Enjoy....please disregard the spellin' and grammar mistakes...I added another
part to it since my last posting. I'll continue it...


Jeffrey "OneShot" Wong

Ranma 1/2 :To live in shame



     "Somebody," Ukyo screamed as her rapist ripped her blouse off  "Please help
me!!!"
  Tears streamed from Ukyo's eyes as she knew that her cries were futile. No one
would hear her. She and her rapist were miles away from the nearest form of
civilization. She was living in a secluded part of Japan. All her life, she
wanted to live alone, but now she regretted it. Being alone meant no one would
be nearby to hear her scream. She had been living in a secluded house located
just outside a forest near the foot of some mountains.
  "You can scream all ya want ya fuckin' bitch!" her rapist said with sneer "No
one's going to hear you!"
  Her rapist slapped Ukyo across the face as he used one of his hands to pin
both of Ukyo's arms babove her head on the bed. The weight of her rapist was too
much for her to push off. She was too weak to do anything but cry as the rapist
slapped her again.
   "Somebody, please help!"

  Ukyo cried herself to sleep that night. She cried herself to sleep every night
for two weeks straight. The scene of her rape played over and over again in her
mind as she would twist and turn in her bed every night. They plagued her mind
throughout the day. She would wake up sweating, screaming as her rape was 
re-enacted in her nightmares. She would immediately goto the bathroom and vomit,
taking a shower immediately, hoping to wash away all the filth.
  She had lost weight over the past two weeks since she had lost her appetite.
Her days were spent where she would linger around the house in her pajamas,
doing nothing but stare mindlessly out the window. She wouldn't pick up any
incoming phonecalls, didn't goto town to pick up her mail. Her whole life had
been destroyed.
  
  Ranma wiped the sweat from his brow as gazed down the mountain toward the tiny
cabin. He smiled as he adjisted his backpack to his other shoulder, realizing
that his long and arduous hike to her best friend's house was finally nearing an
end. He wished he had some form of transportation. It would have made everything
much easier on him. It had taken him close to five hours to hike up the mountain
on the other side and a couple more hours to hike back down the other side,
where Ukyo's cabin was located. He wished a mountain didn't separate Ukyo's
house from his hometown, Nerima. It would have made it whole lot easier for him
hike. He hadn't visted his longtime friend in over a year, his job as a sensei a
very hectic one, never having the time to visit. But now that he was on two week
vacation, he finally had the time to drop in on a friend.
  He sighed though. There was still about a mile left before Ukyo's house. But
his countenance brightened as he thought of tasting one of Ukyo's delicious
home-cooked meals. He had been looking forward to eating her cooking for a year
now. He had called her a few times several days ago, but she never picked up the
phone. Perhaps she was tending her garden outside when he called. He would have
called late at night, but he didn't want to risk waking her from her slumber. He
figured the best thing to do was drop in for a surprise visit.
  Ranma smiled to himself as he continued on with his hike back down the hill
toward Ukyo's house. He missed his best friend and was really looking forward to
seeing her again. 
  
