Subject: [FFML] Happi Days: Kasumi and Tofu (so far)
From: Nick Leifker
Date: 6/5/1998, 12:27 AM
To: ffml@fanfic.com


Here's what Metro was commenting on.  

(Comments snipped)

Beyond that, I thought up a little scene.  Feel free to use it if you like.

     Kasumi Tendo looked up from her notes, and sighed.  She watched as
Dr. Tofu was checking up on one of her patients, making sure that the
young woman was healthy in mind as well as in body.  The doctor's
soothing, unthreatening voice calmed the girl down allowing her to check
the patient's physical condition, and offered her comforting words for a
person offered no comfort save personal oblivion.  

     In a very disturbing way, it was like looking in a mirror.  Like
herself, Tofu beamed a gentle, comforting smile that could stop armed
conflicts, wore her dark brown hair in a ponytail over her right shoulder,
and had taken to wearing the utilitarian skirt-and-blouse combinations
that she herself preferred.  It was as though Tofu had chosen her 
to emulate, and had become a reasonable facsimilie of her as a result.

     Weary of the day, she glanced over at the clock.  6:30.  The work was
almost done; all Tofu had left on the schedule was a haunted young lady in
a boy's uniform.  She could see it in the girl's mannerisms: she'd already
begun to slip, and it wouldn't be long before she succumbed.  It was for
these patients that Tofu was at her best.  

     She watched, a touch of envy entering her features as Tofu began her
examination.  Tofu didn't even touch the girl physically; she never did
unless the patient asked for it or the situation called for it.  The girl
started her tale, how she felt, *what* she was feeling... and soon burst
out crying.  Tofu comforted the girl with a master's touch; she'd make an
excellent mother one day...

     Before Kasumi knew it, Tofu had ended the session.  "Hikaru, if... I
wish I could give you a formula to make it all better.  If... you need
someone to talk to, I'll be here."  She gave the former boy one last hug,
and sent her on her way.  

     Tofu waved goodbye to the patient, then turned back inside.  "Thank
you for your help, Kasumi."

     Kasumi bowed, hoping her sadness wouldn't show.  "It was my pleasure,
Doctor."

     Tofu straightened out the wrinkles on her skirt, and let out a long
yawn.  "ohhh.... I could use a bath."

     In that moment, Kasumi saw her chance.  "Um... doctor, do you mind if
I join you?"

     For an moment, Tofu faltered, a motion that nearly sent Kasumi to
tears.  It disappeared like a summer breeze, though, as she straightened
herself up.  "It would be my pleasure.  Follow me."  

     Kasumi followed Tofu upstairs and into the furo.  The two quickly
began undressing, neither one self-conscious of the other's presence.
They quickly moved into the shower section of the bath, and started to
scrub.

     Kasumi couldn't help but notice Tofu as she lathered herself up.  The
young woman was young, well-endowed, and blessed and cursed with the
flawless beauty that came from Jusenkyo's touch.  Unlike the other victims
of Happosai's water, though, Tofu carried an air of grace around herself,
a confidence that took her years to master.  

     Tofu finished scrubbing her hair, and looked over at Kasumi.  "You
know, I would expect Happosai to ogle me like that, but not you, Kasumi."

     The young woman blushed.  "Sorry, Doctor.  it's just that the changes
are so..."

     "Strange?"  A soft chuckle came from Tofu's lips.  "Tell me about it."

     Kasumi resumed her own scrubbing.  "Well, it's not just the physical,
but there are... other things... for instance, you're more graceful than
the others."

     Tofu smiled.  "Thank you for noticing."  She picked up a bucket of
rinse water.  "Some of us weren't affected fully by the curse."

     "What do you mean?"

     The good doctor poured the water over her head.  "How much has your
sister changed as a result of the curse?"

     Kasumi shrugged.  "Not much, really.  I mean, she's more interested
in boys and cooking now, but for the most part she's still Nabiki."  

     "Just as I am still the good doctor."

     "Huh?"

     Tofu wiped the water from her eyes, and pushed the hair out of her
face.  "Nabiki has always been interested in being a businesswoman.  It's
been her calling ever since I've known your family.  When the curse hit
her, it tried to change her, but her desire to go into business was so
strong that it had to work around her.  Something similar happened
with me.  I... Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a doctor,
to help people and to care for their problems.  As a result, I remained
largely me... and largely not."

     Kasumi moved closer to Tofu.  She could sense the doctor's
nervousness.  "What happened to you, Doctor?  You've talked about everyone
else's change... what happened to you?"

     Tofu rubbed her face in her hands.  "I... I didn't have time to feel
the change inside of me.  I had too many people who needed my help.  I...
I didn't even notice what had happened to me until I looked at you."  

