Here it is, Part One of my latest Series! For this and any of
my other works, visit my Web Site at:
http://www.oocities.com/coutuva
This Series began life as an attempt to finish a work by
Lurker called "Faux Existence", but has since become a
seperate work entirely. There are, however, plot-
point similarities owing to its origin.
As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.
Please Enjoy!
Coutuva.
Secrets: Volume One - Part One
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The train pulled into Kyoto station shortly after midnight,
most of its few passengers either asleep or well on their way. From
one of the platform-side seats, a young woman gathered her pack and
rose, tucking her shoulder-length hair up under her beret-style
hat.
Stepping out onto the platform, she paused for a moment
and looked around. There was no one to meet her, and in fact
almost nobody acknowledged her presence. A sad smile crossed her
face as she shouldered her pack, and walked off into the crisp night
air.
Owing mainly to the hour, the city was fairly quiet, which
suited her just fine. She wasn't in the mood for much more than a
bath and some sleep, particularly after the excursion she had just
completed.
Before too long, she found herself a cheap hotel and booked
in, immediately heading to her room and tossing her pack beside the
lone bed. She then executed a full frontal face plant onto the
bed itself.
It was hard as a rock, but to her, it felt like it was made
of the finest down. In fact, weeks of sleeping in fields and forests
made even the bare floor look good.
Finally, she decided to take the bath she so desperately
needed, despite not really wanting to get up again. Grudgingly, she
rose, popped open the ties on her blouse, and made her way to the
bath.
Starting the water, she straightened up and pulled her top
over her head, in the process knocking off her hat. The hair that
was pushed up under it cascaded down in a red tide, eliciting a
sigh as she caught sight of it in the faded vanity mirror.
"Yeah, that's gotta go," she stated aloud, as she fingered
a lock and looked down at it with a frown. After a moment's
consideration, her face hardened. "Green," she decided, making a
note to purchase the appropriate dye.
Her eyes then returned to the mirror, and the image of the
pretty, sad-faced young girl that looked back.
She regarded the image for a long moment -- until her fist
suddenly shattered the cloudy glass.
"Miyoko-chan! Psst! Miyoko-chan! Hey, girl, snap out
of it! Your favorite table wants you!" Michi prodded, nudging
the green-haired hostess out of her trance.
"Ah-Ano... Gomen, Michi-chan... I was just thinking about
something," she flustered, blinking herself back to reality.
"Well, you better think about your table before the boss
sees you staring into space like that," her friend cautioned,
winking at her.
"Hai, hai... On my way," she confirmed, rolling her eyes.
As her friend walked away however, she cast a last glance at the
object of her distraction -- the person on the bar stool on the
far side of the lobby.
All she had done was notice the obviously transient woman,
but the sight had set off a flood of memories. It had been ages
since she'd even thought about that time of her life, which made
it seem even stranger.
Sighing, she put it all aside, holstered her order panel,
grabbed an armload of menus and headed for her table.
She hated the way the gang of old farts that occupied it
always drooled over her, but put up with it to keep her job.
As she had come to know all too well, being cute had its
down side.
When her day finally ended and she stood in the changeroom
taking off her 'uniform', she puffed her usual huge sigh of relief.
"Kuso, I'm always glad to get this thing out of my ass."
"Hai... But it brings in the tips, ne Miyoko-chan?" Michi
smirked, as she walked past to her own locker.
"Sure -- as long as you don't mind looking like a Sailor
Scout," she grumbled, hanging the outfit up.
"Well, showing it off beats having to sell it, ne?" Michi
countered, with a wink through the mirror on her door.
"Don't even go there," Miyoko warned, turning around and
snapping a hair tie at her snickering friend.
Before long, she was dressed and ready, and wasted no time
grabbing her purse and dashing out the door. She didn't like the
afternoon shift, as it ended at the same time her train came in.
If she took too long changing, she'd have to wait a good
half-hour for the next one.
Thankfully, she made it just in time, getting through the
doors just as the train started moving. As per usual, it was a busy
one, crammed with homebound commuters like herself. She counted
herself lucky that she didn't need to go far, meaning she generally
didn't have to suffocate for long.
