�������������������������� The Leper: Symptoms
��������������������� by Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo
����� Ranma 1/2 is the property of Kitty, VIZ and the omnipotent Rumiko
Takahashi.� I am a property of Switch (so you know who to sue).
����� I am NomaD... I am coming... I am near.
����� By the way, this is a self-insertion.� My character had a past with
Ukyou, but not the kind you're thinking of.� And, because this is my
first Ranma fic, I'm gonna do some weird stuff like use Ryouga and Ukyou
but still keep Kuno, Tendo and Tofu.� But I'm really not sure.
����� This complete version was done with support of Octavian and the
occasionals, all of whom have contributed to the formation of this fic.
��������������������������������� Part 2
������������������������ "A Revelation or Two..."
����� Friday dawned on Nerima - the district lives for another day...
����� Only a few souls were awake this early in the day.� One particular
soul was heating an okonomiyaki grill.
����� From the upstairs bedroom, someone slept comfortably while savoring
the aroma of the morning cooking.� She opened her eyes, and took in the
darkness.� She was smiling, still smiling.� She had a dream - it was very
comforting, though she forgot what it was about.
����� She smelled the cooking from below and instinctively went for the
door.� She stopped and blushed.� She was just wearing a thin, collared
shirt, nothing else.� She got out a pair of shorts and a newly washed
ribbon with which to tie her hair.� She clipped her bra and proceeded
downstairs once more.
����� She stuck out her head when she reached the door downstairs.� There
he was, with his long, black hair and his round, black-rimmed glasses.
He was frying a few sausages and eggs.
����� When he saw the figure emerge, he just had to smile at her beauty.
She noticed this and blushed unexpectedly.
����� "Good morning... Ucchan...."
����� "Good morning, Kii...."
����� "Breakfast?"
����� As he mouthed those words, a sudden recognition occurred to her...
����� (This... this happened before, exactly like this... only a few
years ago....)
����� And then she began remembering...
������������������������ ~~~~~flashback.wav~~~~~
����� She'd been in the school for only two weeks and already she didn't
like this place.
����� "If this keeps up, I might blow my cover...."� She adjusted the
collar of her shirt and began walking down the hall.
����� Classes had just ended, and the long walk down the hall towards the
exit began once more.� She had just passed the lockers when she heard
something hit them.
����� She turned around and saw a student running a bat along the
lockers.� The man was immediately followed by three others.
����� She turned and tried to walk away, but she was blocked by six guys.
She tried to hide her panic and unslung the gigantic spatula on her back.
����� Her muscles tensed as she clenched her fist around the spatula.
����� (Just hold on, Ukyou... you'll make it through....)
����� The man with the bat was the first to charge.� Ukyou remembered
him.� She underestimated him the first time, only to find out that he was
the son of the kendo instructor.� She'd never seen anybody handle a bat
with such grace and ease.
����� She parried as much as she could, trying not to attack.� She knew
that, if she did, the others would pounce on her.� No, the moment had to
be right.� But her spatula was too air-resistant.� It missed its mark
when the man faked a slash.
����� The bat connected with Ukyou's stomach.� She gasped for air.� The
hit was stronger than she expected.� She fell, knee-first, to the ground.
She held her midsection and winced in pain.
����� (I don't believe this, one hit and I'm down already, I was never
really good at defense... what a way to go....)
����� The man was about to club her with the bat - the swing was midway -
when somebody swiped the bat out of his hands.� Nobody saw it, nor did
they see him coming.
����� The man turned around - he knew who it was -
����� "Shin, you better leave...."
����� "Kiiroi...."
����� Kiiroi threw the bat at the man.� The man caught it.� He then gave
a signal for everybody to disperse.� They left with great reluctance.
����� "Mister Kuonji, are you all right?"
����� "Yeah, I guess...."
����� Ukyou had heard about this guy - his fame around the school was
legendary.� They said that his family was that of great martial artists.
They said that his skill was unmatched, though nobody really ever saw him
fight, since everybody was too afraid to challenge him.� His name, Kiiroi
Niwatori ('yellow chicken'), was just to throw his enemies off, or so
they said.� But his stealth seemed to reflect his skill.
