All Ranma characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, first
published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.

                                     Revelations and Revisions  Pt 1

    This is a continuation from the 4 part "From a Different Viewpoint"
It jumps to a point in time just after Ranma and Akane's failed wedding,
when the protagonist from "Viewpoint", Johnathon Dwire, finally returns
from China after 8 months.

    Eight months had passed since he had last been in Nerima.  Johnathon
got off the train, not really sure where he should head first.  His
stomach growled at him deciding the issue.  The Cat Cafe was open for
business, but Shampoo wasn't there.  He asked the older man serving the
counter where she was.  "Shampoo?  She has gone to the wedding of Ranma
Saotome and Akane Tendo."  "Oh, they're getting married?"  Johnathon
paid his bill and headed for the Tendo dojo.  As he arrived he noticed a
crowd outside.  The dojo had hole in the roof and smoke was rising from
various spots.  He got closer and noticed bodies laying around inside
the dojo as well.  Nabiki was standing by the entrance.
    Johnathon pushed his was through the crowd to her.  "Nabiki what's
going on?"  "Hmmm?  Johnathon sensei is that you?  It's been a long
time."  "Yes, I've been in China, looking for a cure."  "I thought as
much.  So what did you find?"  "I'll tell everyone later, first tell me,
what's happened here?"  "The wedding?"  "Yes."  "1000 yen please."  "You
haven't changed Nabiki.  I can see the wedding was stopped for myself.
There is Ranma in that crater over there.  How about this.  I'll tell
you what I learned in China, and you tell me what happened here."
Nabiki considered this for awhile.  "Ok it's a deal."
    Johnathon glanced around at the crowd.  "You look pretty busy here
today, I'll tell you the important part of what I learned and come back
later to tell you the rest.  One question first, are Ranma and Akane
going to get married anytime soon?"  Nabiki paused to consider.  "After
what happened today.... I think it will be awhile."  Johnathon nodded.
"Ok, for Ranma, a warning.  Don't mix Jusenkyo curses, not even the
spring of drowned man."  Nabiki's eyes went wide.  "Are you sure?"
Johnathon nodded again his eyes conveying his utter seriousness.  Nabiki
shivered.  "Oh boy, that was close."  "What, there was some spring water
here?"  "Not anymore."  She answered quickly.  "Good, I'll be back
tomorrow night.  I'll explain in full then."
    Johnathon left reluctantly.  He had things to do today.  He would
tell the whole story to Ranma and company later.  He owed them that much
at least.  He headed of for Furinkan High school, hoping he could get
his old job back.  The next day passed quickly.  Furinkan was willing to
take him back as an english teacher.  Akane and Ranma were in his new
class.  He could see that both of them wanted to talk to him.  When the
class ended he walked over.  "Ranma, Akane, it's been a long time."
"Dwire-sensei, you've been to Jusenkyo?"  "Yes, It's a long story.  I
will come over tonight and explain everything, all right?"  "Ok sensei,
we'll see you tonight."  He left them very curious about what he would
say.  They would fine out soon enough.  The news he brought was not
going to make Ranma happy.
    Johnathon arrived at the Tendo residence just as it was getting
dark.  Kasumi answered the door.  Johnathon stopped and stared just for
a moment, it was like no time had passed.  She was the same, but he, he
was not.  He looked away, unable to bare her gaze.  Kasumi was smiling
pleasantly as ever, tactfully ignoring his discomfort.  "Come in
Johnathon-san, everyone is in the living room.  Shampoo arrived just a
few minutes ago."  Kasumi led him in.  The whole family was there,
sitting around the table.  Shampoo sat by herself against one wall,
being ignored by everyone else.  The hostility in the room was
palatable, the only one not radiating anger was Kasumi.  Apparently she
was not in good stead with them at the time.  (This is because she just
bombed the wedding ceremony along with Ukyo.)
