Subject: [FFML] [RE!] [FF] [R.5] The Leper Part 02
From: "Nikholas F. Toledo Zu" <niftol@i-manila.com.ph>
Date: 8/18/1998, 11:25 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

	The story continues...

	It's 2 in the morning, I can't sleep.  Let's write part 2...

	This'll be a bit longer, and a bit boring... except for the last 
part (I hope).  Word of advice: never spit when you've just brushed your 
teeth.  Excuse me, I can't seem to find my brain... oh, wait, here it 
is...

---------------

                                The Leper
                                  Part 2
                         "A Revelation or two..."

                      by Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo


	Ranma 1/2 is the property of Kitty, VIZ and the omnipotent Rumiko 
Takahashi.  I am a property of Switch (so you know who to sue).

	I am NomaD... I am coming... I am near...
	
	For those who haven't read the first part, read it before this!  I 
don't want to do a summary right now.  This is an insertion.  You have 
been warned.

	Names and spellings have been explained in part 1...

-----------
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! 
Cigarette smoking can be dangerous for your health.
-----------

	Friday dawned on Nerima - the district lives for another day...

	Only a few souls were awake, this early in the day.  One particular 
soul was heating an okonomiyaki grill.  From the upstairs bedroom, 
someone slept comfortably while savoring the aroma of the morning 
cooking.  She opened her eyes, and took in the darkness.  She was 
smiling, still smiling.  She had a dream - it was very comforting, though 
she forgot what it was about.  She smelled the cooking from below and 
instinctively went for the door.  She stopped and blushed.  She was just 
wearing a thin-collared shirt, nothing else.  She got out a pair of 
shorts and a newly-washed ribbon with which to tie her hair.  She clipped 
her bra and proceeded downstairs once more.

	She stuck out her head when she reached the door downstairs.  There 
he was, with his long, black hair and his round, black-rimmed glasses.  
He was frying a few sausages and eggs.  When he saw the figure emerge, he 
just had to smile at her beauty.  She noticed this and blushed 
unexpectedly.

	"Good morning... Ucchan..."

	"Good morning, Kii..."

	"Breakfast?"

	As he mouthed those words, a sudden recognition occurred to her...

	<This... this happened before, exactly like this... only a few 
years ago...>

	And then she began remembering...

                         ~~~~~flashback.wav~~~~~

	She'd been in the school for only two weeks and she already didn't 
like this place.

	"If this keeps up, I might blow my cover..."

	She adjusted the collar of her shirt and began walking the halls.  
Classes just ended, and the long walk down the hall towards the exit 
began once more.  She just passed the lockers when she heard something 
hit them.  She turned around and saw a student with a bat running the 
thing along the lockers.  The man was immediately followed by three 
others.  She turned and tried to walk away, but she was blocked by six 
guys.  She tried to hide her panic and unslung the gigantic spatula on 
her back.  Her muscles tensed as she clenched her fist around the 
spatula.

	<Just hold on, Ukyou... you'll make it through...>

	The man with the bat was the first to charge.  Ukyou remembered 
him.  She underestimated him the first time, only to find out that he was 
the son of the kendo instructor.  She'd never seen anybody handle a bat 
with such grace and ease.  She parried as much as she could, trying not 
to attack.  She knew that, if she did, the others would pounce on her.  
No, the moment had to be right.  But her spatula was too air-resistant.  
It missed its mark when the man faked a slash.  It connected with Ukyou's 
stomach.  She gasped for air.  The hit was stronger than she expected.  
She fell, knee-first, to the ground.  She held her midsection and winced 
in pain.

	<I don't believe this, one hit and I'm down already, I was never 
really good at defense... what a way to go...>

	The man was about to club her with the bat - the swing was midway - 
when somebody swiped the bat out of his hands.  Nobody saw it, nor did 
they see him coming.  The man turned around, he knew who it was...

	"Shin, you better leave..."

	"Kiiroi..."

	Kiiroi threw the bat at the man.  The man caught it.  He then gave 
a signal for everybody to disperse.  They left with great reluctance.

	"Mister Kuonji, are you all right?"

	"Yeah, I guess..."

