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Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 21:23:58 -0700
From: Pat Olsen <tagan1@ccaccess.net>
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Subject: A Scary Difference Chapter 4 prereaders version
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                    A Scary Difference Chapter 4

    Kasumi sat and listened in amazement as she listened to Genma and
Nodoka fill her in about the details of their Kasumi's life. In many
ways, her life in this world seemed even more chaotic than Ranma's life
in her own. By the end of the story, one particularly disturbing fact
had come to her attention.

    "So I'm an Amazon, and Mousse challenged me to win both Shampoo and
me in marriage?" Kasumi's voice was a bit high in alarm, though she
quickly brought it under control again.

    Nodoka nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so"

    Genma spoke up, realizing what the real problem was. "If Mousse
discovers your current state, he'll surely challenge you again, and
there is no way he would lose now." He paused to look at Kasumi. "No
offense meant, my dear."

    Kasumi shook her head in negation.  "None taken, Mr. Saotome.  I'm
fully aware that I'm not a fighter."

    Nodoka looked grim now.  "We'll just have to keep anyone else from
finding out... until we can find a way of reversing whatever has
happened."

    Kasumi frowned slightly, showing her extreme worry.  "Oh my.
Makoto-chan and Shampoo know something is wrong.  I hope it's not to
late to keep them from telling others."

    Nodoka paled.  "Genma, you must hurry to the restaurant.  Find
Shampoo and Makoto and bring them here.  Kasumi's weakness must not be
revealed."

    Genma nodded to his wife and got to his feet.  "I'll do my best,
dear.  Hopefully it's not already too late."

    As he started to leave, Nodoka reminded him.  "Get some of Kasumi's
clothing while you're at it.  If we are to keep people from realizing
that Kasumi is no longer a martial artist, it would help if she wasn't
wearing one of my dresses."

    Genma nodded again.  "Yes, dear."  He hurried off before Nodoka
could add anything more.

    Nodoka looked then at Kasumi.  "As for you, Kasumi-chan, I think
it's best if you remain here for now."

    Kasumi nodded. "That does seem wise, Auntie Nodoka."  < But how can
I contact the Senshi if I'm stuck here?  Johnathon has their numbers,
not me.>

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

    Frost broke away from the pool with a curse.  She hadn't been able
to determine much.  The world she was watching was probably her own, and

the Kasumi there was almost certainly not the master martial artist that

her counterpart was.  "If Mousse finds out, Shampoo will be married to
that idiot in five minutes.  This is intolerable.  I have to reverse the

spell."  She pondered.  < But how?  I can't leave this in-between
place.  Somehow I'm tied to both Kasumis, and those ties are keeping me
here.  If I could somehow untangle these cords...> Frost shook her
head.  "I have to go back to the beginning to reverse the spell."  She
declared to the void.  She headed off, determined to find the center of
the non-place she was in.  < Once I find where I was, perhaps I can come

up with a spell to reverse this.>

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

    Elsewhere, Johnathon Dwire hung up the phone, having failed to
contact the Sailor Senshi.  "Gone."  he muttered to himself.  "They've
all gone on a trip."  He slowly walked back into the living room.  < If
I can't reach the Senshi, how can I get my Kasumi back?  Cologne's in
China, Happosai's been missing for over a month, there's nobody I can go

to for help.>  He smiled wryly.  < Not that I'd trust Happosai for a
minute, but according to Ranma, the old pervert does know some things.>

    Akane looked questioningly at Johnathon as he entered the living
room.  He shook his head.  She sighed and nodded.  Kasumi and Ranma were

cheerfully exchanging stories and commiserating.

    Ranma was speaking as Johnathon came in.  "So Ryoga was an old buddy

at school for you too.  Did he follow you to Jusenkyo?"

    Kasumi shook her head. "No. Your Ryoga went to Jusenkyo? What
happened?"

    Ranma had the grace to look embarrassed.  "Well, Ryoga showed up
right after pop knocked me into that spring.  I was chasing pop around
and I accidentally knocked Ryoga into another spring as I was chasing
pop."

    Kasumi nodded, and looked at Ryoga in sympathy.  "I'm sorry to hear
that. So what spring did you fall into, Ryoga?"

    Ryoga coughed.  "Um, spring of drowned black piglet.  It's been
tough, let me tell you."

    Kasumi nodded and Ranma rolled his eyes.  "Oh yeah, except for when
you were pretending to be Akane's pet!"  Ranma turned to Kasumi.  "Man,
you wouldn't believe all the trouble I got into when he first started
sleeping in Akane's bed!"

    Ryoga sputtered.  "R-ranma!"

