Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Kasumi, the Game Queen ❯ P-Chan Finally Gets What He Deserves ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and Yu-Gi-Oh belong to their respective companies. I am doing this fanfic for my own pleasure and hope that you will enjoy it. Jounouchi Katsuya is the original name for Joey Wheeler from Yu-Gi-Oh. I would like to thank at this time Shaun Garin, who is becoming a large source of support and help in the continuation of this story. For those of you have been clamoring for more chapters, you'll have to thank him because now I feel like the wait between a new chapter getting posted will be less than usual from now on. Anyway I present to you without further ado...

Kasumi the Game Queen
By David Knight

Chapter 3: P-Chan Finally Gets What He Deserves

Tibet. Normally a place where people seldom traverse, especially in the mountains near an isolated monastery. The monks of the area tend to stay isolated, save for short sojourns into the town at the base of the mountain.

A young monk stood at the entrance, sweeping away the snow that covered the cobblestones when a voice cried out, "Where on earth am I now?!"

Biting back a sigh of disbelief, the young monk looked up and wearily said, "You again?"

Ryoga, eternally lost boy stood before him, looking very lost indeed. "Oh," Ryoga said. "I'm here again?"

"This is your tenth visit to the monastery," the young monk replied. "Has our lessons taught you nothing at all?"

Ryoga clenched his fist. "I will have my revenge against Ranma Saotome. Mark my words!"

The young monk sighed. Violence wasn't part of his everyday life like it was of this young man who couldn't find his way out of a paper bag. "Come inside before you freeze then. I'll get you some food and then set you on the way." The young monk reflected that it was a strange relationship between them, as Hibiki chuckled embarrassedly, and followed him inside.

After a short meal, Ryoga set on his way. Through somewhere in Ontario, Canada after crossing over from India, Ryoga sent his challenge letter, post marked with very many stamps. "Soon," Ryoga swore, "I will return, and break you Ranma!"

Steve Irwin was then treated to the sight of an insanely cackling lost boy. The Crocodile Hunter just sighed and returned to wrestling his 100th gator.

* * *

Normal in Nerima is an ideal that has a stranger variation in fact. For example, in most of Tokyo, and most of the world, anything that was part of someone's daily life was normal. Such as getting up and going to work or school. For residents of Nerima, it was more of the Super Powered Martial Artists causing Mass Property Damage.

Malletings, were no exception.

The morning had started as usual, Ranma and Genma fighting over the koi pond, Soun brushing his teeth while reading the newspaper, Nabiki preparing for school and mentally tallying the amount of money she needed for that week, and such.

But today, was an abbreviation in the norm, as Akane, commonly labeled by one Chinese Amazon as Kitchen Destroyer, a rightfully earned nickname, had cooked breakfast.

Ranma, being that he spoke most of the time with his foot inserted deep within his throat, had spoken his mind, and thus, resulted in said pigtailed boy being launched as a LEOMA, or Low Earth Orbit Martial Artist.

It was to this, that Katsuya Jounouchi was greeted to, as he stepped into the Tendo Compound, wide eyed at the sheer strength that someone would need to launch a human body that far into the atmosphere.

"Kami-Sama almighty..." Jounouchi muttered.

"And don't you forget this lesson you pervert!"

Jounouchi cringed as he heard Akane right behind him. Putting a smile on so that he wouldn't upset the irritated 'martial artist', he spoke carefully, "Er, hi Akane. How are you today?"

Akane blinked when she heard Jounouchi speak and she quickly put her mallet away, "Oh hi Jonouchi. Are you looking for Kasumi?"

_Nani?!_ Jounouchi stared wide-eyed at Akane, _Just two days ago she looked she was ready to mallet ME! And now she sounds nice to me? I don't get that?_

"She's out in back working on the laundry. You should go see her." Akane said with a smile, "You really made her smile two days ago... don't know why but if you being around Kasumi makes her happy, who am I to make a fuss."

"Okay. Thanks." Jounouchi said as he walked past Akane who decided to speak up.

"Of course if I find out you are a hentai, not even Kami-sama will be able to protect you." she said almost too sweetly.

Jono sweatdropped as he scratched the back of his head, "Hehheh, trust me. I have no intentions of being a pervert."

"Good," Akane smirked, "First right once you walk in."

"Gotcha," Jounouchi said as he walked into the dojo.

Nabiki noticed the handsome blonde walk past her and into the dojo. Turning to her younger sister, she asked, "So who was that?"

"That? Oh that's just Jounouchi. He's a friend of Kasumi's."

Nabiki blinked at that. Kasumi having a friend outside of the house? That was a new one. Usually, the only people she associated with was the vendors at the local market and grocery store. "So how long has he been Kasumi's friend?"

"I don't know. A few days probably." Akane shrugged. "Don't tell father this, but according to Kasumi, she says he saved her life from this deranged criminal that held up the grocery story three days ago."

Nabiki did a double take. Her own sister's life being threatened? While the guy was cute with the messy blonde hair and the lean build, she had never expected that someone like him would protect Kasumi. This bore investigating into.

"Oh no!" Akane gasped. "Now I'm going to be so late for class!" She grabbed her bag and rushed out the door. A moment later, Nabiki rushed out after Akane. But she gave a momentary look towards the dojo where Kasumi and Jounouchi were.

