Chapter Five: Intensive Care

The Ryouga & Ukyou Chronicles, Volume One

Disclaimer:
Ryouga Hibiki and Ukyou Kuonji are not my creation and are both copyright of Rumiko Takahashi. I’d like to thank Takahashi-sensei for her great series. I once again claim no credit for their creation, however, some of the characters are my creations (aka Migi & Hidari, Ryu, Prince Ito, Ukuji, Kangeio, Shogu) and I do claim them, so there!

I

The hospital smelled strangely to Ukyou Kuonji. She didn’t like that sterilized, medicinal fragrance. It was kind of like the scents in the medicine cabinet at home, only...magnified. She sighed to herself, realizing that this was apparently the best thing she could think about. But, it wasn’t. There was something else she wasn’t trying to think about. Something that had happened earlier.

She sighed and turned uncomfortably in the waiting room chair. The bandage on her leg itched, but the doctor, a kind older man named Koan, had strictly forbid her from scratching it. She scanned the room, looking for something else to think about. Nearby, Hiroshi was reading an issue of Modern Economics and seemed to be committing it to memory. Near him sat Ryu, looking very out of place in his garish gold, silver, and jade kimono and carrying his daisho. He was reading an issue of Highlights magazine, and was staring at the pages, cold faced. Daisuke wasn’t reading anything. He was leaning against the front desk talking with a young nurse. Ukyou thought she heard him say something about a thermometer, and the nurse slapped him. Hard. Ukyou winced, but couldn’t help but chuckle. Daisuke turned and scowled at her, stomping over and taking an empty seat across from Hiroshi.

"No luck, sugar?" Ukyou said lazily. Daisuke frowned and rubbed his cheek ruefully.

"She doesn’t know what she’s missing." He said angrily. "I mean, I have looks, brains, charisma,-"

"A thick head." Hiroshi added, looking over from Modern Economics.
"A lack of spiritualistic self-discipline." Ryu added, not even bothering to look up from Highlights.,br>
"That doesn’t matter!" Daisuke sneered. "You guys don't get it. Charisma! I have Charisma! That’s the hand you need to win at dating!"

"Hand?" Hiroshi said, looking at his friend. "Hmm, I haven't heard this one yet."

"It's simple." Daisuke said. "Dating is like a poker game. You gotta have a good hand to win. Charisma is...well, like a royal flush. It's a hand you can't lose with."

"Well, look at it this way," Ukyou said, turning again in her chair, "You should be glad you’ve got such a good hand. At the rate you’re going, you’ll need one."

Daisuke scowled and mumbled something about needing water. He stood up and slinked off towards the elevators. Hiroshi burst out into a fit of laughter. Ryu silently closed the magazine and began to compare the front and back covers of the What’s Different? puzzle. Ukyou stood, stretched, and walked over to the desk. The nurse that had walloped Daisuke smiled politely at her.

"Um, can I ask about a Ryouga Hibiki?" she said. They’d been waiting for over two hours with no word. She was getting sick of this hospital. The nurse glanced over a clipboard and nodded.

"Yes, what about him?" she said.

"Well, I was wondering how he was doing. That’s all. I’m a friend of his." Ukyou said as politely as she could. The nurse looked a few things over and then pointed to the ward entrance.

"Why don’t you go see for yourself?" she said sweetly. "Third door on the right."

Ukyou smiled and thanked the lady, then turned and walked back to the two guys sitting and reading. "Hey, I’m going to go see Ryouga. Wanna come?"

"Sure." Hiroshi said, putting his magazine down. "Why not? I have nothing else to do."

Ryu looked at the Highlights magazine, then at the ward door.

"I will remain here." He said sternly. "I must to guard the door."

"Guard the door?" Ukyou said quizzically. Ryu nodded.

"Guard from who?" Hiroshi said. "We’re on the ninth floor."

Ryu looked around then leaned close to them.

