Mark of the Wolves/ RAnma 1/2
Quiet Control Chapter 7
"By Insistance"
It has been said that Nabiki wasn't a morning person, it was also said that the combination of years of inhaling paint fumes and a generous snootfull of Nerve gas during WW I didn't do well for Hitler's rationalizing facilties.
On a weekend, Nabiki didn't get up unless she either chose to, or when it became apparent that due to a certain martial arts family freeloading off of hers, she would have to visit her unholy financial vengence upon those who would work towards stifling her rest.
"You would think after giving them the bill for all the damages they've done since they came to stay with us would deter them once in a while," grumbled the half sleeping middle Tendou sister as she stumbled into bathroom (as how she woke up so much later than anyone else meant she could use it without having to wait as everyone else did, well, that and the fact that NOBODY wanted to be on Nabiki's bad side during the morning [which happened to be anywhere but her blindside, but I digress], and graciously made sure that they were done before she got up), then back into her room and dressed.
"Good morning Nabiki, we'll be having breakfast in a little while," greeted Kasumi as Nabiki came down and the greeting was returned with a non-commital grunt and wave. Nabiki stalked towards the back yard, deciding that the first fiscal target would be her dear Uncle Genma, that way he wouldn't have a chance to escape while Ranma caught the brunt, so imagine her slight suprise as she saw the panda sitting on her porch with her father observing the scene outside and not participating in said scene.
High snap kick blocked with horizontal forearm, followed by blocking a mid thrust kick with knee, parry straight cross with palm of the rear hand, fade to side from jab, feign a counter punch to see Ranma's reaction....
Ranma was getting rather fed up with the lack of actual offensive display on behalf of his sparring partner at the moment.
"Comon, fight BACK!!!" Yelled Ranma as he began to once again up the level of his fighting skill against Rock, who once again, took the increased difficulty from Ranma in stride. Akane held back snickers, much to her credit, although the beet red and shaking contenance belayed her intended display of anything other than wanting to burst out laughing from the sheer irony of it all.
"Nice to see you're finding this amusing, sis," stated Nabiki in her usual sardonic (if not slightly tired) tone. Akane took deep breaths before she answered, "All those times, *snicker*, that I told Ranma to fight me, *heh*, and, *chuckle*, well, it's good to see him, *giggle*, on the end of it for a change."
Nabiki would have also found it humorous, if not for the fact that she was slightly livid. You see, part of her planned revenge didn't actually come from the money (since Ranma didn't have any to begin with really), but from the crest fallen look he had from when he realized that he was further in dept with the money mistress than before.
Problem is the same thing wouldn't work with Rock, seeing as how from what she saw on his credit report, he could afford the inconvenience that she would visit upon him, and tip her with a smile, and donate on a whim to her favorite charity, in her name.
"I can not fight you back yet, you are not ready," stated Rock a little too casually (too casually as in he wasn't even breathing hard, despite the fact that his lungs felt like they were ready to burst from extended sparring like this, not even Terry put him through the grinder like this often).
Ranma, of course falling for the bait, "WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" Ranma's outburst was followed by Rock's fist, and a swimming trip to the fishpond.
"It means you hadn't lost your temper enough yet for that to work," remarked Rock as he went to help the now redhead girl out of the water, "I do not think I will ever get used to your sex changing, do you not find it rather, disconcerting?"
"Disca-wha?"
"Sorry, I said that in English, did I not?"
As Ranma got up and shook a bit of the access water out of her hair, he managed to catch Nabiki's "You are going to be paying HEAVILY for it this time" evil glare #142 variation A.
Ranma sighed in resignation, "How much do I owe you now for waking you up?" Ranma decided she best just cut to the chase instead of having to listen to the middle Tendou sister come up with a rationalization for the outragous amount she was going to make him give up.
"Owe her for waking her up?" asked Rock incredulously, "it's nearly nine, which reminds me, I need to go finish washing up and help Kasumi with breakfast, I promised to exchange a few recipes with her for my special pancake batter." With that Rock headed upstairs to the bathroom before Ranma could insist on a rematch. As soon as he reached the bathroom, he nearly fainted from exhaustion and oxygen deprivation.
