Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Ranma 1/2 - A Different Life ❯ Part Five ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A Different Life

Written by: Gyran

Author's Note 01/26/2004:

Hey people. I know, I know...it's been a while. I'd really like to have more
time to write, but school is taking up so much of my time that I barely have
time for other things (like sleep), much less time to write. I have completed
the editing of Chapter 5 and hope it is better this way. I had received
comments about the way I ended the match the last time, so I decided to change
it. Let me know if it's better, or if you all preferred the other way. If I
get enough feedback, I'll decide whether to keep or change it, otherwise, from
this point it stays as is (until the next edit).

I'm slowly working on Chapter Six, but it doesn't seem to need too much changing
from what I can see so far, so hopefully I'll have the revised one up and then I
can get on with trying to write the next NEW chapter. Again, let me know what
you think. Questions or comments to rplanas@pacbell.net. Thanx!

Here's the usual disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and its characters are property of
Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Video, and whoever else has rights to it. I am not making
any profit off of this story so please don't sue me. I'm POOR. Any characters
that I make up belong to me, if you wish to use any of them, which I highly
doubt anyone would, but if you do, please ask permission first and give credit
to their creator, namely me. Thanks.

“Dialogue”
*Emphasis*
<Thoughts>
/Signs/

Part Five: Kodachi Kunou

It was the weekend, so Ranma-chan was walking around town with Ryouga.
She had an ice-cream cone in her hand, which she was finishing off
enthusiastically. Ryouga watched her, amused as he ate his own ice cream.

"I can't believe you went all girly on that ice-cream vendor."

"Hey! We got extra scoops didn't we?"

"Only after you assured the guy that I was your brother."

"Well, he wouldn't have given us the extra if he thought you were my
boyfriend. As if I'd go out with *you*."

"Hmph. The only thing good about going out with you would be the free
food."

Ranma-chan stuck her tongue out at him and continued eating.

"So what's the deal with you and Ucchan, anyway?"

Ryouga stumbled a bit at the sudden question, but kept on his feet. "Wha-
what do you mean?"

Ranma-chan glared at him. "I *mean* every time one of you enters a room
that the other is in, the other immediately leaves. The only time that doesn't
happen is in class." Ryouga and Ukyou had been attending Furinkan for a few
days now. Ryouga had been there everyday so far, thanks to everyone keeping an
eye on him.

Ryouga sighed. "I don't know. She told me to never speak to her again.
It's easier not to speak to someone if you don't see them, right?"

Ranma-chan looked startled. "She's still mad at you?"

"Yeah. I guess the fact that her fiancé forgot about her was a bit
upsetting. But how was I supposed to know? I didn't even really know what
being engaged meant back then. If I did, I'm sure I wouldn't have forgotten
her." He sighed again. "I guess she'll never forgive me."

Ranma-chan looked at him sympathetically. "You never know. Just give her
some time. She'll forgive you if you..." her voice trailed off as she heard
noise coming from an unused lot. "What's going on there?"

Ryouga shrugged. "Want to check?"

But Ranma-chan was already off. Ryouga had to hurry to catch up with her.
It was either that or risk getting lost. When the two reached the lot, they
discovered a strange event occurring. A fight was taking place between four
girls, but three of them were on the same side.

"Come now! I thought you three were supposed to ambush me! Whatever is
the matter?" The lone girl, dressed in a school uniform that Ranma-chan didn't
recognize, was shouting. Then she gave off one of the most annoying laughs ever
heard.

Ranma-chan looked on to see that the crazy-sounding girl was attacking the
three others with a gymnastics ribbon. The three had already been knocked down,
but the other still continued her attack upon them.

The pig-tailed girl had seen enough. "Stop it! You've made your point!
Now why don't you leave them alone!" She jumped in front of the snapping ribbon
and caught it in one hand. From this position she got a good look at the
attacker. She had long black hair with a touch of violet in it. Her eyes, a
dark violet matching her hair, were flashing in anger.

"How dare you interrupt!"

"Hey, they were already knocked down. You didn't have to keep hitting
them. Now why don't you just leave?"

"Who do you think you are, you wicked girl?" She whipped out a gymnastics
club and threw it at Ranma-chan...

...who caught it and threw it back at the girl who ducked quickly and
avoided a knock to the head.

"You're quite good," said the gymnast a slight note of respect entering
her voice. She raised her hand, which suddenly had a black rose in it, to her
face in a salute. "I am the flower of St. Hebereke High School. A rising star
in gymnastics. I'm Kodachi, The Black Rose." She flung the rose at Ranma-chan
and leaped away, laughing in an annoyingly maniacal sort of way.

Ranma-chan snorted and tossed the rose away. "Black Rose. What a joke."
She turned to find Ryouga helping the three girls up. He was trying hard to
control his nose since the three were scantily dressed in leotards.

"Are you girls okay?" Ryouga helped the last one onto her feet. All of
them were in tears.

"We-we're okay."

Ranma-chan approached them. "Hey, don't I know you three? You go to
Furinkan. Aren't you Akane's friends?"

The three nodded tearfully. "Who are you?" one of them asked. "We've
never seen you around before."

Ranma-chan stuttered around for a bit before saying, "I'm Akane's cousin.
I don't think we've met, but I've seen you hanging around with Akane."

"Oh." The three continued to cry, tears rolling down their faces.

Ranma-chan sighed. She didn't know what Akane was gonna say about this,
but it wouldn’t be good.

****

"Who did this to you guys!?"

Akane and her friends were seated at the dining table talking while Ranma
and Ryouga watched from the door that led outside. Ukyou looked in from the
door that led to the kitchen as she was in the middle of helping make dinner.

"It was Kodachi, Akane," said one of her friends. "She's been ambushing
Furinkan gymnasts for the last few days. The three of us decided to get
together and try ambushing her, but it didn't work."

"But why has she been doing that?" asked Akane.

