Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and Yu-Gi-Oh belong to their respective companies. Also Jounouchi Katsuya is the original Japanese name for Joey Wheeler. _ _ = thoughts Kasumi, the Game Queen By: David Knight Chapter 1: The Birth of the Game Queen It was another normal spring day in the Nerima district of Tokyo, Japan. The sun was bright, not a cloud in the sky, there was a cool breeze out to keep it from feeling too hot. Ranma Saotome was now having another sparring session with his father Genma as usual in the morning. As usual, Kasumi Tendo placed the latest load of laundry onto the clotheslines to dry, as she did every morning, and feeling a bit of regret. She took a look at the Saotome's sparing with each other. _I wonder why Mr. Saotome insists upon trying to hurt Ranma. It's not like he could hurt Ranma anymore. Ever since he developed that ki technique, he's at his best._ Kasumi sighed to herself. _Amazing how being around it could affect me._ She hadn't been exactly the same ever since she first felt Ranma use what he called the Moko Takabisha (Fierce Tiger Ball). He had been practicing it one night and had thought he had been alone that time but Kasumi had been doing some late night work around the house. She had been so quiet that he hadn't even noticed her. When Ranma used it, Kasumi could feel the confidence sweep through all of the area. And to someone who has had to suppress her own wants and desires, well it was a life preserver in an endless sea of disappointment and broken dreams. As Kasumi turned back to watch the Saotomes, a small smile crept on her face as she saw Ranma kick Genma in the head, making him fall onto his back next to the pond. "Hmm. Aim must be getting off... I was so sure that would send you into the pond," Ranma commented to himself. Genma got up from the ground in a huff. "Foolish boy!" he yelled. "You should never let your guard down! I guess I'll have to make your lesson extra harsh today." Ranma got into a ready stance, prepared to take his father on again... that is until Happosai whizzed past all of them, with a sack filled with ladies' undergarments. "What a haul! What a haul!" the old pervert cried as he ran off. And then as Kasumi knew, came the inevitable. "RANMA!!!" Ranma slowly turned around to see Akane charging out of the house with her mallet raised high. _Oh man!_ Ranma cringed. _Not again Akane..._ Kasumi shook her head. _Why does she continue to do this to him?_ Akane swung her mallet back, ready to swing it like a baseball bat. "Pervert! I'll teach you a lesson for stealing my underwear!" she cried and it shortly followed after her the initial swing. Genma watched as Ranma avoided swing after swing. He smiled and started charging at Ranma as fast as his fat legs could carry him to Ranma. Akane hit Ranma with her mallet, but Genma kicked Ranma at the same time, altering Ranma's trajectory wildly. "Huh?" was what was said by all present, as Ranma shot straight up into the air. "Why me?" Ranma asked himself as he headed straight up into the air. "What did I do this time?" He asked himself again as he plummeted towards the earth. As Ranma closed in on the roof of the dojo, one thought dominated above all others. _This is gonna hurt..._ Kasumi cringed at the sight of Ranma crashing through the roof and a huge mushroom-cloud of dust forming from the new 'entry-way' that Ranma has created through his landing. "Oh my... I better make sure Ranma's alright." was all Kasumi said before deciding to walk back into the house. Genma and Akane looked back at one another, surprised by Kasumi's actions. "What is she worried about? My boy is the strongest and will survive that easily!" Genma boasted. "There's no way I'm going to marry that pervert!" Genma blinked. "Uh, Akane? No one's mentioned anything about a marriage today." * * * Ranma cringed in pain as he lay on his back. His body ached and his head felt awfully warm. "Damn it. That was worse than usual," he grumbled. "Are you okay Ranma?" Ranma looked up and saw Kasumi right there holding a first-aid kit. "Oh, hi Kasumi. Sorry about the mess." "It's okay Ranma. It wasn't your fault. Here, let me check you." She said as he looked over Ranma over. "Don't worry about." Ranma shrugged. "I've taken worse hits from Ryoga than anything Akane's hit me with." After assuring Kasumi he was fine he looked around and saw what a mess he had made from falling into the attic. "Look, I better try cleaning this up." "Oh no!" Kasumi started. "Don't worry Ranma, I'll take care of it." She told him. _Like I always do..._ "You sure?" Ranma asked Kasumi, a questioning look in his eyes. "I will, don't worry. I suggest you try to get some rest right now Ranma." Ranma looked reluctant, until Kasumi smiled and said, "If you do as I ask, I promise to make you a special lunch." That got his attention. "Okay Kasumi. You take care then," Ranma said, before going back downstairs. Kasumi sighed as she looked around. There was quite a mess in the attic made by Ranma's landing. _Just adds to the piles of the junk that we all keep piling up in this attic. And once I am done with the attic I have to get to fixing the holes in the wall, go get groceries, set the table, prepare dinner, clean the table... oh there is just so much work!_ She then calmed herself down, feeling that there was no way to change her life. This was what she was meant to be. A virtual housewife. "... well, I better get started..." she sighed as she was ready to begin her daily chores. However as she was about to start, a flash of gold caught her eye. She turned to her left and saw in one of the boxes in the corner, there were several odd-shaped pieces of gold-colored metal in it. "What's this?" Kasumi wondered as she took two pieces out and then began to absently finger two of them in her hands, rubbing the sides together. She rotated and slid the parts about, not caring about anything in particular. It was then that she began feeling strange. Her hands began moving as if they were being guided. When the two pieces became aligned in a certain position, they instantly came together like two magnets and fused into a larger piece. "Oh my... its some sort of puzzle..." Kasumi realized. Not wanting to leave the job unfinished, she then looked down at the remaining pieces of the puzzle. Slowly, she reached for another piece. She held it up and tried to fit its edges along the ones on the larger piece. The new piece locked