DISCLAIMER: I neither own nor make any claim to Ranma Nibunnoichi by Takahashi Rumiko. I just enjoy it. I also enjoy making up stories about the characters. I do not claim to be writing an official continuation of Ranma, if I did I'm sure the laughter alone would cause an earthquake. My characters will have a 'slight' tendency to be considered Out of Character and possibly a bit AU.

If I have spelt something terribly wrong please let me know. I hope you enjoy reading my attempt at writing. If you hate it then the correct option is to simply not read it. This story is fantasy and makes no attempt to be bound by the realities of life, if it did it would not be fantasy or at least not my fantasy.

I write for fun, I will update when I have the next chapter finished. I will do my best to make updates regularly but will only update when I am satisfied that it is ready.

Tattered Mist

Chapter 2

Kasumi reached over and turned off the alarm before it could ring, she hated the sound of it and had trained herself to waken before it. Quickly pulling a house coat on she hurried to the furo to start her day. As the cold water hit her she remembered yesterday's events that had escaped her mind in the morning ritual of planning the days meal and stood in shock for a minute before she finished scrubbing and entered the hot water. Ranma had said he would help her and she did not have time to reflect on the changes this morning. She mentally cut the menu back to two thirds what she would normally have made and hurried back to her room to change into her father's yukka, which while large on her now it would still be appropriate if she were to get splashed.

Standing at the sink she began to prepare breakfast and Nodoka joined her. They worked in companionable silence quickly putting the breakfast on the table and walked to the koi pond before speaking of the trip.

"Kasumi, I put Ranma's papers in your room under your pillow. I told him I think it best if you meet him at the station and you can see Happosai together on your way to Kirishima. He is being visible somewhere else right now and said he would join you at the station after he set up some distractions. We'll talk to everyone this morning and then you leave. I'll make sure to keep everyone busy while you get away."

"Oh my! Auntie do you think that's necessary?" Kasumi had thought she would have a little more time.

"Yes, Kasumi, Nabiki is going to try to find him and she will also want to know where you are and you saw Akane's reaction last night, this will give them time to reflect on what happened. Pack what little you need in a shopping bag, Ranma said he will get you more clothing after you are on your way. He said to wash well with the soap he gave you and leave as if you were going shopping," Nodoka gave Kasumi a hug. "In the papers there is also an E-mail address that I check often so if you need something that you left let me know and I'll get for you. We can keep in touch this way and there will be no letters with return addresses to point someone to where you are. Right after you leave I'll give them a copy of Ranma's papers and that should be enough to give you plenty of time."

With another quick hug they returned to the kitchen and called everyone to breakfast. It went fairly well until Akane spilt water on Kasumi as she reached for the pickles. She started to flare up about sex changing perverts until she remembered this was Kasumi, then she blushed and apologised. Soun began to cry as was normal and Nabiki just stared in shock. Kasumi told them she was going to visit some friends to get away form the chaos for a bit and Akane immediately demanded to go to protect her. While everyone was arguing she went upstairs to change and used the water proof soap quickly and put what she needed in a shopping bag remembering to grab the papers from under her pillow.

Kasumi going shopping for groceries in the morning was so normal that everyone pretty much ignored her as she left with only a wink from Nodoka to let her know everything was under control. Kasumi just hoped that she had a house to come back to after the dust settled.

-

The station was crowded and she wondered how Ranma would ever find her when a young girl in jeans and sweat shirt with her black hair tied back in a pony tail bumped into her and then grabbed her hand. "This way Kasumi. The train is leaving soon."

Kasumi looked down at her and realised that Ranma would be almost totally unrecognisable as she was. she followed quickly and they boarded just before the train pulled out. Ranma put a finger to her lips when she started to talk and kept her in silence for two stops then grabbed her bag and pulled her to the door as the train slowed for the next station. Once on the platform Ranma handed a Kasumi a package and steered her to the washroom. When she came out Ranma was waiting for her in a formal kimono that matched hers with his hair tied in a ponytail instead of his normal braid.

While walking the two blocks to the hospital Ranma asked her how things had gone that morning and how she was feeling and then explained what he thought would be the best way to get to Kirishima. By the time he was through they had reached the hospital and were being shown to Happosai's room.

Even chained to the bed Happosai was upbeat and surprised Kasumi and Ranma by praising him for the fight and promising a rematch when he was able. He then gave detailed instructions of where the scrolls for the advanced techniques were and told him to study them well. Kasumi listened but also read the chart at the foot of the bed and was careful to keep a smile on her face while they talked. Happosai then called Kasumi over and gave her a packet and told her not to give it to Ranma until he had learned at least two of the techniques. After a few more minutes of talking he told Ranma to be sure to come back to visit in a few months and let him know how the training was going and chased them out of the room so he could flirt with the nurses.

