DISCLAIMER: Many of the characters and situations described in the following fic are owned entirely by Takahashi Rumiko, a woman I have the greatest respect and admiration for. (In fact if she were willing, I would have her love child. A neat trick since I am a male kinda guy and not built to bear children.) Her creativity has even inspired the creation of a whole new branch of the Trek Universe. Therefore, any mentions of historical moment from Trek, Trek-Tech and characters and ships, which I shall endeavor to keep at a minimum, is entirely intentional. Within this story are characters who are from the Trek Universe, but not of Trek. These are my creations. All other characters that are integral to this story are her property, apart from the characters from AMG. This is a work intended to share a concept, and perhaps my story telling abilities. There is no money to be earned by me or by anyone else from this work. I might also add, Paladin, Team Paladin, the Starship Percheron and her crew, and Miss Kitty as she is here, ARE my property, and not to be used with out express consent from myself. I have worked hard to develop these characters and hope to use them in published works eventually. I choose to share them and their attitudes with you here. The character from OH! My Goddess belong to who ever owns them… sorry but my copies of this series (as well as Ranma ½) mysteriously disappeared during a move
I would also like to add the following. NO the character of Jerrod Randolph Macon, A.K.A. Paladin is in no way related to T.N.G.'s Silver Paladin. That character was little more than a pirate, my character is intended to embody the true spirit of the word paladin.
Also, for the Trek nitpickers out there. I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but. There is no such thing as a society that doesn't use some form of currency. Roddenberry's vision of the future is a wonderful vision, but impractical as far as money is concerned. It is a socialist utopia, and it cannot work. Any historian or economist can tell you that. Even the most primitive cultures on the planet barter with each other for goods and services, and that is the earliest form of currency. Let's face it, even the People's Republics around the world, (Read as oppressive communist governments, where if you speak out against anything, you wind up run over by a tank.) Even they have currencies that the civilian public uses for internal trade. It has been postulated that the Federation has solved the issues of limited resources thereby removing the need for any form of currency. I disagree with this. Not that the resource problem has been addressed, but that currency will be done away with.
In the Federation future, most of the actual trade where currency is used to make a purchase will be of the 'intellectual properties exchange' forum. The reason why currency will always exist is because of the inherent need of humans for an incentive to improve. It wouldn't be worth your time to be a clothing designer or civilian engineer if you weren't given concrete evidence of your value. Payment of some form of currency will be much easier to keep track of fifteen hundred credits than twenty goats and fifteen sheep and three chickens from the buyer in China who really loved the new spaghetti strap, plunging to the ankles neckline evening gown.
Capitalism may not be perfect, but it's better than anything else around is right now.
Most likely the currency used in the world of Trek is closely related to various forms used in much of Sci-Fi, a credit system, there may be no hard currency, but there is a form of monetary exchange.
Internally to this story, there are some glaring examples, (to some) of extreme OOC, as well as outright character revision. As this is intended to be an original telling with some new characters with a minor twist here and there to aid in making the whole thing insensible… inchoate? …to the world of Rumiko's vision. There has been some comment that her characters aren't the way I have them here. And why would Ranma have a crush on Nabiki?
Okay, think about this. You live in a house with three very pretty girls. One of them you can't bring yourself to look at in any way other than as a big sister/mother figure. Then there are the other two, the youngest that you happen to be engaged to is violent, quick tempered, never lets you answer any question be fore she belts you and you are forcing yourself to love her.
And there is the third one, she isn't very nice to you, but you think you know why. She was also the only one that seemed excited when you arrived, and she doesn't hit you, ever.
I'd have a minor crush on her myself if I were Ranma.
Let's face it, Nabs, if she were a real person, would be a major babe.
The timeline for this story is just about there. Meaning there aren't going to be any of the big events that occurred in the manga and anime. The story makes an assumption that events alter somewhat with each restart by the Norn. So Herb and Saffron may exist but won't be part of the story.
And finally, for convenience sake. ( ) author's commentary.
Sound effect
Chinese
Japanese usually spoken planetside
English generally spoken aboard ship
And now for sumpin' gnu.
On with the tale
PALADIN ½ - SHE'S THE ONE
Chapter 7- OH MY!
January 15, 1993, Tendo Dojo, 3:30 A.M.
