#1: Moments of Transition
			The Wheel of Fire, Part 1: The New Cycle 

  Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com)
  http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html
  Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And 
all that other good stuff. Proper licenses belong to respective 
properties and characters. The manga has precedence over material in 
the anime. 
  This file can be freely distributed so long as it appears in its 
complete form and proper credit. No part may be reproduced for 
monetary gain without permission from the author. (to which the answer 
is probably "no")

  Author's note: This series, aptly called 'The Wheel of Fire,' takes 
place after the final manga story, Vol.38. It sort of runs over the 
wedding fiasco story. The scene opens just after the Jusenkyo-cursed 
return from battling Saffron in Jusenkyo. The first story of Part 1: 
The New Cycle, dealing with Ranma and friends after the final manga 
story. 
  This story's kinda depressing, but it is NOT a darkfic. 

Plot Points (from previous stories)
==================================
1. The waters of Jusenkyo have mixed during a hard rain, raising the 
water levels of the springs to overflowing, meaning that the curses 
are jumbled together now. The cursed believe the Jusenkyo springs' 
curses are messed-up permanently. Of course none of them thought to 
ask the Guide about it....
2. Nodoka knows of Ranma's curse, but thinks him manly. Her idea of 
manly is pretty much Happosai.... In any case she now lives at the 
Tendo dojo after the destruction of the ancestral Saotome home at the 
hands of Shampoo, Ukyo, and Kodachi. 
3. In her mind Akane hears Ranma confess his love. That's about as 
far as it goes, anyway, as he never actually SAID it. 

------------------------------------------------
Opening: Love Seeker * Can't Stop It
(featuring the Ranma guys: Ranma, Mousse, Ryoga, Kuno)
(a hard rock, upbeat tune-- the seventh season opening)

(Ranma) The building wall is a giant screen (M,R,K) [oh yeah!] 
(Ranma) Goddess of the big city, Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! 
Smiles down, (All) so sweet (Ranma) I found you 

(Ranma) For each 100 million dreams, (M,R,K) [oh yeah!] 
  (Ranma) there's a billion chances (M,R,K) [oh yeah!] 
Is there such thing as the right path? No! No! No!  
No one knows, so (All) Don't cheat!  
(Ranma) [oh yeah!] 

In this labyrinthine city, together with you
(All) Carry on, carry on, (Ranma) as we start to run,
(M,R,K) Can't stop it! (Ranma) No way out
(M,R,K) Can't stop it! (Ranma) Forever'n'ever
(M,R,K) Can't stop it! (Ranma) It's unstoppable
How can you hold me on?
				*  *  *  *  *

  It was the week after Ranma's greatest challenge, a week after 
saving Jusenkyo from the bird people of Phoenix Mountain, a week after 
nearly losing Akane, a week since Ranma emerged triumphant, having 
defeated his greatest opponent yet, Saffron, a week since the rain 
that caused the pools of Jusenkyo to flood. 
  It was a quiet Sunday morning. It was also the morning the lives of 
many Nerimans would change forever. It was the day which Ranma and 
Akane were to be wed. 

				*  *  *  *  *

  A wedding invitation? 
  Ryoga walked alone in the quiet streets of Nerima as he unsealed the 
envelope. The Eternally Lost Boy read it over once, twice, three 
times. He sighed. Continuing to walk in silence, Ryoga thought, Akane, 
I wish you the best. 
  It wouldn't do any good to think of Akane anymore. It was the day 
Ryoga half-expected from the beginning. Sure, he thought he had a 
chance with Akane, but now....
  Thinking of Akari, Ryoga thought, I'm going on another journey, 
Akari. I'm afraid the gift I got for you expired.

  A few blocks away Ucchan's was closed, but passer-bys could hear the 
sizzle of okonomiyaki on the grill. Ukyo stood behind the grill, 
absorbed in her cooking, Konatsu being the only other occupant in the 
dining room. 
  "Ukyo-sama?" started Konatsu, "are you okay?"
  "I'm making special okonomiyaki," Ukyo replied. "Just for such an 
occasion as this." 
  "Are you sure you're all right?" Konatsu persisted, thinking back to 
the moment Ukyo read over the wedding invitation. It shocked her, to 
say the least. The repercussions were unknown to the lowly servant. 
  Ukyo lifted her head from the grill, staring out into nothing. "I 
knew this day would come." She sighed. "All there's left for me to do 
is devote myself to my cooking."
  Konatsu let a single tear slip as he turned away. Ukyo-sama is 
strong, he thought. Everything will be fine.

  The Nekohanten was also closed for the day. Shampoo busied herself 
wiping tables that didn't need cleaning. She stopped as Mousse 
approached. 
  "Shampoo," Mousse started, "I know you won't give up on Ranma 
easily, but I want you to know.... I'll always be here for you." 
  "Shampoo understand," Shampoo replied. She turned her head over her 
shoulder, smiling. "Can you help me prepare some nikuman?" [Note: 
nikuman is a sort of round dumpling/bun with beef in it; if you play 
KOF that's the thing Kensou chokes on :) ]
  Mousse burst with joy. "Oh thank you Shampoo!!" 
  If he'd been wearing his glasses, Mousse would've noticed he'd been 
hugging old Cologne. 

