Just A Little Time Chapter 11 The Kitten Kaper, 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 11 - The Kitten Kaper

Cologne paced back and forth atop the pick-up counter of her restaurant. "Where is that child?" she questioned aloud. Realizing what she was doing, the Chinese Amazon elder made herself settle into a nearby chair. 'I'm getting too old for this.' After perhaps another fifteen minutes, Cologne's annoyance had come to a boil. 'I told her to wait for Mousse!'

"Mousse!" the old woman called out, "Mousse!"

"Yes Honored Elder?" Mousse asked while coming out of the kitchen.

"Go find Shampoo and bring her home." When he seemed reluctant to do this, the woman scowled. "Well, what are you waiting for, boy?"

"Cologne," sometimes-duck began in a carefully controlled voice, "Shampoo does not like to listen to me in such things." The memory of the last time he had been sent out to retrieve Cologne's great-granddaughter surfaced. She spotted him, splashed him with cold water, and made her getaway. The fowl had almost ended up on the menu of another Chinese restaurant.

The old Amazon scowled even more and then sighed. "You're right. Mousse, watch the shop. I won't be long." Not pausing to check if he would agree, the tiny elder hopped out of the Cat Café on her staff.

# # # # #

Soun Tendo sat in the living room of his house watching television while his two houseguests battled over a cookie. "Give it here. That's mine!" Ranma shouted as he attempted to retrieve the cookie that his father had pilfered.

"A martial artist must be aware at all times," Genma-panda's sign read. He swatted his son away with his paw and held the treat up in the air.

"What are you talking about, old man? I was just about to eat it!" Ranma roared while grappling his father's furry arm and simultaneously flaring one leg to ensnare the prized cookie. At that moment, both Saotomes heard an exasperated voice coming from the hallway and the running of small feet.

"Nabiki Tendo, get your butt back here!"

"I don't wanna go to bed!" the five year old shouted in reply. An instant later, the youngster materialized in the living room wearing only her Hello Kitty® underpants.

"Nabiki..." Akane said in a sterner tone, "You were really good today. Please don't be naughty now."

"But I don't wanna go to bed!" Nabiki shouted back, her hands on her hips. The youngster gave a little squeak as her big sister came into the room.

Wheeling around, the little girl dove under the table. This might have been more impressive if the table had been lower. Genma-panda, having the same idea, had managed to hide under the table. Therefore, it wasn't much of a feat for a small child to accomplish.

Akane gave a muted growl, glanced at her fiancé and future father-in-law (who hadn't moved during the entire episode), and dove after her wayward sister.

"Lemme go!" Nabiki squeaked out.

"Come out here this instant, young lady!" Akane commanded.

"NO!" Nabiki cried.

"Come here!" Akane shouted and pulled the squirming child. A moment later, her hand came out with a set of underpants but without Nabiki who had taken the opportunity to dart out the other side. "Oh my..."

"Na-na!" the naked five year old taunted before leaping up and snagging the cookie Ranma and Genma had been arguing over.

"Nabiki..." Akane shouted but the child had already run from the room. Turning, she glared at the three men. "Don't just stand there. Help me!"

"Ranma would be more than happy to help, Akane-dear," Genma's sign commented. Then he summarily tossed his son into the koi pond.

"Stupid old man!" the wet little redheaded girl yelled.

"Shall we go to the baths, Tendo?" the sign read.

"A capital idea, Saotome!" Soun replied. "Don't wait up, Akane-dear."

"Cowards," Akane grumbled as both fathers left the room.

# # # # #

Kasumi Tendo was torn between which of her sisters to help. The former eldest Tendo sister wanted to demonstrate to her older sister that she could be responsible, which meant helping Akane corral their little sister into bed. This brought back memories of chasing Akane sometimes when Akane was little. On the other hand, she wanted to show that she could be a cool big sister. That would entail helping Nabiki remain at large as long as possible. Given Akane's mood though, the latter choice would be a dangerous proposition. Moreover, since their father was out of the house, she would be forced to deal with her teenage sister sooner than later for any indiscretions. That would not be a pleasant prospect.

Her decision became easier when she discovered that Ranma had changed. This opened up a neutral course. So as Akane continued to chase her sister about the house, Kasumi managed to get little Ranma into a pair of cute pink bunny pajamas she'd found.

