Chapter 12 P-chan, lost in the city
Ranma watched as Chi and Wing just stared at each other. Niether man knew what to say. Ranma still couldn't believe this was going on, but then again he had been an only child two days ago.
Kurumi watched as her new brother stared at what would have been his twin, if one of then did something about their hair.
Nodoka believed that there had been enough silence and decided to start everything.
"So, Wing, I hear that you are here to train. That it has something to do with a girl?"
"Yes ma'am."
"You will spar with my son now please."
Everyone turn to her and started asking her what she was doing and what in general was going on. She raised her hand to silence everyone and the turned to her first born.
"Ranma, you need to gauge his skills right?"
"Yeah mom."
"Then do so. We will answer questions later."
"Yes mom. Wing? Let's go."
Ranma got up and motioned for Wing to follow. Wing complied but watched the look alike stranger as Wing left the room. When Wing was out of the room and his foot steps faded, a soft crying could be heard in the room. Chi spoke so quietly that only a few could hear him, among them his mother and sister Kurumi.
"Thank you Kami..."
And then he crumbled, and cried into his mother's lap.
Somewhere in Nerima
Ukyo was torn. She had reacted badly. She knew about Ryouga's confidence problem and she went and made it look like she rejected him. It was all a misunderstanding. Damn it, she was that good at romance stuff. It's not like she had ever shared a moment like that with Ranma.
Ukyo stopped. She HAD had moments with Ranma, many when they were children. What did this one seem so different?
"Big brother! Wait!"
Ukyo turned her head and say that she was in the park. She watched as a brother and sister started playing. She listened to them laugh and heard how happy they were. Then she saw a bully walk up as the brother went for a drink of water. Ukyo didn't hear what the bully said, but watched as the girl started crying. She started running over there, but the brother had returned and ran the bully off. Ukyo listened as the brother comforted her sister.
"Don't worry sis. I scared the jerk away. He won't bother you again. What's wrong?"
"He said... he.. hesaid that I was ugly.. and that.. and that I'd never find anyone. No one wants to marry an ugly doody-head."
"Jerk needed glasses too. Look sis, stop crying. you ain't ugly. You're a doody-head, but you're my doody-head little sister. There ain't a guy good enough for you. You're too preety for jerks like that. You're cute. Really really cute."
Ukyo turned and walked away. She started laughing quietly as the tears ran down her face. She had heard the same words herself, for the same reason. She had believed that no one had wanted her and that no one ever would. She had turned toward vengence on the first person that she felt had ever truely betrayed her, Ranma. She had hunted him down, told her case, and started beating the crap out of him.
And he had let her. When they both learned the whole story, he was still willing to let her have her vengence, but only to heal her pain. Instead he had taken it away with his words. He had praised her. He had called her 'cute'. He had even gotten into trouble with Akane again, but he never betrayed her. He loved her.
She just never understood how before. Ukyo's eyes widened as she thought back to all the times she had tried to have romantic thoughts for Ranma. She had pictured him there by her side, playing with her kids, holding her when she was lonely. Never once did she ever truely picture him as her lover.
He had looked out for her as if she was a little sister, and she realised that he was like a brother to her. Hell, they use to fight over food when they met. He was there when she needed him. Damn it, she needed him now. She had to find Ryouga.
Ukyo turned towards the Tendo Dojo and ran as fast as she could.
Cat Cafe, inside
Shampoo was worried. Mousse hadn't returned from where ever he disapeared to yet. Shampoo remembered the young Wing Tsu always working in the fields while Mu Tsu trained. But Wing was always happy to be working.
True, he wasn't a fighter. But many a girl would have been willing to throw a fight for the handsome young boy. Wing was almost a perfect example of what an Amazon husband should be: Domestic, Kind, Polite, Hard Working, and Obedient. Only the stronger fighters of her generation wouldn't have thrown a fight, like Shampoo herself. They owed it to the village to marry strong men and breed strong warriors.
Xian Pu also remembered Wing's love of Ling Pi. Where Mu was load in his proclimations, Wing was quiet. Everyone could see it in the way he looked at her, he would die for her. He just couldn't beat her, and he never tried. He was always willing to allow another to have her because that was the way of their people.
