Before breakfast the next morning, Soun drags Ranma to the dojo so that Genma and Soun could talk to him. Genma is, of course, too scared to be in human form, but it is obvious that Soun speaks for both of them, "Son, it is your fathers wish and I that you stop spending time with other girls besides Akane. Furthermore you have been slacking off in your training, which we both find inexcusable. As a representative of the Anything Goes form, you must spend your free time when not with Akane, in practice."
"You two are also representatives of the school, and as Sensei you have a greater responsibility. Granted your aging has made both of you slower and less nimble, but that is no excuse for your slacking off. Your games of Shogi and Go should be abandoned for a rigorous regimen of training."
"Son I find your behavior reprehensible. How dare you talk back to us that way?"
"Soun Tendo, I find your diatribe ridiculous. I have surpassed both you and pop, and I'm now trying to defeat Happosai. I am putting more effort into that than you are doing, yet you still take a holier-than-thou attitude when dictating how I spend my time and how I act."
"How dare you say you've passed us! I wont stand for this insolence!"
Ranma smirks, "A formal challenge? How about this afternoon?"
"Alright. We'll show you then. and when we win, you'll agree to obey our wishes."
"Let's formalize this then. I'll obey your wishes if you win, but if I win, you'll each obey a condition I set."
"Uhh. What condition?"
"I haven't decided yet, but I'll tell you before the fight. If you think it's too much, you can call it off then. We'll fight in the abandoned yard three blocks away at 4:00pm. that way the dojo wont sustain damage"
* * *
As breakfast nears a close, Ranma asks, "Kasumi, can you spare an hour today around 4:00pm? I need your help for a project I'm working on. It's a surprise for the rest of our families." Soun and Panda's ears perk up at this. A confused expression appears on their faces.
"Sure Ranma. If I'm back by 5:00, I'll still have enough time to prepare dinner. I'll just do my grocery shopping a little earlier."
"How much time do you need for shopping?"
"About a half an hour, why?"
"How about I go with you at 3:15. You can do a larger shopping than normal, I'll carry the bags and we can handle my errand on the way, we should be home hopefully by 4:30"
* * *
Ranma knocks on Nabiki's door. "Come in."
Ranma enters and says, "Nabiki, I've got an idea that needs your help. It'll make our fathers a little less likely to blow anything around mom. And while there's no money involved, it'll only cost you a few minutes, and should pay you back in amusement, at our dear father's expense."
"Sounds like fun. It's a slow day today, what do we do?"
"Well, first we ask Kasumi to keep mom away from the dojo, and then we invite our fathers, and ..."
* * *
Soun and Genma-panda follow Nabiki to the Dojo. "Nabiki, what's this all about?"
"Oh, it's just a harmless and amusing way for us to spend a little time. Kasumi's entertaining Nodoka while we do this, but I still wouldn't risk changing to human, Genma. Just in case." At about this time the fathers have reached the dojo, and are surprised seeing Ranma.
"Son," Soun starts, "is this about the 4 o'clock..."
Ranma interupts, "This has nothing to do with that. This is a game of `What If?'. You both believe that mom's arrival will blow over, and that I have been playing with fire talking with Mom. I wanted to give you some indication that I know what I'm doing, and show you some of the things I could do, but haven't done yet. The problem is that If I do one of them I can't undo it. So we are all going to pretend that Nabiki is my mom, and we're going to see how certain conversational gambits would progress."
"Son, I don't see what you're getting at."
"Please play along for now Mr. Tendo, and you'll see. Remember, treat Nabiki as if she were my mother. Scenario one; Mr. Tendo, I want to talk to you about Ranko."
"Ranko?"
"I feel I have the best right to speak in her interests. Do you think there's anyone more deserving to look out for her best interests?"
"I think Genma knows what's best for her..."
"Mr. Tendo, please tell my mother why Genma would speak for Ranko Tendo? Surely they're not related."
Soun starts to perspire "Well I mean I'm most suited, as head of the Tendo family."
"That's what I want to talk to you about. She's not yet on your family registry. I know you call her a Tendo out of kindness, and i know you plan to eventually bring her into your family, don't you?"
"Oh yes, I want her in my family..."
"I really think it's time you formally adopted her into your clan. After all, her mother doesn't recognize her since she wanted a son, and her father wont tell his wife that she's his daughter."
