Ukyo my Love Author’s note: All rights reserved from Rumiko Takahashi. I’m not worthy to use such characters. Please don’t sue me, I have no money. Story takes place five years after the attempt at marriage (end of manga series). Now Ranma and Akane are really trying to get married with no fuss. Sorry to all you Ranma and Akane fans out there, but this fanfic revolves around Ryoga and Ukyo. Ryoga has returned, Ukyo is now a “woman” and Konatsu is now a “man”. I like Konatsu and pity the poor guy so he is in this story too. (A lot ^ O ^) Chapter 1: New Beginnings A boy with dark hair wrapped in a black and yellow bandana sulked down a street. The big pack on his back was a reminder of leaving Akari behind. “No more PIGS!” he thought sourly. He looked down at the small white invitation in his hands. You’re invited to enjoy the wedding of Saotome Ranma and Tendo Akane, the card read in pink lettering. “Humph, I bet Ranma didn’t like the pink lettering,” he thought bitterly. Dark green eyes peeled away from the invitation to survey his surroundings. “Where on earth am I NOW?” he bellowed about to rip the invitation to shreds. The last time he was in Nerima was when he attended the worst wedding of the century. A little note on the side was scrawled in Ranma’s handwriting. Ryoga man, Kasumi insisted we try the Western Style wedding again. Would you be my best man? it read. Ryouga frowned and saw a familiar face. Ukyo was walking home from a little shopping she had done with Akane. She didn’t mind that her Ranchan had picked Akane over her. At least now she knew his true feelings for her. Ranma had proposed to Akane at another Christmas party Kasumi had insisted on having. Even if the eldest Tendo daughter was with a child at the time Dr. Tofu made sure she was happy and rested for the event. She was heartbroken at first, but then realized that Ranma truly did love Akane. Shampoo was the most devastated. She wanted to place the kiss of death on Akane again. Ranma, Moose, and to her horror, even herself, had stopped the crazed Amazon. But it was even more shocking, even to Cologne that Moose was the one who finally knocked Shampoo out and removed her from the party. She had recently heard of Moose and Shampoo’s wedding. She frowned when a telephone pole moved from behind her. “Ukyo-sama!” it cried. “Get lost Tsubasa!” she snapped swinging her shopping bags at the pole. It flew off into the sky, she frown. “Ukyo?” a small voice said. She looked up and saw someone she hadn’t seen in the past five years. “Ryoga? Where have you been? Oh, never mind that sugar,” she smiled. She looked good, in tight blue jeans and a white buttoned down blouse. “How have you been?” he asked her looking her up and down. She hadn’t changed much except for her wardrobe, which was defiantly more feminine. “Good, so you heard about the wedding?” she asked looking him up and down. Ryoga had grown into a man, his chest was broader, and his muscles could be seen through his shirt. His hair was a bit shaggy, but he still had a bandana tied around his head. “Yeah, I was looking for the dojo right now. How have you been?” he stuttered. “You asked that already sugar,” she smiled. “Heh heh, sorry,” he laughed nervously. “Well I could take you to the dojo if you want. But first I want to check up on Ucchan’s and see that Konatsu is keeping it running,” she chirped. “Oh-okay,” Ryoga said walking beside her. As they walked to her restaurant they heard some familiar fighting. “Come back here, you old freak!” Ranma snapped. “What a haul! What a haul!” cried Happosai. He used Ryoga’s face as a landing pad. Ryoga grabbed the old lecher and threw him to Ranma. “Oi Saotome, I think you lost something,” he snapped glaring at Happosai. “Damn it you old freak! Give me back the Tendo’s underwear!” he growled. “But…but… I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna,” he old man whined. Ukyo took the bag and peered inside. “One black teddy?” she arched an eyebrow at Ranma. He turned a deep shade of red. “Akane could’ve worn it for me. Or better yet, Ranma!” Happosai cheered. Ranma, Ryoga and Ukyo beat him into the ground. “So you really broke it off with Akari huh?” Ranma asked eating his okonomiyaki at Ucchan’s. “Yeah, I couldn’t stand the way she tortured me,” Ryoga hissed. “What? Oh!” Ranma grinned. “What’s so funny Ranchan?” Ukyo asked flipping him another special. “Nothing Ukyo,” Ranma snickered at Ryoga. “Ukyo-sama,” Konatsu said walking up behind the two men. The young man had changed into jeans and a red shirt. When Ukyo swore to be more of a woman, he swore to change into a great man. Gone was his many beautiful kimonos, now he wore jeans and t-shirts. “Yes?” she asked. “Happosai just ran out