Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Soun Tendo was sweeping the sidewalk when the letter came in. 

[Returning from China and taking Ranma. See you soon. Genma] 

Tears filled his eyes as he rushed back inside. "Kasumi! Nabiki! Akane! I have something to announce!"  

A moment later, Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi sat around the table. 

"Where is Akane?" The patriarch asked his daughters. 

"I think she's still out jogging," Nabiki replied. 

Soun sighed. "Well, in any ca-" 

A door slamming shut cut him off. Akane ran past the living room without looking. In her arms was something brown and furry. 

"Akane? Wha-" 

"Not now dad. She's hurt." 

The Tendos looked at each other confused. Akane disappeared into the bathroom and Kasumi got up to check on her. 

Inside the bathroom Akane was checking the small furball she'd put on a towel on the floor next to her, a medkit on the other side. "Phew, nothing broken. No cuts. But probably a concussion." She muttered. 

"Akane?" 

Akane was startled. "Ka-Kasumi! Don't sneak up on me like that!" 

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, but if you don't mind me asking, what was that about?" 

Akane moved to the side to show the small brown fox laying on the floor, waking up. "She was hit by a stop sign by a panda fighting a girl." 

“I see. That sounds serious, Akane." 

"I'm serious! I picked her up immediately and ran back home, before the girl and panda finished. I mean, who’d hit such a defenseless little creature." 

“You mentioned a panda hitting her.” 

“Oh, right. That panda picked up a sign after the girl kicked her and he hit this fox yipping at its legs. I saw it was hurt, so I picked her up and ran home as quickly as possible. I didn’t see the rest of the fight.”

"Oh my, that must have been quite the rush home. She's welcome to stay. Does she have a name?" 

"How should I know?" Akane shot her sister a look, as if her sister just claimed the sky was green.

 "Well, let's leave her to rest then. Father wanted to talk to us about something." Kasumi said, her gentle smile forever on her face, moving out of the bathroom. 

"Really? About what, Kasumi?" 

"About a letter he received." 

"Well, okay…” Akane double checked the fox one last time, before resting in the knowledge it was going to be fine. “Coming!" she yelled after her sister, picking up the dazed fox and took her with her, petting her with a steady hand. 

After Soun's announcement, there was a short silence. 

"What?! An engagement?!" Akane exclaimed, the fox in her arms a little more awake, but still recovering. 

"Yes. Me and Ranma's father, Genma, an old friend of mine, made the promise many years ago, before any of you were born. If we were to get children of the opposite sex, they would marry to unite the schools." 

Nabiki raised her eyebrow. "And how does this Ranma fellow look like? Is he cute?" 

The fox's ears perked up. 

"I don't know. Never met him." Soun said, probably a little too confidently, his arms crossed and his eyes closed, to avoid the glaring he would definitely get from Akane. 

"So, let me get this straight. You expect us to marry a boy none of us have ever met?!" Akane said with a raised voice. Kasumi put a gentle hand on her younger sister’s shoulder to calm her, which helped.

Soun went to say something, raising his hand, but someone knocked on the door. 

The fox squirmed in Akane's arms. "What's wrong?" Akane had started to unconsciously pet way more aggressively, too aggressively for the fox to be comfortable. Akane quickly adjusted her speed and strength. “Sorry, my bad.” 

Nabiki and Soun went to answer the door. 

The fox hadn’t stopped squirming. "It’s okay. You're hurt, you should rest." Akane said softly to the fox, which made her squirm even more. But, after a quick moment, she seemed to have given up.

Then, Nabiki and Soun ran back to the living room. 

"Was that your friend?" Nabiki asked, winded. 

Soun shook his head violently. 

"Was that a panda?" 

Her father shook his head again, out of shock, not because he was listening to his daughter.

A giant panda, carrying a sputtering girl, turned the corner. "You're scaring everyone, pop! Put me down!" 

The fox squirmed again, tail flicking violently. Akane tightened her hold. “Sit still. It’s okay, really.” 

The red-haired girl was put in front of Soun. "And you are?" 

"Ranma Saotome... Sorry about that..." 

The room paused. 

Ranma looked over at Akane, more specifically, the fox in her arms. "Ucchan! There you are!"  

-Ten years earlier, somewhere in the mountains, on a dusty road-

“Take your Ukyo for my Ranma’s bride, eh?” Genma asked the scruffy chef across from him.

Ranma and Ukyo were eating some okonomiyaki behind a tree, dangling their feet off the rock they were sitting on, clearly content with the presence of the other.

“I hate to tell you this, but the boy’s already got himself a fiancée.”

“Now that’s a darn shame I tell you, ‘cause here’s me ready to throw in my okonomiyaki cart in as her dowry too.”

Genma grabs the man’s hand, clasping it between both of his, looks him dead in the eyes and said: “Sold! I-I mean, I accept.” Like Ranma was a good to be traded with.

Ukyo noticed Genma and Ranma packing up the okonomiyaki cart, instead of her father, which set off an alarm bell in her head.

Her father walked up to her, a little urgent, noticing Genma had no intention on waiting.

“Ukyo, my girl. That boy Ranma, he’s your fiancé. Now catch that cart and never leave his side.” He not-so-gently nudged Ukyo toward the cart, where Genma failed to notice a branch, which was lodged in the right wheel.

When Ranma had pulled out the branch, Ukyo was nearly there. 

“Say goodbye, Ranma. We’re leaving.” Genma announced, a bit too hastily.

“Oh, okay. Bye, Ucchan!” Ranma yelled excitedly, dramatically waving after her. 

Ukyo was almost there, just a little closer. 

“Ranchan! My hand!”

Ranma looked at the extended hand Ukyo held out, at how badly she wanted to come along, how fast she was running, and tilted his head for a moment, before accepting it.

Ukyo held Ranma’s hand tightly, fearing injury if he let go. Luckily for her, he didn’t.

With some difficulty, Ranma had pulled Ukyo onto the cart. Both were panting, but also laughing at the same time.

“Why’d you chase us so hard, Ucchan? You here to train too?” Ranma almost sparkled from joy.

“Well I-” 

“You helped Ukyo onto the cart?! I told you, boy! Say goodbye!” Genma roared from the front, pulling the cart.

From that reaction, Ukyo figured there was something Genma wasn’t telling him, like their engagement.

If she told him everything now, maybe Ranma would side with her, but Genma would definitely find a way to get rid of her. And that meant losing her one chance to stay by his side.

Ukyo’s chest tightened. If she told Ranma the truth now, maybe he'd choose her. But if Genma ditched her, she'd lose everything. Her father’s words echoed: “never leave his side.” So she swallowed the truth, smiling instead.

“Yup. Here to train, Ranchan, so I can finally beat you.” She eventually said after the short silence.

Ranma nearly bounced from excitement. A training buddy? Other than his father? He couldn’t remember training with anyone other than his father and was thrilled to have some variety.

Genma scowled. How am I going to fix this situation? He asked himself, pulling the cart forward at a slightly slower speed.

“Boy, time for bed.” Genma’s stern voice cut through the child laughter on the other side of the cart.

“Coming, pop!” Ranma cheerfully yelled out when he got up.

He and Ukyo had played with a pair of spatulas most of that afternoon, making up wild stories and fighting mock battles in the way only children could.

When Ukyo arrived at the campsite, Genma was sitting outside of the tent.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Ukyo. We only have two bedrolls. So, I think it would be best if you were to just travel back home. Surely, sleeping in the dark cold night without anything to cover yourself with isn’t worth staying with us for. You will make friends at home who are just as close as Ranma.” 

Ukyo narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t stupid, she knew this was a poor attempt at trying to get rid of her, but she wasn’t going to object. She couldn’t win in physical conflict, and Ranma was too oblivious to see what was happening here.

“It’s okay, mister Saotome. I’ll sleep with the cart. We can’t have it get stolen, after all.” 

Genma grumbled something under his breath, but entered the tent, too tired to argue.

Ukyo climbed onto the cart and settled into an uncomfortable position, curled onto the cooled hot plate. It was everything comfort was not. She was shivering in the cold, wind piercing her clothes. Her side hurt from the hard metal sheet she was laying on. She perked up in fear every time a sound came from the nearby woods. 

Eventually, she stood up and ripped off the pieces of cloth, fluttering in the wind, displaying her family name to customers.

She knew what she was doing, but didn’t care. She wanted-no, needed warmth. Her father told her all about hypothermia and she was scared she’d get it when lying there in the freezing winds.

She wrapped all four pieces of cloth around her in a desperate attempt to keep warm. 

It helped. Barely, but enough.

Then, it started raining.

Water pitter pattered on the small wooden roof above Ukyo, but the strong winds meant it also fell into the cart.

Within moments, she was soaking wet. Still, she didn’t move, didn’t walk away, back to her father, didn’t walk to the tents to try and get in. She wouldn’t beg, she wouldn’t give up. She could survive water, wind, and cold. All to honour her father’s words.

The fabric clung to her skin like wet seaweed. Every gust of wind stabbed her like needles. Her fingers felt like icicles, too stiff to flex. Still, she didn’t move.

Never leave his side.

I won’t, dad. I’ll fight for him. He’s my fiancé. And in the end, I’ll be the best chef Japan has ever seen. Even better than you, dad.

Shivering and sputtering, she passed out from exhaustion.

Small droplets fell from the leaves as the sun rose the next morning.

With a soft sneeze, Ukyo woke up, still completely drenched and wrapped in multiple layers of cloth.

She could hear Genma snoring from inside the tent. Great. That lazy old man was already an insufferable human wreck of a father to Ranchan, and now he’s even more insufferable to me.

She unwrapped herself out of the clinging wet burrito she turned herself into and stood up. 

Her head hurt like hell, her side pained in with every movement, and she was still sleepy.

She got down from the cart and started to look through the cupboards. All the premade okonomiyaki her father made were already eaten by Ranma and his father, with her also having eaten one or two. It should’ve lasted them longer.

There were still plenty of ingredients though and she smiled. Her father believed in her skills enough to give her the room to cook okonomiyaki herself, for the journey. The cart was quite stocked too, giving them plenty of time to survive off the cart alone, if she strategically made enough food for each meal.

Oh, what would they do without me? That old man would probably leave my family’s cart forgotten in a ditch somewhere. Not on my watch.

She had cooked on the cart before, but that was with her dad’s help. This time, she had to do it alone, and she was too short to do everything at once.

Ranchan would help me, right? She thought as she snuck toward the tent. I mean, he helped me before and he is my fiancé, soooo…

She carefully pulled up the zipper of the tent. Genma’s snoring was unbearably loud, and the tent had a weird stench inside, but she was just about quiet enough not to wake anyone up.

She tiptoed toward Ranma’s bedroll, but stumbled over Ranma’s travel pack, which he had carelessly thrown somewhere in the barely lit tent. With a quiet yelp, she fell on top of Ranma, her wet hair smacking him in the face.

Ranma stirred, and Ukyo covered his mouth to prevent him from screaming. He wondered why Ukyo was so wet and why her cheeks were bright red, but didn’t really question it.

“Shh. Quiet. Your dad’s still asleep.” Ukyo whispered, slowly getting up.

Ranma nodded, but was confused as to why Ukyo had woken him up in the first place. She didn’t even go into the tent to sleep! But his father simply told him that Ukyo likes sleeping outside more, and he would never lie to him, right?

Outside the tent, Ranma turned to Ukyo. “What’s wrong, Ucchan?”

“I want to get breakfast started, but I need some help in cooking.”

“From me?”

“Yes, Ranchan. I doubt your dad’ll help.”

“Oh, okay.”

The two kids approached the cart, parked at the other side of the fire pit.

“So, Ucchan, what do you need me for?” 

“Just hand me the stuff I need.” Ukyo said as she climbed onto the cart.

“Okay.” Ranma opened the cupboard and checked inside. “How do I know which is which?”

“It’s labeled, dummy.”

“Really? … Ucchan? It’s dark in here.”

“Then just grab it and read it outside.”

“Oh, right.”

It took a little while, and a lot of patient comments from Ukyo, but soon enough, she was cooking. 

The batter sizzled on the hotplate. A much better sound than a shivering girl, Ukyo thought, not that she’d tell Ranma what had happened.

“Ucchan? Are you done yet?”

“No, Ranma. Not now.” Ukyo’s voice was stern and her stance was concentrated. She had seen her father cook plenty of times, and cooked on her own as well, but was never alone. Her father had always been there to tell her if she was missing something, or was doing something wrong. She had followed some of his recipes, one of which she was going back for one day to smuggle with her, but now she was on her own.

She had to watch every detail herself.

This is not an issue. Every chef has to do everything alone. That’s just how it works. You can do this, Ukyo. If you plan to become the best okonomiyaki chef in Japan, then you have to do this. Even without recipes from-

“Ucchan! Look what I found!” Ranma was holding up a paper, excitedly waving it in the air.

“Huh-oh, man, this one’s burnt.” Ukyo scraped the pancake off the hot plate and looked at it in disappointment. What am I doing wrong? It’s burning too fast. Is it something with the plate? No, that’s the exact temperature dad used to use, I think. But I think I did the order right.

She accepted the paper from Ranma and spared one glance at it. She blinked, not knowing if what she just read could be true, so looked again, but read it in full this time.

Instructions. From her father, to help her.

A tear threatened to fall after she had read every page. Different recipes for different dishes, some not even okonomiyaki. She didn’t let them fall, not with Ranma watching.

No, don’t cry now. That old man keeps talking about Ranma needing to man up. If I cry over something so small, I’m gone before we arrive at the next tree.

A smile tugged at her lips and, internally, she thanked her father.

With the newly acquired help, she went back to cooking.

When Genma came out of the tent, he was surprised to smell okonomiyaki. He was sure he and Ranma had eaten it all, but the smell was undeniable, and most of all, pleasant.

His eyes scanned the small camp site, before resting at the small Ukyo, aided by Ranma when she needed, cooking batch after batch of okonomiyaki.

With a satisfied sigh, Ukyo turned off the hot plate and hopped off the cart.

“No, Ranchan. Later. I told you, by the fireplace. I don’t want the cart getting more dirty. ‘Cause I’m not cleaning anything I don’t have to.”

Genma was stumped, seeing the small girl, guiding his son through the motions typically seen at home. Then, that confusion turned into annoyance. He had taken Ranma on this trip to be away from housey stuff, motherly love, and above all, comfort.

He snatched the plate all the okonomiyaki was stacked on from Ukyo, who hadn’t noticed him, somehow.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Genma’s voice came out a little softer than he wanted, but it got the point across.

“Cooking all of us breakfast. I made extra because you two eat too much.”

“Why you little-! We do not eat too much! A martial artist eats until he can have no more, at any time food is available. You never know when the next time is, you eat food.”

“Is that why you’re fat?” Ukyo asked with innocent eyes.

Genma was so frozen in anger, that he didn’t have a comeback. He took one of the okonomiyaki anyway.

They were alright. Not as good as her father's, but she was very young after all, so she might make food that is even better in the future.

With this in mind, he dropped the insult still burning in his brain, along with the plate, onto the floor between the three, sitting down cross legged, not facing Ukyo’s gaze head on.

“Eat. We leave in thirty minutes.”

“And you’re taking the cart.” Ukyo said, as sternly as a child could.

“Do you think you have any power in-”

“It’s my family’s cart, and you’re taking it.” Ukyo repeated.

Ranma chimed in between bites, “Come on, pop. What’s the problem? Ucchan said it can hold food, and we won’t have to carry everything all the time, and we can leave everything by the cart when we go swimming, and-”

“Fine, we’re taking the cart.” Genma said with a defeated sigh, grabbing another pancake.

Defeated by a six year old. How did my life sink so low?

Chapter Text

It had been a year of traveling, and cooking. Ukyo kept an eye on Genma, making sure he never ‘accidentally forgot’ the okonomiyaki cart, and she kept making breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Ranma didn’t show any sign that might indicate he knew about the engagement, but that wasn’t Ukyo’s top priority at the moment.

All she was trying to do now was to make sure she stayed with the two. This meant training.

Ukyo had never trained this seriously before. She dreaded it. Genma hadn’t slowed down for her, and she was expected to do largely the same exercises as Ranma.

Moving buckets of water across a fence, running over rooftops, climbing slippery rocks, nicking trinkets off balconies. No two exercises were ever the same. “The Anything Goes way” Genma always called it.

She could be laughing one moment, struggling to breathe the next. She and Ranma caught up in another training session.

Ranma would laugh, sometimes strained by a demanding exercise, but never falter. He always pushed through.

Ukyo on the other hand, could barely keep up. She knew Genma was doing this just to get her to leave, because she was a girl, she was supposed to be weak.

She didn’t leave, she didn’t complain, she didn’t give in. Instead, she would pick herself back up and try until Genma gave up on the exercise. She stood defiantly by the grill to cook meals for the three of them. She had even started to sell some of the okonomiyaki to passers by together with Ranma. She used the small amount of income to buy more ingredients. Ranma was a big help, with his oblivious, cute boyish charm appealing to customers. Ukyo being Ukyo, she took advantage of this.

Today, Genma had put Ranma and Ukyo against each other to spar, with him trying to figure out a pamphlet he’d ‘found’ in the previous town. Ukyo knew he had stolen it, but didn’t say anything. He kept saying that the pamphlet contained training grounds, but he never showed it to either of them.

Ranma stood across from her, his arms floating near his sides. 

“Okay, Ucchan, here I come!” Ranma yelled, running toward her.

She took a defensive stance and blocked his initial strike, almost stumbling back, but she stopped it by placing her right foot behind her.

“The idea of fighting is that you don’t mention when you attack, Ranchan.” Ukyo said with a sigh, grabbing his wrist and tugging him out of his stance.

Her fist connected to his right cheek with force, making him stumble slightly and rub the sore spot. 

“Hey! That’s not fair!”

“Everything’s fair in a spar, Ranchan.” Ukyo replied, smirking.

Ranma shook his head rapidly and readied himself with a soft slap on the cheeks. “Okay, then I can do this.”

Ukyo had no time to react before Ranma threw sand at her. It didn’t come near her, but it confused her long enough to not notice he had jumped over the dust cloud and was dropping in to attack her.

She winced as the foot landed on top of her head, her knees buckling. She fell on the ground with a soft thud after he had jumped off. Her mouth was slightly filled with sand.

She slowly pushed herself up, spitting out the sand, hearing Ranma’s laughter in the background. That laugh. That cackling laugh of genuine joy, the kind only children could give. It annoyed her and comforted her at the same time.

Once she got on her feet, she balled her fists and took a stance. This time, I won’t be caught off guard.

Ranma looked at her with a glint in his eyes and dropped into a stance as well.

It was Ukyo who made the first movement. Three steps and a quick jab. Ranma blocked, wanting to retaliate with his own jab, but Ukyo already had a left hook lined up. He saw it in the corner of his eye and took a gamble.

His grin widened and he turned his head sideways, dropping it to below her shoulder. The fist glided over his ear and Ukyo’s eyes widened. Ranma’s right foot kicked up and met her side in a strong blow.

She clutched her side as Ranma got back on two feet. He grabbed her collar and swept a leg from under her, but didn’t let her fall to the floor.

She looked up at his wide grin. Her cheeks started to burn red.

“Wanna go again, Ucchan?”

That snapped her out of it and she nodded.

With a yelp she fell to the ground as he released her collar.

“Why’d you drop me, jerk?!” 

“Hmm?”

“You could’ve just helped me up!” Ukyo yelled, annoyed, as she pushed herself off the floor again.

Panting and sweating, Ranma was lying on the floor. Ukyo had barely gotten hits on him, but he had a lot of fun. He watched Ukyo slightly wince when reaching over to grab some cabbage and felt a little bad.

He’s so cool, Ranma thought, he always pushes through everything that hurts. Man, I wanna be like Ucchan.

He put his hands beside his head and flipped back onto his feet. He stretched and padded over to the cart.

“Hey, Ucchan. What’chu makin’?”

“What do you think, dummy? Okonomiyaki.” Ukyo said, deadpan, not looking up from the hotplate.

“Yeah, I knew that. But, what flavour?” 

“Pork… I think.”

“You think?”

“Hey, it’s not easy to keep track of this stuff when we can’t afford the grocery store!”

“But you make it work, right? I mean, you sell food on the edge of the road every other day!”

“Only because you help.”

Ranma tilted his head, confused. “What’chu mean?”

“Well, one small kid cooking isn’t enough, because I have to focus on the food. So, you running around, being loud and adorable, it attracts customers.”

“I’m adorable? … Is that a good thing?”

Ukyo sighed, cheeks slightly red, but she didn’t know if that was from the hotplate or something else. “Right now, a very good thing. Adorable means more people. More people means more money. More money means more food.”

“So… adorable means more food?”

“Sure, Ranchan.”

“Then I want to be more adorable.” That earned a chuckle from Ukyo.

Ranma inspected Ukyo. He’s always so serious. Always cooking or training or something. Pop says she’s as good as me, so she can do everything I do. I’m just more determined. Sounds about right.  

“Ucchan?” 

“Yeah?”

“Why do you give up all the time?”

Ukyo paused, very offended. What did he just say?! I’m here, I’m forced to sleep in your discarded bedrolls, forced to train, and you’re tell me I, ME, UKYO, am giving up?!

“I don’t give up.”

“But that’s what pop says. That’s why you keep falling, right? I mean, you’re as strong as me.”

“Ranchan… I’m not as strong as you. Your dad is just a jerk and forces me to do the same things as you.”

“Really?” Ranma asked, head tilted in disbelief. “But it makes you stronger, right?”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not-Never mind. Here.” She flipped an okonomiyaki his way, which he caught in his mouth.

“Thanks, Ucchan! You’we the bes.” Ranma said with his mouth full.

“Ranma, chew first, talk later.”

“Wight, sowwy.”

Ukyo chuckled. A sound cut off by a loud “Boy!”

Ranma perked up, having finished his pancake. “What’s up pop?”

“Come here, boy. I have something to show you.”

Ukyo watched Ranma as Genma showed him the pamphlet. Ranma’s eyes lit up like candles in the dark of night, which made her smile. At least Genma wasn’t a jerk all of the time.

She propped her elbow on the cart, waiting for them to finish.

“Excuse me? Where is the chef of this cart?” Ukyo snapped around to see a tall man eyeing up her family heirloom.

She had nearly fallen asleep, but quickly snapped back to the waking world.

“You’re looking at her.”

The man narrowed his eyes. “You can’t expect me to believe that a child is operating this business.”

“Believe it or not. How many?”

“What?”

“Like you said, this is a business and I like to get going. So, how many?”

“How much?”

Right, I never did get that board fixed. She thought with a sigh. “150 yen.”

“150? What do you take me for?”

Ukyo smirked. “Oh please. Tell me one place where you can get quick okonomiyaki nearby for less.”

“Tough kid. Fine, three.”

“Coming right up!” Ukyo said, plastering a large, genuine smile on her face as she put three blobs of batter on the hot plate and got to work.

“Thank you! We travel all over Japan, so please come again!” Ukyo called after the man after he paid and walked away, muttering something about it barely meeting expectations.

She looked at the counter. 450 yen. That is a profit, at least. That’s good… Ukyo thought as she put it in her money box. 

The small metal container was slowly filling with every passing day. It was her money, money that she earned. She used it to buy ingredients to keep the cart stocked, so she could always make more. 

Lunch, right. I was about to make lunch.

She quickly got to work before Genma became grumpy.

Within ten minutes, she had a stack of okonomiyaki and sighed. She placed a few on the cart itself, knowing how fast the Saotomes eat.

“Ucchan! Look, look!” Ranma waved the pamphlet his father was deciphering just a moment ago. “Training grouds! A bunch of ‘em! We’re gonna have so much fun!”

Ukyo gave a strained smile. Great, more of the old man’s training. She thought as she put down the plate. Father and son had immediately dug in. When she reached over, a quarter was gone already. Then she remembered what Ranma said. “But it makes you stronger, right?”

Yeah… I guess it does make me stronger. That’s… Yeah. She let out a genuine chuckle. You have a weird way of seeing things, Ranma. Very weird. But I can’t see a flaw in that logic.

After lunch, she tread back to the cart, climbed on top and ate the okonomiyaki she put aside. As she suspected, she only had two pancakes before Ranma and Genma had eaten the rest. At least now she didn’t go hungry.

She didn’t even notice Ranma looking up at her. “What, Ranchan?” She asked after finishing one okonomiyaki.

“Is it more fun to eat alone?”

Ukyo froze mid bite. “Wha’ kinda quesh’ion ish shat?”

Ranma laughed. “Ucchan, you told me to not eat with my mouth full.”

Ukyo swallowed her food in embarrassment. “What do you mean, ‘is it more fun?’”

“Well, we just ate, and then you went here to eat some more. So? Is it more fun?”

“No. But you dad keeps stealing my food every other bite and you two eat so fast I can’t keep up.”

“So why don’t you fight ‘im?”

“Wha?”

“I fight him off all the time. Pop’s a handful, but it’s like a challenge. Nothing’s easy, so everything tastes better, he told me.”

Ukyo couldn’t help but smile. Damn him and his flawless, innocent logic.

She patted the wood beside her. “You can join me if you want.”

Ranma beamed and jumped up. “Can I?” He asked, already reaching for the okonomiyaki.

Ukyo sighed. There goes my lunch. “Sure, Ranchan.”

“Thanks Ucchan, you’re the best.”

Genma looked on from the tent behind them, muttering something about how she was as persistent as mold in a bathhouse. 

That girl… I took Ranma away from his mother for a reason. His journey is one that must be made in hardship, not comfort. He tapped his chin. Then he looked at the third bedroll, squeezed into the tent. Ranma had given it to her when she bought another one and Genma told him it was for his birthday, which was the day after. Ukyo had glared at him, making him feel like he finally got rid of her, but then Ranma gave his old bedroll. She’d still seemed disappointed, but smiled at Ranma. Ukyo hadn’t given a complaint about it since.

Even after a year, he was still trying to get rid of her, making the journey as bad for her as possible and then giving her hints that she could just go back home and be comfortable. Clearly, it hadn’t been successful. 

Somewhere, he had grown used to her cooking, to her cart, and to her income. But he wasn’t giving up on trying to get rid of her. She had to go before they went to Tokyo, but luckily for him, that was still going to take a long time.

Chapter Text

It was Ukyo’s eighth birthday. She hadn’t really told anyone, but she knew. She had this calendar she bought a couple of towns ago on which she kept track of the date and had marked important days.

The first year she travelled, she simply forgot she had a birthday, until the winter rolled around and she remembered she must’ve gotten older. So when she saw a older woman with a stall full of notebooks and calendars, she bought one using her own money.

On Ranma’s seventh birthday, Ukyo saw no celebration from Genma, just a simple acknowledgement. He didn’t seem to mind, but she marked the date on the calendar so it wouldn’t be forgotten the next year and gave him a plate of special okonomiyaki with more expensive ingredients.

When she wished him a happy birthday, he looked confused. “What’s so happy about today?” He asked her. It stuck to her more than she liked to admit.

What did he mean with that? She’d ask herself. Your birthday is always happy. You celebrate getting older.

That, and the fact Genma hadn’t given up trying to make her life hell, made her realise nothing would probably happen if she told anyone.

Still, she wanted to do something special.

She was sitting on the moving cart pulled by Genma when her eye fell on that special thing.

It wasn’t Ranma, running beside his father. Still so bright and optimistic. Every step he took, he took while looking forward to training.

He doesn’t know any different, Ukyo reminded herself, Ranma only knows the ‘Anything Goes way’.

Genma had explained everything about the ‘Anything Goes way’ every second he could, like Ukyo never heard it before. She’d stop listening after three words, not at all interested. The training everywhere, endless wandering, and torturous exercises said enough about the school, in her opinion.

They were travelling between training grounds, Genma following the pamphlet like a bible.

The last one was uneventful, very little equipment, and only one obstacle course and one training dummy. Genma was confident the next one would be better. Ranma didn’t care. Ukyo was pessimistic.

Ukyo’s eye had fallen on a big tent, with many lights. It was beautiful. 

She could hear the crowds talking to each other from all the way on top of the hill they were walking on. She was in awe of the movements. She looked over at Ranma, who would love it just the same, but he hadn’t seen it, focusing on the road ahead, his travelpack strapped tight on his back, a slight skip in his step.

Ukyo hopped off the cart and ran to walk beside Ranma. Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest from excitement. “Ranchan, look!” 

“Hmm?” Ranma looked over, but a thick foliage was already covering the view over the tent.

Ukyo looked back and saw the same thick green wall. She was hit by a wave of disappointment.

“There-There was a tent, a big tent. And there were lights, and laughter, and a lot of people, and-” 

Genma cut her off with a grunt. “A circus. That was a circus. Waste of time. Now come on, boy, we don’t have time for such nonsense.”

“Okay, pop.” Ranma said cheerfully, picking up the pace.

Ukyo sat in the short grass at their campsite, arms around her legs, legs to her chest, and looked at the sun setting, humming ‘happy birthday’ to herself. She remembered the circus. All those lights, and laughter, and people, and children. It was beautiful.

“Hey Ucchan! "What 'chu doin’?” 

Ukyo was startled by Ranma’s voice suddenly chiming in from behind her.

“Ranchan! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Why not? We did the sneak training a week ago.”

“That doesn’t-! You can’t just-! Ugh… What was it now?”

“I asked what 'chu were doin’.”

“Humming. Looking at the sunset. It’s pretty.”

“Cool. Can I join?”

“Yeah, why not?”

Ranma sat down in the grass beside her, his hands behind him holding him up. “What was that tune?”

“Just something my dad used to sing to me on my birthday.”

“Birthday? That day you said was special?”

“Yes, Ranchan. Very special. Normally there’s this big celebration and people cheer and there are snacks and cake… And you invite all your friends.”

“That sounds fun!”

“It is fun! But your dad doesn’t seem to wanna celebrate.”

“And today is your birthday? Not mine?”

“No, silly. Everyone gets their own birthday.”

“I have a birthday too!?”

“Yes, Ranchan, you too.”

“When?”

“I don’t know from the top of my head, but somewhere in August.”

“Wow, really?” 

“I heard your dad mention it once. I wrote it down.”

“Cool.” He removed the hands from behind him and unceremoniously laid down in the grass. “So, when are you doing all that stuff for your birthday?”

“Ranchan, I just told you. Your father doesn’t really-”

Ranma cut her off with a scoff. “Pop doesn’t have to know everything. He keeps telling us stuff about keeping secrets and teaches us how to sneak and stuff. It’s like he’s begging us to do something. It’s like training! Completely how the Anything Goes School intended it, training in random stuff. Like celebrating a birthday!”

“Not too loud!” Ukyo hissed, unable to stop smiling. “Your dad might hear.”

“So? You gonna do it?” Ramna said, much quieter now.

“Fine, yes. I… I guess we could check out that circus. It’s only down the hill.”

“See? You said the day was special, so come on!” Ranma was already on his feet and started to head down the hill.

“And your dad?”

Ranma stopped dead in his tracks. “Right. Can’t you get him to like… fall asleep?”

“Who do you think I am? I can’t wish someone to sleep. Although…”

Ukyo walked over to the cart standing next to the tent and opened the cupboard. “Come on, where is it?” She muttered as she inspected different spice shakers. “I’m sure I packed it somewhere.” She grabbed a small shaker with a smile. “This oughta put him down.”

Ukyo had, once, loudly complained to Ranma about not getting enough sleep while shopping. An old lady overheard and offered the shaker to her for a reasonable price. “Sleeping herbs,” she had said, “just a shake or two in your food and you’ll have the best eight hours of sleep ever. Nothing’ll wake you up.”

She turned on the hotplate and prepared to make some okonomiyaki. They had already eaten dinner, but the old man never let food go untouched. 

She made four to make it believable, sprinkled the sleeping powder on the top one, and then placed the plate near Genma, before excusing herself.
There wasn’t a bathroom nearby, but the digging of the hole meant Genma had plenty of time to snatch a pancake, like he usually does.

By the time she came back, the plate was empty and Genma was nodding half asleep.

Bingo, she thought as she walked past him, now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Ranchan on my birthday, old man.

“He’ll be out cold in just a minute, you ready?” Ukyo said when she met up with Ranma again on the same patch of grass. 

“Hmm? What?” Ranma mumbled, his eyes closed and clearly close to dozing off as well.

“The circus, you dummy.”

“Oh, right.” Ranma quickly got up. “What did you use anyway?”

Ukyo shrugged. “Works great to sleep quickly. Don’t know why it works so well though.”

They chuckled as they looked back at Genma, fast asleep, and started to head down the hill.

Ranma had his hands behind his head as the two made their way down the hill. Lights were starting to appear from behind the trees.

Ranma had to refrain from running ahead of Ukyo, but he didn’t want to leave her behind.

He looked beside him, seeing the lights reflect back into his eyes off her skin.

He’s so confident! And cool. I mean, he cooks and runs the cart business and stuff, but still finds time to train. Maybe I gotta do that too. Not cookin’, but something outside of trainin’. ..

He parked the thought in the back of his mind, focusing instead on the lights Ukyo tried to show him earlier.

They became brighter and brighter as less and less trees blocked the view. 

“Woah… It’s pretty.” Ranma muttered in quiet awe, to which Ukyo smiled.

“Told you, dummy. Now, come on, last one there eats a burned egg!” Ukyo had started running before the words registered in Ranma’s mind.

“Hey! Not fair!” Ranma yelled back as he started chasing after her.

“Life’s not fair, Ranchan!” 

‘Ranma almost tripped over an exposed tree root as he tried to catch up, the gap not closing fast enough, in his opinion.

In some quick thinking, he used a low hanging branch to jump into a tree ahead of him. 

He quickly climbed higher, while jumping from tree to tree. When he felt he was high enough, he kicked through a considerable amount of trunk, before grabbing it and flinging it in front of him.

Ukyo yelped and came to a complete standstill as the wood fell only an arm’s length from her, straight up into the air. With a loud thud, it toppled.

“That nearly hit me, Ranma!” Ukyo cried out at the laughing boy landing past the trunk and continuing to run.

“But it didn’t! Better prepare that egg!” 

“Jerk!” Ukyo yelled, before starting to run again with a sigh.

“First!” Ranma yelled triumphantly as he stretched his arms high above his head, leaning against a wooden pole, as Ukyo came walking up to him, panting.

“You cheated.”

“You said life’s not fair.”

“And I regret it.”

They looked at the big tent standing tall on the other side of the roped off area. 

“Man, who’d sleep in that?” Ranma asked Ukyo, scratching his cheek.

“I dunno, but they must be giants. Look how big it is!”

“Giants? They exist?”

"Apparently."

Ukyo noticed the booth from the corner of her eye. A family of three was buying tickets, the man handing a small stack of cash in exchange for the pieces of paper.

Ukyo grabbed Ranma by the collar before he could go under the rope. “Come on.”

“Wha-Why?”

“We need tickets.”

“But it’s out in the open air!”

“Doesn’t matter, now stop whining and let’s see how expensive this place is.” 

Ukyo walked up to the ticket booth with a confidence no eight year old should have. “Excuse me, how much for two tickets?”

The man in the booth leaned forward to catch a better look at the two standing in front of him. “Well hello there. Children are 1050 yen.”

“1050? Can’t we round it? I only have 2000 yen on me right now.”

“Sorry, no can do. Prices are final.”

“Oh, come on. Please? It’s my birthday today.”

“I can’t just go around changing our policy prices because you say it’s your birthday. Business isn’t fast here anyway.”

“So, the 100 yen you’d miss is worth it, right?”

“What?”

“Well, we’d pay 2000 yen, if you’d lower the price. That’s more than nothing if we just walk away, right?”

The man hesitated for a second, then looked Ukyo straight in the eyes. “Fine, just this once.”

“Pleasure doing business.” Ukyo said with a smile way too smug, while handing over the money, which she grabbed from the wallet in her pocket.

“Did you really only have 2000 yen, Ucchan?” Ranma asked when they stepped inside.

Ukyo winked, before whispering. “Nope, but he didn’t have to know that.”

The circus grounds were brightly lit. There were stalls and entertainers littered about in front of the big tent.

“Come on, Ucchan! Let’s check out everything!”

“Ranchan!” Ukyo grabbed Ranma’s sleeve, preventing him from running off. “Calm down, geez.”

“But Ucchan, I want whatever that is!”

Ukyo followed Ranma’s finger, pointed at a food vendor.

“You want tempura? Now? We just ate!”

“Yeah, and? I can be hungry again…” Ranma started fidgeting with the end of the sleeve not in Ukyo’s grasp.

“Ugh… Wait here.” Ukyo mumbled as she released him and walked over to the vendor.

Ranma looked around, his face a little confused as he focused on the big tent again.

Where are the giant people? Or is there only one inside? Is he sleeping? It’s dark out. Maybe he’s sleeping. I wanna go see.

He didn’t even wait for Ukyo, before he walked toward it.

It’s even bigger up close! I don’t hear snoring. So, it’s okay to look inside, right? Are giants like pop? Must be.

Ranma followed a small crowd also moving toward the tent.

So, it’s normal to visit sleeping giants? Wow, these circuses are so cool!

When he reached the inside however, he didn’t see a sleeping giant. Instead, he saw a ring in the middle, with a prop or two lying around. When he looked up, he saw a rope dangling high above him, and a few sticks bound to ropes, mounted to the supporting pillars.

Ranma looked disappointed for a quick moment, copying the people around him and sitting down on one of the benches surrounding the circle. Then, he thought about it.

All that stuff… Is this?… It is! This is a secret training ground! Hidden by the tent! Pop was wrong, this was absolutely no waste of time. Where’s Ucchan? He has to see this!

Ranma glanced around, expecting Ukyo to have followed him, but she was nowhere to be found.

Where is that guy? He’s always nearby. Oh, wait, he went to get tempura. He’s probably furious.

He slumped in his seat, feeling a sudden weight settle over him.

“Ranma! Where are you, you jerk?! Why’d you run off like that?!”

Ranma immediately perked up and looked over at the entrance, where Ukyo was standing with a small paper plate, filled with tempura.

“Over here, Ucchan!” He waved enthusiastically at her.

She walked over and sat down with a disgruntled expression. “Why did you run off?”

“I didn’t run off… I walked.”

“Ranma, that doesn’t-Ugh… You’re-”

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Promise.”

Ukyo blinked, her complaints caught in her throat. Eventually she muttered, “Good.”

“Look, Ucchan! The training is starting!”

“Training?”

“Yeah, all the props and the ropes. They’re definitely gonna show us how to train!”

Ukyo looked around and saw the things Ranma was talking about. “You know… You might be right. Then wanna join!”

The thought hadn’t even crossed Ranma’s mind, but now that Ukyo said it, he was looking forward to it. “Well?” He asked while jumping up, “What are we waiting for? Last one there’s weak!” He used a person’s head as a stepping stone to get to the ring.

“Ranma! Come back here! Not fair!” Ukyo yelled after him, doing the exact same.

They landed in the ring at the same time, after Ukyo managed to get a hold of Ranma’s ponytail.

The people outside the ring were silent, but one man inside started yelling at them, or more about them, to be specific. 

“Get those kids off the stage!”

Two men approached them. They were confident and firm in their posture, but not out right aggressive. One was larger, and clearly stronger. The other was shorter and slimmer, but somehow looked meaner.

Cool! Full contact training! Ranma thought, slipping into a stance.

When a hand came to grab him, Ranma dodged and landed a clean hit into the side of the shorter one. The man stumbled backwards for one step before crumbling to the floor, clutching the sore spot.

The larger man, heading for Ukyo, looked on, and his expression changed into something a bit more urgent, with disbelief sprinkled in there too.

Ukyo jumped up and flipped over him, kicking him hard in the back of the skull. With a large thud, he too collapsed onto the sand.

“What are you two doing?! You can escort a couple of children , right?! Can someone smarter than a toddler please handle this?” The man from earlier barked across the ring.

Somewhat reluctantly, others began moving toward the pair.

“This is fun! Right, Ucchan?”

“Yup.” She replied with a thumbs-up. 

“Training here is the best already. Even better than the other training grounds pop showed us. I wonder why he said to not bother with this one though…”

“Maybe because you have to pay to get in.”

“Fair point.”

A hand grabbed Ukyo’s arm. The man gripping it wasn’t nearly as big as the first guy, but couldn’t be counted out.

Ranma swept the legs out from under the guy, Ukyo yanking her arm free and stepping on the grounded man.

Another came at Ranma. Ranma had to quickly parry a strike attempt with the back of his hand. The fist coming at him was clearly undisciplined, and Ranma struck him in the middle of his chest to let him know.

“I stopped caring when three guys were knocked out and one started crying!” The man in the middle yelled out, three men holding swords running toward the children.

“This keeps getting better!” Ranma cried out, backstepping the first attack to keep out of reach.

Ukyo undid the ribbon in her hair, which caused her hair to freely fall on her shoulders. She wrapped a part both ends around her hands and stretched it between them. With it, she deflected an unpractised sword strike and she closed the distance, jumping on top of the man and tightening the ribbon around their neck, but not enough to choke him. 

When she jumped off, she pulled him down with her, thudding against the sand, defeated.

She brushed her hair out of her face and started retying it into a low ponytail with the ribbon, while Ranma stared down the last opponent.

The boy standing across Ranma was shaking. “P-please don’t… Please don’t hurt me…”

“That’s part of sparring, silly.”

“This isn’t a spar… This is a circus, a-a-and I’ve been asked to p-politely ask you to l-leave.”

“Oh, okay.” Ranma turned around. “You comin’, Ucchan? That was fun, we should do that again sometime!”

“P-please don’t…” The stuttering boy pleaded.

Ranma and Ukyo turned at the exit one final time, waving. “Bye! See you next time! That was really fun, but maybe try training more! I’m Ranma, by the way!”

They had only gotten quiet stares as they walked off the circus grounds, the two walking in a weirdly smug silence.

Arriving at the forest, Ranma looked nervously at Ukyo and finally said something again. “Ukyo? Was that a good birthday?”

“Ranchan… That was the best. But it is still missing one thing…”

“And what’s that?”

“You haven’t wished me happy birthday!”

“And how do you do that?”

“Just say ‘Happy Birthday,’ and then the name of who’s birthday it is. So, you say Ukyo this time.”

“Oh, that’s easy.”

Ranma cracked his neck.

“Happy Birthday, Ukyo .”

Chapter Text

Ranma was shaken out of sleep by his father. It was the seventh time in a row. He was tired, real tired. Waking up earlier and going to bed later was starting to take its toll.

At first it was like a private adventure, his dad leading him away from the campsite to train with just the two of them. It was a little more intense too, but he was a little bummed Ukyo always slept in too late for their training. 

“Pop… Can’t we do this tomorrow? I’m tired,” Ranma croaked, still groggy from sleep.

“No, boy. A man does not rest when he can be trained.” Genma paused for a moment. “And that training is now.”

Genma made sure not to raise his voice, so as to not wake Ukyo lying next to Ranma in her own sleeping bag.

Ranma was practically getting pulled out of bed. “Pop, please. Five more minu-” 

He got cut off by Genma forcefully pulling him out of bed.

“Pop! Let me-!” Genma covered his mouth. 

“Quiet, boy,” He hissed.

Ukyo stirred, but sighed as she didn’t seem to wake, despite the commotion.

Genma walked out of the tent, Ranma in tow.

“Pop, slow down.” The ground crunched beneath his bare feet, snow having covered every surface around him.

The sun wasn’t even appearing above the horizon line, but the sky was coloured a warm orange. To everyone else, it was a beautiful winter morning. To Genma, it was prime training time for him and his 9 year old son.

Genma stopped after he passed over the hill beside the camp site. “Now, boy. Ready yourself for the training of a man.” Genma took a wide stance.

Ranma wiped the crust out of his eyes and slapped his cheeks. The air was cold as it crept through his white training gi, sending a shiver down his spine. His bare feet were planted in the snow, anchoring him as he wobbled from lack of sleep.

Okay. Here. We. GO!  

Ranma immediately slipped into a stance, sleepiness seemingly vanished. Bruises still visible on his chest, obscured by his clothes. He was trying to learn a move Genma saw in a martial arts magazine a week prior. The Snake Slither Strike.

It had something to do with deflecting and wrapping around strikes thrown at the body.

Ranma placed both hands in front of his chest, one above the other. He slowed his breathing. Neither hand was clenched, just relaxed. His eyes settled on his father. How his hands were clenched, ready to strike. How his foot shifted, right before lunging.

Genma extended his arm, aiming for Ranma’s centre mass. 

Ranma reacted, using the back of his hand to push the punch off course. He pressed on, leaning forward before his feet moved.

He hunched over to dodge a second fist, grabbing his father’s moving arm with his left hand. 

Genma yanked his arm back, trying to salvage the situation.

Ranma got slightly off balance, his act of energy waning. He blinked, slowly. His eyes darted around, focusing and unfocusing on every movement.

A moment later, the boy was sprawled out in the snow, heavily breathing. 

“You’re sloppy, boy!”

“Pop… Can we take a break? Maybe you can teach Ucchan while I get ready for tomorrow. Then I’ll be better, and stronger, and faster, and-!”

“Real men don’t skip training for bad excuses.”

Ranma sat up. “But I’m 9. Shouldn’t Ucchan also train with us then? He’s also 9 and also a man then, right?”

Genma stiffened. How Ranma hadn’t figured it out, he didn’t know, but he wasn’t going to be the one to tell him, and he made sure Ukyo didn’t say anything either.

Last thing he needed was for Ranma to spend time with a girl. At least when Ukyo acted like a boy, it wasn’t as bad. He was almost better off with a friend, if it wasn’t for moments like this.

Excuses.

Ukyo seemed to have told the wrong things to his son, like how breaks were necessary to make training better. Or how you needed eight hours of sleep. Or how it was okay to talk about feelings. 

It was like he needed to walk with a ball and chain everywhere. Every time he thought he taught something to his own son, his own flesh and blood, that girl would step in and slowly start dismantling his teachings.

The boy needs to learn the ways of Anything Goes Martial Arts, no matter what. It is a brutal art that only very few get the opportunity to start learning. It is filled with honourable and versatile techniques and great discipline. It can only be learned by those willing to never give up, to always be cunning, to always share their meals with their master. He should be honoured to be taught it from such a young age. He should be honoured to become the strongest, most respected, and manliest martial artist in the world… or at least Japan.

“Pop?”

Genma realised he had been making hand gestures reenforce his thoughts, which looked silly from the outside.

He cleared his throat. “Boy. The Art is not for everyone. Only the best of the best get the opportunity to learn the name of our School, nevermind get taught by it. The fact you’ve been learning it for 6 years is the greatest honour I could’ve given you… Maybe shy of a bride. Anyway, Ukyo isn’t cut out for every corner of our Art, so as to not humiliate your friend, I decided against it.”

Ranma looked like he thought things over for a moment, before cracking a smile. “So… I’m special?” 

Genma smirked. “Very special. More than that, boy. You are meant to be the best.”

“The best? The best of what?”

“The best martial artist to ever grace this earth. That is where you and Ukyo differ. Ukyo wants to be the best okonomiyaki chef in Japan, a short sighted goal. You are meant for greater heights.”

Genma could swear he could see Ranma’s eyes sparkle. “Really?! That’s soooo cool!”

Ranma pushed himself to stand again, slipping into his more natural stance. “I wanna go again, pop. When I beat you, I know I can do that… Shake Litter Strike or whatever.”

Genma’s smirk deepened, slipping into his own stance once more. “Getting cocky, eh? Well, it is a father’s duty to keep his son humble.” 

Ranma gave a loud, childish laugh. “Well, you told me to ignore the duty of other people, pop!”

Genma’s confidence stuttered for a moment. “Don’t use my words against me, ungrateful-” 

Ranma was already moving toward him.

Ukyo stretched as she woke up to the light streaming through the zipper opening left by the 2 Saotomes.

She sighed as he rubbed the crust out of her eyes, another perfect night. Well, as perfect as you can sleep with an old man and a young boy in a two person tent. In any case, she was rested enough to prepare breakfast.