  Nabiki and Kasumi, both dressed in kimonos, looked on as their 
father, Soun Tendo, clutched a barrel, sporting a malicious grin. The 
side of the barrel read 'Drowned Man Water,' enough, according to the 
Jusenkyo Guide, for one. 
  The Guide sent the barrel as a gift for helping save Jusenkyo from 
the bird people of Phoenix Mountain, retrieved after the flood levels 
of the springs subsided. After all, it wasn't the first time the 
Jusenkyo springs overflowed in its long, tragic history. Had his 
honored customers listened, they would've known that the springs were 
back to normal now. 
  "Really, Daddy, did you have to hide it from Ranma?" asked Nabiki. 
  "I won't let Ranma have it until he and Akane are happily married!" 
cried Soun, his eyes flowing with tears of joy in anticipation. 
Already he envisioned the two youths happily married....
  "Is that how you persuaded Akane to marry him?" accused Nabiki, not 
the least bit surprised. 
  A hand planted on Soun's shoulder. "I'm surprised you had it in you 
to keep it to yourself, Tendo." 
  Soun looked over his shoulder, and saw his old friend, Genma 
Saotome, dressed in a tuxedo, but retaining his bandanna, covering his 
bald head as usual. 
  "Did you think I'd try to take it for myself?" asked Genma. Not 
waiting for a reply, Genma snatched the barrel in his arms, and dashed 
off. "It's mine!!!"
  At that moment one of the dojo walls burst. Ryoga popped his head 
through the new hole, shouting, "Where the hell am I this time?!"
  Mousse burst through the dojo entrance, shouting, "Ranma, Akane! 
Hurry up and get married before you change your minds!"
  Genma ran into Mousse, sending the barrel flying. Both Mousse and 
Ryoga saw the label on the barrel. 
  "Drowned Man water!" the two shouted. They scrambled after the 
flying barrel, Genma close behind. 
  Ranma, wearing a white tuxedo, burst into the dojo, Akane behind 
him, wearing a Western-style wedding dress. "What?!" Throwing a hard 
look at Akane, he shouted, "Why didn't you say something sooner?!" 
With that Ranma joined the other men in the mad dash for the barrel. 
  At least, until a nikuman and okonomiyaki flew his direction. The 
resulting explosion knocked Ranma down. 
  Shampoo, in a hugging dress, and Ukyo, in a kimono, were at the 
entrance, holding plates of nikuman and okonomiyaki respectively, 
with hard, cold expressions on their faces. 
  "Aiyaaa!" Shampoo cried. "That one was for pervert-girl!" Blast it, 
Ranma got in the way!
  Ukyo reached for another okonomiyaki on her plate, fires burning in 
her eyes. "Yeah, well there's still plenty of special okonomiyaki to 
go around!"
  Konatsu shook his head as he descended from the dojo ceiling. 
Perhaps the news hurt Ukyo-sama far more than he expected.
  Kodachi descended from her position in the rafters with the help of 
her ribbon. She wore a black wedding dress adorned with roses. She 
helped Ranma to his feet. "Ranma-sama! Speak to me!"
  Shampoo and Ukyo reached Kodachi and Ranma at that moment. 
  "Ranma belong to Shampoo, crazy-girl!" cried Shampoo. 
  "Get away from him, you impudent bitch!" spat Ukyo. 
  Kodachi dropped Ranma on the floor. "How DARE you speak to me in 
such tones, plebeians!"
  Ranma regained his senses, just as his sight caught a flash of cold 
steel. He leaped out of the way in time as Kuno's sword cut the air 
where Ranma was a moment before. 
  Kuno brandished his sword in one hand, and held a fan in the other, 
with the characters of 'reject' on it. "I, Tatewaki Kuno, never gave 
permission for this wedding!" Throwing the fan away, gripping his 
blade in two hands, he spat, "Now taste the ancestral blade of Kuno, 
cretin!"
  Ranma dodged Kuno's violent swings. "Get away from me! I've no time 
for you!" 
  "Ahhahahahahahaha!" Kuno laughed as he swung. "This very sword was 
passed for generations in our family! The blade tasted the blood of 
enemies and traitors, and now it hungers for you, Ranma Saotome!"
  Great, not only was he swinging a real sword, Ranma thought, but he 
was also spouting stupid Kuno historical crap. Kuno proceeded to list 
off the names of his great ancestors and their honors with each swing. 
  Shampoo and Ukyo discarded their explosives, and proceeded to brawl 
with Kodachi. 
  Akane confronted Nabiki, and shouted, "You sent out the invitations 
to them, didn't you?!" It wasn't supposed to be like this! 
  Nabiki produced a fat wad of yen. "Look at the bright side, Sis!"
  Kasumi commented, "My, look at all that money. It won't be a 
problem to pay for the wedding with that."  
  Meanwhile Ryoga, Genma, and Mousse fumbled with the barrel. 
  "It's mine!" shouted Genma greedily. 
  "No, it's mine!" protested Ryoga. 
  "Give it to me!" shouted Mousse. 
  The barrel was sent flying. It tipped over as it flew in the air, 
the watery contents of the barrel spilling. 
  "The water!" Ranma shouted, breaking free of Kuno's assault. 
  Happosai entered, carrying a bag filled with his treasures. He 
noticed the spilling barrel in mid-flight, and shouted, "Sake!!!" The 
water went down the old lecher's throat as the Jusenkyo-cursed men 
watched in horror. 
  Happosai smashed the barrel in anger. "It's... water!"
  The four cursed men stared. "He drank it all...."
  Genma grabbed Happosai's body as the others set to work at prying 
open his mouth. "Give back the water!"
  "Happodaikarin!!" the old lecher shouted. The explosion was 
brilliant, as it caused a chain reaction with the discarded nikuman 
and okonomiyaki. 

  Just outside the dojo the other guests arrived. Miss Hinako danced 
with joy, the thought of food foremost in her mind. Gosunkugi sobbed 
to himself, carrying a straw doll. Hiroshi and Daisuke glanced over 
their wedding invitations with skepticism. 
  "Ranma and Akane getting married?" voiced Hiroshi. 
  "Seems too good to be true...." said Daisuke. 
  The guests entered the dojo. The scene was total chaos. 
  Miss Hinako lamented, "Aaaaahhh, the wedding cake...." Sure enough, 
the table the wedding cake once rested on tipped over from the 
explosion. 
  Nabiki approached Hiroshi with an open hand. "Cash please."
  Kodachi ran all about, calling, "Ranma-sama! Where are you, my 
darling?!"
  Kuno ate Akane's foot as he said, "Akane Tendo! We'll have a 
wedding this very instant!"
  To which Akane replied, "In your dreams!" 
  Happosai clung to Akane's skirt, ever ready to fetch another prize. 
"Heeheee... my young bride...."
  Genma threw cold water on himself, and pretended to play with a 
ball. Hopefully nobody would notice.... 
  Depression built in Ryoga as he sat alone in the corner. 
  Mousse called, "Shampoo!" as he grabbed Cologne. His glasses were 
nowhere to be found. 
  Shampoo and Ukyo held Ranma in their arms. 
  "Ranma! Speak to Shampoo!"
  "Ranchan!!"
  Konatsu tried to melt in the shadows, too afraid to approach Ukyo. 
  Soun passed out from the disaster. Nodoka tried to revive him. 
  Kasumi couldn't help but say, "My, what activity we have today."

  In light of the disaster, the wedding was postponed until Ranma and 
Akane could put their affairs in order. 
  Until then, it was overtime....

				*  *  *  *  *

  It was the day after. The day after Ranma and Akane were to be 
married. The day after friends and enemies alike ruined the wedding. 
The day after the last of the water from the Spring of Drowned Man 
was lost, consumed by Happosai. It was the day after everything 
changed. It was the beginning of a new future. It was Monday. 
  Ranma and Akane walked together to school not the least bit angry 
at each other, hand-in-hand. If this were truly not love, then 
nothing was. 

  As class proceeded as usual, Ranma couldn't help but notice that 
Ukyo wasn't in school. It wasn't like Ucchan to skip school for no 
reason, he thought. Maybe she's sick? 
  Or, was she trying to avoid me? 
  Other classmates gave their condolences, for what it was worth. The 
skeptics can have their way, for now. 
  Kuno behaved as usual, announcing to all that he'd successfully 
thwarted the unwarranted marriage between Ranma and Akane. A scoundrel 
such as Ranma Saotome certainly didn't deserve Akane Tendo, he 
claimed. Ranma couldn't help but let his blood boil, but Akane stopped 
him from confronting the upperclassman, as the words were 
semi-flattering to her. 
  "Are you trying to say you agree with him?!" demanded Ranma. 
  "Of course not!" replied Akane. "It's just that... well, that 
might've been the nicest thing Kuno said about me." Which was 
definitely odd, since the most Kuno used to say about her was 
one-sided love. "He seems... different, from the usual Kuno." 
  "I didn't notice a thing," commented Ranma. 
  It was then when Kuno approached the couple. "As the days pass the 
flower that is Akane Tendo blooms unto greater beauty that all the 
goddesses of beauty would envy." To Ranma he said, "Let this serve as 
a warning, cretin, as I, Tatewaki Kuno, refuse to bestow upon you 
that which you surely do not deserve!" Kuno turned and walked away, 
back exposed. 
  Ranma wanted to sock Kuno, but Akane stopped him. "Ranma, let it 
go. Let him have his fifteen-minutes in the spotlight, for that is 
all he's going to get in his miserable life." 
  "Why?" asked Ranma. 
  "He's jealous," finished Akane, slightly amused by Kuno's behavior. 
Jealousy never got one anywhere but trouble. 