    Johnathon worried a bit about having invited he to meet him here,
but he knew that what he had to say involved her too.  He sat down at an
empty place at the table, left for him between Akane and Nabiki.  "All
right this is quite a story, so let me tell you everything before you
start asking questions."  Everyone nodded.  Kasumi put a glass of cold
water down in front af him.  "Thanks Kasumi, I'll need this in a
while."  He looked around at his audience, they were all ears.
    "It took me almost a month and a half to reach Jusenkyo.  I took my
time, wandered a bit, and picked up some information about the cursed
springs.  There wasn't much, nothing new.  So when I arrived I decided
to see for myself.  I asked the guide to show me the spring of drowned
man.
He did so, and told me of it's legend.  I didn't really feel like
telling him why I wanted it, and he accepted my silence on the matter
after asking about it a couple of times.  I decided the only thing to do
was to jump in, so I did.  I jumped in, and I changed."  Johnathon was
silent for several long moments.  "What happened?"  Urged Ranma.  "Were
you cured?  You were right?  Tell me you were cured!"  Johnathon shook
his head slowly.  "Not exactly, It's best if I just show you."
    He picked up the glass of water and hesitated, looking at Ranma.
"Um Ranma, try to stay calm, ok?"  Ranma nodded slowly, looking unsure.
Johnathon heard Akane's pet pig grunting excitedly.  "Here goes."  He
poured the glass of water over his head, and changed.  Everyone gasped
and Ranma practically teleported away from the table, ending up against
the far wall.  Johnathon had transformed, but not shrunk.  His head had
turned decidedly feline, cat ears, big cat eyes, black fur, cat like
fangs.  His face jutted out a bit, elongating while his nose flattened.
His arms had changed subtly in shape and his hand had become furred, the
nails disappearing, and the fingers getting a bit shorter and thicker.
    His legs were different as well.  The joints changing position a
bit, his feet turning into large cats paws, his ankles elongating and
reversing direction.  Everyone sat stunned for several seconds.  The
silence was broken by Kasumi's voice.  "Oh my."  Ranma was fighting down
his cat phobia with every bit of his will.  Slowly he calmed down.
<It's Johnathon, It's Johnathon.>  He sat down, looking at the floor,
breathing slowly.  No one spoke for half a minute.  Nabiki broke the
silence.  "So this means that the curses..."  "Mix."  Johnathon finished
her sentence, startling everyone.  His voice was deeper, and a bit
raspy, as if he had difficulty forming words.
It was slightly strange, but pleasant, unless you happened to be Ranma,
who shivered at the feline quality to his voice.
    Genma nodded knowingly.  "Ah, so the true horror of the cursed
springs is now revealed."  Ranma punched him in the side of the head.
"You stupid old man, don't act like you know nothing!"  Nabiki looked
carefully at Johnathon.  "So, how thoroughly do the curses mix?"
Johnathon looked back and a three foot long tail, black and furry
whipped over to tap Nabiki lightly on the back.  She reached back and
grabbed his furry tail and felt it.  He suffered her attention and
continued to speak.  "It seems like half and half to me, I kept me human
size, but retained most of my cat features.  Ears, eyes, tail, I have
fur on my whole body, even claws."  He popped out inch long claws from
his right hand to demonstrate.
    Johnathon stood and gestured at his legs and arms.  "I can stand
upright, but my limbs are very cat like.  It was quite obvious that his
ankles were much higher up, like a cat, and his feet were more compact,
although he stood on two legs easily enough.  He sat back down, slightly
awkwardly on his strange legs.  Kasumi felt a need to say something
nice.  "I think you are cute looking."  She put her hand over her
mouth.  <Why did I say that?>  It was true though, she did fine him to
be attractive, she blushed a little. <I mean ascetically pleasing
right?>  Akane was quick to support her sister and reassure Johnathon.
"Yes John-san, you look pretty neat, really!"