into place with the first two. Slowly, but surely, Kasumi began fitting the puzzle pieces together. She thought that it was strange that she was assembling something without knowing what the completed puzzle would look like. As she worked the puzzle, she kept hearing that odd voice in her head, urging and guiding her on how the pieces fit with each other. The puzzle began taking shape and formed a small pyramid with a metal hoop at the bottom. At last, she reached for the final piece, which resembled an eye and snapped it into place, completing the puzzle. It was then that the thing gave off a brief, but mysterious light, which almost made Kasumi drop it in surprise. "Oh... my..." she said just staring at the puzzle. She didn't know why she felt this... but she felt that this was hers and she shouldn't show it to anyone at all. Searching through the boxes in the attic she tied a piece of leather through the loop and making it into a necklace now. She wore it for the moment under her shirt. _I could imagine if Mr. Saotome saw it he would think it was gold and try to take it from me. I won't let anyone take this from me._ After taking care of the attic, which took a bit over an hour, she decided to go get the groceries done and go to the store. Yes it seemed just like a very normal day in the life of Kasumi Tendo. * * * _Eggs, milk, cereal... Really hope I haven't forgotten anything._ Jounouchi Katsuya shook his head. The young man ran his fingers through his short blonde hair. _Dad would know what to eat to begin with. I'm the one that has to get any food for us. I practically live on my own, thanks in parts to my parents separating over stupid reasons._ he growled. _They didn't want to stay married. Fine I'm okay with that. But why the hell did they have keep me and Shizuka apart for over ten years! That's not fair at all!_ He then kicked a display stand and was fortunate it hadn't knocked over or he would have had to pay for that. Ever since Jounouchi's parents got divorced so many years ago he hadn't gotten much word about his own sister, other than the fact that she was still alive. _Yeah fat lot of good that does me. They forget the most important problem of all. Do they think I'm stupid!_ he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't see that had bumped into someone. "Oh!" "Eh?" Jounouchi turned around and saw the woman that he had ended up knocking down. _Great! Another thing I can blame on my parents._ "I'm sorry. Here. Let me help up." "Oh no its nothing." She said as she got up picking her things up. "I'm just fine. My fault really." She then walked away. _Her fault... but I was the one that wasn't watching where I was going... man..._ Jounouchi shook his head as he decided to go finish doing his shopping. With any luck he'd be done in ten minutes. * * * Meanwhile a few blocks down, there was a robbery in progress; a botched robbery actually. The thief (let's refer to him as Punk) was running away from the police and he didn't exactly have the best mental health. In fact he had already shot dead two cops at the very beginning and then had just continue shooting at any cop he saw. Punk realized he wasn't getting anywhere fast. He needed to get out of the city but needed hostages to do it. Once he saw the supermarket he knew he found the answer. * * * "That will be 4500 yen Kasumi." The cashier said. Kasumi nodded as she went to pay the money for her groceries. Except for that accident with that young man everything was as it always had been with her. Normal. As she was on her way out though, a man grabbed her forcefully, holding her tight. The man then pulled out his gun and then shot a round in the air and then put the gun to Kasumi's head. "This is a robbery folks as well as a hostage situation! Here's what I want! I want all of the money from the registers, I want Vodka to drink, then I know you called the cops already but that's fine because you are all going to help me leave the city because if you don't stay right where you are I'll blow this little girl's head off." Punk sneered. No one was trying to take the man on as Kasumi could only think. _Oh my! I wish Ranma were here! He'd get rid of this man! Anyone we know could get rid of this man! Anyone but ME!_ she thought as she was being dragged over by thug who was taking her over to the liquor stand. "That's right no one try to play hero here." Punk smirked. Everything seemed to be going his way. Seemed to be that was. Jounouchi attacked Punk from behind and then pulled away Punk's gun hand, allow Kasumi to be freed of Punk's grip. Jounouchi looked back at the scared Kasumi. "Go! Run!" "Stupid kid!" Punk cried as he threw Jounouchi off of him and he ended up hitting Kasumi who fell back against a register and slumped to the ground. "No!" Jounouchi cried wanting to go help her but then Punk came from behind, grabbed him and then put his gun to Jounouchi's head. "I told you no heroics kid!" Punk shouted. "Threatening girls like that! You're a real coward you know that!" Jounouchi shot. "I'd rather be your hostage than her!" Punk smirked. "You just arranged that kid. for a couple of seconds now anyway... before I blow your head off!" It was Punk's laughter that woke Kasumi back up and she saw with open eyes that Punk was about to kill Jounouchi. _Oh no! That boy tried to save me... and now he'll DIE because of ME! I can't let that happen! But I'm just a normal girl! I can't do anything..._ Her puzzle was now in front of her shirt and it started to glow with a strange light. _But... but I cannot stand for this! I WON'T! I WILL NOT LET THAT BOY DIE!_ Kasumi decided as the puzzle she wore shined for a moment and then she stood up facing Punk. "Huh? You're up already?" Punk blinked. He didn't even notice that Kasumi's hair was more unruly now and that there was a faint silver stripes in front. The most un-Kasumi like feature on her face though was a smirk. "It's time to play a game." "A game, huh? Not much interesting happening today... well other than this hostage situation of mine." Punk remarked. "Oh but this isn't a normal game..." Kasumi spoke in a seductive tone, "It's a game for your life." Punk drooled, already intrigued. "Sounds fun, what are the rules?" "There's only one rule. It's prohibited to use any finger other than the one you chose." "Say what?!" Jounouchi said in disbelief. _Just what is she trying to pull here!