Nabiki chimes up "Is this true? Her only family is a father that hides her from his wife? She's such a sweet girl. Ranma is right, I'll help you formally adopt her. It should be easy to get her away from her abusive parents."
"But ..."
"Mr. Tendo, on your honor, do you deny anything I've said?"
"No Ranma, but..."
"And after you formally adopt me, the Saotome clan dies, and the engagement is broken because Akane and I are now sisters. Scenario two; Mom, Mr. Tendo and I have been deceiving you. We've been hiding my father from you because my father and I feel we've failed to live up to your promise. Therefor we must commit Seppuku. I have realized this is unmanly and ask you to judge me. If I don't meet your goals I'll consign myself. But first I am the only link to your husband, and I'll help you find him. He has forsaken our family honor""
Nabiki looks at her father, "Is this true? have you been hiding my husband from me? Has he forsaken his family honor, and hides from me?"
Soun looks astonished "No, I wouldn't say that" at which point Ranma splashes Genma with warm water.
Nabiki looks shocked, draws a bokuto, and charges the fathers shouting "Die!".
Ranma splashes his father with cold water, and Nabiki sits back down. "Scenario three; Mom", Ranma kneels in front of Nabiki, "My father has forsworn me too many times to allow me to marry into the Tendo family. Family honor insists we unite our families. I ask you to marry Soun after a suitable mourning period of your soon late husband." Soun Genma and Nabiki all look shocked at this one.
"Scenario four; Mom, giri insists I fulfill my debt to the Amazons. I've made an arrangement with Cologne. She's annulled my match with Shampoo as long as I move our family into the village, and agree that whoever wants to marry me is bound by Joketsu laws. From now on you are the legal head of the family. Genma must obey your wishes, or Cologne will punish him for you. If Akane or Ukyou still wish to marry me they'll have to leave Japan forever, and follow me to China." At this point, Nabiki bursts out laughing at the expressions of Soun and Genma.
"Scenario five; Mom, the only other option to seppuku is the end of the family name. I'm sure that either Akane's family or Ukyou's family would be willing to adopt us, and that would leave me free to marry the other one."
"Scenario six; Mom, please come to my room to see the three thousand panties I've collected. A few months ago Soun and Genma apprenticed me to Happosai. I still can't match him in fondling young girls, but I've gotten awful good at stealing underwear."
Nabiki looks at the fathers. "Ranma, I think they wont react to any more shocks for a while, they seem stunned."
Soun looks at Ranma, "You wouldn't do any of that, son, would you?"
"I wouldn't do any of that unless you try to force my hand. I just want to show you how hard it would be if you insist on maintaining an adversarial relationship with me. I'm sure Nabiki and Akane could stage a worse situation for you. If Akane wanted to insure that we couldn't get married, she could, reluctantly, break down and confess all our secrets to my mother in the worst possible light. Pop and I would be dead within hours. Your only hope for your dreams lies in working with me."
* * *
As Ranma and Nabiki leave the stunned fathers in the dojo, Nabiki asks "Would you really go that far?"
"I'd do something that extreme. I don't know what I'd do. I had to hit them with many choices so they wouldn't think they'd be able to scuttle my attack and go on running roughshod over our lives."
"What are you going to do to resolve this?"
"I have no idea. But I've lost almost all respect for either of our fathers, and until they regain that respect, their dreams for the future are less important to me than the happiness of my friends. I've been meaning to ask you, have you been making plans for when all of this chaos is over?"
"Of course I have. I'm covering as many bases as I can to keep us from acquiring any bloodfeuds however this resolves."
"I didn't mean that, I meant treaties with the Amazons, deals with Ryouga and Ukyou. When this resolves, the martial artists will likely leave. Between the Amazons and Ryouga you could expand your dealings beyond Nerima once they're done fixating on us."
"I can't believe I missed that. Cologne's the key."
"Cologne could probably help you to become truely wealthy, as long as you don't mind being used while you are trying to use her."
"No one uses me."
"Cologne will set things up where it's to your advantage to do things that help her. You wouldn't bite off your own nose to spite your face. Learn what you can from her, and vow to surpass her. That's the only way I've been able to stand her and Happosai."
* * *
At 3:15, Ranma and Kasumi leave for shopping. Ranma is wearing his school backpack, for some reason. When Akane asks about it, he shrugs it off with "It's for the surprise."
