Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Rumiko
Takahashi and other respective companies and I am
in no way making any profit from this story. This
is just for my personal enjoyment and for the
enjoyment of those who may read this.
Rated: PG-13
Email me with C&C: simplyshy@hotmail.com
**************************************************
For the Love of Money and A Kiss To Boot: What's Next?
SM
**************************************************
"Nabiki?"
Silence.
"Hey Nabs?"
Nothing.
Akane furrowed her brows and snapped her fingers once, but there was still
no response from the middle Tendo daughter. Ranma stood beside her, in his male
form, a look of intrigue on his face.
"I've seen this kinda thing happen before, Akane. I saw it on some dubbed
gaijin show. This girl was abducted by aliens, taken into a spaceship and then-
--"
"Baka, she's just a little out of it, that's all. I wonder where she got
those violets from?"
Ranma and Akane, exhausted by their own private activities (AN: Side
Story, definitely) had come upon Nabiki in the fields of Furinkan High,
clutching a bouquet of violets in her hands.
"Say...this would be the perfect chance for me to get back that money she
swindled outta me this month."
Ranma placed a hand on Nabiki's pocket, but was surprised when it was
swiftly slapped away.
"Not so fast brother-in-law, I'm not THAT out of it. That little attempt
against my person is going to cost you _another_ month of modeling."
The predatory gleam that everyone knew so well came into Nabiki's eyes and
Ranma suddenly became nervous.
"Added to the one you owe me that comes to...well, let's just say the male
population at Furinkan High will be treated to a calendar spread, and I do mean
spread, of you in various states of undress."
Ranma turned to Akane, confusion in his eyes.
"She means you're going to have to pose for a calendar wearing next to
nothing. Like you did for the Christmas card, 'Ranko the Readheaded Vixen.'
Remember that?"
Nabiki was quite proud of that idea. She had made Ranma wear a Santa's
hat and a ridiculously short red skirt with white fur trim around it. Ranma had
been lucky on that one occasion though, because the card had never reached the
hands of the perverted males at Furinkan.
Kuno had bought every single one.
And she'd been able to get great Christmas gifts for the family, so it had
been an even trade.
Akane grabbed the bouquet out of Nabiki's hands.
"Who gave you these, Nabs? And why is it that we find you here this late
in the evening completely zoned out?"
Ranma, still shuddering at the thought of having every guy at Furinkan
ogle his girl form for a year, began his "bitchfest," as Nabiki affectionately
called it.
"Aw damn Nabiki! It's not fair, why do I always--- say, what exactly
_are_ you doing standing here all by yourself?"
Nabiki took back her violets and smiled, remembering the way they had been
given to her. She immediately regained her senses and leveled her eyes on
Ranma.
"If I wanted to make it your business, I would've done it awhile ago dear
brother-in-law."
Ranma gulped, and frantically waved his hands in front of him. Nabiki
never used 'dear' unless she was extremely close to being pissed off.
And everyone knew that a pissed off Nabiki was not good for your health.
"Hey, _Akane_ was the one who brought it up, not me! Uh, I've gotta go
anyway, I think I---- oh, the hell with it, I'm out."
With that, Ranma Saotome jumped over the school walls and was gone, like
any man who had an ounce of sense in him.
After all, even he was not match for the bitchiness that would surely
ensue if he stayed.
"Really, Akane, sometimes your guy just really--- what??!"
Nabiki watched as Akane's eyes widened and her mouth changed, first into a
grim line of concentration, and suddenly into a huge grin.
"Why Biki, don't tell me that you've got a secret admirer!"
Akane clapped her hands in delight, and grabbed Nabiki's hand, dragging
her outside the school gates.
"Do you have any idea who it is? Is he walkable...you know, can you walk
him down the street without putting a paper bag over his head?"
Nabiki had dreaded this moment, and suddenly understood why Akane hated
having her meddle in her affairs. That wouldn't mean she'd stop, not by any
means. After all, a substantial amount of the income came from meddling in
Akane's life.
But she definitely understood.
She sighed, pulling her hand free from her little sister's strong grasp.
"Puhleeeze Akane. As if I'm about to stand here divulging information
about my love life. You know the drill, pay the fee or bite your tongue."
Nabiki watched her sister stiffen and begin walking off with purpose. She
looked around, the darkness definitely eerie.
"Hey Akane! Wait up! You can't just leave me behind! There could be
thugs or worse, Happosai could be on one of his panty raids!"
She shuddered and ran to catch up to her sister.
"Akane, c'mon, what's the big deal?"
Akane stopped and turned to her sister, her eyes exploding with hurt and
anger.
"I tell you all about what I'm going through, what I'm feeling, my
problems----I _confide_ in you and what happens when I try to be there for you?
I have to 'pay the fee'. Well you can take your fee and shove it, because I'm
tired of having to pay for being your sister!"
She turned around and kept walking and Nabiki suddenly felt shame at
having told her oneechan to pay a fee. She hadn't really meant it, at least she
didn't think she had.
Nabiki shook her head, no, she hadn't meant it seriously.
"C'mon Akane, you know I was just kidding. Besides, what makes you think
I have anything to say at all?"
Akane stopped again, and turned, the expression on her face that of
someone who is trying to explain things to a small child.
"We find you in the middle of the field after the sun's set, a bouquet of
flowers in your hand, a goofy expression on your face AND Ranma was able to
touch your pocketbook... Silly me for thinking you had something to tell."
Nabiki reached out to grab Akane's hand just as she turned to leave.
