Hi all! Yes, It's me crawling out of my little cave. ^_^
Anyway peoples, I did this durring my 2 hour break, so It's a bit choppy and 
full of gramatical errors.  I appologize in advance.

I'd really love to hear any C&C you have, It'll help me greatly.  I don't 
mind if you tear it out piece by piece, or flame it.  I just want something 
as a response!

Muahahaha!  You're funny if you think Ranma and everything involved belong 
to me.  Nah, they belong to the wonderous Rumiko Takahashi-kami!  (We're not 
worthy of your greatness)  The idea belongs to me. If you liked it, credit 
goes to me, if you didn't.. it goes to another of my personalities.

Previous Engagements
Chap 1 (Draft)
By LizMUN

	I've noticed that I'm a true believer of the Ukyou & Ryouga Relationship. 
(JUST
NOW?) Yet I haven't written the required story getting those two together.  
Well, until
now, only I won't do the clich�'d "Ukyou gets together with Ryouga to get 
over the loss of
Ranma," or "Ukyou learns to like Ryouga, after time," or everyone's 
favorite: "It's an act!
They liked each other from the very beginnings!" Rather, I will try to do a 
different
approach.  If that fails, eh heck with it, I'm still writing it.  Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~

	"Saotome.. *choke* KISAMA NO CHIKUAHOUME!!" *Sob*
Kounji-tousan shook his head and sighed. He sat on a rock and idly twirled 
his
miniature spatula as he observed his daughter attacking a nearby tree in
frustration. He paid her little mind, since this was not the first time.  He 
knew
why she was like this. He knew what the others at her school were saying 
behind
her back.  He knew what other parents were saying behind his own back.  Did 
he
care what those pompous jackasses think? No.  Not in the slightest. It 
wasn't
anything new to him, in fact, he had been called worse. Life on the road 
tends to
make you immune to such hardships.  But Ucchan, his poor little Ucchan.  He
couldn't say her mother softened her, since she was merely a toddler when 
she
passed away.  He made sure that he wouldn't pamper her, since there was 
hardly
anything to pamper her with.
They lived on the road, slept in a solitary flimsy tent.  Their only 
possession was a
little yatai to which they cooked okonomiyaki in order to make ends meet.  
Alas,
that was gone.  Funny how one little thing can make a world of a difference. 
  So,
what now?  There was nothing left for any of them.  Ironically, their lives 
have
been ruined by what was one of his best customers.
"Colorful language your child has there. Heh. You look as if you are about 
to join
her."
Kounji-san looked up at his visitor.  The man was tall and rugged looking. 
His
clothing, though seemingly overused, was very gaijin-like. Cargo's that 
looked
outworn, hiking boots full of mud and tears that should have dismantled them
long ago, a grimy, cream-colored shirt under a thick, brown, leather jacket, 
a
black bandanna pushing up his thick hair, and also blending into his mane 
nicely,
finally, a western hat to complete the "adventurer" look.
"Sorry if I'm a bit rude, I haven't been round civilization often." He 
smiled,
showing what looked like fangs? "Name's Hibiki, Ryoukou Hibiki."
"Kounji Houan, hajimemashite."
"So, Kounji-san, how is it that you look like the end of the world is upon 
you?"
"It is a family matter, that is all I will say."
"Ah� yes� family..." At the mention of the word, this seemingly cheerful 
man's
expression suddenly turned downcast and isolated.
"Now it seems that you have the world thrust upon your shoulders, 
Hibiki-san."
"Hai.  Truth to the matter is, I would carry two worlds, Kounji-san, if only 
I could
see my family again. I haven't seen my wife and child for years now. In 
fact, my
son should be the same age as your daughter there.  How big he must be. I 
sorely
miss them."
"Why is that, if you do not mind me asking."
"Not at all, I appreciate having to talk to someone other than myself. 
*Smirk* As
you may have guessed, I am a wanderer, but not by choice.  I travel these 
lands
for the sole purpose of reuniting myself with my wife and son, but you see, 
I have
a slight problem." He paused, not sure if he wanted to flat out tell his 
secret to
him. How would Kounji-san react to know that a grown man, like himself, 
could
not find his way out of an open box?
"That's all right, Hibiki-san, if you do not wish to articulate further, I 
will not
press."
Ryoukou Hibiki let out the breath he did not know he was holding.  He smiled 
at
Houan in appreciation.
"Domo Arigato.  Heh, sounds like your daughter has exhausted herself."  He 
looks
at the severe damage of chopped trees, craters to which rocks once sat in, 
and
various spatulas embedded into the ground, and whistles appreciatively.  
Ukyou
herself was now curled up in a little ball, sleeping off her exhaustion. 
"Heh, I
don't blame her. I should tell you about the time my Ryouga went into a 
temper-
tantrum and we ended up with the kitchen connecting to the bathroom, which 
was
upstairs! Buahahaha!"
By now, Kounji was busily pondering.  He may as well forget about the
engagement he had foolishly made with the Saotomes.  Right now, he should
focus on how to take care of his daughter.  Get her married and have her 
secured
in a family of her own.  Grinning, Houan turns toward Ryoukou, who was still
