Sasameki Koto + Ranma One Half

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters from either Sasameki Koto or Ranma ½, I'm only borrowing them for awhile. Don't bother suing me, you won't get anything out of it.

Sasameki Koto and Ranma ½: Martial Arts Mix

Sumika Murasame looked at her father with a expression of stunned surprise after reading the letter they had just received from his old friend. "You didn't," she started to say weakly. The tall, black haired young woman was sitting seiza on the floor of the dojo, her feet curled under her with the ease of long practice.

Her father smiled, the black haired man's expression kindly as they knelt together in the karate dojo. "Yes," he conceded, "I made a arrangement that you would meet Genma Saotome's son." He shrugged, and added "I did not specify you had to marry him, daughter."

"Thank goodness for that," Sumika sighed, her almost violet eyes relieved behind her old fashioned square framed glasses.

Her father gave a wry look, "But I do think you should meet him."

Sumika stiffened as she protested, "But father...."

"I'm aware that your... interests lie elsewhere," he shrugged, "but the style of combat Genma showed me has great potential. If you could learn and apply even a bit to our own techniques, it could be of great benefit." Gently he added, "And I know you'd like to get away from school for awhile."

Sumika hid her wince, though it was hard. Ushio Kazama, the girl whom she had a crush on, had found another. Right now she and her library club friend were probably out on a date somewhere. Her friends in the girl's club were providing what comfort they could, but it still hurt....

'I wonder who told father?' Sumika thought sadly. "Yes," she admitted quietly, "it would be nice to get away a few days."

"Good," he beamed, passing over a folded piece of paper over. "They are staying at the Tendo dojo of 'Anything goes martial arts' in Nerima. I contacted Genma, they'll be expecting you."

The trip out to the Nerima ward of Tokyo took her several hours by bus and train, but Sumika eventually found herself in front of a home rather like her own, with a house and a larger dojo beyond it. She frowned slightly at not hearing practicing students, but shrugged it off as she went to the front door. 'Challenges to the death and fiancees go to the back door,' the sign above 'Tendo dojo of Indiscriminate Grappling' read.

'Well, I'm not a challenger or fiancee,' Sumika thought, wondering how often fiancees appeared here while knocking on the door firmly.

The door opened in a moment to reveal a strikingly attractive woman with brown hair, her face wreathed in a warm smile. She was older than Sumika, she guessed, but not by too much. "Oh, hello," she said cheerfully, "I'm Kasumi Tendo. How can I help you?"

Sumika suddenly felt under dressed in her dusty street clothes, even though Kasumi was just wearing a simple dress. Bowing slightly in respect Sumika introduced herself and then said, "I'm looking for Ranma and Genma Saotome."

"Oh my," Kasumi's smile dimmed a bit as she asked, "you aren't here to challenge Ranma?"

"No, ma'am," Sumika shook her head no, taking a moment to dust off her jeans.

Kasumi looked curious, "And you're not another fiancee?"

"No," Sumika answered even as she thought, 'Another fiancee? How many does he have?' She tidied the jacket she wore nervously, her duffel bag containing her karate gi slung over her shoulder.

"Then come in," Kasumi opened the door wide and led Sumika inside. "So," she asked as they walked in, "why do you wish to see the Saotomes?"

"My father did Genma a favor some years ago," Sumika said, noting that Kasumi seemed to have expected that. 'Common story?' she thought. "In return," she continued aloud, "I was granted the option to meet Ranma and consider him for husband material."

"So you are a fiancee," Kasumi sounded disappointed.

Sumika said to her with complete honesty, "Miss, I have no intention of marrying him."

Kasumi paused in the hall as she asked, "Why is that?"

"I'm not that way inclined," was the most diplomatic way Sumika could put it. It was odd, but she found herself liking Kasumi almost immediately, and she couldn't quite explain why.

"I see," Kasumi murmured, leading the way further inside.

The main room had a bald fat man and a tall, black haired man playing shogi with intense concentration. A young woman with shorter brown hair and a thoughtful look was watching television nearby, while a third black haired girl was watching beside her.

"Another fiancee?" the middle girl asked, a amused smile on her face.

"No, Nabiki," Kasumi said firmly as she lead Sumika to the two men. "This is Genma Saotome," she introduced him, "and my father, Soun Tendo."

