Here is the revised version of Part 1.  The beginning is pretty much
the same with new material added in.  

	I apologize for taking so long to return to this fanfic but writer's
block and a lack of available net time the past week had prevented me
from writing anything descent.

	However, I now have some more time and I plan to work on the following
series....

	"Wild Stallion in the Mist"  Working on Chapter Two.
	
	"Ranma's Sudden Switch: Revenge of the Oni" Parts 1-2 Revised being
C&C'ed and soon to be released on the list.

	"The Legend of Ranko" Part 5:  Sometime this week hopefully.

	"Wishing Upon the Same Star" Part 6: Delayed temporarily due to
writer's block and losing my synopsis to a &!?&!#@! power failure.  I'm
still working on it....


I hope that clears things up a bit for those who e-mailed me about 
them. :)  And now for the fanfic.


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 alright, after all this was Genma 
Saotome, not the emperor of japan.

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

	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 be able to take over his dojo one day, 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 martial 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 martial 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.


*	*	*


LATER THAT AFTERNOON....	
	
	Ranma lay on the floor of the gym, his arms and legs 
outstretched as he recalled todayís events.

	He had met Tatewaki Kunou for the first time today and 
was not impressed.  She was even less impressed when Kuno had 
grabbed her breast in the pool, and her opinion of him dropped 
drastically when he had declared her 'worthy' to date with him.

	Then he remembered Akane and how she had come to her 
aid with a kettle of hot water and even squared off against Kunou to 
buy her the time she needed to change.  Although the end result 
wasnít what she hoped for, Akane had tried to help him.

	Ranma sat up and muttered to himself.  ìGuess I should go
thank her for helping me.î   He rose to his feet, walked out of the gym
and headed upstairs to Akaneís room.  He was about to knock on the
door when he heard Akaneís voice loudly exclaim from within....
	
	ìIíM ENGAGED TO MY WORSE NIGHTMARE!!!î

	Ranma froze.  Then he glared at the closed door, spun on his
heel and walked away angrily.  ìAnd the old man calls me rude!î  he
muttered under his breath as he leapt over the rail to land on the 
stairs, failing to see Kasumi walking up the stairs with a tub of water, 
until it was too late.

	ìAhhh!î  Kasumi yelped in surprise as Ranma tried to stop 
his descent only to end up hugging her tightly as he tries to regain his 
balance.  Kasumi waved her arms helplessly as Ranma braced himself
against her and pulled back to look at her.

	ìIím sorry....î  he began.

	Kasumi looked up and their eyes locked.  A jolt of electricity 
seemed to pass through him as he looked into Kasumiís eyes.  He had
never really looked deeply into a womanís eyes before, having spent 
most of his life on the road with his father and never having a chance 
to get to know any for a long period of time.  Now as he stared into 
them, he couldnít help but notice how different they were from his 
own, they seemed to sparkle and shine with a light of their own.  
They made him feel funny inside, funny in a way he couldnít put into
words but one thing he knew for sure, it was a nice feeling.  One he
didnít want to lose....

	Then time resumed and a loud crash was heard.  Ranma and 
Kasumi turned towards the sound to see Mr. Tendo and Genma-Panda
looking annoyed as the water from Kasumiís washtub had soaked 
them both.  Ranma felt his face flush red and Kasumi said nothing as 
she blushed furiously as well and looked away from him and turned 
towards the drenched pair.

	ìOh father!  Iím so sorry!î  Kasumi went in search for a towel
as Ranma tried not to laugh at the expression on his fatherís furry
face.

	ìSon....î  Soun began.  ìAs proud as I am for you taking the 
initiative with Kasumi, could you wait until she DOESNíT have water
in her hands?î

	ìIt was my fault.  I didnít....what?î  Ranma paused in 
mid-explanation.

	ìFather, please.î  Kasumi blushed deeper and looked like she
was about to die of embarrassment.

	ìI was going to tell you at dinner Ranma but I guess thereís no
reason not to tell you now.î  Soun took a deep breath as he continued.
ìRanma, since you and Akane got off on the wrong foot, weíve decided
to engage you to Kasumi instead.î

	ìYOU DID WHAT?!?î  Ranma angrily shouted as he stalked
down the stairs towards his father.  ìHey, I already told you I donít
need no fiancee!  I just want to go back to China and find a cure to
this curse!î

	ìDonít talk back to me boy!  I brought you here to marry one of
Tendoís daughters and thatís what youíre going to do, period!î  
Genma-Panda sign read as he shoved it into Ranmaís face.

	ìYeah?  You and what army, old man?î  Ranma challenged.

	Ranma and Genma-Panda glared daggers at one another as 
they prepared to fight when suddenly.

	ìPlease stop!  I donít want anyone to fight over me!î  Kasumi
exclaimed as she placed herself between them and turned to face 
Ranma.  ìIf you really donít want to marry me, I wonít force you to.  
Iím old enough to make my own choice and father canít force me into
an engagement with you.

	ìKasumi....You break your fatherís heart!î  Soun sobbed as 
he burst into a stormcloud of tears.

	ìKasumi....I....î  Ranma paused for a moment and turned to
face his father and the sobbing Mr. Tendo.  ìCould you leave us 
alone for a minute?  I have to talk this over with her.î

	Genma-Panda stared at him for a moment before nodding 
his assent.  He then lead his crying friend away from the stairs and 
allowing Ranma and Kasumi some privacy.

	ìKasumi, I donít want you to think I donít like you or 
nothing.  I just donít know you well enough to marry you yet, thatís
all. I just wanted you to know, Iím not mad at you, okay?î  Ranma said
sincerely as he looked on Kasumi.

