Author's Note: The Athena style note about Kasumi's parentage simply means that she was created without being born traditionally-not that she burst out of Hestia's head.

The next day was Kasumi's birthday. The families were getting together in the evening to celebrate, but Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki still had school. Ranma and Akane were in their second year, while Nabiki was in her third and final year. Ranma had been pensive all day.

"Hey, Jerk," said Akane as they walked home. "Something bothering you?"

"Yeah, Tomboy," he replied. "I need to talk to you about something my mom asked me to do yesterday."

Even though they had decided they wouldn't get married, he felt like he should talk about marrying Kasumi with his "most official" fiancée. A few months ago he would have put it off, but he figured that talking with Akane about it alone would be less painful as she was less likely to overreact without an audience.

They made their way to a park where they each sat on adjacent swings.

"My mom asked me about what I felt about all of my fiancées yesterday, including your sisters."

"Huh," she responded. "What'd you say?"

"I told her that I thought of you, Kasumi, and Uchan as sisters and that I didn't want to marry anyone right now."

"Not Nabiki?" Akane asked with a cheeky smile.

Ranma rolled his eyes.

"How'd she take it?" Akane asked. "She's always seemed pretty hungry for grandkids."

Ranma hesitated, then said, "I think that was mainly an act. I think she just likes to stir things up to stop from being bored."

Akane was flabbergasted. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah. She said she never was going to inforce the seppuku contract. That she just used it to keep Pop in line."

"Huh."

Ranma hesitated again before saying, "She wants me to marry Kasumi, but says she'll run interference with the fathers if either of us really objects."

"Really? Kasumi? Why?" Akane asked—part interested and part irritated.

"She says that Kasumi will be getting some news today that will make her go to America soon. That she'll be in danger because some protection will be expiring today. She's fond of Kasumi and wants me to protect her."

"Did she say what the news was?" she asked.

He shook his head. "She said we'd find out today."

"How'd she know?"

"I'm not sure, but she seemed much more resourceful than Pop could ever know."

They both sat in silence. Finally, Ranma said, "Would you be okay with it if I did marry Kasumi?"

Akane sighed. "Yes and no. On the one hand, we've talked about how we don't think it would be good for us to actually be married. I would miss you if you dropped out of my life, so being my brother-in-law is ideal. On the other hand, you've been my fiancée for almost a year and we've done so much together—I don't really want to give that closeness up. What do you think?"

"About the same. As far as Kasumi goes, I like her, but I've never thought of her like that."

"You going to do it?" she asked softly.

He sighed. "I think so, if my mom is right about her situation and she'll go along with it."

"You better treat my sister right, Jerk, or you'll regret it." She glowered at him.

He smirked at her. "As if I could treat Kasumi any other way without hating myself, Tomboy."

"Hah, you better not let those floozies hang all over you once you're married." She paused. "What are you going to do about the other fiancées?"

"The only other one I owe an explanation to before the fact is Uchan. I'll explain things to the Amazons after."

"You worried about the Amazons?" she asked.

"Not really. If I tell them that my mother favors the marriage to Kasumi, there's not a lot they can do, since Amazon Law gives a lot of authority to mothers. They also have to know that if they hurt her, I'll go on a rampage." He paused to think for a moment. "My mom offered to adopt Uchan if her father gave her any problems. Maybe she can do the same to Shampoo, if she can't go back to her village without me."

"What about your father? I can see him engaging either of them to a bunch of guys."

"Mom said that she could shield Uchan from Pop. I trust her. I also trust her to be able to handle the Amazons. She's much more formidable than I thought."

Akane looked doubtful, but said, "Okay."

That evening the Tendou and Saotome families had a quiet birthday celebration for Kasumi. Ranma noticed that Kasumi was abnormally distracted all evening. Her father, Soun, was also affected. Ranma guessed that Kasumi had been told whatever it was.

After the gifts had been given, Soun said, "I have an announcement."

When most everyone had quieted down, Soun continued, "Kasumi will be leaving us to go to America within the week."

"What? Why?" asked Nabiki.

"Kasumi's mother's family has requested it," he said.

"What?" Akane said. "You make it sound as if Kasumi has a different mother than us."

"She does."

Kasumi's sisters looked shocked. Kasumi herself looked resigned. Ranma wondered if she'd always known or if she'd found out earlier today.

