Ukyo Married

A few words:

Hangovers aren’t good for creativity (Monday) and this story might get a little odd (odder?) soon. Characters and situations are taking on a life of their own.

Yes, lots of Mousse content. He’s my favourite character and easy to write, as most of the more minor, undeveloped characters are.

Btw, Ryoga as a 'divie' was just a career that I invented for him. I thought it would suit someone like him. Guess I've watched too many episodes of Lovejoy, originally written by Jonathan Gash as novels then later adapted to the TV show :)

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Kentaro

Kentaro frowned as he walked back to Ryoga’s house. The first time that he had seen it was laughable, there were signs everywhere, pointing the direction to the various rooms. It was a house the Ryoga owned outright and hadn’t been to for several years, as he hadn’t been able to find his way home. Ryoga had surprised Kentaro when he had announced that he made his living as an antiques diviner, one of the rare people that the antiques actually speak to, to let him know their worth. Ryoga would bumble around the country and find antiques at obscure locations, then buy them from their unsuspecting owners. He would then re-sell them to his regular customers for a tidy sum and ship them from the town before he left it so they wouldn’t get ‘lost’. Therefore Ryoga was actually quite loaded, but constantly lost. “Come on Kentaro, it’s this way” he said, pointing in the wrong direction.

“Ryoga, we’re a block from your house and it’s straight down the road. How could you possibly be lost?” Kentaro asked.

“I don’t know” he replied.

“I got you a present, it’s a new cell phone with GSP on it, and there is a feature for walking and for driving. Just plug in the address that you need, or intersection and you just have to follow this right to your destination” Kentaro said, holding it out to him.

“Gee thanks, I was thinking about getting one of these” he said, touched by the thoughtful gift. Then asked, “how was your time with Riko? Hina was really nice” Ryoga said.

“Riko was certainly something all right; but we didn’t really get along all that well” Kentaro understated.

“Sorry to hear about that. I guess you’ll be glad to get home to your cousin then?” Ryoga said facetiously.

“What do you mean by that?” Kentaro demanded.

“Oh come on, everyone can see that you two aren’t actually related. There’s zero family resemblance, and then there’s the hungry way that you look at each. It’s pretty obvious” Ryoga stated.

“Does Ranma know?” Kentaro asked.

“The boy may be oblivious, but he isn’t blind. So are you sleeping with her?” Ryoga inquired.

“I’m married to her” he admitted. His head was spinning with the implications of what Ryoga was saying. Kentaro realized that he might have ruined any chance Ukyo had with Ranma anyway.

Ryoga looked shocked at first, then disapproving when Kentaro told him the story. “That’s just disgusting” he declared.

Kentaro was surprised by his vehement reaction, “why?” he asked.

“Your parents took the choice away from the pair of you; by marrying you off so young. Your teens are supposed to be about dating a lot of people and getting your heart broken a number of times, before you worry about finding a life partner. Teenagers are only half formed people that are too immature to accept the reality of what marriage is actually like” Ryoga explained.

“Are you sure? All I’ve heard discussed, since coming to Nerima, was people discussing getting married; especially to Ranma” Kentaro said slightly sarcastically.

“Yes, but Ranma has the emotional and sexual maturity of a six-year-old because he spent his formative years in the company of his father, who isn’t much more mature then himself. He’s light years away from being ready for his first kiss, let alone marrying anyone. Then let’s examine his fiancées: Shampoo has to marry him because of her laws, but in actual fact, is more like a spoiled brat not wanting to share her toy; Ranma being her toy. Ukyo genuinely likes the guy, but it’s more like a school girl infatuation. To her, he represents her enjoying being a girl again; after all he inadvertently robbed her of that in the first place. Akane Tendo is also emotionally immature and has a lot of growing up to do, before she could claim him as she actually wants to. As for Kodachi, no one can figure her out; I suspect its just lust that could be easily satisfied if Ranma was willing. In the end, he’s more like a trophy to be battled over and won to all of them. No one asks him what he wants, or who he wants to be with. They have little regard to his feelings. Yet, they always interfere when he tries to make a decision because they worry that they might not like it. I kind of feel sorry for the guy” Ryoga explained.

“But why would so many smart women choose someone who doesn’t want them in return?” Kentaro asked, he was somewhat baffled by the conversation. It was bringing up so many points that he had never considered about his own situation.

“They are sixteen year old girls; all they are thinking about in terms of marriage is a white dress, a wedding and rings. They don’t consider income required to support a family and stupid fights over meaningless things. Or how a relationship has to be elastic enough to stand up to family crisis, loss of income, infidelity, unexpected illness and all the various things that make a marriage successful or not. Trust me, as the fiancées get older, go off to college and meet other people, they’re going to start dropping like flies.” Ryoga predicted.

