Disclaimer: Here's a tip. Always remember what stories your crossing over and never forget the disclaimer. I do not own Ranma ½ or Kingdom Hearts.
Author's Note: I am so going to get killed over the OOCness of this story. I have the others fairly accurate, I think. In case ya haven't figured it out, this is a Ranma x Kasumi pairing. Thanks you.
A Different Side: Wild Half
Chapter 3: Life is Like a Box of Chocolates
(gooey and full of nuts)
This fine morning found several people in deep contemplation. The talks in the furo now included, strangely, Mousse. Since he had trouble with the cold-water splash, he used a hot water bucket. Otherwise, nothing seemed changed, unless you count the unnatural truce between the cursed individuals. The previous afternoon saw the Amazons moving in with the Tendos. At first, Nabiki griped because of "more freeloaders", but Mousse dispelled that notion with several thousand yen. She was even happier when he said there was more where that came from. Apparently, he was already planning on finding his own place and had been squirreling away money. This morning was to discuss matters of great importance and not how to avoid the ladle lady.
"So, you have a way to remove our cursed halves?" Mousse asked with great interest as he faced a faucet. Rather then correct the boy's blind aim, they just continued to scrub. A blind Mousse prevented him from peeping at their girl forms, anyway.
"Yep. Only problem is, I need a way to create bodies for them. I'm not a murderer." Ryo replied. The blind boy nodded.
"You are indeed an honorable young man." He said. To Ranma he spoke "You are also honorable, I am sorry for not seeing it." The pigtailed martial artist was stunned. Here was one of his greatest rivals actually apologizing!
"Don't worry 'bout it." He told the blind boy as the three slid into the water. Mousse appeared to be in deep thought.
"You know," he began "Cologne had the ingredients to make simulacrum. They are merely copies with no souls, but perhaps you could transfer the curses to the dolls. You wouldn't be a murderer then." He quirked a smile.
"Yeah, but how do we get at her stuff?" Ranma said.
"The old ghoul used to use me to store it all. What will she do when she realizes all her spell components are with me? Even something to protect her from Happosai. Oh well." The duck boy said in mock regret.
"Good, get me the ingredients. I can make a few simulacrums easily. Merlin taught me." Ryo said. The boys nodded. They cemented the idea with a handshake. Mousse almost wound up in orbit when he went to shake the wrong "hand", but otherwise nothing went wrong. Ryo would set up his mad scientist lab in the dojo. Ranma decided to go to the park to practice and Mousse was going to try wooing Shampoo again. Nothing could go wrong with their plan, or so they thought.
Ranma was heading out the door when Kasumi ran up.
"Hey, Ranma-chan. Where are you going?" the eldest Tendo girl asked.
"Off to the park to train." Was what Ranma was about to say, but changed his mind to "I was off to the park, but maybe we could hang out?" he asked her. His legendary ability to be tongue-tied just asking a girl for a glass of water defeated in the face of Kasumi. The girl smiled happily, a true, genuine smile, and took hold of his arm. He momentarily stiffened up, but this was Kasumi. She wouldn't hurt him. As he escorted her out the door, several pairs of eyes watched the exchange. Soun was crying over his eldest daughter being a Scarlet Woman, Genma was happily thinking of the excellent cook his son may marry, and Nabiki was the only one not surprised. She was actually happy that her normally shy sister was so open, but had she gone through her closet? Kasumi was wearing a white blouse, a jean skirt, and a blue denim jacket. What didn't escape anyone's notice was the large, metal staff she carried on her back. Their thoughts were broken by a sudden flurry of action near the stairs.
Akane had heard and seen everything. She was so distraught she couldn't even put it into words. She flung herself on the bed with a sob of anguish. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. He belonged to her. Her daddy said so, that idiot panda even said so. Since he belonged to her, she was the one who would decide when she was through with him. She knew that Ranma honored challenges. As much as the violent girl hated to do it, she would challenge Kasumi for Ranma. Of course, she wouldn't hurt her big sister; it was a martial artist's duty to never hurt the weak. A few hard taps isn't hurting her. Kasumi is the queen of obliviousness in the eyes of the uninitiated. That title belongs to only one, however. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you! Akane Tendo.