of the store with two okonomiyakis,” he said pointing to the now empty grill. “Ack! That little lecher stole my okonomiyaki!” she snapped. Ranma looked down and only saw the ropes they had bound the old pervert with earlier. “Great,” he mumbled around a mouth full of food. “I better go catch him,” he grumbled throwing a few bills on the table. “Good!” Ukyo hissed. “Ryoga? You’re going to be my best man right?” Ranma asked. His eyes turned unsure of how Ryoga would react, but hoping he would agree. “Sure,” Ryoga smiled showing off his fangs. Ukyo tried to cover her blush at the cute canines Ryoga had. “See you guys later,” Ranma waved disappearing out the door. Ryoga had finished his meal and thanked Ukyo for being so nice to let him stay at her place. “Are you sure it’s not a problem?” he asked her for the hundredth time. “Ryogachan, it’s FINE!” she hissed cleaning her grill. Outside the sun had set and there was only a few people eating in the restaurant now. “I told you already, you can stay here and help out,” she smiled. “Thank you so much Ukyo,” he said grabbing both her hands in his. “No problem, Ryogachan,” she chirped. Konatsu frowned at the table he was clearing. “Oh Ukyo-sama,” he whispered sadly. He still loved the okonomiyaki chef with all his heart. But he knew that she would never see him as her husband or even her lover. “Konatsu! We’re closing up. You may go home now,” she called over to him. His hand froze in mid-air. He glared at the plate in his hand with hatred. “That man is going to stay here with Ukyo-sama!” he thought growing angrier by the second. “Konatsu?” Ukyo’s voice came to him like a lover’s kiss. “Yes, Ukyo-sama?” he asked. “I said, you can go after you clean up the tables,” she said cocking her head. “Are you all right Konatsu?” “Fine. I’m going then,” he said placing the plate in the bucket, which he placed in the sink. “Ryoga you can wash those dishes,” Ukyo chirped. “Oh, okay,” Ryoga said. Konatsu left dragging his feet Ukyo notice the change in Konatsu when he left. “Ryoga don’t leave here okay,” she called running out. She found Konatsu walking slowly away. “Konatsu!” she called. He turned slowly and unshed tears caught Ukyo off guard. “Yes,” he spoke softly and sure of himself. “Are you mad at Ryoga? Are you mad at me?” she asked standing next to Konatsu. “No, I know that if he catches your heart I will not stand in his way. But shall he hurt you I shall wreak my revenge on him,” he said in a low cold voice that Ukyo had never heard before. She took a step back to look into his shadowed face. “I will always love you Ukyo,” he said looking down into her blue eyes. “With all my heart and soul. I live to see your happiness Ukyo-sama. I know you will never love me the way I love you. I can see that, for the pain you have suffered when Ranma announced his proposal in front of all martial artists in Nerima. How much you loved him, like I love you. But to know that our love will never return the favor is sickening. Shall I return tomorrow?” he asked her the tears threatened to spill down his face. “Of course you jackass,” she snapped. He blinked at her in surprise. “I’m sorry Konatsu. I cannot love you, but I wish you the best with your life. I really hope you find happiness too,” she whispered looking down. “Thank you Ukyo-sama,” he whispered then he walked off into the night. Ryoga didn’t want to eavesdrop on Ukyo, but he had found his way to the door somehow. He knew he should go back inside, but he was irritated that Konatsu wanted to challenge him. “That guy has some nerve to want to challenge me,” Ryoga thought bitterly. But then the conversation took a turn. After Konatsu disappeared into the night, he heard soft sobs. Ukyo was crying. “I’m sorry,” she whispered into the cool night. It broke Ryoga’s heart to see any woman cry. He made a determined face and walked toward her. “Ukyo! I’m done with the dishes, so where should I stack the plates?” he asked in a cheerful voice. He heard her sniff and she quickly composed herself. “Ryoga,” she whispered. “Are you alright?” he asked her. “Ryoga! I’m such a jackass! I hurt poor Konatsu,” she cried burying her face in his chest. Ryouga was shocked. “Ukyo?” he whispered bringing his hands to her trembling body. “He only wants my happiness, but I didn’t care about his! When Ranma betrayed me and proposed to Akane I thought I would die. Konatsu was the only one there for me. He even changed into a man for me. Ryoga I’m such a mean bastard,” she croaked. “Ukyo?” he asked stroking her back. “It’s not your fault.” “But it is, he was heart broken that I made him move out. Now he is jealous because I let you stay with me,” she sobbed. She wrapped her arms around his waist and cried into