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All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright
Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission.

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Coutuva.


Yue - Part Six
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	Even now, as she stripped off to bathe away her morning
workout, Yue still considered pinching herself -- to ensure 
she was not in the midst of some wonderful dream.  The last three
days had been filled with such excitement, fun and wonder she
had barely noticed their passing.
	Lin had shown her many new and marvelous things, taught
her so many others, and made it all so enjoyable that she found 
herself thinking less of her lost past -- and even looking to the
future.  The strangeness of the age was now exciting -- filled 
with new discoveries and limitless possibilities.
	And making it all the much better was the incredible man 
that was Tsu.  Every evening since their first together, they had 
met for the supper meal, and spent the remainder in each other's
company.  
	He had taken her through quiet, picturesque parts of the
neighbourhood that only he seemed to know of, and they had enjoyed
a wonderful, moonlit walk along the river -- one that reminded 
her of her childhood, and doing the same with her father.
	But those events paled in comparison to what they had done
just the evening past.  She flushed slightly as she recalled what
had happened as they spent their time watching the sunset, perched
on the roof of the Neko-hanten.
	As they had talked quietly of their lives, their dreams 
and their aspirations, he had kept a respectful distance.  He 
also kept his voluminous cuffs tight together, not moving them
except to point out an item of interest.
	She, however, feeling a bit cool, took the unusually bold
step of nestling against him, resting her head on his shoulder.  
To her great delight, he gasped, then shook his head, eventually 
wrapping his arm over her shoulders.
	The act had sent a wave of ecstasy through her entire being.
It had also brought a delirious smile to her face as she melted
sighing against him, reveling in the delicious sensations -- the
quiet strength in his arms, the feel of his solid chest against her
face, the beat of his heart.
	There, in his arms, she had finally found the place that she
had been seeking without realizing so -- the one place where she
felt truly protected -- truly safe.
	She had never known such contentment in the company of any
other man, despite the number of suitors she had entertained in the
weeks before her 'incident'.
	The exquisite embrace continued until the cooling night air 
overcame even the warmth she felt, forcing them to grudgingly return
to the indoors.  
	She could still see the sparkle in his eyes as they 
gradually parted, finding herself again wishing he had been less 
the proper gentleman, and attempted a good-night kiss.
	Looking into the eyes of her image in the mirror, she smiled
as she resolved that he would not escape unscathed this eve.





