Just A Little Time Chapter 7 And Now There Are Two, a ranma fanfic

Just a Little Time
By Douglas Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl
Continuing a Ranma ½ story kernel by Dark Oni

Those characters that are original and the story "Just a Little Time" are copyrighted ©2003-2004 ShoujoFiction dot com domain by Douglas Helm and Will Wolfshohl. Original kernel copyrighted ©1998 by Dark Oni.

This story and dozens of our other stories reside at ShoujoFiction dot com . Comments are welcomed.

Chapter 7 - And Now There Are Two

Nabiki Tendo watched the kitchen door of the Cat Café with wariness. Her big sister had instructed her with some authority not to move from her chair. Ranma was being changed and by the sounds emanating from the kitchen, none involved were happy about it.

Just when the youngster started to feel antsy, the kitchen door slammed open. She jumped at the noise and then stared wide-eyed at a very upset looking Ranma in his boy form. He re-entered the dining area of the restaurant.

"Nabiki Tendo!" the still damp martial artist nearly shouted, "You've just earned yourself the spanking of a lifetime!" The five year old just sat stunned as he advanced on her. Then she started franticly waving her hands.

"You're my boyfriend!" Nabiki protested. He didn't stop. "NO! It ain't fair!" she shouted after Ranma lifted her from the chair.

"Yep," Ranma told himself, "I should've done this before."

"You haven't finished eatin'!"

"It can wait," he replied and made for the door, cargo in tow. The realization that Ranma was actually serious finally sunk in. Nabiki started to squirm in an effort to get away but the pigtailed martial artist had her securely in hand. Tears came next. He paid them no heed. In just a few bounds, the pair was atop the Cat Café.

"Now let's see..." Ranma looked around the roof for a convenient seat.

"I'll be good!" Nabiki wailed from under his arm, "Promise!"

"Uh-huh," was the only reply. Tiny fists beat against him as he marched over to a square ventilation duct, which rose about two feet above the roof's surface, and sat down.

It took Nabiki a few moments to realize she was standing on her feet, even though Ranma still had a hold of her arm. "NA-BI-KI! What were you trying to do?" he thundered. The youngster went silent and stared up at him. He dug in his pocket and brought out a clean Kleenex. "Here," he offered while holding it to her nose, "Blow." She did so puzzled by Ranma's behavior. "Now," he began in a firm but quiet tone, "Nabiki, you wanna go back to being normal, don'tcha?"

"Huh?"

"Being a big girl again," Ranma clarified. The five year old nodded. "Well, if you keep changing me all the time, I can't get us back. It already got us 'n' Maki 'n' Yuriko AND Ukyo. Who'll be next?" Nabiki hiccupped before sniffling. She rubbed at her eyes and gave him a sad look. "I still need your help. The Old Ghoul says it's gone but we know that it's still around."

"Yeah... but whatcha gonna do?" the kindergartener questioned.

"WE'RE gonna find it and beat it. Then make it change everyone back." He gave her a serious look. "I can't DO that if I'm LITTLE!"

"Oh... Sorry, Ranma." Nabiki stuck her index finger into her mouth and looked sheepishly at the ground. She hadn't considered that. It seemed so obvious. Twisting her foot, she glanced up at Ranma and softly asked, "Ya gonna spank me?" She was really a big girl (and big girls don't get spanked) but she sure didn't feel like one.

He grinned slightly and patted her gently on the head. "Between you and me, no. But Akane was about to come down on you like a mallet to my head. Had to do something fast. Besides, we needed to talk." He then added, "But if Akane asks..."

"Got it!" Nabiki chirped and gave him a thumbs-up. She hated fibbing to her sister. However, in this case... Walking forward, she wrapped her arms about his middle and hugged him. 'I got to quit acting like a baby or he'll never stay my fian... boyfriend.' "I'll try to be good. T'anks."

"Hope so," Ranma commented, "Being this responsible is tough. Besides, things are already screwy enough." She grinned as he hugged her back.

# # # # #

"Aw jeez!" his middle daughter cut across the story, "That's like so... mushy!" She gave her father a disgusted look. "Dad, you completely wimped out!"

Ranma pushed himself up from the table with deliberate slowness and walked to where his daughter was sitting. She looked up at him nervously. Without changing expression, Ranma bent down and swung her over his shoulder before standing upright.

"I'll... be right back," he announced. He then turned left the room.

His sister-in-law grinned. "I think," she interjected, "I can pick up where he left off at."

# # # # #

The weather had turned chilly by three the next afternoon. Kasumi hunched against the raw biting wind. She was feeling a tad resentful towards Akane. It was her one day off a week and here she was out in weather that felt like mid-winter all because her little schoolgirl sister couldn't be bothered to go to the market.

