All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.  And the Kung Fu characters aren't mine either.

Oh yes, if anyone's interested, I just updated the web page. (No bells
and whistles, sorry, just the story)


              A Different Viewpoint: American Vacation pt 7

    Captain Simms nodded decisively to her team.  "We shadow them, by
the book.  Peter, you go for your car, Kermit and I will take turns in
pursuit and keep you informed.  Call the precinct and get us a couple
cars on stand by for backup.  We'll keep in touch by radio."  She tapped
the mini radio hidden in her collar.  "Now get going."

    Kermit started off.  "I've got lead."

    Peter nodded.  "Be careful.  Lon Phat's not going to be playing
around with those two."

    Kermit snorted.  "Careful is my middle name."  The ex mercenary
headed after the man in black and the red haired girl, being careful to
stay far enough back as not to cause suspicion.

    Captain Simms followed after, making sure she didn't appear to be
walking with Kermit.  Peter got to his car to find Skalany waiting for
him.  She was using the radio, talking to the Captain.  "Why don't we
just pull those two in?  Lon Phat might just kill them!"

    Peter listened to the Captain's answer.  "We couldn't really inform
them in there without altering Phat we're after him, and what can we
tell them now?  A gang boss may or may not be about to attack them for
winning a martial arts tournament? We'd need a charge to bring them in,
and I don't think they'd just come with us without one."  There was a
pause.  "No, we do
this carefully, or Lon Phat will disappear.  Especially if we just show
up and pull them off the street."

    Kermit broke in seconds later over the radio.  "Speaking about those
on the street, it looks like they're planning on walking back to the
wharf.  They're moving pretty quickly, too."  He informed everyone of
the pair's heading and course, and signed off.

    Captain Simms sighed.  "I'd better get moving myself if I'm going to

change with Kermit in a few blocks."

    Kermit followed the pair to the edge of Chinatown, and Captain Simms

joined him momentarily before taking up the pursuit.  Just outside of
Chinatown, Kermit and Captain Simms watched Ranma and Johnathon go into
a Mc Donald's.  They waited outside impatiently, but when the tall man
in black exited, he was with a medium sized young man with black hair.
The young man resembled the red haired girl greatly, his hairstyle,
pigtail, and even his clothing was the same.  He was, however, quite a
bit taller, and almost certainly not a girl.

    The Captain swore under her breath.  "Damn it.  Kermit, you go look
for that girl.  I'm on the man."

    Kermit looked to one side.  "Be careful."  He pointedly glanced at a

black sedan that started up and drove slowly after the two subjects
leaving the Mc Donald's.  "We're not the only one's following them."

    Karen Simms nodded and started away.  "You be careful too. Something
is definitely up."

    Kermit noted two of Lon Phat's men as he casually strolled into the
Mc Donald's.  < They've got us outnumbered.  I'll let them make the
first move.>

    The two men, which Kermit tagged as typical 'thugs', moved quickly
through the restaurant, heading for the bathrooms.  They reached the
back and opened the bathroom door.  Kermit's hand tensed reflexively,
but the two thugs turned away from the bathroom swearing.  They moved
into the kitchen and went through it quickly, ignoring the protests of
the workers.  Kermit
walked up slowly, trying to stay invisible.  The two men passed through
the restaurant's back rooms and came back forward after a few moments of
searching.

    Kermit faded into the background and watched them leave with angry
expressions.  < Now where did that girl go?  She can't have been that
guy in disguise, can she?>

    Several blocks away, Captain Simms followed Ranma and Johnathon from

half a block back.  The two martial artists had turned into a relatively

deserted section of street and her common sense was telling her that Lon

Phat's men would act now.

    Captain Simms tapped her radio's send button.  "Peter, get everyone
ready to move in on my position."  She started to silently swear as the
black sedan started to speed up.  She started to run forward, using
parked
cars for cover.  "Now!  Get here now!"

    Back at the Mc Donald's, Kermit started to sprint.  Peter Caine
switched gears in his car and sped up, but they were both still a
distance away.  The black sedan sped directly for the two martial
artists.

