OK - here's the repost of series 2 - again with some small corrections...

     Kasumi hummed as she chopped up the vegetables for
dinner, "Oh.. I hope I got enough for everyone", she thought 
to herself.  It had been exactly two years since Ranma and his
father had arrived from China, and her father had decided to
celebrate the 'happy' day that Ranma and Akane had become
engaged.

     She finished the preparations quickly and left the meal
to simmer for a while, the place still needed a good clean
with the number of guests that were arriving.  Everyone else
had thought that it would make problems, inviting Shampoo and
Ukyou, not to mention inviting Kuno and Kodachi.  But since
she had been making out the invitations, it had seemed like
the fair thing to do.

     Kasumi smiled secretively, "Maybe this will finally force
Ranma into choosing *one* fiancee", she said under her breath. 
Yes, it had taken Kasumi quite a bit of planning to pull this
off, she had kept quite about whom she had invited until this
morning.  Now it was too late to change anything, or call it
off.  "Nothing can spoil this now", she thought to herself,
and then she began setting the extra-long table in the Dojo.

                                  ****** 

     Unfortunately for Kasumi, she was wrong, there was one
thing that could ruin *any* feast.  "What have you done?",
Kasumi exclaimed, looking at the remains of her kitchen.

     Akane was standing in the middle of destruction, looking
around, "I'm sorry Kasumi-chan", she said, "I only thought
that I'd spice up the rice a little, by adding some of this".

     Kasumi looked at the label, "Where did you get lighter
fluid from?", she asked, frowning.

     Akane was looking at the remains of the kitchen with
dismay, "I'm so very sorry Kasumi, I'll help you re-make
everything", she promised.

     A muffled gagging came from outside the kitchen window
and Kasumi paled slightly, "that's alright Akane-chan", she
said, "I'll figure out something out".

     Akane left quickly, her head bowed and her expression
sorrowful.  Kasumi looked around at the remains, "What am I
going to do now?", she muttered.

     "Anything but let that tomboy cook", suggested Ranma,
climbing in through the window.

     Kasumi looked at him with a firm expression, "Ranma, why
didn't you try and stop Akane?", she asked.

     Ranma smiled, "Are you kidding, do I look suicidal?", he
said, "besides, do you think I want to sit down with Shampoo
and Kodachi for dinner?".

     Kasumi frowned (something very rare indeed), "I went to
the trouble of organising this and I won't have anything ruin
it", she said, turning and stalking back out of the destroyed
kitchen.

     Ranma rubbed his head sheepishly, "Maybe I carried it a
little far", he mused and then shuddered, "Never mind,
anything's better than having dinner with Kodachi".  With that
he decided to go and spar with his father.

                                  ******

     Kasumi sat down for a while, to decide the best course of
action.  It was too late to call everyone and cancel, since
everyone was suppose to be here in a few minutes (and besides
she wanted everyone to get together and talk things out).

     Her eyes bored into the small clock in the dining room,
it was ticking away down to 'zero hour' and there was nothing
that she could think of that could help.

     "Hey Kasumi?", called Nabiki, walking into the room,
"Everyone will be here soon, where's dinner?".

     Kasumi began to despair and she covered her eyes,
starting to cry, "Nabiki-chan.. nothing's gone right..
dinner's ruined", she sobbed quietly, then she suddenly
shouted, "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!".

     Nabiki realised that it was *very* unusual to see Kasumi
so shaken, so she sat down beside her sister, "Come on Sis",
she said, "I'm sure we'll working something out".

     Kasumi looked up hopefully, "No charge", Nabiki added
with a smile.

     Nabiki picked up the phone and placed it in Kasumi's
hand, "Here", she said, "this is the name of a Caterer that
owes me a favour".

     Kasumi shook her head, "No thankyou Nabiki", she said,
"I'd rather remake everything myself..".

     The phone clicked and a male voice answered, "Goddess..
*AHEM* that is to say: Deity Relief Office.. I'll be right
over for an interview..", it said.

     "I'm sorry", Kasumi said into the phone, "I must have the
wrong number".  With that she hung up.

     Kasumi tried to think how she would be able to cook
enough food quickly, when she stopped and her expression
changed to one of confusion.  "Nabiki-chan?", she asked, "Did
father get a back-lit clock today?", she pointed at the
glowing clock on the wall.  It seemed to glow brighter as the
seconds passed.

