Well, we are back.  Chris has asked me to put the epilogues to his story
up on the page, and I suppose I will manage it in a day or so.  This is
a special treat for everyone who wanted to see more of the "A Different
Viewpoint" story... and theirs alot more where this came from, so hang
on!

Same disclaimer... you know what I mean.  We are mere mortals imitating
the great ones... yadda yadda...


                        A Different Viewpoint:  American Vacation.

    The Tendo's and Saotome's were gathered by the terminal entrance at
Tokyo airport to wish Akane, Ranma, Johnathon and Kasumi good-bye.
Genma was lightly restraining a crying Soun to keep him from soaking his
daughters before they left.  Nabiki was keeping a hand on Ryoga's elbow
to keep him from wandering off.  She had decided to keep the lost boy
nearby, as he had to teach Ranma's martial arts class that afternoon,
and Nabiki was positive that if he was left on his own he would miss
it.  Nodoka beamed at Kasumi and Johnathon, wishing them well on their
late honeymoon.  It was really a trip for Johnathon to introduce his
bride to his parents, but as the newlywed's earlier try at a honeymoon
had been disrupted, the trip served that purpose as well.

    Ranma and Akane were coming along as well.  The stated reason was
for them to see America, and to keep Johnathon and Kasumi safe from any
accidents caused by their respective curses.  The real reason, of course
was Soun, Genma, and Nodoka's badly concealed plot to get Ranma and
Akane in the mood for their own wedding.  The teenaged martial artists
didn't really mind their parents meddling this time, however, as they
had already secretly planned to get married a few weeks after they
returned from America.

    Johnathon and Kasumi were the only ones aware of Ranma and Akane's
plans, and the fact that the two teens were quite a bit closer than
anyone else knew.  As they planned to get married so soon, neither adult
felt it necessary to mention the truth to anyone else.  Johnathon, in
fact, was relieved to have the two martial artists along, in case of
trouble.  He was sincerely worried about the coming trip to California.
The possible problems that his and his wife's curses might cause were
giving him nightmares.  In a way, Ranma had it easy.  His curse at least
left him human, and able to explain things or slip away.  Johnathon's
curse made him into a monster to most people, and getting attacked by a
mob was the least of the things that could happen if he transformed at
the wrong time.  Kasumi's curse turned her into a cat, and if she
transformed in public, it would be near to impossible to explain that
away.

    Johnathon sighed and tried to put his worries behind him.  "It looks
like our plane is boarding, everyone.  Time for us to go."

    Nabiki had pulled Akane off to one side.  "Here, kiddo."  Nabiki
pulled a box out of her purse and handed it to Akane.  "For the trip.  I
figure you could use these."

    Akane blinked at the full box of condoms, blushing slightly.  "Ah...
thanks anyway, Nabiki... but I really don't need that."  Akane smiled
faintly and shrugged as she handed the box back.

    Nabiki's eyebrow raised momentarily as she put the box back into her
purse.  "More for me, I suppose."  She winked as Akane's eyes went
wide.  "Just kidding.  So, when did you start on the pill?"

    Akane blinked.  "Last week... I mean... oops."  She glared at her
older sister.  "Nabiki...."

    Nabiki pretended to draw a zipper across her lips.  "My lips are
sealed.  Just bring me something nice from San Francisco."

    Akane sighed, then nodded.  "Sure sis."

    By the entry doors, Ryoga was giving Ranma a warning stare.  "You
take care of Akane, alright?"

    Ranma glared back at the bandana clad youth.  "You implying I
wouldn't?"

    Ryoga snorted.  "Just take care of her.  Don't do anything I
wouldn't do."

    Ranma snorted back.  "Oh, does that mean it's alright if I splash
myself with water and crawl into her bed?"

    Ryoga's eyes nearly popped out of his head and he started to
sputter.  "No!  I never!  Well I did but... I.. um...."

    Nabiki chortled as she and Akane walked up.  "Good one, Saotome!"

    Akane was blushing with embarrassment.  "Ranma!"

    Ryoga started to glow.  "Ranma.... don't you dare...."

    Soun nodded cheerfully.  "You have my permission, son."

    Genma nodded as well.  "A little initiative goes a long way, boy!"

    Ranma rolled his eyes.  "Well, I'll tell you what...."  He looked at
the fathers seriously.  "I've got no intention of doing that.  Period."

    Both fathers looked deflated and began to protest, but Nodoka cut
them off.  "The plane is going to leave without them if you two keep
them here.  Now let our children go."  She smiled sweetly, but her hands
tapping lightly on the long wrapped package she carried caused the
fathers to go quiet abruptly.