his yellow shirt. “Don’t cry it will work out. If you don’t love him, why not try and find someone worthy of his love?” Ryoga suggested. She sniffed and hugged him to her. “Thank you Ryoga. I think I’ll do that,” she said resting her head on his chest. Ryoga walked Ukyo back into the restaurant where she sat down. He gave her some tea to drink. “The plates go into the cupboard above the sink,” she said softly sipping the tea. “Okay, I’ll be right back,” he said. He went into the kitchen and put the plates away. He thought of what must have happened when he was away. Ranma and his Akane were now going to be legally wed. “Correct that, Ranma and Akane,” he thought sadly. “Shampoo had Moose now, and Cologne finally let sleeping dogs lie.” he thought smiling. Ukyo, however, had no one to cry upon. No one to move on with, Konatsu, Ukyo, and he, himself were one of a kind. They all had loved someone who wouldn’t love them in return. “Poor Konatsu,” he thought remembering the pain he saw in that ninja’s eyes. Ryoga walked back out to the restaurant and found himself in a closet. “Ukyo?” he called. “I don’t know where I am!” “That jackass,” Ukyo muttered getting up. She walked behind the counter into the kitchen where she saw no Ryoga. “Ryoga where are you?” she called into the empty kitchen. “I think I’m in a closet of some sort,” he muttered disgusted with himself. Ukyo rolled her eyes, “That dummy walked into the supply closet,” she thought opening the door. “Ryogachan, you really have a bad sense of direction,” she sniffed. Ryoga hugged her and comforted her while she let a few tears run down her face. “Can you take me to my room?” she asked. She felt him turn to stone, “You jackass! I’m not that kind of woman!” she snapped. “I…I know, I’m sorry I reacted that way,” he stuttered looking down into her blue eyes. She smiled up at him through tears. His mouth descended on hers. Her arms snaked around his neck. “Why are you doing this to me?” he panted as she kissed his chin because he wouldn’t let her have his mouth. “I don’t know,” she said before her lips found his again. “I thought you said you aren’t this kind of woman,” he teased gripping her waist. She sprang from him as if he burned. “I’m not! I’m sorry I came on to you. I will show you to your room, and tomorrow I’ll get you for work,” she said grabbing his hand. He looked at her flustered face and smiled. He liked how innocent she seemed. “Ukyo will you be alright? I mean for tonight?” he asked her pulling her back into his arms. “But of course,” she snapped struggling to get herself free. “Ukyo I’m not the bad guy. I won’t hurt you,” Ryoga smiled releasing her. “Humph!” she sniffed scowling at him. He smiled at her face. “So now I’m funny?” she demanded. “No, you’re cute when you’re mad,” he smiled. “Thanks,” she grumbled dragging him to his room upstairs. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way,” he said softly. “You jackass,” she hissed. “This is your room, my room is right down there. But don’t you dare come into it without knocking!” she snapped. “Right,” he said placing his bag into his room. It was small with a twin bed, a small computer desk with an old computer on it. The bookshelf next to the bed was empty except for a small radio placed at the top. The dresser was next to his closet where he placed his bag. He had air-conditioning, and a big window that overlooked the back of the restaurant. “This must have been Konatsu’s room before he moved out,” Ryouga thought touching the desk. Ukyo sprawled on her bed and cried. “Why didn’t I think of Konatsu’s feelings? I’m such a jackass,” she thought gripping her pillow to her face. “I hurt him as Ranchan had hurt me. I’m so mean. I acted just like Ranchan,” she thought bitterly. She remembered the little talk Ranma had with her about the engagement ring. It was heartbreaking for her. But she knew that Ranma would gladly die for Akane at a pin drop. “He may risk his life for me too, but just because he is my best friend,” she thought. “I’m so sorry Konatsu,” she whispered into her pillow. “Do I actually love him?” she thought with a shock. “Why am I crying like this?” she asked herself. Then the flashback hit her. ***Flashback. Last-year, a month before the Christmas party. *** Ranma waited at the park for Ukyo to show up. “Ranchan,” she called waving. Her blue dress waved in the wind as she walked up to him. “Hi Ucchan,” he smiled. “You wanted to talk to me,” she said cheerfully hooking her arm through his. “Ucchan, I know this is sudden, but I would mind if you stopped doing that,” he whispered. Ukyo looked up at him in shock. “Why Ranchan?” she asked innocently. “Ukyo, I cannot love you like how you love me. I’m sorry. I do love