����� Ukyou had seen it herself, today - what they said was true.� They
said that he could come and go like the wind.� His movements were swift
and silent.� Ukyou barely saw him snatch the bat, but she never saw him
sneak up behind Shin.
����� "Good."� He started walking away.
����� Ukyou stood up and followed him with her eyes.� She leaned down to
pick up her spatula and turned to the exit once more, but he wasn't there
anymore.
����� "Wow...."
----------
The next day...
����� "There he is... how do I do this?"
����� She approached the table slowly, trying not to show her excitement.
����� "Uhm, excuse me, Niwatori-sempai, can I sit with you?"
����� Kiiroi looked up from the book he was reading.� He smiled at Ukyou
and gestured her to sit.
����� Ukyou set her lunch tray on the table and sat at the opposite end.
����� "Please, Kuonji-san, don't call me sempai... it's embarrassing."
����� "Oh, forgive me then, but...."
����� "... Kiiroi will do...."
����� "Then you may call me Ukyou.� Pardon me for prying, but why are you
sitting by yourself?"
����� "I didn't choose this to my own liking, but it seems that my
reputation has gotten the better of me."
����� "Is it always like this?"
����� Kiiroi nodded.
����� "Don't you get a bit lonely?"
����� "Oh, being left alone has its advantages.� I may not have any
friends in this place, but neither do I have enemies."
����� "Well, I don't mind being your friend... that is... ...if you'll
let me.� It seems that I'll live longer that way."
����� Kiiroi was silent for a moment.� He lost his composure for a
second.
����� "A friend?� Why not?� That'll be nice for a change.� At least I
know that there's actually one person in this school who isn't afraid of
me."
����� Ukyou started eating her lunch.� She hurried up a bit so that she
and Kiiroi could talk afterwards.� There was so much she wanted to know.
����� Meanwhile, Kiiroi silently sipped on his milk carton while reading
his book.
----------
����� The two walked side-by-side along the corridor.� Students glanced
at the two individuals - some were making way for the two.� From the
back, one could mistake the two for twins, both having the signature
ponytail, only one was shorter and one wore glasses.
����� "I've got another question...."
����� "Shoot."
����� "Why do those guys try to beat me up almost everyday?"
����� "Didn't your classmates tell you?"
����� "All they told me was to be careful of the things I do."
����� "That's basically it.� You weren't in an all-boys school before,
were you?"
����� Ukyou nodded then faced the other way to hide her blushing face.
����� "Actually, I was.� I just never got used to it."� (That's something
that can't be helped.)� "But it was never like this back then."
����� "Well, that's because this is high school and, unlike you, I've
been here ever since I began my education.� You see, being in an all-boys
school decreases the things one can specialize in.� Hence, competition
kicks in, fierce competition.� And, from what I've heard, you've been
performing exceptionally well in your class.
����� "That's another thing - some of the guys hate overachievers and, as
an added bonus, you're a transferee.� That's probably why they stalk you
everyday."
����� "Well, I can't help it if I'm better than those dimwits!"
����� "Well, unless they learn to respect and fear you, then you're in
for a lot of trouble... which reminds me - now I have a question for you.
How come in all your fights, you've never fought back?� I've seen you
move - you're a genuine martial artist, but why do you refuse to fight
them?"
����� "Don't get me wrong, Kiiroi.� I could beat those guys up with one
hand behind my back, I just choose not to.� It's safer that way...."
����� "Is it?� I don't think this is the right time to be a pacifist."
����� "I just don't know.� I'm just hoping that this thing would
eventually die down.� I just don't want to focus attention on me."
����� "Why?� Are there secrets that you're trying to keep hidden?"
����� Kiiroi saw that he struck a nerve.� Ukyou couldn't hide her
embarrassment.
����� Kiiroi clasped her on the shoulder.� "Don't worry... we've all got
our own little secrets to keep."
����� Ukyou's eyes lit up.� She remembered something she was supposed to
ask.� "Speaking of secrets, what kind of martial arts do you practice?
I've asked around and I've found different and even outrageous answers
every time.� Some say you're a ninja, while others say that your family
was descended from some form of spiritfolk...."
����� Kiiroi gave a hearty laugh.
