As Trakal-san said, once again, my posting was screwed up. To those of
you who actually read through the crap, and liked it, arigato. Gomen
nasai for all the repeated postings. I give up on reposting this...if it
doesnt turn out this time, **** it! (pardon my bad language that I didnt
use) I shall now return to the shadows of lurker-dom, and not bother you
nice people any more. Seeing as how I have no fics in the works, it
shall be quite a while until you hear from me...not that I havent posted
enough times in the past 3 days for a month. Again, gomen nasai.
~Nabiki~
<< =beginning and ending of a dream (dreams are written in the present
tense, everything else is past tense)
*** =beginning and ending of a letter/diary entry
~*~ =change of scene
<...> =thoughts
{....}=flashback
Dear Diary
"Hey Kuno-baby, I've got some new pictures of your Pigtailed Girl.."
"Ah, Nabiki Tendo, and what exorbitant recompense do you demand for
these paltry glimpses of the beauty of my goddess?" "500 for each
picture." ".....Oh forget it! Nabiki Tendo, I would date with
*you*!!" Kuno grabs Nabiki and kisses her passionately. Nabiki
grins, slightly dazed. "Hey, Kuno-baby..I've got pictures of
myself..only 600 yen each." "I need no pictures, fair Nabiki, for
thy incomparable beauty can never be captured by mere photography!"
"You're so right, Kuno-darling! I don't need money to be happy, I only
need you. I love you, so much!" "And my love for you surpasses all
understanding, my flower." The two kiss and skip off happily into the
sunset.
<<
Nabiki woke up in a cold sweat. "Oh kami..that's the last time I eat
Akane's cooking before bed....." She sat up in bed and rubbed her
eyes.
"That's the second time I've had that exact same dream. But the first
time I hadn't eaten Akane's food. Its so odd..what does it mean?" She
took a small book with a yen sign-print on the cover and a pen from
under her pillow. She opened the book to an empty page and started
writing.
***
23/5
Dear Diary,
I had another dream about Kuno last night. You know, the one where I
say money isn't important, we declare our love and go off into the
sunset. Its the third one about Kuno this month. What do these dreams
mean, Diary? They're so odd. I don't love Kuno, its not possible. I
mean..he's *Kuno-baby*! The same Kuno that I've been friends with for
years. Ok, not really friends, more like business partners. But close
enough. I guess I am the closest thing to a friend that he has. The
poor guy, no one really likes him. Its no wonder he's so obsessed with
Akane and onna-Ranma. I really wish. For his sake, he would figure out
that they hate him..on the other hand, if he did, I'd lose a big part
of income. Fool..spends his money for nothing. At least he helps to
keep food on our table and a roof over our head. Not to mention some
nice things for me occasionally. Mental note to myself: Take more
pictures of Akane and Ranma soon.
~Nabiki~
***
Nabiki slid the diary and pen back under her pillow and looked at the
clock beside her bed. Only 3:27, still time to sleep before time to
get
up before school. But that wouldn't be happening. Not this night, or
any night that she had one of *those* dreams. When she had one of
those
dreams she would spend the night awake contemplating what they meant.
So far she had come to two possible conclusions; she was in love or
falling in love with Kuno, or she was crazy. Neither sounded very
pleasant, so she was still looking for another alternative. Nabiki
sat up awake in bed until Kasumi called her down for breakfast. By
then
she still hadn't come up with any new explanation.
~*~
"Ranma Saotome, how dare you show such disrespect for the fair Akane
Tendo?! I shall smite thee!!" Kuno charged, and the usual
before-school
battle ensued.
Nabiki sighed and looked down from the second story window. "Kuno,
Kuno, Kuno..will he ever learn?" she asked to no one in particular.
Sighing again, she went outside to drag a nearly unconscious Kuno back
into their room before the bell.
After somehow waking up in his seat just before the bell, Kuno
attempted to pay attention to the teacher. This, however, proved
impossible, as he couldn't get his mind off of Akane. Sometime
during class Kuno saw something being tossed on his desk. He quickly
snatched it up before anyone could see and hid it beneath his desk.
When he was sure the teacher wasn't looking he opened the folded piece
of paper and read:
***
Kuno-baby,
See me at lunch. I've got some new pictures of Akane and the Pigtailed
girl for you.
