Travels of a Martial Artist

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma or it's related characters, nor any other character's I may use in this fic.

A personal message from Dark Ky:

Hello everyone. Ky Hakubi here. This is my first attempt at a lemony fic. I'm classifying this as an AU, so any inconsistancies are supposed to be like that. How's that for covering my ass? It is also written under the influence of System of a Down. Mesmerize in particular. You have been warned. If it calls for such action, you also have permission to MST this fic. I'd appreciate you to contact me at ky_hakubi007@yahoo.com and tell me if you do so I can enjoy my work getting riffed. And now, on with the show!

P.S. Ukyo fans unite!


Travels of a Martial Artist
Part One: Leaving the Past Behind


Ranma didn't know what to do. Akane had cooked again, or tried to cook as the case may be. He, of course, had taken to the hills. 'The hills' being U-chan's.

"Hey Ran-chan. Want the usual?" the cute fiance asked as he walked in.

"Yeah. Akane's been cooking again. I'm surprised she hasn't been recruited by terrorists for a new biological warfare program."

Ukyo had mixed feelings. She thought it hilarious that Akane still attempted to cook, but cringed at the idea that said cooking usually went to Ranma.

'Poor Ran-chan. I'll make him some extra special okonomiyaki,' she thought as she got to work.

"Here ya go Ran-chan."

"Thanks U-chan. You really are the cute fiance. You don't burst into a rage and try to snap me in half, or try to poison me with some magic Amazon 'love juice' all the damn time. I'm not even going to get started on Kodachi."

Ranma shivered at the mention of the psychotic gymnast from Hell.

Ukyo was about to say something when an enraged Akane walked into the restaurant.

"There you are! It figures you'd run to U-chan's after I went through the trouble of cooking you dinner! You could at least try it before running away like a little girl!"

That hit a nerve.

"Little girl huh? You're just jealous 'cause I'm more of a girl than you ever were!" Ranma yelled back to the youngest Tendo.

"Ranma, you're such a Jerk! Why the hell do I put up with a sex changing freak like you anyway?!" she raged back.

"Sex changing freak huh? At least I'm not an uncute gorilla. I also happen to have more sex appeal in my damn pinky than you have in your entire body! You want to be free so damn bad? Fine! I'm sick and tired of pops trying to run my life! I'm sick and tired of you trying beat me sensless just because you think your always right! Well guess what? I renounce the Saotome name! From now on, I'm ronin. Our engagement's dissolved, now get the hell out of my life!"

Ranma's aura had started to flare, and Akane was terrified. She ran from the cafe, tears and fear in her eyes. U-chan was speechless. Akane was out of the picture. All she had left to deal with was Shampoo and Ranma would be all hers. The Kuno freak didn't qualify as a rival. This was turning out to be a good day.

"Sorry about that U-chan. I hope I didn't upset you."

"Don't worry about it Ran-chan. I'm actually happy for you. You don't have to worry about any one trying to control you now. Well, except for the Amazons. I don't think they'll give up just because you made Akane cry."

"Yeah... Ya got a point there."

Ranma thought for awhile, munching on his 'yaki. An Idea struck him.

"Hey U-chan, we're friends right?"

"Of course. What makes you ask?"

"I figure if I'm going to get control of my life, I need a fresh start. I want to move out of Nerima, but I don't want to go by myself. Would you like to come? We can sneak out of the city right now and not tell anybody. We'll be miles away before anyone's the wiser!"

Ukyo silently cheered her good fortune. She couldn't have hoped for a better situation.

"I can be packed up in ten minutes!"

-ooo-

Ukyo had been prepared for this day, never having any doubts that she would win Ranma. True he wasn't hers as of yet, but close enough. She already had a buyer for her shop and had him on the phone as she packed.

"Alright, you have a deal. If you can be here in five minutes I'll hand you the deed personally."

Everything was going smoothly. She was done packing and had finished her transaction by the time Ranma had returned from the Tendo's with his few belongings, a few changes of clothes, sleeping bag, tent, and a camping mess kit. U-chan had her battle gear, some extra clothes, sleeping bag, and her portable grill. She also had enough supplies for a weeks worth of okonomiyaki, and quite a bit of cash from selling her shop. Not to mention her on hand cash from running the business.

"Ready to go U-chan?" he asked as he approached.

"Sure am. Let's get out of here!"

-ooo-

They were out of the city in minutes. There were no signs of them being followed.

"So far so good. I figure we'll stick to the countryside for a while, stopping off in towns when we need some supplies. We should probably think about where we want to go," Ranma said, laying out his plans.

"That makes sense. It'll be hard to follow us out here. As for where we go, let's just wander around for awhile. We could use the time to talk, you know? You know how I feel about you Ranma, but I won't pressure you."