    "Thanks, most people think I'm some sort of monster, I've had to run
from several angry mobs already."  Ranma looked at him with genuine
sympathy.  "Man, that's rough, I hate it when that happens!"  (This
being Ranma no one thought he was being sarcastic.)  P-chan gave a
"Bwee!"  of agreement.  "Yes, it sounds like it has been very difficult
for you Johnathon-kun."  Soun Tendo nodded sympathetically.  He looked
around at everyone seriously.  "I'm sure that you can count on all of us
to help you out in this time of trouble."  There was a general sound of
agreement from around the room.  Even Nabiki added in her voice.
Shampoo and Ranma were both loud in vowing to assist him in case of
trouble.
    He looked around gratefully.  "Thank you all, I'm afraid I may
indeed need your help from time to time."  Nabiki and Kasumi were
studying him thoroughly.  Nabiki spoke up.  "You got cursed over 6
months ago.  What have you been doing since then?"  "That's a long
story, I'll give you the
short version.  I started looking for a cure, a real cure.  I traveled
much of China, many of the most remote regions, but found nothing.  It
was quite an adventure but I'm glad it's over."  <I hope it's over.>
"Kasumi, could you get me some hot water?"  Kasumi looked up startled.
"What?  Oh yes of course."  She went into the kitchen.     Ranma looked
at Johnathon squarely, having managed to completely suppress his
cat-fear.

 (In "Viewpoint" Ranma had spent a month training himself not to see
Johnathon as a cat in a failed attempt to cure his phobia, which had the
small benefit of letting him stand Johnathon in cat form.)

     Ranma spoke quietly dreading the response.  "There is no cure?"
"I'm sorry Ranma, I heard legends of a cure, but they came to nothing,
I'm sorry."  Kasumi came in with a kettle and put it down next to
Johnathon.  He looked down at it and shrugged.  "The disadvantages of
this form are obvious, to most people I'm a monster, I can't hide this
form very well.  But there are some compensations."  Ranma, Genma, and
Nabiki perked up, looking at him interestedly.
    "I'm not helpless anymore, a cat has a hard time getting hot
water."  "I'll say!"  Shampoo interjected strongly.  "I've got useable
hands in this form, so if I can keep from getting hunted down as a
monster I can prepare some hot water easily enough.  That's only part of
it.  My senses are sharper, I have all the senses of a cat, plus the
full binocular vision of a human.  I've found that I'm a little stronger
in this form, and a lot faster, my balance has improved a lot too."  He
got interested nods from the martial artists in the room.  Shampoo
especially seemed interested.  Ranma looked like he was trying to find
the right thing to say.
    Johnathon guessed what was on his mind.  "Let me guess Ranma, you'd
like to spar."  Ranma turned a bit red.  "Uh, yeah, how did you know?"
"It wasn't hard.  I guess I can postpone changing back for awhile.  Ok
Ranma, I'd be glad to spar with you.  I think we should keep it inside
the dojo though, so no one spots the monster in your back yard."  Nabiki
laughed at that.  "I wonder if anyone around here would notice?"  "Come
on, lets go Ranma."  Johnathon stood, as did everyone else.  They all
followed him and Ranma out to the dojo to watch.  Johnathon and Ranma
went to the center and everyone else gathered along one wall.  "I'll
keep the claws sheathed Ranma, they can do some serious damage."  Ranma
started to protest that it wasn't necessary, then changed his mind.
"Ok."
    He took up a relaxed stance and faced off with Johnathon, who got
into a similar stance.  They both bowed respectfully at each other,
their eyes never leaving their opponent.  Then Johnathon pounced, like
lightning he was across the room.  Ranma dodged to the side barely in
time.  Johnathon landed and leaped again a split second later, hands
spread.  Ranma dodged to the side again, just a hair too slow.
Johnathon's left hand caught the front of Ranma's chest and raked
across.  It happened so fast it was almost impossible to see, but Ranma
felt it.  Johnathon stopped for a second and stepped back.