     Nabiki frowned, "Not that I know of", she said, "I wonder
how they do that?".

     Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and a slight
thump, as another person joined them in the room.  "What
the....", exclaimed Nabiki, jumping behind the couch.

     Kasumi just stared as the figure shook its head slightly
and looked around.  The figure was wearing a shimmering blue
shirt and pants, that seemed to rustle and move, even though
there was no wind present.

     He looked around the room with dark brown eyes that
looked out from under black hair.  Upon spotting Kasumi he
smiled and walked forward, "Excuse me?", he asked politely,
"Would this be the Tendo residence?".

     Kasumi nodded weakly, "Good", the strange fellow replied,
"Is Kasumi Tendo available to talk to?".

     Nabiki had crawled out of the room by this time and was
running towards the Dojo to get help.  Kasumi nodded, "I'm
Kasumi", she said cautiously.

     The fellow smiled broadly, "Good, that means I can get on
with it", he said.

     Kasumi looked at him apprehensively, "Oh, don't be
afraid", he said, noting her confusion, "I won't hurt you".

     Kasumi didn't look reassured, "Oh, right", he suddenly
said, snapping his fingers, "I didn't introduce myself".

     Taking a step or two back he drew himself up to his full
height, "I am the God of Destiny, and I am here to grant you a
wish", he intoned, impressively.

     When she remained silent the God scratched his head,
"What?", he said looking at his clothes, "Is the uniform too
much?".  He muttered a few words and his clothing shimmered
into a set of well-worn jeans and a black shirt.

     Kasumi looked even more confused, "Well I guess that
didn't work", the God of Destiny muttered, taking a seat
opposite Kasumi, "are you gonna say anything?".

     "The God of Destiny??", she asked.

     The gentleman smiled slightly, "If you like you can call
me Brett".

     "A god??", she asked, "Named 'Brett'?".

     Brett winced, "Hey that's what my parents named me", he
replied, "it's not that bad a name".

     Kasumi shook her head, "Your telling me that *your* a
god?", she asked, "And your here to grant me a wish?".

     Brett looked around, "Is there an echo in here?", he
asked, smiling, "Yes, anything your heart desires".

     Kasumi was dumbstruck, "A wish?", she exclaimed, "me?".

     Brett smiled again, "Thats right", he said, "All you have
to do is...".  Suddenly he broke off and looked around, then
he jumped up and grabbed Kasumi around the waist, hauling her
forwards and standing in the middle of the room.

     "Excuse my rudeness", he said, blushing slightly, "But
it's safer here".

     Kasumi was wondering what he was talking about when the
roof collapsed, several strange objects came in through the
windows and Ranma burst through the door.  Surprisingly Kasumi
found herself and the strange man standing in the only place
that wasn't covered in collapsed ceiling.

     "Ryouga, you stupid..", said Ranma.

     "Watch where your throwing those things bimbo", exclaimed
Ukyou.

     "Who you calling 'Bimbo', foolish girl", retorted
Shampoo.

     "Kasumi.. my lovely daughter.. are you alright?", wailed
Soun frantically.

     <Save the food>, insisted Genma-Panda, waving a sign
around.

     Akane was standing slightly behind Ranma by the time the
dust settled and everyone was able to make out the figure of
Kasumi and the stranger standing unharmed in the middle of the
room.  "Who the hell are you?", Ranma demanded.

     
                            Too Good to be True

                  An OMG (Oh My God ?) / Ranma1/2  FanFic

                                    by

                                Brett Handy

     Brett turned to look at Ranma, "What's going on around
here?", he asked, "Do you always greet visitors this way?".

     Nabiki, who was standing off to one side nodded, "If they
appear out of thin air in the middle of the dining room we
do", she said.

     Ranma was still standing in a fighting stance, "Who are
you?", he repeated firmly.  Shampoo and Ukyou were flanking
him, both holding their respective weapons ready.

     Brett sighed, and help Kasumi across the mangled wreckage
of the room, "There you go", he said as she made it to firm
ground.

     "Thank you", Kasumi said politely, smiling reassuringly
at Ranma she added, "I don't think he means any harm".

     "Let me handle this Kasumi", Ranma replied, stepping
forward and looking straight at the newcomer, "What are you
doing here and who are you?", he demanded again, trying to
grab Brett's arm.

