From: OtakuLoki@aol.com (OtakuLoki) This story is a sequel to Mark Doherty's 'fic, "Emptyness and Renewal." If you haven't read it, I suggest you do so. Not only is it a very good story in its own right, this story assumes a knowledge of the events described there. If you haven't read "Emptyness and Renewal," you can find it at the RAAC ftp site. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark publically for letting me write this story, and giving me much valuable C&C, including suggesting the title that I finally chose to use. The story is immeasureably better for his time and helpfulness. Any C&C should be directed to me directly at OtakuLoki@Aol.com. As a note: I wish to acknowledge that this story makes liberal use of characters and situations that belong to Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, and Viz Video. Also Mark Doherty has all rights (and blame) for the two godlings, Zae and Liotha. Thanks again, and I hope that you will enjoy this story. Fulfillment "Ukyou. You're dodging the issue." Ranma looked up at his sparring partner, from where he lay on the ground behind the Ucchan's. She was flushed with exertion, and holding her battle spatula in the ready position, her triumphant grin fading to a thoughtful look. "What do you mean? You still aren't as good as Ranchan is, even if you can usually take me three out of four falls. It's dangerous." Seeing that Ranma was simply getting up, and talking, she dropped her guard with the spatula, and walked forward to be closer to Ranma. "And Ranchan has a lot of enemies who will not hesitate to attack you once they recognize you." Ranma sighed. This argument happened every time he brought up this subject. "Ukyou, you've told me lots of times that I _don't_ look like your 'Ranchan' because of my clothing and my hairstyle. I think your friends'll be confused long enough for you to tell them the truth about who I am. Or who I'm not." Ranma grinned at that thought. "You've had that voucher for dimensional travel for two months. And you've not used it once. When you got it you were ready to go home and never come back because you were missing your friends." "Now you keep coming up with reasons why it ain't time to go visit. I know at first you were worried about how dangerous it might be for me to go with you." Unspoken was the tacit agreement that neither of them were going to visit the other world without both going. Ranma was unwilling to take any chances with this second chance at love, and Ukyou wanted to have him with her. "But since then, I've gotten as good as I can with these techniques that 'Ranchan' taught me. But I ain't getting any better in them unless I can spar with someone who actually knows how to use them." "Oh? My advice and help is no longer good enough for you?" Ranma just looked at Ukyou. After a moment she blushed, and ducked her head. Softly, he continued. "That's not it, and you know it. Rather I've gone as far as I can with what WE know, and if I'm to get better we need to talk to someone else. Besides, you still need to talk to your friends." Ukyou nodded. "But..." "I know you're nervous. I'm a bit nervous too. But you need to see them again. After this first time I ain't gonna be as persistent, but I think it would be fun to be able to spar with myself. And this ain't going to get easier for you with time. It's just going to get harder." "But I ran out on them!" "Ukyou, your 'Ranchan' knows why you left, and where you are. The rest left you alone during the worst time in your life. A time when you needed friends the most. You've nothing to be guilty about." Ranma looked at Ukyou's face, willing her to believe him. Then a wry grin crept onto his face. "Except your unwillingness to admit that you made mistakes, too." Ukyou looked shocked at this for a moment, then in a lightning flash swung her spatula around, tossing Ranma over to a training mat. "Why, you!!!" Ranma, who had been expecting a reaction of some sort from his last dig, twisted in the air, and landed on his feet. An unrepentant grin was spread wide across his face. Saccharine sincerity suffused his sally. "Yes, dear?" For good measure he batted his eyes. Ukyou laughed, and her expression faded from shock to one of resigned agreement. "Okay. You're right. I'm wrong. Don't worry, though. It won't happen often." Ukyou mock-glared at her partner. "We'll go tomorrow, okay?" "Yup." He walked back over to her, and drew her in for a hug. "And I'll be right there with you, ready to pound anyone who doesn't accept your apologies. Okay?" Ukyou dropped her spatula, and hugged Ranma back, hard. "Thanks. But I'll do my own pounding. Okay?" "Deal." The next afternoon there were two female Okonomiyaki chefs dressed up and sitting in the back room of the Ucchan's. One wore a familiar Blue okonomiyaki chef's shirt and black trousers, with a battle spatula slung over her back. The other was her complement with a red chef's shirt and the same style black trousers. Both had their hair done in a loose ponytail, and the one in blue carried a small piece of jewelry in her left hand. Genma studied his son, and the young woman with him. Again he was struck by the differences between the woman with his son, and the one that he had raised as his daughter. In spite of the face that they both shared. "Are you sure you need to do this? And if you must do this, does it have to be now?" Ranma answered. "Yeah, pops. It's no problem. I know we're going to miss the dinner business, but we told all our regulars, and if we keep