[Shadow players, blocked by a curtain.]
Unseen Voice: Once upon a time, there was a princess mourning the deaths of her mother and father, when along came a prince, riding on the back of a great white horse. He was beautiful and kind and surrounded by the smell of flowers, and his soft fingers wiped away her tears.
[The Shadow Prince figure kneels before the little girl. We see him more clearly this time - his figure is childish, hardly larger than the girl. And his hair is short - no pigtail or any other easily identifiable element. The girl, on the other hand, is clearly wearing her hair in a style like Ukyo's, ponytail and bow.]
Unseen Voice: "Little one, alone with your grief, be strong and do not lose your nobility as you grow up. Remember me and we will meet again. This ring will guide you to my side."
[The Prince places a ring on the girl's finger, and vanishes.]
Unseen Voice: Was the ring meant as an engagement ring? Perhaps, and that would be a good story for a princess. But because of her admiration for the gentle stranger, the princess made up her mind to become a prince herself! But was that really a good idea?
---
Episode Three: The Beat of the Rhythm
---
[We are back to the large dining hall. Ukyo is eating her breakfast alone at the table. Ranko is bounding around, swiping walls with a duster, leaping to reach far over her head. Ukyo gazes at her ring, lost in thought.]
Ukyo: And I've worn it ever since. Even if I can't remember precisely how it happened, it must be real... My prince, and his promise, and the ring to guide me.
[Ranko gets a running start, leaps onto the table (it's quite sturdy, it doesn't even shake) and flips up into the air, duster smacking along the ceiling as she somersaults.]
Ukyo: And this is what it guided me to? Strange duels, a garden in the sky, and a Bride?
[Ranko makes another acrobatic leap, coming down with her feet nearly in Ukyo's breakfast.]
Ranko: Ah! I'm so sorry, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: It's all right, I'm finished anyway. You're very good at that, you know? Do you belong to any sports clubs? There are so many at this school... You would make a wonderful cheerleader.
Ranko: No, nothing like that.
Ukyo: It would be a good way for you to make friends. Don't you want friends, Ranko?
Ranko: I have P-Chan. And I have you, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: [groans] Please, don't call me that.
[Ranko sinks into a cross-legged sitting position on the table.]
Ranko: I don't understand. Even the other girls call you that.
Ukyo: That's just a game. When I was young, I was very tall for my age, especially for a girl. The boys wouldn't play with the girls, you see, not when we were children... so I was the Prince in everyone's stories, and I helped them and they danced with me. It's just a joke, just make-believe. That's all. It makes me smile when they call me that. But when you say it... it doesn't sound like a joke.
Ranko: Of course it's not a joke. I am your fiancee, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: Didn't you hear anything I said last night? You are not my fiancee! I don't mind you living with me, and I want to be your friend, but I'm not going to marry you or do anything like that. I want to be with a dashing, handsome man!
Kuno: [entering] Ah, what music to my ears!
[Ranko hops off the table and comes to stand behind Ukyo.]
Ukyo: [under her breath] Are boys always going to be barging in on my meals like this?
Kuno: A pleasure to meet you at last. I am Kuno Tatewaki, Captain of the Kendo Club, Student Council President, the Blue Thunder of Ohtori Academy - and, I pray, dashing enough for your standards.
Ranko: Hello, Kuno-sempai.
Ukyo: You know each other?
Kuno: Of course. She is the fiery orchid for whom battles are waged, after all.
Ukyo: Oh, no, you're another one of those Duel people. You're not here to challenge me, are you?
Kuno: No, not at the moment. I only wished to make your acquaintance.
Ukyo: Good, because I *really* don't want to deal with that right now.
Kuno: Ah, how lovely your eyes look when they flash with anger, Kuonji... Ukyo-kun.
Ukyo: I think you're being a bit over-familiar, sir.
Kuno: Please, do not be upset. I want us to be good friends.
[He smiles.]
Kuno: After all, this is not entirely the first time that we have met.
[Kuno bows, and exits. Ukyo looks startled.]
Ukyo: Could he be... from my past?
