�������������������������� The Leper: Symptoms
��������������������� 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.
����� By the way, this is a self-insertion.� My character had a past with
Ukyou, but not the kind you're thinking of.� And, because this is my
first Ranma fic, I'm gonna do some weird stuff like use Ryouga and Ukyou
but still keep Kuno, Tendo and Tofu.� But I'm really not sure.
����� This complete version was done with the support of Octavian and the
occasionals, all of whom have contributed to the formation of this fic.
��������������������������������� Part 4
����������������������� "Lessons to be Learned..."
����� Ukyou was already awake this morning, but she stayed an extra half-
hour in bed.� It was unusually quiet, but she still did not want to go
down just yet.
����� "What happened last night?"
����� Ukyou recalled the dinner invitation from the Tendos.� Everything
collapsed after dinner, with Cologne spilling the beans.
����� "How did she know...?"
����� Kiiroi disappeared right after Ranma jumped out the courtyard.
Kiiroi came back afterwards but he never spoke to her anymore that night.
����� Something was bothering him, this she knew.
����� She secretly wept on her pillow.� Stifling her sobs, she finally
got up and changed.
����� She slowly crept down the stairs.
����� Peering outside, Ukyou breathed a sigh.� She saw the sleeping bag
neatly folded and set on the counter.
����� She checked the time: it was early, too early.
����� "Where is he?"
����� She immediately panicked upon uttering her words.� She quickly went
behind the counter and saw his backpack and his clothes in a neat pile in
a corner.
����� She sighed in relief.
����� That's when she noticed a note on his clothes.
����������������� Ucchan,
����������������������� I went out, I need to be with
����������������� myself for a while.� Be back by dinner.
����������������� Breakfast's set on the table.� Have to
����������������� go, bye!
����������������������������������������� Kii
����� Ucchan glanced at a table and saw buttered croissants, bacon strips
and a tall glass of orange juice.� She smiled at the setup.
����� "He's sweet.� He'll be all right, I guess.� At least he doesn't get
lost like...."
����� Her voice trailed off.� She failed to finish her sentence and
decided on breakfast instead.
����� She thought of following him, but it was a Saturday.� People would
be coming in, come lunchtime.� She'd have to work hard... maybe
afterwards...
----------
����� From where he stood, he witnessed everything.� He would stay there
and observe the rest of things that were about to transpire.
����� He saw him, again.� But this time, he regarded the man with
caution.
����� He remembered last night, he remembered falling.
����� (Because of what?)
����� (Because of her.)
����� He blushed unintentionally.
����� He saw him greeted at the gate by the eldest.� He wondered if she
enjoyed sweeping all day.� They went in.
����� He heard them talking downstairs, she wasn't there.� She was still
sleeping at this time - it was a Saturday, after all.
����� (I can't hear them talk, should I go down?)� No, he stopped himself
in time.� He couldn't risk losing them.� He stayed put; (that way,
there's no possible way that I can get lost, is there?)� This thought
sent shivers down his spine.
����� His thoughts were distracted when the two men emerged from the
house and walked on the cobbled pathway leading to the adjacent building.
He moved his position to get a better view of the Tendo dojo.� He could
see everything from here, this was good.
����� He sat and watched.
----------
����� "Now what?"
����� Ranma pulled his belt tighter.� He wasn't used to wearing his gi
anymore.� Kiiroi stood opposite him, wearing the same outfit.
����� Ranma examined his new student.� There was something in Kiiroi that
he couldn't point out.� He was a weakling - Ranma knew that, but there
was something...
����� He remembered himself weaker than this, but his spirit still
fought.� That's when he learned the 'Hiryu Shoten Ha'.� (Is it Kii's
spirit?)
����� "Miracles still happen...."
����� "What was that?"
����� "Hmm?� Oh, nothing.� Now, let me see you move.� You have speed,
Kii, but not enough strength.� From what I've heard of your family's
history, I'd assume you can run really fast."
����� "Yeah, I guess...."
����� "Okay, go to the other end of the dojo and when I tell you to run,
dash here to me."
����� Kiiroi proceeded as ordered.� When he got there, he just stood with
his arms crossed.� Ranma hoped that this weakling can back up his
arrogance.
