Time to wrap this sucker up. We finish this now!

I do not own Ranma 1/2

Chapter 7

They traversed the dark passage with building excitement, the girl leading them forward eagerly while explaining what had been happening in the past months.

"Wait," Ranma asked, "you mean to tell us that he picked out all the prettiest fighting girls around, and then made you all battle on a stage every night just so they could watch?!"

"Yep, thats about it." The girl replied.

"How absurd." Mousse mused.

"But how did he keep you all here?" Ryoga asked quietly, "surely someone would have come up with an escape plan."

The girl growled a little, "we all did try, but he had very unpleasant ways of forcing us to behave."

A cry pierced the air, driving them forward. They could hear a murmur of voices, marked occasionaly by groans and curses.

"Whats happening?! Is someone hurt?" Ranma asked.

"Oh she's hurting, but not wounded if thats what you mean." The girl mentioned flipping her hair and leading them to a barred door.

"Hey everyone!" She yelled suddenly, "We're free!"

There was a cheer, and a few girls ran to the door as Ryoga pulverised the wall.

Mousse shook his head, "you realize I had the key." The longhaired man said stoicly as he kicked aside the twisted remains of iron.

"Oh."

A number of girls remained where they were in a circle, though they cheered and had smiles on their faces. The crowd parted suddenly as Shampoo strode purposefully through, her eyes fell on the boys and she grinned.

"Shampoo! I came to save you!"

"Shut up stupid Mousse, Shampoo busy." She said it sharply, but a small smile on her face showed she was pleased. "You, pig boy, come now." She grabbed the red faced Ryoga by the shirt and dragged him through the circle.

"I have a name you know!"

Ranma tried to follow, but she turned on him.

"No Airen and others stay!"

"What? Why?!"

The circle of girls closed back around them.

"Sorry boys," one pretty red haired girl chuckled, "a girl needs her privacy sometimes."

"But why does he get to go?!" Ranma demanded.

A cry of pain accentuated by a colorful stream of profanity filled the room.

"Was that Ucchan?"

Mousse looked at Ranma and shrugged, tucking his hands in his sleeves and sitting down.

Ryoga allowed himself to be dragged through the waiting girls.

"Look who I find.' Shampoo crowed triumphantly.

Akane looked up from where she sat on the ground beside Ukyo. "Ryoga! You made it, and just in time!"

"Wh...what?!" He looked down to see Ukyo breathing raggedly, eyes closed and face contorted in pain.

He fell swiftly to his knees, about to ask what was wrong when understanding dawned on him.

Her eyes flew open and deliriousely settled on him. "You...Stupid...JACKASS! What took you so long!" She struggled to raise a fist.

"I'm so sorry Ukyo! I...I didn't know!" He grabbed her hand just as she tensed up again, breathing swiftly, and groaning in anguish.

Ukyo? Ukyo!"

She continued to moan breathing heavily, and did not answer.

"Is she ok?" He asked fearfully.

Akane smiled and patted him on the back, the blonde woman by Ukyo's feet laughed. "She'll be fine, it's not easy having a baby. I should know, I have three."

"I...am not...Fine!" Ukyo gritted out gasping. She turned her gaze back to Ryoga, "You! Where were you!"

Though her gaze was all fire she clung tightly his hand.

"Umm...Texas." He said face turning beet red.

Shampoo laughed outright, Akane covered her face to hide the fact that she was giggling too.

"You weren't kidding." Chieko mumbled from her place.

Ukyo started making a choking sound. Ryoga looked at her in worry, but realized that her strange grimace was in fact from laughter.

"Texas...AAHHH!" Her laughter turned again to cries of pain.

There was a commotion from outside the circle of women.

"Where are they, I need to see them too, you can't make me wait forever!" The voice of Ranma came out loud and clear.

Akane smiled, patting Ukyo on the shoulder. "I'll go handle him, you just focus on getting that baby out."

"rrrr!" Ukyo growled.

Akane quietly rose and walked away.

"Talk to me!" Ukyo demanded suddenly.

"Wh..what?" Ryoga stuttered confused.

"Just tell me something!" She tensed up breathing quickly, "anything!"

"Uh...I umm didn't get lost at an airport."

She looked at him sharply, "no..." she gasped, "way."

He shrugged guiltily, "ok, I asked someone who worked there...and they drove me to the right spot. But, I really didn't get lost there even once."

She laughed weakly before her breath caught. Her eyes widened and she cried out.

"Ukyo!" Chieko encouraged excitedly, "You're almost there, when the next contraction starts take a deep breath and push!"

Ukyo glared at Chieko's peppy voice as she tried to catch a breath. She looked like she very badly wanted to crush someone, but didn't have the chance instead taking a deep shaky breath in, that came out in a yell.

