This is my first attempt at a fanfic so I could use all the criticizm I
could get.  First of all, I'm not a very good speller, but I did go through
with a spellchecker, though it might have missed grammer mistakes other
than the ones I ment to put in.  One of my bigest concers is any cultural
errors I might have made.  Please inform me of anything that might make my
story more believeable.  Wait.  This is Ranma.  More believeable as a Ranma
story then.
Please visit my fanfic site at http://www.tstonramp.com/~crissik/index.html
where you can get all my latest stories, preview future works, and see some
of the background for my stories.

Ranma OWF
Toma K/9
by Eric "Crissik" Gondolf
crissik@tstonramp.com
Episode 3: First Date.



[The next morning, Toma wakes up as Kasumi is getting ready to go
downstairs and make breakfast.  He asks to help and follows her to the
kitchen.  He hears Ranma and Genma practicing outside.]

Toma:  Gee, they're active early.

Kasumi:   Oh, they're always practicing at this time.  Could you hand me
the milk?

Toma:  Sure.  Where is it?

Kasumi:   In the fridge; behind the Jell-O.

[Toma opens the fridge and finds the Jell-O.  He's not quite sure, but Toma
would swear the Jell-O was glowing.  He finds the milk and gives it to
Kasumi.  Without noticing, Toma begins to make something for breakfast. 
All the while he is thinking of Kasumi and tonight.]

Kasumi:   Oh my.  Toma.

Toma:  Huh?

[Kasumi points at what Toma is making.]

Kasumi:   Sukiyaki isn't usually served with breakfast.

Toma:  Sorry.  It's a habit I picked up from mom.  At times I just begin
cooking without even noticing.

Kasumi:   Well, that sure is a helpful habit.  Maybe I should ask you to
help with dinner more often?

[Kasumi smiles at Toma.  Toma begins to laugh.  They finish up breakfast,
and this time Toma pays attention to what he is making.]



[Everyone sits down to eat as Kasumi and Toma bring in the food.  Everyone
looks curiously at the Sukiyaki.]

Soun:  What is this?  Did I miss breakfast?

Kasumi:   Toma accidently made it and I don't want it to go to waste.

Chris: Accidently made it?

[Toma becomes embarrassed and laughs a little.]

Ranma: Well, how bad could it be?

[Ranma takes a piece and eats it.  He crews for a second before pausing. 
The chopsticks fall out of his hands and clatter against the table.]

Toma:  What?  What's wrong?  Did I ruin it?

Ranma: It's...  It's...  It's the best Sukiyaki I've ever had!

Toma:  Phew.  I thought I had messed up.

[Everyone else digs in and all commend Toma's cooking.]

Toma:  Please, stop.  You're embarrassing me.

Akane: Where did you learn to cook like this?

Toma:  My mother taught me.  In the village, it's the men that do a lot of
the cooking.

Akane: Could you teach me to cook like this?

Toma:  Well, it took me years to learn to cook like this, but I could give
it a shot.

Soun:  You could really teach my little girl to cook like this?

Toma:  I'll try.  Not everyone can cook, though.  Besides, you sound like
Akane's cooking is toxic.

Ranma: It is.  [Akane's mallot hits Ranma]  Oww.

Toma:  It can't be that bad.  I sure that Jell-O the other night was just a
fluke.  Right?

[Akane looks embarrassed.]

Toma:  It's not always that bad, is it?

Akane: Well...

Toma:  Hmm.  Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me.  I guess we can
start next week?

Akane: That would be great.

Kasumi:   Time for school.

Akane: Oh, yeah.  Let's go.

[Akane grabs Ranma by the arm and takes off.  Nabiki follows, but a little
slower.]

Soun:  Son, you make me proud by agreeing to help my little girl.

Toma:  Uh...  Yeah.  Glad to help.  (What have I gotten myself into now?)

[Breakfast breaks up and everyone goes their separate ways.  Toma heads
outside.  He crouches down by the edge of the pond.]