"Thanks U-chan."

And then he did something she never expected. He placed his hand on her left cheek and softly kissed her right.

"I know you fought over me like the others, but you never really tried to force me into anything or beat me up when you thought I did something. That's partly why I asked you to come with me. It's also why your the cute fiance."

Ukyo drew Ranma into a happy embrace.

"I love you Ran-chan."

"I know."

-ooo-

Night had fallen. Ranma was getting tired, but they only had the one tent. He was still a little nervous about that sort of thing. He would have slept outside, but the skies threatened rain.

'Suck it up Ranma,' he told himself. 'For one, you don't have much choice unless you want one of you to get sick. For two, she's the cute fiance. For three, you don't have to worry about that uncute tomboy cracking your skull in. And finally, seperate sleeping bags! Don't be a wuss.'

He grabbed both his and Ukyo's sleeping bags and put them into the tent.

"I'm gonna crash. You comin to bed yet, or you wanna stay up a bit?" he asked the chef.

"I think I'll crash too," she said after a yawn. "Let's put out the fire and hit the sack."

-ooo-

Ranma had trouble sleeping. The rain pelted the tent in a hypnotic rhythm, but the scent of the woman next to him had filled the tent. It was almost mind numbing. He grew concerned when she started whimpering in her sleep. When she shot up like a bolt with a scream, he joined her.

"U-chan, it's okay," He said, moving over to comfort her. "I think you had a nightmare. That's all. You're safe here, with me."

He was stroking her hair and rocking her back and forth in an attempt to calm her down. She relaxed considerably. She leaned into him, tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry if I woke you Ran-chan. I had a nightmare about when I was little. I don't have many good memories after Genma left me behind all those years ago. I dream about them sometimes."

"It's okay. Do you think you'll be able to get back to sleep?"

"I.. I don't know. Could you, um, hold me? I feel safe in your arms."

Ranma nodded.

"Yeah, I'll hold ya U-chan."

She smiled a thank you and snuggled closer into his embrace. They lay there on their sides facing each other, Ukyo holding onto Ranma's tank top as she returne to sleep. Ranma bent his head down and whispered 'Sweet dreams U-chan' into her ear. He followed her to the realm of dreams shortly after, the scent of her hair and the patter of rain lulling him away.

-ooo-

"Well Ran-chan, I didn't know you liked me that much."

Ukyo's exclamation brought Ranma from his pleasant dreams. He looked around to get his bearings. The two of them had ditched the sleeping bags at some point in the night. He was on his back with his right arm around Ukyo, who was laying with her head using his chest as a pillow and her arm drapped over his torso. She had her right leg intertwined with his. It was a very nice way to wake up in the morning. Untill he realized what she was talking about.

"Uhh..."

He blushed a fierce crimson as his morning wood stood out in all it's glory.

"Must've been a good dream. eh Ran-chan? Don't worry about it. I know it happens."

Ukyo moved closer and tried for more sleep, pulling a sleeping bag over the both of them.

"A few more minutes please," she mumbled into his chest.

He lay there frozen as she casually caressed his chest while drifting between sleep and wakefullness.

His only coherent thought was of the dream he had just woken from.

---

Ranma and Ukyo where laying on a hill topped by a lone cherry tree. A gentle breeze sent sakura petals alight in the air. They swirled around the two lovers as he drew Ukyo into a passionate kiss. She moaned and opened her mouth, granting him entry. He slipped his tongue in to meet hers, deepening the kiss. He relished the taste of her.

He slid his hand down her side past her hip, and gripped her firm ass pulling her closer to him. He moved his hand further down and draped her leg over his waist. He slowly brought his hand back up, sliding it beneath her shirt and gently caressing her smooth skin.

Her moaning continued as she undid the ties of his shirt. She pulled back from the kiss to gaze at his chest as she gently raked her nails down his torso. He pulled the shirt off the rest of the way and threw it away. The look of desire in her eyes stoked the fires he felt building within him. Ukyo gasped in surprise as he grabbed the collar of her shirt and ripped it in half, exposing her unbound breasts.

He took her into another kiss, and slowly moved down her throat. He gave her a light nibble every so often. After giving her pulse a soft suckle, he moved to her collar bone nipping and kissing her as he moved to the hollow of her throat, then down her chest.

He moved over her left breast working in a circle to the peak, always shying from the nipple, teasing the woman beneath him. He gave the same treatment to her right breast before finally taking the nipple into his mouth and sucking gently.

She drew in a sharp intake of breath as he nipped the sensitive bit of flesh. He pinched and caressed the other nipple with his hand before switching his mouth to it. Instead of caressing her right breast, he moved his hand down her abdomen and toyed with the waist of her pants. His lips followed shortly after.