"Okay, never try to bluff an opponent with possibly twice the stamina of yourself."
_______________________________________________________________________
"Wow, a boy who's enthusiastic about cooking and who can hand it to the great Ranma Saotome. Mebbe you should think about staying in your girl mode and marry him," Nabiki took immense pleasure from the blue aura forming around the angry redhead.
"Yes, he would make a great husband for you Nabiki! Why, you may begin the engagement right away!" declared Soun, who's selective hearing managing to serve his purpose, waved a fan in approval.
Nabiki managed to choke on air, which actually is an incredible feat by the way, "M-MARRY?"
"Why not, sis? You two would make a good couple," added Akane, who couldn't resist getting a jab on her sister.
"Come to think of it, they do look good together," further added Ranma, wanting her own back for the jaunt Nabiki gave him. The ridiculed one stormed back into the house, determined that she now focus her newfound rage against the root of it all, a certain rich Blond haired Gaijin.
_______________________________________________________________________
Rock was becoming irritable, first that... that... girl Nabiki harrassed him all morning, he even offered to pay her to go away for a few hours. Much to his chagrin, and EVERYONE else's suprise, she refused, stating, in quote, "I don't want your money, Mr. Howard."
Unfortunatly for her, instead of everyone, but Rock of course, interpreting this as anymosity and resentment towards the blond haired guest.... well, let's just see what is going on in Nabiki's room at the moment....
"This one will look great on you Sis, I've never seen you in this either!"
"That, Akane, is because it's for special occations, this is not one of them," retorted Nabiki hotly, for the life of her she could not figure out HOW she had been so maneuvered into this, for she was now honorbound for the events of this evening.
"Oh, but Nabiki, this is your first meaningful date, this is a special occasion! Oh my, I think I have a necklace that would go nice with that!"
"And what makes you think this is my first 'meaningful' date, Kasumi?" Kasumi just had her eyes closed with a brilliantly cheerful smile that to most people looked like her standard smile, but a trained eye would recognize as Kasumi's "who are you trying to kid here?" look.
"It's alright to be embarrased on your first true date (that wasn't trying to swindle us out of house and home or owing you a huge debt), at least he's willing to take you out, unlike that idiot fiancee of mine," stated Akane in aggrivation, but with a tinge of remourse.
"You could just ask him, Sis," replied Nabiki, awaiting her sister's usual denial, she wasn't disappointed of course.
"Me? Ask that idiot out? That, that BOY? As if I cared to go out on a date with HIM...." Kasumi turned to Akane, her smile never varying from the one she gave Nabiki, and Nabiki giving her younger sister how own intepretation of said smile....
_______________________________________________________________________
"Oh man, Nabiki's gonna BLEED you! It's not too late to run away, ya know?" stated Ranma with sincere worry.
"I will be alright, it is not as if we are planning on being out for that long," replied Rock with no worry but annoyance in his voice. True Nabiki was a nice enough looking girl, VERY nice looking from what Rock could see, and if circumstances were different, he would be his usual self when around a would be courter.... a babbling and shy wreck waiting for any oppurtunity to run for the hills, as a dear Chinese girl he met in the King of Fighters Tournament named Hotaru discovered, and used to her advantage, but let's not go into that right now.
Unfortunatly, Rock found that Nabiki didn't seem to like him, and the feeling was mutual. Nonetheless he would take her out and be civil about it, and pray she decides to be the same.
"You don't know Nabiki like I do, she'll drain you like a sponge inna hydropress!" Ranma was hoping to get through to Rock, but found the experience was like talking to a, well, a rock.
"I would not worry about it, I can well cover what ever she decides for this night," assured Rock. He had decided that since he wouldn't be in town too long, he may as well indulge and use his card that his Uncle gave him. By the time they reach the user's location, he would be long gone. Besides as many false leads they've had (due to Hokotomaru's assistance), it's a doubt they would bother, particularly since he planned on going to places that were not his usual style.
