Thanks to my pre readers : Thomas Scroggs, Octavian, James Lee, Angeline Jacoba
Ranma 1/2 : Kasumi's Wish Chapter Five
Created by Long Ngo Started April 7, 1998 Finished May 18, 1998 Reavised May 20, 1998
Kasumi knew that her actions would raise questions but she wanted to defuse some of the animosity from the start. Thinking back, the reason Akane fought with Ranma was more out of anger toward Otousan and the forced marriage than against Ranma himself. Had the situation been different, Kasumi knew Akane wouldn't have minded being engaged to Ranma. As for Nabiki, she held a grudge against Ranma as well in the beginning. To her, Ranma was one of the few people to ever deceive her. He made her think he was a she when they first meet. Nabiki's problem had been solved and Akane's problem would soon follow. Overall, Kasumi's plan was working beautifully, except for the two unconscious forms on the floor. For the first time, Kasumi, the peace-maker, had created chaos instead of preventing it and she had a smile upon her face that suggested that she had enjoyed herself.
Few hours later
Looking down at her two patients, she could tell that they were both going to be reviving in a couple of minutes. Kasumi was preparing herself for the questions that she knew would eventually have to answer as she left the room in search of Akane, Ranma and Mr. Saotome. Hearing the sound of combat from the backyard, she headed outside. There she found Ranma and Genma sparring over the koi pond while Akane looked on. Walking up to Akane, "They're really good." It was more a statement than a question. The only answer she got from Akane was a nod of her head. Even after a year of watching Ranma in action, it still amazed Kasumi how good he was.
So far everything was peaceful. Akane was not fighting with Ranma, the house was not being destroyed and no enemies were around yet. "Ranma, Akane, Saotome-san, please come in. *Splash!!* Genma was now a panda having landed in the koi pond. "Otousan and Nabiki are about to wake up." Smiling at the sight, Kasumi headed back upstairs.
"You're getting slow, Oyaji." Ranma was laughing as he sprinted inside the house and up the stairs, 5 steps at a time. Akane and Genma slowly followed behind. Ranma was certain that none of the girls wanted to be his fiancee now that they had found out about his curse. This gave him an excuse to head back to China and find a cure. Though it made him a little sad that he would not be staying around here long because he really liked this training hall. Not to mention it had a koi pond which he could dump Oyaji in.
*It was all a nightmare,* Soun thought to himself as he slowly woke up. Opening his eyes, he soon focused on Kasumi and then the boy next to her. *Who is this boy? Is he one of my little girl's boyfriend? I'm so happy!!* Sitting up, Soun turned to the strange boy. "Who are you son?"
"I'm Saotome Ranma, sorry about this."
Quicker than the eyes could see, Soun latched onto Ranma. "Ranma my boy, I'm glad to see you. Where is your father?" Tears of joy were running down his face.
Trying hard to breathe, "He's on his way. He had a little accident." *Oyaji's friend is really emotion.*
"I hope he's okay."
Nabiki had soon awoken after Soun but decided to play the part of the unconscious female so that she could hear what was going on without them noticing her. Opening her eyes and turing towards Kasumi, "Kasumi, I had a really strange dream. I've dreamt that Ranma here was a girl and she had a pet panda."
At the mention of previous incident, Soun embraced Ranma a little tighter to make sure he was a boy and that he was not still dreaming.
"Don't be silly Nabiki. Ranma is a boy."
The fact that his middle daughter had the same dream did not registered in Soun's mind. "I'm glad that ..." Soun stopped what he was about to say as Akane had entered the room followed by a huge panda. "It wasn't a dream?"
"What is going on here?" Nabiki asked.
The panda was waving a sign, "I can explain."
Nabiki had raised an eyebrow at that. Akane was still too shocked by the days event to contribute much except walk around with this look of "I'm in the twilight zone. Help me." Kasumi was just smiling. Things were getting back to normal for her. Soun was nodding his head.
"Lets all go downstairs and let Mr. Saotome explain everything while I make something to eat, " Kasumi suggested.
"For an old man he has a very strong grip," Ranma muttered in between his gasps of air. Looking down at the man who had him in a death hug, "Can you please let go! I can't breathe."
In Soun's current state, Ranma's shout went unheeded. Following his eldest great suggestion, Soun started to head downstairs with a struggling Ranma in his arms.
Moments later:
*Only Oyaji could have a friend like this,* Ranma thought after finally being released.
"So cold water activates the curses and hot water reverses it?" Soun asked while pouring the entire content of hot water on Genma. Ranma was a boy at the moment and did not need the hot water.
"Hot, but not boiling!!" Genma shouted in pain.
"So your problem isn't so bad after all. Ranma meet Kasumi, she is 19, Nabiki, 17, and Akane, 16. Pick one of my daughters for a fiancee."
"Nani?" Ranma, Nabiki and Akane exclaimed.
Nabiki quickly thought of a way to save herself from marrying Ranma. "He difinitely wants Akane."
"Why me?" Akane angrily turned towards Nabiki.
"Well, you hate boys and he is half girl."
"Why would I want to marry him?"
"Like I said, you hate..."
Nabiki was cut off as Kasumi rose and went to kneel beside Soun. "Seeing as how both Akane and Nabiki do not wish to be engaged to Ranma-kun and because our family honor is on the line, I would like to volunteer Otousan."
Soun could not believe it. Kasumi had given up so much for the family and now he was forcing Kasumi to marry Genma's son. He desperately wanted to united the two clans together but the very thought of Kasumi giving up more of herself for the family was unimaginable. Before Soun could act, Akane stood and also knelt before Soun.
"Tousan, I would not mind being engaged to Ranma." *There is no way I'll let Oneesan sacrifice anything more for the family.* Akane soon glared at Ranma. *It's all his fault I have to do this.*
*I know how Kasumi usual acts but this is strange even for her. Is this boy be the reason Kasumi was blushing before? Might as well join my two sisters. If he is the one then I'm going to do everything in my powers to get them together if not then I could always make some money off of him. He is handsome.* Nabiki got up and followed Kasumi and Akane's action.
Kasumi was surprised at the sudden change in her two sisters. *They're trying to protect me.* She smiled at the thought. *But I really want this engagement.*
"That's my son. The ladies' man" Genma was weeping with Soun. Soon their two family would be united.
Up in Asgard :
Urd turned to Skuld. "I thought you got rid of that bug?"
"I did!! But for some reason, everytime I get rid of one bug another one pops up around Ranma's file."
"Strange. Why isn't the Ultimate Force preventing this? I'm going to take this up with the Lord."
"What about Oneesan?"
"She's with Keiichi right now."
Skuld still did not like the relationship between Oneesan and Keiichi. "We should still wait."
"Fine. This is your assignment after all. If you mess up then you can't blame me."
The two Norms turned their attention back to the mortal plane and one particular individual. The young man who was attracting bugs like a magnet.
To be continued