Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Evil Kasumi Returns ❯ Fighting the Mist ( Chapter 8 )

This is not a professionally written story, as I am only a hobbyist writer. I’m not an English whiz, and most of the time those that I have pre-reading for me cannot catch every mistake I make. Oh yeah I do not own Ranma ½ nor any of the characters. If I did, things would be a lot different. But alas, all I can do is dream and think ‘what if …’

And speaking of ‘What if’, after reading “Evil Kasumi II” by Targhan on The Church of Ranma and Kasumi (AKA: CoRK) I got this idea and just had to see how it could possibly play out.

I would like to apologize to everyone that received the message saying that I had updated “Evil Kasumi Returns” when I hadn’t. What happened was my latest chapter to “To the heavens” I accidentally added to “Evil Kasumi Returns.” So I then had to go through and delete the incorrect chapter, but by then FFn had send out the announcement that I had updated this one. Again, I apologize; it was my mistake in putting that chapter in this one.

And now, “Fighting the Mist.”

Ryoga just smiled dumbly and let Akane lead him inside so he could change and the two of them could, he hoped, start over with this marriage.

“M-m-married…” Muttered Ukyo as the door closed.

After spending ten minutes outside of Ryoga’s and now apparently Akane's house, mumbling various versions of "mm-m-m-married" to herself, a maniacal grin slowly spread across Ukyo's once dumbfounded face. After leaving the front door and frightening others with her grin along the way, she made it to her shop in record time, to further her plans. "Looks like life's not so unfair after all..."

That night, Ukyo went to sleep dreaming of her future with Ranma. However, when she went to the half-day of school on Saturday she was surprised that Ranma wasn’t anywhere around. While she expected Akane’s absence, this was not planned. ‘Where is he?’ she wondered. Right after class, Ukyo rushed to talk to Nabiki, as if anyone knew where Ranma was, it’d be her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one looking for Nabiki.

“You there! Mercenary one! What has befallen my fierce tigress! Say that such a thing has not happened…. That some miscreant hath clamed her hand!”

“Kuno…” The chef muttered and wanted to hit him with her spatula.

“Now now Kuno-baby, you should know that my information is not free,” the Tendo girl replied with a smile on her face causing the students around to groan.

‘I don’t care what it costs…’ the kendoist said to himself, ‘I must find out the truth. Akane Tendo cannot be married to that ruffian! And when I find out the truth I shall make him pay!’ Quickly Kuno pulled out 5,000 yen and handed it to her. “Verily speak now!”

“Mmmm. Are you calling me a dog, commanding me to speak? The price just went up by 10,000.”

The delusional teen grabbed at his chest as though he had been wounded. “Ten thousand! Woman this…”

“This is prime information concerning the fierce tigress and as stupid as you are, once you’re told, you’ll shout it to the school. So, you will pay everyone’s cut to cover my lost expenses.”

“I detest you woman,” Kuno said to her flatly, but he had to know the truth.

“You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.” She replied just the same.

“Sasuke!”

“Yes master!” The small ninja said as he appeared next to his master.

“Pay this mercenary what she wishes. I must know what has befallen the beauteous Akane Tendo!”

Nodding rapidly the ninja asked, “How much is this information?”

“Price does not matter!” Added Kuno causing Nabiki to smile in such a way it made even Ukyo worry about his bank account.

“Let’s see, the information is 10,000 yen, then there is the fee for insulting me of 10,000 and…”

“20,000!” He yelled, and for a brief moment, he entertained the thought of trying to find this out on his own, but he needed to know, and he needed to know now.

“Oh, you’re right, I normally charge everyone around 5,000 for this, so lets see, there are 20 students around so that would make it 100,000 plus the 20, bringing it to a total of 120,000 yen.” Nabiki just smiled at Kuno as he worked this through his mind.

With much blustering and shouting, Kuno finally paid Nabiki the required amount, which pleased those around, as he was also paying for them, and not asking them to pay as well. “There woman, you have your money, now, what has happened to my fierce tigress?”