    Ranma ignored the lost boy for a moment.  "I went in there with a
kettle and ended up getting caught in Akane's room.  Everyone thought I
was tryin to take advantage of Akane or somthin.  You kept saying we
should wait till we were married, and they..."  He jerked his thumb at
the two fathers playing Go, "...kept encouragin me.  I couldn't explain
why I was in there cause of the dumb promise I made to Ryoga not to
reveal his curse, man that was ridiculous. At least you never had to
live anything like that down."

    Ryoga meanwhile was turning red.  "Ranma!  How dare you call me
ridiculous!  Prepare to die!"

    Ranma led Ryoga outside where the two began to pummel each other.

    Kasumi watched long enough to be sure it wasn't serious, before
turning back to Akane with a small smile.  "Actually I believe I can top

that story."

    Akane nodded.  "Really?  What happened Ni-chan?"

    Kasumi blushed a bit.  "Well it's quite embarrassing."

    Ranma and Ryoga were suddenly back sitting next to them.

    Ranma-chan blinked cute eyes at Kasumi. "Ah, come on, I told you
mine, you gotta tell me yours."

    Kasumi looked shocked for a moment.  "Ranma?  Ranma, why do you have

red hair?"

    Ranma blinked, then shrugged.  "How'm I supposed ta know?  That
spring didn't say 'spring of drowned red headed girl... I guess it's a
rec..reccess kinda thing."

    "A recessive Gene Ranma?" Johnathon said quietly.

    Ranma nodded.  "Yah, something like that.  Now, come on Kasumi,
share your story, it's only fair, right?"

    Kasumi shrugged slightly and nodded.  "I suppose... it involves a
secret I promised not to tell, but since this isn't my dimension, I
don't suppose anyone back home will hear about it.  As long as you all
promise to keep this a secret from anyone from my world?"  Everyone
nodded.  Kasumi shook her head, "I really shouldn't... but."

    Ranma smiled winningly.  "Come on, you know you want to."

    Kasumi smiled back.  "Oh why not.  Alright then."  She paused before

beginning her story.  "An old friend of mine followed me to Jusenkyo as
well, though I didn't find out about it till later.  After I fell into
the spring of drowned man, I ran into a c-cc-cat."  She paused and
shuddered.  "I bolted, and ended up knocking Ukyo into the spring of
drowned wolf.  Of course I didn't realize it at the time.  Ukyo was a
friend of mine from the time Genma and I stayed in...."

    Ranma interrupted "Ukyo Kuonji?"  Kasumi nodded.  Ranma blinked.
"Wow, small world.  Pop didn't try to engage you to her for her father's

cart, did he?"

    Kasumi shook her head,  "No of course not.  We were both girls.  Did

that happen to you?"

    Ranma nodded.  "Yup, Ukyo, Akane, and Shampoo were all engaged to me

cause of my stupid pop."

    Kasumi blinked.  "Where is your Ukyo now?"

    Ranma sighed. "She runs an Okonomiyaki shop in town.  She goes to
school with Akane and me.  Ukyo's finally stopped tryin to get me ta be
her husband...."  He looked sad for a moment.  "I hope Ucchan finds
someone for herself."

    Kasumi took that is thoughtfully.  "Hmm.  my Ukyo wasn't engaged to
anyone.  She considered herself my rival, and showed up in Nerima to
challenge me time and time again.  I swore on my honor not to reveal her

curse, after I found out about it, and then...."  Kasumi paused, chewing

her lip.

    Ranma laughed.  "Let me guess, Akane adopted her as a pet.  Oh man,
that's hilarious."

    Kasumi shook her head. "Actually no, Ranma, you did.  In my world
Ukyo is your pet wolf Ryouko. I've tried to get her to tell you the
truth, but she's afraid that you'll reject her."

    Akane laughed.  "So!  I'm not the only one who can be fooled, eh
Ranma?  Looks like you couldn't figure it out either."

    Ranma was shaking his head.  "So, this 'embarrassing' incident...
let me guess, you came into my room with a tea kettle?"

    Kasumi shrugged.  "No, I just went in to carry her out.  I didn't
want to expose her like that.  Auntie Nodoka just walked in at a bad
moment.  There was no way I could explain."

    Ranma shook his head wryly.  "Caught 'in the act' huh?  Still,
that's not so bad.  Sure it was embarrassing and all, but it's not worse

than what happened to me.  It's not quite the same when a girl sneaks
into a guy's room."

    Kasumi looked at him.  "Oh?  Well, never-the-less, it wasn't quite
that simple.  Ukyo is quite a large wolf, and in the struggle, she...
ahem, ended with my shirt in her jaws, and I ended up on top of my
world's Ranma when Auntie Nodoka walked in."

