I'd like to thank everyone who commented on chapter one, either publicly
or privately.  Since I'm just starting out the encouragement was really
helpful.  I'll probably be releasing a revised version of chapter one in
a few days, along with the third chapter.

As before any comments will be appreciated, so don't be shy.  I'd still
like to get some prereaders as well, so if anyone's interested just send
me an e-mail telling me so.

Disclaimer:      The characters and situations of Ranma 1/2 are owned by
Rumiko Takahashi and are used in this fanfic without permission.  That
doesn't really surprise anyone though does it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Two: One Last Dance
     Akane pushed her homework away in disgust.  I just can't
concentrate on this when I have no idea what Ranma's doing.  First Ranma
and Ryoga start acting like they're friends and now Ranma even seems to
miss him.  Ukyo's acting really nervous and it started right after Ranma
and Ryoga went to visit her three days ago.  That jerk, he can trust his
cute fiancee, but he won't tell me what's going on.  A decision reached
Akane switched off her desk lamp and started preparing for bed.
Tomorrow I'm going to have a little chat with Ranma's good pal Ucchan.


     The following day Ranma and Akane were walking to school together,
with Ranma on the fence beside and slightly behind Akane.
     "So Akane, your not mad at me or anything are you."
     Akane answered without turning or slowing, "Of course not Ranma, it
isn't not like you're hiding something important from me after all."
     "Right, I was just worried because you've been a bit moody lately."

     This time Akane declined to speak and instead increased her pace
slightly.  After that the loving couple walked in silence until they
reached the gates of Furinkan high.
     At this point they were intercepted by a tall figure of noble
bearing and proud mien who was garbed in traditional kendo gear. "Foul
sorcerer, I shall vanquish you just as I did your minion, who fled my
righteous wr-urgh."
     "Give it a rest Kuno," Ranma said as he removed his foot from the
older boys face.  "Come on Akane, he won't be waking up for a while.
     "I wonder what Kuno meant when he said he vanquished your minion."
     "I dun, hope he hasn't been attacking someone who can't defend
themselves though."


     "Ranma, wake up school is over."  Not getting any response from the
dozing boy, Akane shook him with increasing force finally shoving him
out of his seat.
     "Whazzup, Akane" Ranma mumbled looking up at his fiancee.
     "School's over.  I have to go talk to someone so you start home
without me, okay Ranma."
     "Sure, don't be too long though.  I mean, I know a mach chick like
you can take care of herself, but Mr. Tendo disagrees."
     Not knowing how to react to the rather backhanded compliment, Akane
simply ignored it and walked away.


     Scanning the school grounds as she walked,  Akane frowned.  I may
have missed Ukyo at lunch, but she won't avoid me this time.  Let's see
there's Ukyo's spatula, but something's different.  Oh, she's wearing a
girls uniform, well Yuka did say she left school to change.  It looks
good on her too.  Her frown deepening ever so slightly Akane headed in
the direction of her rival.
     "Hi Ukyo, that look is a change for you isn't it."
     "I suppose so sugar, but Ranchan is a guy and I should try to look
feminine for my fiancee."
     After counting to three to control her temper Akane continued,
"Actually I wanted to talk to you about Ranma.  Have you noticed
anything different about him lately?"
     "No, I haven't noticed any changes him at all.  Ranchan's just the
same as he's always been."
     "Are you sure, I know he and Ryoga visited  Ucchan's recently.  Did
anything happen while they were there."
     A muscle in Ukyo's cheek twitched slightly at the mention of
Ryoga's name, but when she spoke her voice was level.  "No nothing
happened, they just ate and left."
     "Well I suppose you'd know if anything did, it is your restaurant.
Say I haven't seen Ryoga since then, do you know where he went?"
Meanwhile Akane's thoughts were racing.  I can tell she's hiding
something, Ukyo does know what's going on.
     This time the twitch was slightly more pronounced and there was a
hint of strain in Ukyo's voice.  "How am I suppose to know where the
lost boy is.  Now if you'll excuse me I need to go open my restaurant."
     Well Ukyo didn't tell me anything, but she did react when I
mentioned Ryoga.  Whatever is happening must be about him.  I guess I'll
just have too wait until he gets back and ask him then.  If I hurry I
can probably catch up to Ranma before he gets home.