you; you’re a great friend. But my heart will always belong to Akane,” he said pulling his arm out of her grip. “But Ranchan! I’m the cute fiancé!” she snapped. “Ukyo please,” he begged. Ukyo’s eyes turned huge, “Ranma begging. Something was up,” she thought glaring at him. “I’m sorry Ukyo, you’re my best friend. Please do me this favor,” he said touching her arm. “Why?” she demanded slapping his hand away. “Ukyo, I love Akane, and I want to marry her. Please understand, I don’t want the same thing to happen at this wedding that happened at the last,” he said gripping her upper arms. “Ranma?” she asked staring at him in shock. Ranma released her and looked at the ground. “I need you to help me pick out an engagement ring for Akane,” he said kicking a rock on the ground. Ukyo had run away from him in tears. Later Ranma found her by the river. “Ucchan?” he asked sitting down next to her. “Leave me alone Ranma!” she snapped looking at him through her blurred vision. Tears still poured down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry Ucchan,” he whispered whipping a tear away. He handed her a handkerchief. “Why her? I’m the cute finance!” she wailed. “Because I love her,” he answered in a low soft voice. “Argh!” she growled throwing the handkerchief in his face. “Well fine! I’m chopped liver!” she snapped placing her hands on her hips. “Ukyo?” he said surprised written all over his face. “Get lost Saotome Ranma!” she snapped running away again. That evening, Ukyo had cried her eyes out and vowed to be womanlier. She put on her best dress, and helped serve her customers with a smile plastered on her face. “Ukyo-sama are you alright?” Konatsu asked. “No, but I will be,” she said smiling. Ranma walked into her restaurant with one thought on his mind, to apologize profusely to Ukyo. “Welcome to Ucchan’s,” Ukyo called from behind the grill. She looked up and her smiled faded. “Ukyo I’m…” Ranma started but had a spatula imbedded into his face. “You jackass,” she hissed. A few of her customers looked up at her in horror. She dragged Ranma outside. “Explain!” she snapped. “I needed your help on the ring, I’m sorry that I have hurt you but I did it unintentionally. I wasn’t thinking about your feelings and I opened my mouth and inserted my foot,” he said rubbing the back of his head. Ukyo glared at him. “Ukyo please understand,” he said bowing very low to her. “Ranchan? Please don’t,” she said trying to get him to look her in the eyes. “Please forgive me,” he said to the dirt. “Ranchan,” she breathed. “I forgive you, now please get off the ground before you scare my customers even more,” she said. He got up and dusted his pants off. “Now will you help me with the ring?” he asked hopeful. WHAM! “Ranma you jackass!” she snapped stomping back into her restaurant. ***End Flashback*** Ryoga heard her sobbing and woke up. He got out of bed and looked for his shirt. His sleepy brain couldn’t think of what the sound was at first but then it registered. Ryoga glanced at the digital clock on the book self next to his bed. It read 1:24 in the morning. He crept out of his room and followed the soft sobs to Ukyo’s room. He knocked softly on her door. “Ukyo are you alright?” he whispered. Soft moans and sobs still came through her door. He opened it to find her asleep. But she was tangled in her blanket; he walked over to her and smoothed her face. Ukyo’s face was contorted into a hideous grimace and she kept moaning and tears streamed down her face. She woke up when she felt Ryouga rearranging her blanket. “Go back to sleep,” he whispered. “Oh Ryoga,” she sobbed sitting up and hugging him. He was shocked because she slept with only a small tank top on and her underwear. “I’m such a jackass! I betrayed, hurt, and used Konatsu as Ranma had used me. I’m so mean!” she sobbed. “I’ll kill Saotome!” Ryoga whispered hugging her to him. “Don’t do that! I didn’t want to hurt anyone as I was hurt, but I did! I hurt Konatsu,” she whimpered. “Konatsu is a big boy, he’ll find someone new,” Ryoga whispered into her hair. It still smelled lightly of okonomiyaki. “I know, but I…I…” she chocked back a sobbed. “There, there,” Ryoga whispered rubbing her back. She snuggled closer to him and brought herself into his lap. “Ukyo?” he whispered. “Hold me,” she whispered back. He held her while her sobbing subsided and her breathing became even again. She had fallen asleep in his arms; Ryoga tucked her back into her bed. She still clung to him. He tried to make her grip on his shirt loose, “Ukyo please let me go,” he whispered. “No, stay with me,” she whispered back pulling his head down to her mouth. Ryoga woke up next to Ukyo and then quickly looked down at himself. He was still wearing all his