(Date and time won't be a regular thing, I just wanted to conclude the first meetings with Paladin reflecting on what he had learned and now on with the sandal…no that isn't right )
The porch that led to the backyard with the koi pond was not new to strenuous activity from the people that dwelled within the house. The fish in the pond were also very used to exuberant activity lately. The porch itself was currently the exercise venue for a new arrival to the compound. The man had been performing calisthenics since 3:00 A.M. It was cold, but Jerrod had learned how to deal with it with some of the techniques he'd learned from an Andorian instructor at the Academy. Andor being an ice world and populated by a race descended from endothermic insectoids.
From the speed of his activity, one would have thought he'd just begun, however. As it was he had started with two handed push-ups, and had progressed to single hand. This was strength training, and he was without his usual exercise area, and having no variable gravity system to use, he had to resort to other means to achieve the same goal. He was now upside down doing these push-ups in a vertical manner, his body straight as an iron bar, raising and lowering rapidly, chin to the floor and back to arms length above. Toes pointed to the ceiling.
He still hadn't really managed to get his heart rate raised from the exertion. Having an artificial gravity well you can adjust makes for a much better work out. The last exercise routine he'd done aboard ship he had the system set at two-point five g. Paladin felt proud to have reached that level, he had been striving for four g's when this 'mission' had come up.
The prior day was on his mind while he exercised, his meeting the Tendo's and Saotome's had been amusing at the very least. Jerrod had no doubt the family he'd come to shepherd would be even more amusing over time. At least the entertainment costs would be low.
'No, that isn't fair to them.' Paladin thought. 'They are products of their environment just as everyone else is. It isn't their fault their environment has been so cruel to them.'
He still had to smile at some of the antics he'd witnessed. Of course Kitty had been central in a few of the more sweet moments. The Kasumi girl had brought Kitty out of the kitchen in her arms, fast asleep. Paladin decided only to let her sleep for an hour so she'd get a good nights rest, otherwise the little firecracker would be all over everywhere all night long. And then be dead to the world the following day. The problems of fatherhood, Jerrod mused.
Bringing up fatherhood in his mind, Jerrod pondered some of what he had noticed that afternoon.
It had only been about half an hour before he retrieved the paperwork for Nabiki as he had promised her. Only to find that the girl had also fallen asleep on the porch Paladin was now trying to work up a sweat on. They had been comfortably out of the north wind and the temperature was a pleasant eighteen degrees Celsius. Placing the papers in her hands and gently waking her, he suggested that she might want to take a nap in her room, rather than the sun lit porch, getting sunburn wouldn't feel very good, he had pointed out. And there was a slight risk of catching cold, or getting muscle cramps.
Nabiki had blushed at falling asleep in the company of the man who could buy and sell the Kuno family, walked slowly in embarrassment to the stairs, she grabbed her still staring sister and dragged Akane upstairs, and then went to her room. She was going to read over the papers and see what kind of new legalese she could learn for her own use. As well as find out how much Mr. Macon believed staying at the Tendo Dojo was worth. The rest of the household seemed to be used to such outbursts from the upstairs, such as the "Oh My Kami-sama!!" that followed Nabiki's examination of these documents.
Yes the amount was considerable.
Paladin had sat back down on the porch, with one of the support uprights against his back. Apparently unaware of the shy looks to his back that Kasumi sent his way from the dining room table. She'd put Kitty-chan down on the couch in the living room and the child seemed to curl up into a little ball and continue sleeping. Most days usually found Kasumi back at the table after doing the dishes from lunch to read one of her books, or to watch the birds that flew into and out of the yard. Today she had planned on making the shopping list for when she went out later. She did this as her routine, when the Saotome's went into the yard to spar, that was when Kasumi knew it was time to go shopping. Sometimes, especially if it was a quick meal she planned on making, she would remain and watch some of the Saotome School in practice.
Today was different, that man with the wonderfully deep green eyes and very handsome smile was there too. Kasumi found herself hoping he would turn around and look into her eyes again, and at the same time hoping he wouldn't. She wasn't used to conflicting notions like this. There was something about him that just made Kasumi quiver inside. Something inside her wanted the man to notice her on a level different than polite friendliness. But she couldn't allow herself to be hopeful like this.
Even though she hadn't really loved Tofu, his getting married to someone else seemed to lock Kasumi into a continued life of only caring for her family, and not being able to have her own. That hope still found its way, bubbling to the surface thoughts of her mind and taunting her. That Mr. Macon was handsome and very nice didn't help her to keep her thoughts away from daydreams about him.