putting it off it'll only get harder." Genma sighed. "Are you sure you don't want me to come along as well? I could be a big help if things are as crazy over there as Ukyou says." Ukyou stepped up, and touched Genma's arm. "We'll be fine. I'm just going to see a few friends and introduce Ranma to them. We'll be back this evening, and we'll tell you what's going on. You don't have to worry so." What she didn't say out loud was, "And there is no way I'm introducing you to the other Genma. You do not need a model for more bad habits." Genma looked from Ukyou to his son and back again. "Okay. But be careful, and come back safe." Surprising both teens he then drew first Ranma, then Ukyou into a heartfelt hug. "I'll be waiting for you." Turning quickly he walked back out to the main room of the Ucchan's without another word. Ukyou watched him leave. "I have to remember that he is not the Genma that left me behind. For what ever reason, he seems a much better man than the version I knew." Ranma nodded. "I know what you mean. I am still horrified when I think of the things your Genma did to me, and you and everyone else he knew. But I love my father, and I know he loves me. He's not perfect-" "Far from it." Ranma glared at Ukyou, but let her comment go unchallenged. "He's not perfect, but he's been there for me." With a shake of her head Ranma changed the subject. "So." Ranma looked down at herself. "Think this is really going to help keep people from seeing who I am right off the bat?" "Ranma you are a very conservative dresser. No matter which one of you I'm talking about. You get a favored style of dress and you stick with it. Also Ranchan is terribly insecure, he refuses to go out in his female form anymore than he has to. The two changes combined here, should keep anyone from leaping to conclusions." Ukyou had an effort keeping a straight face, remembering some of the costumes that Ranchan had worn when he did choose go out in his female form. "Okay. Well, lets use the gizmo, then." "Here goes nothing." Ukyou pressed the knob labeled 'Ranchan.' With a quiet rush of air they were gone, and the room was empty. Another quiet rush of air, and a swirl of dust, and the two found themselves in the back room of the Ucchan's. Or an Ucchan's. This room was a mess, dust everywhere and even rat droppings on the floor. It was obvious that there had been no one using this room for some time. Ukyou froze in shock. After a moment she sighed. "Oh. I guess Konatsu couldn't keep this place up on his own." Ukyou wanted to clean up her place. No matter that it wasn't her home anymore, it had been for some of the most turbulent times in her life. With an effort of will she shook her head, and pulled Ranma along with her as she quickly walked out of the Ucchan's without a second glance. Ranma swung his head from left to right as fast as he could to get a coherent picture of the building they were leaving, but he only caught flashes, all showing neglect, and in some cases, evidence of violence. Dust, rat spoor, and broken furniture. Because of the speed of the transit it had a nightmarish tint, especially since the, no HIS, Ucchan's had become so important to him. But he said nothing. As disturbing as this was for him, it must be terrible for Ukyou. This had been her home, her dream, and finally, her retreat. Ukyou drew them out of the front door, and down the street about fifty meters, pushing aside anyone unlucky enough to be caught in her way. Once they turned the corner, she slowed to a walk and looked over at Ranma sheepishly. "I guess you saw that mess?" Ranma nodded. "I didn't see much. But it disturbed me, I can imagine how you felt going through it." "I think we'll have to see some way to either get it cleaned or find a different arrival point. It would be too disturbing to see that every time." "Yeah. Was it my imagination, or did you see that some vandals had gotten in and trashed the grill?" Ukyou sighed. She hadn't hidden how upset Ranchan's wedding had made her, nor how his reaction to her and Shampoo trying to stop it had hurt. But she hadn't given every detail. "It wasn't vandals, Ranma. It was me." "Oh." They continued walking for a few minutes. Ukyou thought that had ended the topic, when Ranma reached out and grabbed her hand, and gave it a squeeze. "Sometimes I forget that you had as many problems here as I had back home before we were introduced. Remember, I'm here with you, and I want to help you whenever, and however, I can." With a final squeeze Ranma released her hand. Ukyou looked over and smiled at Ranma. "Mostly it was good here, otherwise I wouldn't want to even visit, like this. But back there I could feel just how depressed I was, it was almost tangible. That was what I fled, not the mess." She held her eyes for a minute, then leaned over and kissed Ranma on the cheek. "And I know you are with me, silly." "So, where to now?" "Well, to be honest, I'm afraid our best chance is to head to the Tendo Dojo. Ranchan had spent some time with his mother after the curse was revealed, but for the most part the dojo had become his home. If you want I can go there alone, and bring Ranchan out to meet you." "Naw. I know they ain't at fault for anything that happened elsewhere. Besides, you did want to introduce me to your friends, and they are there, so I'm coming with you." Ukyou smiled at Ranma. "I knew you would say that, but I had to ask. Let's go." In a darkened room, illuminated only by numerous pairs of glowing globes, a figure tripped over something in