  Ryoga walked alone in the empty streets of Nerima. For the second 
day in a row, in fact. Of course planning had nothing to do with an 
extra day in Nerima, as Ryoga's lousy direction sense landed him in 
the Tendo dojo yesterday. It was when a cure for his curse was within 
his grasp, yet fell away at the same time. 
  Curse the old man, Ryoga thought. The water was in my grasp!
  It wasn't until after the explosion Ryoga realized where he was: at 
the Tendo dojo. Well, that would've explained why Ranma and the 
others were there. Of course after he absorbed his surroundings Ryoga 
realized he helped crash the wedding. Sure, he helped clean up the 
mess, but that did little to ease his guilt.
  Akane, I'm sorry about your wedding, Ryoga thought. I'm off on 
another journey to clear my mind. Ranma certainly doesn't deserve you, 
but you've made your choices. I'd kill Ranma for this, but that 
wouldn't make you happy. I wish you the best. Then Ryoga's thoughts 
drifted to Akari-- oh, how he missed her! Wait for me, Akari, I'll be 
back soon. 
  Considering this was Ryoga, that could be from a few hours to weeks. 
Soon the Eternally Lost Boy left the city limits to follow the sun's 
path across the sky. 

  Mousse watched Ranma and Akane leave the school grounds from his 
perch in a nearby tree. They weren't mad at each other, that's for 
sure. Maybe the wedding disaster drew them closer rather than farther 
apart. 
  Love was such a complicated matter. 
  One day Shampoo would have to give up on Ranma; the wedding would've 
pushed that day up, Mousse thought. The sooner Ranma married Akane, 
the sooner Mousse could have Shampoo. Well, at least, that's how it 
worked out on paper. 
  To ensure your own happiness, Mousse thought, must you allow your 
enemy happiness? 
  Of course, the timetable can be sped up if Ranma were put out of 
his miserable life. Shampoo would definitely be yours then. 
  No, that won't work. How many times have you tried to beat up Ranma, 
and how many times have you succeeded? None. Well, you never know, 
one day you might get lucky! 
  By the time Mousse finished his thoughts, the couple was long gone. 