Akane's curiosity is now peeked. She follows them at a great distance, easily staying unnoticed, since Ranma and Kasumi are currently just shopping for groceries. She doesnt even have to enter stores, since neither Ranma nor Kasumi are making any attempt to do anything but collect food. As 4:00 starts to draw near it would be hard for Akane to to loose them, seeing as Ranma is carrying a mass of bags rivaling himself in volume. Ranma has by now told Kasumi where they were going, but judging from the questions Akane heard Kasumi asking Ranma, Kasumi has no idea why they're going there.
When they reach the abandoned lot, at 4:00, both Kasumi and Akane are startled to find Genma and Soun waiting, with Genma in human form. Ranma explains everything to Kasumi.
"This morning the three of us got into an argument, which ended in a formal challenge. Kasumi, I've invited you here because the results of that challenge will affect you, I'm afraid. If I lose the fight Soun and Pop get to veto where I go, and who I spend time with. If I win they have to obey my conditions. I've finally decided on them.
"Soun, if I win, you have to relinquish your position as head of the household to Kasumi until there is a change in the family ledger. You'll no longer be able to make demands on your daughters and I, but ask Kasumi to make them. She already does all of the work as the oldest female anyway, and I feel she has a better grip on what happens around the house. I've put a time limit on it so that you don't feel you've been put out to pasture, and so Kasumi doesn't feel the burden to do this indefinitely.
"Pop, if I win, you go on a diet, until you lose 40 pounds. You'll also go back to eating Panda fare when you're a panda, if that doesn't cause Kasumi extra work. Since these conditions are a surprise to you two, I offer to fight both of you together."
Needless to say, everyone but Ranma was shocked. "Boy, you can't expect me to lose 40 pounds, I'm my ideal weight!"
"Pop, you've put on 20 pounds since we moved here from eating Kasumi's cooking. The figure of 40 pounds comes from your doctor and employer, Tofu-sensei. Frankly, I don't think you have the self-control to ever reach it."
"Ranma, why are you trying to make me the head of my family?"
"Actually there are several reasons. Once I thought of it, it seemed like poetic justice. You're better at organizing and running things; compare your Christmas party to any of your father's wedding schemes. People will do what you say because they respect you, while your father is slowly loosing the respect of everyone at home. You and possibly Nabiki are the only people Happosai listens to, and since your father does whatever Happosai wants, he's been riding roughshod over the Tendos for years. You wind up doing most of the work, and receive few benefits for it. And if you are planning on eventually having a home of your own, this will be good practice. Akane always acts on her feelings, Nabiki already knows how to get people to do what she wants. You're the only sister who never had the chance, and you're the only sister who could wield the power, and still ask others what they wanted. Your sisters already are disposed to obey you since you rarely ask for anything anyway."
* * *
As the fight begins, Kasumi is waiting outside the yard with the groceries, and Ranma's schoolbag. Akane is watching from within a tree. Ranma's schoolbag had contained a thermos of hot water in case his father got hit by cold water, and a belt sack containing several dozen 40cm. long spikes, which Ranma was now wearing around his waist.
Genma's first reaction to seeing his son arm himself was disdain. "You should never rely on weapons, son. You know you can't count on them being available, and they force you to limit yourself when using them."
"I know that, but I wanted to have something Happosai doesn't expect, and I figured I could test them here. If it fails, I'll fight you without them. If it allows you to win while I'm wasting my time on them, then it's my own fault."
All three leap simultaneously to fight, but Ranma doesn't leap towards the other two, who are executing mirror-image kicks. Ranma uses his leap to dodge, and try to keep some distance. "Tenshin amaguriken revised, steel hail" Ranma starts throwing the spikes at the other two, one at a time, but at amaguriken speeds. The two fathers continue trying to kick Ranma, but now have to also dodge the flying steel bolts. Both Soun and Genma are covered in surface scratches, and tears in their clothes, but not one of the spikes managed to hit either of them. Both groups separate, so Genma can taunt his son. "Not bad, boy. But we dodged them all. You'll never catch the master that way, and now you're unarmed."
Ranma replies with "Ranma Saotome combination attack, still unnamed! Moko Takabisha modified!" Ranma forms his Chi blast, but with a wide dispersal so it can't be easily dodged. However, since it isn't concentrated, the parents don't even try to avoid it, it doesnt hurt them at all. Genma starts to laugh at his son...