    The tall man in black started to turn as the sedan came up on the
sidewalk.  The shorter man in red and blue spun around an instant
later.  As the sedan was about to reach them, Ranma shoved Johnathon to
the left and jumped.  The sedan passed underneath him and Ranma landed
easily, facing it.  Johnathon rolled to his feet in the middle of the
street and started heading for Ranma.  The black sedan spun around and
headed back towards them both.

    Johnathon blinked.  "They're trying to kill us?"

    Ranma's eyes narrowed, and he dropped into a combat stance, his
hands coming together, he only had time to say two words  "Moko
Takabishi!"

    Captain Simms, running forward, blinked in confusion as she sensed
something strange going on.  The air felt heavy all of a sudden, and
time seemed to slow.  The young man with the pigtail had cupped his
hands, and from yards away, Karen Simms could almost see something
there.  With a shout, the young man thrust his hands at the black
sedan.  There was a flash of light, and a strange sounding explosion,
then the black sedan's engine blew up, it's hood flying up in front of
the windshield and smoke pouring out.

    The driver of the sedan, unable to see, hit the brakes, causing the
vehicle to skid to the left, going out of control.  Ranma and Johnathon
jumped out of the way and the vehicle went up on the sidewalk again,
crashing into a fire hydrant.  Even as the two martial artists landed, a
fountain of water sprang up, deluging the entire nearby area with a
liberal dose of water.  Captain Simms started to pull her gun as four
men started to shakily get out of the car.

    The police Captain strode confidently forward, presenting her gun
and badge.  "Freeze!  101st precinct.  You four are under arrest!"

    Instead of focusing on her, as she would have expected, the four men

were staring incredulously at the two martial artists they had just
tried to kill.  Simms stole a glance for herself, making sure to keep
her gun trained on the four men.  Her eyes flashed over and back to her
four suspects, then back to the two martial artists for a second look.

    "What?"  Captain Karen Simms stared.  Despite the pouring water that

obscured her view, it was obvious something was seriously strange.

    The red haired girl was back, still wearing the outfit she
apparently shared with the pig tailed young man that had been in her
place seconds before.  Her tall friend in black had been replaced by
something that didn't even appear to be human.  The creature's head and
hands were as black as it's clothing, it's legs were bent strangely near
the bottom, and a three foot long furry tail was sticking out from it's
pants.  It's head was most inhuman, covered in fur, large ears... cat's
ears on either side of it's head.  It's mouth jutted forward slightly,
giving it a definite cat like appearance.

    Captain Simms' gun wavered uncertainly as her attention focused on
the cat like monster.  One of the men standing just out of the black
sedan recovered his wits, and began drawing his gun while Simms was
distracted.

    When the water had hit them, Ranma and Johnathon had both groaned,
glancing first at each other, then at the men coming out of the black
sedan.  Neither one of them were quite sure what to do.  They were both
torn between running to preserve their 'secret identities' and subduing
the men getting out of the black sedan.  The sudden shout by the police
woman had made them hesitate further.  Slowly they turned toward the
woman holding gun and badge.  Her eyes were wide, and Johnathon noted
immediately that the gun was beginning to waver in his direction.

    Ranma also noted this and protested loudly in English.  "Point gun
at bad guys!"  The red head pointed at the black sedan.  Then, waving
her hands in front of her, she stepped between the police woman and
Johnathon.  "This not monster, he is good guy!"

    At this point, Lon Phat's thugs all started to react.  The first one

aimed at Captain Simms while the rest crouched down and brought out
their own guns.  The Captain noticed the sudden movement first and
started to turn back toward the men.  As the first thug squeezed the
trigger, having aimed at the Captain's head, he was hit from behind,
which threw off his aim.  The shot went wild, but alerted Johnathon and
Ranma that something was up.

    Kwai Chang Caine grabbed the man he had just struck and spun him
into the pavement with stunning force.  Captain Simms ducked and fired
as the remaining three men started to move and fire.  Ranma and
Johnathon both leapt for the gunmen as their attention was drawn away
from them.  An instant later, the three final men dropped.  One shot in
the leg by the Captain, one smashed into a car door by a jump kick from
Ranma, and the third smashed into the pavement by Johnathon's
straightforward pounce.