    Ranma went into a more defensive stance, realizing that if
Johnathon's claws had been out he would have been badly cut.  He nodded
and grinned.  "You have gotten faster."  He jumped at Johnathon,
snapping out with a kick.  Johnathon moved and blocked simultaneously.
Ranma's kick caught Johnathon a glancing blow on the shoulder, but
Johnathon managed to rake his leg as he landed.  Akane whistled,
impressed.  "Wow, if he had used his claws..."  Ranma jumped back,
dodging a return jump kick by Johnathon.  He nodded to himself and
started to analyze Johnathon's style.  He retreated, defending with
dodges and blocks as Johnathon charged in with a series of punches.
Ranma started treating Johnathon's hands like knives, imagining his
claws out, and managed to avoid getting raked again.
    Ranma varied his pattern, looking for holes in Johnathon's defense.
It was difficult to get in a good attack without letting Johnathon a
chance to claw him.  They continued to spar, Ranma slowly gaining the
upper hand.  Johnathon was fast, as fast as Ranma now, with a slightly
better reach.  Ranma figured he would have the edge in speed in his girl
form, unless he used the chestnut fist, in which case it would be no
contest either way.  He didn't want to resort to ki attacks to win this
match, and he didn't think he'd need to.  Ranma felt that he was
stronger than Johnathon, and his technique was better.  It was easier
for Johnathon to do damage, if you counted the claws.
    After about a minute of lightning fast sparring Ranma finished the
fight.  He caught one wrist, then the other a split second later,
forcing them apart for an instant and landing a kick into Johnathon's
chest.  Johnathon twisted both wrists, getting them free a split second
too late and flew back into a wall.  Ranma paused, letting Johnathon
recover.  He had kicked him at nearly full force in his haste, and
Johnathon felt like he had been hit by a car.  He had kept his feet,
barely, his enhanced balance and the wall the only things keeping him
upright.  Breathing made his lungs feel like they were on fire.  He
lowered his hands and shakily bowed.
    "If you had followed that up, you could have finished me easily
Ranma."  Ranma shrugged noncommittally.  Genma chortled and slapped Soun
on the back.  "That's my boy!"  Akane walked over to Ranma and poked him
in the chest where Johnathon had first raked him.  Ranma winced a bit.
"With no claws yet!"  She looked into Ranma's face.  "If John-san had
had his claws out, you would have been bleeding all over the dojo, if
your guts were still intact that is."  Everyone facefaulted at that and
Nabiki grimaced.  "Akane that's disgusting!"
    Ranma nodded seriously.  "Yeah Johnathon-kun, you got me good a
couple of times."  Johnathon shook his head modestly, "You figured it
out quick though, I won't be able to do that again, even if I did use my
claws."  Ranma grinned smugly and Akane shot him an evil look.  Ranma
didn't make the mistake of opening his mouth and getting hit for what he
would have said.  Johnathon looked over at Kasumi, wondering what she
was thinking, she was staring back at him, a strange look on her face.
She looked away as she caught him looking at her.
     Johnathon looked away as well and Nabiki caught his eye.  She was
also staring at him, but did not look away at his gaze.  Her look was
appraising, predatory, and inquisitive all at the same time.  Johnathon
wasn't sure how to read her.  He turned away and looked around the rest
of the room.  Almost everyone was looking at him or pretending they
hadn't been.  He shook his head in resignation.  "I think some hot water
would be nice."  Kasumi headed for the door.  I'll get you some
Johnathon-san."  He followed after her.  "Thank you Kasumi-chan."
Everyone else started to split up into groups to talk.
    Nabiki frowned a bit to herself as she watched Kasumi and Johnathon
leave.  <Kasumi-chan?  he calls me Nabiki and Akane he calls Akane, but
Kasumi is Kasumi-chan?>  Nabiki found that that disturbed her and wasn't
sure why.  <I couldn't be jealous?>  Ranma, Akane, and Shampoo were
talking, Nabiki joined them.  Ranma was speaking.  "You know, I had
always figured that the spring of drowned man would be a cure, but now
I'm really glad I always got sidetracked away from taking the plunge.  I
mean being a girl half the time is better than being, being..."  "A
hemaphodite?"  Nabiki filled in helpfully.