When the several dozen spikes embedded in the ground around them explode, revealing that each contained a small firecracker, and that the moko takabisha was to ignite them. As the explosion consumed them, Ranma performed the Hiryu Shoten Ha, sending the parents into the sky and out of consciousness.
* * *
After the large explosion, Ranma made sure the fathers weren't seriously injured, and got Kasumi. "They're just unconscious, Kasumi. Can you watch them for a few minutes? I'll take the groceries home, and get Akane back here to help me carry these two home."
"Alright Ranma."
After Ranma got half a block, Akane joined him for the walk back home. "Akane, did you see everything?"
"Yes Ranma. I understand why you fight your father, and he could use a diet. But I want you to tell me why you included my father in your duel."
"I thought you'd be furious over this."
"I am mad. But your explanation to Kasumi made alot of sense, so I'm giving you one chance to explain before I pound you."
Ranma chuckles, "Fair enough. This is something I didn't tell Kasumi. I had 2 arguments with your father. One last night, where I told him that basically he had to treat me like an adult, or that he and I would eventually fight. I also told him all the ways I could destroy his dreams if he thought of treating me as his enemy. It wouldn't be too hard. All of his dreams require you and I do exactly what they want. How could they ever come true if he and I were fighting? His only hope is to convince us to do what they want, yet he keeps demanding things, and I realized his demands were unreasonable. He doesn't have the right to control me the way he wants to.
"In spite of this, this morning He and Pop went into their `you're slacking off, boy' routine. I've been planning that combination all week for Happosai, but they never raise a fist to him unless Happosai is already unconscious, and they never stop playing shogi long enough to train. I refused to back down, and I gave them chances to save face both this morning and this afternoon. I had to think of something that would show your father I was serious, but I didn't want to make it something that would crush his spirit, the way Happosai has. Besides, I'd rather my mother deals with Kasumi than with your father when it gets time to straighten out this whole engagement mess. Kasumi tries to make everyone happy, and makes life pleasant; your father wants everything to go as he plans."
"Nabiki was right. You did have an explanation. I don't like what you did, though. Next time keep my father out of it."
Ranma chuckles, "Your father is out of it. Now we'll have to listen to Kasumi insisting we marry!"
"Ranma!"
* * *
Dinner that evening is a subdued affair. Nabiki, Nodoka and Kasumi are acting normally, but Ranma is acting in a subdued manner, Akane seems deep in thought, and Soun is ready to burst into tears. Ranma finally announces "I believe Soun has an announcement concerning the household." At which point Soun finally does burst into tears.
Kasumi interrupts, "Perhapse I'd better make the announcement for him. He seems a little distraught. For now I'll be the official head of the Tendo family. Very little will actually change, but now I'm responsible for all agreements surrounding our clan's honor. Primarily, Father has no direct say in how or when any of us get married. Nodoka we wanted you to know that when the time comes to discuss merging our families, you'll be making arrangements with me, and not Father."
Nodoka shows her suprise on her face. "Kasumi, I'm sure you'll do a splendid job as family head."
Meanwhile Nabiki is shocked.
* * *
Ranma is exercising in the Dojo after dinner, when he's confronted by Nabiki. "Ranma, what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm moving the decisions concerning Akane's and my possible future out of the hands of incompetents, and giving them to people who I trust. Ya'know I thought of making you family head, but that'd be redundant. You already run the finances, and could manipulate the family if necessary to do things your way."
"Ranma, I'm not arguing that. I don't like what you did to my father."
"All of us have been listening and doing what would make Soun happy. He hasn't paid any regard to our wishes or his duties as head of the household. He had voluntarily put his right to be head of the household as a stake in a bet against me. I gave him several chances to back out. When he lost I collected."
"Ranma, you're making changes too fast. You have to give them time to adjust to each one before you spring the next one. Otherwise you'll make them enemies."
"I don't have you're talent for subtlety. I can't make them like the changes. Our parents have been running my life for too long. I'm leaving them alone except when they try to exert control over me, and then I'm slapping back hard. Unlike Happosai I'm only beating them up to the point where they can't or won't try that tactic again."
"Are you going to continue to bludgeon people until you get your way?"
"Actually I might not have to. Our parents will back off now. The martial artists who want to beat me up are all working on their own problems and thoughts. The females are trying to stay in my mother's graces. The only 4 left are you, my mother, Happosai, and Cologne. You and I don't really have any conflicting desires. My mother I trust. Happosai is missing. And Cologne is giving me space to think. She actually told me she's not pushing me because she thinks the added strain might cause me to do something irrational and unpredictable, and the odds that that would benefit her would be slim."
