The characters of Ranma 1/2 Universe is the sole creation of Rumiko Takahashi
and copyrighted to various companies.  The characters of Ah Megami-sama
Universe is the creation of Fujishima Kousuke and copyrighted to various
companies. All materials save the environment and situations are being used
without prior  authorization. This is for entertainment purposes only and is
not intented for material gains. If there has been an error in copyright,
please email me. I wish not to be sued for expressing my interest in these
series. Also please do not post ths story or change it in anyway without my
permission. 

Thanks to my pre readers: Thomas Scroggs, Jason Liao, Murmur the Fallen, David
Johnston, Octavian, EricMcGinnis and Thomas C Kinnen

Thanks to Bert Miller, Caroline Seawright, and Trakal for information on the
formal tea ceremony

Special thanks to Richard Lawson for giving this poor writing permission to
use a section of his TIL series.


Ranma � / Aa! Megami-sama : Kasumi's Wish Chapter Six
Created by Long Ngo
Started November 6, 1998
Finished February 7, 1999
Revised February 14, 1999

* * * * *

	Purson, a fallen angel, once of the order of virtues and thrones, frowned as
she sensed another wish being granted.  For a moment, she remembered
her days as part of the Goddess Relief Office before her face contorted into
anger.  Though she did not have the power to see into the time-stream as well
as the Norns, she would occasionally receive glimpses of the future as well as
the past and what she saw did not settle well with her.  In the future, Asgard
would be receiving, into its ranks, an individual of immense ability that
would spoil many of her plans.  Scowling, she set about to derail that future
as much as possible.  

      It had been awhile but now the whitish/golden haired demon, Mara,  found
herself in front of Purson, another first class unlimited demon, like herself.
Although most mortals believe that demons are a group of unorganized monsters
that terrorize humans, in reality, there was a chain of command.  Through
demonic bureaucracy, planning, and luck, Purson had risen through the ranks
and was presently her superior.  This did not come with a cost.  Many demons
resented Purson for many reasons.  Foremost was the fact that Purson, being a
former Angel, had done so well for herself in the land down-under. "What do
you want?" Mara asked, her question filled with contempt for the woman in
front of her. 

      "Now Mara, that isn't a nice way to greet your senior, you know.
Anyways, I called you here because I have an assignment for you." Purson
replied.  

      "I already have an assignment.  I'm bringing misery to a mortal by the
name of Morsato Keiichi and the three Norns.  I don't have time for another
project." Mara argued.

      "Not having much luck, are you?  Anyways, that assignment is, as of now,
suspended.  Your new assignment takes top priority and this might be something
you'll actually enjoy."

      "Oh?" her interested peaked for a few moments before returning to stare
daggers at Purson.  "Like I said, I already have a project and do not need
another.  Anyways you're my superior by only a few souls.  So don't push it."

      "At your current rate, a measly Third Class demons could pass you.  Like
I was saying, that project no longer concerns you.  The one that I shall brief
you on has the complete support of the Council."

     *Oh Heaven! She has the Council on her side.* Mara thought.  "What is my
assignment?"

      "It is quite simple.  The seduction of one mortal by the name of Ranma
Saotome.  You do remember how to seduce someone, right?"

      "Yeah, yeah.  This will be simple.  I'll be back harassing Keiichi in no
time.  No man can resist me!" Mara stated.

      *My dear Mara, that's what you think,* thought Purson, grinning ear to
ear.  *Lying is an art.  You just have to feed the person enough information
to make it believable and also a little fear so that they will not question
you.*  "Shall we adjourn to your place or mine, to discus the rest of your
assignment?" Purson asked.

	"Mine," Mara replied.  There was no way she would give Purson any more
advantages.

	With a snap of her fingers, a cape appeared on Purson's back.  Twirling the
cape around her body, she disappeared.  

	"Show off," Mara muttered before she too disappeared, only she had no need
for special effects or grand exits.  *Prepare yourself, Ranma Saotome.  Mara
is coming to town.*

* * * * *

	Nabiki was inside her room, scheming, but this time, money wasn't her top
priority.  Instead, she was holding a council of war, consisting of herself
and Akane.  The enemy was their so-called fianc�e, Saotome Ranma.  Until
proven otherwise, he was guilty of forcing their sister, Kasumi, into an
engagement she did not want, all in the name of family honor.  That was what
Nabiki told Akane although she had her doubts.

	"So what should we do?" Akane asked.  "Th�tha�that BOY might be taking
advantage of Kasumi right this instant," she accused.

	"Now, Akane, don't worry.  Kasumi is downstairs with father and Mister
Saotome.  Ranma wouldn't dare take advantage of her with two adults around."
Nabiki reassured her.  *Is he the one that Kasumi was so flustered about?  If
so, how does she know him?* Nabiki wondered.  *If Kasumi had been seeing
someone, I should have noticed the signs a lot earlier though in Kasumi's
case, she is happy almost all the time.*  

	"But, he's a boy.  They're all the same." Akane said hotly, thinking of the
gang of boys, who try, each morning, to get a date with her by engaging in a
useless battle, in hopes of winning.