	After spending the day exploring an unbelievable,
overwhelming place Lin called the 'Mall', Yue sat quietly in what
had become her usual corner of the Neko-hanten, putting the
finishing touches on a lanyard while she awaited Lin's return.
	The first she had completed now adorned the hilt of her
sword, tied securely just behind the finger guard.  It had felt so
good to finally have it there, as its presence truly made the
weapon hers -- to the point that it even felt better in her hands.
	The one she was just completing, however, was to be even
more special, born of the unexpected happiness and acceptance for 
which she still counted her blessings.
	Just as she finished teasing out the last tassel, Lin
returned from the kitchen carrying their supper.
	"<Oh, I thought you finished that already...  Or is it 
another one?>" she observed, setting down the array of plates and
bowls.
	"<It is a second.  I used a different pattern and set
of colours for it, as it is to serve an entirely different
purpose,>" she responded, smiling.  "<What do you think?>" she
asked innocently, holding it up as Lin settled to her seat.
	"<That is very good work -- and it's made in the Amazon
colours!>" Lin smiled, taking it and examining it happily.  "<And
the pattern of the weave...  It looks...  Very familiar...>" the
girl added, her voice abruptly fading off.
	"<I am glad you noticed -- as I have made it specifically
to give to you,>" she smiled back, pleased that her friend appeared
to recognize it.
	Lin's jaw dangled.  "<For...  Me?>" she gasped, her eyes
widening.
	"<Yes.  And I am well aware of the Amazon custom.  That 
is why I made it, and in this manner,>" she nodded, watching
as Lin's face melted from a shocked gape to an incredulous smile.
	"<I...  Am truly honoured, Yue.  No one has ever given
me...  A Friendship Tie,>" she stated, almost reverently.  "<It is
an almost-forgotten custom...  A symbol of the promise that you
have bound your heart to mine in friendship; to fight beside me
in war, and live beside me in times of peace; to share in my joys
and my sorrows,>" she continued, her voice beginning to waver as
her eyes welled with tears.
	Yue had to clear her throat of the lump forming in it.  
"<Yes.  And because of all you have done for me, it is a promise I
make on my life,>" she smiled, reaching across the table and 
resting her hand on Lin's.  "<As I can never hope to repay the 
kindness you have extended me, this...  Is my small way of 
showing what it has meant,>" she continued, fixing her gaze on 
Lin's moistening eyes.
	"<Yue...  Thank you.  I...  I will wear it proudly,>" she
sniffed, wiping at her eyes.  "<In fact, I will wear it from now
on,>" she added, tying it into her hair over one of her ribbons,
then removing the ribbon itself.
	Yue smiled as she watched, remembering her mother's
stories of how the Amazon women used the Tie in a like manner to
a blood-bond between men.  But, unlike the male ritual, it was
only truly accepted if the recipient wore it on her person.  And 
if she wore it in her hair, she regarded it as a high honour.
	"<Did I get it in straight?>" Lin then asked, turning her
head to show it.
	"<Yes -- and thank you, Lin.  I am flattered that you saw
fit to do that,>" she stated, bowing slightly in her chair.
	Lin smiled warmly.  "<You gave it to me.  That told me how
to wear it,>" she responded, her voice soft as she turned her hand
to hold Yue's own.
	Yue couldn't prevent the embarrassed flush that lit her
face.  Before she could respond in any other way, however, she
heard a familiar rustle behind her.  A moment later, Tsu appeared
at the table side, looking piqued.
	"<What're ya doin'?>" he asked, looking down at the union 
of their hands.  Yue expected Lin to snap at him as she usually 
would, but instead, she grinned.
	"<She gave me this,>" she then indicated proudly,
pointing to the tassel hanging from the bun in her hair.
	His eyes widened as he looked at it, then shook his 
head.  "<Wow -- Friendship Tie.  Didn't think anyone did that
any more.>"
	"<It was the only way I could show some small measure of
how I have appreciated her kindness...  And her friendship,>"
she explained, hiding her deepening flush.
	"<And I think it's a perfect way.  How do you know of 
it, Liang Yue?>" the Elder chimed in, seeming to appear from 
nowhere.
	"<From my mother.  She knew much of the Amazon ways, and
told me many stories.  It was her wish that I knew and respected
the Amazons, as our family had good relations with them,>" she
explained, noting how the Elder nodded.
	"<I see.  How did she feel about you taking up the sword?>"
the old woman then asked, a glint appearing in her eye.
	"<She was the one who taught me of the pressure points,>"
she responded, wondering where the conversation was headed.  The
Elder seemed to notice.
	"<Very good.  I was just curious, since not many people
know how to use them, and even fewer can use them like you do.
Your mother was obviously a wise woman,>" she then smiled, nodding
again.  "<We will leave you to your meal,>" she concluded, then
pivoted on her stick and started back toward the kitchen, motioning
for Tsu to follow.
	"<Thank you, Elder,>" Yue bowed quickly, then upon 
watching Tsu depart with her, turned her attention to the food.
"<Lin, this looks wonderful, and smells delicious,>" she smiled, 
inhaling deeply.
	"<Then let's eat!  I don't know about you, but I'm
starving after all that walking today,>" Lin grinned, starting to
open the serving dishes.
	"<As am I.  Now that I think of it, is that 'Mall' not
intended as a means of collecting shops, to make them quicker to
move between?>" she asked, looking across the table at Lin
questioningly.
	"<Yes it is.  Why?>"
	"<Because I notice that it took us as long to visit as it
would have taken me to walk to the village, and make a purchase at
the Market,>" she smirked, baitingly.
	To her surprise, Lin rolled her eyes.  "<I know.  And
they call this 'progress'.  It was better back in our village -- 
the merchants used to visit *us*,>" she huffed, shaking her head.
	Yue had to chuckle.  "<I think I would like to one day
visit your village, Lin.  It sounds to be a place I would like,>"
she stated, snapping apart a set of sticks.
	Lin smiled a somewhat unusual smile.  "<I'm sure that once
you get there, you won't be able to leave,>" she stated, her smile
brightening.