"Save the drama for someone else, Akane. I'll tell you all about what
happened, but not here. Too many people hiding in corners, you know what I
mean?"
The girls walked home, one in awe that her sister had a life that was not
limited to extortion and the other wishing she had a bottle of sake in her hand
so she could think clearly---or not think at all, for that matter.
As they reached the two level establishment they called home (or 'Nerima's
trouble shack', according to Nabiki), Akane turned to her big sister, and placed
a hand on her shoulder.
"It's late and I'm hungry, so let's do this. Go in, have a bite to eat
and then we'll meet in your room. After all, it's not as if the spy can be
spied on, ne?"
Nabiki stuck her tongue out at her sister, but nodded her head in
agreement. She was proud of the fact that she was privy to the little details
in everyone else's life but not one single person had ever been able to do the
same to her.
"Deal. But Akane?"
Akane stopped, and cocked her head to one side.
"Yeah?"
"Ditch the stupid piggy jimmies, okay?"
Nabiki hurried inside, leaving Akane's muffled curses behind her.
************************************************************
He had done it.
It had been difficult because he was, after all, the handsome, talented,
brilliant, statuesque...
Okay, he'd gone one adjective too far.
Still, he never had to seek, much less chase after, a woman when he wanted
her. If he wanted a girl, sooner or later she'd come running his way.
Funny, she wouldn't exactly _stop_ when she reached him. Come to think of
it, most usually ran past and _away_ from him.
Women were curious creatures.
In any case, he had done it. Tatewaki Kuno had actually made, he
believed, progress where Nabiki Tendo was concerned.
The look on her face when he gave her the flowers would be forever etched
in his mind.
She had actually smiled at him. Yes, a woman had finally looked at him
with something more than contempt, disgust, pity.....
The way women usually reacted to him was not at all indicative of the love
and devotion they held for the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High.
But then again, that was due to the foul sorcerer Ranma, who had somehow
managed to bewitch the entire female population.
Odd, how the foul sorcerer wasn't ever _around_ the women who rejected him
when_ they rejected him.
His powers must be greater than he'd thought. Yes, that was it because,
after all, it couldn't be that the women he wanted didn't want...
No, it was unfathomable that they didn't like...
Did they?
The pig-tailed goddess beat him to a pulp whenever he was anywhere near
her while the fair Akane Tendo did the same and up until now Nabiki...
How had missed the trend that had developed right before his eyes?
That meant that there was a possibility that...well, he would play the
"what if" game.
What if the pig tailed goddess really did loathe him as much as she said
she did and she had, of her own free will, unleashed that hatred by beating him
senseless each and every time she saw him?
What if Akane Tendo couldn't stand him, loathed him _even more_ than his
pig-tailed goddess, and that was why he had met her "PMS Year-round Hyperspacial
Mallet" so many times?
What if he really was just a deluded idiot who couldn't admit that he had
absolutely no game?
What if his looks, charms, physique, and kami forbid, his riches hadn't
been enough to gain the interest of any of his beloveds?
Nah.
He easily dismissed those ludicrous thoughts. Why, there was absolutely
no reason that these lovely dames would reject him or his wonderful charms.
And if there was he certainly wasn't going to admit it. It was ten times
better to be delusional and experience happiness than give in to the cruel
realities of life.
Besides, he wasn't hurting anyone with his private obsessions.
Kuno paused at that.
He had a feeling that, with the way things were progressing, Nabiki Tendo
would soon have a say about his 'obsessions.'
He spun his bokken up and over his head and entered the trance-like state
that his sister often mocked whenever they were alone.
She called it his "idiot's refuge technique." He still hadn't figured out
exactly what the meaning behind the title was.
In any case, there was no way that those beautiful creatures could
actually despise him, could they?
Not that it would matter since he would eventually be forced to forget
these obsessions of his.
Or would he? He still did not know what Nabiki felt, if anything, about
the pleasant kiss he'd bestowed upon her that day. What if the foul sorcerer
Ranma Saotome made her despise him with his evil treachery?
No. He was determined that Nabiki Tendo would be the one desired woman he
HAD to woo. Besides, he had the money and, if there was anything that he knew
Nabiki loved more than the power she wielded...it was money.
Kuno frowned. He didn't much like the idea that Nabiki Tendo would be
with him for money. Heck, he was a bit annoyed that ANY woman would be with him
for his excessively abundant riches.
After all, his suave personality and charming good looks and...
He sighed. He had to face the ugly truth: no woman could be conquered
that easily. Especially not Nabiki Tendo.
Even if he WAS the epitome of masculinity.
-------
Nabiki sat at her computer, eyes narrowed as she sat at her desk going
over her daily calculations.
How was it that she was 500 yen short of her average daily profits? She
had to stop thinking about the damn violets or her skills as loan shark would
soon be lacking.
She blushed and glanced at the said violets, which had been placed in a
small crystal vase. They really were quite beautiful.
Besides, it wouldn't hurt her to think about her love life for once in her
life. After all, money wasn't every---
Nabiki gasped in horror. Never in her life had she muttered, much less
THOUGHT those words.
She suddenly felt ashamed and inexplicably dirty.
Damn that Kuno Tatewaki and his dashing good looks and Shakespearean
babble and...
What exactly had gotten into her? She had to snap out of it or she might
actually admit that she LIKED Tatewaki.
Or that she could actually fall in LO---
No. Not with Kuno. ESPECIALLY not with Kuno.