����� "I deny those accusations...."� *giggle*� "The only reason why they
never knew is that they never tried asking me, ever.� Though there are
things I'd like to keep hidden, I can tell you this much though:
����� "Our clan and fighting style is one of the oldest in Japan.� And
we're only one of the few who survived the Shogunate wars.� But then, for
some reason, we were exiled from Japan.� Our family has lived in China
ever since, but we've always kept our Japanese heritage.
����� "Besides the martial arts, my father has a successful tea
plantation there so he can't exactly leave for Japan anymore.� But he
wanted me to study here so he sent me here with my mother and he was left
behind to manage the plantation."
����� "Wow... -"� Ukyou's praise was cut off by the school bell.
����� Kiiroi looked at his watch.� "I gotta go now, I've still got a
class..."
����� "Sure.� I'll just see you later then."
����� "Thanks, Ukyou."
����� "For what?"
����� "Oh, I just haven't talked with anyone this much before."
����� The two waved at each other as Kiiroi sped to class.� Even as he
ran, he made no sound, and Ukyou could've sworn his feet never touched
the ground.
----------
����� It had been more than six months now, and Ukyou had finally settled
in.� She followed Kiiroi's advice and made a name for herself.� But, like
Kiiroi, she never exactly fought back.� She just sharpened her spatula
like a sword's edge.
����� When Shin attacked her again, she murdered his bat a hundred times.
She did this in a matter of seconds, at Shin's mid-swing.� After which,
she threatened Shin that she'd do that to everything he struck her with.
And if he punched her, she promised him that he'd never use his hand
again.
����� Now, those in school rarely challenged her.� Only the arrogant
transferees were stupid enough to do that.
����� The two were now having a snack in the cafeteria when Kiiroi
noticed somebody enter.
����� "Whoa!� Hey, Ucchan, get a load of her."
����� Ukyou turned her head.� A girl about their age just entered the
cafeteria.� She had long, brown hair tied with a white bow and sparkling
blue eyes.� Her white dress flowed with her as she walked.
����� Most of the boys were now hollering and doing catcalls.� Ukyou just
stared blankly.
����� "She's okay, I guess...."� (If you're into that sort of stuff.)
����� But one guy was foolish enough to sneak up behind her and pinch her
in the butt.� The girl flung herself around and gave her attacker a
hearty slap.� The guy flew over numerous tables and eventually landed on
one.
����� This was when the jeering stopped.
����� The girl got herself a curry bread and a juice carton and left the
cafeteria.
����� "Wow, she's quite strong...."
����� "Yeah...."� (A little too strong, for a girl.)
----------
����� They met her again.� She entered their class.
����� The teacher gave her a look of recognition.� He went over to her
and brought her to the front of the class.� All of the students were
yammering now.
����� "Class, settle down, class... thank you.� Class, I'd like to
introduce Tsubasa Kurenai.� Tsubasa just arrived today and HE'LL be
studying here from now on...."
����� Now the talking couldn't be stopped - this was too bizarre.� Some
of the boys were a bit disappointed while some stared in awe.
����� News spread like wildfire.� Soon, everybody was talking about it.
Nobody ridiculed Tsubasa about being a cross-dresser 'coz they knew what
would come to them.
����� Tsubasa immediately gained fame in their school, but not just
because of his cross-dressing.� He was more than a bully, he was a power-
tripper.� Everybody feared him because of his sheer strength and his
weird fighting style.� He had the ability to merge with any object and
use this as a weapon and shield.� Most of the bullies joined up with him.
����� But one thing he never did was pick a fight with Kiiroi.� He's
heard of Kiiroi's reputation and he didn't want to challenge him just
yet.
����� But Shin took his opportunity to tell Tsubasa of Ukyou...
----------
����� Ukyou just finished one of her classes.� She went to the locker
area to return her books.� She just barely touched the dial when a hand
grabbed her.
����� It came from inside her locker.
����� Another hand reached out and now Ukyou was being embraced by a pair
of very strong arms.� A head emerged in front of her.
����� "Tsubasa...!"
����� "Hello, Ukyou.� Don't take this personally - I'm just doing this
for a friend...."
����� Tsubasa turned her around, his arms locked into hers, so she
couldn't get away.