As the train got up to speed, she kept an eye on the station
board, watching for her stop. Just as it finally came up, she felt
a hand cup her backside and give a none-too-gentle squeeze.
Looking back, she caught a man about an arm's length to her
right, trying to conceal his delighted grin. Her stomach lurched
sickeningly as she noted the flush on his cheeks.
Shifting herself slowly through the swarm of bodies around
her, she managed to get beside him, and simply stood there. When
the train braked to its typical rapid stop, she was actually pushed
against him by the inertia, and politely apologized.
When the doors opened however, the crowd spilled out as per
usual -- except for the man. He stood motionless until an entering
commuter bumped him, and he fell like a cut tree.
Miyoko smirked as she glanced back, then shook her head.
"Sayonara, hentai!" she thought to herself, swinging her purse onto
her shoulder.
Singing happily to herself as she walked home, she was
almost surprised at how fast she reached her building. In a way,
she was disappointed that the walk seemed so short.
As she stepped through her apartment door, she gasped as
she heard her phone start ringing. Kicking off her shoes, she
raced over and snatched it just before the answering machine.
"Moshi-moshi... Hai!" she smiled, as the sound of her
favorite voice filled her ear. "Hai. Just got in. You are...?
Then get over here! I missed you, too. See you in a minute, then.
Ja!" she chimed, delighted at the unexpected turn of events.
"Masaka... I better clean this damned dump up!" she
abruptly realized, noting she had left a bigger mess that morning
than she thought she had.
In a blur, she tore through the apartment in record time,
even managing to brush her hair before her door chime rang.
"Haaaii!" she called out, straightening her skirt as she
padded toward the door. Looking through the peephole, she broke
out in a wide smile and opened the door immediately.
As soon as she did, she found herself the recipient of a
huge, pleasant hug. "Miyoko-chan! I've been waiting for you to
get home... I have some great news!"
"Ano... Well, don't just stand there, Yori-chan! Fill
me in!" she urged, shaking her head at the blonde-haired girl's
excitement.
"Hai! I got the new job! It started today, and I get to
work days!"
"Sugoi! That's great!" she gushed, delivering an
enthusiastic hug of her own.
"Hai! And I'm making almost twice as much, too!" Yoriko
squealed again, jumping back.
"That's fantastic, Yori-chan! We oughta go celebrate...
Where do you feel like goin?"
"How about... Right here?" the girl abruptly winked, a
mischievous glint flashing through her sea-green eyes.
Miyoko smiled wantonly. "I like the way you think, Yori-
chan..." she intoned, reaching out to flip the door closed.
A few days later, as the girls shared a rare common day off
sauntering down the strip, Miyoko felt Yoriko grab her arm, and
then point to a building cross the street.
"Look! It's open!"
"Finally... I've been waiting for this," the green-haired
girl smiled, rubbing her hands together like she was plotting a
world conquest. "Let's go check it out," she urged, stepping off
the curb.
"Hai! It'll be nice to try something different," Yoriko
agreed, nodding.
Walking up to the shop, the first thing that greeted them
was the delightful aroma wafting out the open doors. Stepping in,
they were met by a cheery young waitress with an armload of menus.
Miyoko had to suppress a smirk.
"Welcome to the Happy Spatula! May I seat you, please?"
"Hai. For two please, near the windows," Miyoko replied,
pleasantly.
"Hai. This way, please," the girl gestured, then turned
and started toward the seats. Miyoko couldn't resist making an
'airhead' face after her, which sent her companion into a stifled
giggling fit.
When their food arrived, Miyoko was in her glory. As she
worked her way into her third serving of the house specialty, she
looked up thoughtfully. "Kuso, I haven't had okonomiyaki this good
in years. It's just like..." she began, then gave herself a mental
shake. Thoughts she didn't want to finish were rearing their ugly
heads.
"Like what, Miyoko-chan?" Yoriko asked, still working on
her first pie.
"Ahh... Nothing. Just a thought," she deflected, as
nonchalantly as possible. "How's yours?"
"Great! I never knew it could be this good," she replied,
her eyes widening slightly.
"Yeah, I know..." Miyoko replied, just as she heard someone
approach her from behind. Turning, she saw a woman stepping up to
them, bearing a wide smile. She almost gasped aloud, then pretended
to be rubbing her eyes.
