Disclaimer: I don’t own Ranma ½.

Hey you guys! I don’t know if you’ve noticed that this is the last chapter of the story, so ‘Memories’ is coming to its end. I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to review. Hopefully it’s what you’re waiting for.

Chapter 14: “There you are.”

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and Ukyo was happy. She was doing great in school, the relationship with her father had improved a lot, and summer was coming along. She picked a blue sundress, and lifted her hair up in a bun, trails of it falling at the sides of her face. Watching herself in the mirror, she smiled contentedly. She was supposed to have lunch with her friends today, something she wasn’t used to do before she returned to Osaka. Looking softly at her reflection, she sighed when she remembered why she liked that dress so much. It was Ryoga’s favourite. He used to say that even if the dress’ color was a deep blue, it lost all intensity contrasted to her beautiful ocean eyes. A small tear tickled down her cheek, and she smiled in bittersweet memory. She had to admit that she felt a little better after she told her friends her love story, and sending that letter was a great help, too. But she knew that forgetting him was the longest and hardest path she’d take in her life; it was just something she couldn’t do.

She neared her night table and took a photo from the little drawer, fondly tracing her finger where his face was, pretending to caress him.

“Why are we apart, love?” She chocked out, sitting in her bed, “I miss you so much, Ryoga.” Bright green eyes looked back at her, a soft smile playing on his lips.

He was looking so good when we took this picture, I wish I could see this smile again…

Stop daydreaming, Kuonji. He’s not yours anymore. She chided herself, a well known ache embracing her heart. You blew it away, remember?

Her thoughts were interrupted when the doorbell rang. She ran downstairs barefooted, only to find her father letting her friends in.

“Ukyo, I’m going to be out for the rest of the day, apparently there’s a lot of people in the restaurant and they can’t handle it on their own.”

“Okay dad.” She waved goodbye cheerfully and headed back upstairs, the girls following suit. Her father’s restaurant was as successful as hers back in Nerima, it was obvious that it ran in the family.

“Wow Ukyo-chan, you’re looking nice.” Sachiko complimented, glad that her friend was in a good mood.

“Well, I always liked this dress, and now that it’s getting warmer, I thought that I might use it.” She said while she fished for her shoes in the wardrobe.

“Whoa! Check this out!” Reiko exclaimed, jumping on Ukyo’s bed. Said girl looked startled at her classmates.

“Check what out?”

“(Insert whistle sound here), who’s this cutie?!” The blonde girl asked, showing the picture to the other girls.

“My goodness, Ukyo; you sure ain’t dumb when you pick your guy huh?”

“Hey!” She protested, horrified that she forgot to put the picture back where it belonged. “Leave that alone!” She tried to snap it off her fingers but Sachiko took it first.

“Wow, talking about hot! Is this Ryoga?”

Ukyo sighed deflated, her shoulders slumping, “yeah, it’s him.”

“No wonder you miss him so much, look at him!”

“Oooh those eyes!”

“Look at those little fangs!”

“Give that back!” She snapped the picture from the dark haired girl, who flushed.

“Sorry Ukyo, but he’s gorgeous!”

“Yeah,” Haruko nodded, “you make such a beautiful couple!”

The chef just sat in her bed, lovingly gazing at the face of her love; then she put away the picture and tried to hold back the tears that threatened to escape through her eyes.

“That’s part of the past now,” she stated, trying to sound unaffected. “I’ll never see him again, anyway, so there’s no point in holding on to my hopes.”

She smiled, though it was obvious she didn’t feel it, and left to the bathroom.

Haruko sighed and looked through the window, “I wish there was something we could do.”

“We’ve done the only thing we could do, all we have to do is wait. If the letter reaches his hands, he’ll come.”

“You don’t know that for sure, Sachi.” Reiko lamented.

“It’s what I want to believe, anyway.”

“Girls, you need to look at this…” Haruko said in a surprised tone. Both girls walked curiously towards her and looked at what she was pointing. It took several minutes for them to realize that they weren’t dreaming, and in fact it was the boy in the picture walking towards the front door what they were seeing.

DING-DONG

“Aaaaah!” Three voices screeched in the room, a mix of amazement and excitement evident in their faces.

“Coming!” They heard from the hall.

“She’s going to open the door!”

“And they’re gonna see each other again!”

“And we’re still here talking like three idiots instead of eavesdropping and see what happens!”