  Ranma and Akane stood just outside Ucchan's. This was usually the 
time in which business was slow, with only the occasional customer. 
It was this time Ranma usually dropped by for a bite to eat. Of course 
that was usually on a Friday, but Ranma had to talk to his old friend. 
Now. 
  He turned to Akane. "Are you sure you want to go in? You don't have 
to, you know. This is something I have to do."
  "No, it's okay," assured Akane, visibly fighting to remain calm. 
"I need to do this too." 
  Ranma shook his head. 
  The couple walked into the familiar restaurant unceremonially. The 
dining room was empty, save for Ukyo, standing behind the grill, and 
Konatsu, sitting on a stool reading a manga. 
  "Hiya, Ranchan!" Ukyo greeted Ranma cheerily. But when Akane stepped 
inside, the cheeriness faded. "Uh, hey, Akane." 
  "You seem to be in good spirits," Akane replied, each word dripping 
with venom. A dark cloud seemed to hover over Akane; her sour-looking 
mood spread throughout the dining room like air rushing into vacuum. 
  "We just stopped by to see how you were," Ranma began, stepping in 
front of Akane. "You weren't at school today." 
  "Yeah, well, I had stuff that needed to be taken care of," answered 
Ukyo. "Sometimes my restaurant has priority over my education." 
Especially if said restaurant paid for said education. "I needed to 
supervise the suppliers this morning, so I skipped school. Those 
jackasses were supposed to be here last Saturday." 
  She leaned over the grill and whispered to Ranma, "What's wrong with 
her?" 
  "We need to talk," Ranma said flatly, ignoring Ukyo's question. You 
should know, Ranma wanted to say, but the words remained only as 
thoughts. 
  He could tell that Akane was trying her best to control her temper. 
  Ukyo set down her spatula. She gave a look to Konatsu, who set his 
manga down on the counter and left the room. This one's got to be 
about yesterday. "No hard feelings about the special okonomiyaki, 
Ranchan?" Ukyo forced a soft, nervous giggle. Well, here it was, the 
aftermath of the wedding fiasco. Now's the time to make or break, 
honey. 
  Ranma nodded. "That's not what I'm here to talk about, but if it 
makes you feel any better, no hard feelings." 
  "Thanks," replied Ukyo, who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. 
So far, so good. 
  He continued, "I don't know what you were thinking when you came to 
the wedding yesterday, or why you did what you did, but...." He 
paused, allowing the words to form in his mind. "You're still my 
friend. Let bygones be bygones. We've known each other for too long 
just to throw it all away now." Even if there was a ten-year gap 
in-between. "Not over something so relatively-insignificant as...." 
  "As your own 'wedding?'" finished Ukyo, placing light emphasis on 
the last word. Before Ranma could correct her, she continued, "Oh 
come on, Ranchan, there's no need for apologies. Everybody knows you 
were forced into it. What are friends for? I'm glad that we made it 
in time...." 
  "Ukyo," Akane said, cutting Ukyo off, "I thought WE were friends." 
  "Ah, Akane...." Ranma started, but Akane cut him off. This wasn't 
going to be pretty.... 
  Akane threw down her book bag in anger. "What the hell is the matter 
with you?! Dammit, Ukyo, Ranma may forgive you for whatever the reason 
may be, but I certainly won't!" She picked up Konatsu's manga, and 
tossed it in Ukyo's direction, missing her target completely. "I 
deserve an explanation out of you! You have the nerve to ruin my own 
wedding! What kind of a friend are you?!" 
  The words bit into Ukyo like a swarm of angry wasps. Now, that was 
rather unexpected, Ukyo told herself. Regaining her composure after 
the initial shock, Ukyo replied, "Shame on you, Akane, for forcing 
Ranchan to marry you. I was doing him a favor! We all were! I admit, 
Kuno went a little overboard, but he was just as angry as we were. 
What did you expect from holding another forced wedding? Had we more 
advance warning than when Nabiki informed us, it wouldn't have been 
this way. But you left us no choice. Like Shampoo said, it was now or 
never, so we decided on the direct approach. And from where I stood, 
we were just in time." 
  "I'm willing to let this pass," finished Ukyo. "I mean, come on, 
Akane. Why don't we just put this terrible mess behind us, and get on 
with our lives? If Ranchan can do it, and I can do it, why can't you?" 
  "I don't think so," replied Akane angrily, folding her arms. 
  "Akane, Ukyo, I think that's enough," Ranma said, standing between 
the two girls. "There's no need to fight about this...." 
  Akane pushed Ranma away, her temper flaring, and stalked around the 
grill to Ukyo. "Your behavior was the sort of thing I expected out of 
Shampoo, but you!" The youngest Tendo girl jabbed an accusing finger 
into Ukyo's gut. 
  Ukyo threw Akane's hand aside, her anger building inside. She raised 
a finger of her own, and waved it across Akane's face menacingly. 
"Don't you DARE touch me like that." 
  "You'd be really happy to hurt me, right?!" continued Akane. "That 
explosive okonomiyaki of yours was meant for me, wasn't it!? I 
expected more out of you, my FRIEND!" 
  Ukyo couldn't contain herself any longer. You asked for it, pal. 
Without warning, she confronted Akane with a hard, cold look, smashing 
her fist on the counter, barely missing the hot grill. The okonomiyaki 
chef allowed her anger to ferment foremost in her mind, allowing it to 
utterly consume her emotions. 
  Akane took an involuntary step back, terror washing over herself as 
the fires ignited in Ukyo's eyes. 
  "Ukyo...." Ranma started cautiously, but Ukyo cut him off. 
  "You... call... yourself... a friend...." Ukyo rumbled slowly, 
ominously. It was all she could do to prevent herself from breaking 
down then and there. She reached into a pocket and produced her 
wedding invitation. Ukyo held it before her, almost pressing it into 
Akane's face. "Do... you... see... this? It's an invitation... to 
your wedding...." The card shook violently in her hand. "When it came 
to me yesterday morning.... DO YOU DAMN WELL KNOW HOW I FELT ABOUT 
IT?! HUH???!!!!" 
  All control burst in Ukyo's wave of anger. Red-hot chi radiated 
from her body dangerously, threatening to consume the dining room. 
  "U...Ukyo?" Akane took another step back, shielding her eyes from 
Ukyo's brilliant, hellish aura. She had never seen Ukyo so angry 
before.... 
  Ranma shuddered at Ukyo's tone of voice. Words failed to reach his 
lips, leaving an open jaw hanging in surprise. The visage he saw of 
his old friend right now was as if he were staring at someone standing 
in the midst of Hell itself, much more intense than Akane had ever 
been before. 
  "DO YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO GET NEWS SUCH AS THIS SECOND-HAND, 
FROM YOUR MISERLY SISTER AT THAT?!" Ukyo bellowed, spitting out each 
word as if it were fire. "IF ANYTHING, AKANE, YOU BETRAYED ME!!" 
  Several deep breaths followed as Ukyo fought to regain her 
composure. Ukyo threw the invitation on the floor, the note sticking 
itself into the ground, with one side embedded into the wood, as if 
it were a metal dart. She turned her back, unwilling to show the 
tears gathering in her eyes. "I was willing to forget about this, 
but you left me no choice. I trusted you Akane, I really did! You're 
the only one I trusted to be with Ranma without pulling something 
like this. Then, you went ahead and forced Ranma to marry you. I'm 
Ranma's fiancee as well, you traitor; how dare you go behind my 
back and try to marry him without me knowing?" 
  "It wasn't supposed to be that way!" protested Akane. It was 
Nabiki's fault that any of them knew about the wedding, it was 
supposed to be a secret. When Akane's father approached her that 
morning, he explained to her that he had in his possession a cask of 
water from the Spring of Drowned Man, and he won't let Ranma have it 
until after he was married. Akane knew how much Ranma desired to be 
rid of his curse, so she agreed. She even got Ranma to agree, 
hinting at the barrel's existance just before the others attacked. 
"I went along with this all for Ranma's sake. And don't you dare 
call me a traitor, you traitor! The person I see before me right now 
isn't the Ukyo I call my friend! You self-centered, egotistical 
bitch, you didn't deserve to know!" 
  "So when would you have told me about your marriage, hmmm? Would 
you have told me, or the others, for that matter? We have the right 
to know, especially me!" 
  "Your behavior at the wedding was why! You, nor the others, 
deserved him! He's MY fiancee. I got betrothed to him first!" 
  "You yourself weren't betrothed to him specifically; I was! Have 
*I* ever tried to force Ranchan to marry me!? If anything, you're 
behaving more like Shampoo than I am! You never gave him a choice! 
I should've known, since the day you tried to pretend to be 
already married with Ranma, that you'd try to pull something like 
this! From where I stand, you got what you deserved, traitor!" 
  "Stop calling me that! He agreed to marry ME! He loves ME, not 
you, you self-deluded moron!" 
  "Oh, sure!" Ukyo shouted sarcastically. "Stop trying to justify 
yourself, you two-bit, self-rightious little bastard! I'd call you 
a liar, but I suppose that's a given! Ranma loves ME!" 
  "Ukyo, Akane, that's enough!!" Ranma boomed, his voice echoing like 
thunder in the dining room. His hands were clamped to his ears, as if 
it would help the two girls stop fighting. "Stop fighting like I'm 
some prize!" 
  Silence followed. Ukyo and Akane continued to stare each other down, 
each breathing quickly. Ranma waited until the auras of both girls 
died down a bit before speaking. 
  "What is the matter with you two?!" shouted Ranma, unable to 
comprehend the nature of the argument, unable to control his mixed 
emotions. He didn't know WHAT to think anymore. 
  Ukyo folded her arms, and turned her head away smugly. "Go ahead, 
Ranchan, tell Akane who you love!" 
  "Why don't you tell HER?!" Akane flared at Ranma, pointing at the 
okonomiyaki chef with a critical finger. 
  "Fine!" Ranma shouted back. He grabbed Ukyo by the shoulders, 
almost jerking her around. To others it would seem as if Ranma were 
going to hurt Ukyo-- the excited gaze in Ranma's eyes gave good 
reason for such an assumption. Trying to remain calm (but failing 
miserably), he announced, "Ukyo, I love Akane!" 
  "Wha...?" Ukyo seemed to stiffen at those words. Her head turned in 
alarm toward Ranma, and, staring into his eyes, she could tell he was 
being serious. Her eyes crystallized, staring beyond Ranma, at 
nothing. The dominos in her mind started to fall. T-minus thirty 
seconds until impact.... 
  Only one word echoed though her mind. No.... 
  Akane couldn't help but think, this was the first time he'd actually 
said it.... Oh, Ranma... did you have to say it now? 
  Konatsu, waiting in the next room, heard everything that transpired 
amongst the three friends. And there was no way the kunoichi could 
have missed Ranma's bold announcement. He couldn't believe what he'd 
just heard. Oh no, what am I going to do?! Konatsu wondered in panic, 
knowing full-well the impact it would have on Ukyo. 
  Shit, did I say that out-loud? Ranma thought to himself. Well, no 
turning back now. "I wanted to marry her," he continued. "I WANT to 
marry her. I have to ask you to respect my wishes. That is why I'm 
here today; I'm asking you as my friend for a promise. Promise me that 
you won't interfere next time. Promise me you won't try to hurt Akane 
next time." 
  Ukyo couldn't answer. All she could hear was the pounding in her 
chest, what was left of a failing heart. She didn't want to believe 
what she'd just heard. Tears gathered in her eyes as Ukyo gathered 
and processed the full force of the shock. There were no more 
dominos, T-minus zero seconds until impact.... Impact. Akane had won. 
  No.... 
  Everything in Ukyo's mind collapsed, one after another. 
  NO!!! 
  "Promise me, Ucchan!" Ranma persisted. 
  The okonomiyaki chef's head lowered toward the floor. "Ranchan...." 
she whispered to herself in a barely-audible tone, the words in her 
mouth choking on tears. She broke free of Ranma's grip, and, fighting 
the urge to cry, Ukyo placed several slaps across Ranma's surprised 
face. She screamed, "Damn you, damn you, damn you! Damn it all!" 
Finally, she gave her friend a well-planted kick in the stomach, 
sending Ranma sprawling across the floor. She quickly turned and ran, 
exiting the dining room, passing Konatsu, tears streaming down her 
eyes. 
  Konatsu, from his position in the doorway, sighed deeply. "Ukyo-sama 
is not herself." How he wished he could help her, but Konatsu didn't 
know where to start. The stomping of feet up the wooden stairs echoed 
the kunoichi's troubled thoughts. 
  Even in the dining room, one could hear Ukyo's wailing. 
  Ranma gathered himself from the floor, shaking his head. What did 
I say? 
  Konatsu reentered the dining room, folding his arms, and leaned 
against the back wall. He stared at the two customers with what he 
thought was a cold gaze, but it betrayed concern. All that would 
leave his lips was, "I think you two should leave." 
  Silently, Akane retrieved her book bag from the floor, her eyes 
fixed on the doorway Ukyo exited. What have we done? Pushing those 
thoughts to the back of her mind, Akane announced, "Let's go." 
She walked out of the restaurant, never looking back. 
  Ranma stood there for a moment, glancing at the entrance, then at 
the door leading to the back. What was the matter with Ucchan? He 
shrugged, then followed Akane out. 