the dark and swore, landing on a pair of globes showing the same scenes. The person who fell watched the two globes for a moment before recognition filtered in. Then she smiled. "Well, they are finally using your charm, Liotha." "What's that, Zae? Who's come to harm?" "No one, Liotha. At least no one new. What I said was that they were finally using that charm you had me make for them." Liotha looked at her friend in puzzlement. "What charm?" "That charm." Zae pointed to a feature in the vision the globes were showing. "You know, the one that you spent considerable effort creating. The one that allowed time and dimensional shifting? That charm!?" "That charm. I'm glad we made it. So who did I give it to, again?" "Ranma, and Ukyou." Silence. "The first pair you got me to help you with. Remember them?" "Oh. Them. They are better now. We helped them, and they helped each other. We have other things to worry about." There was a pause. "But, I'm glad that they are using the gift I gave them." "Liotha... Sometimes I wonder about you." Akane was walking home. Ranma had gone off somewhere, to help Ryouga, he said, but she wasn't certain. Nabiki said she had business to take care of on her own. So Akane was stuck walking home from school by herself. She wasn't angry, but a little introspective. She and Ranma had been getting along a lot better since the marriage fiasco. They still clashed, and her temper flared from time to time. But she had heard a lot from Shampoo, before the Amazon had left, about what Ranma had told her. She had also helped Ranma deal with his guilt over Ucchan's disappearance. She still wasn't sure how she felt about him, but she knew it wasn't hatred. For his part he seemed more determined to keep his mouth under control around her. But she saw signs of strain. He really missed having someone he could talk to as a friend. Ryouga wasn't around enough, and the guys at school weren't terribly sympathetic with his problems. And, let's be honest with yourself, she thought, it had been Ukyou to fill that place in his life. She still wasn't sure if she should believe what Ranma had told her about Ukyou's fate. She didn't doubt Ranma was telling her the truth as he believed it. But dreams were for her something less trustworthy than Ranma wanted to get her to believe. She hoped that Ukyou was happy, but she was resigned to never finding out, and that resignation was something she didn't care for. As always, thinking of Ukyou dropped her introspective mood to a sadder level. She hadn't quite forgiven her for the wedding fiasco. Akane realized that she had done much to hurt Ukyou, and she had done it just as deliberately. Above all she wanted to tell Ukyou that she was sorry for what she had done to her, and that Ranma really wanted her in his life. It was during this introspective mood that a pair of hands came from behind her and covered her eyes, as a voice full of mirth and mischief called out: "Guess who!" Akane stopped shock still, and lifted the hands away from her eyes. "Uk- Ukyou? I hope that is you. I really don't need to be imagining things." "You got it, sugar! Boy, it's great to see you! How have you been?" Ukyou came around from behind Akane, pulling a smiling friend with her. Akane had only time for a quick look at the pair of them, Ukyou, brown-haired, dressed as she often had in the blue shirt, and black leggings, her companion in a matching red shirt, and black leggings, with her red hair in a ponytail imitating Ukyou's own style. Tears started to gather in the corner of her eyes. "Me? How am I doing? How about you! You're the one that everyone has been worried sick about since you disappeared three and a half months ago. How are you, and where have you been? And who's your friend?" Akane was smiling through the tears. This was much better than resignation and uncertainty. "Wait. First.. I have to say something. I'm sorry we were ignoring you back then. I'm not saying you were right, but you didn't deserve to be left alone to rot. I've felt really bad about that." "Hey, what's this? You've got Ranchan. You can't be crying. And I did do something awful to you. I think we all overreacted. I'll accept your apology on one condition." "Yes?" "Forgive me, please. I had neither right nor cause to do what I did to you and Ranchan. I think I have spoken to him, but I wronged you just as much." "You mean that alternate world story was true?" "Yup." "Wow, that was the one thing that I had the most problem swallowing. So, who's your friend? Do I know her?" For the first time Akane looked at Ukyou's companion. Really looked, noting the details, and trying to place features. She inventoried what she could and compared it to other people she knew: Red hair; athletic build; certainly well muscled, but not grossly so; an open, impish grin; and friendly blue eyes, laughing at some joke. Akane couldn't place this person at all, but she felt that she should know this girl. "You could say that." Akane turned back to Ukyou, and saw that she, too, was barely holding in her mirth. "Allow me to introduce you to Saotome Ranma. My late `sister's fiance." Akane gasped in embarrassed horror as she fit all the pieces together. It was so obvious, and right. Her face flushed a bright red, as she turned to introduce herself to this stranger that should be so familiar to her. "Ple- Pleased to meet you, Ranma. I must thank you for doing what we neglected, and helping to heal Ukyou's hurts. I am on my way home, and I know my family would be glad to see both Ukyou, and