An Odd Engagement: A Ranma « Alternate Universe Fanfiction By Andrew Aelfwine ********** The characters and situations of Ranma « belong to Takahashi Rumiko, and I am merely borrowing them for this non-profit work of fanfiction. It may be archived, distributed, and translated freely, as long as this disclaimer and my name are not removed. If you care to translate it into Irish, French, Scots, or Old through Early Modern English, please drop me a note--I'd love to talk about it. Many thanks to Suika Roberts for reading and giving of advice. Many thanks to Takahashi Rumiko for creating Ranma «. ********** <...> indicates unspoken thought. "<...>" indicates use of a language other than Japanese, although all dialogue is here represented in English. ********** Chapter Two: "Why don't you go get to know your fiance, Kasumi-chan? You could take a pot of tea out to the porch." Ukyou's jaw tightened. "Yes, mother." Kasumi took up the tea tray. "Ukyou-san, Ranma-kun? If you'd take up some of the food and join me on the porch, I'd be most grateful." She smiled at the younger girl, was pleased to see her relax slightly. They sat in awkward silence for a moment, a silence broken only by the murmur of voices from inside and the faint sounds of ridiculous pop music from Nabiki's radio. Kasumi tried to think of something to break the ice, but her thoughts kept slipping back to that marvelous hug. "So, tell me about China." she said at last. Ranma moved slightly, stretching his shoulders, and her eyes couldn't help but linger on the wet cloth of his Chinese shirt and the muscles it clung to so nicely. "I've always thought it would be a fascinating place to visit." Ukyou frowned slightly, and Kasumi diverted her attention. "And you'll have to tell me as well, Ukyou. One of Mr. Saotome's letters to Mama and Daddy said that you all lived with the Chinese Amazons. Is it true what they say...?" "Do you mean all the cheap novels about warrior princesses with harems of handsome men? I'm afraid it isn't. Some of the Elders say that was how their Queens used to live, three, maybe four thousand years ago, but others say that stuff was never anything but stories." "But what is it like, then?" "Well, it's less crowded than it is here. Amazons live in villages, not more than maybe a thousand people in any of them. The Elders say it's better that way. Supposedly they used to have cities, but the Amazons spent all their time fighting duels with each other and the Queendoms all fell, and ever since they've lived in villages where everyone can know each other and be as family to each other." Kasumi smiled. "That's so nice. It must be a very harmonious place." Ranma laughed. "Well, 'tis and 'tain't. Amazons don't stay angry very long, not at each other, but sweet gods do they fight. We were guests, so we didn't catch too much of it, but Shan and her sisters were always getting into brawls." "Shan?" "Shan Pu. She and her husband are our best friends in the village. We met not long after Ranchan got cursed. I think he can tell it better than I." "Well, it all began when we happened to wander into the village of Joketsuzoku, during the big yearly martial arts competition. As it happens, Shan was just after finishing her last opponent, and the whole town was watching." "Shan's not just a good fighter," Ukyou explained, "she's a very elegant one. So everyone--men, old people, children, fighters from the other divisions, practically every single person in the village--was gathered around the dueling ground. Which meant that they weren't watching the victory feast." "Which meant that when Da came along and decided to have a snack or six, there wasn't anybody to deal with him but Ucchan and I." "And we still weren't strong enough to stop him, not his panda form." ***** Four Years Ago: Shan Pu smiled as her opponent fell from the log. Once again, victory was hers! In another year she'd have a shot at breaking the all time record for holding the Junior Champion's title, set during the Ming Dynasty by the legendary Per Fum. "Shan Pu! Shan Pu! Shan Pu!" The audience was chanting her name, cheering, pounding their feet on the earth in an ancient rythmn. She spared a glance for Rei