Nabiki counted her yen, then after pocketing it, she simply smiled and said, “For almost a week, my dear sister Akane has been living under her new name of Akane Hibiki with her new husband.” Kuno’s eyes opened wide at this, as did those of everyone around them. Ukyo was one like this as well, as she could not believe that Akane had been married for almost a week. Just when Kuno was about to start speaking in protest, Nabiki added, “I was there when the paperwork was signed, stamped and made official. In addition, she has spent the past week at her husband’s home. She will be starting a new school on Monday since it is too far from here.”

The boys in the school could not believe it; Akane was gone, and married. It was official. Though of those around, Kuno seemed to be taking it the hardest, as he was doing a very good impression of a statue the way he was just standing there.

“So it was true…” Ukyo muttered then let out a sigh before smiling. ‘With Akane out of the way, then all I have to worry about is Shampoo and Ranma is as good as mine!’ Seeing the stunned expression of the boys around her, she decided to add to their misery. “I was at their home last night…”

“What? You were?” Asked a number of boys excitedly, hoping for a bit of juicy information.

“Yes, and I decided to help out Akane a little by getting Ryoga a collar with a steel leash. The poor boy put the thing on and handed her the leash! You should’ve seen it!” She began chuckling at that. “They’ve got it bad, and the last I saw of them, Akane was leading him back into the house!”

“WHAT? NO!” Several boys shouted as their hopes were forever dashed, though now they had a lot of material for their fantasies.

Nabiki gave her a slight nod, “I see, so that’s what you were up to.”

“I didn’t know they were married, so I was hoping to get them together.” The chef told her plainly and could not help but smile. “It looks like it went better than I planned.”

“Thank you.”

“What?” She couldn’t help it; she blinked and looked at Nabiki questionably.

“Akane was worried that you were looking to take Ryoga away from her, I’m glad that she was wrong.”

“Oh, ok… um… Nabiki have you seen Ranma around? I didn’t see him in class today.”

“Is this about your special surprise?”

“What? How’d you? Oh, Kasumi told you.”

“She did, and since you were adamant that Ranma not be around for this surprise, we decided the best idea was for her to take him out of town for the weekend.”

“WHAT?”

“Ouch… 221; Nabiki mumbled as she rubbed her ears. “Well you did ask Kasumi to keep Ranma busy and from interfering in your plans. And if he’s not here, then he won’t be able to interfere.”

“NO! But… but that means that Ranma will be gone the whole weekend!”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“NO! I… I have to find them!” With that, the chef made a decision that she would come to regret. She ran away from the school grounds quickly in hopes of running across Ranma and Kasumi, all the while leaving behind the very one that could tell her where the two were.

Watching Ukyo run off, Nabiki wondered if she should have told her more, but her train of thought was interrupted. “Nabiki?” A girl called from behind her.

“Yes,” she said as she turned around. “Oh hi Sayuri,” Nabiki added when she realized it was one of Akane’s friends.

“Hi… um… did Ranma and Kasumi run away together?”

This caused the middle Tendo daughter to laugh and think, ‘if you only knew.’ However, she was not about to tell them the truth about her sister being Ranma’s new fiancée. “Not a chance. Kasumi was asked to keep Ranma busy this weekend, so they are only going to be away for a couple of days at the most.”

“Oh… I see… um… not that I mind or anything… but why aren’t you charging me for this?”

Nabiki let out a sigh and mentally cursed herself for not reading Kasumi’s contract completely before signing it. “If it had been Akane and Ranma or someone else and Ranma, trust me I would. But I’m not about to have people talking bad about Kasumi.”

Sayuri smiled at that, “Ok, well I have to go. Take care!” With that said Nabiki watched as Akane’s long time friend ran off.

With the rest of the students leaving the campus, Nabiki decided to leave as well. Smirking, she walked past the Kuno statue and out of the schoolyard. Behind her, she could still hear Sasuke calling out to his master, trying to get some sort of reaction. ‘I should’ve taken bets on how long it’s going to take Kuno-baby to start moving again.’

As it was, she was almost home before she heard a male bellow, “I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS!”

Many, many miles away, a shiver ran down Ryoga’s spine. “What was that?”

“What was what?” Akane asked as the two of them enjoyed the hot springs that Ukyo had sent them to.

“Nothin’ much, just…felt a chill I guess.” He said and closed his eyes. He’d never known that a place like this could exist, and while he was nervous that Akane was here, and just a short distance from him, thankfully the water was warm enough that his curse hadn’t triggered.

