Chapter Twenty-Two- A New Discovery

The fire illuminated Ryoga's face as he sat across from Ukyo. Mousse and Shampoo had managed to tie up Happosai after some rounds of struggle with him. Kuno and Kodachi were sound asleep while Shampoo and Mousse sat by the old man to make sure he didn't run away. Soun and Genma sat silently playing a game of shogi that they had wished for next to Cologne as the old woman turned to Ukyo and Ryoga.

"Do you really think that they can really pull this off?" she asked.

"Sure they can" Ukyo nodded, "Ranma and Akane have been convincing people for years about their true feelings for each other after all."

"What?" Cologne looked at her confused as Ukyo realized what she said and her eyes became wide.

"What she meant" Ryoga took up the cue taking Ukyo's hand in his as she began to explain, "Is that they can pull it off. Ranma and Akane will be fine. Right Ukyo?" he looked into her eyes.

"Right. That's what I meant to say" she nodded completely relieved, "Perhaps I need a walk or something to clear my head" she stood up.

"I'll go with you" Ryoga replied standing, "Old woman, I'd look after the old man if I were you till we get back."

"Don't you worry. I can handle him. Don't you take long" she added with a worried frown as they departed the campsite.

"Where'd they go grandmother?" Shampoo asked as she came over and sat next to her.

"I have no idea" Cologne shook her head, "But I have a feeling you won't have any more rivalry with Ukyo when it comes to Ranma, Shampoo."

(Next Scene)

"Oh I am such an idiot!" Ukyo berated herself as they walked, "Why did I say that?"

"Because you're honest," Ryoga replied making her stop, "You couldn't help it. You're always honest with your feelings."

"Ryoga" she blushed.

"Even if you're upset," he added, "I've noticed that. You don't like to hurt other people's feelings either."

"That's not true" Ukyo shook her head sadly, "In the past, I was just as bad as Shampoo was with Ranma. I wanted him and I didn't care who I hurt. Especially Akane, because I knew how Ranma truly felt about her. To be honest I was really selfish. Not really a good person at all."

"I don't believe that."

"Hmm?"

"You've always been a good person Ukyo. You're just passionate that's all. And you got carried away sometimes. So did I."

"Ryoga. You sound like."

"I want to tell you something. I talked to Ranma about the Akane situation" Ukyo turned and looked at him directly, "He told me the truth about his feelings and I told him that I have decided to give up on Akane."

"You have?" she replied surprised.

"Yes. I realized it was a mute point continuing the way I was. Besides you were right. Wouldn't it be better if I found someone who loves me as much as I love them?"

"Yea" Ukyo smiled a little as a soft wind blew through her hair, "It would.

Ryoga smiled back and the two of them stood in silence just staring into each other's eyes.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile back in the mysterious room, Akane back in her kimono had fallen asleep on the large bed. At the same time Ranma who was also in her kimono was staring at the door with a frown on her face.

"He did say we could explore these new corridors" she thought, "There's no harm in going. I'll be back anyway" she nodded as she walked over to the door and opened, "I wonder what I will find?" she closed it behind her.

Once she stepped outside she noticed the new wing. There were now several doors surrounding the fountain and garden. Also the crack was no longer there and Ranma frowned as she noticed.

"I guess we can't go back that way" she said aloud, "Not that it matters. Now let's see what's behind door number one" she walked over to the first door that was white with aquamarine trim.

She opened the door and glanced inside. In the room on the other side she saw a large dining room.

"Wow. Big table" she breathed, "It's almost as big as Picolet Chardin's."

She closed the door and examined the door with the burgundy trim that was on the other side.

"That one looks promising," she thought walking over to it and opening it.

On the other side she saw a hallway aligned with large portraits.

"Huh?" she replied out loud, "A hallway with pictures" she sighed, "I guess I better check it out anyway" she walked in and began to examine each portrait, "Wait a minute" she said in confusion, "There's nobody in this portrait?" she moved along the wall, "Or this one. Or this one" she replied as she examined every one, "In fact there is nothing but the outer frames themselves" she glanced down the hall and saw another door, "I wonder where that goes?" she moved forward and opened the door and looked in seeing a single portrait hanging on the wall that stood directly in front in the next hall, "Another picture?" she grimaced but then squinted, "But from what I can see, there is someone in it" she walked down the second hall leaving the door open behind her.

She walked up to the portrait and gasped as she saw the figure in the picture. The young woman in a long flowing white dress was standing with her back towards a tree. Her bright blue eyes stared back at the other set of blue eyes and her red hair was tied back in the very same pigtail.

"It can't be" Ranma said stunned, "It's me."

(To be continued…)

Authors Note: Okay guys! That's the end of Series One! I will thank everyone personally at the end of Series Two. I know I left you on a cliffhanger but that will make you anticipate the next series more. I will see you all again for Series Two in December. I know it's a long time to wait but I have other stories to concentrate on for the time being. See you all later and God Bless!