����� He raised his hand; Kiiroi just stood there.
����� "Go!"
����� As Ranma dropped his arm, Kiiroi disappeared from his sight.
Turning around, he saw the man smiling behind him.� Ranma blinked in
surprise: he didn't even hear Kiiroi move or see him dash.
����� "Wow, that was -"
����� "Actually, it wasn't.� I could've done it faster but I was trying
to keep my steps silent."
����� Ranma whacked Kii on the head.� "You may be fast but your ego's too
darn large.� If you think you're fast enough, then let me see you run in
a spiral."
����� "Pardon me?"
����� Ranma showed him what he was supposed to do.� He reminded Kiiroi
about the upper thrust when he reached the center.
����� "Try it first, by yourself - nothing will happen, though.
Remember, try to relax and stay cool.� If you get this, I'll attack you
and you'll have all the hot chi you need."
����� Kiiroi stared at the chalked path that Ranma traced on the wooden
floor.� He stared at Ranma.� At Ranma's nod, Kiiroi dashed towards the
outside of the spiral.� He kept his breathing shallow and relaxed.� He
slowed down his speed to make the turn, but he was still considerably
fast.� The turn came and Kiiroi took the first curving step.
����� The next thing Ranma knew, Kiiroi was lying on the floor, face
flat.
����� Ranma scratched his head.� "Now what the hell happened?"
����� Kiiroi sat up, dusted his gi, and looked at Ranma shame-faced.
"I... I tripped...."
����� "What?!� Tripped on what?"
����� Kiiroi sat on the floor for a moment.� His face started turning
red.� "I tripped... on my foot."
����� Ranma slapped himself.
����� (No, it can't be.� This is gonna be long day....)� "Try again."
����� Kiiroi got up and readied himself again.� He dashed once more but
this time he slowed his speed even more.
����� When the turn came, he sidestepped... and fell.
����� Ranma turned around and tried to relax himself.� After calming
down, he turned to Kiiroi once more.� He began teaching him the basics of
running.
----------
����� *CRASH!*
����� "What the...?"� Akane jolted up on her bed.� She was wide awake and
very irritated.
����� She was hoping to wake up late today but now she didn't even have
time to stretch.� She stared out her window and heard the commotion from
outside.
����� Akane got out of her room and went down stairs for breakfast.� She
was surprised to see that his father and Mr. Saotome were at the dining
table.
����� "Uncle Saotome?� If you're here, then who's Ranma sparring with in
the dojo?"
����� "That would be...."
����� "The loser, who else."
����� Akane was shocked by Nabiki's nonchalant answer.� "Nabiki!� Please
stop referring to him like that!"
����� "Can't help it, Akane - that guy just lost me money.� I'm not used
to losing...."
����� Akane shivered at her sister's glare.� The look was so ironically
like Ranma's the day before.
����� (What's the world coming to?!?)
----------
����� Ranma stood his ground while being pelted by multiple punches.
>From his look, he was very disappointed.
����� Kiiroi's punches were hitting him, primarily because he wasn't even
making any attempts to block.
����� Just a while ago, he showed Kiiroi the 'Katsu Tenshin Amaguriken'.
Because of his speed, Kiiroi was able to simulate the move.� But the
strength of his punches did little to even harm a mosquito.
����� It was almost lunchtime and there was still no progress attained.
Ranma was getting pretty fed up...
����� "Aaaaargh!!!� What the hell is wrong with you?!?� You punch like a
girl!!!"
����� Ranma started blocking Kiiroi's strike with only one hand.� Kiiroi
was amazed at Ranma's surprising speed.� He doubled his efforts but Ranma
blocked him without breaking a sweat.� Then, when Ranma saw an
opportunity, he took it and struck Kiiroi on the jaw.
����� Kiiroi fell down on the ground.
����� Kiiroi rubbed his sleeve by his lips and wiped blood.� He stared at
Ranma, dumbfounded.
����� Ranma just stared at him with a look of pity.� "You make me
sick...."� Ranma took off his top and walked out of the dojo.
����� Just then, Kasumi called everybody for lunch.
����� Kiiroi took his moment before he stood up.� He wiped his eyes with
his sleeve, mixing the tears and the blood.