Akane nodded her head and sat back in the spring and sighed. ‘This… this isn’t so bad,’ she thought as she relaxed. It was hard for her to believe, but just a few days ago she had been ready to kill Ryoga when this had first happened, and then we he disappeared she felt alone, and abandoned. When Ukyo had brought Ryoga back to her, and he offered her the leash… she had felt something then, something akin to exhilaration and possibly a little happiness. Right then and there, she made a promise to herself, ‘I’m not going to give up, I’m not going to be alone, and I’m not going to let go of this leash…’ As she thought the last part, she blushed and fingered the leash once again that was still connected to Ryoga’s collar.

For his part, Ryoga blushed as well when he felt the slight tug on his collar. He never thought that Akane could be so possessive. However, he would not have it any other way. That still did not alleviate the embarrassment he feels at times. ‘Though I guess I deserved it…’ passed though his mind as he recalled how she would use the collar to not only lead him around, but the few times he was about to get into a fight, she had used the leash to keep him in line. Casting a glance at her he could not help but smile and blush in her direction before closing his eyes and enjoying their time together.

“Ah, seems like Kuno snapped out of it,” Nabiki said with a grin as she stepped into her home. While Nabiki might not have been the only one to hear Kuno’s scream of outrage, she was however, the only one that actually paid it any attention, outside of Sasuke.

After leaving Furinkan High School, Ukyo ran as fast as she could before stopping suddenly and cursing, loudly.

“Ai-yah! Spatula girl know words Shampoo not hear before.”

Said spatula-girl growled at the nickname, but she didn’t have time for this. “I don’t have time for this, I have to find Ranma-honey and…”

“Why look for Airen?”

“Because…” she replied tiredly. “I was going to get Akane and Ryoga together and so…”

“But Kitchen-destroyer and pig-boy already married.”

That took her by surprise, “How’d you know? I just found out today?”

“Shampoo there, see wedding.”

“What? You mean you… you…”

“Shampoo see wedding. Mousse tell Shampoo bad lie that Airen and kitchen-destroyer get married. So Shampoo go see for self.”

“And you got there in time to see…”

“Shampoo see wedding… was very confused, but glad.” Shampoo let out a sigh after that, but she didn’t want to look too relieved as she still had to find a way to get Ukyo out of the way and then Ranma would be hers.

Ukyo had sustained several shocks to her system in the past 24 hours and she was beginning to hit her limit. “I… I see…”

“Is so. Bye now, Shampoo go see Airen!” The bubbly Amazon said and was about to leave when Ukyo suddenly snapped back to reality.

“SHAMPOO! Wait!”

“Ai-yah! Spatula-girl no need yell. Shampoo right here.”

“Oh… sorry, um… do you know where Ranma-honey is?”

This caused her to blink. “What mean? Airen not with stupid-panda?”

“I just talked to Nabiki, and Ranma left town last night.” Shampoo’s eyes widened at this. “No one told me Akane married Ryoga, so I was trying to get them together and…”

“But they already married.”

“I KNOW THAT! I mean I know that now… but when I talked to Kasumi I didn’t…” Seeing Shampoo just looking at her in confusion, Ukyo sighed and told her how she had talked to Kasumi, and how she asked her to keep Ranma busy so she could get Akane and Ryoga together. This led her to the last part, “So when Ranma-honey wasn’t in school, I asked Nabiki and apparently they thought the best way to prevent Ranma from getting in the way and ruining my plans… Ranma left yesterday after school.”

“Airen leave? Where he go?”

“I don’t know! I was just going to ask Kasumi where he went… when I realized Nabiki said that they left together!”

Shampoo’s eyes opened wide at this. “What?”

“Yesterday… after school… Ranma and Kasumi left town together…”

“Ai-Yah! Shampoo must find them! Must tell great-grandmother too!”

“Ok, but if you find them, tell me right away!”

Nodding, Shampoo told her, “If Spatula-girl find Airen, you tell Shampoo no?”

“No... I mean yes… I mean… just go!”

With a curt nod, the Amazon rushed back to the cat-café as Ukyo went back to her own restaurant to plan how to find Ranma.

That night, the Tendo residence had not one, but two watchers that were peeking in the windows and trying to find out any information that they could. Two distinct conversations held their attentions.

