"Before & After"
Disclaimer (CMA): The characters and settings used in this story are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogagukan, Kitty TV, and Viz Communications. They are used here without permission, but with no malicious or libelous intent. The author receives no compensation for this work aside from peer reviews.
"You're sure about that?"
Determined gaze. "Yes."
"You mean you'd really rather give the toad a kiss, when I'm sitting right here asking for one?"
"Of course!"
Exaggerated pout. "Oh, Ranma-kun! That's so mean!"
"Hey…."
"So not only is my little sister 'uncute,' but you don't think I'm attractive, either, is that it?"
Panicked stuttering. "Well, no… it's just--"
"If you're going to be so blunt about it…. Fine. Here's the toad; I think I'll go out now and drink my cares away."
"W-wait a minute! That's not what I meant!"
Tears threatening. "Well, what did you mean? It sure sounded like you were saying the toad was more attractive than moi. Or do you just think it would be a better kisser?"
"Now hold on! I sure don't want ta kiss no toad--"
"Then you'll kiss me after all?"
"Eh?"
"If you don't want to kiss the toad, I can understand. But that must mean you'd rather kiss me, hm?"
"Would ya stop twistin' my words around! I said I didn't want ta, not that I wouldn't do it!"
"All right, Ranma-kun. I'm ready, puckered up and all!"
Confused, blinking. "Huh? But-- there ya go again! Makin' it sound like I'm sayin' somethin' else than what I did! Can't ya just gimme the stupid toad and let it be?"
"I don't think the toad would be too happy to hear you say that."
"Who cares what the toad thinks? I said I'd kiss it, all right? Just to get those pictures back, is all!"
"I see. Why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"I did!"
"Okay, then! Take the toad, and I'll just sit back and watch. Don't make me wait too long, though, or I might come up with some other way for you to pay for the shots. And remember, I want to see a nice, long, real kiss, not just some peck."
Resigned sigh. "Oi, oi, fine. Here goes nothin'…."
SMOOCH
"A-A-Akane?!"
"Where did you find that stuff, Nabiki? It's like something out of a fairy-tale! Only, I suppose that's the Frog Prince, isn't it."
"That it is, little sis. Did you have to hit him, though? Now I've got to stuff the photos I promised in his pocket, and somebody might come along and find them… oh, that would be such a shame." Bemused smirk.
"That's your problem, sis. You're in it for the money; I'm in it for the kiss. And I didn't hit him, he fainted. By the way, you had your buttonhole camera running, ne?"
"Yup. Got the whole thing. Just five thousand yen for a full length copy, three thousand for a set of stills."
"Uh-uh, Nabiki. I helped you, I should at least get half off."
"Where do you learn these sneaky business tactics, sister?"
Insinuating smile. "Only the best, sis. Only the best."
"So what do we do with him?"
"Oh, I'll carry him home. Shouldn't be a problem with these 'ox arms,' right?"
"Of course not. Well, it's off to Kuno's place for me. I have some photos of a certain redhead that should fetch a very comfortable sum--for me, that is."
"See you at home. Jaa!"
Author's Note: There. Done. Kaput. How many saw it coming? [raises his hand] Oh, put your hand down, baka. You didn't see it either. Mou, R&R, onegaishimasu!
Disclaimer (CMA): The characters and settings used in this story are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogagukan, Kitty TV, and Viz Communications. They are used here without permission, but with no malicious or libelous intent. The author receives no compensation for this work aside from peer reviews.
"You're sure about that?"
Determined gaze. "Yes."
"You mean you'd really rather give the toad a kiss, when I'm sitting right here asking for one?"
"Of course!"
Exaggerated pout. "Oh, Ranma-kun! That's so mean!"
"Hey…."
"So not only is my little sister 'uncute,' but you don't think I'm attractive, either, is that it?"
Panicked stuttering. "Well, no… it's just--"
"If you're going to be so blunt about it…. Fine. Here's the toad; I think I'll go out now and drink my cares away."
"W-wait a minute! That's not what I meant!"
Tears threatening. "Well, what did you mean? It sure sounded like you were saying the toad was more attractive than moi. Or do you just think it would be a better kisser?"
"Now hold on! I sure don't want ta kiss no toad--"
"Then you'll kiss me after all?"
"Eh?"
"If you don't want to kiss the toad, I can understand. But that must mean you'd rather kiss me, hm?"
"Would ya stop twistin' my words around! I said I didn't want ta, not that I wouldn't do it!"
"All right, Ranma-kun. I'm ready, puckered up and all!"
Confused, blinking. "Huh? But-- there ya go again! Makin' it sound like I'm sayin' somethin' else than what I did! Can't ya just gimme the stupid toad and let it be?"
"I don't think the toad would be too happy to hear you say that."
"Who cares what the toad thinks? I said I'd kiss it, all right? Just to get those pictures back, is all!"
"I see. Why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"I did!"
"Okay, then! Take the toad, and I'll just sit back and watch. Don't make me wait too long, though, or I might come up with some other way for you to pay for the shots. And remember, I want to see a nice, long, real kiss, not just some peck."
Resigned sigh. "Oi, oi, fine. Here goes nothin'…."
SMOOCH
"A-A-Akane?!"
"Where did you find that stuff, Nabiki? It's like something out of a fairy-tale! Only, I suppose that's the Frog Prince, isn't it."
"That it is, little sis. Did you have to hit him, though? Now I've got to stuff the photos I promised in his pocket, and somebody might come along and find them… oh, that would be such a shame." Bemused smirk.
"That's your problem, sis. You're in it for the money; I'm in it for the kiss. And I didn't hit him, he fainted. By the way, you had your buttonhole camera running, ne?"
"Yup. Got the whole thing. Just five thousand yen for a full length copy, three thousand for a set of stills."
"Uh-uh, Nabiki. I helped you, I should at least get half off."
"Where do you learn these sneaky business tactics, sister?"
Insinuating smile. "Only the best, sis. Only the best."
"So what do we do with him?"
"Oh, I'll carry him home. Shouldn't be a problem with these 'ox arms,' right?"
"Of course not. Well, it's off to Kuno's place for me. I have some photos of a certain redhead that should fetch a very comfortable sum--for me, that is."
"See you at home. Jaa!"
Author's Note: There. Done. Kaput. How many saw it coming? [raises his hand] Oh, put your hand down, baka. You didn't see it either. Mou, R&R, onegaishimasu!