Being owner of a restaurant was no easy task. Ukyo paced back and forth making sure everything was ready for another day when someone right next to the place changed the chef's intended routine. "Ok . . .Herbs?, check . . . Sauces and flour, Check . . ." The list kept going about top ingredients which had to be the freshest around and the cleanliness mandatory in her own establishment.
After making sure all the seafood was accounted for and neatly stored, the girl proceeded to open the place with a big smile on her face and a positive attitude. Yet, the chef had other things in mind, most importantly her fiancé promised from childhood by his own father and his ill decision to side with the cooking challenged Akane Tendo.
The clientele ranged from businessmen to merchants ready to taste the best Okonomiyaki in Japan and to complement the pretty cook preparing it. This morning however other guest arrived unannounced. The girl handling a spatula with great skill blinked when a boy walked by wearing a familiar bandanna.
"Hey! . . .Sugar, what are you doing here so early? . . .Shouldn't you be getting ready to pound on that worthless friend of yours?" The boy had a scared looking face while holding the light post for dear life. Ryoga stared intently trying to make sure the girl was talking to him before he could ask her for a favor.
"Excuse me Miss. . .I seem to be lost . . .Somewhere . . .And for some strange reason I go places I don't intend to." The teenager hugged the post desperately trying to make his point stand out. "I wish I could walk in your restaurant, but if I let go I might end up far away."
The girl rolled her eyes, walking at his side and grabbing him by his arm. "C'mon sugar . . .I'll help you this once, but the day is about to start and Sunday is one of the busiest times around here for me." Both walked in and Ukyo sat him on a table on the far back, just to be sure he wouldn't get lost.
The boy saw how the girl skillfully handled customer after customer while cooking and serving the food. She, on the other hand, looked how the boy stared dumbly at her moves making her nervous at the same time. The rush of the morning gave a few minutes to breathe, so the girl sat on the same table sharing a big platter with the boy.
"Here Ryoga. . .You look hungry, were you out all night or something?" The bandanna boy accepted the meal, working fast on it while hitting his chest every now and than hoping not to choke by the speed. "I don't know . . .If I don't focus enough I tend to forget what I was doing last. . ." He kept ravaging the platter without any regard for his host.
"Wow . . . You must've hit your head or something . . .Either that or that jackass pounded you good." Ryoga stopped eating, changing his interest to her eyes . . .Studying them carefully. "Your eyes. . .They look . . .Sad. . .Sad and tired. You are not like "her" are you?"
The chef blushed looking away from the painful remark and again back at him, uncertain of his health. "You really forgot everything didn't you? . . .I wish I could be like you sugar. . .I lost him to that brute. . .After training hard all my life for him. . .Saved myself from any girl stuff or boys just for him and what do I get? . . .A kick on my rear and a "Let's stay friends Ucchan." invitation . . ."
The girl cleaned her eyes from any tear induced by that jerk, standing next and posing before the boy. "But that's the past . . .I will fight for the things I love and I will survive this no matter what . . ." The boy smiled, sharing the same enthusiasm with her.
"Your right . . .I must fight for my love . . .I need to find that redheaded girl and tell her how much I love her. . .I need to tell her I can't live without her . . ." The young man stood up, running exactly in the opposite side he came from and away from Nerima.
Ukyo blinked even more and lastly, furrowed her eye brows angry at the only culprit of his bad luck. "Damn Ranma . . .Not only he flirted with me, but to use "her" to seduce him and then toss him out like a doll. . .Oh, he is going to hear me whether he likes it or not . . ."
This day proved to be one of those times when the chef decided certain matters were more important than work. She closed the restaurant, left the place well lit and mustered all the courage in her to confront the boy.
That same afternoon, a tired Ranma and Akane rested on the house's entrance when a knock alerted them from a guest. The pigtailed boy ran hoping it would be Ryoga, but the only thing he saw was a giant spatula impacting on his face and sending him all the way back to where he was.
"Ranma!" Akane walked angry at the girl ready for the fight only to be pushed aside with a flour bomb. "Stay out of this Akane . . .This is between that jackass and me." Ranma stood up, looking at the girl seriously and not moving from the same spot.
"I ain't one to fight girls Ucchan . . .But if you want I can always change . . ." The spatula came out again, this time shaking from the girl's trembling hands. "I know I don't hold a candle against you Ran-Chan. . .Either in boy or girl form, but this isn't about me. . .This time you went too far and that hurts me just the same."
The boy waited for an explanation while clearing the dust from his fiancée. "What are you talkin' about Ucchan . . .I haven't done . . ." That's what hit him hard and to the point, leaving the Tendo girl and joining his ex. " You saw him didn' you? . . .Tell me! . . .Where is Ryoga."
When his name was mentioned, Akane reacted, walking close to the other teens. "I met him all right. . .And I must say. . .From those times faking being his girlfriend or fiancee, I think you finally broke him . . ." The girl plummeted on the ground mixing the feeling from her loss and the lost boy's demeanor.
"His eyes . . .He was completely empty . . Nothing to call who he was or what kind of friends waited in this run down town. . ." Ukyo stared with new resolve at the boy hoping to make the desired effect. "But when I mentioned him "that redheaded girl" his eyes came alive. . .Happy to adore her and fall at her feet obediently. . .Oh Ran-Chan . . .What did you tease him about this time?"
The boy's flushing face wanted to run into the city and find him. . .Explain him how everything was right if he could remember how to separate him. "Ucchan . . .It's not what you think . . .I'll tell you everythin' and than you can judge me."
The story went on for some time making her gape, gasp and sometimes sigh in romantic bliss. Those were the times Ranma didn't understand women though. "Stop sighing like that! . . .He kissed me but it wasn't a big deal . . ."
Ukyo and Akane looked at each other while giggling at the pigtailed nervous wreck. "Well Ran-Chan. . .If you ask me, I think you not only liked it . . .I think you enjoyed it so much you feel guilty we know about it."
Ranma fumed but deep down a speck from that statement rang true. He closed his eyes and moved, facing the opposite side. "Well . . .What if I did. . . You should've seen him an' that kiss felt . . ." His face turned even redder when he noticed what was said out loud, turning around and staring at the girls.
