Planning the Second Honeymoon

       Breakfast was quite subdued as Ranma and Ryoko
picked at their food, both preoccupied with other
things.  Nodoka watched them with a slight frown on
her face.
       "Is something wrong?" Genma asked.  He sounded
on the verge of overjoyed with the prospect that it
was.  Nodoka didn't bother to glare at him, and
instead paid careful attention to the couple in
question.  Ranma and Ryoko froze a moment and glanced
at each other, and Nodoka saw the decision formed
between them.
       "Nothin'" Ranma answered firmly.  Ryoko's
response was slightly more colorful.
       "Keep your fat ass out of our business."
       "The city offices were destroyed yesterday,
dear," Nodoka put in calmly, smiling as she did so. 
They were presenting a united front yet again.  Her
worries that something had gone wrong last night were
rendered moot.
       "Yeah," Ranma said.  Then he blinked.  "Yeah! 
That's it."  Ryoko gave him a strange look for a
moment and then caught on herself.
       "What!?" Genma demanded.  "It was destroyed?!"
       "That's right," she agreed.  "That pervert
showed up and we had to bring the house down on him."
       "But how will they anull the marriage then?"
       "It'll just have to wait," Ryoko said. 
"Shouldn't take more than a month, right?"
       "That sounds right," Ranma said.  "The
construction companies have been out of practice for a
while now."
       "And you say nothing's wrong?!" Genma demanded,
wondering why he seemed to be the most upset about
this.
       "Stuff it, pop," Ranma said shaking his head. 
"I got to go check with Ukyou and Ryouga.  I'm
supposed to be helpin' them with the weddin' you
know."  He flinched and turned to look at Ryoko with a
surprised expression, until she shifted her eyes in
Nodoka's expression.
       "That's a wonderful idea," Nodoka said
cheerfully.  "I'm glad you are so interested in
weddings."  Ranma groaned and looked at Ryoko's "you
see'" expression.

********

       Ryoko glanced over at Ranma as she floated
along.  That was one thing different between Ranma and
Tenchi.  Tenchi would have thrown a fit if she had
been displaying her powers in public.  She was never
really certain just why he did so either.  That,
however was the least of her thoughts at the moment.
       ~Why did he hope I'd come back?~ Ryoko asked
herself.  ~Why did he kiss me when he was a cat?  Why
didn't he insist we go to the offices right away on
the first day?~  Her thoughts paused for a long
moment.  ~Why didn't I?  And why did I kiss him?~ 
Usually questions were easy to answer.  She wanted
something, so she took it, simple as that.  For the
first time Ryoko could remember, however, she really
wasn't certain of just what she wanted.
       Ranma was similarly distracted.
       ~I kissed back,~ he thought.  ~Didn't I?  Why
did I do that?  Is she mad about that?  Why did she
kiss me anyway,  What about the first day we knew the
city building was open.~  It was nerve racking series
of questions, but at least he had experienced this
second guessing before.  And he was familiar with the
consequences for letting such indecision run.

********

       There the villain was, dragging his new victim
along by means of some insidious spell that left her
trapped in mid-air.  He could tell by the expression
upon the exotic woman's face that the sorcerer must
have already attempted some vile deeds while she was
under his dubious power.  
       Kuno feared that it must be growing too late to
save the poor women from Akane's fate.  Locked in an
enchanted slumber, her family believing she was
actually dead.  Yet, when he defeated this foul
demon-summoner certainly all the spells he had cast
would be undone.
       Kuno, the Bandaged Blunder, limped forward
towards the pair.

********

       Ran Ran settled herself in a tree, watching the
approaching pair like a hawk.  She played with a small
globe in her hand, smirking at the simple and
foolproof nature of her plan.  All she had to do was
get Ranma away from that sorceress long enough for him
to see that it was time he finally obeyed Amazon law.
       Really, that Pepe Le Pu was such a genius at
these things.  It seemed he always managed to catch
his girl.  So maybe following the little stinky cat's
ways, she could catch her man.
       Ran Ran was getting desparate.

