Chapter 2
"Hey darling eldest sister, what's there to eat? I'm absolutely starving." Nabiki bounced into the kitchen.
"I think there's some chicken and tomatoes in the icebox. You could make a sandwich if you're so hungry," Kasumi called, over the sizzle of the wok. " I've just started making dinner, so try not to eat too much."
Nabiki crossed her arms and exclaimed with mock incredulity, "How inhospitable you are, darling sister! We have a guest! Do you really mean to make him slave in the kitchen all day? My! I think my world is crashing down around my ears!" She grinned and threw up her hands.
"How can you dare to speak to you older sister like that? Have you no shame? No sense of familial respect?" Kuno stared at Nabiki.
"Kuno-baby, I sell pictures of my little sister to you. And to the perverted male population of Furinken. Did you really have any doubt in your mind that I'm not a cold, manipulative fiend who sells out her family?" She cocked a silky eyebrow at him.
Kasumi half turned from the stove and smiled at Kuno. "Thank you for standing up for me, Kuno-san, but it really isn't necessary; I'm used to Nabiki's cynicism." She beamed at him again, in her best hostess form. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Kuno bowed. "Thank you, you are most gracious, but I must refuse. I must return home to eat with my repulsive, though brilliant, younger sister. "
Nabiki was also on the verge of emphatically telling Kuno to NOT stay for dinner (she didn't want to hang around him all day!), until she heard him refuse the offer. She stopped, the beginnings of a scheme sliding into her brain. ...If Kuno stayed, then he would meet with Ranma and Akane. And if he sat down to dinner with the two hotheads, then, well, three's a company! The more the merrier, and more money for Nabiki! A fight would definitely break out. And any excitement involving wacky martial artists always begot some substantial amount of money... Yen signs gleamed in her eyes, and she turned around and faced Kuno, a mask of innocence and persuasion already pasted on her face.
"But Kuno-baby, won't you stay?" She mooned toward him with Bambi eyes. "It would be so much _fun_ if you had dinner with us!" She batted long lashes and pouted. Ah, this was so much fun! Kuno was rooted to the spot, swallowing conspicuously. Come on, just a little more...
Kasumi eyed her younger sister appraisingly. Nabiki was obviously pulling another of her acts. Trying to intimidate and manipulate another person with her marvelous performing abilities. And it was working quite well, she noted. Kuno seemed about to give in. And then she had to stifle a giggle: Kuno wasn't falling prey to Nabiki's exceptional intellect, no, not at all! She watched him turn a pink that wasn't from a weak resolve; it came from teenage awkwardness in front of an attractive, flirtatious girl. Well! Maybe Nabiki did know what she was doing after all!
The aforementioned girl was counting the seconds and getting a little impatient. Kuno should have agreed to stay thirty two seconds ago. What's with him? she wondered, eyebrows lowering a fraction. According to my calculations and data, it should have taken the dope less than two minutes to become putty.
She peered at him, then straightened up, placed her hands on her hips, rolled her eyes, and announced to Kasumi, "He's star-struck."
And so he was. Kuno was rooted to the spot, every blood cell in his body sitting in his head, staring vacantly into space. Something that looked suspiciously like a bloody nose completed the effect.
"Very nice, Nabiki!" Kasumi exclaimed. "But I think you went a little too much over the top. Next time, try and turn down the S.A. a few notches."
Nabiki blinked. Kasumi? Making references to sex appeal? Recognizing it, more or less? She shook her head to clear it of some VERY interesting thoughts. "Good morning, Kuno-baby, you've wet the bed again! Do we need to put you back in diapers?"
"What?!!? What??!!?" Kuno jumped up, looking wildly around. "But I haven't wet the bed since last..." He stopped, and figured out where he was.
Nabiki sighed. "Kasumi, please make dinner for seven tonight. Kendo master here, Kuno-baby, will be gracing us with his presence. Do you need a booster seat, poopsies?"
"Nabiki!!!"
**********************
Dinner was just as productive as Nabiki had hoped. Kuno and Ranma got into an instant noodle fight, which Akane predictably joined. Genma contributed by randomly bopping people on the head with a large sign. By announcing at the beginning of dinner that Kuno was her guest, Nabiki kept things relatively under control and property damages to a minimum (who needed a contractor for the small things when she had Ranma?). She had a highly enjoyable evening pitching the three tempers against each other and extorting money from all attending, and made a mental note to have Kuno over for dinner more often.
When dinner was over, she saw her "guest" to the door.
"Well, Kuno-baby, I hope you enjoyed my sister's cooking."
"Y..."
"And my brother-in-law's insults."
"Well..."
"And my sister's mallet."
"Not..."
"And my father-in-law's panda farts."
"About that."
"And my father's emotional breakdowns."