    Johnathon, Kasumi, Ranma and Akane went to the loading ramp to board
the plane, and Soun and Genma rushed to the window to watch them. Nabiki
held back a bit with Nodoka while keeping an eye on Ryoga.

    The middle Tendo sister eyed the wrapped katana briefly with a
raised eyebrow, wondering idly how Nodoka had gotten it this far into
the airport.  "Auntie, you seem to be in a pretty good mood."

    Nodoka was silent, watching Ranma and Akane disappear up the ramp.
She smiled and sighed, slinging her katana over her shoulder once more.
As the plane begain moving she looked once at Nabiki. Nodoka nodded to
the plane as she turned to go, speaking so only Nabiki could hear.  "As
he said, surely he would prefer to be a man when he sneaks into her bed,
rather than a woman."  She smiled warmly to herself.  "I'm not blind.
Ranma and Akane are truly in love.  I have no worries about that."

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

    As they got out earshot of their parents, Akane glanced at Ranma
with faint disappointment.  "Ranma... what did you mean by that?  You
sounded pretty serious about it."

    Ranma winked at his fiancee.  "I meant it, sure.  Like I said, I
ain't planing on splashing myself first...."

    Ranma finished with only a slight blush.  "And I never said I wasn't
going to do what pig boy wouldn't.  I plan to do a lot more...."  He
glanced at Akane shyly.  "If that's alright with you...."

    Akane blushed and simply nodded, holding a finger to her lips as
they passed the stewardess to board the plane.

    "Welcome to flight 305 to San Francisco."  The flight attendant said
with a smile.  "I hope you have a pleasant flight."

    The flight to America was a long one, and as it was already late,
the woman to Kasumi's left nodded off only an hour into the flight, her
half full glass of water in her right hand.

    The lights were low but Kasumi couldn't rest.  She was too nervous
about the glass of water so close to her.  Johnathon was dozing to her
right, oblivious to the danger.

    Kasumi thought back to the last time she had been accidentally
changed.  It had been before the Cat's tongue point was countered.  She
had gotten splashed by Pantyhose Taro, several weeks ago.  Kasumi had
been human again now for almost a week straight.  The curse rarely went
that long without an appearance... but on an airplane was not a good
time for it to reappear.

    Kasumi sighed and continued to watch the glass warily.  < I'll just
have to be very careful.>  The fasten seat belt sign clicked on, and
there was a mild warning from the pilot to expect some turbulence.
Kasumi closed her eyes momentarily.  < Oh no.  That's too convenient.
It's like the world is conspiring to get me wet.>

    Kasumi felt her stomach lurch as the plane dropped a few feet
suddenly.  Her eyes shot open too late, as the contents of the glass
held by the woman next to her were dumped into her lap and splashed over
her chest.  The water soaked through her clothes instantly, and Kasumi
hoped for an instant that it wouldn't be enough to cause the change.  A
moment later she vanished into her clothing.

    Kasumi, now a small black cat enfolded in much to large clothing,
sighed.  < Now what do I do?>  She considered her options.  < If I try
to wake Johnathon up, I might be spotted by someone else, and I don't
think cats are supposed to be in here.  But if I stay put, someone will
notice I'm missing, and see my clothing laying on the seat without
me....>  Kasumi sighed again and decided to stay hidden.  < Johnathon
will notice soon, I hope.  He'll know what to do.>

    Johnathon Tendo blinked his eyes open.  Something had changed
recently, causing him to wake up.  He looked to his left, realizing that
Kasumi wasn't leaning up against him anymore.  Johnathon blinked in
shock.  Kasumi's sweater and skirt lay on the seat to his left in a
pile.  He glanced around quickly, but no one else seemed to have noticed
his wife's disappearance yet.  Johnathon leaned over the seat and
carefully shifted through the pile.  He was relieved but unsurprised to
find a small warm body curled inside his wife's clothing.

    Kasumi was relieved to feel her husband's long fingers wrapping
around her and picking her up.  She was glad when he picked her up in
the bundle of her clothes and set her down on his lap.

    Johnathon glanced around, considering his options.  < I've got to
take Kasumi to the bathroom and get her changed back.>  He looked up and
noticed the seat belt sign was on.  < Oh no, are we that close to
landing?>  Quickly he checked his watch and was relieved to note they
still had a few hours to go.  < Then why?>  He unfastened his seat belt
and stood, holding his wife carefully inside the bundle.  He paused to
bend over to grab her shoes and socks when the plane gave a slight
lurch.  < Oh.>

    Johnathon balanced himself with one arm, tucking Kasumi under his
other.  < Whoa.  Better be careful.>   He grabbed Kasumi's shoes and
socks and tucked them into his bundle.  Standing crouched in front of
his seat, Johnathon pondered the large woman sleeping in the aisle
seat.  < I can't just wait until she wakes up.  There's no way I'm going
to slip past her, either....  But if I wake her, she'll wonder where
Kasumi went.>  He sighed softly.  < I guess she'll just have to wonder.>

    Johnathon tapped the woman lightly on the shoulder, and judging her
to be an American, spoke quietly in English.  "Excuse me.  Excuse me,
miss.  I need to get through."

