Subject: [teaser][Ranma]A scary thought
From: Wade Tritschler
Date: 4/16/1997, 3:16 PM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com

Kasumi listened by the doorway as her father talked with the 
new man in the house.  She was finding this whole situation to be 
really exciting.  Father was home after over a year away in training, 
whatever that meant, and this other man had come home with him.  
Now they were talking about the man's son and about a marriage.  
Kasumi just couldn't keep her curiosity at bay.
        "Sounds like an excellent idea Tendo.  So, which will it 
be?"
        "Hmmm, I'd say Akane would be the logical choice.  She's 
Ranma's age."
        Akane was going to marry this Ranma?!  But, Akane was 
still practically a baby.  This was all quite confusing.  Kasumi 
decided to get her mother to explain it properly.
        As she thought this Nabiki sneaked up beside her.  "What's 
happening?"  She asked in a whisper as she too began listening.
        "I don't really know.  I think Akane is going to marry some 
boy named Ranma."  Kasumi whispered back in response.
        "Really?"  Nabiki suddenly became excited and moved 
closer to the common room doorway.
        "Yes, sounds good, but do you think they'll really go for the 
idea?"  The strange man asked.
        "Of course they will."  Her father responded.
        "I wouldn't be so sure Tendo."
        "Well, if you're worried then perhaps we should have them 
get to know each other first.  Maybe we should raise them together."
        "Wonderful idea!"
        "Then it's decided.  You can take Akane and-"
        "Wait a second Tendo," the man quickly responded.  "Don't 
you think that it would be better for them to grow up here.  I mean, 
you have this big house and the dojo..."
        "Well, I suppose but I already have three daughters to raise-
"
        "What's one more child to raise when our two families will 
be joined and our family legacies assured?"
        "Hmmm, quite right."
        "Did you hear that?"  Nabiki asked.  "We're going to have a 
boy in the house."  Kasumi nodded silently.
        "Okay then, we'll just make a few arrangements and-" the 
man began.
        "Not so fast Saotome.  I may agree with your reasoning but 
I'm a bit suspicious of your motives.  You're trying to unload your 
son on me I think."  Her father replied, suspicion in his voice.
        "Not at all Tendo."  The man responded, a bit nervous.
        "Hmmm, well then, you should have no problem with a little 
exchange then."
        "Exchange?"
        "Yes, I'll raise your son and you can raise one of my 
daughters.  How's that?"
        The man went silent for a moment and the two Tendo 
daughters exchanged confused and worried looks.  "Okay Tendo."  
The man finally responded.  "So which will it be?"
        "Kasumi!"

        Kasumi remembered that faithful day over ten years ago.  It 
had been so strange to be sent to live with some strange man she 
barely knew.  She still to this day questioned her father's reasoning 
behind that decision.  Her mother had certainly not been all that 
approving but she had agreed.  The Saotomes had been nice enough 
but it still took time to adjust to.  Then the memories of what 
happened later returned to Kasumi.  Curse them all, she thought to 
herself angrily.
        The boy named Kasumi trudged on down the street, his eyes 
locked on the wet pavement below.  That damnable rain had caused 
the transformation that he was getting quite annoyed with.  It had 
been shocking enough at the beginning but since then it had caused 
nothing but trouble.
        Kasumi looked up from the puddles on the ground to the 
mound of black and white fur beside him and lightly cuffed the 
panda on the back of the head.  It growled a painful and meek 
protest as it looked back.  Kasumi scowled back at it in response.  
        The panda quickly brought out a sign.  `What was that for?' 
the sign read.
        "For this whole stupid mess!"
        `It wasn't my fault!  It was all just a big misunderstanding!' 
the panda replied with another sign, a pleading look on it's face.
        "Not this time Mr. Saotome.  You're not going to get 
forgiveness that easily ever again!"
        `Come on Kasumi, have a heart.'  The panda now had tears 
in it's eyes.
        Kasumi could feel his anger begin to give way to sympathy 
but quickly turned his eyes away before the feeling took hold.  "No!  
I've given you far too many chances as is!  We're going home and 
that's final!"
        The panda growled out another plea but Kasumi wouldn't let 
himself be effected.  He was going home and was going to try to get 
over all that had happened to him.  Of course he'd never live a 
normal life again but he could try to live a close approximation of 
one.
        He stopped at the gate and looked to the sign: Tendo school 
of anything goes martial arts.  He was here at last.  He turned to the 
panda who gave one last desperate attempt to change Kasumi's 
mind, begging on it's knees.  `Please Kasumi, just give me a bit 
more time to set things right.'  It pleaded with another sign.
        She briefly started to consider but then quashed the thought.  
He wouldn't let this excuse for a parent mess up his life any longer.  
"Not a chance, and don't you even think of running off.  You've got 
a lot to answer for."
        The panda slouched it's head in despair.


Now that's a scary thought, don't you think?  Kasumi in Ranma's
position.  OH my, OH my!
I'd be glad to hear any comments on this (no, it's no joke, I
got a plot already worked out) send them right to me.

-- Dr. Wade A. Tritschler http://www.mala.bc.ca/~tritscwa "The world is what you make of it. If it doesn't fit, make alterations." -Stella