Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and Dead or Alive do not belong to me. I don't make a cent and I don't claim them as my own, so there.
"So your father finally let you participate in this tournament?" Ranma asked, he sat across from Hitomi both were drinking tea and making up for lost time.
"Yes, I always wanted to participate in this tournament because I knew there would be really good fighters here. I want to test my art against the best." Hitomi said.
"I bet you'll do well, you've been training about as long as I have." Ranma said.
"Yes but unlike you I have only my father's art to go by, you however have not only that Anything-Goes style but pretty much every martial arts taught in the world. How on earth did you manage to combine, Kempo, capoera, and tae kwan do like that when we last sparred?" Hitomi asked.
Ranma scratched the back of his head. "Heh that was an experiment I could only combine the more simpler arts together anything else and it came out really wrong." Ranma smiled at her. "So did you make any friends here?"
Hitomi nodded. "Yeah I've met someone named Lei Fang, a Chinese girl very hyperactive but she's really good, she uses Tai Chi Quan."
Ranma nodded. 'Tai Chi Quan eh.' He thought. 'That's an advantage for her if we fight, I only know the basics on that, the style didn't seem right for me.'
"I also met a woman named Tina, guess what she's a pro wrestler but she's now a model and now she's come back here to get more publicity in hopes of becoming a movie star." Hitomi said.
"Did you say Tina?" Ranma asked.
"Yeah I did, do you know her?" Hitomi asked.
"Yeah we met her earlier just after me and Kasumi registered." Ranma said.
"Who's Kasumi?" Hitomi asked narrowing her eyes.
"She's a ninja, we're traveling together." Ranma replied.
"I see…" Hitomi said with a slightly more icy tone. Ranma shuddered, as the air seemed to grow colder.
'What's up with that?' He thought.
The fact was Ranma first met Hitomi in his short stay in junior high along with Ryoga. Hitomi had come with her father to see her relatives in Japan. She met Ranma when they had visited their relatives dojo and found him basically decimating the students in a duel. Her father asked for a match with him and after three minutes Ranma was unconscious. When Ranma woke up Hitomi also asked for a match with him. Of course Ranma replied he didn't fight girls, Hitomi proceeded to show him the error of his ways. After several minutes and a few bruises Ranma used a submission technique to win and promised to take Hitomi a bit more seriously when they sparred again. They met each other continuously for three weeks since her father decided to stay a bit longer to teach classes. By the end of the final week Hitomi had a crush on Ranma but a few days after telling her about a duel he was going to fight with Ryoga a boy which she met a few times but got lost so often in such ridiculous situations it was silly, he disappeared. Soon after she went back home but she always remembered Ranma and her feelings hadn't died yet.
After meeting Ranma again she already saw he had filled out very nicely, easily rekindling the flames of old, but now the mention of this other girl that he was traveling with was a sign that marked danger for her.
Ranma could only blink at impressive aura that Hitomi was putting out right now that he didn't notice someone come up from behind. "Hi Hitomi! Who's this guy?" Ranma turned to see a Chinese girl in a red Chinese dress and two braided buns on the side of her head, the slits of her dress ran up both sides very high, not as high as Kasumi's outfit of course but still very high.
"Oh hi Lei Fang, this guy's name is Ranma, Ranma Saotome, we're childhood friends." Hitomi said. 'And hopefully something more soon.' She added mentally.
"Ranma… Saotome…" Lei Fang put finger to her head. "I've heard that name before."
Ranma blinked at her and shrugged. "I was in China before maybe she was a girl that Shampoo asked for information when she was chasing me." Looking around he caught sight of Tina approaching them.
"Hey there handsome, I see you've met Hitomi and Lei Fang." She said.
"Ah, Tina! Perfect timing I need to talk to you for a sec." Ranma got out of his seat and rushed to Tina and began to lead her away while whispering "Tina I have to ask you something." He said urgently.
"Uh… sure." Tina asked a bit confused.
"I don't know if you know, but you're the only person I know right now who knows Kasumi better then I do. Do you know what Kasumi likes to…" Ranma was cut off when Lei Fang shouted out.