����� From the Tendo rooftop, a figure leapt down the structure and
landed squarely on the pond below.� He got out and ran to the waiting
arms of the woman who he knew would always love him the way she did.
����� He was set down and was fed beside the panda.� He saw Ranma enter
and sit himself with the others.� He waited for the other but he never
came.
����� "He's not coming, pig."
����� P-chan stared up at Ranma; he then crept up to Akane for more food.
����� "Where's Kii?"
����� "Who knows?� Who cares?"
����� That was when Kiiroi came in.� He entered with his head down,
showing everybody his shame.
����� Ranma and P-chan just glared then looked away.
����� Kasumi came up to him and saw the cut on his lip.� "Oh dear, we
should do something about that cut of yours...."
����� "No, it's okay... thanks anyway, Kasumi...."
����� Kasumi just walked into the kitchen without losing her sunny
disposition.
����� When Ranma finished his share, he got up and went to the dojo
again.� He gestured for Kiiroi to follow.
����� When Ranma left, Kiiroi finally sighed in relief.� He felt a
gigantic arm on his back.� He stared to his side and saw the panda
consoling him with mournful eyes.
����� Akane felt her sorrow rise to the surface.� Kiiroi just let the
panda do what it was doing.� He leaned on its shoulder, letting all the
frustration escape.
����� "Don't worry, Kii - Ranma's just not used to failing.� He thinks
that there's hope in you, as there is in everything he does or gets
involved with.� I can guarantee you this, he's not gonna give up on you -
just don't give up on him."
����� "Thanks, Akane.� Thanks, Mister...."� Kiiroi frowned as he stared
at the panda.� "Do I call you Mister Saotome or Mister Panda?"
����� The panda just shrugged and shooed Kiiroi away to the dojo with a
grin.
----------
����� It was already late afternoon but the customers kept trickling in.
����� Ukyou thought about closing again but she just felt stupid enough
that she wanted to kick herself.� She was making six okonomiyakis at the
same time.� She would normally be able to handle this crowd but thoughts
of Kiiroi kept nagging her at the back of her mind.
����� A table just cleared so Ukyou came over to get the dishes while the
okonomiyakis cooked.� She piled up the plates and utensils.� A glass
slipped from her hand and started falling.� For some unknown reason, she
thought of Kiiroi.� At the last second and last few inches, Ukyou caught
the glass.
����� All the customers watched her with satisfaction.
����� "I've got you...."
����� Ukyou got up and placed the glass on top of the plates.� This is
when the glass toppled over and fell once more.� Ukyou made a grab but
missed her mark.
����� The glass shattered into a hundred pieces.
����� Ukyou felt the tears surfacing to her eyes.� "No!� Kii...."
����� The customers saw the hostess kneeling on the ground, crying.� They
all tried to turn away and not get involved but all conversations ceased,
ebbing to quiet munching.
����� Ukyou dashed to the entrance and turned her 'Come In We're Open'
sign.� Some of the waiting customers moaned in protest as Ukyou began
closing the place.� She served the last batch of okonomiyaki and waited
for everybody to finish.� To her satisfaction, everybody seemed to hurry
their eating.
����� When they finished and left, she closed the lights, got her spatula
and locked the restaurant.� She didn't even bother to wash the dishes.
����� Her heartbeat quickened - something was wrong.
����� She panicked, she didn't know where to look.
����� "Kii!!!"
----------
����� The Tendos and Genma Saotome ate their dinner in silence.� The
noise of crashes that started late afternoon hadn't ceased since.
����� Everybody stared at his or her food except for Akane, who kept
looking outside.� She was expecting P-chan to come for dinner but he
never did.
����� Suddenly, all turned their heads to the entrance as they heard
knocks on their front gate.
����� "Oh, my... who could that be?"
����� Akane got up before Kasumi and headed for the door.� "I'll get it,
Kasumi..."
����� Akane slid the gate open and was able to catch in time a collapsing
Ukyou.� Akane stared wide-eyed at the bedraggled girl.� She carried her
inside.
����� "Hello, Akane, is... is Kii here?"
����� "Yes, c'mon inside.� Where have you been?"