Zhu, now standing, supported by her sister and brother. Even her erstwhile opponent was smiling. As a general rule Amazons didn't hold grudges against their own, but there were always a few exceptions, and most of the less pleasant moments in history hinged upon them. Mu Tsu was foremost in the crowd, and she wanted nothing more than to jump off the log into his arms and let him carry her to the feast. But it just wouldn't do. The Elders would have to hail her as victor, and then she'd have to walk on her own, and only much later would she be able to relax and let her best friend give her a back rub. Then she saw something that wiped away all thoughts of rest. "Stupid panda!" she shouted. "Get away! Shoo!" She bounded through the crowd, maces raised high. The beast was going to pay for the damage it had just wreaked. To her surprise, the panda seemed to have a knowledge of martial arts. It blocked her first swing with an upraised paw, and fell into stance. Even more suprisingly, the panda was _good_. She barely escaped the first backfist, and the spin-kick came within a centimeter of her knee. She only managed to land a single blow herself, and that didn't faze the beast in the slightest. She was just starting to get worried when the giant spatula came down on the panda's head. It looked vaguely aggrieved, then slumped to the ground. "" said the brown-haired girl with the oversized cooking implement. "" She had a strong Japanese accent. Shan Pu glowered at the stranger for a moment. A red- haired girl was right behind her, standing at her left, about a body's width and a half away--a good position from which to support her while staying out of the path of the spatula. The redhead's hands didn't quite rest on her sword, one of the slightly curved Japanese sort, like a miao dao, but smaller. some irrelevant part of Shan's mind reminded her. "" Shan Pu asked. "" The redhead's Mandarin was even less fluent than her friend's. The brown-haired girl began to argue with her companion. Shan couldn't understand their conversation, of course, but it seemed they were talking about the panda. "" the brownhaired girl indicated the redhead with a jerk of her thumb. "" So, the two girls were engaged. Not an uncommon arrangement among Amazons, but Shan had always thought the Japanese frowned on that sort of thing. "" she said to the redhead, pointing to the panda and speaking slowly. The girl nodded. "" "" ***** "And so we became guests of the Amazons. Auntie showed up a few days later, and it turned out she and Shan's mother had actually studied together. Small world, isn't it?" "It must be so nice to travel. Myself I've hardly ever been out of the prefect..." *crash* A foot-shaped, foot-sized patch seemed to explode outward from the wall of the dojo. Ukyou raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that's just my sister. She doesn't quite know her strength, does she?" Kasumi smiled and batted her eyes. Ukyou thought. With an effort of will, she pulled herself out of the downward spiral of thought. "So, Kasumi, do you do martial arts?" "Well, I used to. But it's been a while since I've done much. You see, Mama and Daddy got so caught up in training Akane that there wasn't really much time for them to work with Nabiki and me. Besides, they were so busy that they couldn't really take care of the house, so I took over the cooking and the cleaning and I didn't have any time to train, either." She gave a little sigh. She was too appealing to resist. "Well, would you like to work a bit with Ranchan and I? We haven't done much teaching, but I'm sure we could use the practice." "Really? Are you sure you wouldn't mind?" Kasumi almost glowed with happiness. It was impossible to not smile back at her. Ukyou thought to herself. "Not at all. Would you like to start today?" ***** "Kimi-chan, are you really sure about this?" Soun said softly. Genma and Nodoka had at last gone off to take a bath, a fact for which Soun was grateful, as it had at last ended the dreadful march through the wedding catalogs. "Well, I still think our daughter should have a proper traditional wedding, if that's what you mean. Western ceremonies are so vulgar, don't you think, my