It was while Kasumi was brushing Ranma's red hair into two pigtails like her own that Nabiki reappeared. She ran into the bedroom and then started inching into a corner. "Young lady," Akane stated in a very firm voice, "Last chance. Put your pajamas on right now and go to bed, or you'll get a spanking."

The eight year old looked over towards her sister who appeared to be giving it serious consideration. 'What's she thinking?' Kasumi wondered, 'Akane looks really really mad.' Why was Nabiki acting this way? This puzzled her. It was Nabiki who repeatedly warned her about being "good" around their former little sister. Meanwhile, Ranma felt fear for her best friend.

Nabiki for her part wasn't really bothered by Akane's temper. She had been, to her way of thinking, extra good all day and she was now just blowing off a little steam. She would go to bed soon enough. It was just she wasn't ready for bed at that particular moment.

"Well, young lady?" her older sister prompted.

The former teen stuck a finger into her mouth and chewed on it for a moment as she swayed back and forth on her heels. "Bed or a spankin'?" she questioned about the finger, which happily tasted like the cookie she'd been eating earlier. "Yes," was the firm reply.

Now the youngster certainly had not liked the few spankings she had received in her life. Then again, if she got to stay up as late as she wanted in the future, then a few swats to her rear now would be worth it. Grinning, she prepared to give her reply.

# # # # #

Cologne managed to find Shampoo, now a very tiny and sopping wet purple kitten, near the canal. The tiny feline sneezed and mewed pitifully as the old Amazon gathered it up. "You know, Shampoo," she began, "I have a good mind not to change you back!" She felt affection for her great-granddaughter but sometimes that affection got in the way of being as firm as she should be. Her first priority as Shampoo's guardian after all was to make sure she grew up into a fine Amazon warrior.

"Meewwww," was the sad response.

"If we were back home in China, I'd..." The old Amazon sighed. 'I'll save the scolding until we get home.' People would think she was nuts scolding a kitten as if it was an errant child. The fact that it wasn't didn't really matter. She picked up her great-granddaughter's discarded school uniform lying on the ground a few yards away and they headed for home.

Cologne was pleased to see that Mousse had prepared hot water and laid out clean clothing for Shampoo in her room. "Mousse, close up shop. Shampoo and I are going to talk." The teen nodded and moved towards what he apparently thought was the door. Leaving the nearly blind martial artist to his fate, Cologne carried the kitten and the teakettle of hot water up to her room. Once there, she used the hot water to change her great-granddaughter back to human form.

"Great-Grandmother..."

"Silence!" the elder commanded, "Child, you're going to listen to me but first get dressed."

Shampoo was more than a little distressed to see the clothing her great-grandmother held out to her. It was juvenile; something like her younger sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung might have worn. The proud Amazon warrior stood up and only then realized that Cologne appeared a lot taller than she normally did. "Great-Grandmother, you take growing potion?" she inquired curiously not noticing the higher pitch of her voice.

"Shampoo!" Cologne's voice rose slightly, "If we back in our village, I'd put you under the care of the herding master!"

Shampoo's cheeks went pink as she sucked in her breath. That was a very serious threat, especially to a true Amazon warrior. After all, the herding master was male. Even worse, herding was a task that only males in their village performed.

"Now get dressed," the old woman commanded in a more normal voice.

Reluctantly, Shampoo reached out but stopped - her arms were different - they were smaller though still toned. Her hands looked smaller as well. She glanced down towards her chest and let out a scream. Cologne's patience was wearing thin. It was with great effort that she kept her temper in check while Shampoo ranted on about monsters and her missing "hoo-hoos".

"Shampoo go kill fiend!" she declared and stalked towards the door completely oblivious to her state of undress.

Cologne's staff blocked her path though. "Dress! NOW!"

Grumbling, Shampoo changed. The old woman sighed and regarded her nine year old great-granddaughter. The purple-haired youth had a great deal of energy and was sometimes mischievous, which landed her into situations she shouldn't really be in.

"Shampoo, didn't I tell you to wait for Mousse?" she asked in Chinese.

"Great-Grandmother didn't say anything. Besides, why should I wait for stupid Mousse?"

"Because you're only nine years old and you shouldn't be wandering around this big city all alone at night, especially Nerima."

"I'm a warrior!" Shampoo protested, "And I'm not nine, a monster attacked me!"

"Telling tall tales will only get you in deeper trouble, child."

"Shampoo not lying!" Shampoo countered in Japanese then pointed at herself, "Shampoo sixteen. This not Shampoo's normal body!"