  Silently from her room Ukyo watched Ranma and Akane walk home. 
Retreating from the window Ukyo buried her head in her pillow. For the 
first time in ten years, Ukyo let herself cry. Really cry. Crying 
never experienced since Ranma left her behind ten years ago. Ironic 
that it would happen in the same way: Ranma was leaving her behind. 
It was over, then. He said the words she'd been dreading to hear for 
over a year. 
  Nothing mattered, so long as Ranma loved me.... 
  "I love Akane," Ranma had said. The words echoed in Ukyo's head 
over and over again, tormenting her, killing her over and over. Ukyo 
lost count on how many times she'd died. 
  I would've given everything for you.... 
  She could almost hear Akane's mocking laughter. She won.... How 
could this have happened? Ranma never.... 
  ...he never said he loved me. What a fool I'd been! 
  She could hear both Ranma and Akane laughing at her now. 
  I devoted my whole life for you.... 
  She could hear her fellow students, hurling insults and gossip. 
  I.... Damn it all! 
  The perfect end for a miserable life, Ukyo thought. First you attack 
your friends at their own wedding for selfish reasons, a wedding you 
believed to be another sham (as things like this happened before). 
Then they tell you that the wedding was the real thing; the difference 
mattered. The stone's been carved, the seal set, it was over. Not a 
snowball's chance in Hell could Ranma love her. He loved Akane. He 
chose her. It made all the difference in the world. 
  So what was worth living for? Ranma's gone, he left you behind as 
he did ten years ago. 
  She couldn't take it any more. Her only friends in the world were 
no longer, how could they forgive her for what she'd done? How could 
they forgive her after ruining their chance for true happiness? How 
could she have known that this wedding was for real? Ranma must've 
been upset despite the words he said. Friendships came to an end 
faster than they developed. There was no way she could be forgiven. 
  Most of all, Ukyo couldn't forgive herself. 
  She reflected on the morning that everything changed, the morning 
Ukyo set about cooking a love letter for Ranchan. It was only a week 
after Ranma and the others returned from China. It was the morning 
when Ukyo summoned all her courage to make Ranchan's okonomiyaki love 
letter, intending to deliver it that morning and express her love 
long last. It was then the invitation arrived, in the care of Nabiki 
Tendo. It was then she'd opened the envelope that contained the seal 
of her destiny. Everything changed in a second, the okonomiyaki love 
letter forgotten, quickly wrapped up and placed in a forgotten corner 
of the refrigerator. The love letter wouldn't have mattered had Ukyo 
not acted on the invitation. There was no time to plan, no time to 
think it through, it all came in instinct, fueled by hate. The others, 
Shampoo, Kuno, and Kodachi, added more fuel to the flames when they 
approached her. At least Mousse had the sense not to get involved. 
  Unfortunately, the choices you made were wrong, Ukyo told herself. 
And now you have to live with the consequences. Your only friends are 
gone. Ranma finally admitted his love, and it wasn't you. And now 
you're truly alone. Ironic, that which you sought to avoid occurred 
through your actions. What a life you've got to live with, girl. 
  Subconsciously, Ukyo's hand gripped something. She raised it to her 
eyes, to find she was peering at one of her spatula-darts. She turned 
it around carefully, as if studying its flawless, stainless steel 
surface. She ran a finger across one sharp edge, as if ready to 
accept what she was going to do. 
  With that thought, Ukyo tossed the dart away, embedding it into the 
wall with only a flick of her wrist. 
  No, dammit! I'm not a coward! 
  Yes, that's it, live with your choices. Nothing gets accomplished 
if you end it all now. It's the only thing you can do now. You do 
have something to live for: become the best okonomiyaki chef in the 
world. It was time to resume your responsibilities. 
  Hate never got you anywhere but straight toward trouble. Never 
again, Ukyo vowed to herself, would she let her anger and hate hurt 
others. 

  The couple walked alone on the sidewalk when Mousse descended from 
one of the walls.
  "I've caught up with you, Saotome," Mousse began. 
  "All right, Mousse, what do you want THIS time?" Ranma said in 
disgust. Who wasn't going to get mad at him today?  
  "I challenge you for Shampoo's heart!" Mousse threatened, slipping 
wrist razors to his arms. 
  "Mousse, what do you think you're doing?" Akane asked. "Ranma didn't 
try to marry Shampoo, you know."
  "No, no, no, it's not that," Mousse corrected, "I mean, it's great 
that you two agreed to marry and all, but still, Ranma has Shampoo's 
love, and I want it!"
  "Hey, if you want it, you can have it," Ranma replied. If only it 
were something I could give you. 
  "That won't get Shampoo to love me!" Mousse shouted. "Ranma Saotome, 
prepare to die...!"
  Akane stepped in Mousse's way. "Look Mousse, do you want me to 
marry Ranma or not?"
  "Well, yeah...."
  "So if you kill Ranma, how can I marry him?"
  "Ummmm...."
  "Exactly! Now let us go and promise to leave us alone, okay? Go 
bother Shampoo instead. Take her on a date. Make her happy! You have 
to EARN her love, right? So what are you doing here?"
  "Uhhh...."
  "Ranma, let's go."
  Mousse was still fighting his thoughts as Ranma and Akane walked 
off. 
  Ranma turned to Akane in wonder. "I didn't think you had it in you. 
You know I could've taken him on." 
  "Hey, if you've been around guys as long as I have, you pick up a 
few tricks," Akane replied. Flustering them was one of them. Worked 
every time. "Besides, no way am I going to let anyone touch MY 
fiancee." 