     Brett took a step back, just out of Ranma's grasp, "Oh..
sorry", he said, "My name's Brett".

     "Alright", said Akane, from behind Ranma, "Then what are
you doing here?".

     "Errr...", Brett began, "Well that's a little more
difficult to explain...".

     Ranma took another step forward, "Well you'd better start
explaining.. or...", he began.

     Brett looked at him dubiously, "Or??", he encouraged.

     Ryouga, who had moved up behind Brett, clicked his
knuckles, "Or you're going to get hurt", he finished.

     Brett held up his hands, "Hey, I don't like violence", he
said, "All I want to do is talk to Kasumi".

     "Hold Knave!", shouted Kuno, stepping in front of Kasumi,
"You shall not prevail against the forces of light, even as
the sorcerer Saotome suggests, you may not approach the
innocent Kasumi Tendo, on my life as a Samurai I swear you may
not touch her".

     Brett looked at him curiously, "You got all that in once
sentence?", he said, "I'm impressed".

     Kuno, who was drawing another breath (let's face it - if
he didn't he'd be unconscious), raised his sword and charged
at Brett.  Not really bothering to fight back, Brett simply
sidestepped Kuno's attack, he seemed to be moving before Kuno
had even decided he was going to attack.

     Kuno rammed into Ryouga, sending them both back into the
nearly destroyed dining room, completing the destruction by
hitting one of the remaining house supports.  Kuno and Ryouga
received what was left of the roof, right on their heads. 
Brett looked at them and winced in sympathy, "Ohhh... that's
gotta hurt", he said.

     Brett stepped passed Ranma (who was too busy laughing at
Kuno and Ryouga) and placed a hand on Kasumi's shoulder.  Then
after mumbling a few words and making a gesture or two with
his hands, a shimmering shield appeared around the two of
them.

     "Kasumi!", shouted Akane, running up and banging on the
shield, ineffectually.

     "My daughter!", wailed Soun, frantically jumping from
foot to foot.

                                  ******

     Inside the sphere there was one confused God.  "I don't
believe it", muttered Brett, "My first bloody mission...".  He
then noticed Kasumi huddling against one side of the sphere,
obviously a little startled.

     "Oh", he said smiling, "Sorry about that, but I didn't
want to get beaten to a bloody pulp, I'm sure you can
understand".

     Kasumi nodded, a bit more confident at his friendly
attitude, "How did you do that?", she asked testing the shield
with her finger.

     Brett sighed, "I think I already explained that", he said
with a wry grin.

     He sat down on the grass, leaning up against the shield,
"So.. back to your wish", he said encouragingly.

     Kasumi frowned, "I'm sure I couldn't think of anything",
she said, also sitting (although she kept her distance).

     Brett nodded, "I know exactly what you mean", he said,
laughing, "When I got my choice of wish... I got 'drafted'".

     Kasumi's eyes opened wider (how does she do that...),
"You had a wish?", she asked, "I thought Gods granted wishes,
not got them".

     Brett shook his head, "I'm not exactly a *typical* god",
he said, "I started out as a guy that just happened to wish
for something unusual".

     Kasumi smiled, "It looks like you got a good wish", she
said.

     Brett grimaced, "Well it's been mostly good", he said,
thinking of Urd and her sisters.  Then he remembered Nilthar
and all the problems he had caused, "But there have been a few
hick-ups...", he added after a moment.

     Kasumi sat back and nodded, "Well life doesn't turn out
the way you expected", she said, "I never expected to have to
take care of the family, but after mother died....".

     Brett looked at her sadly, "I'm sorry", he said.

     The conversation paused until Kasumi thought of something
that she noticed earlier, "How did you know that we were going
to be safe where we were standing in the dining room?", she
asked

     Brett smiled, "One of the fringe benefits of the job", he
said, "I can see possible threats in the future and then
change things".

     "You can see the future?", she asked, amazed.

     "Well not really accurately", Brett explained, "Threats I
can usually see, but most of my ability is in the dreams that
I have".

     Kasumi clasped her hands in front of her, "That must be
wonderful", she enthused, "To be able to see the future..."

     Brett nodded, "It's nice sometimes.. but it drives my
girlfr...  Ahhh.. Urd crazy", he replied, smiling.