" Guys? . . .Am I a pervert? . . ." They looked at each other again and shook their heads while smiling at his confusion. "Sugar. . .At some point I always thought you tried too hard to tease him, guess you fell for the same trap too. . ." The chef told them how he left in a dash after hearing about Ranko and getting himself lost in the city again.
A reserved look on the Tendo girl made Ukyo wonder about her own problem. "What is it with you sugar? . . .Looks like you are as distressed if not more than Ran-Chan." The girl tried to act smug and careless but failed in doing so.
"He . . .He is P-Chan . . .Somehow I knew it, but I refused to accept it . . .After all, he is so polite and kind, I never thought he would stoop so low." That tingling sensation Ranma had when he protected his friend's secret came alive the moment she divulged Ryoga's mistake, prompting him to act once again on his behalf.
"Don' blame him. . .He tried to tell you but you know him. . .All nerves an' brawn with no guts. . ." The girl frowned dejecting his description back at him. "Yes . . .Like you are so brave to tell me or any of your "girls" how things are. . ." The rushing need to keep quiet drowned the pigtailed boy with such force, his lips found refuge inside his mouth.
Ranma decided to stay quiet from that moment on. The three teenagers agreed on a truce, putting aside their differences for the sake of the even more lost boy. There was one positive comment from the Tendo girl though. . .Just before they went on the search.
"He'll be back . . .He has to . . .The bead should light and lead him back to you, right Ranma. . .?" The pigtailed boy's eyes brimmed with hope, smiling thankfully at her fiancée for her understanding. "Thanks 'kane . . . Yes . . .He'll be back to me . . ."
The last comment went by the youngest Tendo and her big-mouthed boyfriend without a hitch, but Ukyo managed to recognize something in there. No any guy will say "he'll come back to me" without meaning something personal . . .Despite his feelings for the girl and his curse.
"Well . . .Seems Ran-chan is as lost as ever . . .I need to make sure I can keep him. Akane might have him now, but Ryoga's distraction can be of help in the end." The chef decided to start her search while Ranma and Akane looked on their own when she realized the girl was slipping away from his lover's radar.
Fear reigned in the boy's eyes when he passed by desserts and mountains like if he were flying. The speed in which he walked and the different locales made him feel disoriented after seeing many towns, cities and villages.
Somehow he felt like walking the earth after staring at glaciers and lions alike during his journey and yet, he saw the same people with the same factions walking by him . . .Looking at him like a misplaced object. Most of them knew of the boy but the young teen never saw the big sign when crossing the place back into civilization. "Welcome to Hokkaido's national zoo."
Back in the city, strange sounds clashed with the lion's roars and bickering of the exotic birds. The gunshots, screaming and men fighting over purses made the lost boy understand why he wanted to run into the wilderness.
There was one specific scream that late in the night. The scream felt familiar somehow, prompting his legs to move faster at the place. When he arrived, a group of men had cornered a beautiful girl with long, black hair demanding her money and calling strange names at her.
"Damn pervert! . . .We know who you really are an' we are not impressed. . .If a girl is what you want to be, all you needed was to come a few blocks down from here." The taller man grabbed her by the wrists, perching them against the wall forcibly while the other pulled her dress and intimate clothing away.
Ryoga saw nothing else but red. . .They never learn do they? Was his thought when he walked near the aggressors. "You need to leave that girl alone, or you'll leave this place in a stretcher. . .Make your choice." The other three men laughed at the victim's savor, savoring an easy beating to calm their euphoria.
"Boy . . .You should've stay out of this. "He" ain't like you or me an' most certainly is not a real girl . . .Leave an' I'll pretend we didn' hear a thing. . ." Ryoga didn't move from where he stood. He just reached out for the tough guy's arm to stop him, making the man turn around enraged by his heroics and ready to plaster him against the wall.
"Fine, have it your way . . ." The muscle bound man threw a punch with everything he had behind it. The boy did not even flinch or protected himself from the attack. Ryoga just bowed slightly until the fist hit at full force against his forehead.
The sound of broken knuckles made the rest stare in awe. The man lain on the floor cried in pain while the boy stared at the rest, beginning to walk on their direction. "I will give you one more chance . . .Leave her or else."
The tall man let go of the naked girl, walking backwards with his hands up and the other two picking up their friend from the ground. Ryoga walked near the trembling girl after making sure the captors had fled, lifting her up bridal style and walking away from the deserted alley.
The girl looked at her naked body, covering it in the best way she could with one hand, and pointing at the boy's direction with the other. A few minutes later, the girl couldn't believe the young man walked several miles like if it was nothing to the outskirts of the city and into a tiny suburban complex.
The place looked decent enough when old people and couples would walk by on the park and nearby recreational places. The ashamed damsel shook her trembling finger at the right door while the boy looked at the beautiful dark hair waving by their movement. "P-Please . . .Right here is my apartment. . .Third floor, number two-zero-three." Kept repeating him like if she was still under the effects of the assault. The boy saw how she had nothing on her and she felt ashamed not by the lack of clothing but from the missing purse.
Ryoga shrugged, taking her word as her bond and simply pushing a finger through the door knob. The door opened and he entered, leaving the girl on a couch. He closed his eyes and sat on the opposite side from her. "I'm sorry . . .I could look for something to cover you but my sense of direction is really bad. . .I could get lost too easily."
The girl accepted the answer and the logic from an innocent teenager lost in the city at those hours. "I-It's fine . . .My name is S-Saeya . . .Saeya Tanaka. I live here for now, but I plan to move soon because of personal matters. . .Please, let me change and bring you some food and tea . . .Don't move Ok?"
She stopped for a second when the teenager bowed respectfully and told her he was Ryoga Hibiki. She stared at him and at the odd way in which he stared at the wall and the furniture, forgetting for a moment what she was suppose to do before. Sudden realization snapped her back into reality.
The dark haired girl rushed into the next bedroom, changing into a more decent dress and walking into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Ryoga heard sounds of dishes making him wonder about his girl and the possible way to know her location.