	Shaking her head, "Not all boys are like that," Nabiki replied.  Thinking for
a second about who were currently acting as adult supervision.  Her father had
become very unstable after their mother died and she did not know much about
the elder Saotome.  "On second thought, why don't you go down and take a peek
to see if everything is okay," suggested Nabiki, not knowing Ranma really well
either.  

	Getting up, "If he even touches Kasumi, I'll bash him!" Akane growled, before
leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

	*Akane has to learn to control that temper of hers when it come to dealing
with boys,* Nabiki thought.  Turning her thoughts over to their new house
guests.  First there was Saotome Genma.  In the brief time that she had met
Ranma's father, she had a bad feeling about the man.  How could he separate
Ranma from his mother at the age of 6 and then for 10 straight years lead him
all over Japan, without even a visit home.  Taking Ranma to a mysterious
training ground in China without even knowing how to read the warnings was
just irresponsible.  What kind of person was Ranma, with that kind of
influence?  A huge crashing sound downstairs brought Nabiki back from her
musing.  Getting up, she went to see what the commotion was all about.

* * * * *

	"This is the life, Tendo!" Genma exclaimed.  At first he had feared that
maybe none of the girls would want Ranma but soon crushed that thought.  Ranma
took after himself when he was young.  Yes, a real lady's man.

	"Yes, Saotome!  Soon our two schools will be united." Soun cheered, wiping
away a few tears from his eyes.  Today was such an important day for Kasumi
that he did not want to break down crying as he had done since his wife died. 

	"I hear you, my friend.  At long last, our dreams will soon become a
reality." Genma roared, finishing another bottle of sake.  

	Looking over at his father and Mister Tendou partying outside, near the
entrance to the dinning room, Ranma had to shake his head in disgust.  He was
currently inside the Tendou's Training Hall.  Deciding it was a better idea to
get a feel of the place than look at the two grown ups drink themselves into
oblivion, Ranma started to examine the dojo.  *How can two people who value
martial arts so much treat their body that way?* Ranma thought.  *Marriage.  I
can't believe Oyaji would do this to me.  I'm not ready for marriage yet.* he
thought darkly.  *There is no way I'm marrying Akane.  I don't know why she
was mad at me.  It was all Oyaji's fault.  Tendou Nabiki.  She is really nice
looking but something about her just gives me the creeps.*  When the short
haired girl had offered to be his fianc�e as well, there was something in her
eyes, something a little predatorial.  "Kasumi," Ranma whispered, a smile on
his face.  *She's beautiful and the first person to treat me nicely in a long
time,* he thought, *She is older than me.  I wonder if she'll expect to be in
charge all of the time if I picked her?*     

 	A knock at the entrance of the training hall startled Ranma.  Turning
around, Ranma just stared at the girl in front of him.  

	Smiling, "Ranma-kun, what seems to be the matter?" Kasumi asked.  

	All his mind could focus on was the gorgeous girl in front of him, wearing a
very lovely kimono.  Ranma totally missed the format tea set Kasumi was
carrying.

	"Huh?" was the most intelligent answer his brain could come up at the moment.

	Kasumi couldn't hold back from laughing at the scene in front of her.
Placing the tea set down carefully, she spun around, giving Ranma a chance to
see every inch of her.  "Do you like it?" she asked, having a bit of innocent
fun.  That was the second time she had laugh in awhile and both times, Ranma
was the cause.

	Trying not to stare to much, Ranma nodded, trying hard not to embarrass
himself anymore than he already had.

	Smiling, Kasumi entered the training hall and sat down in the center, placing
the tea set in front of her.  Looking up at the young man who had changed her
life, she gestured for him to sit facing her, knowing that he did not have
much experience in this area.

	Slowly walking to the spot that Kasumi had indicated, Ranma stared at Kasumi
with an expression between wonder and confusion.  *Why did Kasumi get all
dressed up for?* he asked himself.  *Do I have to dress up to drink tea?
Oyaji never told me anything about this.*

	Getting ready to start, Kasumi looked up and discovered a very confused
Ranma, still standing.  *How could I have forgotten,* she thought.  "Ranma,
please sit down." Kasumi gently instructed Ranma.  "The tea ceremony is a very
ancient Japanese tradition, Ranma.  It dated back sometime around the Momoyama
period.  About the mid-sixteen century.  Relax and enjoy, Ranma.  Think of
this as a kind of meditation technique." Kasumi explained all the while
preparing to start the ceremony.  "The main purpose of the tea ceremony was to
help a person relax and invite them to take in their surroundings," she began.

	Seeing everything set and Ranma a bit nervous but more relaxed now than when
she had entered the training hall, Kasumi closed her eyes for a moment and
then started.  She took the tea scoop from the top of the tea bowl and wiped
it with the cloth as well, following a very specific pattern. She put the tea
scoop back by the bowl, then placed the silk cloth to the left of the bowl.
Kasumi removed the whisk from the tea bowl and set it on its end. She took the
small wiping cloth out of the tea bowl. She then picked up the kettle, holding
the cloth over the lid and pouring the hot water into the tea bowl. 