    Ranma pictured the scene, blushed and nodded.  "Oh my.  Yeah, you
win."

    Time passed quickly for them as they continue to share stories of
their lives.  Finally Kasumi stopped Ranma's recollections with a
question.  "What am I like, here in your world?"  She looked curious.
"Most of your stories don't include me."

    Ranma hesitated, so Akane answered.  "Well, in some ways you're
alike, but mostly not."  She looked thoughtful.  "You're both really
nice, and you think of others first, and you both can cook...." She
paused trying to think of other similarities.

    Johnathon said softly. "When she's in a room, there is a sense of
peace about it.  When she smiles, you get the feeling that everything is

going to be alright."  His voice drifted off.

    Akane jumped in again, eager to explain her sister to this person
who was so like her, and yet not.  "When mother died, you took over for
her.  In many ways, you became our mother.  I don't know what we would
of done with out you... I mean her."  Akane looked away for a moment. "I

guess, in your world, Auntie Nodoka lived here with Ranma and took care
of us, but here, it was Kasumi who kept this family together through the

worst.  She made us a family."

    Kasumi tried to picture it.  Taking over for her mother, becoming a
housewife, caring for the family, instead of training to be a martial
artist.  <I was so young back then...  How would I be different?>  She
tried to see herself in Nodoka's shoes, wearing the female clothing in
the closet and drawer upstairs.  It was strange, so far from her own
life as to be nearly incomprehensible.

    Kasumi pondered her own future.  She was heir to the school of
Anything Goes martial arts.  It was quite possible that she would end
up marrying Ranma and together they could run the Dojo.  Of course, it
was also quite possible that she would end up being dragged off to China

to live with Shampoo.  In truth, no future presented itself to her as
likely.  Her fate was very much undecided in her own world.  < If I ever

get home that is.>

        Kasumi looked around at the others.  "Was I happy here?  Being a

housewife?"

        Everyone started to nod and smile.  Nabiki spoke up.  "Kasumi,
that is, our Kasumi was a wonderful, I mean, is a wonderful person.  I
think she was perfectly content to care for us, happy to see that her
family was well cared for.  Until recently at least.  My older sister
was almost always cheerful and content.  Until she met Johnathon."
Nabiki glanced at the tall, fair skinned man.  Kasumi followed her gaze,

looking at the man who had married her counterpart in this world.
Nabiki smiled at Johnathon, he had been listening quietly, sitting next
to Akane, trying not to feel left out.  Nabiki winked.  "After he came,
my sister was never the same."  Nabiki's voice grew serious.  "Kasumi
was sometimes sad, scared even at times.  She worried about Johnathon
and her future."

    Nabiki paused, grinning slightly at Johnathon's discomfort.  "In
exchange, she was in love, Kasumi was happier being in love with
John-san than at any other time in her life.  They had some tough times,

but they always loved each other, and still do."  Nabiki smiled at her
brother-in-law.  "I think these last years, Kasumi was starting to get
worried about her place in our family, as we all began to grow up, and
didn't need her quite so much. Now she has a husband who loves her, and
a future bright before her, if we can only bring her home..."  Nabiki's
smile had faded, and she looked slightly embarrassed to have spoken so
verbosely.  "Yes, my sister was happy.  Truly happy.  I hope she's
alright."

   Kasumi nodded.  "I do too.  I hope we can bring her back as soon
as possible."  Kasumi sighed.  "I wish I knew how."  As Nabiki was
speaking of her older sister, Kasumi found herself imagining herself in
that life.  For a long moment she could  see it.  A loving husband, a
family, and a future.  It began to draw her like a moth to a flame.

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

    Frost sighed heavily.  "Alright, I've found the center... I think.
Now what?"  She contemplated the vast blackness, broken only by the long

red lines of the astral cords that tied her to the two Kasumi's.  "I
can't return to my dimension while I'm tied by these cords, so either I
break one of them, or I figure out a spell to reverse the whole
process."  She shook her head.  "I don't know what breaking one of these

might do to me....  I might be flung out of this place into a totally
different dimension, or cease to exist entirely.  Before I act, I've got

to know how this happened in the first place."

    Frost sat in thought, running through what she knew, and what she
didn't.  "Ok, I cast a spell to expel Kasumi Tendo from our plane.  It
backfired, obviously, and dragged me through as well.  But while Kasumi
seems to have ended up changing places with her counterpart in a
different world, I got stuck here.  Why?  Why were the Kasumi's
exchanged, and why was I left here?  The Kasumi's... do seem to have
certain similarities, properties in common.  When I cast the spell, I
felt an inertia holding Kasumi to our plane.  The force of my spell
sought to overcome that inertia, but suddenly, the inertia was gone, and

we were pulled through."

