Stepping out of the cab, Kassy looked at what she assumed was the Tendo home. She had to admit, it did seem pretty big. At least the outer-walls suggested that it was on a lot of property, at least an acre and a half, a lot of land considering the price of real-estate in the tiny island nation.
Noticing Kassy get out of the car, Ranma gave the driver the rest of the yen. “Hey, relax, Kassy. I told you I’d get your bag for you.”
Raising an eyebrow as she looked at Ranma, she told him, “I told you before, Ranma. I can handle my bag myself. I’m not some helpless invalid, you know.”
Shrugging his shoulder, Ranma said, “Okay, okay. Fine...” He was silent for a moment more before asking, “Hey, Kassy?”
“What is it?” Kassy said over her shoulder as she placed her hand on the old, thick wooden door of the gates to the Tendo compound.
“If there’s no harm to it,” Ranma started hesitantly. “Where did you get a pair of skunks ears like that?”
Turning to face Ranma fully, Kassy asked, “What?”
“You know, those fake skunk-ears on your head,” He said seriously. “They’re pretty realistic-look’, you know?”
Reaching a hand up to one of her Salusian ears, Kassy let out a sigh. Well, at least he thought they were just some fashion statement rather than an abnormality on her part. “It’s nothing, really.”
“You sure?” Ranma asked.
Frowning a little, Kassy aside, “Why do you keep asking?”
“No real reason,” Ranma said. “Just curious. I mean, they do look good on you.”
Despite herself, Kassy blushed a little. Not wanting the boy to ask about that, Kassy asked him, “Hey, Ranma, are you going to let me in or what?”
“Sure thing,” Ranma said as he started to open the gate for her. “I’m just going to warn you though, it can be pretty odd around here.”
Raising her eyebrow to that, Kassy shrugged. Oh please! She came from a town thatw as infested with aliens, witches, ninjas, vampires, huge mecha, and the occasional demon possession for crying out loud! Not much could actually surprise her.
As the double doors swung open, Kassy took a look around. Wow. This place was rather nice. Grass, a cobble-stone walk-way, and the house itself was rather large. She could see the top of another building out back, peeking just above the house. “Yep, very nice.”
Getting to the main door of the Tendo home, Ranma slid the door open. “Hello!” Ranma called out as he started to take his slippers off. “I’m back and I brought the guest!”
Kassy heard a call back of, “Oh, how nice!” Turning her head to the source of the voice, she saw a head peek out from a doorway with a cloth curtain. The woman then stepped out of it, wearing an apron above her clothing. Kassy had to admit, she looked rather nice.
Walking over to their new guest, Kasumi bowed politely. “Hello there. I am Kasumi Tendo. Welcome to the Tendo home. It’s a pleasure to make an acquaintance with you.”
Kassy smiled. My, what a rather polite woman. “Hello, Kasumi. It’s nice to meet you too.” Holding out her hand, she said, “The name’s Kassiopeia Feeple, but please, call me ‘Kassy’.” Smiling more, she then added, “And it’s a nice to meet you too.”
Kasumi smiled. Such a nice guest, and such cute skunk-ears too. Turning her head to look at Ranma, she asked, “Ranma, would you be a dear and let the others meet Kassy and then get settled in? I’ll have dinner ready shortly.”
“All right, Kasumi,” Ranma said with a smile. Turning his head towards Kassy, he told her, “You’re in for a real treat. Kasumi is the best cook, ever!”
Hearing that caused Kassy’s stomach to grumble. Placing her hand on her stomach and blushing a bit, she said, “Excuse me. It’s been awhile since I’ve eaten.”
Kasumi just smiled at that. “Then you’re certainly going to enjoy your meal.”
Kassy smiled at that. Damn, she really could use a good meal right about now. And if the way they kept mentioning it would be good... Well, Kassy certainly hoped it would be great! However, her thoughts of food were soon derailed as she felt Ranma poking her shoulder. “Hmm? What is it?”
“Come on, let me introduce you to everyone,” Ranma said. However, even speaking to her, he couldn’t help but look at the ears on top of her head. Damn. He wish to knew where he could get a pair like those.
Nodding her head, Kassy said, “Sure. Lead the way.”