She placed her hands behind her head and thought back on what she could only
loosely call Kuno's and her relationship.
Nabiki could still remember the day that Tatewaki Kuno had entered her
life.
She'd been marveling at the yen that her father had given her, amazed by
the way that the silver coin glistened in the sun*.
Yes, that was also the day she'd become completely, utterly and
unabashedly enthralled with money.
In any case, she had been minding her own business, not wanting to mingle
with the other girls in the playground who, to her complete and utter horror,
did not want to get into a discussion about the wonders of the Japanese yen.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, she'd felt herself falling forward flat on her
face, the yen coin falling out of her hands and watched it roll into the blades
of grass.
"It is I, Tatewaki Kuno! But stop! What sight through Donder's widow
bakes---"
At the sound of that high-pitched voice Nabiki had, while still in a
sitting position, turned to see who had dared to trip her, much less put their
hands on her.
Now that she thought back on that moment, she had to laugh at the
absurdity of all.
What she'd seen standing there was a boy about her height, miniature
bokken in one hand, a book of Shakespearean sonnets in the other.
"...it is the beast, and Juliet weighs a ton!"
Nabiki hadn't known much about Shakespeare, she was only seven after all,
but what she was almost certain that what the boy had spoken were not the words
of the poet.
She had suddenly become aware that she was sitting on the grass, her new
outfit ruined with grass stains.
"You baka! Look what you did!"
Tatewaki had, thankfully, stopped his intense study of the book long
enough to glance at the brunette sprawled on the ground.
"Oh bootious lady! It is I, Tatewaki---"
"Yeah, yeah, you already went through the hellos but how 'bout you help
me up...or didn't your mommy and daddy teach you how to be a gentaman?"
Tatewaki had been so flustered but had regained some composure and...well,
even then he had been a Kuno.
"Pardon me sweet!"
It was odd how she remembered the feeling of his soft, warm hand in her
own. And the way he'd smiled at her with that goofy grin on his face. It was a
grin that she rarely saw now that they were adults.
But they were just children then and she couldn't quite understand why she
felt like blushing or why she felt herself smiling.
"May I ask what name of a rose it is that I may call you by?"
Nabiki had to admit that his accuracy at quoting Shakespeare and speaking
in the old English tongue had vastly improved over the years.
The fact that no one knew what the hell he was talking about, she had to
admit hadn't.
"Huh?"
Tatewaki had sighed, rolling his eyes in annoyance.
"What's your name?"
Even then she hadn't appreciated the way he'd been able to sound so
condescending.
"There's a fee, you know. One hundred yen."
He'd looked much like anyone who'd ever heard her utter those words.
Incredulous.
"What's in a name?"
In Nabiki's world there was a lot.
"Well, I dunno, but in mine it's two hundred yen."
She'd seen that same indignant that she now saw countless times whenever
Ranko or Akane made him taste dirt.
"You said one hundred!"
"Yeah, well I just remembered that you owe me for the outfit, baka!"
Of course, at the time she failed to mention that her mother hadn't spent
nearly a third of what she was asking, but what would it hurt to leave out a
detail or two?
Besides, by today's standards, she'd been TOO easy on him.
He'd actually paid the price too and Nabiki still couldn't believe that a
first grader would have so much money on him.
"My name's Tendo Nabiki and if you want to know anything else...it'll cost
ya."
Kuno'd just chuckled and said something that she would refuse to reveal
until the kamis themselves dragged it out of her.
Or, until someone paid the right price.
No, this secret was too precious, no matter what the offer.
She still remembered the way he'd turned to leave, but not before letting
her know:
"You're kinda pretty."
Nabiki closed her eyes and she could feel the blush rising to her face.
If you really thought about it, Kuno really wasn't that---
"BOO!"
Her eyes flew open in amazement as she felt herself falling backwards on
her chair.
"Aaah!"
The last thing she saw before she hit the floor was a smiling Akane.
"Really oneechan, you've been acting pretty weird today. This is the
SECOND time I see you with that silly look on your face AND the second time I've
been able to surprise you."
The middle Tendo girl glared at her younger sister, trying hard to keep
her temper in check.
"Keep it up, little sis and you might end up doing a photo spread along
with your transgender boyfriend."
Akane raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Touche, big sis. Anyway, didn't you say that you were going to tell me
what's had you so spaced out?"
"Yeah, but I also said to ditch the stupid piggie jimmies didn't I?"
Nabiki laughed as her sister looked down at her pajamas and blushed in
embarrassment. Akane had christened them her "P-jamas" and had worn them ever
since she had found the stupid black pig. She made a mental note to get her
some new ones for Christmas.
"Oh, get over it Nabs and tell me what's going on!"
There was an awkward silence as Nabiki tried to figure out how to tell her
sister about Kuno's unexpected attitude towards her.
"Well, you see...it's sort of complicated and I really don't know how to-
-"
"Oneechan, my fiance's sex-changing, I've been abducted by princes and
ghosts, possessed by a demon, been trapped in the body of a doll, and even had
my mirror reflection come to life...can you honestly tell me that whatever you
have to say will even come CLOSE to being as complicated as anything that I've
listed?"
Her sister had a point. But it was still difficult to tell her sister
that, for the first time in her life, she thought she might like a guy. And
KUNO of all people!
"You're right, of course."
Akane smiled triumphantly.
"Of course I am, Nabs. Now, let me help you out. As I said earlier,
those flowers," she pointed to the violets in the crystal vase, "were given to
you by someone. The question is, WHO is that someone?"