Shampoo was staring at the koi pond, her thoughts straying back to what the elder had said. She refused to call her Grandmother, even in her thoughts. The sad Chinese girl wished she could just adapt like Mousse has, but so much was invested in her training that she can't just turn her back. Then again, being told you were a waste of flesh and expendable kills any familial feeling. Quiet footsteps approached from behind her, she knew without looking that it was Mousse. The blind boy sat beside her, trying to see what she was staring at. He actually had his glasses on. The girl shifted slightly beside him, unconsciously scooting closer. The two looked at each other and both began to talk simultaneously, but broke off, blushing furiously.
"You go first." Shampoo said, strangely meek sounding.
"No, you first." Mousse insisted.
"Weak male, I order you to speak first." She reiterated. The blind boy looked momentarily hurt, cutting through Shampoo's emotional armor. She gave him a small smile as if she had been teasing him. He was the only thing she had from home that she actually valued. It just bothered her that they didn't even seem to friends anymore.
"Ryo has a solution for our curses. I figured you would be happy to hear that. Sorry to bother you." He sounded strangely submissive, which somehow hurt the Chinese girl more than she thought possible.
"Mu Tsu." She began, he looked to her in surprise when she spoke his real name, but she continued. "I'm glad you're here. This land is so strange; I clung to getting my Airen back to the village, and ignored you. Y-you're the only real friend I've got left from home." Tears began falling silently down her cheeks. The girl before his eyes looked so fragile and vulnerable, so different from the Shampoo he knows. "Please… Continue to be my friend, ok? Don't leave me…" her voice was so quiet, so scared. Without thinking, he gathered her into his arms and held her. Stroking her back softly, the girl finally broke down into sobs.
"I will always be here, Xian Pu. Don't worry." He whispered to her. She pulled back from him briefly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Without any warning, she suddenly pounced on him, pinning him to the floor. He stroked her cheek softly before bringing her in for a kiss. The two lost people finally seemed to have found each other. Not even Nabiki would try to profit off of this.
Ryo was staring out the window. The chemical fumes were getting to him a little, but he had to succeed. People were actually suffering over this and he wanted to put an end to it. He had a few bodies made, but they only needed one thing. The souls of the curses. He cast a spell earlier to draw Ryoga back to the dojo. He was sure something would happen to try and ruin it; Chaos hated to lose and was a poor sport. The only one he wasn't going to help was Genma, because he actually didn't want it. Baka Panda. Oh well, a few more modifications and it would be done.
"Please look upon my efforts with kindness. Remember, this is done with a pure heart and clear conscience." He gave the standard prayer against Murphy and hoped it would be heard.
The afternoon dragged on for the couple in the park. Ranma's hand was gently, but firmly claimed by Kasumi. The two had talked a little, but mostly they just enjoyed each other's company. Finally, he decided to ask the question that had been plaguing him.
"Why do you care, Kasumi-chan?" he asked her. The girl seemed to genuinely consider the question. He was staring at his feet, silently waiting for the rejection, but praying she meant it. Too many things were promised, but just as quickly forgotten. This was one of those things he wanted. He felt it every time she smiled at him, but could never bring himself to say anything. "She deserves someone so much better than me." He thought morosely. His thoughts were interrupted by Kasumi as she took his face in her hands and stared him straight in the eyes.
"I won't lie to you and say I always felt this way. When you first came, I genuinely thought you would immature and not very exciting. The immaturity is there, but you have shown wisdom beyond your years many times. As for dull? You are many things, but dull is definitely not one of them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that… You grew on me. Every time you would help me around the house or just take the time to acknowledge me, made me feel so happy. Never doubt your worth, please. I love you." As she finished, the pigtailed boy sat in shock at what she said. Straight from the heart without hesitation. He decided to make it work, no matter what. The thing bothering him was Ukyou. How would she handle it? Considering Kasumi's skill with the staff, he actually wasn't worrying about the Tendo girl. With surprise, he realized he was worrying about Ukyou. Shuffling those thoughts to the back of his mind, he decided to address Kasumi before he lost his nerve.