yourself." Akane paused a moment, and looked into this stranger with her fiance's smile... almost. A part of her noted that there was something missing from this Ranma's smile, but she didn't have the time to analyze that thought. Ranma smiled at Akane's offer. "I don't know if we can, Miss. You see we are here specifically to meet the Ranma of this world, and so we need to go to the Tendo Dojo. Perhaps you can talk to Ukyou, and we can arrange a different time to meet with your family..." Ranma broke off in confusion as both Ukyou and Akane dissolved into giggles. In an aggrieved tone she broke over their mirth. "Okay, what's the joke, this time?" "Hehehe... Forgive me, Ranma. I didn't mention my name. I'm Tendo Akane, and-" Ranma heard Akane's voice break off abruptly, and she knew that she must be revealing some of what she felt on her face, but she didn't think she could help it. In shock she noticed things that she had glanced over as she had been speaking with this young girl. Except for the hair, it was the image of the Akane of her world. And the smile. And perhaps something else she couldn't name. But Ranma was still surprised she hadn't put it together before this. She analyzed all this with a fraction of her mind, and her heart. Instead, the majority of her thoughts and emotions were dealing with being blind sided by the image of Ucchan's death. She saw the two maniacs bursting into the inn, shouting uncontrollably; saw the fight going outside, and the fatal strike on the old pillar; mercifully Ranma didn't see the retreat with Ucchan's broken body, or her final words. But Ranma knew that they were there and it was the fault of someone with this woman's face. And she faced the fact that that woman and her partner would never see justice for their crime. This process ran through her mind, and her eyes grew cold with hate and rage. Her laughing face stilled to a mask of barely controlled fury. Ranma had not felt this angry over the incident for weeks. She could speak with the Akane and Ryouga of her world without any of this rage seeping out. It was still there, but it had banked itself, and was dying, slowly, from a lack of fuel. Ranma knew that the coals would be there her entire life. She was dealing with it, and she figured in a few years she may even be able to say she had forgiven those two for their part in Ucchan's death. But this tension was something she had grown used to keeping in control. She must have relaxed her control, here on Ukyou's world. And so, she was taken by surprise, and the force of her raw emotions nearly blinded her for a moment. Akane, for her part, was in shock. She was no stranger to temper, lord knows. And she and her Ranma could raise each other's ire with ridiculous ease. She believed that she had seen every one of Ranma's expressions, and how he would express any emotion. She was wrong. In the space of a tenth of a second she watched this new Ranma go through shock, horror, grief and settle into a final murderous fury. It was frightening, both the rapidity of the change, and that... God above... It was all directed at her. Akane flinched back a step. Then another. Her eyes were wide in fear and horror, her hands before her mouth, and tears were flowing down her cheeks. She was frozen. She didn't know whether to run, or to fight. Her heart was racing, and she felt more alert than she had ever been before. But she was being torn in two by something she couldn't defend against: the expression on Ranma's face. Ukyou felt the shock from these two people. And she knew what had happened. Recognizing the true danger, and the person who was most important to her, she stepped between Ranma and Akane, facing Ranma. As she broke the eye contact between Akane and Ranma she heard Akane make her first sound since her voice had stopped a moment before, a gut wrenching sob. Then Ukyou heard Akane fall to her knees, choking back sobs. "Ranma. This isn't her. She's done nothing to you." Speaking calmly, but sternly she addressed Ranma. She kept her face as stern as her voice. "I'm sorry I hadn't introduced you right from the bat, or at least warned you who I had recognized. But she has done nothing to deserve the fear you have just shown her." For the first time Ranma's eyes acknowledged that it was now Ukyou in front of her, not the murderer of her own world. Especially not the innocent girl of this world. She blinked once. And raised her hand to her face massaging her forehead. "God. Ukyou. That was intense." "I'm sorry. It hit me from nowhere. I was happy. I was seeing you happy in greeting a friend. I was thrilled seeing you reclaim something you had lost. It was wonderful, and I was on top of the world, and I was with you. And that's all I was thinking of." "Then I heard her name. And it all crashed in on me." "Shhh.. I know. I know." Ukyou stepped forward, and gently drew Ranma into her arms. Ranma accepted her embrace. "And I wasn't ready for it. It was like it happened yesterday, and she was there, smiling and worst of all..." "Worst of all I had forgotten about her death. And it was all so wrong, and I needed to do something, but I couldn't..." "Let it go, Ranma. Let the anger go. Whatever else, she's innocent. I warned you about this, and we can do it. Just let it go." Ukyou bent her head onto Ranma's shoulder. Trying to give some of her calm to the woman in her arms. With a tight squeeze and release Ranma accepted her help, then pushed Ukyou to a distance so Ranma could look into her eyes. "I think we have to