Ranma 1/2 - Kasumi: Freedom in Infancy

Chapter 9
Chapter Eight: Discovery! School and diapers don't mix.

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Chapter Description: Kasumi's School adventures.

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Running a household when all the adults are sick is hard. Running it while you’re in an injured eight to nine year old girl body, it’s near impossible. Akane and Nabiki were reluctant to take him seriously and Kasumi, well she was nice enough but she wasn’t really helping that much.

Kasumi was enjoying watching Ranma trying to rein in Akane and Nabiki. It was already bed time and he still hadn’t managed to get them into the furo. Not that he’d be able to take a bath for awhile himself with that arm. Cold showers for three weeks would have to suck.

"Come on guys, your parents are sick. I know it’s a half day tommorrow but we still have school." Ranma said exasperated to the two Tendo sisters watching T.V they were’t allowed to stay up for.

"Make me." Nabiki smirked

"Look I hate to pull this card." Ranma said, trying to sound serious. It sort of failed however as it came out in the voice of a little girl. "I’ll rat you out to your parents, and you’ll end up punished on Sunday. So! Bath- Now!"

"Fine.." Nabiki sighed and her and Akane went up to the furo. Kasumi smiled and followed them in. She didn’t mind watching them in the bath but she had no desire to be disciplinarian. She’d dealt with that job before.

Twenty minutes later Kasumi put her sisters to bed and put on a fresh diaper herself. She really didn’t like diapering herself but she was completely out of options. At least her father would be better tommorrow and her mom might be good enough to get around. She walked downstairs and flopped down next to Ranma on the couch.

"What’re you doing?" She asked, though it was pretty obvious he was zoning to T.V

"Not much. Just bitter about the arm thing and the curse thing." He said, not really to her, just voicing his problems.

"It’s not so bad right?" Kasumi asked "I mean, you use the body for school."

"Yeah, but it doesn’t feel like -me-." He sighed "I feel so useless."

"It’s not so bad, mom will be better soon and then she’ll take care of everything," Kasumi said, concerned about Ranma a little, especially after the traumatic experience he’d been through "I was really scared when you starting crying like that."

"Geeze. This body has no pain tolerance. If I’d been a man, I’da gritted through it and smashed up Ryouga big time." Ranma said idignantly, "I can’t believe I -cried-."

Ranma slumped back into the couch. The arm was really beginning to bother him. ’Three weeks my ass, I’ll get it down to two.’ He thought as he started concentrating his chi in a healing technique he’d picked up from the Amazons. It wasn’t instantaneous or anything, but it’d quicken the process.

Kasumi grew bored and informed Ranma she was going to bed early. Whatever he was concentrating obviously was important because he only gave her a non-commital grunt. Kasumi went up to her bed and read for awhile before passing out after the long day.

Ranma however was still awake with his thoughts. Having slept through most of the afternoon all he had now was to reflect on the pathetic battle and even more pathetic state that he’d ended up in. Staying a girl for a whole day was painful enough, doing this for a week or more would drive him insane.

He felt tears coming at the helplessness of the whole thing and immediately brushed them away. ’Don’t be stupid Saotome, you’re a man. You need to think rationally, never should have attempted that damn kick while in this form. Should’ve... should’ve, I dunno done something else.’ His mind chided as he remembered the fight. Ryouga had clearly outclassed him, he shouldn’t have even tried to win. It was his own fault. Next time they fought he’d be strong enough to beat Ryouga curse or no curse. He concentrated his chi on the arm long into the night finally passing out on the couch.

* * *

"Morning Boy!" Genma said gently shaking the little redhead sleeping on the couch. "I’d ask if you were up to sparring but I remembered the Hibiki boy beat the crap outta you." He laughed as Ranma’s predicament a little.

"Shut up old man!" Ranma said springing to his feet. "Just cause your curse doesn’t affect your fighting abilities doesn’t mean you have to rub it in."

"Ranma" Genma said his tone suddenly dropping serious, "Always know when to cut and run."

"Yes, yeah I guess." Ranma said non-committally. He hated it when his father was right. Running away was the best answer...In some cases.

"Breakfast will be out soon." Kimiko called from the kitchen. Ranma walked over into the kitchen and found her working hard at the stove like usual.

"Are you feeling better Ms. Tendo?" Ranma asked concerned.

