gziped /archive/anime-fan-works/Ranma/ranma.man-enough.gz

Donny Cheng 

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
Rumiko Takahashi and co.  Please don't sue me.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the manga.  It draws ideas
from both the anime and manga.

C&C welcomed.  Flames not.

Man Enough

by

Donny Cheng

        "More lemonade, Ranma-kun?"  Kasumi asked Ranma as she picked
up his empty glass.

        Ranma gazed up at Kasumi from the place where he was lounging.
"Yes, Kasumi."  It was such a nice day to sit around and do nothing.

        "Ranma, why aren't you with your friends?  It's beautiful
outside."  Kasumi asked him as she poured him another glass.  It
puzzled Kasumi to no end on how Ranma always seemed to be home.  The
only time Ranma seemed to go out was for school, food, or a fight.
Ranma gave a blank look at her question.  "You know what I mean.  Out
having fun and doing what teenage boys do."

        "Oh that!  I don't know.  I guess I'm just not interested.  I
went out with Hiroshi and Daisuke a couple of times.  I was bored to
tears.  Do all boys just want to play video games, watch movies, and
flirt with girls?"

        "I guess that would seem boring to you, Ranma."  Kasumi should
have known.  Ranma's idea of fun was a good fight and a good meal.
Games and movies did seem tame in comparison.  With four or more girls
after him, flirting with girls was just not very fun.

        "Well, how about you Kasumi?  Why aren't you out having fun and
doing what teenage girls like to do?  The girls at school seem to like
to shop, watch movies, hang out, and flirt with boys."

        Kasumi was startled at Ranma's questions.  "I don't know.  I
guess, I just don't have much in common with other girls."  Kasumi only
shopped for essentials, never for the fun of it.  As for movies, Kasumi
didn't even like to watch television.  Too much violence.  The only
people Kasumi 'hanged out' with were the wives at the grocery store.
Kasumi blushed at the thought of her flirting with boys.  It saddened
Kasumi to think of how out of touch with her generation she was.  "I
guess I'm just too much of an old maid."

        Ranma was shocked to see Kasumi's ever-present smile fall from
her face.  This was all his fault.  He and his stupid questions.
"Kasumi, your not an old maid.  Don't think like that."  Kasumi didn't
seem to respond his attempts at helping her.  He had to think fast.
"Look at me.  My social skills aren't something to be proud about.  I
have trouble relating to people of any generation.  I'm in an even
worse position than you.  Besides, I'd rather sit at home with you than
with those other kids.  You're much nicer to be around with."

        Kasumi couldn't help but smile at Ranma's bungling attempts at
trying to cheer her up.  Ranma was so sweet sometimes.  "That's okay
Ranma.  I understood what my life would be like when I took up the
responsibility of taking care of the family."

        Ranma immediately felt relieved that Kasumi was once again
smiling.  He did not like seeing a sad Kasumi at all.  "If it would
help, I think you should have a daily reminder that you're still young
yourself.  From now on, I going to call you Kasumi-chan to remind you
of your real age."

        Kasumi laughed out loud at that.  Imagine, a younger man
calling her Kasumi-chan.  Ranma was right.  It did make her feel much
better.  A whole lot better.

                               * * * * *

        Akane sat fuming at the dinner table as she watched Ranma
seemingly flirt with Kasumi.  That pervert.  How could he?  With her
own sister.

        "Kasumi-chan, could I have another bowl of rice."  Ranma's
voice was playful as he held out his empty bowl.

        "Of course you can, Ranma-kun."  Kasumi blushed slightly.  She
still wasn't quite used to hearing a man call her that.

        "That was delicious, Kasumi-chan."

        A vein in Akane's forehead popped.  That was the last straw.
"What do you think your doing, Ranma?  Talking to my sister like that.
That's improper."

        "Like a tomboy would know anything about what's improper and
what's not."  Ranma retorted.  What was Akane's problem?  He was just
trying to be nice.

        Without a word, Akane picked up Ranma by his pigtail and punted
him into low earth orbit.

        "You uncute tomboy!"  Ranma shouted at his top of his lungs as
he flew away.

        "Ranma, why do you always have to be such a jerk?"  Akane fumed
as she stormed to her room.