They looked at each other for a second before bolting through the door and down the stairs, hiding behind the kitchen door in a swift motion, leaving it open just a tad. They had a perfect view from there, they had the stairs in front of them and the living room to their left; and they could go unnoticed (if they succeeded in hush Reiko’s excited screeching).

They got there in time to see their friend descending the stairs.

Ukyo bounced down the stairs, her thoughts in a tangle. Why couldn’t she get Ryoga out of her head? The doorbell rang once more, and she giggled as she thought her father had forgotten his keys again.

Opening the door with a smile, her face froze in shock when she saw who it was. Standing in her porch, looking more lost than ever, was Hibiki Ryoga. Her Ryoga. Her brain in short-circuit, she just gaped at him.

“Umm… Hi.” He offered, blushing like mad at the way she was just looking at him.

“Hi…” She tried, then an awful feeling crept in her as she realized something, “a-are you lost?”

“No.”

She blinked, was he there on purpose then?

“You mean, you know where you are?” She tried again, there was no way in hell he was there for her… Right?

“Isn’t this your house?” He asked sheepishly, looking down at his feet.

“Yeah, it is.” She stated, amazed. He peered at her from under his heavy bangs, a worried frown present.

“Do you want me to leave?” He asked, deflating already.

This snapped her out of it, girl you’re acting like a dumbass! She told herself.

“N-no! What? Come in!”

She ushered into her house, where he stood nervously. She closed the door and laid her back on it, trying to get a hold of the situation.

“I-I’m sorry I came this way, b-but I was afraid you w-wouldn’t want to see me.” He stuttered, avoiding her eyes.

“Why wouldn’t- Do you want to sit down?” She asked, already walking towards the kitchen, “I’ll make us some tea.”

“A-are you sure?”

She just nodded without looking back, disappearing through the door. Ryoga sighed and sat nervously on the couch, fiddling with his fingers. Am I doing the right thing? At least she still hasn’t booted me through the roof. Who would’ve thought I’d miss being spatulated?

He leant back on the couch, trying to figure out how to put things. His heart soared in his chest, seeing her again had been more painful than he’d thought. What if she rejects me? She has the right, I was so stupid… What if the letter is full of lies? I want so desperately to believe in her words, will she lie this time?

He smiled softly as he remembered she was wearing his favourite dress, and wondered if she had been waiting for him. Yeah, right.

Ukyo laughed softly as her friend’s asses hit the floor.

“What the hell were you doing here?”

Damn! I totally forgot about them!

“It’s him, isn’t it? He’s come for you?”

“Aww this is so romantic! I can’t believe this is happening!”

“What are you gonna do?”

“Well, I offered him tea.” She stated dumbly as the whole situation finally settled in. He’s here, he’s here! Oh my God, what do I do?!

“I’ll make it!” Reiko jumped to the cabinets and started to make it.

Ukyo sat down on the kitchen’s table and sighed, “I can’t believe he’s here. What’s he doing here?”

“Why don’t you go find out? We’ll take the tea when it’s ready.”

“Okay.” The chef agreed unthinkingly and left to the living room again, her mind swirling.

She walked slowly towards him, self-consciously arranging her hair. She sat at the other end of the couch, her hands entwined on her lap. Ryoga remained silent, shivering slightly.

Control yourself, Hibiki! Don’t screw it up this time!

“What are you doing here?” She asked bluntly, barely restraining the emotions her voice held.

“I-I needed to ask you something.”

She had forgotten how shy and nervous Ryoga could be, and a wave of tenderness washed upon her.

“How…How did you know where I was?”

He looked guiltily at her then, trying to hide his blush.

“I-well.. I know I-I shouldn’t have… but…”

At that moment, Haruko called Ukyo from the kitchen.

“Are you busy?” He asked, concerned.

“No, no, it’s just some friends, they’re leaving anyway.” She waved a trembling hand dismissively.

In the kitchen

“Did she just kick us out?”

“She did.”

“Do we have to go?”

“Of course not! We just have to hide better.”

(Snickers)

“I’ll go get the tea.”

“Okay.”

“You three, out!”

“B-but, we want-“
“I need some privacy now, but I promise I’ll tell you all later:” When hell freezes over.

“You promise?” Reiko pleaded.

“Yes, now leave.”

“Fine, you just take this,” Sachiko put a tray with the tea in her hands, “and we’ll leave through the back door, don’t worry. Now go!”