"A-Are you from here at all?" The girl walked in with a tray, setting it on the table and smiling happily at her savor. Ryoga stared at her eyes searching for something . . .Something hidden beneath her face and demeanor.
"Your eyes . . .They are like "hers" . . .Are you a boy who changes into a girl?" Saeya began to tremble again in fear. This time the thought of being beaten by a boy with his strength made her quiver in the couch, filling her eyes with tears at the same time.
The fanged boy blushed and looked away ashamed by something he might have said wrong. "I-I'm sorry Miss! . . .I didn't mean anything by it . . .I swear. You see. . .I have a soul mate and this girl I love changes from a boy to her . . .I meant no disrespect for you . . .Please don't fear me. . ."
The girl stopped shaking after his explanation, deducing he had a girlfriend who shared the same dilemma. "I-I see . . .That's why you saved me . . .I remind you of her . . ." The boy nodded and slowly opened his eyes, hoping everything would be Ok.
"Yes . . .I lost her a few days ago and I don't know where to find her . . I love her so much . . .I would do anything for her you know?" The dark haired girl smiled and nodded seeing his desire to meet her again. "And tell me . . .How did she change into a girl?"
Ryoga shrugged completely unaware of such information. "S-Sorry . . .I can't remember how can he become my beautiful girl . . .I can only know it's her by looking into his eyes when he is a male." That part she could not understand fully. Saeya tilted her head confused and threaded lightly on her next question.
"You mean she is still a boy . . .Perhaps a cross-dresser?" The boy frowned awkwardly trying to decipher the term when he applied it to Ranma. "Well . . .No, he is a boy but when cold water touches his body, he changes into my beautiful girl. . .Well . . .How did I know that?" Finished, satisfied by his explanation but lost by the sudden memory.
Saeya had no idea if that was even possible, but judging by all the ancient stories from her old village she believed it could happen. The guest sat attentively waiting for her turn to explain her own transformation. The girl cleared her throat and began her story.
"Well you see. . .I long time ago, when I was a little boy I found certain attraction for other . . .Ahem . . ."Boys" . . .In the beginning I was branded as an outcast, forced to flee my home and those who took care of me declared ever knowing me."
"I came to this city three years ago and at that time I met many good friends who shared the same "problem" . . .In the next days they presented me with a doctor who told me of a way to change my gender. I took some time, evaluated my options and I went for it."
"That was two and a half years ago and I don't feel any regret by doing so. . ." Finished the girl satisfied by her explanation. Ryoga nodded every now and then, taking every bit of information carefully and fighting the urge to ask her the main reason, until he couldn't wait anymore.
"But . . .You are a girl permanently, aren't you?" The young teenager blush crept on her, hoping the boy wouldn't go into personal matters. "Y-Yes . . .I am a full and complete female girl. . ." Ryoga became agitated and changed into a more serious attitude.
"Then. . .Why would you be so late at night on the street? . . .Can't you see pretty girls are easy pray for stupid men looking nothing but to satisfy their idiotic instincts?" His hard breathing told her he really was upset by her actions, making the girl tremble and bow before him.
"S-Sorry . . .I am sorry . . .Like I said, no one respects me or even talks to me here, but the city is too dangerous. I went to ask for a job around the commercial district and those thugs pulled me into the alley . . .I swear I wasn't trying anything wrong or perverted . . ."
Her tears made the fanged boy soften from his shouts and he walked at her side, rubbing her back calmly. "Sorry . . .I don't know what came over me . . .I think this day was too tense for the both of us. . .C-Can I rest here tonight? I swear I'll leave in the morning."
The girl accepted happily, pulling a bedroll, leaving quietly to her room. At about two in the morning the urge to see if the boy was still in the apartment and to check on the broken door, made her go and look for her guest. When she walked in the living room, a loud snoring young teen rumbled the furniture with the sounds of tiredness.
The surprised girl walked even closer to see a boy completely out of it resting peacefully on the floor. The irresistible need to be close to him made her swallow hard and move to where their faces almost met. Out of no where, the girl saw how his arm moved up, leaving a gap between him and the blankets.
It was now or never. Saeya laid down right next to him and his arm rested once again, hugging her gently. She stared afraid until his eyelids opened and his brown orbs gazed back at her nervous move. "If this is Ok with you . . . It would be my honor to share the bed."
The girl smiled and assented her head a bit edgy from the experience. "O-Ok. . .I know who you love, and I wouldn't mind a friendly companion at my side. . ." Ryoga agreed bringing the girl closer into his embrace. Many years passed before two young ones could feel the closeness of another human being this way so the touching was respectful but very appreciated for the couple.
Morning came with people talking and waving their goodbyes outside the apartment. Saeya contemplated a life with someone like Ryoga at her side making her feel at ease and empowered to fight for her change in life.
Ryoga played with her hair studying every strain of it, how shiny and soft it actually felt at his touch. "Do you treat it or is it like this?" The girl giggled while running her fingers by his strong jaw. "I've always had this kind of hair. Like I said, I felt this way since I was little . . .Maybe four or five, and since then I have never cut it . . ." Her blush came when a simple, honest question popped in her head. "D-Do you like it?" The boy kept running his fingers along side, mesmerized by the silky sensation.
"Yes . . .It feels incredible . . ." She definitely could live with someone like him forever, but she had to be realistic. "Ryoga-Kun . . .Could you stay with me until you find your girl? . . .I promise I'll respect your privacy and never try to substitute her in any way . . .I . . .I."
The calmed manner in him made her stop repentantly when he rested a finger on her lips to politely shut her up. "Shush . . .You are my friend, well the only friend I know in this world and if I leave even for a day, I'm sure I'll forget you . . .I don't want to forget you . . .I want to stay with you . . ."
They fixed the place, Saeya gave him a few instructions about the small apartment and he agreed to only go out when she was present. During the day, he would rest on the same couch holding her on his arms, than, she'd be gone to get groceries and what they needed for the daily living.
Although the girl managed to save some money before going to look for work, the savings began to dwindle, giving her a new reason to find another income for the two of them. Ryoga smiled happily when he offered her a tiny piece of paper rolled inside his belt.
