[Episode 46714] [Episode 46714]Of course, Kasumi wasn't then alone automatically. Nabiki was still in the house with her. Poor, dear Nabiki. They had spent a good six months trying to keep the Dojo afloat. It was difficult, since Ranma was not around to help Nabiki generate income. And without either Akane or Ranma's presents, Tatewaki Kuno had stopped secretly giving funds to the Tendo Dojo...
In those six months, everyone was getting the idea that no one that went to China was coming. The Amazons did not return to the Nekohanten, and it was sold and being refurbished as a McDonalds. Ryoga had not been sighted anywhere as well. And, as expected, neither Soun called home, nor did Genma contact his wife. And, what was making everyone in Nerima nervous, Ranma, the pigtailed wonder, had yet to reappear...
Looking down at her cup of tea, Kasumi thought of all the Nerima nutcases who had 'suffered' with Ranma's disappearance. Surprisingly, instead of capitalizing on the situation and taking whatever undergarments he pleased, Happosai had left, saying he would find his wayward students. "I guess grandfather Happosai really is an honorable man deep down..." Kasumi sighed.
The Kunos were more or less insane, but with the disappearance of those that went to China, they too, had been affected. Kodachi had begun to wither away bit by bit, missing the presence of her 'Ranma-sama'. Tatewaki was, more-or-less, 100% nutty. He refused to accept that Akane and Ranma did not return. He now constantly wore samurai armor and brandished a real katana. He had even vowed that he would slay the 'vile sorceror Saotome' and 'free' his loves, Akane Tendo and the 'pigtailed girl'. "That deluded man..." Kasumi said in disbelief.
Going over her thoughts, there was also the Kuonji girl. She was totally in denial. She was doing business, and doing it well... But... She just hadn't accepted that Ranma hadn't returned, nor would she acknowledge that he had even left. She talked about how, 'any day, Ranma is going to come in and pronounce his love for his cute fiancee'! "She and Kodachi should go to see a shrink together..."
"And then there's Mrs. Saotome..." Kasumi whispered to herself. Of anyone, Nodoka Saotome knew how she felt. Her husband and son, her only family that would want to be around her, had disappeared along with Soun and Akane. Nodoka stayed strong, and said that she knew that her husband and son would come back, that they both had strong character and could stand up for themselves. "I just wish I had that sort of confidence..." Kasumi said silently. Her family was never strong of character.
Kasumi sighed as she looked out into the backyard, to the little shrine set up for her family. While it was for her entire family, it only had her mother's... And Nabiki's ashes.
And thinking of weak family... It still saddened Kasumi. Nabiki was just trying to keep the Dojo afloat, and even did some 'darker' dealings with the Yakuza. It had brought in large sums of money, and things went smoothly for Nabiki for quite some time... But...
Shuddering, Kasumi did not want to remember how the Police found Nabiki. She had been gone for two weeks, and after that time, the Police found her chopped-up into pieces, and her remains were in a freezer in the back of some sleazy bar.
Kasumi sighed and looked back down into her teacup again. She had broken down for some time after that. Thankfully, she had a few friends who had stood by her. There were her two 'adoptive' sisters, Natsumi and Kurumi, of course. Someone needed to put the Dojo to use, and these two were happy to have a home once more. And then there was a man that was a healer. One person who had been able to help Kasumi get over the disappearance and deaths of family members.
"There you are, Kasumi..." Came a male voice. "How're you doing?"
Kasumi smiled back at the man whom she had oved for quite some time. The man who had gotten up his courange and asked her to marry him. "I'm fine, Ono dear. Just thinking of old friends..."
Dr. Tofu nodded his head. "Ranma again?"
Kasumi nodded her head. "Him and others."
Sighing, Tofu said, "It's been so long, Kasumi. I'm surprised you still try to think of them so often. You know it's not good for your nerves."
Kasumi sighed a well. Standing up from her spot on the porch, Kasumi hugged her husband. "I just miss them all so much... But what really gets me is I don't know what truly happened to most of them... If I just knew what had happened, I could put it behind me..."
Tofu nodded his head. "I know. But we'll never know. I myself had contacted a few doctors that were stationed in China. No one has been able to say anything useful."
Kasumi sighed and nodded her head. Hopefully, someone would be able to put this mystery in her heart to rest.
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(Posted Tue, 27 May 2003 14:02)
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