     "You have a girlfriend?", Kasumi asked, looking
interested.

     Brett nodded, "Well I suppose I could call her that, her
name's Urd", he said, "We sort of started out as friends and
things went from there".

     Kasumi smiled, "That's a good way to start", she agreed.

     Brett laughed, "It was almost the way it ended too", he
said, "She wasn't exactly truthful with me at the beginning".

     Kasumi frowned, "I'm sorry to hear that", she murmured.

     Brett smiled, "But that's ok, we worked things out".

     Kasumi lowered her head sadly, "I'm afraid that I'm not
so lucky in love", she said.

     Brett shrugged, "Well I'm sure that someone as beautiful
and good as you are, is destined to meet a great guy", he
commented, looking her up and down, "In fact I'm almost
certain of it".

     Kasumi's smile was radiant as she accepted the
compliment, "Thank you for saying so", she replied, "But I
think I'm doomed to end up an old maid".

     Brett tapped his finger against his head, "Remember", he
said seriously, "You've got a wish due you, that could help".

     Kasumi nodded, "I'm sure it would", she said, "But I'd
feel bad forcing anyone into anything".

     Brett frowned and rubbed his chin, "Well I can see where
that would be a problem", he said, "But don't worry I think
something can be worked out".

     "Thank you", Kasumi said smiling wistfully, "Urd must be
a lucky girl... I wish that I had a boyfriend as supportive as
you...".

     Brett winced, "*I* wish you hadn't said that", he said,
closing his eyes and waiting for what he was sure was going to
happen next.

                                  ******

     Ranma was pacing around the sphere, they had tried
everything, digging under, getting on top, it was impossible
to get inside.  "They've been in there for almost half an
hour", Ranma observed as he continued examining the sphere.

     They had tried battering it with everything they had,
even Happosai's bombs only made the shield shimmer slightly. 
"My daughter..... My daughter.....", Soun wailed pacing
aimlessly back and forth around the sphere.

     "What are we going to do?", Akane wondered out loud,
echoing everyone's thoughts.

     The wind seemed to rise, swirling around the shield and
whipping about the branches of the old cherry tree.  In a few
seconds it had grown in intensity and Ranma found it hard to
stay upright.  "What's going on!??!", he shouted over the
shriek of the wind.

     Everyone else was too busy holding onto the ground to
answer him.  Then as suddenly as it started the wind stopped. 
Ranma looked around at his friends, they were all picking
themselves off of the ground.  Amazingly there appeared to be
no damage to the house and everything looked the same as
before the wind had arrived.

     "What the hell was that?", Ryouga wondered, looking
around bemused.

     A moment later his question was forgotten as the shield
convulsed and then broke apart like shattered glass,
disappearing as the shards scattered.  Inside was Kasumi,
completely unharmed and smiling happily.

     Along side her stood the stranger, he seemed to be a
little tired, till he noticed the ring of people with
dangerous looking weapons surrounding him, "Ahhh... look I can
explain..", he began, standing a bit straighter.

     Kasumi nodded, "It's alright", she said, "Brett just
wanted to talk to me for a while".

     "Please Kasumi!", begged Soun, "Step away from him".

     Brett looked around apprehensively, "I don't want any
trouble", he said, "But I'm not will to be beaten up for my
principles".  Suddenly he held a thin sword in his hand and
crouched into something resembling a fighting stance, "En
Guard", he announced.

     Kuno took that as a challenge and stepped forward, "So
the sorcerer has become swordsman", he pronounced loudly, "You
foolish knave, prepare to be vanquished by the might of
Tatewaki Kuno!".

     "So tell me", Brett said in a conversational tone, "Do
you make those up yourself or do you have a group of failed
writers that supply them?".

     Kuno charged, striking as quickly as he could.  Brett
parried and blocked, stepping backwards as Kuno advanced, but
never striking back.  The moved across the courtyard until
they reached the outer wall, "Are you getting tired yet?",
Brett puffed as he continued to parry and dodge.

     "Not in the slightest", Kuno replied, "I am Tatewaki
Kuno, captain of Furinkan High School's Kendo team, I do not
tired easily".

     Brett sighed, "Well I do", he said, "And in fact your
putting me to sleep".  And with that he parried a thrust, spun
and rammed the hilt guard of his blade into Kuno's skull,
hard.

