Ukyo Kuonji (Love Note)

Ukyo Kuonji (久遠寺 右京 Kuonji Ukyō) is Ranma Saotome's childhood friend and one of his three fiancées.
==Plot==
Shortly after being kicked to the curb by Shampoo, Akane took it upon herself to find Mousse some temporary residence and given his experience in the restaurant business, Ukyo had found herself on the short list. She had been very reluctant to take the Amazon in, but after much pleading from Akane, she agreed on a temporary basis.
Ukyo threw Kodachi out of her restaurant sending and continued to try and chase her off when she told her to embrace the passion between them. Ukyo exhausted from fighting off Kodachi’s advances didn’t learn about Cupid until being informed by one of her classmates. Before she had time to become angry L made his gambit of using Linda Marsel as a decoy.
Mousse proved to be surprisingly obedient and competent at his work. The only minor annoyance was his occasional fits of self pity over Shampoo's rejection, or his bouts of blind anger towards Ranma, both of which were easily and quickly corrected with a good swift battle spatula over the head. He also acted as decent bodyguard against Kodachi.
Having Mousse abouts had also given Ukyo the opportunity to discretely interrogate him in regards to Shampoo. Since the whole Cupid confrontation on the television, Ukyo had been convinced Shampoo was somehow involved. Too many things about the incidents were conveniently in her favor for Ukyo to think otherwise.
However, as time went on, her confidence in that had diminished, and speaking to Mousse on the topic had not helped. Despite all her suggestions to the contrary, Mousse was adamant that Shampoo had been genuinely in love with him for that brief period, and it had been no act. Add to that Ranma's new interest in Kasumi and Ukyo's theory was leaking from two gaping holes.
Ukyo arrived home to her restaurant to prepare for her evening opening. She was brought out of her insecurities about Ramna’s feeling for Kasumi, by finding Kodachi there. She tried to playfully flirt with Ukyo which served only to disgust her. Getting tired a frustrated Ukyo pulled out her weapon and tried to get Kodachi to realize that her affection was just the result of Cupid.
Kodachi surprised Ukyo by revealing that she was fully away of this, but she had never felt like this before, while Ranma was amusing enough it wasn’t the same. Shaking her head to banish the thought, and the imagery this revelation brought up, Ukyo told her she still wouldn’t be her girlfriend.
Kodachi expressed her own frustrations at Ukyo pining over Ranma stating that he treated her poorly. However, before Ukyo started considering an all out brawl, which would no doubt cause considerable damage to the facilities, Kodachi changed approaches. She told Ukyo that she would prove her worth though when Ukyo told her to leave she told her anything but that. Her patience used up, Ukyo told Kodachi to go find a good psychiatrist, much to her surprised while Kodachi denied she needed one she agreed.
Ukyo was on her way to school thinking about how she was going to make a move with Ranma when she was attacked by the St. Bacchus's School for Girls rhythmic gymnastics team. It quickly became apparent that these girls were poor substitutes for Kodachi. Each was versed only in their one weapon, and not particularly well at that. After only a minute all the girls lay defeated on the ground.
It turned out that Kodachi had listened to Ukyo and went to a psychiatrist who advised her to quit the team, and since they were totally dependant on her they wanted revenge on Ukyo for suggesting it. After she got over her initial shock at this revelation an annoyed Ukyo tried to explain that she had no say in what Kodachi does, only for them to demand that she talk to Kodachi much to her frustration. 
Realizing they couldn’t forcibly make Ukyo do what they wanted they left, but not before declaring that if she didn’t undo the mess she created, they would hunt her forever. By the time lunch came, rumors were already spreading through the school about the battle that morning, and becoming more crazy by the minute. So preoccupied had she been with the morning incident and the fall out, she had nearly forgotten her original goals for the day. She found Ranma sitting outside by the field.
She attempted asked him out on a date only to be told that Genma wanted him to train. So she asked him about L. Ranma wasn’t really that convinced that the man he and Kasumi met was L. when Ukyo asked why he just shrugged stating that there was really no reason for him to reveal himself, which Ukyo conceded. They two had a little small talk about who Cupid could be before he casually asked how Mousse was doing. Ukyo wasn’t fooled and just told him that he and Akane were supposed to go out again that weekend.