     At that very moment Ranma is walking towards the Tendo Dojo when he
hears a voice call out to him, "Ranma over here."
     Searching for the source of the voice Ranma, spots a familiar
figure wearing a massive backpack and holding a red bamboo umbrella
standing in the entrance to a side street.
     "It's good to see you Ryoga, you're back earlier than usual."
     "Well, I've been doing some thinking over the past few days and I
realized that we have no real reason to fight.  I think I'd like being
your friend."
     "That's great," Ranma said as he stepped towards the other boy a
smile on his face.
     "So, I'm challenging you to a duel."
     Ranma halted at those words his face registering surprise.  "That
doesn't make any sense Ryoga, you just said there was no reason for us
to fight."
    "I'm sorry, but I can't forget the past year.  Meet me at the field
behind Furinkan tonight and we'll settle things privately."
    "Um, Ryoga are you sure you'll be able to get there?"
    "Don't worry about me, this is one fight I won't be late for."
    The two boys paused to assess one another and neither noticed a
short haired girl hurry past.

    "Nabiki is Ranma home yet?," a frowning Akane asked.
    "No, he hasn't arrived, I thought he was walking with you anyway."
    "No we didn't walk back together this time, I wanted to talk to Ukyo
so he left a while before me.  I wonder what delayed him."
    "I'm back everyone," Ranma's statement was punctuated by the sound
of a slamming door .
    "Well he's here now so you can ask him."
    "I think that I will," said Akane descending the stairs to confront
her wayward fiancee.  "I must have passed you on the way home Ranma."
     "Probably when I was talking to Ryoga."
     "He's back so soon?  I don't see him here  ."
     "Uh, no he didn't want to impose.  I am meeting him again tonight
though."
     "It wouldn't have been an imposition, Kasumi is always glad to have
company over.  I suppose it doesn't matter I'll just go with you to see
Ryoga."
     "No that's not a good idea, we're, um, we're going to be doing guy
things.  You wouldn't enjoy them."
    "Really, what exactly are you going to be doing?  Ryoga is my friend
you know."
    "Well, you know just guy things.  I'm sure Ryoga would be happy to
see you some other time."
    "I see, I wouldn't want to be an imposition, so you can go and do
your precious "guy things" with Ryoga," Akane said as she stormed off.
   That was close, Ranma thought, if there's one person we don't need
watching tonight it is Akane.  No matter what Ryoga says, he's not going
to be a gracious loser if I beat him up in front of her.

     That evening, Ranma leapt out of his bedroom window landing softly
on the ground beneath.  With a smug grin he thought, Akane or Nabiki
might try to follow me, but not if they don't know I've left.  Now I'd
better get moving.  Ranma then vaulted over the wall surrounding the
Tendo's yard in one smooth motion.
     His departure was unnoticed, save by a shadowy figure watching the
dojo.  After a moments hesitation the figure moved after Ranma easily
matching his pace.

