CONTINUED FROM PART 4 PAGE 3 OF 4....


 Ryouga gave him a cold smile as he spoke.  
"Hello Ranma, long time no see!"  Ryouga voice was full of sarcasm
as Ranma noticed what he was wearing and laughed out loud.

	"Nice robe *Mousse*  who's your tailor?"  Ranma laughed
until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

	"I took the liberty."  Dr. Tofu gave him a strange smile as
Ranma quickly stopped laughing and decided to explain why he 
was here.  "Listen Dr. Tofu, I was wondering if you know a pressure 
point or something that will keep me as a girl even when I'm 
splashed with hot water?"  he asked. 

	"Something that will keep you as a girl?"  Tofu repeated 
curiously.	

	"Just for a little while, nothing permanent!"  Ranma quickly 
added.

	"I'm afraid I don't Ranma.  Sorry."  Dr. Tofu apologized.

	"Damn!  I need some way to prevent from changing back into 
a guy!"  Ranma sighed.  "Guess I'll have to stock up on cold water 
and pray I can outlast her...."  he thought to himself.
	
	"I always thought you wanted the opposite."  said a 
surprised Ryouga.  "Growing fond of being a girl, Ranma-Chan?"
Ryouga taunted him.
	
	Ranma glared at him.  "Not me, pig-boy.  I just need to be a 
girl for tonight when I go on my date with Shampoo.  That way, she 
might not want to grab at me so much!"  Ranma replied.  

	"WHAT!"  Ryouga immediately grabbed Ranma's collar and
lifted him up.  "You have a date with Shampoo when you're engaged 
to the most wonderful, sweet, kind-hearted....!?!"  

	"Hey!  It's not what you think....?!"  Ranma tried to defend 
himself.

	"SHUT UP!  This had gone on way too long Ranma!   The
time for your punishment is at hand!"  Ryouga roared as he suddenly
dropped Ranma on the floor and assumed a offensive stance.  "Ranma 
Saotome, I challenge you!"

	Ranma groaned to himself.  That's just what he needed.  
Another person trying to kill him for a flirtation that never existed in 
the first place.  "Look, Ryouga.  You want to try and kill me?  Fine.  
But I made a promise that I would go on a date with Shampoo tonight 
so if you want to fight, you're going to have to wait until the date is 
over."  Ranma said

	"Revenge waits no night or day"  Ryoga growled.

	"Come on Ryouga!"  Ranma wearily replied.  "I've had a real 
bad day, you know better than anyone what those feel like.  I swear on 
my honor to fight you after the date is over.  Meet me at the stone 
bridge at midnight.  Okay?"

	Ryouga was silent for a long moment, his instinct to defend
Akane's honor with swift brutal justice nearly overwhelming all of 
his senses.  Then Ryouga relaxed from his attack stance.
	
	"Okay Ranma.   Midnight."  Ryouga said in a quiet voice.

	"Really?"  Ranma was surprised.  He was certain Ryouga 
was about to attack him, causing massive damage to Dr. Tofu's 
Clinic and almost certainly delaying Ranma for his date with 
Shampoo.  "Gee thanks Ryouga!  You're not such a pig after all!  
I'll see you later at the bridge then!"  Ranma seemed almost cheerful 
as he ran out of the Doctor's office.

	"Oh you'll see me Ranma."  Ryouga replied, a grin forming
on his face.  "You'll see me a lot sooner tonight, and a lot more 
from now on.  Not to mention a lot BIGGER very shortly...."

	"What do you mean?"  Dr. Tofu asked cautiously.

	"Oh....nothing."  Ryouga replied, the smile never leaving his 
face.  "You know, I think I WILL give Akane a call after all...."  

	Ryouga picked up the cradle and dialed up the Tendo 
Doujou as he gazed at his backpack on the floor....


(Fade to Black)


CONTINUED IN PART 5 PAGE 1 of


*BONUS*

Since this page is a little small I've included the first part of my
Kasumi/Ranma fanfic "Wild Stallion in the Mist" for those who haven't
seen it yet.  Take a look! :)


ìWILD STALLION IN THE MISTî

(A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic)

>From the Desk of Megane 6.7

This is a work of Fiction.  All Characters and Landmarks, are the 
property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan Video, Kitty Films, 
Viz Video, Shonen Sunday, and anyone else who legally owns the 
rights.  

PART 1:  A BRAND NEW LOVE STORY BETWEEN THEM?

	Soun read the postcard again, tears streaming down his 
face as old memories of his friend raced through his mind.  ìAt
last!  Ranma is coming!  How Iíve waited for this day!î

	Soun wasted no time in calling his three daughters Kasumi,
Nabiki and Akane down to the living room.  As they knelt in front of
him, waiting for him to speak, Soun noted that while Nabiki was 
dressed in a kimono, and Kasumi in her usual yellow dress, Akane 
was still in her training gi, fresh from the gym.  He considered 
saying something to her about it but since he himself was wearing a
gi, he supposed it would be aright, after all this was Genma 
Saotome, not the emperor of japan.

