'Over the Clouds'
Kasumi awoke for the day, and brushed the stray hairs that had escaped to the fore of her face during the night's slumber. Like a vibrant and fantastic dream, she remembered the events of last night, but hardly could believe them. A fiancee that could change from a girl to a boy that was old enough to be near her peer, yet mentally would look up to her.
She absently checked the cross around her neck, as she folded the covers from her body. Kasumi dantily put one foot down upon the soft, somewhat fluffy carpet in her room, and yawned before allowing the second one to join it. She stood up from her bed, and walked over to her vanity mirror. She sat before it, and took her hairbrush from its usual place. With gentle, yet thorough caresses, she drew the brush through her chestnut strands, finding herself relaxing and awakening at the same time to the steady rhythm of her repetitions, and the soothing pull on her scalp. It helped to clear the morning fuzz from her still-awakening mind, and would allow her to do the duties that she had committed herself to since her mother passed away.
The eldest daughter walked from her room, and down to the bathroom. She put out the occupied sign, and removed the wooden planks that covered the furo. The water was still warm, which meant it would not take long to become comfortably heated again.
She shed her mature night gown and undergarments, and carefully removed her cross, being cautious not to get it caught in her hair. After filling a washbucket with cool water, she sat upon one of the washing stools, and slowly upended it over herself.
At the contact of the cold liquid, Kasumi felt her skin and underlying muscles awaken, somewhat protesting the sudden chill they were exposed to, and consequently demanding the rest of her body supply the surface area with warm blood. Her circulation came alive, truly preparing her for her normal day.
As she scrubbed the almost non-existant grime from her body at a strength meant to exfoliate dead skincells, Kasumi recalled upon the recent signifigance of what cold water meant. Two of the three guests that had arrived last evening were afflicted with uncanny, but tragic curses that caused them to change form with cold water. The elder became a panda, while the younger was charged to turn into a lively looking young girl.
Kasumi realized the 'lively' part was more due to another affliction the younger suffered from, and wondered how she should feel about it. As she thought over it, she noted her own sense of pity for the young man, but intellectually considered that Ranma didn't need pity, he needed the care and understanding of those around him. Also, the innocence of his childish mind didn't comprehend the problems he faced, thanks due to his father, who had worked hard to give Ranma the happiness he rightfully deserved. Kasumi decided that she would be proud to honorably call the man her uncle. Kasumi also decided that any assistance she could give would still be the very least she could do for his courage in raising his son.
The other guest that accompanied them, the one claiming to now be Genma's wife due to a bizarre tribal law, was somewhat of an enigma to the caretaker of the Tendou home. Shampoo couldn't possibly be in love with Genma, a man easily the age of her own father, but Kasumi could see the affection she gave him, much to his embarrassed chagrin. Kasumi could't decifer if it were out of love, or a great respect, but it was given easily. Shampoo also seemed to tend to Ranma as if she were older herself, and Ranma was her own child. Kasumi would have to ask the girl some time how she could adapt to such an unusual situation so well.
Once again, Kasumi drenched herself in cold water, the second dousing causing her flesh to pimple out in rebellion to its treatment. With a shiver, she anticipated the soothing waters of the large tub ahead, and resolutely headed for it. Her slender hand skimmed across the steaming surface, finding the temperature perfect. She entered, allowing a soft sigh to escape her; these twenty minutes would be her bliss, before she had to head back out to the world beyond the bathroom door.
Beyond it lay the pressures that she had grown accustomed to; the caring of her sisters with far more effort than an older sibling is required, the caretaking of the home, the preparation of meals, and so much more with a smile of contentment. She didn't mind it, in fact, she took pride in being able to do such. But, she recalled a time, long ago, where it all seemed so hard. But that was then, this was now.
Kasumi indulged in the soft currents created around her by the slightest motions she made; for now, she would just allow her mind to drift...
Her meditation was interrupted, as the outer opened from almost being slammed, and she looked up to find the psychologically youngest of the Tendou's three guests, staring with his mouth wide open.
A lyrical and incomprehensable language was heard just outside, followed shortly by an irritated lavender haired young lady. Shampoo's eyes went just as wide as Ranma's, but she recovered herself quickly, and brought her hand over Ranma's eyes.
