All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz Communications.
Confrontations and Expectations Pt3
(continuation of A Different Viewpoint)
Shampoo lowered her head. "Shampoo sorry, she understand Johnathon's plan to use water. Shampoo think plan too dangerous, someone get hurt, maybe killed in traps. No can trust Cliopatra."
Johnathon nodded slowly. "It is pretty risky, but what else can we do?"
Shampoo looked at the floor. "Have done already, but Shampoo afraid Johnathon not like..."
Johnathon looked worried. "What is it Shampoo? You can tell me."
Shampoo sighed. "Shampoo think of plan to save everyone's lives, but plan have large cost to one. Shampoo go and ask if that one willing to pay cost. That one willing, agree. Kasumi is out of Catacombs now."
"What?" Johnathon's eyes were wild. "What are you trying to say?"
Shampoo kept her eyes downcast. "Traps stop any humans, anyone not as light as cat. So Shampoo brought water to Kasumi... Kasumi agree, become cat..."
Johnathon nearly stopped breathing. Kasumi came out from under the bed and jumped up next to him. Johnathon looked down in shock. "K-Kasumi?" The lithe black cat looked up at him and nodded. "Oh Kasumi." He picked her up and cradled her tenderly. "I'm so sorry." His voice cracked in anguish, and a tear rolled down his cheek. Kasumi purred and meowed happily, trying to cheer him up. Johnathon looked at Shampoo, his voice tight. "How could you do this?"
Shampoo looked back, meeting his gaze bravely. "Shampoo is sorry as well, not blame Johnathon for being angry."
Johnathon's eyes betrayed that anger, he was cold with rage. Johnathon controlled himself with an effort. "Now's not the time. We should leave, and quickly." He looked down to the sensation of something hitting his leg. "Ryoga." The little black pig was trying to get his attention. "Right, time to change you back as well." Johnathon went to his little stove to prepare more water. "Shampoo, you get dressed. We'll change Ryoga and Kasumi and get out of here."
Shampoo blushed. "Shampoo leave dress in corridor, and think Kasumi should stay cat."
Johnathon got his jacket out of his pack and tossed it to Shampoo. "Why should she remain a cat?"
Shampoo put the jacket on. "We running away right? Have to run fast, maybe fight?"
Johnathon nodded. "Oh, I understand, they would try to take Kasumi back if they saw her, maybe try to kill her." < Not to mention Kasumi probably can't run very fast or far.> He looked at Kasumi. "Would you mind riding in my backpack?" Kasumi meowed and shook her head, then hopped onto his pack. "Ok, that's probably best." He put a cup of water on the stove and got Ryoga's clothing out of his pack.
Shampoo got off the bed and stood. Johnathon's jacket made her look like a little girl. The arms were much too long and it hung halfway to her knees. Shampoo folded the cuffs back until her hands showed. Kasumi made an approving sound. Shampoo smiled at the little black cat, Kasumi was never one to hold a grudge. Shampoo hoped that Johnathon would forgive her too. Johnathon poured hot water on Ryoga while Shampoo and Kasumi's backs were to him. Ryoga grew in a flash and Johnathon handed him his clothing.
Ryoga quickly dressed and turned to face Shampoo. "Shampoo! How could you do this to Kasumi!" He started towards the Amazon and Johnathon grabbed his shoulder firmly.
Johnathon shook his head at the enraged youth. "Not now Ryoga, we'll discuss this when we are safely away."
Ryoga looked at, he could see the anger and depression in Johnathon's eyes, firmly held back by his will. Ryoga nodded, after a short hesitation. "Right." He looked back at Shampoo. < We will discuss this later.>
Johnathon quickly packed his pack and put Kasumi in the box inside. "We will get you home safely Kasumi, I promise."
Johnathon started to shoulder it and Ryoga stopped him. "Why don't I carry that. It's weight won't slow me down. Anyway, you've carried it far enough."
Johnathon stopped to consider that. He had wanted to protect Kasumi personally, but Ryoga made sense. The pack did slow him down a bit. Even in half-cat form Ryoga was much stronger than him.
Johnathon handed the pack carefully to the lost boy. "You take good care of Kasumi, Ryoga."