~Nabiki~
***
Kuno refolded the paper and put it into his pocket. He stole a glance
at Nabiki in the next seat and nodded. Nabiki smiled and returned
to her work. <More money from the Blue Blunder. It's a wonder he's not
broke by now. I just hope he doesn't realize the pictures are old ones
that Ranma took back from him.>
~*~
At lunch Kuno found Nabiki sitting on a bench, writing in her ledger
book and picking at her lunch. "Nabiki Tendo, I believe you have
some pictures for me? Oh, 'tis a wonderful day indeed that I would
come
across pictures of the tigress Akane Tendo, and the Pigtailed
Goddess,"
he cried already getting his wallet out. "Five of each of them,
200 yen per picture," Nabiki said. "Sold!" Kuno snatched the
pictures from her hand and replaced them with the 2,000 yen. "Even at
such outrageous prices, I must have the images of my loves. If only
one
or both would accept a date with me. They love me well, but alas, the
two beauties are too shy. I will have them realize their love for me,
and I shall date with them both!" Nabiki sighed as Kuno sat on the
bench to look at the pictures. "I wonder what those dreams meant?" she
mused to herself. She looked over at Kuno. <Nothing. The dreams
definitely mean nothing.> "Mmhmm," Kuno mumbled, his eyes glazed
over, staring at the pictures. Nabiki looked at Kuno. "You're in
your own world again, aren't you?" "Mmm." "Hey Kuno-baby, your
hair is on fire," she said. "Mmmm." <This could be fun,> she
thought. "Hey, I had sex with your sister last night."
"Uh-huh." Nabiki giggled. "Ya know, Kuno, you should join us
tonight. It'll be fun." "Mm, that's nice." "You really are out
of it, aren't you?" she asked. Getting no response, she turned away
from him and started in on her lunch again. <Sometimes I just wish
that
someone were in love with me. No one drools over my picture, no one
would fight to win a date with me. I haven't even been on a *real*
date
before, much less had a real kiss..> She sighed softly and took a
sideways glance at Kuno. <Even Kuno wouldn't be that bad. He's rich,
pretty nice..when he's unconscious, not to mention good looking...and
he's rich.> Nabiki stood up and gathered her things as the bell
rang. "See ya, Kuno-baby," she said, going inside for class.
Kuno finally looked up from the pictures as the last bell for school
rang, "...She had sex with whom?"
~*~
24/5
-=3Dfrom the mind of the Blue Thunder=3D-
Today was a glorious day for the Blue Thunder. I had that wretch
Saotome cowering before my might before he resorted to his sorcery to
steal my senses. Akane Tendo and the Pigtailed Girl remain under his
evil power to be sure, but never have I been so close to success!
Further good fortune smiled upon me when Nabiki Tendo intervened to
rescue me from the spell, asking nothing in return as she assisted
me
in avoiding the prospect of tardiness, an act of unusual generosity
for one so mercenary. In my gratitude I deigned to purchase several
somewhat familiar but still precious representations of those I love
at her usual prices. Perhaps if it were not for her o'erweening
avarice I would have asked her to date with me in return for her
timely rescue...that is to say were it not for the the way my
devotion to my loves does sway my interest from less beauteous
damsels. Although to be sure Nabiki Tendo is attractive enough in a
physical sense, having inherited her share of the beauty that seems
the birthright of the Tendos. Of course even were I to bestow upon
her my affections, she would reckon not the value of my devotion in
it's own right, caring for nothing but filthy lucre as she does. I
hope for his sake, that the man Nabiki marries is a wealthy one.
He will have to be to support her expenses.
My twisted sister cooked dinner again tonight. Her skill at
concealing
toxins undetectably within otherwise delicious food grows ever more
impressive. Note to self: Remember to have Sasuke get more of the
antidote to her latest concoction.
-=3Dthe Blue Thunder=3D-
***
"Sasuke!"
"Yes, Master Kuno?" the little ninja asked, stepping into the room.
Kuno handed him the small leather-bound book he had been writing
in. "See to it that this gets put put away safely. And get some more
of
that antidote." He didn't bother with any flowery words, he was too
tired for that tonight, probably due to the fact that Kodachi had
indeed cooked dinner, and had laced it with a bit of sleeping potion
along with whatever other drugs she had used. Just seconds after
Sasuke
dashed off, Kuno crashed face-first onto is bed, not even bothering
with his clothes. Within seconds, he was asleep.
<<
Kuno is standing in a big open field, wearing his usual Kendo outfit.
