I took out the part about Ryoga so that I could create another story based
on the part I took out.  I added some new stuff in the middle and in the
end.  I hope you like this revision.

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co.  Please don't sue me.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga.  It draws ideas from
both the anime and manga.

C&C welcomed.  Flames not.

Man Enough

by

Donny Cheng

 "More lemonade, Ranma-kun?"  Kasumi asked Ranma as she picked up his empty
glass.

 Ranma gazed up at Kasumi from the place where he was lounging.  "Yes,
Kasumi."  It was such a nice day to sit around and do nothing.

 "Ranma, why aren't you with your friends?  It's beautiful outside."  Kasumi
asked him as she poured him another glass.  It puzzled Kasumi to no end on
how Ranma always seemed to be home.  The only time Ranma seemed to go out
was for school, food, or a fight.  Ranma gave a blank look at her question.
"You know what I mean.  Out having fun and doing what teenage boys do."

 "Oh that!  I don't know.  I guess I'm just not interested.  I went out with
Hiroshi and Daisuke a couple of times.  I was bored to tears.  Do all boys
just want to play video games, watch movies, and flirt with girls?"

 "I guess that would seem boring to you, Ranma."  Kasumi should have known.
Ranma's idea of fun was a good fight and a good meal.  Games and movies did
seem tame in comparison.  With four or more girls after him, flirting with
girls was just not very fun.

 "Well, how about you Kasumi?  Why aren't you out having fun and doing what
teenage girls like to do?  The girls at school seem to like to shop, watch
movies, hang out, and flirt with boys."

 Kasumi was startled at Ranma's questions.  "I don't know.  I guess, I just
don't have much in common with other girls."  Kasumi only shopped for
essentials, never for the fun of it.  As for movies, Kasumi didn't even like
to watch television.  Too much violence.  The only people Kasumi 'hanged
out' with were the wives at the grocery store.  Kasumi blushed at the
thought of her flirting with boys.  It saddened Kasumi to think of how out
of touch with her generation she was.  "I guess I'm just too much of an old
maid."

 Ranma was shocked to see Kasumi's ever-present smile fall from her face.
This was all his fault.  He and his stupid questions.  "Kasumi, your not an
old maid.  Don't think like that."  Kasumi didn't seem to respond his
attempts at helping her.  He had to think fast.  "Look at me.  My social
skills aren't something to be proud about.  I have trouble relating to
people of any generation.  I'm in an even worse position than you.  Besides,
I'd rather sit at home with you than with those other kids.  You're much
nicer to be around with."

 Kasumi couldn't help but smile at Ranma's bungling attempts at trying to
cheer her up.  Ranma was so sweet sometimes.  "That's okay Ranma.  I
understood what my life would be like when I took up the responsibility of
taking care of the family."

 Ranma immediately felt relieved that Kasumi was once again smiling.  He did
not like seeing a sad Kasumi at all.  "If it would help, I think you should
have a daily reminder that you're still young yourself.  From now on, I
going to call you Kasumi-chan to remind you of your real age."

 Kasumi laughed out loud at that.  Imagine, a younger man calling her
Kasumi-chan.  Ranma was right.  It did make her feel much better.  A whole
lot better.

   * * * * *

 Akane sat fuming at the dinner table as she watched Ranma seemingly flirt
with Kasumi.  That pervert.  How could he?  With her own sister.

 "Kasumi-chan, could I have another bowl of rice."  Ranma's voice was
playful as he held out his empty bowl.

 "Of course you can, Ranma-kun."  Kasumi blushed slightly.  She still wasn't
quite used to hearing a man call her that.

 "That was delicious, Kasumi-chan."

 A vein in Akane's forehead popped.  That was the last straw.  "What do you
think your doing, Ranma?  Talking to my sister like that.  That's improper."

 "Like a tomboy would know anything about what's improper and what's not."
Ranma retorted.  What was Akane's problem?  He was just trying to be nice.

 Without a word, Akane picked up Ranma by his pigtail and punted him into
low earth orbit.

 "You uncute tomboy!"  Ranma shouted at his top of his lungs as he flew
away.

 "Ranma, why do you always have to be such a jerk?"  Akane fumed as she
stormed to her room.