 	ìWhy did you call us here daddy?î  Nabiki blunted asked.

	ìIs something wrong father?  Youíve been crying!î  Kasumi
said in a worried tone of voice.

	Soun wasted no time in telling them about his lifelong 
friend, about Ranma, and the engagement.

	As he expected, Kasumi seemed concerned about Ranmaís
age, Nabiki asked if he was cute and Akane was insulted by the whole
idea.  Soun sighed to himself.  While he was pleased that Akane was
training hard to one day to take over his doujou, he wished she wasnít
so....difficult.

	Then Soun heard a noise at the front door.  Nabiki 
immediately got up and rushed towards the front door....

	Only to immediately rush back and hide behind her father as
a large panda carrying an struggling red haired girl over his 
shoulder.  

	ìOh my!î  Kasumi said with surprise.  ìIs this the friend 
youíve been talking about, father?î

	Soun shook his head violently.

	ìOh so this panda just happened to walked in here?  Nabiki
implied sarcastically.

	Soun shook his head again then cringed in fear as the
panda set the girl down firmly in front of them and waited.  When
the girl said nothing, the panda places a paw down on one of her 
shoulders and growled a warning.  The girl seemed to hesitate and
then she sighed and said in a meek voice....

	ìIím Ranma Saotome....Sorry about this.î


*	*	*

THE NEXT MORNING....	

	Soun thanked Kasumi as she poured him another bowl of 
miso soup.  He took a long sip and then looked up to see the people
sitting around him.

	He knew that the idea of an arranged marriage might not
go over so well and thatís why he was glad he had three daughters to
increase the odds that one of them would accept the idea.  He had 
hoped Kasumi would be the one to accept it since she didnít hate 
boys like Akane and wasnít obsessed with money like Nabiki.  Now it 
seemed she had lost all interest in Ranma and had sided with Nabiki
to recommend Akane for the best choice.  Akane immediately said she
wouldnít do it, especially after the bathtub incident and she had found 
out that Ranma was....that he was in fact a....

	Soun had fainted dead away when he discovered that 
Ranma was in fact a girl.  Luckily the gender problem was fixed with
a little hot water.  Still, to have a son-in-law with a curse that 
changed him into a female with cold water was disconcerting to say 
the least.  Now Ranma sat at the table next to Akane, both of them 
ignoring the other as they ate their breakfast in silence, Soun knew
neither of them wanted anything to do with the other and that a 
possible union between them was now looking very unlikely.

	Then Ranma promptly stood up and left for school, Akane
was about to follow him when Nabiki said in a taunting voice.

	ìShouldnít you walk with Ranma to school?  After all he 
IS your fiancee....î

	ìWhy should I?  Weíre not engaged and that it!î  Akane
snapped as she left the house in a huff.  Soun turned to glare at 
his middle daughter.

	ìYouíre not helping the situation by making her angry.î
Soun remarked in a scolding tone.

	ìTrust me daddy, Akane would sooner marry a woman than
Ranma....and I donít mean Ranmaís girl form either.

	ìPerhaps I should engage Ranma to YOU then?î  Soun 
retorted.

	ìIf you do, Iíll simply wait until Iím eighteen, continuing to
date as I please till then and the engagement will be invalid and 
useless since Iíll be legally old enough to make my own choices.î  
Nabiki said in a bored tone of voice.

	ìN...Nabiki....How can you be so cruel to your own father.î
Soun sadly asked.

	ìI wonít have to if you donít force me into an engagement 
against my will.î  Nabiki said matter-of-factly.	
 
	Soun sighed as he realized she was right.  Nabiki left for
school and he was left alone with Kasumi as she gathered the 
breakfast dishes for washing.
	
	ìKasumi?î   Soun inquired.

	ìYes, father?î  Kasumi replied, turning to face him as she
continued to gather the dishes.

	ìTell me something....What is your opinion of Ranma?î  
Soun asked cautiously.

	ìHe seems like a nice person.  Itís a little strange that he
changes into a girl but itís not his fault.  Why do you ask?î  Kasumi
replied.

	ìWell Kasumi....After what happened to Akane in the 
bathtub....and what Nabiki just made clear to me....Iím considering
engaging you to Ranma.î  Soun replied.  

	Kasumi suddenly dropped a dish she had been collecting 
and turned to her father, her eyes wide with shock.

	ìW....What?î  She stammered.

	Seeing this, Soun quickly starting talking.  ìNow....I donít 
want to scare you or force you into this but I donít know what else
I can do.  Akane and Nabiki want nothing to do with Ranma 
whatsoever.

	ìM....Maybe they just need time to get to know each 
other....He just got here yesterday.î  Kasumi offered nervously.

	ìPerhaps....But in the meantime, engaging them together is
only causing them to hate each other more.  So for the moment, I
want the engagement with Ranma to fall to you.  

