All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.
A Different Viewpoint: Curses and Demons:
Chapter 3:
Making Desisions
Hours earlier, at the Tendo home, things were not nearly as
peaceful. The reception had broken up after the newlyweds had left, and
everyone except for Ryoga and Ukyo had gone home. The two in question
were having an impromptu drinking contest with the wedding sake. It had
started as soon as the wedded pair had gone out the door. No one had
been foolish enough to interfere, and now they were alone in the Dojo,
finishing off the fourth bottle of sake. Ryoga took the last slug,
finishing the bottle, and was starting to reach for the fifth bottle
when he collapsed on his face.
Ukyo snorted sloppily and nodded to herself. "G-got... h-hic...
him. Pig boy's got no... hic... tolerance." She shakily got to her
feet and tried to pull him upright. "Don't... don't sleep on the floor
idiot... hic! You'll, you'll... just catch cold... hic!" Ukyo managed
to drape Ryoga's comatose form over her shoulders with an effort, and
headed for the dojo door. She almost made it to that door before she
collapsed herself.
A few minutes later, Nabiki opened the dojo door to check on them
and blinked at the sight of Ryoga draped over Ukyo, both sleeping
peacefully. Nabiki smirked and walked away, coming back a minute later
with her camera and a blanket. Nabiki took a few photos, then covered
them up with the blanket. She turned to go, then paused, and took a few
more photos of the two of them under the blanket. "That about covers my
fee for fetching the blanket." She informed the slumbering pair. Then,
smirking, she headed back into the house.
On the back porch, Soun and Genma were also getting pleasantly
drunk, although the two men had along way to go before they joined Ukyo
and Ryoga in drunken slumber. Nodoka was keeping busy cleaning up a
bit, and was shuttling the two men sake and food. Nabiki deposited her
camera in her room and was about to head back downstairs when she heard
the front door open.
"Hello! We're home!" Kasumi's voice rang out with strained
cheerfulness.
Nabiki blinked in astonishment. < Did my big sister sound...
unhappy?> She hurried downstairs and her eyes went wide. Coming in the
doorway was Kasumi, and Johnathon, who was carrying a very familiar
looking black cat. Nabiki gasped in shock. "Kasumi... and Kasumi?"
Her mind suddenly flashed to Kuno's earlier visit during the wedding
ceremony, and she came to an immediate conclusion. "The drowned twins
water? Why? What happened?" Three unhappy looking faces looked at
each other, then at Nabiki.
Johnathon spoke. "This is... difficult. Lets go into the living
room so we can tell everyone at once."
C-chan came down the stairs after Nabiki and looked up to Kasumi to
be picked up. Kasumi did so automatically and then followed Nabiki and
Johnathon into the Tendo living room. C-chan snuggled with Kasumi for a
few moments, then looked curiously at the cat in Johnathon's arms.
Familiar eyes looked back at him, and C-chan mewed lightly in surprise.
Kasumi-neko sighed to herself. < He always was smart.>
Johnathon and Nabiki walked into the living room together.
Johnathon took a seat in front of the table, and Kasumi joined him.
After some hesitation, Nabiki sat down next to them. Nodoka, who was
sitting on the other side of the table watching her husband and Soun
play Go and drink, turned to look at the couple. A few moments of
silence passed and Soun and Genma glanced over, sensing something was
up.
Johnathon cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I have... unfortunate
news..." He looked down at his feline wife, who looked back at him and
nodded encouragingly. Johnathon sat her carefully on the table and
looked back at the others. "This... is Kasumi."
Nodoka, Genma and Soun all blinked. "Kasumi?" Soun shook his head,
pointing to his obviously human older daughter on Johnathon's left.
"You are mistaken son, she's right next to you there." Johnathon nodded
slowly. "Yes, she is also Kasumi. Kuno... Tatewaki Kuno set a trap in
the hotel. The water from the spring of drowned twins..." Johnathon's
eyes had gone hard, his hands shook. "Kasumi opened the door of the
honeymoon suite for Ranma so he could carry Akane over the threshold."