"Thank you, Kasumi-chan. I-I really do care about you a lot. You're great. A fantastic cook, a great housekeeper, and you're the only person who genuinely listens to me. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I'm not gonna question a good thing." Giving her a tentative hug, before holding her tightly. Without hesitation, the girl in his arms kissed him deeply. He thought he could die a happy man right there, until a death-like voice said.
"Kasumi. I challenge you for Ranma." They turned in shock at the voice to see Akane. She stood in her gi, ready to fight. Ranma snarled.
"Mind your own business." He spat. "You lost the right to tell me what to do with all yer crap."
"It's a matter of honor. If Kasumi wins, I'll give you up. If not, then you remain my fiancée." She stated. The eldest Tendo girl stood up.
"Fine, I accept." The pigtailed boy could stare in shock as the two sisters prepared to square off. He stood up; the least he could do was referee this fight. He thanked the Kami that Nabiki wasn't here to take bets. Akane dropped into a low ready stance while Kasumi assumed a high stance. At Ranma's signal, the fight began. Typically, Akane charged in to finish it in one hit. The girl's defense was nonexistent. She didn't like Kasumi's smile just before everything went dark. Ranma just stared in shock as Kasumi's feet seemed to blur and hurl Akane away. When it was over, the eldest Tendo girl began to cry. This wasn't what she wanted, but if she was going to keep him, she had to do it. Ranma decided to pick up the unconscious girl and carry her back, with Kasumi trailing behind, deep in thought.
The news was taken rather well. The fathers were happy that the two schools would still be joined. Akane was in her room, Doctor Tofu had said she would fine before seeing Kasumi and dancing off with a houseplant. Nabiki was giving the two a measuring look that somehow made them both uncomfortable. Her words to Ranma earlier were unnerving.
"You hurt my sister, Saotome, and I will make your life hell."
He still shuddered at that little scene. Ryo was falling asleep at the table. Mousse and Shampoo were holding hands, much to everyone's shock. It was actually somewhat peaceful. Even their surprise guest, Ryoga, was behaving himself. The changing spell had been removed by some kind Tibetan Monks, but he wanted to know what Tibetan Monks were doing in Hiroshima anyway. He actually had arrived with a somewhat familiar battle cry. However, he had changed "Saotome" to "Ryo". He was stopped from killing the Displaced Boy by the promise of a cure. Somehow, even hearing that, Akane didn't make the connection between Ryoga and P – chan. If ignorance is bliss, she must be the happiest girl alive. The meal was somehow even better then any time previously. Her bright smile lacked something, the usual obliviousness that graced her features. For the thirtieth time, Ryo had to be poked awake. Ranma was obviously anxious for the cure to the curse and couldn't help blurting it out to anyone who would listen. Dinner felt shorter then usual, but seemed to have a new quality. The normal cheerfulness in the air was laced with anticipation. Ranma went out to the kitchen to help Kasumi clean up as everyone else went their separate ways. The Displaced Boy decided to check on the simulacrums. He was pleasantly surprised to find their maturation was near.
"Tomorrow they will be ready." He said with a smile, his hands rubbing together in anticipation.
Later in the furo…
The usual gang was joined by a fourth. Mousse and Ryoga were using hot water rinses, Ryo and Ranma using cold water. Upon suddenly seeing two beautiful naked girls, Ryoga collapsed under a stream of nostril blood. The two neo-girls kicked the Lost Boy into the furo again, much to Mousse's amusement. After they settled in, Ryoga asked the only question he could think of.
"Why are you helping me?" he demanded.
"Because Ranma wouldn't take a cure if it wasn't available to everyone." Ryo replied. The pigtailed boy found himself under intense scrutiny by the pig boy. When Ranma looked over to him, he saw a thoughtful look on his face.
