Rejoice one and all... I've got a new VCR... well, that is, until 
my parents start looking for it.
---------------

                                The Leper
                                  Part 8
                           "The Calm Before..."
                      by Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo

----------

	"Ryouga?  Where are you, sugar?  Huh?  What's this..."

	'Dear Ukyou,

		I'd like to thank you for last night, you know, dinner
		and everything.  I'm writing you just in case I fail to 
		make it back after searching for your bathroom.  Last night 
		will always have a special place in me and so will you.  
		Thank you.

								Ryouga Hibiki'

	Ukyou held the letter with great care as if a gust of wind would 
make it crumble.  She stood by her counter, completely disoriented.

	"Oh, sugar..."

	Her heartbeat began speeding up.  She became restless and began 
reading the letter again.

	"... and so will you.  Hmm, so this is what a giggling school girl 
feels like."

	*Kling-ling*

	At the sound her door chimes, Ukyou quickly turned towards the 
figure by her door.

	"Ryou... oh, Kii."

	"Morning... You okay, Ukyou?  You're a bit red."

	Ukyou twirled around again trying not to face her former fianc� as 
her anger from the day before began to resurface.

	"What're you doing here?  I thought I kicked you out."

	"Ukyou, can you please, for once, stop acting like a child and 
listen to me."

	Ukyou felt herself flush with anger.

	"Why, you... hey, wait a minute, you're not using crutches 
anymore."

	"Yeah, I felt better this morning, but enough of that..."

	"Yes, enough.  I'm not the one acting like a child.  I..."

	"I called my mom..."

	Ukyou backed off in shock.

	"And...?"

	"Come, let's talk about it."

	"But, we've still got school..."

	"Not today..."

	Ukyou eyed him with suspicion.

	"Please, Ukyou."

----------

	"Hey, Akane, where'd Kii go?"

	"He left really early this morning.  Go eat your breakfast already 
or we'll be late."

	"Okay, quit yappin'."

	Ranma sat beside Akane in an unwomanly pose and began munching on 
his breakfast.

	"So, what's the problem?"

	"Hmm?"

	"Yesterday, you bopped me but you didn't tell me why?"

	"I... it was... um..."

	Akane felt her blood boil.  She flushed and Ranma took this as a 
sign of anger.  He crumpled into a ball just in case she was going to get 
whacked again.  But it never came.

	"Kii and Ukyou had a fight yesterday, that's why he had to stay 
here.  He and Kasumi talked yesterday in the yard and I couldn't help but 
listen in.  When you saw me, I thought you knew I was listening to them 
and... I was embarrassed by it.  Sorry 'bout that."

	Ranma studied Akane for a moment.

	(Since when did she learn how to apologize?  She never was a good 
liar.)  "Well, we'll just have to talk to them in school then."

	Just then, Nabiki stepped down the stairs.  She was in a very 
peachy mood this morning.  She was already in uniform and was heading for 
the door.

	"Good morning, people.  You two should hurry up or you'll be late."

	"Nabiki, you look like you woke up on the right side of the bed 
this morning."

	"Well, Ranma, let's just say that my sleep was very soothing and 
that today feels particularly productive for me.  But I must leave now as 
I have to attend other pressing matters.  Adieu."

----------

	"Mmm.  Good."

	*Slurp!*

	"Mmmm.  Very good..."

	*SSSSSLLLUUUUURRP!!!*

	"Mmmmm.  Really good!"  *burp!*  "Oh, excuse me..."

	"I take it you like your milkshake."

	"Yup.  I just never had the time to splurge for this sort of 
stuff."

	Kiiroi apparently started off on the right foot without even 
trying.

	(Hmm.  I guess she wasn't that mad at me after all.)  "Look, I'm 
sorry if I made you miss class and everything.  But I reserved the entire 
day for making up for all the stupid things I've done... especially the 
engagement thing... I just thought you'd be happy."

	Ukyou took the container of maple syrup and poured it on her 
blueberry pancakes.  Kii noticed Ukyou's enthusiasm over her breakfast.