    Ranma followed up her kick with a dozen incredibly fast jabs to the
chest and face.  Johnathon held his man down by the neck, his claws out
and sticking slightly into the man's throat for emphasis, while his
other hand raked the man's gun hand once, tearing the weapon free, and
incidentally cutting the man's hand badly.

    The man Captain Simms had shot struggled up on one leg and started
to again take aim, but Caine had gotten around the car and knocked him
to the ground again with an open palm strike, causing the gun to fly out

of the wounded thug's hand in the process.

    The Captain rose unsteadily to her feet, still pointing her gun in
the direction of the black sedan.  "Alright..."  She started to say.
"Everyone hold it... right...."  Karen Simms teetered on her feet and
nearly fell.  She reached shakily up to her scalp with her free hand and
touched it.  Her fingers came away sticky.  "Damn."  She slurred
drunkenly.  "Ducked too slow...."  Karen started to fall to the side.
Ranma and Kwai Chang Caine jumped toward her together.  The red head was
closer, and caught the Captain before she hit the ground.  The man Ranma
had been punching slumped bonelessly to the ground behind her,
unnoticed.

    The squeal of tires from a car rounding the corner and heading their

way was also barely noted as Ranma held the unconscious police captain
in her arms.  "Is OK?  Is OK?"  Ranma anxiously queried as she peered at
the Captain's face.

    Kwai Chang Caine quickly examined Captain Simms' head and nodded in
relief.  "She will be fine.  The bullet just grazed her skull."

    Slamming car doors and running feet warned Johnathon, Ranma and
Caine that they were about to have company.  Johnathon, assured that the
woman wasn't seriously injured, quickly checked on the four men he,
Ranma, Caine and the Captain had subdued.  It appeared the only man
still conscious was the one he was holding down with his claws.
Johnathon blinked, realizing suddenly the extent of the damage he had
done to the man's hand.  He grimaced in faint sympathy at the man's
obvious pain, then brought his hand across quickly, knocking the man
unconscious.

    "Sorry."  The half cat whispered.  "I was a bit rushed."  He glanced

left and right, noting people running his way from both directions.
"Ranma!"  Johnathon hissed urgently.  "I've go to get out of here!"

    Ranma nodded quickly.  "Go, I'll stall em for ya."

    Caine glanced from Ranma to the half cat.  His brow furrowed in
concentration, but he said nothing.  Johnathon sprinted for a nearby
alley, ignoring Peter Caine's yell to stop.  The detective reached the
alley to see Johnathon turning the next corner, half a block away
already.

    Peter Caine whistled in amazement and frustration.  "Fast."

    Kermit and Skalany had gone to the Captain immediately.

    Caine repeated his diagnosis of the Captain's condition and he and
Ranma gently lowered her to the ground, just outside the area of ground
slowly being flooded by the still gushing fire hydrant.  "Captain Simms'

wound is minor, her skull has been grazed by a bullet."

    Kermit nodded, whipping out his radio.  "I'll call for an
ambulance... or two.  It looks like you really did a number on those
guys, Kwai Chang."

    Caine looked at Ranma.  "I was not alone."

    Skalany had gone over to the black sedan, shielding her eyes from
the cascading water with one arm.  "Geeze, this guy is going to need
some stitches.  That hand doesn't look good."  She turned back toward
Peter, who was coming over, having lost Johnathon completely.  "What was
that....?  What WAS that?  It didn't look human!"  She bent down,
pulling out a handkerchief to bandage the man's hand.  "This hand looks
like something clawed it.  There are some small puncture wounds on his
neck too.  But that wasn't some animal, it ran upright... mostly."

    Peter Caine shook his head.  "Some guy in a costume?  He had a tail,

and a weird mask....  Pop, what did you see?"

    Kwai Chang Caine hesitated, then glanced at Ranma.  The short red
head chewed on her lip pensively, her eyes concerned and pleading.

    The Shaolin priest turned to his son after several seconds and spoke
with honesty.  "I do not know."

    Peter rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "Why did I know you were
going to say that?"  He looked at Ranma.  "So, can you explain your
furry friend to me?"

    Ranma blinked her eyes cutely, looking innocent.   "Who furry?  What

explain?"

