Kasumi and Spice, and Everything Nice

By: Anand Rao

            A Colliding SYmphonies production. . .
_____________


Shampoo quietly crept into the Tendo household.  She
knew that the family would be eating dinner soon and this
would be the perfect chance to try out the new "Eternal Love"
cooking salt that she had ordered from China.

"Shampoo just need sprinkle little on Airen's food, and he come to me!"
Shampoo whispered gleefully.

Her plan was simple, really, the person who ate the salt fell madly
in love with the first person they saw.  Unfortunately, Shampoo was
so excited at the prospect of Ranma finally being hers, that she
did not think things through very carefully.

She had thought about just bringing over some Ramen for the family and
putting the salt in Ranma's portion, but Akane always got suspicious
when Shampoo brought food over.

(Violent-girl probably knock Airen into orbit before he even taste my
food.)

She crept into the kitchen and was relieved to find that Kasumi was not
there.
She stood in the kitchen and thought about how to get Ranma digest some
of the salt.  (Let see what Kasumi cook. . .)  She was inspecting the
Miso soup
when she heard Kasumi humming to herself as she was entering the
kitchen.
Shampoo, tense with the idea of being caught and thrilled that Ranma
would be
finally be hers, bolted from the kitchen; leaving the salt on the
kitchen
counter next to the simmering soup.

Kasumi entered the kitchen expecting to see Mr. Saotome or her father
trying
to steal some food before dinner.  She looked around the kitchen and
blinked
in confusion.  (That's funny... I could have sworn that someone was in
here.)

Kasumi dismissed the thought and decided to check on the miso soup.  She
noticed
the salt container on the counter immediately.  (Oh my.  I wonder what
this is?)
She carefully sprinkled a small bit of the salt on her hand and tasted
it.

"Hmmm.... interesting spice.  I wonder where it came from."  Kasumi said

appreciatively.

She poured some of the Miso soup into a bowl and sprinkled some more of
the
spice into it; this time with more vigor.  She slowly lifted the bowl to
her lips and
tasted the soup.  As she brought the bowl down from her lips, a
beautiful smile
grew on her face.  She looked around the kitchen, almost guiltily, and
drank
the rest of the soup.

                                ********************

Ranma walked into the house from the dojo, rubbing the side of his face.

"Stupid tomboy didn't have to hit me," Ranma mumbled.  "After all, I
gave her a
complement; she should be proud to be as strong as a 200-pound gorilla!"

After a few more depreciating comments about his fiancée, Ranma decided
to get
something to eat.  Kasumi's cooking always cheered him up.  He walked
into
the kitchen just in time to see Kasumi finish drinking the bowl of soup.

(Man, if -Akane- tasted her food before she served it, I'd spend a LOT
less
time in the hospital.) Ranma thought to himself.  He was very thankful
that
Kasumi was around.  Even with his mom back in his life, Kasumi more than
anyone
had made the Tendo Dojo seem like a home for him.  She never blackmailed

him, hit him, or tried to trap him in a marriage.  She just talked, gave
gentle
advice, and cooked great meals for him without expecting anything in
return.
Yes,if Ranma had ever had a sister, he would have wanted her to be like
Kasumi.
Sweet, gentle, and a total innocent to the dangers of the world.

"Hey Kasumi, is dinner ready yet?  I'm starved!"

Kasumi turned around and looked at Ranma, "It will be ready in- in....Oh
my!"
Kasumi said as her face flushed and the bowl fell to the floor,
forgotten.

Ranma, startled by this reaction, walked up to Kasumi and gently took
hold
of her shoulders.  "Is something wrong, Kasumi?"  Ranma asked in a
concerned
voice.

Kasumi thought her heart was going to explode when Ranma touched her.
(I always
thought he was handsome, but now. . .)  Kasumi trembled as she took hold
of
Ranma's arms.  She needed the support, her knees were weak and they
almost
buckled. She felt the strong muscles under the fabric of his shirt, and
this time her
knees did buckle.  Ranma held her up before she could fall.

"Easy Kasumi, you must need some rest."  Ranma easily picked her up off
her feet
and slowly carried her to the living room sofa.

Kasumi sighed. (I wish he was taking me to my bedroom. . .)  She blushed
anew when
she completed that thought. As Ranma was laying Kasumi onto the sofa,
the rest
of the family came in for dinner.  Seeing Kasumi trembling on the sofa,
they
immediately became concerned.