love?" "No, pet, I meant this engagement. I mean, engaging our Kasumi to a lad who's already got a fiancee?" "She doesn't seem to mind, does she?" "Ah, she's showing a brave face. Such an honourable girl, she is. I just don't want to see my little girl going through life as one of 'those strange people up the road.'" "But honour must be served, Sou-chan. You know the promise we made as well as I." "But isn't this taking it a bit too far?" "Well, just because he's engaged to this Ukyou doesn't mean they have to marry." "They're obviously mad for each other, my love." "We'll talk to Nabiki. She might be able to work something out." Kimiko's face was sad, but determined. "Aye, love." Soun's heart was heavy. ***** "Do we have time before we eat?" Ranma asked Kasumi. "Oh, surely. I'll go put on my gi. Do you want to change clothes?" "No, thanks, Kasumi." "Well, then, I'll see you in a few minutes." She went inside. Ranma switched to Mandarin. "" "" "" "Ranchan..." She wrapped her arms about him, laid her head on his shoulder. Softly, she whispered "" Her voice trailed off to almost nothing as she said "" ***** Kasumi hummed a happy little tune as she undressed. It would be so nice to get back into training. She cast one eye towards the mirror, evaluated herself for a moment. She wasn't carrying too much fat, although her muscle tone wasn't all it had been. Slipping into her gi was like renewing acquaintance with an old friend. "Sister? May I come in?" "Surely, Nabiki-chan." Nabiki raised an eyebrow to see her sister dressed for the training hall. "I'm going to go work out with my fiances." "Fiances, Kasumi-chan?" "Yes, my fiances." "Ah, Kasumi-chan? Could we talk?" "What about?" "Well... mind if I close the door?" "Whatever for?" "It's a bit private." "Is it about a boy? Maybe someone from school?" Kasumi gave a little conspiratorial laugh. Nabiki closed the door. "Not quite. Kasumi-chan, do you really want this engagement?" "Feeling you spoke too quickly this afternoon?" "No. It's just...Kasumi, I spoke truly when I said I don't want to spend my life playing second fiddle. But I don't want to see you doing it, either. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want out of this, I'll give you all my help." Kasumi smiled warmly. Her sister was such a kind person. "Nabiki-chan, thank you, but I'm really not interested. You see, I don't think I'm going to be 'playing second fiddle.'" "But Kasumi, he's obviously mad for this Kuonji girl." "So? I think she's rather charming, myself." "Kasumi, this is the twentieth century! Is the honour of our family so important that you're willing to commit to this?" "Not just the honour of our family. This is my choice, as well." "Are you sure?" "Yes, Nabiki-chan." "Well, just remember I'm here if you change your mind. And Kasumi-chan? If they hurt you, I'll see them both in Hell." "I don't think you need to worry, Nabiki-chan." ***** Ranma was still holding Ukyou when Akane brushed past them, muttering something about perverts. A few moments later, Kasumi came out, her step light and her eyes merry. Ukyou started to pull away from Ranma. Kasumi laid her hand on Ukyou's shoulder. "No, Ukyou, please don't, not because of me." she said gently. "Ready, Kasumi?" Ranma said. "I am, Ranma. Or should I say sensei?" she said with an impish giggle. "Ah, no, that's all right, Kasumi-san." he said hastily. At least he thought this was what people called flirtation he'd never been exposed to it much. As a general rule, girls had never wanted to risk Ucchan's quick tongue and quicker spatula. "Well, then, come this way." The dojo was a fearful sight. The walls bore the pocks and dents of repeated impacts, and in several places actual holes. The high roof was equally battered, and the floor was if anything worse. Fragments of brick and tile had been swept casually into the corners. Only the small shrine at one end had been spared damage. "Oh, my!" Kasumi said, "I'm terribly sorry. I had no idea it was quite this bad. I thought Mama and Daddy and Akane had just done repairs last week. I'm dreadfully sorry, really..." "There now, Kasumi, it's all right." Ranma said. "Anything Goes techniques are hard on buildings, that's