Xian Pu cried a little for the man who never had a chance. She had once vowed that if there was a way, she would help him win Ling's hand. Xian Pu had once asked her Great-Grandmother if Ku Lon would train him if Xian Pu was married to Mu Tsu.
She had said no, and then explained that Xian Pu might allow Mu Tsu to win by not fighting her hardest. But if Mu Tsu could ever truely defeat her, then anything was possible.
Shampoo sighed as she walked inside. She would look for him later if he didn't return home soon.
Tendo Dojo, inside the dojo
Ranma was a little impressed. Wing apperantly knew some basics and had been training his strength and stamina. He was still up after fifteen minutes of Ranma's probing strikes.
It was time to push him and see where he'd fall. Ranma came at Wing with a couple feints and then plowed his foot into Wing's stomach. Ranma was surprised when Wing grabbed his foot and spund Ranma into a toss. Wing had been holding a little back that even Ranma didn't notice. Ranma spun in mid air and righted himself. He turned to Wing in time to see him collapse.
Ranma was impressed. He could tell that Wing grew up a farmer just from the sheer amount of untrained potential. He could definately tell that this was Mousse's brother... and Chi's father.
Ranma decided to let Wing rest for now and go get those answers that his mother was talking about.
Ranma walked into the house to see that Kurumi had played the dvd for Mousse. Now was the time to see what Mousse's reaction would be. Who's side was he on?
Mousse turned to look at Ranma. He had tears in his eyes.
"They'd kill my child..."
Ranma paused. He had actually forgotten that part. It had been why Chi had been sent to his parent's in that time. Ranma knew all he needed about Mousse now.
"No. They won't. I won't let them harm my family, my friends, or their families. I give you my word on my art and my HONOR. I will never allow any harm to come to you and Shampoo's children."
Everyone in the room stopped. Akane and Mousse truely understood what was going on. Ranma had made his choice, or at least admitted to what most people knew anyway, and was ending the 'fiancee wars'. He had declared where he stood with Mousse in a way no one would deny.
"Collect your brother, you'll be staying here at the dojo for training. He wants it and you need it, both for the same reason."
Happosai looked up from under Genma, Soun, and Ryu's feet. They had been politely asking him what he had been doing the last two years, meaning the were pounding the shit out of him.
"Ranma my boy, you may wanna go get Miss Hinako. Tell her I said that the time has come. She will understand."
"What? Miss Hinako?"
"Yes boy. I promised to cure her for her help, and to help her with another problem she has."
"I don't.."
Ranma was interupted by a crying Ukyo running into the room. Ukyo latched onto Ranma and tried to catch her breath. Akane was about to hit someone, then she saw the look in Ukyo's eyes. Finally Ukyo could talk.
"Ranma, help me. Please. I have to find Ryouga. I have to appologise. I didn't mean it. I was embarrased. I'm sorry. Please Ranma. I have to find him!"
Ranma looked down. He didn't know what was going on. He didn't understand it. He didn't need too. His Ucchan was crying and had asked him for help.
"Everyone scatter. We have to find him now. Mister Tendo, show eveyone who doesn't know Ryouga a picture of him and a picture of P-chan. Ukyo, you wait here. We'll bring him here when we find him. Let's move people, we're looking for a man or a black piglet. Let's go."
Ukyo watched as everyone jumped to Ranma's orders. He had chosen to stand by her again. Akane paused for a moment as she was the only one to hear Ukyo's last words before she left.
"Thank you, my brother..."
The 'Fiancee Wars' were over. Now it was time for the fallout, and to pick up the pieces.
Somewhere in Nerima
Ryouga was depressed. This wasn't new. What was new was that something was fighting his depression, a memory. It was a memory of one single moment, a perfect moment. He could actually forget what happened after. It had been real. He could still smell the okonomiyaki that was always around her. He could still feel...
A giggle started to escape his lips. Suddenly he was all out laughing. He couldn't believe it. He had even walked into her resturant joking about this happening. He was in love. It was not some crush, he wasn't spending time just because she was cute and wanted to spend time with him. He was actually in love.
It had only been one brief moment, but they say it only takes a moment for the world to change.
He had to find her. Ryouga looked around and saw, of all places, the Cat Cafe. Maybe Mousse could lead him to Ukyo. Ryouga walked in and looked for Mousse.
