All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North
America by Viz Communications. Sailor Moon was created by Naoko Taeuchi.

                                A Different Viewpoint pt 38

    With the school year over, Ranma, Akane and Johnathon immediately
prepared to leave for Ryogensawa, not even
waiting to find out how their final exams had gone.  They set out that
very afternoon, intending to return in three days.

    Nabiki seriously debated talking to Dr. Tofu about her plan, but put
it off.  <Shampoo's not fully recovered... I'll wait until
Ranma returns.>

    The small group took the train to Ryogensawa, and hiked into the
forest from the station.  When they had gotten far
enough into the woods that they wouldn't be seen by people, Johnathon
poured cold water from his canteen over his head.
He explained as they walked.

    Johnathon spoke quietly as they went further into the woods.  "Since
there's so many giant animals around here, I figured I
could use my cat form to our advantage.  My senses are a lot better as a
cat.  I can help us to avoid the animals."  Akane and
Ranma led the way, Johnathon trailed behind and kept alert.  Ranma
spotted two traps before they had gotten more than a
mile in and avoided them.  Akane had noticed one herself and steered the
group around it.  It was getting dark when
Johnathon's ears perked up as he heard a large animal heading their way
through the brush.  He slipped up to Akane and
Ranma.

    Johnathon's voice was a low whisper.  "There's something big, coming
fast, from that direction."  The half-cat pointed to
the right, where a gnarled clump of small trees and bushes overshadowed
on all sides with much larger trees, blocked their
line of sight.  "Lets hide quickly."  Johnathon suggested.

    Ranma nodded and started leading them toward a different stand of
trees, larger, and not quite as close together, off to the
left.  In his haste he failed to notice a trap.  The ground collapsed
under him and Ranma was barely able to leap away.  A
huge deadfall crashed down on top of the new pit, barely missing him and
Akane, who had been close on Ranma's heels.
Ranma landed half a dozen feet away and spun to see if Akane was
alright.  She was sitting down, having fallen backwards
to avoid the tree trunk that had collapsed inches in front of her.

    Johnathon suddenly glanced back behind them as he heard the noises
of movement suddenly increase in volume.
Whatever was moving around nearby, was now coming right for them.
Johnathon and Ranma both rushed to Akane's side
and hauled her to her feet in mid running step.  The three martial
artists raced for the trees, all efforts of stealth forgotten.
They reached the stand of trees and hid behind one giant trunk, just as
a weasel the size of a luxury car rushed into sight.  It
investigated the deadfall, then ran on, just passing their stand of
trees.

    When the monstrously huge member of the rodent family went out of
sight, the three from Nerima breathed a sigh of relief.
After a short pause, Ranma and Akane once again led the way forward,
while Johnathon went back to playing rear guard,
listening even more intently then before to the sounds of the forest.

    The small group had a few more close calls as they hiked deeper into
the woods, including a running fight with a group of
rabbits the size of compact cars.  When they finally came into sight of
Shinosike's house, Johnathon came to a halt and
stepped back among the trees.  The half-cat got out a small camp stove
and started to light it.

    "I'd better change back before meeting your friends.  I don't want
to start a fight."  Johnathon explained as he brought out
a metal cup and filled it with water from his canteen.

    Ranma nodded in understanding.  "Akane and I will go ahead.  We'll
let Shinosike know you're coming."

    Ranma and Akane headed for the house, and Johnathon squatted down
over his stove, waiting for the water to heat.  He
heard very light footsteps coming up behind him, just before their owner
came into view of the half-cat.  Johnathon's
enhanced hearing had been barely enough to pick up the quiet pace of an
experienced woodsman.  Johnathon ducked his
head and pulled his jacket collar up.  He hunched over his camp stove,
checking the temperature with one hand while holding
his jacket over his head with the other.

    "Hello?"  The voice was that of a young man, standing behind him,
but Johnathon didn't dare turn around to answer.  He
coughed, not wanting to reveal his slightly inhuman voice.

    "Excuse me?"  Came the man's voice again.  Johnathon nodded and
coughed again, trying to stall for time.  The water was
almost hot enough now.

    The man behind him put a hand lightly on his shoulder.  "Hey, are
you alright?"