     Kuno stood for a moment, looked at Brett seriously and
then mouthed, "That didn't hurt", before falling unconscious
to the ground.

     Brett sighed, "Well I hope your head's thick enough that
you're not seriously hurt", he commented.

                                  ******

     I shuddered to think how many braincells I'd just killed
in the poor guy's head, god knows he needs every one that he's
got.  Looking up I saw to my dismay the rest of my opponents
advancing towards me, looking rather upset.  "Please", I
practically begged, "I don't want to fight you".

     A young lady with short black hair and a large mallet,
frowned, "Looks like your getting off on the wrong foot then",
she said, indicating Kuno.  I don't know why but she seemed to
be a bit familiar.

     I stuck the epee into the ground and stepped back, "I'm
sorry, but *he* attacked *me*", I replied.

     Kasumi stepped in front of Ranma and the young girl,
"Brett doesn't mean any harm Ranma", she said, "He's here to
help me".

     Ranma looked at me strangely, "Your a cook?", he asked
remembering the destroyed kitchen and meal.

     I didn't know what was going on, but I nodded, "Oh yeah,
I can cook", I said.

     The young girl looked at me curiously, "Have we met
before?", she asked, fingering the mallet.

     I thought back, suddenly remembering the girl I had run
into on one of my 'training trips' while I was learning to
travel.  Since I had caught her while she was changing, I
didn't think I needed to remind her of our previous encounter.
"We might have", I allowed, "Have you ever been to
Australia?".

     Before she could answer, Kasumi stepped forward and
grabbed my hand, "If you'll all excuse us we've got some
dinner to prepare", she said, dragging me into the house.

     "But... But how..", Ranma began looking over to where the
shield had been, "How come...".

     To my surprise a Panda struck the guy in the head with a
sign, I managed to make out <Shut up - I'm hungry>, written on
it.

     I followed Kasumi into the kitchen, it was a mess, broken
cooking utensils and destroyed equipment.  I shuddered, "What
the hell happened here?", I wondered out loud.

     Kasumi, who had lost her smile, looked at me sadly, "My
sister Akane is not very good at cooking", she admitted.

     I looked around, there was not way we were going to get
any work done until we cleaned up the mess.  I frowned, "OK,
time to get down to business", I said.

     Kasumi looked at me strangely as I began whispering a
spell and gesturing at the room.  She gasped as the broken
dishes and bowls jumped off the floor and mended themselves,
going back into the correct cabinets.  The repair of the stove
and microwave took a little longer, but was no less
spectacular and in minutes we stood in a perfectly clean room.

     She ran a finger over the counter, "It's even been
polished", she noted.

     I slumped against the doorframe, a little bit tired from
the effort.  I'd have to thank Belldandy for teaching me that
particular spell.  With a sigh I forced myself to an upright
position, "Well let's get started", I said.

                                  ******

     Somehow I managed to keep going throughout the
preparation of dinner.  I think that the thought of all those
hungry maniacs outside was all the encouragement that I
needed.  Kasumi's energy seemed to be boundless as she raced
around the kitchen.  I'd never seen anyone, with the possible
exception of Belldandy, as adept in the kitchen as she was.

     "Thank you for the help Brett", she said gratefully, "I
wouldn't have been able to get this finished on my own".

     I nodded weakly, "That's alright", I replied, "But I
don't think I've ever had to cook quite so quickly before".

     Kasumi smiled, "I'm used to it, living here", she said.

     Grabbing up one of the platters of food I gestured for
her to proceed me out the door, "Ladies first!", I encouraged. 
To be honest I wasn't sure if I'd be attacked the moment I
left, so I needed some running room.

     We walked outside and into what Kasumi called 'The Dojo'. 
Now I've always been able to pick up the general feel of a
room full of people and to say there was an 'undercurrent of
hostility' would have been a massive understatement.  If the
Jacksons had a family reunion it's atmosphere would have been
more friendly.

     Helping Kasumi serve out the food I noticed that there
seemed to be several little groups forming.  The young guy
named Ranma seemed to be constantly surrounded by three of the
girls, while he himself seemed to be spending most of his time
teasing the girl named Akane for some reason or another.  The
two older gentleman were quite comfortable sitting at one end
of the table, each gulping down their helpings ravenously. 
That left a trio of young men (one of which I'd fought
earlier) sitting together.