  Ukyo's heart lept when she heard a knock on her door. She felt a wave of fear
engulf her as she stood in the middle of the livingroom of her once cozy cabin.
She quickly reteated to the back of the livingroom, fearing that the rapist was
back. She wished she had a back door so she could make a run for it. 
  "Please go away" Ukyo said pleaded silently, tears starting to form, her
throat dry.  She was absolutely terrified. It was the worst feeling the the
world and she wanted it to go away. And the only way it would go away was if the
stranger would leave her alone. 
  She looked at the phone, wondering if she should call the police. But the
phone was near the front door, and she didn't want to go near it. She wanted to
be as far away from the door as possible.
  "Hey, Ucchan, ya home?" she heard a familiar voice from the other side of the
door.
  Although it sounded familiar, she still wasn't going near that door. She was
too terrified to go see who it was. 
  "Yo, Ucchan, it's me Ranma" she heard "Ya home?"
  "Ranma?" she said softly. She felt this wave of relief surge through her as
she rememebered the name of her bestfriend since childhood. When she recalled
hearing him call her 'Ucchan', she realized that it must be Ranma since he had
given her that name from when they were both young.
  "Damn," Ranma swore as he placed his backpack down on the steps. He wished she
was home. That meant he couldn't surprise her. He would have to wait here till
she got back since he was way too tired from the hike before. 
  The door opened up notch as Ukyo peeked out the tiny crack. Ranma heard it
creak opened and turned his attention toward Ukyo.
  "Ucchan," he said with a warm smile "Thank goodness you're home. I was hoping
my hike here wasn't all for nothing" 
  Ukyo opened the door and cautiously stepped outside into the cool afternoon
air. She was still dressed in her pajamas which consisted of light sweat pants
and a plain white shirt. Before she could even react, she felt herself being
picked up off the floor in Ranma's warm embrace, her head tilting into the crook
of his neck and one of his shoulders.
  "It's been ages, Ucchan" Ranma said as she swung her around once in his arms.
He welcomed how hice it felt to be holding Ukyo in his arms again. Even though
it was just a friendly hug, and it had been a year since, he hugged her as if he
hadn't seen her in decades "How've ya been?" 
  He gently placed he back down on her feet. He smiled slightly as he noticed
that Ukyo's hair was slightly unkempt, as if she had just woken up. It made her
look incredibly sexy. He also noticed her attire, especially the way her plain
white shirt hugged her upper body tightly, accenuating her curves. If he didn't
know Ukyo like the friend she considered him, he would have mostly commented on
how beautiful she looked "I like your shirt, it makes ya accually look like ya
have breasts" he joked with a mischieveous grin. 
  He placed his arm over her shoulder like the way they used to when they were
young "It's been a long time since we last saw each other. Let's catchup on the
good ole times" He jerked a thumb toward the beat up jeep in her dirt driveway
"Let's take that heap 'o junk to town and have some fun like we use to"
  Ukyo didn't say anything. She just looked up at Ranma. She didn't want to
admit it, but she was actually glad to see him. He smile was warm and as caring
as if nothing had changed since they last saw each other. She wished she could
be the same, but that would never happen. Her life had changed completely ever
since that one horrible night.
  "Hey, Ucchan," Ranma said taking a serious tone "you all right?"
  Ukyo started to cry as she pressed herself into Ranma's chest. 
  "Hey. I'm sorry I said those things" he said regretfully "I was just jokin'
around like the way we used to. I didn't think you were going to take it like
this. If I did, I wouldn't have said anything"
  She continued to cry. She couldn't make herself stop. When she caught sight of
Ranma, al her emotions started to surface, her resentment toward him because he
was a male, the shame she bottled up, the pain she had gone through with every
passing day, and the fear that he would lose respect in her if he found out what
had happened. She wanted to tell him what had happened that night, but she was
ashamed to. 
  Ranma's immediately embraced Ukyo, not really knowing what to say. He had no
idea she would react to his comments like this. He felt a wave of remorse wash
over him. He wished he didn't say what he had said.
  "I'm sorry" he said in a soft caring voice "I didn't mean it. Really, I
didn't"
  Ukyo broke away from his embrace "D-don't worry about it" she said as she
wiped some tears from her eyes. She knew it was best that she didn't tell him.
He would lose his respect for her if he found out. He was the only man on this
world who she trusted.
  "Are you sure?" he said, reaching forward and placing a hand on her cheek. He
noticed that she instinctively pressed her cheek against his cupped hand. But it
only lasted a fraction of a second before she pulled away and turned around.
  "I'm fine" she lied, her back to Ranma. She didn't want Ranma to know "I-I
guess I was just happy to see you. That's all. It's been so long since we last
saw each other. I-I've been a bit moody these passed few days"
  Ranma returned his normal teasing self  "That time of month, huh?" He picked
up his backpack "All right if I come in"
  "Y-yeah" she said. She took a deep breath as she put on her best face. She had
to act like nothing was wrong "Even though I don't want ya, I guess you're gonna
come in anyway"
  "There ya go" Ranma said as he entered, chucking his backpack across the
livingroom onto the one of the couches "That's the Ucchan I know" He looked
around the room and noticed that although the furniture was the same, the entire
room had been rearraged "I see ya rearranged the livin' room" He took off his
shoes and followed Ukyo into the livingroom, plopping down on the nearest couch.
  "Yeah, I rearranged it a few days ago" she said. She had to do something to
keep her mind occupied and away from those reoccuring daydreams of her rape, so
rearranging the livingroom was a good move because it had kept her occupied for
a few hours.
  She stood in the middle of the livingroom and regarded Ranma for a moment. He
