Here it is, Part Four!  For this and any of my other works,
visit my Web Site at:

http://www.geocities.com/coutuva

As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated.
All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

Please Enjoy!
Coutuva.



Secrets: Volume One Part Four
--------------------------------------------------------------------



        "Sugoi, Miyoko-chan!  You look great!" Yoriko gushed,
walking around her nervously smiling girlfriend and taking in the
sight.
        "Yeah...  I thought it was time to let the real me out
again," she indicated, flashing a sheepish grin.  "So I guess you
like it?"
        "Like it?  I love it!  It looks so...  Wild!" Yoriko
exclaimed, walking up and taking a handful of Miyoko's shining
flame-red locks and holding them against her cheek.  "Mmmm...  You
have such beautiful, rich hair.  And it looks so nice with that
dress!  You're a *fox* Miyoko-chan!" she added, her cheeks
flushing slightly.
        "Ano...  Stop it, Yori-chan.  You're embarrassing me,"
Miyoko blushed, despite her smile.  She had worried that suddenly
going back to her original hair color might have spooked Yoriko,
but was completely unprepared for such an 'enthusiastic' response.
        "I can't help it.  You look *gorgeous*," she smiled back,
allowing her eyes to roam over Miyoko's figure-hugging green
China Mini.  "I always wanted to see you in one of those, but I
thought you didn't like them or something," she added, reaching
over and straightening one of the bodice ties.
        "No...  Just didn't have anyone I wanted to wear them for,"
Miyoko smiled, self-consciously straightening out some pesky
wrinkles.
        Yoriko flushed again, then abruptly clasped her hands
together.  "Let me braid you...  You'd look so good!" she gushed,
excitedly stepping behind Miyoko and gathering her hair in.
        "Whoa, Yori-chan...  Slow down a bit, here!" Miyoko
blurted, reeling from the outburst.  "What's got into you?" she
chided, half-seriously.
        "You, Miyoko-chan!" she stated, wrapping her arms around
Miyoko and squeezing.  "You're just so...  Perfect!" she added,
happily.
        "Heh...  As long as you think so, I won't argue," she
smirked, shaking her head slightly.
        "I don't think...  I know."