  When Ranma and Akane reached the gates of the Tendo property lot, 
the watched as Soun kicked Kodachi out of the gates angrily. To 
Akane's anger Ranma dashed to Kodachi's side and helped her to her 
feet. 
  "Kodachi, what are you doing here?" asked Ranma. 
  "Ranma-sama!" returned Kodachi, trying to hug Ranma, but he swiftly 
moved away. "You're all right!"
  "You came because you were worried about me?" 
  "Of course! Who knows what those hussies did to you? Your would-be 
Father-in-law is most disrespectful toward those of higher station...."
  "Look, Kodachi," Ranma said, in a very serious tone. "I'm grateful, 
but you have to understand, I can't love you. Can you please leave me 
alone?" 
  "I know that, silly," replied Kodachi. She reached for her ribbon. 
"But one day, Ranma-sama, I will steal your heart!" She laughed, as 
the ribbon lashed at a nearby tree. The Kuno girl swung away, black 
rose petals trailing behind. 
  "Why were you being so nice to Kodachi?" asked Akane. 
  "Well, at least she's still in high spirits," Ranma said to no one 
in particular, ignoring Akane. 
  "Are you still thinking about Ukyo?" Akane asked, guessing. 
  Ranma turned to face Akane. "Yeah, I guess so. She's my oldest 
friend and all." Suddenly, a terrible thought entered his mind. 
"Oh no, do you think I encouraged that crazy girl?!" 

  Kodachi sat by the pool that was home to Midorigame, her pet 
alligator. Bit by bit she tossed meat into the pool, watching as the 
alligator gobbled them up greedily. 
  "At least you're someone that needs me," Kodachi whispered to the 
pool's occupant.
  Of course the alligator couldn't answer, but he swam to Kodachi's 
side all the same, crooning for attention. 
  Kodachi reached down and scratched her pet's nose lovingly. 
  On her way home Kodachi ran into Konatsu, the servant of the common 
chef girl. When she inquired for the state of health of her master, 
Konatsu replied, "She's upset because Ranma confessed his love for 
Akane." Of course those words upset Kodachi as well. How can 
Ranma-sama love a girl like Akane Tendo?! 
  Kodachi passed word to her brother, but Tatewaki Kuno shrugged it 
off. Somehow she suspected her elder brother didn't take the news 
lightly, and was hiding his true feelings. Why was it so easy for him 
to do that? Such an insensitive jerk! 
  From the day she met Ranma Kodachi's greatest desire was to serve 
him as his wife. Now it had the same chance as a snowball in Hell. 
Perhaps that was her chances all along. 
  No, stop thinking that way! Kodachi told herself. Ranma-sama can 
still be yours if you work hard enough! After all, nothing you ever 
wanted ever came to you on a silver platter. Especially dear 
Midorigame, she reflected with a chuckle. Father thought you were a 
little beast, but I knew better! You just needed to be loved.... 
  If only others could see the person within me.... 
  Silently, Kodachi resolved to sway Ranma's heart. This time, 
perhaps a more subtle approach. Straight from the heart. 

  The next day in school Ukyo was there, but she kept her distance 
from Ranma and Akane. Ukyo never spoke unless spoken to, and then in 
as few words as possible, in a low, monotonic voice. At lunch she sat 
alone, neither speaking nor caring, only eating, then quickly 
departing. Many tried to cheer her up, even Miss Hinako, but failed. 
  Rumors spread that Ranma confessed his love to Akane. Kuno 
certainly didn't take the rumors lightly, as his own sister had 
said the very same words. He marched into the room where Ranma and 
Akane sat, and confronted the pair. It was during lunch break, as 
the two sat at the same table, talking with their friends. 
  Kuno set a foot on the bench, vibrating it suddenly. He leaned on 
his bokken, propping it to the floor as if it were a walking stick. 
"A rather malicious rumor blows through the winds concerning the 
Akane Tendo, and the vile black sorcerer Ranma Saotome." 
  "Yeah, and what would that be?" asked Ranma, speaking with food in 
his mouth, almost uncaring. 
  "It has come to my attention that you declared your love and 
devotion for Akane Tendo," answered Kuno. He turned to Akane. "What 
say you, Akane Tendo, in response to slanderous words such as this? I 
cannot allow these evil words to circulate any longer if they speak 
not that which is the truth. Enlighten my peers as to where your 
heart truly lies." Kuno raised his head high smugly. 
  "Kuno," Akane started, "it's the truth. Ranma loves me, and I love 
him." 
  Those within earshot silenced in an instant as soon as the words 
left Akane's lips. For his part, Kuno tried his best to maintain 
his airs, as he was visibly trying to retain his composure, and 
noticeably shaking. He stared deep into Akane's eyes for several 
long moments, trying to discern any outside influence that may lie 
within, but could find none. 
  Turning to Ranma in disbelief, Kuno shouted, "What black magic have 
you used to ensorcel Akane Tendo, knave?! Answer me, or the great 
Tatewaki Kuno will smite you!" He raised his bokken in the air, ready 
to attack. 
  All eyes were on Kuno and Ranma. Neither flinched or spoke. 
  Seconds dragged to minutes. 
  Minutes dragged to hours. Neither teen moved. 
  But, the confrontation lasted only the space of a few seconds. 
  Finally, Kuno relaxed his grip, then, shaking his fist in anger, 
stalked away quietly. The sound you didn't hear was Tatewaki Kuno's 
heart shattering into pieces. 
  The moment Kuno passed Nabiki, she couldn't help but say, "You've 
lost your touch, Kuno-chan." 
  Those words bit harder into Kuno than Nabiki could imagine. 
  Minutes later, in his office, the Principal was about to make an 
announcement, but as his mouth opened Kuno burst into the office. He 
cried, "GGGRAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD!" 
That, and the following battle, was broadcast throughout the entire 
school for the enjoyment of the student body. 

  After school that day Ranma and Akane encountered Shampoo. Riding 
her bicycle at top speed, they heard the unmistakable greeting, 
"Nihao!"
  "Go away, Shampoo," Ranma told her. 
  "Shampoo glad Ranma okay, so bring you snack!" Shampoo produced a 
bowl of take-out ramen and presented it to Ranma. "Eat in good 
health!" she said, handing over the bowl before taking off. 
  "Well, she seems fine to me," observed Akane as Ranma consumed the 
ramen. "So if everyone else is taking things in stride, why isn't 
Ukyo? She got what she wanted. She's just like the rest of them."
  Ranma slurped the soup water. "Are you sure about that, Akane?" He 
set the bowl down and held Akane's hand. "There's more going on than 
what appears on the surface, Akane. For as long as I've known Ucchan, 
I can tell. You have to let it go."
  Akane sighed. "How can I, Ranma? She helped ruin our wedding."
  Ranma hugged Akane, holding her in a steady embrace. "Tell me, 
Akane, if I were secretly getting married to Shampoo, no matter how 
unlikely, and you found out at the last minute, not knowing the full 
details behind the wedding, would you have done the same?"
  Akane nodded. "I guess so...." Was this what Ukyo meant when she 
said Akane betrayed her? Betrayal of trust? "Maybe Ukyo did what she 
did for the right reasons, but that still didn't excuse her actions." 
  "You should apologize to Ukyo, not me, Akane," replied Ranma. "She 
needs all the help she can get for whatever it is that's eating her. 
Worst of all, she won't tell me what's wrong; how can I help her?"
  Who said I'm apologizing? "But we can't do anything for Ukyo," 
concluded Akane. "I think we'd only add more fuel into the fire. She 
needs time to sort things out by herself." Especially after Ranma 
confessed his love in front of Ukyo. That must've been the killing 
blow, Akane thought. Poor Ukyo, the cheery and optimistic girl of 
yesterday was a torn wreck. She didn't deserve that. 
  Ranma doesn't know that Ukyo loves him, and Ukyo's too shy to admit 
it. 
  Friendships had their ups and downs, their hills and mountains, but 
this one was a sheer vertical cliff. 