'How hard can high school be?' Kasumi seethed. 'Here I slave to bring money into the house and she's having a great time decorating the school gym for some stupid dance.' She sighed and pushed some hair out of her face. 'If Dr. Tofu didn't have eyes for that pork ass Kodachi...' What a coup that would be. 'Or even Kuno... He's a little young but just to get me away from the house! But no, I'm the responsible one.' She trudged on fantasizing of a tropical island paradise where muscular young men dressed only in Speedos worshiped her as a goddess. Where a phalanx of Ranmas dressed in red and gold togas kept bothersome little intruders like her sisters and their fathers away.

The nineteen year old maiden was so deep in her thoughts as she walked along the canal that she did not see the rising bubbles, the tentacle pop out of the water, or it edging its way toward her. It slipped onto her ankle, seeming to reel out like a fishing line as she walked. The blue aura about it intensified and Kasumi Tendo began to grow younger.

# # # # #

Nabiki Tendo and her two friends walked out of their kindergarten classroom at the end of the day. Nabiki sniffled a little before rubbing her nose with the sleeve of her uniform. She looked around hoping that Ranma or Akane was already there.

"Looks like we gotta wait," Yuriko remarked, "Is Ranma getting us?" She didn't need Nanami showing up.

"Hope so, Yuri," Nabiki replied as they walked towards the entrance.

"Why?"

The five year old glanced about and then said, "'Cause we wanted to tell you guys something but couldn't with Akane around this morning."

"Like what, Nabiki?" Maki asked.

"Well... it'll help us get home 'n' stuff."

"Really?" squeaked the other youngster, "Thank God. That'd be great!" She was getting extremely sick of her overbearing big sister. 'Just wait, Nanami until I'm big...'

"Well yeah..." the littlest Tendo remarked, "See, we went to Shampoo's for supper." The other two girls exchanged nervous looks. "'N' Granny Cologne told us 'bout it."

"Really? What did she say?"

"Ranma can tell it better than me," Nabiki answered then frowned. "He was kinda ticked off last night too."

"Whatcha do now, Nabiki?" Maki asked. Her friend looked indignant. Her friend was always causing problems whether big or little.

"You didn't get inta trouble, did ya?" Yuriko chimed in, her eyes widening.

"Sorta," their friend admitted, a sheepish grin coming onto her face. Seeing their expressions, she decided to tell them what had happened. By the time it was finished, Yuriko appeared shocked while Maki appeared disbelieving.

"Jeez, I didn't think Saotome was that stupid."

"Huh?" Nabiki hissed, "Ranma ain't stupid."

"Nabiki," Maki countered, "He spanked you. He's gotta know that when you get big again, you're going to make him pay for that."

Nabiki felt a little guilty now. "Well... maybe he didn't."

Both her friends look puzzled before demanding, "WHAT?"

"Shhhh..." the youngster admonished while blushing slightly. "Look," she began gesturing them closer then whispered, "Ranma 'n' me just talked is all. He DID tell me off but good."

"So he didn't spank you?" Maki sounded relieved.

"No, he didn't but we're sayin' he did."

"Why?" Yuriko asked.

"'Cuz Akane would know he let me off and she'd be really ticked at Ranma and then Ranma wouldn't wanna help us!" Nabiki grimaced internally at her next thought, 'Not to mention I'd get a spanking for real from him!'

"I guess you're right, Nabiki," Maki conceded.

"Sorry I fibbed, guys," Nabiki apologized. "Swear you won't tell Akane?" Her two friends seemed to consider this for a moment and then nodded. They then hugged each other in a quick group hug. "You're the bestest."

"So what're we s'pposed to do until we get big again?" Yuriko wondered.

"Just have as much fun as possible and keep out of trouble," Nabiki recommended. 'Ranma's right. If I don't watch it, Akane's going to come down on me like a ton of bricks. Then Akane'll spank me!' And that would be humiliating.

"Hey guys!" came a new and familiar voice approaching the trio. She smiled. "What's up?"

"Nothing," Nabiki said and rubbed her nose again.

"I hope you aren't catching anything," Ranma commented.

"Did you hear about the monster?" Maki asked him. The pigtailed martial artist looked between the three little girls and then nodded. "So when are you gonna kick its sorry ass?" Nabiki broke into a fit of giggles. Yuriko just looked shocked.

"You shouldn't swear, Maki," Ranma admonished.

"Yeah-yeah, Saotome, now spill it." 'Jeez, who made you my daddy?'

"Pushy, ain't she?" Ranma asked his young charge.