    Ranma shuddered and nodded.  He looked over at Shampoo.  "What about
you Shampoo?  You could do what Johnathon did, become a half-cat."
Shampoo looked thoughtful, "Shampoo has given much thought. Is powerful
form yes? But many new problems, Shampoo almost used to being cat, so
Shampoo have to think some more."  She paused for a moment.  "But
Shampoo no think so."  She looked at Ranma and smiled predatorily,
"Unless Ranma want Shampoo be half-cat woman, maybe you think is sexy?
Yes?" Ranma gulped and froze under Akane's glare and Shampoo's predatory
grin.  "No! uh that is, I don't want, It's really your decision, I, I."
    Nabiki grinned with malice, "He is kind of sexy as a half-cat, isn't
he."  Akane looked scandalized, Shampoo just raised an eyebrow and
shrugged.  "Ranma is one for Shampoo." She glomped him happily.  Akane
started emitting a powerful battle aura while Ranma weakly tried to get
loose from Shampoo.  "Ranma No Baka."  "Boom!"
    Inside the house Kasumi had put a kettle on the stove for
Johnathon.  "Would you care to stay for dinner Johnthon-san?"  "Oh, I
hope I'm not being too much trouble."  He responded, awkwardly trying to
find something to say to her.  "Oh no!"  Kasumi turned to him, her
pleasant smile firmly in place.  "It is the least we can do after you
went to so much trouble.  Please say you'll stay for dinner."  "All
right Kasumi-chan, I will."  Kasumi turned back to the kettle.  "Um
Kasumi, I, I..."  Johnathon still didn't know what he should say.  He
had discovered upon his return that his feelings for Kasumi had grown,
but he was afraid that his curse would repel her.
    She turned to face him again.  "Yes Johnathon-san, what is it?"  He
hesitated, frightened of her possible response.  Suddenly he remembered
something she had said.  She had said that he was cute.  Was she just
trying not to hurt his feelings?  "Kasumi, what you said earlier, did
you mean
it?  I, I..."  Johnathon looked down at his furry hand, then purposely
let his claws pop out.  He looked at Kasumi once more and retracted
them.  "You've seen something of what I've become, I, frighten myself
sometimes.  Do I, do I frighten you?"  Kasumi had been looking at his
upturned hand.  She reached out and gripped his fingers, then looked him
in the eyes, she was smiling gently.
    "Scared of you?  Johnathon-san, I would never be scared of you."
Somehow, he believed her, something told him she was telling him exactly
what she meant.  "I told you Kasumi-chan, eight months ago, that I
thought that I was falling in love with you..."  He paused, but she just
stood there, still smiling gently in invitation.  "I, I'm sure now, I do
love you."  Kasumi stood still.  "Johnathon-san I, I don't know what to
say!"  Johnathon prepared himself for disappointment, but Kasumi kept
smiling, looking pleased and a bit confused at the same time.  Kasumi
never had anyone say those words to her before.  She was unsure what to
think, much less say.
    Silence reigned for several endless moments.  "Kasumi-chan?"
"Yes?"  "Would you like to go out with me sometime?"  <Great!  That
sounded stupid, why couldn't you come up with something better you
idio... What was that?>  Kasumi was saying something.  "Yes, I would
like that very much."  "Yes?  Yes!  I mean, um how about Saturday
night?"  "Around seven?"  She suggested helpfully.  "Ok, seven it is."
Johnathon looked stunned at his success.  Kasumi turned to the kettle
and picked it up, letting Johnathon's hand go.  She poured the now warm
water over Johnathon's head.