She might have been more hopeful if she had known that the man was also having the same sort of thoughts concerning her. Paladin hated having ideas conflicting in his mind, particularly when they might interfere with something that needed to be done. He had decided that 'wishes' were not for the novice such as himself. There was too much that could distract one from his actual job at hand.
'She's very pretty though.' He thought. 'It doesn't seem as if there is much that can phase her either.' Smiling inwardly he continued on. 'Kitty seems to think this girl is really something special, I can't argue that point at all. It doesn't hurt for the rugrat to pretend either. Miss Kasumi seems taken by Kitty too, and she's very patient with her.'
He was still having trouble with these thoughts, even nearly ten hours later. He switched hands when he reached a count of four hundred.
He had been saved from dwelling too much on the thought of the very lovely oldest Tendo daughter, when the Saotome's came out of the house. Well, it was more of Ranma being rudely thrown out of the window of his room to the yard with his father following quickly behind. Jerrod narrowed his eyes at this, and then realized that this was training. He'd had to deal with something similar when he had been in the Academy.
The Academy's hand to hand instructor liked to catch his students sleeping, saying. "You must always be prepared for an attack!" Those that didn't wake up fast enough usually found themselves on the losing end of a sparring match, and cleaning the enlisted showers with the old fashioned toothbrushes that were manufactured just for O.C. S. cadets.
Paladin had only been caught unprepared by the instructor once, and even then still managed to show that instructor that there were styles of hand to hand Star Fleet hadn't heard of. Paladin had never had to clean a shower with a toothbrush for that specific infraction. Minor insubordination, disobeying a direct order…mooning a Star Fleet Admiral, these he did have to scrub the showers with a toothbrush over. If anyone had been told about these moments of bad behavior on the part of Paladin, they wouldn't have believed it. But the facts are there, in his permanent Star Fleet records.
To be fair to him about these incidents though, he did have compelling reasons for each act. Minor insubordination was due to winning an argument of logical progression with a senior cadet. This was concerning the older cadets enjoyment of late night 'flossing' of the freshman classes.
Disobeying a direct order had been also concerning that incident. An instructor whose rank was Commander had ordered Paladin to not throw the older cadet into the Academy swimming pool from five stories up. Paladin did it anyway.
Mooning the Admiral was the most important and compelling reason that any could come up with. Even Paladins Captain on hearing about it only commented on how the stuffy old fart was a prat and deserved it.
'So, Ranma's father follows that same line of thinking.' Jerrod thought as he watched the combat between father and son. 'It is a good training technique, though it can be over used. You should not do it every day, from the looks of things, this is a daily occurrence.'
Paladins neck tingled, he knew the Tendo girl was looking at him, instead of watching the combat in her yard. He couldn't imagine why she was doing it, not that it really bothered him. It was just a little distracting to him, as he was trying to ascertain the Saotome Style and what he would need to know to have something in common with Ranma. He'd already determined that Martial Arts were a big part of the kid's life.
Jerrod watched as the combat went from insults to standard stances and blows to aerial combat. This was new to Paladin. To his knowledge he was the only person to practice this kind of hand to hand. Twisting and turning the body while in the air to stay aloft, somehow managing to kick off from the very air itself to stay off the ground for four and five seconds, sometimes more. The fact that Ranma seemed to be able to get more height and airtime impressed Paladin. 'Ranma is better than his father as well, he's holding back a lot from what I can tell.'
The forms the Saotome's used were unfamiliar to Paladin, but the results were impressive. It was a very energetic and frenetic style that required a lot of stamina and strength. Jerrod watched as the battle raged for nearly an hour. He had heard Kasumi sigh with something like regret, when she had gotten up to go shopping for the evening meal. Kitty asked him for permission to go along with Kasumi; Paladin absent-mindedly gave it.
Paladin was mesmerized by the display of martial prowess of the two men battling before him. He couldn't quite figure out why Ranma kept calling his father a stupid panda and today he was going to hurt if he embarrassed Ranma in front of his new friend. The older man laughed wickedly and said, "BOY! You have a friend?"
"How about NOW!?" Genma asked as he grabbed Ranma and threw him into the iced over koi pond.
Once the large splash of ice and water had subsided, much to the dismay of the fish in the pond as a human was once again in their domain. '…' Paladin was rendered speechless for a moment, a small tick in his left eye. His young friend had just turned from a boy into a very well endowed, red haired girl, one that was very angry and considerably wet from the experience with the pond. And was shivering with rage and cold.