"If her family wants her now, why haven't they appeared before?" Akane asked.

"Kasumi's mother did something to hide her from them. It expired today," said their father.

"Like magic?" Akane asked.

Her father nodded.

"Is Kasumi's mother still alive?" asked Nabiki.

"Yes, but I haven't seen her since shortly after Kasumi's birth."

"Why not?" asked Akane, angry on her sister's behalf.

Soun sighed. "She told me that her family has rules on how much they can involve themselves in their children's lives. It's always left to the other parent to raise the child."

Ranma's eyes flicked to his mother. The Shinto pantheon had similar rules, but they didn't sound as strict. Ranma wondered if Kasumi's mom was like his. From what his mom had said the previous day, she might be.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," said Nabiki, "and considering who lives with us, that's saying something."

"Hestia said that her brother was very strict in enforcing the rules," said Soun. "She said her brother was very powerful and had a temper. From what little I saw of her, if her brother was more powerful. . ."

"What did this Hestia do?" Nabiki asked.

Soun hesitated, but then said, "She created Kasumi out of thin air."

Everyone's jaw dropped, except for Ranma's mother who continued to sip her tea calmly.

"What?!" Kasumi said, startled. "You didn't tell me this!"

"Maybe you ought to tell us the whole story, Daddy," said Nabiki.

"Very well," said Soun. "It started twenty years ago today. At the time I was dating Nabiki and Akane's mother, Kimiko, and living in Chiba. I was on the verge of asking her to marry me. In fact, I had just purchased a ring when I heard a commotion from an alleyway. I went to investigate, when I saw four hoodlums harassing a young redheaded gaijin girl. I intervened and sent them packing.

"The girl thanked me. She said that she could have taken care of it, but that it would have ruined her vacation. She asked me if there was anything she could do for me. I declined, saying that I didn't think there was. She persisted and asked me what I wanted most in the world. I told her I wanted a child of my own, thinking it would get her to leave me alone.

"The girl was silent for a long moment. Then she said, 'I've always wanted one too, but long ago I took an oath to remain celibate.'

"I was confused as to why a young girl would take such an oath when she continued, 'My niece, who also took such an oath, still manages it. May I see your hand?'

"Not thinking anything of it I offered her my right hand. She took it in both of hers and appeared to concentrate. A few moments later, she expanded her hands and a small glowing misty figure appeared in them. The figure solidified into a newborn infant girl surrounded in a fire that warmed, but didn't burn.

"She asked me what I would name her and I said, 'Kasumi,' after the mist she had formed from. The girl told me that it was a pretty name. She held out the girl to me and I took her.

"She explained that her name was Hestia and that her brother Zeus enforced ancient laws that required her to give up any children she might have and that I was responsible for raising her. She said that she regretted it, but that there was nothing she could do about it as her brother was much more powerful than she and hot-tempered. She said that she would, however, extend a protection to her until she became an adult. She placed her hand on the baby's head and said a few words in a language that I didn't recognize and then disappeared.

"Not knowing quite what to do, I went and found Kimiko. I somehow managed to explain what had happened to her. Kimiko fell in love with Kasumi almost immediately. I half think that was the reason she agreed to marry me. I don't think she really believed my story, but since we hadn't been dating for nine months, she let it go. Kimiko raised Kasumi as if she were her own, which made me love my dear wife even more. When I returned to Nerima with Kimiko and Kasumi, no one knew that Kimiko was not her mother."

"Wait. . ." said Nabiki. "Zeus? As in the Greek god?"

Her father shrugged. "It's as good an explanation as any. A man claiming to be Kasumi's cousin visited us earlier today. He said his name was Apollo and that it would be best if Kasumi went to a place just outside of New York City to learn how to defend herself as she would start to attract monsters. I explained that I was a master martial artist and could either protect her myself or teach her how to protect herself. He claimed that the monsters would not be affected by mortal weapons or fists and that as his aunt's first child she would attract many now that she was no longer hidden. When I doubted his credentials, he released an aura that was many times greater than the Dread Master and Amazon Elder's auras combined. He was very. . . formidable."

"Did you meet this Apollo too, Kasumi?" asked Akane.

"Yes," she responded, "and as father said, he was very formidable."

"I've met a legitimate god and I'm not talking about Saffron," said Ranma. "It could be true."

