Two Halves Make a Whole
Part 2

"Oh...," Kasumi says, a bit startled by the child's angry reply, "You're looking for Genma and Ranma Saotome... little... girl...?"
"Yes, I am!" the kid pouts, "I've been looking for them for so long and for me to loose them now... after all this time..... and I thought I was so close..... *sniffle*," the child begins to cry again.
"Please, don't cry," Kasumi says attempting to comfort the kid, "I know Mr. Saotome and Ranma, but...."
"You do?" the kid interrupts, "Oh, please, miss, could you please tell me where they are?"
"Well...," Kasumi hesitates.
"Please?!" the child pleads once again.
"May I ask... why are you looking for them?" Kasumi asks.
"I'm Suiren Saotome," the child replies.
"Suiren.... Saotome....?"
"Yes, I am the daughter of Genma and Nodoka Saotome...," the kid becomes sad again, "but I've never met my father.... Miss, could you *please* tell me where they are? I must find them! It's extremely important. Please?"
"Well... you will need a place to stay for the night...," Kasumi thinks for a minute, "I guess you could stay at our dojo if you like...."
"Will I get to see my father and brother if I do?" she asks excitedly.
"Well... let's just get you fed and cleaned up, shall we?" Kasumi invites.
"Okay!" the little girl who looks like a boy trots off after Kasumi as she leads the way to the dojo, "Thank you so much Miss...."
"Just call me Kasumi," she smiles.
***
"Here are the things you will need for your bath," Kasumi hands her a towel and some soap, "If you need my help just call. The bathroom is just up those stairs to the right," Kasumi directs.
"Thank you so much!" Suiren replies racing up the stairs.
Kasumi pulls out skillet and sets it on a burner, turning the dial to 'high'. She begins to rummage through the bare cabinets. "Oh dear... How absent-minded of me! I completely forgot about the groceries."
"I'm finished!" Suiren calls out a couple of minutes later, appearing behind Kasumi when she has finished her bath.
"Oh, my! That certainly was quick! Well, now we can...," Kasumi turns around and drops the skillet in her hands with a loud clang as it hits the ground. The girl's appearance has changed. She now has dark-brown hair tied back in two pigtails and her facial features are more feminine. "Wh-who...? What...?" Kasumi stares at the child wide-eyed.
"Judging from your reaction, I'm guessing that the hot water must have changed me back...," Suiren replies checking to see if her pigtails are there, "I didn't even realize I was a boy!"
"Hot water.... changed you back....?" Kasumi takes a minute to think this over, "Could you possibly mean the Junsenkyo curse?"
"How do you know about the curse?" Suiren gives her a puzzled look.
"You see, you're father and brother,... um... well, I've got to run to the market. Would you like to come with me? We could discuss it on the way," Kasumi offers.
"Okay," Suiren shrugs.
***
"We're home!" Ranma calls out as he and Akane enter the Tendo house, returning from school followed closely by Nabiki. "What is that you're cooking, Kasumi?" he asks sniffing the air, "It smells great!"
"Oh, boy, I'm starving!" Akane says as she runs to the kitchen, "Is dinner ready yet, Ka-su-mi....?" Akane says, surprised to see the little girl with Kasumi in the kitchen.
"Oh, welcome home, Akane. This is Suiren. She's come to see Ranma and Mr. Saotome," she explains. "Suiren, this is my youngest sister, Akane."
"Hello, Akane," Suiren turns from the cooking and politely bows to Akane, "your sister told me a lot about you. It's very nice to meet you."
"Likewise....," Akane says, still more than a little confused.
"Hey, what are you all doing in here?" Ranma asks entering.
"Ranma? Oh, wow! It's really you!" Suiren becomes excited at his appearance. "Oh, big brother! How I have missed you!" she squeals, running to him, glomping him.
"You two really do look like brother and sister," Kasumi exclaims.
"Big brother...? What are you talking about?! Who is this kid?" Ranma demands, caught completely off guard.
"My name is Suiren Saotome, daughter of Genma and Nodoka Saotome and I am your sister," she explains proudly. "Oh, Ranma!" she latches onto him again, "After all these years, I finally meet you!"
"I'm not your brother, kid, so get off of me!" he says prying Suiren's arms from around his waist.
"Oh, yes you are, and you're also my sister! At least half, anyway.....," Suiren giggles.
Ranma turns pale.
"Kasumi told me about your curse, Brother Ranma," she says letting go of Ranma, "In fact, I am a victim of it as well!"
"Oh, yeah. Then prove it!"
"Hmph! Fine, have it your way, *sister* Ranma!" Suiren takes a bucket, quickly fills it with cold tap water, and throws it at Ranma, the contents not only hitting him, but it splashes onto Suiren as well.
"There! Now do you believe me?" she, now a he, asks stubbornly.
"They even look like brother and sister when they're like that," Kasumi smiles.
"What is all the commotion in here?" Soun asks as he and Genma appear at the kitchen door.
Suiren turns around suddenly, "Daddy....?" she says, looking right at Genma, "Daddy... is it... is it really you.....?"