"Shinobi-Nin." He said in a whisper. Ukyou frowned and looked at Hiroshi. He shrugged.

"Ninja." Ryu said, annoyed. "Must always watch for Ninja. Is very dangerous."

"Right...." Hiroshi said. "You do that. We’re just going to go in there." He turned and pointed at the ward door. Ryu nodded silently. Slowly, Ukyou and Hiroshi walked into the door and towards Ryouga’s room.

Daisuke strolled back into the room and looked around, confused. "Uh, Ryu…" he said, turning to look at the gaudy samurai. "Where is everyone else?"

"They go to see Hibiki-san. We must to stay behind." He said gruffly, putting his magazine down and staring into Daisuke with his emotionless eyes.

"Uh, why?" Daisuke said, sitting down cautiously.

"Then no heed warning of Ninja." Ryu said sternly. "We protect them from own stupid."

"Oh, of course." Daisuke said, then buried his face in his hands, sighing heavily. "Why me, God? Why always me?"

II

"What a freak." Hiroshi said. "I don’t trust that guy at all. He gives me the creeps."

"Well, Hiroshi," Ukyou said cheerfully. "Now you’re even." Hiroshi looked at her, puzzled.

"You don’t think he likes you, do you?" she said sweetly, and hurried to Ryouga’s room. Hiroshi was left standing in the hallway, frowning.

Ryouga laid on the hospital bed, taking in his surroundings. He couldn't believe they took him to a hospital. They acted like he was going to die or something. He could have throttled Ryu for suggesting it. But, then, Ukyou’d insisted. He couldn't refuse.

Sighing, he rolled over again and tried to absorb more of the bleak scenery. The room smelled funny to him. He didn’t like that sterilized smell that seemed to hang around everything. Distantly, he thought it was kind of like the smell in the medicine cabinet, only...magnified. He sighed to himself, realizing that this was apparently the best thing he could think about. But, it wasn’t. There was something else he wasn’t trying to think about.

Doctor Koan slid into the room and quickly checked all the machines and charts over, then walked to Ryouga’s bedside. The doctor was a man of about forty or forty five, with short, neat brown hair, with streaks of gray at the temples. He was in good shape, was tall, and wore small glasses.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hibiki." He said politely. Ryouga smiled. He’d only known Doctor Koan for a few hours, but he liked the old man. It was like the grandfather he couldn’t remember having.

"Hey, doc." Ryouga answered weakly. The fight with Hidari had taken more out of him than he’d thought. But he’d get over it soon enough. He’d trained himself to be resilient. He’d be out by tomorrow.

"And how are you feeling?" he said, looking the bandannaed boy over. Ryouga tried his best to shrug, given his position.

"Eh." he half said, half grunted. "Okay, I guess. I'll be fine by tomorrow." Dr. Koan nodded.

"Indeed," he said. "Given how fast you're recovering from injuries like these, you should be just fine. I want you to stay here tonight, though."

Ryouga nodded. "Sure thing, doc." he said. "No problem."

"Mr. Hibiki, one more thing." Koan said. "There is a very attractive young lady out here who wants to see you. I’m going to let her in now. The thing is, when that door closes, what side would you prefer I be on?" he said slyly, grinning. Ryouga chuckled, then cursed himself as he felt his side burn painfully.

"No, that’s okay doc." Ryouga said, smiling. "We’re just friends."

Doctor Koan nodded. "Very well, then." He said, and turned to walk to the door. Ryouga sighed and reflected for a moment on the events of that day. Well, mostly on one event. He kissed her. No, she kissed him. Well, at any rate, they kissed. It was something else. He’d hurt so much after beating Hidari, but for those few seconds when their lips met, he’d forgotten it all. The pain. The misery. The sorrow. The exhaustion. He’d forgotten it all, lost in the electricity of the moment. This was what he’d been trying not to think about. He didn’t want to feel like this. Not now. Not with his best friend. He sighed inwardly as Koan opened the door, and she strode in, followed by Hiroshi.