Ranma darkened some at hearing this, but he merely huffed. Ukyo frowned slightly at this, but uncertain which way to go, so decided to just maintain the what was for now and told him that he shouldn’t worry about it. Ranma reflexively denied that he was stating that he wouldn’t fall for Akane’s attempt to make him jealous. Ukyo was not sure whether that was a good or bad thing for her.
After school Ukyo returned to her restaurant only to find the gymnastic team picketing it, stating that it was a health hazard and that she mistreats her workers. After taking a moment to fully absorb what she was witnessing, Ukyo rushed over and demanded to know what they were doing. They threatened to continue to picket if she didn’t talk to Kodachi even taping the even so that they could send her attempting to stop their peaceful protest to the local authorities. They also threatened to do something else if she thwarted this attempt. 
With no other recourse Ukyo agreed to talk to Kodachi. At the gate to the Kuno mansion, Ukyo was greeted by Sasuke who thanked her for making Kodachi go to a doctor as she had become much saner. He led her to what turned out to be the bath and in her embarrassment Ukyo ended up accidentally falling in with Kodachi. Kodachi provided Ukyo a bathrobe and she explained what was going on as Kodachi got dressed. While Kodachi agreed to talk to her team she couldn’t promise that they would like what she had to say.
Ukyo was satisfied when she agreed to at least talk to her therapist about her quitting. While Ukyo was in no mood for small talk she was not in much of a position to evade it either since Sasuke was still drying her clothing. Seeing how uncomfortable she was Kodachi agreed to hurry it along so that they could go talk to her team. Ukyo retires to her room leaving Kodachi outside talking with her squad, satisfied that she at least appeared to be talking them down.
She was watching Cupid’s Arrow when Kodachi returned. She couldn’t promise that there would be no further trouble, but her team appeared to have seen reason. She did tell Ukyo to contact her if they trouble her further and she would discuss it with them. Under normal circumstances, Ukyo might have felt sorry for the girls. She was long past that point though. Unfortunately Ukyo agreed that if Kodachi was able to get them to stop she would no longer be banished from the restaurant.
Ukyo once again brought up the fact that Kodachi’s love for her was coerced, but she brushed it off as love wearing off was the risk in all relationships. Kodachi asked if Ukyo believed she and Ranma were any different to which Ukyo was quick to reply that Cupid didn’t make her love him. Unexpectedly, Kodachi nodded in seeming acceptance of this. Though she did ask why Ukyo changed her mind about getting revenge on Ranma for abandoning her. Ukyo mentally replied that he called her cute, but knew such a response sounded lame. So merely said that it was complicated. Kodachi smiled at that answer and left leaving Ukyo with a shiver.
To see if Cupid could only target those with compatible sexual orientation L went to Ukyo and asked her quite bluntly her sexual orientation, making sure to emphasize that an inaccurate answer could potentially lead the case astray. She grew nervous and would not answer. Which is all the response he needed. If she were heterosexual, there would be little reason to not answer. Meaning that Kodachi was not directed to love Ukyo specifically, it was a mere coincidence.
Shampoo had saw him leave and Ukyo why he was there. She gave Shampoo an evasive response causing her to examine her for a moment, debating whether to push the matter or drop it. In the end, she decided Ukyo would not bend to questioning if she had not already. With a huff, Shampoo asked where Mousse was. Before Shampoo could theorize why L had been there Mousse came rushing, then tumbling, down the stairs. Recovering quickly at the bottom he rushed over to Shampoo.
Ukyo came back down the stairs herself, but stopped at the doorway to the restaurant, leaning against it to watch. As he asked her if she forgave him Shampoo chose her words carefully. She told him that she didn’t think he was cupid anymore and that he could come back to work at half pay. Excitedly Mousse rushed off to get his stuff. Ukyo called Shampoo out on this who replied that she wasn’t the one paying him and that it was probably ten times more then Ukyo did. Ukyo tried to defend herself by saying he got free room and board, only to get a huff from Shampoo before the Amazon left.