"Because she was trying to stop us from competing next week. It's the
most important event for us gymnasts. The Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics
competition between Furinkan and St. Hebereke."

Ranma arched an eyebrow. "Martial Arts Gymnastics?"

"Yes! All of our gymnasts are out with injuries. Please, Akane! We need
you to compete for us!"

Akane had a determined look on her face as she told them, "I'll do it! I
swear I'll avenge you all!"

"Oh thank you, Akane!" the three gushed.

Ranma exchanged glances with Ryouga and Ukyou which all said the same
thing...

"Uh oh."

****

"Are you sure about this, Akane? The competition is next week. Will you
be able to learn all this stuff by then?"

Akane was in the dojo, Ranma and Ryouga sitting against one of the walls
watching her. "I'll be fine Ranma. I just need to practice until the
competition." She picked up a pair of clubs and twirled them a bit. "See? I
can do this." She tossed the clubs into the air and performed a couple of
flips. She ended with her arms extended to the sides, hands poised to catch...

...as the clubs fell behind her.

"Uh, were you supposed to catch those, Akane?"

Akane blushed. "Umm, yeah. Maybe I'll try something else." She picked
up the ribbon next. She twirled it in a dazzling display as it wound around and
around...

...encasing her body in it's grip.

"Umm, I don't think you were supposed to tie yourself up like that,
Akane."

"I know that!" she shouted, untangling herself. She then picked up the
hoop. She tossed it into the air and leaped after it, catching it deftly. Then
she landed and performed a simple roll through it...

...that resulted in it being snapped into several pieces.

"Err, Akane, you broke it."

"Argh!" Akane couldn't take it anymore as she began to rant, arms
flailing. Ryouga sighed in defeat. He had been hoping to avoid this, but Akane
was doing quite...badly. He stood up.

"You want me to train you, Akane?"

Both Ranma and Akane looked at him, surprised. Ranma couldn't believe
what he had heard. "You know how to use this stuff, Ryouga?"

Ryouga blushed. "Uh, yeah."

Ranma smirked. "And how is it you know about Rhythmic Gymnastics, pig-
boy?"

He blushed even more. "Uh, I kinda got lost in a really big recreational
center once. I walked in on one of the classes."

"But how would you know so much after one course?"

"Uh, I couldn't find my way out, so I was in the class for a couple of
weeks."

Ranma burst out laughing. Even Akane couldn't hold back a chuckle.
Ryouga didn't know whether to be even more embarrassed or angry so he just kept
blushing.

"I'd appreciate anything you'd be able to show me, Ryouga." Akane was
standing in front of him.

Ryouga walked over and grabbed the ribbon. "Alright then, let's start
with the ribbon. Ranma, please stand."

Ranma stood up, a suspicious look on his face. His suspicion was well
founded as he was slammed into the wall behind him by several snaps of the
ribbon.

"Hey! That hurt!"

Ryouga smirked. "That was for the pig-boy remark." Ranma glared at him
as he handed the ribbon to Akane. "Now Akane. You take it and I'll show you
how to use it."

****

Ukyou watched the lesson from the dojo entrance. She remained in the
shadows so that those inside wouldn't notice her. She winced as Ranma was flung
into a wall by Ryouga's ribbon.

<Ouch! That looked like it hurt.>

She saw Ryouga then give the ribbon to Akane. She went red with anger as
Ryouga stepped behind Akane. He put one hand on Akane's waist and the other
along the arm holding the ribbon. It was completely innocent, but Ukyou was
burning up.

<That jerk! How dare he!?> Then her thoughts took a U-turn. <Wait a
minute. Why should I care what he does? I don't! So it doesn't matter!>

But despite her thoughts, Ukyou continued to watch the lesson with an
angry glare.

****

"Your ribbon technique is really improving, Akane," said Ryouga as he,
Ranma, Ukyou and Akane ran to school the next morning.

"Thanks Ryouga! And thanks for training me!"

"You'll have the ribbon mastered by tonight. Then we'll start on the
clubs."

"Okay!"

Ukyou's expression was dark as they entered the school, remarkably on
time.

They had almost reached the front doors when a yell descended from above.

"Akane Tendou, prepare to die!"

Akane leaped out of the way as Kodachi, dressed in her St. Hebereke
uniform, smashed a huge mallet into the pavement where Akane had just been.
Kodachi just smiled as Akane took a fighting stance.

"Well, not bad Miss Tendou. But you'll have to do better than that if
you're going to beat me next week."

Akane glared. "You must be Kodachi. What do you think you're doing,
attacking me like that!?"

Kodachi laughed. "Merely sizing up my opponent. That's all. I had heard
you would be my competition next week." Then she caught sight of the boys.
"My, my, what gorgeous young men!" Both Ranma and Ryouga began to blush.

Kodachi went on. "Are either of you two available?" She eyed them with
predatory eyes.

Ranma shook his head quickly. "No, sorry! I'm not! I'm taken!" he
answered as quickly as he could. Kodachi pouted a bit. It didn't last long as
she turned to the other male.

"Oh well. How about you, my fanged one?" She smiled sweetly at Ryouga.
<If I can't have the pigtailed one then the other will do just as well. Both
are very handsome.>

"Uh...I...uh...well...I...umm..." Ryouga didn't know how to respond. He
glanced over at Ukyou, but she was ignoring him. "I...uh..."

Kodachi took his hesitancy for a no. "Well then, what is your name?"

"Uh...R-R-Ryouga H-H-H-Hibiki."

Without warning, Kodachi leapt forward and glomped onto the startled boy.
"Oh, Ryouga darling! I've been waiting for someone like you all my life!"

Ukyou was fighting to keep under control. <Must not care. Don't care.
Ignore it. Just ignore it. It doesn't matter. He doesn't matter.> She was
physically beginning to shake with the tension of holding back. But then
Kodachi moved in for a kiss. <Ryouga! You idiot! Stop her! What are you
doing you jackass!? If you let her kiss you, you'll never be rid of her! Not
that I care! I just don't want to have to deal with that...girl...on a daily
basis!> After congratulating herself for coming up with an excuse for being
angry, she decided to take steps.

