"Of Loss, Life, & Love"
Chapter 10: Promises
A Ranma Fanfic by Luna12


Ukyo kept glancing at the restaurant's wall clock, annoyed at how time was crawling to a standstill when she most wanted it to speed up.

What could Nabiki be planning? Things were to be settled in a "civilized manner". What was that supposed to mean coming from that mercenary? The week had been up, but Nabiki had called to request a meeting at her restaurant, rather than at the Tendo residence. Just one more warning bell. It was bad enough having to sit aside and try to ignore the posters all over town featuring the opening of the Ranma and Akane teaching team. If she was to wait here, she would have one less chance at seeing Ranma, while he would have even more time with Akane.

The chime to her door rang and Ukyo nearly jumped. However, it wasn't Nabiki. Tailing behind her "waitress", Konatsu, was Mousse.

With his giant spectacles firmly in place, Mousse managed to find the counter and address Ukyo. "I'm here on behalf of Tendo Nabiki," he declared formally.

Ukyo's mouth scrunched into a frown. She had expected to talk with the girl in person. Ukyo shrugged. As surprising as it was to deal with Mousse as a replacement, there was no harm in it. Mousse's goals and her own weren't in any conflict, and in many ways were aligned. Ukyo would be more than happy to see that hussy Shampoo move back to China with Mousse as her beau.

"He can be trusted, Ukyo-sama." Ukyo had almost forgotten Konatsu's presence, but he was standing close to attention by Mousse's side.

"You're both working for Nabiki now?" she asked, curiosity and suspicion intermingled.

Konatsu blushed, but Mousse's back straightened. "Nabiki has promised to get Shampoo and Ranma divorced in return for my services. Nabiki and I are only allies."

Ukyo raised an eyebrow. "Where do I fit in all this?"

Mousse produced a scroll of paper from his left sleeve and presented it to Ukyo. "This is from Nabiki."

Ukyo glanced through the document then stopped. Her eyes went wide. It was a contract. Of all things, it pledged Nabiki's services to secure Ukyo's marriage to Ranma. There was a long list of conditions attached before Nabiki would help, but the very idea that Nabiki was willing to help her, rather than her own sister, was shocking. Granted, Nabiki had never helped Akane before. If anything, she simply enjoyed stirring up trouble for her own entertainment and profit. So why the sudden change? Ukyo wouldn't be surprised if Nabiki was playing both sides.

"Is Nabiki serious?" Ukyo breathed, daring to hope.

Mousse nodded. "I believe she is sincere in wanting to keep away further danger to her family, which includes you and Shampoo competing for Ranma."

Ukyo blushed. Things had escalated rather embarrassingly the past few months. In the heat of the moment, she thought nothing of causing massive destruction to both Ranma's mother's home and to the Tendo dojo. She had even joined forces with Shampoo in throwing her explosive Modern Yaki.

Ukyo read more carefully through the conditions of the contract. It was a two-fold deal. Nabiki's services were highly conditional. She would help only if there was irrefutable proof that Ranma loved her. In addition, if similar proof was presented that Ranma loved Akane, Ukyo was to gracefully step aside as his fiancee and accept a reimbursement of the stolen dowry. It was quite the gamble, but pointless. Ukyo was sure that Ranchan was meant to be with her, but he was notoriously wishy-washy. Ranma wasn't about to firmly declare his love to anyone. Heavens only knew how hard she had tried to wiggle even the simplest terms of endearment from him before.

Ukyo handed the paper back to Mousse. "This is a trick. How can I prove Ranma really loves me?"

"That is why we are to use this." From somewhere in the depths of Mousse's robes, he produced a small, oval shaped mirror in a simple ebony frame. "It is an ancient artifact I have 'borrowed' from Cologne. It mirrors who you truly love."

Ukyo laughed. "You're kidding me."

Mousse's face remained serious. "Cologne secretly used it on Ranma years ago, to assess his true feelings. That Enemy-of-All-Women was unable to see any reflection, only fog."

"Fog?" Ukyo asked.

Mousse nodded, his face contorted in disgust. "It means his fickle heart had not settled while he continued to string you all along."

Ukyo frowned, but wasn't sure how to defend Ranma against a statement like that. She had been quite frustrated at his own reluctance to pick a true fiancée and stick with her.