"Hey buddy." Hiroshi said cheerfully. "How’ve you been holding up?"

"Fine." Ryouga said. He turned to the okonomiyaki chef who was kneeling at his bedside.

"Hey." He said somewhat silently. She smiled and took his hand into hers.

"Hey yourself, you big idiot." She teased. "You certainly are taking your sweet time healing up. We need to get on the road."

Ryouga snorted, chuckling slightly. "Hey, I had to fight the tough one, remember? I deserve some rest."

Ukyou giggled and brushed some of his hair out of his eyes. He thanked her silently. It was really beginning to bother him.

"You’re right." She said. "Some rest. But not too much. Don’t want to fall out of step with your fighting skills."

"Why?" Ryouga said. "Expecting a rematch with Migi and Hidari?"

Ukyou shrugged. "You never know. I learned from hanging around Ranchan that when you beat someone, that usually doesn’t mean that they won’t be back."

Ryouga nodded. He knew from experience. He was like that.

Doctor Koan tapped Hiroshi on the shoulder. He didn’t want to interrupt Hibiki and his girlfriend...er, friend.

"What is it?" Hiroshi said, somewhat impolitely. Dr. Koan frowned for a moment.

"He’ll need to be here overnight. You can stay, if you want. One of you can be in the room at a time." He said. Hiroshi nodded, then looked at Ryouga and Ukyou.

"Well, then, I guess this means I’ll be here tonight." He said, but Dr. Koan grabbed his shoulder and dragged him out of the room. He shut the door behind him, wanting Hibiki to have his privacy. He liked the boy. He reminded him of the grandson he’d lost in that car accident. Distantly, he shook the melancholy feeling from himself and spoke to Hiroshi, who was trying in vain to extricate himself from the doctor’s surprisingly tight grip.

"Sir, I think it would be in everyone’s best interests if that young woman were to stay there. He seems to enjoy her company, and I think that would speed along his recovery significantly. Understand?" he said grimly. Hiroshi shrugged.

"Hey, whatever." He said nonchalantly. "Doesn’t make any difference to me."

With that, he turned and walked down the hallway, towards the waiting room. Doctor Koan frowned and took his glasses off to polish them on his white labcoat.

"Tomorrow’s leaders." He grumbled. "Gods save us."

III

"Ryouga." Ukyou said, breaking the silence of the past few hours. He turned and looked at her. She was sitting in a rather uncomfortable-looking chair in which she was constantly writhing in. He knew. He’d watched her from the corner of his eye for quite some time.

"What?" he said. She stood and dragged the chair over to the edge of the bed, plopping back down into it when she was by his head.

"About that thing...you know...when we, well, you know." She said, looking at her hands. She noted how nervous her voice sounded with mild annoyance. She didn’t know what it was she was supposed to be nervous about. After all, Ryouga was her friend. One of her bests friends. Hell, he was her best friend.

"Yeah." Ryouga said, his thoughts drifting back to their kiss. He shook his head to clear his mind. It usually worked. But not this time. Ryouga sighed inwardly and let the memories have their way with him.

"Well?" she said, as if expecting an answer. He looked at her dumbly.

"Well what?" he said. He hated it when people did that.

"Geez, how much more plainly can I say it?" she said, putting her lips to his ear.

"Was it good for you too, sugar?" she whispered teasingly. Ryouga froze. She frowned. He had just...frozen. Solid.

"Hey," she said, tapping him lightly. "Ryouga, wake up. I was only kidding."

No response. She slapped him, hard. His eyes suddenly refocused, and he looked around, confused.

"I was kidding, you big idiot. Calm down." She said, smiling. Ryouga scowled at her as he remembered what happened.

"Not funny." He grumbled, rolling over. His body burned with pain, but he ignored it.

"Seriously, though." She said apprehensively, as if afraid to go on. He rolled back over to face her as she spoke.

