Chapter 3

After leaving the Student Council Office, Ranma and Ukyo walked back alone to her restaurant. The okonomiyaki Restaurant was closed today, so the pair were able to just sit and contemplate the recent development.

As if she was about to open up for business, Ukyo grabbed an apron, and turned on her grills. Ranma knew how Ukyo felt, he would never admit it to anyone, but he felt the same tension Ukyo felt with Tsubasa whenever Ryoga came back to town.

Tsubasa Kurenai was the kind of guy who liked to hide in the most oddest of places to pop up in front of Ukyo and declare his unwavering love for her. They had a history that spanned just as deep as himself and Ryoga when it came to a past school life. Different schools, different problems.

Without even asking, Ukyo knew what Ranma wanted. A large order of okonomiyaki with a toppling of seaweed. She began her prep, as Ranma sat at the grill table. The silence was deafening, but Ranma didn't want to interrupt his friend as she was trying to work out her tension with her cooking.

The last time they encountered Tsubasa, he wearing a girl's school uniform, and had long, brown hair. Ranma found out that Tsubasa was actually a guy later on with a fetish for crossdressing. If it was indeed a phrase he had been going through, then what changed? Other than revealing his family was now rich thanks to a dead uncle.

Finally, Ranma had had enough. "Ukyo, we should talk."

"No," she said, using duo spatula's to flip over his okonomiyaki paddy.

"Well, we should discuss it. If Tsubasa is gonna to start attending Furinkan High, you're gonna hafta deal with'em."

"I can't," she said, grabbing a plate, and setting it in front of him, sliding the okonomiyaki order on it.

Ranma just looked at it, he wasn't really hungry, he was more concerned with how Ukyo was feeling.

Looking back, she had held him tightly in the student council office as soon as Tsubasa declared his love. It was as if Uyko was looking for protection. Ukyo was normally a very strong woman, she could hold her own. But did Tsubasa Kurenai scare Ukyo that much? She said that Tsubasa was dangerous. She knew him better than anyone. If Ukyo said that then Ranma had to believe her.

He wanted to assure her that he would be there for her, but Ukyo wasn't the kind of girl who asked for help. Of course, he would be there for anything she needed, but it would be unspoken.

"I haven't seen him in months and now he pops up unannounced and looking like that?" Ukyo began to prep another okonomiyaki without Ranma yet touching the first. "Like that!"

Her arms moved less fluently than normal and she spread ingredients on the paddy with less grace, Ranma noticed. He watched her face, was it flushed? No, he realized, she was blushing. Was she was thinking of Tsubasa Kurenai? With that realization, he understood why she was so flustered right now.

"You think he's cute, don't'cha?" Ranma said.

Ukyo looked at him. "Huh?" She flipped the paddy, but it suddenly sagged and plopped to the grip folded, not flat.

She was distracted. The walk here, the moment they entered, and the silence that followed, she had been thinking about Tsubasa Kurenai, but not with horror—but with a girl's smitten. So, was Ukyo holding him in the council office not just fear, but of shock and bewilderment? Or maybe a combination of both?

"Tsubasa Kurenai is suddenly out of those girl clothes and he looks completely different. You didn't expect it."

"I have absolutely no feelings for Tsubasa Kurenai," she said defensively.

He didn't ask that. Ranma sighed heavily, leaning on his elbows near the grill. He didn't want Ukyo's okonomiyaki to go to waste, so he ate a piece, chewing it slowyly. Obviously, Tsubasa's new look caught her off guard. He knew what that was, and it was similar, if not a lighter version, of how Ryoga felt about Akane. Love at first sight.

Then why don't I feel jealous?

He didn't think of Ukyo in that way. But he would protect her from danger. Now he would have be more on his guard with Tsubasa. If Tsubasa was that over-obsessive with Ukyo, who knew what he was capable of?

He ate the rest of the okonomiyaki, and the second one Ukyo made for him, and ordered a large order for the family, putting it on the Tendo's tab, then left. With a temperature controlled carry case in hand, he'd return it to Ukyo tomorrow at school, he walked deep in thought along the canal, with it slung over his shoulder.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the flash of a yellow shirt enter a small street. He knew instantly who had returned back to town. "Hey, Ryoga! Wait up!"

Ryoga turned, as Ranma caught up to him. Ryoga was carrying a large backpack and his bamboo umbrella.

Ranma still couldn't understand how the guy could carry such a heavy thing. The guy was strong, but his martial artist skills were less than par, even with his special techniques. Repeatedly, Ranma was able to beat the guy using his own techniques against him, or a variation of one Ranma developed. And, of course, then there was Ryoga's short-fuse. A martial artist needed to stay collected, Ryoga had angry issues.

"Hey, man…back in town again, huh?"