---
[We move to the Council chamber. Again, Kuno, Konatsu, and Akane are present - no Ryoga.]
Kuno: Yesterday, Ryoga fought Kuonji Ukyo for the second time and was defeated.
Konatsu: He has not been seen in class since.
Akane: So? Like we said yesterday, he's lucky if he can *find* the class. He's probably just lost.
Konatsu: I sent someone to assist him - she said the door to his room was locked, and he would not answer. His hallmates said he was inside, but he wouldn't come out, no matter how long she waited.
Akane: What a sore loser.
[Konatsu produces a fan from her sleeve (or Hidden Weapons spaces) and flutters it in front of her face.]
Konatsu: Hibiki has fallen, and this is our challenge now. The Kuonji girl - what does she want? Does she know about the power of the Garden?
Kuno: I met with her this morning. She seems to understand very little about the rules of the game. I do not think our sorceror has been in communication with her at all.
Akane: But where else could she have gotten a Signet?
[Kuno smiles mysteriously.]
---
[Outdoors, on Campus. Ukyo stands on a balcony, looking out at a group of students. We see Kuno below, in his kendo outfit, surrounded by admiring girls. Ranko is nearby, with a watering can, tending some plants.]
Akari: Morning, Ukyo!
[She runs up and clings to Ukyo with a big hug, bending her in half sideways (but no glomp-pouncing to send her flying over the edge!)]
Ukyo: Ack... ribs... air...
[Akari lets go.]
Akari: What are you doing? [She peers over the balcony as well.] Oooooh. Kuno. I know I'm not very wise in the ways of love, but trust me, you don't want to get interested in him.
Ukyo: What do you mean?
Akari: See all those girls around him? He's *always* like that. And he goes out with all of them, too. If they complain about not being his only girlfriend, he dumps them, just like that. I've seen a lot of girls crying over him.
Ukyo: A playboy, huh? Not much of a prince on a white horse, then. [Steals a glance at Ranko.] What about... Ranko? Has he ever been with her?
Akari: Oh, sure. She's been with *lots* of people. Your roommate doesn't have the best reputation, you know. With looks like that and not much in the way of brains - well, a lot of guys like that sort of thing. And I've heard she never says no.
[Ukyo scowls down at Kuno, even though he can't see her.]
Ukyo: Well, they'll just have to learn to leave her alone. It's not her fault she's a little... light-headed. I'm sure she's a perfectly nice girl underneath.
Akari: Whatever you say.
[A group of girls troops through, led by a girl with large, poofy bangs and a ponytail on the side of her head, tied with a red and black ribbon. She wears too much makeup and keeps her nose firmly in the air - most of her entourage looks equally snobbish.]
Kodachi: Attention! I would like to announce that tryouts for the Ohtori Rhythmic Gymnastics team will begin this afternoon!
[One of her followers staples a large, colorful banner to a nearby wall - with much grunting and pushing, because that wall isn't designed for stapling!]
Kodachi: Kuonji Ukyo, isn't it? I've heard what a wonderful athlete you are. Perhaps you would like to join our team? I am the captain, Kuno Kodachi.
Ukyo: I'm on enough teams already. But I bet Ranko would be great at it! She's very acrobatic.
Kodachi: [eyes narrowing] Himemiya Ranko... how lovely. Yes, I'll look forward to seeing you there.
[The girls march away. Akari also exits.]
Ukyo: Isn't that great, Ranko? You can be on the gymnastics team! I bet you'll make loads of new friends.
Ranko: If you say so, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: Let's see what you need to get ready... [She walks over to read the banner.] You have to wear a leotard for the tryouts. Do you have one?
Ranko: No...
Ukyo: Hrm. I don't think I do, either, but maybe I can find something. Come on, let's go back to our room.
---
[The girls are arriving at their room, only to find two white packages resting in front of the door.]
Ukyo: What's this? They have our names on them... Open yours, I'll open mine.
[They open the packages. Ranko pulls out a very simple flesh-colored leotard. Ukyo finds one that's rather more elaborate - it looks like an ice-skater's costume, with long sleeves and a little blue skirt.]