Soun started crying. "Waah!  My little girl is dying!"

"Calm down, daddy."  Nabiki said as checked Kasumi.

"What did you do to my sister, you pervert!!!"  Akane demanded of Ranma.

"Hey! I didn't do nothing!  She nearly collapsed in the kitchen and
I carried her out here  By the way, did you make the Miso soup, Akane?"

"No, why?"

"Well, she collapsed just after tasting it so I thought-"

"Ranma no BAKA!" Akane yelled as picked up Ranma and threw him into the
kitchen.

A few moments later, Ranma stumbled out of the kitchen, covered in Miso
soup.
"Well, the soup tastes fine..."  Ranma said dryly.  "I guess you really
didn't
have anything to do with it."

"Ranma-", Akane started but was interrupted by Nodoka.

"Kasumi should all right, she just seems to be bit exhausted.  Ranma,
please carry her up to her bedroom.  Akane, how would you like to
help me finish dinner?"

Akane's anger suddenly turned to joy.  "Oh yes!  Auntie, I would love to
help!"

Ranma gave his mother a sullen look, which she returned with a knowing
smile
and a wink.  Ranma sighed and went over to the sofa to pick up Kasumi.

"Take off your shirt Ranma, you're cover in soup!"  Nodoka told him.

"Oh... yeah."  Ranma grinned sheepishly and said, "Sorry Kasumi."

Ranma took off his shirt and laid it on the floor.  He walked back
towards
Kasumi and gently picked her up.  He nearly dropped her when he noticed
the look in her eyes.  It sent a shiver up his spine.  (Man, maybe there

-is- something wrong with this soup. Kasumi never looks at me like that;

It's something I could expect from Shampoo, or maybe Ukyo.)

Kasumi was in heaven.  She trembled again as she nestled her head
between
Ranma's shoulder and neck.  The last vestiges of her modesty were slowly
slipping away
as Ranma carried her up to her bedroom.

Ranma reached Kasumi's bedroom, and holding her with one arm, opened the
door
with the other.  Kasumi slowly traced the ripple of a muscle on his arm
with
a free hand.  An electric shock coursed through Ranma's body at the
touch.
He gulped nervously and decided that the sooner he deposited Kasumi in
her
room and left, the better.  Facing Akane's cooking would be better than
this!
(auth note:  OK, so this might be stretching the limits of imagination a
bit)

Ranma quickened his pace into the bedroom and was about to drop Kasumi
into her bed when he suddenly felt her lips and tongue against his
throat.
Ranma nearly tripped, practically threw Kasumi into her bed, mumbled his

apologies and exited the bedroom, falling twice on his way out.

Ranma frantically half stumbled, half crawled his way downstairs.  (What

the hell was that!)  Kasumi -definitely- needed some rest, and perhaps
a cold shower.  (Hell! I might need one too by the end of the night!)
Ranma
admitted to himself.  He would have to be a blind, dead, eunuch not to
be
attracted to Kasumi.  It felt... nice carrying her, but the whole
situation was just too
weird.

Ranma sighed as he flopped down on the sofa, not really caring about the

assault on his stomach that would be called 'dinner'.

                        *************************

Kasumi lay in bed, on her stomach with her hands on her chin.  She was
staring
at her closed bedroom door with a small pout on her face.  (Well, the
direct
approach didn't work...  I always thought that a young man would enjoy
being
seduced,)  Kasumi thought to herself.

(Well, Ranma seems to be a more traditional type, full of honor and a
sense
of duty,)  Kasumi sighed lovingly.  (After all, Akane fights with him
all
the time, but he never broke their engagement.  Even after she did
several
times.  He even stayed engaged to Nabiki!)

Kasumi giggled, a predatory gleam in her eye.  She had decided on a
course
of action.