“Tendo old friend, let’s drink a toast!” Said an overweight and bald martial artist who had seemingly had too much to drink.

“Quite right Saotome my friend!” Was seconded by his obviously almost falling-down-drunk friend.

“Ah, this is the life; our children have run off together!”

“And they are sure to be working on joining our families!”

“Which means No-chan will no longer want me to commit seppuku!”

“And Ranma can take over the dojo!”

“And I can live a life of ease with the boy doing all the work!”

Obviously the two were not even really paying attention to what the other was saying as they continued to drink and enjoy themselves. However, to a certain watcher who carried around a rather large spatula, this was the worst news she’d ever heard. ‘No… it… it can’t be…’ she told herself, but her mind quickly reminded her that just because Akane was out of the way, didn’t mean that one of her sisters wouldn’t take her place. ‘And Kasumi… and Ran-chan… they… they…’ Quickly she ran away from the residence in tears.

While the second watcher missed hearing the drunken fathers talking, she instead got the information she wanted as she listened in on a phone conversation.

“Ok sis, so sounds like you two had fun, but when are you coming back?” Nabiki said as she held the phone to her head. “Tomorrow huh? Well, how’d things go?” the girl asked with a sly grin. “Well that’s good, so where are you?” This was the part that the watcher wanted to know. “Where?” Nabiki asked. “No… I’ve never heard of it.” There was a slight pause and then the girl perked up, “Free? A free hot spring?”

For several moments, she was silent when she suddenly laughed. “I bet Ranma was a bit worried at first, but that would explain why it was free… so did he pass out seeing you like that?”

The watchers eyes opened wide and she had to wonder what was meant by ‘like that.’

Sighing Nabiki lay back on her bed. “I see, well you’ll make it back by tomorrow, right?” She paused then sighed. “Ok, but just be careful. Daddy thinks you two ran off to get married and his father is stupid enough to think you’re already working on an heir.”

‘This is not good…’ thought the watcher as she quickly ran away from the Tendo home.

Nabiki smirked as she noticed the shadow move away from her window. “By the way, why there? Isn’t Kokanesaki Furofushi kind of far away?” She paused as he heard the answer and then smiled, “I see, so you’ve wanted to go there for some time, but we’re talking about two, three trains, as well as at least two busses just to get you there… what about a place to sleep, or food?” Sighing, Nabiki could only nod her head. “Ok, so Ranma has a tent for the two of you and you’ve always wanted to go camping… it’s just not my thing…” Hearing her sister giggle over the phone, Nabiki let out another heavy sigh before telling her sister one final thing, “Ok sis, see you tomorrow, though I think you may want to be gone a bit longer.”

Despite not only being warned and having their own reservations about returning, Ranma and Kasumi knew they had to return to Nerima. For the two of them, they had spent Friday night, as well as all day Saturday and so far most of Sunday together, yet here they were, walking back from the train station. Not a word was said between them, instead they just enjoyed the last bits of peace and quiet they’d have before the chaos of his life caught up with them again.

From where she was walking beside Ranma, with her hand clasped in his, Kasumi felt extremely happy and ready to weather any storm. However, little did the elder Tendo daughter realize just how soon that storm would hit.

Since finding out yesterday that Ranma and Kasumi were both missing, Shampoo had been scouring the area in a desperate search for them. Already she was feeling the strain, though it was not all physical. In reality, her mind was playing out all sorts of scenarios where Ranma and Kasumi never returned, or where they did return, but only after Kasumi had given birth to their first child. Both of these were inexcusable to her and she refused to give up on her airen. It was with great delight that she found her quarry. Rushing towards her Airen she noticed that Kasumi was holding his hand and walking too close for her liking.

Landing in front of them with her bon-bori drawn the Amazon scowled at her quarry through tired eyes.

“Oh my…” Kasumi said as soon as Shampoo landed in front of them.

“Guess this is it…” the pigtailed boy said and was about to move into a defensive position, but Kasumi did not let go of his hand.

“You… You no want become obstacle,” the warrior said to Kasumi. “Let Shampoo take Airen back to village and nice-nice-girl go home.”

“Oh dear.”