"I remember now! Ranma Saotome is the guy I was supposed to get engaged to. If I remember right the dowry was a Peking duck, a order of chow mein and two orders of pork buns!" She shouted out then frowned. "Wait, what kinda dowry is that?" Hitomi was at a lost for words when Lei Fang shouted and Tina was looking at Ranma who had his face planted in the ground and both legs up in the air, one was twitching erratically.
"Ranma are you okay?" Tina asked. Ranma got up with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Can you excuse me for a bit Tina?" Ranma asked.
"Uh, sure." Tina said and watched as Ranma walk away onto the balcony walk looked in a direction then shouted.
"POPS YOU IDIOT! YOU DID IT AGAIN!" Ranma began ranting and cursing and punched the ground several times and left a bunch of divots. After a full minute of this Ranma walked back to Tina looking a bit more relaxed. "Sorry about that. I was trying to ask you, what's Kasumi's favorite food?"
Tina blinked at Ranma and replied. "Strawberry millefeuille."
Ranma nodded, "Thanks for your help Tina." He turned and almost ran into Lei Fang. "Wah! Geez don't startle me like that." He looked at her smiling face. "What?"
"Well you're my fiancé right? I never really had a boyfriend, although I'm kinda peeved at my dad putting this on me without even meeting you I guess I can give it a shot." Lei Fang said.
"Wait! Hold on Lei." Hitomi stood up from her seat.
"What's wrong Hitomi?" Lei Fang asked.
'Oh nothing's wrong at all Lei, just the fact that I had him first.' Hitomi thought bitterly but put on a smile Lei Fang was her friend besides even though Lei had the engagement, she had known Ranma when they were younger so she had a much better advantage, provided she played her cards right. "I mean don't you think you're rushing things? Shouldn't you get to know Ranma first?" Hitomi asked.
Lei Fang shrugged. "I was actually planning on doing that." Lei Fang looked at Ranma appraisingly. 'Hmm, he's handsome fairly well built looks like a good fighter. I wonder how he'll do against Jann Lee?' She thought.
"Can we talk about this stuff later I gotta get Kasumi something." Ranma said.
"Kasumi's here? That's great I haven't seen her since the last tournament, let's both go." Lei Fang said.
"I might as well come along, I haven't met her yet." Hitomi said.
Ranma groaned and hung his head in defeat. "Okay, okay." He walked over to the restaurant to buy Kasumi her strawberry millefeuille and soon had to buy with it a sacher torte and Chinese dessert for the other two young women.
Tina looked with amusement as Ranma walked away with his two women entourage. "Well things have gotten interesting really fast." She said to herself.
Kasumi had just finished a shower when Ranma knocked on her door. She threw on a robe and hastily tied it before she opened the door.
Ranma had a paper plate with a medium size slice of strawberry millefeuille on it and a plastic fork he knocked on the door and it after a few seconds it opened. "Kasumi I…" Ranma trailed off as he saw what Kasumi was wearing. The thin white robe didn't hide her figure very well and the robe didn't go all the way to the floor it ended just above her knees. The pig-tailed martial artist had to blush as he tried to find the words he was going to say again.
Kasumi couldn't help but giggle at Ranma's embarrassment. The boy may have gotten over the hitting of women thing and made somewhat tolerant of the advantages that girls might pull on him, but catch him in the right moment and it was like day one all over again. She spotted the plate that Ranma held in his hands and her heart raced. It was strawberry millefeuille her favorite dish and from the looks of it Ranma was going to give it to her. That's when she noticed that he didn't come alone.
"Kasumi there you are! How are you doing?" Lei Fang quickly squeezed past Ranma and hugged Kasumi who returned it after a few seconds.
"Lei it's been awhile." Kasumi replied and spotted the other girl standing beside Ranma. "Hi, who are you?"
"Names Hitomi, me and Ranma go way back." Hitomi wrapped an arm around Ranma's, Kasumi's eyes slightly narrow at the move.
"I see…" She said lightning seemed to flash between the two.
"Guess what Kasumi, Ranma's is engaged to me." Lei said with a giggle.
Kasumi widened as her gaze shot back to Lei. "What!"
Ranma finally snapped out of his trance when Lei spoke of the engagement. "It was the baka panda again Kasumi, he's still haunting me."
Kasumi frowned at Ranma's words. She knew all too well about how Genma made engagements and ran off with the dowry. "Another one huh?"