all." "Really, Kasumi-chan, it's fine. We've never even had a hall to train in." Ukyou added, patting Kasumi's shoulder. ***** "Nabiki-chan?" Nabiki sat up and turned off her radio. "Mother?" "Could we talk?" "I'm in the middle of some homework right now." "It's important, Nabiki." "Just a minute." Nabiki hid the betting record under a stack of math papers. She didn't see why her mother would mind that she was making a profit off Akane's fights, but her parents could overreact to the damnedest things. She opened the door. Kimiko closed it behind her. "It's about Kasumi and the engagement." "Mother, I said it once and I'll say it again. Kasumi's welcome to them. I'm not interested." "No, Nabiki. It's _them_ I want to talk about." "The American movie about the big ants, mother?" "This isn't time for jokes, Nabiki. Your sister's engaged to a boy with another fiancee. That's a serious problem." "But I thought you and Mrs. Saotome said they were going to share." "When you're as old as I am, Nabiki, you'll learn that there are times one has to be devious. You'll have to agree to things and then find ways to work around them." Nabiki had begun her career as a professional gambler and hustler in kindergarten, gaming for sweets. It took every ounce of skill she had to keep a straight face. "Mother?" "It's for the sake of your sister's honour and happiness, Nabiki. Ranma was engaged before he was born; therefore your sister must be his first and only wife." "Mother, I don't think Kasumi minds sharing." "Kasumi is a very tolerant person. That doesn't mean that she should have to tolerate the intolerable. Mrs. Saotome is a very dear friend of mine, but it's obvious that all this time spent among strange foreign people has addled her sensibilities." "Mother, I think you've missed something. Kasumi _likes_ this Kuonji girl." As if to underscore her words, a burst of laughter rang from the dojo. There were some things her parents were seemingly incapable of noticing. Kimiko showed no sign of even having heard Nabiki. "I hate to do this to a girl whose family didn't know about Ranma's previous engagement, but Kasumi has to come first. Nabiki, do you think you could try and convince Kuonji-san to leave?" "Mother, I'm really not sure..." "Please, Nabiki. For me, for your father, for Kasumi. For all of us." "I don't think there's anything..." "Please, Nabiki. I'm sure we can make it worth your while." "All right, mother, I'll see what I can do." Her mother left, and Nabiki tried to get back to work. But the distant sound of laughter from the dojo kept interrupting her, and she kept thinking back to the discussion she'd just had. ***** "Not bad, Kasumi, not bad 'tall." "You're too kind, Ranma. I'm horribly rusty." In spite of her words, she was actually quite content. If her kata didn't have quite the leopard-grace of her companions', neither were they unworthy of a black belt. "Really, Kasumi, you're doing quite well for as little practice as you said you've had lately. Care to spar a bit?" "I'd be delighted, Ukyou. Unarmed, light contact?" "Blows called, not taken?" "Surely." Kasumi knew full well that the smaller girl was holding back--she was probably fighting at half-speed--but that was all right. She still threw herself into the match whole-heartedly, and her half-speed was quite enough of a challenge. Kasumi didn't feel that she'd been given an easy shot when she finally touched the other girl's arm, nor did she feel taken advantage of when a spear- hand lightly kissed her shoulder. In fact, she was having considerably more fun than the last time she'd sparred with Akane. "Kuonji! Stop fighting with my sister!" Kasumi thought to herself. Her little sister was standing in the doorway, mallet raised high and veritably crackling with ki-energy. Ukyou spun away from Kasumi, hands reaching reflexively for the battle spatula that wasn't slung on her back. "Shite." she heard Ranma mutter as his own instinctive reach came up equally weaponless. He reached up, gracefully snared the two bokken that hung on the wall, sent one in a beautiful spinning arc over his fiancee's shoulder. The hilt of the wooden sword slapped into Ukyou's waiting hands. Kasumi