	She picked up the whisk and symbolically cleaned it and the tea bowl. She
whisked the water, picked up the bowl with her left hand, transferred it to
her right hand, and emptied the water into a water bowl. She replaced the tea
bowl with her right hand. 

	Kasumi picked up the tea scoop with her left hand and the tea caddy in her
right. She opened the tea caddy, placing the lid next to the tea bowl. 
	
	She scooped some tea out of the caddy and into the tea bowl. She tapped the
scoop once, lightly, on the side of the bowl. She then put the lid back on the
tea caddy and replaced it, along with the tea scoop. 
	
	Kasumi repeated the ritual of filling the tea bowl with hot water. Holding
the side of the bowl with her left hand, she took the whisk and whisked the
tea, quickly but gently. When it was frothy, she made one last circular motion
with the whisk, then moved her left hand away as she replaced the whisk with
her right. 
	
	Kasumi picked up the bowl and turned it twice, clockwise, until its front
faced Ranma. She then placed the bowl on her right near him. 
	
	Ranma blinked.  Was he suppose to do something now?  Throughout the
presentation so far, Ranma was entranced by Kasumi's graceful movements and by
Kasumi herself that any instructions she might have given him was lost.  Not
wanting to disappoint her, Ranma copied the exact movements that Kasumi
preformed right before handing him the cup.  

	Ranma took the tea bowl with his right hand and placed it in his left palm.
He steadied it with his right hand.  He then turned the tea bowl twice so that
its front was facing away from him. Looking up at Kasumi, Ranma was relieved
when he saw her smile and nod in his direction.  Smiling himself at getting it
right, he carefully drank all of the tea in the bowl.  When Ranma was done,
Ranma noticed that Kasumi was waiting for something.  Taking a guess, he
turned the bowl so that its front faced him again. 
	
	Ranma then placed the bowl on the exact spot that Kasumi had offered it to
him the first time.  Seeing that the smile on Kasumi's face grew slightly,
Ranma wanted to jump up and down shouting out a cry of victory but restrained
himself. 
	
	At first Kasumi did not know if Ranma could perform his role.  Kasumi knew
that Ranma had never seen a formal ceremony before and was about to give Ranma
a hint when he surprised her and proceeded to turn the cup away from him.
Watching him, Kasumi smiled in a way of encouragement.  *If nothing else,
Ranma is very adaptable.* Kasumi thought.  Seeing him place his empty bowl
down, she smiled a bit more.  Returning her attention back to her part, Kasumi
continued. 

	She went through another long process of ritually cleaning the implements of
the tea ceremony.  Ranma was again entranced by the person in front of him.
Her face was serious and serene. Her eyes were focused on what she was doing,
never glancing his way. It was all so peaceful. Ranma realized he could spend
hours just watching her and never be bored. 
	
	Finally, she reached the part of the ceremony where she was to begin taking
the implements out of the room. Once again, in a slight violation of the
ceremony, Kasumi put her hands on her thighs and looked over at Ranma.  "How
did you like it, Ranma-kun?" she asked.  

	Smiling, "That was great, Kasumi.  You were great." Ranma exclaimed, getting
up and walking over to her side.  "Let me help you up," Ranma offered.

	"Thank you, Ranma-kun." Kasumi asked.  *How many formalities have I broken in
the last two days since you have arrived, Ranma?  I've lost count and that is
the way you are.  That is who you are.  You are everything exciting in life.
I'm glad you enjoyed the tea ceremony.* Kasumi mused.

* * * * *

	Storming down the stairs, Akane looked around for Ranma when she decided to
look in the training hall.  Martial artist and training hall kind of go
together, Akane discerned.  As she made her way to the entrance, with dark
thoughts as to what Ranma was doing with her beloved sister, she saw Ranma
holding Kasumi's hand with a smile on his face.  Akane never noticed that
Kasumi was wearing a kimono or the formal tea set.  What her mind told her was
that, Ranma was trying to take advantage of Kasumi inside the training hall
where no one could see his dastardly deeds.  Picking up a large rock by the
koi pond, Akane aimed and threw it at Ranma.

	The rock having been aimed properly, impacted the young martial artist.
Taking to the air, Ranma traveled the length of the training hall before
crashing into the wall.  

	"Oh my!" Kasumi exclaimed, a bit startled at this turn of events.

	Running up to Kasumi, "Are you all right, Kasumi?  That boy didn't hurt you
or anything did he?" Akane asked.

	"Akane, how could you?  You ruined everything I set up." Kasumi accused, her
voiced filled with anger for a moment before calming down.

	For the first time since coming down the stairs, Akane noticed the formal tea
set and Kasumi wearing a kimono.  "I'm so sorry, Kasumi." Akane apologized, "I
didn't know." 

	"That's all right.  Next time, please think before you act and you should
apologize to Ranma after he wakes up."

	Nodding her head, ashamed of herself, Akane waited while Kasumi cleaned up
and for Ranma to wake up, hands behind her back and head bowed.  

	Hearing the loud sound, Nabiki followed Akane's reasoning and headed into the
training hall to see Ranma embedded into the wall by a huge rock, Akane
looking a bit sad and Kasumi in a kimono and carrying the formal tea set.
"Did I miss anything?" she asked.

To be continued: