Reposting this for the same reason as everyone else.  <grin>  If you get it
twice, I'm sorry.



Hello everyone.  



     This story is a sequel to Mark Doherty's 'fic, "Emptyness and Renewal."
 If you haven't read it, I suggest you do so.  Not only is it a very good
story in its own right, this story assumes a knowledge of the events
described there.  If you haven't read "Emptyness and Renewal," you can find
it both at the RAAC ftp site, and at Mark's home page:
 http://www.uq.edu.au/~zzhdoher/
     I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark publically for
letting me write this story, and giving me some very helpful C&C, including
suggesting the title that I finally chose to use.  
     This is also the project that I have been working on for the past week
and a half.  Now that it's done I should be able to get back to my own
seriels.  Any C&C should be directed to me directly at OtakuLoki@Aol.com.  I
got bounced from the FFML yesterday, and I'm not sure that I'm back on it
yet.  Thanks again, and I hope that you will enjoy this story.  


                          Fulfillment

                          by Mike Taub 


                          based on the story "Emptyness and Renewal" 
                                 by Mark Doherty

                          Based on characters created by Rumiko Takahashi



     "Ukyou.  You're dodging the issue."
     Ranma looked up at his sparring partner, from where 
he lay on the ground behind the Ucchan's.  She was flushed 
with exertion, and holding her battle spatula in the ready position, 
her triumphant grin fading to a thoughtful look.
     "What do you mean?  You still aren't as good as Ranchan 
is, even if you can usually take me three out of four falls.  It's 
dangerous."  Seeing that Ranma was simply getting up, and talking, 
she dropped her guard with the spatula, and walked forward to be 
closer to Ranma.  "And Ranchan has a lot of enemies who will not 
hesitate to attack you once they recognize you."
     Ranma sighed.  This argument happened every time he 
brought up this subject.  "Ukyou, you've told me lots of times 
that I _don't_ look like your 'Ranchan' because of my clothing 
and my hairstyle.  I think your friends'll be confused long enough 
for you to tell them the truth about who I am.  Or who I'm not."  
Ranma grinned at that thought. "You've had that voucher for 
dimensional travel for two months.  And you've not used it once. 
When you got it you were ready to go home and never come back 
because you were missing your friends."
     "Now you keep coming up with reasons why it ain't time 
to go visit.  I know at first you were worried about how dangerous 
it might be for me to go with you."  Unspoken was the tacit 
agreement that neither of them were going to visit the other world 
without both going.  Ranma was unwilling to take any chances 
with this second chance at love, and Ukyou wanted to have him 
with her.  "But since then, I've gotten as good as I can with these 
techniques that 'Ranchan' taught me.  But I ain't getting any better 
in them unless I can spar with someone who actually knows how 
to use them."
     "Oh?  My advice and help is no longer good enough for you?"
     Ranma just looked at Ukyou.  After a moment she blushed, 
and ducked her head.  Softly, he continued.  "That's not it, and you 
know it.  Rather I've gone as far as I can with what WE know, and 
if I'm to get better we need to talk to someone else.  Besides, you 
still need to talk to your friends."
     Ukyou nodded.  "But..."
     "I know you're nervous.  I'm a bit nervous too.  But you 
need to see them again.  After this first time I ain't gonna be as 
persistent, but I think it would be fun to be able to spar with myself.  
And this ain't going to get easier for you with time.  It's just going 
to get harder."
     "But I ran out on them!"
     "Ukyou, your 'Ranchan' knows why you left, and where you 
are.  The rest left you alone during the worst time in your life.  A 
time when you needed friends the most.  You've nothing to be 
guilty about."  Ranma looked at Ukyou's face, willing her to 
believe him.  Then a wry grin crept onto his face.  "Except your 
unwillingness to admit that you made mistakes, too."
     Ukyou looked shocked at this for a moment, then in a 
lightning flash swung her spatula around, tossing Ranma over to 
a training mat.  "Why, you!!!"  
     Ranma, who had been expecting a reaction of some sort 
from his last dig, twisted in the air, and landed on his feet.  An 
unrepentant grin was spread wide across his face. Saccharine 
sincerity suffused his sally.   "Yes, dear?"  For good measure he 
batted his eyes.
     Ukyou laughed, and her expression faded from shock to 
one of resigned agreement.  "Okay.  You're right.  I'm wrong.  
Don't worry, though.  It won't happen often."   Ukyou mock-glared 
at her partner.  "We'll go tomorrow, okay?"
     "Yup."  He walked back over to her, and drew her in for 
a hug.  "And I'll be right there with you, ready to pound anyone 
who doesn't accept your apologies.  Okay?"
     Ukyou dropped her spatula, and hugged Ranma back, 
hard.  "Thanks.  But I'll do my own pounding.  Okay?"
     "Deal."