Kasumi was crying softly now. Tears were pouring gently down her
face as she looked at her cat self. Kasumi-neko looked sadly at her
father.
Johnathon tried to continue. "Ranma spotted the bucket coming
down... he tried to protect her... Ranma and Kasumi were both soaked...
they both split into two forms. Ranma is now both boy and girl, and
Kasumi...." Johnathon's voice broke momentarily. The room was quiet
enough for them all to hear a Koi in the pond outside splash. "Kasumi
is now... both woman and cat." The room was filled with silent
astonishment as everyone tried to absorb this news. Johnathon put an
arm around his human wife and pulled her close while Kasumi set C-chan
down on the table and turned to him for comfort.
The kitten went up to Kasumi-neko and sniffed her curiously.
Satisfied that this was indeed the mother cat he knew, he nudged her,
asking for a meal. At that sight, Soun fell across the table, sobbing.
"Ka-ka-kasumi!" Soun held out his hands and touched the side of his
daughters tiny black furred face. "K-kasumi, it is you... no, no! Oh
Kasumi my child!" Kasumi
walked forward and nuzzled her fathers face reassuringly, but Soun only
cried harder.
Nodoka looked from the cats on the table to the human Kasumi being
held by Johnathon. "Oh dear. This is simply terrible! Kasumi,
dear...." Nodoka found that she had no words to describe her feelings
at that moment. She simply bowed her respect to the feline Kasumi,
before turning to regard Johnathon again. "What of Ranma? What of
my... my child? My son, and apparently my... daughter? What of them?"
Johnathon took a deep breath. "As I told you, Ranma's male and
female sides are now separate. Permanently it appears. Neither cold
nor hot water had any affect on either one." He paused considering his
next words. "Ranma's female side has decided to go by the name Ranko to
prevent confusion... besides her passport is in that name, and she'll
be needing it..."
Nabiki blinked in sudden understanding. < Of course... Jusenkyo.>
Johnathon was still speaking. "As for Akane, she has decided, as I
have, that she is married to both Ranma's, just as I am still married to
both Kasumi's. Akane let both Ranma's know that she intended to make
their marriage work... despite what has happened." He blushed just
slightly. "To that end, they all remained at the hotel."
He looked over at Nabiki for a moment before turning back to the
others and saying in a louder tone. "I've decided to take Kasumi-chan
here to Jusenkyo, as soon as possible. Ranma and Akane... and Ran..ko,
will be coming as well, in the hopes that the springs might give Ranko
and Kasumi their own forms back."
Johnathon looked at Nabiki again. "Sister, I was hoping you could
help me with funds for the trip. One way will be sufficient since what
happens there... will determine how we need to return... as we may need
a new passport... or two." He turned back again to look at the others,
"Akane expressed the desire to be left alone with both Ranma and Ranko
until we are ready to leave."
Nabiki cleared her throat, that thought putting aside speculations
of the potential results of yet another trip to the cursed springs.
"Akane decided that she's married to both Ranmas? Guy and girl? And
they are all staying at the honeymoon suite... together? For the next
few days?" Nabiki's voice rose a notch. "Akane?!?" She shook her
head. "I never would have thought... I guess she really did hate...
boys...." Nabiki chewed on her lip. "Anyway, yeah, I can get you
tickets... and I guess you'll need a cat carrier... sorry Sis."
Kasumi-neko shrugged helplessly.
Nodoka frowned thoughtfully. "Akane... I wonder about her
decision. Legally, she can not be married to both Ranma and... Ranko,
at the same time." Nodoka shook her head sadly. "But it is true that
when she married them, they were one and the same person..."
Kasumi broke in. "Akane loves both Ranma and Ranko, and they her.
Perhaps it is best for them to decide what to do."
