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

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

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 on this beautiful day."
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.
        "You know Ranma.  Out having fun.  Doing what teenage boys do."

	"Oh that!  I don't know.  I guess I'm not interested.  I went out with
Hiroshi and Daisuke a couple of times, but 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 just wasn't very fun.

	"Well, how about you?  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 as she heard 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.  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, you're
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 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.
"If it would help, I think you should have a daily reminder that your still
young yourself.  From now on, I will call you Kasumi-chan to remind you of
your 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.

			* * * * *

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

	"Kasumi-chan, could I have another bowl of rice."

	"Of course you can, Ranma-kun."

	"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 what's improper and what's not."

	Without a word, Akane picked up Ranma by his pig tail and gave him the big
boot.

	"You uncute tomboy!"  Ranma shouted at his top of his lungs as he was
punted away by Akane.

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

	Everyone at the dinner table ignored this exchange as it was an all to
common occurance.  Everyone except one that was.  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 admonishings
all the time.  It was just that Akane never ever took her words to heart. 
Too much advice just becomes 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 would even 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 also.  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 racked his brain to think of a way to get out the jam he was in. 
Ryouga was busily punching away at him and was not showing any sign of
tiring.  Before the fight had started, Kasumi had pulled him aside to talk.
 She had asked him specifically not to hurt Ryouga too much, seeing as how
they were best friends and all.  Akane and Nabiki had promptly face faulted
at Kasumi's apparently inane comment.  Ranma, on the other hand, had been
shocked by Kasumi once again.  He was amazed that Kasumi was always able to
see through him.  She couldn't have known about his and Ryouga's grudging
friendship during junior high.

        Though they fought all the time, he and Ryouga had been very good
friends once.  Why else would he go to the trouble of bringing Ryouga home all
the time?  He guessed that the real reason Ryouga was mad was that he left
before their scheduled duel.  Ryouga probably thought that his only friend
in the world had abandoned him.  In truth, Ranma did want to wait for his
friend for more than three days.  He was willing to wait for as long as it
took for his friend to meet up with him.  However, fate decreed that his
father would make them leave for their training trip once again after that
third day.  Ever since then, Ranma had tried to make every single
appointment with Ryouga possible.  He felt guilty for deserting Ryouga like
that.  Kasumi was the only one person who seemed to see this fact.  For
this reason, Ranma did not want to disappoint Kasumi.

	Ranma brightened as he suddenly thought up of a plan.  There was one
way for him to not hurt Ryouga and still feel the pleasure of the bout.  He
looked grimly towards Ryouga and suddenly started counter attacking.

        Ryouga 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 Ryouga.  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 wouldn't listen to her after all.  But wait!  Ranma
stopped his attack just before it could touch Ryouga.  Each and every time
Ranma would dodge Ryouga's attacks only to counter attack and purposely
stop.  He did listen after all.

	Ranma smiled to himself.  He was having fun and he was sure he would
not feel any guilt after this fight was over.  This was just like old times
with Ukyo and Ryouga.  Before any of this fiancee and revenge nonsense.

        Ryouga stopped to gather his breath.  This was not at all working out like
their usual fights.  Ryouga was slow, but tough enough to take many of
Ranma's punches.  This usually came out about even in the long run.  But
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.  He
looked disgustedly at Ranma's smiling face.  Ranma always had to ridicule
him.  Ryouga caught himself as he suddenly made a startling revelation. 
Ranma hadn't once said a single word the entire fight.  No gloating, no
anything.  He genuinely seemed to be having fun.  Ryouga could feel a smile
tug at his lips.  This was like the old Ranma when he first knew him. 
Ryouga lowered his arms.  "Let's call it a draw, Ranma.  I will let you get
away this time.  But the next time I come, I fully expect a good fight." 
This did not mean that he had forgiven Ranma however.  Ranma, his only
stable focus during junior high, did desert him after all.  This only meant
that Ryouga did not want to fight this particular day.  It too beautiful a
day to waste on Ranma, he tried to convince himself.  Perhaps he will try
to ask Akari out on a date.

        Ranma too lowered his arms as he watched Ryouga wander off with a
semi-content look on his face.  He knew that the tactic he used would work
only once.  Ryouga did expect a good fight next time and Ranma was ready to
give it to him.  Though he highly doubted that any of their usual hatred
for one another would be all there.  Perhaps he would also be ready to tell
Ryouga he was sorry the next time.  He broke away from his thoughts as he
suddenly felt someone glomp onto him.  It was Kasumi.  Ranma's brain
stopped fuctioning.

	Kasumi quickly released Ranma just as fast she glompped onto him.  She had
been just too overjoyed by what had happened.  "It worked, Ranma.  You were
able to stop Ryouga 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 the inexplicable charm
that Ranma held.  Did Kasumi even realize this?  Nodoka had to find out.

			* * * * *

	Kasumi and Nodoka washed the dishes as dinner drew to a close.  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 did she say that?  Kasumi
couldn't help it.  For the last few days Kasumi kept on thinking back to the
first time she met Ranma and claiming the he was too young for 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.  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 a month or so.  You don't know him like I have come to know him. 
Ranma is the most manly man I know.  He is not leading on four women.  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
Kodachi.  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.  And if they don't
give up, he would take the brunt of their anger by himself.  Heaven knows
that he does treat them pretty badly.  But 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 dumbfoundedly.  Nodoka was
clapping soundly.

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

	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.

	"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.  So 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 of
Ranma now.

	Kasumi smiled as 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.

	Ranma groaned inwardly as he saw Kasumi's wink.  ANOTHER TWO?!
Despite this turn of events, Ranma felt decidedly happy about having a chance
to spend the rest of his life with Kasumi.  Kasumi was a very nice girl.

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

			* * * * *

The End.