[Ranma/MKR][FanFic] A Duet of Pigtails - Part 2

[Libby Thomas]

---
Libby (mih...@eudoramail.com)
A Duet of Pigtails: http://www.bigfoot.com/~a_duet_of_pigtails
===

A Duet of Pigtails
By Libby Thomas

Based on characters and storylines in Ranma1/2 by Rumiko
Takahashi and Magic Knight Rayearth by CLAMP

Part Two:
Girl Talk and Pillow Conversations

The atmosphere at the Ucchan's was, as always, jovial and
comfortable, with the smells of okonomiyaki cooking and takoyaki baking.
Although the restaurant was closed for the day due to inventory, it
forever had the same delightful scent, one that spoke of a love of cooking
and a passion for the joys of life.

That combination had made Ukyo the moderate success she was.
Although she could easily afford to open a few more restaurants, she never
did; she wanted to make sure that the food was of the finest quality
available, and the only way to ensure that was to personally oversee--and
almost all the time, actually do--the cooking herself. Still, she'd
expanded the place, and what had once been the residential section of the
building was now the second floor of the Ucchan's; she'd moved into a
small house across the street from Furinkan High.

The staff had changed as well, throughout the years. Konatsu
had long since left to start his own clan; he and Ukyo kept in touch and
were still friends, though he knew that she was destined to be alone so
long as Saotome Ranma was unavailable. Tsubasa had not been seen in
years, and for that, Ukyo thanked the kami daily. The only person that
worked with Ukyo now was a young woman who Ukyo didn't really associate
with after hours, and a male waiter who flirted with her, but not more
than that. Both had the night off, and had been spared the dreariness of
inventory.

Still, romantic vacuum aside, all was not emptiness in her
life; that void had been filled in part by the fame of the Ucchan's and
that of Ranma's children. Akama was an absolute delight, and he seemed to
act more and more like Akane each day; although Ranma and Hikaru felt she
was absolutely spoiling him, she didn't agree. After all, he had been her
only nephew until Hikama was born, and now she had a niece as well.

In short, life was a blessing for Kuonji Ukyo, and though
she'd yet to meet a man that measured up to her Ranchan, life was okay.
She was only 27, with her long black hair, alluring ebony eyes, and a body
that drove most men to distraction. Combine that with her bright and
cheerful personality, and she could easily get a man; the one that ended
up with her would be blessed, indeed. However, until that day to come
(and if it would), she was content to be with her extended family, and
there was nothing she wouldn't do for the Saotomes, the Tendo sisters, and
the Hibikis. She was as much a part of their life as she was of theirs.

Right now, however, one of those in her life was hurting. All
night, Hikaru had been near listless, as if she'd just been through
absolute hell and worse; she seemed oblivious to the world around her.
She simply sat there in the booth, barely picking at her food, leaving it
mostly untouched--Ukyo knew the redhead was not big on food, but this was
over the top. Additionally, while she normally was a massive contributor
to any conversation, tonight she uncharacteristically stayed in the
background, saying little if anything. Clearly, Hikaru's mind was
somewhere else, but where exactly the okonomiyaki chef couldn't
fathom--for all Ukyo knew, Hikaru's mind could be on another world or
something of that order.

Then, there was Ranma's response to the whole situation. He
had a distinctly worried look in his eyes, though he tried hard to cover
it up, trying his best to hide it behind his usual cheer. She'd seen that
look once before--the day Akane died. That look originated during the
fierce combat between his late wife and Shampoo, and it was the only time,
his fear of cats excepted, that he'd ever shown a look of true fear, and
Ukyo had a hunch that this was worse. That fear had been followed by a
depression so strong, it had taken them years to get him out of it, and
only due to the determination of his loved ones and a second chance at
love.

Now, after having survived such a pit of despair, for him to
have that look again was clearly a harbinger of disaster. Seeing that
look again on his face gave Ukyo pause, while she tried to contemplate as
to why such a dark glance would have returned. Could they be fighting?
That idea was dismissed immediately for the folly that it was. While the
lives of Saotomes Ranma and Akane was that of a powerful love-hate
relationship, all that was between Ranma and his second wife was that of a
pure and eternal love. Even during their most vehement disagreements, it
had always appeared to be more of an intellectual debate than a lover's
squabble. No, there was no fighting here, and whatever it was, marital
strife had nothing to do with it.

But the end result, no matter what, was that it was eating
her--BOTH of them--alive. Ukyo couldn't stand that, and decided to act.
Having the fortune to sit next to the redhead, she leaned over and
whispered, "Hikaru, are you okay?"

"Un," Hikaru replied in that monosyllabic phrase that usually
passed for agreement. "Ah, yes." It was a completely automated and
canned response, and so unlike Hikaru. Ukyo idly thought that she would
have gotten a more animated response by calling the NTT operator and
asking for the time.

Ranma, however, caught Ukyo's loaded question, and flashed a
message in a brief eye contact with her: ((I trust you, Ucchan, but do you
really want to know?)) His following words, however, were different, but
no less loaded than hers. "So, Ucchan, you seeing anyone lately?" It
hurt him, even as he said it, for he knew the sad, sorry truth, one that
he'd inflicted on her though it was never meant: she loved him so much,
and was so dedicated to him, that she would die alone before spending a
minute with anyone else.