********

        "We should talk," Ryoko said out of the blue. 
"About what happens...while the offices are being
rebuilt."
       "Yeah," Ranma said agreeably.  "We should
talk."  It was clear from his voice that he probably
didn't agree with the subject matter though.
       "I could just come back when the place is
ready," Ryoko suggested.  "I'm not sick or injured
anymore."
       Before Ranma could answer a small globe struck
in front of them and exploded in a thick, evil
smelling cloud.  The greenish vapor expanded quickly
to envelope them in mere moments.  The air was rent
with cries of "Die foul Sorcerer" as a short scuffle
broke out in the cloud.  The scuffle ended quickly and
as the cloud faded away two figures could be seen
lying prostrate upon the ground.
       Ran Ran, wearing a thick scarf around her nose
and mouth lay on her back and stared up sort of
dazedly, spotting a huge bump on her head.  Next to
her was what seemed to be a green mummy with "stomach"
problems.
       Apparently Kuno's bandages didn't keep all the
stench out.
       "What is this?" Kuno demanded shakily, trying
to keep the contents of stomach down.  "The sorcerer
has fled and left behind this child to appease my
wrath?  Of course, he must have known I was coming. 
It would account for his panicking and error.  And now
he has released one of what is probably many hostages.
 Certainly I can not be too far from destroying
him!!!"
       Kuno limped off, leaving a Ran Ran behind
despite the fact that the poor girl had apparently
been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head and was
wearing a sling.  Ran Ran didn't wake up for several
minutes.  When she did, she was positively beaming.
       "He defeat me," she said proudly.  "He know
what that means, I win!!"  She stood up, feeling a
little nauseous herself from the head blow, and
shuffled out after where she hoped they had left to.

********

       "What was that?" Ryoko asked distastefully.
       "That was Kuno and someone else," Ranma said.
       "That girl?" Ryoko asked suspiciously.
       "Probably," Ranma answered frowning.
       "What is it with her anyway?" Ryoko demanded
irritably.
       "Amazon law," Ranma said, before explaining the
Amazon Outsider policies.
       "That has got to be the most bizarre story I
have ever heard," Ryoko said simply.
       "Getting accidentally married to someone you
just met?" Ranma noted sagely.
       "That is the most bizarre story I have lived,"
Ryoko corrected him.  "Who is Kuno?"
       "An lunatic," Ranma said.  He paused for a
moment before walking down the street towards Ucchan's
again.  "So you want to leave?"
       "That's what you want, right?" Ryoko asked
sharply.
       "No," Ranma answered.  Ryoko stared at him for
a moment.
       "You don't want me to leave?" she said, half
disbelieving.  "Are you certain you didn't eat
something questionable?"
       "Not that I know of," Ranma said, though the
random love potion was always a cause for concern in
Nerima.
       "That's a ringing endorsement," Ryoko said
smirking.
       "Trust me on this one," Ranma said as they
neared Ucchan's door.  "Love potions leave you a lot
less confused than the real thing does."  That
statement stopped Ryoko's sarcasm cold.

********

       It had been a full day and no sign of Ryouga
yet.  Ukyou was hardly surprised, but she was hopeful.
 Recently Ryouga had been getting back from being lost
fairly promptly.  She had gotten used to this while
they were dating, and while they were living together.
 As soon as they got married she expected that it
would go right back to the level of occasional
annoyance.  The problem was that if this kept up she
didn't see how she'd get to the wedding, much less
past it.
       She looked up as the bell rang and was
surprised to see those friends of Ryoko's.
       "Hello," she said cheerily.  "How are you two
today."
       "Oh, we're fine!" the blonde said lightly. 
"Headquarters promoted us!"
       "That's good news I guess," Ukyou said, noting
that green-haired woman thought it was anything but.
       "We're now first class Inspectors assigned to
the Sol system," she said with a "whoop-te-do" tone of
voice.
       "We're now the ranking officers in the area!"
Mihoshi added.
       "You're the only two officers in the area,
right?" Ukyou asked.  Kiyone nodded irritably, though
Ukyou suspected that the irritation and bitterness
were mostly a habit rather than anything serious.
       "Have you seen Ryoko?" Kiyone asked.  "I have
some news for her."  That remark cooled the blonde's
good humor some, and it certainly seemed that neither
of them wanted to broach the subject.
       "She's right outside the door," Ukyou said
cautiously.  Kiyone and Mihoshi turned around and the
green-haired woman took a deep breath.
       "Well here goes nothing," she muttered.
       "Should I fear for my restaurant?" Ukyou asked
the blonde.