	Ukyou had heard about this guy, his fame around the school was 
legendary.  They said that his family was that of great martial artists.  
They said that his skill was unmatched, though nobody really ever saw him 
fight since everybody was too afraid to challenge him.  His name, Kiiroi 
Niwatori ('yellow chicken') was just to throw his enemies off, or so they 
said.  But his stealth seemed to reflect his skill.  Ukyou had seen it 
herself, today - what they said were true.  They said that he could come 
and go like the wind.  His movements were swift and silent.  Ukyou barely 
saw him snatch the bat, but she never saw him sneak behind Shin.

	"Good."

	He started walking away.  Ukyou stood up and followed him with her 
eyes.  She leaned down to pick up her spatula and turned to the exit once 
more, but he wasn't there anymore.

	"Wow..."

----------

	The next day...

	"There he is... how do I do this?"

	She approached the table slowly, trying not to show her excitement.

	"Uhm, excuse me, Niwatori-sempai, can I sit with you?"

	Kiiroi looked up from the book he was reading.  He smiled at Ukyou 
and gestured her to sit.  Ukyou set her lunch tray on the table and sat 
at the opposite end.

	"Please, Kuonji-san, don't call me sempai... it's embarrassing."

	"Oh, forgive me then, but..."

	"... Kiiroi will do..."

	"Then you may call me Ukyou.  Pardon me for prying, but why are you 
sitting by yourself?"

	"I didn't choose this to my own liking, but it seems that my 
reputation has gotten the better of me."

	"Is it always like this?"

	Kiiroi nodded.

	"Don't you get a bit lonely?"

	"Oh, being left alone has its advantages.  I may not have any 
friends in this place, but neither do I have enemies."

	"Well, I don't mind being your friend... that's if you'll let me.  
It seems that I'll live longer that way."

	Kiiroi was silent for a moment.  He lost his composure for a 
second.

	"A friend?  Why not?  That'll be nice for a change.  At least I 
know that there's actually one person in this school who isn't afraid of 
me."

	Ukyou started eating her lunch.  She hurried up a bit so that she 
and Kiiroi could talk afterwards.  There was so much she wanted to know.  
Meanwhilst, Kiiroi silently sipped on his milk carton while reading his 
book.

----------

	The two walked side-by-side along the corridor.  Students glanced 
at the two individuals - some were making way for the two.  From the 
back, one would mistake the two for twins, both having the ponytail 
signature, only one was shorter and one wore glasses.

	"I've got another question..."

	"Shoot."

	"Why do those guys try to beat me up almost everyday?"

	"Didn't your classmates tell you?"

	"All they told me was to be careful of the things I do."

	"That's basically it.  You weren't in an all-boys school before, 
were you?"

	Ukyou nodded then faced the other way to hide her blushing face.

	"Actually, I was.  I just never got used to it."  <That's something 
that can't be helped.>  "But it was never like this back then."

	"Well, that's because this is high school, and unlike you, I've 
been here ever since I began my education.  You see, being in an all-boys 
school decreases the things one can specialize in.  Hence, competition 
kicks in, fierce competition.  And, from what I've heard, you've been 
performing exceptionally well in your class.  That's another thing - some 
of the guys hate overachievers and, as an added bonus, you're a 
transferee.  That's probably why they stalk you everyday."

	"Well, I can't help it if I'm better than those dimwits!"

	"Well, unless they learn to respect and fear you, then you're in 
for a lot of trouble... which reminds me - now I have a question for you.  
How come in all your fights, you never fought back?  I've seen you move - 
you're a genuine martial artist, but why do you refuse to fight them?"

	"Don't get me wrong, Kiiroi.  I could beat those guys up with one 
hand behind my back, I just choose not to.  It's safer that way..."

	"Is it?  I don't think this is the right time to be a pacifist."

	"I just don't know.  I'm just hoping that this thing will 
eventually die down.  I just don't want to focus attention on me."

	"Why?  Are there secrets that you're trying to keep hidden?"
 
	Kiiroi saw that he struck a nerve.  Ukyou couldn't hide her 
embarrassment.  Kiiroi clasped her on the shoulder.

	"Don't worry... we've all got our own little secrets to keep."

	Ukyou's eyes lit up.  She remembered something she was supposed to 
ask.

	"Speaking of secrets, what kind of martial arts do you practice?  
I've asked around and I've found different and even outrageous answers 
every time.  Some say you're a ninja, while others say that your family 
was descended from some form of spiritfolk..."

	Kiiroi gave a hearty laugh.