Nabiki's nervous laughter filled the room, and she tossed her pocketbook
from hand to hand, something she did only when she was at al loss for words.
"IS it a secret admirer?"
"No."
"Is it someone I know?"
"Maybe."
"Is it Hiroshi?"
"Ew!"
"Dear kami, it's not Daisuke, is it?"
"Akane!"
"Tomahome!"
"There's a thought!"
"Is it a girl? Because if it is, you know that I'll still love you Nabs.
Lesbian or not--"
"IT'S KUNO! OKAY?! Happy now?!!! Sheesh!"
Akane sat in stunned silence, her eyes and jaw wide open in disbelief.
"Kuno?"
"Yes."
"Are you SURE it's not a girl..."
"Akane!"
"Just kidding oneechan. Sheesh, you don't have to be so sore about it."
Nabiki turned away, hating that she felt so embarrassed and so damn
vulnerable. Who would've ever thought that KUNO would have HER of all people
acting like a silly schoolgirl?
Who would've thought ANYONE would have had her acting that way?
Nabiki laughed bitterly. Was she really so desperate that she had
actually come to like the village fool? She was smart, intelligent, not bad-
looking and anyone would have thought that she could get someone besides Kuno.
ANYONE besides Kuno.
"You can laugh, you know. I mean, you're probably thinking I've gone
crazy or that it's not a big deal that he likes me seeing how he chases after
half of the Furinkan High female population?"
She was surprised to feel a warm hand being placed over her own. Nabiki
turned in surprise, expecting to see her sister smiling mischievously, a gleam
in her eye.
Akane had neither.
"To tell you the truth...I'm not that surprised. I mean, first of all, he
doesn't look half-bad."
Nabiki laughed at that.
"All right, I'll admit, he's HOT. And he's got the height going for him
and he is the only guy I know that talks poetically to a girl---just wish he'd
do it without sounding like a maniac---and..."
"He's rich."
Akane bopped Nabiki over the head with the nearest pillow she could find.
"OF course, oneechan! I would be worried about you if you didn't take
financial status into consideration when choosing a guy."
"What I'm trying to say is that I think it's great that Kuno likes you and
that maybe, you haven't really said anything about it, you like him too."
Nabiki gave a snort in amusement.
"Whatever, little sis. You're just happy that there's a chance that I'll
be getting him off your back."
"Of course, THAT'S a plus. Besides, want me to tell you why I think he
likes you more than me or even the ludicrously voluptuous Ranko?"
"Oh please do, little sister."
Before Nabiki could protest, Akane grabbed the vase that held the violets
given to her by Kuno.
"Because, oneechan, out of all the things Kuno's ever thrown our way---
money, fancy jewelry, red roses that seem like something out of a Monet
painting---he has NEVER given us something so simple or personal."
"Yeah, sure. You get jewelry and money and I get a bunch of purple
flowers."
Akane grabbed the violets out of the vase, tossed them to the floor and
placed her foot so it hovered above them.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Akane, if you so much as harm a damn petal on
those violets I'm gonna..."
Nabiki paused at the sound of her sister's giggling.
"See Nabiki? You care more about the 'bunch of purple flowers' than the '
fact that I just grabbed a hundred yen from your wallet."
"WHAT?!!"
Akane ran to the door as Nabiki rushed to save her violets from dying of
dehydration.
"Oh and, Nabiki?"
Nabiki threw a murderous glance Akane's way.
"I bet Kuno's a good kisser too, isn't he?"
"A-KA-NE!"
---------
Sasuke jumped from rooftop to rooftop, energized by what he'd heard in the
Tendo dojo.
His master would be pleased to hear what he'd just witnessed. ]
Yes, he'd be pleased, indeed.
As much loyalty as he felt for Master Kuno, he couldn't help being
surprised that someone had actually fallen for the idi---
Ahem, that was to say, he was surprised that someone had actually looked
beyond Master Kuno's odd actions and discovered something worth liking.
Kami knew HE hadn't.
He was being unjust. If it ever came down to choosing between the Black
Rose and Master Kuno, he'd take his Master ANY day.
After all, he _was_ the saner of the two.
Then again, if he had ANY choice, he'd be out of that loony bin faster
than...
"Ow!"
Sasuke gave a surprised yelp as he found that everything had suddenly been
turned upside down.
Oh no! He'd forgotten all about the spirits that guarded the Kuno honor
(what little was left of it) and punished anyone who did not maintain loyalto to
the Kuno household.
"Forgive me spirits, for I have---"
He stopped upon realizing that someone was holding HIM upside down and
that the someone was familiar to him.
"Care to tell me what you were doing spying on the Tendos."
Sasuke sighed and wondered how Ranma Saotome had been able to sneak up on
him, the stealthiest of ninjas, so easily.
"I must get back to my Master."
He attempted to do wriggle his way out of Ranma's grasp but found himself
being hoisted into a knapsack instead.
"You're not goin' anywhere, little man...at least not until you answer my
question."
This, Sasuke decided, was going to be a LOOONG evening.
---------------------------
Author's notes:
All right, so it took a little longer than expected to write up the second
chapter. Okay, so it took me WAY longer than _I_ expected to write up the second
chapter. But it's done, I'm back on track, and please (if anybody out there
hasn't, disgusted by the delay, stopped reading this fanfic) give me feedback.
Like it? Don't like it? What do you WANT from me?! LOL. Make sure to check out
my new Sailor Moon fic.