The poor lost boy held onto her with both hands, a look of utter terror on his face.

"Do it again Ukyo!" Chieko yelled smiling.

"When..this is over... "She warned taking a few shaky breaths, "I'm...gonna..aaa!"

"Come on Ukyo! One more time and you're there!"

She yelled in anguish one last time. There was silence for a few seconds and then a small wail pierced the quiet.

"Its a girl!" Chieko yelled, and a cheer went up all around.

Ukyo lay panting and dazed. She glanced up at Ryoga who still held her hand firmly, but gazed blankly ahead at the little writhing baby.

Shampoo knelt beside Chieko and the two swiftly cleaned up the tiny squealing creature. After a moment Shampoo stood and carried the babe over, deposting her in Ryoga's arms.

"You give name now."

He stared dumbfounded at the baby for a moment before tears began flowing down his face.

"What wrong with you?" Shampoo demanded frowning, and knocking on the lost boys head.

Ukyo frowned, "Shut up Shampoo!" She croaked out weakly.

"She's so beautiful." He said finally in awe, with a huge smile.

The baby stopped wailing, wriggling a little in her fathers arms.

Ukyo struggled, trying to sit up. He wrapped a strong arm around her lifting her up, and she leaned gratefully against her old friend. He carefully placed the baby in her trembling arms.

She stared at the baby for a long time, and when she looked up the smile on her face was truly beautiful. "Look Ryoga, she's perfect!"

"Yes she is." He watched quietly for a moment, "How about Kiyomi."

"Kiyomi, why?"

"Because she is an unexpected blessing."

Ukyo smiled nodding weakly. "Kiyomi, I like it."

Shampoo hopped up. "We leave now!"

The Amazon knelt to help Ukyo up, but Ryoga pushed her politely aside.

"I've got her."

The purple haired woman flashed a smile, then ran off yelling for Ranma in her most high pitched obnoxious voice.

"I could walk." Ukyo said as Ryoga carried her down the rough mountain path. Snow was falling thickly around them, and it was very cold in spite of the blanket he had wrapped around her.

"Do you really think I would allow that?"

She detached one arm from the sleeping baby to reach up and touch his face, "but you're tired."

He laughed, "what does that make you?" He walked quietly for a moment. "Its alright, I'm actually feeling really lucky right now."

"Lucky?"

"Yes," he said smiling shyly. "I feel like, for the first time in my life, I've somehow managed to do something right...and maybe I'm not quite... alone anymore."

Ukyo smiled, "never again sugar."

He smiled wider, "Ukyo, do you..."

"Hey Ryoga! Ucchan!" Ranma rushed over Akane close behind. "Man she's so cute! And you had her in a cave! That's so cool!" He said practically bouncing as he walked along beside them.

"Try telling me again in a few weeks." Ukyo growled, "cause it was so not cool giving birth IN A CAVE!"

"Sorry Ucchan!" Ranma jumped back hands in the air. " But, she's totally cool!" He pointed at the baby.

"Yeah...she is." Ukyo said smiling proudly.

"Hey I could carry them for you a while Ryoga, you look tired."

The lost boy growled turning away from Ranma, "I'm fine!"

Akane stepped closer to look at the baby. "Oh my, she really is beautiful, look at those eyelashes, and her pretty dark hair."

"Would you like to hold her?" Ukyo offered.

"Yes!" The short haired girl beamed carefully cradling the baby close. "Oh how sweet!" There was real joy in her eyes. "I'm so happy for you both!" Even as she said the cliche phrase, they all knew that she truly meant it.

"Airen! Shampoo thank you for saving her!" The purple haired woman practically flew out of nowhere attaching herself to the pigtailed boy.

"Gah! Shampoo get offa me!" He stumbled trying to detach the happy Amazon.

Akane's eyebrow twitched, even as she protectively turned away from the commotion.

"Shampoo! Where did you go? Oh there you are my love!" Mousse hugged Ryoga around the neck.

"Do I look like Shampoo to you?" He growled, "if my hands weren't full..."

Mousse detached adjusting his cracked glasses. "Hmmm...perhaps not, excuse me."

"Shampoo I've come to save you!" The Chinese man yelled as he found another victim.

Akane sighed, then smiled handing the baby back ever so carefully. "Excuse me."

Ukyo smiled knowingly as she tucked the babe carefully back between her and Ryoga.

"RANMA!" The short haired girls gentleness vanished as she picked up a large branch and hefted it over her head running off to join the fray.

"I suppose I'd better follow them," Ryoga sighed.

"We could follow them." Ukyo said pointing at the more orderly line of others walking purposefully down the trail.

He smiled and turned.

"Are you alright?" An older woman asked from the aisle.

Ryoga started, he had nearly fallen asleep.

"Uh...yes, thankyou m'am."