"How was it?" she finished, her face flushing with embarrassment. Ryouga sighed, wondering if he should tell her the truth. He knew he wasn’t a very good liar, so he decided he should just come out and say it.

"Well, it was...you know...it was..." he said, his voice beginning to trail off. He refocused, looking up at her. She listened, seeming almost...eager.

"It was something." He said finally. She frowned. He swallowed hard. "Something really...special."

She smiled, looking down, her face a bright crimson. Ryouga chuckled, then winced in pain again.

"So, you...liked it, then?" she said under her breath. This time it was Ryouga’s turn to change shades. He coughed uncomfortably.

"Um...well, yeah, actually..." he said quietly. "I did."

There was silence for a moment. Then, he spoke up again. "What about you?" he said, looking up at her. "What was it like? Did you like it?"

"Ryouga!" she said, exasperated. "You can’t ask a lady things like that."

"What?" Ryouga said, confused. "Why not? You asked me!"

"Well, because…" she said, fishing for an answer. "Because…because you just can’t. It’s different for men than women."

"Oh." Ryouga said, sounding disappointed. Ukyou sighed.

"Okay, dammit." She sighed, her face flushing a bright crimson. She coughed in a mock of his earlier nervous gesture. "Well, it definantly was something...special." she surmised. "And yes, I did like it."

They sat in silence for another few minutes.

"It was necessary." Ryouga said suddenly.

"Right." Ukyou said. "Like the hand holding. Necessary."

"Right." Ryouga nodded, reaffirming the denial. "Like that."

"Right." she said again.

She looked at him, and his gaze met hers. She stared into his eyes, their depth and beauty threatening to swallow her. She brushed another clump of his tangled hair out of his eyes, noting that she’d have to talk to Ryu about that haircut. She looked his face over slowly, hers inching slowly towards his.

Ryouga stared at the beautiful girl in front of him. He’d known her for less than a week, but he knew her better than any other girl he’d ever met, including Akane. Sure, he’d known Akane for a long time, but the hadn’t really known her. Not like this. He looked at Ukyou’s eyes, her sparkling, brown eyes, and at her smile, sweet and innocent. He drew closer to her, feeling his heart thump thunderously with each second. He knew what was going to happen.

"Hai!" a loud voice boomed from the doorway, snapping them out of their interlocked gaze. Ryu ran into the room and stopped in front of Ryouga. Ukyou looked away from Ryouga, and he from her. Standing up, she coughed uncomfortably.

"I...need some water." She said, and turned to walk out. She stopped and looked back at Ryouga, waving. "We’ll talk later, sugar. Get some rest. I wanna head out early tomorrow." Ryouga watched her go, then shot an angry glance at Ryu, who had begun checking the room over. He seemed to be inspecting it.

"What the hell is it, Ryu?" he snarled. Ryu bowed deeply to him after making sure the window was tightly fastened.

"I just was checking room to make sure all is okay. You have not seen any ninja around, have you?" he said suspiciously. Ryouga groaned.

"No…no, I haven’t." he sighed heavily, readjusting his pillow. Ryu nodded and walked over to him, looking down at the top of his head as he lay in the hospital bed.

"What is it now?" Ryouga asked, annoyed. Ryu drew the katana from his sheath and held it high over his head, preparing to strike.

"What the hell is it, Ryu?" he snarled. Ryu bowed and drew his katana from his sheath.,br>
"Is time for the hair to be cut, okay?" he said solemnly. Ryouga threw his hands over his head, cradling the thick black mane protectively.

"Get away from me, you freak!" he shouted. "This is a hospital! I’m injured! I don’t want a stupid haircut right now!"

Ryu frowned and resheathed the shining blade.