     I quickly dished out their meals and made to leave, but a
hand on my arm stopped me.  I looked down to see that the guy
that I'd knocked out earlier was looking at me curiously,
"What manner of man are you that you fight so well, yet you
would degrade yourself by performing menial tasks that no
*warrior* should have to bother with?", he asked expansively,
"You are certainly no Samurai"

     I pulled my arm away, "I'm a guest that lends help when
the lady of the house needs it", I replied.  Then getting into
it I decided to continue my little speech, "Is it not the
obligation of every true Samurai to aid those in distress and
help in any way possible?".

     Kuno frowned, "You speak the truth, however I Tatewaki
Kuno would never stoop so low as to dirty my hands in such
effort", he replied.

     I shrugged, "How little you value your own code then", I
said, turning and walking away.

     Kuno's mouth worked silently for a moment or two and then
he decided that he was hungry and began eating.  Kasumi began
dealing out drinks for everyone, so I decided to finish my
rounds, passing a plate to a girl that introduced herself as
Nabiki.  She was quite attractive, but there was a glint in
her eye that made me a bit cautious.

     "Here you are", I said, placing it in front of her.

     "Thank you", she said, "I saw you trying to talk to Kuno
before?".

     I nodded and she shook her head, "Don't bother, I've been
trying to talk some sense into him for about a decade, no
success yet".

     I smiled at that and shrugged, "It never hurts to try", I
replied.

     Nabiki took a small taste of her meal and nodded, "That's
very good", she said, "Kasumi's outdone herself this time".

     I nodded, "Yes, she's a fine cook", but then I couldn't
keep the amusement out of my voice as I added, "Actually *I*
made that particular dish".

     Nabiki looked at me cautiously, "So jumping out of clocks
isn't your only ability?", she asked.

     I began to sweat a little, "Err... what do you mean??", I
asked.

     She nodded, "I just bet you don't know anything about
it", she said sarcastically, "Just like you don't know how to
form a forcefield or change the weather".

     I began to get nervous when I noticed that the other
conversations around the room had stopped and everyone was
watching and listen to us.  "Well the forcefield thing is...
well... umm.... a...", I began.

     "It's a Ki-Shield", said Kasumi helpfully.

     Everyone (including me) looked at her questioningly and
she nodded, "It's like some of those moves that Ranma and
Ryouga use", she explained, "But defensive rather than used
for attack".

     I didn't have any idea what she was talking about, but I
nodded, "That sounds pretty close", I agreed hastily.

     Everyone was looking at Kasumi strangely, "Are you
alright Sis?", asked Akane.

     Kasumi shrugged and continued to serve drinks, "Just
trying to help", she said.

     Nabiki gave me a long look, "I'm sure", she said, before
turning back to her meal.  I had the feeling that this young
lady would be a problem.

                                  ******

     I sat beside Kasumi as dinner began, getting an
explanation of what was going on.  According to her, this was
suppose to be a celebration of Ranma and Akane's engagement.

     I winced as Akane punched Ranma in the jaw for a comment
he'd made about her attempt to help with dinner.  "JERK!", she
said, calmly beginning to eat her meal again.

     I frowned at Kasumi, "They're engaged??", I asked, "They
look more like they hate each other".

     Kasumi nodded, "Oh they didn't agree to the engagement,
Daddy is forcing them into it", she explained.

     I opened my eye's in shock, "That's horrible!", I
exclaimed.

     Kasumi shrugged, "It's a matter of honour", she said.

     I swallowed back my response and concentrated on
understanding the people around the table, Ranma seemed to be
getting lots of attention from the other girls at the table
with him, "Who are they", I said quietly, indicating Ukyou and
Shampoo.

     "They are Ranma's other fiancees", she said.

     "Other fiancees?", I echoed.

     She nodded and then proceeded to tell me the story of how
Ranma had acquired the other girls.  I shuddered as Kodachi
began laughing at something or other, "And what's her story?",
I asked.

     Kasumi sighed, "She's a raving psychotic who's fixiated
on Ranma", she replied.

     I shuddered, "That guy must have been beaten with an
unlucky stick", I said, "I've never heard anything even
remotely like this before".

     Kasumi shrugged, "After two years you tend to get used to
it", she replied.