When they were once again at the train station Ranma took out two packs and put Kasumi's thing in one and handed it her with another change of clothing. After they had changed two young people blended into the crowd talking about different shrines to visit as they headed north to gather the scrolls Happosai wanted Ranma to study.

Once out of the congested area around Tokyo they departed the train and started walking. As they walked Ranma explained the difference in the way men and women walked and had her practicing striding and using masculine forms of speech.

Kasumi for her part corrected Ranma's grammar and insisted he learn feminine speech as she learned the masculine. Ranma grumbled about it but since it was Kasumi asking him he promised he would. Hostels were inexpensive and if you knew where they were beat camping out. Being away from the chaos of Nerima and Akane's ever present Mallet of Doom, Ranma was willing to talk about life on the road to Kasumi. He had her laughing as he began to open up and the day passed swiftly as they reached the first hostel.

In an open field behind the hostel Ranma had Kasumi show her what forms she remembered and began to correct when she put a foot or hand out of place. Ranma kept his own katas simple to not attract attention and when Kasumi commented on his teaching technique and he explained that after studying under so many masters he had realised that they way they taught was very different from Genma. He had learned early that with Genma he had to keep his speech rough or suffer the consequences. He admitted that it would be a chore to relearn proper speech patterns.

As they were about to leave she discovered that the manager had a laptop and managed to convince him to allow her to use it. Kasumi decided she should check in with Nodoka. She quickly read the message and E-mailed her back that since she had eaten very little that day it wasn't effecting her very much but that they would be on the look out for Ryouga. She quickly explained the situation about Ryouga to Ranma and gave him the description of his new cursed form.

Ranma made her promise that if Ryouga showed up she would get any people and herself to safety pointing out that Ryouga was not concerned about hurting people when he was focused on fighting Ranma. Ranma just hoped that the pig headed idiot would stay lost.

The next part of their route was through a sparsely populated mountain area and less than an hour away from the Hostel a sudden squall had her readjusting her clothing to fit better. After stumbling and falling a few times Kasumi appreciated the difficulty of just walking, her balance was all wrong, she found herself over-compensating and over-reaching. Ranma kept up a steady commentary to keep her distracted from concentrating on it too much, teaching her how to stride in her new form had them both laughing as Ranma almost had to run to keep up.

By the end of the day Kasumi had relearned how to walk and was bone tired. Ranma had Kasumi rest as he set up the camp that night and cooked, explaining how and why he was doing things. Kasumi wondered if she would be able to sleep on the ground but found out that exhaustion was a pretty good sleeping draught.

-

Back in Nerima things were more chaotic than normal. It took several people to pull Akane off Kuno when he started his normal morning rant. Nabiki slapped several people that irritated her causing people to walk wide of her. Nodoka had accompanied Soun to the school after being called about their behaviour and found she too was having trouble controlling her temper. When Soun started to flare up she quickly had him return home with the girls while she remained to straighten things out.

Nodoka had to force herself to remain calm and it suddenly dawned on her that everyone that had eaten some of Shampoo's food at dinner the previous day were experiencing the same symptoms. She explained to the assistant principle that apparently they had consumed something that raised their aggressiveness and assured him they would stay home until it had run its course.

With a determined look in her eyes Nodoka walked to Nekohaten and asked to speak to Cologne. Cologne was startled by the barely repressed rage she was sensing from Nodoka and after a very terse conversation she called Shampoo in and confronted her. Shampoo quickly realised that denial was out of the question and admitted she had intended to use it on Ranma to make him get upset with Akane. When she had her show her the herbs she used and the quantity she became almost as enraged as Nodoka. Prohibiting Shampoo from leaving the restaurant she quickly made an antidote and left with Nodoka.

The dojo was in shambles and Akane was quickly putting extreme pain to Genma when they arrived. Mumbling about hating to stop her fun, she quickly used pressure points to immobilise Soun, Genma and Akane. After administering the antidote and extra tranquillisers to calm them until the antidote took effect she explained what happened then they tried to figure who else might be affected. When they realised that Kasumi was affected they started to panic, when they remembered Ryouga and Ukyou had eaten it they did panic.

Ryouga was full of anger already, what he would do under the effects of an aggression enhancer was disturbing to say the least. Nodoka set up her laptop and started a search for anything that might indicate where he was. She left an E-mail explaining the situation and the antidote and explained about Ryouga. All they could do now was wait and hope.