_ Kasumi explained, "Using only the finger you chose, you have to try to take the other's life. So, which finger do you chose?" "Ha! I pick my pointer finger!" Punk smirked. _This way I can just pull the trigger, shoot the girl, and I win! What fun!_ Kasumi shrugged. "As you wish. As for me... I'll use my thumb." "Lady have you snapped! Just what are you doing!" Jounouchi shouted. "Shut up!" Punk shouted as kept the gun at Jounouchi's head. Punk noticed he was near the liquor section, and grabbed a bottle after smashing Jounouchi in the back of the head, sending him crumpling to the ground. "Ooops." He said with a sneer and he put cigarette in his mouth and was going to light it but found he lost his lighter. He kept the cigarette in his mouth as he started to pour his drink into a cup with his left hand, holding the gun in his right hand. "Game start." Kasumi replied. "You mean game over." Punk laughed as he then pointed his gun at Kasumi, intending to end the game by shooting her in the head. "Aren't you forgetting something?" Kasumi smiled. "Huh?" Punk asked. Kasumi flicked open the missing lighter and lit it using her thumb, the finger she had chosen. "That's right, I haven't lit my smoke yet." He smiled deciding to give the girl a few more seconds of life and let Kasumi light his cigarette. But after lighting it, Kasumi dropped the lighter onto Punk's left hand, the hand that was still pouring his drink. "What the hell is this?" he asked Kasumi who wore a knowing smile on her face. "That's Russian Vodka you're pouring." Kasumi chuckled, "Its 90% alcohol... very explosive." Punk stared at her and then sees the vodka overflowed his drink onto the table and onto his body. "Now if you move your left hand, the lighter will fall into the drink. If that happens, there will be a fairly large explosion which will naturally kill, and of course you'll lose the game, too. So as long as you follow the rules, you can't move." Kasumi then bent down and picked up Jounouchi, draping his arm over her shoulder. Jounouchi then started to wake up. "Lady... get away... he's..." Jounouchi moaned. "It's alright young man. He won't hurt us now." Kasumi assured him. "Now let's go." _I am not going to lose to some little bitch!_ Punk decided as he let go of his gun from his right hand and then used that hand to take the lighter off of his left hand. Unfortunately for him, Kasumi heard the gun drop. Her face was that of disgust as she gave a death glare at him. "Some how I knew you wouldn't be able to play by the rules." "I am going to send you straight to hell!" Punk screamed as he went for his gun. "You want to see Hell?" Kasumi growled as her Millennium Puzzle glowed and a third eye appeared on her forehead. _What the...?_ Jounouchi blinked as he saw that. And apparently he was the only one that saw this because everyone else was still very much in shock/denial. "Allow me to personally show you the way to the gates of darkness... MIND KILLER!" Kasumi screamed as she flung her right hand forward and aimed at the man with the gun. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" he then screamed as the magic of the Puzzle then affected him. He fell to the ground screaming. "Ah! Ah get them off! Get them off of me! Ah! Stop it!" Jounouchi could only stare at Punk and then looked at Kasumi. "What. what did you do to him?" In a cold voice, Kasumi answered him. "Gave him what he truly deserved. I drove him insane." "'Drove him insane'?" Jounouchi asked her. "He's killed people most likely... and he nearly killed us." Kasumi replied to Jounouchi. "I think this is just punishment for him." "But do we do when the cops come?" Jounouchi asked. His question would be soon answered by the arrival of the police who found the raving Punk and then handcuffed him. "What's with this crazy ass murderer anyway? And who was the one that knocked him down?" "That would be him officer." Kasumi said pointing to Jounouchi. At Jounouchi's stare, Kasumi said, "Well you did knock him down to save me from his gun. You're a real hero." As she expected, that's what everyone in the store was telling the officers. It was simple in Nermia. Most people just took the quickest answer and rationalized it. However since Jounouchi was NOT from Nermia, he did not let it drop. As the officers carted Punk away and told everyone they would need their statements some time this week Jounouchi needed to be taken to the precinct to give a statement. "Please don't mention my name. Just say it was a girl you never saw before that he took hostage. If my father were to learn I was a hostage I don't think I'd ever hear the end of his crying. It could flood the house." Kasumi said as she picked up her things and was ready to walk out. "Hey wait a minute. I don't even know your name. I'm Jounouchi Katsuya!" Jounouchi called out the disappearing Kasumi. "Kasumi Tendo." Was all Jounouchi heard before he lost sight of her. _Kasumi Tendo... I'm not going to forget that name._ Jounouchi mused. _She saved my life... however weird it was. Least I can do is get her dinner... DINNER!_ Jounouchi sweatdropped as he remembered his father. _Kuso... pop's is going to go nuts when hears about this!_ * * * Dinner was a normal affair at the Tendo home that night. Kasumi cooked and cleaned after everyone and no one even said thank you that night. _After what I went through to make them dinner... and I didn't even get thanked tonight._ she shook her head as she went to go finish what remained of her chores before going to sleep. Except she found her sisters and Mr. Saotome had left a large amount of clothes to be cleaned. It took Kasumi ten minutes to calm down in side her mind before she started work on their clothes so it would be ready for her to finish the cycle tomorrow. It was two at night before she finally made it to bed. Her thoughts realizing that she would have to go through the same cycle of work, something wasn't too particularly excited to do, all over again with nothing really interesting to do in her life. _I almost died today and if it wasn't for that boy saving... wait a minute I remember that Jounouchi was being held hostage... and then I... I was the one that saved him... but then how was able to do that!_ Kasumi wondered. _And I've been feeling more and more restless... as if the feelings that I had used to keep myself willing to help my family in anyway way are less strong... I want to do so many things... what's wrong with me?