She flashed back, ((Yes, anything to help, Ranchan,)) although
she replied, "Actually, I do. Tomorrow, I'll be out with Kunoji Ryoma.
Nice guy, though not like you, Ranchan. However, guy's got enough heart
for four people." In truth, however, she would be helping the rest of the
"Kunoji Ryoma" gang--namely Kuno, herself, Ryoga, and Ranma--get their
parts ready for tomorrow. After all, it was Hikaru's 26th birthday, and
everyone'd been planning their parts for a couple of weeks, now.

Idly, Ukyo thought that maybe that was why they had those
looks. Ranma might've been worried that his wife might've found out what
he'd gotten her; admittedly, while the Tendo-Saotome dojo was no longer in
debt, they weren't on financial peaks, either. Hikaru, on the other hand,
dived into others' birthday plans with a cheerleader's fanaticism, and
since they'd been on the quiet about their plans, maybe she'd thought
they'd all forgotten. Yeah, that would be it.

Hopefully, that was the reason. Although, Ukyo silently
admitted, it probably wasn't.

Ranma, for his part, noted the pending conversation and
realized it was his time to get scarce. He took note of the clock on the
wall, then of his children, sleeping in the booths next to the adults.
"Looks like the little ones are wiped out. Think it's time we start
heading back to the dojo," he commented, giving Ukyo a glance to indicate
that the ball was in her court.

Ukyo took that ball and ran with it. "Hikaru, I hate to be a
bother an' all," she began, hoping that she sounded a bit flummoxed, "but
I need a favor from you."

That at least brought a bit of the redhead's normal
personality out. "Sure, Ukyo. What can I do for you?" That was probably
one of Hikaru's best graces, Ukyo felt. Hikaru was always willing to put
aside her problems to help others. It had been that very trait that had
brought her into Ranma's life.

"Ah," Ukyo flustered, hoping that she was doing a credible
enough imitation of a blush, "I've, um, no idea of what to wear in my
wardrobe, for tomorrow. Y'see, it's been a...few...years...since I've
gone out on a date, and...." Ukyo genuinely blushed as she realized
exactly HOW LONG it had been since she went on a date--it had been a month
after Ranma's marriage to Akane, when Konatsu insisted he take her out to
dinner just to get her mind off her depression. That had been nearly
seven years past.

From her point of view, Hikaru smiled gladly. Ukyo's life was
so lonely at times, and if she really, finally met someone, Hikaru would
only be more than blessed to help her out. "Of course. I'd be honored."
She looked over to Ranma. "Do you mind?"

"Not in the least, beautiful, especially when it comes to
Ucchan. I'll take the kids home, and that should free you up." Checking
the children again, he noticed that the twins were still peacefully asleep
in their bassinets, while Akama turned, yawned, and began to doze again.

"Thanks, love." She leaned over, gently kissed her husband,
and added, "I shouldn't be gone too long, sweetheart. Promise you try not
to miss me too much while I'm gone?"

Ranma chuckled. "You know I will." He stood up, stretched,
then helped Hikaru to her feet. As Hikaru went to ready the children,
Ranma went to Ukyo's side, kissed her on the forehead, then commented,
"Let me know how it goes tomorrow, ne?" To Hikaru's ears, it would sound
like he was referring to the supposed date.

Ukyo unsuccessfully repressed a shudder as she felt that
tender brush on her skin. It was to Hikaru's credit that she knew it for
the innocent gesture that it was; Akane would have slammed Ranma halfway
to Montana before realizing...if she did. However, at that moment, Ukyo
felt her long-repressed desire for Ranma rise to the surface once more, as
well as feelings of missing Akane. ((Things were so simple, back then,))
she thought, the irony clear in her mind. Sensing an awkward silence
coming upon them, she replied, "Why bother? He's nowhere as good as you,
Ranchan." ((There,)) she thought idly, ((that should cover my tracks.))

As Ukyo rose from her seat, Hikaru had just finished waking up
Akama, instructing him to be on his best behavior. "You have to help your
father watch the twins, ne, Akama-chan?"

"Hai, Okaasan," the young boy replied, rubbing the sleep from
his eyes. Inside him, Akama was very quiet and still, trying his best not
to burst with excitement. On the way home from Aunt Ukyo's restaurant, he
and his father could talk about Akama's plans for tomorrow. After all,
he, his father, and Aunt Nabiki had been working on his plans for two
whole days. It had been, simply, the longest the young boy had ever
planned on things.

Hikaru saw the gleam in her stepson's eye...and fortunately
misunderstood it. "Akama, and don't give your father a hard time with
your bath, ne? You know how he dislikes to change."

Akama nodded. Otoosan had a magic spell on him that made him
look an awful lot like Okaasan when he got wet. If Akama had the same
problem, he wouldn't like it either, so he would help his father out.

So he initially went to hug his Aunt Ukyo, thanking her for
dinner and everything. He then turned that hug on his mother, promising
he would behave. He then grabbed his jacked and commented to his father,
"Ready to go, Otoosan," while tugging on the tail of his father's shirt.

Ranma turned around and smiled at his soon. "Good. Let's go
then. Ucchan, thanks for dinner and take care, old friend. Hikaru, go
easy on her wardrobe, ne?" He grinned, then gently took the bassinet from
Hikaru's hands and headed for the door. "Mata, ne," he said, and with
another grin, four Saotomes exited the Ucchan's.