	ìBut....but I....î  Kasumiís voice seemed on the verge of 
panic, which was rare considering how calm and collected she 
usually was.î

	ìPlease Kasumi, for your fatherís sake and the sake of the
Anything Goes School of Marital Arts....î

	Soun clasped his daughterís hand in his own.  I know I canít
force you to marry Ranma but please just accept this engagement for 
now until we can see if Nabiki or Akane will change their minds.î  
Soun pleaded, tears forming in his eyes.

	ìWhat if they donít change their minds?î  Kasumi asked 
with fear in her eyes.

	Soun gripped her shoulders, his eyes pleading.  ìThen I
want you to marry him.  Kasumi, I beg you, for our family, for the 
school, for me....î  Tears poured from his eyes.  ìFor your mother.î
he whispered, sobs wracking his body at mentioning his dearly 
departed wife. 
	
	ìI....I....î  Kasumi looked into her fatherís eyes and then
she knew she couldnít break his heart.  ìI....I will do as you ask.î

	ìOh thank you!î  Soun rose to embrace his daughter, 
crying tears of joy.  ìYou make your father proud!  I know you two 
will make a good couple and raise a strong family.î

	ìFather!î  Kasumi blushed bright pink as Soun released 
his daughter and smiled as she picked up the rest of the dishes and
promptly walked into the kitchen.  A few moments later, Genma 
walked into the living room in panda form and took a seat beside 
Soun.  He noticed Sounís tears and growled inquisitively.

	ìOh, h....hello Saotome, allow me a moment to gather 
myself.î  Soun said as he wiped the tears off his face. Genma-Panda 
held up a sign with a ì?î on it as Soun turned to face him.

	ìSaotome, Iíve decided to engage your son to my eldest
daughter Kasumi.î  Soun said.

	Genma-Panda looked surprised and scribbled on his sign
which read ìBut what about Akane?  I thought weíd already 
decided?î

	ìI know but I think Kasumi is the better choice for him.  
Sheís sweet, kind, a great cook, good housekeeper and pretty to 
boot.  Nabiki is too selfish for him and Akane....well you remember
what happened in the bath?î  Soun replied.

	Genma scribbled again.  ìIs Kasumi okay with it?î

	ìYes, I just had a little talk with her.  Sheís agreed to marry
Ranma if Nabiki and Akane continue to show no interest in him.î

	ìBut if youíve already engaged him to Kasumi....î  Soun 
grabbed his paw, stopping him from writing.

	ìI did that to ease off the pressure.  Now that Nabiki and 
Akane are no longer being forced into something, they can get to 
know Ranma and perhaps express an interest to marry him 
themselves.î  Soun said.

	ìBut what about the pressure on Ranma to marry 
Kasumi?  Isnít that unfair to my son?î  Genma noted on his sign.

	 ìI have no doubt your son will like my Kasumi.  She is the
sweetest person on this planet.î  Soun replied.

	ìBut she doesnít know martial arts....does she?î 
Genma-Panda wrote.  ìRanmaís been on the road with me for a very 
long time and marital arts is all that he really knows.î

	ìSo heís uncivilized?î  Soun asked.

	The panda nodded solemnly.

	ìWell Iím sure Kasumi can help him with his manners.  In 
the meantime, Akane will be taking over the doujou.  She has been 
training constantly for the last few years and I think sheíll be the
best choice as my heir.î  Soun said.

	ìThen why are you engaging Kasumi to Ranma?  Shouldnít it be Akane and
Ranma since thereíre the marital artists?î  Genma scribbled furiously on
his signs.  ìKasumi is unsuited for Ranma.î

	ìWhat do you suggest Saotome?!î  Soun said, a note of 
anger growing in his voice.  ìAkane doesnít want to marry him!
If I force her theyíll only bicker and hurt each other!  Akane and 
Ranma can still carry on the school as partners and not as husband 
and wife.î  he finished, trying to be logical.

	ìAnger might turn into love eventually, Tendo.î  Genma 
wrote.

	ìIím not willing to take that chance.  Weíve waited too 
long for this moment to allow it to slip through our fingers.  We
have to push for Kasumi and Ranma from this point on or wait until
Akane or Nabiki change their minds.î  Soun said as he stood up.  
ìAre you with me Saotome?î  He reached out with his hand to 
Genma.

	Genma looked at the hand for a moment and then placed 
his own paw on top on it and nodded.

	ìThank you Saotome, you wonít be disappointed.î  Soun 
promised with a smile as he walked towards the closet and opened 
it.  He searched through it briefly before pulling out an old shogi 
board.  He blew some dust off the board and walked back over to
Genma with a smile on his face.  ìRemember this old friend?î  he
said as he began to set up the board while Genmaís face lighted up,
obscured by his panda fur as he eagerly prepared to play the first 
game of shogi with his friend in ten years.


To Be Continued.....


Howís that?  Anything you can suggest would be helpful. :)