Ryoga nodded. "I'll guard her with my life."
Johnathon looked at him and Shampoo. "Ok, here's the plan. I'll lead the way. Ryoga, you follow right behind, don't lose sight of me ok? Shampoo you'll bring up the rear and guard our backs, and make sure nothing happens to that pack, ok?" Ryoga and Shampoo both nodded. "Right." Johnathon picked up his mini stove and tossed it on the bed. The sheets immediately started to smolder. "That should keep some of them busy. Lets go." Johnathon moved to the door and opened it. The guard was still unconscious. "Your work Shampoo?" Johnathon didn't wait for an answer. "Good, time to move."
Johnathon started to jog, quietly heading for the front entrance. Two guards stood lazily by it and started into full awareness as Johnathon rounded the corner. Johnathon broke into a sprint as he rounded the corner, they started to lower their spears and shout when he barreled into their upper bodies with a flying tackle, throwing both of them into the stone doors hard enough to knock them out. He rose to his feet, looking carefully at the stone bar that had the door securely shut. It went into the wall, there had do be some sort of lever nearby...
Ryoga raced up. "Stand back!"
Johnathon realized what Ryoga was going to do and obeyed. < Oh well, someone probably heard the shouting anyway.>
Ryoga brought an arm back, pointed with one finger jabbed the door. "Breaking Point!" The door exploded, Ryoga weathered the blast and started forward. He suddenly stopped and Johnathon walked past him before realizing why.
"Oh no." Johnathon stared outside. Rain was falling steadily into the dark night. The lights from the villagers homes shining dimly through, dimly illuminating the path out of the hidden valley. Johnathon turned around and grabbed for his pack. "Ok, ok, we can do this." Out of a long side pocket he pulled a collapsible umbrella, handing it to Ryoga. "It's kinda fragile, so don't hit anyone with it Ryoga."
Ryoga pushed a button on the handle and it instantly folded out. He whistled. "No problem, I'm used to handling an umbrella, I'll be careful." Shouts could be heard coming from inside the pyramid. More guards were coming for sure.
Johnathon rummaged through the center portion of his pack, tossing Shampoo some socks and a pair of plastic tubes. "Put on both pairs of socks, and those things on your legs. They are called gators, they'll keep your legs dry."
Shampoo started to do as instructed. "But what about Shampoo's head?"
Johnathon quickly reached around behind her neck and unzipped a zipper there. A thin hood was stored there. "Tuck your hair into the jacket and wear the hood. It won't keep you dry forever, but maybe for long enough." Johnathon quickly closed his pack. Six guards turned the corner just then, carrying spears. Johnathon charged them, Shampoo and Ryoga close behind. Seconds later all six guards were down unconscious or rapidly becoming so. They could hear more guards coming.
Johnathon turned towards the door. "Lets get out of here!" He took off, Ryoga and Shampoo following. Ryoga kept the rain off himself with the umbrella. Shampoo followed close behind him, head down and her hands in her sleeves. Johnathon lead the way, his cat's night vision enabling him to see pretty well. He avoided puddles as best he could, and moved quickly, but not so quickly that Ryoga and Shampoo would have trouble keeping up.
Normally they could run as fast or faster than him, but trying to stay dry slowed them down a lot. Ryoga had to hold the umbrella just right, it was pretty fragile he had realized. If he wasn't careful a good wind might snap it. Shampoo had to run on her heels. She had not pulled the water proof leggings up all the way, leaving enough material to cover her feet. Her toes were exposed however, and even the two layers of socks wouldn't keep her feet dry if she ran normally. Shampoo wasn't sure if just getting her feet wet would be enough to change her, but she wasn't taking any chances.
Even so, they were making good time, leaving the pyramid guards behind in the darkness. They left the village behind and ran into the narrow pass that led out of the hidden valley. They spotted a patrol of ten cultists coming up the path, just before cultists spotted them. There was nothing else to do, the cultists were between them and the outside world, cliff walls rose high on either side. Both groups charged each other.
Johnathon, in front, charged a hedge of spears. He leapt, as if he planned to hit them high, and the cultist's spears came up. Johnathon fell short, turning his leap into a slide, going under the spears before they could be brought down to skewer him. He crashed through, taking the legs out from under three of them.