Ryouga had stiffened up. He went into sensory overload. As if that
wasn't bad enough, Kodachi's face was looming closer, her lips ready for a kiss.
He would've managed to faint on his own at that point if the elbow smashing him
to the ground hadn't bothered to help him. *BAM!*

Kodachi found herself deprived of her man and found herself facing an
angry Ukyou. "Whatever is the matter?"

"You can't have him!" Ukyou grated at the gymnast.

"And who might you be?"

"I'm Ukyou Kuonji. And you can't have Ryouga!"

"Why not?."

"He doesn't want anything to do with you!"

"Really? He did not seem to be refusing."

"That's because he's an idiot!"

"Ukyou Kuonji, why should it matter to you? He already said he was
unattached."

Ukyou winced. <Great now what?> "He didn't say that!"

Kodachi smirked. "Ah, but he didn't say that he *was*, therefore he must
be available."

Ukyou mentally sighed. It was the only way. "No, he's just too stupid to
admit that he has a fiancée!"

Kodachi arched an eyebrow. "Fiancée? Ryouga darling, is it true that you
have a fiancée?"

Ryouga was still knocked out.

"See?" said a triumphant Kodachi. "He didn't say that he has a fiancée."

"Argh!" cried Ukyou. Then she nudged Ryouga hard with her foot. "Wake
up, stupid!"

Ryouga groaned from the ground. He sat up rubbing his head, which Ukyou
promptly smacked.

"Answer her, you idiot!"

"Huh? What was the question?"

"Tell her that you have a fiancée!"

Ryouga looked surprised, then happy, then suspicious. Finally he just
ended up confused like he always does. "Yeah," he answered scratching his head.
"I'm Ukyou's fiancé."

Ukyou winced. She hadn't been expecting him to say that. The crowd who
had been watching the entire exchange from the beginning began talking amongst
themselves.

"They're engaged? When did that happen?"

"Oh no! Does that mean he's taken already!?"

"Drat. Now I won't be able to ask her out."

"Why is it that all the new students arrive engaged to someone?"

"I wonder if they've done it yet."

Kodachi's eyes narrowed with anger. "I see. You're trying to steal my
Ryouga darling from me! Very well then. Akane Tendou!" She turned once again
to Akane who stood by Ranma, watching. "If you lose the match next week, then
Ryouga Hibiki will be mine!"

"What!?" exploded three different people. Akane, Ukyou, and Ryouga all
had falling jaws.

"You can't do that!" yelled Ukyou.

Kodachi just laughed. "What's the matter? Afraid your feeble skills
cannot defeat my superior ones?"

Akane glared. No one insulted her skills as a martial artist. "Fine!
It's a bet!"

"Akane!" shouted Ryouga and Ukyou.

"How nice," Kodachi said evilly. "Oh, Ryouga darling, next week you shall
be mine!" She leaped away, laughing all the while.

Ryouga and Ukyou turned to Akane. "Akane, how could you do that!?" Ukyou
asked her.

"Don't worry about it! I can beat her!"

"But what if you don't!?"

"I won't lose! I *can't* lose!"

"Be wary of her, Akane Tendou. My sister shall not fight fairly."

They all turned to see Kunou standing with Nabiki.

"Sister!? Kodachi is your sister!?"

"That she is, Akane. She is not quite sane in the head, but I love her
dearly. Again, be wary of her next week. She will use loopholes to attack you
with illegal weapons." His eyes were dead serious. "Beware."

Akane nodded gravely and turned to Ryouga. "We're gonna be training every
minute we're not in school, got it?" Ryouga gave an affirmative. "There's no
*way* I'm gonna lose to her!"

****

"Ukyou." Ryouga was attempting to speak with her as they began walking
home after school.

"What do you want, Ryouga?"

"I just wanted to talk to you, if it's okay."

"C'mon Akane. Let's go on ahead." Ranma and Akane began walking off
towards the Tendou Training Hall, leaving Ryouga and Ukyou alone.

"What'd you want to talk about?" Ukyou's voice lacked any kind of emotion
as she walked on, Ryouga next to her.

"Uh, I just wanted to know...why'd you try to help me with Kodachi this
morning? Why did you say that you were my fiancée?"

Now Ukyou began to show emotion in her voice. Anger to be specific. "I
didn't say it, you idiot! You did! All you were supposed to say was that you
had a fiancée! Not tell the whole school that it was me!" The entire student
body had been asking her and Ryouga questions non-stop the entire day and it had
made her quite pissed off.

Ryouga winced. "Oh. Sorry."

She just glared at him.

"But I still want to know why you even bothered to help me out."

She turned her head to face him. "Because if I hadn't said anything, that
annoying girl would've hounded you for ages!"

"But why should you care?" Ryouga pressed.

"I don't! I only did what I had to. If I hadn't done something then the
Tendous and the Saotomes would have to deal with Miss Kunou every time she came
to see you! Frankly, I don't want to be around her that much either!"

"I see," Ryouga said, a bit downhearted. "I thought that maybe,
well...maybe you had changed your mind about me."

Ukyou elbowed him in the side. "I may not like you Ryouga, but I still
have my honor as a martial artist to defend the helpless. I did you a favor for
crying out loud! If this is how you're going to be about it then maybe next
time I'll let her have you!"

"Thank you, Ukyou."

"Hey! I...huh?"

"I said thank you."

Ukyou blushed. When she realized what she was doing, she put up an angry
face to cover up. "Forget about it." She walked on, staring ahead, her face
still angry.

After a while he spoke again. "Ukyou?"

"What?"

He hesitated a bit before continuing. "I was wondering...I mean, if you
could...do you think you could help me and Ranma to train Akane? It would be
easier if each one of us had our own second."