Latin Usako
Takahashi and other respective companies and I am
in no way making any profit from this story. This
is just for my personal enjoyment and for the
enjoyment of those who may read this.
Rated: PG-13
Email me with C&C: simplyshy@hotmail.com
**************************************************
For the Love of Money and A Kiss To Boot: What's Next?
SM
**************************************************
"Nabiki?"
Silence.
"Hey Nabs?"
Nothing.
Akane furrowed her brows and snapped her fingers once, but there was still
no response from the middle Tendo daughter. Ranma stood beside her, in his male
form, a look of intrigue on his face.
"I've seen this kinda thing happen before, Akane. I saw it on some dubbed
gaijin show. This girl was abducted by aliens, taken into a spaceship and then-
--"
"Baka, she's just a little out of it, that's all. I wonder where she got
those violets from?"
Ranma and Akane, exhausted by their own private activities (AN: Side
Story, definitely) had come upon Nabiki in the fields of Furinkan High,
clutching a bouquet of violets in her hands.
"Say...this would be the perfect chance for me to get back that money she
swindled outta me this month."
Ranma placed a hand on Nabiki's pocket, but was surprised when it was
swiftly slapped away.
"Not so fast brother-in-law, I'm not THAT out of it. That little attempt
against my person is going to cost you _another_ month of modeling."
The predatory gleam that everyone knew so well came into Nabiki's eyes and
Ranma suddenly became nervous.
"Added to the one you owe me that comes to...well, let's just say the male
population at Furinkan High will be treated to a calendar spread, and I do mean
spread, of you in various states of undress."
Ranma turned to Akane, confusion in his eyes.
"She means you're going to have to pose for a calendar wearing next to
nothing. Like you did for the Christmas card, 'Ranko the Readheaded Vixen.'
Remember that?"
Nabiki was quite proud of that idea. She had made Ranma wear a Santa's
hat and a ridiculously short red skirt with white fur trim around it. Ranma had
been lucky on that one occasion though, because the card had never reached the
hands of the perverted males at Furinkan.
Kuno had bought every single one.
And she'd been able to get great Christmas gifts for the family, so it had
been an even trade.
Akane grabbed the bouquet out of Nabiki's hands.
"Who gave you these, Nabs? And why is it that we find you here this late
in the evening completely zoned out?"
Ranma, still shuddering at the thought of having every guy at Furinkan
ogle his girl form for a year, began his "bitchfest," as Nabiki affectionately
called it.
"Aw damn Nabiki! It's not fair, why do I always--- say, what exactly
_are_ you doing standing here all by yourself?"
Nabiki took back her violets and smiled, remembering the way they had been
given to her. She immediately regained her senses and leveled her eyes on
Ranma.
"If I wanted to make it your business, I would've done it awhile ago dear
brother-in-law."
Ranma gulped, and frantically waved his hands in front of him. Nabiki
never used 'dear' unless she was extremely close to being pissed off.
And everyone knew that a pissed off Nabiki was not good for your health.
"Hey, _Akane_ was the one who brought it up, not me! Uh, I've gotta go
anyway, I think I---- oh, the hell with it, I'm out."
With that, Ranma Saotome jumped over the school walls and was gone, like
any man who had an ounce of sense in him.
After all, even he was not match for the bitchiness that would surely
ensue if he stayed.
"Really, Akane, sometimes your guy just really--- what??!"
Nabiki watched as Akane's eyes widened and her mouth changed, first into a
grim line of concentration, and suddenly into a huge grin.
"Why Biki, don't tell me that you've got a secret admirer!"
Akane clapped her hands in delight, and grabbed Nabiki's hand, dragging
her outside the school gates.
"Do you have any idea who it is? Is he walkable...you know, can you walk
him down the street without putting a paper bag over his head?"
Nabiki had dreaded this moment, and suddenly understood why Akane hated
having her meddle in her affairs. That wouldn't mean she'd stop, not by any
means. After all, a substantial amount of the income came from meddling in
Akane's life.
But she definitely understood.
She sighed, pulling her hand free from her little sister's strong grasp.
"Puhleeeze Akane. As if I'm about to stand here divulging information
about my love life. You know the drill, pay the fee or bite your tongue."
Nabiki watched her sister stiffen and begin walking off with purpose. She
looked around, the darkness definitely eerie.
"Hey Akane! Wait up! You can't just leave me behind! There could be
thugs or worse, Happosai could be on one of his panty raids!"
She shuddered and ran to catch up to her sister.
"Akane, c'mon, what's the big deal?"
Akane stopped and turned to her sister, her eyes exploding with hurt and
anger.
"I tell you all about what I'm going through, what I'm feeling, my
problems----I _confide_ in you and what happens when I try to be there for you?
I have to 'pay the fee'. Well you can take your fee and shove it, because I'm
tired of having to pay for being your sister!"
She turned around and kept walking and Nabiki suddenly felt shame at
having told her oneechan to pay a fee. She hadn't really meant it, at least she
didn't think she had.
Nabiki shook her head, no, she hadn't meant it seriously.
"C'mon Akane, you know I was just kidding. Besides, what makes you think
I have anything to say at all?"
Akane stopped again, and turned, the expression on her face that of
someone who is trying to explain things to a small child.
"We find you in the middle of the field after the sun's set, a bouquet of
flowers in your hand, a goofy expression on your face AND Ranma was able to
touch your pocketbook... Silly me for thinking you had something to tell."
Nabiki reached out to grab Akane's hand just as she turned to leave.