talk to your friend, too. I don't know what she saw in my face, but I hadn't been that angry since you first stopped me from killing them that day." Reminded of Akane, Ukyou turned to where the girl was still on her knees. Looking at them with a tear stained, crumpled face. Seeing the two concerned expressions looking at her she calmed down even further. "Ukyou, Ranma. Why? What..." She sniffed. "What did I do to you?" Ukyou took her arms away from Ranma, and started to turn to go to Akane, when Ranma walked over to Akane first. She was standing a bit stiff, anger in her stride, but it was in control, and it was not directed at the girl here facing them. She stopped about a meter from Akane, and dropped into a crouch, and looked at her calmly for a moment. Ranma looked into her face, searching for something, and then nodded, to herself. As Ranma performed her inspection Akane noticed details about this girl before her. Her hair, again, different from the pig tail that her Ranma wore. But mostly the face. There were lines there that had taken time to grow: sorrow; joy; grief; and of course anger. But the biggest difference was in the eyes. Not the presence of rage there, but an absence, a lack of something precious.... "Tendo-san. You are mistaken. You have done nothing to me. And for what you may have done to Ukyou, she has forgiven you, so I cannot act on that. By any standard, then, I have no right for the anger and rage I showed you just now. I am sorry for my lack of control." She bowed her head, humbling herself to Akane. Ukyou came up behind Ranma at this moment, and put her left hand on her shoulder, even as she extended her right to help Akane to her feet. Dazed, Akane took the proffered hand and rose to her feet. "But why, then?" Ranma stayed where she was, still crouched down. Still repentant. Ukyou squeezed Ranma's shoulder, and smiled a sad smile to Akane. "You know that my doppleganger in the other world is dead?" "Ranma said something about that. But I didn't think much about it. Why? You mean I-" Ranma shot to her feet, and with a fury that astonished all three of them spoke to Akane. "No! You did nothing! You are not your doppleganger! And you can't accept any guilt for any action she may have taken." Akane again flinched from Ranma's vehemence. "But you know what I mean..." Gathering her strength Ranma, calmed herself. She had to make her see, and Ukyou, too. "Akane, I have to believe that you and she are different people. Otherwise I will not be able to see you again. And I don't want that." "Not that I care really about you, but Ukyou wants to see her 'Ranchan' and that means seeing you, too. And I want to train with him, if I can." Ranma offered a feeble grin. She sobered again quickly. "Your doppleganger and a friend of hers-" "Ryouga." Ukyou continued to watch the faces of both these people even as she clarified details. "-killed my Ucchan. My fiance. It was unintentional, but it happened while they were trying to beat me within an inch of my life. It was murder, pure and simple. And they will never come to justice for it. And I have to live with that." "Before I met this Ukyou," She pointed at the woman at her side. "I couldn't imagine letting that happen. I would take justice in my hands, and then... And then..." "When Ukyou came to my world living with these circumstances became a possibility. Once she decided to stay, I believed it was likely. But I still wish, from time to time, for justice." "It took months before your doppleganger would even admit she had killed anyone. And weeks after that before she even tried to apologize for what she took from me. Does it surprise you that I don't care for her?" "And here, I was off my guard. I didn't know you until you gave your name. And the surprise, added to the lack of guilt and remorse in your eyes brought all my emotions and frustrations to me stronger than they had been in months." Ranma paused, and swallowed. Both Akane and Ukyou were waiting patiently. Certain that there was more to come, but unsure what it might be. "I won't apologize for what I feel. I really don't care what you choose to believe about my feelings. But I had no call to direct those emotions at you, an innocent. It is not your fault." "I'm sorry I disturbed you with my loss of control." Akane looked back at Ranma's face. It was... Odd. Not hating, not angry, but tense. Intuitively Akane knew that Ranma would never again relax around her like she had first seen her, and she was obscurely saddened by that knowledge. "Ranma. I can't tell you it's all right now. You frightened me terribly. But from what you tell me I can understand your reactions. I'm sorry for your loss, and I can understand why my face is such a burden to you. I still think you would be welcomed for dinner with my family, and my invitation stands. As for my doppleganger's actions, you have said that she and I are different people. If that is so, you will have to treat us differently. "And not just hide your emotions for her around me. Otherwise it does feel like you blame me for something. I saw the face of someone a moment ago who wanted me dead. Painfully dead. I know it's not entirely your fault, and your apology and explanation were all I could ask for. But you have to act like you believe your own words. Otherwise I won't believe you." Ranma nodded. "I'll try. You know, it's going to be hard, don't you?" Akane returned her nod. "Of course. But you aren't afraid of this challenge are you? I know I'm more afraid of walking away from it