    Johnathon nodded again.  "Just a second."  He rasped.  <The water
had better be hot enough now!>  Johnathon lifted the
cup quickly and splashed his face.  It seemed to take longer than normal
but the change came in seconds.  Johnathon turned
to face the young man, letting his jacket drop to his shoulders.
"Hello, is your name Shinosike?"  Johnathon took a good look
at the young man, who held a push broom in his left hand.

    The young man looked confused.  "Um, yes, I'm Shinosike... What just
happened?"

    Johnathon blinked innocently.  "Hmm?  What do you mean?"

    Shinosike frowned.  "Who are you anyway?  Do I know you?"

    Johnathon smoothly stood and bowed slightly.  "I am Johnathon
Dwire.  I'm afraid we haven't met before, although friends
of mine have told me about you."

    Shinosike scratched his head.  "Oh?  Well, why don't we go over to
the house, and we can talk."

    Johnathon nodded.  "That's a good suggestion. Lets do that."

    They walked over to the house and went in the front door.  Ranma and
Akane were sitting across a table from an older
man.

    Shinosike blinked.  "Hello."  He turned to Johnathon.  "It seems I
have three more guests!"

    The old man jumped up and punched Shinosike into the wall.  "I'm not
a guest, I'm your grandpa!"

    Shinosike got up and rubbed his jaw.  "Oh, right."  He blinked, then
took a careful look at Ranma and Akane.  "Um... am
I related to you two as well?"

    Akane laughed easily.  "No, Shinosike.  I'm Akane and this is
Ranma.  We were here a few months ago."

    Shinosike's grandfather nodded.  "They helped save your life, boy!
You should be grateful!"

    Shinosike blinked again.  "You did?  Um, thank you!"  He turned to
Johnathon.  "This is... um..."

    "Johnathon Dwire."  The tall english teacher supplied helpfully.

    "Right."  Shinosike nodded.  "Did you help save my life too?"

    Johnathon shook his head, trying not to smile.  "We just met.  I
came with Ranma and Akane."

    The old man nodded.  "Akane tells me that you have come for the
water of life."

    Johnathon nodded back.  "Yes.  My wife, Akane's sister, Kasumi,
needs it.  She has a... curse.  Two curses, actually.
The water of life can reverse the effects of one of those curses."

    The old man blinked.  "Oh?  What kind of curse?  And how do you know
the water of life can reverse it?"

    Johnathon glanced at Ranma and Akane, then shrugged.  "A curse from
the cursed springs of Jusenkyo.  Have you heard
of them?"

    The old man hesitated.  "I have, and I have recently found out that
the legends are true.  Unfortunately, I do not believe
that the water of life will lift such a curse, although I couldn't say
for sure."

    Johnathon shook his head.  "No, I'm afraid not.  The water is to
deal with the other curse, the cat's tongue pressure point."

    The old man looked interested.  "I was not aware that the water of
life could cure Shiatsu points."

    Johnathon nodded.  "It doesn't, however, it can treat the symptoms.
The Cat's tongue makes heat intolerable to the victim,
and hot water is what is needed to reverse a Jusenkyo curse.  The water
of life, however, negates pain as well as heals
injury.  Hot water of life can be used to transform my wife back to her
human form."

    The old man nodded in understanding.  "I see!  This is very
interesting.  The water of life has returned to the pools, but it
can be used but sparingly, or it will vanish once more.  For the ones
who saved my Shin-boy's life, I think we can spare
some.  This is a worthy cause.  I have a cask for personal use.  You may
take that with you.  It is getting late, however.  Why
don't you spend the night and leave in the morning?"

    Akane bowed to the old man.  "Thank you sir.  We accept."  Ranma and
Johnathon bowed as well.

    The old man clapped his hands together happily.  "Wonderful!  It is
always nice to have company.  I will start dinner.
Akane my dear, would you care to assist?"

    Johnathon jumped to his feet.  "Oh no!  Allow me!  I love to cook!"
Ranma sighed in relief.  Akane frowned but didn't
comment.  Johnathon glanced at Akane and looked slightly guilty.
"Akane, why don't we both help cook?"

    Akane smiled gratefully.  "Sure, I'd like that."

    Johnathon kept Akane from making too many mistakes, and Akane did
her best to control her impulses.  The surreptitious
addition of a couple drops of the water of life made the meal a
delicious one.  Night came and went, and with the dawn, the
three from Nerima were ready to return home.  Saying their farewells and
professing their thanks, they set out, hurrying
home.