����� They were now surrounded by numerous students but only one of them
had a bone to pick.� His hand was behind his back and Ukyou wished
afterwards that it stayed there, for Shin brought out a metallic bat.
����� Shin grinned with great malice.� "Don't worry, Ukyou... I'll try
not to kill you."� He rammed the thing at Ukyou's belly.
����� Ukyou thought she'd start throwing up her innards when she felt her
system jolt up.� Shin gave her a few more whacks then gave her to the
other students to beat up.
����� Ukyou, despite her great determination to denounce her femininity,
whimpered, "Kii...."
����� Then the punches started landing.
����� Shin's hand started itching again, so he parted the mob to do some
more swings.� He pulled the bat up and swung, aiming for Ukyou's head.
It never reached its destination... it exploded midway.
����� Everybody ducked from the shrapnel.
����� "THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"
����� Kiiroi stood in the middle of the crowd.� Everybody just stared at
him, not knowing where he came from or how he got there.
����� Kiiroi's eyes were blazing.� He gazed at everybody in the room but
only one matched his cold stare.
����� Tsubasa just smirked and let go of Ukyou's arms.� Kiiroi was
starting to tick him off.
����� Kiiroi took Ukyou by the arms and helped her walk.
����� Tsubasa got out from the locker and went beside Shin.� "We can't
get him if his guardian angel keeps on watching over our every move."
����� "So what are you suggesting?"
����� "We'll get him when he's not in his mother's arms.� Then the mother
will come to us and I'll finally see Kiiroi fight."
����� Shin shivered at the thought of actually seeing Kiiroi fight.
Watching him threaten already made his skin crawl.
----------
����� It was already dark.
����� Ukyou crossed the sidewalk cautiously.� Only the street lamps lit
the menacing night.
����� She wasn't used to going home at night, but she had to, this time.
She had just filed her transfer papers.� Finally, she was ready to face
the one person who ruined her life before it even began.� She believed
herself strong enough to challenge Ranma Saotome.� She had already sent
part of her transfer papers to Furinkan High; all she had to do was
finish her first year.
����� She stopped walking as fear set in.� There was no light in front of
her; none of the street lamps ahead of her were lit.� It was still a long
way to the next block, where there was light, but she pushed herself to
the edge of the darkness.
����� Her breath was shallow as she tried to listen to the sounds of the
night.� Her heart was pounding, she was sweating and her hands were
clammy.� She drew out her spatula just to make sure...
����� (What was that?!)
����� Ukyou cast her eyes to her right - she thought she saw something
move.� Her heartbeat was now deafening her and she had to strain her ears
to listen.� She gave the general direction a long, hard stare.
����� She sighed in relief.� "... just a trash can... I better get outta
here... my imagination's starting to get the better of me...."
����� Then her eyes widened in horror as she realized her situation.� She
hurried forward and never looked back.
����� (A trash can... oh, shit....)
����� Then she heard it...
����� "CHAAAAARGE!!!"
����� From behind, she was hit by the metallic cylinder.� She almost fell
forward but managed to regain her balance in time.
����� (... need to get to the light....)
����� Something blocked the light in front of her.� Then a foot connected
with her rib cage.
����� She momentarily gasped for air, then blindly swung her spatula
forward.
����� Something in front of her gave a resounding 'oof!'.� Whoever he
was, he was lying on the ground now.
����� (Almost there.)
����� Something wooden hit her shins, and she tripped and rolled on the
pavement.
����� The light was now an arm's length from her.� But six guys
intercepted her, each carrying a weapon.� From behind, she heard the
steps of heavy feet.
����� She turned her head and saw a big man.� It was Shin, no doubt.� In
his hand, he carried a long, thin weapon.
����� (... a bokken... NO!)
����� A katana.
����� Ukyou tried to get up, but one of the guys in front of her whipped
around to club her in the back.� She winced in pain as she saw bright
flashes behind her eyes.� Her spatula was being stepped on by a guy with
a bo stick.
����� Ukyou slipped her hand into her uniform.� "No... I will not give
up!"
����� Ukyou threw two hand-held spatulas up to her clubber.� One zipped
by the guy's face but the other managed to cut his cheek.� Ukyou's
momentary rage gave her the momentum to jump up and uppercut the guy.