would have applauded the artistry if the situation hadn't been so serious. She stepped between the two would-be combatants. "Akane. Put the mallet down, please?" "Not while they're standing there with bokken, I won't!" Kasumi sighed. "Ukyou, Ranma, would you relax, please? I promise my little sister won't attack you." She heard two faint clicks behind her as two bokken points descended to rest on the floor. "Now, Akane, would you ground the mallet, please?" Her face was still an angry red, but she finally lowered the mallet head to the floor and stood leaning on the haft. "Why are you defending them, Kasumi?" "Because I'm engaged to them, Akane, why else? Now would you please tell me why you just interrupted our sparring session? I thought our parents had raised you better than that." "Sparring session?" "Yes, Akane, we were sparring." "But I thought..." "Akane." "All right. I was wrong. Kuonji-san, Saotome-san, will you accept my apology?" She bowed. They returned her gesture. Kasumi smiled warmly. "Ranma-kun, Ukyou-san, would you mind leaving us for a few minutes? My sister and I must talk, I think." "Kasumi, I'm sorry. I just didn't know what else to think. I mean, I came into the dojo and there you were, that Kuonji woman circling around you, and I just reacted." Kasumi gathered her little sister into a hug. "There now, Akane, it's all right. I know it must seem odd to see me sparring. But you know I've been meaning to get back into practice. Ranma and Ukyou are honourable people; neither of them would just go attacking me for no reason." "But Kasumi, she was so angry this afternoon. What was I to think?" "Of course she was angry. She thought Mama and Daddy were trying to take her fiance away." "But..." "Akane, she's been engaged to him for ten years. They love each other. Anyone would be furious in a situation like that." "But he was engaged to one of us before he was born..." "Akane, that has nothing to do with it. She's been by his side for ten years. If any claim is better than the other, it's hers. In fact, I think she's being uncommonly gracious to me." Ranma and Ukyou were sitting quietly on the porch, holding hands, when Kasumi came from the dojo. She paused for a moment, just to watch them. They looked up, their two heads moving as one. "Sorry about that little incident." "'Twasn't your fault." Ranma said simply. "Sorry about not asking before we borrowed the bokken." "Don't mention it." She smiled softly. "That was a beautiful toss-and-catch, by the way." They both flushed slightly. "Would you like to take a bath? I just checked, and the tub's free." "If there's time." Ukyou said. "Remember, I'm the one who controls the kitchen here. If I say there's time, there's time. Come right this way." They paused outside the door. Ranma looked slightly uncertain. "So, the tub's big enough for three, and we are engaged. Rather silly to be shy around each other, don't you think?" Ranma turned red, much as she'd suspected he would. But she certainly hadn't expected him to begin to fall backwards, his eyes rolling. Ukyou caught and steadied him. "There now, Ranma, I was only teasing." she said, and laid a hand on his shoulder. He smiled weakly. "Seriously, though," Kasumi went on, "it would save time if we girls, at least, were to bathe together. So, who first?" "Why don't you two go ahead?" "No, why don't you, Ranchan?" Ukyou replied. "No, really. Ladies first." ***** As Kasumi went upstairs, Ranma and Ukyou continued to discuss the matter. "" she said in quiet Mandarin, "" "" He closed the door behind him. Ukyou leaned herself up against the wall. "Ukyou-chan? Do you know where the scrolls are? I wanted to show Kimiko that one about the Tibetan technique, what was it called, the Yak-Dancing-on-Thin-Ice?" "They're in my pack, Aunt Nodoka. Just one moment and I'll find them." ***** Kasumi came down the hall, her arms full of towels. Oh well, he'd probably already found it himself. She was looking forward to the warm water, and a chance to chat with Ukyou. She sighed contentedly as she slipped out of her sweaty gi and threw it into the hamper. She bound her hair into a bun, took up a bucket, and stepped into the bathroom. Ranma closed his