* * *

Kasumi ran the rag across the windowsill, scowling at the dust that had accumulated on the polished wood. Normally, the whole dojo and even the entire house would be spotless, except for the attic where she had found the Millennium Puzzle. Dipping her rag into the water bucket, Kasumi continued wiping down the sills of the room.

_I do not see why you continue to do this, Kasumi_ Yami said, breaking into her thoughts. _I thought we agreed that you would do something besides cleaning all the time. Surely a little dust will not harm the furniture._

_It's not that,_ Kasumi replied mentally. _Old habits are hard to break, Yami. Every day I did the same thing, keeping the whole home clean, cooking dinner. Trying to do something other than that is hard for me to change._

Yami let out a mental sigh. _It is your decision, Aibou. But I have to admit, I would much rather prefer you spending your time enjoying yourself._

Kasumi was about to reply when the door slid open and a voice called out, "Oi! Kasumi!"

"Jounouchi?" Kasumi blinked as she saw the young man come in.

"Heya. What's up?" Jounouchi asked but stared as he saw all of her cleaning equipment.

"Oh just doing my chores.... hmm?" Kasumi blinked when she saw the look on Jounouchi's face. "Is there something on my face?"

"What do you think you are trying to? Clean your entire house?" Jounouchi asked.

"Well actually yes. Just like I have done every day ever since my mother, kami-sama rest her soul, died so many years ago." Kasumi breathed.

"How many years?" Jounouchi asked.

"Over ten." Kasumi answered.

"OVER TEN?!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "But... but that would mean you were a kid when you first started!"

"Yes. And after this is done I'm going to need to do laundry, the washing and folding..." Kasumi started to say but Jounouchi cut her off, "Hold it! HOLD EVERYTHING!!!" he told her. "Are you telling me you have been acting like a slave for your own family for over ten years?! You have to be kidding me!"

Kasumi actually frowned at that, folding her arms. "I'm not a slave! It's just that no one is willing to do these things! Nabiki has never picked up a washcloth in her life, whenever Akane tries to help I wind up Sandblasting the kitchen to clean it, daddy is a wreck, Mr. Saotome is a bottomless pit of a panda with no income and Ranma..." Kasumi stumbled short. "I have been a slave, haven't I?"

Jounouchi smiled sympathetically as he slung an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, relax. Listen, I'll help you dust here, just a quick one and we'll head out for the day. Just the two of us."

"But isn't today a school day?" Kasumi asked.

Jounouchi chuckled. "The only one who'd miss me is the class rep and Mazaki. So don't worry about it."

Kasumi merely sighed but handed Jounouchi a damp rag. Together, the pair quickly dusted the shelves and windowsills.

After a little while, Jounouchi and Kasumi headed out together. Kasumi had changed into her outfit from the day before. After leaving a note in the kitchen to let her father or in any one else in the house to know she would be out of house for a while, they went to catch a bus from the Nerima terminal and they headed into downtown Nerima.

* * *

"Well here we are. Our first stop of the day," Jounouchi said when they arrived at the place he had picked out to start the trip.

Naturally, Kasumi blinked at Jounouchi's choice of the day. "An arcade?" she asked.

"Yeah, ain't it great? I found it while I was looking around town." Jounouchi grinned. "C'mon, it's a nice place. Clean, smoke free and it's close to your place."

"I don't know," Kasumi said, a bit nervously. "I have never been in an arcade."

"Oh come on. What's not to enjoy?" Jounouchi smirked as he dragged her.

"Eh! Jounouchi wait!" Kasumi cried.

_Aibou. What's the matter?_ Yami asked. _Did we not say we were going to try to get you to do different things?_

_Yes... but..._ Kasumi stammered.

_No buts. We will do something other than cleaning the dojo today._ Yami responded.

Jounouchi paid for an hours worth of tokens. Kasumi looked around the noisy establishment, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Pushing a handful of tokens into Kasumi's hand, Jounouchi dragged her over towards a racing game. Sitting Kasumi down, he said, "Object of the game is to drive to the finish line. It takes a few tokens to get the game started."

"But I've never driven things before," Kasumi protested.

"It's okay, neither have I," Jounouchi grinned as he pointed to various places on the seat and wheel before her. "That's the stick shift, just set it to drive and you'll be fine. Press the gas to go forward, and steer with the wheel."

"Okay," Kasumi replied as she tried to do what Jounouchi had told her to do. Unfortunately, she was having a very difficult time while Jounouchi was not. It also didn't help matters that she ended up crashing into a wall. "Oh my..."

"Don't get depressed Kasumi. Its just your first time." Jounouchi assured her.

_First time out and I crash into a wall... I can't do this..._ Kasumi sighed.

_With that attitude you can't that's for sure._ Yami replied mentally.

_Thank you for stating the obvious Yami. Think we might go home now?_ Kasumi asked.

_... it would appear I need to take a more direct hand in this situation to help._ Yami sighed.

_Huh what do you...!!! Yami don't you even..._ was all Kasumi got to say before she felt her spirit merging with Yami's once again. All of her doubts, fears and depression were removed as Yami's confidence over powered them all.

"So you want to try a different game Kasumi?" Jounouchi asked, "Maybe you might have better luck with it."

Yami Kasumi turned her head towards Jounouchi and gave him a mysterious grin, "Put in a few more tokens. Let's give it one more try."

Jounouchi grinned at Kasumi's newfound confidence and popped in a few tokens, all the while not noticing the change in her appearance.