"Uh..." was Nabiki's only remark.

"Well come on, and I'll tell ya on the way home."

# # # # #

Kasumi Tendo stared down at herself in disbelief. She couldn't bring herself to believe that something extraordinary had happened to her. Yet her own eyes told her it was true. 'Only nice things happen to me!' she told herself, 'Ranma and Akane are s'pposed to have the funny things happen to them.'

One minute, the coed was on her way to do the family's weekly marketing; the next minute, she was a child again, and wearing an elementary school sailor uniform to boot. 'Daddy wouldn't like that something weird happened to me.' Fear started to grip her. Weird things usually meant weird people, and if they had done this to her, maybe they'd do more to her or her family. Fear oozed into her.

"Are you okay, child?" a concerned grandmotherly voice asked.

With a little squeak of terror, Kasumi fled down the street towards her home. One part of her concentrated on running, then on easing up after what was turning out to be a longer distance than she remembered. The other part marveled at how large everything looked.

Soon the Tendo Dojo came into view. The newly formed little girl let out a cry of relief and shouted, "DADDY!"

She slowed some as she reached the front door. Her father would protect her. He always had. Soun would make sure that everything got put back to normal. He was the bravest and best martial artist in all Japan!

Kicking off her shoes in a most unlady-like fashion, Kasumi ran through the house. "Daddy! DADDY!"

"I'm in here, Kasumi-honey. I was starting to worry," her father's voice brought her to the family room. She felt tremendous relief upon seeing him sitting there with Mr. Saotome playing shogi. He looked normal. He regarded her. "What is it, sweetheart?" Before his daughter could answer, he smiled and supplied one, "You must have done really well on that test. Can I see it?"

"Test?" Kasumi squeaked, caught completely flatfooted.

"At school, Kasumi," Soun continued, "It was today, wasn't it?" At least, he thought it was today. "Or did you do something else special today?" The young girl just stared at him at disbelief.

"Tendo," Genma piped up, for once not in his panda form, "Let the poor girl speak."

"Look at me, Daddy!" Kasumi finally managed to say, "What do you see?"

"A nice young lady," Soun replied and then glancing at the clock, "Kasumi, you should hurry up and change. Ranma's already waiting in the dojo."

'Ranma!' She couldn't figure out why her father wasn't reacting to her regression. Perhaps, that was part of the weirdness, which should have left her alone. 'Ranma will know how to handle it.' He'd make her father see reason and then her father would set things right. "Where's Akane?"

"The kitchen of course."

"Kitchen?" A muscle in Kasumi's eye twitched. "Why...?"

"She's making supper, of course," Soun responded. "Did something happen, Ka..."

"Making supper?" Kasumi squeaked before he could finish. "Akane cook?" She loved her little sister dearly but Akane couldn't even boil water right.

Soun frowned slightly and said matter-of-factly, "Kasumi, your sister's a very good cook. You know that." 'Almost as good as her dear mother. She'll make Ranma a fine wife.' He cleared his throat. "Now go and change into your gi. You're already late for class."

"Late...?"

"Yes, l-a-t-e. Ranma will throw a fit if he thinks I'm playing favorites with you again." With that, Soun took his daughter's shoulders and spun her about before giving her a gentle push in the direction of the door. "Ranma's already got the class going in the dojo."

'Better do what Daddy wants.' Still very perplexed, the child left the living room and headed for her own room. 'I really don't want to see my kitchen,' she thought gloomily after a crash resounded from the kitchen followed by a familiar bellow from Akane.

# # # # #

Kasumi stopped in the doorway of her family dojo and stared about the large room. There were perhaps a dozen children there being led by Ranma, all dressed as she was in a white gi. She recognized a couple of them as neighborhood children barely out of kindergarten.

Most of the class appeared younger than she was now but size was no assurance. She guessed her own age to be about eight years old after seeing them and getting a quick look in the mirror at herself a few minutes before while changing into her gi. It had been laid out for her and surprisingly fit her new size.

"Hi there," came a familiar voice. Kasumi's eyes moved upward to find Ranma grinning at her. "We're about halfway through warm-ups." There was a collective groan from the assembled class. "I think there's a place in the back."

Kasumi blinked, opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, and then closed it again. The much larger sixteen year old pigtailed martial artist had already turned his attention back to the class who was already starting to fidget. The now little girl wanted to talk to Ranma, to go and ask her father what all these kids were doing in the dojo, but it was no use. Ranma was giving her an odd look as she continued to stand there. Also, her father had been firm that she should go to the dojo. Sighing internally, she padded to the rear rank of the group, bowed, and took up her position.