eyes and lay back in the steaming water. he thought happily. Bathing in cold rivers was supposed to be good for a martial artist, but it got old after a couple of weeks. "Man, what a day." he sighed. To his surprise, the sound of the sliding door roused him from his reverie. "Da? Mr. Tendou?" "Silly Ranma-kun, it's only me." "Ka-Kasumi-san?" His eyes opened wide. Sure enough, there she was, bucket in hand, wearing only a white hair ribbon. "Yes, Ranma-kun, that's my name. You don't have to be so formal, though. Can you say 'Kasumi'? Or 'Kasumi-chan'?" "Ah, no, that's all right, Kasumi-san..." He blushed furiously. "Really, Ranma-kun, it's no big deal. I mean, we are going to be married." "I'd, ah, really--better leave..." "Don't be silly. You're already soaking, and I'm not washed yet. I'll go put on a robe and find Ukyou, and we can just take our bath together. We might as well, since we've already seen each other." "No, really, that's all right, Kasumi-san." He made a convulsive leap out of the tub, grabbing for his towel. Unfortunately, before he could get it around his middle, he dropped it. To his embarrassment, Kasumi picked it up and handed it to him. He stumbled out the door and threw on his clothes without bothering to dry himself. Kasumi thought to herself. Who would have thought the boy would be so prudish? ***** "Ranchan? What happened?" "She walked in on me, Ucchan! Didn't even knock, just came right in and not a stitch on her." He was still shaking, and she could tell he hadn't even toweled himself off. She held him close against her, let his head rest on her shoulder. "There now, Ranchan, it's all right." ***** Kasumi could feel the tension when Ukyou came into the room. Neither said a word as the younger girl washed and rinsed. Still unspeaking, she slipped into the water opposite Kasumi. "I'm sorry about Ranma, Ukyou-san. I had no idea he'd react like that." A long moment. "You could have knocked." "I didn't know you'd changed your minds about what order we'd bathe in." Ukyou sighed: a long, exasperated sound. "You're right. I should have stayed to warn you instead of going off to help Aunt Nodoka find her bloody scroll. Gods, all for some stupid Tibetan technique only an insane monk would attempt!" Kasumi raised an eyebrow, but apparently Ukyou didn't want to explain. "I would have been more careful if I'd known how shy he was." Ukyou laughed, a short bitter bark. "I suppose somebody should have warned you just what you were getting into, no?" "Should I ask?" "Well, it all goes back to my dear mother-in-law-to-be. It's not that Auntie Nodoka doesn't mean well, it's just that she has some very peculiar notions. She wants Ranchan to become a 'true man among men.'" "And is that a bad thing?" "Her definition is. Ever since we hit puberty, it's been one thing after another. 'Ranma, my son, it would be a very manly thing to sneak into your fiancee's bed tonight.' Or 'Ranma, my son, a man among men would join his fiancee in her bath.'" "That seems a bit much." "Well, that's the least of it. And the problem is, she won't let up. I mean, Ranchan and I love each other. We know each other pretty well. We're comfortable with each other. We probably would have done exactly what she wants, if it weren't for the way she's always beating the issue into the ground." "And this is why he's so very shy?" "That's primarily because of one incident. We were just gone fifteen at the time. Do you really want to know the gory details?" "If you think I should." Ukyou sighed, leaning back her head. Kasumi tried valiantly to ignore the interesting effect the movement had on her breasts. "Well, it all started when she got the idea that Ranchan and Uncle Genma should do some 'male bonding.'" "Isn't that where they go out and get drunk and sing karaoke and talk sports?" "That's what I figured. A few beers, a bit of gambling, maybe a little brawl. Nothing to worry about. "So, one evening they go out, and I go over to Shan's. We spend the evening drinking tea and fixing armour. When I return..." ***** Two Years Earlier: The first thing Ukyou heard was the noise. A faint whimpering, barely audible above Genma's snores. She set her bag down by the door