Yami Kasumi smirked as she shifted into drive as her car on the screen whined to life. Punching the car into drive, Yami Kasumi screeched around corners, doing a better than usual, despite the lack of experience either her or Kasumi had in driving. A faint smile grew on her face as she drove, slowly gaining on Jounouchi who had more experience in handling the virtual cars.

_No way. She's catching up on me already?_ Jounouchi stared in disbelief. _Well then I'm just going to have to turn it up a notch._ he grinned as he sideswiped Yami Kasumi, causing her to spin around in a three eighty for a brief second. "Sorry Kasumi," he said, grinning madly. "But in this racing game, it's all or nothing in this game."

"Very well," Yami Kasumi replied, punching the nitro button. She didn't know what it was for, just that it had a big red glow to it.

Jounouchi couldn't believe at how she took off coming right at him, "Nani?"

"And since you said this is all or nothing, I believe turn about is fair play," Yami Kasumi smirked as she swiped Jounouchi's car from the right side, causing it to skid a bit. Jounouchi tried to regain control, but not before he crashed into the wall.

"NO!" Jounouchi exclaimed as he slammed his head against the screen when he saw Yami Kasumi's car take the checkered flag.

_Are you enjoying yourself now? I know I am._ Yami said to Kasumi.

_It's fun, actually._ Kasumi replied, _I've never done this before, and it's exhilarating._

_I must agree with that. I have never seen these horseless carriages before. In my day, we had servants or slaves to carry us on movable thrones._

_Very different from Modern times to be sure._ Kasumi returned.

_So. Want to have another run at this game?_ Yami asked.

_Yes...but..._

_But?!_ Yami stared in disbelief, thinking Kasumi was going to make a rejection when she said instead, _Let's go play some different games after this okay?_ Yami fell backwards when she heard that.

_Yami? Are you okay?_ Kasumi asked.

Yami got up from her place in the puzzle and just let off a light chuckle, _I think we are definitely making progress now Kasumi._

_Okay... but I think we should get Jounouchi back to normal now._ Kasumi suggested.

Yami nodded and then touched Jounouchi's shoulder, "Jounouchi just get over it. It was just one game."

"But this was only your second time and you beat me!" Jounouchi muttered in disbelief.

Yami Kasumi chuckled lightly at him, "What can I say, I am a quick study. Care to make it 2 out of 3, Jou?"

"Yeah... but I'll be the winner!" Jounouchi smirked as he got back into the seat and sat back into the chair.

* * *

An hour later, Jounouchi walked out of the arcade with a normal Kasumi, one who had a smile all over her face. Jounouchi was in disbelief.

"I don't get it! I mean, you loose to me on the first time we played any new game. Whether it was P1 Racer, Soul Calibur, or Air Hockey, you still did much better and beat me in the majority of games. How is that possible?"

"Like I said Jou, I am a quick study." Kasumi smiled as continued walking.

_Well more like you are with my help Aibou. But then he doesn't have to know that now does he?_ Yami said with a bit of superiority in her voice.

_Yami. Don't get a big head._ Kasumi returned as she looked back to Jounouchi, "So where to now?"

"Well, let's just do some window shopping for now," Jounouchi suggested, "This is a nice area as far as I saw."

"Well you're the guide. So guide me Jou," Kasumi responded.

"It'll be my pleasure," Jounouchi said with a smile, as he was determined to give Kasumi a day that she would definitely enjoy.

* * *

Several hours later, another day at Furinkan High has ended. Luckily for Ranma, his troubles this day were not as bad as they usually were.

"And just what are you so happy about Saotome?" Nabiki asked him and she and Akane were walking home with him.

"Nothing. It's just a bit more quiet than normal," Ranma replied.

"Oh I'm so glad you think that," Akane muttered her breath, as for her today was just exactly the same as every other day she had at Furinkan. _Why can't those perverts just get the message and leave me alone?!_

When they arrived at the Dojo, they all went their own ways. However Nabiki noticed something off. It was just something not the same. She started looking around, searching from top to bottom but she didn't find what she was looking for. She went into the kitchen and got her self a glass of water. As she was pouring it into a cup she saw a note on the counter in Kasumi's handwriting. She picked up and read it while taking a drink from her cup.

When she read it, she wished she wasn't drinking anything. "--!!! What the?!"

"Nabiki! What was that for?!"

Nabiki looked up and saw her younger sister, whose face was wet with the water that she spat out, but that was not important to her as what was in her hands was. "Do you have any idea where Kasumi is?"

Akane blinked for a moment, as Nabiki had not even said she was sorry for what she did. Regaining her composure she stared at her elder sister, "Nabiki. You know Kasumi sometimes goes out to do grocery shopping at this time or maybe take care of the laundry and hey don't you think you should apologize to me for..."

"She went out for the day with that guy!" Nabiki exclaimed, cutting Akane off.

*SLIDE!*

"What was that Nabiki?" Soun Tendo asked opening the door and taking a moment out of his Sougi game with Genma when he had heard something about Kasumi.

Both Akane and Nabiki shook their heads and looked totally innocent, as they both knew they didn't want their father going into one of his Demon Heads. "Oh nothing at all father. Absolutely nothing. We were just talking about someone else."

Soun just nodded and closed the door, going back to playing his game with Genma.

Nabiki let out a sigh of relief once the door had closed, "Thank goodness."

"So who's this guy that Kasumi went out with?" a low voice said from behind them.