At first it looked like nothing important until he unrolled it, noticing it was a ten thousand yen bill probably saved for an occasion such as this one. Saeya refused, but in the end it helped pay for the door and some forgotten bills in the apartment.
Several weeks passed making their bond a lot stronger and getting used to their new partnership. Saeya and Ryoga walked by the park in that specific afternoon when an old couple joined them. The girl felt a serious attack and even a degrading comment towards the "nature" of their relationship like many other "normal" citizens would do so in the past, but it didn't pan out that way.
"Young one . . .We seem to be a bit in a bind at home. . .My wife and I live on our own and the place sure needs some repairs. I don't mean to come up too forward but I was wondering if you two could give us a hand and we'll be happy to pay you modestly for the effort."
Ryoga agreed instantly, but Saeya felt reserved by other's treatments in her life, forcing her to hide behind the boy. The old man felt how the shy girl rejected the request, accepting maybe he was too forward. "I'm sorry little one . . .I didn't . . ."
"We'll help! . . .It will be an honor to work on your house, but she has been alone in this city for some time and I get lost too easily. . .Would that still matter?" The old man saw the honesty on the young man refreshing, bowing respectfully before him and using his hand to mark the way.
"Please, come this way. . .I have many friends in need of strong hands and someone willing to help on the kitchen . . .I promise, we will compensate your efforts the best way we can." The boy and girl bowed back and walked to the street where a long, black car arrived and another man opened their side of the vehicle.
Upon arriving to the place, they realized it was enormous. A building with several old couples walking from one side to the next and nurses administrating medicine to the weakest ones. "Here we are. . .My name is Ben . . .Koichi Ben and this is my wife Izumi. We are this retirement home owners, and customers as well."
The man took them to an even bigger apartment adjacent from the building where Saeya set some boxes and then, tied a cord around the fanged boy's waist. "Well . . .To use such drastic measures you sure must be getting lost rather easy sonny . . ."
"You have no idea Sir. . ." The girl lead him to where the moving truck was parked and he opened the back metallic curtain, showing a few pieces of furniture and lots of boxes. Some of the old people tried to give him a hand but Ryoga pretty much lifted the whole thing in two rides, leaving many astonished by his strength.
Luck seemed to work on their favor from now on and what was even better, Ryoga was about to learn a new lesson in life. That afternoon, the girl cooked the meal of the day on the industrial sized kitchen while the boy peeled potatoes besides her.
Everything looked just like another day except this time, the long haired girl began to tremble uncontrollably for no apparent reason. "Saeya-Chan! . . .What is it . . .?" The fanged cook traced the line of sight from the girl to a big, strong man carrying several boxes of ingredients into the kitchen from the local market. The man standing behind the ones assaulting her the other night to be more specific. Her hands shook, dropping the knife and she walked slowly back until hitting the boy's chest.
"Don't be afraid Sae-Chan, if he gets closer . . . He'll leave in pieces." The girl saw how the boy's stiffed muscles readied for the sure beating this guy was about to receive when the worker turned around and saw them.
His eyes were different this time though. The man stared at them sternly ignoring his others friends telling him they were leaving for the day. The strong guy walked near the teenagers and looked everywhere around the kitchen. Ryoga stiffed once again when the fear filled in his friend's eyes commanded him to protect her from harm. Still, the man did nothing but stand in front of them waiting for something.
Noticing no one else was in but the two teens, he slowly fell to his knees and bowed with his hands on the floor. "M-Miss . . .I'm sorry for the other night . . .I . . .I was the one who told them about you." Ryoga flared angrily at him, but managed to control himself from lunging and beat his brains out.
"Why . . .Why would you tell them anything like that? . . .My friend has done nothing to deserve such treatment." Saeya thanked him deeply with her eyes and a few tears running down her cheek, but the question at hand was still unanswered, so she cleaned her tears and waited for his side.
"I . . .I used some kind of drug they had. . .I swear, it blurted out of me against my will. . .All I wanted was to meet her and treat her to a restaurant, but I couldn't control myself . . .I'm really sorry. . .I know you don't believe me but that is the honest true. . .I don't care what people think of me if they see me like this, but I had to say it. . ."
The man stood up beginning to walk towards the door. Saeya frowned at the declaration with doubt knowing how easy lies can pass for truths in her experience, so she wanted to be sure of his real intentions. "S-So you know. . .Y-You know I'm not really a girl. . .Why would you want to ask me that then?" The man stopped, turned around one more time and his eyes told Ryoga he poured his soul on the next sentence.
"Because I admire your valor, and I really like you. . .I don't care for that. . .I just think someone must be really strong if she gets to change into another gender. . .I humbly respect you. . ." When he restarted his walk, the next comment made him cry in shame.
"Tomorrow at seven. . .Be sharp . . ." He saw an even bigger blush on the girl which was staring away from the man. He smiled and bowed thanking her for the chance. Ryoga felt something missing in his life that she found by sheer luck in hers. Another memory filtered in his mind about a redheaded girl teasing him as his fiancee and taking him in dates. He felt the crushing of his heart but hid it from the girl after a new page turned in her chaotic life.
"I'm glad you forgave him. . .But . . .What will I do when you leave tomorrow? . . ." The girl laughed and nudged him on the head, making him go back to the potatoes. "Oh . . .You are my chaperon of course . . .A girl must have one in this city doesn't she?"
The next day proved so exciting for both of the boys. Saeya looked radiant and the fanged boy very uncomfortable with a very stunning tuxedo, belonging to old Ben. They walked out when a tall man in a black suit arrived walking to the building. He wanted to arrive in a limousine but a working man from a city isn't exactly a rich man.
"S-Sorry Miss . . .I'm still trying to meet ends, but I'll do the best to show you a good time." Ryoga walked with her and released her hand, letting the man accept it. "Thanks man. . .By the way . . .I'm Ikku, Atoshi Ikku."