As she sat up, she noticed a piece of paper on Genma’s sleeping bag.

She crawled over to it and picked it up, curiosity overwhelming every part of her making good decisions. 

It was a letter, written in beautiful handwriting. Starting with a date that looked to have been written in three styles, like the writer had absolutely no idea.

[27th of December 1980]

[Dear Nodoka,]

Nodoka? Who’s that?

[It has been a week since my last letter, and I apologise for not meeting my set deadline. We ran out of paper and gathering supplies in these cold months is a task in and of itself.] 

Ukyo chuckled, since she was the one who had bought the paper, at Genma’s request. She finally figured out what he needed it for.

[Ranma is growing up to be a strong young man, like his father. No, better than his father, although training with him keeps me slightly above his level. Next time we meet eye to eye, you will not regret allowing me to take him on this journey.]

Why would this Nodoka want to know about Ranma? Is it his grandma? No, who uses their mom’s first name in a formal letter? She has to be something else. Ranma’s aunt maybe? I mean, who would wanna stay with that old man? No way that’s the old man’s wife or something.

[I hope all goes well back home. The Saotome house is safe in your capable hands.] 

Okay, now I know this Nodoka is Ranma’s aunt.

[Until we meet again, Genma Saotome.]

Ukyo placed it back roughly how she found it and grabbed her tiny chef’s outfit from the other side of the tent. It was becoming a little too small, so she was saving up for a new one, for when they saw one in the next town.

She pulled her pajama top off and threw it onto her bedroll, doing the same with her pants.

Somewhere it was kind of nice, Ranma and Genma leaving before she woke up. It gave her a nice, relaxed morning, before all the training and cooking.

She slid on a new pair of boxers and fumbled with her uniform’s shirt.

Where is the undersi- Ah, there it is.

She pulled the shirt over her head, but when she had her arms in her sleeves, she noticed it was put on the wrong way. So, she squirmed her arms back out of her sleeves and turned the shirt around, sighing at having to retry putting it on.

She laid back and grabbed the hem of her pants, double checking it was the right way around. When she confirmed it was, it slid over her legs naturally as she pulled it up, arching her back to get it on all the way.

She stayed there for a bit, sprawled over three beds, before the thought of breakfast reentered her brain.

Ukyo whistled a made up tune while the okonomiyaki was sizzling on the hot plate of the cart.

She saw a group of three tourists walk by, probably stragglers from some christmas holiday in the west, coming to Japan to see how they celebrate christmas, only to see it wasn’t very different from every other day, just with a gift or two to the one you love.

Ukyo had been training her figure baking and remembered some of the decorations they used for christmas to be simple stars and pine trees.

She saw her opportunity slip as she struggled with the star shaped okonomiyaki, not even having tried any other shape. But she still tried.

When she thought she had a passable pancake, she called the tourists, who couldn’t understand what she said, of course they didn’t.

Still, the shouting of a child across a snowy field gets some attention. The young looking group of tourists walk over to the cart, tightly packed in winter clothes. 

Wouldn’t that be nice? Ukyo thought bitterly as a gust of wind sent another shiver down her spine. Still, she gave them a soft smile.

“Hiya! Take your pick, 175 yen each.” Ukyo said in a cheerful tone, not really knowing what to say otherwise but knowing that staying quiet looked bad.

She still didn’t have a board to write the prices on, and Genma didn’t let her buy ‘something so unapologetically frivolous it might as well come with a bow and a bank account.’ Normally it wasn’t a problem. Now it was.

The tourists discussed something in a language she didn’t understand, but they sounded in awe.

Wait! I can write in the snow!  

Ukyo hopped off her stool and skidded around the cart. In front of their feet she wrote 225 in arabic numbers. She knew that much at least. Remembering ten numbers wasn’t that hard.

Before the foreigners could even say a word, she was back behind the cart, flipping the okonomiyaki.

Do they even have yen? Ukyo thought as she smiled at them, the tallest of the three grabbing his wallet.

He placed 1000 yen on the cart, almost burning his hand on the hot plate, using his other to raise three fingers. 

“Three star shaped ones?” She muttered, expecting more, flipping three off the plate onto napkins and handing them over. 

They walked off before she could hand them their change. She didn’t complain and put the 1000 yen in her metal box.

With a sigh, she scraped the remaining three off the plate and turned it off. They were slightly burned, but still edible. 

I guess this is my breakfast, s he thought as she turned off the hot plate.

“Ucchan! Ucchan!” Ranma was sprinting down the hill just as she was halfway to finishing her last star shaped pancake. “I beat pop! Three times! It was reeeaaally funny!”

He skidded to a stop right before the stool she was sitting on, behind the cart. “Oooh. That looks tasty. Can I have some?” He extended his hand, panting slightly from running through snow and over a hill.

Ukyo sighed and handed over the last half of her breakfast. “So, another early training session?”

“It wasn’t early!” Ranma took a bite out of the pancake. “I’ wash exactwy on time.”

“Ranma! What do I keep telling you about eating with your mouth full?! It’s gross!”

“Sowwy…” Ranma mumbled before swallowing. “Why do you keep sleeping so long? You’re missing more than an hour of training every day.”

“Because I value sleep over martial arts.” 

“That’s dumb, you can train and sleep.”

“Not my kinda life, Ranchan.” Ukyo stood up to scrape the hotplate clean. “Besides. Good luck getting good breakfast out of a grumpy chef.”

“Why would you be grumpy?” Ranma tilted his head, taking another bite.

“Because I wouldn’t have slept enough!”

Genma came over the top of the hill, looking exhausted. He muttered something neither of the two friends could hear.

When he arrived, Ukyo spotted a bruise on Genma’s left cheek and stifled a laugh.

Genma didn’t say a word, but glared at Ranma, more specifically what Ranma was holding.

“You’ll have to wait for the hotplate to warm up again, which, in this weather, can take a while .”

Genma sighed, but nodded.

“Alrighty.” Ukyo stood up and turned to man the cart.

Ranma had finished his half-finished pancake and was smirking at his father.

“So, pop. Still think I need that Shiver Nape Strike?”

“Boy, it’s the Slither Snake Strike, and yes, you do. Every technique you know improves your chance to win any battle. Versatility is the core foundation for the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. It is the basis of the four pillars. There’s deception, a martial artist’s true friend. A deceptive warrior can-”

“-bring their opponents off their feet and strike unexpected weaknesses,” Ukyo butted in without looking up from the heating hotplate.. “The others are stealth, strength, and agility. Bla bla bla. You’ve said this a thousand times, old man.”

“And I’ll say it a thousand times more if I have too! Repetition creates strength, and strength is one of the pillars of the Art. For if a martial artist isn’t strong, what fight can he win? How can he help others? How-”

“In Kami’s name. Do you want breakfast or not?” Ukyo said sternly, well as sternly as a nine year old could, cutting him off again.

Genma gave a solemn nod.

“Then can I get some quiet to cook?”

Genma sighed and muttered something about ‘undisciplined’ and ‘the wrong upbringing’ under his breath, but didn’t raise his voice again.

As Ranma and Ukyo slip into a friendly spar, Genma looked at his written letter. He had put extra effort in, to make it extra special for his wife.

Nodoka… Our son is more of a man now than I am now… I can’t stand it! I too will become more of a man to show Ranma why it is important to always chase that goal. To make it his goal, not just ours. For this, I must renew my training in the roots of the Art. Deception. Stealth. Strength. Agility. I must use them to reconnect with all the old master stood for, no matter how evil he may have been.

In his resolve, he stood up and placed the sealed letter in the mail.

It was only after he did that that he felt a giant stress disappearing off his shoulders.

Never mind… I will trust to see the techniques of the old master in hell, after he suffered for an eternity in that cave and died of starvation. Genma laughed loudly at the thought, the sound catching Ranma and Ukyo off guard, thinking they did something wrong.

When he didn’t criticise them, the two shrugged and carried on with their spar.

Although… reverting to the old ways might not be a bad idea. Maybe I have grown soft from the girl constantly being around. I will change that fact and fast. How can a man teach a boy to be the manliest, when he is not manly himself?

He took one more look at the children sparring, which had turned more into playing at this point, and sighed. 

Tomorrow.

He sat down, cross legged, and began to doze off, the drowsiness of not sleeping enough for a full week finally catching up.

Maybe…

When Genma opened his eyes again, the sun was setting. His gi had kept him warm, he figured. At least warm enough to sleep. He completely ignored his terrible sleep schedule as of late.

“Hey, old man! Want some dinner?” 

Ukyo’s voice carried from across their small campsite like a ring in his ears.

Dinner… sounds nice after such a dignified nap to remain extra alert while awake.  

Genma didn’t say a word, but groaned as he got up. He waddled over and sat down next to Ranma on the snowy ground. 

“Eat up!” Ukyo called out, throwing an okonomiyaki in his face.

Genma caught it with his mouth and began eating, his arms and legs crossed, his face stern.

He allowed the two to go to bed earlier than normal, seeing others around the small park they were staying in turn off the lights to go and sleep. 

Genma stayed outside the tent, saying he wasn’t sleepy, while Ranma and Ukyo slid into their sleeping bags.

The wind swept around him like a cold blade, but he didn’t move, just contemplated.

We are running out of challenging new training grounds here in Japan. It is almost forcing me to go back to Tokyo to… No, there must be a way to extend the trip. Revisiting old locations is pointless. We have already learned everything we could there, that’s why we left in the first place. We should travel to the locations farthest from where we are when going to non visited training grounds. Perfect. A flawless plan to maximise training and our travel length. Of course, we could train along the way. It is the Anything Goes Style for a reason. And I get more time to forge Ranma into the man among men, not this innocent, pathetic boy he is now.

He heard a soft sneeze, almost too quiet to be heard. But in the unmoving night, Genma caught it coming from inside the tent.

When Genma peeked inside to see what was going on, he caught Ukyo shivering from the cold. Her sleeping bag appeared to have a hole at her foot end, probably because it was one of Ranma’s hand-me-downs. 

He sighed and grabbed his own sleeping bag, wrapping her legs and feet in it with a surprising delicacy, careful not to wake her.

I’m not using it now anyway, he thought as he stepped out of the tent again.

Sleep well, girl.

Chapter Text

Genma was flipping through a new book he stole from an old bookstore. 

It was a quiet town with barely any tourism, so the old lady running the store wouldn’t miss much profit. Right?

Genma flipped through the pages and pages of martial arts techniques. Some of the techniques allowed the user to freeze up their opponent, others broke bones with barely any movements. The problem was that they took years to master.

I don’t have years to train Ranma a single technique. How could that possibly make him the best martial artist? There must be a technique that Ranma can learn now that’s-

“Old man! Get out here! Dinner’s ready!”

Genma didn’t need to be told twice. He stood up with a loud groan and dropped the book on his bed, so he could continue later. 

Ukyo handed him a bowl of ramen the moment he stepped out of the tent, and without giving a thank you, he started eating.

They had been wandering through nothing but forest for the last two weeks and even though Ukyo had kept up the supplies and rationed, they were reaching the end of their food supply.

The three ate in silence, Ranma sitting on a fallen tree, Ukyo on her stool, and Genma on the grassy floor.

“I bet you did this on purpose, old man.” 

Ukyo’s bitter voice cut through the silence like a knife through water.

Genma didn’t respond, simply looked at her for a little over two seconds, before focusing on his food again. It was his signal that it wasn’t a fight worth fighting.

“I mean, two whole weeks. Two. Whole. Weeks. Fourteen days of non stop walking, and we’re not even close to done! Where are we even going? You won’t show us that pamphlet you keep using. Why are we taking such long routes all of a sudden? We used to come across one every month, maybe two on a long one, when we walk fast. We’ve been travelling for two months without a training ground. Where are you taking us?”

Genma put down an empty bowl. “It is not the concern of a child to meddle in the plans of a man.”

“It’s my concern when I have to walk it! I just-”

“Quiet!” Genma barked. “Our journey is not all about training grounds. We practice Anything Goes. We don’t need fancy fields to train.”

“At least on those training grounds I can train!”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“That you keep acting like me and Ranma are the same. But I’m not Ranma! He’s stronger and faster and keeps getting all these moves out of nowhere!”

“So?”

Ukyo’s face scrunched up. “So? SO!? What do you mean ‘so’!?”

“So, what are you gonna do about it?”

Ukyo got hit so hard by confusion, she forgot she was mad. “What am I-What? I… I… What?”

“You keep yelling you’re not Ranma and that Ranma is stronger and faster than you. You are not Ranma, correct. So why do you strive to be him?”

“Wha- I-”

“The Art allows for many different combinations and interpretations. So, why do you fight like Ranma when you’re not Ranma?”

“I… Well, he… and I just…”

“If you cannot answer the question, stop whining about training!”

Ukyo slumped down, still very confused, but finding logic in Genma’s word for the first time. “Yeah… I-I will.”

Genma wiped some sweat from his forehead. I can’t believe that worked. I just repeated whatever that girl said, very calmly. Make up some bull on the spot and wing it from there. And apparently that works! I should hand out more advice.

Ukyo got up, mumbled something incoherent, and walked away.

Ranma and Genma looked at each other confused, but then shrugged instead of addressing it.

At that moment, both noticed Ukyo hadn’t finished her bowl of ramen and narrowed their eyes.

“Well now, boy. It is a martial artist’s duty to be kind, and what is kind is for you to let me eat that bowl clean.”

“Well? What are you waiting for, pop? It’s right there. Or are you scared you’re too slow?”

Genma scoffed. “Boy, I’ll go a day without eating before I let you beat me in a race.”

“Oh yeah? Well come on then!” 

Ukyo stepped into the tent and zipped it shut. With a sigh, she sat down on her bedroll, before falling backwards into a weird half-sitting half-lying position.

I try to be Ranma…? Did he mean I have to find my own style or something? Anything Goes, right…? That means it doesn’t matter…

Ukyo saw the book on top of Genma’s bed from the corner of her eye. Intrigued, she reached over and grabbed it, holding it above her on the page Genma left on.

Obsidian Defence? What is this?

Her eyes glided over the page, settling on words about the technique’s effect, a simple explanation of how it looks like, a possible counter, and finally how long it usually takes to learn.

So it makes your defence as brittle as possible, to lure your opponent into attacking you, but every attack thrown at you hurts your opponent as much as it hurts yourself. That’s… an interesting technique. I don’t know how useful it is, though… Maybe if I could use it against Ranma, I could finally have a shot at winning… But it takes three whole years to learn! That’s waaay too long!

She flipped to the next page. Maybe I can find a technique here that doesn’t take that long to learn, so I can do what the old man said, and do something that isn’t Ranma all over.

The page was filled with history for some reason, no new technique. It talked about the Obsidian Defence, but Ukyo quickly went to the next page, since she found it all very boring.

The next page immediately caught her eye.

[The Nekoken, the Cat Fist, is the first Japanese technique explained in this book. It was popular merely due to its quick learning time and strong effects, which to some counteract its biggest and only real flaw. The technique makes the user nearly invincible and incredibly strong, while also giving them a feral fighting style and incredibly strong claws.]

Nearly invincible!? Incredibly strong!? That’s a cool technique! And by the looks of it, you fight like a little kitty. I love cats! They’re so cute and cuddly. This technique is built for me, I can feel it. And it takes only one session?! That’s doable. Okay, old man, I’ll show you how strong the one and only chef Ukyo Kuonji can be!

She read just a little further, just to see what such a session entails.

Aw, man. You need a pit full of hungry cats? What kind of weirdo even has something like that?  

She closed the book and put it back on Genma’s bedroll. That’s bad luck. Just when I find something interesting, it needs stuff I can’t get.

Ukyo stood up to go outside again, already hearing sounds of combat outside. She failed to notice the title of the book she just closed.

[1001 forbidden techniques too dangerous to learn]

Ukyo walked out just as Genma slurped up the last noodle.

“That, boy, is how you take a dish. You should take notes and learn from the best.”

Genma’s glance went Ukyo’s way.

“Ukyo, have you gotten the firewood yet?”

“Wha- Wasn’t Ranma supposed to-”

“No excuses. Firewood, now. I need to teach Ranma to respect his elders.”

Ranma was bouncing on the balls of his feet, arms raised. “Bring it on, pop!”

Ukyo grumbled something unintelligible under her breath, before sighing and grabbing a bag they’d used since the last grocery store. “Fine, I’ll go.”

“Prepare yourself, boy. This time, I won’t go easy on you.”

“Quit stallin’ and fight me, pop!”

Ukyo had already turned to leave.

Genma’s fist was met with the palm of Ranma’s right hand, and the four eyes narrowed.

The hand broke free from its captor’s grasp when Genma nearly stomped on Ranma’s foot, with him narrowly stepping away. Genma continued with his other foot, quickly going into a roundhouse kick.

Ranma barely had enough time to duck under it, the wind from the fast moving leg making his ponytail flutter. He let out a breath he was holding and rapidly turned around with his leg extended, hoping to sweep his father’s only still standing leg. 

Genma’s ankle was pushed out from under him, but he braced with his hands and flipped backwards, landing back on his two feet.

“You’re almost ten years old, boy. Surely you can do better than that!”

“Oh, you betcha!"

Ranma rushed in, slipping past his father’s defence. But instead of attacking, Ranma grinned. 

“Boo!”

Genma had a light panic and took a step back to create distance, which Ranma filled with a step forward. Realising he was cornered in the open, he regained his thinking, slamming his right hand down to Ranma’s shoulder with a flat hand.

Ranma grinned even more, slipping through the gap between Genma’s legs that he had created. He was on his hands behind his father, cocking back both of his legs before uncoiling like a spring and kicking his off balance opponent.

Genma stumbled forward, before he fell over and his mouth filled with grass.

That move… A risky maneuver. If he had faced a weaker, less able opponent he would’ve been able to do much worse… He forces his opponent to face within elbow length, something many aren’t accustomed to. The panic that ensues gives my boy the ability to control the fight. I have trained him well, although I broke through the technique with only one miscalculation. My stance was wide and strong, my opponent small and nimble. I can lose proud.

Ranma gave a small chuckle, which slowly evolved into a full laugh at the sight of his father lying on the ground, butt in the air.

Nevermind, this humiliation ends here. If he wants his risk, I’ll give him a risk.

Genma pushed himself into a sitting position, before ultimately getting up.

His new stance was less defensive and was almost a written invitation to Ranma’s last used attack, and he didn’t need to be asked twice.

When Ranma rushed through Genma’s guard again, Genma was ready. He grabbed Ranma’s gi with both of his hands and had a wide grin that screamed, GOTCHA!

Ranma felt his feet leave the ground. His panic rose as he soared through the air, over the smug head of his father.

The ground cracked where Ranma landed, his body frozen in shock. He stood balanced on top of his head in the small crater of his father’s making, limbs sprawled into the air.

“See the flaw now, boy? Only ever use a move once or your opponent might adapt!”

Foliage cracked under Ukyo’s feet as she stomped through the forest.

Yeah, Ukyo, go and gather firewood. Look at me, I’m Ranma, I never take anyone’s side Never anyone but ME!

“Ugh… Stupid jerk… You could’ve just owned up to it, coward. You can fight any time, but no, throw me under the bus. Ugh…”

She had already gathered a small pile under her arm, enough to start a fire, but not enough to keep it going.

Another branch, another stomp. It was getting dark, and soon she wouldn’t be able to locate the campsite anymore, so she started to head back.

We can always gather more wood. It wasn’t even my job anyway.

That’s when she saw a light through the trees, an eerie green light, but a light nonetheless.

What the hell? That wasn’t there before. I think… I dunno actually… Was that there before? I’m going the wrong way, aren’t I. Dammit. Well, might as well check it out.

Ukyo didn’t drop the firewood, for when she did come across the campsite and has to deal with Genma.

Genma sat back down on his bedroll with a slight wince, the spot on his back where Ranma kicked him still hurting.

Now, back to the- Someone touched my book.

He picked up the book of 1001 ‘forbidden techniques’ with an intense suspicion. He never believed in the whole ‘forbidden’ thing. It was simply that people couldn’t use them right, at least in Genma’s eyes.

I’ll figure that out later. I’m not doing an investigation with a sore back. Now, what page was I on? Oh right.

The green light Ukyo had been following was coming from inside of a weird woodland manor. 

It was bigger than most houses, but was covered in vines and similar greenery. Some of the windows were cracked, and that same flickering, green light shined through them, alluring Ukyo to venture deeper.

She walked up to the door and knocked. Then she waited for a long time. 

I mean, there’s light coming from inside, so there must be someone who lives here. They could use some clean up… or should move altogether.

Then she heard a faint sound coming from the left side of the building.

“Mrrroow.”

A cat? Ukyo thought, stepping away from the door and toward the sound.

The single meow turned into many, a choir awful to the ears. It was a violent sound, a soul clenching sound. Most would’ve fled, but Ukyo remembered what the book said.

[A pit of hungry cats]

So she fought through her fear, her flight-or-flight response, so she could see where the sounds were coming from.

Ukyo heard an annoyed grumbling beside the choir now as she approached slowly.

An old lady stood before a pit with a large piece of meat in hand. 

“Yeah, yeah. I know you’re all hungry, but food isn’t exactly a common good around here, especially meat! So quiet down the lot of-” Her creaky voice came to a halt as she snapped her head toward Ukyo. “Oh ho ho. A child comes to visit us. Would you like to pet a little kitty?”

Genma had read through the Obsidian Defence’s page, annoyed that it takes three years to master. He turns the page again, his eyes instantly locking onto the training time.

[One session]

One session… One session! This is the technique! It… Oh yes, it makes the user a beast of a martial artist! Nearly invincible and really strong! This is the best day ever!

He turned the page to the history page, skipping the incidents to read where this technique could be learned.

[Although the exact location was never found, it is said that the technique was created by a couple, deep within the northernmost forests of Japan. Some even say the house of the couple took weeks to reach.]

“Mmmhh… We are in the north of Japan, I know that much. Maybe Ranma and I get lucky and run into the creators of the technique.”

[The first documented case of the technique seen in use was in 1964, when an old man used it to defeat the man who had stolen multiple of his retirement payments. The man claimed to have seen a different man of about his age use it against his wife, but that was never confirmed. The man was much shorter and weaker than the man he beat up. Yet, the young man couldn’t seem to land a single good hit.]

Genma slammed the book shut. “This is it! The technique of a lifetime. If it can make a brittle old geezer take down a gangster without effort then Ranma would be undefeatable. And in northern Japan? It’s almost too perfect.” 

Genma scrambled to his feet and ran out of the tent. “BOY! Get off the ground! We are going to search for an old couple!”

“Ahhh, so you’ve heard of the technique, eh? And you found it interesting.” The old woman placed a bony hand on Ukyo’s shoulder. “Tell me, how old are you?”

“Ten…” Ukyo sounded small and unsure in the face of something so terrifying. Her entire body told her to run, fight, scream. Anything but stand still.

The woman’s fingers cut into her shoulder. “Ooh. So young, so ambitious. You want to learn the technique, right?”

Ukyo gave a small nod, suddenly unsure, but defiantly holding on to her earlier thoughts.

“Well, what if I told you that I thought up the technique with my husband?”

Ukyo’s breathing hitched for a second. She… made the technique? That means she knows it better than anyone!

“R-really?” Ukyo’s soft voice had begun to regain some volume.

“Yes. My husband was a biologist, but always was especially intrigued by the cats we kept in this manor, back when it was still cleaned regularly. Sometimes I’d come in to bring tea and he’d talk all about his fascination with their hunting techniques, their agility, their deceptive strength.” 

The old woman’s creaky voice cut through Ukyo’s ears, but she kept still and listened.

“One day he showed me how some animals sometimes teach others through exposure. This gave me an idea. If cats truly were the perfect little hunters my husband described them as, and animals can learn by witnessing them first hand, then why can’t humans learn what cats know?” 

The old woman let go of Ukyo’s shoulder, and a relieved sigh escaped Ukyo’s lips.

“I asked some of the staff to dig a hole, only a small hole. When they finished, I knew it had to be bigger, so I started helping. I also bought more and more cats, all slightly different. My husband loved it, said he could study his favourite animal so much more now that there were little furballs running around everywhere. When the staff refused to dig, I fired them. I began doing more and more chores around the house. The only one left working around the house, and on the hole.” 

The old woman returned her gaze to the cat pit in front of her, still loudly meowing, demanding food.

“One day, my husband asked me where all the cats had gone. He had invited an old friend over to read his latest work on the furry little creatures. I simply told him they were in what was previously the rose garden. He seemed relieved and guided his friend, but I made them trip using a simple wire. A day to set up was all it took. I had tied multiple steaks to a harness and put it on my husband. One cat pit session later, I knew the trick worked. The Nekoken was born, and it was perfect. So, I sent his friend in as well. The two were so anxious to try out the technique that they immediately attacked each other. My husband was defeated, so apparently seeing the original practice made his friend a better fighter. That friend left without saying goodbye. I have been very lonely ever since. No one who visits. Only me, and this pit full of cats. But I’m sure that old man faced many opponents and became the very best.”

TO BE CONTINUED

Chapter Text

The forest has grown fully dark, no moon present to illuminate the area.

The endless growth did not give way to many things, but the two objects making their way through the thick cluster of trees were unstoppable.

“Pop! Why the rush?!” Ranma was almost getting dragged behind Genma, who was running through the forest at high speed.

“There is no time to explain, boy! This might be the closest thing to becoming the greatest martial artist of Japan, maybe even the world!” 

The grass bristled against their feet as they ran, the occasional branch cracking under the weight of a step.

“What do you mean?” Ranma had broken free of his father’s grasp and ran alongside him.

“I meant what I said, boy. I have discovered a technique which can make you the best there is.” Genma kept glancing around, hoping for a sign of some old couple living in the woods.

“Really?! That’s soooo cool!”

“Yes, so speed it up, boy!”

Ukyo was handed a harness way too big for her. She realised this immediately when she had put her arms through it and it reached just slightly past her knees. Determined she clicked the harness shut and closed her eyes.

The stench was overwhelming. Fish meat covered every small part of the old training gear. Some fish still oozed blood, a small red river streaming down her right arm, others looked like they were growing mold.

The croaky voice of the old woman appeared from behind her. “Everything is set. Ready, small child?”

“Y-yes…” Ukyo said with a barely audible voice, supplementing it with an equally small nod.

“Good.”

The two Saotomes were panting, leaning against a tree that leaned so much it threatened to fall over.

“Come on, pop, we're never gonna find that couple. Why don’t we just go and sleep? I can’t see anything.”

“Nonesense! I have a feeling deep inside my gut, one that tells me we are close. Really close.”

“But pop! I’m tired…” 

“And what did I say about tiredness?”

“It’s a distraction to your goal.”

“Exactly, so you being tired?”

“It’s nature trying to keep me from this awesome technique!” Ranma grew more excited with every word. “You’re right, pop!”

“Damn right I am. Now, let’s find some old coots.” Genma’s hands were raised in pride and determination.

“Uhh… pop? What do they look like?” 

“I have no idea!” Genma was way too prideful in that statement, probably not entirely getting what he was saying.

“Then how should we find them?”

“There are only so many old people, Ranma!” Genma pushed himself off the leaning tree.

“Right!” Ranma straightened.

“Then let’s go!”

With that, father and son set off once more, leaving only a dust trail in their wake.

Ukyo had only opened her eyes when she was hanging over the cat pit upside down.

I’m scared.

She started to lower slowly.

I’m scared.

The old woman cooed her in her croaky voice with words her brain no longer processed.

Let me out.

She wriggled and writhed in the rope wrapped tightly around her multiple times, to no avail.

LET ME OUT!

She tried to scream, but then she came face-to-face with a hungry cat letting out a ravenous growl.

Her body tensed up.

Her pupils dilated.

Sweat formed on her forehead.

I don’t like this anymore.

She was merely shaken at first, when the first few cats pounced her, focusing merely on the fish she was wrapped in.

It wasn’t long before the cat horde figured out the fish wasn’t the only thing on the menu.

Claws pierced her skin, teeth sunk into her arms. She became another piece of red dangling from the rope, baiting the cats to eat her.

The blood was warm, slowly making its way up her arms as it tickled her skin in the worst way she had ever felt.

The unending siren on tens of cats wailing in her ears drove her to insanity.

Her scream, her blood curdling scream pierced it all. 

The pain was unbearable, tears streaming down her face, even while in her current situation it ran over her forehead.

“STOOOP! STO-OW! OOOOWWW! HEEEELP! OOOWWW! HEEELP! PLEEEAAASE!”

Her begs went unanswered.

The old lady sitting on her legs outside the pit next to the manual crane controlling the rope, patiently waiting for the wails to stop.

Genma snapped his head to the direction in which he thought he heard something.

“There! Did you hear that, boy?”

Ranma nodded. “Yeah, kinda sounded like Ucchan… Wait, we left Ucchan somewhere!”

"…Right… Well, then we’ll help Ukyo and then learn the ultimate technique making you the greatest martial artist.” 

They ran toward the screams, a faint green glow slowly starting to become visible through the trees.

“Wow! That’s a huge house!” Ranma beamed at the house, before quickly snapping out of it as Ukyo’s wails ran through his ears.

Then suddenly, it stopped.

No more wails, no more screams, only a new sound that the two could discern. 

Cat yowling.

They turned the corner, having walked around the house while silently being watched by critters from the trees.

A huff and a puff were audible to them. They were old and croaky. “Children and their heavy little bodies.”

A cat was still clinging to the limp girl, before it fell off back into the pit. Her eyes were closed, mouth slightly open with a dribble of blood running past it. Her arms were tightly bound to her torso by layers upon layers of a thick rope, with multiple deep scratch marks one some parts and some parts of the rope seemingly cut through. Still, the rope held strong. The harness she was wearing still had more than half the fish attached, only the biggest, juiciest ones having been picked off, their fishbones still dangling.

“Ukyo! What are you doing to my friend!?” Ranma’s voice made the old woman pause.

“Another child?” The hag turned around to face them, still holding the rope and continuing to pull once more. “A child and his father? Interesting…” 

Her croaky voice sent shivers up Ranma’s spine, but he stood tall, seeing his best friend emerge from the pit, motionless.

“Are you… Are you the inventor of the Nekoken technique?” Genma asked, trying, and failing, to ignore the girl bound in layers of rope, hanging motionless above a rowdy cat pit.

“The one and only. Why? Is this child yours?”

“Not technically, no. But my son here-”

Ranma butted in by running toward the pit. “Let him go! He’s my friend!”

“He? I could’ve sworn it was a-” The croak got cut off by a right hook from Ranma hitting her right in the jaw.

“Give him back!”

The woman flailed for only a moment, before she caught herself and repeatedly flipped backwards, away from the furious boy. “You want your friend? Look again. The child is waking up.”

Ranma’s gaze snapped back to his friend.

Ukyo’s eyes opened with a violent gaze. She began to writhe in the rope, making low meow sounds.

SNAP

A part of the outer rope snapped off. Ukyo hissed at being trapped in the rope. Her writhing became more violent, her meows more dragged out, and before long…

SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP

Ukyo twisted in midair as she broke free from the rope, adjusting herself so as to not land back into the pit. Her stretched hand beneath her, curled like a claw, caught the edge of the pit and she pulled herself onto the solid ground.

“Ucchan?”

Ukyo’s feral gaze snapped onto Ranma, her mouth gnawing at the small string keeping the harness on her. When that fell off, she dropped onto all fours.

“Mmrrroooooww.”

The feral girl rushed toward the boy frozen in equal parts terror and confusion.

Ranma instinctively takes a stance. As Ukyo’s claw-like hand came down to scratch him, Ranma jumped back. 

Ukyo was faster.

Ranma’s legs were met with a tackle. Ranma’s head slammed into the ground with a dizzying force.

Ranma’s vision blurred in and out of existence, his mind unfocused.

“Mmrroow.”

The low sound brought Ranma back to the here and now.

His loose ponytail was sprawled across the cold, grassy forest floor. Blood from her fresh wounds dripped onto Ranma’s white gi, trailing off Ukyo’s arm, which was raised high in the air.

“Ucchan!”

His cry went unanswered as she brought her claw, which used to be a hand, down to his clothes, again and again and again.

Left right, left right.

Pieces of cloth flaked around them like snow.

His clothes were tattered, cuts appearing beneath the scruffed clothing.

I’m sorry, Ukyo!

Ranma summoned all his strength and punched Ukyo in the lower part of her jaw.

She was sent flying back, creating enough room for a tattered Ranma to stand up and think about his stance.

Genma and the old woman were standing side by side, eyes aimed at the fight happening between friends.

Genma narrowed his eyes. “So, you did this, old coot?”

“Don’t ‘old coot’ me! I’m merely a 99 years old, and still I move like I’m 50. So put a little respect on my name, young man!”

“Respect? You threw a girl into a pit and called it training!”

“And tell me who is winning that fight over there, mmh? Your training or mine. That’s what I thought.”

“Well… The Nekoken certainly is an interesting technique… The boy seems to struggle.”

The old woman laughs, an unsettling cackle reaching a volume just over the pit of cats.

When her laughter reached a halt, she turned to stare straight at Genma. “My technique can make anyone beat some of the greatest martial artists in the world with little issue.” 

“So, how can it be defeated?”

“Pah! The only defeat the Nekoken ever faced was against itself. I trained both my husband and his friend, but eventually one gets too tired and the technique loses effect, but only when faced with similar strength or power. It seems that the technique can last for days if the user never calms down. Of course, my husband was almost the exact opposite of a fighter. And although the technique does not care about skill, your body being more fit certainly helps.”

“So, what you’re saying is that if the boy also learns the technique, they’d both tire each other out until the technique stops for both.” Genma finally faced the old woman, awaiting his answer.

The hag tapped her temple with a bony finger. “I suppose… But only if both are roughly similar in strength, of course.”

“You focus on preparing the pit, coot.” Genma started walking toward the fight, confidently.

The woman let out another croaky laugh. “What do you intend to do? The girl will soon be done with him. It is best to just let them be and check up when the dust settles.”

Genma paused, contemplating his responses, before turning to face her once more. “You disgust me. You throw unsuspecting victims into a torture pit to churn out a ‘technique’ which is nothing like a technique at all! The Art is an honourable, free form of self expression and strategy melting into a dance of both body and soul. Each technique you master shows a different rhythm you can force onto your opponent. It is a constant tug of war between strength, speed, intellect, and bravery. This Cat Fist does nothing of the sort. It is a violent disruption of self where you sacrifice sanity and intellect for speed and strength. It is not a technique, for techniques never disrupt the flow of battle, if the fighters are reasonably skilled. This is a curse forced upon you without proper warning.”

The smirk on the old woman’s face never faltered. “And yet, you need my help.”

“Only to fix a problem of your design.” Genma snapped back. “Throw my son into the technique and after the dust settles, I’ll deal with you myself.”

“Very well, but don’t expect me to feel threatened by your little… critique.”

“Feel however you want, I will fight like a real man.”

Genma walked up to the discarded harness, fish still attached. His hand clenched into a fist around it as he started running toward the two kids fighting in the distance.

Ukyo was on all fours, her back arched like a bowstring pulled taut, muscles twitching beneath bloodstained skin, teeth bared in a feral snarl.

Ranma was bleeding in a few places, but the cuts were minor, it seemed. Both his hands were loosely in front of him, one above the other.

He’s finally using a technique I taught him from scratch, with only pictures to go off of. I’m so proud!

Ukyo stopped, looking like she was going to pounce. Her front half dropped low to the ground, her behind raised.

Oh no you don’t!

Ukyo leapt through the air with a dragged out meow, soaring through the air at high speed towards his son. 

Right when Ukyo’s claw-like hands were about to reach Ranma, Genma flew in with a kick to her side.

“Pop! Thanks, I was getting a little tired, but together we can-” 

Genma cut him off by putting the harness around his body, tying it up as quickly as he could.

“Ew! Pop, this smells fishy! What are you doing?”

“Hold still, boy!” Genma grabbed Ranma by the harness and threw him toward the pit, where the old hag was waiting with another thick rope.

“Now…” Genma mumbled, turning back to Ukyo, who was making her way back to him. “Time to distract you!”

Ranma was tied to the rope before he could protest, hung upside down before he could struggle against the rope, lowered into the pit before he could figure out a way out.

Genma heard his screams, his cries, his pleas. Something inside of him kept reassuring him it was the only way and that he had something else to worry about right now.

He extended his arms in front of him, taking a purely defensive stance against his feral opponent.

Ukyo slashed at the older man, yet his defence did not falter. He blocked a scratch coming from his right, twisting his left arm to parry another coming from the left.

It wasn’t worth the energy to strike, so Genma kept his hands close to his body, stepping, ducking, and weaving when Ukyo pushed away, ready for a different strategy.

He had to step left to avoid a dive, then grab Ukyo’s arm as she wanted to scratch him again. What he didn’t account for was that grabbing her arm meant nothing, because it kept moving.

The hand created three cuts across his chest, blood dribbling out in small amounts, just enough to colour the wound red. It wasn’t a very deep cut, just piercing the skin at worst, but it hurt like hell.

All I have to do is wait for Ranma to finish.

Genma didn’t have time to assess the damage, so he had no idea if it was nothing, or if he was going to pass out from blood loss in a minute, so he panicked and fled, Ukyo still right on his tail.

When he looked down to see it was nothing, he let out a sigh of relief. He failed to notice where he was running towards, until he heard a cacophony on yowls, meows, and scratches.

The old hag was already lifting Ranma out of the pit. “Ahh, just in time.”

Genma screeched to a halt, a mere second from falling in. Totally meant to do that.

“Y-yeah… I thought I’d come up close, to really bait the two to fight each other and tire them out.”

“Are you sure? You are shaking.”

“I am not!” Genma snapped as he turned to look at his son rising up from the feline rage pit.

Ranma was writhing and wriggling trying to escape the ropes that bound him, eyes darting around the different strands of fiber. Out of his mouth left only meows and hisses. It was unthinkable that the very same mouth once spoke sentences.

“Mrroow!” 

Genma reacted instinctively, hearing the low meow coming from behind him, and as he expected, Ukyo was mid-pounce. He ducked just in time so as to not get hit by her initial claw attack, and had time to push her further upward as her target switched to Ranma.

Ukyo immediately began demolishing the rope holding Ranma, targeting the fish still attached to the harness Ranma was wearing.

They fell toward the bottom of the pit, but before they dropped below the entrance, they pushed off each other, both landing at the edge of the pit.

Ranma gnawed and scratched at the string holding the harness on his body. Ukyo slowly circled around the hole in the ground towards Ranma, walking sideways on all fours and her back arched as high as she could, shuffling back and forth in a feral attempt to intimidate her opponent.

By the time Ranma got the harness off, Ukyo was right up in his face, eyes glued to the fish and carrying a wild fire in them. He hissed her off, but she didn’t budge.

The two both lunged for the fish, meeting in a violent hug of claws and blood.

Blood had been dripping all over the floor, spouting in quiet, small bursts out of wounds accumulated throughout their fight and, in Ukyo’s case, the pit.

All their muscles ached, covered up by the blind rage. Yet as they laid intertwined on the ground, it started to slip past the primal urges.

Ukyo clawed Ranma’s back, a single continuous motion with her right hand, parting the skin at the tips of her curled fingers.

Ranma screeched out in pain, deepening his nails into her arms. His mouth closed, although it met Ukyo’s shoulder before his lips could meet once more, teeth sinking into her skin, not deep enough to draw blood, but enough to give a message.

Their legs kicked and flailed in a futile attempt to get the upperhand in their bloodlusted romp. 

Their movements started to slow, but only slightly.

Genma sighed at the sight. “So, how long will this take?”

The hag was cleaning up pieces of rope scattered all over the dirt surrounding the feline underground storm. “Well, the catfight between my husband and his friend lasted from noon until dinner, so I invite you for a nice cup of tea. You seem like a reasonable young man from what I’ve seen.”

“Reasonable coming from you means nothing. You said this would fix it,” Genma said, walking toward the way too calm woman in long, confident strides.

“I did, and it will. Give it time. The invitation still stands.”

“Well I invite you to only one thing.” Genma now stood behind the old woman, who was crouched to pick up a rope piece.

“Well?” 

Genma grabbed the collar of the old woman’s kimono, holding her off the ground straight in front of him, his arm holding without bends. He turned slightly to the right and took two large steps.

The hag found her feet dangling above nothing but air and sound, a terrible yowl and interested meows, the cats of the pit she was being held above seeing something new pop onto the menu.

“What are you- Stop this at once!”

“Like I told you before, old coot. I have no respect for you.”

Without saying another word, Genma unclenched his hand, dropping her into the dark hole of her own creation.

The sounds Genma heard were awful. 

The squelching of flesh.
The breaking of bones.
The screams of pain.

Genma turned away from the pit and took a step in the opposite direction.

No more Nekoken. That is better… I think. At least Ranma can use it for a last resort, when things get really bad. That already gives him an advantage.

With the two children distracted, Genma looked around for anything he could use.

His eyes locked onto a shovel, tucked away against the side of the house.

Perfect.

He walked over and put his firm hands around the wooden handle. 

Not too light, a good swing. This’ll calm them down.

Ranma and Ukyo had not moved on from their position, legs unsuccessfully kicking at each other, teeth slowly sinking into each other’s shoulder.

“Now sit still.”

BANG

Ranma and Ukyo were both hit hard on the head by the shovel, which Genma swung like a golf club.

Both children rolled onto their backs, letting go of each other.

“Now,” Genma mumbled, crouched beside both unconscious children, “how about we fix this?”

“There’s surely something in the house that we can use… At least there’s food.”

He stood up and put the shovel into the ground with a little distance between it and Ranma’s head, enough so he couldn’t possibly stir to hit it accidentally, but close enough that he was surely the first able to grab it when he woke up.

Genma walked towards the manor, green light still emanating from the windows. 

His stomach gave a faint grumble.

“I need to wait for the kids to wake up anyway. Let’s get something to snack on. Those two'll be fine.”

Chapter Text

Waves crashed against the shore as the sun reached its highest point. 

The beach was filled with people who all wanted to escape the endless summer heat.

Children were squealing with joy from water, parents relaxing at the beachside as they could finally catch a break from both work and parenting, and lifeguards were doing their job of keeping everyone from drowning with little obstruction.

Everyone was there for fun and escape.

Well… Everyone but three.

Genma was holding a map, all his focus on the piece of paper, instead of where he was putting his feet.

He stepped on a woman, who gave a loud, startled yelp. Her husband stood up and Genma quickly realised what he did as a shadow was suddenly struck over him.

One right hook later and Genma was eating sand at walking distance from the incident, muttering something about accidents and feet betrayal as he spat the grains out of his mouth.

Ukyo was pushing forth the cart. Genma had decided she was big enough to do that on her own, mostly because he was tired of doing it. 

No matter the reason, Ranma was annoyed about it. 

For some time now, Ranma was the shortest of the group. Ukyo had suddenly overtaken him in height last year and he wasn’t having it.

That guy… I’m tall enough too… I can totally push a stupid cart like Ukyo can. It’s not even that hard. He’s only like… half a head taller than me. That’s nothing.

But the one time he tried, the legs of the cart were getting dragged through the mud.

With Ukyo, they hovered just a bit off the ground, which was good enough to Genma. 

Ukyo’s forehead was laced with sweat, partly from the sun, and partly from the effort it took to push the okonomiyaki cart through the sand.

Stupid old man, making me push this heavy cart everywhere, all because of that map. This seems as good a spot as any.

She dropped the cart onto the sand with a loud thunk .

“Aaahh… Much better. Now, time to set up shop and at least try to get some sales.”

“Do you ever think about anything except okonomiyaki? There are other foods, you know.”

Ukyo turned around to see the boy sulking behind her. “Excuse me? I’ve never heard you complain when I serve, Ranchan.”

Ranma turned his gaze to the sand. “Well, I’m complainin’ now,” he muttered under his breath.

Ukyo chose not to answer. Instead, she grabbed her stool from the cart and began preparing to cook some okonomiyaki to sell to starving beach goers.

Ranma looked at the ocean and all the other children having fun swimming and splashing each other.

“Aren’t you gonna go swimming?” 

Ranma’s question startled her. 

Ukyo’s grip tightened around her spatula. “N-no, I… I wasn’t planning to.”

“So, what? You’re just gonna stand here selling pancakes all day? That’ll get boring eventually, right?”

“No… no, I’ll be fine. If you wanna swim, just go and swim.”

“But it’s more fun with friends! It’s not that hard, just take off your shirt and swim. You can use your shirt to dry off later and the sun is out!”

Ukyo choked on the air. “T-take off my shirt?!” 

“Yeah. What’s so weird about that?”

“N-nothing! I-I just… I just don’t feel like swimming, okay!”

“Oh… okay, fine. Don’t come crying to me when you’re bored and I’m tired!” Ranma pulled off the top of his gi in on fluid motion and started running toward the water.

That was way too close… and uncalled for, Ukyo thought, picking up the clothing Ranma threw to the ground and putting it in the cart.

Ranma looked back one last time, to check whether or not Ukyo was coming after all. When he saw nothing, he sighed and ran into the water.

“C-C-COLD!” he exclaimed the moment the water struck his thighs, his toes and fingers curling on instinct, his eyes pressed shut.

For some reason, he expected something to happen, but of course, nothing did.

He let himself sink into the water, until only his head poked out of the water.

It took a moment longer than he thought, but eventually he got used to the temperature.

“Aahhhhh… Much better than meltin’ in the sun. I’m still confused that Ukyo don’t want to swim. That was never a problem before… What changed?”

“Boy! Get out of the water! We are not here to relax and calm down! A real martial artist always stands guard!”

Ranma turned around, keeping his body in the water as he turned around. “What is it, pop?”

Genma held the map above his head. “Don’t you know? We are looking for the Golden Fist of the New City!”

“What?”

“When Edo was renamed to Tokyo and made the capital of Japan, one martial artist from Kyoto was so angry at the change that he instructed a blacksmith to create a fist out of the gold bars he had acquired throughout his life. He then sent the fist to the emperor at the time as a warning, but it got intercepted by local thieves when it neared his palace.”

“Then what are we doin’ on the beach, if we’re not gonna go swimmin’?” Ranma said, getting out of the water and clutching his own arms tightly for warmth.

“Well, the martial artist found out that his fist never arrived at the palace. So, he went after the bandits who committed the act of undignified thievery.”

Ranma gave his father a deadpan expression. “Does dignified stealing even exist?”

Genma shot a look toward his son, showing just how hurt he was by that question. “Of course there is dignified thievery! And it is not stealing an artifact meant to send a message to the state.”

“And then what are we doing exactly?”

“Be patient, boy! I am getting to it! The man travelled all the way here, to the south of Tokyo, to confront the bandits, needing several days to find them. When he had given up all hope, a man tried to sell him his own golden fist for an egregious price. So, he battled against the vendor and took back the artifact. He had then, after almost half a year of reconciliation, accepted Tokyo as the new capital and no longer saw a need to provoke the emperor. So, he came here, to this exact beach, south of Tokyo, to bury it. And now we, as martial artists, shall find it using this map!” Genma held up the map like the heavens had to bathe in its glory.

“And why do I have to help? You have the map.” Ranma was starting to head back to Ukyo, to grab his uwagi. 

Genma stopped him before he could get far. “Where do you think you’re going, boy?”

“Well, if I’m goin’ to dig around in the sun all day to find that stupid treasure of yours, I don’t wanna get sunburned because I’m runnin’ around shirtless.”

“Nonsense. We don’t want to lose all this gold over something so small as the sun, now do we? Come on, boy, I’m sure we’ll have this map figured out before dinner.”

Ranma got dragged along by his father, dragging his feet through the sand. “But pop, I-”

“Silence, boy! This is the time where follow your father for some father-son treasure hunting!”

“Okonomiyaki! Come get your okonomiyaki! It’s cheap and it’s tasty! The perfect summertime snack!”

Ukyo had been yelling for the better part of an hour, but with little luck. Only a handful of people stopped to check it out, and even less had actually bought anything.