hadn't changed in the past year. He was still as handsome as ever. No, more
handsome than before. He still retained his casual and teasin personality as
when they last saw each other. For a moment, Ukyo was glad that something in her
life had never changed.
  "Hey, aren't ya gonna offer me some coffee or somethin'?" Ranma said as he put
his feet on the coffee table and stretched a bit "That hike over that mountain
can sure take a lot outta a guy, even someone as fit as me"
  There he goes again, Ukyo thought with a slight smile. For a moment, she
almost broke down crying again. This was the first time she had remotely cracked
a smile since that night. Ranma had been here for a few minutes and he had
already brightened her day. But that was expected. He always made her smile and
seemed to be and expert at brightening her day.
  "I'll go get it" she said as she went into the kitchen to prepare Ranma's
coffee.
  Damn, Ranma thought to himself. I can't believe how Ucchan's gotten even more
beautiful than I last saw her. Maybe this wasn't that good of an idea. How will
I be able to keep my hands off her? I don't wanna jeopardize out friendship.
Damn, if she only saw me as more than a friend.
  It was too bad Ranma's lifestyle was different from Ukyo's. Otherwise, they
would have been perfect for each other. Ranma and Ukyo's personalities were
complete opposites. Ranma preferred to live fast life and make new friends where
ever he went while Ukyo preferred living alone and keeping a few good friends.
  Ukyo entered the livingroom with Ranma's cup of coffee. She handed to him and
sat down on the couch adjacent to his.
  "Thanks" he said. He took a sip before smiling to Ukyo "Man, the hike was
worth it. Your coffee is still the best I ever had" He placed the cup on the
coffee table as he perred over at Ukyo intently.
  Ukyo could feel Ranma's gaze on her, and it bothered her. It felt as if he
could see her soul, see what she was trying to hide from him. She figitted with
her cup for a moment before she spoke. She didn't want Ranma to know something
was up because of her strange behavior. She had to act like nothing had
happened.
  "S-so what brings you here?" she said softly. She said the first thing that
came to her mouth. She knew why he was here. He was here to check up on her. It
just goes to show her that he still cared about her, dispite their differences.
  "I have a two week vaction from work" he said casually "I just wanted to stop
by and see what's up" He gave her a smirk "It's not like I'm here to check up on
ya or nothin'. I was jus' in the area" Yeah right I was was, he thought. Then
why did it take me over five hours to get to her cabin if I was nearby.
  Even though Ranma was just teasing her, his words made their way to her heart.
She knew he was checking up on her, and she was gratful deep down inside.
Although he was just teasing, he never really meant those words. He was just
talking casually, a form of friendly banter.
  "Is it all right if I stay here for a little while?" he said, stretching back
on the couch "I could sure use the peace and quiet for a change. Sometimes it
gets pretty stressin' out in the big city" He stretched the length of the couch
and placed his hand behind his head, using them for support as he looked over at
Ukyo "So how 'bout it?"
  Ukyo gave him a weak smile "It's not like I can stop ya"
  Ranma's tone changed all of a sudden "Hey, Ucchan, you all right?"
  "W-what do you mean?" she said, her heart starting to race. How could he read
her so easily. Did all her pain show that easily on her face.
  "Ya shouldn't think that way" Ranma said in a brotherly tone "It's not like
you to let someone take advantage of you"
  His words struck a soft spot. That was eactly what had happened to her just
two short weeks ago. She had been taken advantage of, and she couldn't do
anything about it. She felt herself starting to lose control again as tears
slowly started to form around her eyes. Ranma noticed this and quickly rushed to
her side. He sat next to her on the couch and placed a warm arm around her.
  "Hey, are you all right?" he said softly "W-what's the matter? You haven't
been acting yourself late. Was it somethin' I said?"
  Ukyo wiped her eyes "I-I'm fine. Like I've said. I've been moody"
  Ranma didn't buy it. Something was up, but what? Ukyo was never like this. She
was acting strange, as if she were a stranger. She was always in control and
knew what she wanted. She always had a perky attitude toward life, and would
usually make wisecracks about his childlike teasing, but she had done that once
since he arrived. She seemed to have taken defensive demeanor around him, hiding
something, and that was what bothered him. She always told him everything. This
Ukyo, she seemed meek.
  "C'mon, Ucchan" he said in a soft voice, his eyes intently on hers "you can
tell me. It's me Ranma. You can tell me anything"
  She turned her gaze away. Although she wanted to, this was something she
couldn't risk letting him know about. It was too horrible. It would make him no
longer respected her. She wiped the tears, but they wouldn't stop. She had to
steady herself. She had to bring her emotions back under control. 
  After a few moments, she turned back to face Ranma.
  "Ha," Ukyo said with a slight smile "I got ya there, didn't I. Ya really
thought I was crying, huh?"
  Ranma looked confused for a second before it finally hit him. She was just
teasing him, playing with his mind. Now that was the Ukyo he knew, the Ukyo he
grew up with, and had fallen in love with a long time ago. It was too bad she
didn't want him to be more than a friend at the time.
  Ranma bursted out in laughter "Damn, woman, ya got me good. Ya really had me
going for a second there"
  He stood up, Ukyo's hand in his "C'mon, let's goto town and have some fun. We
haven't done that in the longest time"
  Town, she thought. That was where there would be people. That was where there
would be guys, other guys. And that might be where she might come in contact
with her rapist. She could never deal to face that man again. She wanted to
forget about what had happened to her, forget that had ever happened. She wanted
to be alone, away from civilization forever.
  "Um, no thank you" she said quickly "I had a rough day today, and I was
plannin' on hitting the sack early today"
  Ranma's face was crestfallen.
  "Oh"
    