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

    At the Tendo Dojo, Nabiki decided to go talk to Dr. Tofu.  <Ranma
and company are returning in another day or so, but
there is no reason to put things off any longer.>  Nabiki called out to
Kasumi as she passed the kitchen door.  "Hey,
Kasumi.  I'm going out."

    Kasumi stuck her head out and smiled.  "Alright, I'll be starting
dinner at six, so be back by then."

    Nabiki nodded.  "Sure thing, sis."  She walked to the door and out,
then started heading for Dr. Tofu's clinic.  When
Nabiki arrived, she waited for the doctor to finish with the last
patient before bothering him.

    As the final patient left, Dr. Tofu came out with a smile.  "So,
Nabiki, how can I help you?  No further side effects from the
hypnosis I hope?"

    Nabiki blinked.  <Hypnosis?  Oh yeah, Ranma got hypnotised.>  "Um,
no, doctor.  That's not why I'm here.  I wanted to
talk to you about something else."  She hesitated.  "Um, why don't we go
have lunch and talk."  She tried to keep from
grimacing.  "My treat."

    Dr. Tofu blinked in surprise.  "Why don't we go dutch, Nabiki."
Nabiki nodded gratefully.

    Soon they were in a small cafe booth.

    Dr. Tofu looked calmly across the table.  "So Nabiki, what do you
want to talk to me about?"

    Nabiki sipped her coffee, then put the cup down.  "Doctor, how do
you feel about Shampoo?"

    Dr. Tofu blinked in surprise. "Shampoo?  Well, she's a nice enough
girl.  She was an efficient nurse... when she worked for
me.  Why do you ask?"

    Nabiki took another sip of coffee to cover a nervous twitch.  "She's
quite good looking too, isn't she?"

    The good doctor raised an eyebrow at that.  "That's safe enough to
say, I suppose..."  He took a long look at the middle
Tendo sister.  "Nabiki, what are you hinting at?"

    Nabiki put her coffee mug down slowly.  "Doctor, have you thought
about marriage?  Since that time your mother came
here..."  She broke off, not sure quite how to proceed.

    He stared at Nabiki, the mention of marriage had his eyes wide in
shock.  He recovered quickly though, and straightened
his gi.  He gave Nabiki a questioning gaze.  "Why are you asking?"  He
paused to consider his next words.  "I believe you
may be aware that I had certain... hopes... that are no longer possible
at this point."  He looked at her sideways,  "Are you
suggesting Shampoo, as a possible marriage candidate?"

    Nabiki quickly took another sip of coffee.  "Ah, well you've got to
admit, she has a great set of hips.  I'm sure your mother
would be satisfied on that account."

    The doctor's eyes were wide at the suggestion, "Nabiki! I, I..."
Still he had to acknowledge the idea. He paused in
consideration and shrugged.  "Isn't Shampoo bound to marry Ranma?"

    Nabiki put aside the mug, and took a firmer tone.  "Yes, but it is
possible for her to marry another.  Pantyhose Taro
apparently discovered this.  If he had defeated both Ranma and Shampoo
in combat, then he would of been considered her
husband, having proven himself the more worthy suitor."

    Dr. Tofu looked thoughtful at this information.  "So, that's what he
was up to.  Yes, I remember now.  Nabiki, are you
suggesting that I defeat Shampoo, and Ranma in combat, then claim her as
my bride?"  Nabiki hesitated to speak, but he
shook his head,  "No, you don't need to say anything else, Nabiki, I
believe I know what your getting at.  I'm surprised this
didn't occur to me earlier."  He sighed, his eyes becoming calm and
thoughtful, and slightly sad.  "If Shampoo was too marry
another, she would be freed from the danger of being punished for her
failure to marry Ranma.  Cologne would then give
Kasumi the Phoenix pill, since her heir and Granddaughter would then be
safe."  He smiled wryly at Nabiki.  "You've put a
lot of thought into this, haven't you, Nabiki Tendo?"

    Nabiki flushed slightly and looked away.  "Doctor, I... I'm.."

    He interrupted, shaking his head.  No, don't apologize, Nabiki.  It
is a good idea.  Thank you for telling me all this."  He
stood, putting several bills on the table.  "I have to think about
this.  That should take care of my half of the bill."

