<Mariko stuff snipped>

Aha...the info is much, much appreciated!  Now to figure out a way to bring her 

Dou itashimashite.

"back" in my fics and maybe hook her up with Kuno for good.  I'm not exactly a 
student of the Nabiki/Kuno school of pairings, mind you...she deserves much 
better than the likes of him, IMO.  Besides, since I'll be graduating Kuno and 
Nabiki's class by the end of my first series, I should find a way to get rid of 
him since we can't have him hanging around Furinkan after he graduates ^^;  
Then again, it sounds like something he would do....

Gambatte! ^_^  Maybe she and Kunou could end up at the same kendo competition
or something... And she cheers for him again...?

Kun-chan...