Ranma 1/2
	Altered Destinies:  A scary thought

	What’s happened so far:  Zilch, nodda, nothing, this is the 
start.

%Prologue

	Derek leaned back in his chair as the steady stream of 
information passed before him.  So much to do, so much to do.  He had to 
fix that whole mess in 435687.  234891 was still in need of some real 
work.  He also had to hunt down some more of those renegades that were 
messing everything up so badly, toying with timesteams that were 
perfectly fine.
	He took in a deep calming breath and mentally ordered the display 
to stop on 379443.  That looked like an interesting one.  Who would have 
thought that person would be the cause of so much destruction?  Talk 
about the best of intentions going awry.
	He examined the data more closely.  No point in even trying to 
fix the base timestream, it was hopelessly gone.  Well, after that last 
disaster Derek was glad.  This would be a simple enough fix.  One little 
twist of fate and everything would be fine.
	“Not so fast Derek.  I got another challenge for you.”  The 
female voice at his side announced.  He listened as she detailed what she 
expected.
	“Hmph, you really don’t have much respect for my skills, do you?”
	“If you pull this off I’ll give you some respect.”
	“I’ll hold you to that.”  He said with a smile.  This was too 
easy.
	
%Chapter 1

	Kasumi listened by the doorway as her father talked with the new 
man who had come to visit.  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 fateful 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 at 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.

	Nabiki stood by the kitchen table, slicing several carrots into 
thin, even slices.  Her mind wasn’t on her work however.  Nothing this 
boring or tedious was satisfying or mentally stimulating enough to keep 
her mind on it.  Still, Nabiki always reminded herself that it was better 
than the alternative.  Instead she was running over a few ideas that just 
might improve her cash flow a bit.
	“Are those carrots ready?”  Mrs. Saotome asked as she turned from 
the stove.  Nabiki nodded as she finished the last cut and handed the 
cutting board with the carrots to her.  As Nodoka returned to the stove 
and added the carrots to a pot Nabiki moved onto her next task.  She 
didn’t make it as a loud knocking caught her attention.  
	“Could you get that?”  Nodoka asked.
	“Sure.”  Nabiki replied as she headed off to the door.  She 
didn’t go too fast mind you.  Anything that got her free from the tedium 
of kitchen duty was something to be savored.  The knocking repeated 
itself as she finally reached the front door.  She slid it back and 
looked at her visitor.
	Actually she looked into his chest and realized she was just a 
bit too close.  She looked up a bit, then a bit more until she looked 
into his face, a face etched with weariness.  “Hello,” he greeted in 
pleasant but tired voice.
  	“Oh, hello,” Nabiki replied as she took a step back to better 
examine this new comer.  As she already noted he was quite tall, possibly 
even taller than her father, and obviously older than her, maybe 19 or 
20.  He was dressed in a soft yellow and red outfit that seemed just a 
little small as his well built frame filled it completely, emphasizing 
every muscle.  His brown hair was bound together in a long ponytail that 
must have gone down to the mid of his back.  His face, well there was 
only one way Nabiki could think of to describe it, gorgeous.  She could 
hardly keep her heart from fluttering.  Nabiki shook off the thoughts 
that were beginning to come to the surface and reset her appearance as 
that of host.  “Ah, can I help you?”
	“I’m sure you can.”  The man said then frowned as he looked off 
to the side.  He quickly shot out his hand and pulled a large mound of 
fur into view.  “Where do you think you’re going, hmmm?”  Nabiki took 
another step back, this time in shock, as she realized that mound of fur 
was a panda.  After the panda seemed to slouch to the ground in despair 
the man turned back to her.  “You wouldn’t happen to have any hot water 
would you?”