of their little Amazon-style hut, and drew a throwing spatula from her bandolier. On silent feet she drifted through the house. Her fiance was curled into a ball in the corner of the storage room. "Ranchan?" she said softly. "Ucchan?" He was in female form, and had been crying. "Come here, love." Ukyou whispered, and Ranma threw herself into her arms, laid her head on her shoulder. "What happened?" "Stupid bastard took me to a brothel, over in the next village. I tried to tell them I was already taken, but they... wouldn't take no for an answer. Tried to dope me with Passion Spice. I had to run. Da tried to stop me, and we both wound up falling in the river. Stupid bastard." "I'll kill him." "Not worth it, love. Ma put him up to it." ***** "That's awful. Ukyou-san, I'm sorry." "Not your fault, Kasumi-san." She was visibly shaking. "Such a little thing, doesn't it seem? But Ranchan wouldn't so much as put his hand inside my shirt, afterward." She gave a little sob. "What a stupid thing for parents to do." Kasumi reached out, carefully, laid a hand on Ukyou's shoulder. "There, it's all right. He will get over it." "It's been two years, Kasumi-san. Two years. Two... years." Ukyou was weeping openly now. Slowly, carefully, Kasumi guided her forward, put her arms around her, let her rest her head on her shoulder. The younger girl didn't resist. "There now, Ukyou-chan. Let it go." she whispered softly. ***** Ranma sat on the porch and flipped through the newspaper. It seemed that the world was its usual self. ***** Ukyou blew her nose again. "I'm sorry, Kasumi-san, I don't know what got into me." "It's all right. Just one thing. It's Kasumi. Or Kasumi- chan, if you'd rather." She winked. "After all, I just spent twenty minutes sitting in a bathtub with you crying on my shoulder. I think that counts for something, no?" "That it does, Kasumi-chan. As long as you remember that my name's Ucchan." "Done." "We'd better go check on Ranchan. He probably thinks we've been trying to drown each other for the past half hour." ***** <'Today in three American states the Sasquatch held rallies demanding...' Gods, I already read that one, didn't I? Gods, I hope they aren't fighting. Ucchan, I never meant she was trying...> "Hey, Ranchan, what's going on in the world?" "More of the usual, Ucchan. Our Emperor played golf yesterday with the Russian Czar and the Khan of Mongolia, the kitsune are protesting some American musical that's opening in Osaka, and another French billionaire crashed a balloon in the Pacific." "Come along, Ranchan. I told Kasumi-chan we'd help with dinner." She extended a hand, helped him up. "I'm sorry, Ranma-kun." was the first thing she said. "I'll be more careful in the future." "It's all right, Kasumi-s...chan. Listen, I'm sorry as well. I shouldn't have overreacted the way I did." "You've nothing to apologise for, Ranma-chan." She laid a hand on his shoulder. "May I?" she said softly. He nodded, slowly. She drew him into a one-armed embrace. "Ucchan?" She held out the other arm. Holding them both, Kasumi whispered "There's no reason for us not to be friends. Let's see what life brings us." ***** "Drink up, Ranma me lad!" Genma said heartily, pouring sake into his son's glass. "Aye, lad, have another! Here's to Nerima, home of the best sake, the best martial artists, and the best women in all the world, gods love 'em!" "Here's to Nerima! And the joining of the Tendou and the Saotome! Kampai!" Genma and Soun drained their glasses. Ranma took a sip. "I don't think he's holding up well, do you, Ucchan?" "No, Kasumi-chan. Ranchan's never been much of a drinker, and those fools have been at it ever since dinner. He's only had a half-glass to every four of theirs, but I think it's wearing on him." "Would you like me to extricate him?" "I'd be very grateful." "Ready to go to bed?" "How'd you guess?" "Well, the fact that your head's been resting on my shoulder for the past half-hour might be a give away." "Hmmm, maybe." "Ucchan, you'll have to let me up if I'm to rescue him." "Oh, right." Smiling sheepishly, the young martial artist pulled herself upright. Kasumi crossed the livinng room. "Excuse me, Daddy, but I'd like to talk with my fiance." "But the night's young, Kasumi-chan. A man's got to do manly things sometimes, isn't that right, Genma-kun? Why, we were just going to sing, weren't we?" "That we were. 