"I’m still not back to full, but it’s a lot better than yesterday. I’m sure I’ll be well tommorrow." She gave a sympathetic ’aww’ as she saw his arm in the cast. She knew he was really a man but seeing a little girl with a broken arm was just cruel. "Are you okay, looks painful."

"Yeah." Ranma said moving it awkwardly, "Just a bit uncomfortable now. Sorry to say I won’t be much use around the house for awhile."

"That’s okay. I’ve got it well in hand anyway." Kimiko responded "What does that Hibiki boy have against you anyway. Your father mentioned something about him."

"He’s nuts." Ranma sighed, "But he’s not a bad guy. I doubt he meant to hurt me this bad. That doesn’t mean he’s not gonna get his just deserts the next time I see him though."

"Mom." Kasumi said a little sleepily as she walked into the kitchen. She looked at Ranma for a minute before she remembered he was stuck as a girl. Well, she’d seen him dealing with it before. He’d come out alright.

"Okay Kasumi, Let’s go," Kimiko said wiping her hands. "Ranma if you could just watch that nothing boils over for the next minute?"

"Umm," Ranma had a look of dread and apprehension, "If any hot water comes out I’m running. I don’t want to feel the pain of bursting through a cast with flesh."

"Oh, of course, I’m sure it’ll be fine." Kimiko said, turning down the burners a little more before ushering Kasumi into the laundry room.

"So how are you this morning?" Kimiko asked her oldest as she lifted her onto the counter.

"I’m a little tired after yesterday." She replied lying back as Kimiko went to work changing her. "Ranma’s taking it pretty well. Still, with being stuck like that..."

"What’s wrong?" Kimiko asked riping the tapes to her diaper.

"Well, if Ranma’s stuck like this, and he’s gotta go to school, maybe he should get some of his own clothes. I mean, I don’t mind sharing but I’d be a little bothered having to borrow someone’s clothes everyday." Kasumi said. It was actually true, she felt a little bad Ranma always had to come to her. More to the point, there was nothing Nabiki and her enjoyed more than dressing up Ranma-chan. It was silly, but he looked so cute as a girl and everything went well on him.

"I think that’s an excellent idea Kasumi." Kimiko replied after considering it, "As long as your father goes for it we can go shopping on Sunday. I expect you want to go along right?"

"Yep" Kasumi nodded. Kimiko finished her work and taped up the fresh diaper. Kasumi adjusted it slightly before hopping off the counter to go find Ranma.

She found him in the dojo working out. It was rather sad to see him doing complex kicks and punches all while practicing protecting his arm. Still his skill was evident even with the cute body and the handicapped arm.

"Hey Ranma-chan." Kasumi said immediately covering her mouth as she saw him bristle slightly. She’d been so used to calling him that before, she’d finally gotten comfortable enough to forget she wasn’t supposed to call him that anymore. It was one thing as a tease, it probably affected him worse to be called a term of am equal by a little girl. Still he took it better than she thought.

"Ranma-kun," He corrected, "I know you might forget cause’ I’m stuck in this body..."

"At school I should call you that or everyone will think something’s weird." Kasumi said, suddenly thinking of an excuse.

"Ah, I suppose." He said his shoulders sagging slightly. "So what’s up is breakfast ready already?"

"No I was just gonna tell you I think I convinced mom to take us out shopping tommorrow." Kasumi said happily.

"What kind of shopping?" He replied apprehensively

"You know, some clothes for your girl side." She replied, "You don’t want to have to be borrowing all of mine do you. You probably have a different style."

"I can’t take your families money Kasumi." Ranma said, touched that they’d spend money on him just like that, but still. "Your hospitality is more than enough."

"Mom will have fun and we’re doing fine financially. Don’t worry about it." Kasumi giggled, "Besides we’re gonna be family some day right?"

"What?" Ranma said gulping a little, "I didn’t promise nothing yet. I mean, I’m not against it, but who knows..." He gained a deer-in-the-headlights look.

"Relax, just teasing." Kasumi said, as he visibly relaxed. She turned to leave the room. It actually had been meant seriously, but he clearly wasn’t ready for any discussion yet. Kasumi had seen him in a very different light in the past few weeks, and was being to like the idea of keeping him.

