Chapter 7

After dinner, Ranma asked Kasumi if he could help her do the dishes. She gladly accepted and they worked on cleaning the table. As he helped her with the dishes, the inevitable cold water managed to connect with Ranma, shifting him to his more petite form.

"I'm Sorry Ranma" Kasumi said as she noticed the shift in gender and hair color. "Would you like some warm water?"

"No, don't worry about it now. I'm sure more will find me before we're through here" she looked away from Kasumi and said softly "I'm sorry you got stuck with me. I usually have a way of making things worse instead of better, plus I know my 'condition' bothers you..."

Kasumi quickly countered. "You're wrong Ranma."

Ranma stood there and gave her the, 'Oh come on...' look. "About what?"

"About both things" she began. "First, it's true that your life can be somewhat…interesting at times. But I saw what you did when that boy threw the scroll at us. You were about to jump away, but you stayed to protect me. How did that make things worse? Without you, I'd be here…" She paused and looked around. "…All by myself. I'm very happy you were there."

"But…If I wasn't there, you wouldn't have been at risk in the first place."

Kasumi thought about that, and then smiled and said "Well, you might be right, but as I recall, that boy was obsessed with Akane. Who knows what he would have done if you hadn't been there. I'm not going to play the 'should-a would-a could-a' game with you. All I know is I'm glad you're here right now, otherwise I'd be all by myself."

Ranma looked at her beautiful smile and was amazed that somebody could be so understanding and forgiving. She knew Kasumi was nice, heck, she was the only one who never demanded or expected something from him. But Kasumi had always stayed in the background, being supportive, but in a remote kind of way. Plus she was always trying to help everyone. She had never really had her interact directly with him before, and she was still amazed out how so…nice…she could be.

"Well…thanks Kasumi. I'll try to be the best company I can while we're here."

"That would be great Ranma, and as far as your curse goes. It really doesn't bother me. I've never seen you try to take advantage of it. You may not always be the perfect gentlemen, but that's usually due to your lack of social experience. As near as I can tell, you have a good heart, and that counts for a lot. Whether you are a boy or a girl really doesn't affect how I view you." She smiled at him in conclusion, bringing a slight blush to both of their faces.

"Yeah, but when I first got here, you couldn't wait for me to be paired up with Akane..."

"Oh Ranma, that wasn't due to your curse...well, not mostly. I admit the curse had me...surprised... at first. My biggest concern was that you were younger and immature. And in that way, I was right. But the point is, I've found that even though you can be a bit rough around the edges, you're like a fine piece of unfinished wood. You may be rough on the outside, but inside is a warmth and detail that you can't see from the outside."

"…thanks again, I guess."

Kasumi looked at the clock at then said "Ranma, I'm going to clean up now that dinner's done. Could you do me a favor?"

"Sure thing!" she quickly exclaimed.

"Could you stay in the room outside of the furo while I'm in there? It's so quiet around the house…it kind of makes me...a little afraid. It would help if I could talk to you while I'm in there."

"Are you sure Kasumi?" Alarms started going off in Ranma's head.

"Yes. Please?"

"All right. If you're sure…" She had a bad feeling about this, but she followed her anyways.

--------

A short time later, they were both back in the main room of the house. Much to Ranma's surprise, absolutely nothing happened while she waited outside of the door with Kasumi. No awkward situations, no "Ranma, you're such a pervert" from anybody. No Ryoga crashing in announcing "Ranma, prepare to die". He sat with his back against the door while Kasumi cleaned up. They shared some small conversation about where Ranma thought Gosunkugi got the scroll from, but after a bit, Kasumi reappeared when she was finished they exchanged places, with Kasumi outside of the door. Ranma quickly cleaned up and returned to his male form and then both returned downstairs.

Ranma felt foolish. He was so used to everything he tried to do going wrong, that he was shocked when the simple favor he performed for Kasumi didn't blow up in his face. It was a new and unique feeling to do something, no matter how small or simple, for somebody and have it go right..

They went out into the yard around the koi pond and looked up at the stars. As near as Ranma could tell, everything looked like it was in its proper place. All the constellations he was familiar with after spending hours and hours on the roof were still there.