Genma gloated forgetting to not rub it in. Rubbing it in usually brings on more pain followed by unconsciousness, "Ranma! Complaining about being embarrassed makes you sound like a girl!" This was obviously a standard taunt from the bald martial artist.
Paladin looked at his young friend that was now a girl and finally managed a thought, 'THAT is just a bit unusual! I really need to remember to ask for a few more specifics of Bell if I do this kind of thing ever again. This is definitely going to make things a little more difficult! Oh well, in for a penny, out for a pound.'
Ranma noticed that her new friend hadn't moved from the porch, so he was either very confused or didn't believe his eyes. "Old man, why ya always gotta do this kinda thing ta me? You know it's only gonna hurt when I get my hands on ya!" Ranma shouted.
Paladin watched as the Saotome's came together again with another flurry of blows, which ended with an unconscious Genma landing in the pond himself. '…' Paladin thought again. Now instead of an overweight bald man in a training gi, there was an unconscious panda floating in the pond. Ranma only took long enough to ensure the panda was in fact breathing and pulled it out of the water. She then stalked to the porch with an angry and very embarrassed look on her face.
Paladin thought quickly on how he could approach this problem with the poor kid. He knew from his own world, the Japanese were never open to pity. This kid was likely to carry that to an extreme, and almost hate anyone who pitied him. So, pity was out. Humor on the other hand…
As the red haired neo-girl reached the porch and stood dripping letting the water in her clothes run out more before going inside, Paladin looked up and caught her eyes. "Ranma?"
"Yeah!" She said tightly.
"It looks like you have a small problem there." Paladin said, stating the obvious Ranma thought.
"Ya think?" Ranma said with a little acid in her tone.
"Yeah, I don't know if I could cope myself. It must be very difficult to deal with." Paladin said.
"Ya got NO idea how hard it is ta deal with Paladin!" Ranma-chan said, just at the brink of losing her temper with her new friend.
"You want to talk about it?" Paladin asked.
"Not really. Not right now." Ranma supplied.
"Are you sure? Sometimes it helps, even if there is no advice or real help given, if you talk about a problem." Paladin offered.
"Yeah, I'm sure." Ranma sighed loudly.
"I mean really, it must be absolutely embarrassing to have a panda for a father." Paladin finally got to his point.
Then Ranma-chan just stopped for a moment and caught up with what Paladin had been saying and then snorted and started laughing at the absurdity of the statement. Her new friend had managed to make her feel better about herself than the previous ten months experiences had. With just one little unexpected joke, directed not at her but at her idiot father, Paladin had begun to help her deal with the scars of this damned curse.
"I guess there is a story about how this all happened. When you want to tell me I'll listen Ranma. There is no hurry. Should I get you a towel so you don't drip all over the house?" Jerrod asked. That he'd been shocked by the physical transformation, Ranma-chan was sure. But Paladin just acted like he'd seen things as weird or weirder in his life.
This observation was true, only Ranma hadn't known it. Paladin had seen true shapeshifters from the Dominion, people that could assume the likeness and characteristics of virtually anything. This was just a simpler form of their racial ability. In answer to the question, Ranma only nodded and Jerrod went to find a towel.
Changing hands again, Paladin began to put the information he'd picked up from the conversations he'd had and what he'd noticed in the previous fifteen hours. 'The Saotome's are a little odd. But that is to be expected with the 'conditions' they have. Water triggered 'curses', that's new to me. I won't discount 'magic' though. If the technology is advanced enough, and that kind of thing.' He began to list the occupants and his observations in his mind. This was so he could establish a mental file on each and have it ready for instant retrieval when he needs it. A Vulcan technique he'd acquired that had helped him advance at the Science Academy at the same rate as the Vulcan students, much to the chagrin of those students. He was only twelve at the time.
Anything Goes Martial Arts, two schools of this form and both are apparently different. I have only witnessed the Saotome branch and I must say I'm impressed. The style looks to be a mixture of every available style and technique, combined with an eye toward making the opponent angry and losing control; numerous insults and taunts are a good indicator of this. The actual fighting style is designed to use all styles to cover openings and still leave yourself able to attack.
I have to learn more about the style later.
Saotome, Genma: apparent master of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. He'd be a good man on your side, if you can trust him as far as you can throw him. He does have great physical strength; his attempt at intimidation showed that. High moral character isn't likely. The man has a number of bad habits. Gluttony is his most glaring vice, and saki. That he loves his son isn't in question, but he does have an odd way of showing it. Genma seems to think that he is the Alpha in his relationship with his son. Seems to.
