For Every Action Part 11

Most characters and situations in this story are the
property of Takahashi Rumiko and are used without consent
but without the desire to give offense.

David Johnston, rgorman@telusplanet.net
  
OK, that last part really was too short, wasn't it?
But "Kasumi was Kasumi" was just such a good finishing
line.  When I'm done, I'm may have to reorganise this
critter a little.  In any case any suggestions for
improvement or correction are most welcome.  

For the record, Akane is getting know what life is like
with an aquatransexual curse.  "Kaneda" is the male 
identity she uses to conceal her little problem from her
family.  Now "Kaneda" has to prepare for "his" first 
date.
____________________________________________________________

Kasumi leaned back against a wall for a moment
and took a deep breath.  Kaneda's body was just so 
incredible, even better than Ranma's.  He was
nicer than Ranma as well.  She thought that Ranma 
was a good-hearted boy, but he was still rather
immature and could be quite mannerless.  Of course
Kasumi had no intention of cradle robbing.  She 
shook her head ruefully and went to get the towel 
for Kaneda. 

When Kasumi returned to the kitchen, Kouichi was 
in quiet conference with Nabiki.  Kasumi frowned.  
The androgynous boy's ancestry was rather obscure, 
but what Kasumi knew about it she didn't like.  
His mother didn't sound very nice, and his father 
was mysteriously absent, and might not even be 
Japanese.  As Nabiki looked up, Kasumi was once 
again smiling as she asked, "Nabiki?  Could you 
please take this tea to Kaneda?  He's with Ranma
in the Saotome's room, and he looked rather 
chilled."

Nabiki looked startled and answered, "Ah, sure."
Popular myth at Furiinkan High was that Nabiki did
nothing for anyone without expecting payment.  
Absurd of course.  Nabiki would no more shake down
Kasumi, than Akane would hit her.  But Kasumi rarely 
asked anyone to do more than move their feet anyway.  

With Nabiki gone, Kasumi turned to Kouichi, politely
greeting him, "It's so nice to see you again Yamazaki-
san.  I didn't hear you come in."

He smiled back at her, "I'm easily overlooked, I fear."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that.  You are really very 
notable.  I look forward to seeing you again."  As 
Kasumi spoke, she escorted Kouichi to the front door
and let him out, closing the door gently, but firmly
behind him.  Quite apart from her doubts concerning
his ancestry, the boy himself bothered her.  Nabiki
could surely do better and make a safer choice, one
less likely to take advantage of her trust.
  
Kaneda, for example, was a fine boy, with the kind 
of masculine physical attractiveness that Nabiki had
vocally admired more than once, a good fighter to 
protect her and so honest and trustworthy.  
A boy like Kaneda would make a wonderful addition to 
the family, if Nabiki actually noticed him as more
than a financial opportunity.  
______________________________________________________

Nabiki didn't knock, she just walked on in.  It was
a good way to catch people off guard, and that was
exactly what she did, catching "Kaneda" in nothing
but a pair of boxers as he pulled out Ranma's 
favorite outfit from a foot locker.  Nabiki was amused
to see "Kaneda" trying to hold up Ranma's shirt to 
conceal his modesty, while Ranma stood with his back
turned.

"Why so shy, Kaneda?  I've seen girls with less modesty,"
she asked with a malicious twist to her lips.

"Nabiki, he's trying to change here," Ranma said. 

"Into what?" Nabiki jabbed.  "From where I stand, he
looks pretty good as is.  Don't mind me, I'm just
here to bring some tea-"  As she made sure to trip
over the foot locker, the tea went flying toward
Kaneda, but splashed over Ranma's chest as he desperately
lept into the way.  

"Ite!  That's my favourite shirt you nearly splashed,
Nabiki!"

"Clumsy me.  Sorry Ranma...say, that is your favourite
shirt, isn't it?  Gee, you must really be close friends
with Kaneda, if you're lending him your most prized
possession."

"Well...yeah."  Ranma supposed you could call a fiancee
a close friend.  

Akane couldn't help but smile, unaware that even as a 
boy her smile transformed her whole face.  Her smile
dimmed again as she wondered why Nabiki was staring at
her.  Nabiki continued to watch "Kaneda" carefully as
she continued, "Funny that you were such close friends,
but you've never mentioned him before now."

"Uh...not really.  I never talk much about the past
unless it actually comes up in the present."

"Oh, that's right isn't it.  For such an open guy, you
certainly have a lot of secrets and surprises for us,
don't you?"  Nabiki looked away then and her eye caught
something else.  "Say, Ranma, have you taken to 
stealing Akane's underwear again?"  She was now looking
at Akane's panties, still soaked from Kouichi's multiple 
waterbombing efforts, discarded on the floor in Akane's
haste to change into dry clothing.

"What!?  I never stole Akane's underwear!  Why would I 
do something like that?"

"If you're going to steal underwear, you could at least
have the decency to steal your fiances' underwear.  Wait!
It couldn't be that Akane herself left them here, could it?"
Nabiki clasped her hands together in simulated bliss, 
"Oh wait until I tell father.  He'll be so happy!"

"NO!"  Ranma and Akane's voice rang out as one.  

"Why, Kaneda, what's your interest in Ranma's engagement?"

"Aaah..."  Akane looked desperately for Ranma for an idea.
Of course she had to be desperate to look to Ranma for 
ideas.  

"I...uh...forget to give back the underwear from the time
you talked me into dressing like a girl for a day."  Which
didn't answer Nabiki's question, but might distract her.

"Goodness, Ranma, that was a long time ago.  Don't tell
me that you've kept them all this time as a...souvenir?
Whatever would Akane think?  Oh well, at least I know
Kaneda here isn't a pervert.  Which is good, because I 
was thinking that if Kaneda is free on Saturday night,
maybe we could do something together; maybe double with
you and Akane.  Kaneda's really cute, after all, and
so masculine!"  The look of utter horror on Ranma and
Akane's face was definitely worth the price of admission
for Nabiki.  She quickly made her exit while she could
keep a straight face.  

Outside, she covered her mouth to muffle her giggles. 
When she'd recovered, she said to herself, "Serves them 
right.  Trying to treat _me_ like a mark.  Good thing I 
figured it out though.  Akane does make a pretty 
impressive guy.  For that matter, it's a good thing Kasumi 
doesn't notice that sort of thing."
_________________________________________________________

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