                    *******************************

Ranma stayed on the sofa, watching TV and pointedly ignoring the sounds
of
disaster coming from the kitchen.  He -was- a little concerned about his
mother,
but then figured that she deserved anything that happened to her for
asking
Akane for help.  His thoughts once again returned to Kasumi.  He hoped
she
was feeling better.  He kept telling himself that after a good night's
sleep,
she would be back to normal.  Ranma heard fabric rustling at the top of
the
stairs and turned his head in that direction. His mouth nearly dropped.
Kasumi
was walking down the stairs dressed in a beautiful blue kimono.  Her
hair
was tied up and she wore just a hint of makeup.  Just enough to make her
look stunning.
Kasumi had _never_ worn makeup and Ranma had to admit that he liked the
results.
He gulped again.  As Kasumi reached the bottom of the stairs, Ranma was
able
to smell the perfume she was wearing.  It was a light, flowery fragrance
that
slightly disoriented him.

Nabiki looked questioningly at Kasumi, "You going somewhere, Sis?"

"No, but I do have an announcement of sorts. If you'll excuse me for a
minute."

Kasumi walked into the kitchen for a few moments and walked back out
with
Akane and Nodoka.

"What's this announcement, Oneechan?"  Akane asked as she removed her
apron.

Kasumi looked directly at Akane.  "Akane-chan, do you love Ranma?"

Akane was shocked by the directness of the question.  Kasumi was never
like
this! (What brought this on?)  Akane felt a blush creeping up her face,
but fought it
down.

"Of COURSE, I don't love that perverted baka!  Who would!"

Before Ranma answered that insult, Kasumi asked Akane another question.

"If you don't love him, are you still planning to marry him?"

(What is with you tonight Kasumi?!)  Akane angrily thought. "I've said
since the
day I met him that I wouldn't!  All he's ever done is insult me...."

"Who'd wanna marry an uncute tomboy like you anyways?"

"YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?!"  Akane screamed.  "RANMA NO BAKA!"

Akane was about to punt Ranma into orbit, but Kasumi interrupted again,
this
time talking to her father.

"Father, family honor demands that one of your daughters marry the son
of Saotome Genma, correct?"

"Yes..."  Soun slowly replied.  He really couldn't see where this was
going.

"Well since Akane does not wish to fulfill this familial obligation, I
volunteer
myself as a fiancée for Ranma, to meet the honor of my family." Saying
this, she
bowed in Ranma's direction, a demure look on her face.

The rest of the family was silent, they could not believe that Kasumi
was
doing this!

"Well, I don't really care which of you marries Ranma, but are you sure
about
this, Kasumi?  Akane?"

"Yes father, I am."  Kasumi replied.

"How about you, Akane?"  Soun repeated.

Akane was speechless.  Her world was crumbling around her, and the cause
of it
all was the LAST person she had ever expected to do something like this.

"If this is what Kasumi wants, it's fine with me."  Akane replied in a
tight
voice.

She hurried up the stairs as tears formed in her eyes.  Ranma looked at
Akane's
retreating form as Nodoka brought him back to the matter at hand.

"I would like to hear what my son thinks of this."  Nodoka asked in a
neutral voice.

Ranma jerked his head back towards his mother, then looked at Kasumi,
who gave
him a shy smile.

"I...I..."  Ranma helplessly replied.  He did not know what to say.  The
tension
he felt over Kasumi's earlier actions, coupled with her "proposal", was
more
than Ranma could deal with.  He dejectedly sat back down on the sofa,
rubbing
his temples.  "Man, have I got a headache!" he mumbled to no one in
particular.

"I see..." Kasumi said in a small voice.  Ranma suddenly looked up to
see her start to cry. "I guess I'm too old for you. You.. you wouldn't
want to marry an old hag!"  Kasumi started crying heavily.

Before Soun could start doing that 'demon thing', Ranma quickly got up
and
rushed towards Kasumi, once again gently putting his hands on her
shoulders.

"That's not what I meant Kasumi!  I was just surprised!"  Ranma said in
a rush.

He really could not stand to see a girl cry. Kasumi looked up at Ranma
with
tear stained eyes.  She artfully lowered her eyelashes and said, "I
guess
I -am- too old for you..."

Now, Ranma is a pretty dense guy when it comes to women, but even -he-
wasn't
stupid enough to agree with her.  "Oh, come on, Kasumi, " Ranma gently
chided.
"Any guy would be blind not to want to marry you... I mean, you're
beautiful,
kind, a good cook-"  Ranma suddenly realized what he was saying and shut
his
mouth.