_ _The question could be stated as what is going right with you. _ Kasumi's eyes opened up and as she looked around she saw herself in a place devoid of object. There was only empty space. "In case you are wondering what has just happened, let me explain. You are still sound asleep in your bed. Its just that the Millennium Puzzle has brought your consciousness here so that you and I can have a little chat." A voice, Kasumi's OWN voice albeit a bit stronger spoke out. "Who... who are you?" Kasumi asked. Her question was answered when her own mirror image came out to greet her. The only difference was that this Kasumi looked exactly like the Kasumi that dealt with Punk earlier in the day. "I am you... but you can call me Yami." Kasumi blinked. "... you're me?" Yami nodded, "In a manner of speaking. But if you want to be technical I am the OTHER you. I am the you that you have kept locked away ever since your mother died. The you that is strong-willed, full of life, hope and dreams. I am the confidence that you have lost over time. The you that has the determination to over come anything. But I am also the spirit of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. My name back then was Yami." "You were a pharaoh...?" Kasumi asked. "Yes." Yami nodded. "Then... how come you aren't a man. Pharaoh's were men." Kasumi replied. Yami sighed and hung her head down. "Let me explain a few things before I get to that please." Kasumi nodded. "Thank you. I shall explain. Long ago, during the times of Ancient Egypt, the pharaohs played an ancient game using real monsters and powerful magic. However, the magic was so strong that it threatened to destroy the world. These games were played right here in the Shadow Realm. Henceforth they were called the Shadow Games. To protect the world and all beings, a brave pharaoh sealed away the power of the Shadow Games in seven Millennium Items." "Millennium Items?" Kasumi asked. "Your Millennium Puzzle is one of them. However after several thousand years the Millennium Puzzle ended up returning to earth due in part to a rift in between dimensions. When the Millennium Puzzle returned to earth, the magical backlash caused it to be separated into the pieces that you found." "And some time ago it ended up in my attic where I found it and put it together.." Kasumi said. "But what does that have do with you." "When the pharaoh sealed away the power of the Shadow Games, he had also cast a spell to lock his soul into the Millennium Puzzle after he died, to prevent the reemergence of the Shadow Games by watching over for all time." "Then that would mean..." Kasumi stared at Yami. "Yes. I am that same pharaoh." Yami said. "Then why do you look like me instead of you?" Yami sighed when she heard the question. "I am now just a spirit, and I take the appearance of the one who has been chosen to use the Millennium Puzzle. And that person is you, Kasumi." "But... I'm just..." Kasumi started but Yami hushed her. "Kasumi. I have already seen your memories." She flinched and Yami sighed. "We are the same person Kasumi. It would make only sense that I able to see your memories. You feel that there is no escape out of your current life. But Kasumi, your father doesn't run your life. You are of legal age, you can leave this place and live for yourself." "But my family..." Kasumi shook her head. "They have depended on you do to virtually every motherly task required. That is simply not right. You've done far more than your share of hard work Kasumi." Yami said. "You don't have to make any decisions now. After all what I speak of is very life changing... but I ask you to let me help you in ways that I can so that you can see what it can be like. To live for yourself." Kasumi mused over Yami's own proposal. On one hand she had to cook, clean, shop and do many other chores for the people in her home. And now on the other was Yami who was asking Kasumi to let her see what it could be like living for her self and trying to help her. What was the harm in just seeing? "Alright. I accept Yami." Kasumi smiled. To be continued... Author's Note: Well I hope this first chapter interests you all. Coming in Chapter 2, Yami begins helping Kasumi out in showing her other ways to live and Jounouchi comes back to Nermia and checks up a girl he knows while trying to find Kasumi to thank her. Any comments or questions email me at davidknight30@hotmail.com Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and Yu-Gi-Oh belong to their respective companies. I am doing this fanfic for my own pleasure and hope that you will enjoy it. Also Jounouchi Katsuya is the original name for Joey Wheeler from Yu-Gi-Oh. _ _ = Thoughts * * = Genma-Panda signed Kasumi the Game Queen By David Knight Chapter 2: Hello Cousin! It was morning over the Tendo Dojo and everything was it had always been. Birds were chirping, Ranma and Genma were going at it in the morning, Akane trying to cook a meal once again and get Ranma to eat it. There was one thing that was different though. Kasumi was now taking things a little easier than she had before. In fact she hadn't made much of a breakfast as she usually prepares in the morning. A splash from koi pond told Kasumi that either Ranma or Genma had just been cursed. *Boy you will show me respect!* Genma-Panda signed. _Show THAT thing respect? Why does Ranma even stay with that fat old man?_ Kasumi shook her head as heard Yami talking to her through their link. _Well Genma is Ranma's father and he has been there with him for most of his life._ _Well wouldn't it occur to Ranma to just leave that fat sack of skin?_ Yami wondered. _From what I have seen of how that Panda-man treats Ranma, if this were my time I would have ordered Genma to be given the Set-Humdai._ _Set-Humdai?_ Kasumi asked. _In Egypt it was the second worst punishment that could be given to criminals. There is no way however I would give him the true Humdai. The last thing the world would ever need would to have him as an invincible undead creature should anyone awaken him from eternal sleep._ Yami replied. Kasumi blinked. _And how is the Set-Humdai and any different from the real Humdai?_ _They are basically the same except with the Set-Humdai we don't put man-eating scarabs into the damn one's sarcophagus after his eyes, ears, and tongue have been removed and he is mummified alive._ _... ... ... ... ..._ _Kasumi are you there?_ _... Yami... never tell me about Egyptian burial punishments again..._ Kasumi then covered her mouth. _I think... I am going to be sick!