Off in the distance, to the right, is Akane, looking exceptionally
cute
in her gi.(as cute as one can get wearing a gi, anyways) To the right,
the same distance away is the 'Pigtailed Girl', wearing a beautiful
Mandarin style dress. Kuno looks back and forth between the two of
them. "Akane, Pigtailed Girl..whichever shall I choose?!" He starts
running towards Akane, only to change directions towards onna-Ranma
after a few paces, then back again towards Akane. He runs back and
forth in a zigzag, getting nowhere. Suddenly Nabiki appears between
them, also looking very cute in her school uniform.
"Akane...Pigtailed Girl...Nabiki..." he continues his running, now
zigzagging between the three of them. "Arrrgh! Which ever shall I
choose?!"
<<
Kuno hugged a pillow to his chest, still fast asleep,
"A..ka..na..bi..ki..."
~*~
"Whew!" Akane wiped the sweat off of her forehead and stood up
straight. She looked at the large pile of broken cinder blocks
scattered around her feet. "That..that jerk." She set up another few
blocks, only to break them into pieces seconds later. >Click,
Whir< "Hello, Nabiki.." "There you go again, Akane. What did
Ranma do this time?" Akane sighed and started sweeping up the
broken blocks. "He looked at me in the nude..again!" "Gee, Akane,
for as long as you two have been engaged, you'd think that you two
would be used to seeing each other naked, if you know what I mean,"
Nabiki said, grinning slightly. Akane blushed brightly. "Nabiki!
It's not like that! I would never do that with an insensitive baka
like
him!" "Sure, Akane. Who would you prefer? Ryouga maybe? Or Kuno? Or
how about that weird kid that's always got those candles on his head?
You know, whatshisname.." "Nabiki, stop that! I don't plan on
doing *that* with anyone until I'm married." "Really, everyone
knows that you love Ranma, why don't you just admit it to him, you two
can get married, and then..you know," she said, winking. "Oh yeah?
Well.." Akane's mind whirred, trying to think of a better comeback
than
'Nabiki no baka'. "I'll admit I love Ranma when you admit you love
Upperclassmen Kuno!" Nabiki's mouth opened and closed several
times, silently. "W-what makes you think there there's anything
between
me and Kuno?!" she stuttered, trying to cover her shock, and doing a
rather bad job of it. "Gee, Nabiki, with all the time you two
spend together, I'm surprised you two aren't engaged by now. Or at
least s-sleeping together," Akane said, finally getting her payback
for
all the times Nabiki had teased her, albeit a small one. "That's the
way it goes, ne? You get to be 'real good friends' and then you sleep
with him, right? That's the way you seem to think is how it should be
with me and Ranma, so why not with you and Kuno?" Nabiki just
stared for a moment, not knowing what to say. "You're dreaming,
Akane.
You're starting to get as crazy as all the rest of these wackos around
here," she mumbled, exiting the dojo. "Completely insane..to think, me
and Kuno..ha!"
~*~
"Honestly, to think that me and Kuno would have any sort of
relationship outside of school and business. Its ridiculous!" Nabiki
pulled her diary from under her pillow and flopped down onto her bed.
She opened to a fresh page and started writing.
***
4/11
Dear Diary,
Dairy, what's wrong with me? I must be losing it or something..today
Akane had the upper hand in an argument. To think, me, in love?
Hardly.
I don't even have time for it, what with business and taking care of
the household finances, and school and all. Sure, I love Daddy, and I
loved Mom, and I love Akane and Kasumi. Hell, I even love Ranma in
that
little-brother-that-brings-in-*almost*-as-much-money-as-he-uses kind
of
way. But actually in love with someone? And Kuno, no less? Like that's
an option.
***
Nabiki put her diary down when someone knocked on her door. "Come in,"
she called. The door opened and Kasumi stepped in, gently closing
it behind her. "Good evening, Nabiki. How are you?" she asked.
"Just fine, Kasumi. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Actually," she started, sitting on the end of Nabiki's bed, "I was
wondering if there was anything you would like to talk about? You
know,
sister-to-sister?" A long moment of silence followed. "Nabiki, I saw
you storming out of the dojo earlier, after hearing a bit of your
argument with Akane...is there something that you would like to tell
me? About Tatewaki?" "T-tatewaki? You mean..Kuno? I don't know what
you're talking about, Kasumi," Nabiki's face paled slightly, trying to
keep up her cool, uncaring wall. "Nabiki, dear, I'm sure that you,
of all people know that I see everything in this house, and I know
more
about what goes on here than everyone thinks. I know when Ranma goes
up
to the roof to think, I know when Father goes to his room and cries
about Mother, I know about you selling pictures of Akane and Ranma,
though I really don't approve of that, I know when Akane...well,
nevermind that." Kasumi blushed a bit. "Nabiki, you know you can talk
to me about everything. Please, tell me what's on your mind?"