********

       "What did you mean by that?" Ryoko asked
cautiously.
       "What?" Ranma asked, giving an appearance of
cluelessness.
       "Did you just say that..." she paused.  "You
couldn't have meant that."  Ranma debated with himself
for a moment before answering.  Waiting, keeping
silent.  That didn't work, it only wasted time, even
if he wasn't certain.
       Then the door opened next to them.
       "Ryoko," Kiyone said.  She locked at the
somewhat frustrated expressions and frowned a little
more.  "Sorry to interrupt."
       "Interrupt what?" Ryoko asked sharply, drawing
a look from Ranma.
       "There's some news," Kiyone said grimmly. 
Ryoko's attention was suddenly focused on her.
       "What kind of news," she asked.
       "Let's go inside," Kiyone said, "Get some
privacy."  Ryoko nodded and set her feet down on the
floor.
       ~Bad news,~ Ranma thought, perfectly aware that
Ryoko was thinking similar things.  As they walked in
he waved to Ukyou and noted the haggard expression on
her face.  "He's lost again?!"
       "He went out to beat on Happosai and hasn't
been seen since," Ukyou said through gritted teeth. 
Ranma rolled his eyes and shook his head.
       "Ranma," Ryoko said firmly.  "Are you coming or
not?"  Ukyou smirked as Ranma rolled his eyes again
and followed his accidental wife to a booth.  
       The smirk quickly faded as she regarded the
expressions on the four faces.  She frowned herself
before picking up her business smile and carrying over
an order of Okonomiyaki's to the table.
       "So what's the news?" Ryoko asked.
       "There is some good news," Kiyone said.  "Ayeka
pulled out her coma.  For a little while at least."
       "Coma?" Ryoko said.  "I thought she was dead."
       "I thought so to," Kiyone said, not bothering
to mention that this news was about five days old. 
"But maybe there's still a chance after all."
       "She's alive," Ryoko said, wonderingly staring
at the table in front of her.
       "What's the bad news," Ranma asked.  Ryoko's
attention focused on Kiyone again.
       "They lost the convoy moving Nagi," Kiyone said
grimmly.
       "She escaped," Ryoko said.
       "There could have been an accident," Mihoshi
pointed out.  "They were supposed to be travelling
quiet."
       "Oh please," Ryoko snapped back.  "An accident
killing her?"
       "Don't go chasing her, Ryoko," Mihoshi pleaded.
 Ryoko turned toward the blonde with an angry
expression but caught Ranma's concerned, if quiet
expression as well.
       "I don't have to, do I?" Ryoko said.  "She'll
come for me."  She stayed quiet for a moment, brooding
over the situation.  Some part of her was glad for the
chance to get her vengeance on the bounty hunter, for
she surely would get that chance now.  "Have you heard
what Ayeka's chances are?"
       "I don't know," Kiyone said.  "And I don't know
how much she'll remember, either."
       Ryoko looked to Ranma and considred the talk
they were trying to have on the way here.  She no
longer was certain what she should do.  She would have
talked to Yosho about this, but he was dead.  Besides,
there was really only one other person that she could
reasonably hope would understand the situation.  Aside
from Ranma, and she wasn't sure she could talk to him
about this yet.  Not until she was certain.
       "I need to see her," Ryoko said, still looking
at Ranma.
       "I don't see how that's a problem," Ukyou said
suddenly.  "It isn't like Ryouga's going to need his
best man if he's not around.  A trip would be good for
you, and I'm certain your mother wouldn't mind."
       "And you do need to testify about those
slavers," Mihoshi noted.  Ranma and Ryoko frowned at
that.
       "That would mean we would have to take-"
       "What is beauty that lies before eyes?" a young
voice said stiffly, as if trying repeat something she
heard.  "Sha...Share...umm...CERTAIN you must
be...uh...must be..."  All eyes turned to Ran Ran as
she struggled to recite her speech in a bad French
accent.
       "What did I tell ya before?" Ranma asked as she
continued.  Ran Ran blanched and snapped her mouth
shut.
       "But you defeat me!" she said in protest. 
Ranma frowned and tapped his fingers, glaring at Ran
Ran until she backed down.  The young Amazon settled
for sticking her tongue out at Ryoko.
       "We can take her in our ship," Kiyone
suggested.  This actually going a lot easier than she
thought it would.  She didn't even have to mention
that Sasami had virtually demanded she bring Ryoko to
Jurai.  "Come on Mihoshi, we have to talk to her
sister again."
       "She's the one that went crazy last time,
right?" Mihoshi asked as they stood up and grabbed the
girl.
       "Where you taking me?" Ran Ran demanded.
       "Just let me do the talking this time," Kiyone
said in an exasperated tone.
       "I guess that's settled," Ukyou said watching
them go.  She gave Ranma and Ryoko a knowing smile
before she left to attend to some new customers coming
in.
       "You don't have to go," Ryoko said.  "They
don't really need a testimony that says, 'I don't
remember anything because I was a cat at the time.'"
       "Nah," Ranma said.  "But I need to go anyway." 
Ryoko smiled faintly and nodded, looking down at the
table.
       "After we sparred," Ryoko said.  "Why didn't
you insist we leave right away?"
       "Why didn't you?" Ranma said.  "You knew they
were open too."
       "I..." Ryoko sighed.  "I don't know."
       "Neither do I," Ranma said.  He paused for a
moment and took a deep breath.  "But I can tell you
I've felt a lot better recently than I have for a long
time."  Ryoko glanced at him in surprise.
       "You did mean what you said," she whispered,
shaking her head.  ~I was never confused about Tenchi.
 I never wondered if it was right.~  Ranma had been
mourning his Akane for four years, he had a right to
start again.  But Tenchi had only been dead a few
months, was she just that callous?  Life used to be
simple.  See what you want and take it.  Why couldn't
it just stay that simple?
       "Yeah," Ranma said.  "I guess I meant it."