Lei fang looked confused. "What do you mean another one?"
Ranma sighed. "You see my pops is a crook, he engages me to girls and then runs off with the dowry no matter how ridiculous it is."
"You're joking right?" Lei asked in disbelief.
"He isn't, his father engaged him to multiple girls, I've seen them." Kasumi said.
Hitomi looked at Kasumi suspiciously. "How do you know so much about Ranma?"
Ranma quickly stepped in. "Kasumi's been staying with me and it's a long story so can we talk about it later? He asked.
Hitomi looked irritated but nodded. Best not over step her boundaries it wouldn't be good. "Sure but you owe us an explanation Ranma."
Ranma nodded reluctantly and sighed. "I promise I will. Can you two give me some privacy? I have to talk with Kasumi for a bit."
Lei blinked and looked at Kasumi who was blushing slightly. 'Is she playing for him too? I can't lose, I haven't got to know him yet.' She thought, than smiled at Ranma. "Sure thing Ranma I'll see you later. Bye Kasumi." Lei's tone for Kasumi was slightly colder then previously. Friends they may be but now with Ranma it wouldn't be very peaceful anymore.
"Bye Ranma-san. It was a pleasure meeting you Kasumi." Hitomi's sarcastic sweet voice was aimed at Kasumi.
"It was nice seeing you again Lei. Pleasure was all mine Hitomi." Kasumi's voice replied to both of them in a strained kind tone.
Ranma could only groan as the temperature dropped around him. 'Why me Kami-sama? What did I do to deserve this?' He thought. When the two young women left Ranma turned back to Kasumi. "Um, hee hee… T-This is for you." Ranma held the plate out for her.
Kasumi smiled, "Thank you Ranma." She took the plate from him. "Would you like to come in?"
"Uh, well… sure." Ranma stepped in and heard the door close. Kasumi walked past him and set the plate down, than she looked back at him.
"Would you turn around please?"
"Oh!" Ranma started, "Right, right." He turned around a blush covering his cheeks.
"So Ranma, is there a reason for coming here with this?" Kasumi asked she began to untie the robe then stops. Kasumi looks straight at G1.
"What?" He asked. She frowns. "Okay, okay." G1 turns around. Kasumi resumes untying the robe and was about to pull it off but stops again. She coughs lightly. G1 glances back. "What now?" She nods her head past him. "Oh right." G1 walks off and comes back sliding a curtain to cover the scene. "Sorry folks we tried."
"Well I heard that it was your favorite and… I want to apologize." Ranma said.
Kasumi glances back at him. "Apologize for what?" She asked.
"Well when I said you wouldn't ever think of me as a boyfriend and such, and well… I'd like to give it a try." He said.
Kasumi stopped changing as she turned around fully with disbelief all over her face. "What did you say?"
Ranma gulped. "I said I'd like to give it a try. But if you don't want to I…" A hand touched lightly on his shoulder and made him tense.
"Ranma… you've never acted like this before. Why the sudden change?" Kasumi asked.
Ranma took a deep to try calm himself, "Well it's different, you weren't engaged to me by my pops and you don't treat me in the same way the other fiancées do." He scratched the back of his head. "I figured I could give a try."
"And what about Lei Fang?" Kasumi asked.
"Well it's too early to judge her, we just met I'm not so sure how that'll go." Ranma said.
"So you're going remain being engaged to her?" Kasumi asked.
"For now I guess, I mean technically I'm still engaged to the girls back in Nerima so just until I can find a way to end this without causing any damage or very little." Ranma said.
"Always thinking of other peoples honor Ranma, it's what got you into so much trouble." She hugged him from behind. "But really it's a good habit don't lose it."
"Yeah, I will… Kasumi." Ranma asked as he felt something press against his back… well make it a couple of somethings.
"Yes Ranma?" Kasumi asked, she was getting a bit comfortable right now maybe he didn't have to catch her after all.
"Are you… wearing a top?" Ranma asked.
Kasumi blinked and remembered her state of dress. She let out an "eep" and quickly let go and rushed to put on a top while Ranma blushed a redness to match his shirt.
"So I'll see you later okay Kasumi?" Ranma began to leave.