"Nice to meet you Ikku-san . . .I'm terrible sorry but I'm cha . . .I'm chap . . ." The boy blinked, amazed at his hurting head, and stumbling weakly before the other two. "Ryoga! . . .What happened . . .?" Ikku moved in time to hold him and avoid a fall from his dizziness attack.
When he stabilized, a wondering boy stared at the man and girl. "I-I'm sorry . . .What was I doing?" The girl sighed relieved and Ikku rested from the incident. "You scared me man . . .I thought you were going to fall unconscious." The younger boy tilted his head, frowning at them with interest. His eyes shifted once again. . .This time neither the girl or Ryoga realized how delicate the sudden ailment changed the tides in their friendship.
"I'm so sorry . . .Do I know you?. . ." The girl rushed in and grabbed both sides of his face making him blush from a pretty girl's touch. "Look at me Ryoga . . .Who . . .Am . . .I . . .?" The boy stared and squinted his eyes trying to recognize her, but he draw a blank, shrugging his shoulder instead.
"Sorry . . .I have no idea Miss. . ." Saeya trembled at the idea of his illness, she slowly walked backwards until meeting the other man's strong arms. . ." Saeya-Chan . . .What do you want me to do? . . .Should I cancel the date?" She was told this would happen the first time they met, but she never thought it would actually be true. . .This time, she understood the hell that is to forget your loved ones completely.
The girl nodded distressed by her friend, begging him to take them to see a doctor she knew for some time. After they arrived to the clinic, the girl announced an emergency to the local medic who attended her gender change operation.
"Miss Inno! . . .Please help my friend . . ." The doctor accepted them in the room and proceeded to examine the boy. In those days, computer data were still in its infancy, but the woman had extended relations with other medical attendants all over Japan.
"Saeya-Chan . . .I can't find anything wrong with him, but I contacted a friend of mine who has all the connections with hospitals and specialty clinics in the country . . .I gave her his name and she is correlating it on the data banks."
"Why don't you rest and I'll let you know what happened . . ." The girl accepted her offer, walking with Ikku and bowing ashamed for the change in plans. "I'm sorry Ikku-san . . .I ruined your date . . ." The girl looked down, sad at her attitude and her friend's well being.
The man grabbed her chin and pulled it tenderly up, until their eyes met. "Sae-Chan . . .This is the greatest night of my life. I found you . . .You forgave me. . .I told you how deep I fell for you and I wasn't rejected. . . There can't be any better night than this in my existence."
The girl gaped at what he said despite the past, she could feel it was true. "Y-You mean . . .You don't care?" The man chuckled, never missing her eyes and closing in until kissing her with passion. The kiss was so intimate and cared for, leaving the girl starry-eyed.
"Well . . .T-That was amazing! . . ." The man laughed and found her jovial candor refreshing. "Thanks Sae . . .I will never forget this second chance." They hugged and waited for the information. An hour later, a sad Miss Inno joined them on the waiting room.
The girl felt the bad news looming over her happy streak, hoping it could be nothing but accepting the worse was coming. "I'm afraid is bad Sae-Chan. . .Ryoga Hibiki was found near dead on a bar in Nerima bay. The boy protected a redheaded girl who was about to be sexually assaulted by others."
"He managed to escape with her, hiding the girl away from the attackers, and confronting about twenty five men armed with steel pipes and wooden bats. The good news is that he is alive since the doctors believed he would never wake up from a deep coma." In that moment the doctor's expression moved to the bad part from the boy's heroics.
"He managed to survive by sheer will, but all the punishment on his brain damaged him terribly. . ." The woman stopped for a moment seeing how the girl had trouble breathing and was held by the young man. When she took hold of herself, Saeya nodded for her to continue.
"Saeya . . .His diagnostic is daunting to say the least. His amnesia is permanent and only the cognitive side is undamaged, in other words, he knows the basic bits of memory like to write, read and talk . . .That kind of brain activity."
"The other type has been completely obliterated. I'm afraid he will forget anything he experienced prior to the last mental stroke to the new one. . .I .. . .Don't know how he even lives, and to be honest . . .One of those strokes can kill him where he stands."
The girl fell to the floor crying and trying to find a way to help him, but there was nothing she could do. The boy saw her fall and promptly ran at her aid. "Miss . . .Are you Ok?" The girl saw him and her tears fell freely from the empty eyes on the boy.
"Let's go Sae-Chan . . .Ryoga, grab my shoulder. . .We are leaving back home . . ." From that moment on, Ikku took command as leader of the new family. Saeya contemplated how the responsiveness on the fanged boy turned from staring at the wall to search "something" in her eyes. His empty movements jumped mechanically when she needed help on something or the old couples asked him a favor, but the young man she knew in the beginning was lost forever.
On Nerima ward, the Tendo family sat on the living room concerned with someone dear to them and regarded as a son or a brother. Akane walked from side to side making the stress on the rest of her sisters and Ranma a living hell.
The tip top sound of her feet dragging through the carpet ran constantly on the pigtailed boy until he slapped the top surface on the table with force. Everyone stared at him, but this time there wasn't a sorry or an apology.
His eyes were red from the lack of sleep and the tired runs around town and neighboring places with no success to find him. "Ranma . . .I'm sorry but he is all alone and . . ." The boy stopped her continuing rant with his stare alone, only to calm down and apologize with the same blue orbs.
"I know Akane . . .I know . . .An' the worse part is my fault in all this. . .I wish I could only see him an' tell him how sorry I am . . ." When he finished, a ring sound made the oldest Tendo pick the phone and nod uncontrollably.
"Yes. . .Oh dear . . .Of course dr.. Tofu . . .No, that is the phone, not a hotdog . . .yes, please tell me . . .Oh . . .Ok, well thanks for calling . . .Yes, have a good evening too." The teens rolled their eyes knowing how Ono gets when talking to Kasumi but waited wondering about the message.
The girl walked to where the family was and sat comfortably on a chair. "Tell me again Ranma-kun what were you planning to do if you see Ryoga-kun again?" The boy smiled knowing well she knew something about him. Still, he played along.
"I want to tell him I want to be at his side. That Akane an' I are engaged but my female counterpart is ready to welcome him home. . .An' that I'm sorry for all the hell I made him go through." The boy tugged a bigger smile waiting for her turn.