"Do you really think we'll figure out how to get back Ranma?" Kasumi asked sitting on the porch looking up at the night sky.

Ranma continued to gaze into the sky. "Sure Kasumi, heck I'll bet everyone at home is scrambling trying to get us back. I'm sure our Dads will have some ideas, and if nothing else the old ghoul will figure out something."

Kasumi turned to Ranma. "Ranma, what did Cologne throw to you at the last minute?"

Ranma face twisted into a puzzled expression as he reached into his pocket pulling out the key. "Only this, just a key. She said something about 'Goku's something' I think. Don't know quite what to do with it."

Kasumi looked at the small golden key in the palm of his hand. "I think she may have said 'Go to the village'. Do you think she meant her village?"

Ranma tried to remember the last moments before everything changed. "Well, it makes more sense than what I thought I heard. I think you're right Kasumi. She may have said 'go to the village'. But…I'm not sure we should try anything right away."

"Why is that?"

"Well, with all the traveling Pops and me did. One thing that he taught me, that always seemed to be good advice, is that when you get separated from somebody, the best thing to do is stay where you last saw 'em. The minute you try to go find them somewhere else, you most always end up getting more lost. Before we even think of going to China, we should stay here for a while, give everyone a chance to try to pull us back first."

Kasumi thought about that and finally agreed with him. "That sounds like a good idea. I hope they figure out something soon. I never thought so much quiet could bother me so much."

They sat there for a while, listening to the slight breeze. They were so used to the normal rhythm of the night, the dogs barking, cars going by, cicadas buzzing, that this unnatural silence was getting to both of them.

Ranma didn't want to tell Kasumi, but he was completely exhausted from the Ki drain he had supported since the scroll incident earlier today. Feels worse than some of the Old Ghoul's training. Even though he was tired, he knew he could handle the load, he just wouldn't have a lot of extra energy for other things until he could handle the drain easier.

After another few minutes of looking into the night sky, they both decided to head upstairs and try to get some sleep.

Ranma escorted Kasumi to her room and then proceeded to his own. As he lay down on his futon, he was struck again at how strange it was not to hear the normal pulse of the house as people settled in for the night. No Nabiki making last minute trips to the kitchen, no Akane bumping around in her room and strangest of all, no heavy breathing and snoring of his father.

Ranma was amazed at how such a little thing could seem so huge. He never really stopped to consider how much time he and his father had been together before this. I guess pop and I really have gone through a lot. It's gonna be strange without him standing behind me yelling and bossing me around.

He was trying not to obsess about every little creaking noise that he heard in the house when he detected movement in Kasumi's room. He tracked her steps as she went out her door and approached his own.

"Ranma" a soft voice called from beyond the door.

"Yeah Kasumi, I'm awake, come on in."

The door opened and Kasumi peeked out around the half open door. "Ranma, I don't think I can sleep all alone tonight in my room tonight. I know we may be the only ones here, but I still expect something unpleasant to appear. The quiet is too creepy."

"We could get Nabiki's radio from her room and turn on some music, or at least one of her CDs?" he offered.

"I don't think it would be the same" she hesitated, and she seemed to be deciding something. "Would you mind bringing you futon into my room. I hate to ask you, but I'm sure I'm not going to be able to sleep in that room by myself. I keep thinking how alone I am, and how empty everything seems."

Actually, as awkward as it may seem to be in Kasumi's room, it sounded kind of good to him too. But..."Are you sure Kasumi?"

She simply nodded once.

"Sure Kasumi, it would be no problem at all, just a minute."

"Thank you Ranma. I promise I won't bother you tonight." She definitely looked relieved that she wouldn't have to be by herself tonight.

Ranma got up and bundled up his futon and followed Kasumi into her room. Yeah right, as if Kasumi could bother anybody. I just hope I don't talk in my sleep or somethin' In all of his time at the Tendo's he had never really been in Kasumi's room. He wasn't surprised to see that it was warm, friendly, and decorated with simple yet beautiful pictures of landscapes and far-away places.

Ranma spotted a place that wasn't too close to her bed. "How about right here?"

"That would be fine Ranma-kun".