     The next afternoon there were two female Okonomiyaki 
chefs dressed up and sitting in the back room of the Ucchan's.  
One wore a familiar Blue okonomiyaki chef's shirt and black 
trousers, with a battle spatula slung over her back.  The other 
was her complement with a red chef's shirt and the same style 
black trousers.  Both had their hair done in a loose ponytail, and 
the one in blue carried a small piece of jewelry in her left hand.  
     Genma studied his son, and the young woman with him.  
Again he was struck by the differences between the woman with 
his son, and the one that he had raised as his daughter.  In spite 
of the face that they both shared.   "Are you sure you need to do 
this?  And if you must do this, does it have to be now?"
     Ranma answered.  "Yeah, pops.  It's no problem.  I know 
we're going to miss the dinner business, but we told all our regulars, 
and if we keep putting it off it'll only get harder."
     Genma sighed.  "Are you sure you don't want me to come 
along as well?  I could be a big help if things are as crazy over there 
as Ukyou says."
     Ukyou stepped up, and touched Genma's arm.  "We'll be 
fine.  I'm just going to see a few friends and introduce Ranma to 
them.  We'll be back this evening, and we'll tell you what's going 
on.  You don't have to worry so."  What she didn't say out loud 
was, "And there is no way I'm introducing you to the other Genma.  
You do not need a model for more bad habits."
     Genma looked from Ukyou to his son and back again. 
"Okay.  But be careful, and come back safe."  Surprising both 
teens he then drew first Ranma, then Ukyou into a heartfelt hug. 
 "I'll be waiting for you."  Turning quickly he walked back out to 
the main room of the Ucchan's without another word.
     Ukyou watched him leave.  "I have to remember that he is 
not the Genma that left me behind.  For what ever reason, he seems 
a much better man than the version I knew."
     Ranma nodded.  "I know what you mean.  I am still horrified 
when I think of the things your Genma did to me, and you and 
everyone else he knew.  But I love my father, and I know he loves 
me.  He's not perfect-"
     "Far from it."
     Ranma glared at Ukyou, but let her comment go unchallenged.  
"He's not perfect, but he's been there for me."  With a shake of her 
head Ranma changed the subject.
     "So."  Ranma looked down at herself.  "Think this is really 
going to help keep people from seeing who I am right off the bat?"
     "Ranma you are a very conservative dresser.  No matter 
which one of you I'm talking about.  You get a favored style of 
dress and you stick with it.  Also Ranchan is terribly insecure, he 
refuses to go out in his female form anymore than he has to.  The 
two changes combined here, should keep anyone from leaping to 
conclusions."  Ukyou had an effort keeping a straight face, 
remembering some of the costumes that Ranchan had worn when 
he did choose go out in his female form.
     "Okay.  Well, lets use the gizmo, then."
     "Here goes nothing."  Ukyou pressed the knob labeled 
'Ranchan.'  With a quiet rush of air they were gone, and the room 
was empty.  