	"I deny those accusations... <giggle>. The only reason why they 
never knew is that they never tried asking me, ever.  Though there are 
things I'd like to keep hidden, I can tell you this much.  Our clan and 
fighting style is one of the oldest in Japan.  And we're only one of the 
few who survived the Shogunate wars.  But then, for some reason, we were 
exiled from Japan.  Our family has lived in China ever since, but we've 
always kept our Japanese heritage.  Besides the martial arts, my father 
has a successful tea plantation there so he can't exactly leave for Japan 
anymore.  But he wanted me to study here so he sent me here with my 
mother and he was left behind to manage the plantation."

	"Wow..."

	Ukyou's praise was cut off by the school bell.  Kiiroi looked at 
his watch.

	"I gotta go now, I've still got a class..."

	"Sure.  I'll just see you later then."

	"Thanks, Ukyou."

	"For what?"

	"Oh, I just haven't talked with anyone this much before."

	The two waved at each other as Kiiroi sped to class.  Even as he 
ran, he made no sound, and Ukyou could've sworn his feet never touched 
the ground.

----------

	It had been more than six months now, and Ukyou had finally settled 
in.  She followed Kiiroi's advice and made a name for herself.  But, like 
Kiiroi, she never exactly fought back.  She just sharpened her spatula 
like a sword's edge.  When Shin attacked her again, she murdered his bat 
a hundred times.  She did this in a matter of seconds, at Shin's mid-
swing.  After which, she threatened Shin that she'll do that to 
everything he strikes her with.  And when he punches her, she promised 
him that he'd never use his hand again.  Now, those in school rarely 
challenged her.  Only the arrogant transferees were stupid enough to do 
that.

	The two were now having a snack in the cafeteria when Kiiroi 
noticed somebody enter.

	"Whoa!  Hey, Ucchan, get a load of her."

	Ukyou turned her head.  A girl, about their age, just entered the 
cafeteria.  She had long, brown hair tied with a white bow and sparkling 
blue eyes.  Her white dress flowed with her as she walked.  Most of the 
boys were now hollering and doing catcalls.  Ukyou just stared blankly.

	"She's okay, I guess..."  <If you're into that sort of stuff.>

	But one guy was foolish enough to sneak up behind her and pinch her 
in the butt.  The girl flung herself around and gave her attacker a 
hearty slap.  The guy flew over numerous tables and eventually landed on 
one.  This was when the jeering stopped.  The girl got herself a curry 
bread and a juice carton and left the cafeteria.

	"Wow, she's quite strong..."

	"Yeah..."  <A little too strong, for a girl.>

----------

	They met her again.  She entered their class.  The teacher gave her 
a look of recognition.  He went over to her and brought her to the front 
of the class.  All of the students were yammering now.

	"Class, settle down class... thank you.  Class, I'd like to 
introduce Tsubasa Kurenai.  Tsubasa just arrived today and HE'LL be 
studying here from now on..."

	Now the talking couldn't be stopped - this was too bizarre.  Some 
of the boys were a bit disappointed while some stared in awe.  News 
spread like wildfire.  Soon, everybody was talking about it.  Nobody 
ridiculed Tsubasa about being a cross-dresser 'coz they knew what would 
come to them.

	Tsubasa immediately gained fame in their school but not just 
because of his cross-dressing.  He was more than a bully, he was a power 
tripper.  Everybody feared him because of his sheer strength and his 
weird fighting style.  He had the ability to merge with any object and 
use this as a weapon and shield.  Most of the bullies joined up with him.  
But one thing he never did was to pick a fight with Kiiroi.  He heard of 
Kiiroi's reputation and he didn't want to challenge him just yet.  But 
Shin took his opportunity to tell Tsubasa of Ukyou...

----------

	Ukyou just finished one of her classes.  She went to the locker 
area to return her books.  She just barely touched the dial when a hand 
grabbed her.  It was coming from inside her locker.  Another hand reached 
out and now Ukyou was being embraced by a pair of very strong arms.  A 
head emerged in front of her.

	"Tsubasa..."

	"Hello, Ukyou.  Don't take this personally - I'm just doing this 
for a friend..."

	Tsubasa turned her around to face the other way.  His arms locked 
hers, so she couldn't get away.  They were now surrounded by numerous 
students but only one of them had a bone to pick.  His hand was behind 
his back and Ukyou wished afterwards that it stayed there, for Shin 
brought out a metallic bat.  He grinned with great malice.

	"Don't worry, Ukyou... I'll try not to kill you."