Nodoka sighed, and nodded. "Perhaps you are right, Kasumi. My son
has gone through much, as has Akane. It would not be right ot make them
suffer further, especially if their love is true...." Nodoka sighed
again softly. "I just thought perhaps now there might be a chance... to
uphold family honor with the Kounji girl... she does tend to dress like
a boy... so she might be willing to accept Ranko..." Nodoka looked
uncertain. "I... truly do not wish to cause Akane or my... children,
any more pain... yet... family honor..." Nodoka paused, almost
unwilling to voice her thought. "It would suggest marrying our...
second child to... Ukyo Kounji."
Genma nodded briskly. "Just so, Nodoka my dear! Our honor can and
will be salvaged." < And I can eat free Okinamiyaki for life!>
Johnathon stood suddenly. "No."
Nodoka looked up at the tall man in shock. "Excuse me,
Johnathon-san, but this is not your concern. It is family business."
Johnathon nodded. "I am aware of that, but perhaps you should allow
Ranma, Ranko and Akane to make their own decisions about this. As you
said, Nodoka-san, they have suffered enough."
Nodoka frowned. "Johnathon... san. It is really not your place to
speak for them. Genma and I will decide what is best for our son... and
daughter."
Seeming to ignore the pain in his wife's voice, Genma stood to face
Johnathon. "Yes, Nodoka is correct. Ranma will fulfill family honor.
In fact, it is best that I go to him immediately, so that no... mistakes
are made."
Johnathon's eyes widened. "That would not be... wise, or acceptable
to anyone involved I think. Speaking from personal experience, I
believe that being forced to give up on a marriage just because your
wife or husband has suddenly become two, would be terribly painful. If
Kasumi-chan, or Kasumi, choose to... l-leave me... that is her choice,
but unless that happens...." Johnathon's voice strengthened with his
resolve. "I will not give up either... and no one else could force me
to do so, until my death. Akane, I am sure, would feel the same way."
Genma glanced down at his wife, and she looked uncertainly back at
him. "I'm not sure...." She said.
Genma wrinkled his brow. < This is my chance to regain family
honor, and Nodoka's affection. The boy must be forced to wed Ukyo as
well!> He stepped around the table towards Johnathon. "You overstep
your bounds, boy. Our children's future is ours to decide." He took
another step forward, heavily, going into a subtle martial art's
stance. "Out of the way, son, I don't want to hurt you."
Johnathon took a step back, dropping into a slightly defensive
stance. "I wish I could, Genma, but I find I cannot."
Genma shook his head. "Your American upbringing has not taught you
about honor, so I will give you a chance to stand down." < This young
man is inferior to Akane, I shouldn't have much trouble with him, and
Nodoka will see that I am still a honorable man.>
Johnathon shook his head and said quietly. "I have my own ethics,
it's true.... I've always believed myself to be honorable... but it's
true that I am not Japanese. Nevertheless, I can not stand aside."
As their two husbands prepared to do battle, their wives had a
different reaction. Nodoka sat quietly, unsure for once of the
honorable path. Kasumi was not so indecisive. She reached for Nodoka's
cooling tea, took it, and calmly tossed it on her husband. Kasumi-neko
watched her human half and nodded her agreement.
Nodoka blinked. "Kasumi, you support Johnathon in this?"
Kasumi nodded firmly. "Yes. I support my husband."
Soun looked thoughtfully up from his crying, and Nabiki slid away
from the table. "I'm with Kasumi. Kick the old panda's ass,
Johnathon!"
Johnathon snapped his tail in agitation and stepped out of his house
slippers. < I really don't want to do this, but I won't back down.>
His customary grin at the beginning of a fight was missing. His feline
features made his faint frown sinister and brooding.
Nodoka stared at the two Tendo sisters in shock, then looked at
Soun. "Soun! Are you going to let your daughters...?" Nodoka stopped
and hesitated.
Soun looked at Kasumi and Nabiki. "Nabiki, please do not be
disrespectful of our guest. Kasumi, you are correct to obey your
husband but...."