She took the mirror from the counter and held it up to her face. Although the surroundings of her restaurant were properly reflected, the face in the glass was not her own. It was, without surprise, her Ranma. Not quite convinced, Ukyo angled the mirror away from herself towards Mousse. Form the corner of her eye, she glanced at the new reflection. Although pointed directly at the be-speckled Amazon, the face in the mirror was Shampoo.

Ukyo knew better than to let her hopes rise just yet. "Hasn't Nabiki already used the mirror on Ranma? Why does she want me to do it?"

"It is something you need to see for yourself, Ukyo-sama," Konatsu chimed in again. "Ranma-san would never trust Nabiki-san to show him the mirror, but he will trust you."

"Nabiki hasn't used the mirror," Mousse confirmed. "The deal she made is an honest one."

Ukyo's eyes brightened. This was her chance! It would be the biggest gamble of her life, but the rewards would be huge. To finally know that Ranma loved her, and to have Nabiki help to get rid of all the other engagements, would be a dream come true.

Mousse silently clenched his fists beneath his large sleeves. Even with his poor vision, he recognized the hopeful look on Ukyo's face. It was how he felt whenever he was granted an extra chance to woo his Shampoo. Yet, he had information Ukyo was lacking in this not-so-innocent arrangement. As much of a womanizing cad Ranma could be, it was clear his heart's desire was for Akane. No one who had witnessed his near catatonic state at Mount Phoenix, or his despairing scream over Akane's body, could ever doubt this. Ryoga had resigned himself to pursue Akari after realizing the depth of Ranma's feelings, and Shampoo had become angry and withdrawn at her airen's unspoken love for another. Ukyo, who had never accompanied them to China, had no idea.

For a brief moment, Mousse opened his mouth, ready to warn Ukyo of her likely defeat. Konatsu gave him a puzzling look, and he quickly clenched his jaw shut. Konatsu was also oblivious of the recent events in China. It was not his place to warn Ukyo. All it would do was hinder Nabiki's plans to grant his Shampoo a divorce. To give his beloved the freedom to see him as a proper suitor was worth the heartbreak to this outsider.

Ukyo held the mirror up to her face again, admiring the still image of Ranma's face. If Ranma didn't already reflect her face back, then she would just have to step up her efforts. She refused to concentrate on any other possibilities. No matter what, she would secure her Ran-chan's heart.


"You can't seriously expect me to go through with that?" Ranma complained, his face red with embarrassment. "It'd be humiliating!"

Nabiki shook her head. She was going to have to play dirty. "Then you don't care about Akane's safety after all."

Ranma's reaction was a predictable denial. "Of course I do!"

"Then prove it!" Nabiki challenged.

"What's going on?" Akane entered the hallway, curious about the raised voices. She was fully dressed in a t-shirt and short denim skirt. Her right hand was still holding an ice pack to the back of her head.

Nabiki put on her most innocent smile. "Nothing, sis."

Akane's left eyebrow raised in suspicion. She was not buying it.

Ranma sighed. "I was just telling Nabiki she has nothin' to worry about. You're not fighting Shampoo again. Ever."

Akane glared at Ranma. "Since when do you dictate what challenges I can and can't accept?"

Her voice carried a warning tone, but Ranma plowed ahead blindly. "Since you started taking up crazy fights with Shampoo."

Akane rolled her eyes at him. He was being such an idiot. "I didn't start it. Besides, I came out okay."

Ranma pointed at Akane's left hand. "If you're so 'okay', then why do you keep holding your side like that?"

Akane immediately dropped her arm from it's previous position. It had been an unconscious reaction on her part. With each breath her ribs protested with sharp pain, but she was not about to let Ranma know how much Shampoo's blows had hit their mark. "Just because I'm a little sore doesn't mean you have to fly off the handle," she protested.

Ranma crossed his arms stubbornly. "I'm not letting you get hurt again."

Akane threw up her hands in exasperation. "Would you stop being so overprotective? I'm a martial artist, and I know the risks. Just like you do!"

Ranma's frustration continued to climb. He was not getting through to her. "This isn't about some hits in a sparring match. Shampoo doesn't fight fair. She won't stop until she...she.." Ranma grabbed Akane's right arm above the elbow, firmly but gently, his thumb absentmindedly caressing her skin. He couldn't continue. He couldn't put it into words. It would make the danger too real.