Ryoga was just behind and he jumped at the last second, barely clearing the spears and going high into the air. Normally he would have just barreled through, but he had to protect Kasumi. His free hand went to his brow, gathering bandanas as he jumped.
Shampoo charged in behind him, moving into the gap made by Johnathon. Her arms blurred as she attacked furiously, trying to keep inside their guard. Ryoga's bandanas came down, disarming the cultist who had stepped clear of the melee to get a good shot at Johnathon or Shampoo. Johnathon had pounced on the three he had dropped, elbow, knee, and fist all found his opponents solar plexus before they could get to their feet. All three stayed down, curled in pain.
Shampoo's fists found jaws aplenty to punch, noses to break, and in seconds five cultists fell, unconscious or wishing they were. The last three stepped back to use their spears, and suddenly found themselves holding broken sticks, as Ryoga's bandanas chopped the heads off their spears. A second volley snapped their sticks in mid shaft as well. There might have been some trouble at that point if they had been escrima (Stick fighting) experts, but they apparently weren't, because they broke and ran towards the village.
Johnathon rose to his feet and Ryoga landed next to him, still holding the umbrella expertly. Shampoo gave off a little shriek, realizing that her hood had been thrown back in the scuffle. She leaped toward Johnathon, vainly trying to pull it back up before she was completely soaked. Johnathon caught his jacket as it slapped wetly into him. He could feel the cat's body inside it. Johnathon held Shampoo tightly as he ran off down the trail, followed again by Ryoga. Shampoo's head stuck up from the neck of his jacket and she meowed in a resigned tone.
Johnathon patted the top of her head. "That's ok Shampoo, we're probably clear of their patrols for awhile, you've done enough for now." They hurried on, hoping to get clear of the hidden valley before they ran into more patrols.
A week earlier, in Nerima, Ranma headed for Ucchans, intending to enlist her help in rescuing Kasumi. As usual she was at the grill, serving customers with her own special flair.
"Ranchan!" Ukyo greeted him with a smile and as usual started to cook him a special okonomiyaki.
Ranma went up to the grill and looked at her seriously. "Can we talk Ucchan? In private?"
Ukyo looked questioningly at him then nodded. "Sure Ranchan." She left Konatsu to cover the grill and took Ranma into the back. "Ok, what's up Ranchan?"
Ranma had a serious expression on his face. "Kasumi's been kidnapped."
Ukyo was shocked. "What? You're joking! When did this happen?" Ranma slowly explained the whole situation to her as he understood it. Ukyo listened patiently until he finished. "Naturally I'll come and help Ranchan, Kasumi's never done anything to harm anyone. Besides, you are my fiancee. I'd do anything for you Ranchan!" As she said those words Ukyo felt a pang of guilt over how she had treated Kasumi the last time they had met.
Ranma fidgeted, uncomfortable with Ukyo calling him her fiancee. This was more true now than before, especially now that he had admitted to Akane that he wanted to marry her. He did want Ukyo's help but Ranma did not want to deceive her to get it.
Ranma stuttered awkwardly. "Ucchan... I, I don't want you to misunderstand, you are my best friend, and I really do care for you, but I am going to marry Akane." < I, I said it.>
Ukyo's face had gone ashen. "But, but you're engaged to me!"
Ranma nodded very sadly. I'm engaged to you
and Akane. I can only marry one of you. I never wanted to have
to choose between you. I care about you Ucchan, I didn't want to
hurt your feelings.
My father did a terrible thing when he took your father's cart and
left you behind. Somehow, somehow I will repay you for that, but,
Akane is who I am going to marry. I can't let you sacrifice anymore
because of what my father did to you."
Ranma babbled on, trying to say the right thing, but each sentence seemed to drive a dagger into Ukyo's heart. She was on the verge of tears when he ground to a halt. Ukyo turned away from Ranma, not willing to let him see her cry.
Ranma put a hand on her shoulder. "Ukyo..." He said her name gently, and Ukyo could hear the pain in his voice. She suddenly couldn't stand it any longer. Ukyo whirled on him, pounding his chest with blows.