    Peter growled in frustration.  "The guy... or whatever that was that
just sprinted off at thirty miles an hour. Care to explain?"

    Ranma shrugged helplessly.  "No can explain.  Must go, very
late...."

    Peter shook his head.  "You can't just leave."  He waved a hand at
the black sedan.  "The men that attacked you....  You have to stay,
press charges.  Besides, there might be more of them.  We can protect
you."

    Ranma blinked, then glanced at Kermit and Skalany who were talking
on their radios.  "We?  You police?"

    Peter nodded.  "I'm a detective with the 101st precinct, Chinatown.
A powerful gang boss, Lon Phat, was running an illegal gambling
operation amidst that tournament.  You and your friend interfered by
winning the tournament, and he sent those men after you to get his
revenge."

    Ranma waved her hand disarmingly.  "No problem, those guys.  I go
now, Akane, fiancee, angry if late."  She winced as in anticipation of a
blow.

    Peter's eyes narrowed at that.  "Your fiancee would be angry?  Why?
You've done good here."

    Ranma shrugged.  "Never mind, I must go."

    Skalany came up.  "Fiancee?  Aren't you a bit young?"

    Ranma shrugged again, trying not to look trapped.  "Parents arrange,
not our idea."

    Peter frowned.  "An arraigned marriage?"  He pictured the cute
little red head in front of him, married to some rich older man by her
poor parents.  < Her fiancee would be angry, huh?>  "Does this Akane hit
you when he's angry?"

    Ranma winced a bit at that.  "Boy, does she... he, ever!"  She
shrugged.  "Akane not hit me in while though, she's, he's gotten lot
better."  Ranma winced again, thinking of Akane's reaction to today's
events.  "I have to go now.  No can wait, very sorry!"  Ranma ducked
away then ran up the alley Johnathon had gone down.

    Peter went after her.  "Wait!"  The detective stopped in amazement
as Ranma executed a gravity defying twenty foot vertical leap onto a
fire escape, then proceeded up the fire escape to the roof.  He shook
his head.  "How can I just... let her go?  She's in danger!  Lon Phat's
not going to be satisfied until he gets her, and it sounds like she's
got an abusive fiancee.  I can't understand why she'd let some guy beat
her... I mean, could her fiancee actually be a better martial artist
than her?"

    Kwai Chang Caine shrugged, having walked up next to his son.  "That
is... unlikely."

    Peter nodded.  "Right, so why?"

    Caine shrugged again.  "Love can be a very strange thing."

    The sound of approaching sirens caused Peter Caine to start heading
back toward the crime scene.  "Love, huh?  I don't think so."  He
frowned.  "This whole thing smells rotten.  What was with the guy in the
cat suit?  He ran like an Olympic sprinter on steroids, and it looked
like he clawed that guy... with real claws!  Pop, you were there.  What
did you see?"

    Caine shrugged once more.  "I do not know."

    Peter groaned.  "I knew you were going to say that."

    Kwai Chang looked puzzled.  "If you knew, why then did you ask?"

    Peter sighed, then stopped walking, quirked his head and headed into
the shower of water from the fire hydrant.  "Here's something."  He went
in and squatted down over a pair of shoes.  After taking a good look, he
picked them up and carried them out to Kermit and Skalany, who were
waving an ambulance over to Captain Simms.  "Take a look at this."

    Kermit looked away from the Captain momentarily.  "Hmm?  Shoes?"

    Peter nodded.  "Solid black, walking shoes.  Not a brand name, but
expensive, the kind you get from a catalogue."  He took one and examined
it further.  "It's been well used, soles are worn... hmm?  What's this?"

    Kermit pulled out a pen and fished in the shoes with it.  "Part of a

sock?"  He brought out a piece of black cloth, torn, with a pattern of
lines on part of it.  "Yes, a torn up sock, there're other pieces in the
bottom of the shoe."

    Peter nodded.  "The other shoe's the same."

    Kermit shook his head.  "I have no idea what this means, but I'm
betting it means something."

    Up on the rooftops nearby, Johnathon looked down at the street and
sighed.  "Damn, there goes my eighty dollar walking shoes.  They've even
got a warranty, if I wear them out.  I'm never going to get them now."