 Everyone else at the dinner table ignored this exchange, as it was an all
too common occurrence.  Kasumi sighed as she watched Akane leave in a huff.
A whole year of grooming Akane to be a better fianc�e wasted.  It was true
that Akane listened to her admonishing all the time.  It was just that Akane
never ever took her words to heart.  Too much advice just became nagging to
the ears of a person who has heard it all before.  Kasumi blamed herself for
Akane turning a deaf ear to advice every now and then.  At the rate it was
going between Ranma and Akane, it would take years before they could ever
sit down and talk like normal, rational beings.

 "Kasumi."  Nodoka gestured at Kasumi to follow her into the kitchen where
they could be alone.

 Kasumi was puzzled as she followed Auntie Saotome.  "What is it, Auntie?"

 "I saw that look on your face.  You're disappointed in Akane, aren't you?
Yes, I know Akane is starting to ignore what you say to her.  I am having
the same problem with Akane.  I suggest we stop with our efforts on Akane
for a little while.  Without our pestering her all the time, I think our
advice will seem less like nagging.  Instead, why don't you concentrate on
Ranma.  I would do it myself, but I've only just reunited with him recently.
I want to get to know him a bit better before I start to turn him off with
my motherly 'nagging'."

 "Yes, I do believe that's a good idea, Auntie.  Ranma does seem to listen
to what I say some of time.  I haven't spoken to him too much as to make him
feel like I'm a pest yet."  Kasumi smiled as she thought of the prospect of
bringing Ranma and Akane together.  It may not be too late after all.  This
time she will be a little more careful in her placement of advice.

   * * * * *

 "Ranma, there's a letter that came for you."  Kasumi handed an envelope to
Ranma.

 Ranma gave it a cursory glance.  "It's another challenge from Ryoga.  The
date for the duel was supposed to have been a week ago.  Seeing as how he's
always late, it mean's he should be here any minute."

 Kasumi studied Ranma for a moment.  After an exhaustive few weeks, she had
managed to get Ranma to apologize any time he said something wrong.  Not
that this made any difference.  By the time he apologized, the damage his
mouth caused was already done.  None of this had mattered to Kasumi.  All
that matter to her was that Ranma was changing his ways, albeit very slowly.
However, reminding Ranma to say sorry was not very hard.  Looking at Ranma
now, Kasumi felt that it was time to take the next step in helping Ranma
become a better fianc�.  "Ranma, I don't want either you or Ryoga to get
hurt in this fight.  From the bits and pieces I've gathered from your past,
I can tell that you and Ryoga used to be very good friends.  Can you think
of any way that you can tone down your fights with him?"

 Ranma stared at Kasumi.  Kasumi was asking him to do something specifically
for her.  She rarely ever did that.  Over the last few weeks, Kasumi always
seemed to be by his side whenever he was at home.  Anytime he put his foot
in his mouth she would gently nudge him to say sorry.  That had been that
the first time Ranma had ever had a person constantly guiding and watching
over him.  It felt very nice.  He wanted to repay Kasumi by listening to
her.  "Okay, Kasumi.  I'll try, but no promises."

 Kasumi smiled.  "All that I can hope is that you try."

   * * * * *

 Ranma racked his brain to think of a way to get out the jam he was in.
Ryoga was busily punching away at him and was not showing any sign of
tiring.  He brightened as he suddenly thought up of a plan.  There was one
way for him to not hurt Ryoga and still feel the pleasure of the bout.  He
looked grimly towards Ryoga and suddenly started counter attacking.

 Ryoga was surprised as he felt the tide of the battle turn.  He saw Ranma's
fist flying straight towards his face.  This was going to hurt.  Nothing
happened.  Ranma stopped his fist an inch before it connected.  Anger rose
up within Ryoga.  What did Ranma think he was doing?  This was a battle to
the death.  He then renewed his assault on Ranma.

 When Kasumi saw Ranma starting to attack, her hopes had dropped.  It looked
like Ranma did not listen to her after all.  But wait!  Ranma stopped his
attack just before it could touch Ryoga.  Each and every time, Ranma would
dodge Ryoga's attacks only to counter attack and purposely stop.  He did
listen to her.