	"Well, just don't start assuming that you've been forgiven, okay?  
You've got some serious atoning to do."

	"Believe me, I know.  The last thing in the world I wanted to do 
was make you angry at me, I just didn't know that my being with Shampoo 
could drive you berserk like that.  Who would've known you were the 
jealous typ- ?"

	"JEALOUS?!?  HA!  You wish, Mister.  And whadya mean BEING with 
Shampoo?  That was not just being with her, that was dating with her!"

	"It wasn't like that!  If only you listened the first time..."

	"ARE YOU SAYING - ?"

	The breakfast crowd started leaning over the couple's table.  This 
was apparently better than the morning paper.  Ukyou hushed and blushed 
in mid-sentence.  She waited 'til the crowd lost interest in their 
silence then leaned over to Kii's side.

	"Are you saying that it's my fault?!"

	"Actually, yeah, it is your fault.  Hey, wait!  Before you start 
releasing any battle auras, please try to see that Shampoo didn't do all 
those for me because she liked me, it's because she was trying to get to 
Ranma."

	Ukyou was supposed to bash him in the head before he could ever 
finish his sentence but by then, any thought she once had was gone.  Her 
mind was just an ocean of shocking disbelief.

	"What does that Amazon tramp want you to do?"

	"She wants me to... eliminate Akane..."

	Ukyou felt the pancake jam into her air-tube as her body vainly 
attempted to swallow and gasp for air at the same time.  She felt the air 
rush out from her lungs and she was immediately racked by coughing.

	*Koff, koff, Uhurk*  "Say what?!?"

	"She wants me to get Akane out of the way of her engagement with 
Ranma.  Shampoo convinced me enough that she'd make a better bride 
compared to Akane.  She fights better, she cooks better, and if it comes 
down to it... oh, wait, never mind."

	"Wait a minute, don't tell me you're actually planning on helping 
her?"

	"I know Akane's been really nice and all but c'mon, let's face it, 
neither of them wants the engagement.  Besides, it's not like I'm gonna 
harm Akane or anything.  I'm just gonna make Ranma not like her 
completely - I'm sure it's all for the best."

	"Now you stop right there, mister.  First of all, I never thought 
of you to be so gullible that you'd believe anything that Amazon hussy 
tells you.  Look here, I know Ranma and Akane love to get onto each 
other's nerves most of the time but those two are almost inseparable.  
Ranma would turn down a sexier, prettier and more talented girl just as 
long as he'd be with Akane."

	Ukyou felt the pain return.  She could feel her chest getting tight 
and her eyes were starting to get watery.  And, in a blinding flash, all 
the painful memories flooded back into her mind, haunting her once more, 
way past after she convinced herself it was over.  

	So many times did she herself try to eliminate Akane, so many times 
did she try to force herself on Ranma, and all those times he'd choose 
the solid brick wall that was Akane.  But unlike Shampoo, there was one 
thing that Ukyou couldn't do - she couldn't hurt Ranma.  They've been 
very good friends ever since.  Sometimes, Ranma would even come to her to 
ask for advice on what to give Akane during Valentine's or the holidays.  
Come to think of it, she was probably the closest person that he trusted.  
It used to hurt when all he'd talk about was Akane-this, Akane-that, 
Akane-you're-a-jerk... but then the pain started to subside.  Ukyou was 
even happy for them.  But the possibility still haunted her...

	(He could've been mine.)

	"Ukyou, are you okay?"

	"Hmm?  Oh, yes.  Just... reminiscing."

	Ukyou covered her eyes and tried to brush away the imaginary tears.

	"Now, where was I?  Oh yeah... So don't you dare lay a finger on 
Akane!"

	"Geez, Ukyou, don't be so uptight.  Besides, I've got this all 
worked out, and I promise that I won't lay a finger on Akane."

	Ukyou looked into his eyes and studied them.  He wasn't lying, 
that's for sure, but there was something else, something she couldn't 
quite point out.

	"So, enough of that.  Would you like to catch a movie later?"