"You two are also representatives of the school, and as Sensei you have a greater responsibility. Granted your aging has made both of you slower and less nimble, but that is no excuse for your slacking off. Your games of Shogi and Go should be abandoned for a rigorous regimen of training."
"Son I find your behavior reprehensible. How dare you talk back to us that way?"
"Soun Tendo, I find your diatribe ridiculous. I have surpassed both you and pop, and I'm now trying to defeat Happosai. I am putting more effort into that than you are doing, yet you still take a holier-than-thou attitude when dictating how I spend my time and how I act."
"How dare you say you've passed us! I wont stand for this insolence!"
Ranma smirks, "A formal challenge? How about this afternoon?"
"Alright. We'll show you then. and when we win, you'll agree to obey our wishes."
"Let's formalize this then. I'll obey your wishes if you win, but if I win, you'll each obey a condition I set."
"Uhh. What condition?"
"I haven't decided yet, but I'll tell you before the fight. If you think it's too much, you can call it off then. We'll fight in the abandoned yard three blocks away at 4:00pm. that way the dojo wont sustain damage"
* * *
As breakfast nears a close, Ranma asks, "Kasumi, can you spare an hour today around 4:00pm? I need your help for a project I'm working on. It's a surprise for the rest of our families." Soun and Panda's ears perk up at this. A confused expression appears on their faces.
"Sure Ranma. If I'm back by 5:00, I'll still have enough time to prepare dinner. I'll just do my grocery shopping a little earlier."
"How much time do you need for shopping?"
"About a half an hour, why?"
"How about I go with you at 3:15. You can do a larger shopping than normal, I'll carry the bags and we can handle my errand on the way, we should be home hopefully by 4:30"
* * *
Ranma knocks on Nabiki's door. "Come in."
Ranma enters and says, "Nabiki, I've got an idea that needs your help. It'll make our fathers a little less likely to blow anything around mom. And while there's no money involved, it'll only cost you a few minutes, and should pay you back in amusement, at our dear father's expense."
"Sounds like fun. It's a slow day today, what do we do?"
"Well, first we ask Kasumi to keep mom away from the dojo, and then we invite our fathers, and ..."
* * *
Soun and Genma-panda follow Nabiki to the Dojo. "Nabiki, what's this all about?"
"Oh, it's just a harmless and amusing way for us to spend a little time. Kasumi's entertaining Nodoka while we do this, but I still wouldn't risk changing to human, Genma. Just in case." At about this time the fathers have reached the dojo, and are surprised seeing Ranma.
"Son," Soun starts, "is this about the 4 o'clock..."
Ranma interupts, "This has nothing to do with that. This is a game of `What If?'. You both believe that mom's arrival will blow over, and that I have been playing with fire talking with Mom. I wanted to give you some indication that I know what I'm doing, and show you some of the things I could do, but haven't done yet. The problem is that If I do one of them I can't undo it. So we are all going to pretend that Nabiki is my mom, and we're going to see how certain conversational gambits would progress."
"Son, I don't see what you're getting at."
"Please play along for now Mr. Tendo, and you'll see. Remember, treat Nabiki as if she were my mother. Scenario one; Mr. Tendo, I want to talk to you about Ranko."
"Ranko?"
"I feel I have the best right to speak in her interests. Do you think there's anyone more deserving to look out for her best interests?"
"I think Genma knows what's best for her..."
"Mr. Tendo, please tell my mother why Genma would speak for Ranko Tendo? Surely they're not related."
Soun starts to perspire "Well I mean I'm most suited, as head of the Tendo family."
"That's what I want to talk to you about. She's not yet on your family registry. I know you call her a Tendo out of kindness, and i know you plan to eventually bring her into your family, don't you?"
"Oh yes, I want her in my family..."
"I really think it's time you formally adopted her into your clan. After all, her mother doesn't recognize her since she wanted a son, and her father wont tell his wife that she's his daughter."
Nabiki chimes up "Is this true? Her only family is a father that hides her from his wife? She's such a sweet girl. Ranma is right, I'll help you formally adopt her. It should be easy to get her away from her abusive parents."
"But ..."
"Mr. Tendo, on your honor, do you deny anything I've said?"