����� She approached the man stepping on her spatula.� The man jabbed the
bo forward but Ukyou dodged the weapon with ease.� She slid and caught
the spatula's handle.� She gave it a yank and sent the guy and his stick
flying in the air.
����� Two clubs came at her, but she leapt in the air just in time.
����� A bat swung towards her.� She ducked and struck the only place that
made her different from guys.� The man's eyes popped out at the sudden
pain that surged throughout his body.� He crumpled harmlessly to the
ground, still clutching his little general.
����� Two more guys charged at her, while the one who clubbed her brought
out a chain.
����� From the corner of her eye, she saw Tsubasa in a black blouse,
observing everything that was transpiring.� Satisfied with the situation,
the cross-dresser left.
����� Something hummed in the air.
����� (Oh, shit!� I forgot about-!)
����� Shin brought his blade down on Ukyou's back.� Ukyou flinched as she
felt her back starting to get warm and numb.
����� (Oh, no, I think I'm bleeding....)� And, sure enough, she started
feeling her pants getting soaked.� Blood dripped on the street.
����� Ukyou just lost her initiative - now, it was time to end this.
Blocking Shin's strike once, she immediately twisted her block to a
strike while the big man was still recovering.
����� Then she felt it.
����� Fear struck her face and she almost fumbled with her spatula.
����� The clothing around her torso, which kept her chest flat, was
severed.
����� She cupped her breasts with one arm while vainly blocking strikes
with the other.� Her chest was beginning to jiggle.
����� So when the opportunity came, she took it and ran.
����� The others gave chase, so she did the only thing that the others
couldn't do.� Ukyou leapt thirty feet in the air to the other side of a
brick wall.� The others mouthed curses.
����� Ukyou kept on going until she found what seemed to be a safe place
for her to check on herself.� Unknown to her, the man who kicked her in
the chest decided to cower away when the fight began, so in the end, the
same guy was the only one who wasn't tired enough to follow her.
����� The man was crawling on the ground behind some bushes.� He saw
Ukyou unbutton her shirt and take it off.� When the cloth strips came
off, he had to pinch his nose before all the blood left his head.
����� Ukyou now sat topless on the ground.
����� Her back was still bleeding and she couldn't stop it (but she
wasn't the only one having trouble stopping bleeding).� She managed to
rearrange the cloth strip and put it on again, along with her top.
����� She stared at the surroundings to see where she was.� She
recognized the place...
����� "Kiiroi lives near here...."
����� When she got up, she almost fell again.� She was weak from all the
blood loss.� She managed to walk using her spatula as a crutch.
����� The eyes that watched all this happen came with a mouth which
formed into a very malicious smile.� How he wished he had a camera to
capture the moment.
����� "Wait till Tsubasa hears about this...."
----------
����� *Ding*Dong*
����� "Hm.� I wonder who it could be...?"
����� Kiiroi got up from his couch and went to the door.� When he opened
it, horror struck his face...
����� "Ucchan...!"
����� "Kii...."
����� "Oh, god!� What happened?� You're bleeding!"
����� Kiiroi aided the now pale Ukyou inside his house.� He sat her on
the couch but she flinched.� That was when Kiiroi noticed her exposed
back.
����� He stretched her over the couch face down.
����� "Wait here, I'll go get some bandages...."
����� "Kii, wait!� I've got to tell you something...."
����� "It'll have to wait!"� Kiiroi disappeared to go to the next room.
����� Ukyou just lay there, trying to forget what happened, trying to
forget the pain, trying to forget her life...
����� "Ukyou!� Ucchan!!!� Wake up!� Don't go to sleep!"
����� Ukyou blinked and saw Kiiroi with a basin, a washcloth and some
bandages.
����� He dipped the cloth in the basin.� "Okay, now take off your shirt."
����� Ukyou just stared at him.
����� "Well?"
����� She sighed.� "Kii, before you do this, there's something REALLY
important I have to tell you."
����� "Well, tell me while I'm cleaning your wound."
����� Ukyou felt Kiiroi's hand touch the edge of her uniform as he
started pulling it up.
����� She braced herself.