Ukyo railed against Ranma, crying. "No, no, no, nooo!" Ranma didn't defend himself. Instead he reached out and pulled Ukyo into his chest, hugging her too him. Ukyo stopped hitting him and simply cried into his chest, sobs muffled by his shirt.
Ranma closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling. < Why, why did I do it? Why did I go and have to hurt Ukyo?> He opened his eyes and looked down at her. < I care to much to lie to her anymore. This had to happen, eventually.>
Ukyo finally stopped crying, and pushed away from him. "Just, just tell me why Ranchan, why did you pick her instead of me?" Ranma looked away, unable to speak. She looked steadily at him, wiping the moisture from under her eyes. "I've got to hear it from you Ran, Ranma."
Ranma stammered. "I, I..."
Ukyo cried angrily. "Dammit Ranma, look at me!"
Ranma faced her with an effort. "You are my best friend Ukyo, but I l-love Akane."
Ukyo was watching his face. < He actually means it. He said it!> She felt her knees go weak and she wished her heart would stop, it hurt so much! Ranma watched Ukyo's face grow even bleaker, like she no longer wanted to live. She looked away from him. "K-Kasumi" She said quietly, focusing on each word to prevent her voice from betraying her anguish. "Kasumi needs help. I'm coming, she needs help. I'll come for her sake." Ranma stepped toward her. "Don't!" Ukyo had steel in her voice. "Don't come any closer. I'll come to the Tendo's tomorrow morning." Ranma stood silently, unsure of what to say.
Ukyo shook her head once, slowly. "Go home Ranma, I, I need to be alone right now."
Ranma paused, unsure still. < What should I do? What can I do?> He slowly turned and headed for the door. As he walked out he looked back briefly. "Ukyo..." Then he turned and ran. From a roof of a nearby building Tatiwati Kuno watched Ranma run by.
The kendoist resisted an impulse to run after. "My pig tailed goddess, sharing a body with that cur Ranma. No wonder she has resisted my advances. I must find a cure for this curse!"
Ranma ran all the way to the Tendo Dojo. His mother was waiting for him at the gate. She greeted him warmly. "Ranma my son, I have hear about Kasumi's kidnapping. I have discussed it with Soun, I will be staying here with Nabiki until you return. I am very proud of you Ranma. I know you will succeed."
Ranma looked gratefully at his mother. "Thanks
mom, that means a lot." The two of them went
into the house. Genma and the Tendo's were waiting inside.
Nabiki spoke first. "I've gotten five tickets to China for tomorrow afternoon. Did you get Ukyo to come Ranma?"
Ranma nodded. "She'll be here tomorrow morning." Akane noticed the sad look in his eyes when Nabiki asked about Ukyo, and wondered what had happened.
Later that night Ranma was sitting on the roof. He had watched the sun set, but didn't feel like going inside right away.
Ranma heard a light thump from behind him but didn't turn. "Hello Akane." The youngest Tendo daughter walked over and sat next to him on the roof. The two teenagers sat in comfortable silence for some time.
Akane finally broke the silence. "What happened with Ukyo?"
Ranma had been expecting the question. "I told her about Kasumi. Ukyo told me that she'd come, because she was my fiancee." He was quiet for several long moments. "I didn't want her to help me because of that. I wanted her to know, that I'm going to marry you." Akane remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt him or say the wrong thing. "She was hurt. I never wanted to hurt her Akane!" Ranma hung his head, Akane put an arm awkwardly over his shoulders. "She wanted to know why, she needed to know why I choose you. She was my best friend Akane, But I had to tell her I didn't love her. I'm going to marry you Akane, because I, l-love you."
Akane hugged him impulsively. < He said it!> "Oh Ranma." Ranma had stiffened up in the effort to say those words. He now relaxed into her hug. "Ranma..." Akane needed to tell him. "I, love you too." Ranma stiffened again in surprise, then relaxed, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into him gently. They sat that way for a long time, neither wanting the moment to end.
Finally Ranma spoke. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow, we'd better get some sleep."
Akane nodded. "Yup." She squeezed him tighter for several seconds before letting go, and stood. "Ukyo is a good person, I'm sorry she was hurt... But I'm happy, being with you."