    The large woman yawned and blinked.  "Hmm?  What?"

    Johnathon indicated the aisle.  "Excuse me, I need to get by."

    The woman blinked, then nodded, fiddling with her seat belt and
slowly extracting herself from the seat.  Johnathon slipped past her,
murmuring an apology.  The woman got back into her seat and sleepily
glanced over at the two empty seats next to her.  She blinked in
confusion, then shrugged, not willing to devote much thought to the
minor mystery.  As she settled in again something unusual caught her
eye.  A white pair of panties was on the arm of the chair next to her.
She eyed it with speculation and peered up the aisle of the plane at the
retreating form of the tall man in black.

    Johnathon was confronted by a flight attendant as he neared the
bathrooms.  "Excuse me, sir.  Please return to your seat.  The seat belt
light IS lit."

    Johnathon coughed and shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably.
"Sorry... but I really...."  He shrugged, looking embarrassed, and
glanced at the bathrooms.

    The flight attendant looked slightly dubious, glancing questioningly
at the pile of woman's clothing he was carrying, then got out of his
way.  "Please hurry, sir, then return to your seat."

    Johnathon nodded and slipped past quickly, moving over to the
bathroom door and slipping inside before anything else could go wrong.
He put his bundle down on the sink and carefully separated it so Kasumi
could get free.  The lithe little black cat crawled out into his arms.

    Johnathon stroked her reassuringly.   "Let's get you changed back."
He moved Kasumi's clothing to the floor and turned on the hot water.
Looking dubiously at the sink, Johnathon shook his head.  "You can't
change up there, no room."  He placed Kasumi on the floor and moved her
clothing onto the toilet seat.  Checking the water he nodded down at
her.  "OK, get ready, so you don't hit your head on anything..  I'm
going to splash you.."  Cupping his hands, he filled them with the
increasingly warm water, then splashed it down on his transformed wife.

    Kasumi changed immediately, her sudden growth nearly knocking
Johnathon off balance.  She found herself on her hands and knees, shoved
up against Johnathon's legs in the tiny bathroom.  He tried to back up
to give Kasumi room to get to her feet, but the space was simply too
small.  Kasumi managed to pull herself up with a little help and
Johnathon scrunched himself to one side so his wife would have room to
dress.  He resisted the sudden urge to take advantage of the situation

    Kasumi went through her clothing quickly, then again.  "Johnathon."
She whispered.  "Did you drop my panties?"

    He blinked.  "Uh oh.  I'll go check...."

    Kasumi looked slightly alarmed.  "Johnathon?"

    He shrugged.  "We can't really come out of the bathroom at the same
time, anyway.  "I'll go get your underwear and meet you back at the
seats, OK?  There's no room for you to get dressed with both of us in
here, anyway."

    Kasumi nodded and Johnathon gave her a quick kiss before slipping
around her to get to the door.  He stopped himself from fondling her
curves with reluctance, then slipped out the door in one quick motion,
closing it behind him.  Kasumi sighed an searched through her clothes
once more, just in case she had missed anything in her first search..

    The flight attendant blinked as the tall man in black walked back
past her, no longer carrying the bundle of feminine clothing.  His head
was down as if he was looking for something.

    She turned to her coworker.  "Hey, Amanda, wasn't he carrying a
bunch of clothing?  A skirt and sweater, and pumps?"

    Amanda shrugged.  "I don't know, why would a guy be carrying that
stuff around?"  She shook her head.  "You don't think he's a
crossdresser, do you, Cindy?"

    Cindy blinked.  "Well... we are heading for California... (author
ducks)... but he didn't bring the clothes out with him."  She stood and
went over to the bathroom door.  "I'll just check."  She opened the door
and gasped.  Kasumi blushed bright red and finished pulling her sweater
over her head, holding it down to cover her naked lower half.  Cindy
coughed.  "Excuse me, miss."  She quickly shut the door and walked back
to her friend, blushing in embarrassment.  "You won't believe what I
just saw!"  Cindy whispered fiercely.

    Amanda shrugged.  "Don't tell me, let me guess.  A naked woman,
right?"

    Cindy blinked in astonishment.  "How did you know?"

    Amanda shrugged again.  "You said, 'Excuse me, miss', and you also
said some guy walked in there with some clothes, and walked out without
them."

    Cindy blinked.  "Oh.  What do you think they were doing in there?"