"Good Ranma-kun . . .That was Dr. Tofu. He has a female friend in Hokkaido who happens to treat a boy with severe amnesia. . .his name is. . ." She couldn't even finish when Akane and Ranma jumped and screamed at the same time. "Ryoga!"
Nabiki stared mostly at her sister this time around. "Akane. . .I thought you hated his guts for being P-Chan and all that. . ." The girl felt ashamed for what Ranma told her and blushed at the complicated life he had.
"Ranma explained me everything. . .Even how much he loves me and that made the difference. . .He might have some explaining to do whenever he intentionally grabbed my chest, but that can wait." The pigtailed boy opened his mouth but Nabiki promptly closed it.
"Saotome-kun . . .Don't even go there . . .A rash comment could cost you dearly tonight . . ." The boy agreed and he stayed quiet afterwards. "Well . . .Nee-Chan . . .What can we do?" The oldest Tendo gave them directions for the place and sent them to Dr. Tofu's clinic where he gave them tickets directly to a city on Hokkaido.
Back on the retirement building, old couples alike were thrilled by the lively atmosphere where a boy, a girl and a man worked tirelessly to keep the place standing. The roof was fixed so fast, the leaks stopped and the insulation gave a warm ambiance to the place.
At night, Ikku would sit near Saeya sharing tea and observing the deteriorated health on the fanged boy. Ryoga kept helping the most, but when there was nothing else to do, the boy would just sit on a chair and stare at the wall, as if looking for someone.
"Ikku-kun . . .What can I do . . .He is so, alone. . .I wish I could contact that girl . . ." The man cuddled even closer and kept the girl from falling into a depression. "Don't worry Sae . . .Dr. Inno told us about a doctor in Nerima ward who recognized his name. . .Soon they'll be here . . .Have some faith."
Ryoga felt different that night. He stood up and began to walk towards the entrance. "Ryoga-kun . . .What is it . . .?" The boy paced from side to side, feeling the urge to go somewhere. "Miss . . .I don't know why I am here, but I need to leave . . ."she" calls my name . . .I can feel it . . ."
The girl smiled tenderly, kissed him on the cheek and opened the door from side to side. Ryoga smiled and bowed before her. "Thanks . . .I hope we'll meet again soon . . ." Not two seconds passed when the lost boy vanished from Hokkaido that night.
In the train, a pigtailed boy kept dosing off, mumbling incoherent words to no one. Akane saw that as a sign of worry, covering him with a blanket and staying up in case of an emergency. The mumbles became understandable and he began to wrestle with the position he was in.
"Ryo . . .R-Ryoga. . .I need you. . .I . . .They want to use me. . .T-They want to touch me there . . .P-Please. . .Stop them. . Stop! . . ." The boy opened his eyes shaken by the vivid nightmare and staring nervously at his fiancée while tears fell from his face.
"Akane . . .I . .Didn' mean to cry . . .I . . ." The girl shushed him, going at his aid and resting on his chest. "Don't worry Ranma. . .I know what you dreamt and I know how much Ryoga means to you and to me. . .He saved the most important thing in you. . .Not the physical but the mental aspect."
He wondered how could she come to that conclusion after the panic attack he had in the nightmare minutes ago. The next explanation said it all though. "He gave everything to protect you as a friend and as his girl. Think about it. . .If he hadn't been there. . .Would those nightmares be any better?"
The boy blanched by the comment making him understand her point. "Your right, if he hadn't been on that bar, maybe I would've killed myself from that torment." The girl patted him gently. "That's right. . .Take that in your mind and fight those dreams. . .Ryoga loves you and he will always protect you. . .You don't need to be afraid of anything."
That moment marked the line where he learned to understand his change. Before, he would never accept the idea of being afraid by anything. . .His arrogance cost him more than his sanity but his friend too and all he had to offer was to accept the truth and move on.
When everything went back to normal, a fleeting thought made him jump again. "What is it . . .Another dream?" The boy felt uncomfortable in the train for some reason. "I can' stand it Akane . . .Ryoga is doin' somethin' I don' know what . . .But It's making me itchy all over. . ."
The girl tried to calm him down when the whistle announced the next stop from the bay to Sapporo city. The young couple had no luggage to carry so they hurried to a taxi and drove to the address written on the paper. Thirty minutes later, the Saotomes arrived to the building which looked very well maintained from what they heard.
The old butler opened the door, announcing the boy and girl to the young couple. "Hi . . .My name is Saeya Tanaka. . .This is my boyfriend Ikku Atoshi . . ." The boy and girl presented themselves and they sat, telling them about Ryoga and his "incident"
"So it "is" you . . .Please Ranma . . .Can you show me this transformation of yours?" The boy blinked at the request but accepted it in good faith. The splash of water always made her shake from the change in temperature, but the red hair and the short, busty figure sure made a big difference to the couple.
They gaped at the curse and the girl cleared her throat, preparing the next question. "Thanks Ranma-san . . .Maybe you might not see it, but I was a boy until recently. . .I underwent an operation to change my gender, but you could say I'm still very male inside."
Ranma blinked even more and his mouth hanged open for a few seconds. "But. . .But you are so cute. . ." His own words rang so loud making him blush and look away with a panicky emote. "D-Did I just call cute a guy? . . ." His blunder made him turn redder even more, forcing him to bow apologetically.
Akane rolled her eyes and smiled when Saeya giggled at the boy. "Excuse my fiancé, he likes to talk too much. . .As a matter of fact, that's the reason getting him in most troubles." The girl kept quiet for a moment until sharing a personal bit with them.
Akane decide it would be best to explain them the pigtailed boy's rescue to better understand his shared feelings. "Ranma . . .You should explain what happened in the bar . . ." The redhead changed completely and began to tell her story more seriously. The long haired girl heard everything, feeling like crying and sharing her own heroic save from the lost boy that night.
"I can't believe someone can be so incredible nice and receive all this punishment from life . . .It seems so unfair . . ." The girl held her boyfriend tightly, letting her tears make her statement. "I know what you mean. . .I . . ." He refused to say it, but this was part of his punishment as well.