     Minutes later Ranma arrived behind Furinkan and looked around.
Well that's a nice sunset, but I don't see Ryoga anywhere.  That idiot
must have gotten lost again.  I'd better wait for him and see if he
manages to show up.
     "Looking for me, Ranma?".
     Whirling around Ranma saw a bandana clad boy setting his backpack
on the ground.  "How did you do that Ryoga?  I thought you weren't going
to show."
     "I said I'd be here.  It was easy anyway, I just waited at the
street where we met and then followed you here.  Ryoga paused and then
with a barely visible smile said, "So, are you ready to get things
started?".
     Ranma's only response was to slip into a defensive stance.
     Taking this as assent Ryoga charged aiming a punch at Ranma's
head.  His opponent dodged the blow, but Ryoga pressed on forcing Ranma
back with a series of kicks, alternating high and low attacks.  Finally
Ranma leapt over a leg sweep and landed a kick on Ryoga's face.  At this
Ryoga jumped backward, avoiding Ranma's follow up and distancing himself
further attacks.
     Now it was Ranma who took the offensive unleashing a flurry of
punches which Ryoga tried desperately to block.  Despite his best
efforts Ranma landed more than a dozen glancing hits.  Frustrated Ryoga
simply stepped into the next punch and brought his knee up to connect
with Ranma's abdomen.  Caught off guard Ranma wasn't able to dodge as
Ryoga's fist crashed into his jaw knocking him more than thirty feet
backward.
      Ranma twisted in the air to land on his feet the coppery taste of
blood filling his mouth.  Ryoga's gotten better, he thought, faintly
surprised.
     "Heh, I barely felt those punches Ranma, it is time to put you out
of my misery," Ryoga shouted. With a snarl he leapt directly at Ranma,
his battle aura flaring to life around him.
     Ranma rolled out of the way as the enraged wanderer slammed into
the spot where he'd been standing, forming a large crater.  Boy, Ryoga's
really getting into this, I'd better calm him down.  "Katchu Tenshin
Amaguriken!"  Ryoga barely had time to begin to turn as several hundred
punches slammed into his side hurling him to the ground.  "Ready to give
up or do I have to hit you some more?"  Ranma smiled confidently as he
spoke, ignoring the throbbing ache in his jaw.
     As Ryoga clambered to his feet, a dark green radiance began to form
between his hands.  Realizing what he intended Ranma began summoning his
own ki, a warm yellow glow appearing in response.  For a moment the two
combatants faced one another, until some unspoken signal seemed to pass
between them.
     "Shi Shi Houkoudan!"
     "Mouko Takabisha!"
     With a flash of light and a roar of thunder, the two ki blasts
met.  Momentarily dazzled by the explosion Ranma didn't notice Ryoga
leaping into the air.  "Teikiatsu Kyaku!"  Spinning rapidly in mid leap
Ryoga's extended leg struck Ranma repeatedly in the chest until a vortex
of air blew him backwards.  Ranma staggered upright, only to see Ryoga
hurtling towards him once again.  He braced himself for impact and then
flinched involuntarily when a small, irate piglet bounced off her chest.

     The sprinklers turned on, Ranma thought incredulously, I guess I
shouldn't be surprised.  They must have a timer so they turn on
automatically at night.  "Come on Ryoga, we'd better get you some hot
water so you can change back"
     "Bwee."
     "Don't worry I won't forget your pack."    Ranma unsteadily hoisted
the heavy pack to her shoulders.  "Man, what do you have in this thing,
lead weights?"
     "Bwee," the piglet replied nodding its head.
     "Figures."
     As the two walked off a small white and pink cat stared after them
for a moment.  Then with a disgusted shake of its head it turned and
began traveling in the opposite direction.

     Ranma and Ryoga sat in a small grove of trees adjoining Furinkan's
back field staring at a small fire. "If you hadn't knocked the kettle
out of my hands there would have been enough water for us both to
change."
     "It's your own fault Ranma, you should know it takes hot water, not
boiling.  Besides, it's no big deal, you can get hot water anywhere,"
Ryoga said as he finished pulling a shirt over his head.
     "I guess so, I'll just stop at Ucchan's on the way back and get
some hot water there.  So, are you happy with how things turned out?  We
didn't really finish the fight."
    "Good enough for me.  Friends?" Ryoga asked extending his hand.
    As Ranma took it their eyes met and the same thought occurred to
each of them.  Nothing says we can't have a friendly sparring match
sometime.  Neither one would have wanted it any other way.
    "You've gotten better Ryoga, I mean you learned that technique just
from seeing it in a movie once."
    "Well it wasn't quite that easy, but it did work pretty good didn't
it?" Ryoga said chuckling softly.
    "Hey it's not like you could have beat me or nothing."
    "If you say so Ranma," the smiling boy replied.
    "Glad we got that straight.  I'd better head back to the Tendo's
now, you want to come with me?"
    "Nah, I'll just camp here for the night, it is getting late anyway."

    "Sure, look it is saturday tomorrow, so there's just a half day of
school.  Akane and I will pick you up here after we're done."
    "Okay, I'll see both of you then."

