For those who have understandably forgotten, this is an alternate
universe fic focusing on Ukyou and told from her viewpoint.  It began
with Ukyou deciding to abandon her vendetta against Ranma and move on
with her life.  She meets some unusual people, but her move to Nerima
goes well, at least until an unexpected face from her past arrives. 
Earlier chapters can be found at http://www.geocities.com/fenwulf16/. 
Many thanks go to Tom Hackwood for prereading.  Any and all comments
are welcome.  

Disclaimer: Ranma1/2 is the product of Rumiko Takahashi.  Viz
Entertainment owns rights in North America.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A Fresh Start: Chapter Five

     There's no doubt that I'm a good cook.  In fact, I consider myself
more than capable of meeting almost any challenge related to the
culinary arts.  However, when one of those challenges is teaching Akane
Tendou how to cook, even I entertain a few doubts.

     "It's ready, Ukyou."

     I barely controlled the twitch in my right cheek at the sound of
Akane's cheerful voice.  Ever since Nabiki had insisted that I stop
using Ranma to taste test Akane's cooking, teaching her had become a
lot more interesting.

     With a sigh, I used my chopsticks to snag a chunk of rice out of
the bowl she'd prepared.  Popping it into my mouth I chewed and
swallowed quickly.

     "How is it," Akane asked, hope shining in her eyes.

     "Not that bad.  It's too salty and you burnt it a little, but
you're really starting to improve."  

     "You really think so?"

     "You do still have a long way to go," I pointed out, "but this is
the best you've done yet."

     "That's nice of you to say," Akane said, her eyes dimming, " but I
can tell it's not very good." A moment later she smiled and punched her
right fist in the air.  "I'll get it right next time for sure," she
vowed   

     "I'll see you tomorrow."  It was a struggle, but I managed to wait
until Akane was out the door before dashing to the sink and taking
several gulps of water from the faucet.

     "She's getting better huh?"  Ranma chuckled softly at the look on
my face.  "I guess she couldn't get worse."

     "Very funny.  Now get back to work.  I'd like to get this finished
up soon."

     "Um, actually there's something I wanna ask you.  I know I'm not
your favorite person, but there isn't anyone else I can trust," Ranma
said beginning to wipe down the counter.  

     "Go ahead.  I'll help if I can."

     "Um...  Well...  I've sorta saved some money from working here and
since I am engaged to Nabiki I was wondering if I should, you know."  I
waited for Ranma to finish, but from the amount of attention he was
giving the counter that seemed unlikely.

      "Buy a present for Nabiki or take her on a date?" I hazarded. 
Ranma made a slight movement of her head that could be interpreted as a
nod.  "I'm really not sure.  I don't think she's too thrilled about the
engagement, so it might seem like you're pushing her to accept it. 
Maybe you could go visit a shrine together.  I hear that there are some
nice ones in Nerima and you probably shouldn't do something expensive
on a first date."

     "I'm not so sure," Ranma waffled.  "Maybe that would be moving to
quickly."

     "Compared to being engaged to her and living in the same house?" I
asked.

     "That wasn't my idea," Ranma stated, wearily rubbing his forehead.

     "I didn't say it was.  Look, I'm not going to make you take her
out.  If you're that worried you could just tell her that you're
worried about the English exam we have on Friday."

     "That might work."  Ranma paused for a second a look of puzzlement
creasing his brow.  "English exam?"

     "Maybe the shrine is a better idea than I thought."

=================

     Hard as it might be to believe, I have met a few people at
Furinkan High who are relatively normal.  Hiroshi and Daisuke were two
exceptionally average boys that were mainly distinguishable by the
color of their hair.  They were friendly, good-natured and only a
little irritating.  
     
     "Come on, Ukyou.  If she's your cousin you've got to introduce
us," Daisuke whined.  

     "Yeah, it's not fair that you've already got Akane.  You can't
keep all the cute girls to yourself," Hiroshi added. 

     "I'm sorry guys, she doesn't live in Nerima.  I don't think she'll
be visiting me again for a while."  Trying to be subtle, I began to
edge past them.  It wasn't their fault, but I needed to open the
restaurant as soon after school was out as possible and they were
holding me up.

    "You're holding out on us.  Tell you what, buddy, I'll trade you." 
Hiroshi smiled ingratiatingly at me.

     "What did you have in mind?"  My first impulse was to reject the
offer out of hand, but my curiosity prevailed.

     "Take a look at this."  Still smiling, Hiroshi extended a glossy
color photo towards me.  I wasn't truly surprised when I saw that it
was a picture of a buxom, pigtailed girl wearing only a few soapsuds. 
A second later I struggled for breath when I realized exactly who it
was.  

     "Petty good, huh?"

     "Where did you get this?" I demanded.

     "Nabiki was selling them a while ago," Daisuke offered.  

     "Sorry I've got to go now."  Behind me, I could hear Hiroshi
berating Daisuke for answering my question.  My first impulse was to
head for the Tendous' and confront Nabiki, but I soon reconsidered.  It
really wasn't any of my business and getting between two people in a
relationship might be messy.  

