-- Listar MIME Decryption --------------
-- Content: Included message
Message-ID: <371EA734.47BAFA34@ccaccess.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 21:36:06 -0700
From: Pat Olsen <tagan1@ccaccess.net>
Reply-To: tagan1@ccaccess.net
X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.02 [en] (Win95; U)
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: freemage@hotmail.com, sommer@3rdm.net
Subject: A Scary Difference Chapter 7 prereaders version
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
A Scary Difference Chapter 7
Kasumi walked through the darkness, following the red string. She
peered into the clear pool that lay at the end and saw a dark but
familiar room, occupied by a sleeping form under the sheets of the bed.
Kasumi couldn't make out much, save that the person was male in
appearance. She stepped through the pool, and suddenly found herself on
the bed. She knelt down above the sleeping form, joyful tears forming
in her eyes. The man started sitting up, disturbed by her sudden
arrival.
Kasumi threw herself upon him happily, hugging and kissing him
energetically. "Johnathon! Oh Johnathon, I'm back! Oh I missed you so
much!"
The man grabbed reflexively for her shoulders and pushed her back.
"Who? Who are you?"
Kasumi-onna heard the strange voice and immediately realized that
the man she had been embracing was most definitely not her husband.
With a shrill shriek she jumped back, falling off the bed.
Kasumi-otoko (Currently in male form) stared wide eyed at the woman
sitting cowering on the floor. It was too dark to make out her
features, but she was certainly naked, as her affectionate greeting had
proved. Her voice, and form, seemed very familiar, but Kasumi couldn't
quite place it....
The bedroom door was suddenly flung open, and both Kasumi's looked
out to see Ranma, Akane and Nabiki. Ranma was clad only in his boxers,
and Akane seemed to be wearing her pajama top, while Nabiki was fully
clad in her pajamas. The three teens looked wide eyed at the two
Kasumi's in the room.
Kasumi-onna suddenly remembered her state of undress and grabbed at
the bed covers to pull over herself.
Kasumi-otoko glanced at the woman on the floor, suddenly realizing
what she had called out. "Johnathon...." Kasumi-otoko gasped.
"Kasumi! You're back!"
Kasumi-onna looked wildly at Kasumi-otoko. "Who are you? What are
you doing in my bed? Where is Johnathon?"
Everyone looked at the handsome well built man in boxer shorts,
sitting on the bed. Ranma and Akane realized at the same time that they
knew him, just before he spoke.
"I'm Kasumi." He explained, pointing to his chest. Looking down
Kasumi-otoko felt mildly foolish. "I mean... you're Kasumi, but I am
too...."
Nabiki's eyes were wide in shock. The gorgeous man sitting on the
bed was her sister?!? < That's Kasumi? My god, she never said she
turned into such a hunk!> Nabiki tore her eyes away and looked
bemusedly at Ranma and Akane, remembering them both coming out of
Ranma's room.
Just then Johnathon ran up the stairs to them, taking in the scene
with a glance. He blinked, then looked again, just to make sure he
wasn't seeing things. The man on the bed was the man who had attacked
him in the Cat-fist, but the woman on the floor....
"K-Kasumi? Is that really you?" Johnathon went instantly to her
side.
Kasumi-onna saw her husband and sighed in relief. "Johnathon!"
Johnathon Dwire-Tendo went to his knees and hugged his wife
tightly. She hugged him back, crying in relief into his shoulder.
Seconds later, Soun ran up, in his usual gi. "What's going on?"
Nabiki chuckled. "I've got it figured out, daddy."
Soun turned to her. "Yes?"
Nabiki simply rolled her eyes and held out her hand.
Soun looked pained and desperate. "You'd charge your own father?"
Johnathon kissed Kasumi on the lips, then on the forehead. "I'm
just glad to have you back. Are you OK? Is everything alright?"
Kasumi-onna nodded happily. "Oh yes, everything is wonderful! It's
so good to be home!"
Kasumi-otoko sighed, and leaned over to get his borrowed tee shirt
from the floor. He pulled it on quickly and got out of the bed. "I'm
glad you've gotten home, Kasumi... chan." He smiled down at the
reunited couple with only a hint of sadness.
Kasumi-onna looked up at the stranger in her husband's tee shirt and
boxers. "I had heard that you changed into a man, Kasumi... kun. I'm
sorry I screamed."
Kasumi-otoko shook his head. "It's OK, no harm done. I got wet
when I went outside to the dojo earlier. I didn't want to wake anyone,
so I hadn't changed back."