right now. How about you?" "Me? Afraid of any challenge? Ha! I'll be able to do this... Ukyou, why are you laughing again?" "Because, silly, you're doing it again. Once the word challenge comes out, you'll do anything. And even Akane here has learned to use this. It's priceless. But thank you, Ranma, for making this effort. And thank you Akane for listening" Akane offered a wry grin to Ukyou. "Hey, after Ranma, er how are we supposed to tell these two apart?" Ukyou smiled a sad smile. "Well, what we've done is to call the Ranma of this world Ranchan. And, of course the Ukyou of his world is Ucchan. It at least keeps things straight in our minds." Ranma spoke up quietly. "And we both have memories of people we loved who used those names. We had to make a break from our pasts, and seeing those names used only for people who were lost to us, made it somewhat easier to accept that loss." "I see. Well, as I was saying, after you left, 'Ranchan' had no one else to talk with, so he kept coming to me, and I learned to listen a bit." Akane blushed. "Not to imply that he won't be thrilled to see you back, and safe." Ukyou grinned. "I know. But thanks." "Anyhow, will you join my family for dinner?" Ukyou looked to Ranma, who nodded. "Sure. Let's go." As they walked off towards the dojo, Ukyou asked, "So what else is new? And why isn't Konatsu running the Ucchan's?" "Oh. Well, Ukyou, you know that he was never... The entrepreneur that Nabiki is." Ukyou laughed. "Well, yes. But so few of us are." Akane wasn't sure if that was as innocent a comment as it appeared, but did not press it. "Well, he tried. At least he wanted to, but first it took me and 'Ranchan' about two weeks to get him to stop attacking Ranma because of what Ranma did to you. And there was that time I malleted him a bit too hard, he was concussed for a few days. He came in even accusing me of wanting you dead, for no reason at all. As if what you-" Akane stopped embarrassed. Ukyou looked at her, and smiled a sad smile. "It's okay, sugar. We both have made and admitted mistakes. I know you must have been doubly furious with him. And I never did see much benefit to Konatsu's temper." Ukyou paused and looked at Akane's face. Why not, she thought. "He reminded me too much of a certain rival I had." Akane turned to Ukyou in shock, her eyes wide. She saw Ukyou's wry grin, and Ranma watching them both calmly. It was that calm expectation that kept her temper in line. She was waiting, ready to protect her love. And she expected danger. If Akane was to ever see anything more friendly than that calm from this Ranma she would have to earn it. And that meant keeping her temper. After a moment Akane started to grin. If it was a little forced, no one commented on it. Ukyou's laughter had an infectious quality that soon eased any begrudging aspects to the grin. Even Ranma cracked a grimace. After a moment, Akane continued her explanation. "Once Konatsu accepted that 'Ranchan' had no further news about you he went to the Nekohanten, and talked to Cologne about the likelihood that he might be able to find the person who had told us you were gone." "Huh? Who told you I was gone?" Akane looked surprised. "You didn't know this? Well, it was an odd woman. Not really young or old. She just was. And her hair was sort of multihued... Like a prism, constantly in motion, changing its colors moment by moment." Ukyou thought a moment. "Had Shampoo and Cologne already given up on Ranchan?" "Lets see... Yeah. They gave up the day after Konatsu went into the hospital. I was in a bad mood then." Akane pointedly did not comment on Ranma's start at that phrase. "Sorry, rock in my shoe." Ranma flushed under Ukyou's stare. "Go on, Akane." "Well, they had given up, and Mousse was pretty ecstatic about it. They were talking about maybe staying for a bit longer, or going back to China. Mousse wanted to stay. Shampoo wanted to go home, but Cologne was not decided. The funny thing is that the day after Konatsu talked to Cologne they were selling the store, and any fixtures they couldn't carry on their backs. They were out of town by the end of the week. And they wouldn't slow down long enough to even tell anyone why they had made up their minds so quickly." Akane looked at her companions. They seemed to be sharing a private joke, great grins spread across their faces. "What's so funny?" "Hold on. You know that woman you met? Well, she apparently has had some 'dealings' with the Amazons before. And the Amazons have not forgotten her. We saw her talk down Shampoo and she intended to the same to Cologne. Since we haven't seen any of them, I can only assume that she did what she had planned." Akane goggled at the idea. The only person she had even seen to change Cologne's mind had been Shampoo. And that had been a weeks long process that focused on convincing her that Shampoo did not want her 'husband.' Whatever else Cologne was, she did not want her great granddaughter to be unhappy. That this stranger could talk Cologne into changing her mind on her own in a single conversation was unthinkable. "Yup. And that was when Cologne had a reason and a law to back her up. Let's just say that the Amazons hadn't very fond memories of this woman. I got the distinct impression that she had indulged in a few atrocities in the past. So when Cologne had no more reason to stay, and the news that 'Rainbow Hair,'I think Shampoo called her, had showed up, Cologne would have decided that discretion is the better part of valor." Akane shook her head, uncomfortable