	“Saotome!!!!”  Soun roared out in outrage as he confront his one 
time friend.
	“Now Tendo, it’s not a bad as it-”
	“My daughter changes into a man and you call that not bad!!!!!”  
Soun shot back as he grabbed Genma by the shoulders, a bit too tightly 
for Genma’s comfort.  “How could you be so reckless?!!”
	Everyone at the common room table watched mutely as Genma 
desperately fought to come up with a response.  Nodoka looked no more 
amused than Soun at this whole situation.  Nabiki looked pale, probably 
due to the rather queasy feeling she now had.  Akane had an angry scowl 
directly solely at Genma.  Ranma seemed to be pondering something.
	Kasumi, however, was fighting a war with herself.  She be would 
all too pleased to let Genma go down in flames but the part of her that 
had been tempting her early was still hard at work.  She was home now, no 
longer under his care and she really didn’t feel like going through a 
night of sleeplessness if she let this go on.
	“To be fair it was an accident.  He didn’t know about the 
curses.”  Kasumi finally said.  It was a bit of a stretch.  He knew 
damned well that the springs were dangerous and that they were called 
‘the cursed springs of Juzenkyo’.  However, she'd been as big a fool, 
especially seeing as how her life with Genma should have warned her about 
actually agreeing to go there in the first place.  Well, that was ending 
now.
	Soun looked over at his daughter then relented and released 
Genma.  Genma gave Kasumi a thankful smile but she returned only a brief 
disapproving glare.
	“Well Saotome, it seems my daughter is more forgiving than I.  Be 
glad.”
	“I should have made you sign that contract.”  Nodoka said aloud 
as she shook her head.
	“It was-”  Genma began.
	“We’ll talk later.”  Nodoka snapped back as she stood up and 
turned to Kasumi.  “Come with me Kasumi, I’ll get you settled in.  
Nabiki, please take care of dinner.”  Nabiki nodded and headed off to the 
kitchen as Kasumi followed Nodoka upstairs.  She lead Kasumi to a large, 
basically empty room, where Kasumi dropped her pack.  “I’m sorry, but 
Ranma took your room-”
	“It’s all right Mrs. Saotome.  I didn’t expect anything else.  
Besides, I’m used to sleeping on a hard floor.”
	Nodoka nodded.  “I’m dearly sorry about all this.  I should never 
have allowed him to take you on that training trip.  You must be angry 
with all of us.”
	Kasumi looked over at Nodoka and tried to call up that feeling 
but found it quickly crumpled with the sad look on Nodoka’s face.  “I 
suppose I was, somewhat, but how were you to know?”  Nodoka seemed 
uncomforted by Kasumi’s excuse for the error in judgment.  “It doesn’t 
matter now.  I’m home and I’ll survive.”  Nodoka again nodded then turned 
to leave just as Akane walked in.
	“I don’t need to ask how life’s been treating you.”  Akane 
commented with a bit of amusement.  Kasumi smiled as she hugged her 
little sister.  “I missed you.”  Akane said as she returned the hug.  A 
moment passed and they finally released each other, Kasumi giving Akane a 
good look over.  She’d obviously been keeping herself fit.  She was trim 
but firm, probably from martial arts training.  Her hair was still in 
that old short cut that Kasumi found a bit boyish but now it seemed to 
suit her quite well.
	“You’ve grown up so much since the funeral.”  Kasumi noted.
	“So have you.”
	“Yes.  So, how’s life been treating _you_?”
	“Well enough I suppose.”
`	“Are you and Ranma getting along?  When’s the wedding planned?”
	Akane’s pleasant attitude changed to a guarded one.  “We get 
along fine.  I don’t know about the wedding.”
	Kasumi examined her sister intensely, trying to discern her true 
feelings on the subject.  “Is there some problem?”
	Akane scowled and began pacing the room.  “Well it’s...  I mean 
we...  I don’t want to trouble you with my problems.”
	“Not at all.”  Kasumi reflexively responded.
	“Well we... we... he’s...”
	“Don’t you like him?”
	“Oh, I like him fine.  He’s a bit thoughtless sometimes but 
that’s not so bad.  It’s just that I... I...  It just doesn’t seem 
right.”  Akane stopped pacing and stared down at her feet.  “Oh, you 
don’t want to hear about this.”  Akane said as turned and looked up at 
Kasumi.  “I want to see how good you are.  Do you want to have a little 
sparring match?”
	“I suppose.”  Kasumi responded, a little reluctant.