    Ranma walked up behind him and nodded sympathetically.  "That's too
bad, but at least we got away, right?"

    Johnathon shrugged.  "I guess... you say that guy you fought in the
tournament, Peter.  He was a cop?"  Ranma nodded.  Johnathon frowned.
"Well, we only gave them our first names, so they might not be able to
identify us... right away.  I hope.  At least the ambulance has
arrived.  I hope that lady cop is OK."

    Ranma nodded.  "Master Caine said she'd be fine.  Come on.  I'll get
you some hot water, and we can go.  Akane's going to be mad if we're
late."

    Johnathon sighed and came away from the ledge.  "She'll be fine,
she's mellowed out a lot recently, hasn't she?"

    Ranma nodded slowly, thinking back.  "Yeah...."  The red head
smiled.  "Yeah, it's been nice.  Come on, lets get back and meet your
folks at the restaurant."

    Johnathon sniffed worriedly to himself but nodded.  "Right, but we
need to stop at a shoe store on the way as well."  He frowned to
himself.  < Why don't I think this is over?>

        ********************************

    Earlier that day, across town at the aquarium, Kasumi, Akane, and
Johnathon's parents were enjoying themselves, walking and chatting
amicably.  Akane had been on edge, keeping a sharp eye out for water
hazards, but nothing serious that threatened.  The tanks seemed safe
enough, and Kasumi had simply kept far away from any open water.  Clara
and Paul had done most of the talking, telling stories about Johnathon's
youth, and apparently unaware of anything amiss with their guests.  They
had just about seen the whole aquarium, and were headed for the front
lobby.

    Kasumi noticed the gift shop near the exit and smiled.  "Akane, why
don't we pick up a souvenir for Nabiki?"

    Akane hesitated, then nodded.  "Sure, one more can't hurt."  The
youngest Tendo peered cautiously into the store, and spotted nothing
that looked like it might spill water on her older sister.

    Paul nodded down at a small restaurant next to the gift shop. "Clara
and I will be in there when you are done."

    Clara nodded and followed her husband, mildly scolding.  "Let's not
ruin dinner now...."

    Kasumi and Akane entered the gift shop and began looking around.
Akane soon got bored of the aquatic knickknacks and announced she would
be joining Johnathon's parents.

    Kasumi nodded.  "I'll be just a minute or two."

    Akane walked off while Kasumi continued to browse.  Nearby, a small
group of children escorted by their parents, played with the toys they
had just gotten from the gift shop.  Two boys, about nine and ten,
pointed their newly acquired water pistols at each other and ran around
shouting noisily, pretending to shoot one another.

    Soon, the older boy got an idea.  "Hey, follow me!"  He went to a
nearby water fountain and started filling his pistol.

    A minute later the fight continued, this time with loaded pistols.
The two boys ran into the store at high speed, dodging around and
shooting at each other.  They raced behind the racks and nearly ran into
Kasumi.  She screeched softly as streams of water nearly hit her dress.
The two boys continued to race around, using her for cover.

    Kasumi twirled about, trying to avoid the water fight.  "Boys...
boys...."  She began politely.  "You shouldn't be using those in here."
Kasumi felt a sudden, unaccustomed anger at the two rascals as they
continued to race around.  "Boys."  She repeated more firmly, as she
felt a stream of water strike the side of her face.  "Please stop...."
Kasumi began to panic as the two youths continued to duck, dodge and
fire at each other.  More and more stray shots hit her hands and face.
"Boys!  Stop this immediately!"  Kasumi blinked and covered her mouth. <
Did I say that?>

    The two youths turned to face her.  "You're not our mother!"  One
proclaimed.  "Let's get her!"  Yelled the other, and the both aimed at
her.

    Kasumi whitened.  "Oh my."  With a frightened screech, she ran for
her life.

    The two boys followed, merrily firing their water pistols at her
back.  They chased her around the back of the store and around it again
before the boy's mother caught up to the two hooligans.

    She grabbed them both.  "You two monsters!  What do you think you
are doing!  Apologize this instant!"  The boy's mother looked up to find
the woman her son's had been chasing, but no one was there.  She
blinked, then dragged her sons away before they could further embarrass
her in public.