“What a bum… You’d think that on a busy beach like this someone would want to buy some food, but no… Maybe Ranma was right. Maybe I do have to pick up some new recipes. My dad only left me okonomiyaki recipes, so I’d have to look somewhere else.”

Ukyo let out a long, tired sigh, dropping her forehead onto the cart with a muffled thunk.

“Helloooo… Excuuuse me… Okonomiyaki girl, you alive?”

“Wha-who-woah-Yep, alive!” Ukyo stammered as she shot back up, stumbling slightly on her stool.

A young girl with short brown hair stood in front of her, sucking on a popsicle. 

“So? How much for four pancakes?”

“Well-uh… I-175 yen.”

The girl whistled between her teeth, grabbing a small wallet. “175, what a steal.”

“N-no! 175 per okonomiyaki. That’s… 700 yen for all four.”

“Mmh… are you sure you can't bump that down to 500?”

“Wha- That's a reasonable price!” 

“Yeah, but 500 is more reasonable.”

“For you maybe! It's my profit you're tanking!”

The girl tapped her cheek with her finger. “So… is that a no?”

“Yes, it's a no! Now, are you buying or not?”

“Then I guess we can’t do business here.” The girl put the popsicle back in her mouth and started to walk off.

Ukyo reached over the cart counter with her arm extended. “Wait! Wait. Fine, 600.”

The girl's eyes lit up, but her posture stayed relaxed. “I guess it'll have to do. Here.” The girl handed Ukyo 1000 yen and kept her arm extended for change.

Ukyo relaxed behind the cart again and took the bill and handed back 400, before putting on a forced smile and grabbing her batter. I guess something is better than nothing.

“Four okonomiyaki, coming right up!”

“Are you sure you got this off a historian? Ucchan could’ve drawn this, and he’s not the worst, but he’s certainly not the best!” Ranma had finally been granted a look at the map they’ve been following for what felt like hours, but was most likely minutes.

It was a pretty crudely drawn map of a beach, with little to no discernible landmarks, except for a few rock formations. The ocean was made using squiggly lines drawn in parallel, but slightly offset. On the beach south of what is named Edo on the paper, there was a comically large X, most likely to mark the spot of the treasure his father was talking about.

“What is this? A pirate map?” Ranma squinted at the map, as if that would show more detail.

“No, boy! This map was hand drawn by the historic martial artist himself! The historian offered it to me for 20,000 yen.”

“No offence, pop, but I think you got scammed.”

Genma patted Ranma on the back just violently enough to send him stumbling forward. “Oh, Ranma, you don’t think I actually paid him, do you? I so kindly pointed him toward the most interesting corner of his shop and borrowed it without asking.”

Ranma turned to his father with a deadpan expression. “So you stole it.” 

“I prefer to not call it something so dishonourable… but yes.”

Ranma sighed but reverted his gaze back to the map. Well, I’ve spent too much time looking for it to back out now. If we’re doing this, we’re doing this.

“Well… I think we’re here then.” Ranma pointed at a spot far away from the X. “I mean, this curve here looks like this part of the beach, see?”

Genma squinted at the paper, then looked around. “No, we’re here.” He pointed way closer to the X, practically on top of it.

“No we’re not.” 

“Yes we are! Look at those rocks over there!”

“Yeah, but were do you see that dent here on the-” Ranma got knocked over by someone running by.

“Oi! Watch where you’re running!” He yelled while quickly getting up and frantically looking around to see who bumped into him.

His vision settled on a boy wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Her hair was short and had a slight bluish hue unlike anything Ranma has ever seen. He was slowly shifting towards him, having a concerned look in his eyes.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m okay! It takes more than that to take a guy like me down. You should know.”

The boy got a puzzled face. “Why?” 

Ranma matched his puzzled look.“...Because you’re a guy too?”

The kid in front of his froze, despite the hot weather. “What!? No, I’m not! I’m a girl, you jerk!”

“Oh… So you’re a… what’d you call it again… tomboy!”

Ranma was answered by a well deserved slap across the face.

“Ow! Hey! What was that for!?”

“Don’t call me that, you jerk!”The apparent girl turned around with a small stomp.

“Geez, sensitive much?”

“What was that!?” The girl’s head snapped back towards him.

Ranma threw his hands up in surrender. “Nothing.”

“Why were you standing there doing nothing anyway?”

Ranma perked up, remembering he still has the supposed old paper in his hand. “Oh, this map,” he turned to glare at his father. “Pop and I can’t agree on where we are.”

“I can read maps.” 

“You can? Can you do it well?”

“Of course I can! Give it here, I’ll help.”

Ranma was about to hand it over, but Genma stopped him mid motion, pulling him to turn around for a little father-son discussion.

“We cannot trust just anyone with this map!” Genma hissed at his son, making sure the girl couldn’t hear it.

“What, scared that a little girl could steal the treasure?” Ranma asked, deadpan.

“No.” 

“Then what? If things turn to worse, you can throw her into a cat pit anyway.”

“Are you still mad about that, boy?”

“Yes, I’m still mad!”

“I had to throw you in to keep Ukyo busy.”

“Maybe the first time, but the other three time definitely weren’t necessary. You even bound me and Ukyo together!”

Genma grumbled something Ranma couldn’t quite make out, until settling on, “fine.”

They turned back around and Ranma handed over the paper.

“Thanks!” The girl said sweetly, before looking at the map. Her voice melted into huffs and grunts.

“Okay, so we’re here,” the girl pointed to the exact spot Ranma pointed at, “so we have to got that way. Follow me!”

As they started following their self proclaimed tour, Ranma leaned over to his father and whispered, “told you.”

“Anything else?” Ukyo asked the girl in front of her, handing over four okonomiyaki wrapped in napkins. 

“Nope. That’s it.”

“Okay, please come again.”

Ukyo watched the brown haired girl walk off with a sigh, while the girl muttered something about missing someone, not that Ukyo was listening.

One whole day at the beach and the best I’ve sold is a marked down price. What a bum…

She looked at her cart and let out an even deeper sigh, while seemingly melting into it.

Ranma was right, I should learn new recipes… But hoooooww?

She tapped the counter repeatedly, like it was going to open some secret compartment to reveal a complete recipe book full of meals ready for her to learn.

Unsurprisingly, that didn’t happen.

Instead, her mind began to wander to where she could find recipe books.

There was this book store in the village before we entered the beach… Maybe on the way back I could… Nah, I’ll go now. Knowing the old man, he and Ranchan are going to be busy for hours, and they’ve only really been gone for twenty minutes. Imma take the cart with me, wouldn’t want to see it stolen after all.

Ukyo hops down and puts her stool back into the cart, only to see Ranma’s uwagi still bundled up in a messy pile.

Oh, right… I guess he’s still out there… shirtless… He’ll be fine.

She grabbed the handlebar of the cart and set off, back to the village.

It was as heavy as she remembered and she once again struggled to keep the legs on the cart from getting dragged through the sand. 

It’s not that far away. Come one, Ukyo, you can do it!

She passed a family of three, which included the girl Ukyo helped earlier.

“Well, then go find your sister.” The man said, looking a little exhausted, in a sad way.

So, family of four? Where’s the mom? I mean, I’ve never seen or heard about Ranma’s mom either. Is that just… normal? To have no mom?

The sand beneath her feet began to make way for concrete as she left the beach and reentered civilization. She looked around for a road she could enter.

Which way was it to that bookstore again? We saw the bus stop first, so… there!

Ukyo crossed the road and entered a narrow alleyway, walking past a couple of doors and a singular, out of place glass bottle on her way to the shopping street.

The street wasn’t as busy as she predicted. Where she expected tourists giddy to check out whatever sells in stores now that the weather is nice and shops are doing everything in their power to draw in customers with discounts, she found nearly empty streets with the occasional tourist walking by, inspecting a shop like it was Japan’s national treasure.

She found the bookstore pretty easily because of this, parking the cart outside and entering without a second thought.

“Good afternoon! How can I help you today?” The old shop clerk asked the moment Ukyo entered. The man was a little hunched over and had a massive bald spot on the top of his head, but kept silver hair at the sides of it.

“W-well… I’m looking for a cookbook..” Ukyo stared at the stacks of books occasionally popping up from the floor and kept herself small as if she was hiding from the tall bookshelves filled with hundreds of books.

“A cookbook, you say. Well… I think I have some lying around. Wait here, young lady.”

Ukyo stood firmly in place, not moving a muscle, while the clerk headed to the back of his little shop.

“What kind of a cookbook do you seek, miss?” The clerk didn’t even turn around to ask her the question, seemingly completely focused on his books.

“W-well, I just wanna make a little bit of everything. My dad was an okonomiyaki chef, and I learned how to make okonomiyaki from the recipes that he left me, but I thought that maybe I should learn to cook all sorts of other things, you know? So… all sorts of meals and stuff, so I can become the best chef in the world!”

“Best chef in the world, eh? Well, that is a goal worth striving for. Mmmh… Ah, there it is. This one should help.” The old man handed her a thick book with a cover of a salad, whose main colour is green, but with red and yellow sprinkled in, which was getting drowned in a thick see through glaze, with a title that read, [Intermediate cooking. Every recipe to shape your cooking career]

“Oh, wow. Thanks, sir.” Ukyo graciously accepted the book.

“That’ll be 3,500 yen.”

“Oh, right. Let me grab my money.” Ukyo handed back the book, before heading out to find the cart not standing in its original position. 

Ukyo’s heart sank, her heart thumping in her ear as she looked around, seeing a man running away with a cart. Her okonomiyaki cart.

“Stop! Come back here! That’s mine!” Ukyo went to pursue the thief, but before she reached top speed, an object flew past her left ear and hit him on the back of the head.

“WAGH-” the thief exclaimed before falling motionless on the floor.

Startled, Ukyo quickly turned around, only to see the old man from the bookshop standing there with a big smile.

“Go on, grab your cart, then we can finish our little transaction.”

Ukyo stood bewildered. This frail, old man, hunched over from years of walking this earth, just threw an object so fast she couldn’t register what it was.

“Well?”

“How? How did you do that mister?”

“Oh, poor girl. Has no one told you? There is martial arts to be found in every part of everyday life, even in that cooking of yours, if you look hard enough. Now, your cart?”

“Right… Right! The money!” Ukyo ran to her car, grabbed the handle bar and walked back to the shop, careful to take out her money box this time.

“Here! 3,500 yen exactly.” Ukyo handed over the pieces of printed paper like they were sacred.

The old man accepted it gracefully. “Pleasure doing business with you, please come again.” Then, without saying another word or making another move, walked back into his shop.

Ukyo blinked. “Hey! What about the book!”

The clerk paused. “Check your cart, sweet girl. I threw it at the thief and should’ve landed right in the middle.”

Ukyo checked, and there it was. She scratched her head, wondering how she could’ve possibly missed it. But before she could ask anymore questions, the old shop clerk had disappeared back into his bookshop.

Martial arts in cooking? Ukyo thought as she put the book in the cart. Mmmmh, could be fun to try out.

“And then you should start digging right here, ” the tomboy girl said, still holding the map and pointing at one point in the sand.

“Great! Finally! That took forever! And if someone didn’t stop for a meal halfway through, we could’ve dug up this stupid treasure by now!” Ranma exclaimed, clearly annoyed.

Genma glared at his son. “A martial artist should know that he is no good fighting on an empty stomach. That meal was strategic and will help us dig up this treasure. How would you propose I dig on an empty stomach?”

Ranma groaned. “That’s a load of bull! You were just stealing food you big glutton!”

“That is no way to talk to your father!”

The two Saotomes squared off, both dropping into different stances.

“Ahem.” The girl stepped in between the two. “Can we save this for later. Shouldn’t we be digging?”

Genma looked exasperated. “ We ? There is no we here, missy. There is Ranma and I, and then there’s you.”

Ranma put his hands behind his head. “Well, fair’s fair, pop. She did help.” 

Genma shot a betrayed glare. “Fine, but you get only a small piece of the Fist.”

“Okay, now where are the shovels?” Ranma and the girl asked simultaneously.

“Shovels? Why would we need shovels, when nature gave us these to dig with.” Genma held his arms extended, wiggling his digits to make a point. He then crouched down, and signalled for the other two to do the same.

All three of them dug through the sand with their nails, uncovering layers upon layers of grains, all scooped away to make way for the hole they were forming.

Ranma felt the sun starting to fry his bare back, figuring he was probably already sunburned, but he kept digging.

After a little over 10 minutes, the girl struck wood.

“Guys! Guys! Look!”

Ranma and Genma stopped their own progress to help the girl dig out the chest and bring it onto the beach.

“Ha! It isn’t even locked! See, boy? All we needed was our own bare hands and a little determination,” Genma exclaimed triumphantly while putting his hands on the lid of the wooden box.

“Yeah, but sunscreen and a shovel would’ve helped all the same,” Ranma muttered under his breath in response.

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Just open the damn chest and let’s get out of here. I need some shadow.”

Genma mumbled something about the impatience of the youth, but Ranma couldn’t care less, eventually opening the chest himself.

Inside the chest there was no fist.
No gold.
No money.
Only a crumpled piece of paper.

The girl grabbed it and started reading it aloud. “Dear treasure hunters, thank you for participating in the Golden Fist hunt. We, at restaurant the Golden Fist, hope that you all had a great time trying to figure out the location of the treasure. As a reward for finding this chest, you are awarded an expense free meal for up to four people in our very own restaurant. See you at your next adventure…”

The collective mouths of Ranma and Genma drop. 

“That’s it!?” Ranma yelled, exasperated. “I knew you stole this from the wrong guy! Why the hell can’t you ever just double check things?!”

Genma took the paper from the girl and read it again in silence. After a minute, he spoke again. “A fully paid for meal… That is also acceptable for once.”

“You just ate, you pig!”

“But this is a meal for up to four people.” 

The girl stepped toward them again, having backed out a little from their yelling. “Well, I’d love to go to-”

“There you are, sis!” A brown haired girl came walking toward them with a popsicle stick hanging out of her mouth. “Daddy wants to leave again, come on. Just say goodbye to your friends, we already packed your stuff.”

“Wha-Already?! But-but… Ugh… Well, bye, I guess. Will I see you two around?” The bluish black haired girl slowly walked to who was apparently her sister.

“Probably not. We travel a bunch,” Ranma responded with an exaggerated shrug.

The girls walk off, and the tomboy gives one last wave of goodbye, before turning her back to them for the last time.

Ranma sighed. “We should get going too, pop. Let’s just get Ucchan and use this to pay for dinner. I’m exhausted from all that treasure nonsense.” With that, he trudged off.

Genma nodded thoughtfully, before walking behind his son. “Well, this is our treasure, and we should definitely cash it in today, while we know the restaurant exists.”

Ranma was happy enough it was over, one more moment digging in the sun would have driven him crazy. “The girl was nice too… Wait, we never asked her her name, did we?”

“No, I don’t think we did, boy. But do not worry, girls you meet during your travels are not all that important. And you definitely do not need to know the name of them. Best to forget her.”

“Still… She looked nice.”

They continued in silence to where they thought the okonomiyaki cart was, ready for a good meal and even better rest.

Chapter Text

Sizzling filled the air as Ukyo was preparing breakfast, frying rice with eggs and lettuce on the hotplate of the cart.

Save for the sound of cooking, the park they resided in was peacefully quiet. There was the occasional rustling of the leaves and bushes on the ground, the mixture of birdsong the loudest thing Ukyo could hear, far off in the distance, pulling a sense of calm to those that listened to it.

Using two small spatulas, she tossed and flipped the ingredients together, folding them into one meal.

As she was scraping some rice toward the center, a figure snuck up on her.

Ukyo was handling a particularly difficult clump on her side of the hotplate, when, without warning, it put its full weight on her shoulders, which made both her spatulas catch on the side of the hotplate.

“Hey, Ucchan! What’chu makin’?” Ranma had jumped up, placing his hands on her shoulders, to see what she was working on, since she was still using a stool.

The spatulas bended, a loud creak emanating from it, right before they snapped into two halves and a million splinters.

Ranma landed back onto the ground only a moment after that.

Ukyo looked at the broken spatulas in her hands, but stayed silent. Small tears started to well in her eyes, but she held them back, turning off the hotplate to make sure the food didn't burn too badly.

“Ranma…” Her voice was dangerously low. “Why?”

“Hey, I’m sorry Ucchan. I swear, it was an accident. I just wanted to see what you were cooking up and it seemed like a good idea at the time and I-I just thought that it was innocent and-”

She put the broken spatulas on the cart. “Okay.”

She lowered her arms to her sides and let out a sigh.

“It’s okay. It’s not like they were important, or my dad’s or anything.”

Ranma stepped back, raising his arms in surrender. “Oh, I didn’t- I didn’t know. I’m-”

Ukyo still hadn’t turned around to face him, letting out a soft sniffle and wiping her tears. “Don’t be sorry. I already said it was fine, didn’t I? They were just… some old spatulas, nothing more. We can just go get new ones!”

Ranma hesitantly lowered his hands.“Well, yeah. I guess we can. But I thought you’d be mad or something.”

“Oh, no, I’m not mad. Like I said, not important. Not at all. It’s all okay. Now let’s just go. The old man can watch the cart.” Ukyo finally turned to face him, eyes glistening, but a large smile plastered on her face.

She hopped off her stool and walked past Ranma without acknowledging his physical presence.

Ukyo stopped once she reached the next tree. “Are you coming or not?” She didn’t turn to face him fully, just rotated her head back slightly. “Oh, and can you grab my cash box? It’s in the compartment, in the most right corner closest to you.” 

Ranma didn’t respond at first, before seemingly snapping out of a trance. “Uh, right, yeah, sure.”

He opened the cart and grabbed the money box, placed right where Ukyo said it would be. He then took one last glance at Genma, sitting hunched over on a park bench with only a small distance to the campsite. 

Yeah.. He can watch over the cart.

“Ranma!” Ukyo called out, almost disappearing behind some trees.

“Oh, right. Coming!”

As the Ranma and Ukyo headed off, the still steaming food on top of the hotplate laid undisturbed, not forgotten, but it was definitely not going to be eaten. 

The two friends had made their way through the park without a word falling between them. 

Birds chirped overhead, people took a stroll in the bright sun, watching the flowers bloom, making conversations about the little things in life, like workplace annoyances or the weather, or sat on a bench in the shade, reading a book in peace.

Ranma caught a glance at Ukyo walking beside him.

Is he angry? Or sad? His face seems neutral, so it’s probably fine. Like he said. So why am I worrying? I shouldn’t be worrying. It’s fine. Totally fine.

Ranma shook his head, snapping out of his spiraling thoughts.

“So… You think there’s a cookin’ shop here or somethin’?“

“I know there is. I mean, how else are people supposed to eat? There has to be a place to get the basics from closeby, right?”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

“Of course it makes sense. Let’s go!” Ukyo was walking in front of him before he could interject.

Where did he get all that energy from suddenly? He was scowling just a second ago… Weird.

Ranma looked puzzled as he stared at Ukyo’s back, hesitating between walking beside her and staying back.

I still wonder why a dude ties his hair with a ribbon. Even if it’s his dad’s. I mean, come on. It looks so girly. There are better things to use as a hair tie. He can also just wear the ribbon on his wrist, right? Then he can look at it all the time too. I should probably get him one if I see one.

“Look, Ranma! Over there!”

Ukyo was pointing at a small shop with a bunch of pans displayed behind the window.

“They’ve gotta have spatulas there. Come on, slowpoke!”

Ukyo grabbed Ranma’s hand and dragged him toward the building. 

“Woah-hey! Slow down, Ucchan! What’chu draggin’ me for?”

Ukyo wasn’t listening, not showing any interest in slowing down anytime soon. Her focus immediately went for cooking equipment when they entered.

Spatulas… Come on, where are the spatulas?

Her eyes drifted across skewed pots, a section of chopsticks where no two pieces of wood are pointing in the same direction, and bowls that looked suspiciously untouched. In the midst of the cookware hung a poster.

Frustrated at the fact she couldn’t find spatulas, she decided to read it.

[Martial Arts Cooking challenge. Everyone is free to sign up for a one-on-one match against the regional champion. For a wager you can take a shot at winning the battle spatula.]

Martial Arts Cooking? That sounds… made up. But I do need a spatula, and just look at that picture. It’s huge! Probably bigger than me. It’s… It’s…

“Perfect!” Ukyo’s eyes had lit up like she hadn’t lost her only way of cooking.

“What’s perfect? And let go!”

Ukyo blinked and looked at her hand, which was still tightly clasping down on Ranma’s wrist.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry… really sorry. I forgot about that…”

Ranma rolled his wrist multiple times. “Don’t sweat. Not like you broke it or anythin’. What’chu got there?” 

Ukyo pointed at the poster. “They have a competition where you can win a giant spatula. It’s Martial Arts Cooking, whatever that means.”

Ranma made a weird face, clearly trying not to laugh. “That sounds… made up.”

“That’s what I thought, but look at it! It looks so cool, I have to try!”

“Can you even do Martial Arts Cooking?”

“Well, I’ve gotten better at cooking, haven’t I? So I think I’ll be fine.” 

“You sure?” 

“Of course I’m sure! I can keep up with you, can’t I?” 

“Yeah, sure. Well, let’s get this done then!”

“What?”

“You don’t think I’m letting you have all the fun, right? I’m joining too!”

“You?” Ukyo asked with a deadpan expression.

“Yup.” 

“You can’t cook.”

“It’s Martial Arts Cooking. Something tells me no one bats an eye to flavour.”

“Touché.”

Ranma walked up to the counter, where a man who couldn’t be older than 30 sat looking awfully bored.

“Oi. Where can we sign up for that cooking competition?”

“Mmh?” The man looked up from whatever interesting was going on outside. “Cooking compe-? Oh, that. Wait, you want to sign up?”

Ranma nodded energetically. 

“Hey! Me too! Don’t forget about me!” Ukyo came running over when she realised what Ranma was doing.

“You two kids? You do know it’s for adults, right?”

Ukyo crossed her arms. “So what? You think we’re not good enough?”

“Well, I don’t think a couple of ten year-”

“Twelve!” Both kids yelled in unison.

“Fine, twelve. Still. This is martial arts, you’ll get hurt. But if you really wanna compete, you need to bring in a wager. Because I don’t just want the recognition of being the best around here. I wanna earn a little something too.”

Both friends looked at each other, then back at the shop clerk. “You are the regional champion?”

“In the flesh,” the man answered with a confident nod. 

“Well, you don’t look that strong. I’ll do it!” Ranma said with a smirk that oozed overconfidence.

“Don’t count me out! I’ll fight you too!” Ukyo yelled with an even louder voice.

“Okay, fine, fine… Just bring something for tomorrow. Geez, the kids these days are pushy.”

The two turned around to walk away, before Ukyo remembered the entire reason they came in the first place. “Oh, do you sell spatulas here?”

“Normal sized ones? Yeah, they’re in the back.”

Ukyo clutched her new pair of spatulas in one hand as she walked beside Ranma back to the campside.

“Well, we got the spatulas…” Ranma muttered with his hands loosely placed on the back of his neck.

“Better. I can win the best weapon a chef could ask for!”

“Not if I win it first!”

Ukyo froze, turning to her friend, her expression surprised by his persistence. “Why do you even want it?”

“Because you want it. And I want whatever you want. Best friends, remember?” Ranma gave her a smile so wide Ukyo was convinced it would swallow his cheeks.

Ukyo pinched the bridge of her nose. “That’s not friends. That’s just being jealous,” she said with a deadpan tone.

“Well, whatever. Maybe I want a giant spatula to bonk people with more than you do.” Ranma had turned his head so Ukyo couldn’t see his face anymore.

“Is fighting the only thing on your mind?”

Ranma snapped his head back in her direction, seemingly offended. “Well? What were you gonna do with it then?”

“Cook! Obviously!... And okay, maybe bonk a few people, mainly you.”

“Why me?”

Ukyo slapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Because you’re loud, cocky, and annoying!”

Ranma only pretended to wince in pain, before growing a smirk. “You keep shouting, acting like you already won the damn spatula, and you’re gonna do better in that fight just because you can cook. So? Are you gonna bonk yourself?” 

“It’s Martial Arts Cooking , Ranma! Of course cooking skill helps!” 

“Oh, it’s on! I’ll show you all you need is a little martial arts mastery to overcome all martial arts. Who cares about those little gimmicks? At the end of the day it’s still just fightin’.”

Ukyo clutched her new spatulas tighter. “Oh, it’s on.” 

The spatulas were foreign to Ukyo’s touch. At least when she cooked.

She had come back to the campsite to find her failed dish hadn’t magically disappeared. It was a chore to clean up, especially since the animals had found their way to it first. 

Maybe starting over will let me get used to these new spatulas…

Ukyo turned on the hotplate and leaned back with a sigh.

Right… We need wagers to fight him, Ukyo thought as her face turned upward to the sky.

Dashing blue with interrupted white strokes filled her gaze, not focusing on a single detail.

Well, I only really own one thing…

Her eye twitched as she heard something bubble up behind her. She had totally forgotten that she had put a silver pot over a fire to cook some rice.

She frantically ran over to the forgotten rice. “ Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” she hissed as she desperately tried to find two sticks capable of picking up the heavy pot, before it became a massive mess.

...then I guess I don’t have much of a choice…

Ukyo assessed the damage, hoping it wouldn’t become a brunch day today.

“I guess spatula practice’ll have to wait… I gotta clean this pot first.” 

Before she started that, however, she glanced at her okonomiyaki cart once more.

...It’ll have to do.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

A crowd had gathered in the middle of town square. A big arena had been built, seemingly overnight.

From a glance you wouldn’t be able to tell a fight. It looked more like an overdramatic cooking show, with a huge hotplate surrounding something built to look like a scaled up tabletop.

The entire arena was surrounded by ropes, like the ones you see in an American boxing ring, giving the entire thing a mixed finish. 

Part kitchen, part fighting ring, fully out of place.

The crowd around the arena wasn’t anything spectacular, mostly just villagers excited another fight is about to take place, except for three.

Ukyo, Ranma, and Genma were standing at the edge of the arena, the cart closeby with all their belongings. Genma had agreed to watch both the fight and everything they own, much to his own annoyance.

The champion the two children would be facing stood on the far side of the arena. He had the giant spatula in his hand, leaning against it as it stood straight up, planted into the ground.

An older man approached Ukyo and Ranma with official looking papers. 

“So, which one of you two will be taking on the challenge first” The old man’s voice was weirdly full and strong for a guy his age, his lips like a floodgate for a syrupy, coaxing sound.

Ukyo took a step forward. “I-” 

Before she could say anything, Ranma had pushed past her. “I’m first!” 

Ukyo stumbled back, tripping over her own feet and falling onto her butt on the floor. I wanted to go first. I should go first.

Her gaze raised to see the back of Ranma’s head. Why? Why did you do that, Ranchan? Why do you always have to be first? Why can’t I just be first for once?

The old man sighed, but grew a smile. “So then, what will be your wager?”

“My pop.”

Silence struck the crowd.

“Your… pop?” The old man’s voice was a bit shaky, although no one could quite understand why.

“Yeah. What’s wrong?” Ranma tilted his head in that innocent way only he could display.

“What’s a ‘pop’?”

“That’s him.” Ranma pointed at his father, who was checking the cupboard of the cart for food.

“Your… father?”

Ranma nodded like he hadn’t just made the weirdest announcement.

The old man lowered himself to Ranma’s level. “Well… We need a wager with actual value, you know? Something like your… ‘pop’ isn’t of any value to us.” 

“Oh… I see…” Ranma turned his gaze to the floor, resting his hand on his chin like he was deep in thought.

After a short moment, he snapped his fingers. “Oh! I get it! In that case, I choose Ucchan!”

Ukyo choked on the air moving through her windpipe, having just made the decision to stand up. Wh-what!? What did that idiot just-! I-I…

Her cheeks warmed up, turning a soft shade of pink no one seemed to notice.

“He’s the most valuable thing I know. He has this way of making everything better. Not different, just better. He is always there to make it all better. So, I’ll make it better for him today. Just this once.” Ranma’s face was turned away from Ukyo, but still unreadable for those who did face him.

Ukyo turned a deeper shade of red. Ranchan… Wait, I completely forgot! I’m… I’m a girl… Not just that… I’m his… Screw that stupid old man. A tear streamed down her cheek as she turned away from Ranma.

“Well, that must be very touching, young boy, but I think you might’ve misunderstood me. I meant that you can’t choose people as your wager.”

“Oh, well then I choose that expensive silver pot pop brought out of nowhere yesterday.” His tiny finger pointed at the pot Ukyo had used the night before, looking not so pristine as when she started, but it was still a pretty big piece of pure silver.

“Very well. I’ll write it down. Since you are so young, your father will have to sign this contract.” The old man’s arm was extended with the contract and a pen.

“Pop! Come over here! You have to do something so I can fight!”

Genma looked up from his failing conquest and sighed, waddling over and snatching the contract with more aggression than probably necessary. 

“Why do I have to do this. That boy can write his name on a document just as well as any other,” Genma grumbled as he put down his signature. “There, all signed. Happy now?”

The old man gave him a warm smile. “Very. Now, let the first match begin!”

Ucchan wanted first, but I can’t have that. Not when I still have to prove myself.

Ranma stepped into the ring, stretching and rolling his shoulders like it was no one’s business.

I know he’s better at cooking. I know that better than anyone. I suck at it, but I can’t just accept that he’ll always be better than me.

He watched the champion pick up the spatula twirling the big chunk of metal like it was made of bamboo.

I can’t accept that.

Ranma flowed into a stance, putting his arms in front of him without tension, clearing his mind.

I’ll win.

The champion smirked. “You have a lot of confidence, little guy. Being so relaxed in the face of defeat.” 

For him.

Ranma clenched his fist. “The match hasn’t started yet, spatula boy. Don’t be cocky.”

I’ll prove to him I’m just as good at winning as he is.

“So, the boy has bark. Well, this is about to get interesting.”

He called me loud, cocky, and annoying. And so what if I am? Who isn’t?

The old man raised his voice over the commotion. “Okay, I want a fair fight. No illegal techniques, no piercing hits, and please Yama, no killing. You two will fight until one of you forfeits, is unable to fight, or falls outside the ring. Understood?”

I’ll just be better. I know I am.

Both combatants nodded, not breaking eye contact.

“Well then, without further delays. Fight!”

Ranma didn’t waste a second, lunging in with gritted teeth.

The champion’s smirk grew wider, clenching his spatula tighter as Ranma closed in.

So… the boy is going for up-close combat. Risky.

Ranma reached the man towering over him, his fist cocked all the way back.

The champion released his weapon with one hand, seemingly reaching over to block the incoming strike.

The fist didn’t meet a palm, however. Instead Ranma looked at his hand, bewildered.

It was covered in some kind of stretchy stuff that the champion had pulled out of his inner pocket.

The champion jumped over him before the punch could travel any further, making the fist meet rope.

“Pretty neat, eh? A little batter ball. I’m famous for them.”

Ranma turned around. “Batter ball? Quit the tricks and fight like a ma-”

Ranma tried to lunge again, but was stopped as his hand was somehow attached to the rope, the batter ball having stretched into some kind of elastic string, slingshotting him back.

His back hit the rope, falling with his butt on the hotplate surrounding the fighting ring.

“OW! HOT, HOT, HOT, HOOOOT!” Ranma cried out as he jumped back on his feet inside the hotplate square, rubbing his behind.

“Ranma! You okay?!” Ukyo called out from outside the ring, which Ranma either didn’t hear or ignored.

“That’s cheap!” he yelled as he wiped away a small tear forming at the corner of his eye.

“This is Martial Arts Cooking, remember? Anything that’s made with something edible can be used to battle. I made that batter ball using flour, water, egg… rubber, and industrial grade glue.”

“Tha-that’s not edible!” 

“It doesn’t have to be. I crafted it using something edible, so it counts.”

Ranma tried, unsuccessfully, to get the stretchy stuff attaching him to the rope off his hand. “That’s not fair!”

The champion leaned back, the spatula on his shoulders. “Who talked about fair? I only have to win, and this isn’t an illegal technique, so I can do whatever I want, really.”

Ranma clenched his still free fist as tightly as possible. “Cocky bastard! Fight me like a man, you coward!”

“If you say so,” the champion said with an even smugger grin, if that was even possible.

He cocked the spatula back, above his head.

“This spatula is made completely out of stainless steel. Man enough for you?”

Ranma raised an eyebrow. “What are you-?” 

Ranma couldn’t complete his sentence before a the broad part of the champion’s weapon hit him straight in the jaw.

Ranma felt the whole world disappear around him, everything going black, sounds muffling. He heard only one last thing before he turned to the unconscious.

“RANMA!”

Life is boring here in the mountains, Yama thought as he looked up to the sky. It’s all the same. Same people, same questions. Martial artists who think they can hold their own because Martial Arts Cooking is just fighting with food. It’s much more than that. It’s a lifestyle. A conviction.

He looked at the motionless boy he just knocked out and kicked out of the ring, his mind drifting to a simpler time. I wasn’t… like this. But it’s all so boring. So easy. No one is even trying to be creative anymore.

I had someone I loved once.

-15 years earlier, in a village far away-

Yama ran through his village with excellent speed, a black mutt running alongside him.

The two turned the corner from the main road, then again, and again, ending up in a much darker and gloomier place with barely any people.

“Boy! Come here, boy.” A larger man stood in front of a chuckling horde of three people.

Yama paused, his dog, Wanwan, came to a standstill a little further up ahead, immediately sensing danger.

The canine showed his fangs to the four thugs, growling in a low tone Yama had never heard before.

The large man took a couple of steps forward, putting together his hands. “Where are your parents, boy? Haven’t your parents taught you not to wander alone?”

Yama took a single step back. “I-I’m not alone! I have Wanwan…” 

“The mutt? Please, who calls their pet after the sounds it makes. How lame is that? Don’t you agree, fellas?” The man cracked his knuckles.

His comment was met by a wave of nervous chuckles.

Wanwan ran over to stand in front of Yama, as a fluffy, fleshy shield.

“Hey now, growly carpet. We’re all friends here.” The large man extended his hand.

Wanwan didn’t waste a second and bit it.

The man punched the mutt on its head. “Control that stupid dog of yours! You bastard didn’t even train him! Allow us to do you a favour. Fellas?”

The thugs came out from behind him as the man nursed his hand, shoving Yama out of the way. They surrounded the dog.

He collapsed on the floor with a thud.

Yama heard a whimper of pain.

“WANWAN!” 

-Present day-

If only I knew martial arts back then. Maybe I could’ve done something. Yama thought, not remembering exactly what happened during the intermission, only that he was now looking at a girl standing across from him, fist clenched so tight her knuckles were white.

Martial arts… What a bothersome word. It’s like every other week a ‘martial artist’ walks through here, pent up like they are waiting to prove themselves. There’s no creativity, no fun. It’s such a bother.

“What is it girl? You look bothered.” Yama couldn’t help it, pissed off opponents were aggressive. Aggressive opponents were reckless. Reckless opponents were more fun than actually trying.

“You hurt Ranma.” There was something in this girl’s voice that made Yama realise he might’ve made a mistake.

“So I did. What are you gonna do about it?” Yama readied his spatula.

The old man stepped in. “Okay, you two were both around for the rules, so I won’t repeat them. But Yama? Try to refrain from knocking this one out cold.”

Yama rolled his eyes. “If this one isn’t so damn cocky, I’ll consider it.”

“I have a name.” 

A shiver went up Yama’s spine, the girl’s words ringing in his head like he had heard them before. “Oh… What is it?”

“Ukyo. Kuonji.”

“Fight!”

Ukyo gritted her teeth. Her nails dug into her palms.

The champion across from her stood unmoving, his spatula standing straight up, with the broad side in the air.

He’s cocky. He thinks he’s better than me before I even did anything. He’s baiting me.

Ukyo rushed forward, rapidly closing the gap.

Yama smirked. Same as the boy. Happens when you have the same master.

He reached for his batter ball, readying it for the perfect moment.

Ukyo cocked back her hand, almost within striking distance.

She launched her fist forward, and the champion acted like she planned.

The batter ball covered her hand and stopped dead in its tracks once it did. She smirks. The champion jumped away.

Her hand went into her pocket, pulling out a bunch of small rocks and pebbles she had picked up from the ground before the match. While the champion landed behind her.

Ukyo sprinkled all the small pieces of rock onto the batter ball covered hand, and they all stuck without any issue.

“Wait, you’re not stuck on the ropes?” The champion had to ask, like his brain was trying to catch up to each individual second passing by.

“Don’t expect the same thing to happen twice.” Ukyo replied with a happier tone than before. “You just gave me a weapon. Turns out industrial grade glue is really strong. And covering it in rocks makes it not stick to the arena when I do this!”

Ukyo swung her arm overhead, causing the ball around her hand to stretch, creating a weird make-shift flail.

The champion quickly side stepped it, making it leave a dent in the floor.

“Impressive, kid. But are you sure that worked?” The champion smirked.

Ukyo blinked, then looked at where her make-shift weapon had landed.

Batter had slipped between the rocks and pebbles and reached the floor. Ukyo pulled on the contact point, but it didn’t seem too eager to let go.

“Oh… I was sure that was gonna work…”

The champion readied his spatula. “I’m sorry kid, but I can’t go around giving girls special treatment.”

Ukyo’s face hardened. She widened her stance, put her arms next to her torso, tensed, hands halfway up her sides, even though one was covered in sticky, rubery batter.

Yama looked at the girl in front of him, the spatula in his hands rising. 

She reminds me of someone…

His weapon reached its apex and he swung it downward with full force.

“I won’t lose.” 

The words of that girl sounded so familiar, but Yama couldn’t put his finger on it.

Why do I remember those words? Wait…

-15 years earlier-

Yama looked at the motionless mutt the thugs had stepped away from.

“Wanwan…” His words were soft, quiet, laced with something so fragile the wind could break it. Tears pricked his eyes. Breaths came in short bursts.

“There now, boy. That dog will never bite anyone again. Don’t you agree fellas?” Another wave of chuckles fell over the thugs.

“I have a name.”

The taller man raised his eyebrow. “So you do? I thought you just-”

“Yama Shounen.”

“Well, mountain boy, I don’t really care, now do I.” The big thug cracked his non-bitten fist, wincing slightly and his wounded hand got pressed against.

“You hurt Wanwan.”

“So I did. What are you gonna do about it?”

Yama was shaking with anger. He took one slow step forward, then one more, slightly faster. Before long he was running. 

“Don’t worry, fellas. Let the kid be angry. He deserves it. It’s stupid, but he deserves it.”

Yama’s weak fist connected with the tall man’s stomach, but there wasn’t even the slightest flinch.

Yama punched again and again, not getting even the slightest reaction from the thug.

“Hey now, kid. Do I have to show you how to throw a real punch?”

He signalled his followers to grab Yama. Yama couldn’t resist them, they were just too strong.

Sputtering and kicking, Yama was being hoisted in the air.

“Now, kid. First, you clench your fist. Then, you cock back your hand. And then you punch. Not that hard now is it? I’ll show you.”

The thug followed his own instructions to the letter with his unaffected hand.

Yama was knocked out on the floor moments later, blood trickling down his face, bruises all over his stomach.

-Present day-

That’s it… That girl, she’s like me… That means that I…

The spatula stopped mid-air a mere moment away from striking Ukyo.

Ukyo gritted her teeth and grabbed the weapon, yanking on it hard while jumping up.

The champion stumbled forward, straight into a dropkick.

His grip on his spatula dissolved instantly and he flew all the way back to the other side of the arena, hitting the ropes before he knew it.

Ukyo, now holding the spatula, struck the batter with the broad side like it was a spear. To her surprise, it cut through, releasing her from the floor.

The champion yelped as he slid down to hit the hotplate, jumping up to land back onto the arena floor.

When did this happen? I trained, yes, but when did I become the asshole? When…

He looked at the girl in front of him, who had managed to scrape off most, if not all, batter from her hand using the giant spatula, his spatula.

“How did you-?”

“You sharpen your spatula. Or do you just never use it?” Ukyo cut him off mid sentence, obviously not interested in his small talk.

Yama got the memo. “Well, let’s fight then.”

“I was already fighting, you were gloating. Just because you are taller and older and stronger, doesn’t mean you’ll win.” Ukyo clutched the spatula in both hands, readying herself.

Yama smirked. “Bring it on then!”

Ukyo tightened her grip on the spatula. The weight distribution was something to get used to, but it wasn’t too heavy to lift. It felt right in her hands, like it was meant for her, made for her.

It wasn’t my plan, but in any case I’m using his weapon against him, Ukyo thought as she stared down her opponent.

Yama took a loose stance, interested in what his opponent might cook up.

Ukyo rushed forward, spatula trailing behind her.

Her first swing was blocked by Yama’s forearm, sending him skidding sideways.

He retaliated by grabbing a hold of his own weapon and keeping it in place. Yama twisted to perform a back kick square in Ukyo’s chest.

Ukyo let go of the spatula and dropped low, going under the kick and grabbing the leg. In one fluid motion she used Yama’s own momentum to throw his entire body over her shoulder.

Yama crashed into the arena, splintering the floor beneath him. He spit out the metallic taste in his mouth and pushed against the half broken crater.

Ukyo raised an eyebrow, seeing how she was still holding his leg, until he started to turn and twist and she felt herself getting pulled along with the flying leg into some kind of breakdancing move.

By the time Ukyo let go, it was too late. She flew through the air at high speed, rapidly approaching the rope signalling the edge of the arena.

She was barely able to grab a hold of the top rope, otherwise she would have flown over.

Ukyo let out a sigh of relief when she leaned against the rope, still slightly dizzy from it all.

She felt something heavy and cold rest on top of her head. It blocked the sunlight when she looked up, but she knew it was the spatula she let go of.

“Hey, girl. Thank you,” Yama said, before looking a bit startled. “Sorry, I meant Ukyo. Thank you.”

Ukyo looked confused. “For what?”

Yama chuckled. “Not important.”

Then he knocked Ukyo off the arena with one solid tap, not enough to fully knock her out, but enough to daze her.

“And the winner is!... Yama!” The old man yelled to the crowd as he came back onto the arena floor.

Ukyo was packing up her final things into a travel pack she got as a gift from one of the villagers, as a thank you for the awesome fight. She was hunched over, looking through the cupboard she was going to miss.

Ranma padded over from his father. Around his head was a bandage, for his head injury. “Are you sure about this? We can just run away, you know. You don’t have to do this.”

Ukyo smiled. “It’s okay, Ranchan. It was my decision to have the cart as my wager. So, I have to own up to it. You gave that silver pot, right?”

Ranma scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Yeah, but I didn’t really care about that pot. Pop nicked it off some merchant last week. The cart is just… We had it for so long.”

“Yeah… I’m gonna miss it too, but it’s like your old man said. Nothing lasts forever.” Ukyo turned to Ranma after closing her travel pack, fully done taking everything she needed. “Besides, now we can travel twice as fast! I want to go to way more training grounds to train.”

“Yeah… I guess that sounds nice… Still…” Ranma didn’t really know what to say. He wasn’t good at the whole comforting thing.

“It’s fine, Ranchan. Really.”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s not like we’re saying goodbye to each other, right? That would be sad.” 

Ranma chuckled. “Yeah, that’d be way worse.”

“Ukyo!”

Both kids looked in the direction the sound came from, seeing Yama walk toward them with the spatula on his back.

“Oh, hi mister champion.” Ukyo said with casual flair.

“Just call me Yama. I have enough people here calling me champion.” Yama said it with such a smile, Ukyo couldn’t help but smile back.

“So? What is it?”

Yama kneeled down, until she stood taller than him. “I’m here to give you your prize.”

He took the spatula off his back and presented it like a sacred scroll. “Here. You earned it.”

Ukyo tilted her head in confusion. “But you beat me.”

Yama chuckled again, a little louder this time. “Yeah, I defeated you in combat. I was considering letting you win, but I don’t think you would’ve wanted that.”

“Hell no! If you gave up, I would beat you up until you wanted to go again!”

Yama let out a full cackle of laughter. “Figured. So yeah, that contract your old man signed says you have to hand over your wager, but it said nothing about the prize.”

Ukyo’s expression became even more puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“For the spatula you had to beat me. And you, Ukyo Kuonji, definitely have me beat. So here, you earned it.”

Ukyo reluctantly accepted the spatula, looking at it like it was a newborn child.

Yama stood up. “Take good care of it, kid. See you later, maybe.”

Ranma had watched the entire interaction in silence, but finally had something to say. “Hey! What about me?! I got knocked out! I’m wearing a bandage because of you! Don’t ignore me! Where’s my prize?!”

Ukyo smirked, watching Ranma flail his arms as he ran up to Yama, who had stopped to see what the commotion was about.

She lifted her new spatula above her head and-

BANG

Ranma’s eye twitched, the spatula resting square on top of his head. “Ow! Ukyo! What the hell was that for!?”

Ukyo laughed, a hard, earnest laugh. “Because you’re jealous, and whining. Now come on. I think your old man wants to go.” Ukyo placed the spatula on her shoulder and ran off toward Genma.

“Ucchan! Come back here! You will face pay back!”

Yama looked at the two children running into the sunset, filled with shouting and laughing, and couldn’t help himself. He had to laugh too.

“Take care, Ukyo Kuonji. Of both yourself as your weapon. You won’t have a replacement. That goes for both.”

Chapter Text

A loud crash broke through the silence of the serene forest as a tree toppled in the middle of it. Birds flapped away, disturbing their usual song.

“Stand still, old man!”

Ukyo pulled her spatula out of the tree stump left by the impact of a strike at full power. She was panting heavily from an hour of chasing Genma around near their campsite. Her teeth were gritted, almost grinding together from anger.

Her long chestnut hair cascaded down past her shoulders, untied and wildly tangled. Some loose strands fell on her pajamas, which she was still wearing despite the sun being up.

It was early in the morning, the sun had only just risen, and Ukyo had been in the middle of preparing to get dressed when she noticed that her hair tie ribbon was gone. She had looked through her bag three times, increasingly more frantic.

It was only by the time that Genma woke up that she found it… tied around his right forearm as a patch job, since he had a cut in his gi there.

“Give me back my dad’s ribbon, you old thief!”

Genma was running for his life. He didn’t know exactly what had made Ukyo this pissed off, but it had something to do with a ribbon.

All I’ve had done today was put on my gi and fix a tear I got from Ranma playing with one of Ukyo’s spatulas, since apparently she sharpens them. What could possibly make her this mad?

Genma ducked as the giant piece of metal neared his head, missing the top of his head by hair. He stopped listening from the moment he had started running, but Ukyo had him nearly driven into a corner.

In his hurry to get away, he had failed to notice he was almost against a wall of thick foliage, mostly consisting of trees but also containing large bundles of bushes with protruding branches.

“I said stand still, old man! You stole my ribbon for your stupid gi!” Ukyo shrieked, her voice dripping with desperation.

Genma planted his feet firmly into the ground, skidding to a halt before he crashed into the greenery.

“What ribbon are you talking about, girl?!” Genma snapped, genuinely fearing for his life.

“That ribbon around your arm! It's mine!” Ukyo pointed at the shoulder of the frantic older man, her hand shaking slightly.

Genma took another look at the piece of cloth he patched his gi with.

“Oh… Yeah, I see… My mistake, I didn't recognise it outside of your hair.” Genma undid the knot on his shoulder and unwrapped the ribbon, exposing skin underneath an ugly tear in his clothes.

Ukyo snatched the ribbon out of his hand. 

“Geez, old man. Couldn't you have done that sooner? I'm already playing your stupid game, and it is starting to become difficult. The least you could do is give me my dad’s ribbon.”

Genma sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “I already said I was sorry. Now, it is early, so maybe we should head back to the tent to eat, and figure out if Ranma is up yet.”

“I was planning on making breakfast, if it wasn’t for you stealing the only thing I have left of being a girl.”

Genma paused his hand. “Oh, right. That...” 

It had only been one year since Ukyo had the full realisation of being a girl once more, her unspoken agreement with Genma having made acting like a guy feel like second nature.