"Save the drama for someone else, Akane. I'll tell you all about what
happened, but not here. Too many people hiding in corners, you know what I
mean?"
The girls walked home, one in awe that her sister had a life that was not
limited to extortion and the other wishing she had a bottle of sake in her hand
so she could think clearly---or not think at all, for that matter.
As they reached the two level establishment they called home (or 'Nerima's
trouble shack', according to Nabiki), Akane turned to her big sister, and placed
a hand on her shoulder.
"It's late and I'm hungry, so let's do this. Go in, have a bite to eat
and then we'll meet in your room. After all, it's not as if the spy can be
spied on, ne?"
Nabiki stuck her tongue out at her sister, but nodded her head in
agreement. She was proud of the fact that she was privy to the little details
in everyone else's life but not one single person had ever been able to do the
same to her.
"Deal. But Akane?"
Akane stopped, and cocked her head to one side.
"Yeah?"
"Ditch the stupid piggy jimmies, okay?"
Nabiki hurried inside, leaving Akane's muffled curses behind her.
************************************************************
He had done it.
It had been difficult because he was, after all, the handsome, talented,
brilliant, statuesque...
Okay, he'd gone one adjective too far.
Still, he never had to seek, much less chase after, a woman when he wanted
her. If he wanted a girl, sooner or later she'd come running his way.
Funny, she wouldn't exactly _stop_ when she reached him. Come to think of
it, most usually ran past and _away_ from him.
Women were curious creatures.
In any case, he had done it. Tatewaki Kuno had actually made, he
believed, progress where Nabiki Tendo was concerned.
The look on her face when he gave her the flowers would be forever etched
in his mind.
She had actually smiled at him. Yes, a woman had finally looked at him
with something more than contempt, disgust, pity.....
The way women usually reacted to him was not at all indicative of the love
and devotion they held for the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High.
But then again, that was due to the foul sorcerer Ranma, who had somehow
managed to bewitch the entire female population.
Odd, how the foul sorcerer wasn't ever _around_ the women who rejected him
when_ they rejected him.
His powers must be greater than he'd thought. Yes, that was it because,
after all, it couldn't be that the women he wanted didn't want...
No, it was unfathomable that they didn't like...
Did they?
The pig-tailed goddess beat him to a pulp whenever he was anywhere near
her while the fair Akane Tendo did the same and up until now Nabiki...
How had missed the trend that had developed right before his eyes?
That meant that there was a possibility that...well, he would play the
"what if" game.
What if the pig tailed goddess really did loathe him as much as she said
she did and she had, of her own free will, unleashed that hatred by beating him
senseless each and every time she saw him?
What if Akane Tendo couldn't stand him, loathed him _even more_ than his
pig-tailed goddess, and that was why he had met her "PMS Year-round Hyperspacial
Mallet" so many times?
What if he really was just a deluded idiot who couldn't admit that he had
absolutely no game?
What if his looks, charms, physique, and kami forbid, his riches hadn't
been enough to gain the interest of any of his beloveds?
Nah.
He easily dismissed those ludicrous thoughts. Why, there was absolutely
no reason that these lovely dames would reject him or his wonderful charms.
And if there was he certainly wasn't going to admit it. It was ten times
better to be delusional and experience happiness than give in to the cruel
realities of life.
Besides, he wasn't hurting anyone with his private obsessions.
Kuno paused at that.
He had a feeling that, with the way things were progressing, Nabiki Tendo
would soon have a say about his 'obsessions.'
He spun his bokken up and over his head and entered the trance-like state
that his sister often mocked whenever they were alone.
She called it his "idiot's refuge technique." He still hadn't figured out
exactly what the meaning behind the title was.
In any case, there was no way that those beautiful creatures could
actually despise him, could they?
Not that it would matter since he would eventually be forced to forget
these obsessions of his.
Or would he? He still did not know what Nabiki felt, if anything, about
the pleasant kiss he'd bestowed upon her that day. What if the foul sorcerer
Ranma Saotome made her despise him with his evil treachery?
No. He was determined that Nabiki Tendo would be the one desired woman he
HAD to woo. Besides, he had the money and, if there was anything that he knew
Nabiki loved more than the power she wielded...it was money.
Kuno frowned. He didn't much like the idea that Nabiki Tendo would be
with him for money. Heck, he was a bit annoyed that ANY woman would be with him
for his excessively abundant riches.
After all, his suave personality and charming good looks and...
He sighed. He had to face the ugly truth: no woman could be conquered
that easily. Especially not Nabiki Tendo.
Even if he WAS the epitome of masculinity.
-------
Nabiki sat at her computer, eyes narrowed as she sat at her desk going
over her daily calculations.
How was it that she was 500 yen short of her average daily profits? She
had to stop thinking about the damn violets or her skills as loan shark would
soon be lacking.
She blushed and glanced at the said violets, which had been placed in a
small crystal vase. They really were quite beautiful.
Besides, it wouldn't hurt her to think about her love life for once in her
life. After all, money wasn't every---
Nabiki gasped in horror. Never in her life had she muttered, much less
THOUGHT those words.
She suddenly felt ashamed and inexplicably dirty.
Damn that Kuno Tatewaki and his dashing good looks and Shakespearean
babble and...
What exactly had gotten into her? She had to snap out of it or she might
actually admit that she LIKED Tatewaki.
Or that she could actually fall in LO---
No. Not with Kuno. ESPECIALLY not with Kuno.