  Kuno walked silently through the double-doors of the dark, enclosed 
room of the mansion. The only source of illumination was at the other 
end of the room, where, enshrined, the legendary Phoenix Egg rested. 
Icons, symbols, and decorations depicting the phoenix adorned the 
shrine. 
  The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High threw down his bokken in anger 
before the shrine. He sat before the shrine, and let himself drift 
into meditation. 
  The Phoenix Egg was reputed to be a good luck charm for martial 
artists, but there was an even greater purpose behind it. Through 
proper meditation and study, the owner of the egg may learn the 
invincible, legendary Chinese Phoenix Sword attack, the most powerful 
technique available to swordsmen. Only the greatest of men could hope 
to master the technique; the storekeeper who had sold the Egg to Kuno 
claimed that Kuno was too weak. 
  The merchant had been right in all but one fact, Kuno thought. 
Anyone with sufficient proficiency in the sword may learn the Phoenix 
Sword, but it took one of great strength and will to survive the 
attack. 
  Not long after bringing the Phoenix Egg home for the first time 
Kuno spent much of his time trying to learn the technique. That is, 
until one day, when he realized that the cost of using such a 
technique might be his own life-- the Phoenix flames that formed the 
heart of the attack derived chi power directly from the user's own 
soul. Since the flames usually consumed more soul power than was 
available, that was why only the strongest of men could hope to use 
the Phoenix Sword. At the time Kuno was unwilling to part from the 
mortal world, uncertain of the strength of his soul, but now.... It 
doesn't matter. 
  Akane Tendo, even if it were through sorcery on Saotome's part, did 
not love Kuno; he had seen as much in her eyes. In that one, single 
moment, everything within Kuno's heart shattered in a million pieces; 
it was made worse by the fact that the pig-tailed girl seems to have 
disappeared, unwilling to come forth despite the news. The spark of 
life in Kuno's heart that was love... was gone. 
  I gave my love to the world, but the world didn't return it, Kuno 
told himself. Akane Tendo never return her love. Mother... never 
returned her love. Worst of all, little Kodachi, ungrateful as she 
is... her love was unconditionally the property of Ranma Saotome and 
that stupid alligator now, with no room left for me.... What kind of 
a life was worth living without love? 
  Kuno knew that good deeds often went unrewarded, but this was too 
much. 
  Where are you, pig-tailed girl? 
  With nothing to hold him back any longer, Kuno surrendered himself 
to his fate. Silently, he vowed, I shall finish what I have started. 
When the day finally comes, when I, Tatewaki Kuno, arrive to meet the 
final battle with the evil Ranma Saotome, victory will be mine. The 
world may be cruel and unforgiving, but I gladly and willingly 
sacrifice my life to rid the world of such evil. 
  To this resolve, Kuno vowed to master the Chinese Phoenix Sword. 

  A couple weeks went by, business as usual. Sort of. Word that Ranma 
and Akane confessed their love for each other spread through town 
like wildfire. After that, nothing was the same. 
  Both Ranma and Akane noticed glaring changes in the behavior of the 
others, most visibly in Kuno, Kodachi, and Ukyo. 
  Whereas Kuno would antagonize Ranma before, he notably kept his 
distance. It was strange, really, that Kuno continually failed to 
express his love to Akane, or toward the pig-tailed girl. Nabiki was 
upset after her sales of pictures to Kuno dropped to nothing. What 
happened that made him change? 
  And still, the pig-tailed girl was nowhere to be seen. 
  The strangest behavior exhibited by Kuno happened one day after 
school. As the students exited the building, the air was filled with 
the sound of a lone flute. A quick search of the area revealed Kuno, 
seated atop the clock tower, playing alone, oblivious to the rest of 
the world. Ranma and Akane had no idea what he was doing, but some 
speculated he was in mourning. No one dared to ask. After that day 
the flute solo came almost every day. 
  Kodachi rarely visited any more. Whenever she did come to the Tendo 
home it was only for a short while, inquiring to the health of Ranma. 
Before long she'd convinced others that it was genuine concern, but 
Ranma and Akane hardly bought it. At least it was better than 
chemical warfare from yesterday. Ranma couldn't help but note a hint 
of sadness in her eyes whenever she visited. While she continued to 
laugh in her usual spirits, Kodachi didn't seem to be as perky as 
before. Kuno servants would note that their mistress spent much more 
time with her pet alligator, Midorigame, than usual. Sometimes they 
could hear her crying in the middle of the night for no particular 
reason. 
  After several more near-attacks Akane managed to convince Mousse 
that killing Ranma wouldn't help win Shampoo's love. "Shampoo has to 
like you for who you are," Akane argued. To this end Mousse redoubled 
his efforts to win Shampoo's love, not by defeating opponents, but by 
swaying her heart. Sometimes he'd ask Akane, sometimes he'd ask Ukyo 
(whenever she was in the mood, that is) for advice. Akane told him to 
make Shampoo laugh; Ukyo told him to give her flowers. It was either 
really bad jokes or wilted flowers that got Mousse pounded every 
other day. 
  Shampoo seemed to deny the fact that Ranma and Akane loved each 
other, and made the least change in her lifestyle. The Chinese Amazon 
treated her 'husband' as she did before. 
  And Ukyo... the one who's made the biggest change of all. Whereas 
Ukyo once greeted others with cheery optimism, now she barely 
acknowledged their existence at all. Her eyes bore a strange, haunted 
look now, as if she knew her time on this world was numbered. She 
devoted most of her spare time running her restaurant, not bothering 
with pleasurable pursuits. Even Ranma noticed that Ukyo threw out 
all of her magazines she was so fond of looking through. 
  Whenever Ranma dropped by Ucchan's Ukyo merely served okonomiyaki 
quietly, failing to draw pictures or messages with the sauce as she 
used to do. She never said a word to her old friend at all. Konatsu 
believed Ukyo could work things out by herself; after all, what could 
he do to help? The kunoichi refused to divulge in Ukyo's problems. 
  Ranma was going nuts dwelling on the fact that he didn't know what 
to do to help Ukyo, especially since she wouldn't tell him what was 
wrong. Of course Akane knew what the problem was, but had no good way 
to help solve it herself. She decided it would be better if Ukyo told 
Ranma about it herself, when the time was right. Ukyo had to make the 
first move. 