“Yeah, and good luck!” Haruko wished her.

When Ukyo exited the kitchen, three ears were stuck to the door.

“You were saying?” She put the tray on the small coffee table, placing his cup in front of him, receiving a soft ‘thank you’.

“I found your letter in the Dojo.” He stated, embarrassed, “I know I shouldn’t have taken it, but…” He shrugged.

“M-my letter?” The blush ran through her whole body, she felt faint. Did he read…?

“Yeah… And I…um.. well..”

“How did you find me?” She asked, trying to cope with what she just heard.

“The address in the envelope,” he risked a glance at her, she’s looking so good today…

“But I didn’t write-“ She cut herself off as it downed on her, I’m soooo gonna kill them.

“I know it wasn’t your handwriting, but I had to take the chance, you know.”

“Ryoga…”

“You didn’t want me to find you… Didn’t you?”

“Do you remember our last talk?” She inquired bitterly, taking a sip of her tea to calm her nerves.

He remained silent.

“Why did you write that letter?” He gazed at her, trying to control the quivering of his voice.

Anger suddenly flared up in her, how dared he?

“It was a letter to my best friend, why wouldn’t I write to him?” She stood up. “I can’t believe you! Did you come all the way down here just to tell me things I already know?! That I hurt you and you don’t want me?!”

“What? Why are you getting like that?!” He didn’t like how things were turning.

“You’re the one who asked me to disappear, remember?”

“And I can’t believe you even listened to me.” He said softly, what calmed her down… somewhat.

“I had hurt you enough, hadn’t I?” She shook her head slightly, blinking away the few tears that wanted to escape her eyes. “Why are you here, Ryoga?” She asked, sitting down again.

“I… I need to know if this is for real…” He said as he took the paper from his pocket, and offered to her. “Is it?”

Recognizing her letter, she snatched it off his fingers; “you’ve read it?” Her face flushed, she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Yes.” Like a thousand times…

Embarrassed and humiliated, anger took control of her, “what? Did Ranma give this to you?”

“N-no.”

“You’re a bad liar, you know.” She stated dryly.

“I said I found it!”

“In Ranma’s hands?”

Ryoga just threw his hands up in exasperation, “fine, whatever. That’s beside the point. You didn’t answer me.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Yes it is! Does that letter say the truth?”

“Why would I write this to him if it wasn’t the truth, you moron!” She snapped, looking away from him as tears finally ran free. “I can’t believe you have to ask if these words are true! Do you really think I’m such a horrible person to lie about something like this?!” She yelled, holding the paper up.

Ryoga remained silent, the answer he’d longed so much to hear was finally said; and now he didn’t know what to do.

“Then why did you leave?” He repeated the question, his eyes getting moist.

Ukyo heard his voice breaking, and her heart shattered, “what else was left to do?”

She wiped the tears off her face, daring a look at him. Gazing into his pained eyes wasn’t helping at all.

“Ryoga, you said you wanted me out of your life, do you have any idea of how much that hurt?”

He bit his lip, trying to control the sobs that hovered in his throat. “I’m sorry! I know I was being stupid, but you’ve lied so many times…” He drifted off, shaking slightly.

The girl just looked down, “you don’t trust me, I know.”

“I wanted to. I still do.”

“Oh really?” She asked derisively, standing up.

“Would I be here if it wasn’t so?”

“The only time I needed you to trust me, you didn’t, Ryoga! Fine, I admit I screw up a lot of times before, but I was baring my heart that day and you crushed it!”

“How the hell do you think I was feeling then?! You did the same to me!”

“No! I never lied about loving you!”

“Neither did I!”

Silence abruptly fell upon them as she gazed through the window, unable to look at him.

He stood up and walked slowly towards her, stopping right behind her, wishing he could touch her.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you, I never meant to do that.” He whispered behind her ear, his warm breath tickling her.

“But you did.” She remembered all the nights she had cried for him, all the time missing him, and resolved herself.

Ryoga flinched, “do I still have a chance?”

Ukyo trembled, “we can’t have a relationship without trust, don’t you think?”

“B-but I wanna trust you, Ucchan. I--“

“We’ve hurt each other too much, Ryoga.”

“Is that a no?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s too late…” She shook her head, wiping at her eyes. Her heart cringed when she felt his tears on her shoulder, but she had made up her mind.

“Okay then…” His voice sounded so small.