"Shampoo sorry, Shampoo REALLY sorry! Never happen again!" Shampoo started scolding Ranma in her native language, as if he would understand her, while leading him out of the bathroom. Kasumi sunk deeper into the water, not accustomed to the sudden tension she was feeling from having her privacy invaded.
____________________
Kasumi was having trouble preparing breakfast. It was nothing to do with her ability, which was over par for most of her peers, oh no. It had a little to do with the wild and fantastic battle commensing outside.
Akane had been the second awake in the household, and had returned from her morning jog, entering through the back. Walking into the kitchen, she found her eldest sister staring dumbfounded outside, "Kasumi, something wrong?"
Listlessly, Kasumi could only point outside.
Ranma was inverted in the air, as Genma attempted to rain blows upon his child as if he were in a fierce battle for his life. Ranma twisted around each lightning-fast attack like an undissippating whisp of smoke from gusts of wind. Akane found herself staring in shock... that was until she saw Shampoo bearing on Ranma from behind.
"WHAT'S SHE DOING?!?" Akane shouted, becoming infuriated from the sneak attack from behind the seemingly oblivious pigtailed boy.
"Watch," Kasumi replied, breathlessly, not wanting to take her eyes off the action.
Ranma suddenly parried, and then grabbed his father's arm, making the first instance of contact since Akane started to watch. Ranma twisted while still upside down, swung his legs around, and planted his feet almost too gently onto the elder Saotome's back. Ranma then vaulted off, forcing Genma into Shampoo.
The larger mass knocked the Amazon for a loop, but Genma rolled, subtracting a great deal of the impact's force from both of them. Shampoo and Genma groaned from the pile they formed, and stopped when they heard Ranma's giggling from the distance. With a silent nod to each other, they both sprung back into action, with Genma going high, and Shampoo going low.
Ranma leapt back into the air, and suddenly darted down at an angle between his two attackers. It was as they had expected, as Shampoo suddenly leapt up to meet Genma, and reached out her hand.
"Predictable, Ranma!" Genma called out, swinging Shampoo around in the air, and sending the girl towards his son at the same trajectory, but three times faster.
Ranma turned in the air to see Shampoo heading towards him with a fierce kick, and chuckled lightly. He landed just before Shampoo could connect, and leaned to the side in a Capoeira negavita, which brought his body down completely side with his head touching the ground, and his hands braced.
Shampoo just barely missed, as her foot skimmed over Ranma's shirt, and then skidded against the ground, with her yelp stating her surprise.
Genma rushed in, presuming Ranma to be at least slightly distracted, but didn't find himself surprised, when Ranma cartwheeled away from his straight punch. Genma followed up with an outside crescent kick in the direction his son rolled off to, only to have it dodged by an airborne sideways sommersault.
Ranma landed on one hand, and lifted off just before Shampoo's iron broom sweep took his arm from under him. Ranma landed once again, and found himself in the midst of flailing arms and legs from both sides, and with a gleeful laugh, he almost effortlessly evaded them both.
"They'be been like this for over thirty minutes," Kasumi exclaimed with a tone of awe.
"Wow," even Akane had to breathlessly give voice to her shock; it looked as if his two attackers were seriously trying to maim him.
Just then, Ranma leapt against Genma's thrusted knee, and then bounded off of it, inverting himself in the air. He braced his hand onto Shampoo's shoulder, right by her neck, and twisted, incidentally causing her to continue her three-sixty kick right into Genma. Concequently, they both happened to be right next to the fish pond.
Ranma laughed, as Shampoo apologised prefusely, while helping her husband out of the water. Nearby, Soun chuckled, just catching the end events, and drawing attention to himself.
"[A little help, Tendou?]" Genma's sign read, as he finally was pulled from the pond.
"Well, it seems that Shampoo has it under control," Soun replied, attempting to seem non-plussed.
"He mean help Shampoo and airen with Ranma," Shampoo clarified, as Ranma blinked and perked to hearing his name called.
Soun was surprised at the request, "you mean... all three of us against him?"
Genma and Shampoo sadly nodded their heads, "Is no challenge to Ranma. He need bigger challenge if improve."
"Ah..." Soun found it difficult to comprehend Ranma needing *three* skilled fighters to even give him a sufficient workout.
Once the action had taken a break, Kasumi resumed preperation of the morning meal. "A dream," she said softly to herself, shaking the images of teenage boys with minds of a child, and fantastic talent in the art, and of men falling into the pond at the front of her house, and then rising out of it as pandas.