    Amanda shrugged once more.  "Oh, I can't say for sure... perhaps
they're stage magicians practicing a quick change act... but I bet
they're newlyweds, going for a risky little quickie in the
bathroom....."  Amanda abruptly shut her mouth and started examining the
dinner cart carefully.

    Cindy blinked, not catching on.  "Oh?  You don't think they actually
had time to... you know, do it, in there, do you?"

    Kasumi walked quickly by, blushing furiously as she overheard
Cindy's question.  Cindy belatedly noticed her go by and shut up, quite
a bit too late.

    When Kasumi was out of earshot, Cindy turned back to to Amanda. "How
brazen!"  She continued whispering loudly.  "Did you notice?  She's
wearing the clothing that man carried in, but she's not carrying
anything.  Where are her clothes?  Did she flush them?"  Cindy frowned,
looking a bit puzzled.  "I never saw her go in there in the first
place."  She walked over to the bathroom again and peeked in. "Nothing.
I can't believe that."

    Amanda smirked.  "Sound's pretty exciting, actually.  They must like
a little danger to spice things up."

    Cindy sniffed.  "Disgusting."

    Amanda smirked wider.  "You just wish you thought of it first."

    Cindy's eyes went wide.  "No way!"  She paused.  "Besides, I just
got dumped again."

    The two flight attendants went back to their earlier conversation as
Kasumi got back to her seat.  The woman in the aisle seat moved out so
she could sit down, and looked quizzically at her, as if she wanted to
know something.  Kasumi sat down next to Johnathon, who was trying not
to show his embarrassment.  Quietly he passed Kasumi a wadded up ball of
white cloth, that the woman in the aisle row had helpfully pointed out
to him when he had returned to their seats.

    Kasumi blushed slightly and slipped her panties into her purse.  She
sunk into her seat, closed her eyes, and wished that the plane would
land soon.  Kasumi felt Johnathon's hand close over hers and gripped it
tightly.  He squeezed back reassuringly and they maintained that contact
for the rest of the flight.

    The rest of the flight was uneventful and they both breathed a sigh
of relief as the plane touched down on the runway in San Francisco,
California.

    Walking out of the plane, Kasumi and Johnathon attempted to ignore
the amused glances of the flight attendants.  After passing through
customs, Johnathon spotted a familiar face.  In fact, a very familiar
face.

    Kasumi spotted the tall man just after her husband did and gasped in
faint surprise.  "That must be your twin brother, Michael.  I didn't
realize how much alike him you look."

    They walked over to Michael, who greeted his brother with a firm
handshake.  "John!  It's been forever, bro!  I was beginning to wonder
if I was ever going to see you!"

    Johnathon smiled and the twins simultaneously switched the handshake
into a high five grip, then broke apart.  "I have missed you too, Mike.
It's been too long."

    Michael turned to Kasumi, switching from english to japanese.   "And
you must be Kasumi.  My brother is indeed a lucky man, to have married
so fine a lady."  He grinned and switched back to english.  "I'm afraid
that's about as far as I go in Japanese.  John will have to translate
for us."

    Kasumi smiled gently at Michael, and spoke in passable english.
"Thank you, Michael, for making the effort to make me feel at home.  I
think we'll manage, as long as you speak slowly."

    Michael blinked and smiled gratefully.  "I'll do that.  Your english
is much better than my japanese, Kasumi."

    Kasumi lowered her head slightly and blushed at the complement.
"Johnathon is a skilled instructor."

    Johnathon shrugged.  "It's what I do, right?"  He glanced back.
"Kasumi's younger sister, Akane, and Akane's fiancee, Ranma Saotome,
shouldn't be too far behind us."  He spotted Akane leading someone in a
red chinese shirt through the crowd.  "Ah, there they are...."
Johnathon's words died away as he noticed that Akane was being followed
by a short, busty red head.

    Michael followed Johnathon's gaze.  "Oh?  Where are they?"

    Johnathon swallowed, then thought fast.  "Well, that's Akane...." He
pointed at the youngest Tendo, then walked toward the two teenagers,
intercepting them ten feet from Michael and Kasumi.  Quietly speaking in
Japanese he quickly asked.  "What happened?  How did you get through
customs?"

    Ranma flipped open her passport, which, surprisingly, had her
correct, female, picture on it.  "Nabiki had me get two passports, one
for each of me, just in case."

    Johnathon sighed.  "There's luck, for you, and it's all bad.  Ranma,
I'll make an excuse for you.  You get to a bathroom and change back,
OK?"  He turned back to Michael, speaking in english again.  "Michael,
this is Akane Tendo.  Akane, this is my twin brother, Michael."

    Akane blinked, speaking slowly in english.  "The resemblance is
remarkable, Michael.  It is nice to meet you."

