A few days after her telepathic chat with Charles Xavier, Kasumi Tendo had received an invitation to visit the Yashida School for Gifted Youngsters. Under the pretense of grocery shopping ("What else could she do out of the house ?" thought the Tendo dojo's residents), the eldest Tendo daughter went to the rendez-vous point where a black limo came to take her to her destination. She was still a little wary, Sunfire may be a national hero but he was still a yakuza overlord and she had been fighting against his fellow men for years.
She had to see that Nabiki and Ranma-kun were in good health and cared for though. Her powers should be enough to protect her if this proved to be a trap.
*****
Kasumi had arrived at the school and had been taken on a tour of the facilities. She was impressed and admitted that her sister and Ranma could have done worse for a place to learn how to use their powers. It was also a fortress where Ranma's kidnappers and enemies would have trouble to attack head-on. She was currently in the medical center, talking with the school's doctor.
"So, what can you tell me of my sister's mutation, Ikari-san ?"
Dr. Yui Ikari smiled at the question and made various diagrams appear on the screen of her computer "Nabiki Tendo possesses what we have named a hyper-metabolism" On another screen, comparative charts of metabolic activity between her sister and a normal human showed "As you can see, Nabiki's body works at a much higher rate than ours"
Kasumi frowned "What are the practical consequences, doctor ?" Having read enough medical texts, she feared that Nabiki would burn herself out with such a mutation.
Yui called video files on her computer showing Nabiki undergoing various tests "Her speed and strength are extremely high. Her skeleton, joints and epiderm have reinforced themselves to almost metal armor levels to keep up with her physical attributes. Her healing rate and resistance to various toxins have also skyrocketed since her body's defenses work at insane speeds" The doctor looked at Kasumi with a smile "In short, your sister is a powerhouse. The only drawback is that she eats and drinks like a horse to sustain her metabolism's hyperactivity"
"Oh my, how ironic..." Yui didn't understand and raised an eyebrow "All her life, my sister has favored intellectual pursuits and considered fighting distasteful... And now she discovers she was literally born for it. Her hyper-metabolism isn't dangerous to her, is it ?"
Yui understood what the eldest Tendo daughter meant "If you think of cardiac problems or premature aging, I'd say no for the moment. Nabiki's body seems to have been designed to withstand the enhanced output of her metabolic functions without ill effects"
"And for pregnancy ?"
Yui was surprised at this question "I... I don't know. I haven't searched for possibilities on this subject. What makes you ask that ?"
"Since before we were born, the Tendo and the Saotome lines have made a pact to unite the families by marriage. With what happened, Nabiki seems to be the logical choice for becoming Ranma-kun's wife. They're both mutants and their personalities complete each other" Kasumi thought guiltily about Akane but her normal baby sister couldn't live in such a world "It is a matter of duty and family honor"
"I see..." Dr. Ikari inwardly thought that it wouldn't be so easy. Already other students were showing romantic interest in Ranma like Mutsumi and Millia. She really hoped they would find other male students soon to avoid a situation where all girls would compete for a single man, especially since they were powerful mutants... "And what about you, Tendo-san ? You're a mutant too"
Kasumi smiled but shook her head negatively "Oh my, he's so much younger than me... It just wouldn't be proper !"
*****
"Tendo-san, if I could speak with you for a moment, please ?" Kasumi was heading for the students' rooms when she was stopped by Sunfire himself.
"Yes, Yashida-san ?"
"Professor Xavier told me you didn't want to join our school. May I ask why ?"
"I don't need to learn how to control my powers. I am already quite proficient in their use" Kasumi's expression grew pensive then resolute "I have to take care of my family and my district as well. I'm sure you understand..."
"Of course" Sunfire wasn't finished however "I have another offer for you in that case"
"Oh my, really ?" *What could he want ?* she thought.
"Would you like to join my school, not as a student but as a teacher ?"
Kasumi was surprised. She didn't expect such a proposal "Me, a teacher ?"
"Yes. You have years of experience in controlling your powers and I'm sure my students would benefit from whatever advice you could give them" Sunfire ruefully smiled "I am also in dire need of a Home Economics teacher. Ranma and your sister told me you were a really talented cook"
"I don't know... This is so sudden..."
"Nabiki told me that without her, your family will lose its regular income. You'll be handsomely paid for your services, of course. So, what is your answer ?"
Kasumi thought about this and said...
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(Posted Thu, 12 Dec 2002 11:06)
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