Foreward:  I was listening to a tape of miscellaneous songs when I
heard _Terms_, a song I had somehow forgotten yet really love.  It's
arguably one of McLachlan's best songs, and it's *definitely* her
best album, _Solace_ (1992), forget about this _Lilith Fair_ stuff.
As I listened, the lyrics hit home and I could see an image of Ukyou
Kuonji as the subject of the song.

A bit maudlin, perhaps, but it fit so well....

Anyway, enjoy.

Shunsuke
---
"The writer stares with glassy eyes, defies the empty page,
His beard is white, his face is lined and streaked with tears of rage.
Thirty years ago how the words would flow with passion and precision, 
But now his mind has darkened over sickness and indecision."
                                     - Rush, _Losing It_ (1982)


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

                      Terms (The Path Of Thorns)

                           by Shunsuke -|||

   (based upon a song of the same name, written by Sarah McLachlan)

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

"We're all set," called Konatsu from the doorway as he returned from
the back room, "You're packed up and ready to go."

Ukyou had well planned the opening of her new shop in Osaka, her
preparation and hard work about to bear fruit.

          I knew you wanted to tell me
          In your voice there was something wrong

"Thanks, Konatsu-chan, I'm really glad you were so willing to help.
Kami knows, I need someone who knows what they're doing to run the
store here with me opening the new one.  I definitely don't want
this one to close."

"Glad to help," he said, straightening his new okonomiyaki uniform
that matched Ukyou's.  "Do you think it'll be a long time before you
come back?"

          But if you would turn your face away from me
          You cannot tell me you're so strong

"I hope not, but you never know in the restaurant business or life.
Sometimes things change, and there's nothing you can do about it."
She spoke with a glint in her eye that Konatsu wasn't sure about.
Suggestion, acceptance, or the light reflected, he decided on hope.

          Just let me ask of you one small thing
          As we have shared so many tears

"I'm finally ready to move on, Konatsu.  Thanks."

Before he could reply, she quickly marched up the stairs.

          With fervor our dreams we planned a whole life long
          Now are scattered on the wind

Konatsu stood quietly as she stomped her way up.  He was glad of
that, hiding his own tears; she was moving away, yet they were
closer now than he had ever been to her.  Maybe it was a good
sign.

          In the terms of endearment
          In the terms of the life that you love
          In the terms of the years that pass you by
          In the terms of the reasons why

Ukyou took a last look at what was once her room, her place of
solace.  The last of her belongings were ready to be put in the
bag for the train trip.  Among what was left was a photo in a
frame, that of a smiling Ranma Saotome.  She looked down at it,
still debating with herself.  Despite a desire to smash it to
pieces, she knew she needed to be stronger than that.

She removed the picture and put the frame in her bag.

          Through the years I've grown to love you
          Though your commitment to most would offend

Her bag on her shoulder, she turned and left, without any regrets
or looking back.  With a quick hug and goodbye to Konatsu, she
exited the front door and walked to the park for what would be
the last time for a long while.

This time, it was a proper letter, no silly sauce writing on an
okonomiyaki.  She wanted to make sure Ranma arrived this time.

          But I stuck by you holding on with my foolish pride
          Waiting for you to give in

"Not any more," she thought as she walked along the streets of
Nerima, taking a last glance at the sights she was going to miss.
She smiled, both happy that things brought back memories, and
that not seeing them would help her forget.

"I've wasted enough time on you, Saotome," she said to herself
as she walked, "Now you can do a little regretting yourself."

          You never really tried or so it seems, I -
          I've had much more than myself to blame

All her plots and schemes, the dates she set up, the gifts, the
free food, the affection.  All of it a waste.  And that was
something she had no more time for.

She reached the park soon enough to see Ranma sitting on a
bench, his usual lazy demeanor on his smug face.

          I've had enough of trying everything
          And this time it is the end

"Hey, Ucchan!" he called.  Ukyou gave a brief smile, but cut
it off; no sense prolonging the pain, she thought.

"Hello, Ranma," she said.  "I've come to say goodbye.  Maybe
we'll see each other again someday."

          In the terms of endearment
          In the terms of the life that you love
          In the terms of the years that pass you by
          In the terms of the reasons why

"Going?" he said in surprise, "Why would you wanna leave?  We
wouldn't get to see each other that way."

"I know, Ranma, that's what I want."

          There's no more coming back this way
          The path is overgrown and strewn with thorns

A ghastly pall fell over Ranma's face.  Where it always wore
a smile for Ukyou and would brighten up at the sight of her,
something changed with only a few words, biting him harder
than anything anyone had ever said to him before.

His hands rose to her shoulders, his intent to shake her and see
what was wrong with her.

"Ucchan, Shampoo didn't poison you, did she?  I'll make her give
you the antidote.

Before his hands ever touched her, she shrugged them away.

"She doesn't need to use them on me anymore, Ranma."

          They've torn the life-blood from your naked eyes
          Cast aside to be folorn

His arms fell to his sides and his mind clouded in disbelief.

          In the terms of endearment
          In the terms of the life that you love
          In the terms of the years that pass you by
          In the terms of all the reasons why

"Ucchan, I thought we were pals!" cried Ranma, "Why can't you stay?
Who am I gonna talk to?"

"Talk to Akane," she said without any bitterness, "You're supposed to
confide in the people you love."

"Love?  That kawaiikunee tomb-"

"Oh, shut up, Ranma," she blurted in frustration.  "That's always
been your problem, hasn't it?  Too macho to deal with your feelings,
too stupid to accept eventualities.  You're as bad at it as me."  She
stood from the bench where they had sat and looked down at him into
his eyes.

          In the terms of endearment
          In the terms of the life that you love
          In the terms of the years that pass you by
          In the terms of all the reasons why...

"Goodbye, Ranma, I'll come back when I can be your friend," Ukyou said
quietly before turning to walk away, "And when you are my friend."

          Funny, how it seems that all I've tried to do
          Seems to make no difference to you...

Ranma stood up, stunned as he watched her retreating figure, not
knowing if he would ever see her again.  It was such a shock to him
that he did not even notice his own tears....

          ...at all

...As they fell on the flat metal and glistened in the sun.

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

                           E     N     D

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



Now MailCity offers forwarding so you can check your MailCity messages and other e-mail all in one place.  Go to http://www.mailcity.com