  Ranma was awoken when he heard Ukyo's scream echo through the cabin. He had
been sleeping on the livingroom couch when he was jolted awake. He had never
been so frightened in his life. Ukyo was in trouble.
  He threw the blankets off as he raced for her bedroom "Ucchan!!!" He ran up
the flight of stairs in a matter of seconds, hopping up three steps at a time.
Once outside her room, he turned the doorknob but it was locked. He banged on
the door "Ucchan, lettme in!" His heart was racing as he banged on the door.
What was going on.
  "Get away from me!!!" Ranma heard Ukyo scream.
  Fearing that Ukyo was in grave danger, Ranma slammed an open palm against the
door, smashing the entire door off its hidges. The door struck agains the wall
on the other side, falling to the floor in a loud thump. He ignored the damaged
he had just caused to Ukyo's door as ran into the room. He saw Ukyo on the back
end of her bed, her knees pressed again her chest, her blanket pulled up to her
neck.
  He quickly glanced around the room and saw no one. He looked at the window,
but it was closed. He took a step toward Ukyo "Ucchan, are you okay?"
  Ukyo saw the figure of a man take a step toward her. Her nightmare was being
relived. The man had come back to rape her again "Get away from me!!!" She
scrunged back as far in her bed as possible, scared to death.
  Ranma turned on the light switch. Light flooded into the room to drown out the
darkness. 
  "Ucchan, it's me, Ranma" he said, standing still. He was waiting for Ukyo to
realize that he wasn't a stranger, that he was someone she knows. It took a few
moments as Ukyo's eyes adjust to the light. Once they did, Ukyo's countenance
turned from frightened to relieved as she finally recognized who the shadowy
figure was.
  "R-Ranma" she said. There was no one that she wanted to see more than the man
standing before her. All her fears disappeared completely as she caught sight of
Ranma's concerned eyes. Although her fears had disappeared, her troubles began
surfacing. She realized that Ranma would now be susicious of her, and she didn't
want that. She didn't want him to know.
  "Are you all right?" he said, concern in his voice. He covered the distance
between him and Ukyo in two easy steps, sitting down on the bed next to her. He
placed an arm on her hands as they rested on her lap. Her legs were no longer up
against her chest. She was now sitting upright on the bed, right next to him,
looking down at the floor.
  "I-I'm fine" said said in a soft tone. Lists of excuses for her behavior was
running through her mind. She had to make something up to convice Ranma that
nothing was wrong, even though that was untrue "I had a bad dream, that's all"
  Ranma flopped down onto his back on the bed, seemingly exhausted "Man, you
really scared me there for a second. I thought someone was in here" He breathed
a silent sigh of relief. He was glad she was able to scare him with something
like that. He would much rather be scared to death of her safety over something
trivial like a bad dream rather than someone actually being in her room "What
kinda dream was it?"
  "I had a dream where Principle Kuno was going to cut off my hair" she said
with a weak smile. It was the best excuse she could come up with in a short
period of time. She didn't  bother to look at Ranma. She didn't want to see him
looking at her with suspicious eyes.
  Ranma bursted out in laughter "You had that dream also?!" He continued to
laugh for several moments, holding his stomach from the pain of laughing too
hard "Oh man, that's so funny it hurts"
  As Ranma conitnued to laugh, Ukyo looked at him for a moment. He actually
believed her. As he continued to laugh, for some reason, it became contagious as
Ukyo found herself giggling a bit. Pretty soon, she was laughing along side him.
  Ranma sat back up as he placed an arm over Ukyo's shoulder, wiping the tears
from his eyes "Man, I haven't laughed like that in a while. Thanks" He got up
off the bed and proceeded toward the door "I guess I better go back downstairs.
Sorry about the door, I'll fix it tomorrow"
  He smiled one last time before turning off the light and leaving her room. The
sounds of his footsteps could be heard walking down the wooden stairs a few
seconds later.
  Ukyo stared at the spot where Ranma had been just a minute ago, where he was
sitting right next to her, worried about her. She then looked down at the door
where it had landed a few feet away from the opening. He hadn't hesitated to
break the door down because he thought she was in trouble. He would have done
anything to protect her.
  Ukyo cried herself to sleep, wishing he was there to protect her two weeks
ago.




-OneShot
Jeffrey Keith Wong: jeffwong@li.net
http://www.rit.edu/~jkw7063/fanfic/index.htm
http://www.li.net/~jeffwong/index.htm
The latter site has been updated on Aug 4th.