A moment after Ryouga walked in and started calling for Mousse, a shadow outside moved and departed towards the dojo.
"Mousse! You here?"
"Mousse no here, Lost Boy."
Ryouga looked at Shampoo and was a little surprised that she actually seemed a little sad about Mousse being gone.
"I'm sorry, I was just hoping that he could take my over to Ukyo's."
"What need with Spatula Girl?"
"Um.."
Seeing Ryouga turn three shades of red had Shampoo curious. She had to find out what this was about.
"Great Grandmother, Shampoo play guide to Lost Boy. Be back soon."
"See if you can find Mousse while you're at it. I hate to admit it, but I'm worried for him. He didn't seem to take the news well."
"It's a shame about his brother."
At this the Amazons turn to the source of the voice, Ryouga.
"How Lost Boy know about Wing Tsu?"
"I kinda had a talk with Mousse earlier today. He told me all about his brother, and how it was Wing's idea to go to your Grandmother to follow you. He sounded like a good guy."
"Lost Boy have no idea. Wing was a prize no can find in many people. Shampoo only meet maybe four mens like that in life. One dead now."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realise he was a friend of yours too, I'm sorry."
Ryouga bow in apology to Shampoo. Shampoo figured that He had groveled enough.
"Come, we go to Spatula girl's home."
With Shampoo leading the way, they were off.
Elsewhere
Mousse was heading towards 'Ucchans'. He didn't know why, but sometimes Ryouga could actually find where he was going rather quickly. He just hoped that this was one of those times.
He had seen Ukyo's tears. He didn't know what was going on, but he could guess that something happened between them. Well, Ryouga was his friend now and Mousse would anything to help with Ryouga's happiness.
He arrived at the place and went inside. He called out for Konatsu but didn't get a reply. That was strange. He was about to leave when he heard someone arrive outside. His hope for rewarded when he saw Ryouga enter the building, but froze when he saw Shampoo.
What could you say to the woman that would be your wife and you failed to protect your child.
"Hey Mousse, I was looking for you at the Cat Cafe."
Shampoo was still and silent as Ryouga greeted Mousse. She was relieved that Mousse was alright, but he was looking at her strangely. Finally he started talking.
"Hey Ryouga. I know why you're here. Ukyo's at the Tendo's. She asked Ranma to help find you. He asked all of us to help. She's waiting for you there. Let's go. I'll see you later Shampoo."
It wasn't until the men were down the street that Shampoo realised what had been wrong with that. Mousse hadn't declared his love for her once. He had even looked pained to see her.
Shampoo felt a tear run down her face. She felt herself start to cry. She couldn't stop. She turned and started to run home. She didn't stop until she was in her room and was crying in her bed. She never even heard her Grandmother enter the room. She didn't know she was there until she felt a comforting hand on her arm.
"Child, what is it?"
"He.. He.. Rejected me.."
Shampoo was barely understandable through her crying, but it sounded like her Japanese suddenly got better.
"Who child?"
Colonge was not dumb enough to make a guess right now. At this point it could have been either man in her life. One she feared doing this to Shampoo more. Her fears were realised with Shampoo's next words.
"It was Mousse..."
Shampoo started crying again as her grandmother continued to comfort her. Finally she calmed down enough to talk.
"Now, what exactly happened dear?"
"I took Ryouga to Ukyo's but instead of her being there, Mousse was. He was looking for Ryouga because apperantly Ukyo was at the Tendo's asking for help to find him. Mousse barely said two words to me, but it was the look in his eyes. He looked like he was in pain to be around me and wanted to get away from me as fast as possible. Why Great Grandmother, what did I do?"
"It is possible that Wing's death may have affected him completely. He may now believe that he will never have you and has simply given up. But I don't know for sure, only Mousse knows what's wrong with Mousse right now. Shall we find out?"
"How?"
"You said that he's at the Tendo's right now."
Shampoo raised her head and turned to her Grandmother. She wiped her eyes and nodded once.
At the Kuno's
Tatewaki could feel the medicine fading. He had talked with Nabiki for hours now. Well, mostly talked. He would sometimes say something she approved of and would 'reward him'. He now sported more bite marks than anytime playing with Kodachi's pet.
Nabiki had talked a lot as well. She now wanted to see his change. She had said that she wanted to try something. Right now she was waiting. Time was up.