“How do you know so much about this stuff? Kentaro asked.

“I’ve been engaged for a year and get to observe a lot of different sort of relationships with my unique problem” Ryoga explained. “Her name is Akari and she loves pigs. We’ve both decided that we’re going to get married after she graduates college and I’m going to use her Sumo Pig Farm as a basis for my business” he explained.

“But Hina?” protested Kentaro.

“Is a nice girl that I enjoyed talking with, nothing else happened. I told her that I’m engaged and I’ll tell Akari about tonight, as she knows that she can trust me. That the most important part of being in an emotionally stable, responsible relationship, trust is a must.”

“So you’re saying that if I want to be with Ukyo, then I should give her a divorce to give her time to discover herself and decide who she wants to be with?” Kentaro asked.

“I’m not telling you what to do; Ukyo’s the most developed of all the fiancées because her circumstances made her grow up in a hurry. That she’s a sixteen year old girl, who goes to school full-time and supports herself by running her own business, is nothing short of remarkable. She’s great girl who will turn into an even better woman. The woman is the one that you want, not the confused teenaged girl. Are you willing to let her become who she’s supposed to be before you claim her in marriage?” Ryoga asked.

“What if she marries Ranma in meantime or finds someone else?” Kentaro asked.

“That’s a chance you have to take. Ranma’s not her destiny as much as she’s convinced of that now; all he feels for her is friendship” Ryoga explained.

Kentaro nodded, lost in thought at what his friend was telling him. He wondered if a divorce was the only way to show Ukyo that he loved her and trusted her.

Ukyo

Ukyo was enjoying people’s reaction to the newly sighted Mousse. He wore a pair of black slack and a black long sleeved t-shirt that showed off his swimmers build to perfection. The all-black clothing made his glittering hair look even shiner and drew attention to his aquamarine eyes. That is why Ukyo had helped him choose this outfit to show off the new, improved Mousse. He looked almost ethereally beautiful. As a waiter he was friendly, quick and efficient. Every order, he got correct and he didn’t have to guess where the guest might be seated anymore, he spoke directly to them and looked them in the eye.

“Looking good Sugar” she said in passing. He almost glowed at the compliment, until Shampoo walked in.

Ukyo hurried over him and whispered “act cool; don’t lose your head. If I hear a single, ‘Shampoo Darling’ you’re doing all of this week’s cooking” she threatened in a joking manner.

Mousse nodded nervously, called on all of his self discipline and said, “Hi Shampoo” in a causal sounding voice.

Shampoo narrowed her eyes at his lack of reaction to her presence. “Stupid duck boy, come home now, we no want pay new waiter anymore!” Shampoo demanded of Mousse, without a single hello or inquiry as to how he was doing.

Ukyo stepped forward “I’m sorry but Mu-san is working right now and can’t go with you” she said in a professional sounding voice.

“Duck boy mine, he come with Shampoo!” she demanded. Meanwhile Mousse could only stare from one to the other. He was struck dumb that someone was actually standing up to Shampoo and over him no less.

“Mu-san, might I examine your left hand?” inquired Ukyo; a confused Mousse extended it to her. She searched his ring finger and then said. “I don’t see a wedding ring. In what way does he belong to you?” Ukyo asked politely.

“Shampoo not marry Mousse, he serve Shampoo because he male. Is honour for him to serve female Amazon” Shampoo said stubbornly. “Now Mousse get things and come Shampoo!” she ordered Mousse.

“I can’t allow that until we settle on his salary” Ukyo replied.

“Salary? We no pay Mousse work for us in café!” Shampoo cried. She blushed when people gasped upon hearing this and started whispering, while shooting her dirty looks.

“Slave labour, isn’t that illegal? I know it is in Japan. How about China?” Ukyo asked facetiously. “As Mu-san’s employer, I have to insist that you at least match what I’m paying him and that he gets to keep one hundred percent of his tips. Or shall I call the labour board?” Ukyo inquired sweetly.

“Mousse no is yours!” Shampoo snarled.

“No, but it seems to me that you’ve been hoarding one of the finest pieces of male ass in Nerima for yourself and you’re horrible to him. The only person who he belongs to is himself” Ukyo said looking at the blushing Mousse.

Comprehension donned on Shampoo, she turned white and gasped “you sleep with blind Mousse?”

“I didn’t say that; but doesn’t he have the cutest strawberry mole on his right buttock?” Ukyo asked, giving the flabbergasted Mousse a loving look. She handed him an order slip “I can’t make out this girl’s handwriting, can you read it?” she asked him innocently.

Mousse read off “two seafood okonomiyakis” he replied slyly.

“Mousse can see?” Shampoo cried with a gasp.

