There has not been many chances. I fitted a few gramatically errors. The
most noticable difference is chapter 2 ending. I added a slight sentence
change to the last sentence so that I have more freedom writing chapter 6.
Chapter 6 will be jumping about a year into the storyline. Did not feel like
rewriting the whole Ranma meets everyone. Everything went almost the same.
With Kasumi's influence he is a bit more mature, not too much but noticable
more than the TV series. Also reading the manga, Ranma is actually more
mature than the anime series. So the characters are not that OOC. I will
refrane from saying anything more. Most of this stuff will be explained in
Chp 6. ALL C&C welcome, flame or compliments.
Long
P.S. Got ICQ now thanks to a friend. 24875981. Hope to talk to you, I
sometime take awhile to rply so plesae be patience. I am usually reading
fanfics myself.
The characters of Ranma � Universe was the sole creation of Rumiko Takahashi.
They are licensed to other companies. All materials save the environment and
situations are being used without prior authorization. This is for
entertainment purposes only and is not intended for material gains. If there
has been an error in copyright, please email me. I wish not to be sued for
expressing my interest in these series. Please do not post this story withou
my permission.
Ranma 1/2 : Kasumi's Wish
Created by Long Ngo
Started March 17, 1998
Finished March 31, 1998
Revised July 17, 1998
Revised December 5, 1998
* * * * *
Prelude
Every newborn child has within themselves a hidden potential. Some of these
children will never reach that potential due to an early death or tragedy.
Others will never understand their purpose in life due to their lack of
motivation. The few that do have helped mankind in their pursuit of
understanding the unknown while others have lead mankind into a new era.
Kasumi had been the foundation for the Tendou household since the death of
Tendou Kimiko, loving wife of Tendou Soun and mother to Tendou Kasumi, Nabiki
and Akane. At an early age, she had taken the responsibility that once belong
to her Okaasan. Upon accepting the mantle that Kimiko left behind, Kasumi
became the mother, mediator and the caretaker for the entire Tendou Clan.
With that sacrifice, Kasumi had, in all rights, given up her childhood to tend
for her family. She did not ask for much from life and was content with the
role that was thrust upon her. It was no surprise, to those few individuals
who knew about Gods and Goddesses, the ones chosen to grant a single wish to
those worthy, when Kasumi received an unexpected visitor.
Chapter One
It was a quiet and lonely afternoon for a certain young lady by the name of
Tendou Kasumi. Although the person in question did not feel young at the
moment. She was looking at the koi pond from the doorway of the dinning room
and was wondering what her life would have been like if only her mother was
still alive today.
Kasumi didn't mind taking care of the family, she actually enjoyed it.
Feeling needed and respected was what she had always wanted. It was just at
moments like these, when the house was empty and quiet, that she wished she
had a particular someone to share in this time of tranquility and help fill
the void within her.
Whenever she had time, Kasumi would make it a point to relax and take a stroll
in the park. Looking around, she would smile sadly as she noticed the young
couples and the children having fun. Kasumi rarely had a chance to enjoy
herself and participate in the many activities which others her age seemed to
enjoy and partake in such as dating, sight seeing, a walk in the park, movies,
or even hanging out with friends. Most of her friends were all attending
college. That was another dream that was taken from her. To one day attend
college and work in the medical field. With most of her friends gone, the
only true friend left that Kasumi could think of was a 32 years old woman with
3 children. This more than anything seems to reinforce the image of an old
lady within Kasumi's mind.
Though she had given up on most of her dreams, she still looked for that
particular someone to fill her life with joy. The few dates she went on left
much to desire. The boys were immature and lacked the qualities she expected
in a boyfriend much less a future husband.
Deep in her contemplation of her life, she missed the head of a young lady
slowly rising from the koi pond. Kasumi was startled when she finally noticed
the young girl, for she couldn't be older than 12, standing in front of her.
The young girl introduced herself as Skuld, Goddess second class category 2
limited. Blinking twice, Kasumi cleared her head and greeted her guest with a
smile. Focusing on Skuld, Kasumi could tell that whoever this child was, she
had an interesting taste in clothing. What also caught Kasumi's attention was
the round circular symbol upon her head and tear drops on her either side of
her cheeks.
"Hello, you wouldn't happen to be Tendou Kasumi would you?" the young
girl asked.