"No Ranma, but..."
"And after you formally adopt me, the Saotome clan dies, and the engagement is broken because Akane and I are now sisters. Scenario two; Mom, Mr. Tendo and I have been deceiving you. We've been hiding my father from you because my father and I feel we've failed to live up to your promise. Therefor we must commit Seppuku. I have realized this is unmanly and ask you to judge me. If I don't meet your goals I'll consign myself. But first I am the only link to your husband, and I'll help you find him. He has forsaken our family honor""
Nabiki looks at her father, "Is this true? have you been hiding my husband from me? Has he forsaken his family honor, and hides from me?"
Soun looks astonished "No, I wouldn't say that" at which point Ranma splashes Genma with warm water.
Nabiki looks shocked, draws a bokuto, and charges the fathers shouting "Die!".
Ranma splashes his father with cold water, and Nabiki sits back down. "Scenario three; Mom", Ranma kneels in front of Nabiki, "My father has forsworn me too many times to allow me to marry into the Tendo family. Family honor insists we unite our families. I ask you to marry Soun after a suitable mourning period of your soon late husband." Soun Genma and Nabiki all look shocked at this one.
"Scenario four; Mom, giri insists I fulfill my debt to the Amazons. I've made an arrangement with Cologne. She's annulled my match with Shampoo as long as I move our family into the village, and agree that whoever wants to marry me is bound by Joketsu laws. From now on you are the legal head of the family. Genma must obey your wishes, or Cologne will punish him for you. If Akane or Ukyou still wish to marry me they'll have to leave Japan forever, and follow me to China." At this point, Nabiki bursts out laughing at the expressions of Soun and Genma.
"Scenario five; Mom, the only other option to seppuku is the end of the family name. I'm sure that either Akane's family or Ukyou's family would be willing to adopt us, and that would leave me free to marry the other one."
"Scenario six; Mom, please come to my room to see the three thousand panties I've collected. A few months ago Soun and Genma apprenticed me to Happosai. I still can't match him in fondling young girls, but I've gotten awful good at stealing underwear."
Nabiki looks at the fathers. "Ranma, I think they wont react to any more shocks for a while, they seem stunned."
Soun looks at Ranma, "You wouldn't do any of that, son, would you?"
"I wouldn't do any of that unless you try to force my hand. I just want to show you how hard it would be if you insist on maintaining an adversarial relationship with me. I'm sure Nabiki and Akane could stage a worse situation for you. If Akane wanted to insure that we couldn't get married, she could, reluctantly, break down and confess all our secrets to my mother in the worst possible light. Pop and I would be dead within hours. Your only hope for your dreams lies in working with me."
* * *
As Ranma and Nabiki leave the stunned fathers in the dojo, Nabiki asks "Would you really go that far?"
"I'd do something that extreme. I don't know what I'd do. I had to hit them with many choices so they wouldn't think they'd be able to scuttle my attack and go on running roughshod over our lives."
"What are you going to do to resolve this?"
"I have no idea. But I've lost almost all respect for either of our fathers, and until they regain that respect, their dreams for the future are less important to me than the happiness of my friends. I've been meaning to ask you, have you been making plans for when all of this chaos is over?"
"Of course I have. I'm covering as many bases as I can to keep us from acquiring any bloodfeuds however this resolves."
"I didn't mean that, I meant treaties with the Amazons, deals with Ryouga and Ukyou. When this resolves, the martial artists will likely leave. Between the Amazons and Ryouga you could expand your dealings beyond Nerima once they're done fixating on us."
"I can't believe I missed that. Cologne's the key."
"Cologne could probably help you to become truely wealthy, as long as you don't mind being used while you are trying to use her."
"No one uses me."
"Cologne will set things up where it's to your advantage to do things that help her. You wouldn't bite off your own nose to spite your face. Learn what you can from her, and vow to surpass her. That's the only way I've been able to stand her and Happosai."
* * *
At 3:15, Ranma and Kasumi leave for shopping. Ranma is wearing his school backpack, for some reason. When Akane asks about it, he shrugs it off with "It's for the surprise."