Ukyo looked at Hikaru. "Ready to go, Hikaru-chan?"

Hikaru smiled as the pair headed for the door. "I guess. I
just hope that your wardrobe survives my rearranging." The redhead and
the brunette stepped out the door, heading in the opposite direction of
Ranma and his entourage.

~*~

A man strolled through the Immigration room in Terminal One of
New Tokyo International Airport, commonly referred to by the same name as
the ward it was in, Narita. He was just over 6 feet, with short black
hair and piercing brown eyes. His goatee gave his oriental features an
elegant, Hong Kong-sophisticate look, though he'd never been there. His
suit was rumpled from the 7-hour flight from Honolulu, even though he'd
spent it relatively comfortably in the Business section of the aircraft.
In his hand he carried a small duffel bag, while in the other, his
passport.

He yawned, exhaustion creeping into his features for a second
or two before he banished it back to where it usually belonged. He
ignored the appreciative glance that the young Passport Control clerk was
giving him. Although she was cute, he was certain that he wouldn't have
any time to do any social activities; the company would want him back in
Honolulu as soon as possible. Plus, she did kind of remind him of a girl
he knew from a long time ago--although there weren't many girls with short
pink hair and green eyes that he knew of.

So instead of responding to her kawaii overtures, he simply
gave her his passport. She noticed his rejection, pouted slightly, then
turned on her professional demeanor, and looking that the blue-hued US
passport, commented in English. "Business or leisure, Mr. Tseng?"

"Business." He sighed; she'd used that kawaii voice, and he'd
always hated whenever women used that high-pitched, "my-brain's-on-helium"
vocal tone, even though he knew it was standard for any woman involved in
customer services in Japan. "I'm here for a meeting with my company's
local subsidiary."

She nodded in that way Japanese do when they agree, then
continued, "And you'll be staying at?"

"Pacific Grande Meridien Hotel, Ariake Island." She nearly
gasped when he said that; the man-made island just off the coast of
Shinagawa ward was pretty expensive to visit, and any hotel on that island
even more so, and the Pacific Grande Meridien was probably the most
expensive in town, if not the country. Inwardly, he grunted; he'd rather
have stayed at the Prince Hotel in Ebisu, but the company wanted him at
the PGM. ((Idiots,)) he mentally seethed. The travel department
obviously never tried to ride the ever-faulty Shimbashi Monorail or the
perpetually-crowded Tokyo Teleport. It was going to be hell getting off
the island on a daily basis. He'd have to rent a car; it'd been so long
since he'd driven on the left side of the road.

The girl began her kawaii overtures again. From his view, it
was clear that she realized he was about her age, and with tons of
cash--rich Amerikajin. Time to be rude, though he disliked it; he was
enough of a punk when he was younger and he hated it when he had to be
that way now. "If that's all, miss," he said in Japanese, rather
brusquely.

She snapped out of whatever china setting she was picking for
the wedding and came back to reality. "Oh yes, Mr. Tseng. You're free to
go." She wrote a few things down, date-stamped his passport, slipped a
few customs documents into it then handed it back to him. As he walked
off, she winked at him, blushed and said softly, "Welcome to Japan and
enjoy your stay, Mr. Tseng."

Heading down the steps that would take him to the First Floor
of Terminal One, the young man walked with an easy grace. The minute he
was out of eyeshot, he opened up his passport, looking at the
documents--and the business card she'd slipped into it. He initially
thought that was sweet of her, glancing at the name: NIJIRONO SHIKISAI.
He might have to call her, after all. Any girl with a name that meant
"Colors of the Rainbow" must be interesting...especially since she seemed
so familiar.

He walked over to the Hertz Japan rental, when he was stopped
by another person, a Caucasian, blonde about his size, and also dressed in
a business suit. The man was about a decade or so older than him, but
seemed cut from the same cloth as Michael. "Michael Tseng? I'm Martin
Aston. I was sent by the company to pick you up."

Michael's eyes hardened. "Oh really?"

Martin Aston nodded. "I was sent by Donovan. He told me to
tell you that 'stocks are up for Namcot and SOJ.'" Michael nodded in
response; only Donovan Cheng, his mentor, would comment on such a thing.

Nothing further to be said, Michael followed Aston to the car,
a nondescript tan Nissan Infiniti G20--he'd read in the papers that Nissan
had finally begun to introduce the Infiniti brand in its native country in
the hopes of boosting sales. Once settled in the passenger seat and his
bags in the trunk, the pair were off. There was a soft beep of a cel
phone, and Aston fished it out of his pocket, handing it to Michael
without even greeting the caller. "It's for you."

((Figures,)) Michael thought with disdain for usual company
rules. Taking the the phone, opened it and answered in Japanese, "Moshi
moshi. Tseng desu."

The voice on the other side sounded old and gruff. //I'd
forgotten that you spoke Japanese, Mike.//

Michael smiled. Only one person ever called him Mike, even
though he didn't care for it. "Hell, Donovan," he commented in a warm
voice as he switched back to English, "What souvenirs do you want from
Tokyo?"

