And continuing yet again:

"Ranchan is back!"  That's my first thought upon waking.  I had heard the
news yesterday while working in the restaurant, his return was as

unexpected

as his leaving.

I smile as the thought of seeing him floats around my brain, assaulting me
with pictures of his smiling face and the feelings of happiness his

company

brings.  Removing the covers I l

covers, I

eave my bed quickly, there is little time to

spare.  The weeks of absence must be ended as quickly as possible, my best
friend awaits me.

I think she pictures him in more romantic terms than that. Maybe 'fiance'
instead.

   He must be dying to see me, because I know I can't wait

to see him.

Ranma: I am?

 This should be the happiest day I've had in weeks, since his

unexpected departure.  The mere thought of seeing him again is bringing

life

back into my life,

bit redundent. I'd rephrase that somehow.

something that his presence has always done.

A few quick feather-light steps find me at my door, removing my robe from
its hook.  I stand for a minute, grasping my robe at its nape and

snuggling

it to my chin while I imagined wistfully that there was a second hooks

hook

 and

matching robe hanging there.

Konatsu: Oh, Ukyou-sama. I never dreamed you thought of me that way. I'll
get a robe right away.

Ukyou: ...

The first morning that dream was realized

would be the first perfect morning of my life.

And then it'll all go downhill from there.

A wistful sigh reminds me that I must get going,

It was Konatsu's.

"Ah! What are you doing in my room and why didn't I see you before?" Ukyou
shouted.

Konatsu said, "I'm a ninja. Sneaking around is what I do."

Opening the bedroom door, I walk down the hall, noticing that Konatsu's

door

is partially open, signifying that my most recent friend and employee is

up

and about.

Konatsu: Time to make the donuts.

Ukyou: Okonomiyaki.

Konatsu: Whatever.

Thinking about Konatsu always reminds me of our initial meeting, and

Ranma's

attempts to save me.  He's always doing things like that for people,

that's

something I respect so much about him.  But, nothing beats when he shows
such caring and affection for me.  I can feel my face warming, I ignore

the

blush, feeling it deepen as I recall his actions on my behalf that day.

Haven't seen that volume, but methinks it's all being viewed through
rose-tinted glasses. :)

  He

doesn't often show such emotions concerning me publically, but when he

does

I feel lighter than air.

Like when he called me "Cute fiancee." I'm sure there was some other time,
but that one is the only one that really matters.

The bathroom is empty and I hesitate while I consider the western-style

bath

and shower.  Which should I choose?

Cowboy hat or chaps?

It was 'western style' after all. :)

Understanding his need to be his own man, I have tried to give him some
space, never really chastising his actions.

Especially the 'You haven't married me yet' one.

Sure I've slipped up on

occasion, who wouldn't?  When they desired to be with someone, and only

that

somebody, so strongly.

Think the question mark should be at the end and the earlier one should be a
comma.

Supportive is what I try to be, of his actions and

his needs.

As long as they are in agreement with mine.

Actually, most women view the world that way. My husband/boyfriend is not on
a leash. He can do whatever he wants, as long as I approve of it. :)

  It's still hard to swallow at times, his current situation and

living arrangements, but I trust Ranchan to make the right decision when

he

needs to, when the time is right.

Ranma: You mean I can marry Azusa and you won't try to stop me?

Ukyou: AHHHH!

Starting the taps, I decide the shower is going to have to suffice for

now.

After quickly disrobing, I'm underneath the stream of hot water, feeling

the

jets pound softly on flesh and muscles that are cramped from sleep and

taut

from excitement.  I can feel the relief as the muscles soften under the
onslaught, idly noting the huge difference from the worry that had plagued
me the previous mornings, increasing in intensity each day of his absence.

You dwell on the bathing a bit. I think you're stretching it out too long.

I laugh at myself for needlessly worrying about him.  He is my best friend
after all.  He wouldn't let anything happen to me, or leave me for good
without at least telling me first.

I'm surprised she would add everything after 'good'. I'd drop it myself.

  This much I know, the faith and trust I

have in him as a martial artist and as a person, always bolster my
confidence.  More than faith, really, because I really never doubt these
things about him.  He would hurt

wouldn't

Also, some consideration and understanding are due to me, if not a whole

lot

more.  The way his father had handled my dowery and ditching me like

garbage

along the road was insulting enough to start a family war.

Which was one of the reasons I wanted to hunt down and dispatch Ranma
personally.