Ukyo: Cute, I guess, but I have no use for it... [She looks over at Ranko's new possession.] Eek, you'd look almost naked in that! Wear mine instead, it's much prettier.
Ranko: But it belongs to you...
Ukyo: And I'm giving it to you. Besides, you're my 'Bride', aren't you? What's mine is yours. Go try it on, I'll wait out here.
Ranko: Yes, Ukyo-sama. [She slips into the room.]
Ukyo: I wonder who sent these... [fishes through the wrapping of her box to find a card] Kuno. Figures. Probably trying to butter me up with presents, if he's anything like Akari says. Oh well, it was a useful present, anyway.
[Ranko comes out, looking simply adorable in the skating outfit.]
Ukyo: You look great! Just one thing... your hair, it'll get in your way doing gymnastics like that. Here, come back inside, let me do it for you...
---
[Move to a large gymnasium, mostly full of girls in leotards running around and doing stretches, but there are also young men standing around the edges of the room, either to support their girlfriends/sisters or to ogle all the girls in their skimpy outfits. Kuno is near the entrance. Kodachi runs up behind him and places her hands over his eyes.]
Kodachi: [purring into his ear] Guess who?
Kuno: Please, 'Dachi, not now.
Kodachi: You have come to witness my glory, haven't you?
Kuno: Go on your way and get ready with the other girls.
[She blows a kiss at him and scampers off towards the stage at the back end of the gym. Kuno turns towards the door as Ukyo and Ranko make their entrance - Ukyo is still dressed in her usual boy's uniform. Ranko is in the skating outfit, but her red hair has been woven into a braided pigtail and tied off with a white bow like Ukyo's.]
Kuno: Ah, my pigtailed goddess! You look simply ravishing. [He bows.] Although that garment was originally meant for another, I cannot deny that it suits you.
Ukyo: I never intended to try out for this team. I just want Ranko to succeed.
Kuno: Of course. I only hope she is prepared to face my sister.
Ukyo: Kodachi is your sister, right? What do you mean, prepared?
Kuno: My sister is very competitive.
[Kodachi and the team take the stage, and Kodachi moves to the podium and microphone.]
Kodachi: Attention! Will all contenders please line up? Each candidate will be required to pass three challenges in order to be considered for a place on the team.
[From this point on, picture random acts of gymnastics going on in the background - vaults, bars, what-have-you. But we're only focusing on Ranko here.]
Team Member (Yuka): Himemiya Ranko, right? Your first challenge is flexibility. Show me the splits, on the mat, now!
[Ranko walks onto the floormat and easily drops into a full split. Yuka grins smugly, then frowns, as if something has gone wrong.]
Yuka: Okay... now a backbend.
[Again, no problem for Ranko. She arches her back beautifully.]
Yuka: A cartwheel?
[Ranko takes a few running steps and spins into a beautiful cartwheel, her pigtail whirling around. Another team member runs up to gossip with Yuka.]
Sayuri: I thought that cheap leotard we sent her was supposed to rip?
Yuka: I don't understand it! Maybe she wore a different one - what she has on is too fancy to be what we ordered.
[Ranko comes running back.]
Ranko: What now?
Yuka: Uh... I guess you passed your first challenge. Wait here for now.
[The girls run off to consult with Kodachi. Ranko smiles faintly.]
Ukyo: Way to go, Ranko! You're doing great!
[Sayuri returns, pink-cheeked (as if she's just been given a nasty scolding).]
Sayuri: Okay, Himemiya. Your next challenge is balance.
Ranko: All right.
[She starts to move towards the balance beam, but Sayuri stops her.]
Sayuri: Not that one. Up there.
[She points to where Yuka and another girl are stringing a wire between two bars, about six feet up.]
Sayuri: See how far you can get on *that*.
Yuka: [climbing down] Just let me get off the ladder and...
[But Ranko is already moving. With a leap, she easily clears Yuka, ladder and all, and lands squarely on the first bar. She then proceeds to walk across the wire, as easily as if she were a trained circus artist, then somersaults down at the end. The girls stare. Ukyo claps and cheers.]