"Seriously?" Ryoga asked.
"It's not fair if I get cured n' no one else does." The cursed martial artist answered. The conversation turned to a topic just as weighty. Girls. Something the boys never thought they would be discussing. The whole while they talked, Ryoga looked at Ranma and thought.
The next day saw five individuals, sleeping in the guestroom, and very cramped. The only one not bothered was the giant panda that decided today was a good day to sleep in. The fact that four super strong, super martial artists beat the hell out of him may have had a hand in his decision. At breakfast, the atmosphere was a little subdued. Akane was actually sitting at the table, staring at breakfast, barely eating. Everyone was seated according to their pairings. Ryoga found it difficult to concentrate with Akane seated next to him.
"I have an announcement." Ryo began. "I'll be casting the spell after breakfast. If you're not cursed, please remain outside. Since I may need help, I've asked Ryoga to assist me." He said. Hopefully his excuse would cover any questions about Ryoga being in there with the cursed ones. No one really commented, but he could see Akane's calculating gaze fall on Ryoga. "As much as I despise what he's done, I hope she doesn't figure it out now." He thought.
"That's very sweet of you, Ryoga. Unlike a certain person." Her eyes stared hard at Ranma. What surprised everyone most was what was said next.
"He's honestly not as bad as ya think. H-he has problems speakin' like anyone else. A-after this, could I speak t-to you A-Akane?" he asked, sounding surprisingly clear for once. The young girl was curious, so she agreed to speak to him. Nabiki was starting to feel a little left out. Couples were coming together all around her and she had no one. Before anyone says Kuno, check your medication.
Breakfast concluded with Ranma helping Kasumi clear the table. The eldest Tendo girl was surprisingly quiet that morning. Once in the kitchen, however, she sighed.
"What's wrong, Kasumi-chan?" he asked as they started the dishes.
"Nothing, it's just that it feels weird to know that you'll finally be rid of your curse. What will happen to her?" the girl asked, concerned.
"I've given that some thought. Mom always wanted a daughter as well as a son. Since she is me, sorta, that makes her my sister." Ranma said. The girl smiled at him.
"You won't just get rid of her?" she asked and almost began apologizing at seeing Ranma's suddenly horrified expression. She wrapped her arms around him tightly in apology. "Stupid question." She said. The pigtailed martial artist almost agreed, but instead just stroked her back and held her.
The vague lumps of clay that would serve as the bodies were ready for the cursed souls to enter. It was the final step. At Ranma's insistence, Ryoga would go first. Mousse didn't mind, he actually approved of it. Shampoo was just thrilled to be rid of her curse, but agreed with Ranma. They couldn't just toss away their counterparts like that. Everyone who wanted the cure was gathered in the room. They tried talking Genma into it one last time, but he had developed a taste for bamboo that could only be appreciated as a panda. Trust his stomach to guide him again. Ryo motioned for Ryoga to step up and lay his hands on a small blob of created flesh. It took some energy to make the transfer, but a little piggy was as difficult as a person. That was why Ryo approved of Ranma letting the others go first. The Lost Boy's eyes widened in wonder as the lump turned into a kawaii little black pig. With affection, he tied a few bandannas around the little animal's neck.
"Hey P – chan." He said to the small piggy and set him on the floor. "Go to Akane, we don't wantcha underfoot. Ya might get hurt." The piglet bweed at him in response and took off out the door. Actually going in the right direction, much to everyone's shock. The Lost Boy looked happier then anyone ever imagined. "No more Shi Shi Hokodan for me. I guess I better learn the Mouko Takabisha." He snickered at the idea. The pigtailed boy grinned at his rival.
