Chapter 17

Kasumi began to stir as the sun's rays peeked through her window. She didn't try to fight it like the others in her family as she was an early riser anyway. As she sat up in her bed and stretched. She turned to her left toward her alarm clock. She looked and saw that it was fifteen minutes after seven. She woke up immediately when she saw that. She was usually up by 6:45 so that she came get breakfast ready. She quickly got out of bed and prepared herself. She rushed downstairs only to see her family already eating.

Kasumi was very confused at the moment and wondered what was going on. Nabiki saw her standing there and gave her a smirk.

"Hey Kasumi, come and eat the breakfast that Ranma made." Nabiki said. Kasumi walked over in a daze and sat down.

"Ranma made breakfast?" Kasumi asked.

"Didn't you know already? He said that you were taking a rest for the day so I turned off your alarm clock. He called the school and they are allowing him to come in for a half day so that he can clean the place up. He's such a nice tenant." Nabiki said with a smile. Kasumi blinked owlishly until she remembered the conversation last night. While she did remember agreeing, she didn't really hold it in confidence. She quickly came out of her shock and began to eat. She took a bite and was surprised that it was good.

"Wow, this is pretty good." Kasumi said.

"I know. It isn't as great as your cooking but damn if it isn't close." Nabiki said.

"It isn't that great. I bet I can cook something like this." Akane muttered. Nabiki just snorted at her.

"I don't like this." Growled Genma. "He's acting like a girl. I didn't raise him to cook and clean."

"Maybe he learned it when he was away from you those days he learned that you were a bad father." Nabiki whispered.

"Nabiki!" Kasumi chided. All talking ended when Ranma entered the room. He was in some sweets and had some cleaning supplies on him. He saw Kasumi and smiled.

"Hey Kasumi, when you're done eating, I'm ready to clean. Just point in right direction and I'll do it." Ranma said.

"Ranma, I thank you for the gesture but it really isn't necessary." Kasumi said.

"Yes boy, it is embarrassing to act like such a girl. Not get ready for school and leave the housework to Kasumi." Genma ordered.

"You can stuff it old man. Look Kasumi, I said that you deserve a day and I meant it. The school okayed my half day and I'm ready. I just want you to enjoy a day for you. So just let me do it because I can be really stubborn about things." Ranma said with mirth. In addition, he did the sad puppy face again. Kasumi crumbled under the cute look.

"Okay fine and thank you. You can get started on the floor boards on the outside." Kasumi said.

"Yes ma'am." Ranma said and saluted. He made his way outside and began to get to work.

"Man, you are sure lucky Akane to have a man like that. Maybe I should reconsider my stance in this arranged marriage." Nabiki said with a grin. Akane huffed before grabbing her stuff and walking out. Nabiki just shook her head and followed her. Kasumi was left alone but she had a brilliant smile on her face. Today was going to be a good day in her mind.

XXX

A sore Ranma walked into class. He kept rotating his shoulder as it was pretty tight. He sat near the window and he kept rotating his shoulder. As he did, he wondered what he was going to cook for dinner tonight. He decided on two Chinese dishes that he learned to make back in China. He was pretty good at making them and he was sure that the Tendos would appreciate it. He groaned as his shoulder kept bothering him. Who knew that Kasumi did some much?

He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder, which began to rub the sore spot. He turned to see Shampoo smiling at him. She continued to rub the spot and Ranma began to feel the muscle loosening. He relaxed and allowed Shampoo to do her magic even though this action might have some consequences.

"Working hard Ranma?" she asked.

"Something like that. I was doing Kasumi's chores. She does a lot for her family so I thought that I would give her a break after she gave me some advice." Ranma answered.

"Is she your," Shampoo asked while holding up her pinky.

"What? No, no, no, she a really good friend of mine. We talk a lot." Ranma said. Shampoo mentally sighed in relief. She didn't need any competition for Ranma. If only she knew. She just continued to rub the sore spot and she smiled when Ranma just allowed her to do so. That's when Akane entered the class room and saw what was going on. She was red in the face and her fists were clenched.

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING IN CLASS?!" Akane shouted.

"Ranma was sore in his shoulder so I'm helping loosen the muscle. Is there something wrong with that?" Shampoo asked her with a small smile. She enjoyed the fact that Akane got even madder. She had learned that the two were engaged but Ranma did not take the engagement seriously. In fact, Ranma saw her as nothing more than a spoiled brat. She finished rubbing the shoulder and gave Ranma a pat. "There, all-done." Shampoo said.

"Thanks a lot Shampoo. My shoulder feels a lot better." Ranma said. Akane snarled like a bull but did nothing. She had learned that Ranma wasn't going to take any of her 'attitude' as he called it. She just settled on glaring at the two from the front. Ranma just sighed at her behavior while Shampoo just smirked.

XXX

"This is new. Housekeeper Kasumi has finally been freed of her burden of keeping house." Nabiki joked.

"Nabiki," Kasumi said with a tone. The two met each other when school was let out. She asked if the two wanted to go shopping with her and Nabiki agreed. Akane wasn't in the greatest of moods, so it was decided that she go home.

"I'm just teasing you sis. It's good that you can come out once in a while." Nabiki said. The two windowed shopped for a while before the conversation picked up again. "So, you got any idea what the pig-tailed wonder is cooking tonight?"

"No idea. He said that it would be a surprise. He really is mature for his age. I'm pretty sure that he will become the man that his mother wants him to be." Kasumi said. That's when an idea came to her. "Say why don't we fine his mother and reunite them?"