Ranma does hold back in his spars with his father, there is no doubt of that. The older man looks to be putting everything into it, and falling very short.
Saotome, Ranma: heir to the Saotome School, and a major prodigy in the Art. He appears to have surpassed his father. The kid probably rates as a master in at least five schools and styles, probably more. Ranma seems to be an individual with a very high regard for honor; many of the insults he had traded with his father spoke to that. Ranma's prowess at the Art is very impressive; I could barely see him when he moved. If he wasn't going all out, he will probably be beyond my skill very soon. I suspect that he is past my skills already.
He looks as if he'll be a fun sparring partner. I'll have to hold back a little on him though, I don't want him to learn anything alien, yet. 'Why did I add the 'yet' there?'
Tendou, Soun: He was strong at one time, his strength has been dwindling for years however. Master of the Tendo School of Anything Goes. I have seen no examples of this form yet. His eyes show a great loss he has yet to overcome. If it is what I think it is, then his daughters have paid a price they shouldn't have had to. Weak with the bearing of a whining bully, he seems to be bothered with my presence. If so, I am sorry, but I'm not here for him to be happy.
Assumption derived from my tour of the grounds and Dojo. There is a Family Shrine to the Late Mrs. Tendou in the Dojo proper. My assumption of the loss the family faced is that. If Soun never really overcame his grief, and it appears he didn't. The girls are sure to have some emotional scarring. 'That could explain Miss Kasumi and Miss Nabiki to a degree. I'll keep my ears open around them and not ask too many pointed questions.'
The daughters.
Akane, the youngest: I haven't had any interaction with her yet. The expression she had on her face when she first arrived was one of derisive anger. And this was directed first at the fathers and then my daughter. I'll be patient with her for now, she may have difficulty accepting new things and problems. From the conversation at the table, she is the heir to the Tendo School. Her physique would indicate strength, but little control over her balance. From the lines already forming on her face, anger plays a big part in her life, and this is likely holding her back.
Akane is certain to have other issues I have yet to learn of. These may mitigate her reactions and anger somewhat. I'll keep an eye on her and see what I can do to help her learn how to cope.
Nabiki, the middle girl: Physically attractive, just as her sisters are. Nabiki has the grace and build of a practitioner of the Art, but seems not to be very interested. She has a very sharp mind and appears to be the one normally in control in the family. This girl appears to have recently begun coming out of some sort of emotional shell. It is as if spontaneous expressions are new to her. Nabiki has very expressive eyes, probably more than she would like to admit. Her excitement about my extended stay was visible there, outwardly she remained very calm. She also possesses quite an analytical mind, thinking rapidly and solving problems almost as fast as they arise. Verbally very quick, her jabs and questions coming at the times I was preparing to interject the same sort anytime the 'engagement' was mentioned.
I'll have to find out more about this. Ranma seems pretty unhappy about the whole thing.
Miss Nabiki seems to be the actual head of the family as far as financial decisions are concerned. This would meet with earlier observations of her father. The common indicator still is there. Mrs. Tendou was very likely very intelligent and compassionate. Her two older daughters exhibit these traits themselves. Nabiki hides it though, and covers it up.
Later conversations with her will bring it out I'm sure.
Finally, Kasumi, the eldest: This one confuses me. The reports of her skill in the kitchen are under reported. She would give my father or grand father a run for their money in the kitchen. Compliments on her skill, while she seems to appreciate them, don't seem to faze her.
Easily the loveliest of the girls, she has an uncommon grace and very sweet disposition. She also seems to be very strong physically; emotionally strong is another question. Kasumi seems to have a diminished self-esteem. She seems to not receive many compliments on her appearance or manner of dress. She has impeccable manners; this seems to fit her demeanor however.
'Gorgeous eyes too. I need to be careful not to look into them too deeply, or I'll wind up hurting myself.'
Kasumi is a very loving person it seems, with plenty to give, with very little returned. The dutiful daughter behavior may be an act though. I'll observe more in detail
The three girls seem to not have any men in their lives apart from their father and the Saotome's. That could be a good thing for Ranma and bad as well.
'Looks like I have a very big job ahead of me with this family. I'm sure there is more for me to do than just be a friend to Ranma.' Paladin concluded his thoughts on the subject for the time being. He had been so deep in thought he had neglected to notice the time and the sound of someone coming down the stairs.