Akane stood there stunned by Ranma's intensity and physical contact. His fear was genuine and exposed. It was so unlike his usual carefree and confident self. She was used to worrying about him, not the reverse. At his soft touch, her muscles relaxed and her temper died down.

Ranma felt Akane's aggressive stance melt away. When he continued, his voice was low. "Just tell me you won't fight her again."

Akane sighed. He was being very serious. "I can't promise, but I'll try."

Nabiki silently observed the exchange, mentally recording every bit of body language. The two of them had completely ignored her presence, intently focusing on each other. Ranma may have put on a confident act before, but he was genuinely spooked. He would go through with the plan, alright. He would whine and complain the entire time, but he'd do it.

Getting Akane to understand the danger she was in would be a far more difficult battle. Her little sister was great at worrying about the welfare of others, but rather clueless when it came to looking out for her own best interests.

* DING DONG *

The unexpected chime from the doorbell made both Ranma and Akane jump. The intimate moment dissolved and they both backed away, self conscious once more.

"I'll go get it," Akane ventured.


Ukyo stood nervously at the door. She didn't often come to the Tendo residence, especially uninvited.

The door opened.

"Uh, hi Akane." Ukyo tried to hide her disappointment. She had hoped that Ranma would have been the first to respond, but barring that she at least wished it was anyone other than Akane. She didn't directly dislike Akane, and in many ways Ukyo suspected they could have been friends themselves, if it wasn't for their tangled engagements to Ranma.

Akane's eyes went a little wide, but she managed to smile politely. "Oh. Hi Ukyo."

"What happened?" Ukyo pointed at the ice pack in Akane's hand. "Is Ran-chan okay? You didn't hurt him again, did you?"

Akane bristled. She seriously didn't beat up on Ranma as much as everyone seemed to think she did, or at least as not as much as when they first met. Why did Ukyo have to jump to the conclusion that she had injured him? "He's fine, Ukyo. It's my ice pack."

Akane turned her head to point at her throbbing lump.

Ukyo felt a little abashed. "Oh," was her reply, unsure how to properly respond. Talking one-on-one with Akane was always odd territory.

Saving her from the awkward pause in conversation, Ranma appeared behind Akane.

"Hey Ucchan, what's up?"

Ukyo visibly relaxed. "Ran-chan! I came by to invite you to dinner. I have a new hot plate special you'll just love."

Ranma inwardly cringed. He adored food, but accepting an invite in front of Akane would not be a smart move. He glanced her way, desperately trying to gauge her mood.

Akane's face was disturbingly blank. She hadn't realized how much the reprieve had meant until now, the first day that it ended. In a span of a few hours, she had been physically attacked by Shampoo and now Ukyo came to her home to draw Ranma away on a date.

She realized Ranma had yet to respond and was in fact giving her a pleading look. An idea dawned and Akane gave Ranma a cunning smile that made her resemble Nabiki.

She turned to face Ukyo. "Sure, Ukyo, we would love to come."

For a moment, Ukyo's mouth hung open in shock. Akane invited herself? When did the girl become so forward? She used to just glare angrily at Ranma or hit him in possessive jealousy, then deny any real feelings in the blink of an eye.

Ukyo felt her stomach flip flop. Things really were changing, much more than she initially realized, and it scared her. Akane was becoming serious competition.

Ranma wasn't sure to be relieved or worried. This certainly was a better reaction than Akane going into a jealous fit, but now it was Ukyo who looked ready to explode.

Ukyo shook off her shock. She would just have to take a more aggressive approach. "Ran-chan, I was only inviting you," she clarified, doing her best to ignore Akane.

Ukyo expected a temper tantrum from Akane, or some childish explosion of anger, but none came. All she received was a severe frown.

Ranma felt torn and lost. This time, both girls' eyes were boring into him, waiting for his response. Ugh! Why did girls have to make something as simple as dinner so complicated?

The awkward silence continued to stretch on, as Ranma glanced back and forth between the two young women full of indecision.

Ukyo broke the silence. "We should really catch up, Ran-chan. You left for that big trip with everyone else to China, and yet no one ever wants to talk about it!"

Ranma and Akane stiffened simultaneously.

