Kuso.  This may go out twice--which means, Ukyou, that you'll get it 
four times.  If so, gomen to all.

From: UkyouKwnji@aol.com
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 18:38:37 EST
To: ffml@fanfic.com
Subject: [FFML] [Ranma][Fanfic] Incident at the Ucchan

An Incident at the Ucchan
a Ranma 1/2 fanfiction by Ukyou Kuonji (well, who else?)

Waiwai!

Okonomi-yaki.  That was what she smelled as she opened her eyes.

But it wasn't just the ordinary smell that always permeated the 
Ucchan, even when no one was cooking... no, this was the scent of 
okonomi-yaki on the grill.  Downstairs.  Right now.

Nice grabber.  Obviously something's up, and for a moment, at least, the 
reader's mind is free to speculate.

"What is it... "  She paused.  In her surprised joy, she had 
forgotten her son's name.  Then, a name came to her: "...Kyouma?"

*I think "Then, his name came to her:" would read better, but maybe 
that's just me.*

If the boy had even noticed his mother's hesitation, he gave no sign 
of it.  He was too busy bouncing up and down excitedly.  "Just come 
downstairs, Mommie!  Daddie sent me to get you... he says he's got 
something real special for you!" 

*"He's gonna take me on a training trip, just like he did with Ranma!"  
(Think about it.  Hey, this could be a nightmare....)*

..where he was waiting, behind the grill, with an apron around his 
waist, and a smile upon his face.  Konatsu sat on a stool some ways 
behind him, beaming proudly.  And lying there, steaming on the grill, 
was a gigantic heart-shaped okonomi-yaki.  The kanji 'ai' - 'love' 
- was drawn broadly upon in in sauce.  A small vase with a single 
red rose stood in front of it on the counter.

*All together now:  "Awwww....".*

Ran-chan grinned.  "Happy anniversary... sugar."

*[grin]  Nice touch.*

"It's burning!!"  And Ranma turned away from her momentarily to tend 
to the damaged breakfast.  It was then that Ukyou became away of a 

*"... became aware of...".*

tugging sensation on her throat, which soon developed into a violent 
jerk backwards.

*"Nani?"*

And then everything went white.

Well, it's been a while since I've written a good stinger.  
(heh)  Maybe it still has.

*sniff*
*Nope.  Your skill is as good as always, although my natural distaste 
for suicide as a way out is _very_ strong.

*sigh*  Maybe I *have* been thinking morbid thoughts lately 
after all...

Not that I remember it very well, but this was obviously inspired 
by 'Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' or some such title like that, 
and I imagine I'll be roundly castigated for the awful thing I've 
just done to 'myself'.  But unlike Dan Root ('The Martyr'), I can't 
break from the conventional wisdom that 'I' am supposed to be the 
tragic heroine.  

*Funny thing; I do prefer the 'TH' view of Ukyou.  And I think that's 
the problem I have with this, actually;  I find little 'heroic' in 
choosing suicide--just tragedy.  Ah well, that's just my rant gland 
kicking in--it was well-written, as always.*

--Freemage
 Who's moving on to Extended Play, next!

ukyoukwnji@aol.com
Konatsu@KawaiiMUCK

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