"Konnichiwa! I am Kuonji Ukyou, the owner of the Happy
Spatula! I'm very pleased to meet you, and I hope your experience
has been pleasant in my little shop," she bowed, rising and looking
at each of them in turn. "How is your food?"
"Oh, it's just wonderful, ne Miyoko-chan?"
"Hm," Miyoko nodded sharply, still rubbing her eyes as she
acted like she had a mouth full of food.
"Arigato gozaimashite! Please, if you have any questions,
or want anything, just let me know, okay? Enjoy your meal!" she
smiled brightly in return, then bowed and turned to walk away.
As she took a few steps down the aisle, however, Miyoko
noted how she glanced back for a moment, then shrugged and continued
toward the grill.
When the woman disappeared into the back, Miyoko abruptly
sprang to her feet and took her girlfriend's hand.
"C'mon, Yoriko-chan... We gotta go -- now."
"A-ano... I'm not finished yet!" she protested, indicating
her plate.
"Bag it... We gotta get out of here," she stated, her eyes
serious as she tossed a wad of yen on the table.
"Iya... I'll just make you buy next time, too," she
grinned, but Miyoko wasn't in the mood.
"Fine... C'mon," she insisted, almost pulling the
bewildered girl out the door.
Back in the kitchen, Ukyou leaned against the prep counter,
consternation all over her face. She was certain she knew that
green-haired girl from someplace, but couldn't quite put a finger on
it. She frowned as she realized it was going to bug her now, and
made a note to check into it.
Back at her apartment, Miyoko immediately kicked off her
shoes and collapsed in a chair, puffing out a huge sigh of relief.
"Kuso, that was close," she remarked, shaking her head.
"Ano... What was *that* all about?" Yoriko asked, running
her hands through her windblown hair.
"Ahh... I kinda know the woman that runs that place.
And she's someone I *don't* want to see," Miyoko replied, lowering
her eyes and hoping for the best.
Yoriko nodded, her expression indicating she understood --
perhaps too well.
Miyoko, meantime, still felt bad. "I'm sorry about dragging
you off like that, Yori-chan. I didn't wanna embarrass you if
things got... Interesting," she added, raising her gaze and
extending a hand to the girl.
Inwardly however, she cringed at the misdirection, necessary
as it was. Even though she was quite sure her secret was safe, she
still didn't want to take any chances.
"It's okay. I'd have probably done the same thing," Yoriko
smiled in the meantime, taking the proffered hand in hers. "Don't
worry about it," she added, surprising Miyoko with a kiss on the
forehead.
Miyoko had to smile. "You're incredible, Yori-chan."
Yoriko beamed. "Hold that thought -- I'll be right back,"
she winked, then headed off toward the bathroom.
Miyoko sighed again as the door closed behind her, thanking
her lucky stars.
In the bathroom, Yoriko finished washing her hands and
looked around for a towel. Not seeing one in the rack, she opened
the small linen cupboard to put a new one out. Seeing them on the
top shelf, she pulled one out, only to end up bringing the whole
stack down.
Frowning, she bent down and picked them up, but when she
went to put them back on the shelf, she noticed something at the
back. Leaning up on tiptoe, she peered over the shelf to see
several boxes of green hair colour, and a bag full of supplies.
Gasping, she settled back to her feet and blinked. "You
colour your hair?"
"Nani?" Miyoko responded, not quite hearing the exclamation.
Yoriko opened the door and grinned at her. "I never knew
you coloured your hair! It looks so natural!" she gushed, looking
absolutely tickled.
Miyoko jolted, even as her heart landed in her gut. "H-huh?"
she stammered, rising to see what had happened.
"The towels fell -- I saw your hair stuff. I never
knew!" she reiterated, just as Miyoko joined her.
"Hai... Just got tired of the old colour a few years
ago -- top and bottom. Kept it all like this ever since," she
indicated, striking a cheesy pose. "And the bottom part is a pain
in the ass, let me tell you," she groaned, rolling her eyes.
Yoriko giggled at the antics, then put the towels away.
"So, tell me... What colour is it really?" she asked, leaning
forward and trying to see the roots.
"Ano... You'll laugh," she flustered, playing it to the
hilt.