She placed her hands behind her head and thought back on what she could only
loosely call Kuno's and her relationship.
Nabiki could still remember the day that Tatewaki Kuno had entered her
life.
She'd been marveling at the yen that her father had given her, amazed by
the way that the silver coin glistened in the sun*.
Yes, that was also the day she'd become completely, utterly and
unabashedly enthralled with money.
In any case, she had been minding her own business, not wanting to mingle
with the other girls in the playground who, to her complete and utter horror,
did not want to get into a discussion about the wonders of the Japanese yen.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, she'd felt herself falling forward flat on her
face, the yen coin falling out of her hands and watched it roll into the blades
of grass.
"It is I, Tatewaki Kuno! But stop! What sight through Donder's widow
bakes---"
At the sound of that high-pitched voice Nabiki had, while still in a
sitting position, turned to see who had dared to trip her, much less put their
hands on her.
Now that she thought back on that moment, she had to laugh at the
absurdity of all.
What she'd seen standing there was a boy about her height, miniature
bokken in one hand, a book of Shakespearean sonnets in the other.
"...it is the beast, and Juliet weighs a ton!"
Nabiki hadn't known much about Shakespeare, she was only seven after all,
but what she was almost certain that what the boy had spoken were not the words
of the poet.
She had suddenly become aware that she was sitting on the grass, her new
outfit ruined with grass stains.
"You baka! Look what you did!"
Tatewaki had, thankfully, stopped his intense study of the book long
enough to glance at the brunette sprawled on the ground.
"Oh bootious lady! It is I, Tatewaki---"
"Yeah, yeah, you already went through the hellos but how 'bout you help
me up...or didn't your mommy and daddy teach you how to be a gentaman?"
Tatewaki had been so flustered but had regained some composure and...well,
even then he had been a Kuno.
"Pardon me sweet!"
It was odd how she remembered the feeling of his soft, warm hand in her
own. And the way he'd smiled at her with that goofy grin on his face. It was a
grin that she rarely saw now that they were adults.
But they were just children then and she couldn't quite understand why she
felt like blushing or why she felt herself smiling.
"May I ask what name of a rose it is that I may call you by?"
Nabiki had to admit that his accuracy at quoting Shakespeare and speaking
in the old English tongue had vastly improved over the years.
The fact that no one knew what the hell he was talking about, she had to
admit hadn't.
"Huh?"
Tatewaki had sighed, rolling his eyes in annoyance.
"What's your name?"
Even then she hadn't appreciated the way he'd been able to sound so
condescending.
"There's a fee, you know. One hundred yen."
He'd looked much like anyone who'd ever heard her utter those words.
Incredulous.
"What's in a name?"
In Nabiki's world there was a lot.
"Well, I dunno, but in mine it's two hundred yen."
She'd seen that same indignant that she now saw countless times whenever
Ranko or Akane made him taste dirt.
"You said one hundred!"
"Yeah, well I just remembered that you owe me for the outfit, baka!"
Of course, at the time she failed to mention that her mother hadn't spent
nearly a third of what she was asking, but what would it hurt to leave out a
detail or two?
Besides, by today's standards, she'd been TOO easy on him.
He'd actually paid the price too and Nabiki still couldn't believe that a
first grader would have so much money on him.
"My name's Tendo Nabiki and if you want to know anything else...it'll cost
ya."
Kuno'd just chuckled and said something that she would refuse to reveal
until the kamis themselves dragged it out of her.
Or, until someone paid the right price.
No, this secret was too precious, no matter what the offer.
She still remembered the way he'd turned to leave, but not before letting
her know:
"You're kinda pretty."
Nabiki closed her eyes and she could feel the blush rising to her face.
If you really thought about it, Kuno really wasn't that---
"BOO!"
Her eyes flew open in amazement as she felt herself falling backwards on
her chair.
"Aaah!"
The last thing she saw before she hit the floor was a smiling Akane.
"Really oneechan, you've been acting pretty weird today. This is the
SECOND time I see you with that silly look on your face AND the second time I've
been able to surprise you."
The middle Tendo girl glared at her younger sister, trying hard to keep
her temper in check.
"Keep it up, little sis and you might end up doing a photo spread along
with your transgender boyfriend."
Akane raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Touche, big sis. Anyway, didn't you say that you were going to tell me
what's had you so spaced out?"
"Yeah, but I also said to ditch the stupid piggie jimmies didn't I?"
Nabiki laughed as her sister looked down at her pajamas and blushed in
embarrassment. Akane had christened them her "P-jamas" and had worn them ever
since she had found the stupid black pig. She made a mental note to get her
some new ones for Christmas.
"Oh, get over it Nabs and tell me what's going on!"
There was an awkward silence as Nabiki tried to figure out how to tell her
sister about Kuno's unexpected attitude towards her.
"Well, you see...it's sort of complicated and I really don't know how to-
-"
"Oneechan, my fiance's sex-changing, I've been abducted by princes and
ghosts, possessed by a demon, been trapped in the body of a doll, and even had
my mirror reflection come to life...can you honestly tell me that whatever you
have to say will even come CLOSE to being as complicated as anything that I've
listed?"
Her sister had a point. But it was still difficult to tell her sister
that, for the first time in her life, she thought she might like a guy. And
KUNO of all people!
"You're right, of course."
Akane smiled triumphantly.
"Of course I am, Nabs. Now, let me help you out. As I said earlier,
those flowers," she pointed to the violets in the crystal vase, "were given to
you by someone. The question is, WHO is that someone?"