Kasumi's first thought was that this was some kind of game the little
girl was playing. Deciding to humor Skuld, Kasumi played along. "How may I
help you?" Kasumi asked with a smile.
"You were found worthy through your devotion to your family. I am here
to grant you one wish. I would have been here sooner but you never seem to
use the phone. I couldn't wait any longer and so I decided to drop by." At
this time a hint of irritation could be heard in Skuld's voice as she
complained to Kasumi.
"I'm sorry, do you want me to use the phone now?" asked Kasumi as she
decided to have a little fun with the young lady, no one wants to be called a
child.
Seeing as how she was raising her voice at her client, Skuld calmed
down. "I'm sorry, this is my first assignment and I got so tired of waiting.
Anyways, I am here to grant you any wish you desire," replied Skuld, "But only
one. Make sure it's from the heart. You can never go wrong or at least
that's what my sister, Belldandy, said."
As the conversation between Kasumi and Skuld continued, Kasumi could not
help but stare politely at the young goddess. To Kasumi, she was talking to
one of the most mature young lady she had ever met. As for Skuld, she could
not believe how similar Kasumi was to Belldandy. They were both polite and
kind to a point of emitting an aura of peace around themselves. Shaking her
head, Skuld just marveled at the similarities. Even their voices were
almost the same.
Trying to please Skuld, Kasumi decided to wish for something and for
some reason she felt like sharing her dreams with this mysterious girl. "I
can wish for anything you say?" Kasumi asked. When Skuld nodded her head,
Kasumi closed her eyes and made her wish. " I wish to meet a kind, exciting
and handsome young man whom I could respect, love and someday marry." Kasumi
softly spoke.
Kasumi was having a wonderful time. She had kept her true feelings and
dreams to herself for so long that talking to someone, even a little girl, had
helped lift her spirits, that was until a beam of light shot forth from the
skies overhead and struck the circular symbol upon Skuld's forehead. As the
beam intensified, Skuld started to float in midair. Her body starting to glow
as the massive energy that was gathering in one placed created a draft that
sent ripples through both girls' clothing. Kasumi was now just plain staring
at Skuld and thinking to herself that maybe this was not just some game after
all.
As the light died down, the young goddess turned towards Kasumi. She
spoke two words that would change Kasumi's life forever, "Wish granted." In
the far distance, Kasumi could have sworn she heard a bell ring. Afterwards
the young goddess disappeared back down into the koi pond.
Staring at where Skuld had vanished from, Kasumi was in mild shock. The
silence was broken by the chirping of a bird.
Later that week, she was even more surprised when her father called all
three of his daughters to him. He had announced that a good friend of his
would be coming to the Tendou household soon. He would be bringing his son in
the hopes of uniting both the Tendou and Saotome Clans through marriage.
At this, Kasumi could only think back to her wish a few days earlier and
again was shocked by that day's events. Had her wish finally come true?
Chapter Two (Originally One Hour by Megane 6.7)
The sounds of a mass celebration were still within earshot of Saotome
Ranma, as he laid on the roof of the Tendou Training Hall, his arms behind his
head. It was a beautiful night and the full moon was in perfect view. Ranma
had given up trying to sleep hours ago and was now content to stargaze until
he felt tired.
"I don't see what the big deal is about the new year coming and all,"
Ranma thought to himself as he gazed upwards at the sea of stars. "When it
finally comes, I'll still be stuck with three fianc�es and I'll still have my
curse. It's not like I can start over again or nothin." Unknown to Ranma
powerful forces were working this night.
Ranma sighed to himself as he recalled some of the events of the past
year that had happened to him. "It's almost like nothing has changed at all.
Akane still hits me all the time, I'm still being challenged by weirdoes and
chased by perverts all the time. Shampoo won't leave me alone. I still can't
see mom as a guy and I'm failing math in school. If anything life's gotten
worse for me! At least when I was on the road all the time I only had to put
up with Pop. Of course, being on the road with Pop is what lead me to all my
troubles in the first place...."
"Ranma?"
Ranma was startled out of his thoughts as he turned to the source of
the voice and saw Kasumi standing on a ladder against the house. She had a
look of curiosity and concern on her face. "Is everything all right, Ranma?"
