Chapter 6 The Real Kasumi
The next morning, on Sunday, everyone finished another wonderful breakfast fixed by Kasumi. While not the most sensitive person in the world, Ranma had thought he had sensed something about Kasumi, something that seemed off-key. He helped bring the dishes from the dining platform into the kitchen, and then began helping Kasumi wash the dishes. After they finished, Kasumi began doing the laundry. Ranma stood there for a while watching her work, and then let his eyes wander around the kitchen. He saw a pleasant, but sterile room, with a shelf full of books. He noticed that while most of them were cookbooks, there were several well-read medical books, including some on psychology. He thought about that for a moment, and then he became curious about something. "Kasumi," he asked, "What do you do for fun? I mean, every time I see ya; you're doing some sort of housework. Isn't there anything else that you would rather be doing?"
Kasumi stopped what she was doing. "Oh, my," she said, "I guess I really hadn't thought about it. Aside from my reading, and now our training sessions, I guess I don't do anything else." She started looking a bit sad.
"Damn, I didn't mean to upset you, Kasumi. You need to get out of the house for something besides shopping. I think what you need is for an attractive young man like myself to take you for a walk," Ranma said, with a smile. With that he took the apron off of Kasumi, folded it neatly, and then took her hand and led her out of the kitchen.
As the two of them walked past Nabiki, Kasumi asked politely, "Nabiki, we're going out for a walk. Could you and Akane work on the laundry? I decided that I needed a break, I'm kind of tired of being the servant." Nabiki looked at her in shock as they walked hand in hand out of the house.
Once they reached the park, they sat down on one of the benches overlooking the lake. They sat there in peace, listening to the birds sing, the children play, the couples rowing on the lake or walking hand in hand through the park. Slowly, Kasumi began to relax, soaking in the beauty of the day around her.
Ranma waited for a while, and then asked, "Kasumi, why do you hide your skill in martial arts?"
Kasumi looked shocked, surprised that he had already noticed. "What do you mean by that?" she said stalling for time.
"It's been obvious to me that you continued to train. You've been trying to hide it when we practice, but I've seen too many signs. Even when you're just cleaning house or walking, there are signs," he replied.
"I never gave it up, I just train by myself when no one is around. I was afraid that Akane would never learn enough self-control to ever be able to inherit the school, so I felt that our family honor required me to stay proficient. I don't want to take that away from her, it's not what I want to do with my life. I've managed to keep it a secret from everyone, hoping that she would learn and be the heir," she replied.
"I understand. Akane wouldn't take your ability well. I won't mention it, either. She has made some progress, so there is hope for her. I'm more worried about you right now, though. Kasumi, how long has it been since you really enjoyed what you were doing?" Ranma asked gently.
Kasumi didn't appear to hear him, but eventually she said, "I guess not since Mother was alive. She made me promise to take care of everyone. I had to grow up so fast after that I forgot about how to live. I guess I was there for everybody else, and forgot about me. I've turned into a shell of a person." She started to cry. Ranma looked uncomfortable, and then slowly folded her into his arms. Gradually, she began to hold him back, crying on his shoulder. He sat there holding her, allowing her to cry herself out, hoping that she wouldn't end up hating him for making her cry.
Finally, she sat up, releasing him. He let her go, and handed her his handkerchief. She dried her eyes, and then said, "Ranma, I'm sorry that I broke down like that, it won't happen again."
"That's what friends are for, you did the same for me, remember. Kasumi, I think you've been holding your emotions in check for too long a time. From what your sisters told me, you've always been the strength of this family. Everyone turns to you for comfort, but that doesn't give you anybody to turn to. If you ever need someone to talk to, or to hold you while you cry, that's the least I can do," Ranma said.
"Thanks, Ranchan, I could use a friend, I don't really have that many. Most of the people I knew in high school are long gone, and I guess I was starting to feel old, and used up," Kasumi replied.
"No problem, Kasumi-chan," Ranma said, with a smile, 'Ranchan, starting to get a bit comfortable with me, isn't she?' "Besides, you're not that old, you're just nineteen, with a lot of life ahead of you. Now, if you could find the time, is there something that you really want to do that you have been putting off?" he asked.
"Yes, I've always wanted to go to college. I've been fascinated by medicine and healing for as long as I can remember. I've been borrowing books from Dr. Tofu, but that's really not enough," she said.
"Promise me you'll also do fun stuff, like going to a movie, or out dancing, or something?" he asked. She nodded, and then giggled. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry, I'm just not used to having an overprotective brother," she said.
He smiled, "That's the nicest thing I have heard in a long time, Kasumi-chan." She started giggling again. "I guess my work here is done," he said tongue in cheek, "We probably need to get home, I need to talk to your sisters."
They walked back home, Kasumi feeling much better; she actually began to feel like a young woman again. When they got home, they found the girls finishing hanging the laundry out to dry. "Why don't you go relax in the furo, Kasumi-chan? We can finish this up," Ranma suggested. Kasumi thought for a second, smiled, and then headed into the house.
"Kasumi-chan?" Nabiki asked with a smirk.
"She started it, but she's starting to feel too old. Calling her Kasumi-chan should remind her she's still pretty young after all. She's starting to feel a little taken for granted too, so it wouldn't hurt to thank her for what she does," Ranma said.
"Ok, spill it, what else is wrong with Kasumi? Where'd you go?" Nabiki asked.
"We went for a walk, and then ended up in the park watching life go by. She looked a little down to me so I asked her if she was happy. She said she isn't. She feels like she had to grow up entirely too fast, and doesn't have time for a life anymore. She also wants to go to college to study, but feels like she can't get away from the house. I thought maybe if we picked up more of the housework, maybe when the semester starts, she can go," Ranma said, "I also think she might enjoy an afternoon of goofing off, maybe shopping or something with the two of you. What do you think?"
"That might not be a bad idea. She would have some fun doing that. We'll take her, but on one condition, the four of us girls make an outing of it. You need some things too you know!" Nabiki said, with an evil smile.
Ranma glared at her for a moment, and then said, "If it will make Kasumi happy."
Akane looked at Nabiki, then they both nodded. "I think if we just assign some of the chores to everyone, we can get the housework done. We also need to keep up the training as well. Even you, Nabiki, you looked like you were beginning to enjoy it," Ranma said.
"Yeah, once my muscles stopped hurting, I thought I was in better shape than that, you sadist," Nabiki growled.
"Kasumi was going to go soak, I bet she would like some company," Ranma said, "Why don't you two join her? We're about done here, and I can finish up the rest."
Author's Notes:
Thanks for all of the reviews. I hope you have enjoyed the story so far. I'm sorry it did get a little Akane-centric, but that was kind of the law of unintended consequences. I needed to set up a few things, and the chapters kind of wrote themselves in this order. The other girls will start to get more play as the story goes on.