����� "Just about everywhere...."
����� An explosion echoed through the whole block.� The two stared at the
dojo as they saw the roof blew up.
����� "That's them...."
����� "I want to see...."
����� "We have to sneak up, Ranma doesn't want anyone to disturb them."
----------
����� "Did you see that?!� That's how it's supposed to look like!� Not
that puffball you made!"
����� Ranma couldn't contain his anger anymore.� They just missed dinner
but still they had no progress.
����� Ranma's battle aura glowed a sickly red.� He crossed his arms and
focused his chi.� "MOKO TAKABISHA!!!"
����� A gigantic energy ball appeared in front of Ranma and knocked
Kiiroi off his feet.
����� Ranma didn't mean to hit the guy, the ball just reflected his own
fury.
����� "See?� That's how you're supposed to do it!� Are you really that
stupid?!"
����� "He's getting hurt.� I better stop this...."
����� "No, Ukyou, you'll only get in the way."� Akane grabbed Ukyou's
shoulder, stopping her from entering the dojo.
����� Ukyou gave Akane an uneasy look but she settled down, eventually.
They satisfied themselves watching from the entrance.
����� Every time Kiiroi stood up, he managed to fall on the floor
inevitably.� Kiiroi was too weak to do anything.� He had never been
worked up like this and he felt his consciousness leaving him.� From
outside, a soft whimper came from a very worried person.� But he
remembered what Akane told him.� Ranma was never gonna give up.
����� So he got up once more.� And he fell again.
����� "Are you stupid or something?� Look, the fight is two days from now
and I still haven't seen any improvement from you.� You can't punch, your
speed is useless, your technique stinks...� How the hell do you expect to
beat Tsubasa?"
����� Kiiroi stood up.� He felt all the anger, pain and frustration
boiling up in him.� "Well, I'm trying my best, okay?!?� I've never had my
body racked by fatigue like this, but I still haven't given up, and I
doubt if I ever will.� All my life I've been running away, mostly because
of the instinct I got from my ancestors.� You have no idea how hard this
is for me, nor have you an idea how much I need this!"
����� Then Ranma saw it.� It was faint but it was there, illuminating the
tired man.� Kii's battle aura started to surface.� It was a soft white
glow dancing in the air.
����� Ranma breathed a sigh of satisfaction.� Finally, he reached
Kiiroi's spirit.
����� Kiiroi stared at Ranma for a moment.� Kiiroi lost his anger, his
expression was replaced by wonder.� (Is Ranma smiling?)
����� "Kii, I have to be honest with you.� At your state, there's no way
that you could possibly beat Tsubasa."
����� "Geez, Ranma.� Thanks for the vote of confidence."
����� "Man, you've seen yourself.� You just can't be taught how to fight.
I was amazed at myself when I actually taught you how to run and punch
properly.� But these things are negligible when it comes to actual
combat."
����� "Thanks, anyway, for what you did, I really appreciate it."
����� "This is where the lesson ends.� I believe in you, Kii, I believe
you'll win."
����� "But you said...."
����� "Never mind what I said.� Even though you have no strength, no
technique and useless speed, you can still win!� And do you know why?"
����� Kiiroi shook his head.
����� "Because you've got something worth fighting for."
����� Kiiroi just stared at Ranma with awe and ignorance.
����� "Because no matter what, you'll never give up.� Because no matter
what, you know that it'll be all worth it.� She'll be all worth it."
����� "Ukyou...."
����� "Yes, Ukyou.� Take me for instance, I've had my share of hopeless
battles."
����� Kiiroi was taken aback by this.
����� "Don't be surprised.� I've battled seven-headed dragons, Chinese
emperors, ogres and princes of floating islands.� Tomba, Ki-rin, Herb...
I've beaten them all, even against the greatest of odds because, deep
inside, I knew that it'd be all worth it.� She'd be all worth it...."
����� Ranma blushed at the things he was saying but he continued his
dialogue.� "Then there was Shinnosuke... I was afraid I'd lose her that
time...."
����� "Oh, Ranma...."
����� Akane quickly clamped her hands over her mouth.� Ranma turned his
head a bit.
����� (Rats, he heard me... oh, Ranma....)