“Yes, he isn’t blind anymore. He just had laser surgery and his eyes should be permanently fixed.” Ukyo explained.

“That good, now he work better, faster in café” Shampoo said happily.

“Not until his salary is decided on. There are going to be some changes made to his life. Come to my office” she ordered the both of them. “Mu Tzu, please lift your shirt” she requested. Even Shampoo gasped at the state of his ribs. Ukyo touched them gently “You did this to him and then you threw him out of his home late at night. Why? Because he wanted to take you to see a movie! Have you any clue how much pain he was in?” she hissed. “Thank you Mu-San, you can go back to work” she said, smiling at him.

“Sorry those are the boss’s orders” Mousse said with a shrug. He was currently enjoying Shampoo’s shock, so he wasn’t blindly following her

“Mousse come back here!” she shrieked.

He paused and calmly explained “Shampoo, I’m being paid to work here and can’t neglect my job” and then walked away.

“Now listen here bitch, you’ve been acting like a slave driver to him since you were three. No more, you shall pay him to work for you like a proper employee and treat him with the respect he deserves. There shall be no more insults or name calling on your part; he has a name, use it. Further more, if you touch so much as a hair on his head, then I shall report you to the police. I shall be coming over once a week to make sure that he’s alright, if I have to strip search him. Then there’s the matter of his slave quarters; he needs heat installed in his room and the room itself needs to be fully redone. Or I’ll call the labour board; your visas would be revoked so fast that your head would spin. He’s not going anywhere until I get an answer from Cologne on of all these points! I shall have to see physical proof before I let him return to that hellhole of a café” snarled Ukyo.

“No longer in love with Ranma, you want duck....Mousse instead?” Shampoo taunted.

“You don’t have to be in love someone to want to help them. Mousse is my friend and I won’t see him hurt again. If you need to take care of your sexual frustrations in the future, go buy a dildo” Ukyo taunted back.

“How dare you! Shampoo virgin” she cried.

“You should try getting laid. It might help make you a nicer person” Ukyo commented. “Now get out of here and call me when you have an answer” she ordered.

“You know we deported, then Mousse come too?” Shampoo threatened.

“No, my cousin and I shall find a way to keep him here if he wants to stay” Ukyo replied.

“How you marry Mousse?” Shampoo sneered.

“If that’s what it takes to keep him away from a bitch like you, then perhaps” Ukyo sneered.

“I like he want stupid girl who want be boy! He want Shampoo!” she declared.

“That’s not what he said last night. It was my name that he was moaning, not yours” Ukyo replied evilly. Ukyo was rewarded with her going pale ‘so she does like him a bit at least’ she thought.

“You lie, Mousse virgin too, like Shampoo!” Shampoo cried.

“I don’t know why it should bother you? But, he was a virgin before me and now he isn’t” Ukyo replied with a charming smile.

“After he come home, you stay away Mousse!” Shampoo snarled.

“Sorry Sugar, I’m coming by to visit him whenever I want. You try and stop me and I’ll just have to tell Ranma that you like to abuse your men. He wouldn’t even consider you for a wife then” Ukyo threatened. “Now get out of my restaurant and have Cologne call me” Ukyo ordered and waited until the ill tempered brat stomped out then she went downstairs and pulled Mousse aside. She could tell that he had been bothered by the part of the conversation that he’d heard.

“She’s gone. I made some demands on your behalf that should make your life better from now on and keep you safe” she explained.

“Why did you tell her about our sleeping together?” he asked with a blush.

“Nothing like a little competition to make a guy seem more attractive” Ukyo replied with a grin.

“So I go back and then what happens?” Mousse asked apprehensively.

“Your living conditions will have improved and you will get paid for your work. If they give you any trouble, then you come right back here or call Kentaro” Ukyo told him.

Mousse looked at her thoughtfully, “but I don’t know if I can even act like they expect me to anymore. I am too used to being able to speak my mind around people” he explained.

“Good Sugar, we managed to corrupt you and made you Japanese. You shouldn’t have to act subservient around Shampoo or Cologne because they’re no better then you” Ukyo explained. Mousse dropped his jaw to hear someone say that about two of the most powerful warriors in his tribe. Ukyo stroked his jaw closed “no catching flies now” she said tenderly. “I don’t know what you see in Shampoo, but I hope you find what you’re looking for with her. I just want you to know that love shouldn’t hurt, bruise or shatter your ego. It should be gentle, kind and supportive. You have a lot of offer a girl. I hope that you won’t settle for someone who is all wrong for you, just because some silly law says that is how men are supposed to act. Women have been battling the same role for centuries; be a man and stop thinking as an Amazon male does. You’re not in China” Ukyo declared.

“What you’re saying goes against everything I was taught.” Mousse explained, he was confused, as he felt himself changing and had no connection to either place now.