Kasumi dried her eyes and said, "Really, Ranma?"  She tried to worm her
way into
Ranma's embrace.  Ranma suddenly jumped back away from Kasumi, acting
like he
had been burnt.  (and maybe he had)

"Uh... yeah, Kasumi..."  Ranma replied in a resigned voice.

Kasumi giggled, "I'm so happy Ranma-kun. I promise to be a good wife!"

Kasumi, still giggling, went over to hug her father. Soun, invariably,
started
crying.  "My baby girl is getting married!" he cried.

  *************************

The rest of the evening was spent in celebration of the impending
wedding. Akane
never returned from her room.  Later that night, Ranma knocked on her
door and
tried to talk to her.  Unfortunately, Akane was in no mood for
conversation;
Ranma had the bruises to prove it.

"Well, THAT didn't work... Let's try the other side..." Ranma said to
himself.

After everyone had gone to sleep, Ranma crept out his room, got a glass
of
cold water and went up to Kasumi's room.  After a few moments of
hesitation
and trepidation, Ranma knocked gently knocked on the door.  Kasumi
sleepily
opened the door, but became more alert when she saw Ranma.

"Ranma-kun..." she purred quietly, "You shouldn't be sneaking into my
room
like this... at least until after we're married."

Ranma blushed and said, "It's not like that!  I wanted to talk to you,
Kasumi."

Kasumi gave him an arched look. "Just talk?"

Ranma's blush deepened and he said, "Yes. Just talk."

Kasumi stepped back and let Ranma into her bedroom.  As Ranma passed by
her,
she gently hugged his back, caressing his muscles.

"Now, what did you want to talk about?"

Ranma turned around and disengaged Kasumi's arms from his body.

"Kasumi,  I... I really can't marry you..."

Kasumi frowned and her lower lip quivered.  "Then you -do- think I'm too
old!"

"NO!  It's just, that I'm not right for you.  You deserve better than me
Kasumi."

Ranma had decided earlier on that 'noble self-sacrifice' might be the
best
route to take.

"But I -love- you Ranma-kun" Kasumi declared in a clear and strong
voice.

Ranma forgot his whole rehearsed speech when his mind registered what
Kasumi had just said.

"You...You..."  Ranma could not finish the sentence.

"Love you." Kasumi completed.  "So, it doesn't really matter what I
deserve."

Ranma stepped back, suddenly remembering the glass of water.  He didn't
want
to do this, but it was his last option.

"What about my curse, Kasumi?"  Ranma asked as he poured the water over
his
head.

"Remember, I spend half my life as a girl."

Kasumi studied Ranma-chan for a second before answering.

"Well, I didn't know your tastes ran this way, but you _are_ a very
attractive
woman, and besides, it doesn't change who you are on the inside."

"My tastes do NOT 'run' this way'!!!" Ranma-chan practically screamed.

She calmed herself down before continuing.  "I just..."  Once again
Ranma
couldn't continue.

"It's Akane isn't it?" Kasumi asked.

"Huh?!  No way, what does that tomboy have to do with anything?"

"OK Ranma, if you don't want to marry me that's perfectly fine..."
Kasumi said
with a sweet smile.

"Uh, really?" Ranma asked suspiciously.

"Sure!  Marry Akane if you really want... I'll be content with being
your
mistress."

Ranma-chan face-faulted.  Kasumi got on her knees and hugged Ranma's
legs.

"Just as long as I can be with you, body and soul..."

Ranma-chan lifted Kasumi to her feet and sighed.  "I don't want you to
be my
mistress..." A blush covered her face again.  "I guess... we're
engaged..." she continued
lamely.

She quickly backed away from Kasumi and said, "Well, I gotta go to
school
tomorrow,  so I better get some sleep. G'night!"

Ranma-chan quickly left the bedroom.  Kasumi laid down on her bed and
began to
giggle uncontrollably.  (It worked!  I can't believe it worked!  Now he
will
become my husband!)  Kasumi sighed, then started giggling again.  (Wait
till he
sees what I have planned for the wedding night!)  After a few minutes,
Kasumi
calmed down and finally fell asleep, dreams of Ranma filling her head.

                                *******************

The next morning Ranma, took off for school carrying what Kasumi called
a
"special" lunch.  Ranma was sure that the "special" part came more from
the letter
attached to the bento box, than from the food.  He was following Akane
instead of walking
on the fence.  She was pointedly ignoring him.  He wanted to make up
her.
He really needed someone's help to deal with Kasumi and he just couldn't
afford
Nabiki's rates.