    Ukyo was just closing up shop after another long grueling day of
cooking, cleaning ,and schoolwork.  I really need to get some help, she
thought, I don't even have enough energy left to practice my martial
arts.  Sure cooking keeps me in shape, but I'll bet Shampoo and Akin
have enough time to improve their skills.
     A voice outside the restaurant interrupted her musings.  "Ucchan."
     "What, Ranchan, just give me a second I'll open the door."
     A short time later Ranma was inside and Ukyo was greeting her
fiancee with a cheerful expression.  "It's great to see you Ranchan, so
what can I do for you?"
     "Nothing much, I just need some hot water."
     "Coming right up.  It's a bit late for you to be out wandering
around, I hope nothings wrong," Ukyo said casually as she filled a pot
of water.
     "Nah, me and Ryoga were just spending some time together."
     "Really, you and Ryoga.  just what were you doing anyway?"
     "Oh, you know Ucchan, just guy things."
     Ukyo stared incredulously at the shorter girl for a moment taking
in her disheveled clothing and hair.  "Guy things, I'll just bet they
were doing guy things," she muttered darkly.  "So where is Ryoga now."
     "Oh, he's camped in that stand of trees behind Furinkan."
     "I'll bet that's a nice, private spot isn't it?"
     "I suppose so, especially this late."
     "I'm going to go visit Ryoga now.  You can lock the place up after
you're done."  With those words Ukyo strode out the door hefting her
fighting spatula.
     Ranma glanced dubiously at the pot of heating water.  Ukyo sure was
abrupt, I suppose she really wants to see Ryoga.  It is strange, even if
she does get together with Ryoga I'll still be her friend right. Won't
I?

     Ukyo's thoughts were in turmoil as she walked towards Furinkan.  I
can't be right about Ranchan and Ryoga, can I.  They were probably just
fighting again, except if they were why didn't Ranma tell me about it
instead of becoming so defensive?  There are plenty of other things
too.  Like how he acted the night  he and Ryoga ate at Ucchan's.  Maybe
Kuno vowing to punish Ryoga doesn't mean much, but Akane seems worried
too.  That light must be Ryoga's campfire, time to get some answers.
"Ryoga."
     "What, Oh hi Ukyo.  It's quite a coincidence meeting you here."
     "Not really, I came here to talk to you about something, about
Ranma in fact."
     "What about Ranma?"
     "Well you're getting along pretty well with him now aren't you?"
     "Yes I decided that it was time to put my past with Ranma behind me
and start over with him."
     Well that pretty much eliminates the fighting theory I suppose.
"You know Ranma's girl form is very attractive isn't it?"
     In the dim light Ukyo missed the puzzled expression that passed
over Ryoga's face.  "Yes," he guessed.
     "Look just stay away from Ranma, just keep trying to get Akane."
     "I haven't give up on Akane, but it's none of your business what I
do and I'm not staying away from Ranma," Ryoga said as he stood up.
     "We'll see about that," Ukyo growled and then lunged for Ryoga,
swinging her spatula two handed at his head.  Ryoga quickly seized his
umbrella from where it was lying atop his pack and parried the blow.
When the two unusual weapons met Ukyo was knocked backwards head over
heels.
     Ryoga smiled grimly and said, "I usually don't fight girls, Ukyo,
but attack me again and I'll make an exception."
    "All right I'm going, but this isn't over yet."
    Ryoga watched Ukyo's departing back until she passed out of sight
and then sat glumly to consider events.  What was that about?  Ukyo
might think that I'd give up on Akane now that Ranma and I are getting
along, but the bit about Ranma's girl form didn't make any sense at
all.  Unless, he thought, Ukyo's a lesbian.  As an image took form in
his mind he hastily tore a bandana free to staunch the flow of blood.
Agh, I'm a pervert!  Ukyo was right though, Ranma does make a cute girl.

     Ukyo was also lost in thought on her way back to Ucchan's.  I used
to think Ryoga was a nice guy, in a sort of indecisive and violent way.
Sure, he had his faults, but I can't believe he'd act like this.  It is
almost as bad as Kuno and his obsession with Akane and the pigtailed
girl.  No it's worse, Kuno's just delusional.  Still I'm not giving up,
I'll bring Ranchan back to the straight and narrow.  With  this she
continued along resolutely for a few moments until something else
occurred to her.  Oh no, I was in such a hurry to confront Ryoga, I
forgot to bring my keys.  I'm locked out of Ucchan's.