"Iya, iya... I wouldn't!" Yoriko insisted, shaking her head.
"Ahhh... It's red," she grimaced, acting like she really
detested it. "Now you see why I had to do everything," she added,
sheepishly. Yoriko's eyes widened.
"Red? Oh, Miyoko... You'd look great as a redhead,"
she breathed, her eyes twinkling.
"Maybe. But I wanted something different. You know how
that goes," she tossed off, turning and walking back to her chair.
"Hai... But I still think you'd be gorgeous that way. You
don't happen to have any pictures, do you?" she wheedled, firing
up her best kawaii eyes.
Miyoko swallowed hard. This was really getting
uncomfortable. "Hai. In my old album," she admitted, trying to
hide her resignation. "I'll get it," she added, heading into her
room. Yoriko grinned excitedly and plopped on the couch.
In the bedroom, Miyoko pulled the book out of her closet
and frowned. She hadn't even looked at it since meeting Yoriko, not
having felt the need. Flipping it open, she looked for a suitable
picture of herself and peeled back the clear covering. Lifting
the picture out, she shoved the book away and headed back to the
livingroom.
"Here. You can have it if you want," she smiled, hoping
that it would be enough.
"Ohhh... I was right! You *do* look gorgeous!
Arigato, Miyoko-chan. I'll keep it under my pillow," she smiled,
holding the picture to her chest tightly.
Miyoko felt her heart sink even further. Yoriko was
everything to her, and yet since the restaurant, she had been lying
to the girl almost steadily. She hated herself for it, but
resigned herself to the fact that the truth would be even more
painful.
Walking into her office-slash-apartment after locking up
for the night, Ukyou wasted no time in digging out her photo
albums, determined to find that green-haired girl. Opening the
first one, she started flipping through pages slowly, intently
examining each one.
She had only managed about four when her phone started
to ring. For a moment, she contemplated ignoring it, but
finally groaned and got up to answer it. The voice on the
other end stunned her.
"Hey, Uuchan! How's life in the big city?" the
familiar voice of Tendou Nabiki asked, a little too pleasantly
for her liking. Instantly, she knew something was up, not
having even seen the middle Tendou sister since 'everything'
happened.
"Been good so far. What's up, Nabiki-san?" she finally
responded, proddingly.
"Well, lots actually. I've been doing a little 'research',
and I just figured, since you've got a shop in Kyoto now, you
might be interested in it," Nabiki stated, leadingly.
"Why's that? Does it involve me?" she replied,
nervously.
"In a way. You've heard that Ranma's living his life as
a girl now, right?"
"Well, no... Haven't heard anything in years. But, that
doesn't surprise me. If I remember right, there was a rumour he
finally went to China -- maybe that's why," she supplied, wondering
where this was leading.
"Well, he definitely is. I have that confirmed. And he
*did* go to China, and that seems to be exactly why. And I also
know that he came back to Japan, then disappeared again -- or so
he thought. Turns out he's probably in Kyoto," she stated,
proudly.
"Masaka..." the chef gasped, almost dropping the phone.
"Hai. Can't confirm it absolutely yet, but I'm damned
near certain. I'll let you know."
Ukyou's face paled. She hadn't seen Ranma in years, but
her heart still fluttered at the possibility that she could.
"Arigato..." she breathed, and mindlessly hung up the phone.
Her mind reeled. Could it be true? Could he actually
be that close? And if he was, would he even talk to her
again? The questions buzzed through her head so fast, she
could barely keep track of them.
Suddenly, her face fell as a shocking realization tore
through her thoughts. There was a very *good* reason she felt
she knew the green-haired girl -- she was actually onna-Ranma,
just with different-coloured hair. It added up, especially after
her staff had told her of the woman's sudden, rapid departure.
As the thought sank in, a smile parted her face, followed
by a laugh. She couldn't believe that she had missed him so
easily, and kicked herself for being so blind.
The only thing that worried her now was whether or not
she'd ever see him -- or *her* again.
Tatewaki's eyes narrowed as he regarded his loyal servant.
"You say my sister has already departed?" he asked, as he looked
over a crumpled fax.
"Hai, Tatewaki-dono. As soon as she read it, she left,"
Sasuke replied, nodding.