        Everyone else at the dinner table ignored this exchange, as it
was an all too common occurrence.  Kasumi sighed as she watched Akane
leave in a huff.  A whole year of grooming Akane to be a better fiancee
wasted.  It was true that Akane listened to her admonishing all the
time.  It was just that Akane never ever took her words to heart.  Too
much advice just became nagging to the ears of a person who has heard
it all before.  Kasumi blamed herself for Akane turning a deaf ear to
advice every now and then.  At the rate it was going between Ranma and
Akane, it would take years before they could ever sit down and talk
like normal, rational beings.

        "Kasumi."  Nodoka gestured at Kasumi to follow her into the
kitchen where they could be alone.

        Kasumi was puzzled as she followed Auntie Saotome.  "What is
it, Auntie?"

        "I saw that look on your face.  You're disappointed in Akane,
aren't you?  Yes, I know Akane is starting to ignore what you say to
her.  I am having the same problem with Akane.  I suggest we stop with
our efforts on Akane for a little while.  Without our pestering her all
the time, I think our advice will seem less like nagging.  Instead, why
don't you concentrate on Ranma.  I would do it myself, but I've only
just reunited with him recently.  I want to get to know him a bit
better before I start to turn him off with my motherly 'nagging'."

        "Yes, I do believe that's a good idea, Auntie.  Ranma does seem
to listen to what I say some of time.  I haven't spoken to him too much
as to make him feel like I'm a pest yet."  Kasumi smiled as she thought
of the prospect of bringing Ranma and Akane together.  It may not be
too late after all.  This time she will be a little more careful in her
placement of advice.

                               * * * * *

        "Ranma, there's a letter that came for you."  Kasumi handed an
envelope to Ranma.

        Ranma gave it a cursory glance.  "It's another challenge from
Ryoga.  The date for the duel was supposed to have been a week ago.
Seeing as how he's always late, it mean's he should be here any
minute."

        Kasumi studied Ranma for a moment.  After an exhaustive few
weeks, she had managed to get Ranma to apologize any time he said
something wrong.  Not that this made any difference.  By the time he
apologized, the damage his mouth caused was already done.  None of this
had mattered to Kasumi.  All that matter to her was that Ranma was
changing his ways, albeit very slowly.  However, reminding Ranma to say
sorry was not very hard.  Looking at Ranma now, Kasumi felt that it was
time to take the next step in helping Ranma become a better fiance.
"Ranma, I don't want either you or Ryoga to get hurt in this fight.
From the bits and pieces I've gathered from your past, I can tell that
you and Ryoga used to be very good friends.  Can you think of any way
that you can tone down your fights with him?"

        Ranma stared at Kasumi.  Kasumi was asking him to do something
specifically for her.  She rarely ever did that.  Over the last few
weeks, Kasumi always seemed to be by his side whenever he was at home.
Anytime he put his foot in his mouth she would gently nudge him to say
sorry.  That had been that the first time Ranma had ever had a person
constantly guiding and watching over him.  It felt very nice.  He
wanted to repay Kasumi by listening to her.  "Okay, Kasumi.  I'll try,
but no promises."

        Kasumi smiled.  "All that I can hope is that you try."

                               * * * * *

        Ranma racked his brain to think of a way to get out the jam he
was in.  Ryoga was busily punching away at him and was not showing any
sign of tiring.  He brightened as he suddenly thought up of a plan.
There was one way for him to not hurt Ryoga and still feel the pleasure
of the bout.  He looked grimly towards Ryoga and suddenly started
counter attacking.

        Ryoga was surprised as he felt the tide of the battle turn.  He
saw Ranma's fist flying straight towards his face.  This was going to
hurt.  Nothing happened.  Ranma stopped his fist an inch before it
connected.  Anger rose up within Ryoga.  What did Ranma think he was
doing?  This was a battle to the death.  He then renewed his assault on
Ranma.

        When Kasumi saw Ranma starting to attack, her hopes had
dropped.  It looked like Ranma did not listen to her after all.  But
wait!  Ranma stopped his attack just before it could touch Ryoga.  Each
and every time, Ranma would dodge Ryoga's attacks only to counter
attack and purposely stop.  He did listen to her.