	He rammed the thing at Ukyou's belly.  Ukyou thought she'd start 
throwing up her innards when she felt her system jolt up.  Shin gave her 
a few more whacks then gave her to the other students to beat up.  Ukyou, 
despite her great determination to denounce her femininity, whimpered.

	"Kii..."

	Then the punches started landing.  Shin's hand started itching 
again, so he parted the mob to do some more swings.  He pulled the bat up 
and swung, aiming for Ukyou's head.  It never reached its destination... 
for it exploded midway.  Everybody ducked from the shrapnel.

	"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"

	Kiiroi stood in the middle of the crowd.  Everybody just stared at 
him, knowing not where he came from or how he got there.  Kiiroi's eyes 
were blazing.  He gazed at everybody in the room but only one matched his 
cold stare.  Tsubasa just smirked and let go of Ukyou's arms.  Kiiroi was 
starting to tick him off.  Kiiroi took Ukyou by the arms and helped her 
walk.  Tsubasa got out from the locker and went beside Shin.

	"We can't get him if his guardian angel keeps on watching over our 
every move."

	"So what are you suggesting."

	"We'll get him when he's not in his mother's arms.  Then the mother 
will come to us and I'll finally see Kiiroi fight."

	Shin shivered at the thought of actually seeing Kiiroi fight.  
Watching him threaten already made his skin crawl.

----------	

	It was already dark.  Ukyou treaded the sidewalk cautiously.  Only 
the street lamps lit the menacing night.  She wasn't used to going home 
at night, but she had to, this time.  She had just filed her transfer 
papers.  Finally, she was ready to face the one person who ruined her 
life before it even began.  She believed herself strong enough to 
challenge Ranma Saotome.  She has already sent part of her transfer 
papers to Furinkan High; all she had to do was finish her first year.

	She stopped walking as fear set in.  There was no light in front of 
her; none of the street lamps ahead of her were lit.  It was still a long 
way to the next block, where there was light, but she pushed herself to 
the edge of the darkness.  Her breath was shallow as she tried to listen 
to the sounds of the night.  Her heart was pounding, she was sweating and 
her hands were clammy.  She drew out her spatula just to make sure...

	<What was that?!>

	Ukyou cast her eyes to her right - she thought she saw something 
move.  Her heart beat was now deafening her and she had to strain her 
ears to listen.  She gave the general direction a long, hard stare.  She 
sighed in relief.

	"... just a trash can... I better get outta here... my 
imagination's starting to get the better of me..."

	Then her eyes widened in horror as she realized her situation.  She 
hurried forward and never looked back.

	<A trash can... oh, shit...>

	Then she heard it...

	"CHAAAAARGE!!!"

	From behind, she was hit by the metallic cylinder.  She almost fell 
forward but managed to regain her balance in time.

	<... need to get to the light...>

	Something blocked the light in front of her.  Then a foot connected 
with her rib cage.  She momentarily gasped for air, then blindly swung 
her spatula forward.  Something in front of her gave a resounding 'oof!'.  
Whoever he was, he was lying on the ground now.

	<Almost there.>

	Something wooden hit her shins, and she tripped and rolled on the 
pavement.  The light was now at an arm's length from her.  But six guys 
intercepted her, each carrying a weapon.  From behind, she heard the 
steps of heavy feet.  She turned her head and saw a big man.  It was 
Shin, no doubt.  In his hand, he carried a long, thin weapon.

	<... a bokken... NO!>

	... a katana.

	Ukyou tried to get up, but one of the guys in front of her clubbed 
her in the back.  She winced in pain as she saw bright flashes behind her 
eyes.  Her spatula was being stepped on by a guy with a bo stick.  Ukyou 
slipped her hand to the inside of her uniform.

	"No... I will not give up!"

	Ukyou threw two hand-held spatulas up at her clubber.  One zipped 
by the guy's face but the other managed to cut his cheek.  Ukyou's 
momentary rage gave her the momentum to jump up and uppercut the guy.  
She approached the man stepping on her spatula.  The man jabbed the bo 
forward but Ukyou dodged the weapon with ease.  She gave a slide and 
caught the spatula's handle.  She gave it a yank and sent the guy and his 
stick flying in the air.  Two clubs came to her, but she leapt in the air 
just in time.  A bat swung towards her.  She ducked and struck the only 
place that made her different from guys.  The man's eyes popped out at 
the sudden pain that surged throughout his body.  He crumpled harmlessly 
to the ground, still clutching his little general.  Two more guys charged 
at her, while the one who clubbed her brought out a chain.  From the 
corner of her eyes, she saw Tsubasa in a black blouse, observing 
everything that was transpiring.  Satisfied with the situation, the 
cross-dresser left.  Something hummed in the air.