A quick trip to Ucchan's with the antidote was providential as Ukyou was being restrained from killing Tsubasa for impersonating her dresser. Pressure points, antidote and tranquilliser were administered quickly and an explanation given while they waited for the police and the ambulance. No charges would be filed against her as he was in her bed room and the police were not reticent in saying they may have stopped her too soon.

-

Ranma and Kasumi were having problems other than rage, Kasumi was normally quite passive and reserved and very unfamiliar with male hormones, Ranma was never arrogant with Kasumi and always tended to follow her lead. Unfortunately he was now a she and she was a he, a very good looking he at that. A good morning hug quickly turned into a rather heavy petting session that Ranma was too shocked to object to at first and then enjoying it too much to object a little later. Fortunately for them their inherent sense of honour kept it from going further than a heavy make out session but it did change the dynamics of their relationship.

While walking to their next destination Kasumi insisted on their talking about it and exploring their feelings. She pointed out to Ranma that what they had done was normal but that neither had been in a situation before where it would have gotten to that stage. Encouraging Ranma to talk about his feeling was made easier by their previous history. Giving in to Kasumi had become ingrained in Ranma, not being called a pervert and being malleted gave him confidence to talk about his emotions without choking up and denying them as was normal for him. They both agreed they enjoyed it and wanted to explore it further, Ranma did hesitantly ask about when they were in their other form and Kasumi was quick to point to him that that it was the person and not the form they wore that was important.

-

Ryouga was lost and hurting. Akane's mallet had made contact with him several times before he was able to turn a corner and lose her and himself. He counted himself lucky to have gotten away with only major bruising, thanks to the breaking point training. Had he not had it then he would be dead, she had fully meant to kill him he was sure. As it was he figured he had a concussion and his left arm was bruised so bad he could just barely move it. He couldn't figure where he was but since it wasn't Tokyo he felt safer, not safe but safer. Several villages had chased him in his cursed form with weapons calling him an oni, a demon. It was better than being a little pig though, he had hands instead of hooves, well his feet were still hooves but at least he had hands.

When he found Ranma he was going to kill him. This curse was all his fault, if he hadn't cursed him then Akane would be Ryouga's instead she was now out to kill him. He had already found that he was stronger and faster in this form. The more he thought about Ranma the angrier he became, the angrier he became the more depressed he became, anger mixed with his depression fuelling a cycle that had no brakes. Those few who saw Ryouga gave him a wide birth, a greenish black aura surrounded him making it difficult to make out any features but the feelings of hate were so strong that no one would approach him.

As he walked and cursed Ranma the forest became a beach then a snow field and a forest again. His body healed as he walked, stopping only to eat and sleep, his path marked by destruction as he went venting his frustration in occasional shi shi hokodans. He would find Ranma, the coward couldn't continue to hide from him, sooner or later he would meet his just and fitting end.

-

Kasumi and Ranma stopped at several shrines, Kasumi taking time to pray for Happosai. As they walked and talked Ranma healed. Kasumi could feel the area of the break where the bone had already knit together, healed in mere days where it would have taken months for a normal person. One night camping and two in hostels had them outside what appeared to be a poorly kept shrine built partially into the side of the mountain. Retrieving the keys they entered a living area layered in dust and made their way into a small alcove where Ranma and Kasumi carefully opened a small vault set into the floor.

After retrieving the contents Kasumi proceeded to clean while Ranma read the scrolls some with notations urging caution and stressing the what danger was involved in learning the technique and Happosai's observations of what skill was needed before this one could be utilised. Some of the moves Ranma had already learned but he read them as well appreciating the insights in their development into the existing forms.

The smell of food and the grumbling from his stomach brought Ranma back to awareness of his surroundings. Kasumi laughed at his surprise that the day was almost gone. While they ate Kasumi described rooms Ranma hadn't seen and he in turn talked about the insights into his art he was getting from the scrolls. After they ate Ranma cleaned the dishes while observing Kasumi practising the forms she was learning. After she finished the last set he poured hot water on her and had her do them again and showed her how to adapt them to her present form.

Having fought in both forms Ranma began to change some of the kata Kasumi did as female. Changing a blow here and a block there, he explained that as a male the move was great but the physical difference of the female form would make this part better. He would step in on her while she was doing her kata making the complimentary moves giving her an insight into why a move was done in such a way. Akane would have malleted him for saying girls were weak instead of appreciating that he was changing the kata to take advantage of the body's strengths.