    Nabiki nodded mutely.  Dr. Tofu smiled at her, but Nabiki didn't
look up to see it.  He sighed again, and nodding to
himself, turned to walk away.  A waitress came by a minute later to see
if the young lady wanted anything else.

    She heard quiet sobs as she approached, however, and decided to
leave her alone for awhile.  <Poor girl. she must have
been dumped by the man with her.>  When the girl came up to pay the
bill, the waitress was surprised to see no sign of
distress whatsoever on the girl's face.

    Nabiki paid the bill and left, her emotions once again firmly under
control.

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

    Back at the house, Kasumi was worrying about Johnathon, and getting
rather tired of her state of virtual house arrest.  <I
haven't been out of the house since the day Cologne gave me the Cat's
tongue, except once to meet the Sailor Senshi, as a
cat.>  Kasumi sighed.  <Johnathon will be home in another day.  Perhaps
I can go out then... and perhaps not.  The water of
life is not infinite.  Johnathon will probably want me to stay safe at
home, and I can't really blame him.  I'm not much of a wife
to him stuck as a cat.  It's dangerous going to Ryogensawa as well.  For
his sake, I shouldn't take chances.>  Kasumi sighed
again.  <But it's been so long since I was able to visit the market and
shop.  I miss it, and it's frustrating to be trapped here.>

    The day passed quietly, her father had gone to visit the Saotome's
and Nabiki had been out all day.  The house was quiet,
even C-chan spent most of his time napping.

    Kasumi finished the last of her chores, and knew that she would have
nothing to do for hours.  <Johnathon will be back
tomorrow.  I really should fix something special, but... We're all out
of ingredients.  Nabiki or Father would go for me,
but...>  Kasumi's resolve wavered, it was a cloudless sky outside, and
she hadn't been out in so long.  <I'll just be very
careful.>  She promised herself.  Writing a short note in case her
father or Nabiki returned home early, Kasumi headed for
the market.

    Nabiki returned to the Tendo home half an hour later to find a house
empty except for a sleeping kitten.  The note Kasumi
had left got her worried right away, but Nabiki gave her sister the
benefit of the doubt.  Half an hour passed, and it started to
get dark.  Nabiki was really worried now, but decided to give Kasumi a
few more minutes.  Ten minutes passed, then
twenty, and it was getting quite dark.

    Nabiki shook her head.  <She's in trouble.>  Nabiki went to the
phone.  <Kasumi should have been back by now.>
Nabiki called the Saotome house first.

    Nodoka answered.  "Hello?"

    Nabiki quickly explained.  "Auntie Saotome?  Kasumi went to the
market while I was out, and she hasn't come back.  I'm
getting really worried."

    Nodoka's voice was calm and comforting.  "We'll come right away.
Stay at home for now, Kasumi might come back
while you're gone if you leave now.  We'll start from here, and search
the market ourselves."

    Nabiki took a deep breath.  "Right, I'll be here."

    Nodoka hung up and Nabiki started dialing again.  Somehow, Nabiki
was not surprised to get no answer at Dr. Tofu's.
She debated calling the Cat Cafe, then called the Ucchan's while she was
thinking about it.

    The phone was picked up almost right away.  "Ucchan's! Can I help
you?"  The okinamiaki chef immediately volunteered
to help search for Kasumi, and promised that Konatsu would assist as
well.

    Nabiki waited another five minutes before finally resolving to call
the Cat Cafe.  She sighed in relief when Shampoo
answered the phone.  "Nihou!  Cat Cafe,  you want order?"

    Nabiki  spoke quickly.  "Shampoo! I'm glad it's you.  Kasumi went to
the market over an hour ago, and she hasn't come
home.  Could you help...?"

    Shampoo interrupted in a rush.  "Aiyah!  This not good!  Kasumi in
much danger of cold water.  Market not safe place for
cats what not know how to be cat.  Shampoo go right now!"  There was an
abrupt click as Shampoo hung up the line in a
rush.