Nabiki sighed, letting her wall fall and crumble around her.
"Kasumi...I'm confused. I-I've never actually loved anyone before. I
never let anyone love me, and I never loved anyone, not in the
romantic
way." Nabiki grabbed her pillow and hugged it tightly to her
chest. "I...I think I might love Kuno. Not that it really matters,
he's
in love with Akane and Ranma, and only sees me as a way to get
pictures
and information on them." Kasumi smiled her soft, motherly smile.
"Nabiki, dear, give him a chance. I think that if you talk to
Tatewaki,
and tell him how you feel, he'll open up to you. Who knows, he might
have the same feelings you do. But you'll never know unless you talk
to
him." "I...you're right, Kasumi. I should talk to him." Nabiki
admitted. Kasumi smiled and reached across the bed to hug her
sister. "Don't worry, Nabiki, things will work out just fine, I'm
sure," she stood and opened the door to leave. "Good night. If you
ever
want to talk about anything, I'm here." Kasumi exited quietly,
leaving Nabiki to her thoughts and her diary. Nabiki picked up the
small book and began writing a few lines below where she had left
off.
***
I love Tatewaki Kuno. There, I said it. Kami, I feel like Akane. At
least I can admit it..sort of. I'll talk to Kuno tomorrow, after
school. That should give me time to plan.
~Nabiki~
***
Nabiki closed her diary and put it back under her pillow. She gathered
her night clothes, and toiletries, and headed towards the bathroom, in
need of a nice, hot soak.
~*~
"Come on, Ranma, we're going to be late!" Akane yelled, throwing
Ranma's book bag at him. "I'm comin', I'm comin'! Hold your
horses!" Ranma called, coming out of the kitchen from sneaking a
before-school snack. "Where's Nabiki?" he asked with his mouth
full. "She already left. Something about going to see Cologne
before school, I think," Akane replied, hugging Kasumi and her father
good-bye. "Huh? What does Nabiki want with the old ghoul?" Ranma
asked, hopping up onto the fence and heading towards school. "No
idea," Akane said, following him on the ground. "Some business thing
or
something, I'm sure." "Yeah. She's probably got something on the
old bat to use to blackmail her or something," Ranma smirked.
"Ranma! Nabiki isn't that bad...usually..." "Yeah yeah, sure. If
you say so. I still say she's up to something." Akane sighed and
nodded. "Probably. Sometimes I think there isn't anything she wouldn't
do for money," she paused. "Ranma, you don't think that she'd
do...*that* for money, do you? Oooh, I'd better talk to her.
She...tI'll bet that's probably where she makes most of it! " she
asked. "Huh?" Ranma's face held a puzzled expression. "What are you
talking about, Akane?" "You know..." Ranma was drawing a blank.
"I still don't see what you're getting at." "How stupid are you,
Ranma?" Akane growled. "Just forget it. Excuse me for trying to look
out for my older sister!" Akane yelled, running at full speed the rest
of the way to school. Ranma blinked. "What a weird tomboy..."
~*~
"Ah, Miss Tendo, is there something I can do for you?" asked the dried
up old monkey perched on a staff, more commonly known as Cologne.
Nabiki chose her words carefully. "Cologne, I need to ask a favor of
you." "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it you that people seek
out for the favors in this district?" "Yes, true, but this time
it's my turn to be on the receiving end of that one. It is about time,
you know," Nabiki replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "I need
the use of one of your potions, and a bit of advice." "A potion and
advice?" Cologne asked. "Of course, I've already got the
compensation worked out. In return for this favor, Shampoo will be
allowed one date with Ranma, no interruptions." "A date with
son-in-law? Mmm, yes, I believe that something can be worked out. Now,
what is it exactly that you need?" Nabiki looked around, looking
for anyone who might be listening. Once satisfied that they were
alone,
she lowered her voice to a whisper, "I'll be bringing a...friend here
after school, and I need a special bowl of ramen for my friend...."