 Ranma smiled to himself.  It was working.  Ryoga was getting angrier.  This
meant that Ryoga was making more mistakes and was getting easier to dodge.
Ryoga would tire out faster than he usually would.

 Ryoga stopped to gather his breath.  This was not at all working out like
their usual fights.  He was slower, but tough enough to take many of Ranma's
punches without getting hurt.  Their fights usually came out about even in
the end.  Eventually both of them would tire out.  Ranma could not keep
attacking as such speeds forever and Ryoga would eventually feel sore from
Ranma insistent attacks.  However, this fight was different.  Ranma wasn't
even wasting any strength since there was no force within any of his
punches.  This fight could last days at the rate it was going.  Ranma always
had to ridicule him.  Ryoga lowered his arms.  "Let's call this a draw.  I
will let you get away this time.  But the next time I come, I fully expect a
good fight."  He looked at Ranma disgustedly.  He would wipe that smile off
one of these days.

 Ranma too lowered his arms as he watched Ryoga wander off in anger.  He
knew that the tactic he used would work only once.  Ryoga would expect a
good fight next time and Ranma would be ready to give it to him.  He broke
away from his thoughts as he suddenly felt someone glomp onto him.  It was
Kasumi.  Ranma's brain stopped functioning.

 Kasumi quickly released Ranma just as fast she glomped onto him.  She had
been so overjoyed by what had happened, that she forgot herself for a
moment.  "It worked, Ranma.  You were able to stop Ryoga without hurting
him."

 Ranma's brain restarted as Kasumi let go of him.  "Uh... Yeah."  Ranma
could only mumble unintelligently as his mind kept wandering back to how
nice it felt when Kasumi hugged him.

 Ranma must be too happy for words, Kasumi thought to herself.  For some
reason as she went back inside to the house, her mind replayed her hug with
Ranma over and over again.

   * * * * *

 Nodoka looked worriedly at Kasumi and Ranma laughing together.  For the
past few weeks, they had been together constantly.  What had she done?  It
seemed that Kasumi was the latest victim to fall for Ranma's inexplicable
charm.  Did Kasumi even realize this?  Nodoka had to find out.

   * * * * *

 Kasumi and Nodoka washed the dishes after dinner had ended.  Kasumi was
drying and Nodoka was washing.  Kasumi could tell something was wrong as she
looked at Auntie Saotome's downcast face.  "What's wrong, Auntie?"

 "Kasumi, how do you feel about Ranma?"  Nodoka looked at Kasumi intently.

 Kasumi was surprised by this question.  How did she feel about Ranma?  "I
think that he's young."  Now, why on earth did she say that?  Kasumi
couldn't help it though.  For the last few days, Kasumi kept on thinking
back to the first time she met Ranma and claimed that he was too young for
her.  Ranma's age and curse had not been very appealing to her.

 "I was afraid that you felt this way also.  You see, I too think Ranma is
too immature.  During the times I've spent with Ranma, I've been trying to
find something, anything manly about him.  To tell you the truth, before I
reunited with Ranma, my standards for him were very high.  It was the fact
that I was afraid of losing him that I lowered my standards for him.  From
what I've observed, Ranma's not at all manly, other than in macho pride and
virility.  He is leading no less than four women on.  He is afraid of me
killing him.  My son is a womanizer and a coward.  Not at all manly traits."
Nodoka started to cry over the sink.

 Kasumi felt something snap inside of her.  She was angry.  "No, you're
wrong Auntie.  You have no right to judge Ranma.  You've only been with him
as boy for a couple of months or so.  You don't know him like I have come to
know him.  Ranma is the manliest man I know.  He is not leading four women
on.  They choose to follow him.  Yes, I know he should still break it off.
Being the honorable man that he is Ranma refuses to hurt a girl in any way.
Even Kodatchi.  I think that even if he did love one of the girls, he would
still put aside his own feelings.  This means that he would probably never
make a decision, hoping they would all give up on him.  Also, if they don't
give up, he would take the brunt of all their anger by himself.  Heaven
knows that he doesn't treat any of them very well.  It seems that the girls
are able to see past the way he acts and still love him.  Do you think four
girls could be wrong about a single guy?  Ranma is most of all not a coward.
Do you think for one moment that Ranma would not put his head on the
chopping block if you asked him?  The thing Ranma fears is not death but his
mother's impression of him.  If Ranma truly feared death, he would not be
the martial artist he is today.  He could have just ignored the contract he
signed when he was little.  However, Ranma does take responsibility for his
actions even if he was a four-year-old at the time.  The only reason he did
not show himself to you was that he did not want to disappoint the one
person he loves the most in the world.  If he knew that you did not think he
was manly enough he would let you kill him immediately."  Kasumi stopped her
speech as she stared at Auntie Saotome dumbfounded.  Nodoka was clapping
soundly.