"As is your wish." He grumbled. "I go back to lobby. Lazy boy I leave to guard probably fall asleep already." With that, he bowed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind himRyouga sighed and turned over in the empty room. He thought about only one thing. The very thing he’d been trying not to think about. He closed his eyes, thought, and listened to the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. Slowly, he drifted off into a troubled sleep.

IV

Hiroshi peeked into another room. He had no idea where he was now, but he was somewhere in the hospital. There was no one in this room either. Frowning, he turned and peeked into another room.

And froze.

Sitting on the bed was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Being one of Ranma’s few friends, he’d been privileged to seeing quite a few of them, Ranma included. But this girl, there was something different about her. She wasn’t a patient, that much was obvious; That guy was laying on the bed and, to Hiroshi, he looked almost dead. He was deathly pale, and his breath came in short, wheezing rasps. He was about ninety or so, Hiroshi estimated.

The girl, though. Her hair was long, flowing, and raven black, hanging down to the small of her back. She was lean, trim, and athletic, but still very shapely. Her eyes were green, and to Hiroshi the closest thing that could compare to them were emeralds. He frowned a little as he looked her over. She seemed so sad. It was just something about her that was so...depressing. It hurt him to see this mysterious girl like that. Slowly, he walked into the room.

"Um, hi." He said nervously. The girl looked over at him, and smiled slightly, then returned to her normal melancholy demeanor. Hiroshi frowned. She hadn’t even said hi to him.

"So, is this your Grandfather?" he said, coming over to the bed. She slowly shook her head, and was busy stroking the man’s thin, stringy white hair.

"No." She said softly, and her voice nearly keeled him over. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard. Well, besides the sound a cash register makes.

"Oh. Well, who is he?" Hiroshi asked. She shook her head again.

"I don’t know. But he’s very sad." She said. Hiroshi nodded, resurveying the guy. Who could blame him, he thought. But then again, he had this girl tending over him.

"Okay." Hiroshi said, looking around uncomfortably. "So, if you don’t know him, why are you in here?"

"I work for the hospital." She said in her sad, drifting voice. "I come and stay with people, when... when their time is near."

Hiroshi sat solemnly, letting his mind soak this all up. It sounded like a very depressing job. Basically, she comes in and watches people die. He shuddered inwardly.

"So, then..." he said, desperately trying to make conversation, "how much does this job pay?"

She didn’t answer. Hiroshi exhaled nervously. He looked the old man over again. He really was in bad shape. In fact, his skin looked kind of... withered. Dry. Dead.

"What’s wrong with him?" Hiroshi said, staring at the old man. The girl continued to stroke the few strands of stringy white hair that remained.

"Cancer." She said. "Terminal. His name is Mr. Miozuki. He doesn’t have a family."

Hiroshi nodded. It was a good thing this heavenly girl was doing, actually. The worst thing he could ever think of was to die alone, in some cold, impersonal hospital room.

"I don’t believe I caught your name." Hiroshi said. She looked over at him with her sad, beautiful emerald eyes. He could be swallowed by them, he thought.

"Kikyo." She said. "Kikyo Bisentomo."

Kikyo, he thought, the letters dancing in his mind. Her name was so beautiful. He whispered it, noting the way it rolled off of his tongue so naturally.

"I’m Hiroshi." He said, trying to act pleasant. "Hiroshi Kakeru. I’m pleased to meet you, Kikyo."

She smiled slightly at him. He couldn’t help but think of how cute she was when she smiled.

Great, he thought sourly. I’m starting to sound like Ranma.

The old man suddenly looked up into the sky and inhaled deeply. Hiroshi looked at him, then her. He tried his best to look genuinely concerned. Actually, he was scared. Damn scared. He’d never seen anyone die before.

"W-what’s wrong with him?" Hiroshi whispered. Kikyo stroked the old man’s hair tenderly and held his withered hand in hers tightly.