"When did you meet a god, Saotome?" asked Nabiki. She smiled slyly. "Did she try and seduce you?"

Ranma noticed that Akane was struggling with her temper while his mother looked amused. Even though Akane had more or less renounced her claim, she still had moments of jealousy.

"What!? No! Ew!" he said, feeling a little green.

Everyone save his mother, who just looked more amused, looked at him oddly.

Soun cleared his throat and said, "I detest the thought of sending Kasumi alone to America, but I don't think we can risk not sending her."

"I may have a solution," said Ranma's mother, "but I'll need to talk to Ranma, Kasumi, and Akane alone, first. Please follow me, you three."

Ranma and the girls followed her up to Kasumi's room. "Is it all right if we talk in here, Kasumi?" she asked.

"That would be okay," Kasumi answered.

"Ranma, have you decided about what we talked about yesterday?" his mother asked.

"I'll do it if she's okay with it," he answered.

"You ought to discuss this with Akane while I talk to Kasumi," she told him.

He smirked. "I did it this afternoon. She's mostly okay with it."

"What about the others?" she asked.

"I'll talk to Ukyou if we decide to go through with it. None of the others deserve an explanation at this point."

His mother nodded. "I'm going to talk to Kasumi about my idea first. Could you two make sure we aren't disturbed?"

They both agreed and Kasumi and Nodoka retreated into Kasumi's room.

Akane and Ranma quietly made small talk while his mother and Kasumi talked. Neither of them wanted to discuss the changes that might be coming. After about half an hour, Ranma's mother poked her head out the door and said, "Would you both please come in?"

Ranma followed Akane into the room. Kasumi was sitting on the edge of her bed. She looked slightly frazzled, but otherwise calm.

"I've explained to Kasumi that I think it would be a good idea for her to marry Ranma so that he can accompany her to America," Nodoka said. "Ranma has agreed to this after telling me that Akane and he have decided not to marry."

"Are you sure, Akane?" asked Kasumi. "You and Ranma have been getting along much better."

Akane nodded slowly. "Yes. One of the reasons we are getting along better is due to that agreement. To be honest, I'd rather he marry you than any of the girls currently chasing him. It will be an adjustment, but I'll manage."

"Yeah," Ranma said. "We decided we make a better brother and sister than husband and wife."

"Or just sisters," Akane said snickering.

Ranma made a face, but otherwise ignored her.

"Do you know what's going on with Kasumi's family, Auntie?" Akane asked.

"Only generalities," Nodoka answered. "I know that monsters seek out her cousins and that she's been protected until now due to something her mother did that she, strictly speaking, wasn't supposed to do. I also know that two of her uncles are fighting which makes things difficult for the whole family. I do know that if she goes to America she'll learn how to protect herself, but that it will be difficult for her until she does learn."

"What about what Nabiki said?" Akane asked.

"About them being gods?" Nodoka asked.

Akane nodded.

"I know that they have been thought such by people in the past and that they are long-lived and very powerful. Whether that really makes them gods, who can say?"

"Why does Ranma have to marry her in order to protect her?" Akane asked. "Can't he just accompany her?"

"Even leaving aside the propriety of him accompanying her unmarried," said Nodoka, "Kasumi's family is very insular. They will have a hard time accepting him even if they are married. However, I've reached an agreement with one of her more influential cousins that he may go with her if they marry."

"You know them?" asked Kasumi, surprised.

"I've met your cousin Apollo, since he visits Japan occasionally. I've also corresponded with your Aunt Demeter since we share some similar interests. They both seem like nice people, even if Apollo is a little goofy. The others I only know by reputation."

"Oh," she said, a little disappointed.

Ranma's mother raised an eyebrow. "You were hoping I knew your mother?" she asked.

Kasumi nodded.

"I know of her, and what I know is positive," Nodoka said. "Your family has a council of twelve that governs it. Two of your uncles and two of your aunts along with seven of your cousins and a more distant relative sit on it. Your mother used to, but she gave up the seat to one of your cousins to preserve family harmony. She gained a lot of respect from those 'in the know' then. Your mother and your remaining uncle still have some influence even though they aren't officially on the council."

Kasumi smiled. Ranma smiled too, because that sounded like something that Kasumi would do.

Ranma's mother turned to Akane. "Why don't we let Ranma and Kasumi talk for a little bit, Akane."

"Okay, Auntie," Akane responded.