        After sitting Miyoko on the coffee table, Yoriko pulled out
every brush and ribbon she could find, determined to create a
masterpiece.  As she fussed and fretted, Miyoko simply sat back
and enjoyed the attention.
        "You're not snoozing on me, are you?" Yoriko finally asked,
noticing her girlfriend's silence.
        "No...  Not yet anyway.  You have great hands, Yoriko-chan,"
she moaned in response, her gentle smile widening slightly.  "You
can pinch me if I snore," she added, sighing deeply.
        "Hai, hai...  Oh, Miyoko...  I almost forgot.  I had a
message on my machine this morning.  Probably from yesterday by
the sound of it," she mentioned, starting a new braid.
        "Oh yeah?  Who was it from?" Miyoko responded, opening
her eyes grudgingly.
	"I think it was that woman who owns the 'Happy Spatula'...
Kuonji Ukyou?  She said she couldn't find your number, but wanted
to talk to you," she explained, curiosity in her tone.
        "Huhn...  I don't know if I like the sound of that," Miyoko
grumbled, not impressed that she had bothered Yoriko at home.  "Is
the cordless beside you?  I might as well get to the bottom of it,"
she muttered, sighing.
        "Here...  I already punched in the number.  Just hit the
button."
        "Hai," she responded, then put the unit to her ear.  Within
two rings, a pleasant voice answered.  "Ano...  Could I speak to
Kuonji Ukyou, please?  Hai.  Domo," she responded, then began to
hum as she waited for Ukyou.
	Finally, the silence of the hold was broken by a breathless
"Kuonji Ukyou desu."
        "Ohaiyo, Kuonji-san...  It's Miyoko.  Hai, she just gave me
your message.  Ano...  Let me talk it over with Yoriko-chan.  Only
if she does, too.  Okay...  I'll let you know.  Ja," she concluded,
pushing the 'End' button slowly.
        "More trouble?" Yoriko ventured, noticing Miyoko's
distraction.
        "Iya...  She said she wants to see us...  So we can start
over from the beginning," she responded incredulously, turning as
far as she could to see the girl's reaction.  "What do you think?"
        "Well...  She never did anything to me.  She was actually
pretty nice.  How about you?"
        "I dunno...  Still a lot of hard feelings there," Miyoko
noted, darkly.  "Let me think about it for a while.  I don't want
to be distracted right now, anyway," she smiled, closing her eyes.
"I'm liking this too much," she noted, leaning back slightly.
        "So am I...  Cause my turn's next," Yoriko quipped, lifting
Miyoko's hair aside and wetly kissing the back of her neck.
	"Ah...!  Keep that up and neither of us will get
finished," Miyoko shivered, reaching back and tickling the inside
of the girl's thigh.
        "Hey!  You're one to talk!" Yoriko squealed, slapping her
legs closed.  "Owww..." she abruptly followed, rubbing her now sore
knees.
        Miyoko lost it.
	An hour later, the two of them stood admiring themselves in
Miyoko's bedroom mirror, Miyoko quite impressed with the intricacy
of Yoriko's work.
        "This is beautiful, Yoriko-chan," she smiled, flipping
the long braid over her shoulder.
        "No...  It's only because of who's wearing it," Yoriko
deflected, fussing over a ribbon.  "You'd make anything look good,"
she added, smiling.
        "Don't be so modest.  You should have been a hairdresser,"
Miyoko insisted, glancing at her in the mirror.  "So...  Now that
we're all dressed and ready, what do we do?  I'd hate to waste my
surprise day off..." she added nonchalantly, hoping Yoriko would
catch the hint.
	"Day off?  I thought you still had two more nights?"
Yoriko squealed, grabbing Miyoko's hands.
        "Iya...  Michi came back today.  They called me first thing
this morning," she explained, smiling.  "I figured since it was
yours, too..." she added, looking to Yoriko to complete the
sentence.
        "We could do something together?" Yoriko finished,
hopefully.
        "Hai...  All we need is the 'something'," she nodded,
happily.
	"What about going to see your friends?  She sounded like
she really wanted to talk to you," Yoriko offered, delicately.
        "Hmm...  I don't know if I want to deal with that today,
Yoriko-chan.  I'd kinda like to keep this one to ourselves," she
responded, leadingly.  "We haven't had any *us* time all week."
        Yoriko's response made her day.  "I was hoping you'd say
that!" she grinned, excitedly.
	