Ukyo: All right! I told you you were great!
Yuka: Wow, she's really good...
Sayuri: [elbows her] Shh! Um, we have to go get the next challenge ready.
[They run off again. Ranko walks back to Ukyo.]
Ukyo: That was really amazing. When did you learn to do that?
Ranko: Learn to do what?
Ukyo: Balance on a tiny little wire like that!
Ranko: All I did was walk.
Ukyo: Did you walk around with a book on your head a lot when you were young?
Ranko: A book?
Ukyo: Never mind.
[Instead of Yuka and Sayuri, this time it's Kodachi who marches over. She smiles nastily.]
Kodachi: Himemiya Ranko, your final challenge is *me*.
[She hands a ribbon to the red-haired girl, then hops up onto the balance beam.]
Kodachi: You have to knock me off, using only that ribbon, before I knock *you* off.
Ukyo: Is this really fair?
Kodachi: It's my team, I make the rules.
[Ranko climbs up, but for the first time she looks worried.]
Kodachi: Fight!
[Kodachi lashes out with the ribbon. Ranko leaps straight up to avoid it. The battle continues like this for a while - Kodachi strikes and Ranko dodges, but Ranko seems unable to make an attack of her own. Finally Kodachi wraps her ribbon around Ranko's ankle and pulls, sending the redhead spinning off the beam and face-first onto the mats.]
Kodachi: Hohohohoho!
[She signals to the rest of her team, and they all begin to laugh and point at Ranko. The pigtailed girl pushes herself up and runs away, crying.]
Ukyo: How completely rude!
[She rushes after Ranko, leaving the gym. Kodachi dismounts and walks to her brother, smirking.]
Kodachi: Lovely show, wasn't it?
Kuno: It's too bad the girl lost. She looked nice in that little dress I gave her... even though I originally gave it to Ukyo.
[Kuno exits, leaving Kodachi fuming.]
Kuno: My brother gave a dress to HER?
---
Next Time: Akane vs Ukyo! FIGHT!
Unseen Voice: Once upon a time, there was a princess mourning the deaths of her mother and father, when along came a prince, riding on the back of a great white horse. He was beautiful and kind and surrounded by the smell of flowers, and his soft fingers wiped away her tears.
[The Shadow Prince figure kneels before the little girl. We see him more clearly this time - his figure is childish, hardly larger than the girl. And his hair is short - no pigtail or any other easily identifiable element. The girl, on the other hand, is clearly wearing her hair in a style like Ukyo's, ponytail and bow.]
Unseen Voice: "Little one, alone with your grief, be strong and do not lose your nobility as you grow up. Remember me and we will meet again. This ring will guide you to my side."
[The Prince places a ring on the girl's finger, and vanishes.]
Unseen Voice: Was the ring meant as an engagement ring? Perhaps, and that would be a good story for a princess. But because of her admiration for the gentle stranger, the princess made up her mind to become a prince herself! But was that really a good idea?
---
Episode Three: The Beat of the Rhythm
---
[We are back to the large dining hall. Ukyo is eating her breakfast alone at the table. Ranko is bounding around, swiping walls with a duster, leaping to reach far over her head. Ukyo gazes at her ring, lost in thought.]
Ukyo: And I've worn it ever since. Even if I can't remember precisely how it happened, it must be real... My prince, and his promise, and the ring to guide me.
[Ranko gets a running start, leaps onto the table (it's quite sturdy, it doesn't even shake) and flips up into the air, duster smacking along the ceiling as she somersaults.]
Ukyo: And this is what it guided me to? Strange duels, a garden in the sky, and a Bride?
[Ranko makes another acrobatic leap, coming down with her feet nearly in Ukyo's breakfast.]
Ranko: Ah! I'm so sorry, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: It's all right, I'm finished anyway. You're very good at that, you know? Do you belong to any sports clubs? There are so many at this school... You would make a wonderful cheerleader.
Ranko: No, nothing like that.
Ukyo: It would be a good way for you to make friends. Don't you want friends, Ranko?