    Frost blinked.  "The spell wasn't powerful enough to expel Kasumi
from our world, but it could exchange her.... So the other Kasumi, with
her similarities, was exchanged.  In the process, the spell went wrong,
pulling me through as well, but... if there wasn't a counterpart to me
in the other world, I would be stuck halfway... as I was."  Frost
groaned.  "I can't believe I made such a simple mistake!  OK, saying I'm

right about this, what do I do about it?"

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

    Artemis had gone in search of Makoto as soon as Nodoka had
discovered Kasumi in the bath. He had gone to the restaurant first and
snuck in through the second floor window she usually left open just
enough to admit him. He was relieved to find her present in the bedroom
with the door closed. She had her communicator out and was talking to
Ami.

    She spotted Artemis as he arrived. "Artemis! Listen, you won't
believe what happened!"

    Artemis snorted, "Let me guess, Shampoo disintegrated Kasumi with a
glass of water."

    Makoto blinked in astonishment. She opened he mouth to speak, then
closed it again with a snap. Ami's voice came through over the
communicator. "Artemis, what do you know about this?"

    He walked over and leapt up on Makoto's lap to speak directly into
the communicator. "For starters, I suppose Makoto told you that she met
a Kasumi that wasn't the Kasumi she knew?"

    Makoto nodded, then added. "Yeah, that's right, but when Shampoo
splashed her..."

    Artemis broke in. "Her Jusenkyo curse activated. She was... is a
Kasumi from a parallel world, one that resembles, but is not the same as

this one. She turns into a cat when splashed with cold water.

    Makoto gaped at him as Ami deduced, "You've met her, Artemis?"

    Artemis spoke again into the communicator. "Yes, she knew me on
sight and approached me for help. Apparently on her world she knows
about the Sailor Senshi, all of us. Kasumi told me that Shampoo was
going to attack her this morning. Apparently Kasumi woke up this morning

in the wrong world. When Shampoo splashed her she waited until you two
weren't looking and snuck off.  She showed up at the Tendo Dojo and saw
me entering.  We used C-chan's board to communicate, and Kasumi revealed

that she knew all off the Senshi's identities.  Apparently her world and

ours are different enough that we revealed the secret to her.  I helped
her get to the Tendo's bath, and she changed back to human right in
front of me."

    Ami sounded a bit skeptical.  "How can you be sure that she isn't a
Youma or another trap of theirs?  It seems a bit too convenient that she

knew about us all, and came to you for help."

    Artemis shook his head firmly.  "No way, I didn't sense any evil
energy at all.  Besides, Makoto said herself that our Kasumi saw right
through the senshi disguise.  It was just lucky she thought it was a
costume in this dimension.  No, I tend to believe her story.  She's
definitely Kasumi Tendo, except one from a different reality than ours."

    Makoto shook her head disbelievingly.  "That's incredible... she
changes into a cat?  I guess that does explain her just vanishing like
that. Cologne and Shampoo couldn't figure out what had happened, they
finally went looking for the magus, Frost."  She looked down at the
feline in her lap and frowned slightly.  "Do you think she might have
had something to do with this?"

    Artemis shrugged, a languorous movement on the cat.  "No idea.  I
wasn't able to talk with Kasumi much more than I told you.  We were
interrupted by Nodoka Saotome and I left Kasumi to explain things to
her."

    Ami spoke up.  "Makoto, perhaps you should go to the Tendo's and
talk to Kasumi.  If she knows us from another dimension, she should know

to keep our secret, but we shouldn't take any chances.  I'll talk to the

others and we'll decide what to do.  We'll contact you later.  Artemis
can go with you, since he knows the most about this situation so far."

    (In the background Makoto could hear the others talking.  Mina: "But

what if they're Evil Robot Us's?"  Artemis put his paws over his face
and groaned.).

    Makoto spoke into her communicator.  "Right Ami, we're on our way.
Makoto out."

    She picked Artemis from his comfortable position on her lap and
headed downstairs.  She looked up the restaurant and then headed in the
direction of the Tendo dojo.  They had barely gone halfway before a
bulky figure ran past them on the opposite side of the street.

    Artemis looked up at her.  "Hey, wasn't that Mr. Saotome?  I wonder
where he's going?"

    She nodded.  "I think so, lets hurry to the Tendo's.  I hope
nothings wrong...."  She broke off speaking to the furball in her arms
as Genma came running back down the street, carrying a few of Kasumi's
cloths in his arms.