     Another quiet rush of air, and a swirl of dust, and the two 
found themselves in the back room of the Ucchan's.  Or an Ucchan's.  
This room was a mess, dust everywhere and even rat droppings on 
the floor.  It was obvious that there had been no one using this room 
for some time.  
     Ukyou froze in shock.  After a moment she sighed.   "Oh.  I 
guess Konatsu couldn't keep this place up on his own."  Ukyou 
wanted to clean up her place.  No matter that it wasn't her home 
anymore, it had been for some of the most turbulent times in her life.  
With an effort of will she shook her head, and pulled Ranma along 
with her as she quickly walked out of the Ucchan's without a second 
glance.  
     Ranma swung his head from left to right as fast as he could to 
get a coherent picture of the building they were leaving, but he only 
caught flashes, all showing neglect, and in some cases, evidence of 
violence.  Dust, rat spoor, and broken furniture.  Because of the speed 
of the transit it had a nightmarish tint, especially since the, no HIS, 
Ucchan's had become so important to him.  But he said nothing.  
As disturbing as this was for him, it must be terrible for Ukyou.  
This had been her home, her dream, and finally, her retreat.  
     Ukyou drew them out of the front door, and down the street 
about fifty meters, pushing aside anyone unlucky enough to be 
caught in her way.  Once they turned the corner, she slowed to 
a walk and looked over at Ranma sheepishly.  "I guess you saw 
that mess?"
     Ranma nodded.  "I didn't see much.  But it disturbed me, 
I can imagine how you felt going through it."
     "I think we'll have to see some way to either get it cleaned 
or find a different arrival point. It would be too disturbing to see 
that every time."
     "Yeah.  Was it my imagination, or did you see that some 
vandals had gotten in and trashed the grill?"
     Ukyou sighed.  She hadn't hidden how upset Ranchan's 
wedding had made her, nor how his reaction to her and Shampoo 
trying to stop it had hurt.  But she hadn't given every detail.  "It 
wasn't vandals, Ranma.  It was me."
     "Oh."  They continued walking for a few minutes.
     Ukyou thought that had ended the topic, when Ranma 
reached out and grabbed her hand, and gave it a squeeze.  
"Sometimes I forget that you had as many problems here as 
I had back home before we were introduced.  Remember, I'm 
here with you, and I want to help you whenever, and however, 
I can."  With a final squeeze he released her hand.  
     Ukyou looked over and smiled at him.  "Mostly it was 
good here, otherwise I wouldn't want to even visit, like this.  
But back there I could feel just how depressed I was, it was 
almost tangible.  That was what I fled, not the mess."  She held 
his eyes for a minute, then leaned over and kissed Ranma on the 
cheek.  "And I know you are with me, silly."
     "So, where to now?"
     "Well, to be honest, I'm afraid our best chance is to head 
to the Tendo Dojo.  Ranchan had spent some time with his 
mother after the curse was revealed, but for the most part the 
dojo had become his home.  If you want I can go there alone, 
and bring Ranchan out to meet you."
     "Naw.  I know they ain't at fault for anything that 
happened elsewhere.  Besides, you did want to introduce me 
to your friends, and they are there, so I'm coming with you."
     Ukyou smiled at Ranma.  "I knew you would say that,
but I had to ask.  Let's go."


     In a darkened room, illuminated only by numerous pairs 
of glowing globes, a figure tripped over something in the dark and 
swore, landing on a pair of globes showing the same scenes.  The 
person who fell watched the two globes for a moment before 
recognition filtered in.  Then she smiled.
     "Well, they are finally using your charm, Liotha."
     "What's that, Zae?  Who's come to harm?"
     "No one, Liotha.  At least no one new.  What I said was 
that they were finally using that charm you had me make for them."
     Liotha looked at her friend in puzzlement.  "What charm?"
     "That charm."  Zae pointed to a feature in the vision the 
globes were showing.  "You know, the one that you spent 
considerable effort creating. The one that allowed time and 
dimensional shifting? That charm!?"
     "That charm.  I'm glad we made it.  So who did I give 
it to, again?"
     "Ranma, and Ukyou."
     Silence.
     "The first pair you got me to help you with.  Remember 
them?"
     "Oh.  Them.  They are better now.  We helped them, and 
they helped each other.  We have other things to worry about."  
There was a pause.  "But, I'm glad that they are using the gift I 
gave them."
     "Liotha...  Sometimes I wonder about you."