Ranma stood up. "I just hope that we can still be friends."
Akane sighed. "I do too." They went inside to get some sleep then, feeling very tired.
The next day everyone gathered in the main room. Ukyo arrived just after dawn, wearing her chef outfit, complete with bandolier of spatulas and her huge combat spatula on her back.
Nabiki eyed the giant spatula. "We're going to be taking a plane Ukyo, do you have a case or something for that?"
Ukyo looked over her shoulder at the weapon. "Oh yeah, I've got something I can use. When's the flight?" Ukyo concentrated on Nabiki, she couldn't look at Ranma or Akane without felling sad or angry.
Nabiki handed Ukyo her ticket. "Three P.M. Don't be late." She got out the map Johnathon had left her. "Ok, here is the route you'll take when you get to China. I've arranged for a guide to get you to the bottom of the pass. From there you have to hike in. Johnathon says it's a three day hike to the hidden valley. During the last day you will have to worry about getting spotted by the villagers.
Ranma took the map. "So this is what he was talking about. What is plan C?"
Nabiki smiled in her best predator imitation. "Leave that to me, it's best you don't know for now."
Ranma frowned but nodded. "Alright, Johnathon trusts you, I will too."
The group went carefully over the map, making plans for the trip. Finally Ukyo left to pack, declaring that she'd meet them at the airport. Ranma and company arrived at the airport and boarded their plane with little difficulty. Ukyo had no difficulty getting through customs at either end, "Cooking tools" eliciting no comments from the customs officials. At the airport in China a guide was waiting for them, he hustled them over to a rugged land rover and they drove into the night, stopping at an inn well after dark.
They drove for the next three days. They reached the end of their road on the morning of their fourth day in China. They started hiking into the mountains immediately, intending to get into the pass before dark. That night the weary travelers set up the two tents they had brought on either side of a fire. Ukyo cooked a quick dinner and they went to sleep. Ukyo and Akane had ended up sharing one of the tents.
Akane had wanted to talk to Ukyo during the whole trip but had not gotten a chance so far. Ukyo had been avoiding her mostly, and they had never been alone together since they had set out. Akane waited for Ukyo to enter the tent, while thinking about what she would say. After a few minutes the okonomiyaki chef entered the tent and started unrolling her sleeping bag. Akane was silent at first, now that she had an opportunity she didn't have a clue where to start.
Finally Akane forced herself to speak. Ukyo was getting into her sleeping bag. "Ukyo..."
Ukyo didn't look at her but spoke. "What is it Akane?"
Akane gulped. "I, I wanted, um... Ranma thinks of you as his best friend." Ukyo was silent. "I, I like you too Ukyo, I wish we could all be friends." There was silence for awhile longer, then Akane could make out the noise of Ukyo quietly crying. Akane rolled over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Ukyo, I'm sorry..."
Ukyo turned to face Akane, throwing off her hand. "I don't want your sympathy." There was a tinge of anger in her voice.
Akane took back her hand and looked Ukyo in the eyes. "Forget sympathy, you're Ranma's friend. We're friends too, if we hadn't been fighting over Ranma, we'd have been good friends. Do we have to give up on that?"
Ukyo looked sad. "I, I don't know, I'm not sure how I feel about it, give me some time Akane"
Akane nodded. "Sure."
Ukyo looked away. "Long day tomorrow, goodnight, Akane."
Akane looked at her back, then closed her eyes. "Goodnight Ukyo."
The next day passed uneventfully. Everyone was in a subdued mood, worried about the day ahead. They all wondered the same thing, what would happen when they reached their destination? On the third day in the mountains a white duck dropped out of the sky, landing in front of Akane.
She regarded him with outward calmness, although inside she was worried. "What is it Mousse? Do you want some hot water?" The duck quacked and nodded. Ranma got a thermos of hot water out of his pack that he had heated over the fire that morning.
He stepped up to the white duck. "Akane, Ukyo, turn around a second." He poured the still hot water over the duck. Mousse transformed instantly. He got a robe out of nowhere and had dressed in a few seconds.