Toma:  At times I think I'm to good for my own good.  I've got to stop
trying to solve everyone's problems as soon as I meet them.

[Toma reaches down to dip his finger in the water when he remembers
something and pulls his arms back.]

Toma:  Gee.  I had almost forgotten my curse.  What would everyone think if
they found out about it.  What would Kasumi say?  I wonder if there is a
cure.

[As Toma is talking to himself, a black rose petal lands in the pond in
front of him.]

Toma:  Huh?

[Toma looks up but sees nothing.  He looks around some more and sees
someone on top of the roof.  With a quick jump, Toma is on the roof.  He
sneaks over to the person and is about ready to strike the intruder when he
sees it's Chris.]

Toma:  What are you doing up here?

Chris: [Sigh]  Thinking.

[Toma sits next to Chris.  He sees that Chris has his chin in one hand and
the black rose in the other.]

Toma:  Thinking about that strange woman again.

Chris: Yeah.  There's...something about here.  I just can't get her out of
my mind.  If I could just talk to her again.

Toma:  Well, if there's anyway I can help, just as--

[Toma suddenly remembers the challenge Kuno gave Toma yesterday.]

Toma:  Hmm.  I might be able to get her brother to arrange a meeting
between you two.

Chris: Really?

Toma:  Sure.  Just leave it to me.

Chris: Thanks.

[Chris leaps off the roof leaving Toma alone again.  Toma's head sinks into
his hands.]

Toma:  I've done it again!



[Night came all to quickly for Toma.  He changed into his best white shirt
and black pants.  For almost half an hour, he sat fidgeting in the living
room, waiting for Kasumi to change, along with Soun, Genma, and Tazuki.]

Toma:  Are you sure you're alright with this, Mr. Tendo?

Soun:  You go ahead and enjoy yourself, son.

Toma:  What about dinner?  I know I'm taking Kasumi to a restaurant, but
what about everyone else?

Soun:  We'll just order takeout.

Toma:  Then at least let me pay for it.  I am stealing your cook for the
evening.

Soun:  I won't hear of it.  Don't worry, son.  I'm sure everything between
you two will turn out just fine.

Toma:  What?  that isn't what I--

Kasumi:   I'm ready.

[Toma looks up and sees Kasumi enter the room.  She is wearing one of her
long dresses.  This one seems different that the ones she usually wears,
but Toma can't quite place it.  It's  is.  It's not the dress, Kasumi has
her hair loose and is wearing more makeup.  Toma is speechless for a
second.]

Soun:  Well now.  You two go out and have a wonderful evening.  Don't worry
about us.

Kasumi:   Alright, father.  Let's go, Toma.

[Toma straitens himself out and walks outside with Kasumi.  The second they
leave the house, Soun breaks down and begins bawling like a baby.]

Soun:  She's gone.  My little girl is gone.

Genma: There, there.

Tazuki:   They'll be alright.

[After a few second Soun stops crying and calms down.  The three men are
quiet.]

Genma: [Pause]  Shall we follow them?

Soun:  Lets go!



[Outside, a cab that Toma ordered has arrived.  Toma opens the door for
Kasumi.]

Toma:  Your chariot awaits.

Kasumi:   Thank you, kind sir.

Driver:   This "chariot" has a wife and kids to go to, so if you could
hurry it up?

[Toma scowls at the driver and then gets in.]

Driver:   Where to?

Toma:  Um. [To Kasumi]  Is the Neko Hanten alright with you?  I don't know
of any other places.

Kasumi:   That sounds great.  It's been so long since I've gone out for
dinner.

Driver:   Neko Hanten it is then.

[The driver starts the meter and takes off.]



[Chris is walking down the stairs as Soun, Genma, and Tazuki run out the
door.]

Chris: Now where are they going?

[Curiosity grabs hold of Chris and drags him after the men.  He catches
them standing at the gate and peering outside.]

Soun:  Did you hear where they said?

Genma: Sounded like the Kuko Hanten.

Tazuki:   They went to an airport cafe?