    He ran right up to her, looking around nervously.  "Where is
Shampoo?" He asked rapidly with no preliminaries.

    Makoto frowned.  "With Cologne.  What's going on?"

    He looked left and right before continuing as if he hadn't heard.
"Where are they?  It's important."

    Makoto shook her head impatiently.  "I don't know.  They went
looking for the Magus, Frost.  Does this have something to do with
Kasumi?"

    He blinked confused till she pointed out the outfit of Kasumi's he
was holding.  He then nodded, and took on a serious expression.  "Yes,
come with me to the dojo, and I'll explain."

    Makoto hesitated, < How did he get that outfit so fast?  I was
sure I locked the place?>  She sighed, < Well, I was headed there
anyway.>  "Alright."

    She followed Genma to the Dojo.  As he opened the gate,  Makoto set
Artemis down.  The white moon cat nodded at her, and ran around the
fence towards the back of the house.  Makoto followed Genma into the
living room.  Soun, Nodoka and Kasumi sat around the table.  Makoto
feigned surprise. "Kasumi?!  What's going on?  What happened to you?"
She listened as Kasumi explained what Artemis had already told her.  <
Well, her story's consistent.>  Makoto was finding herself beginning to
believe her as well.

    When Kasumi had finished the basic explanation, Nodoka spoke.
"Genma, where is Shampoo?"

    Makoto answered for him.  "She and Cologne are looking for Frost.
They think she might have something to do with Kasumi's
'disappearance'." She looked puzzled and added.  "Why are you so eager
to find Shampoo? She was ready to brain Kasumi earlier."

    Nodoka explained.  "We need to keep Kasumi's current condition a
secret.  If that Mousse fellow was to learn of her weakness, he would
challenge her again for her and Shampoo's hand in marriage."

    Makoto's eyes widened.  "And this Kasumi isn't a martial artist!"

    Kasumi was quick to agree.  "I'm afraid not.  I gave it up when I
was young.  I'm not really a fighter at all."

    Makoto nodded.  "I'll keep the secret."

    Nodoka smiled at her gratefully.  "Thank you dear.  Hopefully,
Shampoo and Cologne won't tell anyone for their own reasons.  At least
until we can tell them the truth."  She looked pointedly at her
husband.  "Hadn't you better get going, Genma?  You still haven't found
them, or brought Kasumi that change of clothing."

    Genma jumped up.  "Yes Dear.  I have that right here."  He put the
outfit on the table, then hurried off under Nodoka's watchful eyes. "I'm

going!"

    Makoto sighed frustrated as Kasumi fingered the outfit tentatively.
< I've got to talk to Kasumi alone, but how will I manage it?>   Kasumi
glanced at her, her expression both worried and questioning.  Makoto
shrugged helplessly. < With Soun and Nodoka here, we can't talk.>

    Kasumi's thoughts were on much the same lines as Makoto's, but more
worrisome was the outfit.  < Do I really wear clothes like these here?>
She asked Makoto.  "Do you think you could help me with this Makoto?
How do I...  I mean, the other me, usually dress?"

    Makoto jumped on the suggestion.  "That's a great idea!  I mean, why

don't I show you how she usually dresses?"

    Nodoka nodded.  "That's probably a good idea Makoto-chan.  Kasumi,
you can change in your old room."  Kasumi nodded, smiled, and started
heading for the stairs.

    Kasumi opened the door and found herself facing a young man's room.
< Oh my, I suppose Ranma got my room when I left.>  She turned down the
hall to enter Ranma's room in her world.  <I suppose this would be my
room here.>

    When they reached the room, Makoto shut the door behind them, and
opened the window.  A few moments later Artemis leapt in.

    He looked about.  "Well I'm glad you got away together, good
thinking. Now maybe we can think of some way to take you to see the
other Senshi."

    Kasumi looked at him at bit confused.  "Oh, I suppose it was
convenient."  She then turned to Makoto.  "Do you think the Senshi can
help me, Makoto-chan?" She paused in thought as Makoto looked in concern

at Artemis.  "I know you went to another Dimension, but can you travel
to mine?  I don't think it's quite the same thing as going to Beryl's
world."

    Makoto stared at Kasumi, amazed.  "You know about that too?  Just
how much did we tell you in our dimension, and why?"

    Kasumi looked at Artemis.  "It was an accident really.  Artemis
thought I was Luna for a moment, and spoke to me.  I was very curious
about a cat that could talk, I guess it was natural."

    Makoto glared at Artemis who jumped a bit at her appraisal.  "Hey!
It wasn't me remember? It was the other me's fault."