����� "Ranma?"
����� Ranma turned his head back to Kiiroi.� He'd deal with the
eavesdroppers later.� "Hmm?"
����� "Is Akane really worth that much to you?"
����� Ranma was unsure of how to answer.� He had a feeling that it was
Akane who was listening outside.� "Uh, yeah... without her... I don't
have a home to freeload on!"� *gulp*
����� *SPLASH!!!*
����� Akane jumped inside with an empty bucket, her fiery blue aura
visible to everyone around.� Ukyou followed timidly.
����� Kiiroi stared wide-eyed at the now voluptuous Ranma Saotome.
����� "What the hell did you do that for?!?"
����� "Ranma, you JAHERK!!!"
����� "You are so terribly uncute!!!"
����� Akane chased Ranma around the dojo with the pail while Ranma dodged
with great agility.
����� Kii stared at the two then turned to Ukyou.� "Are they always like
this?� In denial?"
����� "Since when are they not like this?"
����� "Has he... she... Ranma always been like that?"
����� "Takes after the father...."
����� "This is just the tip of the iceberg, isn't it?"
����� "Yeah.� I'll tell you on the way home."� The two left the other
two.� On the way, Ukyou told the wonderful secrets of cursed Chinese
springs.
����� From the rooftop, Ryouga watched Ukyou and Kiiroi leave with
jealousy, though he probably wouldn't admit it.� Ryouga jumped off the
roof with the thought of Kiiroi still in his mind.
����� He didn't notice that he overestimated his jump and landed on the
yard beyond the Tendo walls.� He was thinking about how he was to deal
with Kiiroi but decided to watch how he deals with Tsubasa first.
����� When Ryouga did notice his surroundings, he began sweating and
shaking.� He looked around for any sort of landmark.� Deep inside, he
just wanted to be a pig and be safe.
����� He pulled on his hair and began clobbering all structures in front
of him.
����� "WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW?!?"
����� From inside the Tendo household, Kasumi stared beyond their wall.
����� "Oh, my, isn't that Ranma's little friend?"
----------
����� Ukyou got up with a start.
����� There was some sort of clamor from downstairs.� But she was too
tired to even investigate.� Yesterday exhausted her too much.
����� "Must be Kii, anyway...."
����� Ukyou turned to her side and hugged her pillow.� She blinked one
eye open, saw the time and immediately got up.
����� "Oh, shit!� It's almost lunch time!"
----------
����� When Ukyou emerged from the stairs, she saw that the restaurant was
bustling with customers.� She tried to fix her hair as decently as
possible.� She then got out and greeted everybody.
����� She gave a muffled giggle, seeing Kiiroi fumble with utensils on
the grill.� She immediately got to his side and replaced him.
����� "Why didn't you wake me up?"
����� "You were sleeping so soundly.� Besides, they just started coming
in."
����� "You actually cooked the okonomiyakis?"
����� "They were already starting to complain.� It's your fault - you
still won't tell me how to cook this stuff right."
����� Ukyou nudged him with a spatula.� "Family secret."
����� Ukyou proceeded cooking more okonomiyakis while Kiiroi started
serving and cleaning up after tables.� Ukyou felt her hunger and started
nibbling on her cooking.� They eventually managed to survive the lunch
crowd and now the numbers were manageable.
����� Kiiroi got out a mop and started cleaning the place up.� Ukyou was
lazily cooking two okonomiyakis on the grill.� The chimes on the door
tinkled and the two stared at the incoming customers.
����� Kiiroi immediately recognized one of the two ladies.� Ukyou waved
to them and gestured them to a table.
����� "What'll you two have?"
����� "Just give us one piece, child... we've already stuffed ourselves
with ramen."
����� "Aiya!� You right, great-grandmother.� He spitting image of stupid
Mousse, but at least he no look so stupid."
����� Kiiroi looked at the purple-haired beauty in front of him and then
looked at Ukyou then back to the stranger.
����� "Oh, where are my manners?� Kiiroi, this is Cologne, as you might
remember, and this is her granddaughter, Shampoo."
����� "Shampoo, what a beautiful name...."
����� Ukyou's face reddened slightly.� She just grinned at herself for
acting that way.