Still, if things were going to be the way she remembered him he’d have all sorts of fiancees catching up sooner or later. She’d needed to get him attached before she had that kind of competition. If that was what she wanted... Besides, being Ranma’s girl was dangerous to your health, if she’d learned anything from Akane’s experience. She went in to get ready for school. At least she wouldn’t be stuck in it as long since it was a Saturday.

* * *

"Thank god it’s a half day." Ranma swore as the only break for the day started. Classes had been increddibly boring and Ranma had recieved over ten notes asking what had happened to his arm.

Kasumi didn’t have to be changed yet so they walked out to the back of the building to talk a little more. Reaching a secluded spot Kasumi sat against the building while Ranma leaned up against it. A light breeze passed by and the sun fell brightly about ten feet away where the shadows from the building subsided.

"So why don’t you have any friends?" Ranma asked, realizing belatedly it may have come out as an insult.

"What do you mean no friends." Kasumi said huffily.

"Hey, no offense, I don’t got no friends either," Ranma said throwing his arms up in a defense manner to show no insult intended, "But then you’re smart and cute and have a nice personality."

"Ohh, hmm. I guess I don’t really connect with kids my age. I mean I have Shizuka and Sumire but they’re just school friends. Well, also I kinda have to hide my diapers." Kasumi said blushing a little, "If people were close they’d figure it out. I’m fine with my family."

"I guess, seems like a big sacrifice." Ranma said, "I just don’t get what you see in em’"

"Wear one, I bet you’ll like it." Kasumi said. Ranma just shook his head a little, amused at how hard she was trying to get him into diapers. Suddenly footsteps came from around the corner.

Four boys took the corner somewhat like a phalanx, forming a line. There was a wall at the back that was to high for kids to climb so they were boxed in. Ranma could jump it still, but with a broken arm he didn’t know if he could get Kasumi over with him and there was no way he could leave her.

"Hey, it’s the bitch and her cousin." The first boy said grinning.

"You sure we should do this." Hiroshi whispered just a little too loud. Ranma caught the idea of what was going on. They thought they could take them now that he was injured.

"You might win one on one Kasumi but the guys are tired of it. You’re gonna learn your place as a good little girl." A second boy added that Kasumi recognized from a week ago.

"Guys," Kasumi started politely, "I’ve been trying not to fight anymore. I haven’t picked one with anyone of you recently, and Hiroshi, you forced the fight where I hurt you. Please, let’s just let this go."

"Okay." The biggest, said stepping up from the back, "After we beat the crap out of you and your friend they’ll be nothing to fight about anymore."

"Hey!" Ranma said in a tone that most girls, let alone most children didn’t know how to use. "Why don’t you four fuck off before I beat you into the ground. Kasumi said she didn’t want to fight."

"Get Them!" The bigger one yelled. It was on.

The four boys closed the ten feet between themselves and the girls in a matter of seconds. The little red head was incredibly fast however. No one knew how good she was really, except that Kasumi respected her and that made her great. Still Sena was in awe as the girl jumped over his head kicking him in the side before he’d had a chance to turn around. How she did that with a broken arm he had no idea.

"Hey boys." Ranma said as she kicked the boy whose name she didn’t know a second time

"I got this arm fighting a sixteen year old pro."

"Yeah right!" Sena coughed as he caught another foot to the gut.

Ranma was only playing around, these kids were nothing to worry about. He could’ve probably taken twenty of em’ even with his arm broken.

Kasumi however was not used to dealing with multiple opponents. Not that they were very fast, but still three people attacking you is very different than one. Only the biggest had gone after Ranma, probably figuring she’d be an easy finish with the arm.

She dodged right, then left between two of the boys only to find herself a foot away from the third with his fist coming in fast. Seeing no alternative she caught it between her hands and threw herself backwards, forcing him to go flying over her.

As she fell and he lost his balance she suddenly remembered she was wearing a dress. They might see her diaper if she...but it was too late. In the moment of consideration she messed up the angle and instead brought the boy crashing down upon her. The scuffle lasted less than a second before she caught a kick in the side from one of his allies.

"Kasumi!" Ranma yelled running up and punching one of them with his good arm. The boy went sailing and had already began to cry before he hit the ground. Ranma should’ve held back more but now they were hurting an innocent girl. The one that was holding her down was shouting something.

"She’s wearing a diaper!" Hiroshi cried and he heard it crinkle as he fell onto of her.

