Ranma 1/2
Altered Destinies: A scary thought
Once again, very special thanks for his efforts on this chapter and others go to T..
Chapter 12
"Great, my sister is a lesbian!" Nabiki said aloud to break the silence.
"Nabiki!" Nodoka, Soun and even Akane scolded in reflex. It didn't help. Kasumi wanted nothing more than to cry in embarrassment at the moment.
"Well, how else do you want to explain it?" Nabiki shot back, sarcastically then started. The remark had been her usual off the cuff response to being surprised. Now however, she was considering some of the ramifications of this, particularly in light of Kasumi being in her bed. Nabiki immediately paled at the thought.
"Let's not jump to any conclusions," Nodoka said, but found it hard to take her own advice. She turned to look grimly at Kasumi. "Kasumi, would you please explain this?"
Kasumi merely sat, returning Nodoka's look blankly for a moment. Finally he shook himself and lowered his head, directing his gaze at the table and trying to think of just how he would explain. My god, why did I do such a thing, Kasumi asked herself. "I... I... ummm... It must have been what I drank." Kasumi finally answered as he looked up. "I've never been... ahh... drunk before," Kasumi said, cursing the way it sounded.
The response to this was varied. Akane seemed to accept the answer. Ranma was shaking his head, wondering how the hell he'd gotten himself engaged to such a person. Nabiki was unconvinced, which frightened her even more. Genma appeared to accept the answer, though Kasumi believed this was to preserve his own life since blame would inevitable start coming his way. Ryouko savored the sight of Kasumi squirming. Shampoo seemed a little disturbed, and Cologne just sat there enjoying the reaction to her bombshell.
The reactions that troubled Kasumi the most, however, were that of his father and Nodoka. Both wanted to believe it, yet their uncertainty was showing. If much more happened, Kasumi honestly feared being disowned.
"Very well," Nodoka said finally. "Perhaps you should continue."
Kasumi tried to collect himself and continue, but his shattered nerves combined with clouded memories really didn't allow that. Cologne took Kasumi's confused frown as a cue and spoke up. "The young man was a little... inebriated. However, I have done some extensive interviews with those involved. I believe I can help fill in the gaps."
It was the truth. Kasumi's recollections were simply too incoherent to continue the story himself. With a reluctant nod Kasumi diferred to Cologne. Cologne smiled at that and as she started back into the tale Kasumi knew this was just the beginning. With every word another memory was triggered, and Kasumi felt like a noose was wrapping that much tighter around his neck.
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Suddenly Kasumi's instincts snapped him out of his daze and a rush of adrenaline washed the effect of the alcohol temporarily out of his system. Looking up he spotted the large woman Shampoo had defeated approaching them, a large vicious looking club in one hand, and an even more vicious look in her eyes. Kasumi once again plucked Shampoo away from the warmth of his body, but this time he swung her around behind him. Having placed her in a protected position he faced the approaching Amazon who lifted her oversized mace and snarled at Kasumi.
"Get out of my way outsider or get hurt."
Kasumi did not understand her words but the tone and actions were universal. He adopted a defensive stance and waited. Eyes as cold as ice chips looked into the Amazon's and she saw havoc written in large letters there. The Amazon's expression broke, and her scowling look changed to one of wide spread happiness.
"He shields his love from harm," she shouted out in approval, and the surrounding Amazons cheered. Turning she leered at Kasumi. "Too bad the skinny girl won. You're in for a lifetime of bony elbows and hips. Now, I could have really kept you warm on those cold night. Well, your loss." With a shout to some friends, she disappeared into the crowd.
Kasumi blinked and stared after her. "What just happened here, Shampoo?" He asked, but turning he saw that Shampoo has disappeared. Kasumi felt a wave of fear roll over him. The big woman had been a distraction. "SHAMPOO," he screamed, spinning in place and trying to find Shampoo's distinctive hair in the crowd. "SHAMPOO," he bellowed again.
"Why would you want a little girl like Shampoo, outsider?"
Kasumi spun at Shampoo's name but she was not there. Instead there was an older woman, only an inch or two shorter than Kasumi. She strolled up to him and ran a finger slowly down his chest. "You're such a big boy. Surely you want something more than a little girl like Shampoo." She plastered herself tightly against Kasumi and wrapped her arms around his neck. With a low moan she rubbed herself up and down Kasumi's front, and then moved in for the kill. Slowly, languidly she raised her face to Kasumi's, only to see that he was not paying the slightest attention to her.