����� Shampoo started a conversation with Kiiroi.� "So, you also from
China?"
����� "Yeah, very near your tribe in fact."
����� "Oh, you coward family!"
����� "Er, yeah...."
����� "You new fianc�?"� Shampoo gave him a wink, Kiiroi gulped and
blushed.
����� He looked back at Ukyou but apparently, she didn't hear any of
this.� Then Kiiroi froze as Shampoo placed her palm on Kiiroi's cheek.
����� "You I like..."
����� "Incoming!"
����� Kiiroi was startled by Ukyou's voice.� He turned around to see a
whirling okonomiyaki heading straight for his face.� A hand with a plate
went in front of him and caught it in time.� He stepped back to see that
the hand belonged to the sexy Amazon girl.
����� "... maybe you visit Shampoo in Nekohanten sometime?"
����� "Uh, sure!"
����� When the two Amazons left, Ukyou went over to Kiiroi.� "That tramp
never knows how to keep her hands to herself!"
����� Ukyou blushed at what she said.� Kiiroi heard it and grinned.� "The
way you're yappin', it sounds like your getting mighty jealous of her."
����� "Ha!� In your dreams, buster!� Still... I wonder why they went here
in the first place.� It's not like they haven't got a restaurant to worry
themselves with...."
����� Kiiroi apparently was concerned with the matter, too.� The
seriousness in his voice seeped through Ukyou.
����� "I don't know if it was just me or something, but it seemed that
they were... studying me."
����� Ukyou stared at the exit.� She felt a breeze chill her in this hot
Sunday morning in her packed restaurant.� Now she knew that something was
very wrong.
����� Kiiroi passed by her and went behind the grill.� He removed his
apron and put on his backpack.
����� Ukyou panicked at the thought of him leaving her.� "Hey!� Where are
you going?"
����� "Hmm?� Oh, I'll just be out for a while.� I've got to train for my
big fight tomorrow.� I'll be back by dinner."
����� These words pained Ukyou's heart but she hid it well.� "I'll just
pick you up at the Tendos...."
����� "Oh, no, I'm not gonna be with Ranma, I'm training by myself."
����� "So where will you go?"
����� "Wherever the road takes me...."
����� The words echoed in Ukyou's mind.� These weren't the words of
Kiiroi alone.� There was another who said these words to her.� Then she
never so him again... for three weeks.
����� When Ukyou snapped out of her reverie, Kiiroi was already gone.
----------
����� The grass was prickly, soft and dry.� Kiiroi dropped his pack on
the ground and sat.� It was a hot day, and so people in the park
preferred to stay under the shade of trees.
����� He looked up and squinted at the sun for a moment, taking in the
heat.� He heaved a sigh and readied himself.
����� He fished a book out from his pack.� It was a very old book made of
parchment and had leather bindings.� Kiiroi turned the cover with a
trembling hand.� The pages were already brittle from age.� Kiiroi turned
each page with great care.� He scanned what it contained.
����� Immediately, his memory was flooded of his training years when he
was just a child.� He remembered trying to distract himself as much as
possible when his grandfather lectured him on the techniques of their
martial arts.
����� Kiiroi never wanted to be a martial artist.� He always wanted to be
a photographer.
����� It was a pity that he forgot to bring his camera along when he took
off to find Ukyou, but that didn't matter anymore.� What mattered now was
remembering, remembering the past long forgotten.
����� Slowly, Kiiroi took off the cloth wrappings of his fingers.� He
looked at them, long and slender.� After his grandfather died, he vowed
never to practice the arts again.� He would remain a pacifist even if he
was the only one left in line to carry on their martial arts school.
����� "But this one's for Ukyou..."
����� Kiiroi began to read.
---------------
end of Part 4
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The Nikholas F. Toledo Zu @ WWW: The Entertainment Capital of UP Village
Vector, Switch, Yebah, Rain Man, goo, Pervert, Scruples, Hollie, NomaD,
Blitz, Gee, Datzo, Jewel, elf, Radler, Pinball, Mayhem, Chaos, Father,
Attar, Llewe and Katana @ http://nikholas-f-toledo-zu.webjump.com/ NEW!
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