"Oh my!" Said Kasumi's voice, softly and with a tinge of awe to it.
When Kasumi had woken this morning, she had felt something warm and lightly fuzzy in her bed with her. The warm thing was roughly the size of a child and had a tail. She had almost sprung out of bed with a shout of fear when she remembered the oddly feline looking, but very cute, little girl that had come to the house the previous day. Kitty-chan, Kasumi remembered.
Then she smiled brightly at the antics of the girl, and how she seemed to be interested in everyone, but was especially attentive to Kasumi. Carefully Kasumi got out of bed and tucked the little moppet back under the covers. The child moving into the warmth that Kasumi had left behind. Her day was about to begin; she needed to get bathed and dressed and prepare breakfast.
While she was bathing Kasumi thought more on the sweet little girl that had managed to talk her way into sleeping with her. The man, Mr. Macon, had been uncertain of it, thinking it would be an imposition. But Kasumi had managed to let him know it wouldn't be a problem, she had even managed to do it without stuttering like a foolish little girl herself.
Kitty-chan had even gone with her to do the shopping in the afternoon. This was a very special treat for Kasumi; her family never seemed to have the time to spend with her doing little nothing things like that. Kasumi usually felt pretty lonely when she was shopping, she'd see other women her age with their husbands, or children, or both, shopping and being together. And here this darling little stranger from America had wanted to go and spend time with her. Kasumi couldn't have felt happier; it allowed her to pretend that she had a husband and child of her own. For a little while at least.
It wasn't a secret that Kasumi wanted these things. But everyone seemed intent on her being married off to Tofu. She liked and respected the man, but that was as far as it went. Kasumi had long ago given up on that childhood fantasy. After all, the man was nearly as old as her father was. She freely admitted that she was more interested in a more mature man, but not that mature.
And to her mind maturity didn't include becoming a babbling idiot that dances with a skeleton.
These thoughts brought Kasumi to Kitty-chan's enigmatic father. He carried himself with authority that he barely conceals, he also seems to always have something nice to say. Mr. Macon also seemed to be aware of almost everything that went on around him. Kasumi was sure that he was helping her and Nabiki collapse the plan that the fathers had cooked up, she couldn't prove it of course.
It was nice to think he was a knight in shining armor come to rescue them all. Then she thought about how he even used a nickname that meant 'knight', Paladin. Kasumi had thought she had known what it meant, but checked to make sure after she had returned from the shopping and bathing Kitty-chan, who seemed to like that marginally better than the 'brocococli'. What she had found in her English dictionary was this. 'Paladin: noun, Kings champion and God's warrior, virtuous knight. Warriors most often found on horseback; see Percheron.'
With that definition in her mind Kasumi had spent her night dreaming of a man like Mr. Macon in bright armor riding across the land to slay the dragons of olde to rescue her. Kasumi blushed at the memories of these dreams. She shouldn't think things like that about Mr. Macon. He is too far above her station, he probably could be married to any of the really beautiful Hollywood women that seemed to hang on him in those pictures she'd seen that he wanted.
There was one thing that Kasumi had that they didn't at the moment. He was staying at HER house, far away from them. So the daydreams she had were there and she fought them. But they were pleasant little dreams that harmed no one.
She privately hoped she would get to wake him for breakfast, just so she could look at him as he slept. Drying herself off, Kasumi quickly dressed, she had to get started on breakfast, uncle would be waking up soon and having his morning spar with Ranma.
Climbing down the stairs, Kasumi stopped for a moment. She was sure she had turned off the light on the porch after everyone had gone to bed, father and uncle never turned it on if they went out and came home late. Her father never woke this early, and she was sure that her sisters were still in bed. Nabiki refused to wake before the sparring began.
Creeping down the stairs further, she saw the person she had hoped to get to wake. 'It seems Mr. Macon is an early riser himself!' Kasumi thought delightedly. That little glimmer of hope she could have him to herself for awhile before the rest of the family was up and about flared up. Not that she really hoped to have him, have him. More to be able to speak with him without the interruptions of siblings and parents and future in-laws.
Entering the dining room area where the porch entry was, Kasumi saw something that was amazing to her. And she had seen quite a bit of amazing things since Ranma had come. Mr. Macon was on the porch, exercising, he had on a skintight pair of spandex athletic shorts, and nothing else. That it was cold out Kasumi knew, and yet here this man was not even noticing it. His bare toes were pointed to the ceiling, and he was standing on one hand, doing what looked to be push-ups.