//Ha, ha, ha,// Donovan commented in a humorless voice.
//Mike, I just called to see that you made it alright. But more important
to call and tell you to keep on your toes, old friend. The Company thinks
you've gone loose cannon on this, and I'm doing my Goddamn utmost to make
sure they don't find out what the details are. Are you sure you really
want to do this?//

"No--no, I'm not sure," Michael admitted. "That's why I had
to come. That's the only way I'll know if I AM sure."

//I understand. Just watch your back. Oh, and if you run
into trouble, give Martin there a call. He's also been in the same
situation as you are, and I've worked with him for a number of years.
He'll watch your back.//

"Thanks, Donavan. Give my regards to your wife, and tell her
I'll pick up that kimono she wanted."

//I'm sure Julie'll appreciate it. Thanks, Mike. Take care.
See ya.//

"Thanks, Donovan." He hit the off switch on the cel phone,
then handed it back to Aston.

Aston declined. "That'll be yours while you're in town,
Tseng."

"Michael, if you please. Donovan said I can trust you."

"Okay, then I'm Martin. We'll chat about old times later,"
the older man said, implying something. He reached to his side and handed
Michael a large and fairly thick envelope. "Here's the information you
requested. Some of it comes from local sources, some from HUMINT. When
we get to your hotel room--which is a secure one, by the way--I'll brief
you on what to expect."

Michael barely heard him. He instead tore open the envelope,
and began to read the portfolio inside, some of it in Japanese, some of it
in English, and all of it bearing the words TOP SECRET: CODE
NAME--STAMPEDE. The cover of the portfolio bore the emblem of the United
States Central Intelligence Agency, and was not surprising, since both
people in the car were "washers"--assassins--for the "Company".

"Damn," Michael breathed after staring at the file for a
minute or two.

"Something wrong?" Martin asked?

"No, nothing. It's just that my eyes get tired after a while
and I have to resort to my glasses. I hate using them," he grumbled.

"Know the feeling," Martin admitted, "since I used 'em myself
until I got contacts. Ever consider them?"

"Laser surgery," Michael commented, tapping his left temple
with a finger. "Took care of most of my problem, but not all of it." He
snapped his fingers once and out of nowhere, produced a pair of thin-lens
glasses. Martin, somewhat familiar with Michael's dossier, didn't blink
an eye.

"That's better." Michael smiled; he had a grand appreciation
for his improved eyesight--thin-lens or no lens--since it came with his
total makeover, years ago. But that had been six years ago.

A lifetime ago.

Michael Tseng--once known as Mousse--began to read the
STAMPEDE file once more, updating himself on his newest target, one that
he chose himself, one that no one, save that of Donovan and this Aston
guy, knew of:

A resident of Nerima known as Saotome Ranma.

~*~

"So, what do you think of this?" Ukyo said as she held out a
simple blouse and skirt for Hikaru's perusal. Ukyo was already at her
wits' end trying to find excuses on what to wear and why this wouldn't be
good or that wouldn't suit her. She was also trying to find an opening
that would allow her a chance to have that little discussion with the
redhead. Half an hour had gone by so far, and she hadn't found one yet.

"Ukyo, that looks fine," Hikaru commented, her voice on the
verge of boredom. It had been the umpteenth ensemble that Ukyo had asked
about--then rejected. Hikaru knew something was up; Ukyo was tense, and
Hikaru had never known her to be that way. "Ukyo," the redhead commented
in her most controlled voice, "you don't have to play with me. I know why
you're doing all this."

"You do?" Ukyo squeaked, surprised that she had been caught,
even as a bead of sweat appeared on her forehead. ((I thought I was being
careful about this! Ranma's gonna kill me for sure!)) "Listen, Hikaru, I
can explain every--"

"Don't bother." Hikaru smiled, then added, "I'm just
surprised that after all these years, you're still trying to capture his
heart. Ukyo, you already have it--he loves you dearly, and you're his
best friend. You don't have to go out on dates that you don't want to
just to get his attention. I'm not trying to take away your friendship
with him--I never have."

Ukyo sighed, relieved that Hikaru had not only misunderstood,
but had also given her the opening that Ukyo'd wanted. "Oh, that--you
misunderstand, Hikaru. I've known you long enough, so that's not a
concern. And I'm going on this date not because I'm trying to make Ranma
jealous--" she fumbled with a valid reason--"but because I think this
Ryoma guy is kinda nice, just like I said. 'Sides, I'm not the one with
problems at the moment."

Hikaru shut down her conversation, sensing a verbal snare.
"What do you mean, Ukyo?"

Ukyo gave Hikaru a deadpan stare. Taking the verbal
offensive, she ventured, "All night you've been acting like something's on
your mind, Hikaru. You probably don't want to bother me with it, but I
can assure you it's no trouble." She tossed her clothing back into the
closet, and sat beside her friend. "You really look as though you need to
talk to someone about it...and that you and Ranchan are having
difficulties about it."

Hikaru's eyes became downcast. She wasn't sure of what to
say. Ukyo was one of Ranma's closest friends, someone he considered as
much family to him as his sisters and his parents. Plus, Ukyo did know a
little about Hikaru's pyromancy, but not where she learned it. "It's not
something I like talking about, Ukyo," she confided, trying to think of a
way on how to explain the whole Cephiro ordeal.