=================

     "You know, Ranma, I've been thinking about a different outfit for
you," I commented.  

     Ranma's face lit up with hope and then settled into a wary mask. 
"Whatever you think."

     "It's not that big a deal.  Why don't you just try on the outfit
in the box on the counter?  I can finish setting up while you do that."
 

     With a small shrug, Ranma vanished into the back of the
restaurant, with the box in her hand.  Humming softly I set to work.  

     "This isn't exactly what I was expecting," Ranma said, reappearing
after a few minutes, wearing a dark blue kimono.

     "I thought something with a little more style would be nice.  You
don't like it?"  

     "I didn't say that.  It's just a big change."  

     Considering how Ranma had felt about the miniskirt and high heels
of her previous outfit, that was probably an understatement. 
Regardless, many of my customers went to school at Furinkan. 
Considering the photos Nabiki had sold, this made feel a lot better. 
"Well, if you don't mind, lets get back to work."

     "No problem."

=================

     "Where on earth am I now!"  That cry, filled with loneliness and
despair was a sure clue to the identity of the person outside. 
Unsurprisingly, when I opened the door a moment later, I found Ryouga
Hibiki standing there.

     "You're in Nerima, Sugar.  Right outside my restaurant."  

     "That's wonderful!  Do you know the way to the Tendou Dojo?"

     "Of course I do."  I hesitated for a moment taking in Ryouga's
worn condition.  "Why don't you come in and have something to eat?"

     "I-I wouldn't want to impose.  Besides, isn't it kind of late for
supper?"  Ryouga looked profoundly uncomfortable at my suggestion.  I
almost thought he was blushing, but his tan made it hard to tell.

     "Not for me.  I can't close up during the busiest time of the day,
so I have to eat afterwards.  Look, I don't make a habit of giving out
free meals, but it's not that big a deal."

     "Thanks, but I'm not-."  Ryouga's stomach rumbled loudly.

     "-not hungry?" I finished for him.

     "Well, maybe I am just a little."  Grinning in embarrassment,
Ryouga stepped through the door.   

     It isn't much harder to cook for two than for one, so it wasn't
long before we were sitting down to eat.  Ryouga had offered to help,
but the one thing he and Akane had in common was they were both lost in
the kitchen.

     "I'm surprised you cooked a dish using udon," Ryouga said,
shoveling some more of the thick noodles into his mouth.  

     "Instead of okonomiyaki, you mean?  Even if I run an okonomiyaki
shop, I do like a little variety in my diet."

     "Maybe you should expand your menu.  This is great."

     "Thanks, but cooking a variety of things takes more time."  Ryouga
shrugged slightly and the rest of the meal passed in silence.  

     "Let me help you with those," Ryouga offered when I started to
gather up the dishes.

     "Sure.  You can wash and I'll dry."  We got started with the
dishes, and Ryouga worked carefully enough, although I winced every
time he reached into the steaming water.  Didn't he know there was a
cold-water tap?

     "Say, Ryouga, what was the big deal with the bread?  I know you've
got other reasons now, but it still seems strange."  I didn't know why
I asked that, except perhaps it was a way of finding out about the
unknown part of Ranma's life.

     "It wasn't really the bread."  Ryouga paused, as if unsure whether
or not to continue.  "When I was younger, I had a lot of trouble with
other kids because I got lost all the time.  That's why I started
studying martial arts."

     "I think I understand.  After Genma ran off with my do-, our
yattai things were hard for me."

     "Really?"  There was a strange look in Ryouga's eyes, as if he had
read more into my words than I'd intended.  He opened his mouth as if
to speak and then stopped, instead turning back to the dishes before
continuing.  "Anyway, after I started, I found out it was something I
enjoyed and was good at.  Then I met Ranma.  People still didn't laugh,
at least not where I could hear them, but that didn't make any
difference."  For a silent moment, he smiled bitterly.

     "Well, I'm done."  Ryouga pulled the plug, letting the water run
down the drain.  Stepping back from the sink, he meticulously wiped his
hands with a towel.

     "Ryouga, you don't have to fight Ranma because of what other
people think," I said, feeling a sudden connection with him.

     "Like you said, I have other reasons now.  Most importantly, I
can't leave a fight unfinished."

     There didn't seem to be anything I could say after that. 

=================

     "I don't need your help."  Ryouga's voice was just short of a
snarl as he stalked along beside me.  He'd been in a bad mood ever
since our conversation last night.  In fact, the only reason he'd
agreed to spend the night in my spare room was that he couldn't find
the exit.  Even the blue skies and the warm glow of the sun hadn't
cheered him up.

     "I know that, but this is the fastest way for you to find Ranma
and settle this once and for all."  It was with considerable pleasure
that I saw the gates of Furinkan nearing.  I'd made sure we'd left
early, so Ryouga could just wait for Ranma to show up.  