	<Oh, shit!  I forgot about...>

	Shin brought his blade down Ukyou's back.  Ukyou flinched as she 
felt her back starting to get warm and numb.

	<Oh, no, I think I'm bleeding...>

	And sure enough, she started feeling her pants getting soaked.  
Blood dripped on the street.  Ukyou just lost her initiative - now, it 
was time to end this.  Blocking Shin's strike once, she immediately 
twisted her block to a strike while the big man was still recovering.  
Then she felt it.  Fear struck her face and she almost fumbled with her 
spatula.  The clothing around her torso, which kept her chest flat, was 
severed.  She cupped her breasts with one arm while vainly blocking 
strikes with the other.  Her chest was beginning to jiggle, so when the 
opportunity came, she took it and ran.  The others gave chase, so she did 
the only thing that the others couldn't do.  Ukyou leapt thirty feet in 
the air to the other side of a brick wall.  The others mouthed curses.

	Ukyou kept on going until she found what seemed to be a safe place 
for her to check on herself.  Unknown to her, the man who kicked her in 
the chest decided to cower away when the fight began, so in the end, the 
same guy was the only one who wasn't tired enough to follow her.  The man 
was crawling on the ground behind some bushes.  He saw Ukyou unbutton her 
shirt and take it off.  When the cloth strips came off he had to pinch 
his nose before all the blood left his head.  Ukyou now sat topless on 
the ground.  Her back was still bleeding and she couldn't stop it (she 
wasn't the only one having trouble stopping bleeding).  She managed to 
rearrange the cloth strip and put it on again along with her top.  She 
stared at the surroundings to see where she was.  She recognized the 
place...

	"Kiiroi lives near here..."

	When she got up, she almost fell again.  She was weak from all the 
blood loss.  She managed to walk using her spatula as a crutch.  The eyes 
that watched all this happen came with a mouth which formed into a very 
malicious smile.  How he wished he had a camera to capture the moment.

	"Wait 'til Tsubasa hears about this..."

----------

	*Ding, dong*

	"Hm.  I wonder who it could be..."

	Kiiroi got up from his couch and went to the door.  When he opened 
it, horror struck his face...

	"Ucchan..."

	"Kii..."

	"Oh, god!  What happened?  You're bleeding!"

	Kiiroi aided the now pale Ukyou inside his house.  He sat her on 
the couch but she flinched.  That was when Kiiroi saw her exposed back.  
He stretched her over the couch face down.

	"Wait here, I'll go get some bandages..."

	"Kii, wait!  I've got to tell you something..."

	"It'll have to wait!"

	Kiiroi disappeared to the next room.  Ukyou just lied there, trying 
to forget what happened, trying to forget the pain, trying to forget her 
life...

	"Ukyou!  Ucchan!!!  Wake up!  Don't go to sleep!"

	Ukyou blinked and saw Kiiroi with a basin, a washcloth and some 
bandages.  He dipped the cloth in the basin.

	"Okay, now take off your shirt."

	Ukyou just stared at him.

	"Well?"

	She sighed.

	"Kii, before you do this, there's something REALLY important I have 
to tell you."

	"Well, tell me while I'm cleaning your wound."

	Ukyou felt Kiiroi hand touch the edge of her uniform and started 
pulling it up.  She braced herself.

	"I'm a girl."

	Kiiroi paused for a moment then continued on pulling the shirt up.

	"Boy, I was distracted there, for a moment I thought you said you 
were a girl..."

	Ukyou just sighed and slipped her hands inside her uniform for the 
inevitable.  She was too weak and too tired to argue, and her wounds 
needed to be tended badly.  Kiiroi managed to pull the shirt up from the 
back over Ukyou's shoulders.  Kiiroi twisted the cloth over the basin and 
the water trickled down.  He adjusted his glasses and placed the cloth on 
Ukyou's back.  Kiiroi stared at Ukyou's torso.

	"You've got some sort of cloth strips wrapped around you... I'll 
have to cut them off... nice breasts... you've got a nasty bump behind 
your head, but this thing on your back is the one that needs atten..."