"Second?"

"Yeah. They assist the gymnast during the match. I was hoping you'd be
Akane's second during practice." Ryouga had such a hopeful expression on his
face that Ukyou sighed.

<Well, if it's for Akane...> "Sure, why not? It's not like I have
anything better to do."

Ryouga smiled.

"But don't think that this changes anything, jackass! I'm doing this for
Akane!"

Ryouga's smile dropped as he and Ukyou continued on home.

****

Over the next week, Akane and Ryouga trained with every minute they had
open. Ranma and Ukyou helped out as much as possible, going over moves and
techniques. Kunou came to assist by revealing all of Kodachi's hidden traps
within her weapons.

"Concealed within her clubs are spikes which emerge when a hidden switch
is pressed," he began. "She will attempt to catch you off guard. When that
happens, she will activate the spikes and lunge."

Akane nodded. "I'll just have to be ready."

"The edge of her hoop," continued Kunou, "is razor sharp and can cut
through almost anything. When she has the hoop in her hand, you must not let it
get near you, lest you be wounded."

Akane took note. She thought she would be able to get out of the way well
enough now, what with Ranma's training and all.

"Her ribbon is able to harden and become as solid as steel. She can break
one of your bones easily with just one strike."

Akane winced at that one. She'd better have Ranma step up the lessons a
bit.

"Finally there are bombs concealed within the gymnastics balls that she
throws. She will toss several at once in an attempt to knock you out."

Akane winced again. Dodging explosions was not what she had in mind when
she took on this task. "Thanks for your help Kunou. Knowing these tricks will
help me prepare for the match."

****

The day before the match came. Akane and the others gathered for one more
training session. She had mastered all the tools and techniques. She had taken
Kunou's warnings into account. She was ready to take on Kodachi.

"Alright Akane, this is our last training session. You've learned all
that I can teach you. Let's see what you've got!"

Akane faced Ryouga. She was wielding a pair of clubs while he twirled a
ribbon. "Okay Ryouga, here goes." She leaped to attack, her clubs spinning to
deflect the incoming ribbon snaps. She got right up in front of Ryouga and
thrust her clubs out at him.

Ryouga ducked and sidestepped under Akane's attack, whipping his ribbon up
to wind around her arms. Once he ensnared her he flung her towards the wall of
the dojo.

Startled at first, Akane quickly recovered and landed on the wall feet
first. She freed her arms and bounced off the wall, calling for a ball. Ukyou
tossed one in her direction. Akane, still in the air, spiked the ball straight
down on top of Ryouga. He gave an alarmed shout and just barely managed to
move in time. He called for a hoop and Ranma had one in the air in a split
second. Ryouga caught it and with a yell, threw it horizontally at Akane as
soon as she landed.

Akane saw the hoop flying towards her at a furious speed as she landed.
There was no time to call for a weapon so, thinking as fast as she could, she
bent backwards. She barely made it in time as the hoop flew over her. As it
was about to pass her by, Akane threw her arm up. She caught the hoop, quickly
straightened and sent it right back to Ryouga.

Not expecting Akane to pull that move, Ryouga was unprepared as the hoop
sailed right back at him. It hit him in the stomach and drove him back several
feet, knocking him down with an "oof!". After laying on the mat for a couple of
seconds to get his breath back, he was up in a flash calling for clubs. Ranma
tossed him a pair as Akane called for her ribbon. As soon as she got it she was
snapping it at Ryouga.

Ryouga deflected the ribbon with his clubs and began to move towards
Akane. However, he did not anticipate her kicking at the ball from earlier,
which had come to a rest at her feet. It came sailing and hit him hard, right
between the eyes. It gave an unnaturally loud *SMACK* as it hit and bounced
off. Ryouga stood there with a stunned look on his face, his eyes slightly
crossed. Then without warning he dropped to the floor, unconscious. Akane, as
usual, had kicked with a lot of force.

"Ryouga!" Akane ran to his side where he laid out flat on the floor
unconscious. Ranma was on his back, laughing his head off. Ukyou came up
beside Akane, a worried look on her face.

"Ungh," said the now conscious boy as he sat up. "What happened?"

Akane blushed. "I...uh...I guess I kicked the ball a little hard."

Ranma exploded in fresh gales of laughter.

Ryouga smiled. "Good job Akane! I didn't even see it coming!"

"You sure you're okay, Ryouga?"

He turned to look at Ukyou, who now had a neutral expression on her face.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."

Without a word, Ukyou went and gathered the tools. Ryouga watched her for
a little while before turning back to Akane.

"Alright Akane. It looks like you're prepared for the match tomorrow.
We'll have one more sparring round and then we'll call it quits for tonight.
Okay?"

"Okay Ryouga." Akane went and took position again, a ribbon in her hand.
Ryouga stood opposite her, also holding a ribbon. When they were both prepared,
Ryouga launched an attack.

****

It was the morning of the competition. Akane woke up with the sun and
began to prepare for the day. With a tired yawn she got up out of bed. Drowsy,
she headed over to the bathroom to bathe. She walked in and undressed. Then
she grabbed a towel and opened the sliding door.

"Akane!"

Startled, Akane looked up and saw Ranma in the furo.

"Ranma! Sorry! I guess I didn't...I uh..." she was blushing with
embarrassment as she covered herself. "I'll just...uh...go now. Tell me when
you're finished, okay?" She backed out of the room quickly and left. Ranma
shook his head and finished bathing. When he was done, he dressed and then
headed over to Akane's room.

"Come in!" came the answer to his knock.

Ranma opened the door and entered. Akane was lying on her bed, the towel
still wrapped around her. When she saw who had entered she sat up.

"Oh! Uh, hi Ranma." She began to blush once more. "Are
you...um...finished in the bathroom?"

Ranma smirked at her. "Yeah, I'm finished. I was interrupted a little
while ago when someone walked in on me, but I'm done now. You can go ahead and
use it."