Akane blinked. "Oh, Kasumi-kun. I'll get you some hot water." She
turned and headed for the stairs.
Soun glanced at his youngest daughter, noting hr missing pajama
bottoms and disheveled hair, then looked over at Ranma.
The Tendo patriarch grinned and clapped Ranma on the shoulder.
"That's it, boy, initiative!"
Ranma just sighed in resignation.
Nabiki chuckled some more. "Actually, daddy, I don't think it was
Ranma who's been taking 'initiative' here." Soun looked confused and
Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Details will cost you."
Ranma glared at her. "Nabiki!"
Nabiki smirked at him and winked. "Don't worry, nothing perverted,
I assure you."
Ranma sighed again.
The male Kasumi cleared her throat quietly. "Um...."
The Kasumi being hugged by her husband, (and vice-versa) looked up
at her questioningly. "What is it?"
Kasumi-otoko spoke softly. "Kasumi, how did you get here? How did
you get home?"
Kasumi-onna was about to answer, then hesitated. < This Kasumi, she
doesn't know about the Senshi. Makoto lives with her, but hasn't told
her... I never asked why... but I can't give away their secret without
their permission.> Kasumi-otoko waited slightly impatiently for her to
speak. Kasumi onna chewed on her lip. "I... I can't say. I
promised... that I wouldn't It's a secret that I swore to keep."
Ranma and Johnathon tried not to react strongly to that.
Johnathon's eyes narrowed. < A secret? Could it have been the
Senshi of the other world?>
Kasumi-otoko looked stunned. "Y-you can't tell me? But... but how,
how can I get home?"
Kasumi-onna chewed her lip a bit more, then looked firmly and
seriously at Kasumi-otoko. "I promise, Kasumi, that I will get you
home. It's possible, and I know the way... but... but you must trust
me. I can't break my promise to tell you. You will go home, Kasumi, I
promise you that."
Ranma nodded to himself. < It was the Senshi, after all.>
Johnathon looked up at Kasumi-otoko reassuringly. "If Kasumi says
it, it's so. You will get home, just as she says."
Kasumi-otoko sighed and nodded. "I guess I'll just have to trust
you. I suppose I should trust myself, if anyone."
Akane came in with a kettle. "Here's some hot water, Kasumi-kun."
Kasumi-otoko started to take the kettle when she felt a soft furry
mass rubbing up against her ankle. Slowly he looked down, and shrieked
in fright. Kasumi-otoko leapt across the room and crashed out the door
between Ranma and Soun.
Kasumi hit the far wall and pointed shakily back into the room.
"C-c-catt...."
Ranma glanced back at his room and realized he had left his door
open. "Oops... I let C-chan out accidentally." Ranma went into the
room to retrieve his kitten. C-chan was hiding under the bed,
frightened by all the noise.
Kasumi-onna blinked. "Oh my, she really is like Ranma, Cat-fist and
all."
Johnathon nodded faintly. Ranma was on his hands and knees, but
C-chan wasn't coming to him.
Johnathon sighed. "Ranma, why don't you let C-chan stay in here for
a bit. As a matter of fact, why don't you all go down to the living
room. Kasumi can put on some clothes, and we can all discuss what
happened."
Ranma got up and nodded. "Sure."
Akane followed him out with a kettle. "We'll all get decent, OK?
We can talk downstairs." Akane closed the door behind her, leaving
Johnathon and Kasumi alone.
With the door closed, the reunited couple hugged again. Johnathon
helped Kasumi to her feet and she let the covers drop away.
Johnathon smiled thoughtfully at his wife and stroked her cheek.
"It was the Senshi, wasn't it?" He spoke in a whisper, still wary of
being overheard.
Kasumi nodded, putting her hand over his. "Sailor Moon and the
others sent me back. They haven't told their Kasumi, or anyone else
about their identities in that world."
Johnathon nodded. "I've left messages for Usagi and Rei. When they
get back from their vacation, they can send your counterpart home."
Kasumi nodded back. "Yes.... I'd better get dressed... as had you,
Johnathon dear."
Johnathon nodded with faint regret. "I have missed you, my love."
Kasumi moved in for a kiss. "As have I."
A couple of minutes later, everyone met downstairs, dressed a bit
more respectably, although still in their night clothes. When Johnathon
and Kasumi arrived to see everyone already there, they both blinked and
looked at each other. The Kasumi from the other world sat next to Soun
and Nabiki, still wearing Johnathon's tee-shirt and boxers, but was now
female and a dead ringer for the Kasumi to Johnathon's left... if you
didn't look too close.