He gripped the waistband of her pants as he slowly kissed his way down. She raised her hips as he slipped them off, throwing them away into the haze below the hill. He took a tamed rose and tracked it ever so softly from her throat to the elastic band of her sky blue lace panties.

"Oh Ranma..." she moaned as he tickled her nipples with the flower.

---

The images played through his mind at a rapid pace as Ukyo nuzzled his chest.He knew exactly what would have happened if she hadn't woken him. She shifted her position, bringing her leg higher to drape over his waist. She reached down to move the stiff thing digging into her thigh. He let out a shocked gasp as her fingers enclosed his erection.

"Huh? she voiced groggily.

She snapped awake at Ranma's half panicked expression, but giggled when she realized why.

"What's wrong Ran-chan? Embarrassed about this?" she asked, playfully jiggling his shaft.

His moan was anything but emarrassed. A wicked grin came over her face. As much as she loved Ranma, she still didn't feel ready to for that final step, but foreplay wasn't a problem if it was with Ranma. She let go of his hardness.

"Ukyo I-" He cut himself off with a groan as she slipped her hand inside his boxers and gripped him once again.

Ranma drew in a sharp intake of breath as her hand wrapped around his member.

"Do you like that Ran-chan?" she asked as she stroked him.

He could only nod, too groggy and aroused to put up the resistance he knew he should have. Ukyo brought her lips to his. He pulled her to him in a fit of passion, one hand on her cheek, the other caressing her ass. She kicked the sleeping bag off of them as she stroked him faster.

"Ran-chan, I love you," she said, pulling away from the kiss.

He couldn't respond with anything more coherant than a panting grunt as she worked his manhood with a fervor. He called her name out as he came, his body jerking with the release.

"I guess it's time to clean up Ran-chan," she giggled before kissing him again.

"Uh, yeah...” he said as he looked at his release in embarassment and shame.

-ooo-

Ranma didn’t say much that afternoon. He was still contemplating what happened. He always thought Shampoo was forward, but what Ukyo had done was beyond forward. He admitted that it felt good, and the taste of Ukyo’s lips was intoxicating. Dreams had nothing on reality, but he still felt regret at succumbing to that moment of weakness. U-chan deserved better than that.

“Hello, Earth to Ran-chan!”

“Ranma was snapped out of his thoughts.

“Huh, what?”

“You okay? You kinda spaced out there for a minute. Something wrong?” she asked.

“I’m just thinkin about earlier...”

“Did I upset you? I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” she apologized starting to get a little depressed. ‘I hope I didn’t push him to far.’

“Well, you did surprise me. I usually wind up on the receiving end of a table or something whenever something even remotely sexual happens. I guess I’m just conditioned for fear right now. Akane wasn’t very tolerant of... Well, anything really.”

“Ran-chan, I’m not Akane. I’m not going to beat you up over something as simple as a boner. It happens. I promise I’ll only hit you if you deserve it, okay?”

“And what constitutes ‘deserve’?” he asked, eyebrow arched with mild reservation.

“Well, I liked it when you grabbed my ass earlier, but don’t get too touchy-feely until I say otherwise. Unless of course you’re feeling lucky. Don’t expect another hand job anytime soon either. I just thought I’d show you that I’m comfortable with you, and that I want you to feel comfortable with me.”

Ranma turned red. Ukyo couldn’t help but giggle at his shy fiance.

‘I’m still his fiance, even if he did renounce the Saotome name. He even said as much.’ she thought to herself with a smile.

-ooo-

Their trek halted for the night. Ranma looked up at the clear star filled sky.

“This is one of the nice things about camping,” he said told his companion. “You can’t really see the stars in the city. Too many lights.”

Ukyo couldn’t help but agree.

“I know. Being able to see the stars is one of the only happy memories I have of the road. I was too busy training for my revenge that I didn’t really have time for anything else. I never stopped any where for long. Then I got to Nerima. I know at first I was only wanting to hurt you, like you hurt me. But you know that changed. I love you Ranma. I don’t care about what my father wants, and I don’t care about some stupid agreement that was made without either of us getting to really make a choice. I want you for me. Because I want to be with you. When you held me last night, nothing felt more right.”

She was in tears when she finished, and didn’t notice that Ranma had moved to her side. She was startled when she felt his hand wipe her tears away. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat when her leaned in to kiss her. He brushed his tongue over her lips asking for entrance that she gladly gave him. He broke the kiss a few moments later.

“I want you to be happy U-chan, but I don’t want to burden you with my curse. It’ll only cause more problems for you.”