	"Hmm?  It's been a time since I watched one, what's this one 
about."

	"It's called 'SCREAM', I hear it's a knock out."

	"Yeah, sure, why not.  You ARE atoning, after all.  I wonder if 
anybody missed us in school."

	"Probably nobody."

----------

	"HE WHAT?!?"

	"We waited for him as you said, Nabiki, but..."

	"No, I heard you the first time!  Damn it!  So much for hurting his 
pride... and it was so perfect!"

	Nabiki gave an agonized monologue.  Her flunkies backed up a bit as 
the scene did not befit their mentor but was more of something 
Upperclassman Kuno would do.  But she was cut short when the bell rang 
signaling the start of the next class.  Nabiki looked out the window and 
stared at the clear, blue sky.  She closed her eyes as if in silent 
prayer.

	"Please, I've worked so hard.  Please make it rain, just a 
little..."

	"Did you say something Nabiki?"

	"... no... let's get to class, girls - we've got a long day ahead 
of us."

----------

	"HEY, UKYOU!"	

	"Kii?  Oh no.  No, please!  This is so embarrassing!"

	"Aw, c'mon!  You look cute!"

	*Blush!*  "Stop it!  I might fall or somethin'."

	"Some martial artist you are!  Can't even skate.  Now stand still 
and smile for the camera!"

	"No, Kii, I..."

	*click, slip, thunk!*

	"Yikes!  Hey, Ukyou!"

	Kiiroi slid on the ice with great ease.  He reached Ukyou's side 
and leaned over the sprawled body.

	"Hey, Ukyou... you okay?"

	"Ow.  Do I look like I'm okay?  Help me up..."

	Kii heaved Ukyou up with one arm and the okonomiyaki chef stood up 
with legs of rubber.  She desperately clung onto Kii's arm for her dear 
life.

	"Okay, now let's take another picture..."

	"Oh no, you don't.  I don't even wanna know how that last shot will 
come out."

	"Well, if you only learn how to stand still.  Now hang on to me, 
I'll try to get a shot of us both."

	Kiiroi raised the camera in front of them and smiled.  Ukyou 
herself tried to smile but it was a frail effort to hide her fear.

	*click*

	"There we go!  You cold?"

	"No, but you didn't have to..."

	"Naw, it looks good on you."

	"Yeah, but I don't think pink is my color."

	Ukyou looked down at the pink floral sweater she was wearing.  She 
wasn't sure if she'd take it as a complement coming from a guy whose 
fashion sense revolves around the color black.  Even in the rink, Kiiroi 
wore a black trenchcoat.  Kiiroi then slung the camera on his shoulder 
and held out his hand to Ukyou.

	"Come, skate with me."

	"Just don't try to push me away or something..."

	"No, Ukyou.  It's not me who does that..."

	Ukyou fell silent but she did not have time to respond for Kiiroi 
started sliding on the ice.  Ukyou's legs shook frantically while she 
attempted to keep up with Kiiroi.  Slowly, their speed picked up and so 
did Ukyou's heartbeat.

	"Kii, you're going a bit too fast!"

	"Nonsense."

	With that, Kii turned himself around and came face to face with 
Ukyou.  For a moment, Ukyou's life flashed before her very eyes.  Her 
palms began claming up and her grip might've slipped but reality grabbed 
onto her at the last minute.  Only then did she begin to grasp her 
situation.

	"WHAT... THE... HELL... ARE... YOU..."

	It was at this time that Kii decided to pirouette the both of them 
to the center of the rink.

	"... DOOOWOOOWOOOWOOOWIIIIIING!!!!!"

	"Shh.  You're in good hands."

	"I know, but..."

	"I'll let go now, you're on your own."

	"No..."

	Ukyou felt Kii's hold loosen but she made no effort to grab hold of 
him.  She knew that she could make it by herself, it's just that his 
presence made her feel more secure.  Their spin gradually diminished and 
Kiiroi slowly slid away while Ukyou skidded to a stop.  