Akane glanced from one Kasumi to the other and frowned. "What are
we going to call you two? We can't just call you both Kasumi, can we?"
Kasumi, (the one at Johnathon's side) blinked. "Well... you can
just call me big sister, Akane, so you don't get confused."
Nabiki shrugged. "Works for me, big sister."
Akane smiled and nodded.
Ranma blinked. "So what should I call you?"
Kasumi smiled. "Sister-in-law will do, or sister. We'll be family
soon enough, after all."
Ranma grinned sheepishly. "Sure, why not, sis."
Johnathon winked at his wife. "Oh, then should I call you wife? Or
my love? Or...." He leaned over to whisper in her ear.
Johnathon's wife blushed faintly. ".... Oh my. You can call me
that... later."
Nabiki chuckled. "Well, now that that's settled, has anyone seen
Ryoga?"
Johnathon groaned, slapping his palm into his forehead. "Arrgghh!
He was just behind me out of the guest room.... I was in such a hurry,
I forgot to keep an eye on him."
Ranma groaned as well. "Oh great, by now he'll be in Hawaii or
something!"
Akane sighed. "I hope he finds his way back before school starts."
There was a second sigh, and Nabiki spoke up. "So, sis, how did you
get home? You said you couldn't tell us, but why? Kasumi, here, has
got to get home. How is she going to do that if you won't tell here
how?"
Soun cleared his throat. "As much as I would like to agree with
you, I'm afraid I cannot. My eldest daughter has promised to keep this
a secret, and it would not be honorable to break that promise."
Ranma nodded firmly at that, and the other Kasumi sighed. "A
promise is a promise. I can't ask you to break your word." She
brightened. "Besides, you said I will get home, and I know you will
keep your word on that as well."
Kasumi, Johnathon's wife, nodded solemnly. "I will."
Nabiki stretched and yawned. "I'm just a bit curious, sis. When?
Cause unless you're planning to send Kasumi home tonight, I could use
some more sleep."
Kasumi shook her head. "Not tonight, I think. Within the week, but
not tonight."
Nabiki shrugged. "Since you can't tell us any more, I'm for bed."
Soun nodded. "It is indeed late."
Kasumi (the one that transformed into a man), spoke up. "Where
should I sleep?"
Ranma answered. "Since Ryoga's never going to make it back tonight,
why don't you take the guest room."
Johnathon nodded. "The extra futon is already set up."
Soun clapped his hands. "There, that's all settled. I'm sure
things will look brighter in the morning."
Everyone stood and made their way up to their respective rooms.
Upstairs, Johnathon and Kasumi went right into their room, and Nabiki
paused outside of hers, glancing at Akane and Ranma, who had also paused
at their own doors.
Nabiki smiled and shook her head. "Go ahead, you two. We all know
now. Just don't make too much noise, alright?"
Akane blushed but didn't protest. Slowly she walked over to Ranma's
room.
Ranma opened the door for Akane, then shot Nabiki a look.
"Nabiki...."
The mercenary Tendo sighed and nodded. "I'll keep quiet, Ranma...
about the details, at least."
Ranma rolled his eyes. "That's as much as I guess I'm going to
get." He went into his room as well, closing the door.
Nabiki opened her own door and stepped inside. "Finally, some
sleep." She got to her bed and started to lay down. Faint noises
started to come from Kasumi and Johnathon's room. Nabiki groaned and
pulled the pillow over her head. "Arrgghh! Can't they go one night
without...?" Nabiki rolled over onto her front and held the pillow over
her ears. After a minute, she let the pillow go and listened.
"Nothing? I wonder what happened?"
In their room, Johnathon and Kasumi looked down at C-chan, who,
forgotten, had come out from under the bed to investigate the
interesting noises. The kitten meowed to be let up, and Kasumi rolled
away from Johnathon to do so, pulling the black kitten up next to her.
"Oh I'm sorry, C-chan." Kasumi whispered sweetly. "You were
feeling left out, weren't you?"
Johnathon sighed to himself as Kasumi stroked and cooed at the
kitten, giving it the attention it wanted. He ran his hand along
Kasumi's back and cuddled up behind his wife, deciding not to interrupt
her reunion with C-chan. Kasumi reached and arm back and pulled
Johnathon's right arm over her, so he was hugging her from behind. They
fell asleep minutes later, still in that position, Kasumi curled around
C-chan, and Johnathon curled around her.