	Nabiki still couldn't believe her eyes.  She read over the
tenth set of printouts one more time to make sure, but the results
were the same.
	Nothing new.  
        Whoever this Naganato Yoriko was, she had absolutely no
footprints.  No family, no previous addresses, no medical history,
no traffic tickets...  Absolutely nothing.  She was in the phone
book and worked at a fast food joint, and that was it.  Nabiki had
never seen the like of it before.  Even people in 'Informant'
programs had some trail behind them, but this girl's sheet was
absolutely clean.
	She couldn't understand it.
	Frowning, she tossed the pile of paper back on the table,
resolving to look into the matter again after she got something to
eat.  She was convinced that she was just missing something, or
perhaps she just hadn't tripped over the right source yet.  Either
way, she wasn't about to just let it go.  As far as she was
concerned, it was just getting interesting.
	Feeling some tightness across the top of her shoulders, she
rubbed her eyes and stretched in her chair, deciding it was as good
a time as any to start her day.
	Glancing at her watch, she picked up her phone to buzz
Akane's room, partly to see how she was doing, and partly wondering
if she wanted to join her out in the baths.
	By the time the phone had rung six times, she realized that
Akane wasn't there.  Looking at her watch again, she found it hard
to believe that her sister would be up and out so early.  Shrugging
it off, she changed into one of the hotel kimonos and gathered up
her bath bag.  Akane or no, after the session she had just put in,
she was going to enjoy a good, hot soak.
	A little over an hour later, she was walking back up the
hall still smiling contentedly when she noticed Housekeeping in her
sister's room.  Curious, she walked to the door and peeked inside,
only to gasp as she noticed the absence of Akane's personal
effects.
	Catching the attention of the chambermaid, she asked her
if she knew anything.
        "Gomen...  Lady here moved -- double room," the Taiwanese
girl explained, in her best broken Japanese.  Frowning, Nabiki
slipped her 500 yen for her trouble and trotted back to her room
quickly.
	Grabbing her phone, she immediately called down to the
desk, wondering why Akane hadn't told her about her plans.
        "Yes.  She moved to a first-floor double room -- number
1123," the Desk Manager confirmed, pleasantly.
        "Can you connect me?"  Nabiki responded, curtly.  "Thanks."
Again, all she was greeted with was a ringing phone.  Huffing, she
left a message and hung up angrily.  As she was about to sit back
and try to figure out what Akane was up to, she heard a knock at
her door.
	Silently, she walked to the peephole and peered out, only
to frown as she saw Akane waiting outside in the hall.  What also
struck her was that the woman was wearing a kimono.  Something
she hadn't done in probably five years.  Curiosity piqued, she
quickly opened the door and almost yanked Akane in.
        "Well...  Isn't this a surprise.  Run out of camo paint?"
Nabiki jibed, purposely looking her sister over intently.
        "No...  I just felt like it," she replied, walking past her
smirking sister and settling in a chair.  Nabiki couldn't help but
notice the scent of fine perfume as she passed, which instantly
raised an eyebrow.
        "Okay...  The kimono, maybe.  But you're going to have to
explain the perfume," she prodded, eyeing her sister suspiciously.
        "My son is coming," she sighed, flashing a frown at the
question.  "I talked to him last night, and they'll be here later
today."
	"You put on perfume for your son?"
        "No, Nabiki...  Nodoka is bringing him, and I don't need her
climbing all over me, too," she groaned, quickly tiring of the
questions.
        "This is a surprise.  I take it you decided to go ahead
anyway?  I was sure you gave up," Nabiki blinked, regarding her
sister quizzically.
        "Nabiki...  Can...  We not talk about this right now?  I
came to tell you about my new room, and ask if you wanted to get
your hair done with me," she deflected, eyeing her sister with a
slightly pleading look.
        "Uh...  Sure," Nabiki responded, not quite sure what to make
of her sister's 'different' attitude.  "When and where?"
        "I saw a decent place yesterday.  We can go after we have
something for breakfast."
	"Don't you mean lunch?  It's after ten o'clock, you
know," Nabiki corrected, twisting her watch arm in the air.
	"Whatever..." she droned, reaching for the room service
menu.  "Anything good on here?"
        "If you're desperate.  There's a better place across the
street."
        "Okay...  Come get me when you're ready, and we'll go
there," she acquiesced, then rose and headed toward the door.
"Oh...  Do you have any blush?" she abruptly asked, turning back
to face her very surprised sister.
        "Hai...  One sec..." she finally said, digging it out of her
makeup case.  "Here...  It's a bit dark, so be careful."
        "Thanks," Akane grinned, then turned and walked out the door.
"1123...  Near the middle," she tossed back over her shoulder, then
stepped off toward the elevator.
	Nabiki sank to the bed.  She had no idea what had come
over Akane, but she liked it.  The only thing that concerned her was
what had motivated the sudden change, fearing it may be a result of
the shock she'd suffered.  Eyebrows knitting with concern, she
decided her little sister needed to watched.