"I particularly enjoyed being in your company, Nabiki Tendo." He looked down at her, almost smiling, almost grimacing. Nabiki blinked up at him, momentarily taken aback. Was he serious? She was standing poised at the front entrance, hand on the low wooden gate. He was framed against an endless, indigo sky, surrounded by diamond stars. Rather like the classic movie scenes where the boy and girl kiss good night, she thought. She trembled, confronted with a startlingly handsome face and an unfamiliar situation. What would happen if I stepped closer? If I tilted my face up? If I closed my eyes?
But self-control stepped up, and reality snapped back, and she stayed where she was. "And what of my sister's company? You moon after her every day and, now that you've actually eaten at the same table with her, good Lord! Where're the joyful tears and exclamations of "Oh, now I can die happy!"? Nabiki laughed, not maliciously. "Oh come on Kuno-baby, you're not fooling anyone. Tomorrow after school, here at my place again? Great, now hurry up and leave." She shooed him away.
As she turned back to walk into the house, the memory of what had seemed to almost happen came back to her. "Ridiculous" she muttered. "Don't be stupid, this is Kuno we're talking about here. Good grief, Biki, get control of yourself, please." She went to her room, and slipped into a pair of blue and yellow plaid pajamas. She situated herself in front of her computer, meaning to enter in the day's transactions onto her ledger, and check her email. But after fifteen minutes of staring at the screen, Nabiki found that she couldn't concentrate on finances at all. So she flopped onto bed with her calculator, and began doing a series of equations to clear her mind. The clarity and consistency of numbers relaxed her, and she let her mind wander. What was bugging her? She couldn't quite figure it out. The day had been remarkably eventful, that was certain. Most of it revolved around Kuno. But thinking about Kuno gave her a small headache, so she turned her mind on something else yet again.
Contrary to popular opinion, Nabiki was not a boy magnet. She had no boyfriends- not even a special someone who had the possibility of becoming something. Anyone she was slightly interested in was scared away and bankrupt before they could say "hi". Why this was so, Nabiki didn't really know herself. Maybe she wanted to retain her Ice-Queen reputation, and had an iron grip on her love life and emotions to keep herself from starting any potential relationships. Besides, boys who could so easily fall prey to her half-hearted scheming were not her type. However, scaring away happiness was rather tiring. And truth be told (though she would be the last one to admit it out loud), Nabiki was lonely.
That was it. She dropped the calculator on the floor (or started to, at least. She stopped herself and put it down gently because, hell, TI-83's are expensive) and stared morosely at the ceiling.
I'm lonely.
I'm lonely.
I'm lonely. I'm lonely. I'm lonely. I'mlonely. I'mlonelyI'mlonelyI'mlonelyI'mlonely.
She began to dream in memories.
To be continued.
C&C please!
"Hey darling eldest sister, what's there to eat? I'm absolutely starving." Nabiki bounced into the kitchen.
"I think there's some chicken and tomatoes in the icebox. You could make a sandwich if you're so hungry," Kasumi called, over the sizzle of the wok. " I've just started making dinner, so try not to eat too much."
Nabiki crossed her arms and exclaimed with mock incredulity, "How inhospitable you are, darling sister! We have a guest! Do you really mean to make him slave in the kitchen all day? My! I think my world is crashing down around my ears!" She grinned and threw up her hands.
"How can you dare to speak to you older sister like that? Have you no shame? No sense of familial respect?" Kuno stared at Nabiki.
"Kuno-baby, I sell pictures of my little sister to you. And to the perverted male population of Furinken. Did you really have any doubt in your mind that I'm not a cold, manipulative fiend who sells out her family?" She cocked a silky eyebrow at him.
Kasumi half turned from the stove and smiled at Kuno. "Thank you for standing up for me, Kuno-san, but it really isn't necessary; I'm used to Nabiki's cynicism." She beamed at him again, in her best hostess form. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Kuno bowed. "Thank you, you are most gracious, but I must refuse. I must return home to eat with my repulsive, though brilliant, younger sister. "
Nabiki was also on the verge of emphatically telling Kuno to NOT stay for dinner (she didn't want to hang around him all day!), until she heard him refuse the offer. She stopped, the beginnings of a scheme sliding into her brain. ...If Kuno stayed, then he would meet with Ranma and Akane. And if he sat down to dinner with the two hotheads, then, well, three's a company! The more the merrier, and more money for Nabiki! A fight would definitely break out. And any excitement involving wacky martial artists always begot some substantial amount of money... Yen signs gleamed in her eyes, and she turned around and faced Kuno, a mask of innocence and persuasion already pasted on her face.
"But Kuno-baby, won't you stay?" She mooned toward him with Bambi eyes. "It would be so much _fun_ if you had dinner with us!" She batted long lashes and pouted. Ah, this was so much fun! Kuno was rooted to the spot, swallowing conspicuously. Come on, just a little more...
Kasumi eyed her younger sister appraisingly. Nabiki was obviously pulling another of her acts. Trying to intimidate and manipulate another person with her marvelous performing abilities. And it was working quite well, she noted. Kuno seemed about to give in. And then she had to stifle a giggle: Kuno wasn't falling prey to Nabiki's exceptional intellect, no, not at all! She watched him turn a pink that wasn't from a weak resolve; it came from teenage awkwardness in front of an attractive, flirtatious girl. Well! Maybe Nabiki did know what she was doing after all!