	Akane set herself across from Kasumi in a combat ready stance.  
Kasumi assumed a loose defensive posture and prepared.  At the door to 
the dojo, Ranma stopped and looked in.  A little curiosity took hold and 
he walked in and leaned against the wall, waiting to see what Kasumi 
could do.
	“Ready?”  Akane asked and Kasumi nodded.  Akane started off slow. 
 A quick punch which Kasumi swayed to the side to avoid.  Another punch, 
slightly faster, again easily avoided.  A kick, Kasumi calmly blocked and 
spun Akane around by her caught foot.  Akane stumbled then recovered and 
re-examined her approach.  She then attempted a quick set of punches and 
kicks all of which Kasumi calmly and easily dodged.  Akane stepped back 
and caught her breath.  “Are you going to attack or what?”
	“If you really want me to?”
	Akane nodded and Ranma had a feeling that it was a mistake.  
Kasumi approached cautiously then let loose a quick punch.  Akane dodged 
fairly easily and countered with her own punch.  However, Kasumi caught 
it, then holding Akane's hand in one of her own Kasumi lashed out with 
four blazingly fast punches, three times to Akane’s body and one final 
time to the head, stopping just short of the bridge of Akane’s nose.  
Ranma knew those moves would have easily put Akane completely out of 
action, maybe even have killed her if they were full force.  Akane must 
have known too as she blinked in complete shock.
	“That’s... pretty good.”  Akane stammered out.
	“Thank you.  Your guard is a bit weak.”  Kasumi responded as she 
released Akane and stepped back casually.
	“Yeah, guess so.”  Akane responded, slightly depressed.
	“Don’t feel bad, I’ve had some fairly... intensive training.”
	“I bet.”  Ranma commented causing Kasumi and Akane to finally 
notice him.  “You got creamed Akane.”  Ranma teased.
	“Shut up Ranma!  Maybe if my regular sparring partner was half 
decent-”  Akane replied angrily.
	“Low blow!  I’m better than you and you know it!”  Ranma replied, 
getting a bit angry himself.
	“Hah!  You wish!”  Akane retorted with a slight smirk and began 
to leave.
	“Oh yeah?!  Okay then, let’s go, right now!”
	“Hmmh, later maybe, when I’m bored.”  Akane responded, dismissing 
Ranma’s challenge with a wave as she left.  “I’m going to take a bath.”
	Ranma was about to give chase when Kasumi walked up next to him. 
 He gave her a look then turned from the door with his own dismissing 
wave of his hands.  “She doesn’t know nothing.”
	“I think she was just teasing.”
	“Yeah, I know.”  Ranma said as he went into a kata.
	“Is there some problem between you two?”  Kasumi asked, a bit of 
concern in her voice.
	“Us, no, we’re just fine... just fine.”  Ranma replied leaving 
Kasumi with a perplexed look.  “So, I bet you’ve seen some pretty 
interesting stuff on the road.”
	“Oh, a fair bit.”
	“Hmmh, if it wasn’t for the other stuff I would have loved to be 
in your place.”
	“Yes, if it wasn’t for that other stuff I would love to be in my 
place too.  However, there is that other stuff, more of it than you 
know.”  Kasumi sighed, turned and left.

	Kasumi laid on her sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling.  She was 
home, that had a very pleasant feel to it.  Her troubles were behind her 
now save the curse but with some luck she’d find a cure someday.  Kasumi 
mused at that last thought.  She hadn’t been having much in the way of 
luck lately.
	Her mind turned to Ranma and Akane.  What was their problem?  
Both said they were getting along yet... they weren’t.  They were all too 
eager to switch topics when it came to their relationship.  So, what had 
happened, or not happened?  It seemed that the original intent of this 
whole exchange had somehow backfired.
	Kasumi scowled.  Here she was again, worrying about other 
people’s problems.  She had enough of her own to worry about.  She didn’t 
need more.  If they had some sort of problem, well, they’d just have to 
work things out for themselves.  It was time for her to live her own 
life.
	Kasumi pushed away the thoughts and attempted to sleep.  After 
about an hour she finally managed to.

	Kasumi was running, scared, from what she couldn’t quite 
remember.  All she knew is she had to get away.  She ran until her lungs 
were on fire with pain but still kept running.  She didn’t even know 
where she was.  She tried to force her mind to recall the place.  Little 
lakes, poles, it was certainly familiar.  Suddenly she saw something in 
front of her.  She was still too afraid to stop.  She continued to run 
directly at it.  There was a startled cry then a splash of water.