    Kasumi continued to smile, whimsically now as she looked at his now
human face.  He was in a partial state of shock, a silly smile planted
on his face."  <Why does that seem familiar?>  The memory escaped her
and she forgot the feeling of Deja vu.  "Now I really must prepare
dinner."  There was a crash from the dojo.  "Oh my, Johnathon, could you
see if everyone is all right, and find out if Shampoo is staying to
dinner?"  Johnathon broke from his reverie and nodded.  "Right!"  Kasumi
giggled as she watched him stride purposely away then sobered up when
she realized what she had just agreed to.  "A date, I am going on a
date!"
    Kasumi started mechanically going through the preparations for
dinner, relaxed after a while, humming quietly to herself.  <What would
father say?>  She giggled out loud at the mental image that called up
and went back to preparing dinner.  Shampoo did not stay for dinner, and
the conversation around the table was slow, everyone concentrating on
the food.  Kasumi waited till Johnathon had left, a half hour after
dinner to break the news to her sisters.  Their reaction was mixed.
Akane was astonished.  "John-san asked you out?"  Nabiki was quiet at
first then supportive.  "I suppose you'll need a new dress."
    Kasumi looked at Nabiki.  "Do you think so?"  Akane looked at Nabiki
as well.  "Sis? what about..."  Nabiki glanced at Akane but said
nothing.  Akane was unsure what to think.  <What about Doctor Tofu?
He's in love with Kasumi!>  "Why are you going out with John-san
Kasumi?"  Akane blurted out.  Kasumi looked a bit surprise at her
younger sisters outburst.  "He asked me.  He said that he was in love
with me.  When he left for China he told me that he, that he thought he
was falling in love with me.  Today he told me that he was sure and
asked me out."  Akane looked stunned, Nabiki looked sad then shook her
head and took on a neutral expression.
    Akane smiled at her oldest sister.  "That's so romantic.  Ranma has
never said anything like that to me."  <Except that one time he thought
I was dead.>  "Do you, do you feel the same way?"  Kasumi looked
thoughtful.  "I'm not sure, he's very sweet, and caring and kind."
Kasumi got a gentle look in her eyes and Nabiki grinned maliciously.  "I
bet you think he's sexy when he's half-cat."  Kasumi blushed bright
pink.  "Why Nabiki!  What a thing to say!"  Akane, nodded, agreement,
Kasumi spoke thoughtfully.  "Although he is quite, cute."  Akane stopped
nodding and looked at her sister in shock.  Kasumi was saying that?  Her
big sister Kasumi?
    Kasumi blushed some more and looked down at the floor demurely.
"Nabiki, Akane, could you help me pick out something nice to wear for my
date?"  "Sure."  They said in unison, and they all went to Kasumi's room
to plan.
    Saturday was still four days away and Akane found herself staring at
Johnathon during english class, wondering what she should do about him
and Kasumi.  Should she do anything at all?  What about Dr. Tofu?  He
was so crazy in love with Kasumi he couldn't think straight in her
presence.  Akane was distracted throughout the class.  At the end
Johnathon asked her to inform her father that he would be coming by to
continue his training that night.  "Oh, and Akane. I'd like the chance
to spar with you again."  He looked around carefully to see if anyone
was listening and whispered.  "In my human form of course."  "Of course
John-san."  She smiled and nodded
and he left.  Akane sat quietly, still unsure what she should do.
    That night when Johnathon arrived at the Tendo dojo, Mr. Tendo was
waiting for him.  "All right Johnathon-kun, lets see if you remember all
I taught you."  Soun took his student though all the training he had
taught him, extensively testing his knowledge.  "Hmmm, you've keep in
practice, good."  He looked over at Akane who had entered wearing her
Gi.  "Ah very good Akane!  Why don't you give Johnathon-kun his acid
test."  Akane nodded.  "Yes daddy."  They squared off in the center of
the dojo and began to spar.
    He had improved, but Akane had gotten better as well.  Johnathon was
fighting her on an equal footing.  He was still faster, and she was
still stronger, but their skill was practically equal.  Where her form
was more exact, his was more flexible, it was difficult to tell who had
the edge.