    Kasumi was quick to agree.  "It wasn't really his fault,
Makoto-chan. You were all here helping us deal with... Well, a problem,
and it was an understandable mistake, I do look a lot like her when I'm
a cat."

    Makoto nodded.  "I suppose so.  Sorry Artemis."  She held out the
traveling outfit Genma had brought.  "Shouldn't you get changed?  We can

try to think of something while you do."

    Kasumi nodded, and began to get out of Nodoka's house dress.  Makoto

hastily turned around, blushing slightly.  Kasumi noticed the other
girl's reaction, and stopped undressing.  "What's wrong?"

    Makoto turned back around sheepishly.  "Um... I'm sorry Kasumi, I
guess it's silly."  Her eyes to the floor, she tried to explain.  "You
see, when I met you, I didn't know about your curse, and then you were
trapped as a guy for so long... I kinda..."  She broke off too
embarrassed to continue immediately.

    Kasumi was confused.  < What is she trying to say?>

    Artemis added helpfully..  "She had a crush on you."

    It was Kasumi's turn to blush slightly, and Artemis had to quickly
dodge a swift kick from Makoto.  "Hey!"

    Makoto just hrumphed.  "Great, thanks Artemis, now she thinks I'm
some sort of pervert."

    Kasumi shook her head.  "I don't think that at all.  This was when
my other self was stuck as a man correct?  You couldn't of known he was
really a woman, so please, don't worry."  To punctuate this, she began
undressing again. Makoto didn't blush much this time, and soon Kasumi
was trying the outfit on. She noticed fairly rapidly that it was a bit
big on her.  The pants had the same sort of closures at the bottom that
Ranma usually wore.  The shirt was loose as well, and Kasumi wondered
how big the other Kasumi really was, when she turned into a man. <I
wonder if he's as much bigger than me as Ranma is too his cursed form.>
She asked Makoto.  "How big is he?  I mean the other Kasumi?"

    Makoto looked at her and blinked.  "Um, a head taller at least, I
think, and his chest... is bigger, sort of."  She pointed at Kasumi's
chest. "She doesn't wear a bra either."

    Kasumi blinked at that.  "Really?  Oh I suppose it would be
inconvenient.  I guess I can see why Ranma dislikes wearing girls
clothing so."

    Makoto boggled at that.  "Ranma?  He wears?  Wow, I didn't know
that."

    Kasumi looked a bit puzzled, then laughed.  "Oh no, I mean my Ranma,

not the one here."  At Makoto's continued expression she explained.  "In

my world, Ranma was the one to go to Jusenkyo with Mr. Saotome, and he
fell in the spring of drowned girl while he was there.

    Makoto laughed.  "So, what does he look like as a girl?"

    Kasumi had gotten the shirt back off, and handed Makoto her bra.
"Ranma-chan was is a very cute red head, about this tall."  She
gestured.

    Makoto laughed.  "I would like to see that.  Hey, wait, our Ranma
doesn't have red hair."

    Kasumi nodded.  "Neither does ours, I think it might have something
to do with the pool he feel into, though Nodoka-san does have a slightly

reddish tint to her hair, don't you think?"  She finished putting on the

shirt, and fidgeted uncomfortably.  "Are you sure this is OK?  I don't
feel quite right without it."

    Makoto nodded, and Artemis piped in.  "I think you look just fine
Kasumi."  He then looked pointedly at them both.  "Don't you think we
need to talk about how where going to get Kasumi to see the Sailors?"
They both nodded, a bit sheepishly.

    Makoto suggested, "Why can't we just tell them you're going to
school?  I bet Miss Hinako has already called the restaurant wondering
where you are."

    Kasumi nodded.  "I suppose so.  Miss Hinako?  Is she the principal
here?"

    Makoto shook her head.  "No, she's your assistant."  She looked at
Artemis.  "What do you think of my idea?"

    Kasumi was thinking quietly about it.  < It sounds dangerous, I
wonder if Mousse is likely to show up at the school.>

    Artemis however didn't see a problem with Makoto's plan.  "OK, why
don't we do that then.  I'll meet you two outside, then we can catch the

train to Juuban."

    The two girls nodded, and Makoto opened the window again for
Artemis, who leapt outside.

     Kasumi was still worried.  She turned to Makoto as the girl was
going to open the door.  "Makoto, if Father doesn't agree to your plan,
perhaps its best if you bring the others by here in the evening when
everyone is sleeping."

    Makoto looked at her surprised.  "Do you think they won't go for
it?"