_ She then headed for the bathroom before she vomited. Once there she slammed the door shut, however this didn't go unnoticed by Nabiki who was coming down the stairs. _What's up with her? She looked as green as Akane's last cooking disaster._ Nabiki mused. * * * _Sorry Kasumi. I should have figured you wouldn't react well to someone like that._ Yami apologized. _I can really start to understand Ranma's condition better now more than ever. He has two different genders that he can end up in but still has the same mind. And right now I am a girl but I also have a spirit of a guy in my head except now he's a she and my other half._ Kasumi thought as she cleaned herself and washed her mouth after vomiting. _Don't think of me as a guy,_ Yami replied. _ I am a spirit and in my case when I infused my essence with the Millennium Puzzle I lost all notions of gender and I would end up being a reflection and part of whomever was chosen to be its bearer. That is you._ _... Kami-sama this can be so confusing._ Kasumi shook her head. _So? What exactly do you have planned for me today as far as teaching me how I can find new avenues to my life?_ _Well for starters... get out of the house._ _But I do that every day..._ Kasumi started. _To do grocery shopping or chores for others_ Yami finished, interrupting her. _For now I want you to go and do something that does NOT involve your family. Go do something for YOURSELF._ _For... myself?_ Kasumi questioned. She then thought back to herself and wondered what had she done for herself recently that involved just her own self. The answer was nothing. _For starters I think a new wardrobe might be nice,_ Yami suggested. _You do need to get yourself some new clothes. Try something newer for yourself._ Kasumi thought about what she would for dinner then but Yami picked up on that. _The purpose of this is to try NOT to think about your usual routine. Now I want you to just go out and get some new clothes._ Kasumi then nodded. _Alright. Besides I still have that special dinner that I have been preparing for a while now. I'll just use that. I'm sure they will like it._ * * * Yami sweatdropped back her place in the Shadow Realm. To herself and only herself she sighed, "This isn't going to be easy. Trying to get her to think outside her 'scheduled' life and try things for herself is going to be hard as hell. But then again I can't blame her for how she is. Her mother dying was tough on her..." she then waved her hand and an image of Genma appeared. "However this fat oaf makes things even worse for her. His son I can live with since he goes through a hell to rival or eclipse Kasumi's..." growled as she looked more at Genma's image. "But this idiot does nothing at all around the house. He just sits on his fat ass for most of the day whether he's human or a panda." Yami shook her head wishing that Genma could have been cursed as a desert monkey. It would have suited his true self more. "None of my Shadow Powers would even work to improve him... and the only one that could in fact get rid of him for all eternity is one that I won't use unless he crosses the line with Kasumi." Yami stated. It was doubtful to her, but she prayed to Osiris that Genma wouldn't make her have to use the ultimate and most powerful Shadow Game Punishment on him. She didn't think Kasumi would like it very much if she ended up having to kill Genma. * * * Meanwhile, in another section of Nermia, at the Ucchan, a certain okonomiyaki chef was hard at work preparing her customer's orders. _Hmm... I wonder how Ranchan's doing this afternoon. Maybe he'd like some good cooking for dinner rather than being forced to eat Akane's killer cuisine._ Ukyo Kunoji mused. However, anymore thoughts about Ranma were about to be put on hold for the moment as she heard another costumer come in. She then turned around and greeted, "Welcome the Ucchan. How can I help you?" "That anyway to greet family cousin?" "What..." Ukyo then looked harder at the figure that had just walked in and her eyes went wide as saucers. "Yo. What's up Ukyo?" Jounouchi Kastuya smiled. "JOUNOUCHI!" Ukyo then leaped up and bear hugged her favorite cousin. "It... it's good to see you Ukyo..." Jounouchi gasped. "... please... loosen arms... can't... breath..." Ukyo sweatdropped. "Oops..." she let go of her cousin who fell on his rear as she scratched her head. "Hehheh. Sorry Jounouchi." She then whacked him over the head with her spatula, causing Jounouchi to fall down and stay down for about a while before he got up. "Hey! Now what did you do that for!" Jounouchi shouted. His answer was Ukyo thrusting the morning paper in his face. 'Teen Hero Defeats Cop Killer' Pictures of Punk and Jounouchi were under that headline. "You nearly get killed yesterday because you try to act like a hero and I have to find this out from a newspaper instead of you Jounouchi!" Ukyo shouted. "Jounouchi you and Shizuka are the only real family I have left, since my father passed away nine years ago! I don't want to lose either of you!" Jounouchi then looked down. "... well you got me beat there. YOU are the only real family I see anymore." Ukyo then dropped her spatula and her face was in shame. "... Oh Jounouchi..." she then looked over at Kontasu. "Kontasu. Take over for a while. I have a sort of family emergency that I need to take care of now." Kontasu nodded as Ukyo and Jounouchi went into the back and sat down. "Jounouchi..." "No," Jounouchi replied, "It's alright. I guess I should have called... I mean we are family... have you seen her lately?" Ukyo shook her head. "Last time was before they moved to Europe last year. She was well." Jounouchi nodded. "Thanks. Anyway that paper does have something to do with why I am here." "Oh?" "You see I'm no hero. I tried to be but that guy grabbed me after I helped free his hostage. He was about to blow my brains out... but then that same girl who I thought was knocked out came up and challenged the guy to a game." Jounouchi said. "A game?" Ukyo asked. "It was weird. It was a game in which you had to use only one finger to take the other's life." Seeing Ukyo's shocked expression, Jounouchi continued, "I tried to tell her to forget about but she didn't listen. The guy knocked me out after choosing his pointer finger while she used just a thumb. I don't know much after that since I was kinda hazy... but somehow she outsmarted him and ended placing a lighter which she lit using her thumb on his left hand which