"I always loved to tease him when in girl form. . .I . . .I pretended to be his girlfriend or else. . .I, uhm . .I'm sorry . . ." Saeya frowned at the last comment and Ikku felt the same way as her. "You mean. . .You played with his feelings? . . .Make him believe he was cared for and then you would laugh at him from his mistake?"
The girl's face turned red this time in ire. Ikku held her back and tried to explain the situation to the other couple. "I'm sorry Ranma-san, but for some girls. . .A boy risking his life like he did, makes them see him as on top of a pedestal, even when he has flaws. . .Believe me, I should know. . .I saw him fighting against five of us with nothing but his hands."
Ranma looked to the side ashamed at what he did to him, trying to fix everything once and for all. "Don' you think I'm ashamed for it? . . .I feel terrible. . .I wish I could keep him and let him be part of my life, but I can't . . .Can I?"
The girl talked again and this time in a sincere tone. "You should. . .He gives everything for you. . .Adores you and keeps you in high esteem. . .There is nothing more perfect than to live at your side." The girl saw at her boyfriend, hoping he wouldn't take the next comment the wrong way.
"I even felt like offering my life at his side as a substitute for you. . .Then Ikku came into my life and I didn't replaced him . . .I found him and he hanged on you . . .That's why he left. . .He told us something made you unease a few hours ago and he ran at your side."
Ranma hit his forehead with his open hand from the obvious feeling. "That's what I felt in the train. . .He must have sensed my distress during the nightmare and went looking for me . . ." Silence reigned after their conversation like a heavy load on the presents. Akane bowed before the young couple and excused herself when leaving after her boyfriend's rushed desire to leave.
"Please . . .He is worried for him, but believe me, he is trying really hard to fight for Ryoga-kun. I promise you . . .We will find him." Before doing so. Saeya rushed behind the nervous teen only to stop a few feet, regretting her deepest desire, but refusing to leave him alone.
The girl spoke to the pigtailed boy again before they left. "Ranma-san. . .Please, take care of him and protect him. . .He got worse. . .A headache made him dizzy for a few seconds, but the bad part was the after effects . . .He couldn't recognize either of us. . .The doctor said he's amnesia is permanent and worsening by the day. . ."
The girl walked close to him and grabbed him by the arm. "There is a favor I need from you . . ." They agreed to meet in the near future after Ryoga could be found and keep going with their plans. A defeated Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo traveled back to Nerima with no trace of the young fanged boy.
Ikku saw his girlfriend strangely trying to know what she told him. She smiled and shrugged at the man. "I asked him for some of that cursed water . . .I want to be a full fledged woman for you Ikku . . .Maybe have children of our own?"
The man smirked at the idea and took her back to the cozy embrace near the chimney.
This time everything looked bleak and strange. Ryoga Hibiki walked among a pack of solitary white wolves howling at the giant moon on the dark sky, the boy saw them understanding the sad song played by the mammals. He noticed how the weather changed amazingly after he turned around that mountain.
The cold began to seep and he had nothing to fight it against this time. No tent, umbrella or backpack. The boy kept walking and contemplating how beautiful the stars looked that night though. With a chuckle here and there, the teenager pointed to the vast expanse laughing at nothing.
"There! . . .And there! . . .Many redheaded pretty girls with blue eyes guarding my path. . .Oh. . .If I could just talk to you at least once more. . .Hey! . . .Your falling behind. . .Keep it up guys!" The boy saw how the pack followed him like a wandering dinner asserting their moment to attack and devour the pray of the day.
Ryoga stopped and took a deep breath, feeling a spasm coming his way, he held his head and coughed a wad of blood. "My . . .I must not need that. . ." He ignored the pain, walking aimlessly into the open space with no roads.
With his half closed eyes, he saw a beautiful redhead walking at his side in a sonny day. "There you are my love. . .Where have you been hiding all this time . . .?" The girl said something inaudible making him walk towards the beautiful red haired mirage.
Step after step took him deeper and deeper into the white abyss where temperatures became lower by the second. "I. . .I t-think this is . . .It. . .I feel s-so . . .Warm. . .I think is . . .T-Time to sleep now." The boy dropped in a thud to the snowy ground accepting his death as something that had to happen.
He tried to open his eyes again when something pulled him to safety. At first he thought of her, but the stranger looked really big, with fur all over his body and . . .Claws? The boy gaped at the bear dragging him into a near by cave only to be left for dead inside when hunters shot at the beast from afar.
"Why. . .W-Why can't I just die peacefully . . .Ugh. . .To be dragged all over the globe . . .What a bother. . ." He just laid down and closed his eyes, tired from the cold weather. "Hey! . . .We got a live one here. . .Well, half alive. . .Seems he is in the last stages from the hypothermia. . .Poor kid . . .To die so young. . .Bring him in. . .we at least can give him a decent burial."
In Nerima, the place ran ominously with pale faces and concerned looks from the powerful residents. Ukyo, Shampoo and the Tendo's drank hot tea after an exhausting search far and wide all over the place from Hokkaido and nearby towns.
"Ran-Chan. . .I don't think we could find him anywhere here. . .I hate to say it, but. . ." The boy growled at the answer he didn't want to ever hear. "Fine. . .If that's the way to play it. . .I'll go ahead and do it . . ." Akane had nothing to say but to accept any decision from him with good faith.
"Go Ranma. . .Go and find him, we'll wait here for as long as it takes." The boy went upstairs for his backpack and waved everyone goodbye. "Thanks 'kane. . .I'll sure be back sooner than later." The pigtailed teen walked out the door, leaving his family and fiancées behind.
Later was the better choice when weeks turned into months and Ranma stopped writing altogether. At first it was a daily chore to receive his letters, but than, he began to scarcely make phone calls and telegrams with news of possible sightings.
Soun had agreed to dissolve the pledge by Akane's word, but when the girl let time move forward without him, the girl saw the place as empty making her melancholic and leaving Nerima herself. A face of endearment took a last peek at the old buildings and the park near the train station when a familiar figure dragged on the pavement with sad eyes and ready to give up.