The adrenaline had temporarily held off the effects of the monumental amount of alcohol Kasumi had consumed. Now it was flushing out of his system fast, and as it went Kasumi once again began to feel the effects of over indulgence. His mind began to cloud and his thinking to slow. "Shampoo!" Kasumi cried out once again while trying to free himself from the embrace of the Amazon vamp. Finally, frustrated by her refusal to release him, Kasumi reached around behind himself and caught her wrists in his hands.
"That's nice dear hold me nice an... Wait, what are you doing? Let me go."
Kasumi was pleased to note that his new body easily forced the woman's arms out from around his neck. Holding both of her wrists in one of his large hands he looked around for Shampoo again. The seductress was not finished yet however. She reached out a foot and began to stroke Kasumi's thigh, all the while looking at him with heavy lidded passion filled eyes. Annoyed at her continued distraction Kasumi swept her up into his arms. With a gleeful cry she snuggled up as best she could with Kasumi still holding her wrists. She settled for rubbing her body against his chest, and murmuring sweet nothings into his ear as Kasumi carried her along.
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"Wait!" Kasumi held up a hand to halt Cologne's narrative. He had a hand pressed to his forehead and was frowning with the effort of remembering. "This woman, is she about this tall?" Here he held a hand at eye level. When Cologne nodded, he continued. "Long blond hair, very large... eyes?" Kasumi blushed, at his slip.
"Indeed, Tonic does have blond hair, and very large... eyes." Cologne smirked at her. "Is your memory returning then?"
"Not exactly, a little earlier today I had a flash of memory. It was of a woman acting much like what you described. I could not place it at the time." Kasumi tried not to look at anyone else. He was all too aware of how deeply Cologne was digging his grave. Suddenly a thought hit him. He directed a hard look at Cologne. It might be that Cologne's story was being slanted to show him in as bad a light as possible. If he was disowned, she might believe there would be nothing to keep him in Japan. That if he lost his home he would willingly come with her and Shampoo to China. Well, he was warned now. He would take her words with a grain of salt. Anything he did not remember would be suspect. "Please, continue." Kasumi said to the elder Amazon.
"As you will, now where was I?"
"Kasumi had just swept this blond with the big... eyes up into his arms." Nabiki said. Kasumi winced.
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Tonic snuggled happily into Kasumi's arms. No man could resist her charms, she thought. Her self assurance and contentment ended with a splash, however, as Kasumi reached his destination and dropped her into a watering trough beside the well designated for animal usage.
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"Way to go sis!" Akane shouted out loud, laughing at the image Cologne had so vividly described. Ranma and Shampoo joined in the laughter, and the adults smiled as well. Only Ryouko looked sour. It was obvious that some of their doubts concerning Kasumi had been allayed. Kasumi wished he felt as confident. His belief that Cologne was slanting the story had been severely compromised. After this how could he know if Cologne was telling the truth? What memories he did have were bad enough. Once again he felt fear over what he might hear concerning that night.
"If I may," Cologne said to calm the laughter.
After the young people had stopped, she continued the story.
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With a scream of outrage Tonic popped out of the water, and produced a truly impressive sword from her cleavage. Kasumi had already walked away, calling for Shampoo. She gave an angry snarl and started to go after him, but a laughing group of villagers descended on her. She was rapidly striped of her weapon and after a little bantering from the crowd she stepped forward. Raising a hand in the air she muttered, "Fidelity."
The crowd boo-ed her and then yelled out, "FIDELITY," at the top of their lungs.
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"Just what is going on here?" Nodoka asked.
Cologne sighed at being interrupted yet again. "As you now know, defeating an Amazon means she must marry you. We are not fools however. The punch that Kasumi drank is a traditional beverage, drunk at all weddings, not just challenge weddings. It loosens the guard most people place on their thoughts and actions. It allows their true nature a chance to come out. In challenge weddings it is traditional for the villagers to test the groom."
"And if he fails," Nodoka asked.
Cologne shrugged her shoulders. "Accidents happen. We live in a mountainous region. Sometimes people get drunk and walk off cliffs. Now if I might continue," she said with a touch of impatience.