"As the Americans say, your Chapter 11 filing," stated Ranma, giving up as the voice of reason.
Before Rock could reply, a familiar rattling of chains could be heard approaching.
"*Sigh*, it was only a matter of time I guess," resided Rock, turning and catching one of the chained maces hurled at him. "ROCK HOWARD, PREPARE TO DIE!" Yelled Mousse as he hurled more chained objects; a spear, a grappling claw, a hammer, a Playstation 2 (he found the things were rather durable and weighted well, and the sharp corners on it did some nice damage), a sock puppet, a buzzsaw, a butterknife, and a package of velveta spread (with all the process it goes through, Mousse decided that this stuff HAD to be deadly). Rock nonchilantly used the mace to bat away all the objects exept for the PS2 (may as well keep it and sell it on eBay after all).
As Mousse came within striking range to use his masterful Crane style Kung Fu, Rock suprised Mousse with a brilliant and original stratagy... he politely asked Mousse to stop (Okay, original for those who lived in Nerima, who woulda thought that being rational would make such a clever tactic?).
"Mousse, I apologise for any grievence that I have brought upon you. I have no intention of taking such a lovely young woman such as Shampoo from you. She is truly fortunate to have someone as devoted as you willing to fight for her."
Mousse was very taken back by this.... "er, well, if you are truly sorry about it...." Mousse then turned to see Ranma braced as if ready for an attack, "RANMA SAOTOME, PREPARE TO DIE!!!!"
Mousse lashed out with a kung fu sword and sliced a fire hydrant in half.
"Since when did Japan start using American fire hydrants?" asked Rock. "WHADDJA DO THAT FOR?" yelled a now female Ranma, having not been able to dodge the waterspash in time. Her reply was a series of angry quacks, since Mousse did not even see the water coming. Rock had to sigh to this, there would be no way he could tell any of his friends about his visit to Nerima, there was just no way they would believe.
Quiet Control Chapter 7
"By Insistance"
It has been said that Nabiki wasn't a morning person, it was also said that the combination of years of inhaling paint fumes and a generous snootfull of Nerve gas during WW I didn't do well for Hitler's rationalizing facilties.
On a weekend, Nabiki didn't get up unless she either chose to, or when it became apparent that due to a certain martial arts family freeloading off of hers, she would have to visit her unholy financial vengence upon those who would work towards stifling her rest.
"You would think after giving them the bill for all the damages they've done since they came to stay with us would deter them once in a while," grumbled the half sleeping middle Tendou sister as she stumbled into bathroom (as how she woke up so much later than anyone else meant she could use it without having to wait as everyone else did, well, that and the fact that NOBODY wanted to be on Nabiki's bad side during the morning [which happened to be anywhere but her blindside, but I digress], and graciously made sure that they were done before she got up), then back into her room and dressed.
"Good morning Nabiki, we'll be having breakfast in a little while," greeted Kasumi as Nabiki came down and the greeting was returned with a non-commital grunt and wave. Nabiki stalked towards the back yard, deciding that the first fiscal target would be her dear Uncle Genma, that way he wouldn't have a chance to escape while Ranma caught the brunt, so imagine her slight suprise as she saw the panda sitting on her porch with her father observing the scene outside and not participating in said scene.
High snap kick blocked with horizontal forearm, followed by blocking a mid thrust kick with knee, parry straight cross with palm of the rear hand, fade to side from jab, feign a counter punch to see Ranma's reaction....
Ranma was getting rather fed up with the lack of actual offensive display on behalf of his sparring partner at the moment.
"Comon, fight BACK!!!" Yelled Ranma as he began to once again up the level of his fighting skill against Rock, who once again, took the increased difficulty from Ranma in stride. Akane held back snickers, much to her credit, although the beet red and shaking contenance belayed her intended display of anything other than wanting to burst out laughing from the sheer irony of it all.