Soun stood suddenly and moved between his best friend and his son in
law. "Well yes, this is certainly a mater of honor!" He paused,
looking closely at each. "As I see you are each determined to his
cause, I suggest we take this to the dojo. There you can settle your
differences traditionally."
Nabiki started to protest. "Wait a minute, all the wedding stuff's
in there, how about we take it outside? < Besides, I want to see Genma
get the stuffing beat out of him, and if they all see Ryoga and Ukyo
like I left them, this will probably be over, or at least postponed.>
Kasumi nodded. "That's sensible, Nabiki."
Johnathon shrugged and relaxed his stance. "All right. I'd rather
not have to fight over this at all, but since Ranma and Akane aren't
here to do so, I feel I must."
Genma considered Johnathon's suddenly open stance. < I could take
him out quick now, and go get the boy... I mean Ranko, before my
daughter does something I'll regret... but I also want to impress
Nodoka-chan.>
Fortunately his indecision lasted long enough for Soun to agree with
Nabiki. "Very well Nabiki. Gentlemen, is the backyard an acceptable
place to settle this matter?"
Genma nodded. "Very well." < Besides, I know that yard so well I
could find my way across it blindfolded, and never stub a toe.>
Johnathon nodded as well, and they moved outside. They faced off
next to the Koi pond, with Soun standing between them still. He looked
at his son in law. "As initiator of this challenge, Johnathon, do you
have any conditions?"
Johnathon considered his options. "Um... would first blood
suffice?"
Genma protested. "Now that seems a little biased in your favor."
Soun nodded. "Agreed. I suggest, the first man who cannot rise be
declared the victor."
Johnathon grimaced. < Oh great, I'm gonna be in traction.... Should
I use my claws or not? Damn Genma for forcing me to make this choice.
I don't think I can beat him without my claws, but with them... I could
really hurt him.> Johnathon flicked them out. Nodoka and Kasumi
gasped, and Nabiki smirked. Johnathon said in his most menacing tone,
"You don't want to do this, Genma."
Genma snorted. < Who does he think he's fooling? The boy marries
Kasumi and then thinks he can frighten me?> "Enough talk"
He leapt, using the advantage of the Saotome school, mid air
combat. Johnathon wasted some time retracting his claws, and didn't get
completely out of the way of Genma's downward plunge. Genma caught his
with an outstretched fist, almost spinning Johnathon around completely,
and immediately tried to take advantage of his momentary break.
Johnathon backpedaled quickly, but Genma maintained his advantage,
pressing the attack. He connected again solidly, getting through
Johnathon's guard with a low kick to the cat-man's oddly shaped knee.
Johnathon let the bigger man's kick take him down, and anticipating
Genma's attempt to fall on him, rolled forward, almost taking Genma's
legs out from under him. Genma turned the stumble into a leap, slamming
Johnathon slightly as he did so. Genma's backflip, intended to pin his
weaker opponent like a fly swatter, came up short as Johnathon flipped
to his feet and did a low sweep as Genma landed.
Genma was unable to avoid this attack, and fell, but even as he did
so, he managed to sweep Johnathon's legs as well, kicking out hard at
the same knee. Johnathon rolled with the fall, managing to plant an
elbow in Genma's wide abdomen. Genma was already on his way to his
feet, so Johnathon sprang away.
The momentum lost, Genma considered his options as he circled closer
to his opponent. < He's at least as fast as the boy, and I'm not used
to his style yet, but he's sloppy, and weaker than Akane.> He continued
to circle for a moment longer. < If I want to end this quickly, I'll
need an advantage.>
Positioning himself carefully, he leapt at the younger man. As
expected, Johnathon moved out of the way easily, and gave Genma a bit
more momentum. He hit the Koi pond neatly, and sprang out again, his
mass suddenly greatly increased.
Johnathon swore softly. < Oh great.> The panda rushed him, low
this time, intending to force Johnathon into an obstacle, then fall on
him. Johnathon tried to sidestep, blocking a flurry of powerful swipes
from his opponent, and countered with his own multi-punch technique.