Ranko: I have P-Chan. And I have you, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: [groans] Please, don't call me that.
[Ranko sinks into a cross-legged sitting position on the table.]
Ranko: I don't understand. Even the other girls call you that.
Ukyo: That's just a game. When I was young, I was very tall for my age, especially for a girl. The boys wouldn't play with the girls, you see, not when we were children... so I was the Prince in everyone's stories, and I helped them and they danced with me. It's just a joke, just make-believe. That's all. It makes me smile when they call me that. But when you say it... it doesn't sound like a joke.
Ranko: Of course it's not a joke. I am your fiancee, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: Didn't you hear anything I said last night? You are not my fiancee! I don't mind you living with me, and I want to be your friend, but I'm not going to marry you or do anything like that. I want to be with a dashing, handsome man!
Kuno: [entering] Ah, what music to my ears!
[Ranko hops off the table and comes to stand behind Ukyo.]
Ukyo: [under her breath] Are boys always going to be barging in on my meals like this?
Kuno: A pleasure to meet you at last. I am Kuno Tatewaki, Captain of the Kendo Club, Student Council President, the Blue Thunder of Ohtori Academy - and, I pray, dashing enough for your standards.
Ranko: Hello, Kuno-sempai.
Ukyo: You know each other?
Kuno: Of course. She is the fiery orchid for whom battles are waged, after all.
Ukyo: Oh, no, you're another one of those Duel people. You're not here to challenge me, are you?
Kuno: No, not at the moment. I only wished to make your acquaintance.
Ukyo: Good, because I *really* don't want to deal with that right now.
Kuno: Ah, how lovely your eyes look when they flash with anger, Kuonji... Ukyo-kun.
Ukyo: I think you're being a bit over-familiar, sir.
Kuno: Please, do not be upset. I want us to be good friends.
[He smiles.]
Kuno: After all, this is not entirely the first time that we have met.
[Kuno bows, and exits. Ukyo looks startled.]
Ukyo: Could he be... from my past?
---
[We move to the Council chamber. Again, Kuno, Konatsu, and Akane are present - no Ryoga.]
Kuno: Yesterday, Ryoga fought Kuonji Ukyo for the second time and was defeated.
Konatsu: He has not been seen in class since.
Akane: So? Like we said yesterday, he's lucky if he can *find* the class. He's probably just lost.
Konatsu: I sent someone to assist him - she said the door to his room was locked, and he would not answer. His hallmates said he was inside, but he wouldn't come out, no matter how long she waited.
Akane: What a sore loser.
[Konatsu produces a fan from her sleeve (or Hidden Weapons spaces) and flutters it in front of her face.]
Konatsu: Hibiki has fallen, and this is our challenge now. The Kuonji girl - what does she want? Does she know about the power of the Garden?
Kuno: I met with her this morning. She seems to understand very little about the rules of the game. I do not think our sorceror has been in communication with her at all.
Akane: But where else could she have gotten a Signet?
[Kuno smiles mysteriously.]
---
[Outdoors, on Campus. Ukyo stands on a balcony, looking out at a group of students. We see Kuno below, in his kendo outfit, surrounded by admiring girls. Ranko is nearby, with a watering can, tending some plants.]
Akari: Morning, Ukyo!
[She runs up and clings to Ukyo with a big hug, bending her in half sideways (but no glomp-pouncing to send her flying over the edge!)]
Ukyo: Ack... ribs... air...
[Akari lets go.]
Akari: What are you doing? [She peers over the balcony as well.] Oooooh. Kuno. I know I'm not very wise in the ways of love, but trust me, you don't want to get interested in him.
Ukyo: What do you mean?
Akari: See all those girls around him? He's *always* like that. And he goes out with all of them, too. If they complain about not being his only girlfriend, he dumps them, just like that. I've seen a lot of girls crying over him.
Ukyo: A playboy, huh? Not much of a prince on a white horse, then. [Steals a glance at Ranko.] What about... Ranko? Has he ever been with her?