Nabiki and Akane blinked when they heard the voice. When they turned around Ranma was right there and he took the note in Nabiki's hands and read it aloud. "Dear Family, I am going out with a friend of mine today. Will be back before dinner. Love Kasumi."

"This is very odd." Nabiki mused.

"What?" Akane shrugged. "So what if she went out with Jounouchi for the day? I mean its real no different from when I spend the day with Yuki or any of my other friends."

Ranma blinked at that, "She went out with a guy? When did I miss this?"

"Probably along with forgetting to read your mail," Akane muttered as she thrusted into Ranma's hands a soggy wet letter. "That's for you."

Ranma looked at it and saw the name and the address. "Looks like Ryoga's actually gone to Australia. That's new. I'll remember to add this to my collection of 'Die Ranma Die' post cards that he's sent from all over the globe. I think he's only got twenty countries he's missed traveling in."

"What about Kasumi? Aren't you worried at all?" Nabiki asked.

"Not really. I don't think Kasumi would make a friend with someone that would hurt her." Ranma shrugged.

"But if Jounouchi hurts her in any way..." Akane walked away, leaving her statement unfinished but its meaning was very clear.

"I pity the guy if he turns out to be a slime ball. Of course what Akane would do to him is nothing compare to what I would do." Ranma said as he walked off, just wondering a bit about when Ryoga would eventually show up.

That left Nabiki standing all alone in the kitchen asking herself, _Are they all brain dead! Do they not see something is seriously wrong here! Kasumi has never gone with any friends at all! Not since mom died!_ Feeling definitely concerned, she decided it would be best to keep and eye out for her sister and have a talk to her once she got home. She had to get this straightened out.

* * *

"You know it's getting late," Kasumi said to Jounouchi, but she wasn't so eager to have it end. Her face showed her joy and she was clearly enjoying this day.

"You saying you want to go home now?" Jounouchi asked.

Looking at her own watch she sighed, "Its an hour before dinner or at least when I would usually start making it. I told them I'd be home before then. I don't them starting to panic, especially my father." she giggled for a moment as she thought of her father in that situation, "If he started to worry for me, he'd brawl his eyes out and the entire Dojo might get flooded."

"After seeing some of the craziness in this city, I'll believe that based on just your own word." Jounouchi replied.

"Thanks for taking me down to that market," Kasumi smiled as she looked at the jacket that she was now wearing. It had a white collar that went down to the bottom of the jacket, which was a light navy color. She had just found it during their time in the market and of course there was Yami saying to buy it because she thought it would look good on her. Kasumi found herself agreeing more with Yami every day.

"Yeah well I am glad we went there too," Jounouchi said, "Cause I bought you something." Kasumi turned around in surprise, as she looked Jounouchi, who went into his coat pocket and pulled out a small rectangular leather case. "Open it."

Kasumi did open it and inside was a bracelet made of four interwoven strands of silver with a clasp.

"It's a friendship bracelet, Mazaki has given some out to her own friends, I figured why not give one to one of mine," Jounouchi smiled, "Of course, never really had a lot of female friends."

"Oh?" Kasumi asked, "How many?"

"Not counting Ukyo... you and Mazaki."

"What? I would have thought you might have gotten a lot of attention from at least some girls Jounouchi." Kasumi said.

"Well, I just have a lot of trouble trying to impress them all, try to get them to like me so I could ask them out on a date..." Jounouchi sighed, "Of course it backfires."

"Jou, have you been trying to impress me at all today?"

"Huh?" Jounouchi blinked, "No I just wanted you to have a good time."

"And your other girl friend Mazaki?" Kasumi asked.

"We've known each other for years. We got and understanding but we're just friends. I'm able to be myself with her." Jounouchi answered.

"Like you have been with me." Jounouchi looked back at Kasumi when she spoke, "Just be yourself Jounouchi. I like you a lot as a friend already. You don't need to impress anyone."

Jounouchi just stared at her for a while before smiling, "Thanks Kasumi." Looking past her happened to notice a photo booth. "Hey. How about we take a few pictures to remember this day?"

"Okay," Kasumi nodded as they walked into the Photo Booth, inserted their money, and had their pictures taken. After they were done with taking their pictures, the two watched as the pictures came out.

For Kasumi, when she saw them, they were absolutely priceless.

* * *

Almost an hour later, Jounouchi had just walked Kasumi all the way back from the bus stop back the front of the Tendo Dojo. "See. Back with about five minutes to spare."

"I know," Kasumi smiled, "Thanks for a great day Jou."

"Hey any time you want a repeat just give me a call and I'll ditch class again for ya in a heart beat." Jounouchi smirked.

Kasumi giggled at his comment, "I'll keep that in mind but you shouldn't cut classes. You do need to get an education."

"So my teachers tell me." Jounouchi rolled his eyes, "I'll see ya later Kasumi."

"Good night Jounouchi." Kasumi returned. Jounouchi made he way back to the bus stop leaving Kasumi to go back into her home. However a noise from the buses made he her realize something or someone was there. "Hello?" She ended up looking through the bushes... and found one seemingly surprised black piglet. "P-chan? Where have you been? Akane's been wondering just where you have been. She'll be happy to see you now." She picked up the piglet and walked into her house but noticed the look on his face. "What's wrong P-chan? Did something spook you?"

The black pig shook his head, but if Kasumi could have read his thoughts, she would have known that the pig was wondering just who was the man that had been with her.