Nodoka nodded, but thought to herself, I wonder just what else was in that drink?
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Kasumi ignored the commotion behind him, he had to find Shampoo. She was under his protection and he had let harm befall her. He ducked out of the main thoroughfare, such as it was, into the area behind the village. Surely they would try to get her away from the crowd.
He walked through the back yards of the village calling Shampoo's name. A clatter and a cry of pain drew his attention. It was getting harder and harder for him to think. His training and willpower had kept him going far longer than he should have been able to. Weaving slightly Kasumi reached the area where the noise had come from. The sound of weeping could clearly be heard. "Shampoo, is that you?" He asked in a slurred voice.
Kasumi tried to force aside the fog that was clouding his mind. Focusing with all the concentration he was able to bring to bear he made out the huddled form of a small child weeping bitter tears as she grasped her knee. Her pants were torn and the cloth stained with blood. Kasumi struggled to focus, fighting the confusion in her head. "Not Shampoo... little girl... where's Shampoo?"
Kasumi turned to resume his search, and paused. "Not right. Martial artist protects the innocent. Couldn't protect Shampoo. Shampoo gone, don't know where." He tossed back his head and screamed. "WHERE ARE YOU, SHAMPOO?" Then, his head fell forward and he muttered. "Gone, all gone." Focusing on the crying child Kasumi bent over to pick her up and almost fell over. Bracing one hand against a nearby house he tried again, and picked up the young child with one hand. Then cradling her in one arm he began to make his way towards the lights of the party, pressing his free hand against the building he passed to keep himself upright. "Solright now." Kasumi murmured to the child whose tears had stopped.
"Protect the innocent...Your innocent, aren't you? Course you are... little girl like you. I was a little girl once, you know. No more, no more, little girl all gone. Wore away. Little girls don't go on training trip... That what everyone say... Proper girl stay home, marries husband, raise children. Don't go on training trips... Nope! Never do that... Guess they right... Not girl no more... Even got a girl friend, how about that? She gone now, don't know where. Where you go Shampoo? You not Shampoo... but innocent. Gotta protect. What martial artist do, you know... protect. Not girl no more, lost somewhere. Lost girl friend too. Just can't keep... All left is protect."
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Kasumi felt shame. These were his most hidden thoughts and fears, things he had never shared with anyone. To have them revealed in front of everyone like this... was mortifying. Then he felt a soft hand on his own, he looked up, and into Nodoka's eyes. They were damp with unshed tears and her grip tightened.
"I am so sorry Kasumi, I never knew, and I should have." Here she directed a hard look at Genma, who cringed. Looking back at Kasumi she continued, "Can you forgive me?"
Kasumi was surprised at the guilt in her eyes and he tried to reassure her. "Please, it's all right. I must have been feeling sorry for myself back then. It was not really that bad. Most of the time, I was very happy. It was just that sometimes I felt such a stranger."
"You are no longer a stranger dear, please believe me. I don't think I could bear it if we were to make you feel like less than you are. Please, trust us."
Kasumi returned the pressure Nodoka was putting on her hand, feeling strength flowing into him from the words she offered. Firming his back he turned to Cologne and said, "Please continue."
"Yes, please do," Nodoka said, "And this time let us wait until the end, no matter what may be revealed."
Cologne nodded at her, and started talking again.
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Kasumi became aware that she was surrounded by quiet villagers. A matronly woman stepped forward and gently took the child from Kasumi's arm. Kasumi stood swaying in the street. Then, the crowd parted and in the opening Shampoo stood, a look of anticipation on her face. Kasumi gave a cry and staggered over to her. Catching her up he hugged her fiercely with all his might. She returned the hug and gently stroked his back. "Lost you. Thought you gone. Thought I failed, glad you alive."
Behind Kasumi the child, walking quite well for someone with an injured leg, stepped forward. Holding up her hand she cried out in a piping voice, "Compassion." This was echoed by the crowd.
Another voice cried out, "Love." The crowd hesitated for a moment and they all stared at the couple embracing oblivious to the crowd of people looking at them
"Love," repeated one of the villagers.
"Love," several more chimed in.
Finally, the entire crown roared out, "LOVE."