# # # # #

Kasumi found that she actually enjoyed the class. It had been many years since she last practiced "The Art". It was nice to watch Ranma's form although her mind kept commenting that her father was certainly more skilled. She also kept surprising herself. The little girl would be partway through doing some element before suddenly realizing that she shouldn't really know how to do it. What made it even more eerie was that fact that her classmates kept giving her startled looks if she faltered in the slightest.

"Okay, class," Ranma announced, "I think that's about it for today." He grinned at them with his hands on his hips looking rather satisfied. "Walk around a bit to loosen up. I see your parents hovering outside." Everyone bowed then started to mill about.

'Now's my chance,' Kasumi decided. However as she started weaving her way towards Ranma, she noticed that the dojo was not really emptying. 'What?' She felt some annoyance rise up in her. 'What's going on?' As Kasumi watched, she saw that while the younger students were filing out, a number of older children were filing in. Half she put around her new age but the rest were older, the oldest perhaps twelve. Again, she recognized a couple of them as children she knew vaguely from the area.

'Crap!' Kasumi thought as Ranma vanished through the sliding doors. His body stooped as if being tugged by an unseen hand. 'I'll just have to catch him later.'

"Kasumi." That was the voice of her father. "Come on up here."

"Okay," she replied and made her way towards where her father was standing.

"We can't have the next heir to the Tendo School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts hiding in the back." The child's stomach gave a lurch and her mouth hung open. "Come on, Kasumi, we need to get warmed up... although with you doing Ranma's class too, you should be fairly limber." He grinned evilly. "Maybe I should let you teach us today."

"Dad-dy!" Kasumi squeaked in embarrassed panic.

# # # # #

Kasumi reentered the house feeling both tired and happy. She was also feeling very hungry. "Kasumi?" Akane's voice called her.

"Yes!" she called back.

"Come and eat. You can take your bath when you're done."

'Maybe Ranma got rid of it,' Kasumi hoped. She wasn't sure her little tummy could stand up to the onslaught especially when she hadn't been there to help her former little sister cook. 'She's sounds happy... Maybe Ranma's dead.' Akane's cooking certainly explained Nabiki's absence. 'She's probably eating over at Ukyo's.' Sighing, she made her way into the living room where she found a single place set at a low table. Akane wearing an apron was sitting opposite holding a cup of tea. 'Oh man, she looks tired!'

"Have a good workout?"

Again, Kasumi was startled by the fact that even though she was small, others acted as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. She eyed the food suspiciously as she sat down. 'Looks okay.' She sniffed it. 'Smell's okay.'

"Jeez, Kasumi, it ain't poisoned or anything," Akane said in mock exasperation.

"Did Ranma make it?" 'He had to have... or maybe Daddy did.'

"Of course not, Kasumi. I made it." 'As if Ranma could actually cook.'

"And it was dang good!" Kasumi turned around to see Ranma entering the room. A little girl who she recognized from her first class in the dojo was slung over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.

"Ran-ma!" the little girl giggled, "Put me down!"

"I thought you wanted a shoulder ride," Ranma said in an innocent tone.

"Not like this!" the girl giggled again.

"Then like this?" Ranma questioned and with hand movements nearly too fast to follow had the girl straddled atop his shoulders.

"Yeah!"

"Honestly, you two," Akane huffed though she smiled at the pair then turned back to her other sister. "Are you feeling okay, Kasumi?"

"Yeah," she answered, sitting down. Meanwhile, Ranma lowered down the girl. Kasumi regarded the much younger girl who appeared to be about five years old curiously. She got an odd feeling as if somehow she should know this girl. Ranma certainly knew her. 'Who the heck is this kid?'

"Hey Akane, is there any more?"

"No," Akane said with an exasperated look, "I had to fight you and your father for enough to feed Kasumi."

At the table across from her sister, Nabiki saw a girl not much older than her who she recognized from her earlier martial arts class. 'I bet her mommy hasn't picked her up yet.' The girl looked familiar like she should know her though. 'Nice of Akane to feed her too while she's waiting for her.' Nabiki looked about for her lump of an older sister. "Where's Kasumi?" She usually was back from work by this time.

"Right there," Akane declared with a grin, "Is this some type of new game, Nabiki?" She then told Kasumi, "Eat up."

"Nabiki?" Kasumi questioned in a perplexed tone. The girl did resemble her little sister when she was that age. 'Could it be?'

"I'll eat your dessert!" Nabiki volunteered.

"No, young lady," Akane disagreed, "You didn't finish your dinner." The child pouted. "Well," the teen said pushing herself up, "I'm going to wash the dishes. Kasumi, you can do those when you're done." Sudden recognition popped on the Nabiki's face.