The truth was, there was no reasonable way that Hikaru could
explain her time on Cephiro, and yet she couldn't bring herself to lie,
since that was something she disliked as well. Still, there was an
answer, a compromise of sorts: she could give Ukyo an edited story. It
wasn't exactly lying, simply omitting parts that were...decidedly less
believable than others, despite their veracity. Hikaru felt that under
the circumstances, perhaps it was the only way to explain.

"Well," she began, "a long time ago, I had two other friends,
as close to me as you and Ryoga are to Ranma. We were together through
thick and thin, and there was nothing we wouldn't do for one another.
However, years ago, they moved far away, to another kingdom.

"Well, earlier today, I received...a message...from one of
them. She's in trouble, and she's asked for my help. And I would gladly
go to help Fuu, except...." Hikaru trailed off, not because of editing
purposes, but a lance of pain that went through her heart.

Ukyo noticed it immediately, immediately commenting, "Except
for what, Hikaru?"

"Except for Umi." Hikaru's words were so quiet, that the
brunette strained to hear them.

"Who's Umi?" Ukyo asked.

"Ryuuzaki Umi. She used to be my best friend...until she
stole my boyfriend," Hikaru said. "I loved Lantis, and she was on the
verge of making a play for a guy named Ascot, when she ended up seducing
Lantis and getting pregnant. She claimed that they were drunk, and that
they never meant for it to happen, but I've been thinking about it over
the years. Umi had to have known what she was doing. She meant to take
Lantis, I believe.

"I know that all of you refer to me constantly as perpetually
innocent, sometimes on par with Kasumi. Believe me, any innocence that I
had was lost long ago when I was betrayed by Umi. She did something
totally inconceivable--she hurt me. And not just that simple
'I-made-a-mistake' kind of hurt, it was the full, betraying type. For
months, I hurt just as deeply as Ranma did after Akane died. And if it
weren't for each other, neither of us would have learned to love again.

"But I digress. Anyway, Umi lives near Fuu, and that's just
one of the reasons why I don't want to go--I'm not sure I want to deal
with Umi and what she did to my life, even though I've moved on. There's
another reason, but I'd rather not talk about it." That reason, she
admitted to herself, was that of her status as the Pillar, and what shaky
ground that it was still on. "But the main thing is that I'm torn between
confronting Umi and helping Fuu."

"And Fuu wouldn't call you just frivolously, right?"

"No. She knows about the bad blood between Umi and I, and I
know that she would do just about anything to spare me that pain. Also, I
don't think that it would be a case of trying to make peace between
us...it's been years since I heard from her, and if she was trying
peacemaking, she would have done it years ago."

"So this is serious, then? And if so, how far would you go to
help your friend?" It was, Ukyo thought, an academic question. She'd
known Hikaru for years, and knew exactly how far the redhead would go to
help the common stranger, and that much more for her own kith and kin--she
would do just about anything.

Hikaru nodded hesitantly. "Most likely. I just don't know
what to do, Ukyo. I'll be going there, and while I'd love to see Fuu
again, and would do anything in my power to help her, I just don't know if
I can face Umi and the child that she had with Lantis. A child, that
under different circumstances, would have been mine.

"Then there's my feelings about Lantis. I haven't seen him
since the night of Fuu's wedding. Don't get me wrong, Ukyo; I love Ranma
with my heart and soul, and he and our children are the best things in my
life. But I think that my feelings for Lantis are the same as yours for
my husband. I'd rather avoid that awkwardness--I'm sure you can
understand that."

The redhead looked at Ukyo, her eyes pleading and heart
begging. " I just don't know what to do, Ukyo. I know Ranma doesn't want
me to go. I know I don't want to go. But Fuu wouldn't call me unless she
was really in trouble, and I was the only one who can help. It's a long
way from here to where they are, and if they want me to come, then I
really am Fuu's last chance." She sighed, then reached over and took a
large quaff from a glass of water, before asking the inevitable question.
"Oh Ukyo, what should I do?"

Ukyo sighed; the whole mess was mind-boggling, to say the very
least, and not even her wildest adventures with her friends and foes could
equate to what the redhead was going through at the moment. She pursed
her lips in thought, then looked at Hikaru and said, "Hikaru, I wish I
knew what to say. Certainly anything that I can say to you
will be of no help whatsoever. In the end, you can only make
that choice that applies to you, and no one else--not even Ranma--can help
you with that, though I'm sure he'll support your decision." She went
over and hugged Hikaru. "And you can count on me being there, too."

"Thanks, Ukyo." Hikaru forced a smile to her face, knowing
that although it would soothe Ukyo, it wouldn't soothe the turmoil that
was within Hikaru. She'd hoped that this small conversation would have
shed some light on her problems. Instead, it only made them worse.

"Look at the time," Hikaru commented as her eyes settled up on
Ukyo's clock on the nightstand. "I've gotta go." She went up and hugged
Ukyo, thanking her for the drink and the talk, and apologizing that she
could not be of any more help in choosing what she was to wear for the
next day's date.

As Hikaru left the Kuonji household, a melancholy Ukyo
whispered, "I'm sorry that I can't be able to give you the help that you
wanted." Ukyo continued to watch the redhead as she walked down the
street, then eventually turned and disappeared from view.

~*~

"Damn," onna-Ranma swore under her breath. IT had happened
again--IT meaning her ability to be a water magnet. While it didn't
happen as much as in the past, when it did happen, it happened at the
least likely times. Like now.