Kasumi, softly stroking the purple haired tresses resting below his chin, heard none of this. He was lost to anything other than the girl in his arms. Finally, Shampoo pulled herself free and took him by the hand. She led him down the street, the crowd parting before them, many of the villagers murmuring blessing and ribald statements as they passed. Past the crowd and up the street they went, finally pausing before a small shrine. A village elder stepped forward flanked by several other elders. Several warriors stepped forward as well, bracketed between them were the guide and Genma. The elder rattled off several sentences to Genma. The guide responded to her, and then translated for Genma.
"She say, is boy adult in your country, or he need permission to wed from guardian. I say, boy man now. Very bad they find out he not boy. If he boy he marry, if he girl he die. I say he ok, he marry. You want say anything?"
Genma had a rather dazed expression on his face and merely muttered over and over again. "Kasumi will beat me. Nokoka will kill me. Soun will break all my bones and then kill me. I'm doomed."
Impatiently the elder snapped at the Guide. "Well, we don't have all day here. There is wine to be drunk, food to eat and a bride to be deflowered. What does the idiot say? Not that it matters, but it is so much less messy if we do this by the book."
"The gentleman can think of no reason why he would stop this wedding."
"Good, then we can do this officially," she doffed her head piece and replaced it with a mao cap. "By the power invested in me by those jackasses in Beijing I pronounce you man and wife. Sign here," she produced an official government form and with a little help from the guide and Genma they managed to get Kasumi's signature down on paper. Shampoo added hers and then leaped at Kasumi, hugging him fiercely and kissing him passionately. After a second or ten Kasumi's arms come up and he hugged her tightly, returning her kiss with interest.
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"That is the end of my part of the story." Cologne said, ignoring the looks that the others were directing at Shampoo and Kasumi. "I believe Kasumi may carry on from here."
Kasumi was still feeling a little shell shocked. "I...I don't remember... any of this." He turned to Shampoo with a look of fear. "Shampoo, did..."
Shampoo took a second to comprehend Kasumi's implied question then quickly spoke up. "No! Is all right. Kasumi very tired. Go back to wedding hut, fall asleep. Nothing happen." If something had... Shampoo shuttered slightly at the thought.
Kasumi felt a wave of relief crash over him. His certainty in what had happened that night had received several severe blows. To learn that the worst had not in fact happened was a great relief. Strengthened by that knowledge he turned to the others to continue the story. "If I recall I was not feeling very well the next morning."
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Something small and furry had crawled into Kasumi's mouth and used it for a lavatory. Then, impressed no doubt by the fixtures, it had told all its little furry friends who had also told someone, who told someone, who told someone, and so on, and so on. In short, he felt like crap. He sat up and immediately regretted it. Obviously the little furry finks had flushed. He cradled his stomach with his hands until it stopped threatening to chuck it all and go live in a nice monastery monk. When an inspection with his fingers confirmed that he was not in fact blind, he proceeded to the next job of the day, forcing his eyelids open. A bit of rubbing and a little manual labor later he managed to get them opened. He immediately closed them and waited for the blast front to hit. When nothing happened he cracked them open the smallest bit possible and stared out at the new morning. After deciding that a nuclear bomb had not in fact gone off, and it was simple the morning light that was attempting to drill a hole through his head, he went on to the next order of business.
Where was he? In a hut first of all, more than likely one in the village of the Amazons. Very nice people really. Very good losers, he thought back fondly to Shampoo. He had a friend. It had been a long time since he had a friend. He had enjoyed himself last night. For the first time in a very long time he had not had to worry about enemies and lechers. He had been free to simply enjoy himself. He winced as a fresh spike hammered into his head. Maybe I won't enjoy myself quite so much next time, he thought ruefully.
Feeling a little better he looked around at his surroundings. Some very attractive and expensive things were hanging here and there, scattered across shelves and tables. He could swear that was a bowl of diamonds sitting on the table just next to him. Just then the morning sun found a new hole to use as an entrance. A small beam of light shot through and struck the bowl. Kasumi winced and turned away from the dazzle. Yep, diamonds or really good lead crystal, he concluded. Blinking his eyes to clear away the tears he spied his bed mate.