    Kasumi looked uncertain, but smiled at Makoto.  "I think you have a
good plan Makoto-chan, but Father does tend to worry too much
sometimes.  If he doesn't think it's a good idea, I'll sneak out to join

you tonight."  She looked uncomfortable with that idea, but nodded to
herself. <I should do this. If Father is to get his real daughter back,
I'll need the help of the Senshi.>

    Makoto shrugged back, and opened the door.

    As the two walked back into the living room, Kasumi thought to ask.
"Makoto, what was the other me like?  I mean, how do you think I should
act differently?"

    Makoto blinked.  "Well Kasumi, I haven't really known you for very
long... as yourself that is."  She frowned, remembering her aborted
crush on Kasumi's handsome alter ego.  "I only learned that Kaneda was
really you a short time ago.  Right now, like I told you, you'd be at
School.  You're my homeroom teacher."

    Nodoka overheard this and nodded.  "That's right.  I suppose we
should call the school to give them some sort of explanation, before
anyone comes looking for you."

    Makoto and Kasumi sat back down, Soun looked at Kasumi carefully. "I

suppose you'll pass inspection Kasumi, but something seems a bit
different."

    Nodoka looked at Kasumi and nodded slowly.  "Now that you mention
it... I think Kasumi's hair is usually styled a little differently. But
I'm sure it's close enough."

    Soun nodded.  "You look very good though Kasumi-chan.  Now we must
find out how this happened, and somehow reverse it!"  He nodded sagely.
"We must find the secret of the transfer."

    Nodoka looked at Makoto.  "Dear, do you know if anything unusual
happened to our Kasumi last night?"

    Makoto thought about it.  <I wonder if Shampoo often sneaks into
Kasumi's bed?>  She shrugged. "I'm not sure, I don't remember anything
really strange."  <I wonder if they did anything... no, no, I'm sure
they didn't...>

    Kasumi added.  "I don't remember anything unusual happening to me
either."  She looked at Nodoka.  "My husband and I went to sleep at the
same time as we usually do, then when I woke up I was here."

    Soun and Nodoka looked thoughtful, and a silence settled over the
room.

    A few minutes later, Makoto interrupted their silent contemplation.
"We can't just wait here, Kasumi should get to school don't you think?
I'm surprised Miss Hinako hasn't already called asking about her."

    Nodoka looked uncertain.  "I'm not sure that's such a good idea,
Makoto-chan. As I've heard, one reason Kasumi was selected to take care
of this class, was because of her skills, in case the class was to get
rowdy,"  She paused as she regarded her guest.  "No offense meant
Makoto-chan."

    Makoto flushed just slightly but shook her head.  "None taken,
still I don't think it would be too dangerous..."

    Soun broke in looking at Kasumi. "Oh no!  How can we keep you safe
if you're not here? You shouldn't leave!  How would we get our Kasumi
back if something were to happen to you?"

    Kasumi's brow furled a bit in reaction to Soun's pleading tone.
"Father, I think I would be fine.  If anything does happen, I can always

hide as a cat, then no one would recognize me."

    Soun and Nodoka blinked at that.  Nodoka spoke first.  "You did say
that you didn't transform into a man, but you didn't say that you
changed into a cat.  How did that happen?"

    Kasumi sighed.  "I was cursed by water from Jusenkyo,  although the
circumstances were different.  I've never actually been to Jusenkyo,
like your Kasumi."

    Makoto chimed in.  "Right, that's how Kasumi got away from Shampoo
at the restaurant.  We thought she had vanished."

    Kasumi nodded.  "As a cat, no one will be able to find me, so no one

will find out the truth."

    Soun shook his head.  "My poor daughter, are you destined to always
be cursed?"  He looked confused then.  "What about the Cat-fist?"

    Kasumi shook her head while Makoto looked up curiously at that.
"Ranma had the Cat-fist where I come from, not me."

    Nodoka looked a bit angry at that, and muttered.  "His own son, that

Baka..."  ,under her breath.  Then she turned to Kasumi.  "Hiding as a
cat might work, but hiding a cat here would be difficult, because our
Kasumi's cat phobia is well known."

    Kasumi nodded.  "I understand.  Then perhaps I should go to a place
where a cat would not be unusual?"  She shot Makoto a glance.

    Makoto quickly nodded.  "Oh, I bet I know a good place!  I have a
friend who loves cats, Kasumi would be safe there."

    Nodoka looked doubtful.  "I'm still not sure that this is a good
idea. How could we contact Kasumi?  How will we get our Kasumi back if
she's not here?"

    Soun nodded enthusiastically.  "Yes, I'm sure we can keep you safe
here Kasumi, you shouldn't go."

    Kasumi frowned slightly, and tried one last time. "Father, Auntie,
I'm not sure..."