     The good doctor moved closer to Kasumi, and put an arm around her.
"The first day after the change, I put on a bra and panties.  I told
myself that they were necessary, due to my new figure.  The next day I
wore a dress, because it fit me better.  I... I didn't notice my bedside
manner changing as I worked.  I... was becoming more motherly, and I
didn't even notice, I was so busy.  Then... then you walked in, and I
realized what I had lost.

     "Kasumi, I... I love you.  I want to be your friend now.  I want to
go out shopping and talk about life and to help people with you.  I value
that friendship now more than anything.  But it hurts sometimes... because
I remember wanting so much more, and never getting a chance to tell you."  

     Kasumi closed her eyes.  Tofu loved her, just as she loved him... and
now loved her.  "Tofu... how much is there left of you?"

     The doctor got up from the stool.  "Enough.  Enough to know what
happened to me.  Enough to see how much I lost - and how much I gained."

     "What have you gained, Doctor?"

     Tofu smiled.  "Peace of mind.  You as a friend.  A sense of purpose."
She stuck her foot in the furo, then quickly pulled it back out.  

     "What's wrong?"

     Tofu looked at the water fearfully.  "I... the water's too hot."

     Kasumi looked at her.  "What do you mean, 'too hot'?"

     Kasumi's eyes widened as she looked at Tofu's face.  There was a
touch of anticipation... but fear was there, as well.  "I... felt a
tingling.  When I put my foot in the water."  

     Kasumi narrowed her eyes at her.  "You mean... you think you'd change
if you went in?"

     Tofu's scared eyes gave her all the answer she needed.  

     "Then what are you waiting for?  Get in!"

     Tofu shook her head.  "I... I know this may seem difficult for you to
understand, Kasumi, but I'd rather not."  

     Kasumi looked her in the eye.  "Why not?"

     Tofu let out a long, deep sigh.  "Because of what I'd lose if I did.
I'm at peace now, Kasumi.  I am a woman now; I have hopes and dreams of
raising a family of my own.  I... if I dove in, I'd be constantly going
from one form to another, sometimes a guy, sometimes a girl, but never
truly one or the other.  Also... I have you for a friend, something I've
wanted for a long time."  She reached out to touch Kasumi's cheek.  "I
don't want to lose that."  

     "Baka," Kasumi whispered.  "You won't lose me.  I promise.  I'm not
letting you go, even if you go absolutely crazy on me as a woman.  Now...
are you going to run from yourself forever, or are you going to dive in,
with me, right now?"

     For a moment, she thought she'd pushed too far.  She knew Tofu had a
woman's desires; she just hoped there was enough left of 'him' for her to
try.  She watched as indecision flashed in her eyes, as she looked from
herself to the pool that was her doom.  She watched expectantly as Tofu
looked at her, like a dear caught in headlights, and nodded.  

     Kasumi walked behind Tofu, and held on tightly around her stomach.
"Okay.  Follow my lead."  She lifted her foot over the wall and into the
bathtub.  Tofu was more hesitant; it was as though her body were fighting
the change.  Kasumi moved both feet into the furo, and waited for Tofu to
follow her.  It took a moment, but she did.

     "Now, Tofu, I'm going to slowly go into the water.  I'm not going to
let go of you, not before the change, not after the change.  Okay?"  Tofu
nodded.  She slowly eased herself into the hot water, holding onto Tofu
for dear life.  

     For several seconds, nothing happened, a moment in which all of
Kasumi's hopes crashed.  Then she felt it, as the body in her arms
expanded, and her hopes rose.  Tofu's waist moved outward and to the side,
while her chest flattened from sensitive curves to hard, compact
 muscle.  She tried not to look at his body; she had his modesty to think
about, after all.  

     Then the tremors came, nervous twitches as the male Tofu realized
where he was, and who he was with.  She held onto him for dear life, not
allowing herself to feel the strain of muscle against muscle, all the
while whispering soothing words into his ear.  After a few moments, the
spasms faded to a soft quivering, then relaxed.  

     "Shhh, Tofu, it's all right," Kasumi breathed, letting her fingers
play through his damp hair.  It was still at the length it was before the
bath, but somehow it fit him.  When he'd finally relaxed enough to be
himself, Kasumi leaned against his shoulder, and began to cry.  

     "Thank you, Kasumi."  The voice sounded different to her ears.  It
was softer... gentler than the masculine Tofu she knew, but a touch more
powerful than the woman she'd become friends with.  The best combination
of both, she decided.  

     "You're welcome, Tofu... you're welcome." 

**********

-- Nick