"I'll help you, Akane," Ranma offered as Akane started to leave the room. He joined her and both left.

Left alone for a few moments, both regressed siblings stared at each other for a moment then exclaimed, "What happened to you?" Before either could answer, Soun and Genma came into the room. Nabiki looked annoyed but added, "Don't worry, Kasumi. Akane made that but it's pretty good." Finally, hunger won out over caution and much to Kasumi's surprise, not only was it edible, but it was very, very good.

# # # # #

Later that evening, Kasumi Tendo found herself in the furo. Its much larger expanse was filled with warm water that cast a misty sheen over the room.

"Now, Nabiki," Akane began while leading Nabiki by the hand over to the furo, "You climb in there for a little bit. And I want you to mind Kasumi."

"'Kay," the five year old replied, her skin pink from scrubbing.

"I'll look after her... Promise," eight year old Kasumi assured her older sister who grinned, gave Nabiki another warning look, and then left the room. As soon as the teen was out of the room, she turned to her little sister and asked, "You're taking this pretty good, Nabiki."

"Huh?" Nabiki asked with a puzzled tone in her voice.

"You're letting Akane boss you around," the former eldest sister observed. "That's not like you..." She gave the little girl a stern look. "Unless it's part of some trick to make money."

The youngster's eyes grew wide and she stared at the older child in amazement. "Kasumi... You hafta be really careful when Akane is 'round."

"Why?"

"Just 'cause."

"I'm still her older sister even if I look like this," Kasumi explained. "Akane will just have to remember that." If anything, Nabiki's eyes grew wider. "So tell me what happened 'fore she comes back."

"Well..." Nabiki paused while she settled herself better. With her chin just above the water, she blurted out, "Me 'n' Maki 'n' Yuriko got attacked by that monster. They're all little too."

"Yuriko AND Maki?"

"Yeah, didn't you see Maki in the class with us?" Kasumi shook her head. "Well, she was with me and..." she trailed off.

"What?" the eight year old prompted when Nabiki fell silent.

"Um... Daddy's running classes again. Kinda surprised me 'n' Ranma." The little girl grinned. "Maki was even more surprised when her mommy dragged her here. Ranma loved it." 'I never knew he was such a good teacher.'

"And you?"

"Me?" Nabiki made a sour face. "I like just working out with him 'n' stuff. It's fun."

"You know," Kasumi remarked changing the subject, "Daddy says I'm heir to the Tendo School."

"WHAT?" Nabiki shouted, standing up and glaring at her sister. The older child was startled by this reaction. "You can't be! Ranma's MY fia-fi... boyfriend!"

"Ain't Akane...?" Kasumi started but the look her sister was giving her made her stop. "Well, that's what he said."

"Hmmm..." Nabiki scowled, "Well, you ARE older." She didn't look happy about that. She slipped back down in the furo. "Doesn't mean Daddy wants you to marry Ranma or nothing."

"I hope not!" Kasumi exclaimed. She wanted to say he was too young for her but that didn't feel right.

"Good!" Nabiki flopped back down, causing waves. No way was she giving him up.

"Nabiki!" Kasumi scolded.

"Oh grow up!" Nabiki complained then giggled at her remark. Kasumi giggled too. "Anyways, Ranma gots attacked too. We had a heck of a time. He goes really little. Littler than me!"

"You're making that up!"

"Am not," Nabiki assured her older sister.

"He looks the same. By the sound of it, he eats the same too." The younger girl glared at her. "Well IF he is little..." Kasumi didn't believe her little sister for a minute. "Then he can learn proper manners."

The five year old just shook her head. "Look Ranma's nice when he's little. She's really cute and fun." After a moment, she continued, "So we were at Shampoo's place 'n' the old bat..."

"Granny Cologne."

"Yeah, the old bat," Nabiki corrected, "She got talking about the monster. Ranma guesses that she knows more but..." The child shrugged.

"Why not just have Daddy go after it?"

"Kasumi, Kasumi, Kasumi," Nabiki began in a pitying voice, "Daddy doesn't know nothing 'bout it. He thinks I'm pretending."

"Well," Kasumi said loftily, "I'll just go tell him it's true." Her father would believe her. He always had.

"Oh please!" Nabiki scoffed.

"Nabiki! Be more respectful of your father."

"The only way that Daddy could kill off the monster would be to cry at it," the five year old ridiculed.

With a battle cry that would have made Soun weep with joy, Kasumi lunged towards her little sister who squeaked in panic and tried to get away.

End of Chapter 8

Coming next in Chapter 9 - Moment in the Sun