* * *

An answer that Nabiki had but was at a loss as to what was going on. She had not expected her sister coming home as she did. Totally safe and looking absolutely happy.

_Just who is this Jounouchi guy? Where is he from? What school does he go to?_ Nabiki scowled. _... just what did he do to make my sister look so happy?! There is just something not right here. I know it and I am going to prove it!_

* * *

"P-CHAN!!!" Akane squealed as she held her pet pig in her arms. "Oh where have you been?" Looking at her elder sister she smiled, "Thanks for finding him Kasumi."

"It was nothing really. I just heard him in the bushes." Kasumi replied.

"But he's been gone for a few weeks now." Akane said.

Ranma however was keeping clear of line of sight for now as he knew that what he hated was inevitable. _Do you hate me kami-sama? I had a very nice day aside from Kuno, but he's jerk to everyone so it really doesn't matter._ Shaking his head, he watched Akane go upstairs with her 'P-Chan', who shot a glare at Ranma, to give him a bath. Of course Akane didn't see it at all, but Ranma knew that the time before another fight with his rival was going to be coming shortly so he figured he'd just relax and just wait until it happened.

* * *

However this time there was someone else that happened to notice the pig's stare.

_Is it me? Or did that pig just look he wanted to kill Ranma?_ Yami asked Kasumi.

_Excuse me?_ Kasumi gasped in disbelief. _Yami, if that was meant as a joke I didn't find it funny._

_It wasn't a joke. When I saw that pig when you first picked him up, I could feel strange vibrations from him. As I looked into his eyes it was if they had an awareness. An awareness that only human beings have._ Yami explained.

_P-Chan is a pig. Not a man._ Kasumi replied as she walked up the stairs to go get some cleaning supplies. She needed to go do the laundry since it probably would have been a mess today. She could already hear Yami groaning about that but Kasumi decided she had her free time and now she had to do some work around the house. She had gotten everything except she knew there were some dirty towels in the bathroom and she thought to throw them into the wash while she was at it.

_Aibou, you don't need to do more work for yourself._

_Its not more work._ Kasumi returned. _I think of it as making the next day lighter._ She looked into Akane's room and saw Akane in there. _I guess she finished giving P-Chan his bath. Well then I can just get the towels then._ she went to open the door...

Only for it to open up on its own, or rather by a dripping wet male teenager who rushed right past Kasumi and screaming out, "RANMA!!!"

_By Osiris... who was that?_ Yami muttered.

_Ryoga? But... P-chan's supposed to be in the bathroom..._ Kasumi blinked.

"Was that Ryoga?" Akane asked as she rushed out of her room. She looked inside the bath room and groaned, "Oh no! P-Chan's gone again!"

"Huh?" Kasumi muttered.

"P-Chan! P-Chan where are you?" Akane called out as she started to look for him.

Kasumi just stared at her sister but looked down at the ground and saw water over the floor, in areas of someone rushing out of the bathtub but by far too much for a small piglet to have thrown out of the tub.

"Oh... my..." Kasumi gasped as she leaned up against the wall, trying to figure out what was going on.

But if Yami's own slow growing anger was any indication, she knew the truth already.

Ryoga WAS P-Chan.

* * *

"RANMA!!!" Ryoga screamed at the top of his lungs as he saw Ranma lying on the floor of the living/dinging-room, flipping through the pages of a martial arts magazine and a tomato in his mouth

Ranma looked up with contempt at Ryoga for a few moments. He looked at the lost boy who was glowing with rage.

_Geez, what I do now?_ Ranma thought as he started to stand up to look Ryoga in the eyes... He could see the fury in them... But as he usually does, Ranma manages to stick his foot into his mouth.

"Now what do you want now, P-chan?" was Ranma last taunt before finally angering Ryoga to the point of attacking him.

Ryoga leapt at Ranma, but Ranma stepped to the side, leaving Ryoga to fall from the porch and landed onto the ground in the backyard. Ryoga frowned and scratched the back of his head.

"Damn Ryoga, maybe you should rest this evening. I mean, it's been what? Four, five days since out last fight? You still need the rest..."

<CRASH>!!!

Ranma's eyes widened as Akane had once again malleted him in the back of the head. He slumped to the ground by Ryoga.

"That will teach you for picking on Ryoga!" Akane declared before stomping back into the house in a huff and slamming the sliding door behind her.

* * *

Kasumi recalled everything that she had seen. She had seen Ryoga go through the hallway and running through the house chanting 'DIE RANMA'. She heard sounds of fighting so she went to look and she saw Ranma make a comment again that was negative to Akane, causing Akane to come out of nowhere to mallet Ranma down to the ground and once more with Akane totally clueless. She couldn't believe her own sister's complete obliviousness.

Did she not see that Ryoga was her beloved P-chan?

_He... he slept... he slept with my sister!_ Kasumi thought as she started to clench her fists, anger at this was coming in but she felt a peaceful calm telling her to just forget it and go about cleaning. And she would have done just that.

Except unlike similar occasions she was now in possession of the Millennium Puzzle.

_That hypocrite... how dare he speak about honor on Ranma! How dare he! And he's supposed to be a martial artist!_ Kasumi growled as her Millennium Puzzle glowed.

"Hey Kasumi is my laundry done yet?" Nabiki asked as she came down the stairs.

"Why don't you do it yourself Nabiki?"

Nabiki blinked in surprise, "... excuse me?"