“No, Shampoo I ain’t goin’ back with you an’…” he paused as Kasumi placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Shampoo, is there anyway I can convince you to stop this?”

“No! Ranma is Shampoo Airen. We go back to China. No make me ki… hurt you.” Of all the people Shampoo had thought she would have to fight, she never thought it would be Kasumi. She was the only one that never insulted her or made fun of her.

Sighing, Kasumi let go of Ranma’s hand and stepped forward. “I see, I am sorry it has come to this.” Taking a big breath, she said something that stunned both Ranma and Shampoo. “Shampoo, I challenge you for Ranma. I would like you to meet me at the Tendo Dojo tomorrow morning at nine.”

“WHAT? But… but Shampoo no want to…”

“Then are you giving up?”

“NO! Shampoo can no give up!”

“I thought so. Why don’t we walk you home, you seem very tired? Have you had enough sleep lately?”

“Um… Shampoo up all night try find Airen…” it wasn’t much of a surprise that Kasumi had completely confused her, as Ranma was confused as well.

“Ok, then make sure you have plenty of rest tonight. Ok?”

Confusedly Shampoo replied, “Oh, ok…”

“Good, now then, shall we get you home and rested?” And with that, Kasumi led the two confused teens to the Neko-haten before leaving behind a tired, and confused Shampoo.

“Kasumi…”

“Yes Ranma?” Kasumi asked with a smile.

“Um… are you sure you want to do that? I mean she’s really good and…”

“Ranma, are you worried?”

“Yes! I mean… well… I never saw you ever fight, and well… you just challenged Shampoo!”

“But Ranma, daddy has a dojo doesn’t he?”

“Well… yeah?”

“Don’t worry, I have thought that this would happen even before I made those little horns,” she told him with a giggle and continued to walk towards her long-time home.

Watching her walk away, Ranma shook his head and sighed. ‘She’ll be fine... I hope… kami don’t let her get hurt,” he begged silently. Catching up to her, he let out a sigh before speaking. “Kasumi… I just don’t wanna see ya get hurt. You…”

“Yes?” She asked and smiled at him.

His knees felt weak at that smile. In the past few days he’s seen more of that smile than he ever thought possible. However, each time he’s seen it, has been under vastly different circumstances. ‘There was the time on the train as she just smiled at me… she said she was just happy to get to spend time alone with me… and then when we camped that night, she smiled at me that way just before we… we… um…’ Ranma’s face turned red as he recalled how she had proposed they share a sleeping bag to share body heat. ‘Um, yeah… and then when we got to that hot spring… man that was something else...’ as he thought of the place she took him to he was very surprised, as the bathing areas were not separated and she had just approached him as he had been in the spring… wearing nothing but that smile.

“Kami I’ve got it bad…” he mumbled as he watched her walk with a bright smile on her face. Though just seeing her smile like that brought a smile to his own face.

“Oh and Ranma?”

“Yes?” he asked with his own smile in place.

“I do not want you to tell our fathers about the challenge, and please do not tell my sisters either.”

“Why not?”

“I do not want anymore people that absolutely necessary to know about this.”

He shrugged his shoulders, but then agreed. “Um… ok…”

“Good,” she responded as she nodded. “I should think that Father and uncle Saotome are rather hungry, so I have a special dinner in mind for them.”

“Sure…” he said as she smilled at him, and he knew that she had something special in mind… especially with that grin on her lips. As he stared at her lips he could not help but think of how warm and inviting they were, and how often this weekend he’d been able to taste them. ‘Pop’s always told me to stay away from sake and other things cause I’d get addicted or whatever to them…’ that caused Ranma to grin even more. ‘But pops never said that I couldn’t get addicted ta just kissin’ a girl… but… if this is a addiction… I don’t wanna quit!’ Smiling at her happily, Ranma gave Kasumi a quick kiss on the lips before the two of them re-entered the Tendo home.

The next morning, Ranma awoke with that same stupid grin on his face, as well as long brown hair sprawled out over his chest. As he promised Kasumi before they arrived, he had not told anyone about the fight this morning, and before he went to bed, Kasumi had invited him into her room, to give him a reward for keeping his word. At first, he’d thought it was just going to be another kiss, but she had proved him wrong, very wrong. Though while he had his reservations, since their fathers were home, Kasumi quickly put them to rest by telling him of the special ingredients in their fathers’ food that would ensure they slept till noon.