Mousse stood and addressed the group. "Johnathon, Shampoo, and Ryoga have been taken into the pyramid. I believe this is also where Kasumi is being held. I have been watching the village's patrols, I can lead you in without being spotted."
Ranma spoke up. "Do they know about Shampoo and Ryoga?"
Mousse shook his head. "I don't think so, Johnathon kept his pack on the whole time. If they had known I think they would have taken his pack."
Genma stroked his chin. "Yes, that's logical."
Ranma looked around his group once. "Ok Mousse, take us in, we'll see what happens." They camped early that afternoon. Mousse had recommended they stop before hitting the villagers patrols and rest up now, then move in after dark. The group agreed to the plan and everyone tried to get some rest. They set out again well after dark. Mousse had started flying over head to spot patrols and he would drop down and direct them away from any he spotted. It started to rain softly as the night wore on. Ranma and Genma transformed, but they kept moving.
It was just getting light, the rain had stopped half an hour earlier, when Mousse came down and urgently pointed to the left. They followed his directions and came across Johnathon in his half-cat form, and Ryoga carrying an umbrella.
Soun charged forward. "Johnathon! Ryoga! Where's my daughter, where is Kasumi!"
Johnathon's smile, which had lit up his face upon seeing Ranma and company, faded at Soun's words. "Kasumi is safe Mr. Tendo. Let's get clear of the area, and get some hot water ready. I'll tell you the whole story on the way."
Soun protested. "But where is Kasumi?"
Johnathon put his hand on Soun's shoulder. "I'll tell you as we go, but there is bound to be pursuit hard on our heels, so lets get moving. Trust me!" Soun retreated and everyone got moving quickly down the trail. Johnathon started speaking as they walked. "Please don't interrupt me until I've finished my story. All will be made clear." He looked around once at everyone. "Mousse, watch our back while I tell the story, don't worry, Shampoo is right here." He brought the cat out of his jacket which he was now wearing. The duck sighed in relief and took off into the sky.
Johnathon started walking again, everyone moving with him to hear his tale. "When we arrived at the Pyramid, I was taken to Kasumi, she was safe but trapped in a catacomb filled with death traps. No one could get past the traps without triggering them. Anything heavier then a few pounds would set them off, unless you followed an exact path, one that changed constantly thanks to the labyrinth's mechanisms. Only three men knew the pattern, they were mutes, religious fanatics, chosen for their complete devotion and loyalty. Men completely willing to die. I was stumped. Shampoo or Ryoga could reach Kasumi, but Kasumi couldn't get out without setting off the traps. If you guys arrived I figured Cliopatra would just use Kasumi to take the rest of you hostage. I finally decided to try plan C."
Johnathon paused and Soun started to speak. "But what...?"
Johnathon raised a hand to interrupt. "I'll explain, when I went to Jusenkyo I brought back thermos's of water from the springs of drowned man, drowned girl, and drowned cat. I wasn't sure what I would do with them, so I put them in a safe deposit box. I had planned to use the drowned cat water to get Cliopatra to free Kasumi. Either I would threaten to use it on her, holding it over her head until Kasumi was freed. Or I would drench her with it and bribe her with the drowned woman water, which I left with Nabiki."
Johnathon sighed. "Either plan was risky, and had no guarantee of working. In the end someone would have to either stay with Clio, holding the water over her head until everyone else escaped, or we would have to trust her to release Kasumi. I had decided to use the first plan, letting Shampoo and Ryoga get Kasumi out of there. Last night, after I went to sleep, Shampoo went ahead with a plan of her own. Shampoo realized the consequences of my plan and decided to see if she could keep everyone alive."
Johnathon looked down at the white and pink cat in his arms. < I do understand your actions Shampoo, I just wish there had been another way.> "Shampoo went to Kasumi, using her cat form to avoid setting off the traps, and brought Kasumi the drowned cat water. Shampoo let Kasumi decide her own fate, and Kasumi chose to use the water on herself. Ryoga..." Johnathon turned to the lost boy as everyone started to react.
Soun started to glow, Akane yelled at the cat in Johnathon's arms. "Shampoo! How could you?" Shampoo cowered under the verbal assault. Ryoga removed his pack and opened it. A small black cat, the color of Kasumi's hair, climbed out of the pack. Kasumi ran over to her father and put a paw on his leg.