Akane's blush grew brighter. "Thanks. I'll go do that." She left and
Ranma went down to the kitchen.

Ukyou was in there, already cleaned up and set to go to the competition.
She was helping Nodoka make some breakfast. The two were talking as he entered.

"And then," Ukyou was saying, "Ranchan tripped and fell face first into
it. He got cake all over himself."

Nodoka smiled and laughed.

"Hey! That wasn't my fault, and you know it!" Ranma remembered the story
Ukyou was telling. It was rather embarrassing.

As Nodoka and Ukyou turned to see Ranma standing in the doorway to the
kitchen, they laughed even harder. Ranma pouted and sat down at the small
table.

"Oh come on, Ranchan! *You* were the one who insisted on carrying the
whole thing by yourself. Besides," Ukyou grinned at him, "your mom wanted to
hear stories about you. I couldn't leave that one out, could I?" Ranma
snorted.

"It was Ryouga who bet me that I couldn't carry it on my own! I was
trying to prove to him that I could!"

Ukyou's face fell a bit, but she quickly smiled to cover it up. "Wow.
Ryouga was actually right about something."

"Hey!"

"Well he was! You dropped the cake didn't you?"

"He tripped me!"

Nodoka just watched the two, shaking her head and smiling.

"He did not! He was waiting at the table with me!"

"He threw something at my feet!"

"Oh get off it, Ranchan! Just admit that you couldn't carry it on your
own. You know, I'm not mad about it anymore. It was one of the better birthday
gifts I got that year."

Ranma grumbled and Ukyou laughed again. She gave him a hug and went back
to cooking.

"Speaking of Ryouga," Ranma said. "Have you seen him this morning? He
wasn't in the room when I woke up."

Ukyou's voice suddenly went neutral. "Nope. Haven't seen him."

Nodoka gave Ranma a questioning look and he shrugged, not knowing what he
could say to Ukyou's reaction. "How about you mom?" he asked her. "Have you
seen him?"

"No I haven't, Ranma. Have you tried the dojo?"

"No, not yet. I'll go check."

But Ryouga was nowhere to be found. Ranma looked all over for him, but
couldn't find him.

"Where is that idiot? Did he get lost?" Ranma sighed. Ryouga could very
well have gotten lost. He didn't know how Akane was gong to take it.

****

"He's not *here*!?!?"

Akane, apparently, did not take it well at all.

"But the match is *today*!!" She buried her face in her hands. "That's
just great. The day of the competition and my coach gets lost going to the
bathroom!"

"Don't worry Akane. Me and Ucchan will still be there, right Ucchan?"

"Right! You can manage without Ryouga, Akane. You'll be fine. C'mon.
Let's eat and then head out." They sat down for breakfast. Akane fidgeted
throughout the whole meal.

When they were finished, the three of them were on their way to St.
Hebereke High School. The others would be leaving later, in time to see the
match.

****

"ARGH! Where on Earth am I now!?"

Ryouga was, of course, lost. He had woken up very early that morning to
get ready for the competition. Unfortunately he was still drowsy, so he ended
up walking out of the house instead of going to the bathroom. Before he
realized what he had done, he was hopelessly lost.

"Great," he muttered. "This is just perfect. Akane was counting on me
being at the match today. I...I have to get to St. Hebereke!" He began to run,
stopping frequently to ask someone for directions. Too bad he didn't follow
what they said.

After a few hours, Ryouga was all set to give up.

"I...I can't make it. I've been looking forever. The match will be
starting in another hour."

He looked up at the sky feeling rather depressed. <I'm sorry for letting
you down, Akane.> He leaned back against a wall and hit his head against it.
He felt something sharp bite into the back of his head.

"Ow! What was that?" Turning he found that he had hit his head on a
metal plaque that read "St. Hebereke High School". He stared at it in wonder.
Then gave a shout of joy, "I did it! I actually made it!" He laughed a bit
hysterically, prompting some passerby's to give him wide berth. He rushed onto
the school grounds.

<Now> he thought, <all I have to do is find the gym in the next hour and
I'm all set.> He began his search.

****

Akane, Ranma, and Ukyou walked through the halls of St. Hebereke. They
had to admit it was a pretty nice looking school.

"Too bad it produces people like Kodachi," commented Ranma.

"I'm sure not everyone here is like Kodachi, Ranma," Akane replied.
"There might actually be some normal people who go to school here."

They continued until they reached the changing room that they would be
using. It had a sign on it saying "Challenger's Dressing Room". Ranma opened
the door and they walked in to find a very tired Ryouga sitting in a chair, head
and arms sprawled on the table in front of him. He was snoring lightly. Ukyou
rushed to his side, Ranma and Akane following quickly.

"Ryouga! Are you okay?" Ukyou asked in a worried voice. She became
aware of Ranma and Akane's amused looks and immediately dropped the worried
look. <Oh no! Now what do I do?> She did the only thing she could think of.
She got mad and then hit Ryouga on the head. "Hey!" she shouted. "Wake up,
jackass!"

Ryouga snorted and lifted his head. "Huh? Where am I?" He looked around
and saw a pissed off Ukyou, a worried Akane, and an amused Ranma. "Oh, hi guys.
Uh...I made it." He gave them a sheepish grin.

"Where were you, you idiot! You scared Akane! She thought you weren't
going to be here!"

"I got lost, okay!?" Ryouga shouted. He wasn't in the mood to hear
Ukyou's accusations after the hellish morning he went through. "I'm sorry it
happened but at least I made it! So don't yell at me!"

"I'll yell if I want to, you dumb jerk!"

Ranma and Akane backed away from the two as they started letting out some
of the tension that had been between them for the last couple of weeks.

"Dammit Ukyou, will you just forget it!?"

"Forget that you're a complete moron!? How can I when you keep proving
it!?"

"You're saying I'm a moron!?"

"That's right you pig!"