Akama looked up at his father and asked, "Does it hurt when
you change, Otoosan?" A couple walking by them whispered that it was cute
that the young boy should call what was clearly his mother "Father".

Ranma all but raised her hands to the heavens--and not that
last gesture only due to the fact that she had the twins in her arms.
((Why me?)) Turning to her son, the redhead commented, "No, it doesn't
hurt, Akama, but it does feel weird when I do change. I can't quite
describe it," she admitted as she approached the grounds of the
Saotome-Tendo dojo, then began fishing in her pockets for her keys. "It's
like...well, it's like--"

"It's like when you're taking snow," a new--and male--voice
commented, "and making a snowball or a snowman out of it. It's still the
same thing, but just different."

"Oooh, philosophy," Ranma crooned at the voice, her voice a
mocking tone though it was meant in good nature. "Suddenly you're getting
smart, Ryoga."

A man about Ranma's age stepped out of the shadows. Built a
little more than Ranma's male form, he had long hair cascading down past
his shoulders, green eyes that glittered like blazing emeralds, and a pair
of long canines. He wore a black top and blue monpei pants and had a faded
bandana around his forehead. On his back was a large red hiker's-style
backpack that was accompanied by a red bamboo umbrella. A change,
however, was that he wore a smile on his face that was warm and genuine.
"Got caught again by the sprinklers on Kanon-dori, right?"

"No, actually, it was by old Yamada-san's place. The
birdhouse in his tree broke, and hit me on the head. It had just enough
water...."

"Your kids alright?" Ryoga inquired, as a ghost of worry
flitted across his features.

"Yeah, I turned in time to shield 'em."

"Uncle Ryoga!" Akama went up and latched himself onto Ryoga's
leg, who felt it instantly.

Looking down, he deadpanned, "you're getting stronger every
day, Akama. Keep it up, and you'll soon be able to beat your father and
I."

"You maybe," the redhead teased. "I, for one, will probably
remain unbeaten."

"C'mon, Ranma, I've beat you more than a few times."

"Wrong. You've defeated me. I've never been beaten, 'cause I
always bounce back." As Ryoga nodded from the sage wisdom, Ranma
continued her conversation. "So, what brings you here so early, Ryoga?
Hikaru's birthday isn't until tomorrow, and the farm's only in Odawara, so
it ain't that far away."

"Look, Ranma," he commented, "although my direction's improved
over the last few years or so, it still ain't perfect. I thought it would
be best if I got over here so I wouldn't miss a single bit while trying
not to get lost in Ofuna." He pushed the hair out of his eyes, and added,
"'Sides, I was hoping to spend a little male bonding with my best friend,"
he snickered, "although that might be a problem at the moment."

"Oh gee, you think?" Ranma snapped back, her angry tones
belying her sense of humor. "What would ever give you that idea?" She
smiled, then said, "C'mon in. Let's get you a beer, me changed back into
a guy, then we'll put the little ones to bed and catch the basho results.
We'll have to think of a reason why you're here when Hikaru shows up."
Seeing his curious face, Ranma added, "She's at Ukyo's, having a little
girl chat."

Ryoga couldn't resist the jab. "And you didn't join in?"

Ranma playfully slugged him with her free hand. "Just 'cuz I
change into a girl, doesn't mean I get free passes to the Secrets of Life
as told by girls. Or did your change give you the lowdown on a pig's
life?"

Ryoga grinned. "I'm gonna get you for that," he said as he
held the door open for Ranma and Akama. "After you, miss."

"Screw the beer and terebi," Ranma said over her shoulder.
"After I change and take care of the kids, I'm going to pound you into the
floor for a few hours in the dojo. It's only 8:30, so that should give us
a couple of hours or so, ne?"

"I'd prefer that anyway," Ryoga replied smoothly. "Ah,
nothing like a little male bonding." Both adults laughed softly as they
entered the house.

~*~

On the way home from Ukyo's house, Hikaru's mind was a mess.
Her conversation with Ukyo opened up more questions than gave answers to.
All these years, while she missed Fuu, she'd never really gave a thought
about Umi--or Lantis. She was secure in her love for Ranma, and would
never leave him, and she was sure he wouldn't be jealous, but she admitted
to herself that her caged-away emotions from the past would be awkward, to
say the least.

Turning the next street onto Kanon-dori, she was still a few
blocks away from her house, and thus had plenty of time to sort things out
for herself. With the hour quickly approaching midnight--she'd stayed at
Ukyo's far longer than she'd intended--the streets were empty, and crime
was non-existent in Nerima, anyway. Besides, anyone who wished to take
her on would have to deal with a fireball in his face--Hikaru still might
be a bit out of shape due to her recent birth, but she was by no means
unprotected.

That didn't matter much anyway; the main issue at hand was
that of her problem. Did she still love Lantis? She wasn't sure how she
felt about Umi. Those were the negatives. Then there were the positives.
Fuu, Ferio, and the rest of her friends that she'd left on that gorgeous
world, so far away and long ago. She'd be more than happy to see them
again, and she missed them so.

