Interesting Times
By socchan
Chapter Two: The Fall of Kuno
Nabiki-neko crawled back into bed very early in the morning indeed, still tired from her night's romp, but excited none-the-less. At last, after all that had happened to Ranma and Akane, she would finally be doing something interesting. Not that extorting people wasn't interesting, she admonished, it had its perks; it just wasn't as interesting as some of the things they had done. Plus, she wouldn't have to worry about where to find adventure if Ranma ever went away. Content and sleepy, Nabiki-neko nosed under the covers of her bed, and drifted off to sleep.
Nabiki awoke early the next morning to the sounds of birds chirping outside. She stretched and yawned, then stopped abruptly to examine herself for cat fur. Satisfied, Nabiki fingered the violet claw at her neck, and got ready for school.
Breakfast that morning was as eventful as ever, with Ranma's sharp-tongued insults and her younger sister's hotheaded replies. Nabiki was used to all of this, and watched today with a different kind of scrutiny, not looking for blackmail material, but for ways the Wishes might work.
I might be able to use the red one to help Akane's anger problems, Nabiki mused, Or the blue one to cool that hot temper of hers, but I don't think that's what they were meant for. I could use the green one to help her realize when and why she's jealous, but it doesn't quite fit her, and I still have to make sure to use the right one on Ranma. She glanced down at the claw around her neck. Besides, she thought, Carmella said I would know when and on whom to use them, and I'm not getting any inspiration from these two. Sure, I'm getting a slight pulse from Ranma, so I know he's meant to have one, but nothing is coming from Akane. Nabiki looked carefully at Ranma, trying to see him the way the Wishes wanted her to. After a few minutes of this with no results, Nabiki sighed and gave up. She supposed she would know which one to use when the time came; she just hated waiting for it.
Nabiki glanced at the clock. With a start, she realized that if she didn't hurry, she would not have enough time to collect on bets before school. She gulped down the rest of her breakfast, snatched her bag, and left with a hasty "Later, little sis!" tossed over her shoulder. Neither Akane nor Ranma noticed it, as they were too busy arguing with one another.
Nabiki dashed towards school as she had not in years, dodging in and around people and other obstacles, afraid she would miss whatever show would be in store that day, be it the traditional Kuno challenge, or something more unusual.
Nabiki sighed in relief when Furinkan High came into sight, but did not slow down. Instead, she added the last bit of speed and adrenaline she had been saving to sprint the remaining distance. She was nowhere near as fast as Ranma, or even her sister, but she could be pretty damn fast when she wanted to. The cloud of dust trailing after her was evidence enough of that.
Abruptly, her progress towards the school was halted as she slammed into a warm solid force. She fell backwards, dropping her bag and landing hard on her butt. Under her breath she cursed whomever it was that had the audacity to run into her.
"Accursed knave! Who is it that has interrupted my holy quest to free Akane and the Pigtailed Girl from that sorcerer Saotome's evil influence?!"
Oh, great, Kuno. Muttering darkly, Nabiki got to her feet and brushed off her posterior, bending only once to retrieve her lost bag. "It's only me, Kuno." She said, slightly peeved.
Tatewaki Kuno, who, it seemed, had also just gotten up, looked at her and blinked. "Nabiki Tendo?"
"The one and only." She said sarcastically, arms crossed over her chest.
Kuno looked at her, then over his shoulder at the school, then back at her. "But if that is truly you, Nabiki," he said, confusion evident, "why are you not already in the school? Methinks you would normally be conducting business at this hour, unless…" Kuno perked up, and leaned towards her. "Unless, perhaps, you have some secret for me as how to win the hearts of my two loves?" He looked so perversely hopeful, Nabiki might have laughed, had she not found it so sickening herself.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Kuno-baby, but I just got a bit of a late start this morning." She said, letting a hint of fatigue show. She didn't mind dropping her guard a bit in front of Kuno—she severely doubted he would tell anyone that 'Lady Shiva' had feelings, or if he did, that anyone would believe him. She did rather like having such a safe relationship with one of her 'customers', though you'd be hard pressed to get her to admit it. She smiled a bit at this thought. "Tell you what, Kuno-baby, meet me in the second floor corridor at lunch, and I'll have some pictures for you."
His disappointed look faded at this remark to be lit with happiness. "Very well then, Nabiki. I shall meet with you at the appointed time and place. Now, I am certain you have other ventures to attend to, so I leave you to your business." Kuno turned to face the school gate, a determined smile plastered on his face.
"Alright then, Kuno-baby, see you then." Nabiki said, smiling. She felt a twinge of something that might have been sadness as she watched him stare into the space where Akane and Ranma would soon appear, but pushed it away. She didn't have time for things like that. With one last glance at Kuno, Nabiki headed inside. She frowned a little as something tugged at the back of her mind, but ignored it as nothing, and continued on her way.