Ryouga heard the damning word and his face burned with fury. "I...I guess
I should just..." He didn't know what to say. Without a word he walked towards
the door opened it and went through, slamming it shut behind him.

Ukyou bit her lower lip. <Damn him! Why does he always do this to me?>
She began to follow Ryouga but Ranma stopped her.

"No Ucchan. Don't."

"But Ranchan..."

"Trust me, Ukyou," he said quietly. "Ryouga is probably embarrassed
enough as it is without you going after him." He was fighting hard to keep from
bursting into laughter.

Ukyou had a puzzled look on her face. "Ranchan, what are you talking
about? Why would Ryouga be embarrassed? And why are you whispering?"

"You'll see in a bit." Then he began talking loudly. "Come on Ukyou,
Akane. Why don't we get something to drink before the match starts." He began
to leave the room.

Ukyou gave a puzzled glance at Akane who just smiled at her and motioned
her out of the room. It was as Ukyou was leaving that she realized that the
door wasn't the one Ryouga had left through.

****

The door opened slightly. Ryouga's red face peeked out and found that
they all had, indeed, left. He sighed and left the closet that he had
accidentally walked into.

****

It was time for the match. Akane had gone back to the dressing room to
change and to retrieve Ryouga. He stood in Akane's corner, a look of
embarrassment still on his face. Akane was in the ring dressed in a green
leotard. Kodachi had yet to show herself.

The stadium was packed with people. St. Hebereke supporters and Furinkan
supporters were scattered throughout the whole place. Nabiki and her associates
were rushing through the crowd, taking bets on the match. Ranma and Ukyou were
sitting with the other Tendous, Ranma's parents, and Kunou. Soon Nabiki
returned to her seat as the announcer introduced the contenders.

"From Furinkan High School, the challenger, Akane Tendou!"

The stadium exploded with cheers as Akane waved to the crowd.

"And now, introducing, the young flower of St. Hebereke High School, our
champion, Kodachi, the Black Rose, Kunou!!"

The stadium went dark and multi-colored spotlights began dancing around.
Then a single, bright white spotlight centered on the ceiling as a platform,
held up by rope, descended. There was Kodachi, dressed in a white, western
style wedding dress. The crowed ooh'd and ahh'd as fireworks began lighting the
stadium.

Then Kodachi leaped off the platform. She flipped and spun through the
air, losing her dress in the process. When she landed, she was dressed in a
dark red leotard, the stem of a black rose in her mouth. The crowd exploded
with cheers once more.

"Remember Miss Tendou," Kodachi addressed her opponent after the noise had
died down. "Ryouga darling will be mine if you should lose."

Akane's eyes narrowed. "That's fine. But if you lose you have to promise
to leave Ryouga alone! Got it!?"

Kodachi just laughed. "Very well. Should I lose, I shall abandon my
present affection for my darling Ryouga." Then, without warning she attacked,
and the match began.

Akane dodged Kodachi's first ribbon snap and countered with her own. She
kept up her attack, waiting for the right moment. It did not take very long.
With a snap of her wrist, Kodachi's ribbon straightened out and became a steel
bar. Soon she was wielding it like a sword, hacking and slashing at Akane.

<I have you now, Miss Tendou.>

Kodachi swung for Akane's head, but Akane ducked and sidestepped under it,
snapping her ribbon and snagging Kodachi's steel bar. The ribbon wrapped around
the weapon and Akane yanked. Kodachi was flung into the ropes and lost her grip
on the bar. Akane then whipped her ribbon around forcefully and launched it
back at her opponent. It knocked into Kodachi's forehead and she was stunned
for a brief moment. When she recovered she shot an angry glance at Akane.

"You'll pay for that, Akane Tendou. Clubs!"

Kodachi's second tossed her a couple of clubs and Kodachi charged once
more. Akane tried to hold her at bay with her ribbon, but Kodachi twirled her
clubs and knocked the ribbon out of the way. Soon she was right in front of
Akane. She did a double thrust with both clubs aimed for Akane's head. Akane
quickly dodged to the side, but was unable to escape the spikes that emerged.
The spikes cut into her leotard's left shoulder, ripping it and leaving a few
bloody streaks behind.

****

Ranma clenched his fists when he saw Akane was injured.

<C'mon Akane! You can do it!>

"Oh my! I hope Akane isn't hurt too bad." Kasumi had both her hands to
her face.

"My baby girl is bleeding!" Soun cried as tears came down his cheeks.

"Now, now, Tendou. Don't worry. Ryouga, Ranma, and Ukyou trained Akane
well. Right, you two?"

"You bet, Mr. Saotome," answered Ukyou.

"She just better win. I have a lot of money riding on this."

"Nabiki!" Kasumi was shocked.

"What?"

"It is not fitting for you to say such things, Nabiki-chan," said Kunou
with a reproachful look.

"Really Nabiki!" said Kasumi, still surprised by her sister.

"Hey, I was just saying..."

Nodoka gave them a reprimanding look and they fell silent, turning back to
the match. "Don't worry Soun," she said to Mr. Tendou. "I'm sure Akane-chan
will be just fine."

Ranma closed his eyes briefly. <I hope so.>

****

<Damn,> thought Ryouga as he observed the match from the corner. <Akane
wasn't fast enough.> He looked over a Kodachi and saw what she was about to do.
<Oh no!> "Watch out, Akane!"

****

Akane clutched at her bleeding shoulder as she leaped away from Kodachi.
She took a quick glance at the injury. It wasn't too bad. Shallow cuts, she
would still be able to use the arm. But then she heard Ryouga's shout.

Looking up, Akane saw Kodachi had begun tossing gymnastic balls.
Remembering Kunou's warning, Akane leaped out of the way again.

The balls exploded on impact. Akane flung herself around the ring,
frantically dodging the blasts. Soon the explosions ceased and she heard
Kodachi laughing.