    Michael nodded, smiling.  "I'm happy to meet you as well.  So,
where's Ranma?"

    Johnathon broke in.  "He's temporarily stuck in customs.  I'll wait
for him here.  Michael, why don't you show Akane and Kasumi where the
bathrooms are?  It's been a long trip."

    Michael blinked, then nodded.  "Sure."  He turned and waved a hand
in the direction of the exits.  "Follow me, ladies.  John, we'll wait
for you by the bathrooms, OK?"  Johnathon nodded, and Michael, Akane and
Kasumi walked off.

    Ranma came up to Johnathon.  "What was that all about?"

    Johnathon shrugged.  "We go the opposite direction, find another
bathroom, get you changed back and join the girls."

    Ranma smiled.  "Good plan."  They walked quickly and found the
bathrooms in a couple minutes.

    Johnathon glanced around.  "I'll check the men's and tell you when
it's free."  Ranma nodded.  Johnathon went in and was relived to find it
empty.  He ducked back out and waved to Ranma.  "Come on."  The pig
tailed martial artist hurried inside and made her way up to the sink.

    Ranma turned on the hot water and felt it.  "It's gonna be a bit
until it warms up."

    Johnathon nodded, nervously watching the door.  "You'd better change
clothes as well, or Michael might get suspicious."

    Ranma blinked and shucked off her pack.  "Yeah, good idea."  The red
haired girl got out her green chinese communist outfit, then quickly
pulled her shirt over her head.

    Johnathon blinked.  "Um, Ranma...."

    Ranma stuffed the shirt in her pack and started pulling her pants
down quickly.  "What?"

    Johnathon sighed as a small group of men walked into the bathroom
together.  "Never mind."

    Confronted by a busty red head in boxers and a muscle tee that
flaunted her curves, in the middle of taking off her pants, the lead man
coughed and started backing off with a bow.  "Excuse me."  He said in
perfect Japanese.  He and the other four Japanese tourists backed out
together.

    Ranma gulped and quickly checked the water.  "Oh, that's what you
meant."  She splashed herself and changed instantly.  The now male Ranma
dressed in a rush.

    Johnathon preceded Ranma out, and they quickly walked by the four
Japanese men, who politely looked away as they passed.  They found
Michael, Akane and Kasumi a few minutes later.  Michael greeted Ranma
with a handshake and lead them toward the parking garages.

    "So, Michael..."  Johnathon began.  "what are you driving nowadays?"

    Michael grinned back at his brother.  "I bought another Rabbit.  I
always liked that car."

    Johnathon sighed.  "Great, you brought a compact car to pick up four
people.  At least you have a back seat."

    Michael laughed.  "Don't worry, I borrowed the folks Lincoln to pick
you up in.  Plenty of room."

    After an extensive tour of the airport parking garages they found
the vehicle.

    Kasumi smiled brightly.  "My, what a large car!"

    Ranma shrugged.  "It's not bad."

    Michael opened the trunk, they stowed their bags and found seats in
the luxury car.  Michael offered Kasumi a ride in the front seat, and
Johnathon, Ranma, and Akane piled into the back."

    Akane swung her legs, examining the interior.  "This is a very nice
car, Michael-san."

    Michael started it up, glancing over the back seat to pull out of
the parking spot.  "It's my mother's car.  She insisted I take it to
pick you guys up, rather than my little white Rabbit."

    Akane looked a bit confused at that, but Kasumi giggled.  "Oh my,
Alice in Wonderland!  I love that story!"

    Akane nodded in sudden comprehension and Ranma just blinked.  "Huh?"

    Johnathon snickered.  "It's an in joke.  You'd have to be there." He
looked forward at Michael.  "So, you had your new Rabbit painted white?"

    Michael nodded.  "It needed a coat, and I was nostalgic."

    As Michael started driving out of the airport, he and Johnathon
started to reminisce about old times.  Kasumi listened intently, eager
to learn more about her husband.  Ranma and Akane got a bit lost, trying
to make out what was being said.  As they set out onto the highway,
Michael began playing tour guide, identifying various landmarks in San
Francisco as they drove by.  In half an hour they had crossed the Golden
Gate bridge and were headed north to Johnathon and Michael's parent's
house.  Johnathon deftly kept Michael taking about his past year,
steering away from discussing his own year in Japan and China.

    Michael didn't seem to mind telling all about recent events in his
life.  He had gotten his teaching certificate and was now teaching
English at a high school in Santa Rosa.  He was currently between
semesters, as Johnathon was, although Michael's summer break was quite a
bit longer.

    Ranma was a bit envious of the thought of a three month summer
break.  As they drove, Michael began to sneeze occasionally, then to
cough.  He got worse as time passed, until Kasumi started to look a bit
alarmed.