     Sure enough, Ryouga took up a station just inside of the gate,
although he seemed more interested in the students clustered by the
door to the school, presumably making sure Ranma wasn't one of them.

     "Er, sorry I've been so rude while you're trying to help me,"
Ryouga said softly, keeping his face turned away from me.  

     "Don't worry, it's not that big a deal."  I was uncomfortable to
realize that it wasn't.  Ryouga was a friend or could be, but he was
also another person who didn't know the truth about me.

     "No I-," Ryouga was interrupted when some one walked into him from
behind and bounced off of his solidly muscled form.  The speed he
whirled around with was ample proof of how tense the bandanna wearing
martial artist was.  "Why, don't you wa-.  Hey, you're that waitress
who works for Ukyou aren't you?"

     "Heh.  That's right, I'm...Arisa Tendou," Ranma said, nervously
scrambling to her feet.

     I resisted the urge to slap my forehead for a moment before giving
in.  Two of the best martial artists I know and they still manage
something like this.  "He's a girl," I stated, sidling over to Nabiki
who was watching her fiance impassively.

     "He got hit by the old lady again.  We were going to get some hot
water before class started," Nabiki whispered worriedly.  Meanwhile,
Ranma and Ryouga had finished exchanging apologies, somewhat grudgingly
in Ranma's case.  

     "Nabiki says that Ranma left earlier.  Why don't you wait here and
I'll send him out."

     Ryouga looked like he was going to protest and then he nodded
curtly.  "Just tell him not to take to long, or I'll come looking for
him."  

     "Right, Sugar.  And you'll get lost in the process.  Come on guys,
let's hurry."

=================

     Once we got inside, Ranma and Nabiki went to get some hot water
and I decided to wait for Akane outside of our homeroom.  Hopefully,
Ranma would be able to settle things with Ryouga.  I wasn't really sure
why I cared, but I did.  

     I ended my musings when Akane walked into sight, smiling cheerily.
 "Waiting for me, Ukyou?"

     "I got here a bit earlier today.  It's not a big deal, I just
brought Ryouga here so he and Ranma can clear the air between them." 

     Suddenly, Akane's book bag twitched and then jumped violently, as
if something inside was trying to claw its way out.

     Akane noticed this at the same time I did and winced guiltily. 
"Sorry.  I guess he doesn't like being so cramped."  

     "He?"  For a moment, the picture of a midget stuffed into Akane's
bag flashed into my mind.

     "You remember P-chan, don't you?"  Akane unzipped the bag slightly
and a moment later a black snout poked into view, followed by the rest
of the pig's head, complete with yellow bandana.  

     "I was wondering what happened to him."  Reaching down, I
scratched P-chan briefly behind his ears.  "I've heard of pets getting
lost, but never the way he does."

     "Maybe he doesn't think he's a pet," Akane mused.  P-chan's head
bobbed slightly, as if he was responding to Akane's words.  

     "I think he agrees."  

     "Maybe.  Where is Ryouga?" Akane asked, changing the direction of
the conversation.  I haven't seen him anywhere."

     "I left him by the gate.  He couldn't have wandered off already." 
Irritation washed over me as I realized that was what must have
happened, no matter how hard it was to believe.  
 
     The rest of the day passed quickly, although Ryouga's
disappearance still bothered me.  Probably more because it meant I'd
wasted a lot of effort trying to help him.  Oh well, he and Ranma could
settle their own problems from now on.  

=================

     "Akane's starting to get better, I see," Nabiki commented.

     "You're right, but I didn't know you were watching."  I'd been
having trouble finding enough time to spar with Akane lately, but we'd
managed it today.

     "I wasn't, but you don't look as fresh as usual."

     That was true enough.  Since I could hardly use the furo with
Akane, if not for the reason everyone would assume, I'd decided to head
back to my place for a quick shower.  Impulsively, I decided that could
wait.  "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about,
Nabiki.  Daisuke and Hiroshi-"

     A sudden earsplitting shriek rang out from the back of the house. 
Without pause I raced towards the source and found myself running side
by side with Ranma.  Bursting through the inner door of the furo, we
caught sight of Akane sitting on the floor beside a large crater in the
wall.

     "Get out!"  An instant later, the wash bucket ricocheted off of
Ranma's skull dazing him and I had to drag him out of the bathing area
before Akane managed to inflict further harm, using him as a shield at
the same time.

     As soon as we were safe in hallway, Ranma recovered and pulled
himself free of my grip.  "Stupid tomboy.  She didn't have to throw it
that hard."

     "I'm more interested in what happened."  Raising my voice
slightly, I called through the door, "Akane, are you alright."

     "I'm fine.  I just...slipped while I was bathing P-chan.  I'll be
finished in a few minutes."  There was something odd about her tone,
but that was probably just the effect of the wood between us.  

     "She must've hit head first to do that to the wall," Ranma
commented.  

     "Ranma, sometimes you're a real jerk."

End Chapter 5
  
Kent Hyam



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