Cologne took a deep breath, let it out, and demanded, "I want you to tell me how you got splashed, and then, I want you to apologize to Mousse."

"Shampoo already tell Great-Grandmother but she act like violent tomboy and no listen. Mousse is too too stupid. Shampoo no apologize."

# # # # #

Before Nabiki could retort to her sister's challenge, Ranma chimed in by saying, "Akane, please don't be mad at Nabsy. She's a good girl!" It was only at this point that Nabiki and Akane noticed they had an audience.

The little brunette looked mildly surprised although pleased that her friend was defending her. Then she noticed the redhead's new additions. "Your hair is REALLY pretty, Ranma. You fix it, 'Sumi?"

"Yep!" Kasumi answered matter-of-factly. 'And it looks really cute now.' Much better than that old single braid he always wore.

Akane permitted herself a long-suffering sigh. Marching over, she lifted Ranma up and settled the five year old on one hip. She turned to her youngest sister and said, "Nabiki, you better get changed and in bed before Ranma gets back."

"Where I go?" Ranma questioned.

"To get some hot water, honey."

"NO!" the little redhead squeaked. The big bully always took Akane's side although she couldn't fathom why. She started to wiggled but the older girl had a firm grip on her.

Kasumi gave her big sister a disappointed look as Akane left the room before returning her attention to Nabiki. "Are you nuts?" she whispered not looking happy at that point.

"Huh?"

"Akane's really POed."

"Nah!" the child waived a hand.

"Gee, Nabiki, then hurry up and get changed and go apologize to her."

"NO WAY!"

The pigtailed brunette gave her younger sister an exasperated look. "Why not?"

"'Cuz, 'Sumi, my BE-HIND ain't goin' nowhere near no grownup right now."

# # # # #

Ranma, now dripping wet with only a towel around his waist to protect his modesty, stared at Akane. Akane, this Akane, wasn't acting right. She should've left or yelled or something but she was just standing there admiring him. She had carried him down the hall, a firm grip preventing his younger form from fleeing. In the process, she had gotten some clothes for him, striped the bunny pajamas Kasumi had dressed his cursed form in, wrapped a towel around him, got her charge into the bathroom, and finally, splashed the little redhead with warm water.

Now transformed back into his normal sixteen year old self, he shifted nervously making sure to keep the towel in front of him. "Um Akane, can I have my clothes?" Akane grinned, blushed slightly, and handed Ranma some clothing.

"Sorry..." She quickly turned her back to him. "Don't be mad at Kasumi."

"Why would I be mad at Kasumi?" he wondered, feeling more secure since he had donned his boxers. Then he remembered the pigtails. "Oh that..."

"Well, I know you get upset about being changed."

"Not all the time, Akane," he replied then sighed and undid his new feminine pigtails. "I'm not mad. It's not all her fault. Kasumi's just..."

Akane turned her head enough to observe he had his boxers on then turned fully to face him. "Think I'm still being mean, Ranma-honey?" she questioned coyly.

"No!" Ranma exclaimed, "I mean... You know it's that younger part. She's Nabiki's bestest friend and all."

"Bestest?" He reddened which caused Akane to giggle. Gaining some decorum, she asked, "Can you read Kasumi a story tonight?"

"Whatcha gonna do, Akane?" Ranma wondered, pulling on his shirt.

"Put Nabiki to bed."

"Want me to give it a try?"

"No... This is something I need to deal with."

# # # # #

Kasumi had been able to intimidate her sister into getting dressed. However, she had not managed to convince her that it was time for bed. The pigtailed eight year old had hit a brick wall in that regard. She was getting annoyed about it because it was obvious that Nabiki was getting sleepy. The youngest of the Tendo daughters was just too stubborn to admit it.

Kasumi was just considering her options when the door opened. Ranma came in followed by Akane. "Kasumi," Ranma began in a calm tone, "Why don't you get a storybook, and I'll read you a story."

"'Kay," Kasumi agreed after a moment's thought. Ranma was normally the last person she'd ask a story from. On the other hand, he was the best choice right now.

"I wanna story too!" Nabiki squealed.

"No, young lady," Akane countered, "You're going right to bed."

"Ain't gonna happen, buster!"

Kasumi scurried over the small bookcase in their room, grabbed a Dr. Seuss® book, and went back to where Ranma was waiting. He lifted her up into his arms and she found that she didn't mind it. It was nice being hugged.

"Come," Ranma said and started out the door.