It had gone well until now. Always an excuse to not take a communal bath with Ranma and his father; Double checking if Ranma was nearby when changing; Tying Ranma’s hair the same way as her own to avoid having it cut.

But it has gotten more difficult over the last couple of months. Puberty changes girls differently from boys after all.

It had started with length, although Ranma was starting to catch up again, it was a mild annoyance for Ranma, but it never made him question Ukyo's gender.

But more recently something else had started to speed up in development.

Boobs.

Ranma hadn’t noticed until now, but Ukyo sure has. It was hard not to. 

Ukyo flipped her head back, tying her hair into a low ponytail. 

She had begun to wear baggier clothes to hide it, wearing a chef's uniform that was two sizes too big for her, but she needed a more permanent solution if she wanted to keep it hidden from Ranma.

Why am I even doing this? Ukyo asked herself every time she did something to conceal her femininity. It had just become routine.

At first it was out of fear of being left behind by Genma, since he kept going on about being manly. But now it was more out of shame.

She doesn't want to admit she had lied to Ranma for the better part of 7 years. It feels wrong after such a long time.

She had imagined the meeting plenty of times in her head, but it never ended well. 

So, she keeps it hidden.

“So… No hard feelings?” Genma hesitantly asked as the two walked back to the camp together.

“Nah, just use your eyes next time.” Ukyo was a little too lost in thought to remember to be angry at him, much to Genma’s relief.

Ranma opened his eyes slowly, confused.

Normally he was awoken by his father or Ukyo if she was done with breakfast before Genma’s training. But it was still quiet, even though he was awake.

Worse still, he wasn’t hearing anything despite the sun being up. Nothing except the chirping of birds and the call of cicadas.

It startled him slightly, but it was also quite soothing. It meant he could finally have a morning to himself.

Travelling with his father and best friend is nice, but sleeping in the same tent also meant he had barely any time alone. Not that Ranma minded that necessarily, but the opposite was nice every once in a while.

He fully relaxed in his sleeping bag, stretching his arms above his head before putting them back beside him and turning over.

After a minute or two he heard voices coming from afar, one much older than the other.

Ranma paid it no mind, instead focusing on not focusing.

“Well, I’m….before I.….old man.” Ranma didn’t hear over half the sentence, but it sounded an awful lot like Ukyo.

He heard the crunching of leaves closing in and an idea formed in his head.

Time to scare the hell out of Ucchan.

He sprawled out as wide as he possibly could, making it look like the bed was empty to anyone who didn’t take three extra seconds to look.

The zipper opened in three short bursts.

“Ugh… it's too early for this… Why does that old man think stealing is a normal thing to do?” Ukyo muttered as she entered.

Ranma heard the fumbling of a shirt being pulled overhead and falling on a bedroll.

He grinned under the sheets, preparing to pounce.

Ukyo reached over to grab her uniform, putting an arm beneath her to keep herself from falling.

Ranma made his move. He launched himself upward, wrapped his arms around her, and squeezed. "Gotcha!"

Ukyo yelped. “Ranma! What-! Get-! Get off!”

“Ha ha. You didn't see me, did you? I startled you. I know it.”

“No Ranma! Not that! It's just-! Get off!”

Ranma squeezed tighter. “Why? Come on, you're acting weir-” He shut up the moment his hand brushed the underside of something soft, freezing up completely.

Ukyo turned bright red, but stopped squirming.

Ranma frowned and raised his hand a little more, cupping something warm and squishy.

It wasn’t a shoulder, although that should be the only curve he would be feeling, in his mind.

Ukyo sat tense as a coiled spring, frozen in place like a deer caught in headlights. 

Ranma gave it a tiny squeeze, thinking it might just be a piece of rolled up cloth, somehow.

Ukyo turned around in a heartbeat, slapping him with all the power she could muster, letting out a flustered shriek.

Ranma thudded back into his bedroll, not moving a muscle. His eyes stared straight ahead, unblinking, his brain clearly trying to reboot.

Ukyo was panting, face fully crimson, arms clamped to her chest like armor.

Several seconds passed.

“...What…” Ranma croaked. “What was that?”

Ukyo stayed silent, too flustered to speak.

Ranma’s gaze slowly drifted downward again, to where Ukyo’s arms were tightly crossed over the slight curve.

“D-don’t stare, you perv!” 

Ukyo's tone made Ranma snap back to her face. “I… I-uh… Wha-?”

Ukyo tightened her hold on her own chest. “I said, don’t stare! Pervert! 

“Stare at what!?” Ranma couldn’t suppress the slightest flicker of annoyance, since she had just slapped him, and was hiding something.

Ukyo couldn’t take the stare anymore and turned her back to him. “My boobs, you idiot!”

Ranma tilted his head. “Boobs? But… only girls have those…”

“I am a girl!” Ukyo’s shoulders tensed as she yelled, her eyes closed tightly as if she was preparing for him to lash out.

Ranma faltered. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t even know if he should say anything or should stay quiet. He did the latter in any case.

Ucchan is a girl. The thought seemed foreign to Ranma, like something he was unable to really place.

I’ve known him for so long, but he never told me.

Ucchan is a girl.

No… not he. She never told me.

Ucchan is a girl.

All those times he-all those times she was awkward. When he-she said that she would bathe alone…

Ucchan is a girl.

She hid it from me…

“A girl?” Ranma’s voice was quiet, barely audible.

Ukyo didn’t move, keeping her back stiffly pointing in his direction.

“Why did you never say anything?”

Ukyo didn’t answer. She shifted, reaching for her baggy chef’s uniform with one hand, the other still clamped over her chest.

Ranma kept his eyes glued to her back as she pulled the clothing over her head. He wasn’t looking for anything, he was just trying to make sense of it in his head and not moving his gaze as a result.

“Ukyo… Why? Were you scared or somethin’?”

Ukyo turned to face him, her cheeks still tinged pink. “That’s not it… exactly.”

Ranma looked down at his own chest. “Then what…?”

“Well… I was scared… at first. I was scared that your dad would just leave me behind if I told you. Stupid, I know, but by the time I saw that, it had already been so long that I thought you’d… be hurt, disappointed, betrayed, whatever.” She clenched her fists in her lap. 

For once, Ranma stayed silent for a while, thinking up what to say. He eventually settled on, “does this mean we can’t train anymore?”

Ukyo was so confused she forgot to be flustered. “What?” 

“Well, pop said girls can’t do martial arts. Or at least, not as good,” Ranma said as if it was common knowledge. “So now that you’re a girl-”

“I was always a girl, dumbass!” Ukyo felt a strange anger replacing the embarrassment she felt a moment before. “For thirteen years!”

“But… you are thirteen,” Ranma said, tilting his head in question.

“Exactly.” Ukyo’s words sounded final, and it finally clicked for Ranma.

His eyes widened and sat up onto his knees. “Wait! So when I beat you last week, you were a girl?”

“Yes, Ranma.” 

“And when we were tied up by pops in his half fisted attempt to cure the cat fist? Were you one then too?”

“Yes! I was always a girl! Always!”

“Even when you made me trip yesterday?” Ranma leaned forward, hands on his knees. He had a glint in his eyes, accentuating his curiosity.

“How many times do you want me to say yes!?” Ukyo’s voice had started to crack from her frustration.

Ranma leaned back, his cheeks reddening slightly like he suddenly remembered something embarrassing. 

“But… you don’t look like a girl.” His voice had grown quieter, more to himself than it had been a moment ago.

Ukyo blinked. “Yeah… I’ve been trying to hide it. Have you not been listening?”

“Oh, right… Well… I think I’m gonna… leave you to it, cool?” Ranma stiffly got up, still in a half crouch as he headed toward the tent exit.

“Yeah, cool. I’ll… start preparing breakfast in a bit.” Ukyo turned back to her clothes still crumpled on her bed.

“No, no need. I was gonna ask pop to train anyway, so we’re probably not gonna be back till later. So you don’t have to rush.”

With that he was gone, leaving Ukyo to get dressed by herself. 

Despite the embarrassing display that just took place, she was smiling to herself. It wasn’t the reaction she was expecting, and that was a good thing.

Genma was fiddling with the tear near his shoulder, looking straight ahead at nothing in particular. His mind was racing trying to figure out how he’d fix it while they were so far from civilisation. He knew sitting on a rock wasn’t doing him any favours, but he just needed a place to think, without a spatula trying to crack his skull open.

I don’t get why she hid it… but she mentioned pop.

“Yo, pop!” Ranma was strolling up to the rock his father was sitting on casually, even though he was still barely wearing anything since he just got out of bed.

“Boy, why are you not wearing your training gi? Don’t you see it’s almost noon? I thought the fact you slept until now was enough of a luxury.” Genma didn’t move from his position, having just found a comfortable way to sit.

Ranma shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah, I just got a little distracted.” 

Genma returned to staring at nothing. “Well, go get dressed so we can-”

“When did you plan to tell me Ucchan is a girl?”

Genma’s eyes widened. “W-what? Sh-she told you?”

Ranma put his hands on the back of his head, looking up at the sky. “Well, I kinda moreso found out, but still, when did you plan to tell me?”

Genma scratched his cheek. “W-well, it’s important you figure somethings for yourself and… I, uh…”

“So? What’s wrong with Ucchan bein’ a girl? So much so that I couldn’t know?”

Genma slumped and took a deep breath, before turning to his son. “Boy. I think it’s about time I tell you this. Long, long ago, I made a promise. A promise to someone important. Boy, you are destined to grow up to be a man among men.”

Ranma rolled his eyes. “I know, you won’t shut up about it.”

“I haven’t told this part.” Genma closed his eyes before continuing. “I thought that if Ukyo was allowed to just be a girl, it would influence you into being less manly. In the end I thought the training environment was just right, with Ukyo choosing to act more boyish. At the end of the day it really wasn’t something for me to tell.”

Ranma’s gaze dropped to the ground, his arms dropping to his sides. “Maybe… but he-she said something about bein’ scared of you.”

“Well, children are scared of other things that don’t make sense, aren’t they? You used to be scared of thunder, but now you aren’t, because you know it can’t hurt you.”

Ranma held one elbow with his hand while tapping his cheek with the other. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Still… someone should’ve told me something .”

“Sometimes things don’t seem fair after the fact, but that doesn’t mean it’s fair to hate them.” Genma had started to sweat, although Ranma wasn’t paying attention to that.

“That makes sense. Well, I think Ucchan’s done. Imma go change, then I’ll kick your ass!” Ranma ran back to the tent where Ukyo had taken one hesitant step outside.

“Y-yeah… you do that.” Genma wiped his brows. Man, saying random stuff really does work better than people think. And improvisation seems to be a good way to clear arguments even when they’re total bull. I really have to use that more often.

Chapter Text

Chapter 11 - Cooking to my Heart

Sun filters through the window of the classroom. Ranma was looking out to the clouds while the teacher droned on about boring subjects.

Genma had recently become very adamant on sending both him and Ukyo to school for some reason. Something about needing to keep up with their studies.

Until now that had mixed results. This was their second school, and they only stayed at the first one for two months. Then they travelled again for half a year, before they got enrolled for this one.

In the two weeks the two had been there, Ranma hadn’t tried to make any friends. In his mind, it had no point if he was going to be gone in a couple of weeks anyway. At least, that’s what his father told him.

“Mister Saotome. Can you explain that again to the entire class?”

Ranma shot up from his seat, hurting his hips against his desk as he did. “W-what? Oh-uh… If I… uh…”

The tall teacher sighed and raised his hand to indicate Ranma should stop talking. “Mister Saotome?”

“Yeah?”

“Pay attention when I’m teaching.”

“Yes, sir.” Ranma slumped back in his chair, getting amused looks from his classmates.

Ukyo sat on the other side of the classroom, all the way in the back. She pinched the bridge of her nose.

Ranchan, the idea of this place is to pay attention so we’re not braindead when we’re adults. So maybe start trying that.

It was the middle of autumn and they sat in a middle school somewhere in the west side of Tokyo. 

Unlike Ranma, Ukyo was actually taking notes. It wasn’t anything fancy, but they were readable and could help her remember the stuff in the future.

But even Ukyo had to admit the lesson was boring. It had been nothing but one big lecture about how to calculate the area under a graph using some obscure method that at least half the class had difficulty figuring out how it worked. 

The bell rang, to the relief of all the students. 

“This was your final period today, I think. So I wish you all a safe trip home.” Their math teacher always ended the day with that if he had the final hour. Everyone in their class thought it was weird, but no one cared enough to comment.

Ranma got up as one of the last ones, since he hadn’t noticed it was almost time, while others had.

“Yo, Saotome, wassup?” A classmate Ranma has never spoken to before firmly plants his hand on Ranma’s shoulder.

“Ow. Hey, hands off.” Ranma shook his shoulder, causing the boy to let go of him.

“Come on, don’t be like that. You’re a real weirdo, you know that? You look like you keep dozing off in class, then go back home with that pretty girlfriend of yours.”

Ranma’s face scrunched up. “She ain’t my girlfriend. We’re just friends.”

He was already walking past the boy when he started talking again. “Sure, sure. Say, you are coming to that bake off Friday, right” 

Ranma paused. “Bake off? What bake off? And Friday is tomorrow.”

“Wait… it is? Huh, time flies.” The boy overtook Ranma. “You know, the one from home ec class? Did Kuonji not tell you? All the girls have to bake for something they call ‘healthy competition’. I don’t really get it, but I don’t make the rules.”

“So? Why does this concern me? You said only the girls have to cook.”

“Well… Your little gi-your little friend is a chef, right?”

“She tries, sure.” Ranma furrowed his brows, not liking where this was going. 

“Some of the girls have an eye out for you. All mysterious and uncaring and stuff. It really gets you a following. Anyway, I think they started a little competition of their own. Winner gets to ask you on a date.”

“What!?” Ranma raised his fists like he was squaring off against thin air. “Who the hell are they to say who I date?! I ain’t takin’ any of ‘em.”

The boy raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, I just thought you should know. Wait, you don’t know my name, do you? I’m Hiroshi.”

“Straight to first names? Really?” 

“Hey, I consider everyone a friend.” Hiroshi winked at Ranma, making him roll his eyes.

“Well I don’t. So why should I care about this whole competition? It’s not like I’ll actually date the winner." 

“I just thought you should know, so you don’t get surprised when the day comes.” Hiroshi slowed down a bit as they neared the exit. “And maybe… maybe you want to tell Kuonji.”

Ranma matched his pace, coming to a near halt in front of Hiroshi’s locker. “And why would I want to do that?”

Hiroshi opened his locker and grabbed his shoes. “Trust me, you will want to.” He grinned at Ranma, something that made Ranma deeply uncomfortable. “Anyway, see you tomorrow, right?”

“Right…” Ranma looked at nothing for a moment. “Wait, what does that-?” Before Ranma could finish, Hiroshi was already walking away.

“Figure it out.” Hiroshi said with a wave, not looking back as he walked through the exit, into the sunlight.

Ranma stood there dumbfounded for a moment, before sighing and walking to his own locker. 

Ukyo waited outside the school gates for longer than she wanted to. Ranma always took a little longer than others when packing up. He never organised his stuff in between classes after all and just placed more books on his desk he didn’t read.

Today, however, it took even longer than usual.

“What the hell is that idiot doing that is taking so long?” Ukyo was impatiently tapping her foot while looking at the entrance of the school. She saw Ranma through the glass, talking to someone.

“Geez, can’t he speed this up? I’m hungry and I’m the one cooking dinner.”

“Hey, Kuonji. Who are you waiting for? Your boyfriend ?”

Ukyo turned around quicker than she thought she could. A girl from her class was walking by with her bag slung over one shoulder.

“Ranma is not my boyfriend.” She snarled, keeping her teeth on top of each other like they were glued together.

“I didn’t mention Saotome. You did. Anyway, are you ready for the competition?”

Ukyo scoffed. “Please, I was born ready. I’ve been behind the stove since before you can write. There is no way I am losing.”

The girl raised her eyebrows. “Oh… So you must know about the smaller competition, right? I mean, none of us are gonna hold back.”

“What? Smaller… What do you mean, smaller competition?” Ukyo crossed her arms and leaned back, expecting an answer.

“Weeell… You know how you just said Ranma isn’t your boyfriend? Well, some of us girls are interested in your totally platonic friend. So, the winner of the cooking competition gets to ask Ranma out on a date”

Ukyo’s jaw tightened as she took in the girl’s words. She dug her nails into her own arm. “What!? And why do you think Ranma would ever agree to that?!” 

The girl gave Ukyo a wide, satisfied grin. “What’s wrong? Protective much?”

“No! I-I just… If he likes a girl he’ll ask her out, not the other way around!”

“Why? So you think you still got a shot?”

“What the hell does that have to do with anything? Ranma can choose for himself, that’s all.”

The girl leaned in closer than Ukyo was comfortable with. “Well, you can always just… you know… win to get the chance yourself.”

“I will! B-but not because of that.”

The girl walked past Ukyo with a self confident strut. “Sure, Kuonji. Keep telling yourself that.”

Ukyo did not give her another look, she just watched Ranma walk out of the school building.

“You really have to pack up quicker, Ranma. It’s getting annoying to endlessly wait outside the gates every single day,” Ukyo said with a sigh as the two teens walked back to their tent in the park.

“Yeah, yeah. Quit your naggin’. It’s already borin’ enough to sit in class all day. I don’t need you actin’ like you’re my mom just because you’re impatient.” Ranma put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes for a moment as he tilted his head up, trusting his instinct to not bump into anything.

“I’m not nagging, Ranchan. I’m just saying. It can’t be that it takes you twenty minutes longer than me to pack up your stuff. Just try to organise your desk in between classes and don’t just slam down another book on top of it all.” Ukyo picked up the pace. “Now hurry up, I wanna start dinner.”

Ranma huffed, but didn’t try to argue. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was also starting to get really hungry.

By the time the two entered the park, Genma had already started a small fire and was butchering vegetables on Ukyo’s giant spatula. And the pieces weren’t exactly even or small.

Ukyo was a little bummed she couldn’t take her spatula with her to school. Or at least, she couldn’t do that at the last one, so she figured she couldn’t do it here as well.

“What are you doing, you old jerk!? That spatula is not a cutting board! Come here!” Ukyo ran at the old man as fast as she could.

Genma, sensing the danger from her rapid approach, dropped the knife on the spatula and hurriedly jumped up, just in time to dodge a fist being planted in the ground he just sat on.

“I was just prepping some ingredients for you! Don’t be so mad!” Genma yelled as he ran away from as many attacks as he could.

“You call that prep?! The least you could’ve done is grab a pot to put it all in, but you couldn’t even do that! And you cut it ON MY SPATULA!” Ukyo managed to close the distance.

Her first jab hit nothing but air as Genma dodged it, but he had to crouch down to do that.

Ukyo followed up with a kick from her right foot, which connected to his jaw with a force that a few wrongly chopped vegetables couldn’t justify, but everything else could.

Genma landed on top of his head on the other side of a playground not too far away. 

A small child poked the old man with a stick he found to see if he was still alive, but there was no answer, Genma was too busy trying to regain his dignity through meditation, even though he was upside down, and tried to think of a revenge plan for later.

Ranma put his hands behind his head. “Geez, Ucchan. All that for a few chopped veggies?” 

“It’s not just that. I wanted to get the last practice in for a home ec cooking competition tomorrow.” Ukyo turned to the mess Genma called prep.

“Why do you need practice? You’re already the best cook I know. You could probably beat any cooking challenge even if you didn’t know it beforehand.”

Ukyo froze for a moment, something Ranma didn’t pick up on. “Peace of mind, Ranma. And hey, I never told you about the competition, did I?”

Ranma raised his eyebrows, anxious about what she could say. “Nah, I don’t think you did.”

Ukyo crouched down to her spatula and picked up the knife hanging half off it. “Well, it doesn’t really matter anyway. You’ll watch me win tomorrow, it’s just a stupid competition thrown together as a mandatory alternative end project. Ugh, he ruined these.”

“Oh, come on. This is more than salvageable, right?” Ranma picked up the spatula, balancing the cut ingredients on top as he extended his arm toward his friend.

“It ain’t the ingredients I’m mad about. That man chops like they have a vendetta against him and I like that spatula to not break any time soon.” Ukyo accepted the piece of metal as Ranma stuck it out and started to walk toward the tent to get a pot.

“Maybe this is a good thing. Tomorrow I have to be able to deal with this kinda stuff too if I ever want to win. And I’m gonna win.” Ukyo walked out with all the roughly cut vegetables in a pot covered by a piece of wood, her spatula strapped to her back.

Ranma raised an eyebrow, remembering what Hiroshi said. “You seem… motivated.”

“Of course I’m motivated!” Ukyo put the pot down a little too forcefully, causing the contents to slam against the wood. “Miss Tamoshida said the winner gets a prize! Besides, it’s my dignity as a chef on the line here.” She quickly added, for her own peace of mind, remembering her earlier conversation with the girl from her year.

A sigh escaped Ranma’s mouth, inaudible for anyone but him. He was put at ease by the knowledge that Ukyo wasn’t a part of that competition.

The next morning, Ranma and Ukyo were met with a teacher at the entrance. The teacher was a woman who wasn’t towering, only being a little taller than the both of them. But she had a stern aura that sent shivers down Ranma’s spine.

“Saotome, Kuonji. You two are late… again.” The woman wasn’t a teacher Ranma had seen before, let alone ever had a lesson from, so he looked at Ukyo for help. 

Ukyo let out a bit of air through her nose and folded her hands in front of her in a way she never liked to do, but the situation asked for. “We’re sorry Miss Tamoshida. Ranma and I-”

“No matter. Just, make haste to the gymnasium. You two aren’t the last ones at least.”

When the two friends entered the gymnasium, it had been transformed from an open space for middle school exercise into a room filled with rows of two tables, one with a tiny gas stove, the other with a number of basic ingredients and spices, together with a cutting board and a knife.

Ranma smirked and nudged Ukyo with his elbow. “This is better than cookin’ with your spatula, huh?”

Ukyo sighed. “It can hardly become worse, now can it… I’m just wondering where the actual meat and stuff is. I mean, I can do a lot with cabbage and shallots, but not a lot of those are tasty without something extra.”

“That’ll probably be revealed later. Anyway, good luck, Ucchan.” Ranma gave one lazy wave as he walked toward the tribunes where all the other boys were sitting.

Ranma trudged past the students he felt no affiliation with until his eyes met Hiroshi sitting on the second row. He waved Ranma to come sit beside him, making Ranma sigh, but since he didn’t have a better idea, he obliged.

“So, Ranma? Did Kuonji enter that little competition?” Hiroshi asked the moment Ranma sat down. His head was placed in his hand which was supported by his elbow on his knee.

Ranma rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “Of course not. She’s just doin’ this for her dignity and some stupid prize her teacher promised. There ain’t gonna be a date.”

“Mmmhmmm,” Hiroshi hummed with a smug smirk, reverting his gaze to the girls who were making themselves at home behind their stations.”Of course, of course.”

Ranma raised his shoulders a little and slumped in his seat. “Oh, quit it.”

“Come on, why the long face? You got, like, a third of the class fawning over you. It ain’t fair. You gotta keep at least some of the girls to the rest of us. So there’s nothing to be upset about with you. How do you think I feel? My best friend is a no-show for two days in a row and I gotta hear you complaining all the girls are into your mysterious attitude,” Hiroshi was making wild gestures with his hands, making Ranma slowly slide away from him.

“It’s not like I’m trying to make that happen or anything. I don’t even wanna be here! If it wasn’t for pop’s sudden moodswing, I would be training who-knows-where at this point. Not be stuck here in school.”

“There it is again, all too-” Hiroshi paused in his motions and turned back to Ranma. “Wait… what? I get the whole hating school part. But training? That’s what you’d rather be doing? Not… I dunno… chill at home, or hang out with friends or anything?”

Ranma relaxed a little and shrugged. “Yeah. And it is hanging out with a friend. Ucchan’s there. And all I did before this was trainin’. It’s fun too. You can do it anywhere, really, but training grounds remain the most fun. Pops was even always against schools until a few months ago.”

“So… what. You do martial arts all the time?” Hiroshi tilted his head, genuinely confused.

Ranma puffed out his chest in pride. “Not just any martial arts, we Saotomes have our own martial arts school. The Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. Ucchan and I are the only two disciples at the moment, and Ucchan is doing more with weaponised combat right now, but she’s still a student.” 

“Okay, that’s cool. You have to show me some of that sometime. And, I mean, if Kuonji is interested, maybe you could ask her if she could show me some of that too?”

Ranma detected a bit of hesitancy in Hiroshi’s tone, but couldn’t pinpoint why. “Sure, I guess that’s fine.”

Hiroshi pumped his fist in the air, weirding out Ranma even more, but he didn’t question it, people do weird things sometimes.

It didn’t matter to Ukyo where she stood, so she just picked out the first station that was empty. 

Only after she arranged everything the way she liked, did she look up to find that same girl from yesterday occupying the station beside her.

“Wow, Kuonji. Fashionably late as always. Were you anxious, no afraid you might lose your Ranchan?”

Ukyo rolled her eyes. “I ain’t losing anything today. Not my best friend, not this competition. Not that I want to be here.”

“Experience isn’t everything. Sometimes, you just need to know what the judges like.” The girl gave a smug, knowing smile.

“Then I guess I gotta give them a new favourite.” Ukyo reverted her gaze to the front of the gymnasium, where Miss Tamoshida had taken the small stage the school had put together for the event, which was probably mostly used for school wide speeches.

“Dear students of class 2. Please quiet down so we can start.” The teacher started. “I said, shut up!” Immediately everything went quiet.

Miss Tamoshida cleared her throat. “I’m sorry for that little outburst. Now, as an alternative to a more traditional written evaluation, we have asked all you girls to practise with your best dishes so you can surprise us with your skills. There is of course a small prize for the first place, but all you need to do to pass is hand in an edible result.” 

While Ukyo stayed silent, the rest of the gymnasium broke out into whispers.

“Quiet!” Tamoshida clutched the speech podium with more force than probably necessary, but her outcry worked. 

She cleared her throat again while she steadied herself into a more respectable pose, before continuing, “I know this might look easy, but just like in real life, you have to work with what you’ve got. All of you are allowed to grab any ingredient from the baskets that’ll be placed in front of me in a bit.”

A few girls already started to  move. “ In a bit !” Miss Tamoshida repeated with more emphasis. “But you will only be allowed to grab three. All the basics you need for most dishes are already provided, so handing in nothing is nearly impossible. You are , however, graded on taste. So make sure you make your tastes work. Start whenever you feel like your ready, but know the clock starts ticking… now !”

Ukyo sighed and looked at the few things in front of her. A cabbage, some shallots, three eggs, noodles, and… rice. 

What do you mean ‘most dishes’? I can’t make okonomiyaki out of this! Ukyo thought as the baskets were brought out, hoping one of them had flour. 

None of them did.

It wasn’t that Ukyo couldn’t make anything other than okonomiyaki, but it was what she was best at and what she could make perfectly every time she tried.

Guess I gotta go with a good ol’ rice dish. Boring, but I don’t see much of a better option.

Ukyo searched for Ranma in the crowd, and eventually saw that he wasn’t even paying attention to her, or the competition, just talking to some classmate.

Typical. I’m actually trying to win something, giving it my all, and all he does is chat with the nearest bystander. Why do I even care this much? I don’t need him to help me win, but a little fucking interest wouldn’t hurt!

“Better hurry, Kuonji. Everyone already grabbed their ingredients.”

Startled, Ukyo looked beside her to see the smug grin of the girl that had been taunting her earlier. She then looked around at all the stations close by, only to see them all filled with three ingredients more than she had.

Shit. I spaced out.

Ukyo quickly got out from behind her station and awkwardly rushed to the front.

To her surprise, most baskets still had ingredients in them, but she was already late in grabbing some, so she put a bit of pressure on herself to just pick three and get out of there.

She returned to her station with some dried shrimp, a small nagaimo, and carrots. She was sure of the nagaimo, since it works well with rice when grated no matter what. The shrimp she just grabbed because it was near and Ranma always liked it, so muscle memory. And the carrots because carrots work well in anything.

She looked up at the giant clock at the front of the gymnasium, only to see the minute hand on the 45 minute mark, signaling 45 minutes left.

Damn, was I really freaking out for that long? Well, doesn’t matter.Nothing of what I was thinking of takes long.

She cut the ends off the nagaimo, and took off the peel with her knife. She then wanted to grab a grater, before realising the school cheaped out and she didn’t have one. So, she resorted to the much less effective ‘scraping it with a knife’ technique, which worked, more or less.

Weird how this will make my rice taste good, while normally I just use it for my okonomiyaki.

She looked at the mush in her bowl for a little bit longer, then at her other ingredients. 

I can basically make Ranma’s favourite, all I need is flour. Too bad, I guess. Also, what am I gonna do with the noodles, if my main dish is going to be rice?

She looked up when she thought she had enough nagaimo mush, the clock standing at 40 minutes.

I barely have anything to make a good broth too. Ugh, why the hell is this a final assignment? Who agreed to this? And who in their right mind agreed to have this useless hunk of flour as a ‘basic ingredient’... wait.

“Yo, Ranma, what the hell is Kuonji doing?”

“Could you stop shouting? I’m right here. And stop being so casual, I only met you yesterday.”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ve been in the same class for two weeks, but look.” Hiroshi pointed at Ukyo, who was putting her noodles in a separate bowl without making a broth.

Ranma dropped his head into his palm, his elbow resting on his knee. “Hell if I know what she’s doin’. She’s the cook, not me. This is boring anyway. Who the hell wants to watch a buncha girls cook for an hour?”

“Come on, dude. You can look around, see who would be a good wife.”

Ranma’s brain skipped functioning for a second and he blinked. He very slowly looked at Hiroshi next to him with narrow eyes. “We are fourteen.”

Hiroshi didn’t pick up on what Ranma was trying to say with his face, and smirked back. “Yeah? And? It’s hard work, dating… or so I’ve heard. And, I mean, if you do want to marry someone, you’re gonna make sure she can cook, right? Not like you’ll have much of a problem with that, you’ll probably marry Kuonji anyway.”

Ranma paused, then clenched his fist. “Hey! That was uncalled for, buddy! No way that’ll happen.”

Hiroshi’s smirk deepened. “Why are you so quick to refute it? Hiding something?”

“Ha! As if! You’re just spouting such bullcrap that I can’t even let it become a rumor!” 

Several heads turned toward them, multiple boys having raised eyebrows, while some just had annoyed looks on their faces.

Ranma smiled and waved at them. “Sorry.”

Hiroshi was trying his best to not break out in laughter. “Man, you are hopeless.” 

Ranma went to retaliate, but was interrupted by a sudden crunching sound.

They both looked where the sound was coming from, only to see Ukyo repeatedly crushing the noodles she put in a bowl with the back of her knife, stamping as hard as she could.

“What the hell is she doing?” Hiroshi whispered in Ranma’s ear.

Ranma jolted by the sudden closeness and backed up. “What the hell man! And how am I supposed to know? I ain’t the one cooking.”

“No, but you must be looking at her while she’s doing that.” Hiroshi did something weird with his eyebrows, making Ranma uncomfortable.

“What is that supposed to mean?” 

Hiroshi scooted closer. 

“Stop doing that. I said, stop it!” Ranma was about ready to kick Hiroshi through the roof, putting his weight on his hands placed behind him as he had turned more parallel to the bench.

Hiroshi raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, hey, don’t act all violent on me now. But, come on, you can’t tell me you haven’t watched her.”

“What?”

“You know. Looked .” 

“At what? The hell are you sayin’?”

Hiroshi sighed in defeat and relaxed his posture. “Never mind, but you’ve seen her cook before, right?”

Ranma sat straight again. “Sure, but it ain’t like I’m payin’ a lot of attention to that. Most of the time, me and pops just head off trainin’ whenever she starts preparing dinner.”

Hiroshi pointed at Ukyo, who was still crushing the noodles, turning it into a really fine powder. “But you can at least tell me what she’s doing now, right?”

Ranma shrugged. “No idea.”

Hiroshi finally understood this conversation was going nowhere and shut up.

Man, this is more time-consuming than I thought!

Ukyo continued to slam the back of her knife into the bowl of dry noodles, trying to get it to become a fine powder.

Noodles are mostly just wheat, so if I just keep stamping, it’ll be a rough flour. I have access to water, and I have eggs, so I should be able to make something that resembles dough. But I also have nagaimo, and that’s also a binder. It’s so mushy that it should, should, make it fluffier, so it won’t really matter that my flour substitute is a little rough.

“Wow, Kuonji, I didn’t know you were going crazy.” 

Ukyo paused to look up at the girl beside her, who had a wicked smile on her face.

“Oh, don’t give me that. I don’t know what you are trying, but it looks really dumb. What dish requires noodle flakes?” The girl had a short giggle before relaxing again. “If that’s how you plan to win this, you don’t stand a chance.”

Ukyo continued what she was doing, her gaze returning to her bowl. “I’ll win. You’ll see.”

“Cocky now, are we?” The girl’s smile widened. “Pride comes right before the fall.”

“What?” Ukyo didn’t look up from her work. Seriously, this girl is annoying as hell!

“Something my parents used to say. It seemed fitting. Anyway, just know that your precious Saotome is mine. My dish will blow those teachers away in pure skill and presentation alone.”

Ukyo tightened her grip on the knife.

How is she so shameless in claiming someone like that?!

Ukyo started to violently stir with the back of the knife, keeping a lot of pressure on it to make the flour replacement a little less rough.

No one can just… claim someone just like that.

“I don’t think you know my name yet, do you? It must frustrate you, huh, Kuonji?”

Ranma has feelings too!

“Just so you know you lost to me. I’m Natsumi Izumi. Make sure you pay attention, because it’s the last name that’ll be called upon.”

Ranma has to decide who he likes! Not some stupid competition! Ugh, all of this shit makes me so mad!

She looked up at the clock. Thirty minutes left. “Plenty of time,” she muttered to herself, putting the crushed noodles to the side, not thinking she could make it any better. It had become a bowl of white-ish powder anyway.

I’m winning this.

She walked over to the faucet with her mixing bowl and filled it about all the way, before changing her mind and removing three quarters. 

It ain’t fair if some girl got to decide who he likes or not. I won’t allow anyone to do that to him. He will choose for himself.

Ukyo walked back to her station to add everything together. 

She put the makeshift flour in with the water and used a spatula to get the two thoroughly mixed up. The noodle should already contain salt, so there was no real reason to add it. 

After didn’t see any more liquid water on its own, she grabbed one egg and cracked it on the side of the bowl.

I won’t let anyone win. This competition is mine.

Ukyo grabbed the nagaimo mush, after mixing the egg the best she could.

This should mellow out the rough texture. Key word, should.

When she had put it all together, she realised she put in too little water, so she went to get some more.

Natsumi looked over in bewilderment, her own dish coming together quite well.

What does she think she’s doing? We only have twenty minutes left. She doesn’t even have anything to show for it! Haha! This is so in the bag.

When Ukyo came back to add the water, the batter looked good enough. This wasn’t a time to nitpick details, after all.

She had two gas-fire pits on her station, so she turned one to the maximum, placing a pan with a flat bottom in on it to heat up. 

Ukyo quickly grabbed another pan and went to get water. She didn’t do too much water, because she was in a hurry.

After placing the two pans next to each other on the highest heat the school would allow, she turned to the carrots. Before she made the first cut, however, she remembered something and added salt to the water that she meant to boil.

Her knife moved smoothly and quickly through the carrot, slicing them into small, thin circles.

By the time she finished, the water was boiling, so she took her shrimp, which had thankfully already been deshelled and deveined, and carrots and threw it all in.

She looked up at the clock. 15 minutes left, roughly.

Funny how I keep looking up every 15 minutes.

She grabbed the cabbage to cut next.

“Now that’s more like it.” Hiroshi nudged Ranma with his elbow.

Ranma shook awake, since he had been dozing off the last twenty minutes or so.

“Wh-Wha-? I’m awake!” He looked at Hiroshi, who was trying his best not to laugh, but failing miserably. “Shut up! Now, what was it?”

“Look, your girl is finally putting in some elbow grease.”

“My… girl? What? Oh, Ucchan. She ain’t my girl, dude.”

Hiroshi grinned. “Sure she isn’t. But look, the heat’s really getting to her. Look how fast she’s moving.” 

Ranma rolled his eyes, but looked anyway. It was a lot more lively than when he last dared a glance. There were actual pans on actual fires this time, with ingredients inside. “See. I told you. She’s gonna win easy. And it ain’t about that stupid girl competition either.”

“Oh, you’d like her to win, don’t you.”

Ranma scoffed, putting his head in his hand while he leaned forward. “I don’t care who wins this stupid, boring competition. Ucchan is just easily the best cook there. She’s been cookin’ for as long as she can remember.”

“Potato, potato. Just saying, if she does win and asks you on a date, what would you do?”

“That ain’t happenin’, pal.”

Hiroshi sighed, closing his eyes and turning his head to the ceiling. “I was saying hypothetically. If she asks you on a date after this, would you do it?”

Ranma turned a slight bit red, something Hiroshi didn’t pick up on. “Come on, that’s not fair. Hypotheticals suck. I don’t care, okay? And it won’t happen.”

Hiroshi gave up on trying this branch of conversation. “Soooo… All you do is training?” 

Ranma smirked. “Pretty much, yeah. Why? Problem?”

“No, just… When do you study? Or do homework?” 

“Ucchan helps me with tests. I don’t really care about the other stuff. As long as I don’t fail, it’ll be fine.”

“Ten minutes left.” The female voice came out of nowhere and startled both the boys. The volume of the speaker was way too loud. 

“Geez, woman! Are you tryin’ to bleed my ears off or somethin’!?” Ranma yelled across the gymnasium.

Miss Tamoshida, standing behind the microphone, narrowed her eyes to see who was yelling.

Hiroshi was desperately trying to hold Ranma down. “Come on, man. Don’t be so upset. It’s just wrong setting. Relax.”

Ranma stopped resisting, grumbling something under his breath Hiroshi couldn’t make out.

Hiroshi just sighed. “Man, you’re exhausting.”

“And what is that supposed to mean? Huh, punk?” 

“Nothing, nothing.” Hiroshi held up his hands in surrender.

“Good, ‘cause you ain’t much better.”

Ukyo was finally done setting up her ingredients.

She threw a small drizzle of oil into the pan she left on high heat to heat up, after which she dumped in a little of her cabbage.

The sizzling sent her mind into an almost autopilot like state, leaving her with zero worries on time.

Too bad I didn’t get spatulas for this. Well, I’m using a pan, so flipping shouldn’t be an issue.

She had already fished her shrimp and carrots out from the pan and she threw it into her batter.

A few stirs with a wooden spoon later, and she could start pouring.

It’s not like I need too many, just two or three should be enough. 7 minutes should give me enough time for three, seeing how small the flat surface of this pan is.

She reached over to her spices, which she still had yet to use, and grabbed some pepper to sprinkle over the sizzling pancake.

Six minutes. Ugh, this batter… well, even if it’s a little chunky, it looks fine. Not great, but passable.

She pulled out her plate from the edge of her station and put her first finished okonomiyaki on it, quickly starting on her second.

I don’t even care what the other girls made. I don’t care that they started before I did.

She shook the pan regularly to make sure the pancake didn’t stick to it. The aroma flooded her nostrils, a smell that would normally bring a smile to her face, especially something like shrimp. But not today.

I have to win…

She plated her second okonomiyaki with more ease than the first, with three minutes remaining she started her third. Her hand was fit so tightly around the handle she was sure it would make an imprint.

...because I don’t want them to take Ranma from me.

“Time’s up! Everyone, hands in the air! Izumi! Hands in the air!”

Ranma’s mine. I won’t let anyone take him. He’s my friend. My best friend. I can’t just let him go. He’s mine. And… he’s my fiancé.

Ukyo stared at her plate. Three crude okonomiyaki, crafted without a plan, just pure improvisation. She didn’t know if it was enough, but it had to be.

The wait was long.

Thirty whole minutes of just standing outside in trepidation, waiting for the results. 

Every student from her year stood on the same patch of grass in the schoolyard.

Ranma had jumped into a tree, lounging on a branch like the world could pass him by. He looked to be asleep, but Ukyo knew better.

Ukyo leaned on the same tree at the base of it. Her mind kept racing on the possible results. 

Miss Tamoshida stepped outside with an embarrassed expression. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her, something even she never did. 

She cleared her throat and started speaking with a loud voice. “A-attention students! So… I may have made a small mistake when explaining the competition.”

Whispers and murmurs moved through the crowd of students. 

“QUIET! I-” Miss Tamoshida relaxed her posture, and gave a sigh she didn’t know she was holding in. “When explaining how we graded the dishes, I only mentioned taste… and forgot the rest. And when reviewing your dishes, we saw some of you had tailored to this. So, we as teachers agreed that we will give all the students who passed a prize, instead of only the first place. That being said, I think you all want to know who won , don’t you?” 

The cheer that responded her made her regain some confidence.

“Alright! I’ll start with saying that you all obviously tried your best, and only one of you didn’t pass this assignment. Don’t worry, I won’t out you here. I will have a private talk with you later.”

Ukyo thought to herself who would fail such an easy assignment, when suddenly a girl ran from the crowd, seemingly crying. The girl had a kind of blue-ish hair, which was a little unique, but Ukyo had never seen her before.

Must be from a different class.

“Okay, shit, I think she realised it herself. Well, in third place is…”

Ukyo rolled her eyes at her attempt to add tension to the reveal, thinking it was too cliché.

“... Taema Mori!”

The crowd applauded her as they made a little space for her. Taema scratched the back of her neck while laughing awkwardly before her friends surrounded her and she disappeared from Ukyo’s vision.

“In second place is…”

Ranma opened one eye to look at what was going on.

“Natsumi Izumi!” 

“WHAT!?” Natsumi exclaimed from the middle of the crowd. “There must be a mistake! My rice was cooked perfectly! And all my flavours were-” 

“Izumi, you were great, and will make a man really happy one day, but the number one had something so unique and time consuming we couldn’t not make her the winner.”

Ranma smirked and closed his eye again. ‘Knew it.”

“And the winner is…”

Ukyo looked at the ground, her hands clasping tighter together.

“Ukyo Kuonji!” 

Everyone turned to look at Ukyo, who stopped listening to what was said after. Her own excitement drowned it all out.

I won. I won! Take that, Natsumi! Who’s the better cook now, huh?

“Quiet down! I SAID QUIET!” Miss Tamoshida didn’t even bother adjusting herself anymore. “Now get going! Break time is almost over!”

Ukyo looked up at Ranma, who didn’t seem to be willing to move from his comfortable position.

“Come on, Ranchan. We have to go, class is about to start. You heard the teacher.”

Ranma sighed, but didn’t open his eyes.

Ukyo got a few congratulations from passing classmates as the schoolyard emptied out.

“Ranchan. Get down here, lazy!”

Ranma cracked an eye open to give her an annoyed look. He didn’t say anything, but jumped down anyway.

“Come on, let’s get some ice cream.”

Ukyo froze, halfway to following the others. “What? Ranchan, we have school, and class is about to-”

Ranma walked past her. “So? Who gives a crap about school? What are they gonna do, make us stand in the hall? Lame.”

Ukyo sighed, but followed anyway. “Ranchan, that doesn’t mean we can-”

“Besides, you were promised a prize, right? First place gets a prize? Some school, to stinge out on that kind of crap. And why does everyone suddenly get a prize all of a sudden? Not like they were good enough to win.” 

Ranma held out his hand. “Come on, let’s just go get some ice cream. The school’ll be here when we get back. If we get back.”

Ukyo looked at him for a moment, then took his hand mischievously. “Yeah, sure, it’s probably better for the school to not have you around if it wants to survive. Right?”

Ranma glared at her. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Ranma is mine. He gets to choose for himself. So I don’t need to tell him about the arrangement. If he wants to, it’ll just happen. Ukyo thought as they left the school grounds, Ranma already tugging her in the wrong direction. She just smiled and let him figure it out, it was funnier that way.

Chapter Text

Chapter 12 - Get Lost!

The hallways of the school were empty, had been for a while.

All the students had gone home, except for one.

A boy still roamed the halls an hour after the final classes ended.

He looked around nervously, his eyes shifting from door to door.

He eventually tried his luck on one of the doors.

When he opened it, the room was filled with teachers, party streamers, and a cake clearly not meant for him. All the teachers turned to look at him.

“Ah! Sorry, sorry! Wrong room.”

The boy slammed the door closed again.

The boy took a few more steps down the hallway, before putting his hands in his hair. “Ugh… Why can’t I find the exit! Who made this complex mapping of a school!? I’ve tried nearly every door!”

The door to the teacher’s lounge opened again, a teacher stepping out, curious to the shouting.

“Ah, Hibiki. It was you who was making such a racket. Is everything alright?” It was his math teacher, Mister Tsuro.

Ryoga fiddled with his hands in front of him. “No… I mean, my mentor is ill today, and I can’t find the exit.”

“Ah, right, she told me about that. Well, Hibiki, shall I escort you?” 

Ryoga looked up at his math teacher, a large man who you wouldn’t take for a teacher if you saw him outside of school, and even if you did, you would mistake him for a sports teacher. He looked at his shoes again and gave a small nod.

“Well then. Follow me. And stay close, okay? We wouldn’t want you to find yourself lost in the toilet.”

Despite the clear disrespectful comment, Mister Tsuro’s laugh that followed it made impossible for Ryoga to not crack a smile too.

Together they made it to the exit.

“Well, Hibiki. Stay safe. Do you have a way to get home?”

Ryoga nodded. “I can walk. My parents requested someone to stretch a piece of string along my route home. That way I can get to school and back. I don’t have to cross the street, only take a turn or two before arriving. Thank you very much, Mister Tsuro.”

Mister Tsuro gave a big smile and a wave. “Well then, take care. See you tomorrow, Hibiki.”

“Yeah… Bye!” Ryoga waved his teacher off while grabbing the string, preparing for his short walk home.

Ranma was napping in a low branch of a tree, his hands behind his head, cushioning it from the hard bark of the trunk.

Why does Ucchan always take so long with groceries? It’s not like she’s feeding a family of four… it’s a family of three… that eats like five people. Still…

He cracked one eye open to look at the convenience store. 

Ukyo still didn’t come out, even though it felt like he had been waiting for a good 45 minutes.

Hurry up, Ucchan. Seriously. I think it’s about to rain.

They were still very close to the school. In fact, Ranma could still see it, if he wanted to. It was all just on the other side of the street.

It was an all-boys school, but Genma didn’t seem to care. He wasn’t going to look far and wide to find a school they could both just enroll in and he certainly wasn’t sending them to two different schools, that was too much of a hassle.

So instead, the lazy old man forced Ucchan to hide the fact she’s a girl. Ranma dug his nails into the back of his head for a moment.

He didn’t really care about going to an all-boys school, but the thought of what Ukyo had to do to keep looking like a boy there made him a little uncomfortable.

“Ranchan, get out of the tree.” 

Ukyo’s deadpan voice caught Ranma so off guard that he lost his balance. He desperately clung to the tree branch, but to no avail.

With a loud thunk, he landed flat on his back on the surprisingly hard ground.

“The hell, Ucchan!? Can’t you warn a guy before wakin’ him up?!” Ranma sat up grumbling, trying to scratch his headache away.

“What, did you expect me to climb up there? As if. Now, can you please carry at least one bag?” Ukyo nudged her head to her hands, in which she was carrying three bags of food.

“Man, that’s a lot. Why did you-?”

“There was a sale, now come on.”

Ranma sighed, but reached for her hand with two bags anyway.

Ukyo lifted an eyebrow, handing the two bags over. “Aren’t you a gentleman today?”

“Oh, shut up. I’m only doing this because you’re a girl.”

Ranma gasped for air when Ukyo used her free hand to punch him in the gut. “That means nothing, you ass!”

“What was that for!?”

“You just said I’m weak because I’m a girl!”

“Yeah… And? You don’t have to get upset about it. Just accept-” Ukyo kicked his leg out from under him while he was making a step, causing him to completely faceplant into the pavement.