“But what about Nabiki?” he had asked as she removed his shirt.

“She’s started using earplugs to help her sleep since you and uncle keep waking her up too early, so she will not hear a thing.” Even though she smiled at him cutely; the way she threw his shirt across the room had his mind racing. It wasn’t hard for Kasumi to convince him to see things her way, and the two enjoyed the night in each other’s arms.

“I could get used to this…” he mumbled softly as his arms caressed her bare back.

“So could I…” she replied as she sat up and yawned.

Seeing her body revealed to him like this, Ranma was at a loss for words. Even though they had been together, and sans clothing many times, each time was special to him, and to her.

Expertly, Kasumi gathered her things, and began her morning as though nothing was different, or unusual; though Ranma just watched her from his spot in her bed. “I’ve got to get breakfast ready for Nabiki, so go ahead and get cleaned up.”

“Ok… an Kasumi…”

“Yes Ranma?” She asked as she slipped the apron over her modest dress.

“I… I love you… Okay?” Even though he’s said it before, it still made him stutter.

“I know Ranma, and I love you too. Don’t worry, after today things should start looking better.”

That suddenly made him remember the upcoming fight with Shampoo and he could not help but worry. “Ok… if you say so.”

“I do, now go take your bath…” she told her love and gave him a chaste kiss before leaving her room.

“I think… I need a cold bath…” he said softly before quickly getting his things together for the day.

With breakfast over, the fathers asleep and Nabiki unaware and at school, the eldest Tendo Daughter found herself in a very unusual position. For the first time in a long time, Kasumi, the Tendo homemaker wore a gi instead of her normal dress and apron. But not only was she wearing something different, but for the second time in her life, Kasumi stood across from Shampoo, yet this time in the center of the Tendo dojo. To her side was Ranma, though across from him was Cologne. Taking a deep breath, she bowed to the two Amazons. “Thank you for coming to this challenge.”

Cologne smiled at her. “I am most surprised child; I would have thought Akane or one of the others would challenge my great granddaughter.”

“There are reasons for this, I assure you. But before I go into those, I would like to state the rules and conditions,” Kasumi told them with only a slight bow this time.

The aged matriarch could not help but smile. “Accepted, go ahead with them.”

“Thank you honored elder,” Kasumi began then looked towards Shampoo again. “I would like to set this up as a two part challenge. The second part is where we will meet in actual combat. However…”

“However?” Cologne asked.

“However our home and dojo have suffered much lately, so if you do not mind I would like to restrict the fighting.”

“How so?” Shampoo asked getting impatient.

“To reduce the damage done to the dojo or home itself, I ask that no chi or ki attacks are used, moreover I propose that weapons and pressure-points be restricted as well.” She paused for a moment and added, “If we are to meet in combat, I would like this to be a skill against skill. Using pressure points against the other or the use of weapons may give too great an advantage leaving behind a cheated feeling.”

“Sound like rules for fight during tournament,” the younger Amazon told her then nodded her head. “Sound good, Shampoo no use weapon or special attacks.”

“Thank you,” Kasumi told her sincerely.

“Child, what is the first part of the fight?” Cologne asked.

“Before that, honored elder, I ask for one rule to be acknowledged.”

“And that is?”

“Once we begin, then there can be no outside interference. If Ranma interferes on my behalf, then I forfeit, and...”

“And any interference on my behalf, and my great-granddaughter forfeits,” Cologne interrupted.

“Yes elder, it only seems fair as this challenge is between Shampoo and myself.”

Cologne nodded then moved to the side to be out of the way. “I see, well then Ranma, let’s wait over here.”

“Kasumi…” Ranma started to say, but was interrupted by her hand being placed on his lips.

“Please, Ranma. I know you object, but this needs to be done.” As she spoke, she moved her hand from covering his mouth to caressing his jaw.

“I… ah… ok…” he said with a blush on his cheeks.

“Thank you.” With that, she placed her hand on the back of his neck and motioned him towards Cologne. After he reluctantly moved to the side with Cologne, her attention turned fully to Shampoo. “Now…” she said softly, “the first part of this challenge may prove the hardest.”

“Shampoo not scared.”

