Ukyou’s Other Woman, chapter 1/?
By Trisha Sebastian
[insert standard disclaimer here]


Not five minutes into the train ride, I started to wonder if  I was
doing the right thing.  I sat back in my seat and thought back to that day
when my feeling for Ukyou started to change.

	I couldn’t find him anywhere.  He wasn’t waiting at the corner where
he usually waited for my brother and me.  I walked my brother home, and then
ran back to the spot, hoping that I could find Ukyou there.  No such
luck.  I went back to the temple, to the arcade, to all the places where we went
together.  Still no sign of Ukyou.  I was passing the park when I noticed a 
glint of metal through the trees, deep into the wooded area.

	Weaving my way around the people milling in the walkways, I
rushed to that spot.  When I got there, I saw something I will never forget. 
Ukyou was wearing an okonomiyaki chef’s outfit, holding only his big combat
spatula.  He had squared off against the biggest tree in the park, his feet 
planted and his eyes steeled.  Then he attacked.

	His combat spatula whizzed through the air in complex patterns, almost
too quickly for me to watch.  He jabbed and feinted, his opponent whirling 
and kicking around and above him.  It was a beautiful sight.  Then I heard 
him shout, "Ranma!  This is the day you die!"  And then he proceeded to 
slice through the tree as if it were mere butter.  As he attacked and sliced 
and screamed, my ears were pounding.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  My 
Ukyou, the calmest, most centered person in the universe was screaming 
like one of them gaijin banshees, a whirling dervish of raw anger.  For one 
brief moment a glimmer of indigo light shone around Ukyou.  Then it flickered 
out as the tree began to fall.

	It landed heavily, and no matter what those Zen koans tell you, when 
a tree that big falls, everyone can hear it.  I jumped back in surprise and
that’s 
when my surprised eyes locked with his dark angry ones.  I was truly afraid in 
that moment.  I got the feeling that if Ukyou wanted to, he could cut me down 
in a flurry of strokes without me even noticing the pain.  I didn’t even know 
that my feet were taking me to him until we were face to face.

	"Ukyou, what are you doing?" I asked.  I knew it was a stupid question
the minute it left my mouth, but I had to know what was going on.

	"You wouldn’t understand," he snorted.  "It’s a guy thing."

	"Please, tell me what’s going on," I pleaded.  "How can I help you
if you don’t tell me what’s happening.  What was that," and I gestured
to the fallen tree, "all about?"

	"I said, you wouldn’t understand," he replied, gathering up his things.
"Go home, Megumi.  Just go home and leave me alone.  I don’t need your
help."

	Well, right then I got pissed, for lack of a better word.  I reached out 
for  his shoulders, and spun him around.  I placed one hand on each shoulder 
and held him firm.  "Like hell you don’t need my help!  You demolish an 
innocent tree over ‘a guy thing?’  Ukyou, honey, if that isn’t a cry for help, 
I don’t know what is!"  I softened my tone and loosened my grip.  "I’m here 
to help you.  We’re best friends, right?"

	His eyes widened in surprise.  "You mean it, Meg-chan?" he asked in wonder.
"You think we’re best friends?"

	"Of course we are, silly," I answered.  "I always mean what I say, Uk-san."
Looking straight into his eyes, I pronounced, "You are my best friend,
Ukyou, and I
will never let you forget it."

	He started to cry then, ugly wrenching sobs.  I held him tightly and 
borrowed from my mom all the soothing gestures and words she used on me 
when ever I was hurting that badly.  He clutched at me and howled his sadness
into my shoulder.  I felt so protective right then.  I felt that whoever this 
Ranma person is, he better not meet me anytime soon.

	As his sobbing subsided, he pulled back from me, a little embarrassed.
"Guys don’t cry," he said, rubbing his eyes on his arm.

	"Yes, they do," I insisted, pulling out a handkerchief from my pocket.
"They’re just too stupid to do so."