    Soun interrupted.  "Well I am.  You must stay here until we figure
out how to return you where you belong and bring our Kasumi back."

    Kasumi sighed, defeated.  "If that's what you think is best."

    She shrugged to Makoto, who kept herself from groaning out loud. <
Now what?  I guess I'll have to get the others over here tonight like
Kasumi suggested.> She looked up from where she was studying the table.
"Well then, I guess I should be going to school."

    Kasumi looked at her and nodded.  "I suppose that's best,
Makoto-chan... Will you be all right?  You've missed a few hours
already."

    Makoto grinned and nodded.  "I'll be fine, especially if my
'teacher' writes me a note."

    Kasumi blinked in surprise.  "Oh my, do you think that would be
proper? I'm not really your teacher you know."

    Nodoka smiled.  "I'm sure it will be fine, and that way Makoto can
take an excuse to the school for your not showing up this morning."  She

paused in thought.  "I suppose we can tell them you were ill this
morning."  At Kasumi's doubtful look she added intelligently, "Well, you

certainly weren't feeling quite yourself, right?"

    Kasumi nodded slowly, thinking.  "I suppose I can tell them I
certainly wasn't feeling up to the job?"

    The others nodded, and Nodoka went to get Kasumi a pen and paper.  A

few minutes later Makoto was walking to the school.  Artemis caught up
to her after half a block and walked on the fence near her head.  He
asked, "So, what happened?  Where's Kasumi?"

    Makoto shook her head.  "They didn't want to let her out of their
sight, too dangerous they said."

    Artemis groaned.  "Great, what do we do now?"

    Makoto shrugged.  "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to
school.  Kasumi told me she'd try to sneak out when everyone else is
sleeping, and meet us near the Dojo, so I guess we'll wait till after
school, then go tell the others."

    Artemis nodded, and leapt down.  "OK, I guess that'll do.  I'll see
you after school."  He started back the way they had come.

    Makoto watched him go.  "Where are you going anyway?"

    Artemis didn't look at her as he answered.  "I think I'll just look
around for C-chan."  < And ask her if she remembers a cursed spring.>

    When Makoto arrived at school it was lunchtime.  She went to the
teachers lounge to deliver Kasumi's note first.  Miss Hinako was in her
adult form.  Makoto thought, <I wonder if she had to drain a lot of
people today with Kasumi missing.>  She handed the note to her.

    Hinako read it, and nodded to Makoto.  "It was good of you, Miss
Kino, to take care of your Sensei like this, but in the future I would
appreciate a call if your going to be late."  She glanced at the note
again.  "Did Miss Tendo tell you when she might be coming in?"

    Makoto blinked.  "Um, I'm not sure, she really didn't look so good.
I think it might be a day or two."

    Hinako nodded.  "I see.  Well, I suppose I'll make do."  She nodded
to Makoto again.  "Well, thank you Miss Kino, you can join the others at

lunch."

    Makoto left then eagerly enough.  The cafeteria was filled, in one
corner several students looked like they had been on starvation diets
for months.  Kuno was among them.  She stared at the poor souls as she
past.  < Boy, maybe she is a Youma, those guys look beat.>  She saw
Akane waving at her to join her.

    Ukyo stared at her curiously as she sat down.  "So where have you
been? Do you have any idea where our esteemed teacher might be?"  The
sarcasm dripped from her like maple syrup.

    Makoto frowned.  <I still wonder, why does she hate Kasumi so much?>

"She's not feeling well today, I took her, um, to see the doctor.  She's

at the Tendo's place now."   Ukyo's face wrinkled in distaste, but she
didn't comment.

    Akane frowned back.  "Really?  That's too bad.  Did Dr. Tofu say
what the problem is?"

    Makoto looked at the ceiling.  < OK, what do I say?>  "Oh, she's
fine, just... overwork, she needs a few days of rest."  < That's good.>

    Akane appeared worried.  Ranma actually looked up from his food as
Ukyo laughed in a low voice.  "Heh, I'll bet."

    Ranma said, "But it's nothing important, right?  She's OK?"

    Ukyo frowned at the concern in Ranma's voice.  "Of course she's ok,
you heard Makoto, just overwork."  < Like I'd get that lucky and it'd be

serious.>

    Makoto shrugged slightly, "Yes, she's fine, just tired."  Ranma
nodded and went back to inhaling his lunch.

    Akane shook her head.  "Well, I'm glad she's not ill."  She
brightened suddenly.  "Maybe I can make her something to cheer her up
while she's home?"

    Everyone else flinched at this.

    Ranma interrupted, "I thought you wanted her to get better Akane?"

    Much violence ensued.