Yami Kasumi turned around to face her sister. "I've done your wash ever since mother, kami-sama rest over her soul for all eternity, passed on so I think you can at least for once use your own two hands for something other than counting your yen notes."

"But... but I have things to do!" Nabiki exclaimed. "And what about dinner?!"

Yami Kasumi snorted, "Go order take out from the Nekohatten tonight like you all did last night instead of waiting for the meal I spent the day working on yesterday or you think I forget things like that?" she advanced on Nabiki. "And why do you always say 'you have things to do'? I swear you're turning out to be as bad as Akane."

"Wha?!" Nabiki gasped, her Ice Queen face broken by the shear disbelief how her elder sister was addressing her.

"Now if you excuse me, I have something to do now and I'm not going to wait any longer to get it done." with that Yami Kasumi turned on her heal and walked out of the dojo.

After that verbal lashing from the Angel of the family, Nabiki did the only thing she could.

She fainted.

* * *

"You know, she really is an uncute tomboy..." Ranma muttered as he focused on Ryoga but his eyes widened slightly as he saw the lost boy starting to glow yet again.

"DAMN YOU RANMA! I SHALL TEACH YOU A LESSON FOR INSULTING AKANE!!!" was all Ryoga got out before he lunged himself off the ground and at Ranma.

Ryoga was on top of Ranma's back and hitting him repeatedly in the back of the head.

"RANMA, TONIGHT YOU WILL D-"

Ryoga didn't get to continue as Ranma used a sudden burst of strength and smashed the back of his head into Ryoga's face. Ranma felt Ryoga fall off him. He rubbed the back of his head as he saw Ryoga on the ground holding his nose.

"RANMA!!!" was all that the lost boy could scream while in pain. Ranma would feel sorry for Ryoga if his head weren't already in pain.

"Geez you're such a pain Ryoga... Why don't you just leave me alone already?" Ranma finally demanded of the pig boy. Ryoga then got up, his anger flaring to life in a red, fiery aura around him.

"HOW DARE YOU!? YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY THAT!!!" Ryoga all but screamed in rage at Ranma. Ryoga then started charging at Ranma, fists flying.

"Ryoga..." Ranma started, but didn't get to finish, his eyes wide in shock as he saw Ryoga had practically gotten right on top of him. "Crap..." was all he could get to mutter as Ryoga pulled his fist back a bit and smashed it into Ranma's chest, and sending the pig-tailed boy flying. The sound of Ranma's ribs cracking from the initial received blow of Ryoga's fist was quite audible. Ranma lands on the ground of the backyard breathing heavily.

"Damn it..." Ranma cursed before coughing up a bit of blood.

"And now it ends..." Ryoga stated before rushing at Ranma, grabbing him by the back of his pigtail. Ryoga then punched Ranma in the face, and then pulled his fist back again and smashes him in the stomach. Ranma hunches over in pain and begins to cough up blood. Ryoga winds up, prepared to hit Ranma again.

"YOU'RE GOING TO DIE SAOTOME!" Ryoga screamed as he sent his fist forward. However, Ranma smashed his right knee up and brought his right elbow down on Ryoga's wrist. Ryoga's eyes widen in pain as his wrist registers the pain it received. Ryoga dropped Ranma to the ground and began to hold onto his hurt limb tightly with his good hand.

"My hand! Damn it Ranma this hurts!!!" Ryoga cursed as a slightly blood-covered Ranma made it back to his feet continuing the fight as they broke through the fence and out on the street.

"Ryoga, won't you shut the hell up!?" Ranma said as he glared at Ryoga. _Ryoga's been bad before but nothing like this...Guess I better end this now before Ryoga causes more trouble..._ But then out of the blue, Ranma saw someone he had DEFINITELY not expected walking toward him and Ryoga. _Kasumi?!_ He stared in disbelief as he saw Kasumi Tendo standing right behind the eternal lost boy.

Unfortunately, this lapse in concentration on the fight at hand cost Ranma big time as Ryoga took advantage of Ranma's moment of surprise by landing a punch right into Ranma's rib cage, knocking the wind out of Ranma, before throwing him into wall of the alley. "YES! Now I have you Ranma! SHI SHI HOKODAN!!!" the Lost Boy screamed as he nailed Ranma with his trademark chi attack. The force of the attack with Ranma's defenses down caused the pigtailed martial artist to black out leaving him at Ryoga's mercy.

"At last vengeance shall be mine! Finally you will die Ranma Saotome!" Ryoga vowed with a sneer as he powered up to launch the mother of all Shi Shi Hokodan, ready to kill the downed Ranma... had it not been for someone speaking.

"You truly are an honorless man Ryoga Hibiki."

"What!" Ryoga roared as he turned around ready to attack the accuser but then paled and dropped his fist when he saw whom it was, "Kasumi?"

"You are a hypocrite Ryoga. So drowned in the lies you have made to protect yourself you have actually believe them to be the truth." Yami Kasumi said with an icy tone.

"Kasumi... what are you talking about?" Ryoga shook his head. _Just what has gotten into Kasumi?_

"You know what I am talking about... P-Chan." Yami Kasumi stated.

It took three seconds for Ryoga comprehend what she had just said before turning back to the downed Ranma. "Ranma you coward! You told her you honorless bastard! Now that you are unable to defend yourself I will..."

Yami Kasumi taking his right arm and throwing him over her shoulder into the wall interrupted him. "Will you kindly please shut... the hell... up!"