Genma would have laughed if he could. < Foolish, after training
with Ranma, this attack is nothing.> He shrugged off the blows and
swatted Johnathon mightily.
The half-cat managed to keep his feet, barely. < This isn't
working.> He thought somewhat groggily, still in shock from the blow,
< Got to stay defensive, he's too strong.>
Genma was again moving in quickly. Johnathon sidestepped again,
tried a full strength block on another wide swing by the panda, leapt
over another leg sweep, and planted a firm kick into the furry chest.
He used the slight leverage he gained to go into a forceful round kick,
which Genma dodged easily. Johnathon pressed forward on one leg,
sweeping around again and again, forcing Genma backwards, then finishing
the combination with a powerful jumping forward kick with the other leg.
Genma again managed to block the attack, but the blow drove him back
anyway. Johnathon's momentum momentarily halted, the younger man
feinted with a high sweep kick. Genma caught the leg, and Johnathon
smiled to himself as he went down fast, sweeping the uncaptured leg
around... but Genma anticipated the move and ducked, while slamming the
held leg hard, again on the same knee.
Johnathon growled in pain as the two sprang apart again. < Argh...
I'm not sure if I can move it now!> He didn't have a chance to find
out, and Genma immediately charged him once again. Johnathon's
attempted dodge was too slow this time. The panda slammed into him,
sending him flying backwards into the Tendo's backyard wall. Johnathon
hit hard, and tried to sort out the three pandas rapidly looming in his
vision. He got his legs between them just as Genma slammed into him
again.
Johnathon made a nice impression in the wall, his vision darkening. He
kicked Genma away hard, and forced himself to stagger after him. Genma
was only slightly stunned, but more than a bit surprised that Johnathon
was still moving. Johnathon's stagger turned into a running pass, and
Genma took several hits from the darting cat-man. He quickly oriented
himself however and grabbed a passing arm, swinging Johnathon into the
ground, hard. The half-cat lay dazed for a moment.
He made an attempt then to roll to his feet, but Genma had wasted no
time slamming him down again. < I'm losing.> Johnathon stayed down
this time and focused on his opponent through his bleary eyes., waiting
for Genma to make another move. The panda didn't disappoint, leaping up
to land solidly on top of him Johnathon brought up his legs at the last
moment in a caporia style kick, catching Genma in the stomach and
deflecting the massive fall to one side. Johnathon rolled to his feet a
moment before the panda and wavered. The only clear thing in his head
was the was the pain in his left knee. < I can't fight on one leg.
Another hit and I'm done.> Johnathon went into a one legged crane
stance as Genma rose. As he stood, Johnathon leapt straight up for a
crane kick, catching the other man solidly under the chin, dropping him
once more to the ground several feet away. Johnathon landed heavily and
almost fell himself.
Genma leapt to his feet, dazed, but still basically unhurt. < He's
quick enough to change styles and tactics, but he doesn't have anything
I haven't seen.> Genma moved in cautiously. < Given time, he adapts to
his opponent, much like the boy... so I don't give him the breathing
room to do so.> Genma charged up to Johnathon and attacked fiercely
with a multiple paw strike. Johnathon, unable to move away, countered
with every bit of his own hand speed, blocking and trying to counter
punch.
Nabiki gritted her teeth. "That was dirty fighting, going after
John's leg like that over and over."
Nodoka said nothing watching the fight intensely. Soun just nodded
to himself, cataloging each fighter's tactics.
Genma pressed his attack, sensing victory, exchanging blows at high
speed, with his greater mass and strength, he took the damage better,
and soon had Johnathon reeling. The half-cat fought grimly, barely
hanging onto consciousness, but refusing to drop. Finally, Genma broke
through his defenses and grabbed his weaker opponent. Johnathon was too
groggy and injured to retreat in time. Genma pinned him, and slammed
him into the ground, following him down with his own mass. When Genma
rose again, Johnathon did not.