A stone disturbed by some animal bounced down the mountain and landed in bucket of water splashing them as they went drink. Kasumi just began to laugh as she began to appreciate that the problems Ranma had had staying male were now hers as well. Soon Ranma stopped grumbling about being wet again and joined her in laughter.

Ranma had her do the forms again stepping in and tickling her when she held a block wrong slipping around a misplaced strike with another tickle. As Kasumi corrected the holes Ranma began to move faster forcing her to speed up letting her body respond instead of her mind. When he realised Kasumi was tiring he slowed it down and initiated push pulls from taichi as a cool down and calming set.

Walking back to get more water Kasumi gave Ranma another hug that Ranma hesitantly began to return and then relaxed and enjoyed it. The distaste for physical contact he had developed from Amazon glomps gave way to the simple pleasure of a shared hug.

Kasumi fixed a light snack for them and Ranma began to select the scrolls he would learn. Two he chose that were simply extensions of techniques he was familiar with, the third was the technique Happosai used to liberate his silky darlings . He explained his choices to Kasumi. The first two were refinements in controlling and increasing ki, while the third would allow him to disarm an attacker quickly depriving them of a needed weapon.

As they prepared for the night Ranma talked over the route they would take the next day heading back south toward their original destination. Since Kasumi had began to adapt to her new form Ranma decided to go over the mountain which would increase her endurance and would put them near the location he knew of where street fights were common.

Kasumi was shocked at first but Ranma explained that most of the participants really enjoyed fighting and it gave them the chance to meet better opponents and that he did handicap himself by restricting himself to the style of the fighter he met. He did admit some of the fights were brutal but she had taken care of him and others from fights that had caused them more damage.

He wanted her to watch and analyse the fights not participate in them. He would, of course, as the money would be welcome and after learning about laptops he wanted one. As it became full dark they went to sleep and when it became colder than Kasumi was used to she joined him covering them with her sleeping bag. His initial panic gave way and he relaxed as she snuggled up to him.

A quick cold wash up in the morning and a quick breakfast on leftovers from the night before saw them well on their way. Kasumi quickly appreciated the extra reach and strength as Ranma chose the path that would provide the most benefit and get them there the quickest. A tired but smiling Kasumi drank her tea and replied to Nodoka's E-mails while Ranma made discrete inquiries to where the next fight would be.

Luck was on their side as elimination would start in the morning and Ranma entered then cursed to himself he had forgotten to change. and the women's fights didn't pay as well as the men's did. As he was about to leave he noticed that there was an open category as well where the top fighters from the matches could compete regardless of gender so he signed up as well.

After a good nights sleep they entered the area and Ranma put the last of their money with Kasumi. Ranma was delighted to see an old man taking bets and he told Kasumi that he had a reputation of being scrupulous honest. After introducing themselves by first names only, he made the first bet and ask if Kasumi could stay with him as he always had the best advantage point. The cute girl and the compliments paid off and Ranma was assured of Kasumi's safety while he fought.

The odds against Ranma declined as the fights progressed but the their money grew offsetting lower odds. Kasumi learned from listening to Ichiro who knew the fighters and most styles. A few comments from Kasumi and Ichiro begin having some of his men make side bets favouring Ranma which began to pay off well. Most of the elimination matches were a breeze but two were brutal one a large woman overpowered her opponent and broke her leg. The second a misplaced kick broke Aoi Mai's arm while her retaliatory strike took her opponent out of the ring.

Kasumi's deft hands and manner while aiding the doctor gained her respect from the various participants. After a few words to Ranma, Ichiro quickly chase Kasumi off to the ring to aid the doctor and handled the bets himself. He had observed Ranma fighting and knew she was holding back to just over the skill levels of her opponents taking them out with just enough force to win after well fought match. When the woman broke another opponents leg in the next round Ranma became upset as it was apparent that it was deliberate but allowed under the rules of the fight.

When the petite girl stepped into the ring with the bone breaker, everyone thought it would be a short fight and bet heavily against her, instead Ranma prolonged it dealing punishing blows while using the woman's style against her. A half minute before the time limit Ranma deposited her out of ring with a leg sweep and a not so gentle push.

Ichiro had to laugh at Ranma's pathetic expression as Kasumi fussed about him being so mean. The men's elimination matches went just as quickly with only one notable fight as two top fighters faced each other early in the third round. When Ranma said Ryu would win Kasumi went ahead and bet on the match and increased their holdings by a substantial amount. The final men's match was between Ryu and a Samoan named Viper, Ranma told Kasumi not to bet on it, they were too evenly matched. Ichiro carefully readjusted the odds based on Ranma's observation to Kasumi. At the end of the time limit the judges declared it a tie. Kasumi ask Ranma who would have won if the fight had continued and he replied Viper. Their styles complimented each other but Viper was a bit stronger and had the edge on endurance.