        It was just like the 'old days'.  Miyoko and Yoriko spent
their day in a pleasant whirlwind, cruising from shop to shop on the
strip and then hitting all of the major malls.  After an exciting,
fun day of doing everything from shopping to catching a movie,
Yoriko decided a pit stop was in order, and suggested a trip to
Miyoko's favorite sundae shop.
        Miyoko didn't need any convincing.
	As the girls sat at the bar enjoying their confections, a
group of young men passed by the large window, and to a man, they
all gaped at Miyoko.  She noticed the unashamed leering, and her
face instantly darkened.
	"Hey!  Shake yer heads!  Yer eyes are stuck!" she suddenly
shouted, embarrassing the group into beating a hasty retreat, and
turning every head in the small shop.
        "Ay, Miyoko-chan...  What happened?"  Yoriko gasped, the
outburst catching her off guard.
        "Gomen, Yoriko-chan...  Had a bunch of hentai peeking up my
skirt," she grumbled, lifting her butt and tugging her hem down.
"Its been happening all day."
        Yoriko smiled knowingly.  "I don't blame them one bit.
Like I said, you are quite the fox, Miyoko-chan," she winked,
smiling.
	"Yeah, well it wouldn't be so bad it if wasn't all *men*
gawking at me like that...  Ugh," she shuddered, suddenly feeling
a bit green.  "That's the reason I stopped wearing these."
        Yoriko blinked back at her for a moment, then abruptly
slapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"G-Gomen!" she stammered, noting the frosty glare leveled at
her in response.
        "Baka ne," Miyoko smirked, then started to laugh
herself.
        When they reluctantly finished their treat, Miyoko
suggested they pass by a certain sports shop on the Mall's main
floor, having earlier seen a flyer detailing a Martial Arts
exhibition.
        Reluctantly, Yoriko agreed, mainly because she couldn't
come up with anything else to do.  When they arrived at the shop
in question, she opted to simply sit and wait while Miyoko
watched the demonstration intently.  After several minutes, she
couldn't help but giggle at her girlfriend's constant criticism
of the exhibitor's form.
        "Ano...  Why don't you show them how it's done then,
Miyoko-chan?" she quipped, finally.
        "Nahh...  They wouldn't let anyone else on the mats.
insurance crap, right?" she shrugged, as Yoriko blinked back at
her.  She hadn't intended her remark to be serious.
	As she was about to state that fact, the presenter
stepped onto the mats with the Artist and asked if anyone would
like to try their skills, and determine their need for
professional instruction.
        Miyoko instantly turned to Yoriko and smiled.
        "Go for it, Miyoko-chan!" Yoriko encouraged, able to see
for herself how badly Miyoko wanted to.
        "Arigato!" Miyoko whispered, shooting her hand up.
	A few minutes later, she stood on the mats looking very
timid and demure, facing the Artist directly.  The presenter
announced that one of the benefits of the Arts was an increase in
dexterity and speed, then handed off to the Artist.  Miyoko had to
fight down her smirk.
	The Artist took a stance, then delivered a fast jab to
Miyoko's face, to which she didn't even react.  A second later,
she broke out in a girlish giggle, asking if she was supposed to
have done something.  The Artist huffed, then took his stance
again.
        Yoriko had to hold her hands so tight over her mouth that
she had trouble breathing.
	The Artist tried again, unloading a flurry of quick punches,
to which Miyoko reacted in her usual fashion, effortlessly
bobbing and weaving in and out of his strike zone.  All the while,
she giggled like a schoolgirl, teasing the Artist by saying it was
such great fun.  The gathering crowd laughed at her antics, which
Yoriko greatly appreciated.
	Finally, the Artist tried to vary his attacks, but every
time he struck, Miyoko wasn't there.  Becoming frustrated, he
stepped out and gathered himself, then came at her with blood in
his eye.  This time, Miyoko did smile.
	Again, she ducked and swung around his achingly slow
strikes, each time zipping under his guard to tie another knot in
his gi belt.  When she ran out of belt, she waited for a kick,
leapt into the air and rolled forward, coming to rest standing on
top of his head.  Her landing was so light that he at first didn't
notice, and actually spun around looking for her.  Squatting down,
she tapped his forehead and giggled.
	"My win!" she quipped, then leapt off his head and stood
in front of him.  The gathered crowd went wild.  The Artist, after
recovering from his shock, bowed deeply.
        "Arigato, Sensei!" he barked, respectfully.
        "It was a good fight," Miyoko whispered as she returned
the bow, not wanting to hurt the man's pride any further.
	