"It’s his time." She said softly. A single tear formed around the old man’s red eyes and slowly ran down his worn, hardened cheek. He exhaled deeply, and then he was still. Slowly, Kikyo kissed his forehead and laid his hands on his chest. It was too much for Hiroshi. He stood and hurried out into the hallway, leaning against the walls for support. After a few moments, Kikyo walked out. He tried not to look at her.

"You’ve never see anyone die before, have you Hiroshi?" she said softly. He glanced back, his back still to her.

"No." He said in a hoarse voice. "Not until now. Shouldn't you call a doctor or something?"

He felt her hand rest on his shoulder, and slide lightly over his back, rubbing it tenderly. It felt like ice.

"It’s a bad thing to see, Hiroshi. It’s not a thing some people are able to handle." Kikyo said.

Hiroshi turned to the strange girl, so sad and yet so beautiful. She was an enigma, and he was intrigued. He coughed to clear his throat.

"No, no problem." He said, gathering himself. "I can handle it." He felt her hand slide away from him. Already, he missed it.

"If you say so." She said. "It was nice to meet you, Hiroshi."

"Wait." Hiroshi said, running in front of her. "You...wanna go and get something to eat or something?" She smiled slightly. His hopes brightened.

"I’d like that." She said.

"Great!" he said excitedly, only slightly annoyed that he’d have to pay for it himself. "Let’s go!"

Kikyo frowned, and Hiroshi’s heart sank.

"I’m afraid it won’t be possible, though." She said sadly.

Hiroshi frowned openly. "W-why not?" he stammered. "I thought you said you’d like that."

"I have other obligations at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll meet again when the time is right." She said, and without another word, she glided down the hallway, leaving a confused and disappointed Hiroshi to ponder what had just happened. Sighing, he turned and began to walk back towards the waiting room. He could feel his heart, and it hurt a little. Deep inside.

Hmm, he thought absently as he turned a corner, that’s kinda weird. Never felt like that before.

V

Ukyou curled up in the waiting room, in the same uncomfortable chair. The room was pretty much empty, except for a few nurses and one or two patients, but all the seats were pretty much the same.

Geez, she muttered internally, it’s amazing what you’ll think about when you’re trying not to think about certain things.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head on the back of the chair, sighing deeply. It had almost happened again. Oh god, she thought, they had come so close. A few more seconds, and it would have happened again. Without anyone forcing them to do anything. It would have been his choice. Her choice. She turned uncomfortably in the chair again. She’d wanted to, both times. But Ryouga was her best friend. They were traveling companions. Buddies. She couldn’t fall for him. It just wasn’t tolerable. He was her best friend.

Well, her mind pointed out, Ranma was your best friend, and you fell for him.

She couldn’t deny that. And she never even remotely came close to kissing Ranma. But it was almost twice today. The ramifications sent shockwaves through her.

No, she told herself resolutely, I’m not going to allow this to turn into another Ranma.

She shifted again, and then sat up, opening her eyes. She just couldn’t sleep at all. She glanced over and saw Ryu standing against a wall, lost in thought. His expression was as cold and emotionless as ever. Daisuke slumbered on the chair across from her, snoring loudly. Hiroshi was sitting in a seat near Daisuke, apparently dozing as well, but making a lot less noise than his buddy. Seeing she was awake, Ryu walked over to her and bowed.

"Please to forgive me, miss." He said solemnly. Ukyou looked him over quizzically.

"What do you mean?" she said.

"I did not for to mean to interrupt you and Hibiki-san. It was not my intention." He said. "I beg for your pardon."

"Oh, it’s nothing, sugar." She said nervously. "Don’t worry about it. In fact, I’m kind of glad you showed up when you did."

It was Ryu’s turn to look confused.

"You was?" he said. "It did not seem as so to me."

Ukyou frowned and stood, stretching. She strolled over to the only window and opened it. A cold breeze blew in, tussling her hair. She sighed, glancing over at the white ribbon she’d taken out earlier, which now lay silent on the waiting room table. She shrugged and turned back to the window. She leaned out and gazed at Urawa. It was a fairly large city, and the black night was littered with lights and sounds. Ryu stood beside her, watching her look out with his own, emotionless eyes.