				*  *  *  *  *

  It was Saturday. Kasumi couldn't help but think about the old days. 
Nobody came by for a visit anymore, especially Ranma's friends. Even 
Kodachi, the lively girl who made frequent visits to the Tendo 
household, stopped altogether. That was what was missing from an 
otherwise routine life; Ranma's friends provided the difference in 
routine every now and then. Just what happened to them all? 
  That morning, after Nabiki, Ranma, and Akane left for school, Ryoga 
appeared at the front door. "Why, hello, Ryoga!" 
  Ryoga returned Kasumi's greeting, and presented a couple bags to 
her. "I'm back from a long journey. One's for Akane, and one's for 
Akari. I don't think I can find my way to the Unryu farm from here." 
  Kasumi peered into the bags, then looked at Ryoga in surprise. "Oh, 
what are these?" 
  Ryoga replied, "Manekineko." [translates to 'beckoning cat,' a small 
cat statue which brings good luck/health/money, depending on the 
type.] He shrugged. "If you believe in those kind of things, that is." 
At least this time his gift for Akari won't expire. 
  "Why don't you come on in?" Kasumi invited.
  Kasumi lead Ryoga to the dining room. Out on the porch Soun and 
Genma played go, oblivious to the world around them. Nodoka was in 
the kitchen, washing dishes. 
  Ryoga set his backpack down and relaxed as he sat down. "So, what 
have I missed since we last parted?"
  "Oh, not much," Kasumi replied. "Things have been awfully quiet 
since the wedding day. None of Ranma's friends come to visit any 
more."
  "Why's that a problem?"
  "It's quiet these days, that's what. You can count upon them to 
break daily routine. It's good to see activity. To be honest, I've 
gotten used to you all being here." Kasumi smiled at Ryoga. "I'm glad 
you're around."
  "Thanks." I think.
  "You know, I have an idea. Maybe we can invite the others over for 
dinner this evening?"
  "That might not be such a bad idea," Ryoga replied. "But, are you 
sure it's a good idea to have all of them over at the same time?"
  "Don't be silly," Kasumi said, "as guests, they'll behave." Kasumi 
walked over to the phone. She looked over her shoulder to Ryoga. "Do 
you want me to invite Akari as well?"
  "Sure!" 

  Ranma and Akane returned home later that day, watching as Kasumi 
prepared dinner earlier than usual.
  "What's up, Sis?" Akane asked Kasumi.
  "Hi Akane!" greeted Kasumi. "We're having guests over for dinner 
tonight."
  "Yeah, who?" asked Ranma. 
  "Why, your friends, who else?" Kasumi replied. 
  Stone shock was the one thing that described both Ranma and Akane 
at that moment. Both knew exactly what Kasumi meant by 'friends.'
  Ryoga entered the kitchen. "I'm not the only one you know."
  "Ryoga?" Akane said. "When did you get back?"
  "Only this morning," replied Ryoga. "Kasumi insisted on inviting 
the two Kunos, Shampoo and Mousse, and Ukyo and Konatsu. Akari can't 
make it...."
  "Kasumi, why?" asked Akane, trying to conceal her rage. 
  "I thought it would be nice to have them over," answered Kasumi. 
Silently, Kasumi thought, now would be a good a time as any for any 
of them to make up for past differences. 

  The first to arrive were the two Kunos, in a sedan chair carried by 
Kuno family servants. Then Mousse and Shampoo arrived on bicycles, 
and Konatsu and Ukyo on foot. And dinner was almost ready. 
  Ukyo was reluctant to go at first, but Konatsu insisted, telling 
her that it was time to let wounds heal. As she entered Ukyo couldn't 
meet the eyes of either Ranma or Akane, continually staring at the 
floor as she moved. 
  Quietly, the guests took their seats at the table: Kuno, Mousse, 
and Ryoga at one side, and Shampoo, Kodachi, and Ukyo at the other. 
Ranma and Akane took their seats as well as Kasumi finished up her 
work. 
  Mousse removed his glasses and set them on the table, waiting with 
eyes closed. He started talking to a vase, thinking of Shampoo. 
  Ryoga sat unmoving in his position. 
  Kuno rested his trusty bokken on his shoulder, the weapon that 
never left his side. When he started flirting with Akane, Ryoga 
responded in heat, unwilling to let Kuno sway Akane to him. 
  Shampoo took the opportunity to scoot closer to Ranma. 
  Kodachi went one step further and jumped into Ranma's lap. 
  Ukyo hadn't moved since sitting down. Her head was still lowered to 
the floor, as if studying something. 
  Konatsu, seated next to Ukyo, stood up and left, entering the next 
room for quiet time alone. 
  Akane couldn't help but fume in anger at Ranma. There he goes again, 
flirting with other girls....
  The others, Nabiki, Soun, Genma, and Nodoka, sat at a separate 
table, minding their own business. 

  In the shadows outside the Tendo dojo, a dark, robed man stood. 
Behind him were seven other figures, robed, but towering over the 
lead man. Well, except for one, who stood at half the leader's height, 
up to his waist. Then again, all seven of them were standing on the 
fence while the leader was standing on the ground. 
  The leader turned to his seven minions. "She's in there. As the 
Master commands, Akane Tendo must die. It must be quick, otherwise the 
others might interfere. Do not fail me."
  "Hai!" the seven said in unison. Then, each jumped away. 
  The leader turned his back toward the dojo, and reached for a jade 
medallion. The circular medallion was carved in the likeness of a 
giant dragon head, with seven smaller heads snaking around the center. 
  "And so it begins...." the leader of the Cult of Orochi said. 


To be continued in "Team Ranma vs. the Orochi Assassins"
http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff1.txt

				*  *  *  *  *
Closing: Hill of Rainbow and Sun

Though we're close enough to gaze at one another,
gentleness and smiles pass us by.
You pretend not to notice, hurrying aimlessly.

And yet, up on that shining hill,
all we do is act out an intermittent story,
wrapped up in a rainbow that grants our single wish.

There's a sunny smell even in your dreams and in your shirt.
Filled with desire, your eyes become all a-gleam.

So never give up your precious dream.
Keep the ability and courage to fly to the heavens.
-----------------------------------------------
Author's Rant

  Latest revision: Beefed-up the scenes involving Kuno, including a 
new scene where Kuno resolves to complete training for the ultimate 
technique, the Chinese Phoenix Sword. If you were wondering, I don't 
consider putting the Phoenix Egg on one's head to be the legendary 
attack; hell, that wasn't supposed to happen, and just about ANYBODY 
could be affected as Kuno had. Thus, his mistaken conclusion in the 
manga. 
  Cleaned-up a bit in the scenes involving Ukyo. Added lyrics to 
songs. Changed Ryoga's gifts to Akane and Akari to something 
less-exoctic. Maybe, just maybe, Kuno's jealous of the alligator. 

"It is easy to find something worth dying for. Do you have something 
worth living for?"--Lorien, Babylon 5

  I felt this was something that needed to be said. None of the six 
teens would be overly disappointed after crashing the wedding, as some 
pointed out. But what really would hurt them is the knowledge that 
Ranma and Akane truly love each other. Mousse and Shampoo would be 
the least affected; Mousse because he wants Shampoo for himself, and 
Shampoo because she's too stubborn. Finally, it's been shown that 
Ranma has confessed his feelings in sudden bursts of emotion before, 
so why not now? 
  It has been established that Ukyo doesn't react all-too-well about 
those who betray her trust. Thus, her reaction toward Akane; Ukyo 
didn't want to go there, but Akane forced the point. If one feels 
that I have done a great disservice to Ukyo or Akane, e-mail me and 
complain. 
  This fic spawned off Seravi's Ranma Public Opinion polls on 
rec.arts.anime.fandom, especially Blade's responses to them. Thought 
I'd TRY to throw myself off the fanboy wagon for a while, if you 
know what I'm talking about :) 
  In the end, this is just a beginning. Ukyo and Kuno have been turned 
into paste, Ryoga and Mousse continue to seek love, Shampoo's fine, 
and Kodachi believes she can win Ranma over with her own heart. And 
what would happen to Akane, marked for death by mysterious men? 
 
Razorclaw X
http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html

<!-- End File -->