        "They want you to what?" Yoriko gasped, her eyes widening 
with excitement.
	"Teach Martial Arts at their Dojo.  That's what that guy
with the mike was bugging me about.  Hell, he was begging me,"
Miyoko replied, sheepishly.  "All I was doing was having a little
fun," she added, shaking her head.
        "That's wonderful, Miyoko-chan!  What did you say?" she
prodded, giddily.
        "I said I'd have to think about it," Miyoko responded,
flatly.
        "Ano...  Why?"  she blinked, a bit shocked.
	"I don't know if I can..." 
        "But -- you were incredible...  You made it look so
easy!"
        "It's not.  I've been at this for 23 years...  Since I
was three.  Not like that guy...  I figure he probably started about
five years ago.  He's got the basics, but not the skill," Miyoko
noted, taking a sip of her pop.  "He just needs to work harder," she
added, seriously.
        Yoriko frowned slightly.  "Listen to you...  You even sound
like a Sensei.  You should take it," she prodded, urgingly.
        "I dunno...  I like teaching, but I've never done it
full-time.  I'm afraid I'd get bored."
	"What have you got to lose?  You're good at it, and I
know you're patient and understanding -- it probably pays better
than the club, too," Yoriko countered, insistently.
        "Hai...  A *lot* better," Miyoko acknowledged, grudgingly.
        "Ano...  I don't understand, Miyoko-chan.  Why would you
hesitate?"
        Miyoko looked over at her sadly. "Too much going on
right now to try to get involved in something that requires that
much concentration.  It wouldn't be fair to my students or my
employer," she stated, a hint of bitterness in her voice.
        Finally, Yoriko understood.  "Then maybe we'd better go
to that Spatula place, and see what they want.  It might take
some of that away," she suggested, hopefully.
        Miyoko stopped walking and turned toward her, regarding
her questioningly.  "I didn't want to see any of them today,
Yoriko-chan.  This was supposed to be *our* time together," she
complained, unable to fathom Yoriko's suggestion.
        "I know...  And I can't remember when we've had more
fun.  But it would make me even happier to see you able to do
what you really want...  Without worrying about it," she
explained, placing her hand on Miyoko's arm.
        Miyoko considered her response for a few moments, then
her face softened and she sighed out loud.  "You would have to
put it that way, wouldn't you?  Baka ne," she grumbled, eyeing
the now grinning Yoriko levelly despite her own smile.
	"Then you'll go?" she asked, breaking into a full smile.
	"Like I have a choice.  Well, it's getting on supper time
anyway -- let's go," she capitulated, gesturing to Yoriko to lead
off.

                   

	The Happy Spatula was buzzing with the beginnings of the
supper rush, and as the girls walked in the door, Miyoko had to
whistle at the bustle of activity.
	"I don't think I've ever seen this place so busy," she
whispered, leaning toward Yoriko so she'd be heard over the din.
        "Hai...  This may be a bad time," Yoriko agreed, also
noting the chaos.
	"Welcome to the Happy Spatula!  May I seat you?" a pleasant
young girl suddenly offered, having appeared out of nowhere.
        "Hai...  Is there anything near the grill?" Miyoko
recovered, noting that Ukyou was on station.
        "Certainly!  Follow me please," she smiled, and led the two
girls to stools at the far end of the grill counter.  "May I take
your order, or would you like a menu?"
        "Three for me...  Shrimp.  And she'll have one to start...
vegetable.  And two iced cocoa, please," the redhead stated,
flashing a polite smile.
        "Arigato!  It will only be a few minutes," the young girl
bowed, then turned and handed the order off to Ukyou.  The
beleaguered chef looked it over, gasped, then raised her anxious
gaze to the crowd.  After a quick sweep of the room, she frowned
disappointedly.
        "Right here, Kuonji-san," Miyoko called out, shooting a
smirking glance at Yoriko, who in turn giggled.
        "Miyoko-chan!" Ukyou blurted, surprising her with both the
honorific and the name it was attached to.  "I'm sorry...  Things
got busy and I'm down a girl.  You guys got some time?" she
gasped, apologetically.
        "Hai!  We both have the day off," Miyoko indicated,
glancing over at Yoriko, who nodded her agreement.
        "Good!  I'll get yours made and try to get free," she
responded, starting to prepare their order as she spoke.
        "Okay," Miyoko nodded, then looked back at Yoriko.
"Kuso.  I hope she doesn't take too long.  I don't want to be
here all night," she remarked, fretting.
        "Hai," Yoriko agreed, distantly.  Reaching over and
placing her hand on top of Miyoko's, she met her girlfriend's
sapphire blues with a soft, almost shimmering gaze.  "I'm glad you
decided to come here, Miyoko-chan.  I hope it works out for the
best," she stated softly, flashing a smile.
        "Me, too.  For a lot of reasons.  Cross your fingers,"
Miyoko replied, taking Yoriko's hand in hers and squeezing it
gently.
        "I am.  And my toes too," she smirked back, nodding.
        Just as Miyoko went to reply, two plates landed in front of
them, loaded with hot okonomiyaki.
        "Enjoy!" Ukyou smiled, tipping her spatula to them.  "By
the way...  Love the hair!" she added, winking.