Kasumi watched as the muscles played in his back and arm, as she watched he slowly, with great ease changed to his other arm and continued the exercise. She was captivated. His muscles were very clearly defined and were etched into his body as if he were made of marble; the lines deep in shadow, the muscles catching the dim light from the fixture. The play of his muscles was smooth and effortless to Kasumi's eyes.
It took a minute for Kasumi to realize she'd stopped breathing. Tearing her eyes from the man, she quietly and softly gasped, "Oh my!"
"Good morning Miss Kasumi! It's very early yet, did I wake you?" Jerrod asked loudly enough to be heard through the closed glass door. He didn't want to be a problem with his nocturnal habits. He'd never needed more than a few hours sleep and had to find things to occupy his time. He said this while he kept his full weight on one hand while he rotated to a sitting position.
"No, Mr. Mac-c-on. I always get up early, to prepare breakfast and watch the sunrise." Kasumi admitted, her voice almost catching in her throat at the display of control. Although the last was something she scarcely noticed in the mornings, as she was busy trying to ignore the fact her life was going nowhere.
"Oh, in that case, I don't feel guilty Miss Kasumi. I didn't know your routine and wanted to be out of the way for my exercises." Jerrod explained, stepping through the door with an easy grace, and shutting it behind himself.
"Please, it's nothing. As quietly as you were exercising I would never have known you were here if it weren't for the light." Kasumi said, glad that the man was looking toward the yard as he toweled off his sweat. His nearness to her allowed his scent to reach her nose. It wasn't offensive, or bad to her. It was almost intoxicating in a way, the scent reminded her of sunlight and sand, and sage. 'It must be his cologne. She thought with some more ideas of a less innocent nature popping into her head. 'Stop it Kasumi!'
Finally looking over his shoulder to her, his eyes caught and held hers, a glimmer of the imp about them. He spoke, "Well, give me a bit to clean up some and I'll come help with the breakfast!"
'Oh that voice, I could listen to it forever.' Thought Kasumi. "Oh, no. That wouldn't be right, you're a guest. It isn't proper for a guest to help with the meals." She said, hoping he would insist, and hoping he wouldn't.
Giving her a small grin, he said. "Miss Kasumi, I wouldn't feel right not helping with the breakfast. Besides, we're both up now and a chore divided is a chore finished in half the time."
He said this with a happy air and went to the furo, leaving her to look after him with a little wonder in her mind.
Shaking herself, Kasumi went to the kitchen and began organizing the morning meal, pulling ingredients from their various locations. She had just started the miso when Mr. Macon appeared in the kitchen with a small bag in his hand, which he sat down on the counter and pulled out the coffee maker. Kasumi watched as he went about making a pot of coffee as if it were the most novel thing in the world. Not that she'd never seen anyone make a pot of coffee before, or even that Ranma does it now and then to be helpful. Ranma does help in the kitchen now and then, when he believes his father won't find out about it.
But to see this man, doing something so domestic as this did something to Kasumi. For some reason that she couldn't fathom, this felt right. Blinking rapidly to clear her thoughts she asked. "What kind of coffee is that Mr. Macon? It seems to be very dark, and rich."
"This? It's just rak'ta'jenoh." He replied as if it was the most common thing around. He held the bag up for her to smell the contents.
To Kasumi, it smelled like roasted almonds with carob and basil, with a pinch of vanilla. 'It must be one of those personal coffee blends they've been advertising for the gourmet shops.' She assumed.
Paladin smiled and turned on the maker and asked, "Now, what do you need done while you do that?" pointing to the stove. Not waiting for an answer he went to the island-counter grabbed the shallots and stepped to the sink to wash them. This done he quickly demonstrated his familiarity with a kitchen and all things belonging therein and more rapidly than Kasumi has ever done it began to mince them into evenly sized bits.
Placing the shallots into a small bowl he then rinsed the rice before putting an even two cups of water into a sauce pan without measuring and rolled the rice into it, and set it to boil beside the miso. Going to the refrigerator he extracted five oranges and two grapefruit and started to juggle them, as he took them back to the island counter. Continuing to juggle the fruit one handed as he gathered a paring knife and cutting board. He took them all to the sink and rinsed the juice from the shallots from both the knife and cutting board, set them on the counter by the sink and rinsed each fruit while keeping the rest in motion about his head.