Ranma quickly arranged his bed and returned to the floor, while Kasumi went back to hers.

"Goodnight Ranma. Thanks for keeping me company."

"Goodnight Kasumi, no problem"

And so, they drifted off to sleep, comforted with the proximity of the only other human present on this world. Both hoping that tomorrow would bring some good news or some sign that they would be getting out of this strange place soon.

--

Life that evening at the Tendo's wasn't quite as peaceful. The Amazons had left, and the remaining people were still in shock over what had happened. Soun, as expected, was overcome by grief and was sitting in the yard staring at the koi pond wondering how things had gotten so far out of control. He heard someone walking up behind him but didn't care to see who it was.

Nabiki spoke while still standing behind her father. "Don't worry Daddy. If anyone can figure out how to beat this thing, it would be Ranma. He's had plenty of strange things happen before, and he's always beaten them."

Soun didn't bother to turn around and look at his middle daughter. "I wish I could believe that, but if what the Elder Cologne said is true, I think this may be a challenge even beyond the boy's talents. This isn't something he can beat with his feet and fists."

"I know, but I've watched that fool pull out miracle after miracle, and if there is one thing Ranma is good at doing, it's taking care of his friends and family. Somehow, I'm sure he'll do the impossible and bring her back to us."

"I hope so Nabiki, I certainly hope so."

Nabiki decided to change the subject to another touchy matter. "Have you talked to Akane any?"

"No. As far as I know, she went up to her room after the incident. I haven't seen her since."

"Daddy, Kasumi was the one to always calm Akane down when this stuff happened. Without her here, I think Akane may have some real trouble with this..."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Look, we both know that Akane has a certain...affection...for Ranma." She continued before he could interrupt. "I know she may have...violent mood swings, and that half the time she seems she's trying to kill the fool. The problem is, she still likes him in her own way, and Ranma has always been there for her. I'm not sure how she will take this when she has time to think about it."

"That is true Nabiki. I'll try to have a talk with her."

"Thanks Daddy." Nabiki saw Genma come through the door and decided that this was a good time to leave. "Don't forget, you promised to talk to her..." she said over her shoulder as she passed the arriving Genma.

"Soun my friend! I'm sure that Ranma will be back in no time. We'll have he and Akane wed any day now!

Soun continued to keep his back to Genma, instead continuing to gaze into the calm waters before him. "Genma, did you listen to the Amazons at all? The children aren't coming back!"

"Nonsense, I'm sure they'll be back by morning..."

"I don't think so." Evidently Nodoka had followed Genma out of the house and was now part of the conversation as well. "It sounds to me like after all these years of waiting for my son. A strange sickly child with a scroll managed to dispatch my son quite easily. I think it would be safe to say that my son wasn't very manly if he was so easily defeated. Don't you think so husband?"

"Now No-chan, I don't think we need to bring that up right now.."

"Oh I think we do. You obviously didn't train him well if he was so easily defeated. I'd like you to explain..."

Soun rose from his position and walked back into the house. The last thing he needed to do is to hear those two going at it. Each of them was so wrapped up in their own desires that it didn't matter what had happened. Somehow, it was going to be somebody else's fault. All he could think of was that his darling Kasumi was gone. The tears started to fall as he walked into the house, listening to the Saotomes arguing behind him.

--

Akane heard a knock on her door. "Come in."

"So Akane, how are doing" asked her sister.

"I'm fine. I just hope Kasumi is safe."

"I'm sure she is. Did Daddy stop by tonight?"

"No Why?"

Great! I should have known he wouldn't be able to handle this. "No reason. He mentioned that he might check in on you earlier. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"I said, I'm fine" she sniffed.

"No you're not, and it's not just because you miss Kasumi. I know you miss him too..."

"...I do not!"

"Fine, you don't, but I know one thing, this is going to be harder on you than you think. If you need to talk...I'm here for you. I doubt Daddy is going to be much help. I'm not going to try to continue this now, but just remember, you can at least come talk to me." Nabiki turned and left Akane, who was still staring at the same spot on the wall.

Authors Note: I'd like to thank everyone again for the great reviews. I'm really honored by the great response so far!