        Ranma smiled to himself.  It was working.  Ryoga was getting
angrier.  This meant that Ryoga was making more mistakes and was
getting easier to dodge.  Ryoga would tire out faster than he usually
would.

        Ryoga stopped to gather his breath.  This was not at all
working out like their usual fights.  He was slower, but tough enough
to take many of Ranma's punches without getting hurt.  Their fights
usually came out about even in the end.  Eventually both of them would
tire out.  Ranma could not keep attacking as such speeds forever and
Ryoga would eventually feel sore from Ranma insistent attacks.
However, this fight was different.  Ranma wasn't even wasting any
strength since there was no force within any of his punches.  This
fight could last days at the rate it was going.  Ranma always had to
ridicule him.  Ryoga lowered his arms.  "Let's call this a draw.  I
will let you get away this time.  But the next time I come, I fully
expect a good fight."  He looked at Ranma disgustedly.  He would wipe
that smile off one of these days.

        Ranma too lowered his arms as he watched Ryoga wander off in
anger.  He knew that the tactic he used would work only once.  Ryoga
would expect a good fight next time and Ranma would be ready to give it
to him.  He broke away from his thoughts as he suddenly felt someone
glomp onto him.  It was Kasumi.  Ranma's brain stopped functioning.

        Kasumi quickly released Ranma just as fast she glomped onto
him.  She had been so overjoyed by what had happened, that she forgot
herself for a moment.  "It worked, Ranma.  You were able to stop Ryoga
without hurting him."

        Ranma's brain restarted as Kasumi let go of him.  "Uh... Yeah."
Ranma could only mumble unintelligently as his mind kept wandering back
to how nice it felt when Kasumi hugged him.

        Ranma must be too happy for words, Kasumi thought to herself.
For some reason as she went back inside to the house, her mind replayed
her hug with Ranma over and over again.

                               * * * * *

        Nodoka looked worriedly at Kasumi and Ranma laughing together.
For the past few weeks, they had been together constantly.  What had
she done?  It seemed that Kasumi was the latest victim to fall for
Ranma's inexplicable charm.  Did Kasumi even realize this?  Nodoka had
to find out.

                               * * * * *

        Kasumi and Nodoka washed the dishes after dinner had ended.
Kasumi was drying and Nodoka was washing.  Kasumi could tell something
was wrong as she looked at Auntie Saotome's downcast face.  "What's
wrong, Auntie?"

        "Kasumi, how do you feel about Ranma?"  Nodoka looked at Kasumi
intently.

        Kasumi was surprised by this question.  How did she feel about
Ranma?  "I think that he's young."  Now, why on earth did she say that?
Kasumi couldn't help it though.  For the last few days, Kasumi kept on
thinking back to the first time she met Ranma and claimed that he was
too young for her.  Ranma's age and curse had not been very appealing
to her.

        "I was afraid that you felt this way also.  You see, I too
think Ranma is too immature.  During the times I've spent with Ranma,
I've been trying to find something, anything manly about him.  To tell
you the truth, before I reunited with Ranma, my standards for him were
very high.  It was the fact that I was afraid of losing him that I
lowered my standards for him.  From what I've observed, Ranma's not at
all manly, other than in macho pride and virility.  He is leading no
less than four women on.  He is afraid of me killing him.  My son is a
womanizer and a coward.  Not at all manly traits."  Nodoka started to
cry over the sink.

        Kasumi felt something snap inside of her.  She was angry.  "No,
you're wrong Auntie.  You have no right to judge Ranma.  You've only
been with him as boy for a couple of months or so.  You don't know him
like I have come to know him.  Ranma is the manliest man I know.  He is
not leading four women on.  They choose to follow him.  Yes, I know he
should still break it off.  Being the honorable man that he is Ranma
refuses to hurt a girl in any way.  Even Kodatchi.  I think that even
if he did love one of the girls, he would still put aside his own
feelings.  This means that he would probably never make a decision,
hoping they would all give up on him.  Also, if they don't give up, he
would take the brunt of all their anger by himself.  Heaven knows that
he doesn't treat any of them very well.  It seems that the girls are
able to see past the way he acts and still love him.  Do you think four
girls could be wrong about a single guy?  Ranma is most of all not a
coward.  Do you think for one moment that Ranma would not put his head
on the chopping block if you asked him?  The thing Ranma fears is not
death but his mother's impression of him.  If Ranma truly feared death,
he would not be the martial artist he is today.  He could have just
ignored the contract he signed when he was little.  However, Ranma does
take responsibility for his actions even if he was a four-year-old at
the time.  The only reason he did not show himself to you was that he
did not want to disappoint the one person he loves the most in the
world.  If he knew that you did not think he was manly enough he would
let you kill him immediately."  Kasumi stopped her speech as she stared
at Auntie Saotome dumbfounded.  Nodoka was clapping soundly.