"Such a tiny baby, she looks brand new!" She paused, " You look like you've been through some trouble, is there anything I can do for you?" There was only kindness in her expression.

He smiled. "Thankyou, but...we'll be alright."

She smiled. "How old?"

"Umm...a few hours."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh you poor things! Now don't you move." She bustled off.

The train sped along down the track and he watched the trees flow by outside. Ukyo stirred grimacing in pain.

"Are you ok?" He asked worriedly.

"Not really. But I will be." She smiled weakly. "She was worth it." She said as her eyes fell on the baby in Ryoga's arm, wrapped in his jacket and sleeping soundly.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner Ukyo." He said sadly as his eyes clouded over.

"It's alright sugar, you still saved me. And you showed up when I needed you most just like you always do."

He hugged her tightly.

"Don't squeeze the baby that hard, okay." She gasped.

"Oh! Sorry Ukyo!" He relaxed his arm, then looked worriedly at the baby, and sighed in relief when he saw that she was fine.

She smiled, "its good to feel loved. I kind of missed those bone crushing hugs."

He laughed. "Ukyo..."

"Oh good she's awake!" The older woman was back. "Hello honey, how are you?"

Ukyo glanced up startled, "Oh, um, I'm alright." She answered politely.

"Hmmm, really?"

Ukyo blinked in surprise, "well, considering the circumstances... I'm doing great!"

The old woman chuckled good naturedly, "I'm sorry sweetheart, I don't mean to pry. Here." She handed them a few bottles of water and some food. "You must be hungry after your ordeal."

"wh..you...thankyou very much." Ukyo managed to say.

"You're very kind m'am."

"Oh it's nothing, can I help you with anything else honey?" She asked Ukyo kindly.

"Um...actually," She blushed a little, "I could use some help getting to the restroom."

"Of course! How silly of me not to offer."

"Would you like me to carry you?" Ryoga offered worriedly.

"I'll be fine sugar." She smiled taking the older womans arm, and slowly walking down the aisle.

"Such a gentlemen, you picked well honey."

Ukyo giggled.

"I have eight children and twenty four grandchildren," the woman laughed as she slowly walked with Ukyo.

"Really?!"

She nodded smiling, "so I know just what you are feeling right now."

"I gave birth in a cave." She whispered.

"I had one on a bus!"

They both laughed.

"Thankyou." Ukyo finally said, "there aren't many people out there as kind as you."

"Oh honey," the other said sweetly, "sure there are you just have to keep your eyes open."

Ryoga waited anxiously, the baby stirred and began to make little noises. He looked down at the sweet little thing squirming around. She threw an arm out of the confines of the jacket opening and closing her fingers. Then she opened her eyes, and mouth and began to wail.

"Oh no! Don't cry!" He tried to tuck her arm back in, with no luck. He moved her carefully to an upright position. She wailed louder.

"It's ok baby!" He tried to move her again carefully, and accidentally knocked over a bottle of water.

"Oh, no! Whats going on?" Ukyo said as they neared her seat, a small crowd had gathered around.

"What is happening?!" The older woman asked.

An attendant turned around, "there's a little baby alone in this seat."

"What?!" Ukyo yelled trying to push her way forward.

"Oh miss please stop, we need to find the parents."

"She is the mother." The kind lady said.

"Oh my goodness! Why would you leave your baby alone?"

"I didn't!" She shouted back.

The crowd parted to reveal an adorable scene. The little baby was contentedly laying on the seat, opening and closing her eyes while weakly grabbing at the little black piglet next to her. The piglet was viciousely biting and snorting at anyone whose hands came too close to the little girl.

Ukyo chuckled, "of course."

"But where did your nice young man go?" The old lady asked baffled.

An attendant tried to grab the baby, and the pig turned into a biting kicking squealing whirlwind. The woman yelped backing away.

"He's right there," she said smiling.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been so kind, could I bother you to bring me some hot water." Ukyo asked the kind lady as she sat down.

"Well yes...of course, are you alright here by yourself sweetheart?"

"I'm fine, thankyou."

The black piglet instantly calmed, sitting protectively next to the baby like a watchdog, head swiveling back and forth.

"You did good sugar." She said reaching for the baby.

The tiny girl began to wail.

"There, there, you're alright." Ukyo cooed, but the baby yelled louder.

The little black piglets ears went back, and he hopped onto Ukyo's lap nudging at the baby with his head. The tiny girls hand brushed him, and she abruptly stopped crying.

Ukyo laughed, "look at that, your curse finally came in handy."

The piglet had tears in its sparkling eyes as it looked adoringly at the baby and snorted in agreement.

"Here sweety, the hot water." The womans voice startled Ukyo out of her happy trance.

"Thankyou!" Ukyo replied, then looked down, "What do you think sugar?"