"No Way!" Satoshi said as he saw Ranma glare at him and immediately backed up. Satoshi would never learn what battle aura was, but it would be the only time he felt it. Luckily he had the sense to retreat.

Hiroshi flipped up Kasumi’s dress as he got off her and his friend’s verified that indeed the all great battling Kasumi was wearing attire designed for babies.

Ranma punched Hiroshi square in the gut for the dress flip. Kasumi had simply started crying quietly to herself.

By now all the boys had felt the violence of Ranma. It was completely different from Kasumi. Kasumi was good but she fought like a kid most of the time. Ranma could really hurt, and made it look effortless. The only one without tears was the boy who’d intelegently stepped back. Despite the fact that they had lost the battle however, they realized the war was their’s.

"We’re telling everyone what a baby Kasumi is!" Hiroshi said between attempts to force air back into his lungs and squelch the tears that were pouring out.

Satoshi helped him up and the four took off quickly chanting "Kasumi’s a baby"

Ranma didn’t stop them. He would gladly injure them for injuring Kasumi, but this wasn’t his battle and the boys wouldn’t threaten her physically again. The battle had changed playing fields and it looked like Kasumi was already defeated.

He calmed himself down and walked over to her. He lowered himself down next to her. She’d managed to sit up but the tears just kept pouring down her face as she hiccuped in attempts to get air.

"What’s wrong?" Ranma asked, knowing damn well what was wrong, but giving her a chance to voice it. She wrapped her arms around him. It was a little uncomfortable for the arm but Ranma figured he could bear it.

"I feel so...violated." Kasumi said "They’re gonna tell everyone..."

"So?" Ranma said non-committally

"So, everyone will make fun of me. They -saw- my diaper." Kasumi said, not calming down in the slightest.

"I won’t make fun of you." Ranma said "I promised remember? Besides, who cares what they say, it’s not like you connect with them anyway. You’ve got your family."

"That’s true." Kasumi said suddenly as the tears slowed. She was thinking about this from a kids perspective. She’d gotten used to the wish. In five years no one would remember this. Who cares what a bunch of stupid kids thought? "You’re right I shouldn’t be upset."

"That’s a good start." Ranma said, happy to see she was trying to get control, "Now, a little battle psychology. It isn’t physical anymore, They’re gonna try and make fun of you for the diaper. So you come back with how pathetic they are that they can’t even beat two girls, and you don’t care if people do know you wear diapers."

Kasumi nodded. It was completely sound advice. Teasing would go away quick if she didn’t care about it. It might affect her popularity, but that wasn’t something she cared about anyway.

"If there’s one thing I know about kids, they drop an issue if they think you don’t care." Ranma added sagely, "Or if they’re afraid of you enough, but I don’t think we should go that route."

Kasumi nodded again and allowed Ranma to help her stand up. The hung around the back of the building a bit while Kasumi composed herself and then she went to the washroom to clean up a little before returning to class.

"Break isn’t over for another five minutes." Ranma said as she washed her face. "But I think you should get to class before the teacher arrives, and handle it quickly, so you don’t have to deal with snickering for the rest of the period."

"You’re right." She said, completely composed, though the butterflies wouldn’t leave her stomach.

Heading off to a worse battle than before they headed back to 4-B, sliding the door open to already find the majority of the class, and importantly the four boys from before waiting for her.

"There’s the baby!" Hiroshi said mockingly as she entered.

"Yeah baby, you gonna start crying again now that we know your secret." Sena added as they glared at her in triumph.

"So what?" Kasumi said confidently and she felt Ranma’s hand on her shoulder, steading her. "Your even more pathetic. You lost to two girls 4 on 1. That makes you worse than babies right?"

"You just had your cousin helping you!" Sena growled, it was becoming easier to see he was the leader of the group as things progressed. "So what if your good at fighting, wearing diapers is pathetic baby stuff."

"Why do you care?" Kasumi said calmy, "I do what I want to, because I can. You try and gain something by beating me but any one of you would lose to this little girl in diapers."

"Hey I could kick your ass!" Sena said angrily, his temper getting the better of him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Kasumi was supposed to be crying, and he finally getting the best of her.

The students in class were rather surprised as well. The toughest girl in class admitted to wearing diapers...and it sounded voluntary. Still that didn’t really keep her from being cool, did it? She was still confident?