Ukyo had expected Ranma to start talking jovially about whatever fights or challenges he had encountered, the usual upbeat reaction he had in recounting his own glory. She usually didn't get to tag along on his exploits, but in the past he would come by her restaurant, eager to tell all about it. Yet it had been months and everyone involved avoided the subject.

It was Akane who rebounded first. She gently brushed Ranma's hand, a quiet, reassuring gesture that made Ukyo wince. What was going on between these two? When had they started to become so close?

Akane turned to look at Ukyo and any trace of hostility from before was gone. If anything, there was a look of pity, or was it remorse? Whatever it was, it made her already nervous stomach clench tighter. What terrible things could have happened in Jusenkyo to cause such a reaction?

"You should go, Ranma. Without me."

Ukyo and Ranma both stared at Akane in shock. It didn't sound like Akane was giving up, nor was she angrily pushing him away. Her voice had been kind and reassuring.

"Huh?" Ranma responded, in dumb shock.

Akane fidgeted where she stood. "Ukyo should know what happened. You can't keep bottling everything up. You have to talk about it with someone."

Ukyo felt annoyed and uncomfortably out of the loop. It was as if she was the only one who couldn't see a large elephant in the room, yet managed to step on its droppings while everyone else stepped aside.

Ranma turned to face Ukyo. "See you at 7?" he asked.

Ukyo beamed. "Don't be late!"

The chef nearly danced her way off the Tendo property. It no longer mattered that Akane was the one who had talked Ranma into going, the simple fact remained that they were having a private dinner together. This would be the night Ukyo would find out Ranma's heart, and no matter how close Akane was with Ranma, Ukyo wouldn't rest until she was the rightful Mrs. Ranma Saotome.


The door closed and Ranma let out a breath of relief. He was about to thank Akane for not overreacting to Ukyo's invitation, when he noticed her aura was flared up.

Ranma gulped. He recognized the precursors to an explosion. "Uh...Akane?"

Akane gave Ranma a fierce glare. "Just so you know, I'm trying really hard to trust you NOT to do anything perverted."

"Why'd I do anything like that with Ucchan?"

"You're the one who calls her the 'cute' fiancée," she pointed out.

Ranma couldn't help but smirk. "So ya really are jealous," he teased.

Akane crossed her arms huffily. It was more than a little true, but she wasn't about to admit that to Ranma. "I'm not jealous of you being friends with her," she insisted, a heavy emphasis on the word 'friends'. She sighed. "I just thought, after what we said before..." Akane felt horribly nervous, afraid to continue.

"Thought what?" Ranma prompted, thoroughly confused.

She took a deep breath. The next move would leave her vulnerable and part of her wanted nothing more than to go back to the familiar territory of just hitting Ranma when he made a move on another girl. But that wasn't what she wanted anymore. Back then, they had both protested the arranged marriage. Now, it no longer felt forced. If Ranma had been serious about continuing the engagement, she needed to know exactly where they stood.

"That maybe we're a real couple?" she finished softly.

Ranma felt stunned. In some ways, he kind of assumed they already were a couple. He wasn't sure when he started thinking that way. It had sneaked up on him little by little.

"You mean dating and stuff?" he asked. At the thought of what 'stuff' could entail, Ranma felt his cheeks burn.

Akane blushed in turn. This was going to be harder to explain than she thought. "Not just that. I mean, well, I don't want you cheating on me, if we're actually a couple."

Finally, Ranma realized what Akane meant. "It's not like I try to flirt with all those other girls, ya know."

Akane frowned. "But you don't discourage them, either! Do you know how many times you're caught with some other girl draped in your arms?"

Ranma sighed. It seemed to be the story of his life, trying to explain to everyone how improbable situations kept happening to him.

"Look, I promise I'm not going over to Ucchan's to make out or anything. She's just a pal, even if Pop got us engaged."

Akane visibly relaxed. "Good. I'm holding you to that promise."

Ranma flashed her his cocky smile. "I don't break promises." He recalled Ryoga using that against him and shook his head. "Even when I don't want to keep 'em."


Author's Note: Obviously (to me) Ranma showed preference for Akane in the manga series (as evident by the Nekoken). However, I believe it wasn't full blown "love" until recently. Ranma had even made a comment about Shampoo leaving back to China and not pursuing him anymore as "a waste" in the very early days of the series.