"It would appear my ex-wife does not wish me to be
appraised of this discovery," he mused, crumpling the paper and
tossing it in a nearby bin. "You will depart immediately for Kyoto,
Sasuke -- and report on all that transpires," he commanded, anger
threaded through his voice. "I do not plan on being kept in the
dark when it concerns the whereabouts of Saotome, and I certainly
will not permit this slight," he glowered, ominously. "Go,
Sasuke -- I am most interested in the outcome," he smiled,
wickedly.
"Hai. I will not disappoint you," Sasuke asserted, then
simply vanished from the office.
Kuno allowed himself a moment to gloat. If indeed his old
enemy had been found, and the rumours were true, then he could well
be rid of the second-largest thorn in his side.
The movie over, Miyoko stretched and yawned, disturbing
Yoriko who had been nestled comfortably against her side.
"Mmm... Not bad. A bit slow at the beginning, but not
bad," she commented, as Yoriko slowly rose to a sit.
"I liked it," she indicated, grinning.
"I could tell, teary-deary," Miyoko noted, indicating the
tissues in her girlfriend's hand.
"Hey... I saw you blinking, too," Yoriko protested, pouting
affectedly.
"No way. I don't cry -- especially over a movie," she
indicated, firmly.
"Sure, Miyoko-chan... Just you wait. I'll catch you one
day," Yoriko threatened, wagging a finger and then breaking out in
a grin.
"Not!" she emphasized, setting her arms on her hips for
a moment, then breaking out in a grin of her own.
"I will... You wait," Yoriko reiterated, picking up the
remote. "Want to catch the news?" she asked, pointing the device
at the set.
"Iya... I was planning on getting a bath and heading for
bed. Care to join me?" Miyoko invited, draping her arm over
Yoriko's shoulder and looking into her eyes suggestively.
Yoriko's eyes softened as she returned the gaze, and a
naughty grin spread across her face. "For which one?" she asked,
reaching up and brushing back her girlfriend's bangs.
"Both," Miyoko replied, rising and extending a hand toward
the now smiling girl.
In the bedroom, Miyoko was out of her clothes and into a
robe by the time Yoriko got her snug flares off, and headed into
the bath to start the furo.
A moment later, Yoriko opened the closet door to get her
robe, then jumped back with a yelp, the book that had sailed past
her face thudding to the floor.
"Ano... What's this?" she wondered aloud, noting that it
looked like a photo album. Bending over to pick it up, she
jumped again as Miyoko came up behind her and patted her bare butt.
"Whatcha looking at, cutie?" she asked, then gasped.
"Where did you get that?"
"It tried to kill me..." Yoriko replied incredulously,
then giggled. "It fell when I opened the closet."
"Oh -- Gomen. I musta not shoved it in far enough," she
huffed, reaching for it.
Yoriko lifted it beyond her reach. "You mean, this is the
one...?"
"Hai," Miyoko sighed, noting that a few pages had come
loose, reavealing the edges of the pictures. "That's where I got
the picture from," she finished, stepping back and landing heavily
on her bed.
Yoriko giggled delightedly and sat down beside her,
starting to flip through the book.
"Aww... No baby pictures," she pouted, flipping further
in. "Oh... Here's some... Maa -- these are all of a boy. Who's
he, Miyoko-chan?"
Miyoko tried to hide her grimace. "That's... My brother,
Saotome Ranma."
Yoriko grinned. "You have a brother? You never told
me," she noted, regarding Miyoko questioningly.
Miyoko swallowed hard. "That's because... I don't like to
talk about him. He and my father went to China on a training
journey... And he was killed in an accident there about seven
years ago," she began, lowering her eyes.
"Ohhh... That's so sad," Yoriko gasped, setting the book
aside and hugging Miyoko supportively.
"Arigato... He was a Martial Artist, and... Well, at least
he went out doing what he loved most," she continued, her voice
softening suitably. The act came fairly easily, since she felt
absolutely sick about lying to Yoriko again. She quickly found
herself wishing she'd already destroyed the book.
"Gomen, Miyoko-chan... I didn't mean to pry. I feel so
bad for you," Yoriko retracted gently, tightening her hug. "You can
put it away... I'll never ask you about it again, I promise," she
stated, resting her head on Miyoko's shoulder.