with memories of talking back to this person who scared one of the most formidable people she had known. "Any ways Konatsu told us that since Cologne knew of this person, he was going to follow her. He hoped that she would show him how to summon her. I think she brought him along just so that she and Shampoo would be able to salvage more from the Nekohanten." Ukyou giggled in spite of herself. "That's terrible! Poor Konatsu!" Akane looked at her, and started giggling in turn. The conversation drifted in a mostly friendly manner as they walked towards the dojo. Genma was worried. But he wouldn't show it. He checked the storeroom, and seeing no one there he went back out the front room of the Ucchan's. He sat down and picked up the newspaper that was lying next to his seat. The front room of the restaurant was spotless, the grill was polished, and the floor gleamed. Genma didn't seem to notice the paper was upside down as he sipped from the cup of tea next to him. It had been six hours since his son and his new friend had left. Six hours, ten minutes and thirty... five seconds, now. Not that he was counting. He set the cup of tea down, and walked back to the back room once again. It was still empty. Sit down, read the paper, sip his tea. He was calm. He was relaxed. He was enjoying his evening alone in the closed store. He wanted to scream in frustration. Worse, he wanted to call Nodoka, and ask for her support. Six hours, thirteen minutes, and... Forty seconds, now. Check the back room. Still empty. Back to the newspaper, and the tea. This time the newspaper is right side up, but he still doesn't notice that the tea had gone cold hours ago. He takes his sip, and stares at the paper for as long as he can. Then he gets up, and walks back to the back room. No one. Not that he expected anyone there. He was just checking the inventory. They were going to need more flour soon. Say in a week or so. But it looked good. After his cursory look at the room Genma left again, and went back to his newspaper, and his tea. He looked calm. Except when he fidgeted, turning to look at the doorway leading towards the back room. He wasn't worried though. He knew his son, and heir, could handle anything that was thrown at him. He tried not to think about what had happened after Ucchan had died. Six hours, eighteen minutes, and... Ten seconds, now. But he wasn't worried. Not him, not Genma Saotome. He was terrified. Ranma and Ukyou returned to the back room of their Ucchan's with as little noise as they had made when they left. Ukyou looked much the same as she had when they left. At some point, Ranma had returned to his male body, and his clothes looked a little more unkempt than they had when they left. He also had a series of bruises on his face. They looked about at the neat, orderly room, filled with supplies, and both seemed to relax a little. "Ukyou, I'm glad we wont have to see that other place again." Ukyou smiled at Ranma. "I know, but we would have looked awfully silly, showing up at the Tendo's this evening." Looking at him, she spotted the bruises on his face, and guilt covered her face. "I'm sorry that Ranchan was so mean to you. I thought he would behave better than that." Ranma smiled at her. "Ukyou. If you'll recall I gave as good as I got. Besides, I went there for training, remember? A few bruises are nothing." He paused and looked at Ukyou. She seemed a bit tired, and he had good idea why. "Besides, I know exactly why he was so jealous." He drew her into a hug. Ukyou looked into Ranma's eyes. "Oh?" "Yup. I was taking his Ukyou away from him. And leaving him with only that violent maniac." "Ranma! She's not..." Ukyou stopped. "Okay, she is. But that isn't the whole story. Still-" At this point Genma entered the room. Ranma and Ukyou were too busy looking into each other's eyes to notice the relief that came over his face, momentarily. "Ah. You're back. I'm glad to see both home, hale and hearty." With a start, the two broke apart, and looked at Genma. Embarrassed flushes grew on both of their features. Genma started, as he noticed the bruises on his son's face. "What happened to you?" Ranma winced to hear the concern in his father's voice. "Ah, pops, it's nothing. I just clocked myself a few good ones during practice today." Ukyou growled. "Some macho idiot wanted to see if Ranma was up to the job of 'protecting' me. So he kind of went a bit too hard on his student." She grimaced at the memory. "Though it was amusing when Akane came to Ranma's aid." Ranma looked at Ukyou in surprise. Amusing hadn't been the word he had been thinking, actually. Fascinating, perhaps. Or even mind boggling, but not amusing. She had reached back to somewhere and pulled out a large mallet, and proceeded to drive 'Ranchan' into the ground, like a tent pole. While calling out her battle cry, "Ranma no baka!" Genma looked at Ukyou in shock as well. "Akane? You met her today?" Ukyou smiled her sad smile. "Yes. Remember, where I came from your dream of uniting the Tendo and Saotome schools is going to become a reality. Ranchan and Akane seem to be on the verge of marrying anytime now." Before Genma could do more than blink at this news, her face turned ugly with anger. "All it took was shattering my dreams, and abandoning me as a child." Ranma put a hand on Ukyou's shoulder. "You know, if I can't blame that Akane for what her doppleganger did, you can't blame my father for what his doppleganger did." Ukyou looked at Ranma, shock and understanding on her face. He noticed and