����� "I'm a girl."
����� Kiiroi paused for a moment then continued on pulling the shirt up.
����� "Boy, I was distracted there - for a moment, I thought you said you
were a girl...."
����� Ukyou just sighed and slipped her hands inside her uniform, waiting
for the inevitable.� She was too weak and too tired to argue, and her
wounds badly needed to be tended.
����� Kiiroi managed to pull the shirt up from the back over Ukyou's
shoulders.� Kiiroi twisted the cloth over the basin and the water
trickled down.� He adjusted his glasses and placed the cloth on Ukyou's
back.
����� Kiiroi stared at Ukyou's torso.
����� "You've got some sort of cloth strips wrapped around you... I'll
have to cut them off... nice breasts... you've got a nasty bump behind
your head, but this thing on your back is the one that needs atten...."
����� Kiiroi's eyes bulged and blood slowly leaked down his nose.� He was
turning pale and his body started warming up.
����� Ukyou didn't pull her shirt down.� She just lay there with her
hands cupping her breasts.� "I've being trying to tell you..."
����� Kiiroi leapt back to the far end of the room.� "But how?� You're a
guy!"
����� "No, I just pretended to be one."
����� "I... I don't understand... you have breasts.� That's not supposed
to happen...."
����� Ukyou sighed once more.� It was getting harder to speak.
����� "Kiiroi, please calm down.� This was the secret I've tried so hard
to keep from all of you.� But now you know.� Kii, I'm already risking a
lot, letting you know of this, but my wound needs treatment.� Please...
I'm very weak...."
����� Ukyou couldn't help herself anymore - she fell asleep.� She didn't
care if Kiiroi did anything that would violate her, she couldn't fight
anymore, though the thought lingered until she lost consciousness.
����� Kiiroi was still standing at the other end of the room.
����� He stared at Ukyou's wound: it was bleeding.
����� He stared at Ukyou's covered chest: she was a girl.
����� (He needs... she needs help.� But she's a girl... of course, SHE'S
a girl, you fool!� But she used to be... no, she's been a girl all her
life!� Now get a grip on yourself!� But she's naked... now what?� Just
treat him... her, like you'd treat him... him as her... the old Ukyou...
but she's still naked!� Don't do anything stupid to her....)
����� Kiiroi finally gathered enough courage to approach Ukyou.� He
continued wiping the blood off her back.� He tried not to stare at her
round and shapely... chest (in vain).� He stuck surgical tape to make her
skin meet.� Then he dressed the wound with the bandages.
����� He stared at her for a moment.� He left when she started looking
beautiful.
����� He left the room, smiling at himself.
----------
����� Dawn finally came.
����� Only a few souls were awake, this early in the morning, but one
particular soul was up and about, heating a frying pan.
����� From the living room, someone slept comfortably on a couch while
savoring the aroma of the morning cooking.� She opened her eyes, and took
in the darkness.� She was smiling, still smiling.
����� She had a dream, it was very comforting - she dreamt she was dying,
but someone kept on guarding over her.� He said that everything would be
all right.� He also said he was sorry.
����� Ukyou wondered what the dream meant.
����� She smelled the cooking from the kitchen.� On the table in front of
her lay a set of school clothes and a shirt.� She got up and noticed for
the first time that she had a blanket wrapped around her.� She smiled.
����� She then looked around to see if anyone was there.� Satisfied that
no one was watching, she took off her shirt, which was still hanging over
her shoulders.� She removed the cloth strips.� They were sagging now and
not doing their purpose anymore.� She put on the shirt and decided to
worry about her breasts later.
����� She peered inside when she reached the kitchen door.� There he was,
with his long, black hair and his round, black-rimmed glasses.� He was
frying a few sausages and eggs.
����� When he saw the figure emerge, he just had to smile at her beauty.
She noticed this and blushed unexpectedly.
����� "Good morning... Ucchan...."
����� "Good morning, Kii...."
����� "Breakfast?"
��������������������������� ~~~~~end.wav~~~~~
����� "Ucchan?!"
����� Ukyou immediately snapped out of her reverie.� "Huh?� Did you say
something?"
����� "I said, how would you like your eggs?"
����� "You said that, too...."