“Absolute. Fucking. Jerk.” Ukyo continued to grumble as she didn’t slow to wait for Ranma.

‘Ranma clutched his face as he got up. “What’s with the violent attitude?” 

“Violence is justified! Say that crap one more time and I will break that leg! I’ve been training with you for almost nine years, and I’ll say we’re pretty much equal! So being a girl has nothing to do with it!””

Ranma dusted off his clothes and picked the two bags back up. “Well, I won our last sparring match.”

Ukyo snapped to face him again. “You threw pepper powder in my eyes!”

Ranma threw his hands up in surrender, fully instinctually. “Well, you should’ve seen it coming.” 

Ukyo smacked him one last time and, with a huff, they continued in relative silence.

Neither of them noticed the boy standing at the T-junction where the street began, walking by, clutching a piece of string.

The boy had paused, interested in their bickering, since not a lot of entertaining things happened in this part of town.

He was wearing the same uniform as Ranma and Ukyo, and vaguely remembered someone being called something like what they said.

But that wasn’t the reason he stood frozen.

He had heard everything.

Ryoga was running back home, seeing where he was going, without looking.

Two people. Both wearing the same uniform as me. I think I recognise them! They’re in a different class from me, but they are in the same year. They kinda stand out with their ponytails.

He didn’t even look before he ran over the street. A bright light came into his field of vision, causing him to come to an abrupt stop in the middle of the street. 

The car honked as it drove by.

Ryoga waved sheepishly at the driver, before continuing his route.

One of them was screaming about being a girl. A girl, in an all-boys school. I can’t just let them do that. I have to do something. Maybe people will like me for it, and I can get a friend or two for it.

Ryoga’s footsteps echoed against the tall buildings, making the streets feel even more lonely.

I know. I will expose them tomorrow. First thing I do when I get to school.

He looked at the street signs as he ran towards a four way junction.

Wait… where am I? Oh no, I let go of that string. It must’ve been because of the excitement. I couldn’t even leave my mom a note. Wait, where did I go wrong then? I mean, I was already close to my house, so I must’ve past it.

Ryoga looked from where he thought he came from, but all four streets looked the same to him.

When he started walking again, he only walked further away from his house.

Ranma didn’t even ask where Ukyo wanted to put the bags before dropping them off in front of their tent entrance.

“Geez, Ranchan. Have at least some finesse. There are eggs in one of those bags.” 

Ranma shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t that rough, those eggs’ll survive.”

“That’s not the point!”

“Then what is?” 

Ukyo paused for a moment, before dropping her bag next to his with a scoff. “You get what I mean.”

“No, I don’t.”

“That you have to stop acting like an insensitive jerk all the time.” Ukyo walked past him with a raised chin. “Anyway, I’m gonna actually contribute to society now.”

Ranma rolled his eyes. “Don’t act so high and mighty just because some old lady gave you a job as a cook in her small, shitty restaurant.”

Ukyo didn’t give him another look, stepping into the tent to change. “Hey, don’t whine that I’m making the money around here. I will eventually have my own place to run. That’s my dream. So, this is good practice.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just go. And don’t make it as late as last time.” 

Ukyo chuckled, slightly muffled through the tent canvas. “Are you worried? What are you? My dad?” 

Ranma choked on the air. “No! I just don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night because you walk in!”

After a moment of silent ruffling of clothes, Ukyo stepped out in her chef’s uniform. “Don’t worry, Ranchan, I won’t interrupt your beauty sleep.” 

“Don’t patronise me!”

Ukyo laughed as she walked off, giving a lazy wave. “Love you to, Ranchan!”

Ranma kept grumbling after she left. “I swear, even if I had a sister, she couldn’t be worse than her.”

He tilted his head, like a thought just jumped into his head. “Wait… is she my sister? I mean… we grew up together, bathed together and everything. And… well… we look out for each other like siblings, so… I guess she is kinda like my sister. Closest thing to it at least.”

“Who cares.” Ranma shoved his hands in his pockets and walked over to his father, who was seemingly meditating on a fallen tree.

“Yo, pop! Come on, fight me!” Ranma lightly kicked his father’s back, trying to nudge him to respond. “Meditation can wait, old man.”

“Pop? Come on, do somethi-”

A snore broke Ranma’s sentence. Genma was sleeping.

Ranma’s eye twitched. “Okay, nap time’s over!”

Without a second though, he kicked Genma as hard as he could.

Genma fell off the fallen tree, rolling through the dirt before eventually coming to a standstill while upside down.

“Boy! What is the meaning of this!?” 

Ranma smirked, raising his hands like he was surrendering. “You were sleeping, so I thought I’d help you be a little more… you know… active. I mean… you do have a lot to work off.”

Genma’s face scrunched up. He placed his hands on the ground where his neck was laying and, in one clean flip, landed back on the tree.

“Respect your elders, boy!” Genma threw the first punch, a straight and quick jab.

Ranma leaned back, letting the fist pass over his chest. He let his hands out of his pockets, grabbing the arm extended over him.

In one fluid motion, he threw his father over his shoulder, using Genma’s own momentum against him.

“You’re so predictable, pop! That was too easy!”

Genma gritted his teeth. He braced his legs for impact, landing on his feet.

“What did you say, boy?!” Genma continued the motion, throwing the arm his son was attached to over his head.

Ranma couldn’t hold on anymore as he was at the apex of the swing, flying into the air.

“Now don’t wake me again!”

Ranma landed flat on his back in the middle of a crosswalk.

Dammit… Should’ve seen that coming.

He slowly got up, his head pulsing in pain. Man, how is that old man so strong still? I swear, if that was a fair fight, I would’ve won. Cheap bastard whipping out new moves without teaching ‘em to me, his son. What kind of dad is he?

Ranma sat on the pavement, holding his head. He heard footsteps coming from his right. Thinking it was his father, he turned his head just slow enough not to hurt it.

“Are you okay?” It wasn’t his father, but a boy about his age. He was wearing the same uniform as him, and had his backpack hanging from his shoulders. One hand was stretched out toward him.

Ranma accepted the hand and the boy pulled him back to his feet.

“Wait, you’re that guy… And that ponytail… You’re the guy who stole my bread yesterday!”

“Wha-?” Ranma found himself with a smack on the top of his head. “Hey! Ow! What was that for?!”

The boy crossed his arms. “Like I said. You stole my bread.”

“Stole your-? Listen, buddy, I ain’t stealin’ anythin’ from anyone. I-” Ranma’s face changed, suddenly remembering the busy cafeteria from yesterday. “Oh, right, you’re that guy… What’s your name again?”

“Ryoga Hibiki! I told you to remember that name this morning, Ranma Saotome!” 

“You don’t have to shout my full legal name, geez. It was just a sandwich.”

Ryoga clenched his fist. “You already had lunch! You didn’t need it!”

Ranma raised his arms in a plea not to turn this into a fistfight, “Hey, first come, first serve. If you needed it that badly, you would’ve gotten it.” 

Ryoga scoffed, clearly ready to turn it into a full argument. But before he did that, a smile formed on his face, like he was suddenly remembering something. “Well, now that I know it was you , Ranma Saotome, it changes things.” 

Ranma sighed. “Like I said, don’t have to call me out like that, Ryoga.”

Ryoga froze for a moment. “You little- Is that what you say to your little girlfriend too, Ranma ?”

“Girlfriend?” Ranma asked with a raised eyebrow. “What girlfrie- No. No, you don’t-”

Ryoga’s smile widened. “Yes, Ranma , I know about that secret. You really have to watch out with those kinds of secrets when you’re still so close to the school.”

“You wouldn’t.” It was Ranma’s turn to clench his fists. “Ukyo would be expelled.”

“Oh, so Ukyo’s the name?” Ryoga took a step toward Ranma, closing the distance. “So, what’s your relationship? Sister? Girlfriend? Fiancée ?” 

Ranma retreated from the sudden closeness. “What? Why do you want to know?”

“Just because. You seem awfully protective. And shopping together? Really?”

“We weren’t shopping together. I fell asleep because she was taking too long.” 

Ryoga grabbed Ranma’s collar. “Besides the point. Just answer me, Ranma !”

Ranma gave a deadpan expression, raising his hands and taking a hold of Ryoga’s wrists. With a small tug, they came loose. “Geez, I don’t know. Best friends? Adoptive siblings? Take your pick.” 

Ryoga blinked. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, kinda,” Ranma said with a tiny shrug.

“That’s lame.”

“Who are you calling lame!” Ranma clenched his fists again, raising them slightly to prepare to strike at any moment.

Ryoga turned around and took a step away from him. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Next time I get to school, I’ll expose that secret and get you both expelled.” 

Ranma didn’t really know how to respond to that. “And all that… because I ate a sandwich?” 

“You already had a bento! Why did you need that sandwich!?”

“It looked tasty, and I was still kinda hungry.”

Ryoga sighed. “I will see you soon, Ranma . Don’t think you can get away from my revenge.”

Ranma dragged a hand across his face. “Wouldn’t dream of it, buddy.”

With that, Ryoga left Ranma standing bewildered on the sidewalk, although he too had no idea where he was going.

-One week later-

Ranma wasn’t paying any attention to the teacher for the hundredth time.

Just two more weeks, then we’ll finally get out of this dump. This is such a drag. And with Ucchan ill, I gotta fight through that cafeteria too, to get lunch. Mam, I hate my life.

Ukyo had been ill for a couple of days now, having caught something off one of the customers from the crappy restaurant she worked at.

She’s doing better at least. Should be able to make dinner today at least, maybe even go to school tomorrow. Then it wouldn’t be such a drag.

He was a little worried about Ryoga the first two days, but one of the teachers explained to him that Ryoga had a terrible sense of direction, and that if he saw Ryoga that far from the school, he was probably completely lost. 

He was put at ease by the fact that it took Ryoga a whole month to get back once, meaning he was probably in for a smooth ride of complete dullness and absolute boredom. Better than being expelled.

“HA! I MADE IT!”

Ranma’s eyes snapped to the door, his entire body tensed, but not moving a muscle.

There, in the doorway, stood Ryoga.

The math teacher looked visibly tired, a combination of teaching a group that was clearly not interested, and boy that always showed up every so often in the wrong class.

“Mister Hibiki, may I remind you not to shout in class? And besides, you are in the wrong classroom… again. It’s the next one. This is room 3-C, you need room 3-B.”

Ryoga sheepishly scratched his neck. “R-right. I’m sorry for intruding, I’ll-” 

His gaze had found Ranma in the corner of the classroom.

Shit.

“ Ranma ,” Ryoga’s voice was steady, but a little louder than usual. “Have you readied yourself for my revenge? I might’ve had a hiccup at arriving here, but let me assure you that I have no trouble getting to school and back normally. I will-!”

Ranma’s math teacher had been clutching his piece of chalk tighter during Ryoga’s declaration, the snap of it making him stop. “Mister Hibiki! Leave! Now! I don’t have time for your dumb grudges today.”

Ryoga looked panicked, bowed with a mumbled apology, and left.

Well, shit. Now I have to deal with this bullcrap.

After class, Ranma didn’t waste any time. He packed his books as fast as he could and almost sprinted to the footlockers. 

Not paying attention in class finally paid off for once, probably the only time. It gave him more time to think about what to do.

I mean, Ucchan and I don’t really look that different from each other. I just put that stupid bow in and I’m halfway there. And it doesn’t have to look perfect, just passable for when that idiot does whatever he’s plannin’ to.

By the time he stepped out of the school building, he saw Ryoga standing near the gate, talking to a teacher he didn’t know, looking a bit sheepish.

Speak of the devil…

They met each other’s gaze as the teacher left. Ryoga seemed to be holding something, but Ranma couldn’t see what from that distance.

“Yo, Ryoga. ‘Sup?” Ranma said casually as he walked by in a hurry, not wanting to make anything clear to the lost boy.

“Don’t play dumb, Ranma . Where is your secret girlfriend?” Ryoga still held his hand behind his back, hiding something from Ranma.

Ranma put his hands in his pockets. “She ain’t my girlfriend, you know? And now that I had more time to think about it, adoptive sister seems to fit the most.”

“That wasn’t the point, Ranma !”

Ranma sighed. “Oh, shut up. And she’s ill.” He suddenly gave a stern look Ryoga wasn’t expecting. “She’ll be here tomorrow, though. And whatever plan you think you’re gonna pull, it ain’t gonna work. So give it your best shot.”

Ryoga stumbled back a step. Why- You- I- What do you mean by that?”

Ranma had already walked past him, but he paused to look back one last time. “I don’t like it when people hold back. So if you’re comin’ at us, give it everything you’ve got. I win whether you do or don’t. So, we got a deal?”

Ryoga didn’t know what to say for a moment. “What makes you think I’ll hold back from a coward like you?! You ruined my lunch out of sport, made my hunger your amusement. There is no way I’ll let you walk with my dignity.” 

“So, we can agree on something. Miracles do exist.” Ranma grinned. “And a word of advice, directionless idiot. Try training, you look like a twig.” 

Ryoga’s face twisted in anger, but before he could say anything in retort, Ranma crossed the street. He wanted to go after him, but then remembered the string, and actually going home. 

His gaze stayed fixed on Ranma for a moment longer, waiting until he disappeared from his line of sight.

Ranma didn’t even look back at him, making Ryoga even more angry, like they didn’t just have that entire conversation.

Ryoga huffed and wanted to start heading home, but at that moment Ranma got barked at by a dog from behind. Ranma looked startled and jumped up, landing perfectly in a branch of the nearest tree, having jumped three times as high as Ryoga ever did at his best.

Training, huh? Shouldn't be too hard… Ugh! Focus on tomorrow first!

After arriving at the campsite, Ranma immediately went inside the tent to catch Ukyo up on his plan.

Ukyo ran through everything Ranma said one more time, taping her chin. 

“So… let me get this straight. After getting a sandwich, which I told you not to get, some guy got mad at you. He then saw us walking and figured out I was a girl. And then plans to use that knowledge to… getting us expelled over a hungry afternoon?”

Ranma shrugged. “Pretty much.”

“And then he disappeared for a week, because he got lost while walking home. But now he’s back, and is still mad about the sandwich?”

“ Still mad about the sandwich,” Ranma confirmed, nodding like this was a normal conversation topic.

“You’re an idiot, Ranma.” Ukyo crossed her arms after saying it, leaning back on her bed with her eyes closed. “And I’m just gonna go to school tomorrow, so that’s a hard pass on that dumb plan of yours.”

“When did I say you couldn’t come to school?” Ranma tilted his head. “I was just saying we should dress up as each other.”

Ukyo squeezed the bridge of her nose. “Yeah, no, I got that. But… we’re not 13 anymore. I mean, we were practically the same height then. Now you stick out above me. It’s really annoying too.”

Ranma puffed out his chest. “Well, I’ll take that as a-” 

“Don’t get cocky. You’re still short for guy standards, Ranchan. By quite a bit too.” Ukyo couldn’t help but add a teasing lilt.

Ranma clenched his fists. “Oi! Shut up! It’s not that much! And I’m still growing!”

Ukyo leaned forward, baiting Ranma for even more reactions. “Oh, so you admit you’re short?”

Ranma grinded his teeth together.“I told you to shut up! I ain't short!”

“Ranma…” Ukyo’s face relaxed a little. “Stop lying to yourself.”

Ranma released his tensed arms at her, grabbing Ukyo by the shoulders. “I ain’t short!”

Ukyo simply laughed, causing Ranma to get even more pissed off. He threw her to the side, continuing to push after she landed, pinning her to her own bed. “I ain’t short.”

“Hahaha! Like I’ll ever lie to your face, Ran-” Wait… Ranchan is… Is Ranma really going to-!?

Ranma scoffed, letting go of her shoulders. “Man, you really are like an older sister.”

Ukyo laid motionless on the ground. Her face was slowly heating up. He wasn’t… I should be relieved. I am relieved. I mean… I wasn’t thinking of anything. Nothing at all.

“Anyway. If you could stop being so annoying. It doesn’t matter that our heights don’t match up perfectly. The guy’s an idiot and couldn’t tell a C from a B. And we only have to look the same until he pulls off his plan. After that and you can be your usual self again.”

Did he think about it? He totally thought about it? I didn’t think about it. Absolutely not.

Ranma flicked Ukyo’s forehead. “Ucchan?”

Ukyo recoiled, sitting up as fast as she could. “Eh? What were you thi- I mean, talking about?!”

“The plan?” Ranma looked skeptically at Ukyo. “I’ll just need your ribbon-tie-thing, tie a bow, and slouch a little to look convincing.”

Ukyo swallowed, trying to calm her racing heart from Ranma’s jumpscare. “And the rest?”

Ranma smirked. “Those details don’t matter to that idiot. He’s too focused on what’s on the end of his nose, his vision is blurry. Probably why he’s lost all the time. Now just give me your ribbon, so I can practice with how it feels for a bit.”

Ukyo’s face went serious. With one slow pull she undid the ribbon tying her hair into a ponytail.

“Ranchan?” 

“Yeah?” 

Her hand laid outstretched toward Ranma, the ribbon in her palm.

“Damage this ribbon in any way or lose it wherever, and I will kill you.” 

Ranma felt a strange fear he hadn’t ever felt tingle up his spine as he accepted Ukyo’s gift. “R-r-right… Y-your dad’s s-special piece of cotton.”

“Don’t you forget it.”

Ranma easily tugged his own hairband out, letting his ponytail fall freely, replacing Ukyo’s ribbon in her hand.

“Just help me tie this, wouldcha?” Ranma asked after she had returned her arm.

Ukyo smirked. “Sure thing, Ranchan! Wouldn’t want you to look too girl now.” 

“Oi!”

Today I can finally get my revenge on that cocky thief.

Ryoga arrived at the school gate early, before the usual crowd filled out the entrance. Not that it mattered too much, he just needed to talk to a teacher and that was easier before a horde of students arrived.

“Ah, Hibiki. I haven’t seen you in a while now. Have you been feeling alright?”

Ryoga tensed, slowly turning to see Mister Tsuro loom over him. “N-no… I haven’t been sick… Just lost, that’s all.”

“I knew it! I’ve felt bad ever since that day, because I refused to accompany you home. I should’ve been more insistent.” Mister Tsuro placed a hand on Ryoga’s shoulder. “Now, shall I help you to class, as an apology. I know it’s the least I can do.”

Ryoga gave an anxious smile. “I mean, there is another way you could help me…”

“Oh? And what would that be?” 

“Well… I think Ukyo from class 3-A is a girl.” 

Mister Tsuro paused. “Ukyo… Kuonji? A girl? Do you have any proof?”

Ryoga scratched his cheek. “Well, not right now, but…”

“Such a serious accusation should have some proof behind it, Hibiki.”

“I know, I know. I just…” Ryoga straightened his back. “I saw Ranma and Ukyo walking home some time ago, and Ranma called them a girl. Then, when I confronted him later, he didn’t deny it.”

Mister Tsuro looked thoughtfully at the lost boy as continued to walk toward the school. “Well, I won’t get a student expelled on hearsay, but if you can definitively show me Kuonji is a girl, I’ll take it up with the principal.” 

Ryoga had an unreadable glint in his eyes. “Oh, don’t worry, I can think of something.” 

Mister Tsuro clapped Ryoga on the shoulder. “Well, I have their class in the third period, so feel free to stop by.” 

Oh, don’t worry sir, I will, Ryoga thought as he got waved off by the giant math teacher and he parted ways in the hallway.

This acting stuff is annoying, Ranma thought as he was bent over Ukyo’s notebook.

And I actually have to pay attention to take notes and ask questions, during maths class, or someone would definitely figure it out. Hurry up, Ryoga! Whatever you are planning, do it now. This is so awkward!

Mister Tsuro was droning on about quadratic functions and how to find their maximum and minimum points. A topic Ranma had no interest in whatsoever.

“... so by taking the derivative of this function, you get this line, crossing the x-axis in a certain point. Let’s call that point ‘p’. In point ‘p’ the y-level of the derivative is zero, so that means…?” The teacher turned to the class, expecting input.

Oh my god, this is so boring. Ranma almost slammed his head against the table, before remembering he was acting like Ukyo today.

Right, Ucchan would know the answer. The derivative is… uh… It’s, uh… Oh, wait, if the derivative is negative it was… something. I wrote this down, wait.

Ranma’s hand raised as he stared at his own notes.

“Yes, Kuonji?” Mister Tsuro looked disappointed at the rest of the class.

“If the derivative is zero, it’s the maximum or minimum?” Ranma said with his voice pitched a little higher.

Mister Tsuro enthusiastically turned around to write the next step on the board. “Yes, that’s right. And Kuonji? Are you okay? Your voice is a little… off.”

Ranma paled. “Yup, totally fine, just a sore throat.”

Huh, this note taking stuff kinda helps…  Still boring though.

Without warning, the door snapped open.

“Finally! I’m present miss… Uh…” Ryoga’s voice trailed off as he looked through the classroom to see it was not his class.

Mister Tsuro clapped his hands together. “Ah, Hibiki, what a surprise. You are a bit early, but I did say you could come in the third period, so I won’t blame you.”

Ryoga opened his mouth, before closing it again. Third period? Already? Dammit. I was looking forward to geography first period.

“Now, what did you want to show me?” 

His eyes lit up. This is even better, I’ll get a room of witnesses. And I’ll get back at Ranma.

“Oh, yeah. I guess I can do it quickly now.” Ryoga tried to hide his smirk as he stepped towards Ranma.

This is it, Ranma thought as he narrowed his eyes at Ryoga. What are you planning, Ryoga?

He resisted the urge to wipe the stupid smirk off of Ryoga’s face, his body increasingly tense as the lost boy got closer.

When Ryoga stood next to Ukyo’s desk, he turned back to the big math teacher. “Well. If Ukyo is a guy, as they claim, why do they have-!” 

His hand shot out to Ranma’s buttons before he could react, pulling it open.

“Boo-uh?” 

Ranma instinctively retaliated with a punch to Ryoga’s jaw, who stumbled back until he hit a desk.

“Oi! What the hell was that for!?” Ranma stood to face Ryoga, his open uniform showing he was very clearly not a girl.

“W-what? How did you- Ranma ! You-!” 

“RYOGA HIBIKI! What is the meaning of this?!” Mister Tsuro snapped from the front of the classroom.

“M-m-mister Tsuro… I-I-”

“Save it!” Mister Tsuro’s face was starting to become red. “It is in no way acceptable to put your hands on another student, especially with the intent to undress!” 

“B-but sir, I-” 

“No buts! Get out of my classroom and pray you don’t get expelled!”

Ryoga slumped and took the slow walk of shame out of the classroom. The room was silent, except for a couple of students quietly snickering in the background. He clenched his fists and tensed his jaw, every sound of contained laughter getting to him. 

It was Ranma. No wonder Ukyo looked a bit off. They switched places! Ranma, you bastard! You… You think I will just hand over my dignity!? No, you got another thing coming.

The sound of the door falling back into its frame caused Mister Tsuro to turn to Ranma.

“And as for you , Kuonji. You will stand outside of the classroom, in the hall, until this period is over and you will explain exactly in what world you thought hitting a fellow student was an acceptable course of action. Understood?” 

Ranma gave a tiny nod. “Yes… sir .” That last part came out a bit more begrudged than he anticipated, but he was happy enough he could keep his pitch high enough.

He shut the door behind him as he stepped into the hall, where Ryoga stood in wait.

“ Ranma . You… You think you can just make a fool out of me, and get away with it?” Ryoga’s voice grew in confidence with each word, his nails digging into his palms to hold back his emotions.

“So, you figured it out, huh, Ryoga? Good for you.” Ranma put his hands in his pockets and walked to the far side wall from the classroom door.

Ryoga looked at Ranma’s smug posture as he leaned against the wall with his eyes closed and grinded his teeth. “You know what? I challenge you, Ranma !” 

Ranma cracked one eye open and slightly leaned forward. “Challenge? What kind of challenge we talkin’?”

A boastful finger pointed back at him. “One on one duel, in my backyard. Tomorrow at five in the evening, don’t be late, Ranma .”

Ranma smiled. “Wouldn’t dream of it, lost boy.” He relaxed back into his previous position to prepare for the long wait. “And by the way, some people say five is still in the afternoon.”

“Shut up about the semantics, Ranma !” Ryoga yelled as he walked away, sulking.

Too easy. Just like that challenge, Ranma thought, smiling again despite trying to suppress it.

After classes, and one long conversation with Mister Tsuro, Ranma and Ukyo walked out of the school building side by side.

“Sorry for causing you the trouble Ucchan, but, I mean, what else was I supposed to do?” Ranma sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.

Ukyo sighed, wearing her ribbon again after they exchanged them again in between classes, along with their bags. “Well, he was my favourite teacher, but it’s not that big of a deal. Don’t worry about it.”

But seriously, what the hell was I watching? That was Ryoga’s big scary plan? I mean, no offence, but that was a stupid plan. Even if I sat there and he was able to do that, all you’ll see is bandages I use to bind with, and even then, he’ll get expelled for inappropriately touching a fellow student even if he were right. 

She looked at Ranma, seeing only the glistening of triumph in his eyes, like the cocky martial artist he is.

And Ranma’s plan was dumb too. It didn’t take much to tell we had just exchanged some stuff, even some of my school friends said they noticed when they looked after Ranma sat down. If Mister Tsuro wasn’t standing so far away, or turned to the board for ninety percent of the time, he would’ve noticed in a heartbeat.

The two best friends crossed the street to head home to their tent. It was shockingly empty despite being a central road, not that Ukyo or Ranma were complaining.

Their stupid was so stupid, that, when confronted, they became so mindnumbingly dumb, they only acted on impulses. That must be it.

Ranma yawned as they entered a street they never bothered to learn the name of. He looked beside him at Ukyo, who was blanky staring at the road ahead.

“Could go for a snack right about now…” Ranma mumbled to himself, looking around for a good place to eat.

His eyes fell on a small sushi restaurant, which looked fairly empty, with only one table taken inside by a single man. Nice, that’ll do.

“Yo, Ucchan, look. I’ll treat you to some sushi, for the trouble I caused.” Ranma’s words snapped Ukyo out of her mind as they passed a sushi restaurant.

“With what money?” She joked, walking past.

Ranma rolled his eyes. “Did you really expect me to just sit around with dad and train all the time while you were gone for those work shifts? Nah, couldn’t let you hog all the glory, so I took a job as well.”

Ukyo gave him a deadpan expression. “No. No you didn’t .” 

Ranma tried to retort, but Ukyo’s eyes told him she already caught him. “You’re right. I found a wallet on the street. But hey, a thousand yen is a thousand yen!” 

Ukyo weighed her options, but eventually walked towards him. “Ugh… Fine, Ranchan. Let’s go get some sushi.” 

Ranma grabbed the money out of his pocket and waved it in the air. “Hehe, and it’s my treat this time.” 

Ukyo snatched the thousand yen bill. “Yoink. No it’s not.” 

“Oi! Give that back! I went through a lot of trouble for that!” 

Ukyo simply laughed as they both entered the restaurant.

Chapter Text

The reddish glow of the sun shone through the leaves of the forest surrounding the clearing. Most birds had already stopped chirping, letting the cicadas take all the sound in the air.

Well… all the sound, except the sound two teenagers were making.

“60… 61… 6-2… Shit…” Ranma broke down, falling flat on his chest, his best friend standing in between his shoulder blades.

“Ha! Told you! I’m stronger!” Ukyo’s laughter filled the air, much to Ranma’s dismay.

“Just get off me!” Ranma grumbled, shifting his weight until she jumped off. “And you ain’t stronger.”

Ukyo let out one last chuckle. “Oh, really? You sure? Because it seems to me that your body just gave out and you fell to the floor.”

Ranma groaned as he got up to his feet. “Oi! You only got to 61!” 

Ukyo stabbed his chest with her index finger. “Yeah, but you’re way heavier. So I’m stronger.”

“Like hell you are!”

“Well, I am.”

“No, you’re not!”

“Oh, I so am.”

Ranma clenched his fists. “Wanna go?” 

Ukyo smirked. “Any day of the week, Ranchan. But…” She sighed, turning around to walk in the opposite direction. “Best if you don’t, since we gotta travel tomorrow.”

“All I’m hearin’ is excuses.” Ranma then got painfully aware of his sore upper body as he cracked his knuckles. “B-but maybe you’re right.”

After catching up, the two best friends walked side by side back toward their campsite.

“So, you excited, Ucchan?” Ranma put his hands on the back of his head, glancing sideways at her.

Ukyo looked skywards. “Dunno. China’s gonna be something alright. But it’ll be bad for business, not speaking the language and all. We better learn some killer techniques, and I ain’t talkin’ like that Cat Fist. Hated that.” 

Ranma returned his gaze back in front of him. “I get what you mean. Not that business stuff, but not bein’ able to understand anyone… Yeah, we better learn somethin’ good.” 

“The thing I’m absolutely not looking forward to is the swimming we’ll have to do. Swimming with a giant spatula on your back is not a fun pastime.” Ukyo shot her gaze to her feet at the idea.

Ranma furrowed his eyebrows. That’s it! Ucchan’s been carrying that glorified steel rod everywhere, that’s why she’s almost as strong as I am, ‘cause no way that she’s stronger. If I was carrying something heavy everywhere I would become leagues above her!

“You cheated, you know.” 

Ukyo raised an eyebrow. “What? What’re you whining about now?”

“That strength test stuff. You cheated with that spatula.” 

Ukyo’s face grew even more bewildered. “Ranma… you lost me. I mean, you’re always drawing stupid conclusions, but this takes the cake. I don’t even have my spatula on me right now.” 

Ranma pointed at her. “Exactly! I am wearing all my equipment, so you should too. Then you’d have way less push-ups.” 

Ukyo sighed. “You do realise I would also wear it when I was standing on top of you in that case, right?”

Ranma froze. Right, haven’t thought about that. He tried to think up a comeback, but scoffed instead.

Ukyo cracked a smile at her friend’s exasperation. “Just accept it, Ranchan. I’m stronger than you.”

Ranma choked on the air. “I already told you, you’re not!”

Ukyo was growing exasperated herself. “Oh, get over it, Ranchan. Just accept I’m stronger and move on.” 

Ranma whipped his head in her direction. “I’d do that, if you were stronger, which you are not, by the way!” 

Ukyo sighed, knowing he probably won’t shut up about it. “Fine, have it your way.” 

Ranma let out a puff of air that, to Ukyo, sounded an awful lot like a prideful one, which went against her grain.

Oh, you wanna play Ranchan? Let’s play.

“I’ll accept you’re stronger than me, Ranchan, if you can throw my spatula further than me.” Ukyo gave Ranma a dead serious look, making him pause for a moment.

Ranma narrowed his eyes. “Oh, it’s on. This’ll be easy.” 

Ukyo smirked to herself. “We’ll see.”

Genma scoffed as the two returned to a freshly lit campfire, sitting on top of a fallen tree log. “You two are late. Dinner was supposed to be ready, girl. Martial artists need to eat, that includes me. And boy? You are slacking in your training. Running off like that every day isn’t going to help you.” 

Ranma’s eyebrow twitched. I’m slacking in my training? I’m slacking in my training?! The hell you mean!?

He stepped towards his father. “Who are you calling a slacker, old man?” His voice was lower than usual, dripping in something even Ukyo couldn’t name.

Ranma clenched his fists. “I train my ass off every day, just not with you. That’s what’s botherin’ you, ain’t it. You’re always stuck in those stupid flyers, writing letters to who-knows-where, while I’m out here bustin’ my ass off to get stronger!”

Genma looked at his son with thoughtful eyes. “I guess the time would’ve come either way. It is of course a boy’s duty to rebel against his father. But you have let fun cloud your judgement.”

Ranma took a confused step back. “What the hell are you talkin’ about, man?” 

“I’m saying that you have lost sight of what’s important. The Arts aren’t only about strength. It is about the flow of battle, the reading of your opponent. I thought I had done a good job teaching you these ideals, boy. But apparently not. That girl must’ve gotten something in your head.”

Ranma gritted his teeth. “Who do you think you are? Why are you actin’ all high and mighty? I haven’t seen a decent bit of training from you since I was 12, but you’re blamin’ Ucchan? Maybe you oughta take a look at yourself, lazy old man!”

Genma slowly got up. “Well, I see. You think I’ve been slacking off. But a great master never teaches all their tricks.” 

Ranma laughed, slipping into a stance as it broke into a chuckle. “Like you’re a great master! Mistaking you for one is more embarrassing than mistaking me for a girl, or Ucchan for wife material!” 

Ukyo, who was mostly ignoring the two to get dinner ready, heard that. She grabbed a stone off the ground and threw it against the back of his head.

Ranma turned his head to look at the perpetrator for his headache. “Oi! What was-”

He heard footsteps rushing towards him, heavy steps indicating intent.

Dropping low through his knees, he looked at his attacker, seeing his father mid kick.

The foot grazed his scalp, leaving Genma exposed.

Ranma smirked. Didn’t see that one coming, did you old man? He extended his leg, sweeping it along the ground as he turned to fully face his father.

Genma gritted his teeth, his foot beneath him pushed off to the side. He braced his arms for the ground, catching himself from slamming his full body weight into the ground.

Ranma got up from his crouched position to go on the offensive. He raised his foot to kick him further into the ground, but Genma pushed himself off the ground before Ranma could act.

Genma landed a stepping distance away and scrambled to regain his stance. “Not bad for a slacker, huh?” 

Ranma smiled. “Yeah, not bad. But not good enough either!”

He closed the distance in an instant, throwing a quick jab at his father’s chest.

Genma deflected the strike with his left forearm, leaning to the right to throw a punch at Ranma’s midsection.

Ranma grunted as he tanked the hit, grabbing a hold on his father’s arm with both of his hands. He turned around on the balls of his feet, pulling the arm over his shoulder.

With one strong pull, Genma’s feet left the ground. He soared through the air, his face brushed with Ranma’s ponytail on his ascent.

Ranma yelled at the top of his lungs as he threw his father to the ground. The loud crash of the martial artist’s body slamming into the dirt echoed of the trees surrounding them.

With heavy breath he looked at his father laying in front of him on his back and started to laugh. The sound filled the air, replacing the crash of a boy with an ego too big, humbling a lazy father.

Ukyo looked from a distance at the scene and sighed. “Boys…” she muttered, closing the backpack out of which she grabbed the ingredients for dinner.

“Yo, Ucchan! Did you see that?! I told you I’m strong!” 

Ukyo smiled as she saw Ranma casually walking away from his father, who looked like he needed a break before getting up again. “Yeah, sure.” 

Ranma plopped himself down beside his best friend, looking over her shoulder to peek at what she was cooking up. “What’chu makin’?” 

Ukyo shrugged. “Secret.” 

Ranma glared at the back of Ukyo’s neck. “Come on. Tell me.” 

“Mmmh…” Ukyo tapped her chin, seemingly thinking it over. “500 yen and I’ll tell you.” 

Ranma flinched. “What? Why would I pay for that?” 

Ukyo extended a hand behind her. “Do you want food or not?” 

“Of course I do! But why do I gotta pay you nowadays? Ever since that fishmarket you started hagglin’ me.”

Ukyo let out a breath. “We’ve been travelling a long time now. I think it’s about time I start chasing my own dreams. I want to open my own okonomiyaki shop, Ranma. I hadn’t had a lot of time to perfect yet, but I want to have the best and most famous restaurant in Japan.”

Ranma paused. “Oh… Right, you talked about that once.” 

Ukyo turned to face Ranma. “So, I need to get into that business mindset, so I’m prepared. And the cash wouldn’t hurt.” 

Ranma looked in Ukyo’s eyes for a moment, then sighed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a 100 yen coin. “Here, I don’t got more cash on me, so stop askin’.”

Ukyo was taken aback by the gesture. She hesitantly took the coin and looked at it in the palm of her hand. “Thanks, Ranma,” she said with a slight smile, “first profit in a long time. This means the world to me.”

Ranma scratched the back of his neck. “Least I could do.” He pushed himself off the ground as he looked over at his father, who was back up on his feet. “Well, anyway. Good luck with all that.” He pointed at the prep Ukyo had started with.

“Right… Yeah, thanks.” Ukyo’s eyes followed her best friend as he walked back to Genma for round 2. She then looked at the coin in her hand and her smile grew.

She put the coin in her pocket, aside from the rest of her cash.

“Thanks, Ranchan.”

It was early in the next morning when Ukyo and Ranma made their way through the woods to create a little distance between them and the campsite, Ukyo holding her spatula on her shoulder.

“Now, remember. One throw, whoever throws it the furthest is the strongest. Got it?” Ukyo didn’t even look at Ranma as she spoke.

Ranma gave a singular nod, paired with a cocky grunt.

Ukyo stopped in a part of the forest which was slightly less dense. “This should be as good a place as any. I start, ‘cause it’s my spatula.”

Ranma waved her off. “Fina, fine. It don’t matter who’s starting in the end anyway, ‘cause I’ll win.”

Ukyo snorted. “We’ll see about that.” 

With the help of half a shrug, she got her spatula off her shoulder. She extended her left arm in front of her, twisting the rest of her body to face perpendicular to it.

She extended the arm holding the spatula behind her, using her index finger to keep it steady.

Ukyo took one deep breath to focus before fixating on the imaginary point her free arm was pointing at.

She took a step in front of her with her left foot, then crossed it with her, before taking one last big step with her left again, turning her entire body in the direction she was pointing at to aid the spatula’s speed.

As her hand got close to her ear, she released, letting the spatula fly off into the forest in front of her.

Ranma stood bewildered. Did she have to show off that much? was all he could think.

Ukyo was fully prepared to smugly turn around and ask Ranma to replicate that throw with a grin that would tell him she didn’t believe he could, but was stopped as they both heard a loud metallic clank.

“Uhh… What was that?” Ranma hesitantly asked. 

“I don’t know!” Ukyo retorted, slightly annoyed Ranma even had to ask.

Ranma walked up to her. “Wanna check it out?”

“Yeah I wanna check it out, that’s my spatula!”

The two walked in the direction Ukyo threw for some time before reaching the spatula, which seemed to be lodged in a metal fencegate.

“The hell? What is a fence even doing here?” Ranma asked as they approached.

Ukyo gripped the handle and put her foot against the pole, pulling it out with a few hard pulls.

They both looked through the chainlink fence to see what it was protecting. 

The ground first descended in a steep decline to what had to be the sea, judging by the smell of salt in the air. The concrete floors were littered with people, some wearing high visibility vests, others normal clothing. It all seemed to revolve around the large ship on the far side of this small port.

Ranma pushed open the fencegate, which was no effort since the spatula had already busted it up. “Oh… that was easy. Let's get out of here before someone figures we busted their gate.”

Ukyo grew a sly smile. “What? Scared? Let’s just check it out. You can handle it, right?” 

A flash of competitiveness flashed through Ranma. “Of course I can!” 

“You can? Why don't you follow me then, and prove it? Scaredy cat.” Ukyo said in a mocking tone.

“Don’t mock me!” Ranma slammed the fence closed again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ukyo shrugged to amplify her statement.

Ranma slumped his shoulders. “I really hate you, you know?”

Ukyo smirked. “Sure you do, Ranchan. Now come on, slowpoke.” 

Ranma and Ukyo covered their ears as the ship honked its horn, not expecting such a loud sound. The two could barely see the ground through the mangle of legs in the sea of people they found themselves in.

They were going against the flow, bumping into people and getting strange looks from everyone. Voices wrapped around them like a loud blanket, making it nearly impossible to decipher what was being said.

“Why the hell did they make that stupid sound so loud!?” Ranma yelled, causing Ukyo to slap his shoulder.

“What are you? Deaf? Stop yelling.” Ukyo looked around, trying to see through the crowd, checking if there was anything of interest to them.

I guess this is an important port. I mean, we can’t go two steps without bumping into someone. Is there a place where I can ask a question around here? Ukyo thought as the two cut their way through the crowd like they were walking through water.

They arrived at the starting point of the seemingly endless stream of people, a port terminal, almost a wall of turnstiles.

A guard stood tall at one of the nearest entrances, looking at the herd passing him.

Ukyo waved her hand high above her head to get his attention. “Hello! Excuse me!” she yelled just loud enough to reach the guard.

The stern man turned towards the spatula girl, raising one eyebrow. “Miss, you are disrupting the flow. Please move to the ferry and show your ticket.”

“Ticket? We don’t have a ticket. We just want to know where the boat is going.” Ukyo called out, loud enough for the guard to hear. 

The guard looked physically annoyed, most likely because that wasn’t the first time consuming thing he had to deal with, nor would it be the last. “No ticket means no entry to the docking port.” He stretched an arm out like an open invitation, over the heads of the crowd, pointing towards a gate at the end of the terminal.

“Please follow me while I escort you two off the premises.” His voice then dropped in volume until neither could hear him. “I swear kids these days are getting more and more annoying.”

Ranma had been staring at the big ship docked at the port, trying to wrap his brain around how to make such a thing float.

Ukyo saw Ranma dawdling in the corner of her eye, sighed, and grabbed his hand to drag him along through the crowd. 

Ranma was startled at the sudden movement. “Ucchan! Hey! Let go of me, you-!” 

“Save it.” Ukyo cut him off as the guard showed them to the fence, where there were a lot less people.

The guard muttered a curse under his breath as he fumbled with the key to the lock keeping everyone from simply entering through the gate.

“Could you now answer my question?” Ukyo asked as the fence opened. “Where is this big boat going?” 

The guard looked genuinely puzzled. “That ‘big boat’ is a ferry, and it ferries between Japan and China.” 

Ranma and Ukyo both raised their eyebrows, turning to look at each other, before looking back at the tall man in front of them. “To… China?” Both asked simultaneously.

“Yes, to China. If you want to get on, however, you need a ticket. You can buy single use, or return tickets at the booth over there.” The man pointed over his shoulder at a small building where there was a line of people waiting to be served.

“So… that boat goes to China if we have a ticket?” Ukyo asked hesitantly.

The guard sighed. “Yes, that is what I just said.” 

“And… a ticket is how much?” 

“A single use ticket would be 500 yen, a return double that.” The guard said unceremoniously. “Now, please exit the premises.” 

As Ukyo and Ranma complied, walking back into the woods, Ukyo grabbed her wallet. “I didn’t see him making a fuss about my spatula… But I only got 1900 yen on me right now.” 

Ranma raised an eyebrow, placing his hands in his pockets. “Wait… are you suggesting-” 

“-That we take that ferry? Yes. I mean, tricking your dad will be a piece of cake, just promise to be back by sundown. I would’ve left him already, but I left the rest of my money in my travel pack. This is just pocket change.” Ukyo shifted some coins around, trying to see if she was missing anything.

Ranma stopped dead in his tracks. “What?” 

Ukyo looked over her shoulder. “What? I’m just saying. We train better with just the two of us, Ranchan, but I don’t have enough for two return tickets, and I don’t want to be stuck in-” 

“You wanted to leave my father here, alone?” Ranma clenched his fist. “Not happening!” He pushed past her, bumping into her shoulder with more force than necessary.

Ukyo stumbled a step back, but remained standing, looking surprised. “The hell do you mean, not happening?! That stupid, old man is just a bother! We can make it to that strange training grounds on our own!” 

Ranma gritted his teeth, halting his march one more time. “Believe whatever the hell you want! But if we’re going, he’s coming with! And if you ain’t got enough money for three return tickets, we’re swimmin’!” 

When Ranma started moving again, she quickened her pace to match his. “Money ain’t the problem, just why do you want to keep him around so bad? You said it yourself, Ranchan, he doesn’t even train you anymore. We’re training together.”

“How did you feel when you abandoned your father?” Ranma didn’t even try to make eye contact.

Ukyo was taken aback. It was the first time he mentioned anything like it in ages. “Ranma, that was 10 years ago. I barely even remember anything from back then. It sucked, sure, but-” 

“-Who made sure you could sleep?” 

“Wha- Ranma, I-”

“-Who made sure you could sleep?!”

Ukyo’s emotions started to rise as well, wanting to know where the hell Ranma was taking all this. “Ranchan, I slept my first night in the freezing cold, drenched and wrapped in thin cloth. That old man didn’t do-” 

Ranma turned around, closing the distance instantly, stabbing an accusatory finger at Ukyo’s chest. “And the second night?! The second night you slept in pop’s big warm bed!”

Ukyo didn’t know what to say, because Ranma was right. She didn’t have a comeback.

“He made you struggle, yes, but look at what that made you, made us! He had warm milk ready when we returned from that stupid circus! He didn’t sleep with a sleeping bag for days after granting you his! He desperately tried everything to make us not afraid of cats! He stole food from that diner so you didn't have to cook for a week! He carried your pack half the time for weeks after you lost the cart! He never pushed you to be manly after I found out you are a girl! He threw a tiny celebration when you won that cooking competition, when the school didn’t want to! And he even paid extra to have you go to an all-girls school after that whole all-boys school incident, when the only other option was an all-boys school again a couple months ago!” 

Ukyo stood frozen under Ranma’s words, not knowing what to say, think, or even to breath.

“Did you forget that?!” Ranma snapped, pushing his finger one final time before pulling away out of fear he might hurt his best friend.

“N-... No…” Ukyo said, in the tiniest, softest voice she ever used.

“Then why want abandon him? Because he did a shit ton of things for the girl you say he just wanted gone.” Ranma turned back around, to where he thought their campsite was. “Now let’s go and tell pops the news.”

“Y-yeah…” Ukyo took a moment, before hurrying after a cooling off Ranma, trailing behind enough to let them both breath.

Maybe… in all these years… he started to see me… as a daughter, Ukyo started thinking, looking at Ranma’s ponytail swinging from side to side with each step.

And I… him as a second father…

Ranma looked up, seeing the sun reach its apex, before looking at the ground to rub his eyes back into working order.

Ukyo smiled. I guess… travelling with Genma for a couple more years doesn’t sound too bad.

Chapter Text

“Are we there yet?” 

Ranma had been asking that very question once every ten minutes for the past hour, and Genma was starting to get fed up.

“Yes, boy, we’re close. Only two hills left… At least, if I read this map correctly.” Genma unfolded the map in his hand one more time, just in case, only to be reassured they were going in the right direction.

Ranma let out a groan and grabbed the straps of his travel pack. “You said that an hour ago!”

“And I was right an hour ago. We are still on the same hill! We’re walking along it’s peak!” Genma snapped back at his son walking beside him.

Ukyo dragged on a bit behind, adjusting her spatula every so often. She didn’t share Ranma’s enthusiasm for this training ground Genma was hyping up.

He always does stuff like this. That old man talks up a training ground, Ranchan gets really excited, but then it turns out it’s just more of the same. A bit of equipment, some overseer, and a small course. 

She kicked a rock a few steps ahead of her, almost catching Genma’s foot, making him stumble.

“Careful, pops, the ground’s slippery. Loose rocks and stuff.” Ranma quipped, seeing his father seemingly trip on nothing.

Genma glared at his son. “What was that?”

Ranma shrugged. “Nothin’.”

“Why you-!” Genma lunged, something Ranma easily sidestepped from his father’s suboptimal position.

Ranma stuck out his tongue to provoke his father even more. Genma took the bait and started chasing after him, the two zigzaggingly running along the path.

Ukyo watched the two with a loud chuckle, which evolved into a full on laugh as Ranma flipped over his father.

Where’s the real excitement? Like a place where you have to balance on small poles and landing on the ground results in a grave punishment! Like… lava or something… I’d pay for a place built on top of a volcano at this point.

“Hey! Wait! Wait for me!” Ukyo started sprinting after them.

Ukyo’s steps became easier, her speed faster as the hill started to slowly slope downwards.

The father and son playfighting down the mountain at a slightly slower pace than her made her determined to go even faster. And soon enough, she caught up.

Ranma looked to his right, uphills, squinting against the glare of the sun in the corner of his eye, to see what Ukyo was doing, as he jumped over an attempt of a dive from Genma. He saw her laughing face, her running at full speed toward, no, aiming to run past them, and smiled even wider himself.