The two of them left, leaving the two potential fiancés awkwardly silent in the room.

The silence was broken when Kasumi asked, "How do you feel about me, Ranma?"

Ranma squirmed awkwardly. "I like you, Kasumi. You're the only one that has been consistently kind to me. But I've never really thought of marrying you."

She nodded thoughtfully. "So you care about me, but not romantically?"

He felt his face heat up, feeling embarrassed, but nodded.

"To be honest, I feel the same way," she said. "Why are you doing this, then?"

He looked at the floor. "Because I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt and I could have stopped it."

"What about your fiancées?" Kasumi asked.

"I care about Ukyou and Akane as sisters only, same as you. I only played along with Shampoo to give her a chance to figure out a way out of her stupid laws, but she never took it. Mom is going to offer Ukyou, and maybe Shampoo, an honorable way out if their families refuse to see reason."

"Wouldn't you rather marry for love?" asked Kasumi.

Ranma sighed. "It would be nice, but I don't see myself getting the chance with all the craziness in my life. Ideally I'd wait to get married, but honestly I don't see my life getting any better. Any girl that tried to get close to me would be beaten or worse by Shampoo or Ukyou—which is why I'm glad we'll be leaving for America if we get married."

Kasumi's smile dropped for a second before returning.

"Is that why you've never gotten closer to them?" she asked.

"Yes, I like Ukyou, and she's a good friend at times, but her jealousy and possessiveness are a big turnoff. Ultimately, that was also the main reason I backed away from Akane and why we're closer now that she doesn't have as much reason to be that way.

"How about you?" he asked. "I thought you were interested in Dr. Tofu."

Her smile turned pensive. "I was, but he always acted so silly. Finally, I asked him to keep his distance if he couldn't control himself. That's why you haven't seen him as much for a while. Mostly I'm disappointed in him."

They lapsed into silence. Ranma was afraid to ask her whether she would do it or not. He wasn't sure whether he was more afraid of a yes or a no answer.

Finally, Kasumi said, "My life has been full of nothing but duty for my family since my mo . . . step-mother died. Since you won't marry Akane, I will take up the duty. This will be the last duty I do for my father without questioning it."

Ranma looked at the floor. "Kasumi. . ." he started to say.

She reached out and lifted his chin. "Ranma, I may be doing this for duty, but never think that I don't care about you. I think romantic love will come with time. You're a fine young man: loyal, brave, caring, and handsome." She smiled a little wickedly. "You also understand women in a way that no other man I know can."

Ranma turned bright red. Kasumi had been the one to help him when he had had his first period not long after arriving at the Tendou home. That had been utterly humiliating. He had thought he had been dying, since his stupid Panda father had kept him ignorant about such things and he had never been in school long enough to learn there. Luckily, Kasumi had been the only one awake at the time. Anyone else would have taken it way worse. The other lucky thing was that he usually only had them half as often as a normal woman unless he got his curse locked.

Kasumi continued. "You have your faults, but most of them are due to ignorance and I think you'll grow out of a lot of them with some experience. While this is a duty for me, I don't think it will be a hardship. I'm also not sure how I would survive alone in a distant place. It would please me to have you there with me."

Ranma nodded. He could understand. For him, besides the duty to protect Kasumi and marry a Tendou, it was a way to escape from most of the problems in his life with some semblance of his honor intact. He was tired of the fiancée game and this was a way he could end it and escape away to America. The leaving was almost the most attractive part of the deal. He would miss Akane, Ukyou, and his mother, but he needed a break.

"Okay, Kasumi," he said. "Let's go tell the families."

Ranma's mother and Kasumi's father were both pleased with the arrangement. Akane seemed a little melancholy with the announcement, but tried to appear happy. He could not read Nabiki's reaction. Ironically, it was his father that put up the most resistance. He had no real objection to them marrying, but he tried to argue that they could protect Kasumi here and that they didn't need to go to America. Ranma thought that the old Panda just did not want to lose Kasumi's cooking or his excuse to mooch off the Tendous.

The wedding was set for three days from then at a shrine that his mother knew of. She refused to give out the address ahead of time and said that only the Saotome and Tendou families would be invited. Ranma and Kasumi would leave for America three days after that.

Kasumi made Nabiki promise not to sell the information ahead of time. Ranma was unsure if the promise would hold her, but a promise to her was the only possible thing that might.