I wrote this about 3 months ago, and got bogged down, but since I 
saw at least one request for such a fic on RAAM, here it is.  If you are 
currently working on your own Ranma/Kasumi fanfic, delete now so you can 
continue working on your (probably better) story.  (Someone mentioned 
they were working on one, so I'm looking forward to it.)
	Any comments/suggestions on making this better, or continuing it, 
please let me know.
	While this is not a lemon, certain sexuality issues are looked at.

			RANMA AND...KASUMI!?
			by Scott K. Jamison
(Standard "Takahashi created this" disclaimer.)

	(Okay, everyone's seen episode/issue #1, right?  Enough times to 
say the dialogue along with the characters?  Right then.  Let's fast 
forward to the moment at which Ranma is asked to pick a fiancee.  At this 
point, Akane stands up.)

Akane:  I don't believe this!  I am not going along with some 
15th-Century custom just because two men got drunk!  I'll love who I 
please, when I'm ready, and I won't be bargained off like a side of 
beef!  Don't you listen, Father?  I. don't. like. boys!  I'm a lesbian!

	(She storms out.  There is a stunned silence.  Soun's jaw is on 
the floor.  Nabiki has raised an eyebrow, ala Spock.  Kasumi's face is 
carefully neutral.  Ranma looks puzzled/disgusted, and Genma looks a 
little sad.)

Soun:  Nabiki--

Nabiki:  What she said.  Oh, except for the part about being a lesbian.

	(Nabiki leaves.  Soun is tearing up pretty badly.)

Soun:  But the family honor--

Kasumi (quietly)  If it must be so...

Soun:  Daughter?

Kasumi:  If it is your wish, I will be Ranma's fiancee.

Soun:  Kasumi, you do your father proud!

Ranma:  But--

Genma:  It's settled then!  You'll make a lovely couple!

	(The two fathers begin dancing.  Ranma and Kasumi look at each 
other, and Ranma blushes.  Kasumi turns away.)

Kasumi:  I should make some more tea.

	(Kitchen.  Kasumi busies herself with dishes while Nabiki 
polishes off the cookies.)

Nabiki:  What were you thinking, Kasumi?  You're a legal adult, you don't 
have to do anything you don't want to.  If we presented a united front, 
we could've gotten rid of this stupid arranged marriage completely.

Kasumi:  We must uphold the family honor.

Nabiki:  Family honor?  Family honor!?  A drunken promise that condemns 
two people to a living hell?

Kasumi:  "Living hell" is a bit of an overstatement, Nabiki.  Besides, 
he's only sixteen.  A lot can happen in two years.

Nabiki:  I thought you didn't like younger men.  What about Dr. Tofu?  
Don't you love him?

Kasumi:  (long pause)  Yes, but does he love me back?  Does he act 
erratic because he's glad to see me, or is he just weird?  Maybe I should 
just accept what fate has given me, and be glad.  (weak smile)

Nabiki:  I still think you're selling yourself short.  I'd better go and 
check on Dad, this has been a real roller coaster of a day for him.

	(Next morning.  Dining room.  Akane backs in, shouting through 
the doorway.)

Akane:  No, Father!  You have not "failed" me, I was born this way!  No, 
I'm not saying your genes are faulty!  Look, there's some literature on 
the desk;  maybe it'll help.

	(Kasumi walks up behind Akane with a lunch box.)

Kasumi:  Akane?

Akane:  WHAT?  Oh, sorry, Sis.  Didn't realize you were so close.

Kasumi:  Here's your lunch.  Oh, and since Ranma is in your grade, I'd 
like you to show him the ropes at school.

Akane:  Well, okay, but only because *you* asked.

	(Ranma and Akane walking to class, him on the fence.)

Ranma:  So, you're really a lesbian?

Akane:  Yes. (tosses her head.)

Ranma:  So that was why you were happy to see me when you thought I was a 
girl.

Akane:  You perv--oh, all right.  Yes, ever since I figured out what I 
was, I've dreamed of a lover like her.  Then you had to come along and 
spoil the picture.

Ranma:  Hey!  I didn't ask for this curse.  Um, so what's it like, being 
a lesbian?

Akane:  What's it like being a shapeshifter?

Ranma:  Confusing, and annoying as hell.