"Oh, it's only you, Kasumi. I thought it might have been one of the
other girls. I'm okay. I just can't sleep."
"Sleep? Don't you want to see the coming of the new year?" Kasumi
asked him.
"Why?" Ranma replied wearily. "Nothing's going to change anyways."
Suddenly Kasumi started to climb up onto the roof. Ranma was mildly
surprised by this but nonetheless sat up and gave her a helping hand as she
crawled across the ceramic tiles and lay down on the exact spot he was a few
moments ago. Ranma wondered if Kasumi would be safe up here but after awhile
with no signs of her sliding off, Ranma resumed his relaxed position a few
feet away from her and stared up into the sky once again.
"Why do you say that?" Kasumi asked as she joined him in stargazing.
"It's just....all these things that have been happening to me all year
round and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. I've tried.
Oh, how I've tried. Nothing seems to last long. It all breaks up with the
arrival of one of my other fianc�es. I'm still knee-deep in trouble." Ranma
explained somberly.
"Why do you think nothing has changed, Ranma?" Kasumi inquired
curiously.
"Because all of my problems are still here. You'd think in a whole
year's time, I would have been able to deal with at least one of my problems
but just when I think I've got it licked, something happens to mess it up, all
over again! Either that or a new problem develops! I can't keep up at this
rate!"
"Things aren't as bad as they seem," Kasumi said.
"Oh yeah? How have things changed? I have enemies out for my blood,
perverts out for my girl side, promises that *I* never made...." Ranma
retorted, getting a little worked up.
"What promises are you referring to exactly?" Kasumi wondered aloud.
"Everything!" Ranma shouted with exasperation. "The old man made me
decide between Ucchan and okonomiyaki when I was too young to understand what
he meant never mind that I at the time I thought she was a he! He then made a
pact with Mr. Tendou in that I would marry Akane when I turn 18. They can't
even wait that long. Then there is my mom. She's expecting me to be a man
among men when I return. Now thanks to Pop, I can't even tell my mother that
the son she has been awaiting for over ten years turn into a girl with a
little splash of water. I can't tell her that I'm her son�" Ranma had to stop
and calm down a bit. He hadn't wanted to explode like that in front of Kasumi
of all people.
Kasumi's eyes began to grow misty "I....I know it's hard to pretend
to be someone else when you're with your mother...."
"Hard?! It sucks!" Ranma growled.
"....But at least you have a mother to talk to...." Kasumi continued,
seemingly not noticing Ranma's outburst. Her voice filled with sadness.
Ranma suddenly felt his heart grow cold as he realized what Kasumi
meant. He immediately became apologetic. "I'm...I'm sorry...I forgot
about..."
Kasumi tried her best to smile. "It's alright. I'm just trying to
point out that at least you have a mother to hug and talk to, even if you're
pretending to be someone else. When my mother died, Father fell apart
emotionally and it was up to me to take care of Akane and Nabiki because he
couldn't bear to talk about her without bursting into tears. I forced myself
to be strong so I could help everyone else through it so
I mourned in private where no one could see me because I didn't want to upset
them any further."
Ranma swallowed hard as he considered Kasumi's words. "Maybe you're
right. I'm lucky that I can see her at all but it still sucks that I can't be
who I am, who she wants to see most of all, who I want to be most of all...."
"A man," Kasumi guessed.
"Yeah....I admit being a girl has had it's advantages in the past but
I'd GLADLY give it all up to never be a girl again! To not be chased and
pawed and gawked at by freaks like Happosai and Kunou and Mikado and...."
"I see your point. But hasn't being a girl given you an idea on how
we feel about certain things?
"Such as?" Ranma frowned.
"You wonder why Akane keeps hitting you yet you call her things like
uncute and tomboy...."
"She starts it! She calls me a pervert and a jerk! She never believe
anything I say and she always takes her anger out on me! Beside, I'm only
being honest with her! She acts like a tomboy!"
"She just hasn't gotten along very well with boys. Remember, they
used to attack her every morning before you arrived and that Kunou person used
to ask her out on dates all the time. You both got off on the wrong foot when
she walked in on you in the bathroom...."
"She still blames me for that?! She walked in on me! How does that
make ME a pervert!?" a frustrated Ranma replied. "Besides my point is that
except for a few minor things, nothing has really changed! Why should I look
forward to something like a new year anyway?"