Then there were the other factors to consider: her family
here, with Ranma, and her three children. The rest of them, her friends
and family, all that which made Saotome Hikaru the person that she was,
the successful mother, wife, sister, friend, and kendo instructor that
everyone loved and cherished. If she left, who knew how long she would be
gone--assuming she ever returned. There was a western saying that the
third time was a charm, and that charm might be the one that would kill
her. Ranma and their children might never know what happened to her.

Then on the other side, was her status in that world. She was
the Fire Knight and the Knight Commander, but she was also the last
Pillar. Though she abolished the system, the people of Cephiro might not
think so. The PLANET itself might not think so. And what was a Pillar,
anyway? Though she'd never really been treated that way, she saw it in
their eyes: messiah, archangel, goddess. Megamisama.

She was no goddess. She was Saotome Hikaru.

She stopped at a nearby soda machine in front of a closed
newspaper stand, pumped 120 yen into it and tapped a button. The machine
made a few clunking noises before it spit out a can of Aquarius for her.
She took the can, took a sip, then realized that she needed someone to
talk to. Not her husband or anyone in his family; not that she couldn't
trust them, but it would be their level of worry that she wanted to avoid
(well, that and her father-in-law). Likewise, for the same reason, she
couldn't tell her brothers. It would be difficult, anyway, since most of
the Shidou family lived so far apart now: Satoru lived still in their old
home; Masaru and his wife had been moved by his company to a job in
America; Kakeru was an officer in the JASDF now, and lived up north in
Misawa.

So who could she talk to and bear everything, and get an
objecti--

((Wait. There's one person that I CAN talk to,)) she
realized. She took another sip of her drink, then set it down on the
green NTT payphone next to the soda machine. She reached into her purse,
and produced her phone card. Sliding it into the phone slot, she picked up
the phone and dialed a few numbers. As the phone rang, Hikaru only hoped
that her friend was home. She was the only person that she knew she could
count on, under the circumstances--the only other person on Earth besides
Ranma that she'd ever told about her life in Cephiro.

The phone rang for a small eternity, before a sleepy voice
answered, //Moshi moshi. Houhoji Kuu desu.//

"Kuu-chan? It's Hikaru. I'm sorry to be calling so late at
night, but..."

//No, it's okay,// the voice said, trying not to sound
irritable. //You usually call earlier than this, Hikaru-chan. Are you
okay? Did you and Ranma have a fight? Do you need a place to stay
over?//

"Physically I'm fine, and thank you but no, I'm alright. But
what I have to talk to you is extremely important. It's about Fuu."

She could hear some rustling in the background, immediately
followed by, //I'm up. What's happened to her, is she alright? Has
something happened in Cephiro?//

"I don't know," Hikaru admitted, before launching into a
capsule version of the evening's events.

Kuu, on her end, sat quietly, listening to everything she the
younger woman had to say before commenting, //It might be an overreaction,
but I understand your fears, Hikaru-chan. Would you like me to come over
tomorrow and we can talk about it? In fact, since I remember that
tomorrow's your birthday, we can discuss it over lunch and a museum
showing or two, ne?//

Hikaru smiled on her end. "If you could, but lunch isn't
necessary, Kuu-chan. Besides, what about your Flower shop?"

//Yes it is. I don't have my little sister to dote on
anymore, and you've always been like one to me. And as for my Flower
shop, I think Nae could use the extra day of work--she always she needs
the extra money. So, I'll see you tomorrow, say about say, 8:00?//

"Un!" Hikaru felt a little better now. "Okay, then, it's a
deal. I'm sorry for waking you up, Kuu-chan. Have a nice evening."

//Mata ne, bai-bai.// The phone went silent as Kuu hung up.
As Hikaru replaced the handset in its cradle and retrieved her card, she
smiled to herself. At least she would be able to talk to someone who
wouldn't be worried about her or her sanity. Hikaru picked up her can of
Aquarius, and continued on her way, heading the few remaining blocks
before she got home.

~*~

On Cephiro, another summoning beacon lanced into the nighttime
sky, destination unknown. Within the destroyed remnants of Hiace,
Daimler's eyes followed the trajectory of the beam, inspecting it as he
had done with the last beacon a few days ago. As it headed for the same
spot it did last, where it made the sky ripple, he seemingly said to
himself, "And so another prayer of hope is sent towards their mysterious
benefactor. Are you so sure that you'll be able to accomplish the task I
have set before you, Citroen?"

A sultry, sexy voice echoed out from the darkness. "You are
asking me to kill what could very well be a god. Not easy under the best
of circumstances."

Daimler's eyes flashed with a sort of passive anger. "Speak
our language, Citroen. We are not here amongst the local rabble, and thus
may speak our true tongue."

The voice rang out of the ebon again, this time in a different
speech. "If you insist, though I don't know why. Their language is
elegant and musical, not like our own." There was a yawn that carried a
bored, yet teasing quality to it, and the speaker continued. "In any
event, slaying a god will be difficult."

He turned to face that darkness. "So, Citroen, my dear, you
are saying that you cannot accomplish it?"

A woman stepped out from the shadows. Her skin was fair,
flawless, and elegant, with the face of a woman who looked younger than
she was, seeming to be a teenager, though her aqua eyes held an eternal,
immortal quality to them that could not easily be described. Her hair was
multi-colored, somehow reminding Daimler of a pet that he once had.
Citroen's hair strands were tan, brown, and orange, and as they turned
with her movements, her whole mane seemed to shimmer with an earthy,
mystical quality that was her norm. She seemed to be wearing nothing but
a cloak, since the cloak was large enough to conceal most of what she was
wearing, save for the tip of a sword scabbard that stuck out.

