you," Kodachi replied from behind her.
"Well... uh... just hurry up! We need to talk," Ukyo said as she started to walk away. Unfortunately, with her eyes covered, she misstepped on one of the wet rocks and tripped. Falling backwards, Ukyo desperately spun around to catch herself, but only water and Kodachi were beneath her. With a cry, Ukyo splashed into the water, the unexpected fall causing her to take in a mouth full of water. Ukyo instinctively panicked for a second, desperately doing all she could to get clear of the water.
With a loud gasp and cough, Ukyo resurfaced and took in several breaths before taking stock of her situation. She soon noticed that in her effort to resurface she had taken hold of Kodachi's upper thigh. Said gymnast was now staring back at her, startled. Ukyo momentarily froze before withdrawing sharply.
Raising her hands to her cheeks and shyly turning away, Kodachi said, "Oh my dearest Ukyo, if you wanted to join me, you need but have asked."
"That was an accident!" Ukyo exclaimed, and rushed out of the water. She glanced once more at Kodachi, noticing the other girl was now subtly moving to cover herself as best as possible given the situation. Ukyo could not help but blush herself at this and quickly looked away.
"Oh, Ukyo sweetums, you are so fun to tease," Kodachi said, and Ukyo could hear her rise from the water.
"Tease?!" Ukyo echoed, almost impulsively glancing back once again, but stopped herself. She heard several movements behind her, then footsteps approaching. Cringing, Ukyo darted forward and away, looking back at last to see Kodachi now dressed in a bathrobe.
"Yes, quite," Kodachi said with a smile. "Now, look at you, you are soaked right through."
Ukyo quickly glanced down at herself to ensure nothing was showing through her wet clothes before relaxing slightly. She got back to her feet and replied, "I'll be fine."
"Nonsense, it is cold outside, and you'll freeze. I'll have Sasuke dry those for you while we talk," Kodachi said as she started to walk for the door.
"You expect me to strip here?" Ukyo asked in a mix of outrage and shock.
"Well, if you want..." Kodachi replied, looking back over her shoulder with a smile. "But, if you were prefer a robe of your own, that I can provide as well."
Ukyo frowned, but had to admit Kodachi was right, as even now see was being to feel the chill of the cooling water. "I'll keep my weapons if you don't mind," she said as she followed reluctantly behind.
"As you wish."
XXXXX
A short time later, Ukyo, now dressed in a bathrobe of her own, found herself just outside Kodachi's bedroom. Within, Kodachi was in the process of getting properly dressed while talking with Ukyo.
"So, are you going to do something about them or not?" Ukyo asked impatiently.
"I will certainly speak with them if that is what you desire, my dearest," Kodachi replied, causing Ukyo to cringe. "However, I cannot promise they will like what I have to say."
"Yeah, about that, what's this about, you quiting I mean?"
"My therapist said that I was obsessing about my gymnastics," Kodachi answered.
"But, he didn't tell you to just up and quit, did he?"
Within the room, Kodachi paused in thought. "You are correct, he did not. I suppose then I can at least discuss the matter with him."
Ukyo nodded in satisfaction. At the moment, Kodachi emerged from her room in a white blouse and black dress. Ukyo looked at her noticing she no longer had her hair tied in the off center ponytail that she usually wore. Instead it was left loose, with a simple red bow tied within.
Noticing Ukyo examining her, Kodachi rubbed her hand through her hair and smiled. "I decided to try something a bit new," she said.
"Uh... whatever," Ukyo replied, looking away. "Don't get any goofy ideas about me being here. I just have a business to run and can't have your flunkies driving off my customers."
"They are hardly my... flunkies," Kodachi responded.
Ukyo huffed. "Isn't Sasuke done yet?"
"Evidently not," Kodachi replied, moving to lean against the wall opposite Ukyo. "It must be difficult running a restaurant and going to school. However do you manage?"
Ukyo sighed and shook her head. She was in no mood for small talk but was not in much of a position to evade it either. "My dad actually owns the restaurant and keeps up the rent and such. Any money I make is for my own use."