laughing at old memories.
"So, tell me more about your son, Ryouga."
~~~~~
I sat there, watching her last night, sitting quietly in the porch with that 
_pig_
upon her lap.  She loves that pig, but does she love me more than him? Does 
she
love him more than me?  Do I love her?  What a stupid question! Of course I 
love
her!  I am just not worthy of her. I never will unless I get this curse off 
me.  She
does not deserve a "half-man".  Anyway, how does one expect such a forced
marriage to work?  How do I tell her? But, if I do tell her, she'll give me 
that look
of hurt, betrayal, and loneliness.  Damn.
	"Ryouga-sama?"
	"Ano... Hai Akari-san?"
	"Is something the matter?"
	Okay, this is it! Now tell her that this relationship won't work! That she 
deserves
better! Tell her you're not ready for such a commitment! Tell her...
	"No.. Hehe! Nothing's the matter."
	Tell her you're a complete wuss! Okay, one more try! This time get it 
right!
	"Akari-san?"
	"Hmmm?"
	"I... I.. think .. What do you think of my curse?"
	*Sighs* Ugh!  Okay. Okay.. progress.
	"Oh, Ryouga-sama! We've been through this many times! I don't mind your 
curse!
In fact, I love you even more because of it! Is that what was bothering 
you?" She giggles.
	"But, what if I didn't have the curse?"
	Huh? Where did this come from?  Nevermind! This is good! This is different! 
Go
with it. Hmm.  She does seem to take her time thinking.  Is she thinking of 
excuses?
Come to think of it, she would always give the same excuse whenever I asked 
about my
curse!  Maybe it's all an act! An act to convince herself that the 
engagement's going to
work.  Maybe she's not too happy with this whole fianc�e thing as well! Why 
is she
laughing? Does she think this is a joke?
	"Oh Ryouga-sama! I'll still love you, curse or no curse!"
	Hoo-kay, this is going nowhere.  Going... That's it!  That's how I'll tell 
her!
	"Akari-san! I'm leaving tomorrow."
	"Le..Leaving?"
	Oh Gods those eyes! Hurry up, stupid!
	"On.. on a t-training trip!"
	Phew! That was close.
	"Um, does this have anything to do with Ranma-san?"
	"Um.. well... That is..."
	"It's all right, Ryouga-sama, I understand. There is that matter of your 
'revenge', is
there?" She giggles again. "As long as you promise to come back to me! 
Promise me
Ryouga!"
	I... I... Damn.  I nod.  Now she's leaning against me.  I'll never get used 
to such
affection.  She's caring, trustworthy, and me, a coward.  How could I ever 
think I deserve
her?  Akari-chan, I will return and when I do I'll be able to proclaim my 
love to you!
*Sigh* Yes, perhaps some good will come from this trip.
~~~~~
	To say she was "pooped" was an understatement, Ukyou Kounji was downright,
dog-gone exhausted!  First she had to open early after spending the previous 
night
preparing a new batter, to which she didn't have enough ingredients to make 
a decent
batch.  Second, it had seem that the damn Nekohatten clan had left for China 
about some
sort of "Amazon Elder Initiation Ceremony" or something along that line. 
Anyway, with
them gone, those who had always gone to glimpse at that Amazon hussy every 
morning
graced her restaurant, Ut-chans, for a quick fast-food breakfast.  Not that 
she minded the
increase of business, but she could have done without Tsubasa harassing the 
customers.
That jackass would constantly disguise himself as one of the stools, tables, 
and he even
dared to hide himself in her last batch of flour.  She greatly repaid the 
cross-dressing
human chameleon with a re-introduction of her spatula and a one-way trip to 
the Ozone
layer, courtesy of Kounji-spatula airlines.
	If that weren't enough, school wasn't much help.  The teachers, trying to 
stabilize
their reputations as educators, not referees to the year-round chaos that 
seemed to be
attracted to the school, all decided to give pop-mid-terms. She was nearly 
sucked out of
her chi when Hinako-sensei tried to control a couple of protesting 
delinquents because of
this.
Lunch time held a bit of sanity, but one can only hold on to a thread of ice 
too long
before it deteriorates.  Poor Ran-chan, she often wondered if all the chaos 
would stop if
he would only get a clue and marry her!  Akane could then have Kuno.. nah.. 
perhaps
Ryouga.  Mousse and Shampoo could get together, right, when hell froze over. 
  Then
again, what was it those silly gajin folks called it?  Eii Nin-nio, sounded 
close, well it's
been known to weird out climates over the world, who knows?  Kodachi.. let's 
not kid
ourselves, shall we? Well, it was near closing time.  Hopefully she can get 
Konatsu to go
buy some provisions early tomorrow.  Her priority right now is to get some 
peace and
quiet.
	"WHERE THE HELL AM I?!"
	Peace and quiet, that was all she asked.  Groaning in frustration, Ukyou 
grips her
battle spatula to give the Lost boy a proper Nerimian welcome.


((I'll stop here, Love to hear what you all think about it.  Should I 
continue it? Should I not? I WANT TO KNOW!!))

~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~

Ja ne!  (Stop this Crazy thing!)
Evil Kasumi
*~"She's really a very sweet girl.  She's just a violent maniac!"~*

Visit "The Lost Gallery"...if you can find it. �_~
http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/unreal/483/ranma
**COR's Keeper of the Heituenniichuan**

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