Ukyo followed Mousse back upstairs, finding him already in a rush to grab up his stuff. She told him that Shampoo really didn’t want him back and it was most likely Cologne or Ranma who had convinced her. Mousse mood darkening as he thought on that, but decided that it was a good thing if it was Ranma. An unconvinced Ukyo headed back downstairs to man the restaurant, and after thinking about it for a second Mousse realized that while this got him away from Akane he didn’t get Ranma and Akane back together. In revenge Mousse decided to go back but keep seeing Akane.
Since they all expressed a desire to aid in his investigation L invited Kuno, Kodachi, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Soun, Genma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, and Tofu to a high rise building. He met with Cologne first figuring it was best to meet with her before the others.
Those first meeting the man paused in some wonderment, particularly noting his odd sitting posture. However, this lasted only a moment before they all began to take seats. Though he still had doubts Ranma confirmed to Nabiki the only one aware that Trista was there that he was the man he met. L introduced himself as Ryuzaki and Kuno was the first to express gis doubt that L was who he claimed he was. L confirmed who he was, but also eased there doubts stated that even if he wasn’t he was at least speaking on behalf of L.
L agreed to allow them to help him, but he didn’t sugar coat the fact that fact that they were all still suspects, though he didn’t reveal his exact suspects. Nabiki kept her face neutral at this revelation. With that he laid down what he had deduced so far noting. L eyed each member of the group in turn, pausing particularly on Kasumi who was all smiles and seemed absolutely riveted on the conversation.
The first was that there were Two Cupids. Many repeated in surprise. Nabiki in particular could not help but frown at this revelation. Much to Nabiki’s annoyance he explained how Kasumi clued him in on how Cupid needs a name and face to affect you. As he was talking the second Cupid revealed themselves on Cupid’s arrow. The others wanted to rush to put a stop to it, but L protested that it was to dangerous to intervene the others rushed. The second Cupid introduced themselves as the real Cupid telling L that they would offer him a gift of their benevolence. 
When the people gathered at the station started trying to batter there way in L called to have all broadcasts cut realizing that Cupid was still affecting them. With nothing else to to Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse, Akane, Shampoo Ukyo, Kodachi and Tatewaki went to the building to do what they could. Even Soun elbowed Genma and the pair joined in as well. Before they left L told them to everything that Cupid provided. Kasumi called out to them to be careful while beside her, Nabiki simply crossed her arms, a frown firmly locked on her face.
When L received a letter from Cupid he once more gathered with the various residents of Nerima to tell them what had happened. He also informed them of his theory that the Cupid they knew from before was in fact two people. There were various degrees of surprise at hearing this. Kasumi was the first to ask why the second Cupid never used such power until now. L figured that that there was some downside to it. Mousse was vehemently against agreeing as Cupid still needed reverse the damage the damage they had done. Upon being told that there was no evidence to date that Cupid can terminate love, only generate it he started banging his head on the table in frustration.
Kasumi got things back on track by asking L what he planned on doing. Given the seriousness of the situation L was inclined to agree so he told them to wait until he had more precise instruction on what to do. There was a variety of low key grumbles in response to this, but little else. Kodachi who was content with how things were found that fair. As they left she told the others that she was sure they’d adapt to her own situation in time while smiling at Ukyo. Ukyo just quickly looked away.
Later he played them an audio of not only him denying Cupid’s request, but a recording of the second Cupid denying the new ones legitimacy. After hearing it several were shifting into various disquieted positions and expressions. He asked them to stay at the building. They had come and gone numerous times and might be in danger as they could have been seen. The various Nerima residents looked at each other in consideration before Cologne took the initiative on behalf of herself, Shampoo and Mousse. This got the others to agree as well. He had Watari prepare them rooms as they waited for the official broadcast.
As expected it didn’t long for the worshipers of the third Cupid to find L’s building, with the more bold individuals shoving or otherwise attacking the other shutters in futility. While everyone else was in the main room Ukyo went off on her own. Kodachi found her looking outside, down at the crowd below. Kodachi tried to make small talk only to get short blunt answers causing her eventually to ask if Ukyo was moping. Ukyo’s face twitched at the accusation, but she did not argue. A moment of silence passed before Ukyo asked Kodachi how she dealt with knowing the person she loved loved someone else.