	Kiiroi's eyes bulged and blood slowly leaked down his nose.  He was 
turning pale and his body started warming up.  Ukyou didn't pull her 
shirt down.  She just lied there with her hands cupping her breasts.

	"I've being trying to tell you..."

	Kiiroi leapt back to the far end of the room.

	"But how?  You're a guy!"

	"No, I just pretended to be one."

	"I... I don't understand... you have breasts.  That's not supposed 
to happen..."

	Ukyou sighed once more.  It was getting harder to speak.

	"Kiiroi, please calm down.  This was the secret I've tried so hard 
to keep from all of you.  But now you know.  Kii, I'm already risking a 
lot, letting you know of this, but my wound needs treatment.  Please... 
I'm very weak..."

	Ukyou couldn't help herself anymore, she had fallen to sleep.  She 
didn't care if Kiiroi did anything that would violate her, she couldn't 
fight anymore, though the thought lingered until she lost consciousness.  
Kiiroi was still standing at the other end of the room.  He stared at 
Ukyou's wound: it was bleeding.  He stared at Ukyou's covered chest: she 
was a girl.

	<He needs... she needs help.  But she's a girl... of course, SHE'S 
a girl, you fool!  But she used to be... no, she's been a girl all her 
life!  Now get a grip of yourself!  But she's naked... now what?  Just 
treat him... her, like you'd treat him... him as her... the old Ukyou... 
but she's still naked!  Don't do anything stupid to her...>

	Kiiroi finally gathered enough courage to approach Ukyou.  He 
continued wiping the blood off her back.  He tried not to stare at her 
round and shapely... chest (in vain).  He stuck surgical tape to make her 
skin meet.  Then he dressed the wound with the bandages.  He stared at 
her for a moment.  He left when she started looking beautiful.  He left 
the room, smiling at himself.

----------

	Dawn finally came.  Only a few souls were awake, this early in the 
morning, but one particular soul was up and about heating a frying pan.  
>From the living room, someone slept comfortably on a couch while savoring 
the aroma of the morning cooking.  She opened her eyes, and took in the 
darkness.  She was smiling, still smiling.  She had a dream, it was very 
comforting - she dreamt she was dying, but someone kept on guarding over 
her.  He said that everything would be all right.  He also said he was 
sorry.  Ukyou wondered what the dream meant.  She smelled the cooking 
from the kitchen.  On the table in front of her lay a set of school 
clothes and a shirt.  She got up and noticed for the first time that she 
had a blanket wrapped around her.  She smiled.  She then looked around to 
see if anyone was there.  Satisfied that no one was watching, she took 
off her shirt, which was still hanging over her shoulders.  She removed 
the cloth strips.  They were sagging now and not doing their purpose 
anymore.  She put on the shirt and decided to worry about her breasts 
later.

	She stuck out her head when she reached the kitchen door.  There he 
was, with his long, black hair and his round, black-rimmed glasses.  He 
was frying a few sausages and eggs.  When he saw the figure emerge, he 
just had to smile at her beauty.  She noticed this and blushed 
unexpectedly.

	"Good morning... Ucchan..."

	"Good morning, Kii..."

	"Breakfast?"

                            ~~~~~end.wav~~~~~

	"Ucchan?!"

	Ukyou immediately snapped out of her reverie.

	"Huh?  Did you say something?"

	"I said, how would you like your eggs?"

	"You said that, too..."

	"What?"

	"Uh... I mean, well done, please."

	As Kiiroi started setting the table, Ukyou tried to remember what 
else happened on that fateful day.  She remembered talking to him.  She 
spilled everything that day.  She figured that it was useless keeping any 
more secrets.  She told him about her engagement with a boy she once 
knew, and what that boy and his father did.  She told him about her 
pledge to turn away from her womanhood.  Not wanting to make her feel 
uneasy about what she just did and wanting her to trust him just as much 
even after this, Kiiroi told her of his secret.  The secret that his 
family had kept for generations.  What he said to her that day shattered 
Ukyou's belief in him.  All the praise was replaced by pity...

	"Here you go!"

	Ukyou turned the other way to wipe a tear, then ate breakfast with 
him.  They talked about old times and what's happened to them ever since.  
Ukyou was starting to get familiar with the situation again, and this 
made her very happy.  When they finished, Kiiroi got up and started 
gathering the dishes.

	"Oh, Ukyou, can I use your phone?"