    Nabiki blew out a breath, more worried then before, thanks to
Shampoo's disturbing assessment.  "Damn, I can't just wait
here when Kasumi might be in trouble... but someone needs to be here in
case she makes it home."  Nabiki quietly swore to
herself.  She got out the phone book, turning to the page holding the
number for animal control.  <Just in case>

    Shampoo hurried into the kitchen after hanging up the phone.  She
poured a large glass of water.  <Best way to find cat, is
be cat.>  She poured it over herself and an instant later crawled out of
her clothing, even as the glass fell to the floor.  <That
stupid Moose could help, if he wasn't still recovering from the fight
yesterday.>  Shampoo jumped out of a window and
headed for the marketplace at high speed.

    Nabiki hung up the phone.  No black cats had been found recently,
and Nabiki was out of options.  She slowly walked
into the living room.  Near the table, the kitten, C-chan, stirred at
Nabiki's entrance.  The kitten had been asleep for some
time. and it was feeling wide awake now.  It went over to Nabiki,
meowing at her for attention.  She sat down and picked up
the kitten.  "Hello C-chan.  At least your here, safe."  C-chan meowed
interrogatively, and Nabiki petted it in response.
"Sure, Kasumi will be fine.  She has you to look after, right?"
<Kasumi, please be alright.>

    Shampoo found her first clue after only a few moments of searching.
A single shoe was on the side of the street.
Shampoo checked it out.  It appeared to be one of Kasumi's, it was wet,
and there was a small amount of water in the sole.
Shampoo smelled it carefully.  The scent was faint because of the water,
but it was there.  It was indeed Kasumi's shoe, but
where was the rest of her clothing, and where was Kasumi?  Shampoo noted
that the pavement was just slightly damp near
the shoe and the water spot corresponded pretty well to how a pile of
clothing might fall.

    <Someone noticed the discarded clothing and picked it up.>  Shampoo
reasoned.  <Most likely, Kasumi headed home
from here.>  Shampoo started heading for the Tendo Dojo, moving slowly
and trying to pick up Kasumi's scent.  Shampoo
started to get worried as she recognized the area she was moving
through.  <This is were that large dog stays.  I hope
Kasumi didn't run into him.>

    Half an hour earlier, Kasumi was hurrying home when she got splashed
from above.  Someone dumped a bucket out of a
second story apartment window without looking.  Kasumi instantly changed
into a cat, her clothes and groceries dropping to
the ground in a heap.  She was shocked, and almost angry.  The cat
crawled slowly out of the bundle of clothing and paced
around nervously, too stunned to immediately head home.  She remained by
her clothing until an elderly woman came out of
the apartment and picked up her clothes and the groceries, carrying them
into the building.  Kasumi now had to comfort her
self with the notion that the old woman would find her identification in
her purse, and return her things home eventually.

    She headed for home then finally, trying to avoid thinking of
Johnathon's reaction when he arrived home from
Ryogensawa.  <He'll scold me at first... he won't yell, and he'll
apologize afterwards for complaining... but he'll be
disappointed.  Nabiki will scold me, and father will cry...>

    Kasumi was lost in thought when a ferocious bark startled her
several feet into the air.  It was almost to late to run, the dog
was nearly on top of her when it rushed her from an open doorway.
Kasumi landed and dashed away, a hair's breath to the
side of the mutt's slavering jaws.  Only her practice sessions with
Shampoo, Luna and Artemis, and later with just the two
moon cats, kept her alive in the first few seconds.  Fear leant her
speed, however, and she began to gain ground.  Though
she was too frightened at the time to tell, the dog was a pit bull,
vicious, and faster than he had a right to be.  She ran, through
almost thirty seconds of adrenaline pumping terror, in the first
direction that presented itself.  Her initial rush began to fade,
and Kasumi realized the animal was gaining on her, so she took the only
sane route available, and went up a tree, climbing
frantically to avoid the massive mutt's attack.

    Now, at the top of a small tree, Kasumi sighed tiredly.  <Won't that
horrible dog just go home?  How long is he going to
stay down there?>

    She'd been in the tree now for what seemed like hours.  The pit bull
wasn't showing any sign of becoming bored and
leaving.  Kasumi sighed,  <Go away doggie!  My family is going to be
worried about me!>  Even had the dog been able to
read her thoughts, she doubted it would care.  <I really wish I could go
home now.>

    Kasumi's ears picked up at a strange sound.  Strange at least, in
it's proximity to the dog below.  A cat was meowing
nearby.  Kasumi surveyed the street for the sound... sure enough, a
small white cat with pink socks and ear tips was licking
it's paw in the middle of the street, seemingly unaware of it's danger.