    Kasumi crawled out of her dress and looked around, cringing.  <
That's it, my secret is out!>  She blinked.  The woman and her two sons
were already halfway out of the store.

    One of the boys was trying to tell his mother about the wicked
witch.  "Just like in the wizard of OZ!"

    His mother simply continued to pull him along.  "Be quiet!  You've
embarrassed me enough already."

    Kasumi looked around carefully, but there didn't appear to be anyone
else in sight.  < I'm safe?>  She breathed a sigh of relief.  < Only the

little boy's saw me.  I'd better find some hot water before anything
else can go wrong.>  Kasumi considered her options.  < I could try to
find Akane, but she'd get in trouble for bringing a pet into the
aquairium.>  Kasumi nodded to herself.  < I distinctly remember the no
pets sign by the front door.  I can deal with this myself.  I just have
to find some hot water.>  Kasumi heard footsteps coming and ran around
the corner of the aisle to hide.

    A woman's voice murmured.  "A dress.  It must have fallen out of
someone's bag.  Hmm, I'd better take this to the lost and found." There
was a pause, then.  "What's all this?  A purse, and shoes, and... oh
my.  What in the world is all this doing here?"  There was a slight
sound of fabric on carpet, and then of the woman going away.

    Kasumi sighed and lowered her head.  < Now what?  I can't go to meet

Johnathon's parents naked!  Maybe I should just find Akane.>

    Kasumi slipped toward the back of the gift shop trying to avoid
several people coming into the small store.  She noticed a door slightly
ajar in back and slipped quietly through.  It appeared to be some sort
of storage room, souvenir's and knickknacks filled one side, while
several scuba tanks lined one wall.  There was a sink near the tanks and
Kasumi went right too it, leaping up on to the edge.  She looked around
quickly to see if she could spot anything to wear.  An open box of
tee-shirts was up against one wall, and on a hook hung a plastic bag
with what appeared to be a sequined dress in it.

    Kasumi nodded to herself and examined the sink.  < The lever on the
left should be hot.>  She decided, and grabbed it in her teeth.  < I've
just got to... umph... turn it... umph... half way....>  Kasumi got a
respectable stream going and waited for it to get warm.  As she waited
she glanced at the other entrances to the room.  A door opposite the one
she had come in was closed.  Kasumi noted that the air tanks were next
to it and decided it must go to the back part of the aquarium.  A third
door was to the rear of the room.  It was halfway open and appeared to
lead to a toilet.  Kasumi nodded.  < I can change in there easily.>

    The small black cat checked the water, and deciding that it was warm

enough, ducked her head under it.  An instant later Kasumi found herself

draped over the sink.  She backed out carefully to avoid banging her
head on the faucet and shut off the water.

    Kasumi shook out her hair with a sigh of relief.  "Oh my, that was
quite an adventure."  Kasumi walked quickly over to the dress in the
plastic bag an took it.  "I'll just return this after I've gotten my own
clothing back.  Kasumi suddenly heard footsteps coming from the
direction of the store.  She quickly slipped into the tiny bathroom and
closed the door.  Kasumi quickly started fumbling with the bag, pulling
it off over the hanger.  She blinked at the short dress.  Hung over it
was a pair of shells attached together by thin straps.  Kasumi pulled
the dress off the hanger and took a good look.  She sighed as the shape
of it became clear.  < It's not a dress.  It's a tail, a mermaid's
tail.>  Kasumi glanced at the shells.  < And a shell bikini.>

    Kasumi couldn't help but picture how she'd look in it.  < How cute.
Johnathon would like it.>  She controlled her giggle and shook her
head.    < I'm afraid this won't do.  I suppose I should grab one of
those tee-shirts.>  Kasumi heard the footsteps outside go away and
looked out.  The box of tee shirts was now missing.  Kasumi sighed and
closed the door again.  < Oh well, beggars can't be chosers.>  Kasumi
examined the mermaid's tail and shrugged.  < It looks like it will fit,
at least.>  She laid it out and began to get dressed.

    A minute later, Kasumi finished putting on the shell bikini top and
carefully stood.  Balancing carefully, she opened the bathroom door.