“I’m not an Amazon Sugar, but I will still kick some Amazon ass if she hurts you again. Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll find out somehow” she threatened. She hugged the confused boy. “Come on Mu Tzu, let’s close the restaurant and then watch some TV.

He brightened a bit when she said his name correctly, as she made a point of doing when they were alone together. “So you can pronounce my name?” he teased.

“Well, if I can sleep with a guy then I should be able to say his name properly” Ukyo said modestly

They were both eating a snack when the phone rang, Ukyo answered. Cologne said without preamble “we agree to your demands, all of them. Please send Mousse home”

“You swear on your honour as an Amazon that you won’t go back on your word?” Ukyo inquired.

“I swear” agreed Cologne.

“You swear that neither one of you shall do or say anything further that might damage Mu Tzu either physically or emotionally?” Ukyo demanded, while Mousse looked nervously on.

Cologne sighed “I swear”

“Good, put Shampoo on the phone” Ukyo requested.

“Yes?” said an annoyed sounding Shampoo.

“I want you to swear on your honour as an Amazon, that you will not attempt to take any of the privileges that I demanded for Mu Tzu and that you will never again hurt him either physically or emotionally” Ukyo repeated for Shampoo’s own oath.

Shampoo blew a raspberry “yes, Shampoo swear. Now send stupid blind duck boy home” she declared.

“Send who home?” Ukyo asked in a dangerous voice.

“Sorry habit old. Send Mousse home” Shampoo said more humbly.

“Sure, I’ll bring him home tomorrow. We’ve both worked hard today and need to relax and blow off some steam” Ukyo replied and hung up on her.

Mousse looked at her amused “You know what way she’s going to think that we’re blowing off steam?” he pointed out, while Ukyo leaned back against him.

“You don’t hear me saying no” she said, waggling her eyebrows at him. She cracked up when the still shy boy blushed. She still missed Kentaro, but having Mousse around was nice too.

The next day Mousse donned his white robe, he hadn’t worn it since the night he had arrived at Ukyo’s apartment. The need to treat his ribs on a constant basis had made it more practical for him to wear Kentaro’s western clothing. This also prevented any weopons from rubbing against his healing wounds. Not that he was wearing any weopons now, they were packed into a bag that Ukyo had insisted on carrying, along with other things that she demanded he needed.

He walked the few blocks to the Neko Hanten; it felt like he was entering another country. A hostile one at that, judging from the glare that Shampoo gave him when Ukyo’s back was turned. He shivered slightly; the last time she had looked at him like that, he had ended up injured on Ukyo’s doorstep. He wondered if perhaps he had made a mistake in coming back here. Then forced himself to buck up; he loved Shampoo and belonged here with her.

He looked on in surprised when Ukyo examined his salary proposal and debated it with Cologne until he had paid benefits. He followed up the stairs while Ukyo examined his hastily altered room. Mousse now had heat being pumped into the small place, which had been painted his favourite colour of blue. A brand new thick futon, with high quality sheets and pillows was in place of the small, narrow worn one. Completely absent, were the crates of food that were normally stored in the already cramped room and in their place, was a small desk and dresser for his clothes. Ukyo examined everything and said in approval “this will do, if he needs anything else, I shall let you know. Please walk me out Mu-San” she requested, using his more formal name as she did in public. She led him just down the block. “Okay I understand if you need to do this, but if you ever change your mind, then come back to my apartment. The door will always open to you and a job waiting. You don’t have to have sex with me, I just like your company and will miss you” she said honestly.

“I’ll miss you too. I promise I’ll come for lots of visits, but this is where I need to be” he said, feeling sad that he was leaving the company of his friends. He had become used to living with them and enjoyed a close friendship with them.

Ukyo smirked when she saw Shampoo and Cologne watching them from their roof “Give me a final kiss then Sugar?” she asked and drew him into a deep kiss. He blushed that it was so public a place, but kissed her back. His blush deepened when she placed her hand squarely on his butt. She peered over to see Shampoo blushing ‘prissy little bitch’ she thought.

Ukyo had barely departed when Shampoo stormed into Mousse’s room just as he was unpacking. “So you think you just good any person? You Amazon male, you inferior, you should know place!”

“I didn’t say that, Ukyo was the one who insisted on all this. Not that I’m not grateful to her. I would have returned anytime you wanted me to because I love you” he said, reaching for her. He was now so used to receiving physical affection from people that he had forgotten he was addressing Shampoo.

She pushed him back against the wall “I no care you sleep with cross dressing girl, you nothing to me! I care you let her insult me. You will pay. Shampoo punish you for defying her” she snarled and then left the room. Mousse accepted what she said and then sat down on his bed and wondered again if he was doing the right thing.