    The pit bull glanced up at the small black cat in the tree, then at
the tempting new target.  The white cat had walked closer,
and was now examining a bit of grass at the side of the street.  Giving
in to the temptation, the dog started stalking forward,
and when it felt it was close enough, leapt at the seemingly innocuous
feline, jaws agape, drooling for her tender flesh.

    At the very last instant, Shampoo dodged away, raking the dog's
tender nose as she easily sidestepped the larger animal's
rush.  The pit bull yelped in surprise, and slowed it's motion,
uncertain for a moment.  Shampoo didn't hesitate, however, and
took the attack to the mutt, her fur on end, hissing and spitting, she
tore into the dog.  Though it must of outweighed her at
least 20-30 times, it couldn't touch her, and soon the animal, scratched
and limping, was running terrified of the small pink
and white demon.

    Shampoo sat back and carefully licked a few specks of blood from her
paw as she watched it tear around the corner.

    Kasumi made her way down the tree, jumping down the last six feet.
She walked up to Shampoo with a grateful purr.
Shampoo meowed at her questioningly and walked around her, checking her
over.  Satisfied that Kasumi was unhurt,
Shampoo used her head to indicate that Kasumi was to follow her.

    Kasumi nodded and Shampoo led the way back toward the Tendo dojo,
purposely taking a circuitous route to avoid
other hazards.  Kasumi noted the route and kept careful track so she
would remember, easily guessing Shampoo's reasons
for such a roundabout path.  When they arrived at the Tendo home, they
found the gate wide open and Nabiki waiting just
inside the fence, holding C-chan.

    "Kasumi!"  Nabiki was ecstatic.  "Shampoo!  Thank you!  You found
her!"  Nabiki sighed in relief.  "Come on in you two.
Shampoo, I'll get you some hot water and something for you to wear.  We
still have one or two of your dresses around
here."  Nabiki led them inside, holding the door for them.  "Kasumi, I
was really worried.  You should know better then to go
out by yourself.  You should have stayed her and waited for one of us to
go shopping for you."

    Kasumi nodded sadly.  <Nabiki is right, I did know better.  Feeling
cooped up was no excuse.>

    One by one, the searchers called in, or came to the Dojo.  Nabiki
thanked Ukyo when she came to the Dojo with
Kasumi's shoe.  "Thanks Ukyo, Shampoo just brought Kasumi home."

    Ukyo smiled in relief.  "Oh good.  When I found this shoe I was
afraid something bad might have happened."

    Shampoo came out then from the direction of the bathroom.
"Something bad almost do happen to Kasumi."  She said
informatively.  "Big dog try eat Kasumi, Kasumi was stuck in tree."

    Ukyo and Nabiki both gulped at that, and they both looked quickly at
Kasumi as if checking to see that nothing was
missing.  Ukyo shook her head.  "Boy, It can be dangerous being a cat,
huh Kasumi?"

    The little black cat nodded.

    Shampoo shrugged helplessly.  "It not easy live with curse.  Shampoo
know."

    Nabiki looked at the amazon with mixed emotions.  <In a way, Shampoo
is the cause of Kasumi's problems, but
somehow, I can't blame her for it.>  "Shampoo, thanks for bringing her
home."

    Shampoo shook her head in dismissal.  "Is not important.  Shampoo do
anytime."

    Kasumi looked up at the girl and purred her gratefulness.

    Ukyo nodded.  "Well, all's well that ends well.  I've got the dinner
rush coming, I should probably go and get what
business I can."

    She and Shampoo turned to go.  Shampoo turned one more time at the
door. to speak.  "Shampoo must also return to
restaurant, see Kasumi later."  She bounded off over the wall, not
bothering with the gate.

    Moments later, as Ukyo walked out, Nodoka arrived.  She looked glad
to see Kasumi safe, if stuck in cat form again.
"Oh good, I'm so glad you're alright.  Genma and Soun will be by soon,
so we can wait here for them."  She paused to kneel
by Kasumi and look her in the eyes politely.  "I stopped by that nice
Dr. Tofu's office while I was looking for you.  He should
be told your alright."  Saying this, she stood, and looked at Nabiki
expectantly.

    Nabiki gave her a blank look for a moment, before saying.  "Oh, I'll
call him."  She headed for the phone.