	ìI....I believe you....Itís just that....fatherís been waiting for this
moment for so long, I couldnít bear to see him hurt.  Thatís why I
agreed to be your fiancee....If it makes you unhappy though, I wonít be
upset if you back out.  Itís up to you.î  Kasumi said as she 
lowered her eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze.

	Ranma thought it over.  While his top priority was finding a 
cure to his curse and becoming a full man again, he knew even if he
did manage to find a curse that this engagement would be shoved back
into his face and that unless he was willing to be disowned by his 
father and left alone, he was going to have to marry one of the three 
Tendo girls.

	Akane, who had seemed like a nice person at first, had proven
to be a violent person who hated boys and seemed to have a personal 
grudge against him for some reason.  That opinion had changed slightly
when Akane helped him out earlier against Kunou but then he overheard
what Akane had said in her room and knew that she wasnít going to 
change her opinion of him any time soon.

	Then there was Nabiki.  He hadnít had a chance to get to 
know her yet and he wanted to keep his options open in case it didnít
work out with Kasumi.  But now, as she gave him the chance to back 
out, he wondered if he should take the offer or not.  Kasumi was 
beautiful and serene, if a bit timid compared to most of the people he 
had encountered in his life thus far and he supposed he could do far 
worse than her, although he had yet to encounter any other women to 
compare her to....

	ìRanma?î

	Ranmaís train of thought was interrupted as he blinked and
noticed Kasumi peering at him curiously.  Ranma blushed again.  
How long had he been standing there lost in thought?  He decided he
didnít want to know as he finally broke the silence.  ìIím sorry.  This
whole engagement thing just caught me off guard.  I....I just need time
to get to know you....for you to get to know me....you know what I 
mean?î  Ranma asked.

	ìI....I think so....You know....Just because youíre engaged to
me right now doesnít mean you canít get to know Nabiki and Akane
as well.  You might find them more to your liking....î  Kasumi replied.

	ìNo!  I didnít....I mean....Iím not saying I donít like 
you....In fact, I think youíre pretty nice to be honest....î  Ranma said
as Kasumi blushed again.   ìBut then Iíve never been around girls 
so I donít know how I should feel around you or your sisters.  Itís 
really....weird.î

	 ìI know what you mean....I havenít been around boys very
much either.î  Kasumi said as she sat down on the steps.   ìI went to
an all girls junior-high school and I didnít know how to act around 
boys by the time I went to Furinkan so I stayed around girls all the 
time.  A lot of boys asked me out but I kept turning them down until
they stopped asking.  So this engagement feels weird to me as well.î

	ìWell....maybe we should give it a try for a while....Just to 
see how it goes.  If it doesnít work out, weíll call it quits.  No 
pressure, no regrets.  Is that okay with you?î  Ranma asked.

	Kasumi thought it over for a few moments and then replied.
ìYes.  I think Iíd like that.î

	ìUh....Okay then!  I guess....weíre engaged.î  Ranma said
awkwardly as he tried to make sense of the deal he just made.

	ìO....Okay.  Should we tell Akane and Nabiki then?î  
Kasumi wondered.

	ìI guess.  Pop gonna tell them about it anyway if he hasnít 
already.î  Ranma replied.  ìLetís go.î

	Kasumi rose to her feet and followed Ranma as he walked
into the living room where a still tearful Soun and Genma, once again
in human form, sat at their Shogi board with worried looks on their 
faces.  They looked up upon hearing Ranma enter and Genma asked.  
ìHave you two made a decision yet?î

	Ranma glanced back at Kasumi who smiled and nodded.
ìWeíve decided to accept the engagement....î

	ìYES!!!î  Genma and Soun simultaneously exclaimed with
joy.

	ì....for the moment....î  Ranma finished.

	Soun and Genmaís happiness abruptly subsided.  Soun 
swallowed hard while Genma glared at his son.  ìMeaning what 
exactly....?î

	ìMeaning weíre going to get to know each other better first 
and see if we want to formalize the engagement or break it off if 
things donít work out.î  Ranma firmly replied.  ìYou got it?!î

	Soun mulled it over.  On one hand he was determined to
see Genmaís son marry one of his daughters even if it meant dragging him
to the altar by his pigtail.  Genma was still convinced Akane was the
best choice for Ranma but Soun had pushed for Kasumi because he felt she
was their best hope.  Now Genmaís son was willing to give the
relationship a try....

	ìAgreed!î  Soun quickly replied.  ìWe agree to your terms 
provided you both try your best to make the engagement work.î  he
added in a serious tone.

	ìWe will father.  If youíll excuse me now, I have to make 
dinner.î Kasumi said in a quiet voice as she slowly walked into the
kitchen.  She could still hear Ranma and his father arguing in the
living room, along with an occasional sob of joy from her father as
she placed a pot of water on the stove and walked over to the 
cupboard to get a box of soba for dinner....

	
(Fade to Black)


To Be Continued....


	Authorís Notes:  How do you like it so far?  I wrote this 
when I realized that, aside from lemon fanfics, no one had ever, to 
my knowledge, done a serious fanfic on Ranma and Kasumi as a 
possible couple.  This is probably because Ranma and Kasumi are 
almost complete opposite in personality and style.  You've have to 
be crazy to put them together, hence this fanfic was born!  :)

	I realize Soun is a bit too thoughtful in this fic but I 
thought taking this from his point of view at first would be an 
interesting change.  His emotional state and stubborness to see the 
engagement work will remain the same.

	C&C is welcome as always.  :)


SHIMIYENU IS COMING.................