Kodachi told her that theoretically you would have the three D options: denial, defeat, or defiance. Seeing Ukyo’s confused glance she elaborated a little more. After she was finished Ukyo shoulders sagging, things were different when it was just Akane, but now that Ranma had fallen in love with Kasumi. Kodachi asked Ukyo is she thought she couldn’t endure the heartache causing Ukyo to sharply look at her, her eyes wide for an instant before quickly turning away. Kodachi smiled slightly but said nothing more.
Ukyo started to apologize for what Cupid did to Kodachi only to be quickly cut off as Kodachi was perfectly content with her situation. Besides she wasn’t about to crumble from a little heartache and was sure Ukyo could manage to. Once more Ukyo looked to Kodachi in surprise but the gymnast took a greater interest in the crowd. Ukyo looked as well, but before she could offer any ideas an explosion rocked the building from precisely that point.
Watari informed the group that someone had reached the network room and he believed they were trying to hack the system. As the worshipers began to break into the building everyone decided to go and stop them. L asked Ranma if he could stop those who were trying to hack into the system.
They had barely made it into the main stairwell before the next explosion hit, breaching the last of the obstacles between them and the protesters. As expected, before even the dust had cleared, people were pouring in through the breach. Cologne instructed the group to keep them from getting any further up as she dove into the fray, effortlessly disabling three men with but a touch. Shampoo and Mousse followed in just after. Ranma and the others were just finished dealing with those that slipped by when another explosion, further away, could be heard. Genma, Soun, Akane and Ryoga left to deal with that.
The protesters began throwing Molotov cocktails and while they were quickly ablr to put out the fires they still activated the sprinklers. Kodachi who had been having fun dealing with the chaos of a good riot let out an uncharacteristic squeak of shock at finally witnessing Ranma, Mousse, and Shampoo’s transformation. As Ranma looked back at the wide eyed Kodachi, she wondered if the the sprinklers were linked. Her questions were answered when she heard Akane yell Ryoga’s name in shear outrage. Ignoring that for now Ranma left Cologne to hold things here while she ran to the network room.
Kodachi was still in shock, making unintelligible sounds for several more seconds before finally asking Cologne and Cologne if they say it two which they just affirmed calmly. Kodachi’s anger and embarrassment was ignored as another wave of protesters approached. She did tell them they would deal with it later. Hours later, police were escorting various protesters and troublemakers from the building. Ukyo had managed to retrieve Ranma who they found paralyzed on the floor, but could do nothing for her till the trouble died down. Now finally free to act, Cologne was to fix Ranma. She explained to everyone that his ki had been poisoned. L didn’t believe that it was a coincidence that the person who broke in knew such an obscure technique and asked Ranma if he at get a look at either of them, but they wore mask.
Ultimately they were at a stalemate. The hack failed but the hacker escaped. Since there was no indication that any of them were identified it should be safe for them to go home. After Ryoga tried to jump off of the roof Ranma took him to Ucchan hoping she could help. The two overlooked him singing sadly to himself, spaced out of the goings on around him, sitting on the floor and rocking slowly back and forth while Ranma tried to ignore Kodachi periodically dousing him in cold and hot water by the second. Eventually he got tired of it causing Kodachi to go and get a mop to clean the mess up.
Still coming to terms with Ryoga being P-chan Ukyo asked Ranma why he didn’t tell Akane. Kodachi asked him as well though the fact that she was far more blunt about it caused an annoyed Ranma to just say that it was complicated. Not caring about the crying Ryoga Kodachi asserted that Akane was being taken advantage of by a shape changing pervert was correct. Ranma could just cringe and look away.
Ukyo had to go and open the restaurant so told them to stay out of trouble. Ranma left a short while later and return with a girl named Anaa who was looking for Joe who Ukyo figured was Ryoga. With Anna distracting Ryoga Ranma felt that it was time to deal with Akane. With that Kodachi knew that it was time for her to leave as well. She told Ukyo she knew where to find her if she had any further need. Ukyo just mumbled that she didn’t have much need in the first place as Kodachi left.
Category:Ukyo Kuonji
Category:Love Note