"Nabiki. Bed. NOW!" Akane commanded.

As the bedroom door closed, Ranma and Kasumi heard Nabiki make a nasty comment, which apparently involved monkey poo.

"Is Nabiki gonna get a spanking?"

Ranma shook his head. "Doubt it, Kasumi. Nabiki always weasels out of things like that."

# # # # #

"Now," Cologne began while peering through the wire mesh of a cat carrier, "You stay in there 'til morning. I'll give you one thing, Shampoo. You fight well for your age."

The white and purple-furred kitten mewed unhappily. Shortly the lights went out downstairs and the main floor of the Cat Café was in darkness. Shampoo scrabbled to get out but quickly grew fatigued.

She slunk back to the very back of the cat carrier, curled up, and stared through the window at the only source of light, a streetlight. As a child, even an older child of about ten, she had been scared of the dark. She still didn't like the dark but managed to suppress the fear. But now, in her kitten form, in her smaller body, she felt the old fear return with a vengeance. She was totally defenseless and alone. She prayed that the streetlight would not go out. That the creature that had changed her would not come back and consume her tiny body.

# # # # #

Sometime later that night, Genma Saotome (back in human form) and Soun Tendo were walking home. "Saotome, do you think," Soun began, "That Akane and Ranma will wed soon?"

Genma for his part was silent for a few moments. "I think it might be better to let them pick their own time, Tendo."

"Why?"

"Because they are in love and they WILL carry on 'The Art.'" Genma sighed. "The boy also mentioned something about striking out on his own. We certainly can't have that."

Soun paused and walked over to a fence overlooking over a construction site. One of the massive holes was filled with water. For a moment, it glowed faintly blue. "Ranma may want to rename the dojo," he mused with tears running down his face.

"I doubt it, Tendo," Genma disagreed, joining his longtime friend by the fence. "You're not like the Master. Ranma respects you." He grinned slightly. "And if he does, there is always Kasumi... or even little Nabiki." Soun regarded Genma as if he had suddenly sprouted giant neon pink antlers. "Kasumi is heir to the school and she won't be marrying Ranma. And who knows what Nabiki will become."

"When will you tell Nodoka?"

Genma gulped. "I had planned to see her when Ranma and I returned from our training trip to China. The boy was truly becoming a man among men. But then, we went to that wretched spring and became cursed. A cute little girl is not something manly. Nodoka would surely make us both commit seppuku over the disgrace." He shuddered. "No, Tendo, I think we'd best forget my fair wife until we can figure out how to reverse our curses." The part-time panda stared up at the gibbous moon overhead. "It's getting late."

"Yes," Tendo agreed, "Let's head home, Saotome."

# # # # #

Ranma wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or amused with Kasumi. The eight year old with two white ribbons holding her pigtails, still looking sleepy, apparently wanted to be cuddled this morning. She had plopped herself squarely onto his lap and hadn't budged since. It irked him because Kasumi hadn't acted all that friendly towards him in the past. Sure, the former nineteen year old maiden had been polite enough to him and a fantastic cook, but she always seemed oblivious to his unending problems with her younger sisters. Her regression had changed everything.

What did amuse the pigtailed martial artist was the fact that Nabiki was shooting jealous looks at her sister. For some reason though, the kindergartener wasn't attempting to dislodge her sister from the prized spot. Regardless, given that his father was not up yet, Ranma took the opportunity to consume more than his typical share of Akane's fine cooking. He would miss that talent if they returned to normal.

Nabiki was frustrated to some extent. She wanted to sit with her boyfriend but that would mean dislodging her sister. Kasumi said she wasn't mad so she really wasn't worried too much about her. However, it might provoke Akane, something Nabiki very much wanted to avoid especially after last night. The little girl couldn't understand why Kasumi was being so nice to Ranma. It wasn't as if he was mad at her for dressing him up. He had laughed about it when the subject had been brought up.

Kasumi for her part was looking out through the open living room door, across the engawa to the pond in the backyard. The day was turning out to be unseasonably warm and sunny. She was feeling very content at the moment. She hadn't realized how nice it was simply to snuggle against Ranma. She didn't want him to be a boyfriend but it was comforting, like a big brother.

Into this peaceful silence, Akane asked, "Are you going to practice, Ranma-honey? I thought I heard Father stirring when I was cooking breakfast."

"Yeah, Pop and him should've been up by now," Ranma commented, "Think they went out somewhere after the baths?"