The aforementioned girl was counting the seconds and getting a little impatient. Kuno should have agreed to stay thirty two seconds ago. What's with him? she wondered, eyebrows lowering a fraction. According to my calculations and data, it should have taken the dope less than two minutes to become putty.
She peered at him, then straightened up, placed her hands on her hips, rolled her eyes, and announced to Kasumi, "He's star-struck."
And so he was. Kuno was rooted to the spot, every blood cell in his body sitting in his head, staring vacantly into space. Something that looked suspiciously like a bloody nose completed the effect.
"Very nice, Nabiki!" Kasumi exclaimed. "But I think you went a little too much over the top. Next time, try and turn down the S.A. a few notches."
Nabiki blinked. Kasumi? Making references to sex appeal? Recognizing it, more or less? She shook her head to clear it of some VERY interesting thoughts. "Good morning, Kuno-baby, you've wet the bed again! Do we need to put you back in diapers?"
"What?!!? What??!!?" Kuno jumped up, looking wildly around. "But I haven't wet the bed since last..." He stopped, and figured out where he was.
Nabiki sighed. "Kasumi, please make dinner for seven tonight. Kendo master here, Kuno-baby, will be gracing us with his presence. Do you need a booster seat, poopsies?"
"Nabiki!!!"
**********************
Dinner was just as productive as Nabiki had hoped. Kuno and Ranma got into an instant noodle fight, which Akane predictably joined. Genma contributed by randomly bopping people on the head with a large sign. By announcing at the beginning of dinner that Kuno was her guest, Nabiki kept things relatively under control and property damages to a minimum (who needed a contractor for the small things when she had Ranma?). She had a highly enjoyable evening pitching the three tempers against each other and extorting money from all attending, and made a mental note to have Kuno over for dinner more often.
When dinner was over, she saw her "guest" to the door.
"Well, Kuno-baby, I hope you enjoyed my sister's cooking."
"Y..."
"And my brother-in-law's insults."
"Well..."
"And my sister's mallet."
"Not..."
"And my father-in-law's panda farts."
"About that."
"And my father's emotional breakdowns."
"I particularly enjoyed being in your company, Nabiki Tendo." He looked down at her, almost smiling, almost grimacing. Nabiki blinked up at him, momentarily taken aback. Was he serious? She was standing poised at the front entrance, hand on the low wooden gate. He was framed against an endless, indigo sky, surrounded by diamond stars. Rather like the classic movie scenes where the boy and girl kiss good night, she thought. She trembled, confronted with a startlingly handsome face and an unfamiliar situation. What would happen if I stepped closer? If I tilted my face up? If I closed my eyes?
But self-control stepped up, and reality snapped back, and she stayed where she was. "And what of my sister's company? You moon after her every day and, now that you've actually eaten at the same table with her, good Lord! Where're the joyful tears and exclamations of "Oh, now I can die happy!"? Nabiki laughed, not maliciously. "Oh come on Kuno-baby, you're not fooling anyone. Tomorrow after school, here at my place again? Great, now hurry up and leave." She shooed him away.
As she turned back to walk into the house, the memory of what had seemed to almost happen came back to her. "Ridiculous" she muttered. "Don't be stupid, this is Kuno we're talking about here. Good grief, Biki, get control of yourself, please." She went to her room, and slipped into a pair of blue and yellow plaid pajamas. She situated herself in front of her computer, meaning to enter in the day's transactions onto her ledger, and check her email. But after fifteen minutes of staring at the screen, Nabiki found that she couldn't concentrate on finances at all. So she flopped onto bed with her calculator, and began doing a series of equations to clear her mind. The clarity and consistency of numbers relaxed her, and she let her mind wander. What was bugging her? She couldn't quite figure it out. The day had been remarkably eventful, that was certain. Most of it revolved around Kuno. But thinking about Kuno gave her a small headache, so she turned her mind on something else yet again.
Contrary to popular opinion, Nabiki was not a boy magnet. She had no boyfriends- not even a special someone who had the possibility of becoming something. Anyone she was slightly interested in was scared away and bankrupt before they could say "hi". Why this was so, Nabiki didn't really know herself. Maybe she wanted to retain her Ice-Queen reputation, and had an iron grip on her love life and emotions to keep herself from starting any potential relationships. Besides, boys who could so easily fall prey to her half-hearted scheming were not her type. However, scaring away happiness was rather tiring. And truth be told (though she would be the last one to admit it out loud), Nabiki was lonely.
That was it. She dropped the calculator on the floor (or started to, at least. She stopped herself and put it down gently because, hell, TI-83's are expensive) and stared morosely at the ceiling.
I'm lonely.
I'm lonely.
I'm lonely. I'm lonely. I'm lonely. I'mlonely. I'mlonelyI'mlonelyI'mlonelyI'mlonely.
She began to dream in memories.
To be continued.
C&C please!