    Nodoka looked after Nabiki then at Kasumi and sighed.  Kasumi seemed
to share the sigh, and she shrugged as she
looked up at Nodoka again. Nodoka said quietly to her.  "I know you've
been handling these things Kasumi, but Nabiki
should at least know how to welcome a guest properly."  She looked
thoughtful.  "Perhaps... I could help you teach your
sisters?"  She paused and bowed contritely.  "Of course I don't mean to
intrude..."

    Kasumi nodded enthusiastically at Nodoka's suggestion.  <What a good
idea.>  The two ladies, (one feline), followed
Nabiki inside.

    Nabiki was just hanging up the phone.  She turned to shake her head
at the two of them.  "No answer.  Oh well."  She
frowned.  "I'm sure he'll check in sooner or later."

    Fifteen minutes later Soun and Genma walked in.  They both broke
into relieved grins when they saw Kasumi sitting safely
of the kitchen counter watching Nodoka as she demonstrated a recipe.

    "Time for a drink to celebrate!"  Genma declared,  and the two men
went into the living room to get seriously drunk.
Genma made sure too keep sober enough to enjoy his wife's cooking
though.

    Dr. Tofu arrived half an hour later, followed by Ranma, Akane, and
Johnathon.  He had met the others as they were
getting off the bus from their trip.  The four of them heard Genma and
Soun 'celebrating' and went around the back to see
them.  As they came around into the back yard, Johnathon spotted his
wife.  He was ecstatic to see her safe and sound, even
if she was a cat.

    He shouted, "Kasumi!", happily and headed towards her.

    As he did so, a menacing voice came down from the outer wall.
"Dwire!  For all that you have done to my beloved
Shampoo, I will make you pay!  For the humiliation you've dealt to me, I
will destroy you!"

    Everyone looked up to see Mousse standing there, obviously enraged.
Johnathon then had to dodge a volley of knives.
He quickly shucked off his pack, which was bulging with the cask of
water he'd brought from Ryogensawa.  He then tossed
it towards Akane, even as he dodged a flung chain.  "Here, Akane, keep
that safe!"

    Mousse spotted the rapidly moving black object.  <I have you!>  He
thought as he tossed a pair of weighted chains to
ensnare his enemy.  He then yanked it towards himself.  <Has he lost
weight?>  Mousse heard Ranma, Akane, and his foe
shouting at him.  "No, don't!  Drop it!"  and "I'm here, leave that
alone!"  came from different parts of the yard.  Disregarding
their obvious diversion, Mousse yanked his opponent high into the air.
Leaping to meet his target, he brought out a pair of
giant maces, bringing them swinging into his target.  <Wow... I killed
him?>  Mousse was just stunned enough that he failed
to realize his danger until the three furious martial artists hit him
from all sides as one.

    Mousse collapsed under the triple assault.  Johnathon rushed to the
koi pond where the remains of the backpack had
fallen, but he could see it was no use, the cask had been shattered.  He
leapt at Mousse's fallen form screaming.  "You blind
idiot!"  Ranma and Akane grabbed him to restrain him.  The pair looked
across at each other, surprised at the effort it was
taking to restrain him.  Johnathon was straining, his face red and eyes
flaring.  He was shouting almost incoherently.  "You've
destroyed Kasumi's cure!  I'll kill you!!"

    Akane almost lost her grip as Johnathon smashed her in the chest
with a flailing elbow.  "Oof!  John-san, calm down!"

    Dr. Tofu started to move in behind Johnathon to apply a sleep
Shiatsu, even while a part of him wanted to let him at the
unconscious male amazon.  Kasumi beat him to it though.  She leapt over
to Mousse's chest and meowed worriedly at
Johnathon.

    That seemed to reach him, because he stopped struggling.  "Kasumi."
He said it quietly so that only Akane and Ranma
(and Kasumi probably) could hear it.  He said a little louder.  "OK."
His voice was trembling with adrenaline.  "Alright, you
can let me go.  I won't attack him."  They released his arms and, as if
his strings had just been cut, he dropped to his knees.
Kasumi ran to him, and he scooped her up, bringing her to his chest,
slowly, as if it was the most important thing he had ever
done.  He cradled her gently, like a piece of fine china 3000 years
old.  Then, though no one could see his face, he lowered
his head, and began to cry.