Nabiki sighed in disgust, and both Kasumis rushed over to
Johnathon's side to check on him.
Nodoka rose and went inside to the kitchen for a tea kettle.
Finding one, as usual on the stove she brought it out and poured it over
her husbands head.
When Genma transformed back, he nodded to her. "Thank you dear."
He said with dignity. "Now I should go and collect Ranko before our new
'daughter' does anything we might regret later."
Nodoka nodded slowly. "As you say husband... although I am not
fully convinced of the correctness of this."
Genma blinked at her in astonishment. "What? Nodoka, are you
questioning the correctness of saving our family honor?"
Nodoka shook her head. "No husband, I am questioning what exactly
that honor obliges us to do."
Nodoka went to Kasumi's side and handed her the kettle. Kasumi took
it wordlessly and carefully poured the water over Johnathon's face and
neck. Nodoka watched the change, and Kasumi's reaction to it. She
blinked as Kasumi's expression of worry and care never altered in the
slightest, despite her husbands return to human form. Kasumi-neko
remained by Johnathon's cheek, a feline version of the same emotions on
her face, that also never wavered as he transformed.
Johnathon groggily opened his eyes, first seeing Kasumi's concerned
but faintly smiling expression, then as he turned his head, his wife's
feline form as well. He seemed to take strength from their presence and
slowly forced himself to sit upright. "Kasumi, Kasumi-chan..."
Kasumi-neko climbed into his lap and Johnathon put one hand on her
back. Kasumi hugged him from the side and he put his other arm around
her back. Kasumi smiled at him. "Thank you for trying so hard for
Akane and Ranma. I am very proud of you."
Kasumi-neko meowed encouragingly in response.
Johnathon sighed and said nothing, simply holding onto both of his
wifes' forms.
Nodoka turned back to Genma then, who was looking questioningly at
her. "What do you mean?" He asked. "What else would our honor demand
but that we honor our obligations?"
Nodoka frowned in thought. "You are correct, my husband, that we
are honor bound to fulfill our obligations... but is it not wrong to
separate a married couple?" She gestured back at Johnathon and the
Kasumi's. "I have seen that Johnathon truly loves his wife, wither she
is cat or human. When Kasumi-chan was stuck, perhaps permanently, as a
cat, he was still her husband. I believe that he would have honored
that bond, even if she was never cured. Will he turn his back on her
now? Now that Kasumi is both human and cat, will he abandon her cat
half? Consider himself only married to the human woman? No, of course
he won't. He believes she's still his wife, despite the fact she is
also a cat, and despite the fact there is a human Kasumi as well. Akane
and Ranma are only today married... but they are married. Do you think
Akane will abandon our son's... female half, now that he is both male
and female? I can't say for sure... but I think that she will not.
Akane understands honor I believe. I think it would be... well,
dishonorable to force her to abandon her marriage with Ranma's female
side, even if... it goes against what we were taught was correct.
Perhaps it would be understandable, even forgivable if she was to give
up a marriage to another woman, but for us to force her too? No, that
is not honorable. In this, our family honor, and the honor of our
children, are in opposition."
Nodoka shook her head again. "I can hardly believe myself, but I do
feel this way now." Nodoka lowered her eyes to the ground and she
sighed. "I'm sorry to say, I can not tell which has the stronger claim,
the situation is too complex." Nodoka raised her head and walked up to
Genma. "This I do know, however." She placed a hand on his shoulder
momentarily. "Your fight to defend our honor was commendable, my
husband." She glanced at his face for a moment smiling ever so
slightly. "Indeed, you were in the right, as Johnathon-san does not
have the right to decide how we deal with family honor." She glanced
back at Johnathon. "However, at heart, I think he may see deeper than
we do. In the end, can we place our honor above that of our children?
No, I believe we should let them make... their own decision." Saying
this, Nodoka sighed again, as if already regretting her words.