Kasumi awoke for the day, and brushed the stray hairs that had escaped to the fore of her face during the night's slumber. Like a vibrant and fantastic dream, she remembered the events of last night, but hardly could believe them. A fiancee that could change from a girl to a boy that was old enough to be near her peer, yet mentally would look up to her.
She absently checked the cross around her neck, as she folded the covers from her body. Kasumi dantily put one foot down upon the soft, somewhat fluffy carpet in her room, and yawned before allowing the second one to join it. She stood up from her bed, and walked over to her vanity mirror. She sat before it, and took her hairbrush from its usual place. With gentle, yet thorough caresses, she drew the brush through her chestnut strands, finding herself relaxing and awakening at the same time to the steady rhythm of her repetitions, and the soothing pull on her scalp. It helped to clear the morning fuzz from her still-awakening mind, and would allow her to do the duties that she had committed herself to since her mother passed away.
The eldest daughter walked from her room, and down to the bathroom. She put out the occupied sign, and removed the wooden planks that covered the furo. The water was still warm, which meant it would not take long to become comfortably heated again.
She shed her mature night gown and undergarments, and carefully removed her cross, being cautious not to get it caught in her hair. After filling a washbucket with cool water, she sat upon one of the washing stools, and slowly upended it over herself.
At the contact of the cold liquid, Kasumi felt her skin and underlying muscles awaken, somewhat protesting the sudden chill they were exposed to, and consequently demanding the rest of her body supply the surface area with warm blood. Her circulation came alive, truly preparing her for her normal day.
As she scrubbed the almost non-existant grime from her body at a strength meant to exfoliate dead skincells, Kasumi recalled upon the recent signifigance of what cold water meant. Two of the three guests that had arrived last evening were afflicted with uncanny, but tragic curses that caused them to change form with cold water. The elder became a panda, while the younger was charged to turn into a lively looking young girl.
Kasumi realized the 'lively' part was more due to another affliction the younger suffered from, and wondered how she should feel about it. As she thought over it, she noted her own sense of pity for the young man, but intellectually considered that Ranma didn't need pity, he needed the care and understanding of those around him. Also, the innocence of his childish mind didn't comprehend the problems he faced, thanks due to his father, who had worked hard to give Ranma the happiness he rightfully deserved. Kasumi decided that she would be proud to honorably call the man her uncle. Kasumi also decided that any assistance she could give would still be the very least she could do for his courage in raising his son.
The other guest that accompanied them, the one claiming to now be Genma's wife due to a bizarre tribal law, was somewhat of an enigma to the caretaker of the Tendou home. Shampoo couldn't possibly be in love with Genma, a man easily the age of her own father, but Kasumi could see the affection she gave him, much to his embarrassed chagrin. Kasumi could't decifer if it were out of love, or a great respect, but it was given easily. Shampoo also seemed to tend to Ranma as if she were older herself, and Ranma was her own child. Kasumi would have to ask the girl some time how she could adapt to such an unusual situation so well.
Once again, Kasumi drenched herself in cold water, the second dousing causing her flesh to pimple out in rebellion to its treatment. With a shiver, she anticipated the soothing waters of the large tub ahead, and resolutely headed for it. Her slender hand skimmed across the steaming surface, finding the temperature perfect. She entered, allowing a soft sigh to escape her; these twenty minutes would be her bliss, before she had to head back out to the world beyond the bathroom door.
Beyond it lay the pressures that she had grown accustomed to; the caring of her sisters with far more effort than an older sibling is required, the caretaking of the home, the preparation of meals, and so much more with a smile of contentment. She didn't mind it, in fact, she took pride in being able to do such. But, she recalled a time, long ago, where it all seemed so hard. But that was then, this was now.
Kasumi indulged in the soft currents created around her by the slightest motions she made; for now, she would just allow her mind to drift...
Her meditation was interrupted, as the outer opened from almost being slammed, and she looked up to find the psychologically youngest of the Tendou's three guests, staring with his mouth wide open.
A lyrical and incomprehensable language was heard just outside, followed shortly by an irritated lavender haired young lady. Shampoo's eyes went just as wide as Ranma's, but she recovered herself quickly, and brought her hand over Ranma's eyes.
"Shampoo sorry, Shampoo REALLY sorry! Never happen again!" Shampoo started scolding Ranma in her native language, as if he would understand her, while leading him out of the bathroom. Kasumi sunk deeper into the water, not accustomed to the sudden tension she was feeling from having her privacy invaded.