        "I thought you said young men were just too young."  Nodoka
said this with a twinkle in her eye.

        Kasumi stared at Nodoka in shock.  Kasumi was trapped by her
own words.  She could not deny the fact that she no longer felt Ranma
was not mature enough for her.  She wished that she could take back the
words she had spoken the day Ranma first came to the Tendo home.  How
could this have happened?  How could I do this to Akane?  She did not
want to hurt her sister in any way in pursuing Ranma.  What could she
do?  She could end her relationship with Ranma right now.  Ranma did
not know of her feelings for him as of yet.  The only person that could
get hurt would be her.  However, a part of Kasumi rebelled against that
thought.  The part that loved Ranma.  She tried to reason with herself.
Though Akane and Ranma probably loved each other at the moment, they
would never voluntarily tell each other of their feelings.  Ranma could
never control his mouth around Akane and would always say the wrong
thing.  Akane could never control her temper and Ranma would end up
tasting the brunt of it.  It may take a few years, but Ranma's loyalty
to Akane would not last very long if they did not come to an
understanding.  In the end, Ranma would go to either Ukyo or Shampoo.
His other two suitors show nothing but devotion and love towards him.
To maintain the Tendo honor, it was Kasumi's duty to see that Ranma wed
one the Tendo sisters.  With that last thought in mind, Kasumi turned
to Nodoka.  "Auntie Saotome, I have a request of you."

        Nodoka smiled.  "I thought that you might."

                               * * * * *

        "And so, I now hereby, declare that all of the Tendo girls are
engaged to Ranma until he chooses the one he likes."  Soun smiled as he
said this.  This was a great idea of Nodoka's.  This gave him a
fifty-percent chance of Ranma marrying at least one of his daughters,
rather than those other girls.

        Genma smiled as he thought along the same lines of Soun.

        Akane smiled as she knew that her other sisters weren't
interested in Ranma.  This announcement meant nothing other than that
it would lessen the pressure on her.  This may mean that she would
start treating Ranma a bit better.

        Nabiki smiled as she thought of all the money she could make
off Ranma now.

        Kasumi smiled as she now had a chance with Ranma.  Now all she
had to do was wait out the rest of the girls.  If there was one thing
Kasumi had, it was patience.  She winked at Ranma when no one was
looking.

        ANOTHER TWO?!  Ranma groaned inwardly as he saw Kasumi's wink.
The thought of hurting the elder Tendo sister did not sit well with him
at all.

        Nodoka smiled serenely.  Everyone was happy and there was no
pressure on anybody other than her son.  She had full confidence in
Ranma.  Her son was man enough to handle two more girls.

                               * * * * *

        "I would never be home if we do get married.  While I do like
lounging around and doing nothing, I also like adventure and
excitement."

        Kasumi looked affectionately at Ranma as he rambled on about
how she would have a miserable life with him.  Ranma must like her at
least a little if he cared enough to dump her.  "I don't mind.  My
father didn't stop traveling until about ten years ago.  I can wait
until you are ready to settle down."

        "When I am home, I will probably bring a lot of trouble with
me.  You will have a hard time cleaning up after me and my problems."

        Kasumi smiled.  Ranma did like her.  He's willing to let her
help him when he had trouble.

        "If we have children, I would take them on long training
trips."

        Kasumi blushed.  He was thinking of having children with her.

        Ranma looked despairingly at Kasumi.  She hadn't heard a single
thing that he said.  He gave up.  Oh well, at least he tried.  It
wasn't all that bad to have her as a fiancee.  He wouldn't mind
spending his golden years with someone as nice as her.

                               * * * * *

The End.

    Source: geocities.com/tokyo/ginza/4537

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