    She leaned toward him in concerned.  "All you alright?"

    Michael shrugged gamely.  "No big deal.  It's just my allergies
kicking in... It's not usually... Achoo!... this bad.  Something in the
air must be setting me off."

    Johnathon nodded.  "Hay fever again?  Is the pollen getting to you?"

    Michael shrugged noncommittally.  "I don't think that's it.  This
late in the summer, anyway.  It must be something else."

    Akane glanced over at Johnathon, who was looking comfortable and
only mildly concerned.

    She frowned a bit and turned back toward Michael, even as he cut
loose with another loud sneeze.  "Are you sure you're not getting sick?
Johnathon seems fine, and you're sneezing.  If his allergies haven't
been affected...."

    Johnathon shook his head.  "We don't share the same allergies,
Akane.  We may be twins, but allergies are only partially influenced by
genetics.  Mike's allergic to a couple of things I'm not...."
Johnathon's voice trailed off and his face started becoming pale.

    Michael, not noticing his twin's distress, broke in.  "Yeah, like
bright light, and cats.  I've managed to control my sensitivity to light
with Biofeedback, and there are no cat's in here....  Hey, do you guys
have any cats at home?  Maybe there's some cat hair on your clothes?"

    Johnathon swallowed.  "Um, yeah, we have a kitten.  Kasumi's quite
fond of him."

    Michael nodded.  "Yeah, that's it then.  Your kitten must have shed
all over that sweater, I bet.  I'll be fine when we get to the house and
get some more air."  Michael sneezed again.  "In fact, I'll turn on the
air in here."  Turning on the air conditioner did seem to help.  Michael
sneezed only occasionally for the rest of the trip into quiet and sunny
Santa Rosa.  Before long they were pulling into the driveway of
Johnathon and Michael's parent's house.  Michael hit the garage door
opener and drove the car right into the garage.

    Everyone piled out of the car and Michael led them to the door into
the main house.  Akane, Ranma and Kasumi glanced around interestedly at
the contents of the garage.  The walls were covered floor to ceiling
with shelves, several feet deep.  Tools, sports equipment, bikes,
exercise equipment and dozens of large boxes filled the space, while a
washer, dryer and sink were next to the door on the inner wall.

    Michael opened the inner door and immediately hurried through,
intercepting a pair of small whitish dogs that had been waiting to greet
the new guests.  The  two little dogs bounced excitedly at the sight of
new people and Michael gently held them back so Kasumi, Akane and Ranma
could enter unmolested.

    Johnathon followed the others in, then went to greet the dogs.
"Chip!  Dale!  Good boys!  Good dogs!  I missed you boys!"

    Several small things happened in a short period of time.  An older
woman walked into the room from the hall, a bright smile on her face.
Chip and Dale, Johnathon's pets for years, got a good sniff of the
person that seemed so very familiar, and suddenly stopped jumping up and
down in greeting.  They sniffed Johnathon's hands carefully, then backed
away in confusion.  Kasumi, for some reason disturbed by the two small
dogs, backed into the wall next to the garage door.

    "Johnathon!"  The older woman held her arms out toward him.  "You're
home!"

    Johnathon looked up, his sudden worry at his dog's strange action
put aside at the sight of the woman standing there.

    She was around Akane's height, perhaps an inch shorter, with medium
length black hair, much like Johnathon's in shade.  She wore a
comfortable looking but tasteful dress and was relatively nondescript
physically.  Not thin, not overweight, just a bit graceful, but not
obviously so.  Kasumi noted the similarity's between the woman and her
husband. The long aquiline nose that made Johnathon's face distinctive,
was present, as were the long eyelashes, though hers were better kept.
She had worry lines around her small, cheerful mouth, and Kasumi decided
suddenly that she was a very nice person.

    To Johnathon however, only one word really described her.  "Mom."
He stood and stepped over to hug her.  As it had ever since he had
turned sixteen, his chin rested on the top of her head when he gathered
her in for a hug.  Johnathon resisted an impulse to pick her up and
twirl her around in delight.  He just hugged her slightly tighter.
"Mother, it's really good to see you again."  Johnathon relaxed the hug
and kissed his mother on the forehead as they moved apart.

    The middle aged woman smiled happily, the hint of tears in her
eyes.  "Johnathon, I'm glad you're finally home."

    Johnathon turned back toward his wife, putting an arm around behind
his mother's back.  "Mother."  He began, gesturing.  "This is my wife,
Kasumi.  Kasumi, this is my mother, Clara."

    Chip and Dale had gone to sniff Ranma and Akane, who had passed
inspection, and were smiling at the friendly antics of the two little
dogs.  As Kasumi walked forward to greet her new Mother-in-Law, Chip and
Dale went to inspect the strange smelling taller woman.