"Buka."

He hopped back to his seat, and she dumped the hot water on his head.

"Hot!"

"Oh my goodness!" The older woman cried.

"Isn't he great!" Ukyo smiled giggling.

The other woman laughed, "how on earth did you do that young man?"

He smiled sheepishly adjusting his shirt. "I don't do it by choice m'am...but if you're ever in China, I recommend you never visit Jusenkyo."

"I will remember that. Now, can I do anything else for you two?"

"Oh no, you've been so helpful! Thankyou very much!" Ukyo replied beaming.

"Yes thankyou, you are very kind."

"It was my pleasure, and congratulations she's beautiful!" The good woman said before quietly walking away.

"She was so nice." Ukyo said.

The baby began to cry again.

"It's alright, I've got her this time." She smiled confidently.

The streets were silent as they ambled slowly through town, Ukyo leaning heavily against Ryoga.

"Are you sure I can't carry you?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm alright, turn here." Ukyo instructed sleepily. "Left here...no left!"

He stopped abruptly.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

He closed his eyes.

"You ok Ryoga?"

"I need to say something...and if I wait, I won't be able to."

"Well then speak sugar."

He nodded standing still, "Ukyo, I've been lost all my life...b..but I've finally found what I'm looking for. It took me a...l.. long time, and a lot of wrong turns along the way...but it was all worth it...because I finally found...y...you." His face had turned a brilliant red, and his eyes were sparkling when he finally opened them and looked into her wide blue ones. "What I'm trying to say...is l..I love you Ukyo!"

She took a sudden, sharp breath. "Really?" She whispered.

He nodded, appearing dangerously close to tears.

"You won't change your mind?" She asked quietly.

"No! Of course not!"

"What if I ran away?"

He blanched, "Then I'd chase you to the ends of the earth and crush anything in my way!"

She smiled beautifully and brushed away a tear, "Good, because I love you too, you stupid jackass! And I'll hunt you down and find you if you ever don't come back to me!"

He smiled hugely crushing her momentarily in a hug, before his face fell again.

"But how will I take care of you, I can't even find my way around a house."

"Don't worry, we'll find a way."

He began to walk again.

"Maybe I'll give up the restaurant and go back to a cart." She mused.

He stopped abruptly, "You would do that? For me?"

She smiled and answered without hesitation, "Of course I would, it might even be fun. What's wrong sugar?"

He had stopped again, and there were tears flowing freely down his cheeks. "I'm just...so...happy!"

She laughed weakly leaning in closer.

"Hey you guys!"

They both jumped.

"how did they find us already?" Ukyo wondered out loud.

"We were really worried!" Akane said sweetly catching up.

"Yeah! We thought you were lost!" Ranma exclaimed.

"Well as you can see..." Ryoga began carefully.

"You gotta come to our place!"

"Actually..." Ukyo began.

"You've been gone for months Ucchan, there's probly no water or power." Ranma interupted.

Ukyo's face dropped, "you're right."

"And I'll take you to Dr. Tofu in the morning." Akane smiled sweetly.

Ryoga and Ukyo looked at each other in defeat then shrugged.

"Alright Ranma, lead the way." The eternally lost boy finally said.

"Aiyaa! Shampoo find you airen, you no can hide!" The amazon appeared out of nowhere.

"Come back Shampoo! Where did you go?!"

Mousse appeared just as Shampoo managed to attach herself to the twitching Ranma.

"Saotome you'll pay for stealing my beautiful Shampoo!"

"Guess all that time working together doesn't count for nuthin." The pigtailed boy grumbled as all three fell in a puddle.

Kuno wandered around the corner at that moment. "Why if it isn't the beautiful pigtailed girl, and Akane Tendo! The fates are with me tonight!" He flew towards the melee.

Akane stepped aside allowing him to capture Ranma chan in an embrace. As the cat and duck fought on the sidelines. The short haired girl smirked, then turned back to her friends.

"This way."

The three walked on.

"Hey you just gonna leave me here?!" The red haired girl screamed.

"Yep."

"Yes."

"Mmhmm."

"So what was Texas like?" Akane asked.

"Hot."

Footsteps echoed down the pavement.

"Hey I can't believe you left me like that!"

"What, I thought you wanted to be there." Akane replied tartly.

"And after I just saved you!" The pigtailed girl yelled.

"Oh did you? I thought Ryoga saved us."

"Well!... Maybe he did! But you would still be stuck there if I hadn't found him! Maybe I should have left you there!"

"Maybe you should have!"

Ryoga and Ukyo walked slowly behind the bickering pair.

"Guess everything is as it should be again." Ukyo smiled.

Ryoga pulled her closer, "Yes, it is."

The baby whimpered.

"I think we might need P-chan again soon."

He laughed.

END