"That was quite entertaining, Akane Tendou. But games are over. Hoop!"

Kodachi's second tossed a hoop to her captain. Kodachi caught it and sent
it whirling at Akane.

Akane eyes widened when she saw what was coming at her. Without thinking
about it, Akane desperately leapt over it. The hoop sailed under her and sliced
through the floor of the ring. Akane thought she heard muffled shouting, but
ignored it as Kodachi, livid with anger, took up clubs once again. Then she
heard Ryouga speak up again.

"Akane! Here, take these!" A pair of clubs were thrown at her. She
caught them and prepared to engage Kodachi, a determined look on her face.

"Oh ho! So you think you can take me with clubs, do you Miss Tendou?"
Kodachi smirked. "I am the young flower of St. Hebereke," she said haughtily.
"A rising star in the gymnastics world. The one called the Black Rose. Very
well then. Behold the attack of A Thousand Clubs!" And she rushed forward her
right arm extended, blurring with speed.

Akane gave a mental thanks to Ranma for training her to be faster.
Without hesitation, Akane met Kodachi halfway and began to parry the assault,
her arm blurring just as fast, if not faster, than Kodachi's.

After a few moments, though, Akane began to tire. She needed to halt the
attack, and soon. It was getting harder to keep up with Kodachi's attack.
Looking quickly to Ryouga, Akane caught his eye and gestured what she wanted and
where she wanted it.

****

Ryouga got Akane's message and picked up a gymnastics ball. He waited for
Akane's signal to throw it. <I hope this works.>

He continued to wait, hoping that Akane knew what she was doing. After a
moment, she nodded, and Ryouga launched the ball at her feet.

****

Akane, still holding off Kodachi's clubs, saw the ball incoming. When the
ball reached her feet, she kicked upwards and hard, altering it's course.
Kodachi received it in the stomach and was knocked backwards. She lost her
concentration and ended up dropping the fifteen clubs she had been using.

****

"Is that legal?" asked Kasumi, a puzzled look on her face.

"In Kodachi's stadium it is. But Akane was too good for it to work."
Ranma had a proud look on his face. <It's a good thing I made her work on her
speed. She probably would have been pummeled otherwise.> He watched as Kodachi
positioned her clubs and charged Akane again.

****

Kodachi snarled. <How did this *peasant* defeat my attack!?> She growled
and charged with her clubs, spikes activated. She thrust out with one, straight
towards Akane's chest. Akane crossed her own clubs and caught Kodachi's in an
X. Quickly she rolled backwards and pulled Kodachi along. Then she flung her
arms backward flinging the startled gymnast out of the ring.

Kodachi was sailing through the air. If anyone had gotten a good look at
her at that point, they would have noticed that an amused grin had replaced her
startled look. She twisted in midair and whistled. Akane was almost knocked
off her feet as the entire ring moved to catch the soaring gymnast.

Kodachi laughed as she landed. "Don't you know you can't knock me out of
the ring, Akane Tendou?"

Akane glared and then, putting thumb and forefinger to her lips, she
whistled. Once again, the ring moved.

"I think the ring is broken Kodachi," Akane said. "But I think I know how
to fix it." She pulled her giant hammer out of nowhere and slammed it
repeatedly into the ring floor. The cloth came apart and Akane picked it up.
She jumped to one of the corner posts, tearing the flooring away.

****

Ranma cheered as Akane tore the floor of the ring away to reveal a score
of gymnasts. They scrambled as soon as they were revealed.

"Alright Akane! Now remember what I taught you!" <With the floor gone,
she has to rely on midair combat.>

"What *did* you teach her, boy?" asked Genma, absently munching on some
popcorn.

"Just a few of the Saotome School's midair attacks, pop."

Genma grinned and patted Ranma on the shoulder. "That's my boy."

****

Kodachi quickly leapt to a post when Akane ripped the floor away. The
only thing left was the ropes and corner posts. <That pest! How dare she do
this to the ring of the Black Rose! She will pay!>

Akane was balanced on the opposite post grinning at her handiwork. <It's
a good thing Ranma taught me a few things. From this point it's all midair
attacks. Now I just have to see if I can pull it off.>

She twirled her clubs and leapt to attack, startling Kodachi with the bold
maneuver. But Kodachi didn't hesitate. She flung out her ribbon and lassoed
Akane. Then she flung her as hard as she could.

****

Ryouga closed his eyes. He couldn't watch. <If Akane touches the ground
now, she loses. Then I'm stuck with Kodachi! Argh! Please Akane! Do
something!>

****

Ranma flinched as Akane was tossed. <Come on Akane! You can do this!>
When Akane began to maneuver, he smiled.

****

Akane scrambled to get loose from the ribbon. She had to get free before
she hit the ground. Unraveling the ribbon quickly, she freed herself and
desperately flung the ribbon, handle first, upwards into the metal scaffolding
above the stadium. The ribbon wrapped around metal and was secured by the
handle. Akane began swinging back and forth.

Kodachi was really angry now. "Why won't you just give up!? " She
launched a barrage of clubs at Akane.

Akane swung into the barrage. She was hit several times, but she managed
to kick out at Kodachi. The gymnast dodged and Akane swung back the other way.

"Hey! You can't attack without tools!" Kodachi shrieked as she sent out
another mess of clubs.

Akane released her grip on the ribbon and landed on the ropes of the ring.
The rope bent under her weight and snapped back, launching her back towards
Kodachi. <Time to end this!>

Kodachi was screeching by this time. "Are you deaf!? It's illegal to
attack without tools!"

"I'll show you tools!" Akane shouted back. She pulled her arm back as she
zoomed in on Kodachi. When she was in range, her arm snapped forward with
lightning speed. The hammer that materialized in her hand smashed through
Kodachi's defense and sent her flying. Akane quickly snagged the ropes of the
ring with her feet before she flew passed them completely.

Again the rope pulled back and snapped forward, sending her back to the
other side of the ring where she landed upon a pole.