____________________
Kasumi was having trouble preparing breakfast. It was nothing to do with her ability, which was over par for most of her peers, oh no. It had a little to do with the wild and fantastic battle commensing outside.
Akane had been the second awake in the household, and had returned from her morning jog, entering through the back. Walking into the kitchen, she found her eldest sister staring dumbfounded outside, "Kasumi, something wrong?"
Listlessly, Kasumi could only point outside.
Ranma was inverted in the air, as Genma attempted to rain blows upon his child as if he were in a fierce battle for his life. Ranma twisted around each lightning-fast attack like an undissippating whisp of smoke from gusts of wind. Akane found herself staring in shock... that was until she saw Shampoo bearing on Ranma from behind.
"WHAT'S SHE DOING?!?" Akane shouted, becoming infuriated from the sneak attack from behind the seemingly oblivious pigtailed boy.
"Watch," Kasumi replied, breathlessly, not wanting to take her eyes off the action.
Ranma suddenly parried, and then grabbed his father's arm, making the first instance of contact since Akane started to watch. Ranma twisted while still upside down, swung his legs around, and planted his feet almost too gently onto the elder Saotome's back. Ranma then vaulted off, forcing Genma into Shampoo.
The larger mass knocked the Amazon for a loop, but Genma rolled, subtracting a great deal of the impact's force from both of them. Shampoo and Genma groaned from the pile they formed, and stopped when they heard Ranma's giggling from the distance. With a silent nod to each other, they both sprung back into action, with Genma going high, and Shampoo going low.
Ranma leapt back into the air, and suddenly darted down at an angle between his two attackers. It was as they had expected, as Shampoo suddenly leapt up to meet Genma, and reached out her hand.
"Predictable, Ranma!" Genma called out, swinging Shampoo around in the air, and sending the girl towards his son at the same trajectory, but three times faster.
Ranma turned in the air to see Shampoo heading towards him with a fierce kick, and chuckled lightly. He landed just before Shampoo could connect, and leaned to the side in a Capoeira negavita, which brought his body down completely side with his head touching the ground, and his hands braced.
Shampoo just barely missed, as her foot skimmed over Ranma's shirt, and then skidded against the ground, with her yelp stating her surprise.
Genma rushed in, presuming Ranma to be at least slightly distracted, but didn't find himself surprised, when Ranma cartwheeled away from his straight punch. Genma followed up with an outside crescent kick in the direction his son rolled off to, only to have it dodged by an airborne sideways sommersault.
Ranma landed on one hand, and lifted off just before Shampoo's iron broom sweep took his arm from under him. Ranma landed once again, and found himself in the midst of flailing arms and legs from both sides, and with a gleeful laugh, he almost effortlessly evaded them both.
"They'be been like this for over thirty minutes," Kasumi exclaimed with a tone of awe.
"Wow," even Akane had to breathlessly give voice to her shock; it looked as if his two attackers were seriously trying to maim him.
Just then, Ranma leapt against Genma's thrusted knee, and then bounded off of it, inverting himself in the air. He braced his hand onto Shampoo's shoulder, right by her neck, and twisted, incidentally causing her to continue her three-sixty kick right into Genma. Concequently, they both happened to be right next to the fish pond.
Ranma laughed, as Shampoo apologised prefusely, while helping her husband out of the water. Nearby, Soun chuckled, just catching the end events, and drawing attention to himself.
"[A little help, Tendou?]" Genma's sign read, as he finally was pulled from the pond.
"Well, it seems that Shampoo has it under control," Soun replied, attempting to seem non-plussed.
"He mean help Shampoo and airen with Ranma," Shampoo clarified, as Ranma blinked and perked to hearing his name called.
Soun was surprised at the request, "you mean... all three of us against him?"
Genma and Shampoo sadly nodded their heads, "Is no challenge to Ranma. He need bigger challenge if improve."
"Ah..." Soun found it difficult to comprehend Ranma needing *three* skilled fighters to even give him a sufficient workout.
Once the action had taken a break, Kasumi resumed preperation of the morning meal. "A dream," she said softly to herself, shaking the images of teenage boys with minds of a child, and fantastic talent in the art, and of men falling into the pond at the front of her house, and then rising out of it as pandas.