Akane's curiosity is now peeked. She follows them at a great distance, easily staying unnoticed, since Ranma and Kasumi are currently just shopping for groceries. She doesnt even have to enter stores, since neither Ranma nor Kasumi are making any attempt to do anything but collect food. As 4:00 starts to draw near it would be hard for Akane to to loose them, seeing as Ranma is carrying a mass of bags rivaling himself in volume. Ranma has by now told Kasumi where they were going, but judging from the questions Akane heard Kasumi asking Ranma, Kasumi has no idea why they're going there.
When they reach the abandoned lot, at 4:00, both Kasumi and Akane are startled to find Genma and Soun waiting, with Genma in human form. Ranma explains everything to Kasumi.
"This morning the three of us got into an argument, which ended in a formal challenge. Kasumi, I've invited you here because the results of that challenge will affect you, I'm afraid. If I lose the fight Soun and Pop get to veto where I go, and who I spend time with. If I win they have to obey my conditions. I've finally decided on them.
"Soun, if I win, you have to relinquish your position as head of the household to Kasumi until there is a change in the family ledger. You'll no longer be able to make demands on your daughters and I, but ask Kasumi to make them. She already does all of the work as the oldest female anyway, and I feel she has a better grip on what happens around the house. I've put a time limit on it so that you don't feel you've been put out to pasture, and so Kasumi doesn't feel the burden to do this indefinitely.
"Pop, if I win, you go on a diet, until you lose 40 pounds. You'll also go back to eating Panda fare when you're a panda, if that doesn't cause Kasumi extra work. Since these conditions are a surprise to you two, I offer to fight both of you together."
Needless to say, everyone but Ranma was shocked. "Boy, you can't expect me to lose 40 pounds, I'm my ideal weight!"
"Pop, you've put on 20 pounds since we moved here from eating Kasumi's cooking. The figure of 40 pounds comes from your doctor and employer, Tofu-sensei. Frankly, I don't think you have the self-control to ever reach it."
"Ranma, why are you trying to make me the head of my family?"
"Actually there are several reasons. Once I thought of it, it seemed like poetic justice. You're better at organizing and running things; compare your Christmas party to any of your father's wedding schemes. People will do what you say because they respect you, while your father is slowly loosing the respect of everyone at home. You and possibly Nabiki are the only people Happosai listens to, and since your father does whatever Happosai wants, he's been riding roughshod over the Tendos for years. You wind up doing most of the work, and receive few benefits for it. And if you are planning on eventually having a home of your own, this will be good practice. Akane always acts on her feelings, Nabiki already knows how to get people to do what she wants. You're the only sister who never had the chance, and you're the only sister who could wield the power, and still ask others what they wanted. Your sisters already are disposed to obey you since you rarely ask for anything anyway."
* * *
As the fight begins, Kasumi is waiting outside the yard with the groceries, and Ranma's schoolbag. Akane is watching from within a tree. Ranma's schoolbag had contained a thermos of hot water in case his father got hit by cold water, and a belt sack containing several dozen 40cm. long spikes, which Ranma was now wearing around his waist.
Genma's first reaction to seeing his son arm himself was disdain. "You should never rely on weapons, son. You know you can't count on them being available, and they force you to limit yourself when using them."
"I know that, but I wanted to have something Happosai doesn't expect, and I figured I could test them here. If it fails, I'll fight you without them. If it allows you to win while I'm wasting my time on them, then it's my own fault."
All three leap simultaneously to fight, but Ranma doesn't leap towards the other two, who are executing mirror-image kicks. Ranma uses his leap to dodge, and try to keep some distance. "Tenshin amaguriken revised, steel hail" Ranma starts throwing the spikes at the other two, one at a time, but at amaguriken speeds. The two fathers continue trying to kick Ranma, but now have to also dodge the flying steel bolts. Both Soun and Genma are covered in surface scratches, and tears in their clothes, but not one of the spikes managed to hit either of them. Both groups separate, so Genma can taunt his son. "Not bad, boy. But we dodged them all. You'll never catch the master that way, and now you're unarmed."
Ranma replies with "Ranma Saotome combination attack, still unnamed! Moko Takabisha modified!" Ranma forms his Chi blast, but with a wide dispersal so it can't be easily dodged. However, since it isn't concentrated, the parents don't even try to avoid it, it doesnt hurt them at all. Genma starts to laugh at his son...
When the several dozen spikes embedded in the ground around them explode, revealing that each contained a small firecracker, and that the moko takabisha was to ignite them. As the explosion consumed them, Ranma performed the Hiryu Shoten Ha, sending the parents into the sky and out of consciousness.