"Maybe things will go better this year than the last. There's always
hope." Kasumi replied softly as she lay back
Ranma looked over at Kasumi. "How do you do it, Kasumi? How do you
manage to be so cheerful, year after year?"
Kasumi was silent for a long moment, giving serious consideration to
the question.
"I....I guess it's partly because I've had to be strong for everyone
else's sake when mother died. I never really had time to be sad. So I
convinced myself to always look on the bright side of a situation, no matter
how grim it may be."
"But I've seen you get upset before...." Ranma remarked.
"It's not a matter of being upset as it is trying to see the positive
aspects of something. It's.....It's hard to put into words. It's similar to
putting a candle in a dark room. No matter how dark and vast the room may be,
it can't block out the light of that candle, no matter how small it may be.
Do you understand?"
"I....I think I do." Ranma's face was unusually contemplative as he
digested Kasumi's words and their meaning.
There was another long pause while they both watched the night sky.
"Kasumi, can I ask you an question?" Ranma suddenly spoke up.
"Of course, Ranma." Kasumi replied while still staring up.
"When I....that is....When Pop brought me to your house for the first
time and you knew your dad wanted one of you to marry me...did you have any
interest in me at all?"
"Honestly? No." Kasumi replied in a quiet voice. "I was caught off
guard by your transformation into a girl. I....I panicked."
"And that's why you and Nabiki convinced our parents Akane was the
best choice?"
"Well....Akane did hate boys....It seemed to be the proper...." Kasumi
stopped and sighed. Shaking her head, "No. The truth is, we were both
scared and we used Akane to escape. I'm ashamed to admit it but I wasn't
ready to marry someone who changed into a girl. None of us were. But I still
pushed for Akane." Kasumi lowered her head in shame and embarrassment. "I'm
sorry."
Ranma gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay....I know it
was a tough spot to be in. At the time, all I wanted to do was go back to
China and get cured. I loathed being a girl, to be stared at and ridiculed.
I must have really scared you, huh?"
"But I should have been the one...I mean...I was supposed to be the
strong one, to take responsibility and uphold the family honor when no one
else could or would. I know now that I should have been the one to accept the
engagement but I was too frightened...."
Ranma's eyes were very wide as he exclaimed. "You would have let
yourself be engaged to someone you didn't even know? Just like that?"
"Why not? You accepted it easily enough." Kasumi pointed out.
"Well..." Ranma placed his hand behind his head. "I don't know if
accept is the right word, tolerate, maybe. But you always had a choice."
"Did I? Sometimes I wonder if I truly did. I know Nabiki would have
rather died than accept this engagement against her will because she's used to
always being in control of a situation. And if Akane hadn't eventually
accepted your engagement, I have little doubt the responsibility would have
eventually fallen to me."
"Accepted? Since, when did Akane accept our engagement? All she does
is accuse me of things I haven't done and hit me with her mallet!"
"Ranma....have you ever asked yourself why she does that? Why she
can't stand the thought of another girl near you, and why she constantly
fights with you?"
"Because she's an uncute, sexless tomboy with an unreasonable temper?"
Ranma replied with a straight face.
Kasumi sighed. "Never mind. Someday perhaps, you'll figure it out.
What I'm trying to say is that it was my duty to accept the engagement. My
family means more to me than life itself. I have given myself to them and
this house completely, forsaking everything else. When I tried to pass you
off onto Akane, it was the first time in a long time that I was thinking of
myself, that I didn't want to be engaged to a boy who was three years younger
than me and changed into a girl. It made me feel so bad that I thought of
myself over others....
Kasumi lapsed into silence again while Ranma tried to make sense of
what she was saying. "It....It sounds to me like you're punishing yourself
for being selfish, but what you did wasn't selfish, it was a matter of choice.
Granted Akane wasn't interested in me either but if it had been me in your
place, I would have done the same thing."
Kasumi remained silent while Ranma continued. "I'm not very good at
talking like this....To be honest, I prefer to fight a problem rather than
solve it and that's gotten me into more trouble than I care to admit. But
it's still my choice whether or not I want to
eventually marry Akane. Pop keeps telling me it's a matter of honor but then
he ignores his promise of honor to Ucchan, not to mention every other girl he
promised me to in exchange for food.