Morning dawned on the Tendo household with a bird's cheerful song
coming in the windows. The various individuals woke a bit later than
normal, having all been a bit short on sleep. School was starting in
two more days, a fact, when revealed to the other universes Kasumi, had
her quite confused. She asked the date, curiously.
Kasumi blinked when told what date it was. "That's nearly a year in
the future!" She looked at Johnathon's wife. "Kasumi... how old are
you?"
The eldest Tendo daughter paused. "I'm twenty years old, and three
months."
The other Kasumi looked faintly surprised. "I see. I'm only
nineteen, Kasumi-san." She nodded to herself. "That explains a lot."
Kasumi 'san' giggled. "I never thought I'd call anyone
Kasumi-chan. I'm going to make breakfast. Would you like to help?"
Ranma broke in. "Actually, I was hoping Kasumi could spar with me
this morning."
Kasumi 'chan' looked form Kasumi 'san' to Ranma. "Well...."
Kasumi 'san' nodded. "Go ahead, you two. Johnathon can help me."
Akane piped in. "Let me help, Kasumi!"
Both Kasumi-chan and Ranma winced slightly. They noticed each
other's reaction and smiled wryly at each other.
"Alright." Kasumi-chan said easily. "I'd like to spar with you,
Ranma. But let's keep it down. We don't want to destroy the house
before breakfast."
Ranma nodded. "Sure, no special attacks." He paused. "Although I
would like to see that punch you used on Dr. Tofu's wall."
Kasumi nodded. "Perhaps later."
The two expert martial artists moved out to the back yard to begin.
As they faced off, Kasumi reminded herself that this was not her Ranma.
He, not her, had gone on that ten year training journey with Genma, and
from everything she had heard so far, was the best martial artist in the
area.
Kasumi regarded her opponent warily. < But will he restrain himself
against me since I'm a girl?>
Ranma reminded himself that he wasn't facing off against his
Kasumi. The girl before him was very strong and skilled. < She's not
as good as me, but she's close.> Ranma reminded himself that he had
spared with girls before this. < I've been training Akane for a while
now, I know girls aren't all fragile and stuff, heck, I'm one half the
time, and I'm as tough as they come, right?> He launched himself into
the air at Kasumi with determination. < We're both martial artists.
Nobodies gonna get hurt....>
Kasumi vaulted over the flying kick Ranma had aimed at her solar
plexus and counterattacked, pleased that Ranma was going to give her a
good work out. After a few combinations the two martial artists got
into a fast paced but even rhythm in their fight.
Ranma spoke up conversationally in the middle of dodging a series of
blows. "So, Kasumi... umph... how have you been handling... whoa...
it? Being a half guy, that is?"
Kasumi finished her attack and quickly went on the defensive as
Ranma began to counterstrike. "I'm not sure what..." Kasumi broke off
momentarily as she backflipped out of range. "...to compare it to.
You'd know a lot about it, being half girl."
Now Ranma broke away as Kasumi began a series of spin kicks. "Yeah,
I guess I've finally started to get used to the curse. I'm starting to
wonder if I'll ever find a cure, but I'm not holding my breath." He
imitated Kasumi's attack, driving her back. "It's kinda personal...
but...."
Kasumi blocked a half dozen kicks. "Umph.... Go ahead and ask. I
don't... ugnn... mind."
Ranma shrugged, allowing Kasumi to go on the offensive again. "I
wanted to know, how does Shampoo deal with being married to you, and how
do you deal with being married to a girl?"
Kasumi faltered, allowing Ranma an opening. He took it, stopping
just before he struck her.
Kasumi sighed. "Lets stop for a while, and talk." Ranma nodded.
Kasumi looked at Ranma seriously. "Shampoo and I? That's not an easy
question. I feel responsible for her situation, but I don't really want
to be married to another girl. As for Shampoo, she seems to accept my
curse. I think she'd prefer me to be male all the time, but I think
she'd accept me as a female as well."
Kasumi paused. "It's a difficult situation. I really don't know
what might have happened if I had been stuck as a man. I very well
might have ended up marrying Shampoo."
Ranma shook his head. "I don't think I could ever marry a guy, even
if I was stuck as a girl. I can't see it happening. Still, I nearly
did end up marrying Shampoo in the end. Cologne really had us over a
barrel. It was Kasumi and Johnathon who insisted we hold out for a
better solution, despite the pain they'd have to endure. Johnathon said
once it was better nothing was changed, then to have a change for the
worse."
