Ranma ½ Red, Violet and Black

Chapter 4

It was an unusually quiet morning at the Tendo Dojo, mostly due to the fact that Ranma was currently not present and therefore no morning spar between the teenager and his father was going on. The Tendo family plus Genma Saotome were sitting around the living room table and quietly eating their breakfast. Finally, Kasumi broke the quiet: "So, does anyone know where Ranma is today? It's very unlike him to miss breakfast."
Quickly Genma replied: "I don't know where that insolent boy is again. Probably slacking off and trying to avoid our morning spar. In any case since he isn't present you can gladly give his portion of breakfast to me instead Kasumi."

The eldest Tendo complied with a smile, but then frowned slightly again: "Hmmm, I still wonder were Ranma is."
"You can ask Akane that. She kicked Saotome out yesterday. Literally." Chimed in Nabiki with an amused grin.

"Oh my, Akane, was that necessary?" Asked Kasumi.

The youngest Tendo huffed in indignation and retorted: "Hey, that stupid pervert was picking on P-chan again. He deserved everything he got." Soun Tendo just sagely nodded, not daring to disagree with his daughter on pretty much anything. Kasumi also politely decided to not mention that in her opinion maybe her younger sister had overreacted a bit.

"Still, usually Ranma is back by morning after you two have a... disagreement like this." The oldest Tendo girl diplomatically said: "I do hope everything is alright."
Akane snorted in badly concealed anger: "The pervert is probably gallivanting around with Ukyo or Shampoo. Not that I care." Everyone else at the table did find that possibility to be extremely unlikely and Nabiki voiced that doubt.

"Uh-huh. Sure." She drawled heavy with sarcasm: "As if Saotome has enough of a spine to actually flirt with any of his fiancées."

Just at that moment the assembled residents heard the front door open and a moment later a familiar redhead with an aura of palpable unhappiness around her entered the room. "Oh Ranma, you are back. I'm afraid your father already ate your portion of breakfast, but if you wait a bit I'm sure I can fix you a small snack before you have to go to school." Kasumi welcomed the boy turned girl in her usual friendly manner. And then right behind the pigtailed girl and equally familiar violet haired amazon entered the living room and greeted everyone with her standard: "Ni hao."

"I knew it!" yelled a furious Akane: "I knew that jerk was cozying up to one of his floozies."

"Ranma, explain yourself." Soun immediately chimed in.

The redhead sullenly defended herself although without the usual vigor: "I'm not cozying up with anyone." Everyone in attendance, with the exception of Shampoo, was visibly taken back by Ranma's gloomy mood and lack of fighting spirit in her protest. It was very uncommon for the young martial artist to be in this kind of mood.

Genma was the first to recover and immediately questioned: "What's it with the dismal mood boy? Probably comes from your constant slacking off. Time to set you straight again. Get ready for a spar and no excuses. But first get some hot water. Why are you a girl anyways? Fell in the River?"

Before the Saotome heiress could respond Kasumi helpfully interjected: "I'll go and boil some water."

Sighing in defeat Ranma told her: "Thanks Kasumi, but don't bother. It won't be necessary." This resulted in almost everyone staring at the redhead once more in surprise.

"What has gotten into you, boy?" Genma demanded to know loudly.

Gritting her teeth Ranma managed to get out: "It just wouldn't do any good right now. I'm... stuck... as girl right now."

Her disgruntled father cried out in annoyance: "What? You are stuck again? What did you do this time again, boy? Angered someone you shouldn't have angered or did you do something stupid with magical artifacts?"