Genma looked torn between elation that he had finally pleased his
wife, and annoyance that he was loosing this opportunity. "But...
but..." he tried once more, sensing Nodoka's ambivalence. "If we don't
act soon, it may be too late!"
Kasumi cleared her throat, and when Genma glanced at her, she said
carefully, "Mr. Saotome, Akane and Ranko, are a truly married couple,
in every way by now. From what I've seen... I'm sure of it." She
nodded emphatically.
Genma gaped, Soun continued to look thoughtful, though a hint of a
tear was running down his face.
Nabiki looked amused. "Akane, and Ranko? Well, I had pretty much
figured as much. Akane really has gotten comfortable with Ranma, cursed
form or otherwise. The way those two have been going at it the past few
weeks, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
Soun nodded. "Yes, yes, I did suspect." He glanced at Genma, and
shrugged. "Well, even as a girl, your son does behave as a man... it's
only to be expected."
Nodoka sighed, but with a happy expression on her face. "Such a
manly son you raised, my husband! Even as a woman, he can please his
wife...." She blushed just slightly, and turned towards the door.
Johnathon gently slid Kasumi-neko off his lap and stood. His head
pounded, and his stomach groaned at the movement, but he forced his body
to behave. "Genma-san." Johnathon said in as respectful a tone as he
could manage, bowing as far as his aching body would allow him, "I
apologize for interfering in your family business. I overstepped my
bounds in doing so." He straightened and sighed. "I spoke from my
heart, as I believe I feel as they do about what has happened with the
water from the spring of drowned twins. He bowed his head. "I will not
interfere further with your decision."
Nodoka had turned as he spoke and was now looking at him
contemplatively. "Johnathon-san... it is true that you are not
Japanese. But you are in your own way, an honorable man. Thank you for
your restraint today. I am aware that you did not use your claws, and I
am grateful."
Genma nodded confidently to himself. < I knew he wouldn't use them,
that boy has no taste for blood.> Genma suddenly remembered the first
time he had seen Johnathon use his claws and shuddered. < If he ever
does, I hope I'm on the other end of a nice long metal spear. My panda
form may have claws, but his are fully functional, and very sharp.>
Genma considered
sharpening his own claws. < No, Nodoka would never let me in the
house. It's not like my claws are retractable."
Nabiki spoke up. "What ever you're going to do, it's getting too
late for you to get into that hotel tonight."
Johnathon nodded. "Perhaps you should inform Ukyo about what's
happened, and let her, Akane, and the Ranmas work this out between
themselves tomorrow."
Nodoka nodded. "A good suggestion. I will talk to Miss Ukyo Kounji
myself tomorrow morning."
Nabiki chuckled. "I'll make sure she comes to see you in the
morning, Auntie."
Kasumi lead Johnathon inside. "Let's take care of those bruises,
Johnathon dear." Kasumi-neko followed after them, C-chan in tow.
Nabiki stretched. "Well, I'm for bed, I've got a lot to do
tomorrow,"
Nodoka took Genma's arm. "Come husband, I feel like going to bed as
well." She slyly winked at him. "Don't you?"
Genma's eyes widened as he took in her meaning. "Ah... um... yes...
quite." Nodoka dragged him off, still stammering.
Nabiki didn't restrain a chuckle at his expense. "I can see where
Ranma got his skill with women." With that she followed the others
upstairs. Soun watched his extended family, looking thoughtful. As
they left his sight he nodded to himself some more, then calmly took the
bottle of Sake by the table, and began to get himself drunk.
Later that night, after a long soak, Johnathon, Kasumi, and
Kasumi-neko came to their room, having dropped off C-chan with Nabiki.
Nabiki had accepted the kitten gracefully enough, saying mysteriously
that she was now doubly glad for her new ear plugs.
Kasumi shook her head as Johnathon opened their door. "C-chan
doesn't make any noise at night."
Johnathon shrugged. "You're right, I wonder what she meant by
doubly glad anyway?" They went inside and sat down on the bed
together. Kasumi-neko paused on the floor to look up at the human
couple. Johnathon looked back down at her. "Come on up Kasumi-chan.