Business was profitable, as usual, but Nabiki found herself pre-occupied during class, and the minutes seemed to drag on forever. Her mind seemed to want to travel back to that morning and the strange feeling she had gotten from Kuno. She examined and re-examined it mentally, but could make no sense of it, and still her mind refused to leave her alone. Luckily, most of the teachers knew better than to call on her when she didn't want to be called on, so the morning passed uneventfully. Still, it was a relief when Nabiki finally heard the lunch bell ring.
At once Nabiki effortlessly calculated the speed at which Kuno would eat, and decided she had enough time to finish up her won meal before she left. Within a matter of minutes, her bento box was empty—a speed eating technique she had developed to make sure she always reached her destination before her customers, a combination of reflexes training, and compact food that let her finish fast and still get the nutrients she needed. It was a process she had perfected years ago, but usually kept hidden because it wasn't needed. With it, she reached the hallway and had only to wait two minutes before the Kendo captain arrived.
"Ah, Nabiki, punctual as usual, I see."
Nabiki put on her best 'business' smile, and addressed him. "Ah, Kuno-baby. Eager as ever, I see. Ready for your daily supply of perverted pictures?"
Kuno winced. "I would that you did not call them such unattractive names," he said, obviously pained.
Nabiki waved it away. "Pish-posh, Kuno. It's just what they are—fuel for your sick obsessions." Mentally, Nabiki was surprised at the venom with which she spoke. "Tell you what, Kuno-baby, choose between my sister and that red-haired girl and I'll sell you that set ten percent off." It really was a decent offer, Nabiki knew.
Kuno stared at her in horror. "You know that I could not do such a thing. To embrace one would ensure the other would fall into the hellish grasp of that fiend Saotome, and I could not do that to either of them, much less deny one of them my love. I would no sooner do that than deny them entry to the gates of heaven."
"But you're hurting them both by not choosing one of them" Nabiki pointed out, not at all sure why she was saying it. After all, she made good money off of his obsessions.
Kuno looked away, eyes full of despair. "You think that I do not know that? I would that I had it in my power to choose between the two, but alas, I do not." He sighed, closing his eyes. "Thus, I must openly seek both, so as not to do one the greater harm of seeking the other."
"What if I had a way for you to choose?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Nabiki realized what was going on: on of the Wishes had found itself a use in Kuno, and wanted her to present it to him. So that's why I haven't been able to control what I say… Though I would like it if they could find a better way of telling me something's up.
Kuno's head snapped towards her. "You have such a device?"
Nabiki looked at him, startled and a bit embarrassed. "Well, yes." She found herself saying.
Kuno dropped to his knees in front of her. "Nabiki Tendo, help me choose between my two loves, help me to see which love is more pure!"
"I…er…um…" was all Nabiki could manage.
Kuno shook his head and chuckled. "Ah, yes, of course, there is a price. There would be." He looked directly into her eyes, and Nabiki's heart stung, but the motion was overwhelmed by the pulsation energy filling her from one of the Wishes. "How much?" Kuno asked.
"Five yen." Nabiki started, focusing intently on Carmella's advice not to abuse the power the Wishes gave her.
"Sold!" Kuno declared, flipping a coin to her. Nabiki deftly caught it.
"Very well," she said, drawing on of the necklaces out of her pocket with her left hand, an indigo claw hanging from it. She lipped the five yen into her other pocket. "Put this on; it will help you decide whom you really love." Nabiki was astonished to find that she had to fight to keep her voice steady as she said this.
Kuno took the Wish from her, and rose to his feet. "Thank you, Nabiki Tendo. I am forever in your debt."
She wanted to point out that this was already painfully obvious, but found herself saying something quite different. "You're welcome, Kuno. Any time." Nabiki clapped her hands over her mouth; if word of this got out, she would loose all power.
Kuno smiled crookedly at her, and bowed deeply. Then, without another word, he slipped the Wish around his neck, and passed out. Nabiki looked at the unconscious Kuno in panic, and did the only thing she could think of: mustering all her strength, she slung the sleeping Kendoist over her shoulder, and ran as fast as she could to Carmella's shop.
=^-,-^=
Okay, what do all you people think you're doing? You're reviewing my fic, and you're complimenting it. Here I was, all prepared for the worst, and now this happens. Maybe I'm just not doing a lousy enough job. Not that I don't appreciate it, but, well, it's disturbing. Ah, well. Can't have everything I want in life. (BTW, BlazeStryker? You're on the right track. By Chapter Seven, all the readers should have it figured out. I'll positively scream if you guess the ending, though.)
Disclaimer: Ranma ½ is property of Rumiko Takahashi, and therefore, not mine. I make no claim of it, and this piece of fan fiction is written purely for entertainment, not for money. The Cat's Wishes and Cursed Whisker powder are my concepts, and Carmella is my character, so you'd better ask before using them—or at least give me some credit. Thanks much!
--socchan