"I know." She said finally. "But I am. You stopped me from doing something that might have cost me someone I care for very much."

Ryu nodded.

"You speak of Hibiki-san, okay?" he said, and she guessed it was a question. It sounded like one. Slowly, she nodded.

"Were you going to kill him?" Ryu said, confused. "You are not ninja, are you?" he said warily, placing his hand on the hilt of his katana. Ukyou glared at him.

"No, of course not, jackass!" she snarled. "What in the hell would make you think that?"

"Ah, perhaps I misunderstood." He said nervously. "I think you say it might cost you someone you care for much."

"I did." Ukyou said, annoyed. "But I didn’t mean it like that."

"Oh." Ryu said, relaxing his grip on the hilt and gazing out into the night sky. There was silence for a few minutes.

"You care for Hibiki-san much, don’t you?" Ryu said finally. Ukyou nodded, still gazing out into the Urawa night.

"You is caring for him much a lot, then?" Ryu said. Ukyou’s face washed with confusion for a moment, but she eventually nodded, having figured out what he was trying to say.

"Isn’t that what I just said?." She said, annoyed. The breeze tossed her long auburn hair behind her. She sighed softly and looked down to the street below. "I do. I don’t know why I do, but I do."

Ryu nodded. Ukyou turned and looked dead into his emotionless, cold eyes. "Don’t you dare tell him that." She said coldly. He nodded.

"I shall say nothing." Ryu said solemnly. "On my honor." Satisfied, Ukyou turned back to the window.

"I was told once, long ago, a story of two people whose felling for each other were never realized by them. She was very much caring for him, and he her, yet neither would say nothing for fear." Ryu said, not looking at her. There were a few seconds of silence.

"What happened to them?" Ukyou said solemnly. "Let me guess. Eventually, one of them broke down and she told him, and they both lived happily ever after, right?"

Ryu’s face was still expressionless.

"No." He said. "Man was great fighter. One day he battle a powerful dragon to save girl after she was taken away. He save her, and he tell her he love her, but he is badly hurt and dies in her arms." Ukyou frowned. It certainly wasn’t the ending she’d expected.

"What about the girl?" she said slowly.

"Out of grief, she kill herself. Story ends." Ryu said, almost prophetically. "Good night, Ukyou-san. You rest, okay?"

With that, he walked off, leaving her to think. She closed her eyes and tried to push the story from her mind. It was just a stupid story. It’s not like there was a dragon that was going to kidnap her. Still, she supposed now that he’d had a reason to tell her that story. But she couldn’t do it. Not now. Not after Ranma. Ryouga was her best friend, and she didn’t want to lose that. She closed the window and silently strolled through the ward doors.

She creaked open the door to his room, and peeked in. He was asleep. She could hear him breathing, slowly and steadily, in time with the heart monitor. Slowly she strolled over and brushed some more of his thick hair off to the side, then curled up into a semi-comfortable position on the chair beside his bed and drifted off to sleep. Ukyou Kuonji searched her mind, making sure that she knew she wanted to be Ryouga’s friend. But, underneath it all, she new there was another idea pulsing, swelling with every second she was near to him, threatening to tear the veil of shadows it lay under and expose its raw self to her. She wanted more. She wanted to be more than his friend.

Oh crap, she thought as she slid off to sleep, I think...I want...falling...in love....

Somehow, now, it didn’t seem like such a bad thing. Dr. Koan peeked in and smiled warmly at the sight.

"Hibiki-san, you are a lucky man." He whispered before carefully closing the door and beginning his usual rounds. He noted how quiet the hospital had been tonight. It was a nice change. Very peaceful. Koan began to whistle to himself as he strolled down the hall, happy he'd be leaving soon enough.

End of Chapter Five.

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