"You really think that's a good idea? You got to wonder who this woman is if she is willing to marry someone like Genma. Besides, what kind of a woman would actually agree to a seppuku pledge with a six year old?" Nabiki asked.

"You do have a point." Kasumi said.

"Look, we can look for her but I don't think that we should get the two together just yet. If we do find her, then let's scout her out. If she's as loony as the father, then we keep them away from each other." Nabiki said.

"Nabiki, I surprised that you care." Kasumi said.

"Of course I care. Ranma is a paying client, tenant and model. He's helped me more than any other person I know and I didn't even have to swindle him. That is a person you just can't let go." Nabiki said seriously. Kasumi just shook her head as the two continued to walk around.

XXX

Genma was at his wits end. He watched as the son that he trained since six years old, defy him again and again. It was frustrating and infuriating at how weak he presented himself. This was not the man that he was raising to take care of him when he took over Soun's dojo. He watched as his son talked with Kasumi and Nabiki over the meal he made. He couldn't enjoy it as it was a woman chore to do. Why was he embarrassing him so? This needed to be stopped and it needed to be stopped now.

Genma slapped his palms on the table, scaring everyone. Genma looked at his son with a hard glance. Ranma returned the glance and looked at Genma without fear.

"You got something you want to say pops?" Ranma asked seriously.

"I've had enough of your attitude boy. You defiance has finally reached its' end. I have tolerated it for as long as I can but I can no longer. You have brought shame upon me as your master and your father." Genma snarled.

"Is that so? Please, oh father, how have I shamed you?" Ranma asked mockingly.

"You go around, prancing around like a girl, doing woman's chores and studying when you should be training and getting stronger. You deny your feelings for Akane, who is perfect for you, to run around with the gymnast or that Chinese hussy. You disrespect my teachings by going out and learning more when everything I have taught you is perfect. You have shamed me constantly and it will stop right now! You will respect me boy!" Genma ranted. Ranma glared at his father and looked at him with cold eyes.

"You talk about respect when you have done nothing to deserve it. Just because I refuse to live off the Tendo's charity like you do doesn't mean that I'm girly. I don't love or even like Akane. Shampoo and Kodachi are better woman and better friends than she could ever be. Hell, if I wanted to marry a Tendo, it would between Nabiki and Kasumi. As for your teachings, I want nothing to do with them. A father should be proud that his son is making his own path in the art but you're just concerned that your free ride would be over. You dare talk about me shame you? You shame me! What type of father would put his only child through the shit that you did?!" Ranma shouted.

"I did what I believe was best!" Genma shouted back.

"You did it to feed your fat stomach! Everything you've done has been so that you can live off my work! Well guess what moron, it ain't happening. I will continue down my own path and I will do it without your guidance. I have broken your hold on me and I'm never going back to how things were. So you can stuff it pops!" Ranma exclaimed. Genma was angrier than he could ever be. He lashed out at Ranma. However, Ranma sensed it coming and caught the punch. He quickly put him in basic aikido hold and dragged him to the ground. Genma growled and rolled over to get out of the hold. Ranma let him go but charged at him. He blasted him with three punches that sent him flying outside.

Genma stood as his son stepped outside. He glared at him before the two charged at each other. The Tendos watched as they traded blows with each other. Unlike their father, Genma was still very skilled in the art. Ranma was not letting up and landed some shots of his own. From what they could see Genma had a slight advantage when the fight took to the air but on the ground, Ranma neutralized him. Another solid punch landed on Ranma's jaw. He turned with the punch while grabbed the wrist. He twisted it and used Genma's momentum to throw him to the ground. He then twisted his arm and hyperextended it. Genma pounded the ground but ignored the pain. He got to his feet and swept Ranma off his feet. He backed away to get some distance while holding his arm.

Ranma popped back to his feet and got into a boxing stance. Both Saotomes were breathing hard and both were sporting some bruises. When it looked like they were going to charge at each other again, Kasumi stepped in front of them.

"Please stop this! You don't have to slug it out like this. Families fight but this is taking it too far! I'm begging you to stop this!" Kasumi exclaimed. She was looking at Ranma. Ranma saw this and dropped his hands. He didn't drop his guard however as Genma tried to get a cheap shot. This got him thrown into the koi pond where he changed into a panda.

"Stupid old man, you better stay out of my room tonight." Ranma said. He apologized to Kasumi and the Tendos before going to get some ice for his jaw. When Genma came out of the pond, he was making his way to get Ranma but he was stopped by Nabiki.

"The fight is over. If you continue, then I will make sure that your stay here gets very nasty." Nabiki threaten. The panda's eyes narrowed but to see the look of displeasure on Kasumi's face, he relented. He stomped over to the dojo to get some sleep. He wasn't happy with how thing turned out. Instead of doing the right thing, he defied him again. He grabbed his side from the body shots that Ranma gave him. They hurt like hell. He went back to his thoughts and wondered what he was going to do about his son.

He needed to change the situation and fast. His retirement counted on it.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: Well, here's a new chapter for you. I hope you enjoy it. I have a special message for a reviewer. You know who you are so I ain't going to say your name. Listen guy, I don't mind the criticism. I get some, every author does. I usually don't sweat it because that's how I am. However, you kind of pissed me off with your comments. Who the hell are you to tell me how I should write this story? If you were positive in your criticism, I wouldn't be doing something like this but your comments were not. You don't like the way direction the story is going, you don't like how I see the characters, you just don't like the story, THEN DON'T FUCKING READ IT!

Anyway, to everyone else, enjoy the chapter.