    Kasumi hopped forward awkwardly, her legs held together by the
mermaid's tail.  "Oh my.  This certainly wasn't meant to walk in."

    Just then, the far door opened, opposite the gift shop.  A medium
sized woman and a large man came in.  They spotted Kasumi almost
immediately.  The woman blinked once while the man stared incredulously.

    Suddenly the woman nodded in understanding.  "Good!  You're just in
time.  The children's show starts in just a few minutes.  Have you
talked to Jane?"

    Kasumi blinked in confusion, switching her thoughts over to
English.  "Um... I...."

    The woman looked curious.  "Jane did send you, right?  She said
she'd find a replacement since she had to go to the dentist today."

    Kasumi hesitated.  "Um..."  < Oh my, what do I tell them?  I just
borrowed this outfit because I happened to be walking around naked?>
Kasumi hesitated a bit more, then sighed.  "Excuse me... I'm afraid
'Jane' never really explained to me...."

    The woman sighed.  "Oh no.  OK, we've got a few minutes, let me go
over it for you."

    Kasumi listened intently to the woman, idly fingering her hair.  She

winced slightly as her hand brushed her neck and her eyes went slightly
wide.  The light was poor in this room, and due to her outfit, her neck
wasn't the first thing they had looked at, but they were bound to notice
the bruises on her neck in a minute.  Kasumi self consciously draped her
hair over her shoulders in an attempt to conceal the bruise and crossed
her fingers.

        *****************

    In the aquarium restaurant, Akane checked the clock for the fourth
time.

    Clara looked at her curiously.  "Kasumi said she would be done in a
few minutes?"

    Akane nodded, concealing her worry.  "Yes, I'm sure she's just lost
track of time.  I'll go get her."  Akane excused herself and left the
restaurant.  < Where can she be?  It's not like Kasumi to be late.>
Akane started to systematically search the aquarium, starting with the
gift shop.  Several minutes later, Akane passed a large group of
children who were gathered around a pond that Akane remembered held a
local common variety of fish.  They were listening to a woman in a
mermaid costume tell them about the story of the little mermaid.

    Akane stopped.  < That voice sounds very familar.>  She looked.
"Kasumi?"  Akane's older sister was perched on a large rock in the
center of the shallow pool, talking animatedly to a group of children,
who were paying rapt attention to her.  Akane just stared.  < How did
she get out on that rock?  What could have possibly happened?>  If it
had been almost anyone else, Akane would have stomped out there
immediately and demanded an explanation, but she couldn't find it in her
to be annoyed with Kasumi.

    Akane sighed and waited patiently for Kasumi to finish the story.
After several minutes Kasumi wrapped up the tale and the children
clapped happily before they were escorted away.

    Kasumi sighed in relief as the crowd dispersed.  < I'm lucky that
after Ranma showed up I decided to brush up on my mythology.  I never
thought I would end up using that knowledge to entertain children.>  She
smiled to herself.  < Although they did appear to enjoy my story.  I'm
so glad I've been working on my english so hard.>  She spotted Akane and
waved.  "Hello Akane.  I'm sorry I was late."

    Akane walked over, looking incredulous.  "What happened?  How did
you get out there?  Why are you dressed as a mermaid?..."  Akane trailed
off, having more questions than she could articulate.

    Kasumi looked slightly embarrassed.  "Allen carried me out here,
since I can't really walk in this thing.  Such a nice man.  I'm afraid I
was transformed by some boy's with water pistols, right after you left.
I managed to find some hot water, and this was the only thing around to
wear."  She looked to the right and left.  "The nice people here
apparently thought I was here to do this show.  I really didn't know
what to tell them...."

    Akane sighed.  "Well, the Dwire's have got to be starting to wonder
by now....  Where are your clothes?"

    Kasumi answered quickly.  "The lost and found.  Akane, there is
another show in half an hour, perhaps you could get me out of here
before then?"

    Akane cracked her knuckles.  "OK, one rescue coming up."  Akane
looked either way.  She noted a few people coming their way and
hesitated.

    Kasumi frowned slightly. "I do hate to leave the nice aquarium
people in the lurch.  I really should tell them I have to leave."