	Kasumi sputtered and coughed as she sat up, drenched in cold 
water.  She, or rather now he, looked around in confusion to see his 
sister Nabiki, dressed in school clothes, with a empty bucket and a 
slight smirk.
	“Time to get up.”  Nabiki said, pulling out a towel and throwing 
it to Kasumi.
	Kasumi got up and began drying himself off.  “A simple nudge 
would have sufficed.”
	“Yeah, but I owed you for that little stunt you pulled on me 
yesterday.”  Nabiki responded as she put the bucket on the floor.
	“What stunt?”  Kasumi asked in confusion.
	Nabiki scowled and turned to leave.  “Never mind.  Breakfast is 
ready.”
	Kasumi watched his sister go, trying to recall what he could have 
done to annoy her.  He shook off the thought and got dressed, scolding 
himself for sleeping in so late.  Evidently Genma was dodging him or he 
would have been woken up for morning practice.  He stopped to consider 
that little quandary.  Sure, he wanted to be as far from that man as 
could be possible but it wouldn’t do for him to slack on his training.
	It was funny, when he, or at the time she, went to live with the 
Saotomes she had absolutely no interest in the martial arts.  She didn’t 
even know what it meant to go training.  Now it was her... his... 
whatever... whole life.  Question was, now what?  He was home, sure, but 
what was he going to do with himself?
	Well, first off he was going to fix this gender problem.  Kasumi 
made her way to the bathroom, changed back to normal, then joined the 
others for breakfast.  Genma was looking quite bedraggled and Nodoka was 
giving him a cold look every few moments.  Ranma and Akane, like Nabiki, 
were dressed for school.
	Breakfast was rather quiet.  There was the occasional curious 
look at Kasumi or Genma but no one seemed to know what to really say.  
Akane finally took the initiative and spoke.  “So, Kasumi, are you going 
to school?”
	“No, I graduated already.”  She responded.
	“I would have thought you wouldn’t have much time for school on 
the road.”
	“Well, I was a bit behind at times but I managed to keep up.  Do 
you all go to the same school?”
	“Yep, Furinken High.”  Akane answered.
	“Good school?”
	“I guess.”  Akane scowled but quickly returned to a pleasant 
look.  “Why don’t you come and see it?”
	“Ah, you just want to show off.”  Ranma commented then quickly 
ducked a punch from Akane.
	“Shut up Ranma!”  Akane snapped then looked back at Kasumi.  “So, 
you want to come?”
	“Well, I don’t have any other plans so I guess I can come along.”
	“Great!”

	Kuno stood in his usual waiting place, eyeing the growing crowd 
of boys gathering at the entrance to Furinken high.  Today was his day, 
he knew it.  He would prove himself to Akane Tendo and she would confess 
her true feelings for him.  It was inevitable.  These heathens that tried 
for her heart were doomed to failure.
	Kuno removed a single red rose from his shirt and examined it.  
It was a perfect match for the beauty that would soon arrive.  He stole a 
brief smell then noticed Nabiki wending her way through the crowd.
	“Ah, Nabiki Tendo.  I trust your sister is on her way.”
	“Yeah, yeah, she’s coming Kuno baby.  So, when are you going to 
give up this nonsense.”
	“Give up?!  Never.  Tatewaki Kuno, the Shooting Star... no wait, 
the Blue Thunder of Furinken High, shall never give up.”  Kuno replied, 
raising his bokken to the sky in a pose for dramatic effect.
	Nabiki rolled her eyes then continued on to the school.  
“Whatever Blue Thunder.”
	Kuno eyed the Tendo daughter with a mix of disdain and weariness. 
 She was one to give a great deal of caution to.  She was also very 
impudent but she was Akane’s sister and she did occasionally come in 
handy so he just had to tolerate her.
	Kuno turned back to the entrance and continued to watch and wait.

