I am having a little trouble here.  Any comments would be welcome.

A Second Chance at Love
Chapter 5 Moving On
	I can't live like this anymore.  A day after meeting Ryoga at the hotel, 
Ukyou was back in her apartment.  It was a small apartment but it was very 
expensive.  Renting her restaurant in Nerima had been cheaper.
	I wonder what Ryoga is doing now.  I bet he's back with Akari and he is 
probably not thinking about me at all.  In a month from now, he'll probably 
be on another business trip and be with another prostitute,
	That's all I am to him.  That's all I can be to him.  There was a time when 
I hoped to be more.
How had things gone so wrong since I left Nerima?  I guess that maybe I 
should have known from my first audition that I wasn't cut out to be an 
actress.  I would have been better of f if I had returned to Nerima.
	Her first audition, like many of her later auditions, was less than a happy 
experience.  There were several more girls at the audition than Ukyou had 
expected and several of them had years of experience.   Several of them had 
agents with them and Ukyou could afford an agent.
	She did not get a part at that audition but she was invited to another 
audition.  At that audition she got a small part and she looked forward to 
getting bigger parts.  Those bigger parts never came.   One day at an 
agent's office, she was told "Ukyou, while you have some talent, you don't 
have enough experience or training."   I really needed to hear this.
	After a few more failed auditions, I ended up at the escort agency.  I 
never should have taken that job. Why did I do it?
	 Of course, I did it because I thought it would be a short-term job.  That 
was over five years ago and some very bad nights. The worst part of the job 
is that I made love for the first time to a fat ugly guy who I never saw 
before and did not care for me.  I tried to pretend that guy was Ranma or 
Ryoga but it did not work.
	I wish Ryoga and I hadn't met again like this.  Oh well, maybe it doesn't 
matter.  After all, we�ll never met again..

<Flashback Nerima>
	After a few more fake dates with Ryoga to get Ranma jealous, Ukyou finally 
gave up.  It was not easy but Ranma did not seem to be getting jealous.  He 
actually was very happy for her.  Akane was too, which Ukyou could have done 
without.
      Ranma also seemed happier with Akane each time Ukyou saw them.  They 
hardly ever seemed to argue anymore and Ranma stopped calling Akane a macho 
tomboy. It looked like Ranma and Akane would soon be married.  'A year ago, 
I would have been very angry and jealous but I am not.  I actually want them 
to be happy.'
	'I love Ryoga.'  She was not sure when it happened or how it happened but 
it happened.  Now she had to know what to about it.   I could tell him but 
that's hard.  What if he rejects me?
	'Perhaps I can make him fall in love with me.  He already considers me a 
friend and he thinks that I am beautiful.  I could pursue him. I can't 
pursue him too strongly; that would frighten him off.'
	Ukyou had Ranma ask Ryoga to meet her one-day in a park.  Wearing a modest 
blue dress and a ribbon in her hair, Ukyou hoped to look sexy and demure at 
the same time.  She succeeded.  The dress while modest, was flattering to 
her figure and the ribbon drew attention to her long brown hair.
	Wow, she looks great; she must be dressing up for Ranma.  I wish Akane 
would dress up like that for me.  "Hi, Ukyou."
	"Hi Ryoga."   After a slight pause, she said "Don't you think that Ranma 
and Akane are getting along better lately?"  That is about as subtle as 
Ryoga will understand.
	I noticed that.  "It won't last, Ranma's such a jerk."
	"He is not."
	"He is so.  He doesn't deserve Akane."
	"What's so great about that violent tomboy?"
	"Take that back."  Ryoga said.  His face was getting red.
	This is not good.  We could spend all day arguing about this if we are not 
careful.  "I am sorry I said that about Akane."
	"Thank you.  Maybe I should have not said Ranma is a jerk." 	"Ryoga, what 
will you do if Ranma and Akane get married?'
	"I don't know."
	"Maybe you better think about it."
	Ryoga thought about it for a moment.  "Ranma's such a jerk, it won't 
happen."
`	He really doesn't give up.  "Ryoga, do you have feelings for someone 
besides Akane?"
	"No.  I love Akane, there is no else."
	This ends this conservation.  As Ukyou started to walk away, Ryoga said, 
"Ranma will really like that dress."
	"Do you really think so?"
	"Yeah, you look great."  I still wish Akane would dress up for me.
	"Thank you Ryoga."  He noticed; it's a start.
	Sadly it was not enough of a start.  Ryoga remained devoted to Akane.  He 
rejected the hints that she and Ranma were getting along better.
	One day Ryoga came into Ucchan's unexpectedly.  It was after the breakfast 
rush and Ukyou was the only person in the restaurant.  "Ukyou, can you help 
me split up Ranma and Akane?'
	Damn, he really doesn't give up.  Can't he see how happy Ranma and Akane 
are?  "No."
	"Why not?"
	"Ranma and Akane are happy.  They might even get married soon, Ryoga just 
give up."
	"Ranma does not deserve her."  He sounded angry and hurt.  Why won't she 
help me?
	"Ryoga, you need to give up on Akane."
	"Never."  Ryoga stormed out and Ukyou watched him go.  Should I follow him? 
  Should I tell him that I love him?  What should I do?
	After some more thought, Ukyou decided not to go after him.  He needs time 
to try to accept this.  In a few days, hopefully, he will accept it.
	A few days later they met again in the park. 'There's Ryoga and he still 
looks depressed.'  "Ryoga, are you okay?"
	"No."
    He sounds so hurt; I hate to see him like this.  "Ryoga, have you given 
up on Akane, yet?"
    "No and I never will."  He stormed off.
    Damn you Akane, it's not fair.  Why does Ryoga have to be devoted to you 
too?  Perhaps, he'll never give up on her.  Can I wait for him to?  No, I 
can't.
<End Flashback>



_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com