pouring vodka." "And if he moved his hand then the lighter would ignite the alcohol." Ukyo reasoned. "Yeah. She then picked me up and started to drag me out of the area but that guy dropped his gun to get rid of the lighter. She turned around and then on her forehead there was this third eye that appeared and then she raised her hand out aimed at the guy. He then collapsed the ground screaming and clawing at things that weren't there. She said to me she drove him insane." Jounouchi finished. "Once the cops came she said I was the one that took care of the guy and then left after making me not tell the police about the truth. And everyone accepted that I was the one that saved the day." He looked at Ukyo who was kinda indifferent as she poured a drink for both of them. "You don't seem so shocked. Why?" "Well around here weird is the norm." Ukyo replied. "Do you know who she is?" "Yeah and that's why I came here to see if you knew her. I figure she lives in Nermia." Jounouchi replied. "I know her name." "What is it?" Ukyo as she started to drink. "Tendo. Kasumi Tendo." That caused Ukyo to do a spit take and spray her drink all over Jounouchi. "Hey!" Jounouchi cried. "What's the big idea Ukyo?" He then stared at her as he now saw that she was just wide eyed. "Kasumi?! Kasumi saved you!" Ukyo asked. "Jounouchi tell me what this girl's name is really?" Jounouchi blinked. "Ukyo I told you it was this girl named Kasumi Tendo." Ukyo just stared at Jounouchi again for a while before speaking, "That's impossible. Kasumi's a perfect angel. Violence isn't a part of her. She doesn't even curse. She doesn't even say a single negative thing to anyone. There is no way she could have been the one to save you." Jounouchi smirked. "Okay then cousin. How about I invite her over her for dinner and then you can ask her yourself. If I am right then I get free okonominyaki for a week." "And if you aren't then you got work here for free for a week cleaning the kitchen." Ukyo returned his grin. "Deal!" _Sucker!_ was what both of them said and thought at the same time as they shook each others hands. * * * The person in question now was looking over a rack of clothes in the Nermia Shopping Center. _Dresses, dresses and more dresses that reflect everything you have in your closet that is provided by your father._ Yami shook her head. _Well I haven't worn anything other than just a dress or a skirt in a long time._ Kasumi sent. _Correction. You made yourself wear only that._ _What do you mean?_ _Okay... I don't mean to sound sharp or callous... but Kasumi you need to stop acting like a mother!_ A long pause. _... ... ..._ _I am sorry if that upsets you but from what I think of things ever since your mother died you have forced upon yourself the role of wife, mother, and keeper of the house._ Yami explained. _You forced a role that was neither the time nor the place for you to have. You were too young to be made to do those roles and now here you are trapped in the unable to see past them. Does this make any sense to you?_ _... yes it does._ Kasumi sighed as she then thought things through. She had taken up those roles because she felt someone had to but she also thought that her family would help her as they had helped out her mother... but they did not. _The first step is to try something that isn't of the image of the past. Rather try something newer. Take it one step at a time. Don't try to do everything at once. This is a gradual process. If you try to free yourself all at once, which I think you have been trying, you already have the result._ Yami stated. _I just go back to what I am comfortable in._ Kasumi shook her head. It was then she looked to her left and saw a white dress shirt with pinkish-red pants. She didn't know why but it just seemed like something she wanted. _And that is step one._ Kasumi could feel Yami smiling in the back of her mind when she said that. Taking the shirt and pants off of the rack she then paid for them and prepared to return home and (to Yami's regret) she thought of getting ready to prepare dinner. * * * However once they were home, Yami was smiling. _Do you think I could have some fun with the panda man?_ she asked a little gleefully. _... must... resist... urge... to... hurt..._ Kasumi thought. _... I worked... so hard and... so long... on that food._ When she had gotten home she had found that Genma-Panda had gone through and eaten what she food she marked as 'Do not touch' because she had spent a lot of time preparing it for the final touches which she planned to do tonight. _... there. I'm fine. I'll just think of something else to prepare._ Kasumi thought. *BURP!* Genma-Panda signed. *That was a great appetizer! Oh hi Kasumi. Want any ramen from the takeout we ordered from the Nekohatten? It should be arriving soon.* _Still want to let him off the hook?_ Yami asked Kasumi. _You were a Pharaoh once... I trust what ever judgment you pass on so long as you don't seriously hurt him._ Kasumi responded to Yami. _Your wish is granted._ Yami smiled. Under Kasumi's shirt, her Millennium Puzzle glowed slightly and Yami Kasumi had now taken over, not that Genma-Panda could tell the difference. Looking around Yami Kasumi wondered what to do to Genma-Panda. _Rolling pin, knives, spoons, mallets..._ she then paused when she caught something so ugly looking it could only be the perfect tool of revenge. _Ahha!_ Yami Kasumi thought as she picked up the object next to the flowers. "Oh what's this? It smells so good. I think I might eat it." His stomach thinking first always, Genma-Panda took it and stuffed the contents down his throat. "HEY! That's my dinner for Ranma that you ate!" Akane called poking her head out. *WHAT?! BUT KASUMI SAID IT SMELT GOOD!* Genma-Panda signed. Yami Kasumi smelled again. "Oh dear. It looks like the fragrance of these flowers mixed in with Akane's food." *GWAH!!!* Genma-Panda signed before turning green and falling to the ground. "Oh my, it looks like Mr. Saotome will need to be carted over to Dr. Tofu's." Yami Kasumi said sweetly and as she knew Nabiki came down soon extorting large amounts of yen from the Panda man for her services to get him to Dr. Tofu. Nabiki's face had a smile as she got her money but Yami Kasumi was also smiling. _Why bother giving him a Shadow Game punishment when all I need to do is just feed him Akane's nuclear waste?