"Akane, wait up for a sec, will ya?  We need to talk!"

Akane quickened her pace but said, "I have nothing to say to you Ranma.
Why don't you go to your _fiancée_ if you need to talk?"

"Akane, I don't want to marry Kasumi!"

Akane stopped in tracks and turned around, "Then what was all that last
night
about her being a good wife, being beautiful, and a good cook?"

*Hey! she was up in her room when that happened?  How did
she....Nabiki.*

"Look Akane, regardless of what Nabiki told you, I was just saying that
to
get her to stop crying..."

Akane's mood lightened a little, but not much.  *Why did he have to lose
his
backbone when it came to women!  Still... I don't like seeing Kasumi
hurt
either.*

"What did you want to talk about, Ranma?"

"Well, I want your help... to get out my engagement to Kasumi, but
I don't want to hurt her.  She's been kinder to me than any person
I've ever met, and I _would_ marry her before I'd do anything to hurt
her.  So whaddya say?  Will you help me?"

The amount of gratitude Ranma had for Kasumi surprised Akane, *He's
still
a jerk, but maybe he _isn't_ an insensitive one.*

"Okay, Ranma, I'll help you... Let's talk about it at lunch."

The whole morning flew by for Ranma, he was feeling a lot better
about his whole situation since Akane was helping him.  He figured
that Akane loved Kasumi more than anyone and that she would figure
out a way to get out of the engagement without hurting her.

The day had not turned out as well for Akane.  Nabiki had already sold
the inside story to the whole school about how Akane was now
unattached.  Rumors and stories were flying everywhere. Surprisingly,
not too many boys approached Akane now that she was "free".  Most of
the student body was used to Ranma's and Akane's ups and downs and no
longer felt that she was worth the effort.

Lunch finally came and Akane and Ranma sat together in their classroom.
Ranma opened the bento Kasumi had given him and put the letter aside.
He was not quite ready to read it yet.  What he saw in the bento box
made him grimace.  Kasumi had arranged the pickles, meat, and ginger
in the shape of a heart embedded in the rice.  Of course, the quickest
way to get rid of the evidence was to eat it. Ranma really didn't
need much encouragement in that respect, but he still did not want
Akane to see Kasumi's sign of affection.

While eating her lunch, Akane glanced at the letter Kasumi had given
Ranma.

"Aren't you going to read that?"  Akane asked nodding at the letter.

With a mouth full of food, he answered, "Uh... maybe later."

"Why don't you read it _now_ Ranma."  It was not a question; or a
request.

Ranma swallowed his food and picked up the letter.  He slowly tore
open one end and took out the folded piece of paper that was inside.
He could immediately smell the same flowery perfume that Kasumi had
worn the previous night.  He inhaled deeply, enjoying the heady feelings

the scent was causing.  Akane cleared her throat meaningfully and Ranma
quickly unfolded the paper. He studied it for a few minutes then started

to blush.  "Oh my!" he said out loud.

Akane, burning with curiosity, and not a little anger, grabbed the
letter
out of Ranma's hand before he could react.  Akane's face turned crimson
as she read the letter.  The veins in her neck started to bulge and her
whole body was surrounded by a blue aura.

"YOU PERVERT!"  she exploded, "WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN MY SISTER'S ROOM
LAST
NIGHT?!"

Ranma held his hands in front of his face, a weak defense.  "Nothing! I
swear! I didn't do nothing!"

Just as Akane was about to give Ranma the beating of his life, the wall
at the
front of the classroom exploded and Shampoo walked in.

"Hello Ranma!  Shampoo happy to see!  But no can talk right now, where
Nabiki Tendo at? "

"Uh...around the hall and two doors down on the right." Ranma replied,
wondering
what Shampoo wanted with Nabiki.

"Shampoo thank you Airen, Shampoo come back later and we go on date,
yes?"

With out waiting for an answer Shampoo crashed through another wall in
the
classroom in pursuit of Nabiki.

Akane stared after her, then remembered that she was in the middle of
something.

"Oh yeah, where were we?"  she asked Ranma as she cracked her knuckles.

                                ******************

Nabiki sighed as she watched Shampoo come crashing into her classroom.