Shampoo, well that's certainly a lovely sight to wake up to, he thought. Must say it's a treat not to have to share a bed this big with more than one person. Most of the time when they had stayed under someone else's roof Kasumi ended up spending the night in a bed with all the daughters and young children of the house. Sitting up fully he stretched out his arms and worked the kinks from the night before out of his back. As he did so he pulled the covers off of Shampoo who murmured in discontentment for a moment before snuggling up to Kasumi, giving a small sigh of satisfaction as she did so. Kasumi gazed down at her fondly. It was nice to have a friend, and one who she had so much in common with too. Giving another loud yawn he scratched his chest lightly and prepared to get up. Something else was already up he noticed. Why couldn't his new parts stay quiet? He remembered the embarrassment of his first morning as a male and how he had been sure he would explode before the water would boil. He could not bear to touch himself, but he had gotten used to it. He had no choice but to do so. Like it or not it was his body now and he would have to live with it. Suddenly Kasumi's thoughts crashed to a halt. Wait a minute, if I'm male why am I sleeping with Sham...Aggg.
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Kasumi blushed, and turned to Shampoo. "Could you do help me with the next part please? I'm not sure what it was you said to me back then. Could you please fill in your words for me?" Shampoo nodded in agreement, and Kasumi resumed the story.
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Kasumi resisted the urge to scream as Shampoo's small hand reached across his belly and hugged him. "This bride is very happy that her husband has gotten up early in the morning," she said with a grin. Straining she tried to remember the words she had learned from the Guide while she had been hiding from her husband so the villagers could test him. "You be friend, Shampoo thinking." Pleased that she had managed to get it right she ran a finger up and down Kasumi's chest. Suddenly shy she dropped her head and asked. "Would you like to finish the wedding ceremony now. You were too tired last night. I would like to make you happy. I never thought I would find someone like you." Lifting her head she continued, "Please make lo..." She trailed to a halt as she saw she was alone in bed. "Where..."
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Shampoo blushed furiously as she said the last little bit. To think that she had behaved that way towards another woman. That she had asked one to... No! She had not done anything to be ashamed of. She lifted her head and glared at the others around the table, and then blinked when she saw that all of them, even Great Grandmother were all looking at Kasumi, who was still telling the story.
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Kasumi was frantically trying to get the fire built up in the cooking pit so he could heat some water. Pouring all but the minimum amount of water out of the copper pot he placed it directly on the embers. When he heard Shampoo slid out of bed he glanced over and flushed as the naked Amazon walked towards him. O my, O my , O my, he thought, blowing frantically on the embers and feeding small pieces of tinder to them.
Finally the water reached a temperature that would cause the change. Turning he faced his 'bride' who had been watching him with extreme confusion. Kettle dangling from his hand he said. "Shampoo, I'm sorry, but you have to know this." With that he upended the kettle over his head.
Shampoo stared in shock as her husband's body shrank and shifted. Where before there had been her love, now there was a strange woman, a little taller then her and just as well muscled. The woman said one word, "Jusenkyo."
Kasumi fearfully watched Shampoo as she said that word. She lived close to that cursed place. Surely she must know of it. She watched as shock gave way to horror and then red rage. Kasumi felt her heart break as Shampoo snatched up one of her Chui and lunged across the floor. Kasumi shut her eyes and bowed her head. She would not dishonor herself by resisting her rightful punishment. A tear ran from each tightly shut eye and left a streak down each cheek. She waited for the blow that would take her out of this life and reunite her with her mother.
Instead of the sound of a blow the noise of someone weeping filled the room. Kasumi opened her eyes and looked at Shampoo who knelt on the floor, hugging herself and rocking back in forth in anguish. Kasumi extended a hand in trepidation, wanting more than anything on earth to be able to gather the weeping girl into her arms. She let her arm fall. It was no good. She was the cause of Shampoo's grief there was nothing she could do to help her. Shampoo, wiping a hand across her eyes to clear away the tears, rose from the floor. She crossed over to the far wall where a book shelf stood containing several dozen tattered pamphlets. Selecting one she opened it to a certain page and carried it across to Kasumi. Not looking at her former husband she extended her arm and handed the document to Kasumi her thumb marking the pertinent paragraph.
Kasumi quickly noticed that there was a Japanese translation on the opposite page. Reading the section indicated by Shampoo she saw. If an Amazon warrior is defeated by an outsider woman she must give her the kiss of death and then kill without delay.
"That's barbaric," Kasumi exclaimed. She looked across at Shampoo who gazed back with pain filled eyes. Seeing that Kasumi understood she made an imperative gesture indicating that Kasumi should leave. She continued to gesture, indicating with two fingers on a table top that Kasumi should run far, far away.