“Good bye, Ryoga.” She whispered, and heard him leave.

“Gods she’s so stupid!”

“Sachiko quick! Stop that boy!”

Haruko yelled as she and Reiko went to her friend, who was sitting on the floor crying her heart out.

Ukyo sat in her bed, looking at the early summer rain pouring down. She had barely eaten anything and had laid down since she wasn’t feeling good at all. Her friends had left her alone, since she had asked them too. But not after a long and chiding talk. They’d tried their best to convince her that she had to go after him and tell him that she loved him. Sachiko had asked him where he was staying and had the hotel’s address, and she’d got from him that he’d leave in the first train to Nerima in the morning. And now she was alone with her thoughts.

Is it right what I’m doing? Are we really better apart?

The sky was darkening since it was getting later, what suited her mood.

“If he’s here, it’s because he loves you!”

“Don’t give him up like that! He’s sorry for what he did!”

“He says he wants to trust you again! He came all the way down here! Isn’t that proof enough?!”

She remembered her friend’s words, considering.

What if they’re right? Am I willing to let this chance slip just because of my pride? We love each other, don’t we?

She tried to smooth down the need to be in his arms, and found that she couldn’t. It had taken so much of her not to jump into his embrace when she saw him at her door, and then she had cast him away because of her insecurities. She knew it had taken a lot of courage for Ryoga to come, and she couldn’t help but smile.

He really loves me, doesn’t he? He probably was afraid, and he seemed so nervous… My dear… So much time missing him, and now that I have him here, I kick him away. How stupid am I? We’ve both made mistakes, and we’re both sorry. But we can’t be together because…

She tried to find a reason, but her mind just kept blank. She laughed at her stupidity, chiding herself.

Uncaring about the pouring rain, Ukyo ran.

He sighed and buried his face in the pillow, when will those tears stop coming?

I’ve lost her! I had her and now I’ve lost her! Just because of my stupid fears! Why couldn’t I be a man and take her in my arms? If I had just listened to her that day, we wouldn’t be apart now. But it’s too late, it’s too late…

He cried harder, his heart tightening in his chest. I love you… I love you so much…I wish I’d told you…

He was forced to choke down his tears as he heard a loud banging at the door. Probably room service or something like that. Cleaning up his face with a towel, he went to the door.

There he found the owner of his heart, panting, dripping wet and completely beautiful.

“U-ukyo?”

“Ryoga, I--“ She panted, he ushered her in and handed her the towel he was holding.

“What are you doing here?” She noticed his face and frowned worriedly.

Looking into his eyes, finding the concerned yet loving look in them, she couldn’t help to throw herself at him.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” She cried, the emotions held for so long flowing freely off her as he encircled his arms around her body.

Noting that her state of wetness was dangerously moistening his shirt, he let go of her reluctantly. She looked painfully at him, but he looked back at her reassuringly.

“I just don’t want to change.” He explained, and she nodded understandingly.

Ukyo started to dry off, and he offered her a cup of coffee to get warm. They nervously sat on the bed, he was trying to control his heart since it was still racing from when she threw herself at him. It had felt so good to touch her again, but he didn’t want to turn into P-chan.

“I’m sorry for all the things I said.” She blurted, glancing at his sad face.

“It’s okay, I deserved them…”

“Ryoga,” she caressed his cheek and he shuddered at her touch, “I wasn’t serious when I said it’s too late.”

“Really?” She nodded, and he gently took her hand away from his face. “See? There you go again.” He said softly.

“What?” She asked, a horrible feeling creeping on her. This wasn’t going the way she thought it would.

“Why do you lie to me?”

She averted her gaze from him, ashamed; “I guess I don’t want to get hurt. I thought it was the best if I pushed you away, but I realized it isn’t.”

“Y-you said we can’t have a relationship without trust, b-but even if I want to, I can’t trust you if you k-keep lying.” Despite the stuttering, he was making sense.

“I know… It’s just…” She sighed in frustration, but he took her hand trying to reassure her; even if his was shaking like crazy.

Gods, I needed to touch her so much! He thought as he realized just how good it was just to hold her hand.

“I know I have been a complete bitch to you in the past, but we weren’t even friends, I guess. We just used each other to get who we wanted, and don’t try to deny it!”

“I’m not.” He replied calmly.

“Remember that day, when you bumped into me?”

“Yeah,” he smiled, “I remember.”

