Ranma 1/2 - Kasumi: Freedom in Infancy

Chapter 1
Prologue: A Wish! The Tendo family mother.

Chapter Description: the beginning to the story. and some explantation to those new to ranma. more to come later.

Culture Note: Since I mention money, I should note that 1,000 yen is roughly the equivalent of $10, basically drop two zeros and you have the American equivalent (exchange rates fluctuate of course, but that is the general principle)

Japanese Translation notes: ’Oyasumi’ means ’good night’ in Japanese. There is also a brand of diapers in Japan called ’Oyasumi’ which was the precursor to our American ’goodnights’ diapers. I use Oyasumi in both means in this chapter but it shouldn’t be confusing.

Some also noted trouble with Japanese Names so current characters:

Tendos:

Kasumi - main character (9)

Nabiki - younger sister (7)

Akane - youngest sister (6)

Soun - Father (38)

Kimiko - Mother (36)

Shizuka and Sumire - Kasumi’s friends (9)

Prologue: A Wish! The Tendo family mother.

Kasumi picked up the phone and started to dial. She couldn’t believe she was having to do this but the stove was completely unusable and the repair man couldn’t come out until tomorrow. She’d tried to pull a favor but it just wasn’t possible.

The Saotomes and her father were getting hungry and only take out was going to assuage their need. Kasumi was firmly against take-out but what was a girl to do without the ability to cook.

She dialed the number slowly and deliberately, not ever having been a major fan of phones. She’d preferred to talk face to face, easier to judge someone’s motive that way and to connect on a more polite and personal level.

"Goddess hotline how may I help you?" A voice very much like her own answered.

"Oh My! I must’ve dialed the wrong number. I humbly apologize for any inconvenience."

"I’ll be over to give a personal consultation shortly." The voice responded

"What? I don’t understand." Kasumi answered only to see the mirror in the entryway shine brilliantly. A beautiful girl, robed in white and blue slowly pulled herself from it.

"I am Belldandy and I’ve come to grant you a wish." The woman, well apparently a goddess replied. Kasumi simply stood there stunned.

"Isn’t there something you wish for Kasumi?" Belldandy said sweetly.

"I’ve never really thought about it." Kasumi responded

"Well, you certainly qualify, come on, anything can be yours."

"If...If I could have anything, I would wish that mother never had cancer." Kasumi said suddenly, she didn’t know why but it just seemed right.

Belldandy’s expression turned a little concerned from the look of pure joy she had been exuding. "Kasumi-san, wishes that alter the past can change everything. You do qualify, but even a small change can completely change the world you live in, are you sure you want to alter something and throw your reality to the winds."

"I want my mommy back." Kasumi said, taking a deep breath. "Not just for me, but for Nabiki, father and especially Akane. It made our lives so hard. I know things are okay now, but so much damage was made. If I get a wish, it has to be for her to be returned to us."

"And for that purpose you would wish she never had cancer?"

"I would" Kasumi replied finally. Suddenly a white light shot from the sky into Belldandy’s forehead.

"Your wish has been granted Kasumi-san. Unlike standard wishes, those that alter the past only do system updates while people are asleep. Your wish will be granted when you wake up tomorrow."

"This is all a dream isn’t it." Kasumi said, a tear fell down her cheek.

"Why does Kami-sama tease me like this.”

"Wait for tomorrow morning to complain." Was the reply from Belldandy as she disappeared back into the mirror. Kasumi went up to her room quietly and cried herself to sleep softly enough that no one could hear.