clothes, he sighed and wrapped an arm around her. She snuggled closer to him; he rubbed her arm until she arose. “Ryoga? What are you doing in my bed?” she asked glaring at him. She then looked down at herself and turned a bright red. She was only in her regular sleepwear. “You were having a nightmare and I came in here to comfort you, but you wouldn’t let me leave,” he whispered. “Oh, that’s right,” she smiled. “I need a bath,” he smiled. “Oh, right, I’ll show you to the bath,” she showed him were to go. Ryoga got his bath things and thanked Ukyo before slipping into a nice… “Cold!” he squeaked before it turned into gibberish. “Bwee!” he snapped. His little hooves couldn’t turn the faucet off, so he jumped into the bathtub. Luckily it was warm and it took some time before he changed. He got out and washed himself with warm water then rinsed off. He sat back in the bath remembering how Ukyo had cuddle up to him then fell asleep. He had watched her sleep, until he fell into a deep sleep. Ukyo walked down the hall to her little kitchen upstairs. She started to make her okonomiyaki and paused thinking maybe making something different wouldn’t kill her. So she decided to make some fish, miso soup, and rice. “Done,” she smiled placing the food on the table. She sat down and turned on the small television on the counter. The news droned on about a robbery and a murder. But she wasn’t paying attention because it wasn’t anywhere near Nerima. She got up and washed the dishes she had soiled making their breakfast. “Morning,” Ryoga said walking in. A small towel was wrapped around his neck; he had changed into a yellow sleeveless shirt and black pants. He walked barefoot, she noted. His bandana was annoyingly still wrapped around his head. “Breakfast?” she motioned him to sit down. “Thanks,” he smiled sitting across from her. Ukyo felt awkward since she usually ate alone. “Are you feeling better?” Ryoga asked looking at her eating slowly. “Fine, I thought if Konatsu said he could live without me and I could live without Ranchan I shouldn’t feel bad,” she smiled. “Why is that?” Ryoga asked perplexed. “Because I have you now,” she said quietly her face turning a dark red. Ryoga was taken aback and looked at her. “Ukyo?” he whispered. WHAM! “Not like that!” she snapped. “Sorry,” he said from under her gigantic spatula. “Well I’m going to take a shower. Do you mind cleaning up?” she asked placing her spatula at her side. “No it will be fine,” he smiling at her. “Doesn’t he feel anything?” she thought glaring at his head. “Okay, good,” she snapped getting up and placing her dishes in the sink. “Thanks for the meal Ukyo,” Ryoga said swallowing a mouthful of rice and fish. “No problem. But if I find you gone, when I get back you’re in big trouble mister!” she smiled walking to the bath. Ukyo took off her clothes and slipped into the shower. She could smell the shampoo and soap Ryoga had used. She noticed her bathroom looked like a man was now living with her. “Oh my gosh! He really is living with me!” she thought in horror. She took her hair out of its ponytail and began washing her hair when she heard snickering. “That little lecher!” Ukyo snapped throwing a bar of soap at the window. “Ouch!” Happosai winced as the bar connected with his face. Ukyo snapped the window shut. “Great, this just completes my morning,” she sighed. “Ukyo?” Ryoga called from the kitchen. “I’m fine!” Ukyo called back. She took a quick bath before Ryoga decided to pop in on her. When she had rinsed off, she shivered and stared at the bathwater. “Oh, what the hell,” she whispered to herself and slid in. She turned on the small radio near the window. It played soft pop music and Ukyo relaxed her tensed muscles. “Ah…” she sighed leaning back. Her hair floated around her chest like vines, but she didn’t mind. She hummed softly while relaxing and not thinking of anything. Then she heard a crash. Ukyo jerked up and the thought processed and then her eyes turned huge. “Oh no!” she gasped. She sprang up out of the bath and wrapped a towel around herself before sprinting down to the kitchen. Author’s note: Wow first chapter done. I wanted a break, because I didn’t want to make my story really long. But that’s pretty much the introduction of the story. What will happen to Ukyo and Ryoga with Ukyo in a towel? (* V *) And will Konatsu find happiness? What do you think made the big noise? How do you like the story so far? I would like to know your thoughts so please mail me at white_bear_23@hotmail.com. I‘m open to suggestions, and even flames. But I will not tolerate flames that insult Ryoga and Ukyo! This is after all a fanfic of Ryoga and Ukyo! (@. @) This is my first attempt at a fanfic so please be gentle on me.