'O come all ye handsome rovers, wherever you may be--join in, Ranma me lad--I pray ye stand a moment and listen unto me...'" "But Daddy, I'd really like to talk with my fiance. After all, it's a special night for us as well. Please?" "You know, Soun-kun, the girl has a point. A man has to get to know his fiancee. The moon's bright, there's stars in the sky..." "Please, Daddy?" "Ranma, lad, there's times in life when a man's just got to sacrifice for a woman. Now, why don't you go and court my daughter, hey?" Ranma was looking distinctly bewildered. "Come along, love." Kasumi reached down, took his hand, and pulled him to his feet. "Ucchan?" "Thanks, Kasumi-chan." She took Ranma's other arm. "Why don't we go upstairs? I'm about ready for bed, myself." "Any chance I could have a glass of water first, Kasumi- chan?" "Not a bad idea. Do you think you'll have a headache in the morning?" "I don't think so. I'm just tired is all." "Well, I'll let you sleep in the morning, then." Ukyou frowned slightly. "Ah, Kasumi-chan? Where will we sleep?" "I've a couple of spare futon in my room. Will that do?" "Kasumi-chan, there's no need to give up your space for us. We can sleep in the dojo..." *crash* The house shook as a body impacted a wall. "Good one, No-chan!" "I don't think so, Ucchan. Our maternal figures will probably be monopolising it for the night. Don't worry, there's plenty of room. And I'll be happy to have you there." ***** "Here we are." Kasumi said brightly, letting them into the room ahead of her. "See, there's plenty of space for all of us. If you just want to put your packs in the corner until we have a chance to get things sorted out, that's fine, or if you want to put your clothes in the closet now that's fine as well. Now I'll just slip out for a bit and let you get situated." She took a nightgown and robe from the closet and left the room. "Ucchan?" "Ranchan?" "What do you think?" "It's better than at least half the places we've slept." "Like that cave in the thunderstorm? The week after Jusenkyou? Do you remember?" "How could I forget? The romantic smells of wet panda and wet rock, the joys of a cold meal eaten in the dark, the sheer wonder of the first time I managed to get a certain utterly adorable and only-sometimes-clueless boy-turned-girl to kiss me..." "Ucchan..." She embraced him. "Ucchan, do you think this is going to work?" She kissed him lightly. "I don't know, Ranchan. But I do know one thing: Kasumi-chan's on our side." ***** Kasumi squeezed a careful dollop of toothpaste onto her brush. Granted, it wasn't likely, but it was still a nice thought. She rinsed her mouth, and returned the toothbrush to the cabinet. From the door came a knock. "Just a minute." she called. "Kasumi? Could we talk?" "Of course, Akane." She opened the door. "What is it?" "Where are they sleeping tonight?" "In my room. Where else would they sleep?" "Are you sure? What would Mama and Daddy think?" "Akane, we've no other place to put them. They couldn't very well sleep in the guestroom with Mr and Mrs Saotome, could they? There's space in my room; I've laid out a couple of futon. We'll all be fine." ***** "Ranma-kun, Ucchan? May I come in?" "Of course, Kasumi-chan." Ukyou was wearing a loose shirt and shorts. Ranma was already rolled up in a blanket on one of the futons. "I hope I wasn't too loud coming in." Kasumi whispered. "Don't worry, Kasumi-chan, it'd take stampeding elephants to wake him." She yawned. "In a few more minutes, it'll take stampeding elephants to wake _me_." Kasumi turned off all the lights but the bedside lamp. "In that case, I'll let you sleep in the morning as well." "Thanks, Kasumi-chan." She lay down on the futon, drew up the blanket. "You're welcome, Ucchan. Good night." "G'night, Kasumi-chan." Kasumi shut off the lamp and got into bed. She lay awake for a few moments, all too conscious of the two people sleeping a few feet away, breathing in the same slow steady rhythm. Gradually, her own breath slipped into time, and she followed them into slumber.