********

       Sasami was half asleep, sitting next to her
sister.  Ayeka was no longer in one of Washu's
rejuvenation tanks, lying instead on a hospital bed
that was much more traditional in its design.  Her
hair was just started to grow back, and she looked
deathly thin despite the IV solution essentially
feeding her.  Her vitals, however, were steady if
weak.
       The younger princess had grown used to the
constant beeps and noises that told her that her
sister was still alive, even if she only barely held
onto that life.  Any fluctuation in that rythym
galvanized her.  So when Ayeka drew a thin, gasping
breath, she was instantly alert.
       "Onechan!" Sasami gasped, seeing that Ayeka's
eyes were open.  A nurse noted the movement and called
over a doctor before heading for the room herself.
       "Sasami?" Ayeka whispered weakly.  "My head
hurts..."
       "It's okay," Sasami said, crying for joy. 
"Washu put you back together all fine."
       "Washu?" Ayeka responded.  "She's a
legend...have to find Tenchi...they left her awake in
there...going insane."  She began to sit up, but
Sasami gently pushed her back down in the bed.
       "Ayeka," Sasami said.  "Everything will be
fine, just rest.  We'll take care of everything."  She
was still crying, afraid of what Ayeka would do when
she learned that Tenchi was dead.
       "I feel heavy," Ayeka said, contrary to her
thin appearance.  "Tell Tenchi, she's going
insane...they left her awake in the cryotube." 
Ayeka's voice faded into deep steady breathing as her
eyes closed.  As she returned to unconsciousness this
time, the shallow breathing of her coma was not
present, and the Crown Princess slept a natural sleep.

=====
"Caffeinated Kender?  What's that, a berserk spell?" - 
Tribble, Kender Warrior of the Celestial Kingdom
"God has to have a sense of humor, it's the only explanation for sex." - my father
"I have to write a how-to paper for class, so I'm writing a paper on how to be psuedo-evil." - my brother

http://members.aol.com/thrythlind/snake.html

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