She was so close to moving past them, she almost forgot she was running downhills. She wouldn’t forget long though, as her foot rolled over a stick, making her loose all her structure.

Ranma dived forward the moment he saw her lose control. He managed to catch her, which would’ve saved both, if it wasn’t for the fact that both had left the ground.

The two started to roll down the hill together, their backs lightly pelted by small rocks and sticks. Out of the sheer overstimulation of the situation, neither let go. Instead, they clutched each other tighter.

It wasn’t long before they reached the base of the hill, even rolling a bit up the next ,grassy one. 

Ukyo’s back got caught in a slight indent in the terrain, causing the two to get raised slightly in the air. They landed on Ranma’s back with full force, with him groaning loudly at the event of coming to a sudden halt.

Ukyo released her tight hold, struggling to hold back her laughter.

That must’ve looked so embarrassing! Luckily no one’s here to see me fuck up. Well, except that old man, but who cares about his opinion.

Her laugh spilled out as she looked down at Ranma squirming his back with his eyes closed from experiencing the crash of two people.

As her own sore back set in, and the reality of the situation started to set in, the laughter died out. Subconsciously, she started to slightly lean forward. 

When Ranma started to open his eyes again, Ukyo immediately caught herself, masking the move as a set up to push herself off him, returning to her feet in one swift motion. She kept her face turned away from him, recomposing herself.

“S-sorry… I just saw you two running, and… you didn’t wait u-” 

“Oh, please. It’s nothing.” Ranma curled his legs back, placing his hands beside his ears, before kicking himself upright.  “I’m fine, see?” 

“Just do me a favour and don’t run downhills at full speed anymore. Because that’s just askin’ for trouble,” Ranma added while patting off the dirt from his gi.

“R-right…” Ukyo said quietly.

Genma yelled at them from a quarter up the hill. “Just go left there, and you should see it starting to appear over the horizon!” 

Ranma grinned, sticking up a thumbs up. “Sure thing, pops!” He turned to Ukyo who was still looking the opposite direction of him. “Come on, Ucchan. Let’s go! Last one there eats a burned egg, right?” 

Ukyo didn’t turn to face him. “Go on ahead, Ranchan. My legs are still a little shaky from the fall. I shouldn’t be running right away.” 

“Right…” Ranma looked at his own legs, who also still had an unmistakable shiver to them. “I guess you’re right. Well, then let’s take it slow, I guess. But I will win that next race, for sure.”

Ukyo couldn’t help but smile again. “Yeah, sure. We gotta wait for the old man anyway.”

Ranma put his hands on the back of his head. “Yup… that man is way too slow. We could’ve been here a week ago, but no. As if walking halfway across China wasn’t bad enough, we had to take detours. Well, whatever, we’re almost there now. Don’t take too long, Ucchan.” 

With that, he walked away, giving her half a wave as comfort.

Ukyo finally dared a look, her face completely flushed. 

What the hell was that?

Grassy hills made way for a thick bamboo forest as they climbed. It didn’t take long until the only thing able to be walked on was the path laid out for them.

“Almost there! Finally!” Ranma said with a groan as he stretched his arms. “This place better be as good as you said, pops.” 

Genma drummed a fist against his chest. “Don’t worry, boy. This training ground will be like none we have faced before. It is said not a single warrior ever left this place with less than what he came with.” 

Ukyo sighed. Time, maybe. I swear, if this is another waste of time, I’ll-

A clearing in the bamboo forest slowly became visible as they approached. 

Well, we’ll see what happens. The better have a place I can sharpen my spatula, by the way. Ukyo grabbed the straps of her pack and tightened it against her back slightly, making the steel shaft of her giant spatula between her back and the back pack dig slightly into her skin.

A larger man in a green Mao suit was sitting around a campfire, smoking a pipe. The man didn’t even bother to look up, until Genma stepped on a piece of fallen bamboo.

He quickly rose to his feet, adjusting his cap when he stood at full length. “Ah, visitors. Yes, hello, hi, welcome to the legendary training grounds of Jusenkyo!” 

Ranma leaned over to Ukyo. “He seems way too cheerful, doesn’t he?” He whispered into her ear.

“Shut up, Ranchan. This is an actually interesting looking training grounds. Let’s try it out right now,” Ukyo replied just as softly.

The man stretched one arm toward the training grounds. “So, I will be your guide today. As you can see, this training ground mostly consists of bamboo pillars you can balance on, to prevent yourself from falling into the-” 

Ranma dropped his pack on the ground with a satisfying thud. “Come on, pops! Let’s go! Me and Ucchan are gonna rock this!”

Ukyo and Genma soon followed, their three back packs making a small pile only a step away from the guide, who seemed anxious at what they were about to do.

“Wait! Before you begin, you must know that-!” But it was too late.

Ranma jumped onto the nearest chute, using it to step to the next, after which he put his hands on the third to flip onto the fourth with elegance. “Too easy! Come on, you slowpokes!” 

Ukyo followed, immediately backflipping onto the second nearest pole to her. “Try and beat that, old man!” She smiled, feeling the chute wobble and bend beneath her, giving her flexibility.

Lastly, Genma jumped onto the bamboo, hopping from one to the other to get closer to Ranma.

Ranma smirked, leaning back as he set up a counter attack. The bamboo groaned beneath him as he swept forward, meeting his father head on.

Their forearms met, both pushing trying to push the other back. Genma had the slight momentum advantage and Ranma felt himself losing the clash, so he pushed himself off the chute and flipped a couple of bamboo poles backwards.

Ukyo too wanted to join in on the action, but as she went to grab her spatula, she realised it might not be a good idea to use it here, since the swinginging of the thing would make the very thing beneath her feet unreliable.

“Hey, mister guide?! Could you hold on to this for me please?!” She yelled across the training grounds, flinging her weapon in the direction of the Jusenkyo Guide.

The Guide gave a panicked nod. “Well, yes, but you all should know that-” He caught the spatula, but it was much, much heavier than he expected, his hands immediately dropping to the floor to be crushed by the oversized, steel cooking utensil.

Ukyo focused back on the fight, where Ranma and Genma were about to rush each other again. 

Seizing the opportunity, Ukyo rushed in, hopping from chute to chute, until Genma jumped.

She hopped on top of his back, before pushing him downwards as she jumped off just as fast.

Genma fell into the spring below with a big splash, completely submerging under the water.

Ukyo grabbed a bamboo pole just in time, spinning around it until she hung steady of on the side of it.

Ranma managed to readjust and land on a different nearby pole. 

“Welp, there goes the old man, Ranchan!” Ukyo yelled, putting her one free hand to her mouth so he could more easily hear her. “Now it’s just you versus me!” 

Ranma grinned, clenching his fists and dropping into a different stance. “Bring it, Ucchan!” 

The water beneath them bubbled, a presence clearly under the water. Both teenagers just assumed it was Genma coming above the water, until a giant panda bursted out of the water.

Both teens froze at the sight of the big, hairy animal balancing on a pole. They looked at each other for a quick moment, before it started rapidly running towards them.

Startled, Ukyo jumped away without looking, while Ranma got a paw in the face.

What the hell! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!? Ukyo’s mind screamed as she heard another splash. All her instincts told her to just get back to the Guide and wait for Ranma and Genma, before leaving forever.

She swung off the next chute, not taking a moment to slow down, hopping from one bamboo chute to the next. Until a panda roar pulled her out of her haze, with a different one.

She barely missed the last step she needed to get back to shore, luckily able to recover enough to lunge for it.

Ukyo landed on the edge of one of the springs and sighed. As she turned around to look at where Genma and Ranma were, however, the dirt underneath her feet crumbled.

She slipped on the unexpected loose ground, submerging herself in a spring before long.  Water suddenly took over her body as she sunk into the spring, the sunlight piercing through the water faintly calming.

An itch started forming in her chest, near her heart, which before long started spread through her entire torso, heating up her body before she knew it. As it got to her face, her mind caught up to the situation.

Shit, shit, shit! I gotta go up!

Ukyo put all her power into her legs, paddling upwards as fast as she could.

With a loud splash, she resurfaced, but found herself having trouble staying on the surface of the water. But before she could sink again, something lifted her out of the water.

“There, there. You seemed to have fallen in the Spring of Drowned Fox, little girl,” a familiar voice called out to her, amidst something that sounded like screaming in the distance. “A fox drowned in that spring 2000 years ago.”

Her eyes were still adjusting to the bright sun,and was still reeling from the fact that she almost drowned a moment ago. So, it took her a while to realise she was dangling off the ground, held by… her neck. And the scream was both getting louder, and dying down.

Ukyo blinked a couple of times before things settled into vision. Before her were no two hands outstretched, but paws. Her arms were replaced by brown fur covered legs. And she couldn’t tell if she was going crazy, or her nose seemed bigger.

She felt herself descending as the screaming stopped. It wasn’t long before she felt the ground beneath her again.

Her gaze turned upwards to see the Jusenkyo Guide, looking much taller than she remembered.

Wait… What did that guy say? Spring of Drowned Fox? What the hell does he mean by- 

“So, you three chose to not listen to my warning. These springs are ancient, cursed by those who drowned in them. Each one of you has fallen into one, and so you are all cursed. But not to worry, they are not as bad as you think,” the Guide said cheerfully, like he had seen this happen way too much.

A girl stepped out of a spring, distinctly wearing a similar gi Ranma was wearing, but with tied back red hair Ukyo had never seen before. She was struggling to tie the belt around her waist tighter, which Ukyo understood, because those clothes seemed way too big for her.

Ukyo tried to ask who that was, but when she opened her mouth, all that came out was a strange yap.

She tried again, and again, getting a similar, although increasingly more desperate, noise every time.

The Guide crouched down beside her. “Yes, little girl. You are a fox right now. Don’t panic too much, it’s going to be okay.”

Hearing it said out loud made the reality click, something her brain didn’t want to do on her own, because it was so ridiculous. 

“Try to stand up.” 

Ukyo thought it was easy enough, pushing herself up with her front paws, before realising she could stand on only her hind legs anymore and having to catch herself with her front legs.

Ugh… This feels weird. Ukyo couldn’t leave the thought as she stood on all fours.

“And what about me, huh!?” The girl yelled out, finally done poking herself, as if she was trying to see if it was a dream.

The Guide waved her off. “You can walk, can you not? You three can leave right now, but you are free to stay for as long as you like. Not many enter these grounds, so some peace might do you good. At least stay the night.”

“Ain’t no way in hell that I’m gonna be running around like some little girl!” The girl yelled, way louder than it had to be.

The Guide snapped his fingers, his memory setting back in. “Ah, yes. I almost forgot the important part of the curse.” He scraped his throat. “Your curse form is not your new body forever. You can change back and forth. It’s just that cold water turns you into your cursed form, but hot water gets you back to your normal self.”

With that, he stood up, and started walking towards a hut located on the premises. “Come, come! I have hot water inside.”

Moments later, the three sat around a small table in the cramped cabin. All three had been returned to their normal forms. They had made a little haste, since rain clouds had formed.

Ukyo leaned on the palm of her hand. “So… let me get this straight… This place… is cursed?”

The Guide nodded, bowing himself over a soup he was making. “Yes. Correct.”

“And… you knew about this?” Ukyo pointed at Genma, who started to shift uncomfortably on the wooden bench.

“W-well… to be honest… no… All I read about Jusenkyo was… in Chinese, and-” 

“You can’t read Chinese for shit!” Ranma butted in.

Ukyo shushed Ranma, not wanting the situation to blow up.

“No!” Ranma retorted. “I ain’t calming down, Ucchan! That… Panda over there ruined our lives!”

Ukyo snorted. “Oh, please, Ranma, ruined your life? At least you two keep your ability to grab stuff. And you, Ranma, even stay human! All you have to deal with is being a bit shorter.”

“Oi! Don’t act like you’re the only one affected here!” Ranma stood up, slamming his hands on the table. “Turning into a girl has more than enough downsides!”

Ukyo’s brow twitched. “Oh, so being a girl is a problem for you?”

“Yes! Yes, it is!”

Ukyo closed her eyes and slowed her breathing, trying to calm down. She tried to focus on the pitter patter of the rain that started to hit the window.

But Ranma wasn't done. “I mean, what upsides could turning into a girl have?!”

You know what? Screw it.

Ukyo calmly extended her hand to her spatula, fingers curling around it lazily.

One loud bang later, the door to the cabin was opened. Ukyo walked into the rain, spatula in hand.

It didn’t take long before the curse caught up, with Ukyo dropping the spatula and falling over a couple of steps away from the doorway she came from.

A small, brown fox slithered out of the pile of clothes left behind.

Mmh… Maybe not my best move, but I couldn't just stay in there.

Ukyo took a couple of awkward, wobbly steps forward, still not entirely used to walking as a fox. But eventually she made it to where she wanted to sit, on a spot where she could look out over Jusenkyo, to think.

Her tail, still somewhat foreign to her, curled around her as she sat, almost instinctually.

Why, of all people, would he be so angry? He, at least, gets to stay human, and just changes genders. What’s the big deal in that?

Ripples formed in the pools of Jusenkyo didn’t even have time to fully form before another droplet disturbed it. The chaos within that calmed Ukyo to a degree, as well as the simple sounds of rain hitting grass and wind sweeping through the bamboo.

Ugh… Now I have to deal with this… stupid fox body. Man, why do we even listen to that old man?

Ukyo’s ear twitched as someone approached, tensing her legs. She was a little weirded out how vivid the world around her was, and how heightened her senses.

Who the hell-?

“Ucchan? You good?”

Ranma’s voice cut through the rain without issue, although Ukyo almost could not recognise it was Ranma through the higher pitch.

Ukyo didn’t turn to face him, but relaxed her muscles.

The red-haired girl plopped down beside her, lowering his head until looking Ukyo straight into her eyes. Ukyo could see his left cheek still blazing red from where she hit him with her spatula, which she still thought he deserved.

“Hey, come on, what’s wrong?” 

Ukyo turned away, avoiding her gaze.

Ranma sighed. “Man, you’re stubborn.”

Look who’s talking! Ukyo let out a puff of air through her nose.

“That weird Guide-guy is preparing hot water again. So whenever you’re ready, you can change back in the hut.” Ranma placed his smaller hand on top of Ukyo’s fox head, ruffling her fur like she was some kind of dog.

Ukyo froze under the warm touch. Wha- Ranchan! What the hell do you think you’re doing! Stop that! But her body wouldn’t move like she wanted it to.

Her tail gave a lazy thump to the ground after Ranma pulled his hand away, standing up again to move back inside.

“Well, have fun in the rain. And for when you do come inside, we’re probably staying for at least the next couple of days, so don’t sweat it. We’ll find the cure to this curse in no time.” Ranma gave one final wave, before leaving the door slightly ajar, to make sure Ukyo could still enter.

Ukyo returned her gaze from the hut back to the springs in front of her, her ears filled with only the sounds of rain and wind once more. But her mind managed to block all of that out.

First I moved without thinking, now I accepted a head pat like a dog…

WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TO ME!?

Chapter Text

The sky was still gray from the rain that had just passed, casting an atmosphere usually depressing over Tokyo. But today, one specific part of the capital was surprisingly lively.

People turned their heads at the sound of running in the wet streets. 

Ranma ran on bare feet through the puddles left by the quick storm, in his girl form. Holding one back pack in one hand, and keeping one on his back.

Ukyo ran alongside him, needing to slow down a bit to match his speed, in her fox form.

Behind them ran Genma, the giant panda. And surprising absolutely every onlooker, he was catching up.

He lunged, but Ranma saw it coming, jumping over the furry arms. He threw both bags at the panda, stunning him.

“Yo! Cut that out!” Ranma crashed back down into the big mammal with one leg extended, sending Genma down onto the ground.

The panda quickly recovered, standing tall and taking on a stance.

The onlookers murmured among themselves, most people interested in the ongoing events.

“Hey, is that a panda?”
“That is a panda, isn’t it?” 

Ukyo stood beside Ranma, a little bit impatient as she looked at him taking another stance against his father.

With a slight glint in his eye, he started to taunt. “Your move.” 

Ukyo gave a loud yip beside him. Man, these two idiots can’t get a move on! Why the hell did that old panda trick us into going back to Japan anyway? He was so secretive about it with Ranma, and now we’re running. Great.

Genma didn’t need any more bait, swooping in in an instant and delivering a barrage of jabs.

Ranma dodged strike after strike, even deflecting a few. “Well, I still say this whole thing sucks!”

His father overextended, letting Ranma take hold of the entire arm.

As he shifted on his feet to throw the panda over his shoulder, Ukyo looked up, just to see the sun blocked out.

The last thing she heard was, “Picking my fiancée-” before she was covered by black and white fur.

Just my stupid luck… Ow… Wait, what was that about a fiancée?

The living blanket above her started to get up again. 

“Well, I’m going back to China… and I’m taking Ucchan.”

Ukyo wobbled on her fox legs, dazedly going from side to side.

Genma grabbed a sign, swinging it along the ground. He didn’t see Ukyo mid swing, hitting her on the side of her face.

“Have fun with your-” 

Ukyo flew over the crowd, landing on a junction with an alleyway.

A sporty looking girl looked to her left, seeing the brown fox land.

She instantly rushed over, seeing a young girl yelling at a panda holding a road sign. 

“You didn't have to hit her, you stupid panda! Your fight was with me!” The girl yelled at the panda.

The sporty girl didn't waste another second, seeing the big bruise on the side of the fox's head. She grabbed the small mammal and ran home.

The last thing she heard was one soft punch, and one metallic bang.

“What?! An engagement?!”

Ukyo’s head hurt like hell, throbbing at each word yelled around her. Stupid fox ears. Ugh… Shut up!

“Yes…father…friend of mine..promise many years ago…you were born…to get children of the opposite sex…to unite the schools.”

The male voice was too far away for Ukyo to fully make out each word, not being helped by a warm touch moving from her head to her lower back, over and over again. Inconveniently, that closed her ears every so often too, making it even harder to follow.

What the fuck is this conversation? I need to get out of here. I-Ow, man, shit, my head still hurts like hell. 

Suddenly, a closer, much clearer voice broke through. “And how does this Ranma fellow look like? Is he cute?”

Ukyo perked her ears. Wait, Ranchan? What? Why- How do they even-

“I don’t know. Never met him.” The man’s voice across the table finally started registering after Ukyo was shaken awake by Ranma’s name.

“So, let me get this straight-” The hand of the girl holding Ukyo suddenly squeezed her head tighter, pushing Ukyo’s ears down. 

Oi! Let me go, stupid girl! I can’t hear like this!

A larger girl put her hand on the shoulder of the one holding her. Yeah! You tell her to let go of me! Stop the animal abuse!

The tight hand moved off Ukyo’s head like she wanted to, only to then continue with that strength down the rest of her body.

Wait! No! This is worse! This is way worse!

Ukyo started to squirm in her hold. Release me! Release me now!

“What’s wrong?” The strong girl holding her asked.

What do you think is wrong?! You’re petting me like I’m a pet, and now you are just squeezing me out like a piping bag!

“Sorry, my bad.” The hand softened, letting Ukyo lay back down in peace, although she was still blocked from exiting the lap.

From the corner of her eye, Ukyo saw two figures skid back into frame, one girl, which mentioned Ranma, and the man who had been talking the whole time.

“Was that your friend?” The girl asked, to which the man shook his head furiously.

The girl holding Ukyo stood up, shaking Ukyo in her arms.

Hey! Woah! Stop that! Just let me down!

“You’re scaring everyone, pop! Put me down!”

Ranma’s voice broke through to Ukyo, and her tail moved subconsciously. Her squirming increased, but the girl only tightened her hold.

“Sit still. It’s okay, really,” she cooed, rocking Ukyo a bit in an attempt to calm her down, but it was having the opposite effect.

Ranchan! Ranchan, help me! Save me from this hell! Ranma!

Ranma was placed by Genma in front of the taller man, who bent down to follow his descent.

“And you are?” Ranma was asked, looked down upon like a little kid, making Ukyo laugh internally.

“Ranma Saotome… Sorry about that...”

The entire room went silent, except for the fox still trying to escape her captivity in a girl’s arms.

Ranma looked towards Ukyo, seeing her squirm, so desperately trying to claim freedom. “Ucchan! There you are!” 

Ukyo gave one single yip as an answer. Yes, Ranchan! It’s me! Now get me out of here!

Ranma pushed past the man and walked up to the sporty girl holding Ukyo. “Uhm… excuse me? Can I have my fox back?” 

Your fox?! Ranchan, you have some fucking nerve! Try best friend, you dumbass!

The girl hold Ukyo gave him a small smile. “Oh, is she yours? Well, I found her beaten on the street, so I brought her home to bring her back to health.”

Ranma scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, she’s mine.” He extended his arms toward the girl like he was expecting a present. “Can I have her back now? She doesn’t like to be held by just anyone.” 

The girl handed over Ukyo to Ranma with a wider smile. “Anyway, I’m Akane. Nice to meet you.”

Ranma smiled back, adjusting the fox in his arms. “Ranma… Wait, I already said that, didn’t I?”

The girl gave a small chuckle. “Yeah, you did.”

Oh my god, Ranma! Stop flirting and put me down! Ukyo squirmed in Ranma’s arms, moving as much of her body from side to side as possible.

“Oh, right, sorry, Ucchan.” Ranma lowered himself placing Ukyo on the floor, paws first.

Ukyo glared at Ranma. I hate you so much right now.

Ranma gave a nervous chuckle. “Hey, I said I’m sorry, Ucchan. Don’t look at me like that.”

“Hey, dad. I thought you said Ranma was a boy, but this ‘boy’ sounds very feminine,” a girl with a brown bob cut said, making her way over to Ranma. “In fact…”

She pointed at Ranma’s chest, bringing her finger closer and closer until making contact.

Ranma’s face turned a slight bit of red as the girl kept repeatedly poking his chest. “Uh… Please… stop that.”

“Mmh… mmh… ‘He’... is a girl,” the brunette eventually said.

The man, who was already confused from Ranma pushing past him, froze. He clutched his heart, and fell backwards.

A few minutes later, everyone was sitting around the apparent patriarch of the house as his eldest daughter took care of him, while tears streamed down his face.

Ukyo sat beside Ranma, her tail wrapped around her legs as she was sulking.

Why is everyone ignoring me? Even Ranchan won’t give me some hot water. This is getting annoying.

She put a paw on Ranma’s leg, giving a yap to drive the point home. Turn me back, idiot!

Ranma lowered his head slightly, whispering, “wait just a sec. It’s weird to just ask for hot water out of the blue.” 

Traitor. Ukyo put her paw on the floor again, but kept her glare.

“Oh, poor father. He’s so disappointed,” the eldest girl said, dabbing a wet cloth against the man’s forehead.

The bob cut girl sat straighter. “He’s disappointed? Some fiancée this is!” She barked at her sister.

The youngest, with long bluish hair Ranma found faintly reminiscent, turned towards her sister. “Stop it, you two! He… She… is our guest!”

Ukyo yipped at that response, and the fact she was practically screaming into her ear, while Ranma stayed silent.

The bob cut girl didn’t even seem to register that warning. “It’s all your fault, father! You should’ve made sure!” 

The man on the floor tried to defend himself. “Well, he said he had a son!”

The brunette doubled down, smacking Ranma on the chest. “Do you see a son here? Hmm? Do you?”

Ukyo yipped again. Why do you keep smacking him? You into girls or something?! Cause you got one right here WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE A FOX ANYMORE!!

Ranma turned slightly pink again as she repeated her smack. “Um… Seriously. Could you stop that?”

Amidst the chaos, the youngest daughter stood up.  She turned to Ranma mid-motion. “Hey. Join me in the practice hall?” She put on a smile. “I’m Akane. Want to be friends?”

Ranma didn’t even get time to respond before Akane walked off, and, while the eldest was still trying to mediate the squabble between father and daughter, quickly decided to join her.

Ukyo saw Ranma get up and walk off, quickly getting on her feet to follow. Come back here, traitor! You haven’t given me hot water yet! She thought while all that came out of her mouth was a yip.

The eldest sighed as the chaos in the living room died down. She saw the brown fox prepare to leave, to follow Ranma. She figured she would look for food, so walked over.

Ukyo had barely made it into the hallway when a voice called out to her. “Oh my, you must be hungry, aren’t you? Well, here, here. Let’s get you something to eat.” 

Ukyo had quickly turned to check who was talking to her, and wanted to continue following Ranma. But when she took another step, her stomach growled. It turned out that running at half speed for the entire afternoon on a fox stomach works up quite the appetite. 

Ugh… Fine, but I ain’t eating out of a bowl, lady.

Ukyo reluctantly followed the oldest sister into the kitchen, her paws making soft padding sounds as she strode.

“Now, what would foxes actually eat?” The taller girl asked as she looked through the cupboards.

Meat. A lot of meat. On a plate. Now.

Her hands brushed past a big bag of rice. “Mmh… pity I don’t have a cookbook for pets.”

Who are you calling a pet, lady!?

The girl squatted down to be more on Ukyo’s level. “Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I? Well, I’m Kasumi, little fox.”

Ukyo tilted her head slightly. Is she a crazy one? She’s talking to a fox. That I’m not running away should be a red flag… Maybe she figured because Ranma called me his pet, which I’m still gonna get revenge for.

Kasumi raised herself back to full height, resuming her search for something edible for Ukyo.

While humming, she managed to find a small part of a steak. She grabbed a bowl out of the cupboard and put it all in front of Ukyo, staying squatted to see if she would eat. “So… Ucchan, was it? Such a cute name for such a cute little girl.”

Hey! Who are you calling little!? Look at Ranma right now, he’s small! Now, are you gonna cook this or what? Ukyo looked expectantly at Kasumi, who didn't pick up on anything.

Ukyo kept trying her puppy eyes, to no effect. Come on, I can’t eat this raw… Wait, can I? I mean, I am a fox. So maybe I could.

After hearing her stomach rumble once more. Stupid small stomach, stupid me for running too fast, stupid meat looking too tasty.

But it’s raw. No way am I eating that. Ukyo pawed the food, trying to show what was wrong with it.

“My, my. You are a peckish one, aren’t you? But I can’t give you any more right now. Maybe at dinner.” Kasumi said, stretching her hand out.

That wasn’t-Ugh! Fine! One bite! No more. Just one to spit out and then she’ll give me something good. Ukyo hesitantly stretched out her neck. She slowly dug her teeth into the red meat, trying to cut a small piece off.

Man, I miss my human teeth. I- I can’t seem to… cut it! Well, I can just eat a bit anyway and then spit it out. She tilted her head slightly, biting deeper into the meat, letting her canines guide it into her throat.

She started chewing the meat to get it ripped up, to eat. Ugh… this is so gross. I mean, it tastes fine, but I’’m chewing with my mouth open!

Ukyo was too busy eating to notice when Kasumi started petting her. Long strokes going through her brown fur. 

The taste slowly filled her mouth, causing her chewing to speed up. This… is good? Well, it can’t be good for me, so I’ll still have to spit it out.

After Ukyo had scarfed down the small piece of meat, which she found humiliating in her own right, she noticed the warmth spreading through her body. She felt every stroke filling her with something safe, something that made her unable to protest.

Hey! Stop that! I’m not some pet! I’m a girl! A cook!

But her body wouldn’t listen, slowly sitting up straight, closing her eyes in comfort.

After a small ruffle, Kasumi stopped her petting assault. “Now, time to prepare a bath. Akane is sure to roughen up our guest a bit, although I hope she wouldn’t, so they for sure would like to clean themselves of sweat.” 

Ukyo sat still for a little longer while Kasumi left, trying to mentally drown herself.

I want hot water. NOW!

After the little spar with Akane, Ranma was hanging out on the porch. His arms supporting himself from behind him, looking up to the sky. His girl form never failed to make his shirt uncomfortable at least.

So… This is the Tendo family pop was talking about? They seem… nice. A little weird, maybe… but so are pop and Ucchan, so I ain’t complaining.

He leaned forward so he could look at his smaller hands.

I’m more worried about this curse. I don’t want to walk around as a girl for the rest of my life. Or even half my life if we’re talking semantics. Stupid pop, bringing us to that stupid place. There wasn’t even any real reason to go there!

He sighed, slightly exasperated just thinking about it. He heard near silent footsteps, too rapid and small to be human.

A yip from his left confirmed it.

“Hey, Ucchan. What’s the matter now?” 

Ukyo looked at him with the most annoyed look a fox could have, that is to say, not at all. You said you’d get me hot water, you ass.

Ranma scratched the back of his head. “Yup, still can’t understand fox expressions. You hungry?” 

Ugh, nevermind! Man, we have to find some system for this, geez. Ukyo was about to leave, when Kasumi walked past.

“Oh, Ranma. I have prepared a bath,” Kasumi said in the most gentle tone a person could muster, or at least that is what Ukyo thought.

Ranma immediately went into panic. “A-a bath? W-w-well, I-I mean… It was only a little spar, I can… I can walk it off.”

“Ranma.” Her voice had grown more stern, a kind of push that would’ve made any sane person give in.

Not knowing where to look, Ranma started to play with his pigtail. “I-it’s not even that I smell, I could-” 

Ranma!” Kasumi gathered herself. “Come on, Ranma. Don’t you want to take a bath?”

“Huh? No! I mean… it’s okay.” Ranma scratched his cheek, desperately looking at Ukyo for an out.

Kasumi had none of it. She pushed a towel in Ranma’s hands and turned him towards the bath. “No, it’s not! You must be all sweaty from your workout!” 

Feeling a bit powerless, Ranma let himself be guided. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. This ain’t good.

But before Ranma could turn the corner to go to the bathroom, Kasumi’s voice stopped him. “Oh, Ranma? Please take Ucchan with you!” 

Ranma turned around to see a helpless Ukyo being held at shoulder height by Kasumi.

Ranma looked puzzled by Kasumi’s statement. “Ucch-” He then remembered that’s the only way he’s been calling her. “Oh, her name is Ukyo, I just call her Ucchan.”

Kasumi turned the fox to look her in the eyes. Then extended her arms back to Ranma. “Ukyo? Alright. Well, then would you take Ukyo with you to bathe?”

Ranma turned bright red. “W-w-w-what!? I didn’t think you meant into the bath!”

Ranchan, I swear to god if you don’t take me with you and leave me with this crazy lady. I will kill you.

“Yes. I don’t know where you have been with this fox, but I refuse to believe she’s fully clean.” Kasumi’s voice had grown stern again, forcing Ranma’s hand.

Ukyo yipped in indignation. Excuse you! I bathed more often than that oaf!

Ranma accepted the furball into his arms, earning a glare from Ukyo that unmistakably said Don’t you dare think about it. “W-well, okay. I’ll… do that.” 

Ranma slid the door closed behind him, dropping Ukyo out of his arms. “Don’t be smug, furball. Not like I chose this.”

Yeah, and that’s the problem! Ukyo turned her snout away from him, instead using it to get the slide door to the furo open.

“Oh, so it’s like that, huh?” Ranma called after her.

It sure is, Ranchan. Ukyo jumped up onto the edge of the bath, getting half a second of looking out over the hot water, before falling in.

Ranma heard the clumsy splash and sighed. “You okay in there?” 

It took a moment, but eventually Ukyo’s voice broke through. “I'm alive! I'm alive… How long can it take to bring me some hot water, by the way?”

Ranma sighed. “Oh, let me just walk by. ‘Hey there, I'm Ranma. Oh, my fox friend is actually a human and need hot water. Can anyone bring some?’ I'm sure that'll turn out perfectly fine and normal and not at all raise questions” 

Ukyo shifted in the tub, reaching over to grab the shampoo. “Oh, excuses, excuses. You were just off flirting with that Akane.” 

Ranma leaned against the door. “I wasn't flirting!”

Ukyo smirked, but something inside she rarely ever felt stinged. “Sure you weren't. Now, what do you plan to do with the curses?”

Ranma dropped to the floor. “I don't know! I mean, telling them would be easier. But I mean… Ugh, this is difficult. That old panda was way too insistent in coming here.”

Ukyo sighed, recognising the Ranma who could never stop worrying about what would be the worst option. “Well. I'll be quick. Don't worry. In the meantime, you can rinse yourself.” 

Ranma froze. “What? But… but you’re in there!”

“Oh, please, I'm done washing my hair and I'll be out in a minute. Just have your back turned, we're all girls here.”

Ranma gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Don’t remind me. “You sure?” 

“Yeah, I'm sure. I'm completely submerged except my head,” Ukyo reassured him.

“Well, if you say so…” Ranma started pulling the shirt over his head. Oh, god, I'm really doing this. Is this okay? Is this normal? I mean, I've bathed with Ukyo before, but that was 8 years ago.

Ranma sighed, putting one hand on the door. I don’t think this is okay.

Before he could try anything else though, the hallway door opened.

Akane stood in the doorway, holding a towel to her chest, still wearing her gi.

“A-AKANE!?” Ranma stumbled backwards, bumping the door open and tripping over a towel on the floor.

“RAN-” Ukyo couldn’t even finish her sentence before it was drowned out by the sound of a loud splash.

Akane stood frozen at the chaos unfolding in front of her. She didn’t even know anyone was in here, let alone Ranma. Nabiki simply told her the bath was ready.

“Uh… Ranma? Are you busy? I can come back late-” 

Two people emerged from the water, gasping for air. Ranma and Ukyo clutching the edge of the furo. One naked, one fully clothed.

Akane froze even more. In front of her was not the girl Akane got to know, but a guy wearing that girl's clothes, and there was a naked girl beside him. 

There was only one way Akane's mind could explain this.

She slammed the door shut as fast as she opened it. 

Ranma opened his eyes at the sound, feeling a body along his left side. Wait. I'm in the bath… with… Oh, shit!

Ranma jumped out of the furo, his entire face completely red. “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!!”

Ukyo was still a little dazed, and sank back into the furo, seeing how Ranma fell on top of her and her head smacked the bottom of the tub, so she hadn’t sensed a thing.

“Akane! Wait! Where do you think you’re going?!” Ranma yelled as he approached the living room, his feet leaving small puddles on the floor.

He yelped as a big stone lantern fell on the floor beside him. “Oi! Watch it!”

Akane stood there, her face fuming, her breath heavy. Her hands were still on the lantern.

“Who are you and what the hell were you doing in that bath!!?” Akane yelled, her voice echoing through the house.

Nabiki's head peeked around the corner, curious about the commotion.

Kasumi walked by from the other side, also rather curious.

“What? I fell in because of you!” Ranma snapped back.

Akane looked puzzled. “The hell are you talking about?!” 

“I'm Ranma!” 

The world seemed to pause. Everyone giving the drenched Ranma another once over, seeing the similarity in clothing.

“Huh. You don't say,” Nabiki managed to mutter, breaking through the silence.

Akane clenched her fist. “You’re Ranma? Ranma Saotome!?”

Ranma scratched the back of his head. “Yeah? I mean, know any others with that name?” 

“You…” Akane thought back to what she said to Ranma earlier that day.

~“I'm just glad you're a girl. It's just… I would hate to lose to a boy”~

She jumped on top of the lantern she dropped on the ground, cocking her hand back. “You-! You jerk!”

Her punch went for the face, Ranma ducking to dodge.

“You lied to me! Stand still!” Akane kicked low, off the stone. 

Ranma backflipped out of reach, for the first time in a long time feeling like the attack was truly dangerous. Not because Akane was stronger than anyone he's fought, but because Akane was intending to kill him.

“Wait, let me explain! Don’t-!”

Akane was already chasing after him, already preparing to strike again.

Nabiki and Kasumi looked at the two running around corner.

“I think we both already know who gets the engagement, don't we,” Nabiki said with the dryest tone possible.

Kasumi gave a small nod. “For once I agree with you, Nabiki.” 

Ukyo clutched her head as she walked out the bathroom, draped in a towel. “Ugh… Where is Ranchan? I gotta ask him to line up. Because that bastard slammed me a new concussion.”

Just as she said that, Ranma and Akane turned the corner.

Ranma ran for his life, seeing Ukyo just in time to weave around her. “Sorry Ucchan! No time to explain!”

“Wha-” Before Ukyo could even see him behind her, Akane rammed into her, sending Ukyo flying to the floor.

Akane looked behind her with a puzzled expression. “Who are-?”

“Ukyo Kuonji. Nice to meet you…” With that, Ukyo’s body decided she needed a nap.

Akane gave the long haired tomboy a once over, before remembering what she was aiming to do.

“Ranma!! Come back here!”

Ukyo simply groaned. “I hate it here already…”

Chapter Text

“Let’s try this again,” Soun said after everything had calmed down and they managed to get Akane to stop her endless assault on Ranma.

Everyone was sitting on their knees, the daughter sitting from oldest to youngest, the Saotomes and Ukyo sitting across from them, and Soun sitting in the middle.

“This is my dear old friend…” Soun extended a hand towards Genma. 

“Genma Saotome.” Genma gave a slight bow and pointed his hand towards Ranma. “And this is my son…” 

“...Ranma,” Ranma said, slightly melting into the floor under Akane’s red hot glare.

Ukyo straightened up. “And I’m Ukyo Kuonji! Ranma’s best friend for 10 years.” 

Nabiki raised an eyebrow. “Best friend? How did that happen? Were you paid to join them?”

“Unfortunately, no…” Ukyo said with a sigh. “Being Ranchan’s best friend really does feel like a full time job though, so maybe I should start asking for a wage.”

Ranma snapped his head towards her. “Don’t you dare!” 

Nabiki smirked. “Ooh, I like you.” She turned towards Genma. “What’s this all about?”

Kasumi also chimed in, aimed towards the two teens. “Are you really her? That same girl? And that same fox?”

“Yup,” Ukyo said with a shrug, not thinking about delivering proof.

“Hmm. Where should I begin?” Genma tapped a finger against his forehead, trying to figure out a way to do this with the bare minimum of explanations. “I know…” He grabbed Ranma by the collar and threw him over his shoulder. “Hyah!!” 

“Hey!!” Ranma flew a short distance through the air, immediately knowing what the intended target of Genma was. The fish pond.

A giant splash erupted from the body of water, followed by a stream of bubbles rising to the surface. After a couple of seconds Ranma breached through the water again, fully female this time, gasping for air.

“What the hell is your problem?!” Ranma barked, his voice less intimidating as his pitch had heightened.

The three Tendo sisters looked on in amazement, even Akane forgetting to put on a glare.

“Now he’s a girl!” Kasumi said, a little surprised she could say that without lying a word.

Genma’s face had filled with tears, streaming down it. “Ohh, my own son... I cringe every time I see it.”

Ranma jumped out of the water, quickly padding around his father and delivering one powerful kick. “You’re one to talk.”

Genma landed in the same pond, immediately rising tall as a panda. The top part of his gi looked awkward on the panda’s large frame, his glasses dangling off one ear.

Ukyo couldn’t hold back her laughter while the Tendos looked puzzled at the scene in front of them. “What, Ranchan? Can’t handle a little teasing?” 

Ranma snapped his head toward Ukyo. “Oh, I know you can’t talk, furrball!” 

Ukyo clenched and unclenched her fist, trying really hard to not let the comment get to her. “You really couldn’t think of anything better, shorty?” 

Ranma hopped back onto the engawa. He got close to Ukyo’s face with a disgruntled expression. “Who are you calling short?” 

Ukyo had to bite back a chuckle. She stood up, standing half a head taller than him. “You, Ranchan. You.” 

“Oh, you’re asking for it.” Ranma clenched his hands, trying to make himself look at  least a little bit taller.

“You sure? You started the insults. I thought girls like us didn’t use violence,” Ukyo said, throwing fuel on the fire.

Ranma closed his eyes. “Yep, that’s it.” He dropped to the floor, sweeping his leg along it, a move Ukyo didn’t expect.

While Ukyo was falling forward, Ranma grabbed onto her uniform’s collar and side, spinning once in a circle before throwing Ukyo into the pond out of which his father had stepped a moment before.

A moment later, a brown fox rose to the surface, paddling desperately to stay afloat.

Ranma sighed. Dammit… She got me again… 

He walked over to the pond, scooping her out of the water with both his hands. 

Kasumi turned to Soun. “Father, you have some very unusual friends.” Her voice was, as always, without judgement.

Soun didn’t turn his eyes from the three guests. “They haven’t told me about their journey yet.” A drop of sweat formed on his temple. “They weren’t like this before, or at least Genma and Ranma weren’t. This must be the fault of some horrible training exercise in China…”

Ranma entered the living room again, placing Ukyo on the floor. He turned to the Tendo family. “So, can we use the bath again, just one more time?”

Kasumi met Ranma’s gaze. “Why would you need to-”

“It’ll become clear after, promise,” Ranma said, not letting the eldest sister finish. How are we gonna do this with Ucchan? She can go first, I guess.

“Well, the bath is ready whenever you need it. So, please, feel free to use it.” Kasumi’s words made the cursed guests relieved and the three started making their way to the bathroom, already preparing an explanation.

There was an awkward silence after Genma Saotome finished explaining their situation, no one truly knowing what to say.

Eventually, Soun tried to start up the conversation again. “The legendary ground of cursed springs. Its true horror has always been shrouded in mystery. But now…”

“Feh,” Ranma interjected. “Whaddya mean, ‘true horror’?” He turned towards his father, grabbing him by the collar. “Yo, old man… What was the big idea, draggin’ us to a place like that anyway?”

Genma used Ranma’s arm against him, throwing him back into the koi pond.

“You sound like a woman! Were you not prepared to give your life for the sake of training?!”

Ranma reemerged from the water, sputtering and gasping for air. “My life, yes.” He got up, sloshing the water as he walked to the edge.

Genma couldn’t see what Ranma was grabbing while over there, neither could the rest sitting in the living room.

Suddenly, Ranma took a giant leap, rapidly bringing his arms forward to empty a bucket of water, aiming at Genma. “My manhood is another story!”

The water hit Genma square on the head, transforming him into a panda. But it didn’t stop there, splashing further, towards Ukyo.

Ukyo noticed just in time, doing half a backroll into a leap using her hands.

She landed beside Akane, still fully dry. “Oi! Watch where you’re aiming, Ranchan!”

“Oh, please. Like I could control water,” Ranma said with a scoff after landing, Genma immediately throwing a quick jab.

Ranma retaliated, matching his father’s childish assault.

Ukyo walked over, breaking up the slap fight. “Not the point, Ranchan. I don’t want to be a fox, so quit throwing water around. Maybe we won’t be bothered by our cursed forms so much if you two stopped behaving like children.”

Ranma stuck out his tongue at Ukyo, while Genma grabbed Ranma by his collar.

Kasumi butted in, putting a hand on Genma’s furry shoulder. “You went too far, mister Saotome!” 

Nabiki stood on the other side. “Yeah! Even for martial arts training!”

Ranma was surprised. Huh, so even they see how bad that decision of yours was, pop!

Kasumi leaned closer. “Whatever made you do something so dangerous?! What was it?!”

A small book fell to the floor, dropping out the pocket of the awkwardly worn gi.

Kasumi took one good look at the book while Nabiki bent over to pick it up. “Is this about the training grounds?” 

Nabiki handed it to her sister. “It’s in Chinese. A map… and guide book?”

Kasumi held the booklet in front of her like it had all the secrets of the universe. “No wonder…” She lowered the book and looked Genma straight into his eyes. “You can’t read Chinese, can you?”

Genma stayed silent, mostly because he couldn’t talk. He pulled a cord above him, popping a kusudama open with a roll of paper saying [BINGO].

Ranma smacked his father on the back of his head.

Soun returned with a boiling hot kettle, which he held by the handle and a cloth he put under it. He poured some of the contents of Genma, making him revert to human form, although his skin was a little red.

“So, when doused with hot water, you return to human form,” Soun said matter of factly.

Genma turned to his friend with a painful expression. “Well, it didn’t need to be that hot.”

Soun didn’t even respond, instead turning to Ranma. “When doused with cold water, you become a girl… But hot water turns you back into a boy!” He tried to pour the boiling hot water on Ranma, but he stepped away just in time.

“Hot water! Not boiling!” Ranma yelled back, moving to Ukyo for protection against the man with the kettle, who chuckled at the sight of Ranma being able to hide behind her.

Soun dropped the now empty kettle and moved around Ukyo to pat Ranma on his shoulder. “No sweat. Your problem isn’t so terrible after all.”

“Huh?” Ranma looked at Ukyo, silently asking if she knew what he was talking about, but she shrugged.

Soun’s hand guided Ranma’s gaze to his daughters. “My daughter Kasumi. Nineteen. And Nabiki. Seventeen. And Akane. Sixteen. Pick the one you want. She’s your fiancée.”

The Tendo sister started discussing with each other, although it was more like pushing someone forward. But Ukyo wasn’t listening. Her head spiraled, her thoughts all circling one fact. I’m his fiancée. What the hell is he talking about? Pick one out?

As if sensing her anger, Genma tried to sneak away, but Ukyo already grabbed his collar. 

“Now, what is this about a fiancée?” She said in the lowest and calmest tone Genma had heard in a while.

“Well, uhm… Ukyo, you see… I… Well, I-”

Soun chimed in to help. “Many years ago Genma and I trained together under the same master and made an arrangement for our children to one day get married long before any of them were born, so we could unite the schools.”

Ukyo’s face went grim, tightening her hold on Genma’s collar. “Did you now… I see… Good thing I was informed.” 

Ranma, already not feeling like staying, looked at Ukyo. “Whaddya mean? What do you care who I marry? I mean, not that I’m planning on marrying that Akane at all. If anything, I’m going back to China.” 

“Then I’m coming with you,” Ukyo said without missing a beat. 

Ranma rolled his eyes. “Answer the question, Ucchan. Why do you care so much about this fiancée stuff?”

Ukyo started to sweat. “Well… Remember when I first joined you two on travel and said I did it because of the training?”

“Of course I do.” Ranma narrowed his eyes, dreading to learn what might come next.

Ukyo scratched the back of her head. “Yeah… that was a lie… I-” 

“Hey! I never agreed to this! I ain’t marrying that pervert!” Akane’s voice cut through the room, getting pushed by her sisters. 

“Come on, Akane, it’s a perfect fit!” Nabiki said, only half joking. “You hate boys, don’t you?”

Kasumi came to the assist. “So you’re in luck! He’s half girl!” The exclamation only made Ranma grumble.

“Well, I don’t care either way because I’m going back to China! To find a way to change back for good! I don’t got time for ‘fiancées’.” Ranma turned on his heels to leave.

“And I ain’t a pervert!” He yelled, still hung up on Akane’s accusatory comment.

“Then why were you in the bath with Ukyo?!” Akane yelled after him, crossing her arms. 

Ranma froze. Oh, she’s really gonna go there? He turned around, poking a finger in Akane’s direction. “Hey! You just barged in! You’re the pervert!”

Akane didn’t budge. “Says the guy who practically jumped into a bath with a naked girl. I had nothing to do with that.” 

Both Genma and Soun gasped. “You did what, boy?!” Genma asked, needing to physically hide his exasperation of it having been Ukyo in that bath, for the fear of being pummeled into the ground by Ukyo was still very much a possibility.

“I-it’s not- It’s not like that! I-I slipped! I slipped because you barged in!” Ranma kept pointing at Akane, trying desperately to dig himself out of the hole Akane left for him. “And… I mean, besides, it’s no big deal for me to see a naked girl. I’ve seen myself plenty of times, right?”

Ranma perched himself a little straighter, while tugging at his collar, showing a bit of skin.

Akane blinked, not knowing where he wanted to go with all this. The others in the room too, were trying to wrap their heads around what he was implying.

Ranma turned his back to the room again, putting his hands on the back of his head. “And… I’m built better to boot, so why would I jump into the bath with Ucchan willingly?” 

Ukyo’s eye twitched. Geez, Ranchan, way to dig a hole for yourself. Don’t you ever learn? She met up with Ranma’s position with a couple of steps, before anyone else could act.

Ukyo put the palm of her hand on top of Ranma’s head, something that’s easily done while Ranma is a girl. When she dug her nails into his scalp, he was unable to continue moving forward. 

“Sooo… Ranma. Anything to say for yourself?” Ukyo asked with a dry tone.