Even smashed into the wall Ryoga head popped out, eyes wide as saucers, he couldn't believe what he had just heard, _I don't believe she just said that! I don't think she's ever said the word hell in her life!_

"Do you have any idea how sick and tired I am of your constant 'I'm going to kill Ranma' rant?" Yami Kasumi shouted. "Day in and day out I had to listen to that and watch as you kept on breaking through my home and I had to repair the damn walls... by myself!"

"K... Kasumi... I..." Ryoga started but Yami Kasumi cut him off with a glare.

"Not another word until I say so 'P-chan'." She spat venomously at the Lost Boy. "And for your information I found out without Ranma. In fact I saw you change as you left through Akane's window. How that thick headed tomboy sister of mine hasn't put two and two together eludes me."

_She's actually insulting her own sister?!_ Ryoga stared at her in shock.

"Enough of this small talk. You want to settle this right now Ryoga. Fine then." Yami Kasumi smirked as she then the Millennium Puzzle glowed and suddenly a board appeared between Yami Kasumi and Ryoga

"What is this?" Ryoga asked.

"Well if you play my game and you win then you will finally be able to kill Ranma." Yami Kasumi smirked.

"WHAT?!" Ryoga exclaimed in shock, disbelief and eagerness. Ryoga couldn't that believe Kasumi was capable of this but he was also thanking Kami-Sama for this seemingly wondrous opportunity.

"The game we will play will be dice rolling. In Ancient Egypt, a dice roll could've determined a person's fate." Yami Kasumi smiled. "Today we will decide Ranma's fate. Are you game Ryoga?"

"What are the rules?" Ryoga asked.

"One dice throw by each person. I will go first and if you can throw a number smaller than or equal to my number you will win and I'll allow you to finish Ranma off with a Shi Shi Hokodan. We'll then shoot bullets into his corpse to make it look like he was mutilated by a street gang and deposit the body somewhere it will make that conclusion seem more plausible to the police..." Seeing Ryoga's smile and dreams about this Yami Kasumi held up her hand and said, "But only if you win. For if I win I will decide your fate."

The opportunity to get rid of Ranma forever as well as believing Kasumi couldn't give Ryoga any kind of real punishment was enough to make him agree, "That's fine by me! Let's do this! I want to end his pathetic life once and for all!"

"We shall see." Yami Kasumi replied as she threw her dice and it landed on a six.

"Ha! I win! Ranma's dead! There's nothing higher than a six on a dice!" Ryoga shouted with joy however stopped when he saw Yami Kasumi's serious expression. "Didn't you hear me? I said I get to kill Ranma."

"Throw your dice." Yami Kasumi told him sternly.

"WHAT?!" Ryoga yelled incredulously, "But I've already won!"

"Roll your dice." Yami Kasumi repeated to him.

"Fine... you're the board for me Ranma!" Ryoga smirked as he threw it right at Ranma's head and it bounced to the ground. "Yes! I have a one! I win!" However he was his broken out of his joy by Yami Kasumi's laughter. He turned back to her in anger, "What?! What's so funny?!"

"I'm sorry Ryoga," Yami Kasumi said with a knowing smirk, "But you lost. I have a lower number than you."

"Huh? What do you mean!" Ryoga shouted. "It's a one!"

"Yes it is..." Yami Kasumi nodded however she pointed to that same die, "But it's also a six as well."

"Huh?!" Ryoga turned around and looked at his dice... except it had been cracked in half and it was face up on the one... and a six.

"One... plus six... is seven." Yami Kasumi smiled. "You lose."

"NO! I can't lose! I have Ranma dead to rights!" Ryoga shouted as he quickly started to power up for a Shi Shi Hokodan but suddenly Yami Kasumi was right front of him. "Get out of my way Kasumi!"

"Ryoga Hibiki, you have allowed your hatred and demons you never knew you had blind you from the truth... NOW LET ME OPEN YOUR EYES!" Yami Kasumi shouted as her third eye appeared.

"Nani?" Ryoga gasped. "What... what is that?!"

"You will now be punished according to the rules of the Shadow Games," Yami Kasumi stated as her puzzle glowed brighter, "And the Game Penalty that I will give unto you shall be... HEART KILLER!" she cried as she shot out her right hand and aimed it at Ryoga.

"What are you..." Ryoga shouted as he felt his life flashing before his eyes. And it was now that he was faced with the truth. The truth about his life and how it was not Ranma's fault for the bread, not Ranma's fault for the duel, not Ranma's fault for his own pain, not Ranma's fault for being cursed.

It was all his fault.

"No... oh kami-sama no..." Ryoga gasped as he just fell to his knees and started moaning and wailing like never before in his life.

Yami Kasumi shook her head in disgust for a bit before her puzzle flashed and she changed back to Kasumi. She walked over to Ranma who was now starting to wake up.

"Oh man... I really got sloppy today..." Ranma shook his head. When he looked up he saw Kasumi.

"Need any help Ranma?" Kasumi asked him, however the pigtailed martial artist got up on his own two feet.

"Thanks... but I'll be fine..." Ranma groaned. He looked forward and saw Ryoga on the ground, brawling and seeming to be like a madman perhaps. "What happened to Ryoga?"

"I think maybe he saw the error of his ways," Kasumi replied.

"That or the last few blows we gave messed us both up worse than usual," Ranma scratched the back of his head. He suddenly blinked as he looked back at Kasumi, "Um, what are you doing here Kasumi?"