“The way you behaved and the things we talked about showed me just how bad I was treating you, and I couldn’t understand why I did it…”

“I guess I saw some things about me towards you too, that I wanted to change…”

“But, since that day, I promised myself that I’d never be like that to you again. I never wanted to lie about those things when you lost your memory, Ryoga, but I thought that if you knew about the way I used to treat you, you wouldn’t want to stay with me. And I really wanted you to.”

He squeezed her little hand softly, listening to her words. “I guess I can understand that. But what about Ranma? Why didn’t you tell me about him?”

She sighed, “I didn’t tell you about the accident cause I thought it would be better if he told you himself. I never thought it would take him so long.”

“That’s reasonable, too. But I’d rather you’d told me, not him.”

“I didn’t think you’d react that way. I should’ve seen it coming.”

“What about you being engaged? I found out because of Nabiki.”

“I have no answer for that.”

“Huh?” He looked at her curious.

“I guess, I just forgot to tell you, don’t know why.” Had she thought more about it, she’d realized why indeed she didn’t want him to know about the engagement.

“We should’ve had this talk a long time ago…” He sighed, and looked into her eyes, “I’m so sorry, Ucchan…”

“No need to be,” she said as she neared him and pressed her lips against his. He returned the kiss hungrily, his tongue slipping into her mouth playfully.

Gods, how much I longed for this… he thought.

Sighing, she rested her head on his shoulder, his arms encircling her once again. “I shouldn’t have done all those things.”

Ryoga rested his cheek on her head, his fingers trailing softly across her neck and shoulder. She moaned softly, tightening her grip on his back.

“Remember that night,” she asked, “when we almost… you know.”

“Yeah,” he blushed, “pretty much.”

“Would you have thought the same if we have done it?” She pulled away to look at him, his arms still around her waist.

He considered it for a moment, and shook his head; “you wouldn’t do that just to pretend, Ukyo. I know you wouldn’t.”

“Is that what it takes for you to trust me?” She loosened her hair playfully, letting it fall down her back. She realized then how much she loved him, and wanted to prove it to him.

“W-what?” Green eyes widened at the question.

“I want you to trust me, Ryoga.”

He looked into her eyes and got lost in their deep blue, caressing her lips with his fingers. “We shouldn’t… I mean… we…”

“I love you.” She said it so sweetly that it made his teeth ache, as she tugged at his shirt to get it off.

“I love you too, you know that.” He whispered, placing soft kisses along Ukyo’s neck, “are you sure about this?” He asked, barely restraining the thrill that ran through his body.

Ukyo curled her fingers in his hair and stared right into his eyes, “definitely, love.”

Rain subsided as the moon started to rise. Ukyo rested her head in her lover’s strong chest, brushing her fingernails all over it. He was still trying to catch his breath, holding her close to him and never wanting to let go.

She kissed his neck softly, earning a soft groan.

“I’ve missed you so much…”

“Me too, Ucchan…” He frowned when he noticed she was crying, “are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine, ‘s just… I thought I’d never see you again, and here you are… making me happy again.”

“I love you, Ukyo… With all my heart…” He cupped her face and kissed her gently, brushing her tears away.

“I love you too, Ryoga…” She kissed him again, enjoying the warmth of their skins, naked under the covers.

“I guess I’ll just have to lose that train.” He chuckled.

“You bet, Hibiki. You’re not going anywhere.”

She made herself comfortable on his chest again, already drifting to sleep. He held her tighter, knowing that she was forever his, and that he’ll never let her go again.

The End.

WAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!! My baby’s over!! I can’t believe I just finished it! This story has been a part of my life for almost a year, and coming to its end it’s filling me up with all kinds of emotions. I feel proud, because it’s the first story that I finish (that isn’t a one-shot); happy, because I finally got them together again; a little sad, because I wont be writing it anymore and I had a lot of fun doing it; and I feel really thankful, because I was able to share it with all of you, my faithful readers, and I’m really glad that I could do so.

THANK YOU to all of you who have reviewed, even if it was only once; because your caring words encouraged me to keep writing, and helped me to grow as a writer. I know I’m not pretty good, but you’ve helped me improve with every chapter, and I’m thankful.

And THANK YOU to all of you who have been with me throughout the whole story, reviewing from the very beginning. I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I did.

Damn! I’m gonna miss this story so much!

Hugs to all of you, and once again, thanks!

Anya.