    Kasumi bowed to Johnathon's mother and greeted her properly.  "I am
honored to meet you, Dwire-san."

    Clara smiled and attempted to bow back properly.  "I am very glad to
meet you, Kasumi.  Please, you are family.  Call me Clara... or if you'd
like, you can call me mother."

    Kasumi tried out the word, somehow it didn't feel the same as it
would in Japanese, but still, it had a nice ring to it.  "Mother... yes,
I think I would like that... mother."

    Chip and Dale sniffed around Kasumi's ankles interestedly, Kasumi
tried to ignore them, feeling unaccountably nervous at their attention,
but unable to explain why.

    Michael called to the dogs.  "Chip, Dale, come.  Don't bother
Kasumi."  To his surprise, the dogs ignored him as they seemed to reach
some sort of conclusion.  Chip growled faintly and Dale reared up on his
haunches and give a sharp yap.

    Kasumi started at the noise, nearly jumping away in fright.  She
backed away from the growling dogs.

    Michael stepped forward in an instant, grabbing both dogs by the
scruff of the neck.  "Bad dogs!  Stop that!"  Chip and Dale immediately
backed off, looking up at Michael imploringly.  He spoke commandingly to
them.  "Sit!  Stay!"  The two dogs obeyed, although they went back to
staring at Kasumi menacingly.  At least, as menacingly as a pair of
twenty pound, fluffy white dogs could.

    Michael apologized for them.  "I don't know what's gotten into
them.  They must have smelled your cat on you."  He walked into the
hall, calling them after him.  "Chip, Dale, outside!"  As he opened up
the rear patio door to let the dogs out he spoke reassuringly.  "I'll
just let them stay outside for awhile."  He shook his head.  "They're
usually very friendly.

    Kasumi shook her head.  "It is alright.  Do not worry about it."

    Johnathon sighed to himself.   < Michael's more right than he
knows.  Chip and Dale do smell the cat on us, or in us....>  He spoke
up, gesturing.  "Mother, this is Akane, Kasumi's younger sister, and
this is Ranma Saotome, Akane's fiancee."

    Clara smiled politely.  "I'm please to meet you."

    Ranma and Akane both gave slight bows.

    Akane spoke slowly in English.  "Thank you, for making us welcome in
your home."

    Clara smiled wider.  "Your english is very good, Akane.  Did
Johnathon teach you?"

    Akane nodded smiling back.  "Yes, Johnathon is my... teacher."

    Clara turned to Ranma.  "You two are engaged to be married?"

    Ranma nodded slowly, not quite sure how to respond in his limited
english.  "Yes.  Father's arrange."  He faltered, looking uncertain.

    Kasumi explained helpfully.  "Father and Mr. Saotome arranged to
join our families in marriage when we were children.  Akane and Ranma
are to carry on the family school."

    Clara blinked.  "Oh?  Your father's run a school?"

    Ranma nodded "Yes, the school of (Anything goes martial arts.)"  He
said the last part in Japanese, unsure how to pronounce the name in
English.

    Michael eyes got an interested look.  "Oh?  You two are going to be
running a dojo?  You must be a pretty good martial artist, eh?"

    Ranma grinned.  "Yes."

    Clara broke in.  "Well, it's breakfast time here, but I'm sure you
all must be tired from your flight.  Why don't I show you the house, and
you can rest and freshen up.  Paul's out in Windsor right now.  He'll be
home this evening, and we can all go out to eat."

    Johnathon looked around at his wife and friends, then nodded.  "That
sounds fine, mother.  Why don't you show us where we're going to stay."

    Clara showed them around the house, giving them the nickel tour.  It
was a ranch style home, everything on one floor.  A large open kitchen
and living room were on the right side of the house.  A large couch, a
davenport and two comfortable chairs sat around a large glass table.  A
full sized stereo was against one wall and the other walls were
decorated with oil painting and photographs.

    The middle of the house held a larger living room, with two large
couches and a recliner surrounding a huge television hooked up to a
satellite dish outside.  A comfortable fire place sat in the corner,
next to the large glass sliding door to the back yard.

    The left side of the house held the master bedroom, which had it's
own bath, and two other rooms next to a full sized bathroom.  They had
used to be Michael and Johnathon's rooms, but things had changed.  One
room was set up as a guest room, the other housed multiple computers and
a wall full of radio gear.  A Fax, printer and filing cabinets were on
one wall, while a large map of the entire world , covered in colored
pins, was spread across the opposite wall.

    Johnathon explained.  "My dad's a ham radio operator.  It's his
hobby, outside of golf and books.  One computer runs all the radios."