"P-Chan! . . ." The girl ran at the small piglet, lifting him on her arms carefully. "Oh P-Chan. . .Where is he . . .Where is Ryoga-kun?" The black piglet looked to the side sad, trying to let her know of their severed link. "You can't see him any more can you? . . .Well . . .How would you like to take a journey with me?"
Ukyo had given up on the boy too, but her restaurant had more success if other areas were explored, thus, her business left the place as well. The chef had always in her mind the responsibility to look for that fanged friend of hers wherever she went. . .But luck never shone at her in that point.
Nerima became the traditional district like any other where common people would walk safely away from dangerous martial artists and evil foes. Old people passed on while the teenagers turned into the proud citizens in the new Japan.
Ranma never gave up on him, even after knowing there wouldn't be a chance to find him after ten years. The now grown Ranma Saotome walked the streets proud by his prowess as a fighter and master of his art. He recognized that when on the road, is a lot easier to name your secret techniques out of boredom.
The place looked somehow familiar so the pigtailed man made it his home for the time being. The big sign said "Welcome to Niseko city . . .Population 4000" The man set his backpack down and walked to the near restaurant to try his usual move.
After splashing on a near water stream the redheaded girl walked in, announcing to the proprietor with respect her request. "Excuse me Sir. . .Is there a vacant for a waitress or a cook by any chance? . . .I happen to travel and I'm working my way to Nerima."
Of course the innocent pout and the batting eyes made the man stumble where he walked but even with her well experienced way to treat men, Ranma noticed a certain astonished look from the owner. "Y-Yes . . .Of course young lady . . .You can stay on the back with my daughters . . .Be mindful though, customers arrive quite early for the empty resorts, So be ready . . ."
The girl accepted the offer, going back for her pack and walking into a big room divided by curtains into four sections. Two of those sections were occupied with clothes and desks, while the other two remained empty.
"You can choose any of these two sides. . .Personally I prefer this one" Said the fifteen year old girl pointing at the closest to the window. "The snow is so light and powdery, it makes me so happy . . .By the way, I'm Suki . . .What's your name?"
"Hello . . .My name is Ranko . . .Ranko Saotome. . .What about your other sister . . .Where is she?" The girl giggled secretly while leading her to the patio, outside the big restaurant. "Oh, she is getting ready for our hero . . ." When Ranma peeked outside, a girl about seventeen dressed like a tomboy combed her hair into a pigtail.
"Why is she doin' that?" The little girl rolled her eyes making her look absent from the local news. "Why would you ask that? . . .You are dressed just like Asako." The teen looked at the giant attraction on those parts . . .mount Yotei, sighing after her pause. "He lives there . . .We all want to take him, but is so hard . . .!" The woman didn't know what to say so she went back and fixed her section of the room.
Asako walked in, bowing at the woman and offering her an apron. "Hi . . Is so good you came at this time. . .The winter resorts are about to open and we need all the hands we can get for the workers there. . ." The girl rushed outside to begin chopping wood.
"Don' worry . . .I'll get that . . .Go do the preparations inside." The teenager gaped when the woman took every piece of hard wood, slicing it with her bare hands like they were paper. "Y-You . . .You are like him aren't you? . . .Yes!. . .Dad!"
The girl ran excited inside to get her dad, Ranma just kept working, minding her own business. A minute later the old man walked near the redhead. "Yes Asa-Chan . . .I thought so too . . ." She stared at them wondering what were they talking about.
"Uhm . . .Is there somethin' you want to tell me?" The man moved to where she was, carefully touching her hair and moving back by the quick reaction from her. "Hey! . . .What the hell do you think your doin' . . .?" The little girl laughed at her defiant attitude, clapping her hands even more excited.
"You really are "her" . . .You are "Akage-Yurei" . . .You just got to be." Ranma blinked at the name puzzling her even more by the meaning. "Red-Ghost? . . .Why would you call me that?" The man walked her into the house and they sat for breakfast before everyone would start arriving.
"Young lady. . .About three years ago I decided to go hunting since the winter became really harsh and the resorts were closed. My daughters and I were starving so I went and found me a big Sika wild deer, the beauty didn't resisted and I had it ready when a giant white-chest moon bear appeared out of no where."
The man trembled as the story kept going forth. "The massive monster was too large for the regular species on China and somehow here in Hokkaido, still . . .He was there in all his glory ready to maul me down. I could do nothing but to close my eyes and wait my death . . .Suddenly, the giant growled angry at something."
"When he turned around, a man . . .Yes, believe it or not . . .A man had him from behind and tossed him away from me like he was a kid. . .I saw how they fought fiercely until the animal gave up and left. I thanked him and brought him here afterwards. . .My little girls have grown to like him ever since I'm afraid."
The girls blushed and smiled at each other nervously. The man took a sip of his tea and finished his tale. "When he rested and we took care of his wounds, he did nothing . . .He just stood up and mumbled "Akage-Yurei . . .Where are you . . ." . . .And left ignoring everything else."
The woman stared at the man contemplating her luck after all this time. "It can' be . . .Ryoga is lost in this place? . . .Of all the cities and towns I went by, he is living on the last place on my list. . .I need to contact the others . . ."
"Pops . . .Where can I find a phone here?" The man pointed at the closest resort a few miles away. The girl thanked him and asked permission to go and make a call. "Of course . . .If it's to save him. . .Anything dear girl . . ."
Ranma ran out and into the street following the directions when something funny called her attention. All the kids were horse-playing outside, wrestling and shoving one against the other, but the peculiar thing she laughed at were how they were dressed.
All the boys had coal smeared on their faces, making them look like they had beards while the girls would tie their hair into a pigtail. She called one of the boys asking for the reason from their painted faces to which the boy responded carelessly. "Lady . . .You need to keep up . . .Yamabushi-san wears a beard just like mine . . .He waits for his Akage-Yurei on the bowels of the mountain. . ." The kid ran back at their fight and the woman chuckled at her friend. "Wow Ryoga . . .A local hero without even knowing . . ." She waved at them, walking back to the road and to her family.