Ranma gulped. I think I might’ve made a mistake… Shit.

“Hey, Ucchan, we can-” Ranma wasn’t allowed to finish his sentence before Ukyo slapped the back of his head, knocking him out instantly.

With a dull thud, he collapsed to the floor, after Ukyo released her hold on his head. “And that’s how you deal with Ranchan being stupid,” she added, her hands on her hips.

Wait, shit, I forgot to tell him I’m his fiancée… Ah, well. I’ll tell him when he wakes up. 

It was the middle of the night when Ranma awoke from his non-consensual nap. The outside world was nearly silent, save for the occasional crow flying by.

“Mm…?” Ranma groaned, slowly lifting his head from the pillow laid on the futon he was lying on. His whole head hurt, and while not the first sleeping in his girl form, sleeping on his chest left him feeling sore everywhere.

“Ah! She’s awake!” Kasumi said, a little too loudly. Nabiki, who sat next to her, leaned forward, checking to see if that was true.

Ranma’s head shot up, throwing off the wet towel placed to keep his head cool. She!? What do you mean- He couldn’t even formulate the thought before his massive headache reminded him why he was lying there in the first place.

“Owwwww…” He clutched the back of his head bringing it back to the soft pillow.

Kasumi leaned in closer. “Are you okay? Ukyo hit your head pretty hard. You should rest for a bit.”

Ranma gave a small, weak nod. “Yeah, yeah… I’m fine. Been through worse. She just… does that sometimes.” 

Kasumi folded her hands in front of her, rising to her feet. “Well, don’t overexert yourself. Ukyo asked me to tell her when you regained consciousness. She seemed adamant on telling you something.”

Wonder what she might wanna say… An apology? Nah, she did that too much to apologise now… Nope, no clue. “Just send her in, I guess…” Ranma mumbled to the pillow, intending the words to be heard by Kasumi.

Kasumi smiled and nodded, not that Ranma could see that. “Okay, I’ll go get her.” 

Nabiki leaned on her hand. “Should be interesting…”

A minute later, Ukyo ran in. “Ranchan! You’re awake!” She didn't so much seem relieved as she was excited to tell him whatever she needed to.

Ranma clutched his, covering his ears. “Geez, Ucchan! Not so loud!”

Ukyo weakly slapped his back. “Oh, please. Stop whining. I didn't hit that hard.”

Ranma went to sit up. “Just… ugh… Just say what you're gonna say. I wanna take a bath and turn back into a guy after today's rollercoaster.”

Ukyo stayed silent. Shit… I actually have to tell him… after 10 years… of not telling him… Why is this so difficult…?

She took a deep breath, fidgeting with her hands. “So… like I said… I kinda lied 10 years ago…”

Ranma wondered why Ukyo was suddenly so skittish, but didn’t ask about it. “Yeah, you did say that. So, do you feel bad because you didn't want to leave your best friend? Because in that case there's no need to apologise. I mean, I'm glad you hopped on, despite your reasons.”

Ukyo’s breath caught. “Ranchan…” You're making this harder, you dumbass!

“No… not exactly…” She scratched the back of her head, her face turning a slight shade of pink. “Not… friend, anyway…”

Okay. Come on, Ukyo! You’re a strong martial artist and great cook! This is easy! Just out with it!

Ukyo squeezed her eyes shut, her face burning bright red.“10 years ago, your dad signed a contract with mine that we'll marry one day!”

Ranma froze. Nabiki, who was still silently in the room, froze.

Cogs were turning in his mind, trying to reel himself back from this information, trying to figure out where he could've known.

“You… You’re my fiancée?” Ranma eventually tried.

Ukyo gave a small nod, almost imperceptible to the untrained eye.

“Ah… I see… Well… Uh… I… I need a moment… to think about it… alone…” Ranma stood up and walked out without another word, leaving Ukyo feeling a little defeated. He went to take the bath he planned, without thinking.

Ukyo sighed. “Well… I said it…”

“Yup, you sure did.” Nabiki had a wide grin, her suddenly speaking up startling Ukyo.

“Wah! Where did you come from?!” 

“What are you talking about? I was here the whole time.” Nabiki tilted her head. “Sooooo… you're his fiancée already?”

“Yeah?” Ukyo asked hesitantly, not liking the tone Nabiki started to adopt.

Nabiki's eyes started to drift away from Ukyo, her signature strategy. “And… what are you willing to give for him? Hmm?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well… say you give me… oh, I don’t know… 10,000 yen, and he's completely yours, no Tendo interference. What do you say?” Nabiki extended her right hand, stopping halfway to Ukyo.

"Sold!" Ukyo shook her hand violently, threatening to rip Nabiki's arm off if she resisted. “...Once I get the money.” 

Nabiki's grin widened. “Well, don’t wait too long. Ranma and Akane seemed to have hit it off real good. Leaves all the less time before they get married before you.”

Ukyo’s heart sank. They hit it off!? No! It can’t! But… I don’t… I can’t… Ukyo gave a firm nod. “I'll be as quick as possible!”

Ranma was still a little shook when he entered the dressing area of the bathroom.

Ucchan’s my fiancée…? Since when? How? Why? What? I… Ugh… I just want this bath now…

He pulled his shirt over his head, trying hard to ignore everything a guy shouldn't be feeling.

In the process, he also didn't notice the white gi laying there, indicating the bathroom was occupied.

He didn’t even need to open the second door, because the moment he stood before it, the person on the other side was ready to get dressed.

Ranma’s vision was filled with a bare neck and shoulders, seeing a glimpse of the jaw of a girl.

“Uuuhhhh… Who-?” Looking up was his mistake. He saw Akane, glaring down at him.

Oh… shit.

“Oh-Hey-Akane-Funny seeing you here-You see-I was just leaving and-” 

Akane didn’t let him say another word, smacking him hard against his jaw.

“PERVERT!”

Genma sipped his tea, looking at his son sitting beside him on the engawa. “So, she got spunk. That makes her a cuter fiancée.”

Ranma didn’t dare look at him and reveal the slap mark on his face, not after finally changing back into a guy. “Cute is not the word.”

Meanwhile, Nabiki sat with Akane in the living room. 

Nabiki set her tea on the table. “But… you were both girls, right? So it's okay?”

Akane brought her tea to her mouth, but stopped before she could take a sip. “Okay is not the right word.”

Kasumi and Ukyo stood in the kitchen, the eldest sister showing her around. 

Ukyo stared in amazement. “Okay, so this is definitely an upgrade over cooking on a spatula… I definitely have to go get it tomorrow.”

Kasumi smiled gently at her, seeing her look around like a kid in a candy shop. “Well, I guess living in a house has its perks. But, say. I overheard Nabiki say you are engaged to Ranma as well. Is this true?”

Ukyo paused, her hand on a gas pit. “Yeah… kinda… I gues…”

Kasumi stepped closer to the tomboy, sensing her shyness. “So, you told him, and he seems to be doing alright. So it went well, right?”

Ukyo blushed. “Well is not the right word.”

Chapter Text

“School?” Ranma and Ukyo asked at the same time. 

It was early in the morning, just after finishing breakfast. Ukyo was about to help with the cleaning up, when Genma pulled her and Ranma aside to talk to them. But instead of a real talk, he just told them to go to school.

“Well, we are staying a while…” Genma answered, but even he knew that was weak.

“I thought you said we were done with school,” Ukyo interjected. “You made a whole thing about it being too much of a hassle.”

“Since we are staying here, there is no need to find refuge every other week. We’ll just stay under one big roof,” Genma continued. “And that also eliminates the need to go to different schools. So, yes, you will go to school.”

Nabiki walked by, her bag slung over her shoulder and already ready to go. “It’s the same school me and Akane go to! We’ll see you there.”

“Nabiki, wait!” Akane yelled from down the hall. “I’ll go with you!” She almost sprinted by, her bag in her arms, completely ignoring the two teens sitting in the living room.

“What are you talking about?” Nabiki asked, looking back over her shoulder. “Ranma is your fiancé, remember? You should walk with him to school, and his little friend.”

Akane glared at Ranma, who instinctively protected his cheek. It took a moment, but eventually, she sighed. “Go grab your bags, you two. Kasumi should’ve prepared them in your room. Should’ve.”

A moment later, the three of them were all heading to school along the same path, walking past a canal. None talked, the air too tense to invite for conversation.

Ranma was walking along the chainlink fence, his hands in his pockets. He balanced along the beam without even trying. 

Tch, show off… Ukyo thought as she snuck in a glance. I can do that too, no problem. In fact…

She took a couple big steps, passing Akane, and jumping into a flip. At the apex of the jump, while upside down, she grinned. Now this, Ranchan, is how you show off.

She landed on the fence facing Ranma, one foot behind the other. Her smug smile almost reached her ears. Try to beat that!

Ranma looked on confused about the whole ordeal. What the hell was that all about? Can’t we just walk normally for once?... “What the hell are you doing Ucchan?”

“What? Maybe I also wanted to walk here. Something wrong?” Ukyo’s voice dripped with cynicism as she matched the pace of the other two, walking backwards.

Ranma sighed, putting the hands he instinctually raised, to catch Ukyo in case of a mishap, back in his pockets. “No, nothing's wrong. Just… Can’t you be normal for once?” 

Ukyo put her hands behind her head. “You, asking me to be normal? Have you looked in a mirror lately, girl-boy?” 

Ranma bit back his frustration. “Oh, shut it, furball. You know what I meant.” 

Akane pinched the bridge of her nose. “Both of you are weird and annoying. Now get down here and stop talking.”

“You're just jealous I get to wear pants,” Ukyo said while jumping down in front of Akane, still walking backwards.

Akane narrowed her eyes. “Why would I get jealous of you wearing pants?”

Ukyo smirked, shrugging before turning around to look forwards. “Dunno. You just seem like the kind of girl to get jealous over something like that.”

Ranma sighed. “Geez, Ucchan. Not everyone wants to be such a tomboy. Some girls actually want to be pretty.”

Ukyo paused. Okay, that was uncalled for.

She kicked a rock only a little larger than the rest against the edge of the part of the fence Ranma was walking on.

The piece of fence broke through its hinges, tilting one half to the canal's side, which made Ranma slide off.

“Oh shi-!” Ranma got cut off by a loud splash, spilling over the sides of the canal. A moment later, a red-haired girl popped her head out of the water, gasping for air.

“Oi! What was that for!?” Ranma yelled, trying to stand up in the shallow water, failing because the water made the ground beneath him slippery.

Ukyo stood and laughed on the side, leaning against a part of the fence that wasn't bent.

Akane looked at the tomboy in amazement, before she jumped over the bent fence.

While still holding the fence, she reached out her hand to Ranma. “Come on, we're running late.”

Ranma looked at the outstretched hand. He hesitated for a moment. “Uh… I… I can climb out on my own, you know. I ain’t a weak, little girl.”

Akane closed her eyes for a moment. “Well, you look like one to me. Now come on, before you spend the whole morning splashing away in a canal.” 

Ranma was still hesitant, but after an insistent wiggle of her arm, he accepted the hand, grumbling under his breath.

Akane pulled Ranma with both arms, one to pull him to herself, and one to pull herself closer to the fence she was holding. The metal groaned, seeing how it was already bent, but it didn’t take long before Ranma could hold on himself.

After returning to the pavement, Ranma shot a glare at Ukyo, before looking at himself. He could immediately, because the pants he had his shirt tucked into had risen to around his stomach and was way too wide for him.

He bundled the excess waist band in his hands, making it tightly wrapped around his stomach, and started walking in the direction they came from. “I’m going home to take a bath.”

Akane grabbed his shoulder, stopping him. “You’ll be late.”

Ranma whipped his head around to face her. “You think I want to start school as a girl?” 

“But if we just pour hot water on you, you’ll turn back, right?” Akane started, slightly tilting her head. “Well, I know a place. It’s closer to the school.”

Ranma quickly turned around. “Well, then what are we waitin’ for!? Let’s go!” His hands were clasped in front of him, showing his enthusiasm.

Akane looked at Ukyo, who made no preparation to move in the same direction as them.

Ukyo chuckled. “You two go ahead. I still have to grab something and will meet you at the school.”

“Okay, see ya, Ucchan!” Ranma yelled with one big wave as she walked off, before returning to his own problem.

“Oh, come on! Where the hell did I leave my spatula!?” Ukyo yelled after walking the streets of Nerima nonstop for a good ten more minutes on her own, circling where she, Ranma, and Genma entered the day before, just as it started raining.

Right as the first drop hit the floor, she had quickly unstrapped her weapon and planted it into the ground so she could pick it up later, because who would be able to not only lift the thing, but also pull it out of the pavement?

As she was looking for it now, however, she completely forgot where she put it.

Ukyo pinched the bridge of her nose. “Ugh… This is ridiculous… I’m sure I'm the only one who loses their most important piece of equipment!” She turned her head to the sky. “Heck! My most important possessio-!”

She paused. Her hand, which held her face moments before, slid to the back of her head, where a ribbon tied her long, brown hair into a pony tail.

Let’s just find that spatula… Ukyo thought as she held her head a little lower.

She turned the corner, again, positive she was starting to walk in circles. BUt just as she started to give up hope, she saw it

Her spatula stuck out of the ground like a bare metal tree, surrounded by a group of three guys, trying to pull it out one at a time.

Amused, Ukyo decided to hang back, wanting to see where this could be going. 

The smallest of the bunch was fully bent through his knees, his hands on the metal. Loudly groaning, he pulled with all his might, but all his might was not enough to move the spatula out of the pavement.

“Come on man, what are you? A girl? Let me show you how it's done.”

The largest of the three pushed the groaning guy out of the way, taking a hold of the spatula himself.

The small boy fell to the ground. “What the shit, dude! I almost had it!”

The third guy, standing a little off to the side with his hands in his pockets, chuckled. “No, you hadn't, man. Now come on, we're getting late for school.”

The largest scoffed. “No one cares. It's not like that stupid high school enforces its own rules that much anyway. Now stand back and be amazed.”

He tightened his grip on the spatula and pulled. His breath caught, a slight groan leaving his lips.

Ukyo’s weapon didn’t budge.

“Who’s the girl now, huh?” the shorter guy quipped.

“Shut…! Up…!” the groaning man managed to say with half a breath.

Ukyo couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing, doubling over while leaning on a pole.

The three boys whipped their heads around to look at her, the tallest of the three starting to blush while still holding the steel spatula.

“Oh, what's so funny? Never seen two idiots performing a stupid task before?” the laid back one asked mockingly.

“Hey!” Both of his friends turned to him, to which he simply grinned, happy to see he could still get such reactions from them.

“No, no, this ain’t the first time. But man is it ever funny!” Ukyo started to walk up to the trio, and, more importantly, her spatula, still chuckling. 

“So, anyway,” Ukyo said as her outer joy started to fade away, “that's mine.”

The three boys looked at her, then the spatula, then each other, before settling their eyes back on her. All three laughed.

Ukyo rolled her eyes. Of course they wouldn't believe me. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Now, could you guys hand me my spatula now?”

The larger guy's eyes lit up. “Yeah, sure, just a moment.”

He planted his feet firmer into the ground and tried again, with added might, because of a certain masculine urge.

Still, no movement.

Ukyo leaned on the tail end of the spatula. “Shall I try?” she asked with a mocking tone.

A little winded, and with his pride wounded, the larger boy stepped back, muttering something Ukyo couldn’t make out under his breath.

Ukyo smiled and wrapped her right hand around the handle of the spatula. With one fierce tug it went out of the pavement.

She put it on her shoulder and started walking away. “Thanks for keeping it warm for me, fellas. Oh, and thanks for the show!” she shot over her shoulder without looking back, giving one lazy wave.

The two boys who had tried to pull Ukyo’s weapon out of the ground stood with their mouths wide open, while the third friend sighed.

“Come on, you two, let's go. No need to be marked absent because of some piece of cookware.”

The shortest of the three pointed at Ukyo, who turned the corner. “I- She- We-” he stammered.

The unamused friend rolled his eyes and started to push the other two in the right direction. “Yes, yes, I know, I know. You poor thing. Now come on.”

Ukyo grimaced at the dark skies above her as she neared the school building. She had already seen multiple streaks of lightning flash across the sky on her way over there.

God dammit. It better not rain before I get inside. I do not want to be a stupid fox for the rest of the day, because, knowing my luck, no one will give me any hot water.

Her brows furrowed as she got even closer. She heard a couple muffled voices on the other side of the small wall she was walking past.

What the-

“Silence, fool!” 

The voice, much louder than all that came before, was suddenly very clear to Ukyo.

What the hell is happening over there-

A wooden bokken crashed through the stone wall, cracking it in two, and startling the ever loving crap out of Ukyo.

“Blast!” Ukyo could now see the bokken wielder through the broken wall, cutting through a tree.

As her vision rode a little higher, she saw Ranma had jumped off in time. Ranchan… What the hell have you done this time?

Ukyo jumped over the broken wall, curious to see what weird stuff Ranma got mixed up in now.

“Let me make this perfectly clear…” Ranma closed the gap with his attacker in an instant, driving him back through the sheer closeness.

Seriously, Ranchan? That again? Man, you must think that guy sucks. Ukyo readied her spatula, getting it off her back.

“Akane means nothing to me!” Ranma yelled in his attacker’s face, still forcing him to back up.

“Aww, Ranchan, how sweet of you to admit it.” Ukyo swung her spatula against the back of the bokken wielder’s head. “You shouldn’t have.” 

Ranma looked at the unconscious form of the person he was about to humble, before looking at his best friend. “And what was that supposed to mean?” 

Ukyo put her spatula back on her back, before slinging her school backpack over her shoulder. “That I think it’s sweet of you to think of only one fiancée at a time. Now, come on, I think it’s about to start raining.” 

Akane blinked, holding an extra bag in her hand that she was about to throw. “Are we… not gonna talk about the fact that you have… that on your back, Ukyo?” 

“Inside, Akane. Being a fox is terrible for your speaking voice." Ukyo was halfway to the door when lightning flashed across the sky again.

Ranma quickly sprinted after her, not wanting to wait and find out whether or not it was dry lightning.

They left Akane to stand there, looking at the unconscious boy slowly waking up. “You are so pathetic, Kuno. When will you grow up?” 

But more importantly. I know Ukyo travelled with Ranma and all, but what the hell was that all about? I didn’t notice her entering at all.

She felt the first droplet hit her face and she too started sprinting to the main entrance to the school building. 

That girl is way more dangerous than I thought.

Nabiki stepped back from the balcony, seeing how the spectacle was over, just like all the other students. 

“Mmmh… Interesting…” she muttered as she returned to her seat, scratching her chin. That Ukyo has some skill of her own. Strength too, because I mean, if that spatula is made out of pure metal… You need some real lifting power to swing it around so carelessly.

A couple of students around her talked about a confused panda in the lot in front of the school, but Nabiki didn’t care to listen. Something’s different in Ukyo’s behaviour, I can tell. But I don’t know her well enough to put my finger on it, so I’ll have to ask Ranma about that later. And where did she get that spatula from anyway?

“Yeah, man, I can’t believe she goes to our school too. I mean, just look at what she’s wearing! You would’ve never guessed.” 

Nabiki sighed. The person sitting behind her was always a little annoying, but today he was extra loud.

“Like, one moment you’re helping a girl get her spatula back, and the next she’s going to the same school as you. What a small world, don’t you think?”

Nabiki paused for a moment. So… Torren helped Ukyo get a spatula like that? Unless he bought it for her, I doubt it.

She turned around to see the short guy, talking to a classmate, a girl classmate.

Of course… Nabiki rolled her eyes, before leaning in to join the conversation. “So, Torren. You helped that girl get her spatula?” 

Torren’s eyes lit up at the question. “Yes! Yes. I mean, that girl somehow, accidentally dropped her spatula into the ground, but had trouble getting it out again. It was really stuck, you see. Good thing it was on our route to school. Me and my friends saw her struggle, so I walked over, offered my help, and pulled it out with one hand, no problem.” 

Nabiki nodded along. So, Ukyo left her spatula somewhere for later. Torren and his knucklehead friends found it and tried to get it, but failed, and then Ukyo pulled it out with ease, with one hand. Got it.

“Right?! Kito?!” Torren yelled across the room to the jock, who was chilling at his desk with their mutual friend.

“Wha-? Oh, that spatula?! Yeah! Yeah.” Kito waved Torren off. “We did a pretty good job, didn’t we?” 

“We didn’t do shit,” the relaxed guy beside him said.

Torren whipped his head to face him. “Sut it, Iteka!” 

Nabiki chuckled. That confirms it.

“Today we have two new transfer students.” The teacher adjusted his glasses as he spoke, stretching a hand out to both Ranma and Ukyo, who stood in front of the class. “Please introduce yourselves.” 

“I’m Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts,” Ranma said in an almost robotic voice, giving a slight bow. “I’m 16 years old.”

Ukyo gave a small sigh.“And I’m Ukyo Kuonji of the Saotome School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts. I’m also 16. We’re back in Japan from our trip to China.”

Ranma elbowed Ukyo in the ribs, confusing Ukyo.

The teacher looked at his papers. “While it does seem to be true that both of you were in China until recently… It doesn’t change the fact that both you two and Akane were tardy. Stand in the hall.”

The three were handed buckets of water for each hand to hold while they waited to be let back into the classroom. Out in the hallway, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

They stood in a line, shoulders facing each other, Akane most on the right, Ukyo on the left, and Ranma in the middle.

Akane was the first to disturb the silence.

“This is your fault, Ranma,” she said, not even looking in his direction.

Ranma whipped his head to his right. “My fault? It was your fight, remember?”

“Yes. But every morning I finish my fight before school starts! You danced around it too much.” Akane leaned towards Ranma, trying to be imposing. “At least Ukyo knows how to be decisive or else who knows how long you would’ve dragged it out! And with that rain, I’m sure you wouldn’t have started the day as a guy!”

Ukyo gave a smug huff, her pride having been fueled by Akane’s words. At least SOMEONE around here appreciates my talents.

Ranma searched for the words to retaliate against the words shattering his pride, but he couldn’t. Akane was telling the truth, he had been playing with his food. He even used a move he hadn’t used in years, the last time being against his dad, who quickly learnt to dismantle it. He wasn’t even hit during it all, so he probably would’ve just kept it going if it wasn’t for Ukyo stepping in, or the rain.

Ukyo butted in instead. “What was all that about in the first place. I mean, I know Ranma is a brickheaded ball of provocational testosterone, but even that is a record. Picking a fight on the first day, no, before the first bell even? I mean, if that isn’t a record, I’d be more surprised.”

Ranma snapped his head towards Ukyo. “Oi! I ain’t a-!”

Akane lowered her head with a sigh. “That was Kuno, and he told the entire school that he only allowed people to date me if they defeated me in combat.”

Ranma looked back at Akane. “Hey! Don’t-!” 

Ukyo tilted her head. “The entire school? So there were more boys fighting?”

Akane sighed. “Yeah, unfortunately. I have to fight a whole host of boys every morning, just to get to school. All because of Kuno announcing it to the entire school.”

Ranma exchanged his eyes between the two girls. “Oh, come on! Stop-!” 

“And I win every morning, before the first bell,” Akane said proudly, placing a hand on her chest. “Unlike some people, who play first, fight later.”

Ranma took personal offence to this. “Oi! At least he fights me at full power!”

Both girls narrowed their eyes, turning their gaze towards him. “And what is that supposed to mean?” the asked in unison.

“Well,” Ranma started, clearly unaware of the hole he was about to dig, “a guy lets up a lot when fighting a girl.” 

Akane puffed up her chest. “Don’t underestimate me.”

Ukyo froze. Is that bastard saying what I think he’s saying? “Oh, so it’s like that, huh? You’re telling me you’ve never faced me at full power before?!” 

Ranma looked confused at Ukyo. “Of course I have, Ucchan. I mean, you’ve even won a few times against me. I’d be stupid not to go all out.” 

Ukyo set down one bucket to poked her finger into his chest. “Then what, huh? Ain’t I a girl to you!?” 

The cogs in Ranma’s brain slowly started to get up to speed, and he understood what he just said to Ukyo. “W-well… I mean… You’re different…”

“Different how, Ranma?” Akane asked from behind him, wanting to know why he wouldn’t go all out against her. “Why don’t you try me for real sometime, huh?”

“Violent or not, at the end of the day, you’re still a girl.” Ranma shook his head. “I couldn’t do it.” 

Ukyo’s heart sank into her shoes. Ranma didn’t seem to notice.

“Oh, ho. So how about if you’re a girl?” Akane put one bucket down and took the other in both her hands to aim it at Ranma.

Ranma inched away. “W-wait!”

Ukyo tightened her grip on the remaining bucket in her hand. “Yeah, Ranchan, what then?” 

Ranma raised his own bucket, the one in his right hand. “Watch it, furball.” 

Ukyo reluctantly backed off.

Suddenly, a splash aimed at Ranma came from nowhere. Ranma managed to jump over it just in time, dodging the water.

“Ranma Saotome! Where do you hide that scoundrel who struck me from behind?!” Kuno’s voice roared through the halls, pulling all the attention to himself, and an empty bucket in his hand. 

Ukyo stepped forward, weary of the water on the ground, like it could trigger her curse. “You’re looking at her. What do you want? Want to taste metal?” 

Kuno gave Ukyo a once over, inspecting her from head to toe. His eyes lingered on her chef’s uniform, and the spatula handle sticking out from her back.

“I’m sorry, fine sir, but Nabiki Tendo informed me that a woman struck me so cowardly. I do find it honourable that you step forward, I commend you, but covering for the girl shall not save her from my revenge.”

Ukyo froze, anger burning under her skin. Ranma noticed and took two steps away from her, pushing Akane to do the same.

“I AM A GIRL, YOU DUMBASS!!” 

Kuno yelped at the sheer volume of Ukyo’s voice, quickly steadying to inspect her again. “M-my apologies… I do suppose you clearly show signs of being a girl. It was my hubris that made me follow my eyes’ misinformation.”

He drew his bokken, which he had slung around his back. “In that case… Prepare yourself for my revenge!”

Ukyo sighed, throwing her remaining bucket backwards to draw her spatula… onto Ranma’s head.

Ranma yelped as his world went dark and his clothes ruffled around his frame. “Hey! What the- Where did everyone go!?”

Akane quickly pulled him aside. “Man, you are an idiot.” She pulled the bucket off his head and saw a redhead scowling at her.

“I heard that!”

Ukyo raised her spatula at Kuno's wooden blade. “Bring it on then!”

Chapter Text

Kuno was a little put off by how casually Ukyo accepted his challenge. Normally girls never accepted his challenge. Even Akane always hesitated before accepting.

But Ukyo stood before him with her arm outstretched, the spatula in it pointing towards him. Her arm didn't even shake under the weight, remaining completely straight.

Who is this… girl? That strength… it…

Kuno tightened his hands around his bokken. No matter. I can still win this duel and enact revenge for that cowardly blow from behind.

“Are you gonna do something? You challenged me,” Ukyo said, not moving from her position in the slightest.

“Psst, Ukyo.” Akane stood behind Ukyo, with a grumbling girl Ranma she kept hidden behind her. “I'm gonna look for some hot water for this idiot here.”

“Hey! I ain’t an idio-”

“Yeah, sure. This'll take just a moment. Sorry, Ranchan, by the way.” Ukyo hadn’t broken eye contact with Kuno, still pointing her spatula towards him

"Thank you! Finally!” Ranma yelled before Akane put a hand over his mouth and escorted him through the hall.

Kuno’s eyes followed the red hair as Ranma turned the corner. Who was that beauty? So close to the fair Akane? Is that a transfer student? Nabiki Tendo always knows about these thi-

“Yo, Kuno. Are you gonna do something or what?” Ukyo shook Kuno out of his thoughts.

“Right. Prepare to face justice, you dolt!” He took a step towards her, snapping his wooden sword at her with a wrist flick.

Ukyo barely moved her wrist to deflect the strike, not breaking eye contact.

She immediately twisted her hand, the spatula flying through the air until it landed near Kuno's neck, before Kuno could retaliate from the parry.

“Boom, you lost.”

Kuno stood frozen in place, his eyes widening. What just happened? This… How can this be?! Me!? Defeated!?

“Now, could you leave me alone?” Ukyo pulled back her spatula, placing it on her shoulder.

Kuno gritted his teeth. “You… Your name, I require your name.”

Ukyo rolled her eyes. “Fine. Ukyo Kuonji, it’s a pleasure.”

“Kuonji… Mmh… Well, you have shown me your speed and strength… However! You have not yet bested me in fair combat! So I, Tatewaki Kuno, shall not be fooled by such moves anymore!”

Kuno rushed towards Ukyo, who had already taken a few steps backwards to chase after Ranma. He changed his stance while running, dropping lower when he stopped.

Ukyo looked confused, but saw no reason not to kick his ass again, so decided not to be pedantic about what counts as a win. She quickly took her weapon off her shoulder and blocked the first strike aimed at her midriff, accidentally planting the heavy side into the floor.

Kuno pulled back his bokken, keeping it against Ukyo’s steel while he did so. He took a step back, making sure Ukyo couldn’t hit him, even if she got her spatula out of the floor.

This girl… I don’t know what it is… but she knows the ways of dueling. I shall no longer underestimate my opponent, for now I know why she looks like a man.

He bent down on one knee, extending his bokken as far as he possibly could.

Ukyo barely had enough time to pull out her spatula, messing up the floor around her as she moved to defend herself.

Wood hit steel right in front of Ukyo’s legs, where Ukyo had moved the wide part of her spatula.

Ukyo finally put her second hand on her weapon. Okay, this is starting to get annoying.

Kuno picked up on this, quickly stepping back to regain his structure. He put his bokken in front of him, waiting for his opponent to make a move.

What is this? This rush that I am feeling? Finally, someone to match me in dueling combat, unlike that dastardly Saotome. A real battle, a true test of wit.

Ukyo smirked. “Yo, Kuno! Catch!” She lobbed her spatula across the hall, to the focused upperclassman she was facing.

Kuno panicked. He dropped his bokken, which clattered on the floor, to prepare his arms for this incoming steel cooking utensil.

Nothing, however, could’ve prepared him for the weight.

The moment he caught the spatula, he thought he was okay, but his arms kept falling, and falling, despite the protest he was already giving. It was only when he used all of his upper body strength that he was capable of keeping it in the air, only a breath away from the ground.

Ukyo chuckled at the sight, before enacting step 2 of her plan. She rushed towards him at high speed, knowing Kuno wouldn’t be able to do anything while holding the spatula. 

Once she got close, she jumped into the air, but it wasn’t particularly high, nor did she mean to go high. Because in the air, she took the squatting position once more, with the soles of her feet aiming towards Kuno. She uncoiled both feet at high speed, both connecting with his head.

Kuno was sent flying, releasing his hold on Ukyo’s spatula. He rolled through the hall, skipping across the floor like a rock in a pond, before inevitably colliding with a window on the far side of the hall, bursting through it to the outside.

Ukyo stood back up with minimal pain in her side. She dusted off her hands before bending down to pick up her spatula. I wonder how Ranchan is doing. I hope he doesn’t carry too hard feelings about me accidentally turning him into a girl again. Ah, well, he’ll forgive me eventually.

Ranma was crouched down, leaning against the wall of the nurse’s office.

Ugh… This sucks… Why did Ucchan have to throw that stupid bucket backwards!? Why couldn’t she… oh, I dunno… put it down like a normal person!

“Stupid girl-curse. Stupid water. Stupid Ucchan for splashing me. Stupid pop for draggin’ me to that stupid training ground in the first place.”

Akane opened the door to the nurse’s office, stepping out with a kettle steaming at the end of its tip. She took one look beside her, seeing the redhead leaning on his hand, which sat on his knee while he crouched.

“What are you sulking here for? It’s not like it’s the end of the world,” Akane said without changing her pitch.

“Of course you’d say that. That’s not the point.” Ranma’s voice, which was already pretty quiet, was half mumbled into his own hand as he turned his head slightly away from her.

Akane crouched down beside, secretly amused to see him this annoyed over something seemingly so small. “Oh? Then what is the point, huh?” 

“You wouldn’t get it.” Ranma grabbed the kettle from Akane’s hand and poured it over his head. This water was way too hot.

Ranma shot up. “Oi! Hey-! Ow! Geez! Couldn’t you tell that nurse to not have the water that hot!? I’m a human, not a crab!”

Akane couldn’t help but let out a stifled laugh. “Well, I wanted to warn you, but you couldn’t wait.”

“Shut up!” Ranma said, tending to the top of his head which surely would become a minor burn wound.

He started to walk away, going back towards the classroom, still rubbing the top of his head. “Come on, let’s see how Ucchan’s doing.”

Akane watched him for a moment, deep in thought. What’s going on inside that head of yours, Ranma? What are you so upset about? Is it really just being a girl?

“Are you coming? Or do you like sitting in front of doors?” Ranma asked sarcastically, looking back towards Akane.

Akane shook her head, before standing up and patting her skirt clean. “Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.”

I guess I’ll figure it out someday…

“Where’s Kuno?” Ranma asked as he caught up with Ukyo picking up her spatula in front of the classroom.

Ukyo looked at Ranma with her eyebrows raised. “Oh, that idiot?” She gave a small shrug. “Drop-kicked him through the window.”

Ranma looked behind his friend, to see an empty hallway with a broken window at the end of it, blowing a chill breeze from outside. “You do know we are on the third floor, right?” 

“We are? Huh. Hadn’t noticed.” Ukyo turned to her weapon, checking to see where it was damaged after planting it into the ground for a second time.

The door of the classroom opened, with the teacher sticking his head into the hall. “So, have you three learnt your lesson ye-” 

He took one good look at the floor, seeing multiple places it was damaged, and multiple puddles on the ground, before looking at the three teens.

Ranma was completely soaked, his hair especially so. Ukyo had some rubble stuck to her pants. And Akane was holding a kettle.

“You know what? I don’t wanna know. Come in.” The teacher opened the door all the way, showing them the classroom.

Everyone sat in waiting, the desks neatly arranged into rows of one.

There were three desks empty. One next to the window, and two beside each other near the front.

Akane walked past the two friends, to her desk near the front, leaving two desks free.

The teacher studied the two seats for a moment. “Kuonji, you can sit next to Tendo. And Ranma? You sit next to Kento.”

Ranma narrowed his eyes. Wait… that name… No… No, no, no, no!

He walked to the back of the classroom, taking a seat next to the window.

“No way. Ranma! It is you! I didn't recognise you because of the whole pigtail business you got going on now.”

Ranma was hesitant to look to his right. No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Hiroshi leaned over. “So, how long has it been? A year? Two?”

“Two long, blissful years, Hiroshi,” Ranma muttered, slightly turning his face away from him.

Hiroshi elbowed him. “Come on, don’t be like that. We were great pals a year ago.”

Ranma tried, so desperately, to ignore him. “Again, two. Definitely two. And I wouldn't say best buddies.”

Hiroshi put his arm around Ranma’s shoulders. "Yeah, we were. You didn't even talk to anyone else while you were at that school. At least you can start here with a buddy already.”

“Hiroshi Kento. Please keep your hands off the transfer student so I could begin the lesson.” The teacher looked straight into Hiroshi’s eyes, looking pretty fed up.

“Yes, sorry teacher.” Hiroshi sat back down in his chair, as straight as possible. Then, in a voice quiet enough so the teacher couldn't hear, he whispered, “by the way, I got someone you might want to meet. He's cool, I promise.”

Ranma’s head slowly dropped until it reached his desk. Ugh… I hate this place already.

Kuno stumbled into class, leaning on every possible surface before he got to his desk, where he unceremoniously plopped down with a loud thud. Parts of his robes were tattered and torn, with a lot of dust sticking everywhere.

“Nabiki Tendo…” Kuno muttered to the girl on his left, without letting his eyes leave the board in front of him. “You had failed to mention… that this cowardly offender… was a woman… and skilled enough with a blade to outpace my very own weapon with one that is… clearly not as balanced…”

Nabiki didn’t look up from her notebook. “Funny thing. You never asked me.” She turned the page of her textbook, like she was reading it. “So… you fought Ukyo? How did it go?”

Kuno closed his eyes. “Yes… I did fight this… Ukyo Kuonji… And I am displeased to say… that I was bested by a kick… through a window… onto the hard, concrete pavement covering our school’s premises.”

“Mmh… Sounds so painful. And, I assume she didn’t tell you much about her?” Nabiki said sarcastically, finally aiming her gaze at Kuno, the teacher leaving the room to get some extra papers.

Kuno scoffed. “Now, of course she did not, Nabiki Tendo. It was as if she was already angry before I even arrived.” 

Nabiki pretended to study her pen, catching Kuno’s attention. “Well, Kuno-chan, you’d be surprised to know that Ukyo is Ranma’s fiancée.”

“Yes… I would see how such a dastardly boy would rub off such cowardly behaviour onto such an… interesting girl…” Kuno muttered while tapping his chin.

Nabiki leaned in close, until she was just a breath away from Kuno’s ear. “Not only Ukyo, however. Akane is Ranma’s fiancée too.”

Kuno froze. He slowly turned his head towards her, breathed in, and breathed. “Why did you not say that earlier!?”

“You never asked,” Nabiki replied, giving him a shrug. “I just told you the person who hit you from behind was in class 1-F and you ran off.”

“Mmm…” Kuno slowly arose from his seat. “I guess I did do that. Very well. If you’ll excuse me… I have a wooden blade to retrieve… For I shall not stand for this!”

Kuno said this right as the teacher walked in. “Kuno… Again? Seriously? Just… go stand in the hall. I’ll talk to you during the lunch break.”

The swordless samurai stood up, planning to leave anyway. He took no shame in his walk of shame, even though he looked like an idiot.

So, not only is Saotome a two-timing Svengali, but he dares to offend the innocence of the fair Akane in his schemes! I shall show him the revenge you show to those who hate women! Kuno thought as he closed the door behind him.

He looked to his left, then to his right, and darted off to the stairwell. “Now, to reclaim my bokken, and defend my fair maiden’s honour!”

Ranma was looking at the board with half his attention. Sooo boring! I swear, whoever invented algebra can burn for all I care.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand most of what was told on the board. In fact, Ukyo had forced him many times to just read a textbook. And during his previous schools, he did well enough.

It was just that Ranma absolutely did not see the point in studying math, if he was just going to do martial arts for the rest of his life anyway.

Ukyo, however, was listening intently. The notebook she had in front of her was filled with notes and exercises. 

It was not her goal to only keep herself busy with martial arts, instead she wanted to run her own restaurant business, and so she thought this might be helpful for that.

Around them, the class was listening to the teacher with varying levels of interest. But none made enough sound to interrupt the lesson. 

That was until stomping from the hall drowned out the teacher’s voice enough to get annoyed. 

The teacher paused his chalk on top of the board. “Okay, please give me a moment.” He placed the piece of chalk on his desk and walked to the door, ready to scold whoever was running through the halls.

The moment he placed his hands on the handle, however, the door swung open, revealing a tattered upperclassman, who had his weapon held above his head. The teacher fell to the ground, hitting his head on the floor, rendering him dazed for a moment.

Kuno didn’t even waste time on looking at the fallen teacher. He immediately rushed toward Ranma, inbetween the desks. “Ranma Saotome, you two-timing snake! I have come to stop your evil plan!”

Ranma raised an eyebrow, his attention now undividedly aimed at his attacker. Evil plan? Two-timer? What is he talking about? 

As Kuno had closed the distance, Ranma dodged the first swing by jumping off his chair. He landed on his desk, still trying to figure out what the delusional kendo player wanted.

Akane was already standing, unsure whether to step in or not. She looked at Ukyo, who was still working out the problem on the board, while everyone else had dropped it to watch the spectacle.

“Why didn’t you stop him?” Akane asked, looking how Ranma effortlessly blocked a strike, using his desk.

“I dunno. Why didn’t you?” Ukyo retorted with a shrug, still not looking up from her work.

Akane finally made up her mind and began moving towards the fight. “Well, when he entered the room, he was already past me, and I’d have to walk over a couple of desks. You have that big spatula.”

“Yeah, and? He made it clear he wasn’t here for me. And don’t you hate it too when others fight your battles?” Ukyo stared at the back of Akane’s skull, her words making her hesitate once more. She then returned to finishing the exercise. “Relax, he’s got this.”

Akane sighed, seeing Ranma jump over Kuno, to confuse him. “Yeah… I guess you’re right…”

“Stand still, you vile sorcerer!” Kuno bellowed as he did a vertical strike downward, which Ranma simply sidestepped. 

“What is your problem, man! I thought we already did this thing!” Ranma opened the windows leading to the hall after flipping over yet another desk, away from Kuno. “When will you leave me alone?”

“Never! For I shall never accept your engagement to Akane!” The words echoed through the classroom, where everyone, who had been moving away from the fight, started to look at Akane.

“Whaaaat!? An engagement?!” One of the boys yelled.
“How could you, Akane!? And you said you despised men!” A girl cried out.

Ranma rolled backwards out of the window as his foe did a horizontal slash. “Oi! Our parents decided that!”

Akane, who had started to be surrounded by curious classmates, also butted in. “Yeah! We had nothing to do with it!”

Kuno hopped over the window sill, his bokken still firmly held in his right hand. “But, as if you haven’t dishonoured the fair Akane Tendo enough, she is not your only bride! You are also engaged to the sly Ukyo Kuonji!” 

Both Ranma and Ukyo turned slightly pink. Ranma almost slipped, because of the puddle that was still drying in the hallway. Ukyo finally looked up from what she was doing, putting down her pencil and got out of her chair, the gazes of her classmates now divided between her and Akane.

“That was also set up by his dad!” Ukyo protested, trying to cool off her face with the cold metal of her spatula.

Ranma didn’t even say anything, he just narrowed his eyes, his face still slightly red. I see what he’s doing… He’s trying to get me off balance, so he can win with a single blow. I mean, he cleanly cut through concrete, so he’s no slouch in the strength department, but I’m clearly much better than him… So I have a better idea.

Ranma ducked, squatting down as far as he could to dodge another one of Kuno’s strikes, which carved a mark into the wall.

“Come on, Kuno, you have to admit, this ain’t a place to fight.” Ranma used his position to propel himself down the hall, creating a small distance between him and his attacker. “Follow me!”

“That I shall!” Kuno began to sprint after him, taking big steps as he did so.

Everyone in the classroom did not stand still when Kuno and Ranma ran off into the hall, running after them. Akane and Ukyo easily took the lead in the crowd.

As all the classes were already deeply in session, the hallways were empty, save for a spare teacher or two telling them to stop running in the halls, which they ignored.

After less than a minute of running, Ranma saw his opening. An open window leading to the outside.

“Let’s take this outside! Come on!” Ranma placed one hand on the window sill, hopping over it while retaining most of his speed.

Kuno slowed down, placing one foot on the window sill, before leaping out. “Fear not! No longer shall you escape my sight, before I have bested you!” 

A teacher, that was passing by, leaned out the window. “Hey! This is the third floor!” 

Ranma looked back, flying through the air. “No sweat! I’m-” He turned his head to where he was about to land and his entire demeanor changed. Oh shit!

Below him and Kuno was the giant swimming pool, used in the summer for swimming classes and other water related activities.

“You buffoon!” Akane and Ukyo yelled simultaneously out of the window. They looked at each other for a moment in surprise, before stifling a laugh.

Hiroshi leaned out next to them. “Boy, lucky there’s a pool there.”

A boy came to stand next to him, crossing his arms. “Yeah, lucky.” 

Hiroshi immediately recognised the boy. “Oh, hey man, there you are. Why are you so late?”

Ranma and Kuno were moments away from hitting the water when Ranma heard them. “Lucky, he says!” was the last thing the crowd could hear before a giant splash enveloped the immediate area.

Ah, great… Ranma felt that same uncomfortable tingle spread throughout his body, shrinking him, giving him different proportions.

He consciously stayed under water. His shoes slid off his feet, floating towards the surface. He tied his pants tighter around his waist.

I can’t just resurface like this! Not as a girl! I gotta get away! Ranma paddled his now shorter legs to get as close to the edge of the pool as possible.

Wait… I don’t have enough air… Gotta breathe… He looked up, seeing Kuno float on the surface of the water, semi-unconscious. Oh, god dammit… Well, I don’t have much of a choice… 

Ranma swam up to Kuno, pushing him up to be able to get his own head above the water. He took one deep breath. Finally, that’s better… in a way. Now, let’s just swim to the edge and sneak off before anyone sees me like this.

Up from the window, everyone looked on at the pool, some holding their breath, waiting for Ranma to resurface.

“Huh, that’s strange…” Hiroshi mumbled to his friend. “It seems like Kuno’s moving on his own… and it doesn’t look like swimming… But where’s Ranma?”

Ukyo slapped her face, dragging her hand down it. “You’d think someone like him would know better than to jump into a pool.”

Akane tapped Ukyo’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s see if we could get some hot water from somewhere. I doubt the nurse will give me even more. The janitor should’ve come in by now.”

“Right, yeah.” Ukyo followed Akane through the crowd. When they appeared on the other side, she put her hands on the back of her head. “What would Ranchan be without us,” she said in a mocking tone.

Meanwhile, Ranma reached the edge of the pool with little effort. Wait… Now how am I gonna do this? I can’t just let go and walk out, everyone would immediately see that I’m a girl! Luckily this buffoon is still sleeping.

As he was thinking of ways to fix his problem, he felt something shift on his back. Hey! What the hell!? Shit, shit, shit, shit! Not now! 

Kuno slowly opened his eyes, his mind still slow from both hitting the water at high speed, his front taking the full force, and the beating he got from Ukyo, which was still wearing him down.

Okay, okay… Think fast. Wait! I know! Ranma grabbed Kuno by the head. He swung the honourless samurai over his head, slamming him onto dry land.

Using him as an anchor, Ranma pulled himself out of the water, flipping over Kuno. He gritted his teeth, before being able to flip away, over the fence. “This ain’t over, Kuno!” He yelled as he disappeared.

Kuno’s eyes had fully opened since hitting the ground, the adrenaline sending him into a more awakened state. He looked straight up the whole time Ranma was above him.

Because Ranma’s shirt hung so loosely, Kuno was able to catch a look every man hoped for. He was hesitant that what he was seeing was true, but the voice sent him over the edge.

He crossed his arms, his head rhythmically drumming in pain, thinking over all the evidence once more.

“That… Yes, that was a girl…” Kuno concluded. His eyes widened. “That means…” He shot up from his lying position, flying up to his feet. “Ranma Saotome, you wretch! Do you think you’ve escaped?!” 

Ranma sat in a tree, wringing out his pants. He had managed to reach the place unnoticed, seeing it as a safe place while he dried off.

“That was way too close…” He muttered as droplets hit the tree bark. “Luckily no one saw me… I think? Well, whatever… not like anyone would be able to tell. Shit, maybe that yell was too much.”

“You’re idiot, you know that?” Ukyo’s voice rang through the yard, her tone intentionally monotone.

Akane accompanied her, carrying a kettle with [janitor] written on the side. “Just how dumb can you be? I mean, jumping into a pool out of your own free will? Seriously?”

Ranma rolled his eyes, placing his pants on a branch to dry further. “Shut up! How was I supposed to know there was a pool there?”

Akane crossed her arms. “So, if there was solid ground there, you would’ve been fine?” 

“Yeah,” Ranma said flatly, leaning forward to see the kettle in Akane’s hands.

Ukyo nodded. “I mean, that’s not the most difficult thing to do. We’ve done it plenty of times before.”

Akane was perplexed, lowering the kettle again, making Ranma anxious. “Huh? Really? Wow. You really have to teach me sometime.”

Ukyo shrugged. “Sure. It’s pretty easy when you know how it’s done. So, Ranma! You want the hot water or not?!” 

Ranma leaned forward completely, until his chest touched his pants on the branch, reminding him that he was a girl. “Of course I want hot water! Is that even a question, furball!?”

Ukyo smirked. “Well, then ask nicely, jackass!” 