“Scared? Oh there’s nothing to be scared about.”

This confused the young Amazon. “What is challenge then?”

“Understanding.”

“Understa nding?”

“Yes, you see, the first part of the challenge is to understand why we fight. Do we fight blindly or do we know the reasons and consequences of fighting?”

“But… Shampoo fight for airen… Nice-girl… Kasumi challenge Shampoo to fight for Airen, what to understand?”

Kasumi just smiled at her. “That is what I am talking about; I want you to understand what this fight really means. Do you take this challenge?”

“Shampoo take challenge! Make Nice… Shampoo mean make Kasumi understand.”

“Very well. I would like to hear from you, why do you fight for Ranma, is it for love, or for your laws, and how much do you love Ranma?”

“What Kasumi mean? Shampoo love Airen, want be with Airen and return to village.”

“Oh dear, this may take a while,” Kasumi said softly. “Let’s see… Oh I know. Shampoo, do you love Ranma enough to let him go?” Shampoo blinked at her as though the girl had suddenly grown several extra heads. “What I mean is this,” she tried again. “I love Ranma. But what I want most is his happiness. And if that happiness is with another, then I will let him go to pursue that happiness.”

Cologne happened to look at Ranma as Kasumi made that admission, yet instead of his normal flustered hand waving and denials, instead he had a slight smile and a blush adorning his face. ‘Interesting,’ she mused to herself.

Unfortunately, it did not seem that Shampoo understood, “Kasumi mean it, she let Ranma go?”

With a sigh, Kasumi added, “If I thought that he’d be happier with someone else.”

“Then we no have fight? Kasumi let Ranma go and Shampoo take Ranma back to village and…”

“I’m sorry but no.”

“Why?” Shampoo asked in confusion.

Kasumi looked at the Amazon and tried asking it in a different way, “Shampoo, what would you do if Ranma did not love you?”

Recoiling back as if slapped, the girl’s eyes were opened wide. “What?!”

“If you found out that Ranma did love another, could you love him enough to let him go?”

“But Airen and Shampoo… we… By Amazon law, we married! Ranma have love Shampoo!”

“Oh my. I see. So if Ranma did not love you, then it would not matter… would you not care?”

Shampoo’s head was beginning to hurt from this. “What Kasumi mean?”

“Well, by Amazon law you are married, but what if he did not love you? What would you do then?”

“But it no matter…” Shampoo was going to say more but Kasumi held up her hand to quiet the girl.

“I am not talking about your laws, I mean your heart.”

“Shampoo’s heart…”

“Yes, would you prefer to have your husband greet you with open arms, and hold you because he loves you…” Kasumi paused as she saw the far away look on Shampoo’s face. She almost hated to say the next part. “Or would you like him to hold you because he has to.”

“I…” Shampoo looked to her great-grandmother then back to Kasumi, before shifting her eyes to Ranma. She could easily imagine him holding her tight, telling her how much he loves her, and taking her on a date. Yet, the only times he’s done so, was because he was trying to get something out of her, not because he wanted to. It was at this moment that the girl’s heart started to hurt worse than her head.

“Please Shampoo; I do not intent to harm you in any way. I just want you to understand. I love him. I do not want to let him go, but if he wants to leave, then I cannot hold him. I want him to hold me, because he wants to. Not because he has to.”

“But… Shampoo… I…” She started to say but her mind was in turmoil and her heart was aching. ‘Why? Why hasn’t he ever taken me out on a date? Why hasn’t he ever held me? Why? Why ancestors why?’

“Shampoo…” The girl looked up at Kasumi as she spoke softly. “I am here to fight on Ranma’s behalf. If you defeat me, then you may take Ranma to your village, but I want you to know something before we start the second part of our challenge.”

Shampoo could barely get the words out as she tried to piece things together. “What’s that?”

“I wish this was being said under a better circumstance...” Kasumi said softly. Though as she spoke, Cologne looked up to Ranma and was surprised to see that his eyes were opened wide, and he was sweating heavily. “Shampoo, Ranma proposed to me yesterday while we were away.”

“WHAT?”

“He was not able to afford a ring, but Ranma has promised me that after he graduates from school, we can get married.”

