The Journey is the Destination Chapter 21 By poetheather The trip went off well so far and they have reached their training site. What are they going to do now with three girls and one sort of boy?

The four of them stood and stretched, ignoring the stares that were turned their way as they exited the train station. Ukyo looked around to get her bearings and said, “Konatsu and I are going to go get the foodstuffs we need. We figured that getting out of Nerima with no clue we were departing was more important than shopping.”

Ranma nodded. She had to agree with that sentiment as that had been her idea as well. She just hoped that Nabiki did nothing with that information that could get them followed. “Okay. There is a bus we can take that will get us closer to the mountains where the training site is. Akane and I will grab the tickets and meet you back here?”

The chef nodded. “Sure thing sugar. This shouldn’t take too long. See you soon.”

As the Chef turned to go, Konatsu skipped along with her and that got Ranma thinking. Akane noticed that particular look and asked, “Ranma? What do you have in mind?”

“I’m not sure yet but maybe I can do something nice for Konatsu, to thank him for everything.” said Ranma, as various things ran through her head.

Akane blinked a few times at that, “Like what? He is practically a girl in most every way but one… oh? Really?”

Ranma nodded, letting Akane know that she had hit the nail on the head. “My only worry is if Ukyo is interested in him as he is now or what.”

“You think Ukyo is interested in Konatsu?” asked Akane, a bit confused. She hadn’t exactly gotten than feeling but she was aware that she occasionally missed things.

“Well, we both know that he is really interested in her so all we need to find out if that particular feeling goes both ways and in what form she prefers him. That can let us know what to do for both of them.” Ranma smiled, pleased that her idea seemed to be going over well.

“How are you going to make it happen? Do you have some packets of Instant Nyanniichuan?”

Ranma nodded, her smile getting bigger. “I filched a couple of packets from the Old Ghoul a while ago. You never know what is going to turn out to be useful. I figured that it might be a handy thing to have along.”

Akane hugged her fiancé tightly. “I love you.”

“I love you too. What was that for?” asked Ranma, clearly confused over how these things were linked. How was helping the crossdressed ninja and her being loved by her Tomboy connected?

“For being clever and doing whatever you have to in order to win. That may very well give Konatsu the happiness he deserves. He really has been a good friend to her.” Akane was smiling brightly and it sort of dazed Ranma, who started to have a goofy smile in response.

Akane giggled at the sight and that allowed Ranma to get her mind back together. “Uhm… right, let’s get the bus tickets.”

Akane kept giggling as Ranma and she headed to the ticket office to buy the bus tickets for the four of them to get deeper into the valley and closer to the training area that Ranma had in mind for them to use. If they managed to get up there quickly it would probably be a much more relaxing day.

* * * * *

It was late afternoon when they reached the campsite. Everyone was tired from the continuously uphill hike with the exception of Ranma, who insisted that they get the campsite set up before it got dark. Bodies complained loudly but they got the tents up, the fire pit dug, rocks lining it, the food stored safely so a bear couldn’t get at it, a latrine dug and firewood gathered. By that point, even Ranma looked a little wrung out and in need of some rest. She smiled at the rest of them and said, “Come on.”

Akane whimpered some, as her body only wanted to fall over. Did the redhead seriously expect them to go on another hike? The group of them followed Ranma out of sheer pride and determination not to fail, despite their bodies complaining every step of the way. They climbed some more, rounded a boulder and then the three of them sighed in happiness at what they saw. There before them was a natural hot spring; one of many that dotted this region and steam was rising from its surface. Ranma was grinning at them and was already stripping, laying her clothes on a dry boulder that was near at hand. Ukyo and Akane quickly followed suit but Konatsu hesitated and was looking away, clearly blushing, “Uhm… I can keep watch if you want.”

Ukyo colored in realization as to why her waitress had not joined them in getting ready for the hot spring. Ranma noted that and smiled, saying, “Konatsu, come on in. I am sure you are sore from that hike and everything. You need this soak just like the rest of us.”

“But Ranma, I don’t want to… expose myself.” Konatsu was blushing furiously and he almost sounded close to tears.

“Then leave your fundoshi on. That should be fine. We all know you are not trying to upset us so it really is a non-issue.” explained Ranma.

Konatsu nodded and nervously undressed, his blush covering more than just his face as he folded his clothes and set them down on the boulder. Once down to his red fundoshi that matched his other clothes, he covered his chest with his hands and stepped gingerly into the water, eyes too afraid to look anywhere. Both Ranma and Akane had seen the glances that Ukyo had been casting her waitress and smiled at each other. They had a plan now.

Soon enough the four of them were sighing in contentment, as the warm water soothed their sore bodies. Ranma said, “Okay, after dinner I think it should be right to sleep because we have lots of training to do in the morning. We are going to work on three things while we are here, toughening you up, getting you faster and getting your fighting stronger.”

Everyone just nodded, having expected something along these lines. Ukyo asked, “And that’s all we’re going to do?”

Ranma shook her head, her wet red hair hanging in clumped strands. “Nope. You and Akane need to practice fighting together as a single unit as that will help you be able to face any of the Amazon’s better, more so Mousse than Shampoo. I can handle either of them just fine and Konatsu is a ninja, so he will be fine as well, since he can attack from hiding. Does that work for you guys?”

The other three nodded, seeing the beginnings of a battle plan. Akane asked, “Do we have a plan to fight them yet Ranma?”