	Ukyou just watched Kii dance in the ice.  He had the grace of a 
flamenco dancer.  It's as if he was in another world when he skated.  
Then he snapped out of his reverie and skated back to Ukyou.

	"Kii, I know what you meant..."

	"C'mon, the theater's probably open by now, let's go watch that 
movie."

	"Hmm.  Okay, let's go."

	Kii started skating towards the exit but glancing back, he noticed 
that Ukyou didn't budge from her position.  He skated back and stood 
beside her.  Her face was void of all emotion.  She was neither angry nor 
sad, just confused.

	"I can't make it on my own just yet.  I still need you..."

	Kiiroi held out his hand.

	"I'm here..."

	Instead of grabbing his hand, Ukyou slid her arm around Kiiroi's 
waist.  Kiiroi had no choice but to place his arm over Ukyou's shoulders.  
Ukyou leaned on Kiiroi's chest like a child safe in his mother's arms.  
The two took their time getting to the exit, they were oblivious to what 
was going on around them - they were skating in their own world.

----------

	"Yo, Ranma!"

	"Hey, Hiroshi!  Daisuke!  Over here, saved you guys a seat!"

	The two sat in between Ranma and Akane.  Daisuke immediately began 
flirting with Yuka and Sayuri so Hiroshi occupied himself with Ranma.

	"So, where's Kii?  And I didn't see Ukyou..."

	"Geez, how the hell should I know?  The guy had problems last night 
so he stayed at us.  Man, you should've seen dinner last night."

	"Wow, he's really that rich?"

	"Yup.  Even with my pig of a father, we still had leftovers for 
breakfast.  Anyway, it seems that Ukyou and Kii had a fight or somethin'.  
At least, that's what Akane told me."

	"Really?  Bummer."

	"So I guess Kii's out there somewhere thinkin' of ways to ask 
Ukyou's forgiveness."

	"Yeah, and maybe Ukyou didn't come to school 'coz she thought that 
Kii would be here and seeing him would only piss her off!"

	"Hey, that makes sense.  Poor kids, their probably drowning in 
misery right now."

----------

	The azure curtain held its place.  The great ball of white light 
illuminated its center.  From a nearby window, a woman leaned over the 
edge as she scanned the skies.

	"Please, just a little rain, that's all I ask..."

----------

	*giggle*

	"Shut up."

	*giggle, giggle*

	"I said..."

	"Bwahahaha!"

	*blush*

	Heads started swaying towards the direction of the laughter.  The 
lined-up crowd started bustling when two figures emerged from the inside.  
One was a grinning okonomiyaki chef with a pink sweater tied around her 
waist, and the other was a boy wearing glasses and an all-black outfit... 
well, not ALL black.  Some parts of his clothing were covered in butter 
caramel goo.

	"Will you please wipe that smirk off your face?"

	"Never did I thought that I'd live to see the day that Kiiroi 
Niwatori lives up to his name...  Was my widdle Kii afwaid of the bid bad 
man?  Y'know what?  I'm really glad we watched a movie, I feel so much 
better."

	"Good.  Now let's get back to the restaurant.  I gotta get a new 
shirt before ants swarm over me."

	"So, what else are we gonna do today?"

	Kiiroi stared up at the afternoon sky.

	"Well, it's a terrible day to waste indoors... howzabout we go to 
the park and have a late lunch?"

	Ukyou grabbed Kii's arm and pranced along beside him.

	"Ooh!  The mere thought makes me want to burst into fruity 
flavors!"

	The two laughed all the way to the restaurant.  Kii got a change of 
clothes (but not a change in clothes) and a picnic blanket.  They went to 
the grocery afterwards and bought picnic needs.  Along the way, Kiiroi 
found a nice, wide-brimmed hat with a pink ribbon.  He bought it for 
Ukyou since it matched the pink sweater he bought her earlier.  And off 
the two went to the park.  