They fought for ten straight minutes.  Johnathon got in a couple more
blows than Akane, but she hit harder than he did.  They were both
getting tired, his endurance was up too!"  Soun called a halt."  "Very
good.  You've both improved I can tell, it looks pretty even.  Come
outside now, I wish you to work on your other form."  Johnathon looked
at Soun and nodded.
    They went out into the back yard.  Soun had set up three training
dummies.  He went up to the koi pond and filling a bucket, tossed the
water at Johnathon.  Johnathon didn't dodge and felt the change.  Kasumi
had been sitting in the living room sipping a cup of tea and she came to
the back door to watch.  "All right Johnathon-kun, we've seen your speed
in action against Ranma.  Why don't we see what you can do with your
claws."  Johnathon looked nervously at Kasumi who smiled and looked
gently at him.  "All right Sensei, how many pieces?"  He looked at Akane
who's jaw had dropped a bit.  "Just kidding."
    Soun also looked at Akane.  "Akane, why don't you show Johnathon
what I want."  "Yes daddy!"  Akane walked up to a dummy, took a stance
and started demolishing it with her bare hands.  After a dozen punches
she had the dummy tattered and mostly crumpled.  Akane gave it a final
kick with a yell and it flew into the air, landing 20 feet away.  She
stepped back, pleased with herself.  "Ok, I can do that."  Johnathon
gave Mr. Tendo a short bow and took a couple of steps toward the first
dummy.  He took a stance about ten feet away, then rushed forward in a
blur of motion.  A second later he was 10 feet behind the dummy, it's
throat was torn out and it's chest had five deep furrows in it.
    He turned and pounce on the other dummy.  "Rip, Rrripp!  Snap!"
Three solid blows had torn the dummy cleanly in half.  Not slowing, he
turned toward the first dummy and rushed past it tearing both it's arms
off, then a second later it's head went flying off to land in the koi
pond.  He was now standing in front of it as his arms blurred into
something resembling Ranma's chestnut fist, although much slower.
Johnathon shredded the dummy from top to bottom in five seconds, leaving
no piece bigger than his head.  The wood "backbone" was severed in half
a dozen places.  Johnathon stood still for several seconds then turned
to face Mr. Tendo.
    He was nodding slowly.  "Yes, yes, very good Johnathon-kun."  Akane
was impressed and a bit frightened.  She told herself that she had seen
much greater displays in the past.  <But never quite like that.>  She
forced herself to smile.  "Wow, John-san, that was great!"  Johnathon
looked gratified, but still a little worried.  Mr. Tendo looked around
once more at the carnage.  "That's enough for today Johnathon-kun."
Johnathon nodded and looked finally at Kasumi.  "Kasumi, could you bring
me some hot water please?"  Kasumi looked into his eyes and saw his
worry.  She carefully schooled his expression and smiled warmly at him.
"Certainly Johnathon-san."
    She left for the kitchen and Akane went to join her.  Mr. Saotome
came out with a Go board and Soun went over to play a game.  "Mr.
Tendo..."  Johnathon's distinctively thrumming voice caught Soun's
attention.  He looked back at him.  "I have something I wish to ask of
you."  Kasumi
came out with the water.  He went over, took it and poured it changing
back, while Soun waited patiently.  He walked over to Soun, formally
bowed and spoke.  "I wish to ask your permission to court your
daughter?"  Soun seemed to pause for a moment to consider then he
replied equally formally with a slight bow.  "You have my
permission."     Soun Tendo looked at Kasumi who beamed happily.
"Daughter, is this to your liking?"  "Yes father it is!"  Soun smiled
broadly.  "Ah this is happy news is it not Saotome?"  My eldest daughter
courted by a fine young man.  Akane and Ranma will benefit from their
good example!"  "Right you are Tendo!"  "Kasumi, bring sake for our
guest!"  Johnathon started to protest.  "But I don't... My training..."