~*~
The day went on as usual, with the usual martial artists coming to
challenge Ranma, Ranma switching genders back and forth a few times,
Akane getting mad at Ranma for eating Ukyo's food instead of hers,
etc., etc., etc. Inside one of the Senior classrooms Nabiki was
busy taking notes on the lecture the teacher was giving. She wasn't
really paying attention, and couldn't care less about about the
anatomy
of a monkey, but grades were grades, no matter how boring the process
of getting them was. <Kami but this is dull..how much longer do I
have to listen to this. Doesn't he know that some people have more
important things to do than talk about monkey guts?> As if on cue, the
bell rang. Quickly she gathered her books and slipped out into the
hall.. Passing a certain locker, she pulled a small slip of paper from
her purse and stuck it into the slats. <There, step one, check. No
problem with that one. Now I just have to wait for this afternoon...>
Nabiki smiled to herself and quietly walked to her next class, lost in
thought.
~*~
Cologne walked out of the kitchen to meet the customer that just
walked
in the door. She led the short haired girl to a booth in a corner and
stood close, talking in a whisper. "The potion is ready, your 'friend'
only has to order and I'll put it in the food. You remember what I
told
you to do, right?" The girl nodded. "Phrase the command carefully,
and this mixture only lasts for 5 minutes, so make sure to be
quick." "Right. And might I ask who is it that you plan on meeting
so that I can direct them to you?" "It's Kuno..the same guy I come
in here with sometimes," Nabiki answered, looking everywhere but in
the
Amazon matriarch's eyes. Cologne analyzed the girl. "I see..." she
nodded, understanding what this was about. "I'll bring you some water,
and when he gets here, I'll bring him to your table." "Thanks,
Cologne." The Amazon hopped back to the kitchen, leaving Nabiki
to lose herself in her thoughts.
{ "Hey Kuno, come here! I want you to meet someone!" a little
brown-haired girl of about 13 called to one of her classmates, who
walked to here she and a girl with shoulder-length black hair stood.
"Yes, what is it, Nabiki Tendo?" a 13-year-old Kuno asked.
"This is my little sister--" "Hi! I'm Akane! I'm 12, and in 7th
grade. Are you one of Nabiki's friends? Why are you wearing those
clothes instead of the school uniform? Are you a martial artist, too?
I'm really good, my daddy taught me everything I know. One day I'm
going to be the best martial artist in the world!" the younger girl
bubbled, obviously happy to meet someone who could be a new friend.
Kuno stared at the new girl, awestruck. "Akane Tendo, I love you!"
he declared, throwing his arms around the younger girl. "Aaah!! Get
away from me, pervert!" Akane squealed, punching the boy into lower
Earth orbit. "Gee, Nabiki, if all your friends are gonna be stupid
like
that, I don't want to meet any more of them!" Little Nabiki sighed
softly. She hadn't expected Kuno to act like that. He wasn't supposed
to have fallen for her little sister. <Why do I feel all sad?
Almost...jealous? It's not like Kuno is my boyfriend or anything. I
would never go out with him, he's too weird...> she her mind said. She
didn't know it yet, and wouldn't for several years, but her heart said
differently.}
Nabiki sighed, sipping the water that Cologne had brought. Bringing up
old memories could be painful, and that wasn't a thing she wanted to
deal with. "Nabiki, get yourself together, girl. You're not supposed
to
be like this, you're supposed to be cool and calm. The 'Furinkan Ice
Queen'," Nabiki grimaced slightly at her last thought. "The world is
not coming to an end, you can do this, now just--" "Do what, Nabiki
Tendo?" a male voice asked, shocking Nabiki out of her reverie. She
looked up to see Kuno standing next to the table. "Oh, Kuno-baby,
its only you." Nabiki mumbled. She made a gesture towards the seat
across from her. "Sit, make yourself comfortable." Kuno did so,
looking around a bit. "So then, why didst thou call me here today?"
Nabiki pulled a small manila envelop from her purse and slid it across
the table. "Well, Kuno-baby," Nabiki said to him as he sat down across
from her, "Akane's been working out again, I thought you might be
interested in a few pictures of her and the pigtailed girl......"
Kuno nodded, taking the envelope she presented and sliding the usual
fee across the table into her waiting hands, brushing them gently
for
just a moment. "Ah," he sighed with a bit more emotion than he
normally let show and gazing into her eyes, "Nabiki Tendo, whatever
would I do without you?" Nabiki tried not to let the roundabout
compliment phase her, saying only, "Well, Kuno-Baby, lucky for you,
that's not a problem." After a moment or several of silence, Kuno
stood to leave, and
Nabiki's heart skipped a beat as she inwardly started to panic. "Ah ah
ah, Kuno, a bowl of ramen is part of my fee this time!" She flashed a
bit too cute of a smile in her attempt to keep him long enough to get
some long awaited information. Maybe spiking the ramen was unethical,
but why should that stop her?