    Dr. Tofu took Ranma and Akane, (who was about to lay a shaky hand on
Johnathon's shoulder), by the arms and led
them back away from the scene.  They turned away and followed the doctor
inside.  Everyone left Johnathon and Kasumi
alone and gathered in the living room.

    Dr. Tofu sat down and looked at Ranma.  "That was the water of
life?"  He asked quietly enough that Johnathon wouldn't
hear him.

    Ranma nodded.  "Yeah, I'm afraid so."

    Akane nodded sadness and anger mixed on her face.  She rubbed her
chest absently.  "According to Shinosike and his
grandfather, that was the last of it for awhile.  There's only so much
that they can take from the springs at one time,  It'll be at
least a month before we can get any more."

    Everyone looked aghast at the news.  Nodoka looked horrified.  "A
month!?"  She put a hand over her mouth and looked
anxiously at the back porch after her outburst, but heard nothing.  She
said much softer, "Kasumi will be stuck as a cat for a
month?"

    Ranma and Akane slowly nodded.

    Dr. Tofu stood up suddenly, his face a mask of determination.  "Not
if I can help it."  He looked strongly at Ranma who
blinked, never having seen the doctor's face so composed.  "Ranma, meet
me at the Cat Cafe tomorrow at noon."  He
looked around at the rest of them,  "You all should be there as well."

    Soun and Genma stood together.  "Right!  We'll make the old woman
give us the pill!"

    Soun added.  "My baby won't have to go through this any longer!"

   Genma nodded.  "I'm right behind you old friend."  <If were going to
confront Cologne, I'm _way_ behind you.>

    Dr. Tofu looked calmly at them.  "Just be there.  I'll explain
tomorrow."  He turned then to go, only pausing to bow slightly
to
Nodoka.

    Akane was puzzled.  She looked at the ground as everyone else
watched the doctor leave.  <What is he up to?>  She
heard a slight sound behind her, <Was that a sob?>  and turned to see
the source.  Nabiki was sitting there, also watching
the doctor leave, and her face looked funny.  <Is she sad?  Nabiki?
Why?  Is it because of Kasumi?>  Akane watched her
sister compose herself, hiding behind the mask of aloofness once more.
<That must be it, right?>

    Outside, Johnathon stayed there, quietly crying, his heart pounding
louder to Kasumi then any other noise.  Gently, like rain
on a spring day, Kasumi could feel his tears on her own face.  She
wanted to cry too.  <Please, don't feel this way... please.
I'll be alright.>  Not having ever seen her husband like this, she was
torn up as well.  Uncertain how she could cheer him up,
she tentatively licked his chin.

    Johnathon froze, then chuckled. He held Kasumi tighter, and squeezed
her to his chest.  "Oh, Kasumi.  I wish... I wish..."
Slowly he released his hug and let her down.  He left one hand on her
shoulders and back, stroking her gently.  "A month
Kasumi, a whole month."

    Kasumi shook her head, and nuzzled firmly into his hand.  Johnathon
scratched her behind the ears. "Can you make it?
Kasumi, can we make it?"  She looked up at his face and slowly, but
firmly nodded.

    Johnathon nodded back, his eyes becoming calm once more.  "You're
right, we can, and we will, my love.  We can, and
we will."  He repeated more softly to himself.  He noticed Ranma and
Akane peeking at them from the porch, and Mousse
beginning to stir.  He stood slowly, and booted Mousse into the pool
with his foot after turning to walk inside.  "It's late
Kasumi, let's go to bed."  He set her down.  She nodded, and the two
walked together into the house and up the stairs.

    There was a chorus of sad sighs as the Tendos and Saotomes watched
them head upstairs.

    Moments latter a small white duck burst out of the pool and quacked
angrily.  Akane and Ranma looked at each other,
nodded, and grabbed the fowl.  Next thing Mousse knew, he was wrapped up
in his own chain, and apparently making a
new field goal record.

    Akane walked back into the house looking a bit happier.  Suddenly
something occurred to her.  "Hey, has anyone seen
Ryoga?"

    Nodoka, Soun, and Genma all turned to each other questioningly.  "I
thought he was with you?"

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

    Somewhere, on the streets of Hiroshima, Ryoga wandered, calling,
"Kasumi?  Where are you?"

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

                        End pt 38

The rest of this series can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/