Ranma took a deep breath as he continued. "I don't blame you for not
wanting me. If you had, look at all the problems you would have been stuck
with. Believe me, you were lucky."
Kasumi looked up at Ranma and suddenly began to laugh. It was a
joyful sound, like a soothing melody.
"What'd I say?" Ranma was puzzled.
Kasumi just laughed harder at that. Soon she was laughing so hard she
could barely keep her balance on the roof. Then she eventually stopped
laughing and wiped her eyes. "I'm....I'm sorry.... I was just laughing at the
irony....I came up here to cheer you up and now here you are cheering me up.
It just struck me as funny. I don't know why."
Ranma smiled at that. Then he stared at Kasumi as if noticing
something for the first time.
"What is it?" Kasumi asked, curious at what had captured his
attention.
"It's....It's nothing....Don't worry about it." Ranma tried to shrug
it off.
"No, what is it?" Kasumi insisted.
Ranma was quiet for a long moment. "It's just....this may sound silly
but until now, I've never seen you laugh. I always see you smile, but I've
never seen you laugh."
Kasumi froze. Solid. Her hand went to her mouth immediately. Her
face was a mask of shock.
"Kasumi? Is everything all right?" A concerned Ranma asked as he
walked closer to her.
"It's just....It...." Kasumi stammered. "You're right....I haven't
laughed since....since my mother died."
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean...."
"It's okay....It never occurred to me until now. I always put on a
smile whenever people needed it but when something was funny, I just couldn't
make myself laugh, no matter how hard I tried. No one seemed to notice so
after a while I stopped trying."
Ranma felt a lump growing in his throat. "Kasumi, when was the last
time you felt like yourself?"
Kasumi seemed to flinch slightly as she replied. "W....What do you
mean?"
"I mean when was the last time you felt something like this...."
Ranma suddenly but gently placed his arms around Kasumi. Then he
gently brought her chin up to face him and tilted his head forward. Seeing
Kasumi so close made Ranma's heart beat faster. The scene in front of him was
breathtaking. The snowflake that landed on her nose just made her that more
desirable.
Kasumi's eyes were wide and frightened, she wanted to pull away and
yet her body refused, betraying her true feelings and need for someone. She
closed her eyes as her lips met with Ranma's.
She had not been kissed by anybody for a long time. While she had
tried it a few times when she was in pre-school, she had never had a boyfriend
of her own. A part of her wanted to break away, to say this was wrong and
that she was betraying her sister, but she wanted this kiss, needed this kiss
so badly that she wrapped her own arms around Ranma's neck and held him tight.
For that moment, Kasumi was truly happy for the first time in years.
Then Kasumi released the kiss, Ranma was almost reluctant to do so but
nonetheless complied. Kasumi smiled again, only this time it was different
somehow, as if the other one no longer suited her.
"Thank you, Ranma. I needed that." Kasumi said.
"I....I think I did too...." Ranma remarked as they both laughed.
Meanwhile the sounds of celebration were growing louder around them. It was
one minute to the new year, when old acquaintances would be forgotten, new
promises made and broken.
Kasumi and Ranma resumed their places on the roof and watched as the
dark sky began to erupt with fireworks. The light snowfall made it all the
more spectacular. Kasumi and Ranma watched the colorful display of colors
with awe as they could hear the final countdown until the new year.
5....
"Ranma...." Kasumi whispered.
4....
"Yes, Kasumi-chan...." Ranma whispered back.
3....
"I never told this to anyone...." Kasumi began.
2....
"Said what?" Ranma replied, puzzled.
1....
"I'll whisper it to you...." Kasumi leaned closer.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
Ranma's eyes went wide as he heard Kasumi's confession. Then he
smiled and whispered something back to Kasumi as the celebration around them
reached it's peak.
"Sometimes, I feel the same way."
Suddenly both couple started to glow. The glow around Kasumi started
to intensify into a blinding flash while the one around Ranma subsided, as
they pass into a new year with a time honored New Year's kiss.
Up in Asgard, Skuld had finally found the bug that had eluded her for
over a year. Because of this cute 6 legged nuisance, her contract with Kasumi
went partially unfulfilled. Finally she could complete the contract. Heaven
knows these two deserved a break.
To be continued