They broke for lunch but rain moved in and cancelled the open category much to Ranma's disgust. He had looked forward to a match with Ryu or Viper. Kasumi laughed as Viper and Ryu walked past griping about the cancelled match also. They decided to leave and try to make it to the next hostel that evening when an explosion ripped thru the area. Even Kasumi could tell it was a ki blast, and that it was Ryouga.

They hurried out in time to see Ryu and Viper facing Ryouga. Kasumi began to get everyone out of the area and Ranma began to move up to the pair.A ki blast from Ryouga took them out and Ranma leaped over Ryouga to direct his attention away from the crowded area. Kasumi and a Korean who had lost the next to final round gathered up the fallen martial artists. After seeing what Ryouga had done to them they heeded Kasumi's warning about staying out of the way.

Ranma's casual greeting to Ryouga simply identified him as the next target and he began to attack with his bandanas. Everyone was scared and they were sure Ranma would be killed, even Kasumi was worried. This Ryouga was stronger than she remembered and Ranma was fighting in his cursed form which while faster was considerably weaker than Ryouga.

Ichiro moved up beside Kasumi realising she recognised Ranma's opponent. Kasumi repeated her warnings about everyone staying well back and that if anyone had a chance against Ryouga it would be Ranma but only if he didn't have to worry about others getting hurt trying to help.

Kasumi began to gather what she would need after the fight was over. She had two doses of antidote just in case and the strongest tranquilliser she could get. The fight doctors gathered around her and offered their stock of medicine and she made up a dose that would kill a normal human and just maybe make Ryouga drowsy. Now all she could do was wait and worry.

Ranma kept the major destruction away from the crowd and allowed Ryouga's blast to rearrange the mountainside behind him. Moving in with quick strikes to pressure points and out again to avoid fists that were pulverising boulders, Ranma proceeded to wear at his opponent. he did not escape unscathed, time and again Ryouga's new speed would allow a punch to land. His laughter was maniacal rivalling Kodachi's at its worst. His ki blast had almost stripped Ranma and the blows he had landed were apparent as bruises were forming all over Ranma. He began to gloat as Ranma's blows were nothing more than bee stings to him and his last blow had broken Ranma's left arm and probably several ribs. He set himself to deliver the final blow leaving himself open mocking Ranma's inability to hurt him when Ranma delivered one last kick to the pressure points he had been working on.

Ryouga was like a tank in his new form, but even a tank can be taken out with a shaped charge and that was what Ranma was doing, repetitive blows to the same spots that finally took their toll as Ryouga made one final swing batting Ranma aside before crumpling into an unconscious heap.

As soon as Ryouga crumpled Kasumi was moving. First to a stumbling Ranma who waved her on to Ryouga, forcing him to swallow the antidote and tranquillisers, then back to Ranma sweeping the smaller body up in her arms as she ran back to a tent that had been erected for the doctors. She sent four of the strongest fighters to get Ryouga with a stretcher then set to work on Ranma.

Stripping what little remains of clothing there was Kasumi and the fight doctor began to treat the more critical wounds and bind the broken ribs. Ranma was irritated and let it be known his arm had just healed from one break and now he had another. Kasumi shut him up effectively by bending over and giving him a big kiss. The local clinic had an x-ray machine that they made use of, confirming the broken ribs and arm and on hunch from the fight doctor a fractured tibia and clavicle from the last blow.

Ichiro offered his service for Ranma's care and no one had any idea what to do about Ryouga. A quick E-mail later and Ryouga was sent to Nerima under heavy sedation. Over-ruling Ranma, she accepted his offer of transportation to a rail station and a sleeping berth to Kyushu. Ranma fussed about being babied until Kasumi gave him another kiss and left him dazed.

A longer E-mail was sent detailing Ranma's injuries and details of the fight. When the fighters heard that Ranma was going to be all right they all took turns congratulating him. When they found out he had entered the fights to get money for a laptop some quick calls were make and surprised and embarrassed Ranma received a new laptop as they were boarding the train as a thank you gift. Ichiro and Kasumi exchanged E-mail addresses they both had open invitations to visit anytime.

A fussy Ranma was installed in his berth and soon went to sleep as the days events and the pain medication took their toll on him.