Ranma shook her head. “Nope. I would prefer if we didn’t have to fight them at all but I am aware that we just might. It really has me worried as they are some of the toughest opponents. If we can just get the Old Ghoul to leave me alone when we get back things should work out.”

Akane grumbled something just under her breath. Ukyo asked, “What was that sugar?”

“I said fat lot for that happening.”

Everyone nodded, agreeing with the youngest Tendo girl. There was little doubt in anyone’s mind that things were going to come to blows.

Soon, once the group of them had relaxed enough, everyone got out, dressed, and headed back to camp, walking slowly. Ukyo started the fire and then cooked food for everyone, which was a simple but filling meal of vegetable and pork okonomiyaki. Ukyo clearly wanted to save the other ingredients for when the fresh stuff ran out, which seemed like a good plan to everyone else, besides everyone knew just how good Ukyo’s cooking could be.

Once the meal was over the whole group of them were fighting off yawns, their bodies dragging them to sleep. Everyone changed into their pajamas, with Ranma and Akane sharing one tent, while Ukyo and Konatsu the other. They all called out their good nights to each other and then Akane snuggled against her girlfriend and kissed her softly on the lips. “Good night Ranma.”

Ranma kissed her back, turning it into something deeper and more passionate than the short haired girl’s kiss. They broke apart with a slight gasp from each of them as they had kissed until they needed air. Ranma looked deeply into Akane’s eyes, her blue eyes soft. “I utterly love you Akane Tendo and I cannot wait for this to be over so you and I can get married and begin working on our happily ever after.”

Akane rested a hand lovingly on Ranma’s face, stroking it with her thumb. “I love you two Ranma and I cannot wait to be Mrs. Saotome. We are going to take care of this… yes?”

“You better believe it Akane. I just want the Amazons out of our hair so that we can just deal with each other without any of their madness spreading to our lives.” stated Ranma. “I chose you a long time ago and there is no way I am going to spend the rest of my life married to that nutcase Shampoo. And that isn’t even counting the fact that she turns into a c-c-c-c-c-one of those things.”

Akane grinned wickedly and replied with, “Don’t worry Ranma. I will make sure that the purple pussy isn’t able to hurt you.”

Ranma groaned, rubbing her eyes with a free hand. “Akane, please, no more. I think that joke almost killed me.”

She bopped him lightly on the head with her fist, saying lightly, “Jerk.”

“Tomboy.”

The two of them came together again in a deep kiss. Akane’s hands roamed over Ranma some before they broke the kiss, caressing the body of the woman she loved so much. She smiled and leaned forward, kissing Ranma on the tip of her nose. “I love you Ranma.”

“I love you Akane. Let’s get some sleep so we have enough energy to deal with tomorrow.”

In the other tent, Konatsu and Ukyo were lying next to each other, each feeling a bit uncomfortable in their own bedrolls. The kunichoi broke the silence first, nervously saying, “Miss Ukyo, if this makes you uncomfortable I can go sleep outside.”

“Don’t be silly Konatsu. There is no need to do that. We can just be adults about this.” It almost sounded as if Ukyo were trying to convince herself of this fact, which she was.

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable Miss Ukyo. You know I love you and I would do anything to make you happy.” replied the ninja, sitting up some so he could better face her.

Ukyo could tell that he was wearing a very feminine pajama set and it did look good on him. I t was in stark contrast to the fact that he really was a boy beneath it all. She bit her lip, trying to figure what to say. “The only thing that is making me a bit uncomfortable about this is the fact that you are a boy.”

There was a deep sigh and Konatsu said in a voice that was clearly tired and sad, “I know. I wish I wasn’t but I am.”

“You wish you were a girl?” asked Ukyo, a bit surprised. This had not been a point of view she had even thought of.

“I… I… I don’t know. I think like a girl and feel like a girl but I know my body isn’t a girls. I would beg Ranma for some Drowned Girl water if it weren’t for the fact…” his voice faded, slightly scared about what he was revealing.

Ukyo asked softly, trying to relax her friend. “What fact?”

“You. I love you Miss Ukyo, utterly and completely. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making you happy any way I can, but you need a man in your life, not a screwed up gender freak like myself.” It was clear that Konatsu was coming close to tears by the way his voice hitched.

Ukyo reached over and cuffed him to the back of the head, upset with him. She hissed out, “Don’t you ever call yourself a freak ever again. You hear me!?”

“Yes Miss Ukyo.” He replied contritely.

“Besides, Akane is the only one here who isn’t screwed up gender wise. Ranma is well, Ranma and I have been raised as a boy. So who cares if you were raised as a girl? It is no big deal so just relax, okay?”

Konatsu’s eyes got really big at this. “Do you really mean that Miss Ukyo?”

“Yes. I do believe it. I…” her voice faded, as she realized what she was admitting to and she closed her mouth with a snap.

“You really are the best Miss Ukyo.” gushed Konatsu girlishly.

Ukyo sighed, trying to settle her jumbled thoughts. “If you could, would you want to turn into a girl?”

Konatsu bit his lower lip nervously, looking up at the ceiling. “I don’t know. I think it all depends on what Miss Ukyo wants me to do. I just want to make you happy.”

Ukyo was silent for a few minutes and then rolled onto her side, facing away from the male kunichoi. Is the boy saw her face he might be able to figure out what sorts of thoughts were running through her head. “Good night Konatsu.”

“Good night Miss Ukyo. Pleasant dreams.”