  My father's

dealing with the same event was also less than appropriate, but he's my
father, I have to do what he says.  But Ranma doesn't really listen to his
father anymore,

He does when it's convienent. :)

 > as I place the robe upon my shoulders, heading back to my room before I
had

made sure that I was properly modest, in case Konatsu was around.  The
bounce in my step must be evident, as I can barely feel the floor beneath

my

feet.

extra line.

clean, and he has on more than one occasion referred to me as "Cute!"  The
embarrassment and happiness I feel just remembering those multiple

occasions

again cause my cheeks  to flush.

extra space after 'cheeks'

I almost bound down the stairs, losing my balance on the third step as I
overstep it, only to land safely, if unsteadily on the one below it.

Not that a little fall like that would hurt her.

of getting hurt today of all days.  Ranma would come and help take care of
me if I had injured myself, like he had tried to when I was sick.  Another
show of his caring, that

drop the comma

 fills my already fluttering heart with warmth and

hope.  Soon he will see that I'm the best choice, he has to, I just know

it.

"Good morning, Konatsu!"  I call merrily to the boy, who was busily
preparing to open the restaurant.  I start straight for the door,
indifferent to how impolite it would be to him.

It would?

I stop in mid-stride, face glowing like a supernova at the thought of

Ranma

sending me a letter.

Eh? Why?

I turn the small envelope over in my hand, trailing a finger across the
seal, feeling for an imperfection in it that is keeping me from my letter.
My curiosity is wreaking havoc on my coordination as I fail repeatedly to
open the flap.

That is bad.

 My pulse is way out of control as blood races through my

veins, unable to allow the fine muscle coordination that would allow me to
open this damn envelope.  Frustration final overloads me, destroying my
patience as I rip the small envelope, bringing forth the letter.  Finally!

I look at the paper, blood drains from me as my heart and lungs both stop
working at the same time.

And I die. It turned out you needed heart and lungs to survive. It was a
really bad day.

"Lady Ukyou," Konatsu whispers in a frightened and concerned voice.

"Don't worry. I'll be your ninja. It'll be just like 'Flames of Recca.' I'll
start seeking out some flame dragons to master right now." And Konatsu left.

I turn slowly, facing the boy dressed as a girl, and see the frighted

frightened

 face

that greets me in return.  My face begins to tingle, as if tons of small
blunt needles are being poked into it, not strong or sharp enough to hurt,
but noticeable enough for me feel.  My face trembles and I try to hold it
steady, but it's a losing battle and

battle, and

"Lady Ukyou."  The whispered words break me.  As I realize my last and

only

friend is still here for me.

Konatsu: I'm afraid I have to leave you. I need to find a hime to serve, and
frankly, you've got issues I'd rather not deal with. I'll leave you a
forwarding address for my last paycheck.

I can feel the rocking motion as Konatsu tries to sooth me as I bawl my
heart out, wondering when, if ever, the pain will end, wondering when I

will

at least have control over her body, over my emotions, over my tears.

I know it won't be enough, never enough, but that doesn't matter.  I

needed

anything, anything that can, or even might provide me assistant in getting
through this moment.  This moment that I'm again cast aside like garbage.
This moment when my feelings, thoughts, and dreams had again been ignored
and deemed unworthy of consideration by my best friend.

A simple letter, a simple statement, and I have been betrayed.

I think I'll blow something up. Maybe the chapel where the marriage is to
take place.

D.B. Sommer

Author's notes: I had this idea or thought for some time now.  Of all the
things in the anime and manga, one of the most cruel has to be Nabiki
sending the invitations to Ukyou and Shampoo.

Nah. She did it because she wanted to amuse herself. Besides, Takahashi
wanted to end the series with a bang. :)

  I won't talk about the

validity of the claims, or the true feelings of Ranma.

No need in a first person narrative. All the thoughts and feelings should be
centered around the 'speaker'. That's one of the reasons to do 1st person.
It's an insight into their mind and their perception of the world, not the
other way around.

I was inspired to write it now in light of recent events in the fanfiction
world, on the Delphi forums in particular.

Hahahaha. Fool. What else did you expect from there? :)

  Lack of empathy and

understanding by people led to a great amount of disharmony,  to say the
least.

Well, that actually applies to most conflicts in life in general.

 Interesting piece, but it drags a tad in the center and leans to being too
melodramatic. I'd cut a little to help with the flow. Outside of that, not
really much to say.

D.B. Sommer




             .---Anime/Manga Fanfiction Mailing List----.
             | Administrators - ffml-admins@anifics.com |
             | Unsubscribing - ffml-request@anifics.com |
             |     Put 'unsubscribe' in the subject     |
             `---- http://ffml.anifics.com/faq.txt -----'