The rinsing done and the fruits air-dried he carried everything back to the island counter and placed the cutting board and knife down. He then casually reached and set each fruit on the counter. Asking for and receiving a large platter he began to peel the fruits, beginning with the grapefruit, somehow managing to get all the flesh without any of the pith. He arranged the segments in the middle into a small mound, then managed to shave the zest of several oranges into a pile of thin streamers on the cutting board, he then peeled the oranges, topping off the fruit with the zest in a shower of bright orange.
He didn't know why he felt the need to show off and impress this girl. But it was something fun to do, and the look of awed enjoyment in her eyes was worth it he thought. He also thought that he was definitely in very big trouble. Not the bad kind, just the kind where you get in over your head and wind up doing something sooner or later that could prove embarrassing.
Kasumi was amazed, he had done all that in less then five minutes, while she hadn't even really begun the miso, and the rice hadn't even gotten hot enough to boil yet. If anyone had told Kasumi, even a week before, that she would have been daydreaming about a specific man. Then dreaming of him, and then being in awe of his athletic ability. She might have been willing to go along with the notion.
But, if that person had also said she would be enchanted by his culinary ability in her own kitchen. That would have been the merest fantasy. And yet here she was, gawking like a little girl at this man that seemed to sweep in and do so much with so little effort, even to entertain her with a little juggling. It was all she could do from having her knees collapse under her.
Yes, she was a little overwhelmed by Jerrod Macon.
The most amazing thing about the whole picture was this. Jerrod seemed totally unaware of her emotional state.
Finishing with a flourish on the fruit, Paladin stepped over to stir the miso and then lower the heat on the rice. "Okay, Miss Kasumi. Breakfast appears to be well on the way! We seem to have some time, why not tell me a little about yourself?" He asked. That he was truly interested in her very dull life, Kasumi doubted. But he was so earnest in his request she found herself stammering a little. "There is v-v-very little to tell…" she began.
He held up one hand to forestall any further false starts and said. "Just a moment." As he tasted the miso and added a touch of salt and a pinch of white pepper. Paladin then looked back to her with that wonderful smile and said." I'll tell you what I have already figured out about you. First, you are a first rate cook. In the chef class I might add.
You're widely read. You seem to devote as much time reading books on travel as you do to medicine, pediatrics at that, although you also have a very wide selection of cookbooks. You have a favorite songbird, being the rock sparrow. You adore flowers, but don't have many in the house. Your favorite color is most likely a light coral pink, but you also like lots of yellow."
You don't wear very much makeup, but that would be gilding the lily in any case. You use a lilac soap, with a strawberry scent shampoo. Your favorite fruit is blueberries."
Kasumi stood in almost shock, she wasn't aware that anyone could put together that much information about her without being around her for a longer period that Mr. Macon had been.
Blushing she asked, "M-m-m-mr. Macon, however did you decide all that?" her voice quivering with a little excitement.
He gave her a big smile, the first one she'd ever seen from him. All his other smiles, while white teeth showed, were small and full of humor waiting to break free. This smile was completely different. It showed the true warmth of him, his eyes were bright with his mischief at rattling her this way, and she couldn't be angry about it. "I'm just showing off a little. In my line of work, you have to notice little things about people. You never know what might be useful." He explained.
Expanding on his explanation, he said. "You have books on the shelves by the door. While I was moving about the kitchen, I looked everywhere. The books are titled in English and Japanese, telling me you are at least bilingual. The subject matter is right there to determine.
The songbird is inferred from the representations on the shopping list pad, as well as several of the refrigerator magnets. The flowers are suggested by your apron, it's bordered in daisies and daffodils. Your blouse is coral pink, with more daisies in the trim, yellow is suggested by the skirt.
The recipe cardholder and the fact that there are four large containers in the refrigerator with one of them half gone infer your preference in blueberries. I believe this is your mid-day snack/treat for yourself."
Kasumi was enthralled by the notion that anyone could determine that much about anyone with just the small visual cues, but he wasn't wrong on any of them. Except the birds, she'd just never been able to find any of the little Chinese starlings she'd always loved. "How did you know what soap and shampoo I use?" She asked, thoroughly befuddled.
"Oh that? I smelled it when I passed you on the way to the bath." He said matter of factly. Stirring the soup she had started and never got back to. He pulled the rice from the burner, and shut off the heat, drained the remaining water off and turned the heat on the soup down.
"Now, which of us should wake the others?" He asked, with that impish grin that was so infuriatingly charming.