	"Well, we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, did
we?" Ukyou offered, looking across the table at Miyoko sheepishly.
	"Tell you the truth, I was too pissed to care.  I'm happy
here, Kuonji-san.  Seeing you guys again, and having that damned
disk show up..."
	Ukyou blinked.  "What disk?"
	"An audio disk of that soundtrack we did about a hundred
years ago.  *Someone* slipped to Yoriko-chan at work."
        "Ano...  I never heard of it.  I mean...  I remember you
and the other girls doing it, but I didn't know about this," she
responded, earnestly.
        Miyoko studied her eyes for a moment, then sighed out loud.
"Yeah, I guess you didn't," she conceded, actually a little relieved.
        "Let me guess...  Yoriko-san didn't know about...
'everything' at that point, did she?"
        "Nope...  But she does now.  After Ryouga nailed me with
that damned kettle, I told her the entire wretched tale," Miyoko
responded, seeking her girlfriend's hand under the table and giving
it a gentle squeeze.
	Ukyou's eyes widened.  "No wonder you were so mad," she
gasped, covering her gaping mouth.
        "Hai.  It's not something I'm proud of," she grumbled,
lowering her eyes.  At that, Yoriko reached over and rubbed her
back supportively, then looked up at Ukyou.
        "Until all this happened...  I had no idea how upset she
could get.  She scared me that night, too," she noted, solemnly.
        "And I still owe you an apology for that," Miyoko replied,
looking up into Yoriko's eyes seriously.
        "Daijobu desu...  I can understand, Miyoko-chan," she
assured, flashing a smile.
        "You shouldn't have had to," Miyoko stated, bitterness
edging her voice.
        Ukyou, noting the tone of Miyoko's voice,  abruptly leaned
forward and took hold of her arm.  "Ano...  I didn't mean to get
you all upset again, Miyoko-chan.  That's not why I wanted to
see you two," she noted, imploringly.  "I just wanted to see...  If
we could still be friends.  I know the score, so don't worry about
that.  I just don't want you...  Hating me," she almost begged,
switching her searching gaze back and forth between the two
girl's faces.
        "And that sorta goes for me, too.  Even though you did
try to punch my ticket," Ryouga abruptly smirked, walking out from
the back room and standing beside Ukyou.  "I didn't know what
Nabiki was up to, either.  This is all I knew about it up until
she arrived," he added, handing Miyoko a crumpled, folded piece of
paper.
        "Kuso.  She actually sent you a letter?" she gasped,
reading it over and then showing it to Yoriko.
        "Hai.  She phoned me...  Same day you two ran out," Ukyou
noted, to which Miyoko blinked.
        "You mean you knew it was me?" she asked, wide-eyed.
        "Iya...  It didn't click until Nabiki called that night.
My girls told me about your 'dash' after I spoke to you," she
corrected, shaking her head.
        "Hai...  Dash is right!  She pulled me out of here so fast
I lost my lunch...  Literally," Yoriko quipped, drawing assorted
snickers and looks.
        "Well?  What do you say, Miyoko-chan?" Ukyou prodded,
nervously. "Still friends...?" she dangled, looking somewhat like
she was holding her breath.
        Miyoko only looked at her for a second, then abruptly
rose.  "We need a conference.  C'mon, Yoriko-chan," she stated,