	Ukyou never had this much fun in all her life.  She was oblivious 
to the fact that this was supposed to be Kii's atonement but she was 
enjoying herself too much to remember.  On the way to the park, Kiiroi 
made Ukyou wear the hat and hung the sweater over her shoulders.  He just 
got all starry-eyed staring at Ukyou in admiration.

	"You are just sooo cute!"

	*blush*  "Stop that, you're embarrassing me..."

	Kiiroi kept on teasing Ukyou while Ukyou humbly took the 
complement.  When they found a nice spot under a huge tree, Kii unrolled 
the picnic blanket while Ukyou got the food out of the grocery bags.  
They feasted on different kinds of cold cuts and spreads on whole wheat, 
bags of potato chips, and flushed it all down with soda.  All the while, 
they told jokes to each other, laughed at each other and laughed with 
each other, then... the inevitable, comfortable silence.

	*sigh*  "This is the life..."

	Kiiroi rolled his trench coat up and used it as a pillow.  He 
plopped his head down and admired the puzzle-like silhouette of the 
leaves above him.  Ukyou contented herself on watching the other park 
visitors.  Families and lovers found their own shade from the sun.  At 
the other end of the park was a group of taichi practitioners.  Two 
chubby, little boys zipped pass her.  A little girl tried to catch up 
with them but they purposely avoided her.  They ran along the entire 
park, never seeming to run out of gas.

	"Must be playing tag..."

	She felt her stomach rumble signaling that she needed to straighten 
up to digest properly.  She took off her hat and lay down on Kii's chest.  
Kii woke from his catnap but wasn't startled to see Ukyou on him.  She 
twisted her head towards his and smiled.  He returned the smile and began 
stroking her cascading ebony locks.

	"Man, it's gonna take me months to grow my hair back again."

	"It doesn't look that bad..."

	"I'm just glad I can still tie it up."

	"Kii..."

	"What is it, Ukyou?"

	"I'm sorry I got mad at you..."

	"It's okay.  Besides, if you didn't then we wouldn't have this 
moment, would we?"

	"You're right about that.  Thank you... I had a really great time 
today."

	"'Twas my pleasure, Ukyou."

	"Kii..."

	"Hmm?"

	"You can call me Ucchan again..."

	"Thanks... Ucchan..."

	Then Ukyou remembered why they were here, on a school day, in the 
first place.

	"Kii, what about the engagement?"

	"..."

	"Kii?"

	"... and I thought you've forgotten about it already."

	"Well?"

	"I told my mom to cancel the engagement...  You're a free woman 
now."

	"But why?"

	"Because, Ucchan..."

	Kiiroi sat up and was now face to face with Ukyou.  Ukyou just 
stared at the face above her.

	"... I don't like seeing you hurt... especially when I'm the cause.  
But I still love you, and that's the hard part."

	Try as she might, there was no way for Ukyou to hide her reddening 
face.  Kiiroi just gave faint smile.

	"I loved you when you were a guy.  And now, I've learned to love 
you when you're a girl.  But you know what the weird part is?"

	Ukyou just shook her head slightly.

	"I love you enough not to fall in love with you."

	Ukyou couldn't contain herself, she got herself up and faced Kii.  
Kii took Ukyou's hands in his own and held them firmly.

	"I've come to accept my purpose in your life.  I mean, I know you 
love me... just not the way I wanted you to love me.  But even before  
this, our friendship had already bound us.  Even though we're not exactly 
lovers, I've come to accept my role as somebody who'll always protect and 
respect you.  The only time I'm gonna relieve myself of that duty is when 
you find the right man who will fulfill these needs and more..."

	The words hung in the air as Ukyou experienced a moment of deja vu.  
But it wasn't deja vu, because this happened not a day ago.  Spoken by 
another man but spoken with same conviction and integrity.

	"Funny thing is... your life was pretty okay before I came into the 
scene again.  You were standing on you're own two feet, but now, we're 
dependent on each other as we were then.  I'm so sorry.  This I have to 
confess... I never learned to let you go.  When you left, I've never felt 
so empty and unneeded.  I felt useless by myself - I couldn't find a 
purpose to exist.  I just had to see you again... I'm sorry for making 
your life miserable..."