     Dinner continued, with the occasional fight or two, until
late that night.  I was only just keeping my eyes open by the
time the last of the guests left.  A hand on my shoulder
brought me back to reality and I looked up to see Kasumi
standing over me, "Come on", she said, "We had better find you
a place to sleep".

     I nodded weakly, transporting myself now would have been
a big mistake.  I got up and followed her into the house,
heading upstairs.

     She knocked on a door and got a muffled "What'd ya want",
from inside.

     I followed her in and saw Ranma stretched out on the
floor beside a large Panda.  "What's *he* doing here?", Ranma
asked sleepily.

     Kasumi pulled a blanket out of the cupboard, "He's
sleeping here for tonight", she replied.

     Ranma sat up and looked me carefully in the eye, "Do you
snore?", he asked bluntly.

     I shook my head, "Nope", I mumbled and then looked at the
Panda, "Does *he* bite?".

     Ranma smiled slightly, "Only if you wake him suddenly",
he replied, "Or have food hidden on your person".

     Kasumi gave me a blanket and said goodnight, retiring to
her own room.  I laid down comfortably and closed my eyes.  A
few minutes later a hand shook my shoulder and I heard a
whispered, "Are you awake".

     "No", I replied, keeping my eyes shut.

     "Come on, I just wanna talk", came Ranma's response.

     I sighed and rolled over to face him, "Yeah?", I asked
sleepily.  Then I noticed that the Panda was also sitting up
looking at me.  I scrubbed at my eyes, "What do ya want?".

     Ranma looked at me closely, "You don't look like a
martial artist", he commented.

     I nodded, "I'm not", I said bluntly.

     Ranma and the Panda exchanged a glance (I was too tired
to recognise the significance of this), "You must be a martial
artist if you can use your Ki to form attacks", Ranma
insisted, "So what have you studied".

     I sat up slowly, "Right now I'd like to be studying
'sleep and it's effect on the body'", I said, "But I've never
studied martial arts before".

     Ranma still looked confused, so I continued, "I guess you
could say that I've picked up a few abilities over the years
that *resemble* the tricks that Kasumi said you are capable
of".

     "But can you teach them?", Ranma asked hopefully.

     I shook my head, "I don't think you'd be able to learn
what I can teach", I replied.  Then noticing his outraged
expression I held up my hands defensively, "Hey.. it's not
that you couldn't learn them, but you've got to be a 'unusual'
person to *use* them".

     The Panda grunted and laid down to get some more sleep
and Ranma laid back down too, "Ahh well", he said, "We'll talk
more about it tomorrow". While I'd have liked to have
continued talking to him, sleep overcame me.

                                  ******

     A hand touched my shoulder, "Brett", said a female voice,
"Time to get up".

     I rolled over, "G'way Belldandy, I'm still tired", I
replied sleepily.

     "He's almost as bad as Ranma", said another voice from
somewhere on the other side of the room.

     That woke me up quickly.  I sat up and looked around,
remembering where I was.  Kasumi was looking at me with a
happy smile on her face, "Good morning!", she greeted me.

     "Good morning to you too", I replied, working my way
slowly to my feet.  I looked over to where Akane was kicking
Ranma into consciousness and winced sympathetically.

     Ranma rolled with the kick and came up into a fighting
stance.  Unfortunately he rolled right over the large Panda
who took exception to being woken up.  Ranma disappeared out
the window with a sign plastered against his chest that read
"Let sleeping Pandas lie!".

     I heard a splash from outside followed by a woman's
scream.  I closed my eyes and shuddered, this place was a
total madhouse and I was trapped here.  Well I was trapped
until I could come up with a way out of that wish Kasumi had
made.

     "Oh don't mind Ranma and his father", Kasumi said, "They
do that every morning".

     "You must go through a *lot* of windows around here", I
replied.

     I heard a voice from outside the window, "You *UNCUTE*
tomboy!!!", it was a female voice I hadn't heard before.

     Akane ran to the window, "PERVERT!!", she shouted,
jumping from the window.

     I ran over to the window and looked down to see Akane
chasing a red-headed girl into the Dojo, "Was that another
example of the 'morning routine' around here?", I asked
Kasumi.

     She nodded, "I've made some breakfast if you would like
some", she said.