"I understand," Kasumi picked up a bucket of cold water and changed back into her male self. Finding his clothing and the back packs that someone had placed in this room he prepared to leave. He turned one last time to look at Shampoo but she did not acknowledge him. She stared fixedly at the back wall of the hut ignoring her husband.
A small tear trickled down Kasumi's cheek and he turned to leave. He paused at the doorway as a great emptiness took a hold of him. He looked back at Shampoo who was staring blankly off to the side and found himself dearly wishing he could stay. For a brief time she had loved him and he had felt happy and contented. However, that could never be now. She no doubt felt used and something of a fool. At the very least he could tell her, tell her that it wasn't just an act. "I'm sorry, I did like you, very much," he said. Shampoo looked back at him for a second but he really couldn't tell if she understood. Nothing more I can do here, he thought then turned and quickly left.
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"And that is the last I saw of Shampoo until today." Kasumi said, but even as the others started discussing his story, his mind slipped back to his last sight of China.
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Kasumi looked back at the departing shore line as the ship carried them away from China and towards home, finally. This trip had lasted too long. She had very nearly lost the last trace of femininity she possessed. To think she had been so warped by Genma's training and her curse that she had actually told another girl that she had feelings for her. Well, at least Shampoo had shown common sense in her rejection of that perversity. Thank god she had not done anything during the night she had spent with Shampoo. She still had no memory of any event after the aborted attack. Shampoo's disgruntled opponent from the tournament was the last thing she clearly remembered. She had no need of memory from that night however. She had been too upset at first to think rationally, and still had too much alcohol in her system to really think clearly for awhile after they had left the village. As she had moved farther away from the village however she went over the memories she did have with a rational mind, unclouded by emotions and alcohol. There had been no physical evidence of any intimacy between her and Shampoo, so they had done nothing more than share a bed. She shuddered. My god, what if I had though? What if I had gotten her pregnant? Could she do that? Just how complete was the curse? It had certainly had her acting a complete fool. What other masculine traits would she manifest?
Turning her back on China, she moved to the other end of the ship. Better to forget where she had been. It was time to start thinking of where she was going. If she was ever to be the person her mother had wanted she would have to work at suppressing the effects of her curse, and Genma's training. She would not give up without a fight. She resolved to shove all memory of the past two weeks away. She would not let it ruin her life. She was a woman. She would find a kind man who would understand to be her husband. She would have children and grandchildren and eventually the memory of a purple haired Amazon would be like a dream lost in the misty past. She looked out over the bow of the ship waiting for the first sign of home.
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Kasumi finally brought himself back to the present. Around him nearly everyone was talking: Cologne with Shampoo, Nodoka with Genma and Soun, and Ranma with Akane. Only Nabiki kept her peace, yet she kept casting glances Kasumi's way with a peculiarly haunted expression.
Finally Cologne and Shampoo finished speaking and Cologne looked over the room's occupants. She cleared her throat to gain their attention then spoke. "Now, as you now know the marriage is valid. Kasumi will have to return to China with us."
"That is unacceptable," Soun responded firmly. "I will not have my daughter forced into this. She was clearly not in her proper mind when this marriage occurred, be it legal or not."
Cologne sighed as she looked at Soun's unyielding face. "You will have to accept this in time. For the moment can we not at least agree that Kasumi is married to Shampoo?"
Kasumi wanted desperately to deny this, but unfortunately the facts were against him. However, his father did not seem ready to submit. "Father, I too do not wish to admit it, but the facts are the facts. Denying them will serve only to distract us with the semantics while we should be trying to solve the real problem."
"But Kasumi-"
Nodoka broke in. "Kasumi's right. It is merely an official title, and nothing more. I can see no real useful purpose in denying it." Soun finally lowered his head in defeat and Nodoka turned to Cologne. "However, make no mistake, even though we acknowledge the title does not mean we will allow Kasumi to be taken back to China to be forced to live out her life in this fashion."
Cologne nodded. "As you wish, but I think you will eventually change your mind. In meantime, Shampoo is without a place to stay and I have not the room for her where I am staying at the moment. Would it be allowable for her to stay here?"
"I suppose," Nodoka responded. "But, she will be sleeping in Akane's room."