_ Yami Kasumi mused as she walked up stairs. She then took off her current clothes and then put on the clothes Kasumi bought. She then looked at herself in the mirror. "Now this is a good look for us." The Millennium Puzzle glowed and Kasumi was back to normal. "I agree." She smiled. * * * Jounouchi was really starting to believe Ukyo was right about Nermia being a place where the weird is normal. Where else would he see a panda whose face was green as a frog's being taken away to a doctor's office instead of a vet or even to a zoo. "... This is too weird..." Jounouchi shook his head as he looked at the address Ukyo gave him. "... well this is the right address." He then walked up to the door and knocked on it. The person who answered was Akane. "Can I help you?" "Um... this is the Tendo Dojo right?" Jounouchi asked. Akane looked at him. "Don't take this the wrong way but you wouldn't happen to be guy wants to fight the jerk I am being forced to marry?" "Huh?" Jounouchi blinked. "... this town really is weird... um look. I'm trying to find Kasumi Tendo. Is she here?" Akane eyed him even more. "And how do you know my sister?" Before Jounouchi could say anything else Akane, the sister in question placed her hand on Akane's shoulder. "This young man happened to saved my life yesterday Akane." "Huh?" Akane blinked. "He did?" _ 'Saved her life?' More like she saved me. Why does she want to keep it like that?_ Jounouchi asked himself. Kasumi then handed to her a paper just like the one Ukyo had shown to Jounouchi. "I mean this young man risked his life to save mine from a horrible criminal and no I didn't tell anyone about this because... well you know what father would do." Akane then shivered at that thought. _The last thing we need is for our home to be flooded._ "I'll be alright. Why don't you go a head and break bricks for a bit." Kasumi said. "Yeah that will get my mind of all of the hentai." Akane said and then left. "... this town really is weird." Jounouchi shook his head and sighed before looking at Kasumi and seeing her current attire. "Nice outfit. It kinda suits you better than that dress I saw you in yesterday." "Well thank you." Kasumi smiled. "I guess you are wondering why I am here... well I don't feel right at the moment. Seeing as you saved my life and all... least I can do is get you a dinner." Kasumi shook her head. "That's very kind but I don't want to make you spend any of your money on me." Jounouchi sweatdropped. "Um... actually I wouldn't. See I have a cousin who owns a restaurant here. I figure I can get you a meal for free." Kasumi shook her head again. "Really I must..." "Niaho Arien!" "RANMA NO BAKA!" Jounouchi and Kasumi look up to see Ranma get punted out of the house by Akane for the umpteenth time. Jounouchi just stares in shock while Kasumi sweatdropped. "On second thought... I accept." Kasumi then blinked at Jounouchi. "What is it?" "How... How... HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM!" Jounouchi shouted. "I mean a guy just sent right through your ROOF..." he looked up again and saw Ranma was still flying. "...and he's STILL sailing away." Kasumi sighed. "This happens every day to Ranma. I just wish Akane would stop over reacting." Jounouchi just let his jaw drop. "EVERYDAY? Why? What could this Ranma have done to tick your sister off?" "Very Violent Girl had no right!" "I had every right you overblown bimbo! You're nothing but trouble!" Jounouchi poked his head in and saw Akane yelling with a purple haired girl in a short Chinese dress. "... she punted him because of the delivery girl? What is she? The guy's girlfriend?" "One of several fiancées that Ranma has and none are by Ranma's choice." Kasumi sighed. Jounouchi let his jaw drop again. "FIANCÉES! As in more than one?! How is that even possible! Who the hell would be stupid enough to invite such disaster?" * * * At Dr. Tofu's office, a certain incapacitated Panda sneezed. * * * Kasumi shook her head. "It's a long story. Now can we go to your cousin's." Jounouchi nodded eagerly. "Yeah. I don't want to end up being the next victim of your sister's temper tantrums." * * * Once they arrived and went in, Kasumi was surprised to find out that Ukyo was the cousin Jounouchi mentioned. "You never mentioned having other relatives Ukyo." Kasumi said as Ukyo put their food down. "Well it just didn't come up Sugar." Ukyo shrugged. "Sides all I wanted when first came her was to make Ranchan pay for abandoning me before finding out the truth." "Ranchan... you mean that guy with the fat father that took your yattai when you were six who was..." Jounouchi blinked as realization hit him. "Whoa! Ranchan is this Ranma I am hearing about! The guy with the multiple fiancées all not by his own choosing and one of them punts him out of his house every day! That's your Ranchan?!" Ukyo blinked for a moment before growling. "Akane hurt my Ranchan again! Oh she doesn't deserve him! I'm much better suited to be his wife." "'Wife'...Ukyo! You're ONE of those fiancées?!" Jounouchi said in disbelief. "I should be his only fiancée since my yattai was already used up." Ukyo thought. "... what is this place?" Jounouchi pulled at his hair. "Seriously! This is not a place where any sane person would live! What's next?" "AHHHHH!!!" To answer Jounouchi's question, Tsubasa Kurenai (disguised as a table at present) was now trying glomp and possibly grope Ukyo. "Oh Ukyo you know you are my one and only!" Tsubasa muttered to her. "That's it!" Jounouchi said as he took a tray and then whacked it over Tsubasa head and ended up freeing Ukyo. "I've seen a lot of weird things in this crazy town today but buddy you aren't just weird... you are a goddamn perverted asshole who's trying to molest my cousin!" Silence was all there was for a moment before Tsubasa threw his disguise off and it hit Jounouchi and then Kasumi. "Ukyo is mine and mine alone!" "Jounouchi! Kasumi!" Ukyo shouted as she got her battle spatula out. "You've gone too far this time Tsubasa!" "Oh but it is all for love my sweet Ukyo!" Tsubasa said with little hearts in his eyes. "Don't you mean lust boy?" "Huh?" Ukyo turned around as she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. It was Yami Kasumi's. "Put the spatula away Ukyo. Fighting with Tsubasa has never gotten him to go away in the past." Yami Kasumi smirked. "But don't worry. He won't bother you again. I promise." She then walked over to Tsubasa. "Kasumi what are you..." Ukyo started but then Jounouchi held her back. "Just watch and learn cousin. That pervert's going to get a lesson in punishment." Jounouchi smirked. Tsubasa was unimpressed. "I know you Kasumi. You're just so soft that you let people do what they want and you step aside. So please step aside so I can go to Ukyo." He said with a smile on his face. "Here's my reply... you can go to hell you pervert if you think I'll let that happen." Yami Kasumi smirked. "What the?!" were the words that came out of both Ukyo and Tsubasa at the same time. _What in the world is this? Kasumi NEVER curses! She has never even said no to anyone for as long as I have known her!