Ranma looked at Kasumi questioningly. "How about you, and your
Ranma? How does he feel about everything?"
Kasumi hesitated. "I'm not really sure. I don't think Ranma's very
comfortable with my curse. He tries to be open minded usually, but I
really don't know what he really thinks." Kasumi looked slightly sad.
"At first, I agreed to the change of engagement to give Akane and him a
chance to step back and have time to figure out what they really
wanted. For awhile, I thought Ranma might decide to go back to Akane,
but, I don't think that's very likely to happen."
Ranma looked disturbed at that. "Why? They grew up together,
right? Don't they get along at all?"
Kasumi shook her head. "It's not that. They get along well enough,
but not as fiancees. They see each other more as brother and sister.
They fought the engagement so hard it was switched to me."
Ranma looked surprised. "Oh, I hadn't thought of that." He looked
thoughtful. "Yeah, I guess I can understand though."
Kasumi sighed. "I wish I could. I'm pretty sure my curse bothers
Ranma, not to mention the fact he's not as good a martial artist as
me." Kasumi winced. "I wish... I don't know what I wish... I just wish
I knew how he really feels...."
Ranma looked thoughtful. "Hmm...." He looked at Kasumi and
shrugged. "I can see how he might be bugged about your being better
than him... it's not easy admitting someone's better. I don't know what
to think about how he feels about your curse. I've never had to deal
with it from that side...." Ranma hesitated. "I think Akane could say
better than me what that's like."
Kasumi nodded. "Maybe I should ask her."
**************************************
As time passed interminably in the blackness, Frost felt herself
growing weaker and weaker. <I can only last a few hours more.> She
thought wearily. < Apparently I can only be here for so long. Either I
wait here until I perish, or I try a spell while I still have the
strength.> Frost considered her options. < I'm pretty sure I can cut
this Astral cord that ties me here. The would free me, but Kasumi would
be stuck in the other world.>
Frost thought about it. < Would that be so bad? She'd be alive,
and safe enough there. The housewife that comes from that dimension is
no threat to her. Kasumi could live out her life there, with her
double.> Frost sighed. < It wouldn't be right... I realize that now.
I was wrong to try to alter reality as I did.> Her brow furrowed. <
But what other choice do I have?> Unbidden came an answer. < There
might be a way.... If I can feed enough energy down the Astral cord,
energy set to vibrate on the level of Kasumi's and my dimension, she
could very well be pulled through to this space. Then both of us could
go home.>
Frost frowned. < But the risk! If it doesn't work I'd be too weak
to try again.... It's just too risky.> Frost sighed and began working
out the spell to sever the astral cord tying her to Kasumi. < I'm
sorry, Kasumi Tendo.> As Frost prepared the spell she gazed into the
clear pool that lead home.
************************************
In Kasumi's bedroom above the restaurant, Makoto Kino looked at the
empty bed and sighed. "Where is she? I thought our Kasumi would be
back by now. I hope she can come back.... Maybe something happened on
the other side...."
Abruptly the door to Kasumi's bedroom opened. "Kasumi? Is you
here?" A tired looking, purple haired Amazon looked around the room,
her gaze finally fixing on Makoto. "What you doing here? Where
Kasumi?"
Makoto shook her head. "I don't know." She answered honestly
enough. "I was hoping, somehow, she'd show up here."
Shampoo sighed heavily. "Kasumi go missing from Tendo's. Shampoo
have no idea where to look. Was not her Kasumi anyway." Shampoo stared
at the empty bed and sighed again. "Shampoo's Kasumi gone since night
before. Now no Kasumi left at all."
Makoto felt a pang of sympathy at the sadness and pain in Shampoo's
voice. "Shampoo...." She hesitated, wanting to somehow reassure her.
"Shampoo, I...." Makoto put an arm around the Amazon girl's shoulders.
"I want Kasumi to come back too."
*************************************
Frost watched the scene in the pool, her spell nearly ready. She
started to summon the proper concentration, but the lost look on
Shampoo's face was too much for her.
"I can't do it." Frost dropped the spell. "This is my doing."
There was a long silence in the void as Frost fought with herself.
"I've got to make it right."
The young magus gritted her teeth and began to prepare herself for
the more risky undertaking of bringing both herself and Kasumi back
home.