Akari: Oh, sure. She's been with *lots* of people. Your roommate doesn't have the best reputation, you know. With looks like that and not much in the way of brains - well, a lot of guys like that sort of thing. And I've heard she never says no.
[Ukyo scowls down at Kuno, even though he can't see her.]
Ukyo: Well, they'll just have to learn to leave her alone. It's not her fault she's a little... light-headed. I'm sure she's a perfectly nice girl underneath.
Akari: Whatever you say.
[A group of girls troops through, led by a girl with large, poofy bangs and a ponytail on the side of her head, tied with a red and black ribbon. She wears too much makeup and keeps her nose firmly in the air - most of her entourage looks equally snobbish.]
Kodachi: Attention! I would like to announce that tryouts for the Ohtori Rhythmic Gymnastics team will begin this afternoon!
[One of her followers staples a large, colorful banner to a nearby wall - with much grunting and pushing, because that wall isn't designed for stapling!]
Kodachi: Kuonji Ukyo, isn't it? I've heard what a wonderful athlete you are. Perhaps you would like to join our team? I am the captain, Kuno Kodachi.
Ukyo: I'm on enough teams already. But I bet Ranko would be great at it! She's very acrobatic.
Kodachi: [eyes narrowing] Himemiya Ranko... how lovely. Yes, I'll look forward to seeing you there.
[The girls march away. Akari also exits.]
Ukyo: Isn't that great, Ranko? You can be on the gymnastics team! I bet you'll make loads of new friends.
Ranko: If you say so, Ukyo-sama.
Ukyo: Let's see what you need to get ready... [She walks over to read the banner.] You have to wear a leotard for the tryouts. Do you have one?
Ranko: No...
Ukyo: Hrm. I don't think I do, either, but maybe I can find something. Come on, let's go back to our room.
---
[The girls are arriving at their room, only to find two white packages resting in front of the door.]
Ukyo: What's this? They have our names on them... Open yours, I'll open mine.
[They open the packages. Ranko pulls out a very simple flesh-colored leotard. Ukyo finds one that's rather more elaborate - it looks like an ice-skater's costume, with long sleeves and a little blue skirt.]
Ukyo: Cute, I guess, but I have no use for it... [She looks over at Ranko's new possession.] Eek, you'd look almost naked in that! Wear mine instead, it's much prettier.
Ranko: But it belongs to you...
Ukyo: And I'm giving it to you. Besides, you're my 'Bride', aren't you? What's mine is yours. Go try it on, I'll wait out here.
Ranko: Yes, Ukyo-sama. [She slips into the room.]
Ukyo: I wonder who sent these... [fishes through the wrapping of her box to find a card] Kuno. Figures. Probably trying to butter me up with presents, if he's anything like Akari says. Oh well, it was a useful present, anyway.
[Ranko comes out, looking simply adorable in the skating outfit.]
Ukyo: You look great! Just one thing... your hair, it'll get in your way doing gymnastics like that. Here, come back inside, let me do it for you...
---
[Move to a large gymnasium, mostly full of girls in leotards running around and doing stretches, but there are also young men standing around the edges of the room, either to support their girlfriends/sisters or to ogle all the girls in their skimpy outfits. Kuno is near the entrance. Kodachi runs up behind him and places her hands over his eyes.]
Kodachi: [purring into his ear] Guess who?
Kuno: Please, 'Dachi, not now.
Kodachi: You have come to witness my glory, haven't you?
Kuno: Go on your way and get ready with the other girls.
[She blows a kiss at him and scampers off towards the stage at the back end of the gym. Kuno turns towards the door as Ukyo and Ranko make their entrance - Ukyo is still dressed in her usual boy's uniform. Ranko is in the skating outfit, but her red hair has been woven into a braided pigtail and tied off with a white bow like Ukyo's.]
Kuno: Ah, my pigtailed goddess! You look simply ravishing. [He bows.] Although that garment was originally meant for another, I cannot deny that it suits you.
Ukyo: I never intended to try out for this team. I just want Ranko to succeed.
Kuno: Of course. I only hope she is prepared to face my sister.
Ukyo: Kodachi is your sister, right? What do you mean, prepared?