Soun immediately came out of his rage and started to bawl. "Kasumi! Kasumi!" Genma said nothing, as he was still a panda. Ranma had stepped away when Johnathon had first brought out Shampoo, and now tried to force himself to approach Kasumi.
Ukyo shook her head sadly at Shampoo. "You knew what she would decide Shampoo, of course she would sacrifice herself for Johnathon! Or for anyone!" Shampoo hid her head.
Akane went over to her older sister and picked her up. "Kasumi?" The black cat nodded. "Oh sis, why did you do it?" Kasumi looked at Johnathon and meowed. Akane looked at him as well, Johnathon's expression was pretty hard to read as a half-cat, but his eyes were very sad.
Johnathon spoke up. "We'd better keep moving, Cliopatra probably has a small army after us."
Akane nodded. "I... Right, we should."
Ranma and Genma took Soun's arms and led him down the trail, following everyone else. The group moved on till the sun was high in the sky, and was starting it's decent. Johnathon suggested that they stop and rest for awhile, as none of them had gotten much sleep. Everyone agreed with varying amounts of enthusiasm. Ukyo got out a camp stove and started heating some hot water. Pretty soon two cats walked over to her.
Ukyo grinned wryly. "No problem, got your hot water right here." Ukyo pulled her blanket out of her pack, splashed both cats and threw her blanket over them. The blanket bulged and Kasumi's and Shampoo's heads and feet stuck out either end. Kasumi sat back, wrapping half the blanket around herself. Shampoo did the same.
Kasumi blushed as everyone came over to see her. "Um, excuse me? Could I borrow some clothing?" Soun brought out his spare Gi as he was closest in size to his eldest daughter. Ranma brought out his spare red Chinese shirt for Shampoo. Soon the two girls were sitting on, not under the blanket, and everyone else was sitting around them. Ranma, Genma, and Mousse had taken the opportunity to change back, so everyone was human, and of the proper sex, except Johnathon, who had not changed out of his felinoid form.
Kasumi looked cheerful as usual, happy to be amongst family and friends. Johnathon thought she looked cute in her fathers Gi. Shampoo looked fixedly at the ground, certain of the anger of the people surrounding her. Indeed, most had nothing but hostile stares for the Amazon warrior.
Kasumi noticed what was happening immediately. < All this anger? Over me? This won't do.> "Everyone!" Kasumi spoke up in a scolding tone. "Shampoo rescued me, and probably saved one or more of our lives. She does not deserve your anger."
"But she turned you into a cat!" Akane glared furiously at Shampoo.
Kasumi shook her head. "I chose to turn myself into a cat, Shampoo did not trick me into it. It was my decision." Ranma looked at Shampoo, then at Mousse. Mousse sat quietly, unable to speak.
Ranma shrugged and elbowed the Chinese boy. "Stand up for her Mousse, she needs a friend." Ranma whispered.
Mousse stood up and spoke just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Shampoo acted honorably in a dangerous situation. She made a tough decision that was forced by The Children of Bast. If there is blame to be allocated, it is their's, they and Cliopatra are responsible!" Mousse's voice had risen until he was shouting the final words.
Ranma nodded in support. "Right! This is all the fault of those lousy kidnappers!"
Ryoga looked at Ranma and nodded. "Right, and now that Kasumi's been rescued, it's about time they paid for their crimes!"
He was about to charge off and put action to word when Ranma stopped him. "Hey buddy, slow down. If you run off by yourself you'll never find them! You'll end up in the Sahara or something!" Ryoga paused, reconsidering.
Johnathon finally stood. "In any case, Ryoga is right, it is time they paid for what they have done, and it's best that we do this all together. They are probably coming after us right now. Even if we elude them they will probably try something like this again, perhaps something worse. It's best we end it now, together." Everyone looked at him, questions on their faces.
Kasumi asked what the other's were thinking. "What do you mean Johnathon?"
Johnathon raised a fist. "I mean we let them "catch" us, and convince them of their mistake."
End of Confrontations and Expectations part 3
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