     I smiled, "That's great, but I thought *I* was suppose to
be helping *you*", I replied.  We walked downstairs and into
the living room (now also being used as a dining room, till
the workmen repair the damages of yesterday) and Kasumi
gestured for me to take a seat at the table, "Everyone else
will be here soon", she said, "Feel free to start if you're
hungry".

     Since I was feeling hungry after yesterday I dug straight
in, polishing off my meal quickly.  Just after I'd finished a
red-headed girl walked into the room, she had a large bruise
covering one side of her face and was dripping wet.  I stood
and bowed to her, "I don't think we've been introduced", I
said, "The name's Brett".

     She nodded, "Sure", she said, slumping down on the other
side of the table, rubbing the bruise tenderly.

     I frowned, "How on earth did you get a bruise like
that?", I asked.

     The girl looked at me angrily, "That macho chick did it
to me", she replied.

     "The who??", I asked, not understanding the reference.

     "The UNCUTE tomboy...", she said shortly.

     "Huh?!", I replied.

     "AKANE DID THIS TO ME!!", she finally shouted at me.

     I held up my hands, "Hey don't get upset", I said.  I
walked around the table to her and examined the bruise, "Would
you mind if I had a look at that?", I asked.

     "You a doctor?", she asked hopefully.

     I shrugged, "Nope, but I do have some skill at healing",
I replied.

     She grunted an affirmative and turned her head so I could
get a better look.  I touched it gingerly and she hissed in
pain, "Sorry", I muttered.

     Checking around to make sure no one else was around I
quietly began whispering a minor healing spell.  The girl
startled at the flash of light and rolled away from me coming
into a fighting stance on the other side of the room.  I
smiled, "That should help", I explained

     The red-head touched the side of her face carefully,
noticing no pain she moved to a mirror.  "How did you do
that?", she asked.

     I shrugged, "Just a talent", I replied.

     The rest of the family took that moment to appear, all
sitting around the table.  I re-took my seat and looked
around, someone was missing, "Where's Ranma?", I asked.

     Nabiki looked at the red-head sitting beside her, "Well
actually", she began.

     The red-head clapped a hand across Nabiki's mouth, "He's
gone for a morning run", she explained.

     I smiled at her, "By the way, you never introduced
yourself", I pointed out.

     "I'm Ran... ko", she said brokenly.

     I nodded, "Ranko it is then", I said smiling.

     I noticed the strange looks around the table and looked
at the family indignantly, "WHAT??", I asked.

     They all shrugged as a group and went back to devouring
the meal.  The meal lasted for a few more minutes, everyone
enjoying it immensely.  After it was finished and everyone had
sat back contentedly, Kasumi spoke up, "Brett will be staying
with us for a while", she announced.

     "What are you talking about?", Soun asked, "I've already
got to support two freeloaders and three daughters, I can't
*afford* adding another to the list".

     I frowned at him, "Mr Tendo", I began, "I am quite
prepared to work for my board".

     He looked shocked, "You would?", he asked hopefully.

     I smiled, "Never let it be said that I 'freeload' off
anyone", I replied.  Ranko winced slightly at my statement and
the Panda seemed to suddenly be occupied with eating as much
as possible.

     Ranko was looking at me strangely, "Why are you
staying?", she asked.

     "Errr... Ummm... well...", I glanced at Kasumi and she
shrugged.

     "Ahhhhh", Mr Tendo said knowingly, "You're here because
of Kasumi".

     Not really knowing what else to do I nodded,
"Excellent!", he said, "You look like a fine young man and if
you turn out to be as good as your word.. I'll be happy to let
you marry my little girl".

     My jaw dropped and my eye's bugged out, "Marriage?", I
asked.

     He nodded, "Consider yourselves engaged!", he proclaimed. 
Then tears came to his eyes and he began crying happily, "Now
we can have a double-wedding!", he said happily

     Everyone finished up their meals and left the room, with
the exception of Kasumi.  I looked at her in shock, "I don't
believe this place, I come here for a simple 'wish granting',
next thing I know I'm engaged to marry someone I just met...",
I broke off at the expression on her face.

     "Oh.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way..", I said
lamely, "It's just that I've already got a girlfri....".

     "What's wrong", Kasumi asked, noticing the expression of
mixed fear/horror on my face.

     "Urd's gonna kill me", I concluded.



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            E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
   Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind

  "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

                             -Albert Einstein
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