"Nonsense!"  Soun beamed happily at him.  "Nothing is too good for my
new future son in law!"  "What?  Son in law, well I, um..."  Johnathon
quit protesting, seeing that Soun was not paying any attention.  He
looked apologetically at Kasumi she smiled at him, too pleased at her
fathers good cheer to want to explain things and ruin the mood.
    Johnathon sighed and prepared for a long night.  Kasumi shook her
head at her silly father but was cheerful none the less.  Johnathon was
afraid he would scare her, but she was confident that he would never
hurt her.  His ferocious display in the yard had been slightly
intimidating but that was not what had scared her.  Her feelings for him
scared her and she wasn't sure how she really felt for him.  She nearly
blushed recalling her reaction to his feline half.  He was cute, exotic,
and she found herself admitting she found him sexy as well, both sides
of him.  He was kind, caring and generous.  Kasumi could scarcely credit
the thoughts running though her mind.  There were negative things of
course.  He was a gajin for a start.  His curse had a scary down side.
She had known him for such a short time.
    Right at that moment however, she found the positive easily
outweighing the negative.  Johnathon was giving a despairing glance at
the sake.  Kasumi, understanding his problem, poured him a small portion
while filling the two fathers glasses full.  They all got quickly drunk,
Johnathon lost consciousness after imbibing only a small fraction of
what the fathers drank just to get a good buzz.  They barely noticed and
went on partying.
   Johnathon woke the next morning with a splitting headache.  He found
himself in the Tendo's living room on a futon and covered by a light
blanket.  He rose and instantly regretted it.  Drawing upon every bit of
his willpower he staggered to his feet and checked the time.  He was
late for school!  Groaning he started to hurry to the school.  It was a
horrible day overall, the only bright spot was the memory of Kasumi's
smile.
    Akane could tell Johnathon was hung over from the night before and
kindly left him alone.  She was still torn over what to do about Dr.
Tofu.  Finally she decided that she needed advice, but who to go to?
Ranma would be no help, even if he had gotten better at listening to her
lately.  Akane was surprised at that realization.  They had been getting
along better ever since the aborted wedding.  She focused on her problem
again, shelving that line of thought for now.  Normally she could go to
Kasumi about this sort of thing, but that was out for obvious reasons.
    Her friends would listen of course, but this wasn't something she
figured she should spread around.  Finally she decided to talk to
Nabiki, wondering if she could afford her sisters advice.  She caught
Nabiki at lunch.  Nabiki was quite reluctant at first to produce an
opinion on the subject.  Nabiki was fighting an internal battle.  She
found that she was jealous of her older
sister, and didn't know how to deal with it.  She had been attracted to
Johnathon, but hadn't really realized it till after he decided to date
Kasumi.
    Nabiki the "Ice Queen" Tendo had never had a serious relationship
with a boy before.  They were too intimidated by her to even try.  The
few who had wanted to date her had either assumed that she could be won
over by money, or had wanted to get close to Akane.  Nabiki had envied
her sisters relationship with Ranma for some time.  Oh she wouldn't want
all the trouble, Ranma was too much of an idiot for her anyway, but
having him around did make life more interesting.  Johnathon looked like
his life would be an interesting one as well, and he didn't have Ranma's
shortcomings.  He was intelligent and polite.  He wasn't as classically
handsome as Ranma, but
he was exotic and interesting.  His felineod form was especially
interesting.  When she had first seen it she had been fascinated.
    What could she do about it?  He liked Kasumi, and Dr. Tofu was no
real competition as long as he could not stay coherent around Kasumi.
It was a shame really.  Nabiki frowned.  She really couldn't bring
herself to sabotage Kasumi's relationship, hurting her older sister was
something she just wouldn't do.  Poor Dr. Tofu, if only he could...
"Yes!"  Akane had been watching her sister ruminate for some time,
getting progressively more worried.  "What is it Nabiki?"  Nabiki turned
to her sister and smiled conspiratorially.  "Ok Akane, I know just what
we need to do."

         to be continued (Obviously)