	“Okay Kasumi?  This is my fight so don’t worry or anything.  I 
can handle them.”  Akane said as she approached the school with Ranma and 
Kasumi.
	“So this happens everyday?”  Kasumi asked, slightly shocked at 
this whole concept.
	“‘Fraid so.”  Ranma answered then pointed to the entrance.  “Here 
they come.”  Akane responded by tossing her bag to Ranma then rushing 
forward to meet a huge crowd of boys dressed in the uniforms of every 
sport imaginable.  Ranma gestured for Kasumi to follow him as he traveled 
through the wake of destruction that Akane created.  He stopped and 
hopped up onto the school’s stone fence to get a better view of the 
fight.  Kasumi did likewise.
	As she watched Kasumi began to feel sorry for the boys.  They 
didn’t stand a chance.  Akane took each down with a single blow and 
wasn’t even pressed by their feeble attacks.  Ranma called out the 
occasional piece of encouragement or sly comment about a particular knock 
out.  Kasumi counted off the seconds in her head and was impressed to 
find Akane finish off the last of over fifty opponents in just under 
thirty seconds.
	Ranma over to her.  “She’s just putting on a show.  She usual 
plays with them for a few minutes.”  Kasumi could only nod, still in 
shock at this situation.
	Akane took in a couple breaths then put up her hand, as if 
expecting to catch something.  A second later a single red rose flew into 
it.

	Kuno, as usual, had simply watched the masses make fools of 
themselves.  His own challenge would wait till the end when he could face 
Akane one on one.  Today she seemed to have a slight fire in her.  Her 
attacks were more powerful, more measured than usual.  Perhaps this was 
an omen of his coming victory this day.
	Akane finishing off her last opponent signaled that is was time 
for Kuno to act.  He calmly took out the rose and tossed it to her in his 
usual fashion.  She plucked it from the air and examined it briefly 
before turning to face him.
	“Hello Kuno.”  Akane greeted, crossing her arms with a slight 
look of annoyance on her face.
	“Ah, if it be not Akane Tendo.  We meet yet again.”
	“Really?  I didn’t think it would be much of a surprise seeing as 
how you’re responsible for this whole mess.”
	“Of course, you refer to these pitiful, insignificant fools.  
Could they not but learn that your love is out of their reach?  I suppose 
it is the destinies of the commoners to strive to obtain that which 
shines most brightly.”
	Akane’s eyelids sagged and she let out a sigh.  “Can we please 
cut the garbage today and just get this over with.”
	“Very well, but be prepared.  Today the Blue Thunder shall be 
victorious.”  Kuno dropped into a fighting posture, his bokken held 
before him.  Akane mirrored his actions and the two began to examine each 
other for openings.

	Kasumi leaned over to Ranma.  “Does this man always speak like 
this?”
	“Kuno, oh yeah.  He’s got this thing for melodrama.  I sometimes 
wonder if it’s some sort of over all strategy, bore her into submission.” 
 Ranma answered then called out a cheer.  “Go get him Akane!”
	With that Kuno made his first strike, a simple thrust with his 
bokken.  Akane dodged to the side and countered with a kick directed at 
Kuno’s face.  It connected sending him stumbling back but he quickly 
shook off the hit and attempted a charging slash.  Akane flipped over the 
attack and upon landing twisted around with a spinning kick.  Kuno 
blocked this and started a quick series of thrusts, forcing Akane to 
backflip away.
	“Hmm, Kuno seems a bit more serious today.  He’s usually out cold 
by now.”  Ranma commented as he continued to watch the match.  Kasumi 
also continued to watch, examining her little sister in action as well as 
this young man she was dueling.  Akane was quite good, not in Kasumi’s 
league, but still very good.  She masterfully dodged or blocked everyone 
of Kuno’s attacks and slipped through many of her own blows.  Kuno on the 
other hand was a harder one to judge.  He was outmatched here but Kasumi 
sensed that it may not be due to lack of skill.  He may just be pulling 
his punches and in a way letting Akane win.  He did seem to have a 
determination that would not quit and a fair storehouse of endurance.  If 
he was really into a fight he might just be a formidable opponent.
	Kasumi scowled as she realized she was giving into an old habit 
of examining every one as a potential foe.  She had to relax a little.  
She was back in Japan, at home.  Nothing would happen here.
	Kasumi looked up at the school clock and noticed the time quickly 
slipping away as the fight continued on.  She returned her attention to 
the fight.  Akane would likely win but it was going to take some time, 
more time than she had.  Without further thought Kasumi dropped down into 
the school yard and began approaching the two combatants.
	She could hear Ranma call out to her but paid him little mind.  
She stopped just short of the fight and waited.  Neither fighter noticed 
her presence.  They were too intent on each other.  Kasumi saw her 
opening as Akane flipped backward to avoid another bokken slash.  She 
made one quick motion and came back holding Kuno’s bokken.  There was one 
thing Kasumi definitely knew about Kuno, he was a kendoist.  Without his 
bokken he was basically harmless.
	Akane ceased her attacks as she noticed Kasumi.  Kuno on the 
other hand stood dumbfounded, staring at his empty hands.  After a moment 
Kuno finally regain enough of his wits to turn to Kasumi.
	“You, Madame, took my weapon?”  He asked, a bit of surprise 
showing on his face.
	“Yes.  I’m dearly sorry but it is getting late and I’m sure you 
and Akane do not wish to miss your classes.  Perhaps you can continue 
this duel at some other time.”
	Kuno looked on at Kasumi in confusion then looked up at the 
clock.  He then returned to look at Kasumi.  “I see.  Of course, you are 
correct.”
	“Good.  Why don’t you go on in Akane.  I’ll see you later.”  
After a moment of her own confusion Akane nodded and dashed into the 
school.  Kasumi watched her go then placed the bokken back in Kuno’s 
hands.  “You should really consider having these duels after school.  
Again, sorry for the inconvenience.”  She said then turned and started 
off towards the street.