"Okay, next!" Ryo called, anxious to get this show on the road. Shampoo stepped up, with Mousse's insistence, and laid her hand on another small blob. Ryo found this was easier then he thought and was glad he had that full night of sleep. When the light dimmed, a beautiful cat laid there. Her fur the same color as Shampoo's hair, no white at all. Shampoo scooped up the little feline and held her to her chest. The cat meowed at her and Shampoo nodded. The Displaced Boy noted this with interest. The created animals could actually speak to their human counterparts. He had to research it more later. Strangely enough, Ranma wasn't afraid of her cat and even petted her, tentatively. Mousse came up next and laid his hand on a blob. He was curious if the duck would still be blind. After the short procedure he found out, to his chagrin, the poor little duck was terribly nearsighted. Ryo easily corrected that by tying a pair of Mousse's glasses to the duck's head, goggle style. The duck quacked at him, but he couldn't understand a word.
"He said thank you." The blind boy clarified before walking off with his friend. Things were going so smoothly that Ryo knew things would change. With an explosion of light and sound, the back wall of the dojo was demolished. Standing in the newly created door was a Chinese Amazon girl with two Chinese broadswords in her hands. She snarled at those present.
"That was a dirty trick, children." The girl said in a voice filled with steel. "I won't let you get away with the indignity you visited upon me. Cologne is no one's 'Sweeto'!" she roared angrily. As she stepped forward, Mousse, Shampoo, and Ryoga stood in front of her.
"Finish with Ranma and yourself. We'll hold her off!" Mousse declared before hurling his chains outward and vanishing into the air. The purple haired girl whipped out a broadsword of her own and leapt in for the attack while Ryoga just stood there, his eyes half shut. Ryo knew this was bad, but had to finish or the simulacrums would disintegrate. He motioned Ranma forward quickly. The glow wreathed the flesh, turning it into Ranma's girl half. To cover the girl's nakedness, he tossed her his shirt. The girl took in the situation and nodded to her "brother".
"We better help them." The newly born "Ranko" said to Ranma. The two ran over to join the battle.
Cologne was a nearly unstoppable engine of destruction. She was practically everywhere. She nearly cleaved Shampoo in half, but an enraged feline leapt and slashed across her face. With a rage-filled howl, she kicked the cat into the koi pond. Just as she finished with the cat, chains wrapped around her weapons and yanked them away, but she grabbed a stray chain and spun him into Shampoo with terrific force, hurling the two to the floor. Ryoga finally entered the battle, using the Breaking Point technique, forcing the woman to stumble as a thin crack appeared under her feet. She hit the floor heavily after the duck slammed into her temple. How did he hold a barbell in his beak? The woman wondered dizzily. As the young martial artists got back into ready stances, she smiled a cruel smile just before unleashing a Breaking Point of her own combined with Mouko Takabisha. The result was an eruption of energy from the fracturing ground that threw her attackers out of the dojo. She gloated as she stood there, wreathed in a terrible light. As she sought to finish them off, a voice stopped her.
"You ain't hurtin' my friends, bitch." Ranma said with venom. She turned to look and froze in astonishment. Ranma was standing with his girl half, both ready to kill. She had to admit, he looked really good without his shirt on. For some reason, the pigtailed boy shuddered.
"I ain't lettin' my bro fight alone, so ya better have your affairs in order." The redhead said. Cologne would destroy the annoying girl first, should be simple. After all, whatever magic they used couldn't possibly copy power as well as skills. Underestimating your opponent is a definite "bad thing" as she is about to find out.
Ryo was desperately trying to finish the work on his own simulacrum and get over to help his friends. He laid his hand on the mound of flesh and concentrated. Instead of the glow he saw before, it was more of a flash of blood red light. When the light cleared, a pink haired girl lay there. Her name fell from his lips numbly. "Choko." The girl smiled up at him as he pulled out clothes for her to wear.
"Get changed and help. I'm going over there now." He said to her. The girl nodded and quickly began slipping into her clothes while he ran to help.
