A Ranma 1/2 songfic by Ronin.  All characters herein were created by 
Takahashi Rumiko.  Lyrics in this fic are by Ani Difranco, off of her 
album "Dilate".  I haven't written a fic of any kind since four months 
ago, so please excuse me if I'm a little rusty.  


Untouchable Face
==================

[     The view fades in on a field of coruscating greyness.  Pulling back, 
the world circles slowly down through billowing clouds of steam that part 
to reveal the dimly-lit kitchen of Ucchan's okinomiyaki shop.  Ukyo is 
making her signature product with swift speed, but none of her normal 
flourish or flair.  Her movements are utilitarian, precise; no doubt due 
to the fact that she is cooking on the tiny griddle in the back kitchen 
instead of the large open grill in the main room.  A shadow falls across 
the doorway, and Ranma sticks his head through the curtain.]

"Hey Ucchan, it smells great!  Thanks for letting us in after hours, we 
were all pretty hungry.  Are they ready yet?"

[     A strained expression flashes across Ukyo's face, quickly replaced 
by a smile.]

"They'll be done in a couple of minutes, Ranma honey."

"Great!  Hurry it up, willya?  I'm starved!"

[     Ranma disappears back into the main room.  Giving the okinomiyaki a 
final turn, Ukyo tosses them onto a platter, and emerges from the quiet 
kitchen into a hubbub of voices and light.  Nabiki, Ranma, Akane and 
Kasumi are perched on stools next to the now-cold grill, chatting quietly 
and every so often casting an eye behind them at their father and Mr. 
Saotome who are comfortably established at a back table.  The two older 
martial artists are arguing animatedly over what sounds like a scheme to 
put Happosai on ice permanently.]

[    Ukyo brings over the platter of steaming okinomiyaki, and wavering 
notes from an acoustic guitar quietly insinuate themselves underneath the 
clatter and noise of the two families helping themselves to some dinner.  
Ranma tears into his food like a buzzsaw, and the camera angle widens to 
show Akane seated beside him, watching with a combination of amusement and 
disgust.  A string of cheese from Ranma's okinomiyaki snaps up, catching 
him in the nose and leaving a trail of sauce all the way down his face.  
Akane laughs, and Ranma grumbles as he wipes off his face, but he smiles 
back at her.  Between the two silhouettes, we see Ukyo jump up abruptly 
and walk hurriedly back into the kitchen.  As she lets herself out the 
back door and into the darkness of the alley, a voice begins.]

think i'm going for a walk now
i feel a little unsteady
don't want nobody to follow me
'cept maybe you

[     Ukyo leans against the side of the building, tilting her head back 
to rest it against the bricks.  Bars of light and shadow spin across her 
face cast by the headlights of a car passing on the street, and in the 
constantly flickering pattern her eyes show through like faint sparks.]

i could make you happy, y'know
if you weren't already
i could do a lot of things
and i do

[    Rising slowly and heavily to her feet, the young okinomiyaki chef 
slides the door open and moves quietly back into the dark kitchen.  Warmth 
and light pours through from the main room, but she stays in the shadows.  
Framed in the curtains is Ranma, laughing, and obviously having a good 
time.  Ukyo smiles.]

tell you the truth i prefer
the worst of you
too bad you had to have a better half

[    The curtain blows back in a slight breeze from the open door, 
revealing Akane seated next to Ranma.  Both are munching on the last of 
the okinomiyaki, and talking animatedly.]

she's not really my type

[   Ukyo's mouth firms, and she strides into the main room, snatching her 
large battle spatula from beside the curtain.  She bears down on Ranma and 
Akane, who go silent and wide-eyed at her look.  Raising the spatula high, 
Ukyo brings it crashing down...]

i think you two are forever

[   .... on her knee, barely flinching as she breaks the hardened steel 
handle in two.  Ukyo tosses the broken pieces of her favorite weapon on 
the counter in front of Akane with a clang: a gesture of defeat.  Turning 
around, Ukyo walks out and into the night.]

i hate to say it
but you're perfect together

so fuck you

[  She picks a direction and walks.  Her mind is not on where she is 
going; anger creases her eyes.  The faint image of Ranma's face, happy and 
laughing, drifts into her mind, but she banishes it with a snarl and 
swipes at the tears streaming unbidden down her cheeks.]

and your untouchable face

[  Ukyou stops, and kicks the curb.  The pain maddens her, and she kicks 
the hardened asphalt again and again savagely until the curb has been 
reduced to a pile of rubble.]

fuck you
for existing in the first place

[  Coming to her senses, Ukyou tries to put weight on her throbbing foot.  
Her ankle abruptly collapses underneath her, dumping Ukyou unceremoniously 
to the pavement.  Her eyes squeeze shut as she tries to think about 
okonomiyaki, her ankle, how cold it is, anything but Ranma.]

and who am i
that i should be vying for your touch

and who am i
i bet you can't even tell me that much...

-----------------------------
Author's Notes:

It's good to be back writing fics again.  This was sort of a warm-up to 
get me going on other stuff.  Hope you enjoyed it.  As usual, my fics are 
archived on my page at http://ronin.anime-manga.net and I can be contacted
at msimmons@bcgroup.net

Matte ne!

Ronin
--gakusei no kobujutsu

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