Sumika introduced herself, noting the suspicious look that Soun gave Genma. "I believe you know my father?" she asked Genma.

"I do," Genma admitted reluctantly.

Deciding to be upfront Sumika said, "First, I wish to assure you that I have no intention of forging a marriage bond with your son, Ranma." Both Genma and Soun looked relieved, making Sumika wonder how often this happened.

"That's a nice change," Soun noted with a wry smile.

"Heh," Sumika smiled back at him. She looked over at Genma, "Also, my father is interested in learning more about your family's style. Would you be willing to teach me some of the basics?"

"Passing on the secrets of our schools is not something done lightly," Genma noted with a dramatic frown.

"Nor is a matter of honor something to be taken lightly," Sumika pointed out to him. Genma and her father were both old fashioned types, and she knew those words would have weight.

Soun nodded as he told Genma, "She has a point, and it's not like she's asking for any of the advanced techniques."

It had taken Sumika some bargaining with her father to get him to agree to her next statement, but she added, "I would also be willing to demonstrate my own school's special 'North Pole Fist' technique to both of you."

Genma perked up a bit, hearing about a new technique. "All right," he nodded, "but we will need a demonstration of your skills. I need to see what level you are at."

"Of course," Sumika nodded respectfully.

"Akane," Soun called to the youngest girl as they got up from their game, "would you be willing to spar with this young lady?"

"Sure," Akane agreed, her short brown hair falling around her face. She, Sumika and the two elders walked to the dojo as she quietly asked, "So you're really not another fiancee?"

"My father might want that," Sumika answered her with a sigh indicating she was already tired of the topic, "but I'm not interested."

"That's nice for a change," Akane admitted as they entered the clean, slightly run down dojo. They walked to the center on smooth, polished boards as she asked, "Do you want to change?"

"I can fight fine in this," Sumika said, having left her bag in the house.

"What are you trained in?" Akane asked as she watched Sumika warm up.

"Mostly karate," Sumika answered as she finished her stretches and took up a fighting stance, "though I know a bit of judo too."

"Our 'anything goes' style involves mixing a lot of different fighting moves," Akane cautioned, "so be ready." She smiled, "I'll try not to hurt you."

"Thanks," Sumika answered, wondering if this girl was arrogant or just really that good.

The first karate kick nearly took Sumika's head right off, but she dodged backward before kicking out and missing. The girl was very fast but also telegraphed her moves, giving Sumika the seconds she needed to dodge. She was also powerful, a punch going right through the wall as Sumika dodged it, snapping off a kick that left Akane winded. Sumika followed it up with another powerful kick that sent Akane flying.

"Not bad," Genma murmured, "she has potential."

"Hmm," Soun nodded, "but my little girl will stop holding back."

Akane picked herself up, a fire in her eyes that Sumika hadn't seen before. She was faster and clearly annoyed, putting more power into her punches and kicks. Sumika still saw the 'tells' that let her know what Akane intended, but it was harder to strike back at the powerful girl. As Sumika hit her back against the corner she silently cursed, realizing that Akane had used the home court advantage to maneuver her there.

"That would be it," Soun noted a bit regretfully.

As Akane swept in Sumika realized she couldn't dodge in the confined space. She could block, but Akane would almost certainly be able to wear her down eventually. That only left breaking out in her list of options.

'I hope they weren't kidding about special techniques,' Sumika thought as she used her family technique. She summoned up ki, the energy of life itself that all martial artists became aware of, channeling it into her fist. Icy willpower, the stillness of a frozen lake radiated out in a blue glow around her hand then she lashed out, sending 'spears' of icy power out in a burst of energy that threw Akane backwards.

"Wow," Akane managed after a moment, blinking away blindness from the energy burst.

"And that," Sumika said with the surprising tiredness that came with using ki, "is one of the techniques of the 'Noth Pole Fist.' Do you think you can train me?"

"I think she has potential," Genma admitted.

Sumika walked over to Akane, offering her hand as she said, "You really had me there, Miss Tendo. You're very good."

Akane took it, letting Sumika pull her up. "I should have known you had something up your sleeve," she smiled, "can you show me that move?"

"I don't see why not," Sumika shrugged.