Ryoga nodded. "Yeah, I spent a couple of weeks training in the mountains. I'm a lot stronger."

Ranma didn't rebuke, he didn't want to get into a fight. "Listen, I need to talk to ya, Ukyo's in real trouble."

The minute her name was spoken, Ryoga's expression changed and to that of major concern.

It hadn't slipped Ranma's notice that over the last little while, a spark was starting between Ryoga and Ukyo. It was very small, hardly noticeable to anyone else, but Ranma had seen it. Of course, neither Ryoga nor Ukyo would admit to it. But he kept his mouth shut and just observed them. Ryoga and Ukyo, a couple—it was interesting to wonder.

He sat Ryoga down near the canal and he told him what had gone on with Tsubasa Kurenai. Past and present.

Ryoga mused, looking outwards. "I did notice a large house on the outskirts of Nerima had been sold, and come to think of it, the person you just described is familiar. He was there. It's a very large property, ten times as big as the Kuno Estate."

"That won't make Kuno any less hospitable when he finds out," Ranma remarked. "Look, Ryoga, I need you to do me a favour. I need you to spy on Tsubasa Kurenai. From what Ukyo says, the guy is creepy grade A1."

"I'm not that kind of guy, Ranma," Ryoga said. He lifted his backpack and prepared to leave.

"C'mon, man. I just need a little favour. When I encountered him in the student council office, I got this weird vibe. He's the kinda guy who would go to any lengths to get what he wants, kinda like you."

Ryoga's eyes narrowed with disdain. "Insulting me won't get me to help you, Ranma."

Ranma sighed heavily. "Fine, I'll make it worth your while. How about I set you up on a date with Akane?"

Ryoga's backpack dropped to the ground, unsettling dirt, throwing it in every direction. It was like his arm had lost all strength, turning to a wet noodle. "A date with Akane?"

Ranma nodded, with a smile. He knew how to manipulate the guy. Of course, Akane would never agree to it, but Ryoga didn't know that. It wasn't a lie, and he'd keep his end of the bargain, but if Akane refused, well, that wouldn't be his fault. Regardless, Ryoga would still do his bidding. That's all that mattered.

Ryoga eyed him with suspicion. His picked up his pack. "Oh, c'mon, Ranma," he said, "do you take me a fool? I know your trickery. Akane would never agree to go on a date with me if you ask her."

Ranma's hopes were dashed. Ryoga had finally smarted up to his manipulation.

"And to think, you'd use me as a pawn in your plan, to use not only one girl to help another girl, but abandon all your obligations to Akane, too. You make me sick, Ranma!"

"Hey! I'm ain't abandoning no one!"

"I'll make you pay for your betrayal to Akane!"

Ryoga levelled his umbrella towards Ranma and attacked him, thrusting it out hard and fast.

Ranma had only a split second to react, twisting backwards in an 360 arch. He performed another one, before being able to kick the umbrella out of Ryoga's hand. The thing flew up into the air, twirled like a spin-wheel due to his kick arch and its weight, and then came crashing down like a lead weight.

"Hey! I'm asking for your help, man!"

"By betraying Akane!" Ryoga growled through clenched teeth. "I won't allow it!"

"It ain't like that!"

Ryoga picked up his umbrella like it was feather weight, opened it up using a flick of his arm, and then sent it flying through the air at Ranma. It spun like a spinning top in the air.

Ranma ducked, but the way Ryoga threw it, it returned back into his hand, after the sharp edges whisked within a hair of giving Ranma the trim of a lifetime. Ryoga had this uncanny ability to control its spin ratio.

Ranma knew when Ryoga was like this, thinking he was hurting Akane, and there was no reasoning with the guy. They were in closed quarters and if Ryoga kept attacking him with his umbrella, they'll be property damage, and he'd be blamed for it. If they were going to fight, he had to get Ryoga more out into the open.

"Oh, c'mon," Ranma said, "if you wanna fight, let's do it somewhere else less cramped."

"Gladly," said Ryoga, the idea brought a devilish smile to his rival's face.

Ranma fled further down to a more open space near the canal and had Ryoga chase him. He had a plan. And Ranma knew when Ryoga was the most weakest.

Jumping onto the edge of the canal wall enclosure, Ranma baited his rival to attack him. And Ryoga took it.

Ryoga jumped up onto the wall enclosure, and with a kick, Ryoga and Ranma crossed purposes. It reminded Ranma of that time they were handcuffed and neither one could get a leg up on the other. At least now, they had space.

They came in close and locked hands, their fingers clasped, and Ranma pushed against Ryoga's strength. And strangely, he found Ryoga was actually pushing him back with ease. He did say he had gotten stronger. Ranma thought that Ryoga meant technique-wise, but what if he meant physically? It certainly felt like it.