Ukyo picked up her canteen.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” she declared as she emptied it over his head.

Onna-Ranma looked at Ukyo in surprise as she was pulled into another passionate kiss.

“I love you Ran-chan. ALL of you. I don’t care about your curse. If you want a cure, then damnit I’ll help you find one! Just never forget that I love you for who you are on the inside. Your heart and spirit is what I fell in love with Ran-chan, not the body they're housed in. Of course, we can have another demonstration if you'd like"

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary U-chan. I just didn’t think anyone would be okay with me like this. I know the Amazons would have cured me the first chance they got, and Akane would’ve called me a pervert if I even thought of marrying her like this. You’re the only one who would even begin to accept this,” she said gesturing at her body.

“Well I must admit I prefer boy-type, but I told you it doesn’t really matter. You’re still you, regardless of what body you’re in. I guess I acted like a boy for so long that the idea of girls doesn’t bother me much. Besides, it’ll make things interesting you know?” she finished with a grin.

Onna-Ranma took of her wet clothes to dry by the fire. She sat clad only in her boxers.

“I think I’m gonna sleep out here tonight,” she told Ukyo. “It’s too nice a night to sleep in a tent.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll grab our bags.”

Ukyo stepped into the tent to change and get their sleeping bags. Onna-Ranma leaned back to gaze at the stars, and thought about what had transpired the previous day.

‘I finally got out of Genma’s control. I probably won’t be able to practice Anything Goes officially anymore. I think it’s almost time for me to make my own school. That can come later though. What to do about U-chan? Am I ready for that kind of relationship? Might as well go for it. Who knows, maybe it’ll all work out.’

Her thoughts were interrupted when Ukyo stepped out of the tent with the sleeping bags. She was wearing a men’s dress shirt, and not much else.

“I hope you don’t mind the outfit. It’s a bit too warm for pajamas. I grabbed you a shirt too,” she said, tossing the tank top to onna-Ranma.

“Thanks U-chan,” she said, donning the shirt. “Um, listen. About us...”

Ukyo shook her head.

“If you’re not ready, I understand. I told you I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“I was going to say that I want to give it a shot. I care for you a lot, and you’re the only one who seemed to actually care about my feelings, or accept me for what I am.”

Ukyo dropped the bags and glomped her love.

“Oh Ran-chan! I love you so much!”

“A..i..r...” onna-Ranma gasped.

“Oh, sorry!” Ukyo loosened her embrace. “Does this mean you’ll hold me every night?” she asked hopefully.

“Yeah, I’ll hold ya every night. To be honest, I kinda liked it myself. Now let’s put out the fire and get some sleep.

-ooo-

Three days later found them in a small town. Ranma had changed back into boy-type when they found a stream to refill their canteens the day before, and hadn’t had any water accidents since. Ranma was expecting water problems very soon.

What he wasn’t expecting was Ryoga Hibiki walking in his direction. He was asking some guy for directions to Nerima. When he noticed Ranma, he promptly forgot the man he was talking to, and charged.

“Ranma! Prepare to die!”

He stopped short when Ranma made no move to defend himself.

“Umm, shouldn’t you be dodging?” Ryoga asked, confusion halting his attack.

“Listen Ryoga, I don’t feel like fighting you anymore. I’ve left Nerima for good, and I’m starting over with U-chan. I’ve renounced my name so my engagement to Akane is over. She’s all yours pal. See ya around.”

Ranma and Ukyo walked past the stunned Ryoga, and headed for a restaurant.

“Ranma, stop!”

He turned around to see Ryoga with a sheepish look on his face.

“Umm, how do I get to Nerima?”

-ooo-

“So, have you thought about where you want to go Ran-chan?” Ukyo asked after their order was placed.

Ranma sat across from her in the small Chinese reataurant they had chosen to eat at.

“I figure unless there’s somewhere you want to go that we could just go where the wind takes us. I know it seems like a bad idea leaving it to fate considering my life so far, but I haven’t come up with anything else.”

“That’s good enough I suppose. What about your martial arts? I can’t expect them to let you be part of the school after leaving your family like that.”

“I plan on making my own school eventually. It won’t be too hard. Anything Goes doesn’t follow any set form, and I have those Amazon techniques in my arsenal. I bet that’ll piss the old ghoul off.”

They ate their meal in animated discussion.

-ooo-

Their wanderings continued until they found themselves in another large district. Ranma looked at the city marker.

“Juuban huh? Well, lets look for a room U-chan.”

End Part One

A/N 1/09/08: Finally picked this one back up. Made a few revisions mostly in an attempt to make the dialogue flow a little better. I regret forgetting about this one for so long, but time has a habit of going by real damn fast, and a lot gets left on the back burner.