smiled at her. "I know it's hard. But, please, let it go." Receiving a nod from her, he turned back to Genma. "Well, pops. I have now a date this Saturday afternoon for another lesson. And the Tendo's of that world are going to throw a real welcome home party for Ukyou at the same time. But in the meantime, we have to get to bed. Is that enough for you for now? We'll tell more later. But it's been a long day for both of us." Genma nodded. "No problem. Everything is all cleaned up for tomorrow. Go to bed." He smiled at them both. "And welcome home." Ukyou looked from one to the other. Yes, it was home. That was the hardest thing that she had seen today. Even if she wanted to go back to her universe, she wouldn't fit in there anymore. This was home for her now. She smiled at Genma. "Thank you, father." Then she and Ranma left the stunned and flushed Genma alone in the storeroom as they sought their beds. Ranma sat on the roof of the dojo. He was thinking. Not avoiding anyone. Just thinking. Or maybe he should call himself 'Ranchan' now. It seems that no one else would be doing that for him on a regular basis. He sighed. It had been great to see Ucchan. No, not Ucchan, that was the dead one. It had been great to see Ukyou again. But it hurt a bit, too. Her first words to him had been the worst. He saw her come through the entrance to the dojo, with Akane and some other girl. In his joy he ran forward to her. "Ucchan! You're back!" He didn't understand why she, or the redhead had winced when he called her that. "Ranchan. Yes. I'm back. Could you do me a favor, please?" "Anything Ucchan. You know that." Ukyou had sighed. "Don't call me that. Please." It still hurt to think of that. He knew that he had lost some of their old closeness when he had talked to her after the wedding fiasco. But he hadn't expected that to change so greatly. And finding out that she had replaced him with that imitation had also hurt. He was glad that she was happy, but... And so, he was on the roof, looking for some way to come to acceptance of what he had learned today. He was still staring out over the city when Akane climbed up next to him. For a few minutes they both stared out at the city in silence. "I know how you feel, Ranma." "Do you? I feel like I lost my best friend today. My only childhood friend, and now she's gone." Akane grimaced, and slapped him on the back of his head. Not hard, but enough to punctuate her muttered, "Ranma no baka." He looked at her with an expression of hurt, and anger. "Ranma, she still wants to be your, no our friend. But she has to get on with her life. Would you like it better to see her constantly moping about, looking at you with a secret pain in her eyes? Does your ego really need to feed on that amount of pain?" "Besides, it's obvious that the other Ranma thinks that the sun rises and sets in her eyes. And he even managed to tag you a few times in your 'spar' in spite of the way you took advantage of him. Do you need to have her give that up?" Ranma started as Akane's words sank in. "No, I want her to be happy. But why couldn't she be happy here?" Akane looked at him. "I guess it just didn't work out that way. You know, you weren't the only one to get an unpleasant surprise today." Ranma looked at her. "What do you mean? What could be worse than losing your best friend to yourself?" Akane looked at him in shock. This idiot was so wrapped up in his own pain, he thought it was the only thing that mattered. "I saw someone wearing the face of my fiance today, someone who wanted me dead." That should shock Ranma out of his self pity. Ranma stared at her. "He did what?" Akane was obscurely pleased to see the change in his expression. Fury was on his face, and his fists were clenched. Yup, she had been right to wait until after the two travelers had left before sharing this news with him. "I'll kill him Saturday, just you wait. I'll-" Akane reached out, and put her hand over Ranma's mouth. "No you won't. He had reasons, for his emotions. And he apologized. It was just a case of mistaken identity." "You know how his Ucchan is dead?" Ranma, his mouth still covered by Akane's hand, nodded. She sighed. "Well, according to what he and Ukyou told me, it's my fault." Ranma stared at Akane, not understanding, but not able to ask anything coherent, either. "Well, not me, but the other me. You know?" Ranma nodded. "That's why he was so mad at me." Akane took her hand from Ranma's mouth. "And for one moment, I looked into his eyes as he recognized me. And I could only think that it was you that was hating me so much, and I felt so alone." Akane looked at Ranma, her eyes glistening. "So, I know a bit how alone you might be feeling now. I just want you to know that you aren't alone. Even if Ukyou's not going to be around all the time, there are people here who want to help you, and see you happy. Okay?" Ranma nodded silently, not trusting himself to say anything. Akane waited a moment. "Look, I've got to get some sleep. Goodnight. And don't stay out here all night, Okay? "I still have some thinking to do, Akane." He looked out at the city a bit longer. "Goodnight Akane, I'll be down eventually." Akane nodded, then, started to climb back down off the roof. Ranma turned just before her head sank out of sight. "And Akane, thanks." Akane stopped still for a moment, then smiled as she dropped out of sight. Ranma sat on the roof of the dojo. He was thinking. Not avoiding anyone. Just thinking. But he was no longer thinking about Ukyou, nor his doppleganger. The end.