"Nice to see you're finding this amusing, sis," stated Nabiki in her usual sardonic (if not slightly tired) tone. Akane took deep breaths before she answered, "All those times, *snicker*, that I told Ranma to fight me, *heh*, and, *chuckle*, well, it's good to see him, *giggle*, on the end of it for a change."
Nabiki would have also found it humorous, if not for the fact that she was slightly livid. You see, part of her planned revenge didn't actually come from the money (since Ranma didn't have any to begin with really), but from the crest fallen look he had from when he realized that he was further in dept with the money mistress than before.
Problem is the same thing wouldn't work with Rock, seeing as how from what she saw on his credit report, he could afford the inconvenience that she would visit upon him, and tip her with a smile, and donate on a whim to her favorite charity, in her name.
"I can not fight you back yet, you are not ready," stated Rock a little too casually (too casually as in he wasn't even breathing hard, despite the fact that his lungs felt like they were ready to burst from extended sparring like this, not even Terry put him through the grinder like this often).
Ranma, of course falling for the bait, "WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" Ranma's outburst was followed by Rock's fist, and a swimming trip to the fishpond.
"It means you hadn't lost your temper enough yet for that to work," remarked Rock as he went to help the now redhead girl out of the water, "I do not think I will ever get used to your sex changing, do you not find it rather, disconcerting?"
"Disca-wha?"
"Sorry, I said that in English, did I not?"
As Ranma got up and shook a bit of the access water out of her hair, he managed to catch Nabiki's "You are going to be paying HEAVILY for it this time" evil glare #142 variation A.
Ranma sighed in resignation, "How much do I owe you now for waking you up?" Ranma decided she best just cut to the chase instead of having to listen to the middle Tendou sister come up with a rationalization for the outragous amount she was going to make him give up.
"Owe her for waking her up?" asked Rock incredulously, "it's nearly nine, which reminds me, I need to go finish washing up and help Kasumi with breakfast, I promised to exchange a few recipes with her for my special pancake batter." With that Rock headed upstairs to the bathroom before Ranma could insist on a rematch. As soon as he reached the bathroom, he nearly fainted from exhaustion and oxygen deprivation.
"Okay, never try to bluff an opponent with possibly twice the stamina of yourself."
_______________________________________________________________________
"Wow, a boy who's enthusiastic about cooking and who can hand it to the great Ranma Saotome. Mebbe you should think about staying in your girl mode and marry him," Nabiki took immense pleasure from the blue aura forming around the angry redhead.
"Yes, he would make a great husband for you Nabiki! Why, you may begin the engagement right away!" declared Soun, who's selective hearing managing to serve his purpose, waved a fan in approval.
Nabiki managed to choke on air, which actually is an incredible feat by the way, "M-MARRY?"
"Why not, sis? You two would make a good couple," added Akane, who couldn't resist getting a jab on her sister.
"Come to think of it, they do look good together," further added Ranma, wanting her own back for the jaunt Nabiki gave him. The ridiculed one stormed back into the house, determined that she now focus her newfound rage against the root of it all, a certain rich Blond haired Gaijin.
_______________________________________________________________________
Rock was becoming irritable, first that... that... girl Nabiki harrassed him all morning, he even offered to pay her to go away for a few hours. Much to his chagrin, and EVERYONE else's suprise, she refused, stating, in quote, "I don't want your money, Mr. Howard."
Unfortunatly for her, instead of everyone, but Rock of course, interpreting this as anymosity and resentment towards the blond haired guest.... well, let's just see what is going on in Nabiki's room at the moment....
"This one will look great on you Sis, I've never seen you in this either!"
"That, Akane, is because it's for special occations, this is not one of them," retorted Nabiki hotly, for the life of her she could not figure out HOW she had been so maneuvered into this, for she was now honorbound for the events of this evening.
"Oh, but Nabiki, this is your first meaningful date, this is a special occasion! Oh my, I think I have a necklace that would go nice with that!"