_ Ukyo blinked. "However there is a way in which only one of us will get what we want." Yami Kasumi smirked. "And that is to play a game." "What kind of a game?" Tsubasa asked. "It's a very simple game that I think even you can understand." Yami Kasumi smiled as she pulled out a deck of standard playing cards. "We draw one card from the deck and the one with the lower card losses." She then narrowed her eyes. "If you win I'll help you obtain Ukyo as your slave for the rest of your life but if I win I will decide your fate." "SAY WHAT!" Ukyo shouted as Jounouchi had to restrain her. "Let me go! She is out of her mind!" "That's what I thought before Ukyo! Just trust her!" Jounouchi said. "I have to agree with Ukyo... you must be mad if you have come to this idea." Tsubasa chuckled. "What's wrong? Afraid you might lose? Do you not have the courage to go for what you believe to be yours?" Yami Kasumi asked. "Ha! I am not afraid of anything! Shuffle that deck first!" Tsubasa shot as Yami Kasumi did just that. Tsubasa drew his card and laughed as he showed it to Ukyo. "Say hello to being mine forever! I have the King of Clubs!" "A fitting card for a man like you... however it is my turn..." Yami Kasumi smirked as she drew her card and revealed it to all. "... and I drew the Ace of Hearts. So you lose Tsubasa." "... hahaha! What kind of a trick is that! Now move out of my way! Ukyo is mine!" he then started to run toward Yami Kasumi who was blocking his way. "I don't think so Tsubasa Kurenai." Yami Kasumi smirked as her Millennium Puzzle glowed and then her third eye appeared. "What the..." Ukyo blinked. "It's just like the last time..." Jounouchi muttered. "Its time for your punishment and I choose... NIGHTMARE ILLUSION!" Yami Kasumi flung her hand out aimed at Tsubasa who then stopped running. "Hey... he's stopped..." Ukyo mused. However it wasn't for long until Tsubasa then clutched his head. "No... No please stop! I am a good boy! I am not a girl! Please! I'll do anything for you! Please don't make me do this! No! NOOOOO!!!" He then stared up at Ukyo and then screamed his head off. "AHHHH! KEEP AWAY FROM ME!!!" he then ran out of their like a bat out of hell leaving Ukyo totally confused. "... what the hell happened to him?" Ukyo finally asked. "Nightmare Illusion will allow me to get into his head for just a moment to affect the nightmare that he will see for a very long time. Whenever he thinks about any nasty, lecherous or perverted thoughts toward you or anyone woman, he will instantly regress back to his worst time in life and then will see everyone as his worst fear." Yami Kasumi replied. "What's that?" Jounouchi asked. "His cross-dressing mother." Yami Kasumi shivered. "Thank god I only was in there for second. That's the last time I use that punishment when dealing with a crossdresser." She then looked at Ukyo. "Like I said Ukyo you don't have to worry about Tsubasa ever again." Jounouchi just smiled as well. "Guess this means I was telling the truth. So when can I claim my week of free grub?" It was at that time Ukyo's brain shut down and she fainted unable to handle all of the surprises. "... I think she took that rather well." Yami Kasumi said. "Ya think?" Jounouchi replied. * * * After a while Ukyo did wake up and she was looking at Kasumi and Jounouchi. "Woah. What a strange dream. I thought that Tsubasa came and hurt you two and then you Kasumi played a game with him and..." Ukyo rambled but then Jounouchi put his hand on her shoulder. "Wasn't a dream Ukyo. It was real. All of it." Jounouchi said. After hearing that, Ukyo then fixed her gaze on Kasumi. "Ukyo if I could just have a moment..." she started but wasn't prepared for Ukyo embracing her. "OH THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" Ukyo squealed as she then hugged Kasumi tighter cutting off her air. "THANK YOU KASUMI FOR GETTING RID OF HIM! YOU CAN EAT HERE FREE FOR LIFE!" She then let go of Kasumi and then started dancing all around. "HE'S GONE! HE'S GONE! TSUBASA IS GONE FOREVER! KONTASU! SEND OUT FLYERS! I AM GOING TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY WITH A BANG!" Jounouchi and Kasumi just looked at the departing Ukyo. It wasn't long until they heard a stampede which consisted of Ranma-chan being chased by Ryoga, Kuno, Akane, Shampoo, Kodachi, and Mousse. "MY LIFE SUCKS!" Ranma-chan screamed as she passed by the Ucchan as did everyone else who also let out their own screams. "RANMA PREPARE TO DIE!" "SAOTOME YOU WILL PAY!" "PIGTAIL GIRL I LOVE YOU!" "DIE HARRIDAN!" "ARIEN COME BACK!" "RANMA NO BAKA!" After the dust had settled Jounouchi and Kasumi just blinked awhile. Kasumi looked at Jounouchi, who was still staring but less in shock now. "... this is the center of all weirdness on the planet isn't?" "I prefer to think of it as the Sea of Chaos." Kasumi replied. "Happens every day?" "Yes." "Never changes?" "No." The sound of silence can be heard for about five seconds. "Want to be friends?" "Definitely." End Chapter 2 Author's Notes: Well what did you think of this chapter? Personally I don't like Tsubasa how he's always trying to go around Ukyo can be considered stalking. So I thought I would take him out of the equation permanently. The punishment Nightmare Illusion is one of my own creation, but I will have few Shadow Game Punishments that I make up on my own. It's just that I don't intend to use the same punishment two fics in a row. The punishments will be used to fit the person it's being used on. For those of you that are wondering why Ranma might not have shown up much in this chapter, it's that I didn't find any place for him with the plot line that this chapter had. Next chapter he will be around more as it will be that his very life will hang in the balance in the outcome of the next Shadow Game Kasumi plays. Who is she playing against and what type of Shadow Game is it? You'll have to read to find out.