then escourted Yoriko a safe distance away.  Turning to face her,
she looked deep into the girl's eyes.  "You know her history with
me...  Do you trust her?"
        Yoriko's eyes widened slightly as she recalled Miyoko's
description, then settled back quickly.  "If you do, I do," she
responded, to a huff from Miyoko.
        "That's not what I want to know, Yoriko-chan.  I'm not
going to risk upsetting you over *any* of them.  You have to tell
me...  Do you trust her?" she repeated, hardening her gaze.
        "Hai, Miyoko-chan.  I saw her eyes...  She values your
friendship...  And even your approval.  I don't fear her,"  she
responded, firmly.  "She'll be a good friend."
        "Okay...  I think so too, but if you didn't feel good
about it, there was no way I'd have done it.  Let's go," she
smiled, gesturing back toward the table.  In a way, she was glad
that Ukyou and Ryouga seemed to be 'on her side', despite the
fact that it meant her 'cover' was officially beyond blown.
	However, as she realized almost within the same thought, 
it also meant that there were two less people to worry about -- 
just as Yoriko had said.
	She deliberately kept her game face as she sat back down, 
then glared across the table at the others.  "We talked it over, 
and decided that we stood to lose a lot if we let you back into 
our lives..." she began, almost losing it over watching
Ukyou's shoulders drop.  "Without being able to trust you.  But,
we both felt that we could," she concluded, breaking into a smile.
        Ukyou almost broke out in tears.  "Arigato, Miyoko-chan...
I'm flattered," she sniffed, trying to maintain a semblance of
composure.
        Miyoko reached across the table and touched her arm gently.
"It's nice to have a friend," she stated, then looked up at Ryouga.
"I still don't know if I'm willing to forgive you for that kettle
stunt..." she intoned, eyeing him evenly.  "Although, if you think
about it, it's probably the only reason Akane is still breathing,"
she added, darkly.  "What do you say, Ryouga?  Think we can get
along well enough to stay in the same city?"
        "Ano...  It's been a lot of years...  Miyoko.  During that
time, I did a lot of thinking, just like you probably did.  Because
of that, I came here with only one purpose in mind.  To bury the
hatchet once and for all.  We were all crazy back then, and maybe,
if we'd have been smarter, then none of this would have had to
happen," he responded, adamantly.  "If you can accept me as a
friend, then I can accept...  You," he stated, carefully.
        Miyoko was impressed.  Rising from her seat, she walked
up to the man she used to routinely fight to the death, about to
extend her hand.  Just before she did, she decided to do what she
really felt like doing.  In a move that caught Ryouga completely
by surprise,  she stepped right up to him and wrapped a hug around
him.
        "It's a deal, buddy," she whispered, softly.
	After recovering from his shock, Ryouga shrugged and
wrapped his arms around her, patting her back affectionately.
Finally, Miyoko stepped back slowly, then looked up at Ryouga and
smirked knowingly.  "Just don't forget...  I can still kick your
butt all over Kyoto," she grinned, wagging a finger at him.
        Ryouga laughed.  "One of these days, you'll have to try,"
he replied, winking.
	