“But… Airen… Ranma… he…” Shampoo’s mind had almost shorted out completely, and then it suddenly donned her on what was going on. If she were to win this fight, then she would be forcefully taking Ranma away from the one he did love. ‘And then…’ she thought bitterly. ‘And then… he will hold me… but he won’t love me...’

“Shampoo, I believe I have taken enough of your time, perhaps we should start the second half of this challenge.” Kasumi said seriously, as she looked at her opponent.

“But…”

“But before we begin this next part, can you show me how to make a fist?”

“WHAT?”

“I was never interested in learning the art of fighting. Instead I preferred to learn from my mother… so…” Kasumi then held up her hand much like a child taking their first lesson. “Is this how I hold my hand?”

Shampoo blinked as she looked at Kasumi. ‘It’s not possible… is it? No… she must be mocking me… she…. She’s taunting me! There is no way that she could not know this!’ inside her mind, a raging storm was building. The young Amazon could not believe the gall of this… this… outsider! This outsider dared to take away her airen, say that he loves her and then mock her this way! ‘Inexcusable!’ her mind screamed. “Nice-girl should know not make fun Amazons!”

So saying, Shampoo launched herself forward and performed a wheel kick towards this outsider’s outstretched arm. Years of training kicked in and she prepared herself for a long, drawn out fight. However as soon as her foot connected with Kasumi’s arm to test the defenses of this outsider, she was ill prepared when there was no defense. Instead, the sickening snap of bones was heard throughout the dojo as Kasumi was knocked away from Shampoo.

“Ouch…”Kasumi said softly as she stood up from where she had landed. When she turned to face Shampoo again, everyone could see that her upper arm was broken.

“What?” Shampoo asked as she heard a whimpering sound behind her. Taking her eyes off Kasumi she looked back at Ranma and her heart ached even more as she saw him barely holding himself back from rushing towards Kasumi’s aid. The tears in his eyes that were locked on Kasumi’s form left no doubt in her mind who had his attention. “No…” She said stubbornly.

Kasumi gingerly used her good arm to place her right hand in the front of her gi, making it into a makeshift sling. “I’m sorry; I’ll try better next time,” she said and brought her left arm up as though she were going to try to use it for fighting.

Tears began making their way down Shampoo’s cheeks. ‘There’s no way… there’s no way she’s this weak…’ she thought then launching herself forwards, she was not even looking at where she was hitting… yet her feet and hands told her that she was making solid impacts each time. More tears began falling as she realized, there was no resistance, no defense, as Kasumi knew nothing about fighting. Sweeping the girl off her feet, Shampoo hoped that this time Kasumi would stay down. Yet when a battered, bruised and bloodied Kasumi tried to stand, Shampoo tackled her to the ground.

“NO! Stay down! No get up!” Pinning Kasumi to the ground, she could feel the broken bones of the girl’s arm pressing into her leg, which only made it that much clearer to her. This outsider was not going to give up… ‘I’m going to have to… to have to…’ as she thought this her hand gripped Kasumi’s neck.

“Squeeze harder…” Kasumi’s soft voice said.

“What?” Shampoo asked in a small voice.

“I cannot live without him… I cannot fight you… end it now and take him with you.” Kasumi said softly so that only Shampoo’s ears could hear it.

Trembling, the Amazon lifted her other hand to land the finishing blow.

Cologne watched in amazement. Not over the fact, that the fight was good. In fact to her eyes, this was a waste and there was no honor in it, yet the Tendo girl showed an amazing ability to take the beating from Shampoo and still keep going. However, from beside her she could hear Ranma’s whimpers of torment and she held no illusions that Ranma didn’t care for the girl. In fact, she could tell that Ranma himself was in pain over watching her get abused this way. ‘This isn’t good… If Shampoo wins then she still loses his heart. He will never hold her with any love after watching this.’

With a long sigh she lifted her head and was about to stop her granddaughter, when Shampoo’s hand suddenly shot down towards Kasumi. ‘By the ancestors no!’

To be Continued…

Oh and if you want to know more about where Kasumi and Ranma went, do a search for Kokanesaki Furofushi and follow the link for go Japan.

For those viewing this on Media Miner, I apologize for the long delay in updating, but the MMo system is the worst I have ever seen. Although they say you can upload word Doc files it refuses to work properly which is one reason I have not updated in such a long time.