"Acceptable. I must be going," Cologne said as she sat up and re-balanced on her staff. She gave the families a slight nod then hopped out into the yard and then out of sight.
The gathering quickly broke up. Akane started to lead Shampoo upstairs while Nodoka came over to talk to Kasumi. "It's all right Kasumi. We'll find some way of changing you back."
Kasumi looked at Nodoka for a second in confusion then remembered his other problem. "I'd almost forgotten about that. I hope you're right." Kasumi replied with a sigh. "Mrs. Saotome... I-"
"There's no need to explain Kasumi. We can all do some strange things when we've had too much to drink and to be frank it wouldn't surprise me in the least if more than simple alcohol was in that drink. I doubt they would admit to such though. We'll work this all out somehow."
Kasumi took some reassurance from Nodoka's words, but everything that had happened today had left him mentally drained. "I think I'll go for a short walk. I really need to clear my head." Nodoka nodded in understanding and Kasumi headed off. Ryouko watched him leave in a mix of emotions. One thing was for sure, there was no way she was letting this incident drop.
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Some time later Kasumi had returned to the house, but was resting on the fence to think. "I'm married to a woman. I'm trapped as a man," he mumbled to himself. "Mother would never understand this."
"What I never understand is how the hell you get away with this crap!"
Kasumi let out a small moan as Ukyo sat down next to her. "Not now Ukyo."
Ukyo ignored him, looking out into the night. "You know, I already had you figured as a user, and a liar, but I never figured you as a drunkard and pervert." Kasumi clenched his fists, trying to contain his growing anger, his knuckles turning white with the strain. "To think I exposed myself to you. You must get some perverse sexual pleasure out of it all, huh? Maybe ruining other people's lives and toying with their emotions turns you on."
Ukyo smiled then turned to look at Kasumi. The sight of Kasumi shaking with barely controlled emotion and his eyes clamped shut, glistening with tears, broke Ukyo's smile. So, the pond scum has feelings, Ukyo thought as she returned her gaze to the night sky. Turning away didn't help the growing feeling of guilt inside of her.
Damn it, he's destroyed my entire life. Why should I care if I hurt his precious feeling, Ukyo asked herself. She immediately answered her own question. Because, it's low, something he'd do. I'm supposed to be better than that. I won't let myself drop to her level.
Ukyo growled in frustration then turned back to Kasumi. "Sorry," she said grudgingly after a moment. Kasumi stared at Ukyo in shock. "I'm just a little mad at the moment," she continued, then grabbed a lock of her pink hair and glared at it bitterly.
"Thank you," Kasumi managed to get out after few seconds.
Ukyo released the hair to glare at Kasumi. "You want to thank me? Then go away. Why don't you just go back to China with this girl and show that you do actually give a damn about the hurt you've caused people."
"I can't do that. It would-"
"Why not?" Ukyo nearly yelled out.
"It would be a lie." Kasumi said more forcefully.
"What lie? She knows exactly what you really are."
"The marriage," Kasumi corrected. "She did not know I was a woman then, and I certainly wasn't thinking straight at the time. Only some law says we are married, but neither of us would have agreed if we knew the truth at the time. I can't just lock someone in that kind of relationship. Could you?"
"You're dodging the whole issue! You haven't got a choice, or don't you get that? It's either, go back or leave her life in ruins. Or, is that what you want to do, like you did to me?"
"No! I never meant-"
"Don't hand me that garbage! If you never meant it then why didn't you come back huh? I could have been on someone's dinner plate thanks to you. So, where the hell were you?"
"I didn't know."
"Didn't know..." Ukyo echoed in disbelief. "You just love dodging your responsibilities, don't you?"
"Ukyo, there is nothing I can do about your curse."
"I don't exactly see you trying much, do I?" Ukyo shot back. "All you seem to be trying to do is destroy any chance I have with Ranma."
"The water was an accident," Kasumi protested.
"Yeah sure, just like knocking me into the spring in the first place was an accident. I'm not a fool, so stop insulting me with your lies!" Finally frustrated and angered to her limits Ukyo dropped off the fence to walk away. "I won't let you take the last piece of happiness I have. If that means keeping you trapped the way you are, or knocking you out and sending you back to China myself, I will. I'll never let you marry Ranma and destroy his life too." Ukyo said then with one last defiant stare marched off for the house.