	Once the meal was finished, Yue helped clear the dishes
back to the kitchen, then excused herself to prepare for a certain
prearranged rendezvous.   
	As she had decided that this evening would be one of special
significance, she felt that her usual dress of the layered tops and
pants was far from appropriate.
	For tonight, she needed to be a Princess -- or as close to
one as she could manage.  
	Closing the door behind her as she entered the bedroom, she
went immediately to the place that Lin stored her nicer garments,
and looked over the impressive selection.  Lin had long ago offered
their use to her, should she ever happen upon the need.
	She carefully leafed through the collection of formal gowns,
minis, two-pieces et al, having a hard time coming to a decision.
Before too much longer, however, she happened upon a beautiful long
dress, high-necked and sleeveless, fashioned of fine jade-green 
satin.
	It also sported a surprisingly understated dragon motif,
illustrated richly in red and gold.  It began just off the hip,
and reared up well over the bodice.
	"<This shall be the weapon of choice...>" she smiled to
herself, laying the garment out neatly on the mat.  Upon selecting
a few complimentary trinkets and some appropriate shoes, she set
them out with the dress, then nodded happily and made for the bath.






	Tsu stood silently in the light of the streetlamp, his
large cuffs together in the usual manner.  He had arrived a few 
minutes early, mainly to allow himself a much-needed opportunity
to prepare.
	Cologne had already told him she was getting tired of 
waiting, and given him very specific orders.  She had even 
gone so far as to coach him, saying she couldn't trust him to 
get it right. 
	Normally, he would have resented that, but this time, 
it was worth it.  Despite not having any real interest in Yue, 
he felt that he could put up with her long enough to get home,
especially since it meant he would be redeemed.  Given, she 
was cute, charming and nearly as sexy as Lin herself, but to
him, she'd never be as good.  Especially since at this point, 
he was still having trouble even seeing her as *female*.
	His smirk became a frown as he realized that he was 
probably going to have to take up drinking.  Otherwise, he didn't
think he could stomach trying to get her pregnant -- which was the 
biggest part of Cologne's orders -- and central to his plan.
	All he figured he'd need to do is give her enough kids 
to satisfy Cologne, which would in turn keep her busy -- and he'd
be able to do as he pleased.
	Stifling a yawn, he caught himself thinking back to when 
he'd first met her, and frowned.  He still felt that he'd have 
won that contest, had the redhead not cheated.
	He also recalled how he had thought that Ranma was a girl
pretending to be a guy, and not taken 'his' marriage to Lin as
anything serious.  He'd even thought Lin had just talked one of
her girlfriends into helping her look married.
	But when he found out the truth, he began to legitimately 
worry.  Since Ranma was actually a guy whose curse changed him to
a girl, he suddenly became every Amazon woman's definition of 
the perfect mate.  It was the Tribe's worst-kept secret that most 
of them fooled around with each other, even the married ones.
	His own curse, meanwhile, meant spending his time running
away from women -- mainly because they kept trying to cook him.
	The disgusted sigh he uttered gave way to a rising eyebrow,
as he caught a sound in the near distance.  He soon identified it 
as a soft, carefully measured, yet confident pattern of clacks.  He
leaned toward the sound, wondering why it was not the usual, 
almost inaudible footfalls he was used to.
	A moment later, out of the darkness came the answer, which 
instantly shattered his carefully prepared composure.  Before him 
had appeared a vision that paled even the beauty of his cherished 
Shan Lin.
	She stood demurely with her hands folded before her, the
light of the streetlamp lending a soft, almost surreal glow to her
attractive, tentative face.  
	The colour of her close-fitting dress seemed alive as it 
reflected the light, appearing to shimmer and sparkle as it moved
with her every breath.  
	A delicate, hopeful smile decorated her visage, and her 
deep sapphire eyes seemed to dance with excitement.
	As his stunned gape drank in her lovely form, he noted
with interest the open-toed red heels she wore.  They were just high
enough to accent the flawless, yet unmistakably feminine tone of
her slender leg -- the one that peeked teasingly through the long
slit of her dress.
	He shook his head to rein in his libido, and regain some
semblance of control.  He hadn't counted on her cleaning up so well,
and he certainly hadn't expected the result to be quite so sexy.
	As he forced himself to concentrate on what he had to do, 
he still smirked inwardly.  Just maybe, he could manage to stay 
sober after all.