    Akane blinked.  "Oh, I was thinking more along the lines of jumping
out there and carrying you off before they could catch us."

    Kasumi giggled.  "How very heroic, Akane!  No, that's alright.  I'll

talk to the aquarium people.  If you could just get my clothing from the

gift shop, I'd appreciate it."

    Akane blinked again.  "Alright, Kasumi, if you say so."

    Akane started to turn away and Kasumi spoke again.  "Oh, Akane, I
saw some of those disposable cameras in the gift shop.  Could you get
one?  I think Johnathon would appreciate a photo of this."

    Akane turned back, looked, and giggled.  "I'll say.  That outfit is
really cute!"

    Kasumi giggled back shyly, blushing s bit.  "It is a bit daring,
isn't it?"

    Akane nodded.  "He'll love it.  I'll be right back."

    Minutes later Akane came back with Kasumi's clothing and purse in a
bundle, and a disposable camera.  Kasumi was talking to a large young
man and a medium sized woman.

    Kasumi gestured to her younger sister.  "Here, my sister has come
back to get me.  I'm sorry I have to leave so soon."

    The woman sighed.  "And you were so good with the children."

    Kasumi smiled sadly.  "I enjoyed it.  I'm sorry I have to go."  She
glanced at her younger sister.  "Ready?"

    Akane nodded, getting out the little camera.  "Time for one picture,

I think."

    Kasumi posed coyly and Akane focused like Nabiki had taught her,
several years ago, before Akane had figured out the reason for Nabiki's
fascination with cameras.  She took the photo, then a second for good
measure.

    Kasumi smiled.  "Thank you, Akane.  Now, you'll help me to the
bathroom, won't you?"

    The large young man stepped into the pool.  He was wearing shorts
and no shoes, and the water only came only halfway up his thighs.

    Kasumi allowed him to scoop her up in his arms and carry her across
the water.  "Thank you, Allen."  She said sweetly.  "But Akane can take
me the rest of the way."

    Allen shrugged.  "OK, if you say so, miss."

    A few minutes later, Kasumi, now dressed in her own clothing again,
hung the mermaid costume up where she had found it.  "I suppose we
should hurry back to the Dwires.  I hope they aren't too worried."

    Akane sighed.  "What are we going to tell them?"

    Kasumi chewed on her lip.  "I don't really know.  Johnathon doesn't
wish for them to know of our curses, but I dislike lying."

    Akane shook her head.  "Me too.  I hope they aren't too suspicious."

    The two girls walked quickly to the small restaurant next to the
gift shop.  Johnathon's parents were waiting for them, obviously keeping
an eye out for their return.

    Kasumi immediately apologized.  "I am very sorry to make you wait,
Clara-san, Paul-san."  The Dwire's looked at each other, then at her.

    Paul smiled forgivingly.  "That's alright, Kasumi.  Are you ready to
go now?"  Kasumi and Akane nodded together.  Paul nodded back.  "Very
good.  Well, it's almost time to get going to the restaurant for
dinner.  Shall we?"

    Kasumi and Akane shared a look of relief and turned together to
smile at Paul Dwire.  "Lets go!"  They announced together cheerfully.

    Akane grinned to herself.  < I'm glad they're taking Kasumi's brief
disappearance well.  I hope nothing else goes wrong today.>

        ******************

    Half an hour later they arrived at the restaurant overlooking the
wharf and started looking around for Johnathon and Ranma.

    Paul looked at his watch.  "They should be here any minute.  Why
don't you all go inside and get us a table, and I'll wait out here for
them."

    Akane chewed on her lip.  "Oh no, Mr. Dwire.  Kasumi and I will wait
for our...."  Akane paused and blushed.  "I mean, for Johnathon and
Ranma.  I'm sure you'll be able to get us a good table."

    Paul inclined his head.  "I'll do my best.  Something looking out on
the bay perhaps?"

    Kasumi smiled brightly.  "Oh yes, that sounds lovely!"

    The Dwires went into the restaurant together, leaving the two
sisters outside to wait for their men.


I hope you liked it!  C&C is always welcome!
The rest of this story can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/
I really mean it this time!