"Great, this is all I need!" Kasumi said aloud. He had a moment of hope with that apology that he could get through to Ukyo. However, now she had turned into an added obstacle to his cure, and he was sure that she would be a formidable one. Why is it every time I seem to be making some progress with her things get even worse, Kasumi asked himself. The answer would probably never come.
XXXXX
"Here, this is my room." Akane said as she led Shampoo inside. To Akane's surprise C-chan leaped immediately into Shampoo's arms and startled to snuggle up there. Shampoo was a little startled by this and held the cat tentatively, unsure how to respond to the animal's sudden affection for her. "That's really odd. She's never done that with anyone else." Akane commented then started to gently take the cat from Shampoo. "Come on C-chan. You shouldn't jump at people like that." C-chan gave a meow of protest, but final submitted and let Akane take her.
"Cat seem... oddly familiar," Shampoo said, eyeing the feline suspiciously. She dismissed the strange feeling and examined the room. Her eyes quickly picked out the various signs that revealed the room to be that of a martial artist, but that was to be expected. The room was slightly larger than the one she occupied at the restaurant, and this one she had to share with only one person instead of three.
"I got a tournament tomorrow so I was thinking of turning in early. You don't mind, do you?" Akane asked.
"Is okay."
"Good. I'll be right back with a sleeping bag that you can use." Akane left, making sure to close the door to keep C-chan inside.
Shampoo sighed and sat down on the bed. She had come here to sort out everything that had happened between herself and Kasumi. She had not quite been prepared to hear that Kasumi had basically forgotten most of it. As if this situation wasn't troublesome enough.
Shampoo suddenly found C-chan on her lap. "What did I do to make you like me, huh?" Shampoo asked the cat, then began idly petting it as she continued to talk. "Why couldn't I have a nice, simple, normal life and be married to a real man? No, I guess that would be too easy, considering my luck with men." Shampoo scowled at that thought then noticed C-chan purring contentedly as she tried to snuggle in even closer to Shampoo. Again a feeling of familiarity was triggered and Shampoo picked up the cat and held it in front of her face to examine it. She didn't know anyone with a pink cat, or even a cat that looked generally like this one. Before she could arrive at any sort of answer to her quandary Akane returned with a sleeping bag.
"Something wrong?" Akane asked as she set the sleeping bag on the floor.
Shampoo frowned, but then set C-chan down on the floor. "No, cat just seem strange."
"Well, she is acting kind of weirder than normal. Maybe she thinks she knows you," Akane offered in explanation.
"Shampoo no know silly cat. Shampoo no really know any cat, certain no pink cat."
"Like I said, she thinks she knows you. She took a hit to the head, so maybe she's a little confused."
Shampoo looked at the cat, but then pushed away the feeling. Whatever it reminded her of probably wasn't a cat, perhaps some other animal she had once seen. In any case, it was unimportant. Shampoo set about getting ready for bed.
Akane, who was also preparing for bed, found C-chan staring at Shampoo's back as she started to undress. She grabbed up a pillow and dropped it on the seemingly mesmerized animal, startling her and gaining her attention. "Silly cat. Trust me, she's from China. You've never seen her before." C-chan cast another glance at Shampoo then laid herself on the floor to look inconspicuous.
XXXXX
Much of the night three people got little sleep.
Kasumi's mind kept returning to the night at the village and what he had done. Despite knowing he was intoxicated at the time; his actions still left him in a mess of emotions. More then ever Kasumi wondered how far he had slipped into manhood. Something else also greatly troubled him. How could he deal with Shampoo? Ukyo was right, he was basically trapped in this situation. What could he do?
Shampoo's mind was much the same, wondering just how to approach the situation from this point on. That first night her feelings had seemed so sure. She loved that man that night, yet now she was questioning herself. Was she so desperate to gain love that she had blinded herself to Kasumi's true nature? Then again, were there ever any clues to pick up on that Kasumi was a woman and not a man? Did it really matter? Shampoo struggled with those questions.
The other person was C-chan, lying at the foot of Akane's bed as usual but her attention solidly locked on Shampoo. Now, her memories restored to her, she was working out her plans for the future. She'd lost a lot of precious time, but now she could act.
End Chapter 12
Finally, that day is over. What has it been, 4 chapters? Well, it's done, now onto recovery time.
Bye for now.