Ranma groaned. “Just give me the hot water, you-” 

Heavy, watery footsteps cut him off, the two girls on the ground checking to see who was approaching.

“Ranma Saotome, reveal your location to me to end this debacle of a fight by my blade!” It was clear to Ranma it was Kuno, but he could not see him through the foliage.

Akane sighed, throwing the kettle in Ranma’s direction. “I got this, you just change back.”

Ukyo looked confused at Akane, halfway to drawing her spatula. “I can handle this, you know. No need to get involved. You could’ve just given him the water.” 

“Oh please…” Akane brushed one of her bangs behind her ear. “I’ve been looking for an excuse to kick his ass all day.” 

“Ooh, now that’s my girl.” Ukyo smirked, standing back to look at the incoming fight.

Neither noticed Ranma, dangling off a branch by only his feet, holding the poorly thrown kettle with both hands, and trying, with all his might, to get back onto the branch to change back onto his branch, seeing little success, since his only hold was with his feet.

“Upperclassman Kuno! I challenge you!” Akane yelled across the field, getting his attention.

Kuno turned towards Akane, seeing her battle stance, and lowered his blade. “Akane, oh, Akane… Never did I dream that you would challenge me! So be it!” He took his bokken in both hands, taking a dueling stance. “If you win… I will let you go out with me. Thus, I shall lose with all my might!” 

Akane’s face scrunched up. “Who’s asking to go out with you!?” She widened her stance to get more leverage. Ranma, just hurry up and turn back into a boy.

Ukyo looked on with an amused smirk, until she heard a subtle groan from the tree beside her. She looked up to see Ranma, struggling to reel back both himself and the kettle. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene.

When Ranma finally returned to the branch, he let out a huge sigh, his legs hurting like hell. “Finally…”

“What’s wrong, Ranma? Couldn’t you catch it?” Ukyo asked, half chuckling to herself at how dumb it all looked.

Ranma glared at her, still holding the kettle in front of him. “Well, I would’ve caught it, if that brute actually threw it like a normal person!”

Suddenly, Kuno flew in upside down, Akane having hurled him into the tree. His head hit the kettle with a loud bang, denting the kettle in such a way that it started leaking all the hot water.

Kuno took one long look beside him. “Say, you wouldn’t have been near a pool lately, would you, miss? You look like that girl, I think…”

“You haven’t changed yet!?” Akane yelled at the girl in the tree, holding Kuno’s wooden blade, while Ukyo doubled over from laughing.

“What’d you expect!?” Ranma retorted, still glaring at Ukyo for laughing at him.

“So… did you see where a boy with a pigtail went?” Kuno asked, as if he just sat down for tea, even crossing his arms.

Ranma shook his head violently. I can’t have him figure out I’m the girl he’s talking to, if he hasn’t already. And, I mean, I don’t think the buffoon’s figured it out yet, if he has to ask.

“That coward! Running away from a fight!” Kuno’s exclamation made Ranma pause. “No doubt he feared my prowess! He is no man! No man!” 

Ranma tried one last time to be calm, and he really tried his hardest. But it only took a second for him to realise that he didn’t actually care.

He let go of the kettle with a scoff, dropping Kuno out of the tree. “I’m not gonna hang there and take this,” he muttered as he jumped off the branch himself.

“That hurt, you know.” Kuno sat back up straight the first moment he could, right after hitting the ground, which impressed Ukyo a little bit.

Ranma assumed a fighting stance. “Come on. I can take you any time.”

“Heh, amusing. Well, should you win…” He took his bokken back from Akane, who stood dazed at what Ranma was about to try, instead of changing back. 

Kuno swung the blade as fast as he could, which Ranma jumped over. “… I will allow you to go out with me!” 

Is he… Is he mocking me!? Who does this guy think he is!? ‘Amusing’!? Seriously!? Oh, I will kill this man some day! In the air, Ranma gritted his teeth. “And who's asking-” He took Kuno’s blade with his foot, stopping it dead in its tracks, while fully kicking him in the face. “-to go out with you!!”

Kuno fell to the ground, the culmination of everything that hit him that day finally taking its toll, passing into a semi-subconscious state. That girl… Like Ukyo Kuonji, she is skilled… but somehow… different… They are both… as skilled as Akane… No, more skilled.

Ranma used his foot to kick the bokken onto his shoulder. “And guess what, Kuno. Ranma Saotome is even better than me!” 

He used the bokken to fish his pants out of the tree, trying to catch a pant leg. Embarrassingly, it seemed like he would have to jump to get it to not slide off the wood though.

But before Ranma could do anything his pride would hate, Ukyo stood next to him, only slightly on her toes, using her spatula to slap it down, without saying a word.

Ranma glared at her, despite being grateful. Stop belittling me, furball. You’re only taller when I’m a girl. Yet, he accepted the pants without so much as grumbling, dropping the bokken to the ground like a discarded sock.

He slung his pants over his shoulder when the three girls walked back towards the school. “Okay, let’s head home.”

Akane shot him a look. “School’s not over yet, you know. We were just in the middle of the second period.”

Ukyo stretched her arms above her head. “I gotta agree with Ranchan on this one. I could use a bath from all the fighting.”

Ranma elbowed her. “Oh, shut up. You ain’t the one who got splashed three times today.”

Ukyo laughed despite the pain. “Yeah, that’s just your luck, Ranchan. Maybe you should watch out more. Besides, ladies first, right? Or have you started to think of yourself as a girl now?” 

Ranma balled his fist, raising it to meet Ukyo. “Wanna go, furball?” 

Ukyo smirked. “Any day, Ranchan.”

Akane sighed. “Both of you, shut up. We’re not going home yet. I mean, yes, I know you are a girl right now, Ranma, but this was gonna happen sooner rather than later anywa-” She was cut off by a loud yelp and a splash behind her.

She turned around to see a redhead standing with one leg outstretched, a bunch of chef's clothes lying on the ground next to a spatula, and a brown fox standing in the puddle left behind by the cooled down kettle, which had bounced away from the now sleeping Kuno when it fell, yipping at Ranma.

Akane groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Okay, fine, we’re going home. But I am not carrying her stuff. That’s your job. I’m gonna grab our bags.”

Ranma smirked, totally okay with that alternative. He started to bundle up the clothes while Akane waltzed towards the school, muttering to herself. Only after grabbing everything, did he start paying attention to the fox at his legs.

“Don’t be like that, Ucchan, it’s a win-win in the end.” Ranma crouched down in front of the glaring fox, adjusting the spatula he put on his back. How does Ucchan do this so easily?

Ukyo didn’t even start yipping again, instead just quietly glaring at her best friend. You turned me into a fox, jackass. You know how much this sucks? Let me give you a hint, it’s worse than your curse.

“Want me to carry you?” Ranma asked, seeing how Ukyo looked at him.

Ukyo turned away from him. Of course I don’t wanna be carried, idiot! I want to be human agai- She heard her tail thump against the ground, cutting off her thoughts. Wait! No! I don’t wanna be carried! No! Ranchan! Please-!

“Okay, fine. Hold on a sec.” Ranma adjusted the clothes in his arms until it was bundled up underneath one shoulder. He then used both hands to pick Ukyo up by wrapping them around her body, then placing her on the arm where he didn’t have clothes.

Your hands are cold, Ranchan! Do you know how unpleasant that is!? What have you even done? Swim? Oh… right… Still… stupid, traitorous tail.

Ranma started to unconsciously pet her fur as they walked towards the exit of the school grounds, making her even more embarrassed.

This day better end soon, because I don’t think I wanna spend another second living through this… Ukyo thought with each slow stroke, her tail giving a lazy wag every so often, which she hated even more.

Still, she didn’t try to make a move to break free.

Chapter Text

Ranma ran through the halls of the Tendo home as fast as he could, all evidence pointing to him possibly dying if he didn’t. 

He hadn’t had time to change back into a guy yet, letting Ukyo go and take a bath first, and not liking the whole kettle idea, since it was often too hot. So, he decided to just wait for a moment.

But now, he realises that letting Ukyo go first might’ve been a mistake.

“I told you I was sorry!” Ranma yelled in a futile attempt to calm her down. 

He had been told by Nabiki that Ukyo had been finished and his turn was up. But when he opened the door to the bathroom, he saw a fully girl, fully clothed, fully angry Ukyo, armed with her spatula, ready to strike.

As Ranma jumped over the horizontal strike, he made a mental note never to trust Nabiki ever again.

Ukyo had paid Nabiki to tell him she was done taking a bath, which was technically true, but not the reason she wanted him there.

Her face had been nothing but red ever since changing back into a human, all of her embarrassment flooding out.

“You carried me! Like some pet! ALL THE WAY HOME!!” Ukyo yelled as she was starting to close the distance through sheer determination.

“And you didn’t exactly try to stop me!” Ranma retorted, remembering distinctly how Ukyo lied completely still in his arms, while he was carrying her, her clothes, and her spatula home, with her even nuzzling her snout closer to his chest halfway through, while she was clearly asleep.

Ranma remembered that detail so well, because Akane had pointed it out and laughed at it, finding it ‘adorable’.

Ukyo was done running. She threw her weapon in front of her and Ranma, stopping him dead in his tracks. Unfortunately for her, this was in front of the entrance to the living room, her spatula sticking out of the engawa.

Ranma jumped right, into the backyard. Seeking safety, he aimed for the koi pond. He ran as fast as his smaller feet could carry him, but Ukyo’s longer legs were starting to catch up.

Ukyo skidded to a halt once she wasn’t sure she could catch up in time, not wanting to risk jumping into the pond.

A small splash indicated the end of the chase.

Ugh… this is embarrassing. But with that advantage, she could’ve cut my head off, Ranma thought as he turned around, laying in the cool water of the pond. He looked up at Ukyo with heavy breath.

Ukyo stared down at the redhead, laying on his back in the water, and she started to calm down. She closed her eyes, breathing in and out slowly, trying to recover from both the running, as the frustration.

“Just… don’t do that, Ranma… Please…”

Ranma’s eyes widened, the lack of his nickname alerting him that really did something wrong this time. “Ucchan…”

Ukyo clenched her fist. “No, Ranma, don’t ’Ucchan’ me right now. That stupid curse is messing with my head, and I don’t like it. I’m… sorry…”

That made Ranma angry. “Stop talking like that, stupid! I’ve turned into a damn girl more times than I can count on my fingers and I still don’t act girly!”

“But Ranma, that’s-” Ukyo tried to protest, but Ranma stood up to cut her off.

“No! It ain’t! Shut up about that! It ain’t like you change or anythin’, the only thing that changes is your outside! So whatever happens while you’re a fox, is just how that body reacts to the same stuff!” Ranma pushed past her. “You keep telling me to stop whining, but look in a mirror once in a while. I’m takin’ a bath.”

Ukyo’s gaze didn’t follow him. She kept staring at the spot in the water where she was glaring down her best friend, for something trivial. “Man, I’m a mess,” she said with a small chuckle.

That’s when she heard thunder above her.

Shit. She turned around quickly, but the first droplets were already falling around her. No matter how hard she tried, Ukyo got hit as it started raining, even while sprinting to the canopy above he engawa. 

By the time she arrived at her spatula, she was a brown bundle of fur.

She looked around, but saw no one in the living room. So, instead, she curled up at the base of her spatula, not having the energy to go and look for anyone, and wanting to wait for the rain to stop. Her spatula stood at an angle, protecting her from even some cold, stray splashes.

It’s not like I can wear my clothes while they’re soaked anyway. Wet pants are uncomfortable anyway… and they’re soaked now. I’ll just… close my eyes… for a… moment…

Ukyo fell asleep at the sound of the rain pitter pattering outside, her snout buried in her bushy tail, her ear giving a lazy flick, once again sleepy after changing.

Kasumi walked over the engawa with the laundry, disappointed that it started raining. With it being on the fence, she hoped it wouldn’t, but she couldn’t change the weather, so she planned on returning the laundry basket.

She noticed the spatula sticking out of the floor, with it being hard to miss. She walked past it, to see the little fox resting on the bamboo floor.

Outside, in the rain, she saw a couple of crumpled clothes getting soaked by the rain.

She put down her basket and stepped out to gather them up and place them somewhere dry.

Among the chef uniform, Kasumi found a white ribbon still tied in a bow, with a small ring where hair was supposed to be. She picked it up from the pile after placing the rest of the clothes next to the laundry basket, planning to clean them for Ukyo.

She recognised it from being in Ukyo’s hair all the time and smiled, looking at the fox.

With the ribbon in hand she stepped toward the spatula while undoing the current ribbon.

Kasumi crouched down, her hands reaching out to the head of the sleeping furball.

Slowly and carefully, Kasumi raised the small head a tiny bit, sliding the cloth under her chin to her neck.

After letting the head rest again, she used her practiced hands to tie a bow around Ukyo’s neck, using the ribbon.

Ukyo didn’t wake up, only let out a small sigh through her nose.

Kasumi smiled even wider, happy with her handiwork. She reached out once more to give a small scritch on top of her little fox head.

A soft sound escaped Ukyo’s snout, her mouth moving slightly.

She shifted, her tail thumping once onto her nose. Her entire body twisted, her ear twitched, and her paws became visible.

Kasumi chuckled at the sight of her white belly, thinking it looked cute. Her hand moved to the light fur, ruffling it for a quick moment, seeing Ukyo’s tail swishing from left to right in her unconscious state.

Ukyo’s eyes started to open. What…? What's… happening? I feel… warm? Mmmh… this is nice.

Hold up… that's a hand… and it's cold! I'm being pet!

Kasumi smiled at the sight of Ukyo waking up, stopping her hand to pick up the laundry basket again. “Well, you look like you've rested well. I'll make sure there is a heated kettle in the kitchen after I placed this in the bathroom.”

Ukyo tried to maneuver herself back onto her paws, struggling a little. What? What!? Hey! I-! What the hell just- Kasumi!

Once back on four paws, she looked around, no one in sight. She looked at the floor, her ears flat against her head, looking as concerned as a fox ever could. Why does this keep happening to me!?

The next day, Ranma stretched his hands high above him, happy school was finally over. He was thinking of what he might want to do for the rest of the day, while basking in the sun, when Nabiki walked up to him.

She handed him a paper slip. “Here.” The slip looked like a formal challenge letter, but it didn’t have Ranma’s name on it, instead it said [to the tree-born kettle-girl].

“You sure this is for me?” Ranma asked, pausing his stretch. He took one more look at the paper, checking whether or not he was mistaken.

Nabiki raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. “So, you weren't the girl who dropped Kuno out of a tree? He told me to give it to the-” She put on a mocking interpretation of Kuno. “-beautiful maiden perched atop the tree with that most brutal of skill.”

Akane sat behind him sipping a cup of tea, waiting for Ukyo to finish whatever she said she had to do. “Yup, sounds like you alright.”

“Oi! What do you mean by that, huh?!” Ranma whipped around, staring right at his fiancée.

Akane didn’t even look at him, simply putting down her tea. “Nothing.” 

Ukyo bursted in with a plate in her hand. “Guess what, Ranchan! Cooking on a stove is awesome!”

Ranma looked over, excited about what might be on that plate. “Yeah, duh, stupid. Please tell me it's what I think it is.”

“Naturally,” Ukyo said with a smile and a small bow. She lowered the plate in front of Ranma, showing him a stack of six okonomiyaki. “Wanna taste? I mean, hey, I got to use normal spices now. And an adjustable stove.”

“Hell yeah! Course I do! You’re the best!” Ranma hungrily grabbed the top pancake. 

Akane and Nabiki looked on confused. 

Nabiki chuckled. “Wait… you cook? I kinda figured because of the whole chef attire… but damn.” 

“I ain’t complainin’.” Ranma took a large bite out of his food.

Ukyo wiped some sweat off her brow, loosening her uniform slightly, the closed kitchen hotter than the cold outdoor she was used to. “What? You got a problem?”

Nabiki placed the challenge on the table in front of Ranma, reaching into her pocket. “No, not exactly… just funny is all.”

A teacup broke in Akane's hand, which she planned to bring up to her mouth. There was only a little tea left in the cup, now drizzling down her arm.

While Ranma and Ukyo looked weirdly at Akane, Nabiki pulled out another paper slip, this one labeled [to the harsh Ukyo Kuonji]. 

“Why is he using a complement in front of your name, but ain’t even using my name!?” Ranma sounded hurt as he reached over to grab another snack.

“Because he’s talking to the girl version of you. Or do you want him to know you’re the same person?” Nabiki replied, diligently trying Ukyo’s okonomiyaki, still hesitant on whether or not it would be good. She was not disappointed.

Ranma scoffed, but didn’t say anything more, grabbing his challenge off the table and folding it open, at the same time as Ukyo. He read it aloud immediately. “On Sunday in the tenth hour, meet me on the second field of Furinkan highschool.”

Ukyo read hers quietly, looking up when Ranma finished. “Hey, mine says the same thing, but Saturday instead of Sunday. He really wants an ass whooping if he’s challenging us back to back!” 

Akane sighed. “Yeah, well… you know Kuno, stubborn, stupid, and obsessed with wanting to prove himself.”

Nabiki finished the street snack she picked up. “Are we seriously not going to talk about how you two have been here for almost five days and Ukyo hadn’t tried to help with dinner once?”

“In my defence, I got really unlucky with the cold water the past few days.” Ukyo crumpled up the challenge letter and threw it into the corner.

Ranma looked hurt. “Ucchan… What are you doing? You know you’re supposed to keep that, right?”

Ukyo shrugged. “Oh, please, Ranchan. You’re not telling me you actually want to show up to a challenge from that idiot?”

Ranma scratched the back of his neck. “I mean, kinda. I want to wipe that smug smirk off his face. Don’t you?”

“Yeah… I guess I do…” Ukyo’s shoulders slumped. “But if it takes even a minute too long, I’m just walking away!”

-Saturday at 10 in the morning, someday in 1987-

Ukyo stood in waiting for a good twenty minutes on the specified field. She knew she came early, but still didn’t think she’d need to wait for that long.

She impatiently tapped her foot on the ground repeatedly. “Come on, Kuno, where are you? Isn’t it gentlemanly or whatever to come early? And besides, it’s 10 now. Hurry up…”

As if answering her prayers, she heard footsteps coming from the stairs leading down onto the field. When she looked up, she saw Kuno, with his bokken in hand.

Kuno put his blade in front of him, as he stepped onto the field. “So, Ukyo Kuonji. You have decided to show up to our most honourable of duels. I do hope you are prepared to be bested at the end of my blade.”

Ukyo drew her spatula off her back. She bent through her knees to prepare for a sprint. “Yeah, yeah. Save the small talk. Let’s go.” With that, she shot off at her opponent.

“Straight to the punch, I see. I like it!” Kuno advanced quickly, meeting the tomboy chef about halfway.

Wood and metal clashed, making Ukyo wonder just what kind of wood Kuno’s blade was made out of.

Quickly, they switched a couple of hits between hitting high and low, Ukyo holding back both in strength as in speed just to get the satisfaction of catching Kuno off guard later, if she had to, since Kuno was already at a disadvantage.

After the weapons met low once more, near Kuno’s ankles, instead of pushing, Ukyo pulled her spatula away and swept her leg, causing Kuno to jump away.

Letting out one heavy breath, Ukyo steadied herself. “So, what’s the deal, Kuno? We just gonna fight?”

Kuno nodded firmly. “Yes, this is merely a duel to satisfaction. But do not let that discourage you from trying your best!”

Ukyo grinned. “Of course I won’t! What do you take me for?!” She grabbed the collar of her uniform, loosening it. She stabbed her spatula into the ground, then, with one clean pull, she pulled off her top.

Kuno’s face went completely red and he quickly turned away. This-! This must be a distraction! Yes! This behaviour is completely unwomanly, and any blow like this is cowardly!

“Uhh… Kuno? What are you doing? I thought we were fighting.” Ukyo was genuinely confused as to why Kuno was acting like that. She loosened her shoulder after dropping her chef’s uniform top to the ground, retrieving her weapon from the sand.

“You- You-!” Kuno stammered, his back still aimed towards Ukyo, thinking the worst of the situation.

Ukyo sighed, walking up to the tall coward. “Oi, will you take this seriously?” She tapped the back of his head with her spatula, causing him to turn around instantly.

“That- You dare strike the great Tatewaki Kuno from behind once more!? Why, what dishonourable-!” He realised what he just did, looking down from her face, sweating buckets.

But he didn’t see what he expected. Instead, he saw cotton cloth, wrapping around Ukyo’s torso, all the way up to just below her armpits. It covered her entire skin, baring only her shoulders and collarbone.

“Are you done whining over there? I didn’t come here to waste my time waiting for you to recover between blows. And the sun’s hot, so come on.” Ukyo put her spatula back into her two hands, widening her legs.

“R-right…”Kuno mimicked his opponent. This girl… she has no shame… No, that is not the reason… She is confident, and rightfully so, but I do not sense her as a girl, making her… weirdly approachable.

“Yo, Kuno! Your sword or whatever is a little high, ain’t it? This is a duel, not kendo. If I start low now, the added time you need to go and block it gives me a major advantage,” Ukyo mocked as she threw a low jab.

Kuno blocked it, and immediately saw what she was talking about when she initiated a bind for the first time in this combat. 

The point of contact was way closer to him then it was to her, making it so he had less leverage.

With one push, Ukyo was able to move his bokken away with her steel, leaving him wide open. She took the advantage and kicked him to the ground.

Before he could even think about getting up, Kuno was looking along a steel spatula aimed at his neck. 

Ukyo grinned at the other side of that weapon. “Satisfied? ‘Cause I sure am. Guess you could say I won your little challenge. See ya Monday, Kuno.”

She… Ukyo Kuonji, she… Kuno’s brain was left scrambling as Ukyo grabbed her chef uniform’s top and slung it over her shoulder, before giving one final wave.

An ache filled his chest, his heart beating differently from any other moment in his life, not exactly faster or slower, but irregular, like it was missing a few beats.

“I… I believe I have made up my mind…” he mumbled as he grabbed his bokken off the floor, something he must’ve dropped as he fell.

“Until we meet again, Ukyo Kuonji.”

-Sunday at 11 in the morning, someday in 1987-

Ukyo was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the countertop. The sunlight fell onto the opposite side of the room.

She didn’t need to wake up early, so by the time she woke up, Ranma was already gone. She was a little disappointed, because she wanted to get a little sparring in. Now, she could still do this, if it wasn’t for one small problem…

Ranma still wasn’t home.

“Man. How long could that big doofus take to beat that idiot. Save some energy for me, geez.” Ukyo looked around, thinking about what she might do.

Her eyes eventually settled on the kettle. “Screw it. I’m making tea.”

As she filled the kettle, she heard the front door. Fucking finally! Now! Let’s just finish making this tea, ‘cause I committed now, and-

She felt something hit her shoulder, abruptly stopping her thoughts. The something was warm, soft, and clearly leaning on her.

“Kill me…” Ukyo heard Ranma’s muffled girl voice talk into the fabric of her chef’s uniform. 

“What?” Ukyo looked at the redhead that headbutted her shoulder, and kept leaning against her. “You want me to kill you? Did you lose or something?”

“Noooo…” Ranma groaned. “Worse…”

“Oh? There’s something worse than losing for the ‘great Ranma Saotome’?” Ukyo said in a mocking tone, thinking he’d react in some way that could lead to a spar, but instead he collapsed even more.

Ukyo steadied him by putting her hands on his shoulders. “Okay, now you’re whining. What’s up, you big baby?”

She felt a punch to the gut, taking her breath away. “Look for yourself,” Ranma added to the punch.

Alongside the fist, Ukyo heard paper crumpling against her stomach. Her hands instinctually went to grab Ranma’s arm, but got caught on something almost silky.

Ukyo took the object into her own hands and brought it up to her face. It was a bouquet of flowers. Roses to be exact.

“Are these for me?” Ukyo blushed a little, although Ranma still wasn’t looking at her.

Ranma twisted his head against her shoulder to look even further away. “No, stupid. Kuno gave those to me…”

Ukyo broke down in laughter. “Kuno!? And you, just, accepted them?! Hahahaha! The Great Ranma Saotome! Men among men! Swooned the biggest idiot in town!” 

Ranma’s face flared with anger. He grabbed Ukyo by her shoulders and violently shook her. “Shut up, Ucchan! That ain’t what happened! It ain’t my fault that that lunatic fell for me!”

Ukyo’s laughter didn’t die down. “So, you admit it? Oh my god, this is great!” 

“I told you to shut up, didn’t I!?” Ranma crossed his arms over his chest, tightly. “It’s not like I wanted to hear all that… He just walked up to me, gave the flowers, and told me he loved me. I didn’t even know what to say. I just… collapsed and had to sit there for a moment.”

Ukyo’s laughter finally slowed to a chuckle. “Haa… I just never thought you’d get confessed to before me. By a guy no less.”

“Don’t start… I just wanna punch something.” Ranma walked to the opposite side of the kitchen. “Wanna spar?”

Ukyo smirked. “Thought you’d never ask.”

Chapter Text

Ranma was chilling in the large bath, all his worries melting away in the hot, therapeutic water.

“Man… my life sucks…” The words echoed, seemingly forever.

Huh? This place… a hot spring? Ranma asked himself in thought as he finally took the time to look around, almost his entire body submerged.

Water started to rumble not too far from him, creating ripples in the water that got bigger by the second.

“Wha-” Ranma’s question got cut off before he could even ask it, as a massive Kuno shooting up from the water’s surface.

“I… love… you!” bellowed through the space, Kuno’s voice way deeper than normal, echoing everywhere, all at once.

Ranma almost covered his ear at how loud it was, but pointed at himself instead, his thumb stabbing his chest. “Look, buddy! You got it all mixed up! I’m a bo-” 

His thumb suddenly dug in deeper into his own skin, and when he looked down to see what was going on, he saw two boobs staring back. He froze for a moment.

The water around him still felt hot as ever, so it was an understatement to say that he was confused.

He didn’t even hear Kuno closing in over his own, now high pitched voice. “Huh? But- But that’s-” 

The water now almost fully engulfed Ranma as Kuno stepped closer. “Go out with me,” he said in that same, droning pitch with that ear shattering volume.

Ranma began to swim as fast as he could while the giant bent down. “H-h-hold it! I’m a- I’m a- I’m a boy!”

A giant hand pushed him down into the water for about half a second, although it didn’t feel like he submerged at all as Kuno’s giant fingers wrapped around him.

“I love you” echoed once more, seemingly from nowhere, although Ranma was more focused on squealing like a little girl out of fear.

Suddenly, a shockwave in Kuno’s arm set him free.

Before he could freefall, however, something else grabbed a hold of him. Another hand, smaller, yet, somehow, stronger.

“Quit your whining, Ranchan!” Ukyo called out to him, which, now that he looked up, also seemed to be the person holding him. “Just think about who you love!”

Ranma furrowed his eyebrows. The person I love? Who-? What? Is there anyone I love?

Giant Ukyo sighed. “Don’t be stupid Ranchan. You do.” 

Ranma’s eyes whipped upwards. “Wait!? How can you hear my thoughts!? I neve said tha-!”

The fingers around him unfurled, leaving him to fall into nothingness, an abyss that went on and on and on and on and-

Ranma’s eyes snapped open, screaming his lungs out. For a moment, he was confused, but then sighed. It was just a nightmare. I’m a guy, there’s no Kuno, there’s no Uccha-

“Ugh… What now, Ranchan? Can’t a girl sleep in peace?” Ukyo’s voice was croaky and slow, likely in the process of waking up.

Ah… crap. Now I’m gonna hear it. Ranma squeezed his eyes shut and prepared himself for a scolding, but that never came.

He carefully cracked one eye open, only to see an Ukyo with a massive bedhead staring back at him with a neutral expression.

“Nightmare?” She asked, rubbing her right eye. Ranma only now noticed the small bags under her eyes.

How long was she up tonight? I mean, I know she said she needed a minute, but… “Yeah…” Ranma responded, slowly looking away.

Ukyo sighed. “Okay, you know the drill. Close your eyes.”

Ranma complied, slowly closing his eyes. He slowed his breathing already.

“1… 2… 3…” Ukyo began counting, keeping her voice as steady as possible, even though it was still a little croaky from sleep. I wonder what got him this upset… I mean, the last time we got nightmares was after that dumb cat pit I threw myself in. Was it Kuno? What a crybaby.

“4… 5… 6… 7…” She shuffled closer, noticing Ranma’s breathing already starting to slow. She brought her hand up until it rested near his forehead.

“8… 9… 10… 11… 12…” Ukyo smiled. He is kinda cute like this… Bummer.

She flicked her index finger against his forehead, Ranma’s eyes snapping open again. “Ow! Why do you always flick that hard!?” 

Ukyo gave half a chuckle, then shrugged. “I mean, you seem better. I call that a win.” 

Ranma rubbed his forehead. “Yeah, yeah… Huh? Oh, the sun is coming up… So I guess sleeping’s useless.”

Ukyo looked at the shoji and sighed. “Ugh… And I was hoping for a little more sleep. Well, let’s go make breakfast then.” She stood up and looked over her shoulder. “You comin’? I need someone to cut some vegetables.”

Ranma groaned, looking beside him to see his father, still sleeping in panda form. “Alright, alright. But only because I’m also hungry.”

“Sure, sure, Ranchan. Whatever you say.” Ukyo smirked at the boy stumbling to his feet, before walking out of the guest room. I bet you like cooking just the same, Ranchan. At least with me. But if you’re gonna get any more nightmares, we got a problem.

-6 years prior, in a forest in Northern Japan, 1981-

“AAAAH-!” Ukyo shot up out of bed, clutching her sleeping bag against her chest.

It was the middle of the night, the forest was eerily quiet, save the occasional cicada making its terrible song.

Cats! Cats everywhere! Claws! Teeth! Blood! Mind-! Ukyo was hyperventilating, trying to make a half decent thought in the blur of her nightmare clouding her mind.

She felt like she was back in the pit, restrained by old rope, covered in fish, that first rush of cat-like behaviour slowly starting to imprint on her frontal lobe.

Ranma stirred in his sleep, waking up from Ukyo’s frantic sounds and movements. “Ugh… Ucchan…? What-? What’s wrong?” His small voice croaked, something normally fixed with some tea, and stretching.

There was no response, Ukyo’s mind still racing. Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind, a small burst of clarity. An older woman, holding the hand of a small kid, crouching in front of her. 

Ukyo had just stood eye-to-eye with a kitten, a mere breath from her face, while picking up the wallet she dropped.

The kind woman told her to breathe slowly, but more importantly to count her breaths. “It calms the mind,” she said, something she desperately needed now.

Okay… Breathe slowly. Count. Easy enough. Ukyo breathed in, the sound like a scratched record, shaky and broken. It wasn’t any better when she breathed out.

Ukyo closed her eyes. “1…” She said it aloud, to take even more attention from her mind, forcing it to focus more on anything that wasn’t the images she conquered up in her nightmare.

“2… 3… 4…” Ranma furrowed his brow. What the hell is she doing now? he thought as he got onto his knees, slowly crawling toward her through the tent.

“5… 6… 7… 8-” Ukyo’s counting got cut off, because Ranma flicked her forehead with as much power as he could muster.

Ukyo’s eyes snapped open as she rubbed her forehead. “Ow! Hey! What the hell was that for!?” she yelled, her voice cracking halfway through.

Ranma gave Ukyo a deadpan expression. “What were you makin’ all that noise for? We’re trying to sleep here.” 

“I had a nightmare, Ranchan!” Ukyo cried out, exasperated that Ranma would interrupt such a thing.

The ponytailed boy tilted his head, furrowing his brows once more. “Really? What about?”

“Well, I was back in that cat pit and…” the girl chef started, her voice trailing off as she tried to remember what came next. “I- Uh… I… Well, I… I forgot…”

Ranma’s eyes lit up. “Well, then there’s nothing to worry about! Come on, let’s sleep. I think pop wants to get out of this stupid forest tomorrow. Speaking of… where did the creepy lady go?”

Ukyo brought her hand to her chin. “Huh… Don’t know. Weird. Probably not important then.” She slid back into a laying position. “Well, goodnight, Ranchan.”

“Goodnight, Ucchan.” Ranma mirrored her, also slipping back into his sleeping bag.

The next morning, they promised each other to never let a nightmare go untreated again, since what Ranma did was so effective.

-Tokyo, 1987-

Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo ran through Nerima at a record pace, hoping not to get late to school.

Ukyo furrowed her brows as she heard a crowd screaming. What the… That sounds… like a bunch of guys ready for war…

She turned to Ranma. “Uh… Am I going crazy? Or am I hearing warcries?” 

Ranma looked confused, before it clicked in his mind. “Oh, right. I never told you, did I… Well, the short version is that Akane gets attacked every morning, and we don’t have time for that shit right now!”

Akane and Ranma sped up in their sprint, while Ukyo stayed behind to watch, her interest peaking as the horde came up on the horizon.

Like two sides of the same, temperamental coin. Ukyo thought as she watched how the two barreled through a ton of different sport practitioners like they were bowling pins.

She laughed especially when both Ranma and Akane landed on Kuno’s face with their feet. After which the two bickered, Akane complaining Ranma is fighting her battles, while Ranma tried to insist he had a different reason.

Ukyo casually strolled by, with her hands on the back of her head. “Careful where you place your face, Kuno. It seems like you pissed both of ‘em off, and I don’t think they care that feet are supposed to stay on the ground.”

Kuno groaned, slowly rising from his position on the ground. “Ukyo Kuonji… I do not understand what you are trying to say, but will take your word.”

“Of course you don’t. Well, see you later, Kuno.” Ukyo gave a lazy wave backwards, directed at the dishonourable samurai.

“Kuonji! Wait! I have something to ask of you!” Kuno was back on his feet and made it to Ukyo’s location with a short sprint, after Ukyo stopped to look at him.

Ukyo looked a little annoyed, the knocked out fighters around them starting to get up. “What is it, Kuno?”

Kuno reached behind his back, sending Ukyo on edge. “Well. Ukyo Kuonji! I request you-!” His arm swung back towards Ukyo.

Ukyo dreaded what was coming. Really? Ranchan said that’s how he gets flowers. Man, this guy’s a loser.

She extended an arm to block whatever was incoming. He really is obvious in it all. But then, when her hand was hit by something solid, Ukyo was thrown off guard.

“-to join the kendo club!” Kuno yelled, his voice bustling with pride.

Ukyo took a second to take it in, creating a weird silence. She looked at her hand, in which a shinai sat, her fingers slowly curling around it as she took it from Kuno.

She tiled her head, not even understanding why Kuno would ask such a thing. “... Uh… What?” 

Kuno gave a slight bow. “Well, seeing how you bested me in honourable combat, I will allow you the honour of joining our most successful and prestigious kendo club. Will you accept my gracious offer?”

“No.” Ukyo gave the most deadpan voice and expression. “If this is about fighting, fight me any time. But I ain’t joining your weird club for that. If you want a challenge, just ask.”

She began walking towards the school entrance, dropping the shinai in front of Kuno’s feet. “Well, anyway, it’s almost time for the first bell. See you later, Kuno!” 

Kuno looked at the blade in front of him, feeling a little embarrassed, mumbling “yes, Kuonji. Take care.”

“Well, Kuno? What do you want?” Ranma asked while he leaned against the back wall of the school.

He had been pulled from class by Nabiki, telling him Kuno wanted to see him. He had reluctantly agreed, of course, knowing that if Kuno tried anything stupid, Ranma could beat his ass quicker than he could say “die Ranma, you insufferable wretch!”

“First of all, that will be ‘upper class-man Kuno’ to you!” Kuno had his arms folded, standing opposite from Ranma. 

“Well…” Kuno reached into his inner pocket and pushed a panda plushie with a silly little bowtie against Ranma’s chest. “...Tell me why I must give this to you.”

Ranma got a cold shiver throughout his body, imagining the worst case scenario.

~”Ranma Saotome! I, Tatewaki Kuno, love you! In all forms and states, I will support you!~

Please… God no! Kuno! Don’t you dare fucking say it! Ranma gulped. “Come again?”

“Answer me! Why!” Kuno widened his stance, clenching his fists, remembering Nabiki’s words. “How do you know my pig-tailed goddess!?”

Ranma relaxed. Phew… Sure glad it’s not that. He turned around and threw the plushie back at Kuno. “Forget her. Trust me.”

Kuno caught the stuffed animal with ease, looking at it with indignation. “What!?”

Ranma started to walk away with his hands in his pockets. As he turned the corner, he looked back one last time. “Hey, if I had any say in it, you’ll never see… her again.”

Kuno was left speechless, his mind reeling from Ranma’s statement. If he had any say… He-! Is he-! What!?

Ranma sighed. Man, what a drag. called out here for absolute jack shi- A stream of ice cold water interrupted his thoughts.

He could hear mumbling voices coming from above him as he felt his clothes shift uncomfortably on his body. Great, just my- Oh, come on!

“What do you mean!?” Kuno quickly turned the corner, following Ranma’s exact footsteps. “Ranma Saotome!” 

The place was empty, not a sign of Ranma. All that was out of the ordinary was a small puddle of mud on the ground.

Kuno scoffed. “So… Quick to run, are you?!” Kuno unsheathed his bokken. “I did not come to fight, but in the face of something so cowardly-” 

He sliced at a nearby tree, cutting it in two once wood made contact with wood. The trunk groaned, before sliding and falling to the ground.

A high pitched, feminine yelp came from the leaves, Ranma tumbling off the branches as the tree slammed into the sand.

Ugh… God dammit… Ranma thought as he sat up, keeping the hem of his pants together with both his hands to keep it from falling off.

“You… You’re… the girl…” Kuno mumbled, before he lowered his weapon. He stepped forward, spreading his arms like he wanted to initiate a hug. “Oh, how I missed y-!” 

Ranma stopped Kuno’s rapid approach with a punch to the face, cutting him off mid sentence. “Back off!”

But the ever persistent Kuno pressed on until Ranma found himself hugged tightly. “I shall never let you go!”

Suddenly, Ranma felt something scorching hot hit his scalp. “EEYOW!” he yelled from the top of his lungs, his pitch shifting back into a lower, more masculine tone.

“Sorry about that. Too hot, Ranma?” Nabiki’s teasing tone originated from behind Ranma, but that wasn’t what he was thinking about at the moment.

“Ranma…?” Kuno mumbled, confused as to why that name would be used here, seeing how he thought Ranma left.

“I think it’s time-!” Ranma started, shifting his legs. “-to le go, sucker!” He kicked Kuno straight in the face, forcing him to release his hold on the pig-tailed martial artist.

Ranma stood up and dusted himself off. “Now do you get it?” He flicked his pig tail off his shoulder so it fell behind him once more. “So long, Kuno.”

“Hold, Saotome!” Kuno seemed to have recovered immediately from the kick, but the mark it left said otherwise. “Where have you hidden my Goddess!? I shall not be fooled by such base trickery!”

Ranma stumbles in his path. Wait, what!? How the hell does he see that and still not figure it out!? How dumb is that idiot?!

“Okay, what’s going on here?” Ukyo’s voice cut through the confusion. She had her spatula already drawn and ready on her shoulder. “Didn’t think I wouldn’t notice you leaving, right, Ranchan?” 

Ranma let out a thankful sigh. Okay, Ucchan. Please inform this absolute buffoon how this stupid curse works!

Kuno pointed at Ranma. “Ukyo Kuonji! I’ll tell you what is going on. This vile sorcerer hid my most precious pig-tailed girl!”

Ukyo blinked, caught off guard by a full explanation. “First of all… gross. Second of all, I think you’re mistaken, Kuno.” 

Ranma nodded along, standing back with Nabiki, who had grown an amused smirk. Man, if that overzealous wannabe still doesn’t get it after this, I’m just gonna start clobbering him into the ground the next time he yells ‘oh pig-tailed girl!’

“That pig-tailed girl of yours… Is she roughly this tall?” Ukyo held a flat hand to her shoulder, and Kuno nodded. “And does she wear a shirt that just as red as that one?” She pointed at Ranma’s shirt.

“Yes, Kuonji, she does. Now what are you trying to say?” Kuno tapped his foot on the ground, seemingly getting impatient.

Ukyo smirked, walking up to the tall, fearful warrior. “You see Kuno… That ‘pig-tailed girl’, how you’ve been calling her… Well… she has a name.” 

Kuno’s eyes widened. He started to reach into his pocket with one hand while extending the other towards Ukyo, only one finger raised. “Hold that thought! If I am to learn the name of my Goddess, I should never forget!” 

He pulled out a small notebook and calligraphy set, kneeling to prepare the ink. “Okay, continue!”

Ukyo couldn’t resist chuckling, but she kept her composure. “Yeah… right… So, that girl isn’t just a girl. She is a Saotome.” 

Kuno and Ranma froze.

Ranma stared at Ukyo with disbelief, realising how Kuno might take it. Why the hell would you word it like that! “Oi! That ain’t-!”

“True? Isn’t it, Ranchan?” Ukyo said in a mocking tone. “Because last I looked, that girl is a Saotome. Can’t say I’m lying.”

Kuno hadn’t written anything down, too shocked at the revelation. “So… The girl I have been chasing… is that wretched Ranma’s sister?”

Ukyo shrugged. “In a way, I guess.” Good, I think it’s working. He’s gonna say it any minute now.

“Very well…” Kuno stood up, leaving his writing set on the ground. “Now I see why Saotome responded the way he did… Yes… I understand…”

The tall samurai walked over to Ranma, who immediately went into a defensive stance. But Kuno simply gave a small bow. “I understand that you, as her brother, must protect her purity. That is why you told that I wouldn’t see her again, if it were up to you.”

He raised a fist to the sky. “But do not worry! I, Tatewaki Kuno, shall prove myself worthy of your sister’s hand in marriage! But before I have, I must give you these.”

Kuno reached into his pockets and pulled out a bunch of pictures. With arms straight, he presented them to Ranma, bowing slightly.

Ranma grabbed the bundle of ten pictures. What the hell are these supposed to- His mind froze as he saw the content of the first picture.

He saw himself, in his girl form, having just pulled off his shirt because it was wet and clingy, right before he used a kettle also shown in the frame.

Another showed himself, holding a fox-Ukyo in front of her right before getting into the bath, also topless. In another he was sleeping, but he couldn’t remember going to sleep as a girl, and then he saw the splash mark on his chest, and the kettle beside him.

There were two more pictures of him without a shirt on in girl form, or in some other, out of context, exposing position.

But then, he saw Akane in one of the pictures. His eyes widened. Instead of an exposing shot, Akane was captured in an action shot of her breaking a cinder block.

His eyebrow twitched. Okay, this is unfair. Why does she get the cool shots, while I’m stuck looking like some morally questionable model? I do cool shit at home too!

Ukyo looked over his shoulder and saw the pictures. “Huh, you look nice… girly,” she whispered in his ear.

“Shut up!” Ranma hissed, flipping through Akane’s action shots, a little jealous. He turned to Kuno, who started to walk away. “Yo! Kuno! Where the hell did you get these pictures?!” 

Before Kuno could even respond, Nabiki’s voice broke through from behind them. “Well, I like to make a little side money. What can I say.” She shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Ranma was only a hair removed from lashing out and grabbing Nabiki’s collar. “You! What the hell, Nabiki!? I never consented to this!”

Kuno nodded respectfully. “Such a noble brother, protecting the honour of his sis-” 

Ranma whipped his head around as fast as he could. “Shut up, Kuno! You ain’t any better for having ‘em! Now scram before I tear you a new one!”

The wooden bladed kendo player didn’t have to be told twice. He gave a parting bow and headed off with a little urgency in his steps.

Ukyo chuckled, taking the pictures out of Ranma’s hand. “Wow… these are high quality. So, you took these, Nabiki?”

Nabiki smiled proudly. “Yup, every last one with my very own camera. Why? Interested in a certain someone you’re willing to pay for?”

Ukyo shrugged. “Nah, not really.”

“Ucchan! Don’t praise her for this!” Ranma yelled, a step in front of the two girls, making Ukyo laugh.

“Sure, sure. As you wish, Ranchan.” Ukyo sorted through the pictures, putting the ones of Ranma in her pocket, while throwing the rest in the trash bin they walked by.

“I mean, I’m sure there’s a reason Kuno didn’t have your pictures,” Ranma said defensively, putting his hands on the back of his head.

Ukyo froze for only a moment, before gripping her spatula. Oh, please, go on, Ranchan.

“I’m sure that he only had pictures of girls that actually look good. And I can hate it all I want, but in the end, I’m a prettier girl than y-” 

Ranma couldn’t finish his sentence, his vision going black in an instant.

“Dr. Tofu! There is a patient for you!”

The chiropractor walked in with a bit of grace, sitting down beside the bed on a stool to look at the injuries of his patient.

“Let’s see…” He leaned over to Ranma, who was laying on a bed in a position that could not be healthy.

Akane and Ukyo stood off to the side, besides the doctor. Akane’s face had the slightest tint of pink colouring it, while Ukyo looked a little distracted as her index finger ran over the pictures in her pocket.

Dr. Tofu began listing the injuries off a chart. “Concussion, dislocated left arm, contused… pelvic region, dislocated right knee, contusion on the left side of his chest, and all fingers are dislocated. Ranma, was it? Well, Ranma, can you hear me?”

Ranma gave a groan, his voice strained. Jesus Christ, Ucchan! It was only a dumb joke!

“This is brutal! What kind of thug would do something like this?” Tofu aimed his question at the two girls in his clinic.

“I did it. And he sure as hell deserved it,” Ukyo said without hesitation, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Tofu fully focussed on Ukyo, with Akane shuffling a bit on her feet. “Oh, I do not feel like we are familiar. Your name is?” 

Ukyo squared up a bit, her spatula on her back tussling slightly. “Ukyo. Ukyo Kuonji. What about it?”

“Nothing serious, but I must say, you must have a nasty right hook. Look at this contusion here,” he lifted Ranma’s shirt to reveal the bruise on Ranma’s left side, making Ukyo blush a little. “If this hit was only a bit higher, you would’ve hit the ribs and hurt your own hand, any lower and Ranma’s fat would’ve absorbed some of the damage.”

Ukyo shrugged. “What can I say? I trained hard.”

Tofu chuckled. “Yes, I think as much can be said. Now, let’s get you back into shape, Ranma.”

Ranma closed his eyes. Kill me…

The doctor snapped Ranma’s left arm into place, leaving him to screech in pain. “So, Ranma, I hear you are Akane’s fiancée.”

Ukyo scoffed, while Akane blushed even more. “That’s what our parents decided! Not us!”

The reaction made Tofu laugh. “Yeah… Well, it is a bit early, isn’t it? You are still children after all. Plenty of time for that later.” He moved on to Ranma’s hands, going by each finger individually, Ranma’s screams filling the room.

“It is nice to see you come in with a patient not hurt by your hand, Akane. It really shows your growth as a person,” Tofu said as he moved on to Ranma’s leg.

Akane fidgeted with her hands. “Yeah… Well… I… Uhm… You know… It’s… It’s not like… I wanted to hurt them… But things just… Well… Uhm… happened…”

Ukyo blinked at the transformation of Akane beside her. The once so temperamental girl reduced to a stuttering mess. Oh… Oh, this is gold. She… Hahaha! This is better than the comedy that is Ranma getting his shit rocked by a chiropractor.

Ukyo leaned over to Akane. “So… what is it about him? His practiced fingers?” She teased.

Akane’s went completely red. She punched Ukyo in her side. “Shut up,” she hissed, “it’s npt like that at all.”

Ukyo smiled through the pain. “Sure it ain’t, sugar.”

Tofu was finally done with Ranma’s injuries, so Ranma shot up to give him a piece of his mind. “Oi! That hurts, you know!”

Tofu raised his eyebrows at the outburst. “It still hurts? Tell me where exactly and I’ll alleviate it.”

Ranma blinked, then moved his joints, which moved with more ease than even before getting beat up. “Wait… I feel… better… much better.”

Akane smiled. “I told you he’s a great doctor.”

The sun had gone down long before, crickets and cicadas dominating the soundscape. The light from the clinic was the only one illuminating the immediate area.