Nabiki's nervous laughter filled the room, and she tossed her pocketbook
from hand to hand, something she did only when she was at al loss for words.
"IS it a secret admirer?"
"No."
"Is it someone I know?"
"Maybe."
"Is it Hiroshi?"
"Ew!"
"Dear kami, it's not Daisuke, is it?"
"Akane!"
"Tomahome!"
"There's a thought!"
"Is it a girl? Because if it is, you know that I'll still love you Nabs.
Lesbian or not--"
"IT'S KUNO! OKAY?! Happy now?!!! Sheesh!"
Akane sat in stunned silence, her eyes and jaw wide open in disbelief.
"Kuno?"
"Yes."
"Are you SURE it's not a girl..."
"Akane!"
"Just kidding oneechan. Sheesh, you don't have to be so sore about it."
Nabiki turned away, hating that she felt so embarrassed and so damn
vulnerable. Who would've ever thought that KUNO would have HER of all people
acting like a silly schoolgirl?
Who would've thought ANYONE would have had her acting that way?
Nabiki laughed bitterly. Was she really so desperate that she had
actually come to like the village fool? She was smart, intelligent, not bad-
looking and anyone would have thought that she could get someone besides Kuno.
ANYONE besides Kuno.
"You can laugh, you know. I mean, you're probably thinking I've gone
crazy or that it's not a big deal that he likes me seeing how he chases after
half of the Furinkan High female population?"
She was surprised to feel a warm hand being placed over her own. Nabiki
turned in surprise, expecting to see her sister smiling mischievously, a gleam
in her eye.
Akane had neither.
"To tell you the truth...I'm not that surprised. I mean, first of all, he
doesn't look half-bad."
Nabiki laughed at that.
"All right, I'll admit, he's HOT. And he's got the height going for him
and he is the only guy I know that talks poetically to a girl---just wish he'd
do it without sounding like a maniac---and..."
"He's rich."
Akane bopped Nabiki over the head with the nearest pillow she could find.
"OF course, oneechan! I would be worried about you if you didn't take
financial status into consideration when choosing a guy."
"What I'm trying to say is that I think it's great that Kuno likes you and
that maybe, you haven't really said anything about it, you like him too."
Nabiki gave a snort in amusement.
"Whatever, little sis. You're just happy that there's a chance that I'll
be getting him off your back."
"Of course, THAT'S a plus. Besides, want me to tell you why I think he
likes you more than me or even the ludicrously voluptuous Ranko?"
"Oh please do, little sister."
Before Nabiki could protest, Akane grabbed the vase that held the violets
given to her by Kuno.
"Because, oneechan, out of all the things Kuno's ever thrown our way---
money, fancy jewelry, red roses that seem like something out of a Monet
painting---he has NEVER given us something so simple or personal."
"Yeah, sure. You get jewelry and money and I get a bunch of purple
flowers."
Akane grabbed the violets out of the vase, tossed them to the floor and
placed her foot so it hovered above them.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Akane, if you so much as harm a damn petal on
those violets I'm gonna..."
Nabiki paused at the sound of her sister's giggling.
"See Nabiki? You care more about the 'bunch of purple flowers' than the '
fact that I just grabbed a hundred yen from your wallet."
"WHAT?!!"
Akane ran to the door as Nabiki rushed to save her violets from dying of
dehydration.
"Oh and, Nabiki?"
Nabiki threw a murderous glance Akane's way.
"I bet Kuno's a good kisser too, isn't he?"
"A-KA-NE!"
---------
Sasuke jumped from rooftop to rooftop, energized by what he'd heard in the
Tendo dojo.
His master would be pleased to hear what he'd just witnessed. ]
Yes, he'd be pleased, indeed.
As much loyalty as he felt for Master Kuno, he couldn't help being
surprised that someone had actually fallen for the idi---
Ahem, that was to say, he was surprised that someone had actually looked
beyond Master Kuno's odd actions and discovered something worth liking.
Kami knew HE hadn't.
He was being unjust. If it ever came down to choosing between the Black
Rose and Master Kuno, he'd take his Master ANY day.
After all, he _was_ the saner of the two.
Then again, if he had ANY choice, he'd be out of that loony bin faster
than...
"Ow!"
Sasuke gave a surprised yelp as he found that everything had suddenly been
turned upside down.
Oh no! He'd forgotten all about the spirits that guarded the Kuno honor
(what little was left of it) and punished anyone who did not maintain loyalto to
the Kuno household.
"Forgive me spirits, for I have---"
He stopped upon realizing that someone was holding HIM upside down and
that the someone was familiar to him.
"Care to tell me what you were doing spying on the Tendos."
Sasuke sighed and wondered how Ranma Saotome had been able to sneak up on
him, the stealthiest of ninjas, so easily.
"I must get back to my Master."
He attempted to do wriggle his way out of Ranma's grasp but found himself
being hoisted into a knapsack instead.
"You're not goin' anywhere, little man...at least not until you answer my
question."
This, Sasuke decided, was going to be a LOOONG evening.
---------------------------
Author's notes:
All right, so it took a little longer than expected to write up the second
chapter. Okay, so it took me WAY longer than _I_ expected to write up the second
chapter. But it's done, I'm back on track, and please (if anybody out there
hasn't, disgusted by the delay, stopped reading this fanfic) give me feedback.
Like it? Don't like it? What do you WANT from me?! LOL. Make sure to check out
my new Sailor Moon fic.
Latin Usako