"Well, Sena-chan, that’s not how I remember our previous fights going. Despite that I’d rather not fight, in case of your group I’ll take any one of you one on one. OUr me and Ranma will take all four of you." She looked at Ranma briefly for conformation and he simply nodded.

"Fine, fine you go ahead and be a baby. See if I care." Sena said disgusted.

The sensei walked in the room and the conversation ended abruptly. The lesson started and Kasumi realized she’d made the right move. Sure people might think it was weird, but they at least realized she wasn’t going to lie down and take it. Finally her reputation of being a tough girl would pay off. Up til now she’d have preffered non-violence. While she still had no desire to fight, after what they’d attempted to do to her, she could muster the will.

Class ended at noon without another event. Kasumi wet and got changed in the nurse’s office before heading out to meet Ranma. She was actually feeling a little liberated, whatever happened at least it wasn’t a secret she had to deal with. As she walked down the hall Shizuka and Sumire were apparently waiting for her.

"What’s up?" Kasumi said, a little hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.

"Not a lot." Shizuka replied, since she was the more assertive of the two. "Me and Sumire were, well, surprised."

"I guess, I’m sorry if you don’t want be friends anymore. I know it’s weird, but I like it, and I’m going to stick with it." Kasumi said non-chalantly

"Wow that’s cold." Sumire said and Shizuka nodded.

"C’mon Kasumi-chan we’ve been friends since first grade. I don’t really care about it. Plus you showed those boys a thing or two." She dropped her voice a little "Is that why you haven’t asked me over recently, I mean the diaper thing?"

Kasumi felt a little embarassed at this point. They were obviously good friends, and it was sad she’d taken them for granted. Still, she’d only met them a few weeks ago, so she didn’t know how close they were.

"I’m sorry guys. Yeah it was the diaper thing, and well, with Ranma moving in we’ve been real busy. Plus the whole family was sick earlier. Really there’s been a lot going on, but it was mainly that I was worried about you finding out."

"Well now you don’t have to worry!" Shizuka said smiling, "We know, and we can still be friends right?" she extended her hand and Kasumi took it with a smile

"Sure!" She replied happily

"Well, we’ve gotta due something then, ya know catch up!" Sumire added

"I bet I could get mom let us have a sleepover!" Shizuka said as the thought struck her "How about tonight, no school tommorrow!"

"Well..." Kasumi said apprenhensively, "I mean, I’ve got plans tommorrow..."

"We can break it up early in the morning, it’ll be great tonight!" Shizuka said, trying her best to convince her.

"Well, do you think Ranma-chan could come too?" Kasumi said, "We’re becoming real good friends, and she’s really cool."

"Sure that’s no problem, you can make it to right Sumire." Shizuka asked, Sumire nodded, her parents had no problem letting her stay over on Saturdays. "Great then it’s settled!"

"Okay, let me just confirm with my parents." Kasumi said, getting a little excited herself. She hadn’t been on a sleepover in years. She just hoped Ranma would go along with it. She didn’t really want to be alone with them yet, they seemed so nice, but she -knew- Ranma, even if he didn’t know her the same way. Plus it’d give her a chance to strengthen their friendship, which she wanted regardless of anything else.

"Okay, give me a call as soon as you know, we’ll figure out a time then."

"Bai Bai!" Kasumi said happily as she walked away her friends returned it in kind with waves as they went back to the homeroom to grab their bags. By the time she got out front a worried looking Ranma was pacing around the shoe lockers.

"I was worried bout’ you after all the stuff that happened." Ranma said

"Sorry, got caught up with my friends. They said they were cool with the diaper thing and even asked if I wanted to go to a sleepover tonight." Kasumi said happily as she switched to her outdoor shoes. "Guess what else, they said you could come too."

"To a little girls’ sleepover. Sorry to say it’s not exactly my style."

"Ranma, what else are you going to do. Sit around mopping with your arm. Friends would do us both good. You said you don’t have any either." Kasumi added

"Yeah but...you know what? Fine, I’ll go, but if I get bored or I hate it you can’t try to rope me into it again. Only cause’ there’s nothing else to do."

"Cool, we’ll check with my mom as soon as we get home." Kasumi said happily

"Hmm, neverbeen on a sleepover." Ranma said to himself, "Never knew anyone well enough to get invited."

 

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