    Clara spoke up.  "I thought we'd set up a futon in here for Akane.
Johnathon and Kasumi can have the guest room, and we have a fold out bed
in the living room for Ranma."  She turned to the pig-tailed martial
artist.  "If that's alright with you?"

    Ranma nodded, grinning.  "No problem, Mrs. Dwire.  That sounds
great!"  He turned to Akane when Clara had started out of the room and
spoke quietly in Japanese.  "How was that?  I practiced that one on the
flight over."

    Akane sighed.  "You were fine, Ranma.  Why don't you practice a new
one now."

    Ranma nodded seriously.  "Right, don't want to always be saying the
same thing."  Akane sighed again and gave up.

    Johnathon, Michael and Ranma went to get the bags from the car and
Kasumi and Akane helped Clara set up the rooms for guests.  When
everything was in place, the four travelers from Japan decided to get
some rest before that night.  Kasumi went first to take a through
shower, determined to rid herself of all trace of cat hair or smell.
Wearing a large towel, she slipped from the bathroom to the guest room,
where Johnathon was napping.

    Kasumi sat down on the edge of the bed and was surprised at the
amount of give it had.  She gave it a tentative prod and the bed
rippled.  Kasumi giggled under her breath and sat down fully on the bed,
causing a wave to go across it, waking her husband.  Kasumi lay back,
smiling.

    Johnathon sat upon one arm.  "Like it?  I slept on a waterbed like
this for years."

    Kasumi tried to sit up and floundered about for a couple seconds
before managing it.  "It takes a bit of getting used to... but I think I
like it."  She looked over at her husband in concern.  "Johnathon....
Your brother's allergy, and your dogs....  I never would have guessed
things would be so... complicated here.  I washed thoroughly, and I used
lots of soap.  I hope your dogs won't be able to smell cat on me
anymore."

    Johnathon sighed.  "Me too.  I haven't changed into my cursed form
in several days, yet they were still nervous around me.  That's never
happened before.  I guess I should have expected it, but I didn't think
they'd be able to tell.  Still, don't worry, Kasumi.  They're just a
couple of house dogs, and they'll do anything Michael or I tell them
too."  He frowned.  "Well, they used to....  Anyway, I wouldn't worry
too much about it.  As for Michael's allergy, it shouldn't be a problem
as long as neither one of us gets splashed again."  Kasumi looked kindly
at him.  (As if to a small child) and he winced.  "Well, we'll just have
to be really careful.

    The newlyweds sighed together and laid back  < Can we pull this
off?>

    Hours later, having rested, washed and changed clothes, the group
from Nerima came out to meet Johnathon's father, Paul.

    Paul Dwire was almost as tall as his two sons at an even six feet.
He out massed them both by fifty pounds, being slightly overweight.
Thick glasses and graying hair on top, a businesslike suit underneath,
Paul Dwire, never-the-less, seemed an affable and pleasant man.
Johnathon was known to compare his father to Dave, the owner and public
symbol for the Wendys chain of restaurants, at least by appearance and
temperament.  < I wonder if Johnathon will look that that years from
now?>  She smiled at the thought.  < They do look alike, except  for the
nose and a bit around the eyes...>

    Paul's warm smile was cheering and he greeted his guests in
carefully pronounced Japanese.  "Welcome to my home.  I am Paul Dwire,
Johnathon's father."

    Kasumi bowed politely, beaming.  "Thank you, Mr. Dwire.  I am very
pleased to meet my husband's father."

    Introductions were made all around, and before long everyone piled
into the cars.  Johnathon's folks, Johnathon and Kasumi in Clara's
Lincoln, and Michael, Akane and Ranma in Michael's Rabbit.  Paul drove
the Lincoln, leading the way to the restaurant.  In the car, Johnathon
kept his parents busy answering questions about what they had been up to
in the last year.  He knew they were very curious about his year in
Japan and his marriage to Kasumi, but he was reluctant to talk about it
right away.  Johnathon finally decided to tell them the story at the
restaurant, as the public atmosphere would help keep his parents on
their best behavior.

    They arrived before too long at the place Paul had picked out.  A
fancy steakhouse that served large quantities of 'American' and Western
fare.  It was a tad expensive, but the food was known to be excellent.
Paul had made reservations and the group was escorted directly to their
booth, a large enclosed couch that could seat ten people, and was
comfortably spacy with seven.  Johnathon helped Kasumi with her menu,
and Kasumi suggested a dish to Akane.  Ranma refused assistance,
preferring to puzzle it out on his own.

    When the waiter came up with a tray filled with glasses of water,
four heads shook in unison.  "No water, please!"

                            End: A Different Viewpoint: American
Vacation pt 1

I hope you liked it!  C&C is always welcome!
You can find the rest of this story at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/