	Up in Nabiki’s classroom Mr. Choy was amazed at what he had just 
seen in the school grounds below.  For months now the situation at 
Furinken was getting severely out of hand.  This whole contest was 
completely unacceptable but what was to be done?  The students involved 
were barely controllable in the classroom.  They were totally out of 
control outside the classroom.
	However, what he just seen below had made him re-examine that 
conclusion.  That young woman had not only disarmed one of Furinken’s 
fiercest fighters without any effort, but she had also talked him out of 
the fight. An even more amazing feat than disarming him, considering who 
he was.
	“Does anyone know who that young woman is?”  Mr. Choy asked his 
class.
	“She’s my sister Kasumi.  Why?”  Nabiki responded.
	“Your sister huh.  Could you give her a message for me?”

	Kuno continued to stand, watching the strange woman leave.  He 
barely even noticed the hand being waved in his face until he realized it 
was obstructing his view.
	“Hello, Earth to Kuno, anybody home?”  Ranma asked.  “Ah, so you 
are there.”
he said when Kuno finally took notice of him.
	“Who was that... woman?”  Kuno asked as he tried to catch one 
last glimpse of her.
	Ranma turned to look at the departing figure as well.  “That, my 
friend, was Kasumi Tendo.  She just arrived last night.”
	“Kasumi, a fine name.”  Kuno said then looked at Ranma in 
confusion.  “Did you say Tendo?”
	“I did indeed.  You remember, she’s the sister that got switched 
with me.”  Ranma replied as he looked back at Kuno.
	“She is formidable.”
	“I guess she is.  Anyway, you actually had Akane trying today.  
What, did Kodachi give you some pep pills or something?”
	Kuno frowned as he turned to head into the school.  “Of course 
not.  I merely put a bit more effort into today’s battle.”
	Ranma made a quick run to catch up then walked along side him.  
“You know, I still say a more romantic approach would work better.  She’s 
not exactly keen on these morning fights.”
	“Ah, but I must prove my worth.  She must be shown that I am 
truly a great warrior.”
	“Ahhh, yeah.  Anything I can do for you today?”  Ranma asked as 
they reached the door to Kuno’s class.
	“For now no, but I may have a request for you later.”  Ranma 
nodded then headed off to his class.  Kuno entered his class with one 
thing on his mind, Kasumi Tendo.

%End Chapter 1

	That’s it for Chapter 1, you’ll have to wait now, heheheh, 
hahaha, Moahhahahaha.  C&C is very welcome.  How long is this going to 
be?  You’ll know when I end it and not before then because even I haven’t 
decided.  It’s likely going to be at least 10 chapters.
	If you wish to check out my other works look at:
	http://www.mala.bc.ca/~tritscwa
	I’m presently off for the summer so don’t expect my webpage to be 
too recent,
I have no home ftp service (sympatico is pitiful but it’s free so...).
	Bye for now.