"No," Akane gave an annoyed look, "They were out in the dojo late. I think they were talking about the w-e-d-d-i-n-g."

Neither little girl reacted. Ranma sighed in relief as he silently thanked the Kami. "Kasumi, wanna go for a walk to get warmed up?"

"'Kay," the pigtailed eight year old chirped while shifting to stand up.

"Hey! What about me?" Nabiki complained.

"Honesty. You know you're grounded to the house, young lady," Akane reminded her firmly. She ignored the pout her youngest sister developed at that pronouncement. Turning to Kasumi, she suggested, "Maybe you can go by the Cat Café and ask Grandmother Cologne if she'll let Shampoo come over to play."

'Play?' Ranma wondered, 'She means spar... No problem. Shampoo can maybe show Kasumi some easier moves.' Looking down at Kasumi, he said, "Go get changed, Kasumi, and I'll meet you out front."

"Right!" Kasumi replied and started skipping out of the room. She didn't get very far because she ran right into Genma who was looking sleepy. "Sorry, Mr. Saotome."

"That's all right, Kasumi-dear," he responded with a large yawn and patted the child gently on the head.

# # # # #

Shampoo stopped her sweeping and for the umpteenth time looked down at herself. The childish clothing lacked its usual flare. Then again, Shampoo had no 'flare' left. Sadly, her bountiful bosom had vanished along with her seductive curves. In fact, she was quite convinced that if she had short hair, people might easily mistake her for a boy. This thought made her wince.

"Are you finished sweeping yet?" came Cologne's voice from the kitchen.

"Almost, Great-Grandmother!" Shampoo called back before sighing again. The new youngster was tired. Cologne had roused her early from a restless sleep and changed her into human form. What followed then were training exercises. All of them proved that Cologne was still the same old taskmaster. Breakfast had been fairly normal compared to the last twelve hours.

The purple-haired girl abruptly stopped sweeping again when she sensed someone behind her. Quickly pivoting, she took on a defensive stance and then relaxed it slightly once she recognized Mousse. "Shampoo," he remarked to a vase of flowers on a table a few feet from her, "If you hurry, maybe you can come shopping with me."

Shampoo stared up at him; Mousse was certainly different. He had none of the fawning tones in his speech. It bothered Shampoo. Of course, she had no interest in Mousse for a mate; on the other hand, this one was not so unswervingly supportive of her either. The Amazon girl suspected that this Mousse would risk his life for her but more out of duty to their tribe than love.

"Shampoo no wanna go with silly Mousse," the little girl replied.

"Suit yourself," the sight-challenged martial artist replied in a tone that suggested he was relieved.

"Hey, Old Ghoul!" came a very familiar voice, and that voice sounded normal, "Are ya in here?" She turned just as Ranma, followed by a girl she didn't recognize not much younger than her new age, entered their restaurant.

"NIHAU RANMA!" the young purple-haired girl cried in delight. The teen was startled by the familiar exclamation. A split-second later, he stared dumbfounded as a miniature version of Shampoo rushed forward.

"Sham..." She flung herself at him and hugged him about the neck; she was unable to glomp him properly because of her smaller size. "Poo?" 'Oh no, she got attacked too.'

"What's all the ruckus?" Cologne demanded, coming from the kitchen.

"Ranma here!" Shampoo declared happily while snuggling closer to the bewildered looking martial artist.

"I can see that, child," the old woman remarked, hopping towards her future son-in-law.

"Has little friend too," Shampoo commented.

The Amazon elder glanced towards where her great-granddaughter was pointing. It took an instant for her to register what she was seeing and then promptly proceeded to fall off of her staff.

"Great-Grandmother! You okay?" Shampoo exclaimed and let go of Ranma who was looking rather concerned. He glanced towards Kasumi who was looking just as surprised.

"I'm all right!" her guardian snapped. "Ranma, WHAT did you do to Kasumi?"

"Kasumi no here," Shampoo countered.

"Of course, she is!" Cologne argued in a tight voice. She jabbed a boney finger in the direction of Kasumi who felt it necessary to hide behind her mentor. "Why is she so small?"

"Kasumi get small like Shampoo?" the part-time feline questioned, now trying to get a better look at the eight year old hiding behind her future husband. At this point, Cologne turned to Shampoo.

While no emotion crossed Cologne's face, it was apparent that something profound had happened because she sighed in a gusty breath, "I'm too old for this."

End of Chapter 11

Coming next in Chapter 12 - Small Battles