You can sleep on the pillow like you used too."
Kasumi nodded. "Yes please." She looked over at her husband.
"We'll just be careful not to roll over onto you when we make love."
Johnathon almost fell of the bed and he stared incredulously at
Kasumi. "What? I... you... I mean us? Tonight? Kasumi-chan...
can't.... It wouldn't be right...." Kasumi-neko shook her head and
meowed a negative.
Kasumi looked at her diminutive other and nodded to her. "That's
right. Kasumi-chan and I had a bit of a talk while you were in the
furo. When I was a cat, my... physical needs were not the same as when
I am human. As I understand it, cats only mate... during short
periods. At other times, their is little urge. Kasumi-chan won't fell
slighted if we make love. She knows you love her, and understands her
physical limitations. When I... we... suggested that you might take a
mistress... if I was stuck as a cat, I... we were quite serious. I
realize that you consider Kasumi-chan your wife, and wish to remain
faithful. But I am your wife as well, so you are being faithful.
Kasumi-neko nodded emphatically. Kasumi stroked Johnathon's cheek. "I
know you had a rough fight with Mr. Saotome, but I promise to be
gentle."
Johnathon chewed his lip, undecided. "I know you will be Kasumi,
but...."
Kasumi smile gently at him and touched his lips to silence his
protest. "If your still unsure, I won't force you, but if your are only
concerned about Kasumi-chan's feelings, don't be. She will be hurt,
only if you restrain yourself on her account. If it makes you feel
better, I promised to let her go first for the first month after she's
returned to human form."
Kasumi-neko nodded at that, and winked at Johnathon. She then
walked around behind him and firmly nudged him in Kasumi's direction.
Johnathon looked back at the black cat then snorted. "OK, OK, I get
the message." He reached back and picked Kasumi-neko up. "I won't
neglect Kasumi's needs, or my own." He turned Kasumi-neko over on his
lap. "Or yours, Kasumi-chan." Johnathon ran his free hand lightly down
her belly, then between her legs, gently stroking the very soft,
sensitive fur there. Kasumi-neko stretched in sheer pleasure.
Kasumi giggled and added her hands to Johnathon's, stroking
Kasumi-neko's belly, sides, and legs. The two human members of the
group gave the feline one a very thorough petting until she was as lip
as a rag doll. Then, Johnathon carefully placed her on the pillow. He
turned to Kasumi. "All right. Now it's your turn."
Nabiki slept peacefully, earplugs in place, blissfully unaware of
the activities going on either next door, or in Ranma's room down the
hall. C-chan, unconcerned, slept peacefully on the middle Tendo
daughter's stomach, happy, full, and content, and smelling slightly of
fish.
The first ones to wake up the next morning were naturally the
Kasumis. Kasumi rose and dressed quietly, followed closely by
Kasumi-neko. They slipped out the door and headed for the bathroom.
After a quick wash, they headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Kasumi looked down at Kasumi-neko. "I will prepare breakfast for
everyone. Why don't you relax. You have to go visit the vet today with
Johanthon-chan. That's likely to be stressful enough. If your feeling
up to it when you get back, you can keep C-chan occupied while we take
care of cleaning up the wedding debris."
Kasumi-neko nodded at this sensible plan, then meowed, pointing up
the stairs. "Oh, you want to be there when Johnathon wakes up?
Alright, I'll let you in, then get started." Kasumi walked back to
their room and let her small counterpart inside, then returned to the
kitchen to start breakfast.
Nabiki was the next to wake, remembering the kitten on her stomach
just in time to avoid rolling him off the bed. Nabiki gently lifted
C-chan and put him too the side. She was starting to get fond of him.
Nabiki found she could appreciate something with a strong self interest,
who understood the nature of a bribe.
Nabiki yawned, stretched and stood. "Hmm, going to be a busy day."
End Chapter 3
You can find all the previous Chapters to this at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/fanfics.html