"Thanks," Akane grinned as they walked out of the dojo together.

However, they didn't get far before they saw the two boys busily fighting in the front yard. They moved with a speed that frankly awed Sumika, faster than she could move, faster even than she saw Akane move. The taller boy wore a odd mix of traveling clothes, carrying a backpack and umbrella as well as wearing a red bandana. The slightly smaller black haired man wore a shirt in red silk and black pants, his hair tied back in a small braid.

"That's Ranma Saotome," Akane said, "fighting Ryoga Hibiki."

Ryoga identified himself immediately as he attacked Ranma yelling, "I've known hell because of you, Saotome!"

"Yeah, yeah," Ranma dodged, a cocky smile on his face as he leaped away.

Maybe it was the dodge, maybe it was the angle he leapt, but Ryoga got a good look at Akane and the slim, athletic figure walking beside her. The very androgynous figure in jacket and casual clothes, standing far too close to Akane for his comfort. "Get away from my Akane!" Ryoga yelled, leaping for her.

Sumika saw him coming and kicked out at his side, only to grimace in pain as it felt like kicking a solid brick wall. Forcing past the pain she twisted, using her kick plus his momentum to send him flying away from him, staggering as she did so.

"Are you all right?!" Akane yelped as she helped support Sumika who had nearly fallen over from her hurt leg. She looked up at Ryoga with blood in her eye, "Ryoga, you...."

Ryoga, having realized that Sumika had hurt herself kicking him, smiled weakly as he neared and said, "I didn't realize it was a woman."

"Idiot!" Akane finished as she swung a massive mallet that had appeared from seemingly nowhere. It hit with enough force to shake the ground, Ryoga sent flying away until he finally disappeared off in the distance.

"I'm impressed," Sumika managed as her leg gave out and she collapsed to the ground.

"You didn't do too bad yourself," Ranma said as he and Akane quickly helped her up. He looked at Akane, "We'd better get Kasumi to take a look at her."

"Right," both picked up Sumika easily as Akane continued, "Ranma Saotome, meet Sumika Murasame. She's here to train a while."

"Charmed," Sumika managed through a wince of pain while they brought her into the house. "What kind of armor was that guy wearing?" she wondered.

"No armor, he just hit himself with boulders for a few weeks to increase his toughness," Ranma explained in total seriousness.

Sumika looked at him waiting for the punchline, then realized there wasn't one. The two set her down on the couch as she asked, "Is he insane?"

"It worked, didn't it?" Ranma shrugged.

"I don't think I have quite the same commitment to the art of fighting as you do," Sumika noted as a worried Kasumi hurried over.

"I get that a lot," Ranma admitted.

"What happened?" Kasumi asked as she took in Sumika's stiff position and obvious pain.

"She tried kicking Ryoga without knowing what he's like,." Akane said with a growl.

"I have some medical training," Kasumi told Sumika as she knelt down by her outstretched leg, "will you let me help you?"

"Sure," Sumika nodded a bit nervously.

"Good," Kasumi smiled that sweet smile of hers as she said briskly, "then we need to start by taking off your pants."

"Urk," Sumika made a odd sound, then shook herself as Akane looked at her questioningly and Ranma quickly vacated the room. She unbuttoned her pants and pulled them down carefully, wincing in pain as she pulled them past her already badly bruising leg. 'Damn it, I had to wear the bear print undies today,' she sighed.

Thankfully, Kasumi seemed to ignore them, though Akane looked amused. Her expression became more serious as she quietly said, "I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."

"Not your fault he's a idiot," Sumika said, faintly surprised that Kasumi's touch on her leg didn;'t bring pain. Instead she carefully pressed certain points, frowning thoughtfully as she worked, and the pain seemed to flow away.

"There," Kasumi sat back in a satisfied way. "I've blocked the pain and opened up your ki pathways a bit," she told Sumika, "you should be fine in a few days. Just take it easy till then."

"Thank you," Sumika told her sincerely.

Kasumi walked towards the kitchen then added over her shoulder, "And I think the bear print is adorable."

Akane hooted in laughter as Sumika blushed red and grabbed her jeans, pulling them on carefully. "I think she likes you," Akane chuckled as she helped her up.

"Me, too," Sumika murmured, blushing still.

To be continued ...?