Ranma pushed back harder, gritting his teeth. He refused to yield. He used his voice as an additive to gain strength and intensity and Ryoga was pushed back. Ryoga took a step back.

Ryoga then did something unexpected. He jumped up into the air, pulled in his legs, while still grasping Ranma's hands, and thrust his legs forward quickly into Ranma chest, using the heels of his feet to smash into Ranma's chest.

Ranma let go and staggered backwards. He flailed his arms around, trying to keep balance.

Ranma looked down into the canal. If he fell in, he'd change—the Jusenkyo curse would be activated, and he'd be at a disadvantage. His plan was to force Ryoga to fight him and then push him into the canal, so he'd change into P-Chan. But Ryoga had surprised him. The guy was obviously a long stronger than the last time they fought.

"Ranma! This time, I'll beat you! And I'll avenge Akane for your despicable act of betrayal!"

Ranma flapped his arms like a bird, and then let out a deep breath of relief after finally gaining balance. He gritted his teeth. "You really need to control that angry, Ryoga! It looks like I'm gonna hafta teach ya a lesson in curtesy."

Ryoga laughed short. "Curtesy? You dare speak of curtesy after you admit to betraying your fiancee?"

Ranma clenched his fists at his sides. "You take that back, Ryoga! I ain't betraying no one! Fine, time to fight!"

Ranma unbuttoned his red shirt. It was his favourite and he didn't want it ruined. Often, when he got into a really intense fight, his clothes became the true casualty. He threw his shirt down, underneath he had a white tank top. He flexed his chest out, now less restricted. He tightened his muscles, then flexed them. He got into a defensive posture, his body turned, his arms out for anything Ryoga could throw at him. This was a battle he going to win.

"Try not to destroy the canal wall, Ryoga," Ranma said, knowing how careless Ryoga could be.

Ryoga got into a posture with his own stance and arms out. "I won't go easy on you, Ranma. I'll make you pay!"

Ranma chuckled short. "Yeah, you and what army? You've never been able to beat me in a real fight!"

"This time will be different. Nothing is going to stop me from slapping that ego of yours to next week."

Ranma clenched his teeth down, almost biting his tongue. Ryoga's threats were nothing to take lightly. He couldn't believe all this stemmed from yet another misunderstanding. He should've just let the guy keep walking.

In the distance, a small truck was approaching them. From Ranma's vantage point, it looked like a fish delivery car with an open back with a full load and boxes of packed ice. And it was coming in a bit too fast. He then looked down and noticed Ryoga's pack in the road, in its direct path. Ryoga had dropped it before jumping onto the canal wall.

"Ryoga! Get your pack out of the road. That truck is going to hit it!"

Ryoga looked back, gasped. He jumped down, but it was too late. The truck was like a bullet train. It skidded, but didn't stop, couldn't stop fast enough, and clipped Ryoga, throwing a load of fish over the guy. The ice, despite solid, was enough to change him into P-Chan. Any cold moisture did the trick.

And with another bump, a fish came flying at Ranma from out of the back of the truck, and it slapped him straight in the face, tipping him backwards, sending him splashing into the canal. He swore underwater, his words bubbling.

Ranma emerged and took a breath, looking up as the driver of the truck, who now gripped the edge of the canal wall at a low point, looking down.

"Hey, kid…Are you okay?" the man asked.

Ranma sneered, holding the frozen fish in his hand. "Are you crazy, going that fast? You could've killed someone!"

"I'm sorry," the man said, as Ranma climbed back up the canal wall. His body was changed, but obviously the driver hadn't noticed that he was a guy a moment ago. Ranma's breasts filled out his wet tank top. "I'm glad you're all right. I was on my way to make a delivery to the Cat Cafe and I'm overdue."

Ranma looked for Ryoga and found P-Chan, he was okay. But then he rolled his eyes and groaned, when cried out in distress. He picked up his shirt. The driver had run over it and marked it with black tire treads.

"Where's the other guy?" The driver got back into his vehicle, looking back. "I thought I saw two of you. Why were you on the canal wall?"

"A private affair," Ranma said. "Oh, he's around. But watch where you're going next time!"

The driver nodded, and then sped off.

Ranma sighed heavily looking at his shirt. P-Chan growled at him. "Oh, shut up! The moment has passed. And I've lost any motivation to fight. Let's get back to the Tendo Dojo, and I'll explain everything again to you, and the others."

P-Chan snorted, but agreed.

Ranma retrieved Ukyo's pack, but there was no way he could carry it and Ryoga's gear, too.

So, he entered a near by eatery, and asked for some hot water in two cups from the owner. The owner was confused, but gave it to him, anyway. Ranma left, and he and Ryoga both changed back to normal.

Ryoga dressed, picked up his stuff, and they both left for home.

To be continued...