Suddenly, as if on cue from Cologne (which was most likely the case),
Shampoo bounced over to their table and beamed. "Nihao," she said in
her cheerful, singsong manner, "Bokken Boy and Yen Girl want
ramen?"
Kuno sighed. "Very well, I shall stay," he said, sitting again. "A
bowl of ramen for Nabiki Tendo, and one for myself. Yes..if I eat
now
I shall be able to skip Kodachi's dinner. Haha! I am indeed wise!
Yes, two bowls, waitress!"
Shampoo jotted down the order, winked to Nabiki, and bounced back to
the kitchen.
"Well, Kuno-baby, aren't you going to look at the photos?" She said
a
bit anxiously, knowing that there was more in the envelope than Kuno
was aware of.
"No need, I trust that their quality is of the usual level." She
nodded, a bit disappointed at not getting to see his reaction, but
glad
by the amount of trust he had in her. It was at this point that
Shampoo bounced back in, a bowl of ramen in each hand. She set them
down, and departed. Nabiki watched as Kuno began eating. She smiled
to herself as she ate, as well. When they were done, Nabiki said,
"Now then, Kuno, I want to talk to your sub conscious, the real you. I
don't want a bunch of flowery words. I want straight answers. In five
minutes you will come out of this trancelike state, and you will
remember nothing of the questions that I have asked you. Got that?"
He
nodded as the potion took effect, which Nabiki responded to with a
devious smile. "Well, my first question is, 'How do you really feel
about me?' " Kuno's face remained expressionless, as if she had asked
about something of no more import than the weather. "Ah, Nabiki
Tendo, that is a question I have asked myself quite frequently
as of late."
Nabiki looked like she was in shock. "R-really?"
"Oh yes," he replied, "I think that you are greedy and unfeeling, an
unapproachable ice goddess who delights in mocking me=E0and I long for
your touch, to hear you say you love me, to feel you melt in my
arms. Nabiki was blushing furiously as Kuno poured his feelings out
to her. "But what about Akane and the 'pigtailed girl?' " =F4I
think that I love them, but in actuality they are merely outlets for a
love for you that I do not know how to express.=F6 She was in awe.
"But, but why can't you?" "Because I do not think you return my
feelings, you always seem so icy towards everyone. My love for you is
so overwhelming, it must be expressed in some manner. Besides that
fact, my chasing them gives me ample opportunity to speak to you and
be
with you," He sipped his drink calmly, as his expression remained
neutral. Nabiki's face was a war of emotions, she couldn't process
all of this at once. "So you just pretend to love them?" "No, it
is not deceit, I truly believe I love them. Normally I am not aware of
the fact that I don't. I am
always aware of my love for you, of course."
Nabiki was unable to think straight, much less control her face. Her
mouth was opening and closing as she tried to say something.
Suddenly, Kuno got a confused look on his face. "Nabiki? Are you
unwell? She realized her 5 minutes must be up. "Oh, no, I just,
um, that last bit of ramen didn't quite agree with me." In usual
clueless fashion, he nodded. "Yes, mine tasted a bit strange, as
well.
Perhaps we should meet at Ucchan's next time we discuss business."
"I don't know, I found eating here rather . . . enlightening," she
replied, trying desperately to regain her composure. He stood,
saying, "Well, to each their own, I suppose. I shall see you in
school
tomorrow, Nabiki Tendo." She nodded. "Yeah, Kuno-baby, I'll see
you then." As he turned to walk away, she said, "Kuno-baby?" He
turned to face her. "Yes, Nabiki?" "I, uh, . . ." She looked
down. "No, it's nothing, never mind. See you tomorrow." He
remained where he was for a moment, in hopes she would finish what it
was she had started. When he realized she was not going to, he turned
away and exited the restaurant. Nabiki sat, staring into her lap,
deep in her own thoughts.
As Kuno walked down the street, he opened up the envelope. As he
perused the pictures, he found one of Nabiki in a rather evocative
position wearing the dress she had gotten from Toma. After wiping a
small trickle of blood from his nose, he looked around to make sure no
one he knew was watching, and took out his wallet. He opened it up to
the school photo of Nabiki he kept inside, and slipped the new photo
behind it. He pushed the remaining photos into the envelope and
continued on his way home.
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