"I see," Kodachi said with a beaming smile that just made Ukyo more nervous. "So, rather successful is he?"
"Somewhat," Ukyo answered, trying to not meet Kodachi's gaze. 'Where is hell is that damn Sasuke?' she asked in thought.
"So tense," Kodachi observed. "Are you afraid I'll ravish you in the hall?"
Ukyo involuntarily stiffened at the question. "Would you quit that!"
Kodachi responded with her usual laugh. "I must say, you are delightfully entertaining company, but, if you insist. I will hurry Sasuke along and then we can get going."
"We can get going?" Ukyo echoed.
"Of course, or would you prefer for me to talk to them alone?" Kodachi asked with a sly smile.
Ukyo frowned, knowing full well what Kodachi was hinting at. "Fine," she conceded.
With an amused chuckle, Kodachi headed off, leaving Ukyo to hang her head in defeat. 'I just know this is going to get out and the rumor mill will probably have us married by tomorrow,' she thought with a shake of her head.
XXXXX
About that time at the Nekohanten, Maho was about ready to collapse. It was unfortunately a common feeling. Cologne pushed her to this point, and just when Maho thought she could take no more, the Amazon elder would ease up, although only briefly.
The restaurant empty of customers at that moment, Maho dropped into an open chair and sighed heavily.
"My, you get tired so easily Ms. Nakako," Cologne noted as she too took a break to smoke her pipe.
'Maybe by your insane standards,' Maho mentally complained. "Does Shampoo have to do this too?"
"Of course not," Cologne replied, causing Maho to frown. "I would never give such easy exercises."
"Easy?!"
Cologne took a long puff of her pipe before looking at Maho seriously. "You have your doubts? Perhaps tomorrow I should put you on deliveries. Of course, you may need a visit to the hospital if I did so."
Maho cringed, prompting the elder to chuckle.
"Although, even Shampoo's training has suffered recently. Can't be helped, I suppose," Cologne commented. "Bad enough that Son-in-law is being so resistant, now all this Cupid nonsense... Do you think this L character is truly up to the task?"
Maho merely shrugged in response.
"An unusual young man, from Shampoo's description. Quite bold too to reveal himself. What could he be up to?" Cologne asked, but again Maho remained quiet. "I wonder if he even aware that we Amazons encountered another Cupid?" Cologne asked.
This time Maho grew suspicious. Something in the elder's tone told her she was deliberately pushing. Plus, dropping a morsel like the last right in her lap was just too good. Maho eyed Cologne suspiciously, getting a sly smile in response.
"There is only two reasons someone like yourself would continue to work for me. They are incredibly desperate, or they are compelled to. You don't seem very desperate though," Cologne explained. "L must be a demanding employer."
Maho briefly pondered playing dumb, but dismissed such. "How long?"
"I was suspicious the moment you applied," Cologne replied. Seeing Maho's shoulders sag, Cologne chuckled and added, "Don't be discouraged, young lady. I am naturally suspicious of everyone."
"Whatever," Maho mumbled. "What's this about the Amazons and Cupid? And while we're on the topic, why is Shampoo faking being in love with doctor Tofu?"
"I will answer the second question first," Cologne replied. "It is a merely a suspicion that we have no way of confirming, but I believe Cupid attempted to use her power on Shampoo."
"Attempted?" Maho asked in confusion.
"Yes, it was not long after Cupid used her power on the police. I had just returned from China and-"
"Wait!" Maho cut in. "After the attack on the police?"
"Yes," Cologne said with a serious nod. "I managed to intervene and protect Shampoo when Tofu fell in love with her. I assumed she would be the next target. She likely would be in love with him as well without that protection."
Maho shook her head. "Okay, we're going to need to back up a little," she said.
"As you wish," Cologne replied. "But before I volunteer any more information, I would like to talk with L myself."
Maho frowned. "Even I'm not talking with him at the moment. He is deep in something. I can pass along the request though."
"Very well," Cologne agreed. "Until then, it's about time for you to get back to work."
"What?!" Maho responded in shock.
Cologne smiled deviously at her employee. "Yes, I have a feeling you will be continuing your employment with me for sometime to come, and I do so enjoy the opportunity of molding the youth."