"It's okay. I just get sad when I think about him," she
dismissed, a small smile crossing her lips.
"I still feel bad," Yoriko pouted, settling back beside her.
Miyoko, looking for a way to change the subject, noticed
that Yoriko was still completely nude. Making a big production out
of checking her out, she smiled mischievously.
"Ano... I know how you can make it up to me," she hinted,
leaning over and kissing her.
"Mmmm... I thought you wanted to have a bath first," Yoriko
breathed, snaking her arms over Miyoko's shoulders.
"I don't know if I can wait that long," Miyoko breathed,
pushing the girl down onto the bed as she untied her robe.
The next morning, Ukyou passed the mid-city park on her way
back from the dry-cleaners, a walk she usually made just to get
some air. As she gazed over the pretty blue lake, she noticed what
looked like a tent nestled amoung the trees on the far side. The
sight made her shake her head, wondering who would be cheap enough
to camp in a city park.
As she continued on her way, she glanced back at it again,
this time catching a glimpse of colour beside the tent. Taking a
closer look, she almost squealed out loud.
Dry-cleaning and all, she broke into a run over toward the
tent, and as she got closer, her sighting became confirmed. The
flash of colour she had seen was indeed an orange umbrella.
Racing up to the tent, she was intending to yell into it
to announce herself, but Ryouga saved her the trouble. Just as
he backed out and started to rise and turn, he found himself
smothering in breasts.
"Ryouga-kun!! It's so damned good to see you!!" Ukyou
squealed, hugging the stuffing out of the stunned Martial Artist.
When she finally let go and stepped back, Ryouga shook off
his reddening cheeks and smiled widely. "Uuchan! How did you
know I was here?" he asked, skritching the back of his head.
"I was out picking this up and saw your tent... Then I saw
that thing," she responded happily, pointing to his umbrella.
"How are you? You look great... A little wrinkled, but still
great," she grinned, adjusting her blouse.
"I'm good... Heh, funny... I meant to look you up now that
I was here, since I heard you had a new place. How's it going?"
"It's going really well... I have a staff!! Say, why
dontcha pull on a shirt and c'mon over? We're serving breakfast,
and I'd be glad to have your opinion," she offered, still smiling.
"It's not far..."
Ryouga smirked. "As if that's a problem for me," he noted,
winking.
Ukyou rolled her eyes. "So, what brings you here? I can't
believe you'd come all this way just to see me," she remarked,
smirking.
His face sobered. "Ano... By any chance... Have you
heard from Nabiki?" he asked, lowering his voice.
Ukyou blinked. "Hai... Last night. Why?"
Ryouga's face brightened, and he seemed to sigh with relief.
"Good. I thought I was the only one who knew," he explained,
reaching back into his tent for a shirt. "Let me pack up, and
I'll take you up on that offer... We can talk more on the way,"
he smiled, pulling on the shirt.
Ukyou nodded, for some reason feeling a twinge of
disappointment.
A while later, as the two walked along the street toward
Ukyou's shop, her curiosity finally got the better of her.
"So, sugar... What really brings you here? I hope it's
nothing like the last time you came looking for Ranma," she
asked, eyeing him warily.
He sobered. "No, Uuchan... I've done a lot of thinking
over the years. I finally figured out that beating each other to
death was not the way to accomplish anything. If we had been
smarter back then... And maybe stopped throwing punches long
enough to listen to each other, things would have been different
now. I really think Ranma was just the first one to figure that
out," he responded, earnestly.
"Wow... Are you sure you're the *real* Ryouga? If you
are, then you sure have changed," she whistled, shaking her head
incredulously.
Ryouga only smiled. "Hai. I have changed... Like I'm
sure we all have. It's just too bad that not everyone changed for
the better," he commented, sadly.
Ukyou didn't answer right away, thinking back over her own
'changes'. She, however, was quite happy with most of the results.
"Yeah... Although I have to admit, Nabiki hasn't changed
at all," she observed, smirking.
"That's what worries me," Ryouga noted, frowning.