* * *
After the large explosion, Ranma made sure the fathers weren't seriously injured, and got Kasumi. "They're just unconscious, Kasumi. Can you watch them for a few minutes? I'll take the groceries home, and get Akane back here to help me carry these two home."
"Alright Ranma."
After Ranma got half a block, Akane joined him for the walk back home. "Akane, did you see everything?"
"Yes Ranma. I understand why you fight your father, and he could use a diet. But I want you to tell me why you included my father in your duel."
"I thought you'd be furious over this."
"I am mad. But your explanation to Kasumi made alot of sense, so I'm giving you one chance to explain before I pound you."
Ranma chuckles, "Fair enough. This is something I didn't tell Kasumi. I had 2 arguments with your father. One last night, where I told him that basically he had to treat me like an adult, or that he and I would eventually fight. I also told him all the ways I could destroy his dreams if he thought of treating me as his enemy. It wouldn't be too hard. All of his dreams require you and I do exactly what they want. How could they ever come true if he and I were fighting? His only hope is to convince us to do what they want, yet he keeps demanding things, and I realized his demands were unreasonable. He doesn't have the right to control me the way he wants to.
"In spite of this, this morning He and Pop went into their `you're slacking off, boy' routine. I've been planning that combination all week for Happosai, but they never raise a fist to him unless Happosai is already unconscious, and they never stop playing shogi long enough to train. I refused to back down, and I gave them chances to save face both this morning and this afternoon. I had to think of something that would show your father I was serious, but I didn't want to make it something that would crush his spirit, the way Happosai has. Besides, I'd rather my mother deals with Kasumi than with your father when it gets time to straighten out this whole engagement mess. Kasumi tries to make everyone happy, and makes life pleasant; your father wants everything to go as he plans."
"Nabiki was right. You did have an explanation. I don't like what you did, though. Next time keep my father out of it."
Ranma chuckles, "Your father is out of it. Now we'll have to listen to Kasumi insisting we marry!"
"Ranma!"
* * *
Dinner that evening is a subdued affair. Nabiki, Nodoka and Kasumi are acting normally, but Ranma is acting in a subdued manner, Akane seems deep in thought, and Soun is ready to burst into tears. Ranma finally announces "I believe Soun has an announcement concerning the household." At which point Soun finally does burst into tears.
Kasumi interrupts, "Perhapse I'd better make the announcement for him. He seems a little distraught. For now I'll be the official head of the Tendo family. Very little will actually change, but now I'm responsible for all agreements surrounding our clan's honor. Primarily, Father has no direct say in how or when any of us get married. Nodoka we wanted you to know that when the time comes to discuss merging our families, you'll be making arrangements with me, and not Father."
Nodoka shows her suprise on her face. "Kasumi, I'm sure you'll do a splendid job as family head."
Meanwhile Nabiki is shocked.
* * *
Ranma is exercising in the Dojo after dinner, when he's confronted by Nabiki. "Ranma, what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm moving the decisions concerning Akane's and my possible future out of the hands of incompetents, and giving them to people who I trust. Ya'know I thought of making you family head, but that'd be redundant. You already run the finances, and could manipulate the family if necessary to do things your way."
"Ranma, I'm not arguing that. I don't like what you did to my father."
"All of us have been listening and doing what would make Soun happy. He hasn't paid any regard to our wishes or his duties as head of the household. He had voluntarily put his right to be head of the household as a stake in a bet against me. I gave him several chances to back out. When he lost I collected."
"Ranma, you're making changes too fast. You have to give them time to adjust to each one before you spring the next one. Otherwise you'll make them enemies."
"I don't have you're talent for subtlety. I can't make them like the changes. Our parents have been running my life for too long. I'm leaving them alone except when they try to exert control over me, and then I'm slapping back hard. Unlike Happosai I'm only beating them up to the point where they can't or won't try that tactic again."
"Are you going to continue to bludgeon people until you get your way?"
"Actually I might not have to. Our parents will back off now. The martial artists who want to beat me up are all working on their own problems and thoughts. The females are trying to stay in my mother's graces. The only 4 left are you, my mother, Happosai, and Cologne. You and I don't really have any conflicting desires. My mother I trust. Happosai is missing. And Cologne is giving me space to think. She actually told me she's not pushing me because she thinks the added strain might cause me to do something irrational and unpredictable, and the odds that that would benefit her would be slim."