"Ranma wait!" Ranma froze at her words. "You can look now it's safe." Ranma sighed and turned around. Kasumi was wearing her trademark blue outfit again.
"Hey where'd you get that thing from?" Ranma asked.
"It's a spare change of clothes Ranma. I picked it up a couple hours after you left." Ranma remembered how long he talked to Hitomi and chuckled.
"Oh yeah right."
Kasumi looked down at the ground. "Ranma about your gift…" Ranma looked at her questioningly. "Would you like to share?" Ranma blinked and smiled.
"Sure thing." Kasumi pulled a seat to the table where the millefeuille sat and both sat down. Kasumi took up the fork and cut and speared a small piece and put it delicately in her mouth she chewed a few times and smiled. "It's good." She cut and speared another small piece and lifted the fork to Ranma. "Want to try?"
Ranma nodded and opened his mouth. Kasumi gently placed the piece in his mouth and he quickly chewed it for a few seconds and swallowed. "Hey that was pretty good." Kasumi nodded then leaned in her eyes focused.
"You have some cream on your face." She stated.
"I do?" Ranma was about to wipe his face except Kasumi's hand darted out scooped off the cream with one finger and swiftly put it in her mouth. "It's a sin to waste." She said.
Ranma blushed he didn't know what the significance of what she did but it seemed like a very bold thing to do. "Uh, thanks." Ranma said.
"Want another piece?" Kasumi asked.
Ranma held up his hands. "I got it for you. If you give to much to me you won't have any left."
Kasumi giggled. "But you can always go buy me another."
Ranma could only shrug. She had a point. "So you ready for tomorrow?"
Kasumi nodded. "I've fought many of these people before Ranma, They are all great fighters I have to admit I may actually get eliminated in the first round."
"Nah you're too good Kasumi you'll make it." Ranma said.
Kasumi smiled, "Thank you Ranma."
Ranma grinned. "Don't worry you'll see your brother, I promise."
Kasumi narrowed her eyes at him. "Haven't you learned Ranma that you shouldn't make a promise that you may not be able to keep?"
"I am making that promise because I am going to keep it, you will get to see your brother. Even if you do get knocked out, which I seriously doubt I'll keep winning and when I get to your brother you'll be there to see him." Ranma declared.
Kasumi closed her eyes and smiled. "Thank you Ranma."
Ranma looked at her and smirked. "Man, you're saying that a lot."
Kasumi giggled. "You're right."
Ranma stood up. "Well I think I better head back to my room I think I'll train a bit for the rest of the afternoon."
"I guess I'll take a nap." Kasumi said.
Ranma turned to leave. "See ya later Kasumi."
"Hold on I'll get the door." Kasumi stood up and started for the door but her foot caught onto one of the chair legs. She found herself losing balance and falling.
"Kasumi!" Ranma lunged forward dropped onto one knee and caught her before she hit the ground. "Are you all right?"
"Yes I'm fine." She looked up and found out her face was just inches away from his. "Ranma…"
"Uh yeah?" Ranma asked his eyes locked onto Kasumi's he unconsciously swallowed as he lost himself in those eyes.
"Ranma I…" She raised a hand and touched his cheek. Ranma moved forward slowly. He was only inches away but it seemed like hours past by as he closed the distance. She licked her lips and closed her eyes when she felt his breath on her face. He was close, real close, just a few seconds more…
The door slammed open. "Hey Kasumi can we talk?" Tina asked and blinked at the sight of Ranma and Kasumi back to back with blushes covering their bodies.
"I guess I better get going Kasumi. See ya tomorrow." Ranma quickly got up and began to leave.
"Right, bye Ranma." Kasumi called after him." Kasumi said finding her hands to be very interesting right now.
Tina looked at the door where Ranma left and Kasumi with confusion. "Did I miss something?" She asked and received an irritated look from Kasumi.
"You didn't miss anything." Kasumi said in an irritated tone. "Now what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Well I actually want to talk to you about Ranma." Tina said, Kasumi's perked.
"Go on." She said.
Author Note: I am now announcing that I am going to work only on "Ranma, Dead or Alive" till it is finished since I have the entire tournament mentally finished. And for the question of if there is going to be a DOA volleyball fanfiction, yes there will be but it will not be connected with the current series. Till next time this is G1.