	Kiiroi looked down on his lap since he found it hard to meet 
Ukyou's gaze.  Ukyou raised her hand and stroked his cheek.  Kiiroi 
became misty-eyed - he held back the tears, but the pout he just couldn't 
erase.  Ukyou couldn't resist and gave Kii a hug.  Kii returned the hug 
and it made both of them feel very good about each other.  Ukyou hummed a 
lullaby to soothe Kiiroi's troubled soul.

	"Hush now, you didn't make my life miserable.  I'm glad you came... 
I'm glad you're here to remind me what I've missed the most.  Kii, I love 
you, I've always loved you and will continue on doing so...  Ours is a 
friendship that knows no bounds.  You remember that..."

	To signal the end of this highly emotional moment, Ukyou kissed 
Kiiroi on the cheek.  This made Kiiroi blush a bit but the two just 
giggled at this.  

	Without a word, Kiiroi picked up his camera and began taking 
pictures of his very best friend.  This time Ukyou did not resist.  She 
posed for Kii, imitating supermodel poses as much as she could.  She 
used, as much as she could, the hat and the sweater.  She did innocent 
poses, teasing poses, demure poses... Ukyou was ecstatic and so was Kii.

	"And now, Mister de Mille, I'm ready for my close up."

	"Very cute... you're not a bad model, you know."

	"Yeah, right!  I'm hardly model-quality."

	Ukyou squinted and stuck out her tongue.  Kii laughed but took the 
picture nonetheless.  Then, without warning, rain fell from the sky.  In 
a blink of an eye, it turned from drizzle to downpour.  The two were 
overcome with sudden panic.  Ukyou grabbed their trash and ran towards 
the tree trunk.  Kii raised the picnic blanket above his head and 
followed Ukyou.  They stayed there and hoped for the rain to go away.  
But soon enough, the mat started springing leaks.

	"Uh-oh, I'm getting wet over here..."

	"I think we should make a run for it."

	They braced themselves under the mat and started a countdown.

	"Okay... ONE... TWO... THREE!!!"

	Both laughed as they ran towards the park entrance.  By this time, 
the picnic blanket was useless, as the two were already soaked to the 
skin.  

	Ukyou missed a step and began to skid on the slippery grass.  She 
made a wild grab for Kii's arm.  The tug shifted Kiiroi's momentum, 
making him release the picnic blanket.  He returned Ukyou's tug while 
attempting to regain his balance but it was too late, Ukyou was already 
skidding.  Kiiroi pulled wildly at Ukyou and the two crashed side by side 
on the wet ground.  They stared at each other in bewilderment, each 
trying to regain their composure.  

	Kii was already half-blind from the droplets on his glasses.  
Ukyou's pink sweater was now brown one side because of the dirt.  Grass 
covered the couple on the ground.  Then, Ukyou began to laugh.  Timidly 
at first, then gradually increased in its level of insanity.  Kii stared 
at her for a moment then began laughing himself.

	"I'm all wet!"

	"No kidding."

	"Look at me!  I'm a mess."

	"You still look pretty to me."

	There was a hint of sarcasm in Kii's voice.  Ukyou's face had grass 
and dirt clinging to it.  Of course, Kii was in no better shape.  Ukyou 
rolled over and placed herself above Kii.  For a moment, the two just 
smiled at each other while they caught their breath.

	"Hey..."

	"Hey..."

	Ukyou didn't know what made her do it, it was probably the rain or 
his body pressing against hers or the moment itself, but slowly, she 
lowered her face towards Kii.  Ukyou closed her eyes as the moist lips 
approached Kii.  Kii held his breath.

	(This isn't supposed to happen.  We've canceled the engagement.  
I'm not in love with her any more.  I should stop her... I really 
should... I should shut up now...)

	Kii pressed his finger on Ukyou's lips.  Ukyou opened her eyes 
questioningly.

	"... no..."

	Ukyou shoved Kii's hand aside and continued her descent.