Kuno: My sister is very competitive.
[Kodachi and the team take the stage, and Kodachi moves to the podium and microphone.]
Kodachi: Attention! Will all contenders please line up? Each candidate will be required to pass three challenges in order to be considered for a place on the team.
[From this point on, picture random acts of gymnastics going on in the background - vaults, bars, what-have-you. But we're only focusing on Ranko here.]
Team Member (Yuka): Himemiya Ranko, right? Your first challenge is flexibility. Show me the splits, on the mat, now!
[Ranko walks onto the floormat and easily drops into a full split. Yuka grins smugly, then frowns, as if something has gone wrong.]
Yuka: Okay... now a backbend.
[Again, no problem for Ranko. She arches her back beautifully.]
Yuka: A cartwheel?
[Ranko takes a few running steps and spins into a beautiful cartwheel, her pigtail whirling around. Another team member runs up to gossip with Yuka.]
Sayuri: I thought that cheap leotard we sent her was supposed to rip?
Yuka: I don't understand it! Maybe she wore a different one - what she has on is too fancy to be what we ordered.
[Ranko comes running back.]
Ranko: What now?
Yuka: Uh... I guess you passed your first challenge. Wait here for now.
[The girls run off to consult with Kodachi. Ranko smiles faintly.]
Ukyo: Way to go, Ranko! You're doing great!
[Sayuri returns, pink-cheeked (as if she's just been given a nasty scolding).]
Sayuri: Okay, Himemiya. Your next challenge is balance.
Ranko: All right.
[She starts to move towards the balance beam, but Sayuri stops her.]
Sayuri: Not that one. Up there.
[She points to where Yuka and another girl are stringing a wire between two bars, about six feet up.]
Sayuri: See how far you can get on *that*.
Yuka: [climbing down] Just let me get off the ladder and...
[But Ranko is already moving. With a leap, she easily clears Yuka, ladder and all, and lands squarely on the first bar. She then proceeds to walk across the wire, as easily as if she were a trained circus artist, then somersaults down at the end. The girls stare. Ukyo claps and cheers.]
Ukyo: All right! I told you you were great!
Yuka: Wow, she's really good...
Sayuri: [elbows her] Shh! Um, we have to go get the next challenge ready.
[They run off again. Ranko walks back to Ukyo.]
Ukyo: That was really amazing. When did you learn to do that?
Ranko: Learn to do what?
Ukyo: Balance on a tiny little wire like that!
Ranko: All I did was walk.
Ukyo: Did you walk around with a book on your head a lot when you were young?
Ranko: A book?
Ukyo: Never mind.
[Instead of Yuka and Sayuri, this time it's Kodachi who marches over. She smiles nastily.]
Kodachi: Himemiya Ranko, your final challenge is *me*.
[She hands a ribbon to the red-haired girl, then hops up onto the balance beam.]
Kodachi: You have to knock me off, using only that ribbon, before I knock *you* off.
Ukyo: Is this really fair?
Kodachi: It's my team, I make the rules.
[Ranko climbs up, but for the first time she looks worried.]
Kodachi: Fight!
[Kodachi lashes out with the ribbon. Ranko leaps straight up to avoid it. The battle continues like this for a while - Kodachi strikes and Ranko dodges, but Ranko seems unable to make an attack of her own. Finally Kodachi wraps her ribbon around Ranko's ankle and pulls, sending the redhead spinning off the beam and face-first onto the mats.]
Kodachi: Hohohohoho!
[She signals to the rest of her team, and they all begin to laugh and point at Ranko. The pigtailed girl pushes herself up and runs away, crying.]
Ukyo: How completely rude!
[She rushes after Ranko, leaving the gym. Kodachi dismounts and walks to her brother, smirking.]
Kodachi: Lovely show, wasn't it?
Kuno: It's too bad the girl lost. She looked nice in that little dress I gave her... even though I originally gave it to Ukyo.
[Kuno exits, leaving Kodachi fuming.]
Kuno: My brother gave a dress to HER?
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Next Time: Akane vs Ukyo! FIGHT!