     Akane was walking home.  Ranma had gone off somewhere, 
to help Ryouga, he said, but she wasn't certain.  Nabiki said she had 
business to take care of on her own.  So Akane was stuck walking 
home from school by herself. 
     She wasn't angry, but a little introspective.  She and Ranma 
had been getting along a lot better since the marriage fiasco. They 
still clashed, and her temper flared from time to time.  But she had 
heard a lot from Shampoo, before the Amazon had left, about what 
Ranma had told her.  She had also helped Ranma deal with his guilt 
over Ucchan's disappearance.  She still wasn't sure how she felt 
about him, but she knew it wasn't hatred.  For his part he seemed 
more determined to keep his mouth under control around her.  But 
she saw signs of strain.  
     He really missed having someone he could talk to as a friend.  
Ryouga wasn't around enough, and the guys at school weren't terribly 
sympathetic with his problems.  And, let's be honest with yourself, she 
thought, it had been Ukyou to fill that place in his life.  
     She still wasn't sure if she should believe what Ranma had told 
her about Ukyou's fate.  She didn't doubt Ranma was telling her the 
truth as he believed it.  But dreams were for her something less 
trustworthy than Ranma wanted to get her to believe.  She hoped that 
Ukyou was happy, but she was resigned to never finding out, and that 
resignation was something she didn't care for.  As always, thinking of 
Ukyou dropped her introspective mood to a sadder level.  She hadn't 
quite forgiven her for the wedding fiasco.  Akane realized that she had 
done much to hurt Ukyou, and she had done it just as deliberately.  
Above all she wanted to tell Ukyou that she was sorry for what she 
had done to her, and that Ranma really wanted her in his life.  
     It was during this introspective mood that a pair of hands came 
from behind her and covered her eyes, as a voice full of mirth and 
mischief called out: "Guess who!"
     Akane stopped shock still, and lifted the hands away from her 
eyes.  "Uk- Ukyou?  I hope that is you.  I really don't need to be 
imagining things."
     "You got it, sugar!  Boy, it's great to see you!  How have you 
been?"  Ukyou came around from behind Akane, pulling a smiling friend 
with her.  Akane had only time for a quick look at the pair of them, 
Ukyou, brown-haired, dressed as she often had in the blue shirt, and 
black leggings, her companion in a matching red shirt, and black leggings, 
with her red hair in a ponytail imitating Ukyou's own style.  Tears started 
to gather in the corner of her eyes.  
     "Me?  How am I doing?  How about you!  You're the one that 
everyone has been worried sick about since you disappeared three and 
a half months ago.  How are you, and where have you been?  And who's 
your friend?"  Akane was smiling through the tears.  This was much better 
than resignation and uncertainty.  "Wait.  First..  I have to say something.
 
I'm sorry we were ignoring you back then.  I'm not saying you were right, 
but you didn't deserve to be left alone to rot.  I've felt really bad about 
that."
     "Hey, what's this?  You've got Ranchan.  You can't be crying.  
And I did do something awful to you.  I think we all overreacted.  I'll 
accept your apology on one condition."
     "Yes?"
     "Forgive me, please.  I had neither right nor cause to do what 
I did to you and Ranchan.  I think I have spoken to him, but I wronged 
you just as much."
     "You mean that alternate world story was true?"
     "Yup."
     "Wow, that was the one thing that I had the most problem 
swallowing.  So, who's your friend? Do I know her?"  For the first 
time Akane looked at Ukyou's companion.  Really looked, noting 
the details, and trying to place features.  She inventoried what she 
could and compared it to other people she knew:  Red hair; athletic 
build; certainly well muscled, but not grossly so; an open, impish grin; 
and friendly blue eyes, laughing at some joke.  Akane couldn't place 
this person at all, but she felt that she should know this girl.  
     "You could say that."  Akane turned back to Ukyou, and saw 
that she, too, was barely holding in her mirth.  "Allow me to introduce 
you to Saotome Ranma.  My late  sister's fiance."
     Akane gasped in embarrassed horror as she fit all the pieces 
together.  It was so obvious, and right.  Her face flushed a bright red, 
as she turned to introduce herself to this stranger that should be so 
familiar to her.  "Ple- Pleased to meet you, Ranma.  I must thank you 
for doing what we neglected, and helping to heal Ukyou's hurts.  I am 
on my way home, and I know my family would be glad to see both 
Ukyou, and yourself."  Akane paused a moment, and looked into this 
stranger with her fiance's smile... almost.  A part of her noted that 
there was something missing from this Ranma's smile, but she didn't 
have the time to analyze that thought. 
     Ranma smiled at Akane's offer.  "I don't know if we can, Miss.  
You see we are here specifically to meet the Ranma of this world, and 
so we need to go to the Tendo Dojo.  Perhaps you can talk to Ukyou, 
and we can arrange a different time to meet with your family..."  
Ranma broke off in confusion as both Ukyou and Akane dissolved 
into giggles.  In an aggrieved tone she broke over their mirth.  "Okay,
what's the joke, this time?"