"Oh I thought I'd take a walk outside." Kasumi replied.

"Well, we better get going. I really want to get back and inside before the old man sees me like this." Ranma said.

"Alright." Kasumi replied as she and Ranma walked out of alley and left Ryoga to his eternal sorrow.

The only difference now was that Ryoga knew he had no one to blame but himself for it.

* * *

The Next Day...

It is another normal day at the Tendo Dojo, Ranma and Genma are now having their morning sparing session. Ranma having a smug look on his face as he kicked his father down into the koi pond, turning him back into a panda for the umpteenth time.

"Enjoying your wet fur coat Pops," Ranma smirked, "Guess that will teach you for being slow on the draw."

*Foolish Boy! You must learn to respect your elders!* Genma-Panda signed.

"You always say that Pops," Ranma shrugged as he walked away, knowing it was time for him to get going to school, this time a bit early as he wanted to avoid Ryoga, who Ranma was pretty sure was going to be at the school waiting for him when he normally came to school.

He didn't expect to literally run into Ryoga. "Whoa! Hey bacon breath what's the big idea?!"

"I deserve that. I am a hypocrite."

"Nani?" Ranma blinked when he heard Ryoga. His voice wasn't full of anger and rage directed at him. Rather, it was of a man who felt defeated. As he looked at Ryoga, he saw that Ryoga had his head down, refusing to even make up contact with him. The depression that Ranma was reading from the Lost Boy was greater than anything he had ever felt before. He felt like this was a set up. That Ryoga might try a kamikaze stunt just to get rid of him. Ranma kept his guard up the entire time, expecting Ryoga to just try to sneak attack him with the Shi Shi Hokodan.

So its absolutely natural that he was totally floored by what happened.

"I'm sorry."

Ranma did a face fault as he looked at the Lost Boy was now raising his head to look at his rival. Ranma could see Ryoga's face, and looked like one etched in shame. "... what did you say?"

"I'm sorry... Ranma... I'm sorry for everything I've done to you," Ryoga bowed his head in shame. All Ranma could do was just stare at the former Lost Boy. "Our vendetta... is over... I will never fight you again. You have my word and my vow and this time it is honorable... good bye." With that he then turned around and walked away from the Tendo dojo.

Ranma just stared after the figure of the Former Lost boy for five minutes before he spoke his first words. "I'm free of him..." a smile then formed on his face. "I'm free... I AM FREE!!! YAHOO!!!" Ranma cheered as he jumped up and down in joy. "YES! FINALLY NO MORE P-CHAN TRYING TO KILL ME EVERYDAY! YES! YES! YES!"

* * *

As Ryoga was about to walk out of the Dojo entirely, he felt like someone was behind him and he was right.

"You are doing the right thing," Kasumi said softly and with feeling.

Ryoga didn't say anything for a while until he faced her and looked her in the eyes, "Who are you really?" At Kasumi's stare, he continued, "You aren't the same Kasumi Tendo that I know. She couldn't have done what you did last night. How did you?"

Kasumi just gave a sly smirk, "That's my little secret for now. I think you can understand that... can't you P-Chan."

Ryoga chuckled a little at that, "So now you are going to start calling me that too?"

"No. I only did that now to make a point clear," Kasumi replied.

Ryoga looked at her for a while before nodding, "You did. I won't pry. I owe you that much."

"Where are you going to go now?" Kasumi asked. "Should I be expecting you back any time soon?"

"Well I haven't gotten really lost in the last twelve hours so I don't expect to come crashing through a wall of the Dojo," Ryoga replied, "I need to get out of Nermia for a while though. I've just wanted to beat Ranma for so long. That was my only purpose in life." Looking forward a small smile crept on to his face, "Now I just want to see what I can do with my life."

"I wish you a safe journey Ryoga," Kasumi smiled.

"You should leave this place too you know."

"Nani?" Kasumi blinked.

"If you ever want to live, then you need to leave this place Kasumi." Ryoga shook his head, "I don't know if it makes sense yet, but it will."

Kasumi just watched him walk away, but in her mind, she wondered about Ryoga said.

And her heart, she wondered if he was right.

* * *

From her vantage point, Nabiki scowled as she watched that scene with Ryoga and Kasumi. _Okay. That clenches it! Something is DEFINITELY wrong my sister! She's not herself and I don't like it!_ She stared down at Kasumi intently, fearing in her mind that some sort of magic might be making her differently, though it was definitely worse than that whole evil Oni incident.

_I don't care what it is that is causing this but it has to be evil magic._ Nabiki mused, _And I'm going to get to the bottom of this. One way or the other._

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to update, but personal problems have kept getting in my way along with school and work regarding projects. However I hope you all enjoyed this chapter for those that have read the two previous chapters. To those of you that have asked about 'When am I going to have Kasumi get a Dueling Deck' that is going to happen. However I have got it set up that Duel Monster won't even be mentioned until Chapter 6. To give a progress report, work has been done on Chapter 4-6 but I don't have a definite time to tell you when I'll be able to finish them. It all just depends on time. In the mean time let's talk about what's in store for Chapter 4. Kasumi continues to learn to live more outside of her sheltered home life, causing Nabiki to start investigating to find out just what has happened to her sister. Another Shadow Game will be played and Yami will have a bit of spotlight in that chapter. Until then, take care and see you around.