Just at that moment, their attention was distracted by the
sound of a motorcycle approaching. As they both turned toward the
sound, the rider looked up at them, then abruptly threw the bike
into a brakeslide. As the rear wheel came around, the rider
cracked the gas again and roared up to the sidewalk, braking to
a fast halt.
Kicking the stand down, the rider stepped off and started
toward the two now very surprised people, unsnapping its helmet
and pulling off its gloves.
"Kuso... I should have guessed," Ryouga spat, shaking his
head.
"Huhn?" Ukyou blurted, as the camouflage-clad figure drew
nearer. A moment later, it came to a stop, raised its mirrored
visor, then removed its full-face helmet.
Ukyou gasped out loud. "Akane?" she exclaimed, leaning
closer to make sure.
"Hey, Uuchan -- *Porky*," she smiled, a slightly sadistic
edge to her voice.
"What?" Ukyou blinked, glancing back and forth between
the two.
"This isn't a good time, Akane," Ryouga cautioned, tiredly.
"Oh, shut the hell up. I didn't come here to talk to you,
anyway," she sneered, looking him over disdainfully. Ryouga only
rolled his eyes.
"Ano... What gives with you two?" Ukyou interjected,
stunned by the display of hostility.
"Nothing much... Nothing much at all..." Akane replied
snobbishly, looking over at Ryouga. He simply fumed quietly.
"Sure... Well, I was gonna invite you guys to my shop for
breakfast, but I don't want you busting up the place..."
"It'll be cool. Just keep us apart," Akane noted, grimly.
Akane accepted her drink from the waitress and slugged back
a few gulps, then parked the glass on the table with a resounding
thud. "Hai, it was kinda short notice," she nodded, glancing at
Ryouga. "Just got the call today," she added, digging a cigarette
out of her pocket. "Anyway, that's not important... Nabiki said
she's found that miserable bastard -- did she or not?" she abruptly
demanded, tossing her lighter on the table.
"No... She said she's almost certain, but still couldn't
confirm it. But, I can do better than that," Ukyou smiled, proudly.
"I think I may have actually seen her -- her and her girlfriend."
Ryouga and Akane looked at each other for a moment, then
turned back to Ukyou. The chef blinked at their fallen faces and
then smirked. "Hey, I saw it for myself... There were two girls
in here yesterday, and I could have sworn one of them was him,"
she added, seriously. "And before I went to their table, they
were holding hands under it... The staff was even noticing," she
noted, shrugging. "I even thought they looked kinda cute, until I
talked to Nabiki last night and figured everything out," she added,
sighing.
"So then he *is* a girl?" Akane asked, frowning.
"Hai... I'm pretty sure that the green-haired one was him.
Those eyes looked damned familiar."
"Kuso, then it's true. He must have gone to China to use
the Chisuiton," Ryouga stated, shaking his head.
"Feh... Like that matters," Akane abruptly spat, smirking.
I brought a little something that trumps his ace but good. It's
locked in my saddlebag, ready to go," she grinned, evilly.
"Masaka... You don't mean..." Ryouga gasped, looking back
at her incredulously.
"Damned straight... The Kaisuifuu. Went and got it myself,
'cause I figured he'd pull something like this," she smirked,
proudly.
Ryouga looked at her wordlessly for a moment, then sighed
and shook his head sadly. "Great..." he groaned, rolling his eyes.
Miyoko stepped off the train as per usual, happily
anticipating an evening on the strip, enjoying Yoriko's company.
Starting toward the street, she caught a familiar sound on the
wind. Turning, she gasped out loud, then instantly sprang upward.
Looking down from the roof of the Terminal building, she
cursed silently. Below her was an unmistakable mass of purple hair,
and beside its owner, a tall, proud figure that also stood out as
unmistakable.
"Kuso... What the hell are *they* doing here?" she cursed
to herself, crouching lower as they passed beneath her vantage.
They were conversing idly in Mandarin, and she could pick up the
odd word while they were still close enough.
"Huhn... Something about Kuno... And Mousse being
jealous...? Kuso, that doesn't make any sense," she huffed to
herself, frowning. As she tried to figure it out, she watched for
the two Amazons to move from sight, then sprang back down to the
street. Peering around the building cautiously, she made absolutely
sure they were long gone before stepping out. "This is getting
nuts," she puffed, heading home as fast as her legs would take her.