Soun:  Alright then.  Lets go.

[Chris watches the men run out the gate.]

Chris: What are they...?  Kuko Hanten?  Did they mean the Neko Hanten? 
Isn't that the place Toma's Great-grandmother owns?

[Chris then notices a shadowy figure hiding next to the gate.]

Sasuke:   Ah.  The Neko Hanten.  Wait until I tell Master Kuno.  He'll be
so pleased.

[Sasuke bounds off.]

Chris: Uh-oh.  This is not good.  I'd better warn Toma.

[Chris takes off out the gate.]



[Toma and Kasumi arrive at the Neko Hanten.  Toma pays the driver and they
go inside.  Shampoo and Mousse are bussing tables as usual.  Shampoo sees
Toma enter and runs over.]

Shampoo:  Cousin Toma!  Shampoo so worried about you.

Toma:  Yeah, well, I'm sorry about that.  A lot of things happened in the
past few days.

Shampoo:  Just as long as you OK. [Notices Kasumi] Why you here with Kasumi
Tendo?

Toma:  Um.  That's kind of one of the things that happened the past few
days.  We're kind of engaged.

Cologne:  You work fast, boy.

[Toma spins around and there is Cologne, balancing on her staff.]

Toma:  [Nervously]  He-he.  It just kind of happened.

Cologne:  Well, you're old enough to make your own decision on who you'll
marry.

Toma:  Well, we haven't quite decided yet.  Kasumi's father was the one
that engaged us.  Although somehow it seems my fault.  This is out first
date.  Right now we're just going along to make her father happy.

Cologne:  In honor of your engagement, however real it may or may not be,
I'll fix each of you the house special.

Toma:  Thanks, Great-grandmother.

[Cologne jumps into the kitchen and resumes her cooking.  Shampoo leads
Toma and Kasumi to a table in the corner.]

Shampoo:  I be back with order.  Yell if need anything.

Toma:  Thanks, Shampoo.

[Shampoo leaves and returns to her tables.  For a while, Kasumi and Toma
sit, quietly.  Kasumi examines the room with interest.  Toma examines
Kasumi with interest, but with little enough interest to look away whenever
she started to look in his direction.]

Toma:  [Firmly]  Kasumi...

Kasumi:   [Sweetly]  Yes?

Toma:  [Infirmly] Uh...  Uh...  I was wondering...  What do you look for in
a man?

Kasumi:   I'm not sure.  I guess he'd have to be intelligent, strong,
witty, knowledgeable, kind, and wanting to start a family.

Toma:  (Let's see.  Intelligent: check.  Strong: check.  Witty: check. 
Knowledgeable: check.  Kind: check.  Wanting to start a family: che--) A
family?

Kasumi:   Not immediately, mind you.  But eventually.  Having Akane and
Nabiki around, it sometimes seems like I'm raising children.  Someday
though, I'd like to raise children of my own.

Toma:  (A family.  I never even thought of that.  Sure, I might want to
have kids some day, but that would mean settling down.  I'm not sure if my
adventuresome spirit could handle settling down so soon.)

[About this time Shampoo brings two bowls of ramen with a side of
potstickers for Toma and Kasumi.  The two begin eating.  During the course
of the meal, Toma and Kasumi both begin to loosen up a bit more and start
sharing stories of their past and personal interests.]



Kuno:  The Neko Hanten you say?

Sasuke:   Yes, Master Kuno.  It seems he is now dating the eldest Tendo
girl and they went there together.

Kuno:  Ah.  But I have not yet thought of the prize for winning yet.  No
matter.  We can discuss that after I have bested him in combat.  Come, let
us make haste.

Sasuke:   Yes, Master Kuno.



[Chris rounds the corner.]

Chris: Got...  To...  Find...  The...  Neko...  Hanten...

[He pauses and catches his breath.  After a minute he can speak again.]

Chris: Wait a minute.  Where is the Neko Hanten anyway?  Maybe I should ask
for directions.  Excuse me.  Excuse me.  Can you direct me to the Neko
Hanten?