****

The stadium was hushed. Not a sound escaped as the audience looked on in
shock.

Kodachi was on the ground. She had a look of disbelief on her face. <I-I
lost? B-But how could I l-l-lose?>

Genma was staring at his son with disbelieving eyes. "*That's* what you
taught her!?"

Ranma's expression, however, was just as shocked as he looked at his
fiancée.

Akane was trembling as she gasped for air. She strained to keep steady as
she balanced on the post, she was so tired. When the announcer finally
announced the end of the match, she sighed and dropped to the ground, exhausted.

The crowd in the stadium went crazy. The whole place erupted with
cheering and applause. The Tendous and Saotomes were on their feet along with
everyone else.

Ranma and Ukyou rushed down to Akane's side. They reached her at the same
time as Ryouga.

"You did it Akane! You won!" Ryouga was ecstatic. He was saved from
Kodachi.

Ranma helped Akane to her feet gave her a fierce hug. "You did great,
Akane, but I don't remember ever teaching you that move." He grinned at her as
she blushed. "I'm proud of you."

Akane smiled. "Thank you, Ranma. Your training helped out a lot in
there." She kissed him on the cheek and he began to blush as well.

"Hey! What about me!? I taught you the tools and all." Ryouga was a bit
disgruntled at being forgotten. Akane gave him a smile.

"I know. Thank you so much, Ryouga." Then she gave him a peck on the
cheek also.

Ryouga, too, went red until he caught sight of Ukyou and his face fell.
"Uh, Ukyou, I...uh..."

She ignored him and turned to Akane. "You did good in there, Sugar. It
was a good match."

"Thanks, Ukyou."

"You there, Ukyou Kuonji."

They all turned to see Kodachi approaching. When she had their attention
she continued speaking.

"I, the young flower of St. Hebereke, the rising star in Rhythmic
Gymnastics, Kodachi-The Black Rose-Kunou, have been defeated by Akane Tendou."
Tears came to her eyes. "As promised, I will hereby abandon my present
affection for my darling Ryouga." She buried her face in one hand and ran from
the stadium, weeping.

All four, Ranma, Akane, Ryouga, and Ukyou had the same look on their
faces. A look of regret. Even after all they had gone through, they felt sorry
for the gymnast. Ryouga sighed, which Ukyou noticed.

"Don't tell me you wanted to go with her!?"

Ryouga stared Ukyou in the face wearing a serious expression. "No, I
didn't want to go with her, but I can't help feeling bad about the whole
situation. She ran out of here crying. If it's one thing I can't stand, it's
making a girl cry."

Ukyou sighed as well, staring in the direction Kodachi ran off. "I guess
I can understand that. I don't enjoy making someone feel bad about themselves."

Ryouga heard the apology in her voice and sighed again. "Yeah, I know
what you mean."

She gave a slight smile as she heard the acceptance in Ryouga's tone.

****

That evening, Ukyou sat on a rock in front of the Tendou's koi pond,
contemplating the events of the last day.

<Well, we got through it all okay,> she thought to herself. <But what am
I supposed to do about Ryouga? No matter how hard I try to deny it and keep him
away, I'm finding that my feelings for him are growing.> She leaned her head
onto her palm, elbow on knee, in thought. <I want to get close, but I know I
can't. It would be too hard to be left alone again. No matter what I want, I
can't let anyone get close to me. Not anymore...>

She was startled out of her thoughts by someone tossing a bouquet of black
roses into her hands. Looking up she found Kodachi standing there in her St.
Hebereke uniform.

"Kodachi! What are you doing here?"

"Miss Kuonji. If you would please deliver those to my darling Ryouga for
me?"

Ukyou's eyes narrowed. "Hey! What happened to abandoning your affection
for him!"

Kodachi merely smiled. "Yes, I did abandon my *present* affection for
him. So now I've developed an entirely new affection."

"What!?"

"Farewell, Miss Kuonji. And be warned. Someday I will take Ryouga
darling away from you." Then she leapt away, laughing, into the night.

Ukyou sat there stunned for a moment. Then she groaned. "Oh no.
Everything that we went through, and we still didn't get rid of her."

"Ukyou!" came Mrs. Saotome's voice from the house. "It's time for
dinner!"

"Coming!" Ukyou stood and began walking towards the house holding the
roses. "I wonder what Ryouga's gonna say about *this*."

She walked into the house to tell everyone about the news. Ryouga's
reaction was not very surprising.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

****

Later that evening, Akane and Ranma were sitting on the roof, staring at
the stars. Akane was sitting in front of Ranma, leaning back against him, her
head resting on his chest and his arms around her. Her left shoulder was
wrapped in bandages.

"I'm tired."

"I can imagine. You did really good today, Akane."

Akane snuggled closer to him. "Thanks, Ranma. I just hope I don't have
to do anything like that again any time soon."

Ranma chuckled. "I kinda doubt that anything like that will be coming up.
You're in for weeks of boredom."

"Good. I could use some good, boring boredom." She turned her attention
back to the star lit sky. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

"Yeah...beautiful."

Akane heard an odd note in his voice and craned her neck up to look at
him. She found him staring at her and began blushing. They captured each
other's eyes; his a liquid blue, hers a dazzling brown. Slowly his hand raised
to touch her cheek and his head lowered towards hers. She saw his approach and
met him halfway. They closed their eyes, their lips touched and they kissed.

Their faces were flushed and their breathing quicker when they parted.
Akane had a gleam in her eye and a smile on her face. Ranma was smiling also.
Akane snuggled into him again and he wrapped his arms tight around her as they
continued watching the stars.

****

Okay, that's it for part five. Sorry it took a while. The holidays were
killing me. Let me know what you think. rplanas@pacbell.net. Questions and
comments are appreciated, flames ignored. I don't know when I'm gonna get the
next chapter out, so no promises. I just hope it's soon. Thanks.

Gyran