"Ah, what most decetible flower you are. Were I but a humble sculpter I would cast you beauty in stone for all of eternity to gaze upon thouself."
Nabiki worked fast. She leaned forward quickly and kissed her new boyfriend on the lips, transferring emotions she had spent years and tears hiding. She pulled back and pleaded with a whisper.
"Come back to me."
Nabiki saw Kuno hesitate, then place his arms around her. His words were as soft as hers were.
"This is hard, but I can hold back some. I love you."
"And I love you. Stay with me."
Kuno looked into her eyes and saw the lonelyness that was his new mission to vanquish. He would not fail her. Not now, not ever. Til' death do they part.
"Sasuke!"
The ninja entered quietly.
"Master?"
Kuno stood up and walked to the two swords that were one in the same. He drew both blades and stared at them both as he had been taught. He then sheathed them and placed the one from future traveling man onto the mantle. It would be returned when the time was right.
Kuno then walked over and handed the other sword to Sasuke.
"Your mission, dear friend, is to take this blade to it's owner. You know what I am asking of you. I only ask you to move with all speed."
Sasuke looked into his master's eyes and could see ration fighting off insanity for the first time in years. Sasuke understood what was being asked of him. He would be gone for a day or two at least.
Sasuke took the sword and bowed his head.
"At once master."
Sasuke would not fail. He bolted as if the hounds of hell were riding his ass.
"Tatchichan, what was that about?"
"A gift that needs to be prepared properly. Please, leave me my surprise. What now?"
"We could go out."
Kuno walked over to Nabiki and felt the cloth of her shirt in his hand.
"This is a beautiful shirt. I liked it when Akane first wore it, but it does look better on you."
Kuno stood up straight. Nabiki couldn't believe what he was going to suggest. She had vowed to herself to never take advantage of Kuno again. Kuno said it anyway.
"Let's go shopping."
"Tatchichan, no. I won't waste anymore of your money. I can't believe I said that."
"Niether can I, dear sister."
Nabiki and Kuno both turned to Kodachi as she spoke.
"It was a strange sight just now. It looked like Sasuke just ran off with our family sword."
Kodachi laughed. Nabiki started to cringe when she noticed that there was no pain in Kodachi's laugh. She actually sounded happy. Nabiki turned back to Kodachi and saw them. They were recogisable to any school girl in High School. Hickies.
Someone had recently been really chewing on her neck. Nabiki thought back to Ryu and gave a silent prayer of luck for the two of them.
"Brother dear. Stay home. I'm taking this dear girl on a mission of mercy. Be home late."
With that she ran over and grabbed Nabiki, then dragged her out of the room before Nabiki had time to think. Nabiki barely had a moment to think before she was in the Kuno family limo and was on her way.
"I might have liked to spend more time with my boyfriend you know."
"Well, Nabiki dear, this gives us a chance to bond a little."
Nabiki saw something in Kodachi's eye again. It was something she was trying to hide. Nabiki took a stab in the dark.
"When was the last time you and a girlfriend went shopping together?"
Kodachi turned to the window and remained silent. Nabiki was starting to understand what was meant by the Kuno family curse. It wasn't the slight insanity you were born with. It was what happened later as no one tried to understand you. How it left you alone, even in a room full of happy people. Nabiki knew that feeling all to well.
Nabiki moved next to Kadachi and put her arm around her. Kodachi turned to her surprise, then she smiled. So that was what Ryu saw in her. Maybe this wouldn't be all that bad...
Tendo dojo, outside the gate
Ryouga had stopped Mousse before they had gone in. He was trying to catch his breath. What was wrong with him? It was Ukyo damnit. They'd talked before. What was different now?
You weren't in love with her then. Ryouga shoke his head to clear some cobwebs. Mousse just watched with a mildly amused look. He knew that something big had happened since this morning. What it was he didn't know.
"Are you ready Ryouga?"
"Yeah. I guess."
They entered the gate and knocked on the door. Nodoka answered the door and her face lit up when she saw Ryouga. They men were about to say something when Nodoka grabed them both and draged them inside.
When they came to the living room, She threw Ryouga into the room and shut the door. When Ryouga got up off the floor and looked around, he saw a nervous looking Ukyo staring at him.
"Um... Hi."