	"Sure, go right ahead."

	Kiiroi went behind the grill and got the phone.  Ukyou leaned back 
on the chair.  The breakfast was sure filling.  Kiiroi talked for a bit 
then put the phone down.  Ukyou gave him a stare.

	"That was my mom.  I told her that I've finally arrived and that 
I'm ready to transfer to Furinkan..."

	"YOU WHAT?!?"

	Ukyou got up and went over to Kiiroi.

	"Oh, I thought you knew..."

	"Why? WHY?!?"

	"So that I could stay here with you... to be your... fianc�."

	Ukyou felt like fainting, or throwing up, or both.

	"My mom got hold of your father.  And since your old fianc� 
chickened out, your dad agreed to give me his consent.  You'll be getting 
a letter from him anytime now..."

	"Kii, this is insane!  We can't be engaged!  We're great friends!  
The first time you knew me, you thought I was a boy!"

	"Well, it's different now.  I know I've fallen for you and I know 
you like me, too, just not in the way I wanted you to like me."

	"That was one of the reasons why I left.  You started treating me 
like a girl... Wait, did your mom tell my dad about your martial arts?"

	"Uh... well... sort of...  Aw, c'mon, my mom had to pretty it up a 
bit..."

	"... as usual.  Look, if my dad finds out... he'll be so ashamed of 
himself... he'll get your head for it."

	"... let's forget about the whole thing for now.  Who knows, I 
might change my mind... I won't even tell anyone of our engagement.  
Meanwhile, can I stay here for a few days?  My mom's gonna send me money, 
but it won't be here until a couple of days."

	"Yeah, sure..."

	Ukyou's head felt very light.  She grabbed a stool to hold herself 
up.  Everything was going all wrong.

	"Ukyou!"

	"Huh?  What is it now?"

	"We better get ready for school."

	"Okay..."

	Ukyou dragged herself upstairs.  Her life was already stable, then 
this came along.  She wanted to cry but tried hard not to.  She would get 
through this, no matter what.  But could she learn to love Kiiroi?  She 
immediately banished the thought.

----------

	The two walked along side by side.  Nobody spoke ever since the 
incident that morning.

	"Hey, Kiiroi!  Ucchan!"

	The two turned to see Ranma and Akane catching up with them.  They 
all exchanged greetings.  Akane noticed the two's get-up.  Both were 
wearing their black uniforms and ponytails.

	"Boy, you two look like twins from behind..."

	Ranma put his arms around the two, particularly tighter on Kiiroi's 
neck.

	"So, how are you two?  Anything happened last night that I should 
know of?"

	Akane grabbed Ranma by the collar and got out a mallet, and whacked 
him on the face.

	"Oh, will you please give it up!"

	Kiiroi and Ukyou smiled at the two.

	"They're always like that... c'mon."

	Kiiroi gave her a smile.  It was very heartwarming and sincere.  
How she wished they weren't engaged so that she could smile back at him 
without feeling sorry for herself.

	<At least everything's gonna get better, 'coz there's no way in 
hell that it's gonna get any worse...>

	The four walked on to school, not knowing of the surprises the day 
has set for them.

--------------
end of part 2
--------------

	I actually cut this one short.  I separated the school stuff for 
the next part.  In case any of you want to know, I changed a few things 
too 'coz they didn't make sense.  For instance, if Ukyou left for Nerima 
and transferred to Furinkan on her second year, then how long did Kiiroi 
look for her in order for him to be in second year too?  At first, I put 
one year, but then I realized that this would mean that Ukyou, Ranma and 
the rest of the students would be one year ahead of him, so I figured 
four months would do... would it?

	So still wondering who this Kiiroi guy is?  And what is this 
martial arts technique of his?  For more questions, comments and general 
criticisms, send me a mail... "Nikholas F. Toledo Zu" at niftol@i-
manila.com.ph, care of NomaD.
 
	Anyway, that's about it.  I'd like to thank the following people :

Switch, the official Deputy Bastard Taskmaster from Hell, may the force 
be with him.

Nomadess, she still haven't read this yet, I hope it's not too mushy.

Elf, I haven't heard from her for some time now.  She still hasn't read 
this series but I think she'll like it.

	For all you Ukyou worshippers out there, thank you for sharing a 
special bond with me.  All praise the mighty and omnipotent goddess, 
Ukyou Kuonji!

-NomaD-
=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)=);):)

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