The exuberant seven year old boy raced around his bedroom
like a black-haired oni, fighting off an imaginary youma with all
the skill he possessed. Just as he was about to vanquish his
enemy, his bedroom door slid open, revealing his frowning
grandmother.
"Kei-chan... You're supposed to be in bed. How are you
going to be ready to face the day tomorrow, if you don't have your
proper sleep?" she admonished, eyeing him levelly.
"Gomen, baachan... I can't sleep! Kaasan said she'd
call!" the boy responded, flopping on his bed.
"Hai... But it may not be for a while, little one. Get
under your blankets and rest, and if she calls, I will come and
wake you," she responded, nodding.
"Okay... Baachan, what's Mom doing in Kyoto anyway? She's
never gone away before," he abruptly pouted, looking up at her
expectantly.
"That's not true. She went to China when you were very
young... You just don't remember," she smiled, walking over to
tuck him in.
"Then why is she in Kyoto?"
"Hmm... I guess I can tell you now. Do you remember the
stories about your father?"
"Hai! Mom always tells me about him!" he responded, sitting
bolt upright.
"Well, Your aunt Nabiki thinks she may have found him...
And that's why your mother went to Kyoto. She wants to make sure,"
Kei's eyes widened. "Will I get to see him?" he gasped,
his jaw dropping.
Nodoka sighed, reaching down and brushing some stray hairs
away from the child's eyes. "I can only hope so, Kei-chan," she
replied, smiling sadly.
After getting the child to settle, she walked back to the
kitchen and her tea, then took the cup out onto the laundry porch.
Gazing out at the koi pond, she could visualize the stories
that she had heard, and a smile crossed her face. Sighing again,
she prayed that Nabiki was right, and that indeed, he had finally
been found. She realized that if this attempt to contact him
failed, or worse yet, angered him further, then she would never
see her only son again.
Absently, her hand moved to her cheek to wipe away the
tear.
Yoriko smiled brightly as her customer took his tray away,
then reached down and closed off her till. She had to head to
the back and help bring in the stock, since their truck had
arrived a few minutes earlier.
As she hand-bombed boxes off the cart and into the walk-in,
one of her co-workers tapped her on the shoulder.
"Yoriko-san... There's a package here for you!" she
explained, pointing to the side door.
"Ano... Package? I'm not expecting anything," she
responded, surprised.
Sure enough, on the corner of the bench near the doors, a
small, brown-paper wrapped item sat waiting for her. Picking it
up, she noticed it was unlabelled except for her name. It also
rattled similarly to a removable drive cartridge.
Curiosity piqued, she tore it open quickly, discovering it
contained a 3" CD and a small note. Asking around to borrow a
player, she ended up having to use the staff blaster in the
changeroom. Popping the disc in, she stood back and listened
intently.
From the disk she heard a slightly sad song, apparently
sung by a female group. The words were interesting, but the
voices and singing excellent. Wondering what it was all about,
she unfolded the note and read it over. To her continuing
surprise, there were only a few neatly written lines:
"Usotsuki" (Liar) - DoCo (*see note below - Coutuva)
Tendou Kasumi
Tendou Nabiki
Tendou Akane
Shampoo
Saotome Ranma
Yoriko blinked. "Saotome Ranma?" she asked out loud,
restarting the song. Listening even more closely, she swore
there were no *male* singers in it anywhere. However, she also
noticed that one of the voices sounded amazingly like Miyoko.
Playing it once more, she picked out the voice and became
convinced. It was Miyoko, no doubt about it.
She listened to it again. For some reason, the chorus
stuck in her head:
"The girl is probably a liar
Suddenly, it has become that I don't like you
The boy is probably bewildered
You were informed that I love you, having nodded
It's the truth... It was also some time ago"
Her face contorted in confusion... This was just too weird.
====================================================================
END - Secrets V1P1 A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva
Comments Welcomed - Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com
***NOTE: The Lyrics above are from the Original "Import Only"
Japanese version of "Team Ranma VS The Legendary Phoenix." The song
is the end theme as sung by DoCo Japan. ***
(
geocities.com/Tokyo/Bay) (
geocities.com/Tokyo)