Disclaimer:

I don't own the characters of Ranma 1/2. I am merely writing a fanfic for non-profit purposes.

Thanks to my pre-reader GSL for providing me with many useful comments. (There I've thanked you, you can stop waving that mallet now)

C&C will be greatly appreciated. To contact me, e-mail me at chiaty@singnet.com.sg

Background: This story takes place 5 years after Ranma first came to Nerima. After the failed wedding attempt, Ranma became closer to Akane. But for a long time, everything still remained the same, he still had many fiancees while Akane was still being pursued by several admirers. That's because Ranma and Akane still vehemently denied their feelings for each other. Now onto the story:

"Ucchan!" shouted Ranma as he rushed into the oknomiyaki restaurant. He saw her, a vision of beauty, clad in a chef's outfit, serving customers. The afternoon sun highlighted her long hair, making it seem almost a fiery red. She turned towards him and was about to offer him the usual free food when he grabbed both her hands. Eyes glistening with deep emotions, he kissed the back of her hands. Shocked, Ukyou could only stand there numbly.

"Ucchan, I've realised the error of my ways. You were right. Akane and I were never meant to be." Scenes of Akane malleting him, punting him into the blue skies and poisoning him over the past 5 years replayed in his mind. He shuddered. "She was not my type. And I was a fool to let the relationship drag on for so long. I know now that you are the only one for me. You are always there when I needed you, giving me free food, fighting with me against my numerous enemies and most importantly of all, listening to my woes. Your actions over the years have touched my heart. I'm in love with you, Kuonji Ukyou."

He looked at her flawless face, enhanced by a little make-up and stared at her lips, wondering if they would taste as soft as they looked. He leaned in... and his lips touched a cold metallic surface. <Huh?> He opened his eyes and saw that his beloved Ucchan had wedged a tiny spatula between their lips. He looked bewildered for a moment, then he understood. "Don't worry," he said, smiling as he hugged her. "I'm not doing this in a spur of the moment. I've already broken up with Akane."

"Its not that!" The object of his affections wrenched herself free from his grasp. "I no longer love you."

"What!"

"You see, after the failed wedding attempt, you told the whole gang that if you didn't want to marry Akane, you would have stopped it. That's when I realised that you loved Akane. So after some time, I moved on."

"But... you said that you would never give up. That you will always love me."

"Oh, Ran-chan. I said that years ago. I've changed, we all have." Her tone was like what one would use when speaking to a child.

"But... But... The free food... The name 'Ran-chan'," stammered Ranma.

"Ran-chan was your nickname when we were young. We are best friends, of course I won't let you pay for your meals here. You're a nice guy and all but I am over you. Now, you're my dearest friend. And I'm content with being your friend. I'm sorry but I don't feel the same way that you do."

"No. You don't mean it. You said that you would wait for me." He shook his head in denial.

Ukyou felt like screaming. Ranma was like a stubborn mule. She would have be harsher on him. "Look Saotome Ranma, you've been stringing Akane, Shampoo and me along for so long. You never did say who you love. And when I found out that you loved Akane, it hurt. A lot. All the years I've wasted, waiting for you. But then I thought 'I don't need a boy who treats his love so badly, always insulting her and being so indecisive about their relationship. I need a _man_ who loves me and isn't afraid to show it'. So I moved on with my life. I'm sorry-"

"You don't have to say anything more. I... I understand. Goodbye," whispered Ranma as he shuffled out of the restaurant. How could he have let someone like Ucchan slip away? If only he had realised sooner, how good Ucchan treated him. Now, all he had left was regret. Tears streamed down his face as he walked away.

Back inside the restaurant, the regular customers were cheering. "Ukyou!... Ukyou!..." Finally, she had shown some backbone and rejected Saotome Ranma, who had strung all his fiancees along for years. Did he honestly believe that all of them would wait for him to make up his mind?

"Boss, your phone call. Its your boyfriend," yelled a waitress.

Ukyou blushed and scolded, "He's NOT my boyfriend. We only dated twice." Then she quickly grabbed the phone and sat in a private booth. <Poor Ran-chan, I hope he will be ok soon. I never wanted to hurt him.>

"Hello." She listened for a few moments, then replied,"Yes. I had a great time last night too." A few minutes later, she smiled and said, "Lunch date on the beach? Sure..."

THE END!