Maho cringed. 'L better need this info, because I'm paying a hell of a price for it,' she thought before Cologne once more set her numerous tasks to be completed with far too little time to reasonably do so.
XXXXX
At Ucchan's Okonomiyaki, Ukyo had declared the day a bust and retired to her room. She had left Kodachi outside talking with her squad, satisfied that Kodachi at least appeared to be talking them down. She could, of course, pull a stunt while Ukyo was not there, but the chef had concluded that since she couldn't monitor Kodachi at school anyway, it little helped now. Besides, after the third group of students from Furinkan passed by and started whispering, Ukyo decided to press her luck no further being seen in public with Kodachi.
In her room, Ukyo tried to relax on her bed cushion and watch some television. She turned to a new show called Cupid's Arrow. This particular show started not long after the police incident. The host regularly interviewed guests who claimed to have brought together by Cupid, while also having singles on looking for help from Cupid. It had become particularly popular, especially when Cupid seemed to respond.
Just as Ukyo was settling in, she heard Kodachi's distinct laugh just before she stepped into view in the room. Ukyo frowned at this, already regretting telling Kodachi to come see her after her talk.
"No bodyguard today?" Kodachi asked, smiling.
"No, Mousse is out with Akane somewhere," Ukyo replied.
Kodachi nodded and looked over the room curiously. "So this is my love's inner abode... how-"
"If you say quaint, I'll hit you," Ukyo warned. "Some of us aren't rich."
Kodachi smiled innocently. "Not at all," Kodachi assured her, looking about the room. "I see I'm not the only one that watches that," she said as she saw the television program.
"It's research," Ukyo said in mild annoyance.
"Research? Then don't waste your time," Kodachi replied, causing Ukyo to eye her questioningly. "It is nothing more than a farce. I would know. I have personally experienced Cupid's power. Those on this show are nothing but pretenders."
"Then why do you watch it then?" Ukyo asked.
"Because it amuses me," Kodachi answered honestly.
"Whatever. What's happening with your teammates?" Ukyo asked.
"I cannot promise they will be no further trouble, but they appear to have seen reason. If they trouble you any further, just contact me, and I will... discuss it with them," Kodachi answered, her smile turning devious.
Under normal circumstances, Ukyo might have felt sorry for the girls. She was long past that point though. "Fine."
Clapping her hands together in delight, Kodachi asked. "So then, does this mean I'm no longer banished from the restaurant?"
Ukyo cringed. 'I did sort of stupidly agree to that, didn't I,' she thought. 'I could still tell her no, but then she's that much more likely to sick her squad on me again. Plus, she'd probably stop seeing the doctor if I said such... oh...' she considered. After taking several more seconds to weigh the alternatives, Ukyo let out a sigh. "Okay, but if you make a pest out of yourself again-"
"Certainly not," Kodachi eagerly said.
'I can't believe I just agreed to this,' Ukyo thought. 'I just know I'm going to regret it.' Pondering this, Ukyo had an idea. "You know, it is just going to wear off."
Kodachi laughed at this. "Perhaps, but that is a risk in all relationships, is it not?" she asked, but Ukyo merely frowned and looked away. "Of course, you believe you and Ranma are different."
"It is different. No Cupid made me love him," Ukyo replied sternly.
Unexpectedly, Kodachi nodded in seeming acceptance of this. "Yes, although I do have a question; did you not first come to Furinkan to have your revenge upon Ranma for abandoning you?"
Ukyo hesitated, sensing a trap. "Yeah, kinda."
"So what made you change your mind?"
'Because he said I was cute,' Ukyo mentally replied, but knew such a response sounded lame. "It's complicated," she finally answered.
"I see," Kodachi said with a smile. Ukyo scowled at her. "I suppose I should be off then," the gymnast said before Ukyo could make further issue of the matter. "Till next time, my love."
Kodachi departed, leaving Ukyo with a shiver.
End Chapter 13
As said last chapter, probably will be a while for the next one. Have to cobble my ideas together into a coherent chapter. As always, open to all input.
