Chapter 2

Genma Saotome had on some occasions claimed to have sealed of his most deadly techniques. This was false. He often employed them before entering villages in advance to lay out the plans for Ranma. This time he used it to find out what Kasumi was talking about.

Already in the Umi senken Genma Saotome moved silently through the hall. The girl had red hair and looked quite similar to Ranma's girl form. 'Younger though. What did Kasumi say again? Ranko Saotome!'

Still holding his breath he moved silently forwards. The girl was dressed in a pink kimono with flowers and birds decorating its arms. It made her look way to similar to Nodoka. Genma couldn't deny the evidence infront of him. 'I'd better hide for a while!'

Two furry ears were moving along the wall. 'Is he really that stupid or does he want me to catch him prowling?' I stood still waiting for his move. Humming to myself I reached for the contract I had with me.

Taking it out I pretended to read it. 'I'll wait him out no point in stressing impossible knowledge.' Trying hard not to smile I maliciously kept on mumbling its contents.

The ears fled at that. Quickly! 'He still recognizes the contract. Good.' I pocketed the paper and drew out my katana. 'I hope the sound of metal will speed up his resolve.'Had the panda seen the blade he would have run offto China by now...

The panda man sat down waiting for Kasumi to get him some kettle water. He would soon be a human once more. 'Cursed be the Jhusenkyou victims. It's all Ranma's fault! Why'd he pick the Girl curse? Did he know about the contract?'

The curse in his case wasn't that bad. He felt quite different in the animal form. Comfortable in fact. Ranma should have gotten the same curse he had, after all Panda's are great! Genma mused over these thoughts as Kasumi poured the just warm enough water onto his head. "Thank you Kasumi the water was perfectly tempered."

"It was nothing really." Kasumi shied away at the change not quite able to keep the smile.

'She didn't faint!' Thinking of Kasumi as a potential fianceé he forgot about the other problems on the rising.

Moving silently I had made it into the living room. Genma was human again and sat infront of Soun discussing the engagement. Somehow they completely missed my presence. 'It's not like I expected them to be that dangerous or anything. Even though Genma seems suspicious. What's this about Kasumi?'

Walking over to their table I asked out loud. "Hello. Is one of you Genma Saotome?" Trying my best to look like mother had taught me I gauged their response.

"NO-CHAN!" Genma flew up blubbering incoherently. Apparently he hadNOT heard my question.

Forcefully holding back a smirk I addressed Soun. "Is Ranma here?" Still looking as much as possible like Nodoka. Tapping on the katana wrathed in silk kept Genma silent. 'How stupid is he?'

At that moment Akane ran through. "AAAAAAAHHHHH! PERVERT ALARM! AAAAHHHH!" Obviously Ranma had showed his male side! 'Why'd she run around naked, I thought she was a prude?'

Genma doesn't react to this insanity however. He remains paralyzed unaware of the surrounding madness with a glazed look in his eyes. Soun has yet to start crying indeterminately. 'Good he is unaware of Ranma's curse then. Better stop Akane!'

TWOCK

Akane takes the leap into lala-land deceptively easy. Now kneeling she has an almost serene facial expression.Sound didn't miss this however... "WAAAAAAAAAHHH! My youngest daughter looks like Kasumi."

Ignoring him I wait for Ranma's appearance. 'What's Kasumi doing in the kitchen?' I am left to the significance of that thought. 'Maybe I should preen out the full knowledge from Genma now?' Tapping my chin my patience withers away...

SLAP!

I let my hand linger on his cheek hiding the splotched pale outline of my rather small hand... "I do like slapping people you know..." That comment was more to myself than to anyone in particular. The fact that Nodoka often slapped her moronic husband was something I was utterly unaware of.

"NO-CHAN YOU STILL LOVE ME!" Painful and totally unprepared for it glomping ensues!

In the kitchen. Kasumi's knowledge of the house is unparallelled. While preparing tea for Mr Saotome and the most recent encounter Ranko she had her left hand firmly molded to the radiator. She was listening in on the exchange taking place in the dojo! And in the living room. (Ever wonder how Kasumi is so able to pinpoint the intentions of those inhouse in advance!) 'Hopefully Mr Saotome won't do anything stupid. Ms Saotome said her name was Ranko afterall. He can't be that stupid or can he?' Going about her business she floats away with the fully loaded tea tray towards the living room...

This time reflex rules all. The faster than the eye is able to percieve upwards stroke with the katana stops Genma in his tracks. Holding a finger to the tip of his nose he has stopped the frontal part from slipping off. A single sliver of blood and yellow cartilage lingers on my blade from the strike.

Some seconds of quiet before I flick it off to the ground. "I prefer that you stay in line father. I'm not Nodoka. I'll not allow behaviour of this kind in my presence." I lower the blade so the tip of it touches the ground.

In the allencompassing quiet the crowd is paled by my presence. There is no humour in what I represent. Both Genma and Soun know of this.

"Anybody up for chocolate chip cookies!" This time Kasumi is truly oblivious to her surroundings...

MASSIVE FACEFAULT! Even Akane back from la-la-land.

Later in the living room all Tendo's are gathered around the table. General discussion erupted mostly Nabiki enquiring about my relation to Ranma and intent. I had to stop Akane from lashing out at Ranma upon his curse getting revealed. Genma nervously chewed on the same cookie while glancing at my katana. Soun cried softly for himself. Kasumi just kept on smiling and proffering cookies and tea. How it got here I'll never know...

"So, Ranko what is your plan of action now that you know of Ranma's curse?" Nabiki was the one to ask the questions.

"I'll tell mother of his curse and explain how Ranma acquired it. Then of course the Tendo-Saotome marriage pact although it needs mother's approval before being acknowledged." Soun stopped crying for a moment yet remained silent. 'Maybe he is aware of mother's status as clan-head?'

"Hey Ranko you think mother is serious about the contract. I mean I was only what? Three at the time." Ranma is happy over getting to know he has a little sister. He is all smiles even after asking this question.

"I don't think you need to worry about that brother. Mother will be fair in her appraisal no doubt of it." Smiling for his benefit I notice that Genma isn't calmed down by this at all. 'He's got bigger sins on his mind...'