����� "What?"
����� "Uh... I mean, well done, please."
����� As Kiiroi started setting the table, Ukyou tried to remember what
else happened on that fateful day.� She remembered talking to him.� She
spilled everything that day.� She figured that it was useless keeping any
more secrets.� She told him about her engagement with a boy she once knew
and what that boy and his father did.� She told him about her pledge to
turn away from her womanhood.
����� Not wanting to make her feel uneasy about what she just did and
wanting her to trust him just as much even after this, Kiiroi told her of
his secret;� The secret that his family had kept for generations.
����� What he said to her that day shattered Ukyou's belief in him.� All
the praise was replaced by the pity...
����� "Here you go!"
����� Ukyou turned the other way to wipe a tear, then ate breakfast with
him.� They talked about old times and what's happened to them ever since.
Ukyou was starting to get familiar with the situation again, and this
made her very happy.
����� When they finished, Kiiroi got up and started gathering the dishes.
����� "Oh, Ukyou, can I use your phone?"
����� "Sure, go right ahead."� Kiiroi went behind the grill and got the
phone.
����� Ukyou leaned back on the chair.� Breakfast was sure filling.
����� Kiiroi talked for a bit then put the phone down.� Ukyou gave him a
stare.
����� "That was my mom.� I told her that I've finally arrived and that
I'm ready to transfer to Furinkan...."
����� "YOU WHAT?!?"� Ukyou got up and went over to Kiiroi.
����� "Oh, I thought you knew..."
����� "Why?� WHY?!?"
����� "So that I could stay here with you... to be your... fianc�."
����� Ukyou felt like fainting, or throwing up, or both.
����� "My mom got hold of your father.� And, since your old fianc�
chickened out, your dad agreed to give me his consent.� You'll be getting
a letter from him anytime now...."
����� "Kii, this is insane!� We can't be engaged!� We're great friends!
The first time you knew me, you thought I was a boy!"
����� "Well, it's different now.� I know I've fallen for you and I know
you like me, too, just not in the way I wanted you to like me."
����� "That was one of the reasons why I left.� You started treating me
like a girl....� Wait, did your mom tell my dad about your martial arts?"
����� "Uh... well... sort of....� Aw, c'mon, my mom had to pretty it up a
bit..."
����� "... as usual.� Look, if my dad finds out... he'll be so ashamed of
himself... he'll get your head for it."
����� "... let's forget about the whole thing for now.� Who knows, I
might change my mind... I won't even tell anyone of our engagement.
Meanwhile, can I stay here for a few days?� My mom's gonna send me money,
but it won't be here until a couple of days."
����� "Yeah, sure...."� Ukyou's head felt very light.� She grabbed a
stool to hold herself up.� Everything was going all wrong.
����� "Ukyou!"
����� "Huh?� What is it now?"
����� "We better get ready for school."
����� "Okay...."
����� Ukyou dragged herself upstairs.� Her life was already stable, then
this came along.� She wanted to cry but tried hard not to.� She would get
through this, no matter what.
����� (But could I learn to love Kiiroi?)� She immediately banished the
thought.
----------
����� The two walked along side by side.� Nobody spoke since the incident
that morning.
����� "Hey, Kiiroi!� Ucchan!"
����� The two turned to see Ranma and Akane catching up with them.� They
all exchanged greetings.� Akane noticed the two's get-ups: both were
wearing their black uniforms and ponytails.
����� "Boy, you two look like twins from behind..."
����� Ranma put his arms around the two, particularly tighter on Kiiroi's
neck.� "So, how are you two?� Anything happened last night that I should
know of?"
����� Akane grabbed Ranma by the pigtail and got out a mallet, and
whacked him on the face.� "Oh, will you please give it up!"
����� Kiiroi and Ukyou smiled at the two.
����� "They're always like that... c'mon."
����� Kiiroi gave her a smile.� It was very heartwarming and sincere.
How she wished they weren't engaged so that she could smile back at him
without feeling sorry for herself.
����� (At least everything's gonna get better, 'coz there's no way in
hell that they can get any worse....)
����� The four walked on to school, not knowing about the surprises the
day had set for them.
---------------
end of Part 2
---------------
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