Citroen looked at him with eyes that were as cool and aloof as
the color they showed, and commented simply, "I said it wasn't easy. I
never said it was impossible." She strode over to him and got just close
enough where her lips barely touched his. "You should know that nothing
is impossible for me."

Daimler backed off, knowing that her advances were just part
of the constant advantage that she tried to hold over everyone. Citroen
was like that, the exact opposite of her twin brother Sharan. "Well, it
may be the type of mission that you may never return from. Are you
prepared to give your life?"

Citroen frowned, then saluted. "I pledged my life long ago to
our cause, Daimler. Don't ever doubt my loyalty."

"I doubt everyone's," he admitted matter-of-factly. "Until we
have accomplished what the leader has set here before us, we must do what
we must do."

"So speaketh the great leader of the Vanden Plaz," Citroen
said, moving closer and pressing her body to his, attempting to elicit a
reaction.

It never happened; Daimler's control was either too good, or
he was dead from the waist down. "Go and do your job, Citroen. The beam
is near its zenith, and you don't have much time."

Citroen stepped back then bowed mockingly, commenting in
Cephiran, "Your wish is my command, Daimler." As she bowed, her body
began to glow with an unusual light. Finally, a shaft of light blasted up
from where she was, and her body seemed to melt into the beam, becoming
one with the shaft of light.

As he watched from his location, Citroen's transport beam
blasted on an intercept course with the beacon. His eyes scanned the beam
as it continued to streak its way into the nocturne darkness, the white
shaft headed on a collision course with the other band of light. A second
later, Citroen's transport intercepted the beam and the connection
sparkled with magic force. The burst of light was so powerful that for a
second, Daimler had to turn his eyes away from the light.

When he looked again on the beam, he noticed that Citroen's
beam had piggybacked onto the beacon, coiling around it like a spring over
a tube--or like a Boa around its victim. Daimler watched as the beacon
continued on for a few more meters before dissipating in that aerial
ripple that was clearly inter-dimensional transit.

His minion on her mission, Daimler turned away from his
watching, and to his next task at hand. The Water Knight had revived, and
was not accepting her imprisonment with any sort of good grace. At the
moment, she had been stripped of all her clothing, armor and weapons, and
warded to prevent her spells.

Daimler went to see to her torture. There was something about
her, something familiar that disturbed him, and if he were correct, he
would have to let the Leader know immediately that his flank was
exposed...

... and that he had traitors on his side.

~*~

Hikaru snuck quietly into the house just after 12:15. As she
came in, the first thing she noted was an old, familiar umbrella and
backpack. She grinned to herself; Ryoga must have went on a training trip
and got lost...again. Well, he was always welcome, especially since he
and Ranma loved sparring with one another. Ascending the stairs, she
crept initially into Akama's room, checking on him, then into the twins'
room, checking on them and the baby monitor. Although she disliked
raising them this way--the Japanese norm was for babies to sleep in the
same bed as the parents until they were old enough for their own
beds--both she and Ranma tossed and turned a lot in their sleep...and did
a few other things on occasion, as well. A naughty gleam flickered in her
sienna eyes, accompanied by a smile that appeared on the face of
"oh-so-innocent" Hikaru. Silently pouting that Tofu had said no sexual
activity until she was fully recovered, she left the twins room an! ! ! !
d went into hers.

On the futon, Ranma was already asleep. She shrugged out of
her clothing, and into a neglige, then crawled into the soothing bed,
cuddling next to his warm body. She turned, and laid a kiss on his cheek,
trying to put aside her fears and concerns until the next day.

Without opening his eyes, Ranma commented, "So, I guess you
and Ukyo talked for a long time, ne?" He opened his eyes, looking at her
as she lay there, staring at the darkened ceiling. "Don't blame her.
She's just worried about you, same as me. You should have seen yourself
at dinner. You looked a lot like I did when I originally had my curse."

"I wasn't aware I was that depressed," Hikaru replied.

Ranma nodded. "I know this is hard for you, but I want you to
know that I love you and will support any decision you make, Hikaru."

"I know." She flashed a smile at him, then kissed him
tenderly. The kiss lengthened in time, followed by hands roaming. Hikaru
backed off, and commented smartly, "Remember what Tofu said."

Ranma tried not to sound too depressed. "Yeah, I know, but
I--"

She tried to conceal the disappointment in her own tones.
"Would you rather sleep the rest of the night in your cursed form?"

"No, dear."

"Okay then." She turned around, then snuggled against him.
"Good. We wouldn't want to injure me violating doctor's orders, now would
we?" She turned, then added playfully, "But let's get something straight,
Saotome: once I AM fully recovered...."

"I thought three kids was more than enough for you," he
merrily countered.

She voiced a hmph of mock-indignation. "Hentai." She then
looked at him dreamily adding, "And there's no other pervert I'd rather be
with." She snuggled against his chest, and then both fell asleep,
dreaming of the love they shared and the hope that the next day would be
better...

...and the fear that it probably wouldn't be.

NEXT: Part Three -- Gegege no Hikaru