	Ukyou laughed, and I began to wipe the tears from his eyes.  He caught 
my hand easily, as to forestall me and suddenly, I realized how firm his
grip was.
I saw his hand for the first time, small, but firm, callused from years of
working
as a chef, but still gentle.  He saw mine, and then we saw each other.

	My heart was beating so loud I thought he could hear it.  For a moment,
it was just me and Ukyou, alone in the world.  Two people in a bond, responsible
only for each other.  I leaned forward slightly, and so did he.  Our eyes locked
for the second time this day, only they were filled with meaning, instead of 
fear and anger.  We leaned in a little more closer and then—

	A voice rang out from behind us.  "Who is responsible for this mess!"
We turned to see one of the park officials gesturing towards the tree.  The
spell
was broken.  I broke away from Ukyou to try an come up with an explanation.
I was so busy talking to the official that I didn’t even notice Ukyou slip away.

	That was the last time I saw him.  I sighed and sat forward in my seat
on the train.  When I decided to go after Ukyou, I didn’t know what I was
going to expect.  Would I find my best friend?  Or would I find a murderer?
I think I made my decision as I passed that park one day.  I knew that I would
find my best friend and help him out of his problems.

	The train started slowing down as it entered the Nerima station.
The sun was almost setting and I got off the train with the rest of the
commuters.  They had people to go home to.  So did I.

	I didn’t know where to start looking for Ukyou, but I knew I was in the
right city when I saw a small advertisement in the waiting room at the station.
It was for a new okonomiyaki shop in the business district.  The name of the
restaurant was Ucchan’s.  I figured that if Ukyou was to get a job anywhere,
it would probably be at this new shop.  He might even be the head chef!

	When I reached the restaurant, the dinner hour was in full swing.  A
beautiful woman called out the welcome, and I took a seat near the back.
She was about to take my order when a couple entered.  Instantly, the room
fell quiet.  The waitress glared at the couple, the boy in particular.  He 
was dressed in a Chinese shirt and a pair of baggy trousers.  He, in turn,
glared at the waitress.

	The tension broke when the chef barked at the waitress, "Tsubasa!
Get out of my restaurant!  You are not a waitress here!  Get out!"  The chef
bounded over the counter and with one quick motion flung the erring
waitress out the door.  He set the spatula down and turned to welcome
the couple.

	I couldn’t believe my eyes.  It was him.  "Ukyou!" I shouted.

	He turned and a huge smile spread across his face.  "Megumi!
What are you doing out here?"

	I held up the postcard.  "I got your message.  Thought I’d stop in
to see how my best friend was doing!"

	The boy in the Chinese shirt bristled and the girl beside him
elbowed him fiercely in the gut.  Ukyou’s smile faltered as
she took in what I just said.  I began to worry.

	"Listen, Uk-san, I just got in, and I’m beat to hell," I continued
ignoring the boy’s gaping look.  "Can’t you give a proper welcome
to your best friend?"  I walked over to Ukyou and gave
him a big hug.

	That’s when I noticed that something was very different
about my Ukyou.  He was wearing a white bow in his hair, like a 
hair band.  And his hair was flowing down his back.  And when
I hugged him, I knew that something was terribly wrong

	Ukyou Kuonji had breasts.



AUTHOR’S NOTES:

6-30-97

Was there any doubt that I’d continue this story?  Of course not!  
The reason why I was doubtful in the first place was that I was afraid
of the reaction to the story.  So many people are getting sick of Ranma 
stories, and the Ukyou fan club wants Ranma as her suitor, you can see
my trepidation.

As you can tell, I’ve put in a quite an interesting twist in this part.  
I can’t wait to see what you guys think.  Remember, C&C is appreciated, 
just send it to my addy <sebast5228@theonramp.net> as I am no longer
subbed to the ML.  Life has gotten complicated again, especially with 
all my new responsibilities.

Until next time!


Foxtrot the Furryous, CBTFH, ret.