"And what makes you think this is my first 'meaningful' date, Kasumi?" Kasumi just had her eyes closed with a brilliantly cheerful smile that to most people looked like her standard smile, but a trained eye would recognize as Kasumi's "who are you trying to kid here?" look.
"It's alright to be embarrased on your first true date (that wasn't trying to swindle us out of house and home or owing you a huge debt), at least he's willing to take you out, unlike that idiot fiancee of mine," stated Akane in aggrivation, but with a tinge of remourse.
"You could just ask him, Sis," replied Nabiki, awaiting her sister's usual denial, she wasn't disappointed of course.
"Me? Ask that idiot out? That, that BOY? As if I cared to go out on a date with HIM...." Kasumi turned to Akane, her smile never varying from the one she gave Nabiki, and Nabiki giving her younger sister how own intepretation of said smile....
_______________________________________________________________________
"Oh man, Nabiki's gonna BLEED you! It's not too late to run away, ya know?" stated Ranma with sincere worry.
"I will be alright, it is not as if we are planning on being out for that long," replied Rock with no worry but annoyance in his voice. True Nabiki was a nice enough looking girl, VERY nice looking from what Rock could see, and if circumstances were different, he would be his usual self when around a would be courter.... a babbling and shy wreck waiting for any oppurtunity to run for the hills, as a dear Chinese girl he met in the King of Fighters Tournament named Hotaru discovered, and used to her advantage, but let's not go into that right now.
Unfortunatly, Rock found that Nabiki didn't seem to like him, and the feeling was mutual. Nonetheless he would take her out and be civil about it, and pray she decides to be the same.
"You don't know Nabiki like I do, she'll drain you like a sponge inna hydropress!" Ranma was hoping to get through to Rock, but found the experience was like talking to a, well, a rock.
"I would not worry about it, I can well cover what ever she decides for this night," assured Rock. He had decided that since he wouldn't be in town too long, he may as well indulge and use his card that his Uncle gave him. By the time they reach the user's location, he would be long gone. Besides as many false leads they've had (due to Hokotomaru's assistance), it's a doubt they would bother, particularly since he planned on going to places that were not his usual style.
"As the Americans say, your Chapter 11 filing," stated Ranma, giving up as the voice of reason.
Before Rock could reply, a familiar rattling of chains could be heard approaching.
"*Sigh*, it was only a matter of time I guess," resided Rock, turning and catching one of the chained maces hurled at him. "ROCK HOWARD, PREPARE TO DIE!" Yelled Mousse as he hurled more chained objects; a spear, a grappling claw, a hammer, a Playstation 2 (he found the things were rather durable and weighted well, and the sharp corners on it did some nice damage), a sock puppet, a buzzsaw, a butterknife, and a package of velveta spread (with all the process it goes through, Mousse decided that this stuff HAD to be deadly). Rock nonchilantly used the mace to bat away all the objects exept for the PS2 (may as well keep it and sell it on eBay after all).
As Mousse came within striking range to use his masterful Crane style Kung Fu, Rock suprised Mousse with a brilliant and original stratagy... he politely asked Mousse to stop (Okay, original for those who lived in Nerima, who woulda thought that being rational would make such a clever tactic?).
"Mousse, I apologise for any grievence that I have brought upon you. I have no intention of taking such a lovely young woman such as Shampoo from you. She is truly fortunate to have someone as devoted as you willing to fight for her."
Mousse was very taken back by this.... "er, well, if you are truly sorry about it...." Mousse then turned to see Ranma braced as if ready for an attack, "RANMA SAOTOME, PREPARE TO DIE!!!!"
Mousse lashed out with a kung fu sword and sliced a fire hydrant in half.
"Since when did Japan start using American fire hydrants?" asked Rock. "WHADDJA DO THAT FOR?" yelled a now female Ranma, having not been able to dodge the waterspash in time. Her reply was a series of angry quacks, since Mousse did not even see the water coming. Rock had to sigh to this, there would be no way he could tell any of his friends about his visit to Nerima, there was just no way they would believe.