Niether one noticed that they had spoken at the same time. Ukyo was more nervous than she had been in her entire life. She couldn't get het heart to stop beating so fast.
Ryouga decided that he didn't know what he was doing and turned around. Ukyou assumed she was being rejected and was about to cry when she heard him start talking.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you like that. You were the one girl I knew where I stood with. Now I don't know anything about that, but I have to say this. I wanna say this right for once. I... I love you. It was the kiss. I'm sorry. I know that you don't need some other guy messing up your life. You've got enough trouble I've heard. I just wanted you to know. I'll be leaving..."
Ryouga stopped when he felt the arms around his waist. He could feel her cry into her back. He could barely make out what she was saying.
"Would you ever leave me?"
"I kinda don't have a choice. My family's curse doesn't allow us to stay in one place too long, but I would never leave you intentionally."
"Would you honor me?"
"I would die for you if I had to."
"Would you hold me?"
Ryouga slowly turned around and held her lightly.
"Always."
"I love you too."
Ryouga was surprised at her words. He was never expecting things to happen like this. Here was someone that was accepting him for who he was, even... Did she even know about that?
Ryouga held Ukyo out at arms length.
"I'm P-chan."
"Huh?"
Ryouga went into the story of his trip to Jusenkyo, and his arrival back in Japan. He finally told her about living at the Tendo's as a pet. He told her everything, even about Akari.
When he finished her eyes were pointed to the ground. She spoke quietly.
"Do you love Akari?"
"No, but she accepted me for who I am. She even loves pigs."
"Would you still honor me?"
"Yes."
"Then tell her. We can't be together if there is even a chance of there being someone else."
"What about Ranma?"
For a moment Ukyo wanted to slap him. She wanted to run. But there had been no malicious intent. Ryouga had meant it honestly, and he had been honest with her.
"He's like a brother to me. I guess that's all he's ever really been. I'm close to him, but I never really felt anything. Not until we kissed."
Ukyo was startled to feel Ryouga lips on hers. She slowly started to hold him to herself tighter. Finally they seperated.
"I'll have Ranma take me to Akari's tommorrow, I swear. Please wait for me."
"If you keep kissing like that? Forever."
Mousse had been waiting in the dining room with Nodoka and Wing. It seems his brother had recovered and was awaiting his master's return. He was currently telling Nodoka of a wonderful recipe involving Rabbit.
He never even heard them arrive. All Mousse could remember was a gasp and a purple blur. His brother wing was suddenly pinned against the far wall in an Amazon glomp that put to shame anything Ranma ever felt.
"You're alive!"
"My brother might not be for much longer if you don't stop that right now."
Shampoo lessened her grip of death to a mild heart attack. She was speachless. Cologne wasn't.
"What is the meaning of this dear boy. I was told personally that you were dead."
"No. I said he appeared dead. I am the village's best tracker. I knew it was a fake. I wanted to know why. Now I do."
Cologne turned to an old woman standing next to her. Cologne didn't know when she got there and didn't care. She had been had. Now she wanted to know how.
"What's going on Chu Li?"
"I believe that this good woman a a message that you will find most interesting. Your husband did, Cologne."
"Great Grandmother? What husband?"
Cologne turned from giving Chu Li the eye of death and looked at her Grand daughter. How could she explain this? She needed an interuption...
"Whatta haul! Whatta haul!"
Ok, maybe not that one.
"Oh, Cologne. What's up? Shampoo, he's turning blue."
Cologne really didn't want to let the cat out of the bag yet. Besides, she could see the looks Mousse kept giving Shampoo. Something was wrong.
Ryouga and Ukyo stepped out of the living room. They were in time to see eveyone returning from the great Ryouga search. This included Chi, who tried to hide when he saw the Amazons. Too bad Chu Li knew he was there.
"Come out Grand Son. I want to introduce you. This is Cologne, Amazon Warrior and Heiress to the Anything goes school of martial arts."
Everyone heard the crickets chirping...
"WHAT!"
Authors Notes: I really felt inspired. I hope everyone likes where this story appears to be going. I would love to hear your comments.
Well, the drama and annoyances that were plauging my life are currently on the back burner and I have time to write again.
I actually have a couple more stories running through my head, if anyone else is curious how I could mess up the Ranmaverse please let me know.