	"Shh.  Just this once..."

	Kiiroi closed his eyes and waited for what seemed like a 
millennium, then their lips touched.  It was a light and warm kiss that 
sent an electrifying sensation from one body to the other and back.  The 
lips parted and two pairs of eyes open.  

	Ukyou breathed out her satisfaction while Kiiroi breathed in his 
disbelief.  The rain continued falling.  Little droplets tricked down to 
Ukyou's lips then fell on Kii's.  Once more their lips met.  Each could 
feel the moistness of the other's lips.  This time, neither of them held 
back, both consumed by the passion of the moment.  

	Ukyou held Kii's cheeks as her lips pressed on.  Kii wrapped his 
arms around Ukyou and pressed her body to his.  He could feel her heat 
travel to his body and this encouraged him more.  She could feel the rain 
and saliva mix in their mouths.  Neither wanted to stop - neither could, 
even if they tried.  Kiiroi could feel Ukyou's breasts throb on his 
chest.  Their heartbeats falling into one rhythm as if their bodies had 
meld into one being made from passion and desire.  Kiiroi dug his fingers 
on the back of the wet, pink sweater.  Neither could take in breath but 
neither cared.

	In the middle of wanton manner of fulfilling their lust, Ukyou 
stopped the kiss.  Kii blinked his eyes open.  There was something wrong, 
but Kii couldn't figure it out.

	"Kii?"

	"Ucchan?"

	Then the shock of the realization hit them like a bullet train and 
a brick wall.

	"Ucchan... you're naked."

	The feeling of the flesh of Ukyou's bare back on Kii's hands and, 
of course, two huge mounds of flesh trying to hide between little arms in 
vain confirmed his suspicions.  Kii looked around, the park was now 
deserted and very wet.  He rolled the two of them around 'til he came on 
top and then began removing his trench coat.  He wrapped it around Ukyou 
and found out that only the upper part of Ukyou's clothing was somehow 
shredded to bits.  Only bits and pieces hung here and there on Ukyou's 
body.  Ukyou was shamefaced even though nobody saw them.  Kii stood up 
and pulled Ukyou up afterwards.  Ukyou couldn't bring herself to look at 
Kii.

	"Kii, what happened..."

	"I don't..."

	He scratched his head then paused.  The answer was right in front 
of him.  He inspected his hands and his fear was confirmed.  The bandages 
were gone.  To be more specific, they melted with the rain.  Some fingers 
still had remnants of the bandage but were slowly being washed away 
themselves.

	"What the HELL is going on here!?!?!"

----------

	"Thank you."

	"Who are you thanking, Nabiki?"

	"The heavens, of course.  Rain is always good for the soul..."

--------------
end of part 8
--------------

	What do you get when you eat Devil's Food Cake, Pound Cake a la 
Mode and Brownie Pudding all in one sitting?  A bad case of Sugar Rush, a 
head that throbs and threatens to explode any time soon, three days of no 
sleep, extreme perkiness, and pretty darn good fanfic writing.  For 
comments and suggestions please write to the "Nikholas F. Toledo Zu" at 
niftol@i-manila.com.ph, care of NomaD.
 
	I'd like to thank the following people:

Switch, the official Deputy Bastard Taskmaster from Hell, looks like 
another Zu party is at hand.  [Was... but that's for later, in my own 
post.  -S]

Nomadess, the woman responsible for my being celibate (for now).

Elf, we're writing a fanfic together, it's gonna be cool.  Right now, 
she'd love to strangle me unconscious then don me in a sailor fuku.

	Too much of anything can drive a man insane.

-NomaD-
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
The Nikholas F. Toledo Zu @ WWW: The Entertainment Capital of UP Village
Vector, Switch, Yebah, Rain Man, goo, Pervert, Scruples, Hollie, NomaD, 
 Blitz, Gee, Datzo, Jewel, elf, Radler, Pinball, Mayhem, Chaos, Father, 
 Attar and Llewe @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/mezza9.html 
Fanfiction Page @ http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3145/fanfics.html
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