The two "siblings" fought Cologne tooth and nail. The woman had the experience of age, the techniques of generations, and the body of a knockout girl. Underneath the gorgeous curves was steel hard muscle and sinew. Her deceptively weak arms once again sent Ranma into the dojo wall with crushing force. As he stood up, he knew he had several broken ribs. His eyes weren't focusing right, but he was determined to win. He saw his sister hurling lightning fast kicks into the "Elder's" chest before being viciously swatted away. The Chinese Matriarch was gasping in pain from the numerous hits she received. She just hoped that they'd all die on their own from injuries, but knew they were too stubborn. As she gathered in more energy for another energy eruption, all the air was blown from her lungs by a powerful strike to the back. This level of pain was a new experience as the person sent her flying with a kidney punch. Her momentum was checked by a brutal knee to the gut. As she staggered, her eyes traveled up to look into the eyes of a very angry girl. Pink hair, red eyes, and an attitude dark enough to make the Amazon shudder. She knew that Ryo was approaching her from behind. The others were also surrounding her. Hisses and quacks were mingled with growls of rage from the teens. Everyone was surprised when she grinned and a little nervous when she laughed.
"This… gasp…will be… pant…fun." The critically injured woman seemed unconcerned about her injuries. A loud cry of "Sweeto!" filled the air as Happosai joined the fight. That alone wouldn't have bothered the teenage warriors much, but Cologne began glowing green. "A little trick I picked up from watching you…" she said to Ryo.
"The bitch just used Curaga…" he growled. She was back to a hundred percent and ready to fight. She pulled out two more broadswords, these swords were medieval in design and over six feet long. Happosai merely brandished his pipe and smirked.
"You need to show your elders some respect." He said to the stunned combatants. His gloat was cut short by Choko.
"Are we gonna fight or listen to strut?" she demanded as she whipped out twin Dark Keyblades, Chaos and Oblivion. Ryo pulled out Heart and Soul. Ryoga armed himself with his combat umbrella. Shampoo got out her bonborri. Ranma and Ranko just cracked their knuckles. Mousse disappeared again. The sound of a whirring staff filled the air.
"You have seriously disrupted the wa of my home. I am not happy." Kasumi grated out as she strode into the room with, surprisingly, Genma. This was starting to look a lot like World War III through VI was about to be waged here. Still, the two elders seemed unconcerned, but a loud "Moo" changed all that.
"P-pantyhose Taro…" Happosai actually trembled at the thought. If it was just Pantyhose, he wouldn't have been worried, but this was in addition to a room full of angry warriors with Pervert Murdering and Elder Mauling on their minds. "The Kami must truly hate me…" he despaired just before everyone leapt in for the attack.
The dojo was in shambles, demolished by the violent actions of Cologne and Happosai. It was their fault, they did attack first. What frightened them more then a repeat of their humiliating defeat was Nabiki's cold glare and a bill for the damages. Since they were both suffering from numerous broken bones, they couldn't run away and were forced by the courts to pay. The familiar old table had to be replaced, there was entirely too many people for the old table to seat comfortably. Soun shed tears of joy when Ryoga finally asked Akane out on a date. Nodoka was happier then she could remember. Not only was her son cured, she now had a daughter to spoil. Genma was happy with his decision to remain cursed, until animal control came and took him to the zoo. This was not going to end well. His fellow panda, a female, was giving him looks and he knew he was in trouble. Ranma was one happy guy, a beautiful girl who loves him and surrounded by friends. He knew he would have to deal with Ukyou soon and it saddened him. Ryo and Choko shared frequent looks filled with mirth over something only they knew. P – chan was a happy little piggy, he slept with Akane and had some animal friends to play with. N-chan and D-chan just rolled their eyes over the bizarre names they were given by Akane. Why did everything have to be descriptive? Dinner was a time for happy thoughts and spending time with family. Ranma finally realized just how big of a family he's got and wondered if tomorrow would be somehow better then this. Only tomorrow can tell.
The End
Author's Notes: I have decided that there will only be two chapters after this one. Chapter 4 and the Epilogue. Hey, since Ryo's there, why shouldn't he help Ranma resolve a few problems? Trust me, next chapter is full of difficulties for the Nerima Wrecking Crew plus the Kingdom Hearts gang. I hope to see you again! Ja ne!