 "I thought you said young men were just too young."  Nodoka said this with
a twinkle in her eye.

 Kasumi stared at Nodoka in shock.  Kasumi was trapped by her own words.
She could not deny the fact that she no longer felt Ranma was not mature
enough for her.  She wished that she could take back the words she had
spoken the day Ranma first came to the Tendo home.  How could this have
happened?  How could I do this to Akane?  She did not want to hurt her
sister in any way in pursuing Ranma.  What could she do?  She could end her
relationship with Ranma right now.  Ranma did not know of her feelings for
him as of yet.  The only person that could get hurt would be her.  However,
a part of Kasumi rebelled against that thought.  The part that loved Ranma.
She tried to reason with herself.  Though Akane and Ranma probably loved
each other at the moment, they would never voluntarily tell each other of
their feelings.  Ranma could never control his mouth around Akane and would
always say the wrong thing.  Akane could never control her temper and Ranma
would end up tasting the brunt of it.  It may take a few years, but Ranma's
loyalty to Akane would not last very long if they did not come to an
understanding.  In the end, Ranma would go to either Ukyo or Shampoo.  His
other two suitors show nothing but devotion and love towards him.  To
maintain the Tendo honor, it was Kasumi's duty to see that Ranma wed one the
Tendo sisters.  With that last thought in mind, Kasumi turned to Nodoka.
"Auntie Saotome, I have a request of you."

 Nodoka smiled.  "I thought that you might."

  * * * * *

 "And so, I now hereby, declare that all of the Tendo girls are engaged to
Ranma until he chooses the one he likes."  Soun smiled as he said this.
This was a great idea of Nodoka's.  This gave him a fifty-percent chance of
Ranma marrying at least one of his daughters, rather than those other girls.

 Genma smiled as he thought along the same lines of Soun.

 Akane smiled as she knew that her other sisters weren't interested in
Ranma.  This announcement meant nothing other than that it would lessen the
pressure on her.  This may mean that she would start treating Ranma a bit
better.

 Nabiki smiled as she thought of all the money she could make off Ranma now.

 Kasumi smiled as she now had a chance with Ranma.  Now all she had to do
was wait out the rest of the girls.  If there was one thing Kasumi had, it
was patience.  She winked at Ranma when no one was looking.

 ANOTHER TWO?!  Ranma groaned inwardly as he saw Kasumi's wink.  The thought
of hurting the elder Tendo sister did not sit well with him at all.

 Nodoka smiled serenely.  Everyone was happy and there was no pressure on
anybody other than her son.  She had full confidence in Ranma.  Her son was
man enough to handle two more girls.

   * * * * *

 "I would never be home if we do get married.  While I do like lounging
around and doing nothing, I also like adventure and excitement."

 Kasumi looked affectionately at Ranma as he rambled on about how she would
have a miserable life with him.  Ranma must like her at least a little if he
cared enough to dump her.  "I don't mind.  My father didn't stop traveling
until about ten years ago.  I can wait until you are ready to settle down."

 "When I am home, I will probably bring a lot of trouble with me.  You will
have a hard time cleaning up after me and my problems."

Kasumi smiled.  Ranma did like her.  He's willing to let her help him when
he had trouble.

"If we have children, I would take them on long training trips."

 Kasumi blushed.  He was thinking of having children with her.

 Ranma looked despairingly at Kasumi.  She hadn't heard a single thing that
he said.  He gave up.  Oh well, at least he tried.  It wasn't all that bad
to have her as a fianc�e.  He wouldn't mind spending his golden years with
someone as nice as her.

   * * * * *

The End.