[Chris is speaking to a young man that just turned onto the street he is
on.  This young man is wearing a yellow shirt and black pants.  A yellow
bandana is tied around his head.  He is also wearing a brown backpack with
a red umbrella tied to it.]

Ryoga: Don't ask me.  Go find a police booth or something.

Chris: OK.  Where would I find a police booth?

Ryoga: Um.  Um. [Ryoga looks around] Alright.  Follow me and we'll see if
we can find one.



[Back at the Neko Hanten, both Toma and Kasumi are laughing hard.]

Toma:  You mean it actually hatched on Kuno's head?

Kasumi:   Yes.  And it made Ranma it's mortal enemy.

Toma:  I wish I could have seen that.  Was is actually attached to Kuno's
head or did it just hatch there and take off?

Kuno:  Did I hear my name verbalized?

[Toma turns around and sees Kuno and a short ninja standing in the
doorway.]

Toma:  Well, if it isn't Azure Cyclone.

Kuno:  That's "Blue Thunder."

Toma:  Whatever.  What do you want?

Kuno:  I come to challenge you again.

Toma:  Thought of a prize yet?

Kuno:  I was going to let you decide that after I defeat you.

Toma:  Good, because I have an idea.  Lets go outside.  Kasumi, I'll just
be a moment.

Kasumi:   OK.  Don't be to long.

[Toma, Kuno, and Sasuke step outside.]

Kuno:  For what reason do you wish to speak?

Toma:  I have a friend that seems to have fallen in love with your sister. 
If I defeat you, can you arrange a date between the two of them?

Kuno:  Hm.  Only id you can arrange a date between men and Akane Tendo and
the Pig-tailed girl if I should defeat you.

Toma:  Pig-tailed girl?

Kuno:  She seems to be of some relation to Ranma Saotome.  He would be able
to tell you how best to contact her.  Do we have a deal?

Toma:  Sure.

Kuno:  Very well.  Engarde!  Aaaa da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!

[Kuno once again strikes out with his bokken.  Toma once again easily
dodges; he even takes the time to yawn in Kuno's face.]

Kuno:  You mock me, do you?  Aaaa da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!

Toma:  [Sounding bored] Patto Ken.

[Kuno slumps over again.  Toma begins to walk back to the cafe.]

Toma:  How about you schedule the date for Saturday.  That's two days form
now.  Is that enough time?

Kuno:  Engh.  I'll never accept defeat. [Doubles over as the pain strikes
again] Engh.  But I shall do this one favor for you.  Do not expect this
easy a challenge next time.

Toma:  Whatever.

[Toma goes back inside and returns to Kasumi.]

Toma:  Now, where were we?

Kasumi:   I believe we were about to get ready to return home.  It is
getting late.

Toma:  [Down a little] OK.  Just let me say buy to Shampoo and
Great-grandmother.



[Chris and Ryoga and still wandering.]

Chris: Um...  Where are we?

Ryoga: How should I know?

Chris: Great.  At this rate I'll never get to Toma before Kuno doe--

[Chris stops in mid word as he notices something.]

Chris: Excuse me.

Ryoga: What now?

Chris: Aren't those the Egyptian pyramids?

Ryoga: Oh, shut up.



[Toma and Kasumi return to the Tendo home.]

Kasumi:   Father, we're home.

[There's no response.]

Kasumi:   That's odd.  Maybe he went out for a second.  Shall we go to bed,
Toma?

Toma:  Huh?

Kasumi:   I laid out your bed early today so it would be ready when we got
home.

Toma:  Oh.  Thanks.  Alright.  Lets go.



[Meanwhile at the Tokyo Airport...]

Soun:  Are you sure they said this place?

Genma: Could have sworn.

Tazuki:   [Yawn] I'm going to get some coffee while we wait.

Soun:  Good idea.  This could be an all nighter.  I just home nothing's
happened to my little girl.

Eric "Toma/Crissik" Gondolf
crissik@tstonramp.com