"Ranma's not in this class Shampoo.  But for 5000 yen, I can point you
in
the right direction."

"Shampoo not here to see husband.  Is here to see you."

"Oh?" Nabiki asked, interested.  "What can I do for you?"

Shampoo stood in front of Nabiki and laid 10000 yen on her desk.

"No bargaining. Is all Shampoo has, OK?"

"What do you want Shampoo?"  Nabiki was feeling suspicious now, _no_ one

ever just laid that kind of money in front of her without her asking.

"Last night Shampoo leave special salt at Tendo dojo, want you to
retrieve
for me. No trust husband or violent girl to do."

"What does this salt do?"  Nabiki asked, already knowing the answer.

"It special 'Fall in Love' salt.  Wanted to use on husband.
Accidentally left
in kitchen."

*Ah.  Now things are starting to fit together*  Nabiki thought.  She was

worried about Kasumi ever since she announced her engagement to Ranma.
Kasumi might have been oblivious to certain things, but she was not
_that_
stupid.

"OK Shampoo, I accept... on one condition."


                                *****************

Akane was still pounding on Ranma when Nabiki walked into the classroom.

She walked up to the couple and said, "I think you should stop that now
Akane, I have some information you might need."

Akane stopped hitting Ranma, roughly picked his body up off the floor
and slammed him into his desk.  She slapped him a couple of times
to wake him up.   As Ranma started to open his eyes, Akane said,
"Ok, Nabiki, what do you want to sell?"

"Well, I found out why Kasumi's got the hots for Ranma."

"What?!" both Ranma and Akane yelled.

"Shampoo sneaked in the house last night with some kind of 'love potion'

meant for Ranma and apparently Kasumi took it by mistake."

"Why the little, no good..."  Akane fumed.

"Calm down Akane, anyways Shampoo gave me the antidote so we can reverse

the affects."

"She just gave it to you? No arguments?"  Ranma asked, amazed.

"Ranma-kun, she doesn't exactly WANT another girl to be in love with
you,
but besides that, she gave it to me as part of our deal."

"OK, how much is this going to cost me."  Ranma asked.

"It's completely free, Ranma.  Kasumi, at least, deserves better than
you."
Nabiki said, smiling as she walked out of the classroom.


                        ****************************

Later that evening, Kasumi was sitting on the backyard porch, staring
out
at the pond.  Ranma walked up behind her and cleared his throat. Kasumi
turned around, smiled at him, at motioned for him to sit next to her.
Hesitantly, Ranma walked up to her and sat down.  After a few moments,
as
the two of them sat in silence, Ranma cleared his throat again and
asked,
"So, are you feeling alright?  No side affects from the antidote?"

Kasumi smiled at Ranma and replied, "I feel fine Ranma-kun."

They sat in silence for a few more moments and then Kasumi spoke up.

"Ranma-kun?"

"Hai?"

"Arigato."

"For what, Kasumi?"

"For not taking advantage of me...of the situation we were in."

"I would NEVER do anything like that to you Kasumi!"

"I know Ranma, I know... but my mother always said, 'Even a good man...
is
still a man.'"

"Heh.  So,  I guess we're not engaged anymore, huh?"  Ranma asked in a
joking manner.

Kasumi sighed, "No, I guess not."  She sounded almost regretful.

"I better get dinner ready."  She stood up and Ranma stood with her.
Kasumi
stared into his eyes for a few moments then leaned over and gently
kissed
him.

"Kasumi???"  Ranma reeled back in shock.

Kasumi leaned forward towards him again and whispered, "I'm making all
your
favorite meals tonight Ranma."  Then she started walking off into the
kitchen.

"Kasumi!"  Ranma called to her, "You -are- cured... aren't you?"

Kasumi just smiled mysteriously as she entered the kitchen.

***************
THE END
***************


This story came from an idea from Carol Hull and my mind just
took off with it.  Actually, although its pretty short, it was
a lot longer than I had expected.

C&C is appreciated please send to anandr@earthlink.net.



--
_______________________________
| C  S |                      |
| O  Y | "If you can't fight, |
| L  M |                      |
| L  P | and you can't flee,  |
| I  H |                      |
| D  O |   flow."             |
| I  N |                      |
| N  I |  ----Robert Elliot   |
| G  E |______________________|
|    S | Anand Rao            |
|______|______________________|