Akane:  That's what it's like.  At first I thought I didn't like boys 
because of, well, reasons, you'll see later.  And I had a crush on Dr. 
Tofu for the longest time, but that was just because he was kind to me.  
I've never actually had a girlfriend; I didn't want anyone to know I was 
a... pervert.  I didn't even tell my family until last night.

Ranma:  When our dads forced you into it.  Wow.  If it's any comfort, 
I've never had a girlfriend either.  Pops and I were on the road a lot, 
and when we did settle down for a bit, he kept me away from women most of 
the time.  Said they'd "coddle" me too much.  And now that my body is 
weird, what girl is going to want me?  Your sister;s only agreeing to the 
engagement to keep your dad from freaking, I think.

Akane:  Uh yeah. (blushes).  Hey, remember that I'm not "out" to anyone 
at school, so if you so much as breathe a word of it to anyone, you'll be 
eating through a straw.  Got it?

Ranma:  Hey, I can keep your secret if you can keep mine!

	(*SPLOOSH* He turns into Ranma-chan.  Pan to see elderly woman 
cleaning her stoop.)

Akane:  Looks like your secret is going to be a little hard to keep under 
wraps.  We can get some hot water at Dr. Tofu's.  

	(The Dr. Tofu, Akane vs. Mob, and first meeting with Kunou go 
much as before with minute variations.  So we move to the next pivotal 
moment, as Kunou talks to Nabiki.)

Nabiki:  Yes, Ranma's engaged to my sister--

Kunou:  WHAAT!?

Nabiki:--Kasumi.  An arranged marriage.

Kunou:  But he--with Akane--

Nabiki:  They're in the same grade, stupid.  And Ranma's got one of those 
stupid macho codes that says he can't back down from challenges, even 
when it's about a girl who doesn't care about him.  A lot like you, actually.

Kunou:  Then the lovely Akane has no feelings for that wretch Saotome?

Nabiki:  Certainly no sexual ones.

Kunou:  Then he is not my rival for Akane's hand!  I shall yet win her love!

Nabiki:  Yeah right.  By the way, I have some pictures of her...

	(As a result of the change, Kunou does not immediately rush off 
to challenge Ranma, there is no swimming pool or teakettle incident, and 
Kunou does not meet "the pig-tailed girl" until much later.  He does 
however maintain a martial rivalry with Ranma, and Akane's gauntlet 
doesn't stop.)

	(Dr. Tofu's office.  Akane dumps Ranma onto an examing table.  
Panda-Genma sweeps nearby.)

Tofu:  Quite a collection of bumps and bruises, young man.  How did you get 
them?

Ranma:  I fell down.  A lot.

Tofu:  Actually, these look like Akane's techniques, hm?

Akane:  He called me "unfeminine."

Tofu:  Ah.  That was very foolish of you...what was your name?

Ranma:  Ranma Saotome, sir.

Akane:  He and his father are, ah, staying with us.

Panda-Genma:  Grff.  (Holds up sign:  "He's engaged to Kasumi.")

	(Akane pales in horror.)

Tofu:  Engaged...to Kasumi...to be married?

	(Ranma nods, embarrassed.)

	(One of the lenses in Dr. Tofu's glasses cracks.)

Tofu:  Kasumi... Well, there's nothing more I can do for you, Ranma.  
Come again some time.  (Hustles everyone out.)  Mrs. Ozawa, cancel my 
appointments for the rest of the day.  Refer any emergencies to Dr. Natto.

	(Closes the door and shuts off the light.  He takes off his 
glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose.)

Tofu:  Kasumi...Why did I never tell you I love you?  Why couldn't I just 
say it?  Why?

	(collage of Ranma and Kasumi "dating".  It's pretty clear they 
don't share many interests.  He whoops it up at an action movie while she 
knits; she enjoys a flower show while he snoozes.)

	To be continued....?

	
***********
	In other news, I'm working on a sort of sequel to "Sequence", 
working title "Worse", that starts with these lines:

	"Make it stop!  Please make it stop!"
	But of course it didn't stop.

	Those who've read the earlier story will get the idea.

SKJAM!
"Official Blasphemer of the Church of Azusa"
(It's amazing the cute shapes you can twist plastic explosives into)