“Okay,” Ranma said to the Salusian as he motioned for her to follow him when he started walking. Seeing that Kassy was indeed keeping in step with him, he lead her onto the veranda where the two patriarchs were playing a board-game. “Well, Kassy, meet my Pops, Genma, and the man with the beard is the owner of this house, Soun Tendo.”
As could be expected from the two patriarchs, they didn’t say a word to the new guest right away. They were too content and absorbed with cheating, er, playing their game.
However, they weren’t the only ones. Kassy didn’t say anything for a moment as well.
Placing a hand on Kassy’s shoulder, Ranma shook her gently. “Hey, Kassy?”
“Ranma...” Kassy finally spoke. “Is that a panda playing shogi?”
Shaking his head, Ranma said, “Of course not...”
Kassy let out a sigh of relief.
“...They’re playing Go this time,” He said as if it were the most obvious thing.
Kassy’s eye twitched again. “You’re kidding, right?”
Giving Kassy a look, Ranma told her, “And if you think this is bad, consider yourself lucky. The old pervert ain’t been here in awhile.”
Looking at Ranma, Kassy asked, “Old pervert?”
“Yeah, a really old lech by the name of Happosai,” Ranma shuddered for a moment before continuing. “At least I think he’s in over in Kyoto at the moment on one of his training trips. So you should be safe for a few days.”
Kassy’s left eye started to twitch in irritation. “Old lech?” She mentally repeated. God, what was her mother getting her into when she sent her here!?
Seeing Kassy freeze up a little and pretty much out of it, Ranma thought it wouldn’t hurt to try and get a feel of those ears. “Hmm... Very real. I wonder where she got a pair of ears like that.”
“HEY!” Kassy cried in indignation and pulled back. “Do you mind!?”
“Sorry,” Ranma apologized as he held up his hands defensively. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“And make sure you don’t!” Kassy huffed. “Next time, keep your hands to yourself.”
“All right, all right,” Ranma said apologetically. He then looked at Kassy with a smirk and asked, “Well, let’s get you introduced to Nabiki.”
Looking at Ranma cautiously, Kassy said, “Okay...”
(------)
“And this is your room,” Ranma said as he opened the door with the duck sign on it that read, ‘Akane’. “Kasumi already told me it would be all right for you to be staying here. So you can unpack your things...” It was then that Ranma noticed the rather cross look on her face. “Aw come on already, you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Grumbling, Kassy took out her now mostly empty wallet, checking over what little money she had left for spending cash. “She swindled me I tell you!”
“Hey, I told you when we got there you should ask me any questions you have. Nabiki charges an arm and a leg,” Ranma said seriously. “Hopefully this will get you to believe me next time.”
Frowning a little, Kassy said, “No you didn’t!”
“Yeah, I did,” Ranma then paused. “Or at least I meant to. I KNOW I meant to,” He said seriously, nodding his head.
Her eye twitching a little, Kassy was ready to give this pigtailed idiot such an ass-kicking...
...But no, that wouldn’t be very ladylike. And besides, she was the guest here! “But that doesn’t mean I can’t give him a scare...” She thought a little sinisterly.
Calming herself and looking as cute as a button, Kassy said, “Oh, Ranma. I do have to give you one warning.”
“What’s that?” Ranma asked.
Containing her smirk, Kassy suddenly shifted to her Salusian form without warning. “This!” However, much to the Salusian’s surprise, Ranma didn’t even react. “Well?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Ranma asked, “Jusenkyo, right?”
Blinking her eyes, Kassy asked, “Jusenkyo?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Ranma said, “You’ll find out soon enough. Though that does explain the ears from before.” He then blinked as he realized something. He continued to look Kassy over and blush. “Anyway, you can put your stuff in the dresser. I’ll meet you downstairs during dinner. And before, Kassy could ask him anything, he practically ran off.
Shifting back to her human form, Kassy blinked her eyes, wondering what all that was about. “Well, he was right about one thing. Things here are a little weird. But nothing like back home.
Sliding the door to his and his father’s room behind him, Ranma panted. “Damn! I can’t believe I getting an erection,” Ranma chided himself. “It’s not like she was trying to be sexy or nothing, yet...”
Ranma shivered. It was one of his secrets, one he’d rather be damned then let the others find out, lest he get mocked for it.
Ranma was a Furry Fan.
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(Posted Sun, 20 Jun 2004 01:10)
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