	

        "Ohhh....  My feet hurt," Yoriko complained as she sat on
Miyoko's couch, rubbing her foot gingerly.
        Miyoko snickered at her as she hung her purse on its hook
and pulled out her slippers.  "I think if I'm gonna train anyone,
it should be you," she jibed, starting to undo her dress ties.
        "Sure, Miyoko-chan...  Then you'd be in trouble for dating
a student," Yoriko retorted, making a silly face at her.
        "It'd be worth it," she responded, tossing a smoky look
over her shoulder as she walked into her room.  Yoriko, picking up
on the less-than-subtle hint, and of course not wanting to miss
the show, immediately jumped off the couch and followed.
        As she entered Miyoko's room, she was treated to the
breathtaking sight of Miyoko just pulling her dress over her head.
"You're in a *much* better mood..." she remarked, sighing inwardly
at the scene before her.
        "Hai...  You were right, Yoriko-chan.  Settling that stuff
did take some pressure off," she smiled in response, sliding her
arm bracelet off.
        "I hoped it would.  I don't like seeing you held prisoner
like this," she indicated, frowning slightly.  Miyoko nodded.
        "Hai...  I don't much like it either," she grumbled,
kicking off her slippers.  As she turned to face her mirror once
more, she flipped her braid over her shoulder and paused to admire
it again.  "Seems like such a shame to take this out," she
pouted, holding it up to gaze at it.
        "Don't worry.  It just gives me an excuse to do it again
for you," Yoriko pointed out, flashing her pixie grin.
        "Well, in that case," Miyoko smirked, starting to untie
one of the ribbons.
        Yoriko grinned at her, then walked up and took the braid
from her.  "Let me," she purred, deftly slipping the first bow
out.  "Do you want me to put a sleeping ribbon in?"
        "Not yet...  I was just going to have a bath.  Care to
join me?" Miyoko replied suggestively, tossing the girl a look
through the mirror.
	"I could be talked into it," she responded softly,
returning Miyoko's gaze.
        "Mmmm...  Then you'd better get changed," Miyoko smiled,
turning around and starting to open the buttons on Yoriko's blouse.
        A few moments later, as her underwear landed on the bed,
Yoriko looked Miyoko over appreciatively, then frowned.
        "Hey...  No fair. You're still dressed!" she protested
affectedly, pointing to Miyoko's black lace bikini panties.
        "I can fix that..." Miyoko breathed with a wanton smile,
and reached down to slide a thumb under the waistband above each
hip.  Her next move made Yoriko gasp.
	Turning to the side, she bent sharply forward as she
slipped her undies over her curvey hips, then about the time her
chin met her shins, she slid them down her legs slowly until they
sat just above her ankles.  Lifting her arms and entwining her
hands behind her lower back, she then lifted her chin and
straightened up slowly, slipping Yoriko a smouldering glance as
she rose and stepped out of the panties.
        "Shimata..." Yoriko gulped, waving a hand before her
heating face.  However, Miyoko wasn't finished quite yet.  Turning,
she reached out for Yoriko's face and took it in her hands, guiding
the girls lips to her own.  As soon as they met, Miyoko's hands
moved down the blonde-haired girl's form until they fully embraced
her, pulling the girl's now trembling body tight to her own.




        Miyoko lay in the darkened room staring at the ceiling,
Yoriko's head nestled comfortably on her shoulder.  The girl was
sleeping soundly, her big day having tired her out completely.  
	As she slept, her hand still cupped Miyoko's left breast, 
a little quirk of hers that had developed over time.  Miyoko had 
to smile as she glanced over at the girl, her heart warming all 
over again as she watched her peaceful face.
	She knew she was the luckiest person on Earth to have found
someone as tolerant and accepting as Yoriko, especially given what
their lives had become over the last few days.  Even with all the
insanity, the pain and the anger, Yoriko's feelings for her hadn't
wavered, and in fact, they seemed to be getting stronger.
        Miyoko actually found the situation slightly amusing -- it
seemed that their roles had come almost full circle, as Yoriko was
now actually encouraging and supporting *her*.
        Leaning over to kiss Yoriko's forehead gently, Miyoko
decided she couldn't wait any longer.  It was time their
relationship moved to the next level -- provided Yoriko was
willing.



===================================================================
END - Secrets V1P4                  A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva


Comments Welcomed, Flames Extinguished!
coutuva@vecdev.com