	Yue held her breath.  The dress was perfect; the hair was
perfect; the shoes were perfect.  The looks she had attracted as
she walked to her rendezvous had assured her of that.   
	But he hadn't said a word.  He was only gaping at her, his
expression one of either wordless, appreciative incredulity -- or 
stunned disbelief.
	She prayed it was the former.
	In the interim, her heart was pounding against her
tightening chest.  She felt his eyes upon her, and fought to keep
the thrill that danced her spine from making her giggle, or worse 
yet, collapsing her already trembling knees.
	Several thudding heartbeats went by.  He said nothing.
She bit her lip -- and slowly lowered her face.  Her heart sank to
her feet as she realized things had not gone as she had hoped.
	Drawing a breath, she prepared to apologize for her
presumptuousness -- until she felt her hands being gently taken by
larger, much more powerful ones.
	"<You...  Are so beautiful,>" the most wonderful voice in
the world breathed, sending a shiver through her.
	With a quiet gasp, she raised her eyes to find those of
Tsu looking back, an unspoken plea dancing in their simmering
depths.
	Her heart leapt as she answered by wordlessly parting her
lips -- and slowly raising her chin.
	His eyes flashed -- he moved his face toward her.
	She tilted her head slightly and closed her eyes -- then
felt his arms gently yet urgently encircle her shoulders.
	As they drew her to him, she slipped her own about his waist.  
	His lips pressed against hers.
	Time stood still.






	Several yards away from the tender scene, Cologne smiled with
great satisfaction.  "At last!  Our time in this dreadful place is
almost behind us!  We finally have what we came for," she thought to
herself, drawing a relieved sigh.
	Despite the fact that it wasn't as she had originally
envisioned, she was still looking forward to returning to her
homeland in triumph.  "And not a moment too soon.  I wasn't getting
any younger," she lamented inwardly, shaking her head.
	As she continued to watch the scene unfold, a different sort
of smile began to cross her face.  She could feel Yue's aura 
intensifying, just as she'd hoped, but wasn't prepared for what 
happened next.  
	Without warning, a powerful wave suddenly washed right over 
her, widening her aged eyes.  "Time for me to leave -- I'm definitely
too old for this," she smirked, fanning at her face as she turned 
and silently hopped into the night.





	The only sounds she heard as the ringing in her ears
subsided were the soft, feathery pecks of their parting kisses,
followed by the quiet tap of her heels touching down on the walk.
	Sighing luxuriantly at the glow settling over her, she 
melted against Tsu's broad chest and smiled deliriously.
	"<Tsu...>" she breathed, at an utter loss for words of
more substance.
	"<Yue...>" he responded, as his embrace shifted so that
he held her head gently.  She also felt him swallow hard, and draw a
long breath.  Her heart skipped a beat.
	"<I know...  This ain't the right way to do this,>" he 
began, then paused as if to gather his thoughts.
        She sucked in a breath -- and held it.
	"<But I can't help it...  I...  I love you,>" he finally
stated, resting his chin gently on the top of her head.
	She did the only things her rejoicing heart would allow.
She tightened her embrace, nestled her face into his garments -- and
wept.
	"<Forgive me...  But I am just...  So happy...  I have loved
you almost from the moment we met,>" she sniffed a few moments
later, trying desperately to compose herself.  "<And it was my
fondest hope...  To one day know that you felt the same,>" she
added, at which a few more tears managed to escape.
	She felt his arms tighten in response, followed by him
drawing another long breath, clearing his throat, and moving his 
face closer.
	"<Well, I do -- have since the first time we really
talked,>" he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.  "<And I
been praying that you'd love me even half as much,>" he added, his
voice unsettled.
	She gasped, then started to laugh through her tears.  "<You
should have no fear of that!>" she chuckled, squeezing for all she
was worth.  "<I do love you...  With everything that I am...  And
I will until my final breath,>" she swore, lifting her face to look
hard into his eyes.
	He smiled the widest, most releived smile she had as yet
ever seen him display.  "<Just like I love you, Liang Ju Yue,>" he 
confirmed, running his fingers through her unbound locks.  After a 
long moment of what seemed thoughtful reflection, he stepped back, 
took her hands and appeared to set himself.
	She felt her entire body tense.
	"<Liang Ju Yue...  Would you...  Do me the honour of taking
me for your husband?>" he asked, his nervous smile seeming to light
up the night as he produced a band of gold, topped with a single 
sparkling diamond.
	"<Yes!!>" she cried out, leaping into his arms and hugging
him tight.  "<Oh, Tsu...  This is my dream come true!>" she sniffed,
her tears of joy returning even as she laughed out loud.
	



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END -Yue - Part Six                   A Ranma1/2 Fanfic by Coutuva

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coutuva@gmail.com