blind 4

ISDH

"I will finish my exam of you my sweet Biki-chan, soon. Want these back?” opening his hand, Ranma revealed five of the larger Stones he had given her earlier.

Nabiki took back the Stones, then took Ranma by the hand and led him to the house. Once in sight of Akane and her Father, She slapped him across the face. "Pervert."

The Panda stopped his Kabuki style retelling of their 'Run' from the Amazons. "Grw?" Holding a sign.

"You know I can not read it you over grown fur rug."

Soun spoke, "It reads; What was that for?"

Ranma with a completely straight face, "A greeting that got little into Hand." Looking at Soun, " I think it is going well. If We decide to call for a priest, How soon can it be done?"

Soun pulled a date book from his Gi. "This weekend or next, Pending on the Stars." looking at Ranma, "Will get back to you in the morning."

Ranma nodded, "In the morning then." he then tap-tap-tapped his way into the Kitchen.

Now back to the show;Panda Pantomiming full body shudder>

Akane and Soun watched with amusement, the Panda was good.

Ranma found his way into the Kitchen. Kasumi was chopping veggies for the Soup.

"Smells delightful. Did you put enough Pepper in?"

"Pepper! That is what it is needing." Kasumi added the pepper, stirred twice and rapped the pot. "Now What Can I do for you?" Her tone was light, friendly, but guarded.

"I came to talk to you about your Art."

"My Art?" The frown on her face was in her voice. "I have no Art, other then the light yoga I do before Bed."

"Mistress Kasumi, You do have an Art, and you have mastered it. The House, the Yard, even the Gates and Walls respond to your Will." Ranma leans against the wall. "I have 'seen' this Art before, the Only Female at the Temple where I learned to see again, used it to cook, clean, and defend the Temple. For most, the Wa is little more then Feng Shui. For those who Sacrifice everything for the Wa, The Wa returns the price paid three and ten fold. I 'saw' the Gate strike your father when he made his proclamation. I 'saw' the Door move, when you ran to tend the soup."

Ranma looked around, "Only your Voice allows me to find you, For the Wa hides you from my 'sight'. I can sense you from another room, but only because the house is focused on you as its heart and soul. The Sacrifice you made must have been great indeed. This House will fight to keep you safe and well. It even wants you happy."

Ranma dropped his head. "When I asked to learn from Shen-la, She told me she could not teach what was not ready to be learned. I have talked to Nabiki about Money issues the house has incurred. I fear that you have paid a heavy price. First your Mother, then your Childhood, and finally your future; including the love of your life and any plans you had for your life outside these walls."

Kasumi sobbed, Ranma moved to embrace her. As his Strong Arms wrapped around her, she broke down and cried for the first time sense her Mother passed. "Let it Out."

The House sensing that Kasumi was sad, closed all doors, windows, and vents. The Heat was shunted elsewhere, and the lights were dimmed. The House was trying to drive away the one that was making its mistress sad.

For fifteen minutes she cried. When she had cried her self out, Ranma helped her to her feet. "Dry your eyes. The House needs you for now. Tomorrow after School, we will talk about Kasumi needs and wants." Ranma kissed her check. "I need you to be happy, but I also need you here for now. Besides dinner is expected soon." Ranma tapped his way out.

Kasumi sniffed a bit as she finished dinner.

She was just told that the House wanted her happy, it protected her, she could feel it try to comfort her while Ranma held her.

Nabiki was on the phone to a contact of hers. "Yes Tishu-San, I know you are busy...Yes I know you are an important jewel merchant, in fact that is why I called. Yes I have a lead on twenty clear cut diamonds, that I judge to be two to three karats each. ...Yes I thought that would spark your interest. Tomorrow, meet me and my seller at the Front gates of the School. Until then."

The House went dark. It had not been this dark sense mother had passed...

Kasumi...

She got up and walked down the stairs to the Kitchen. Peeking in she saw Ranma Holding a crying Kasumi.

'Kasumi crying, Have not seen her cry sense before Mother died. In fact I do not think that she cried when Mother passed...' Looking at the way Ranma was older her sister, Nabiki back out. 'Ranma is not trying to hurt her, not his style. Will have to get the whole story later.'

AN;

Sorry so brief, will do /am doing better with the next chapter.

Readers pole;

1. Should Ranma teach Akane?

2. Should there still be a problem with Ukyo and Shampoo?

3. Should Ranma and Nabiki get married or just go with Plan B?

4. Should Tofu be in the future for Kasumi?

please answer, as it allows me to involve my readers in the story.

I believe that Kasumi and Tofu are a match, perfer Ranma+Nabiki matches, What should I keep in cannon/fannon and what should I throw to the wind?