Sorry about the long wait people. I just came back from a 4 month tour
of Asia.

Disclaimer:      The characters and situations of Ranma 1/2 are owned by

Rumiko Takahashi and are used in this fanfic without permission.


-----------------------------
4:32 PM
Wednesday Afternoon


She had avoided him all day; a fairly difficult task considering the
vicious rounds of gossip linking the two of them together.

With classes well over and most people off campus, she decided to wait
for him to finish his kendo practice before approaching him.

He emerged from the gymnasium with his usual
She spied him silently as was just about to run after him when he
suddenly stopped and stared back at the quad.

As Nabiki viewed his profile from across the court she struggled to make
sense of his strange behaviour. On the surface everything seemed normal.
Earlier during the day Kunou received his customary thrashing from Ranma
and as usual, Kunou still strove on, apparently unperturbed by his
�failures.�

Yet despite the usual veneer of eccentricity there was a strange
undercurrent that seemed to be playing through Kunou�s personality. If
his actions within the past two days were any indicator, then something
serious was definitely afoot.

Even now as she studied him he seemed inordinately preoccupied with the
various trees and shrubbery that surrounded the quad, planted in seeming
deference to the vast square of concrete that made up most of the area.
It was as if he was searching for something in that meager foliage.

She approached him �Kunou, we need to talk.�

�Greetings, Tendo Nabiki.�

�Whatever. C�mon let�s go.� She grabbed his arm to pull him away but he
stood firm.

�Excuse me, is something the matter Tendo Nabiki?�

She blinked in surprise. In the past he always came at her beck and
call. But then that was in the past. �I need to talk to you.�

�Then speak.�

�In private!�

�I rather like it here.�

�It�s after school dummy!�

�Yes. Isn�t it fascinating how different this place is without the usual
drum of voices and activity?� He gestured around the quad. �Such a
striking contrast don�t you think?�

She was rapidly losing patience. Not only was he acting strangely but he
was refusing to budge, even for her. She took a quick look around to
make sure no one she knew was still around. She couldn�t afford any more
gossip.

�All right, fine! Look Kunou, I just need to know, what the hell do you
think you�re playing at?�

�I�m not sure I understand�

�This!� She shouted and tossed the jewelry box at him.

He looked at her with a confused expression on his face. �It�s the
bracelet I gave you.�

�No kidding.�

�Is it not to your liking somehow?� He felt somewhat hurt. It had taken
him hours to find the right gift.

�The other day, Kunou you practically called me a�a whore! And now
you�re trying prove it by buying my forgiveness?�

�You are mistaken Tendo Nabiki. I merely��

�Exactly! You �merely� thought that by sending out your lackeys with
some money that you could �fix things.� See! That�s always been a
problem with you. You don�t realize that money doesn�t�fix�ev�.� She
stopped as she realized what she was about to say.

�Do not think that I chose my gift unwisely Tendo Nabiki. Rest assured
that I personally saw to its purchase and that there was method in my
selection.�

�I don�t believe you!� she hissed. �You�re not that smart.�

His hurt was quickly turning into anger but he reigned it in.

Kunou took a deep breath and started slowly. �How long have you and I
been in mutual association Tendo Nabiki?�

�What?�

�How long have we known each other?�

�Why are you asking me that now?�

�How long?� he demanded.

�I don�t know,� she said annoyed. �Too long if you ask me.�

�Twelve years.�

�Wh-what?�

�For twelve years we have known each other Tendo Nabiki�

Sudden realization started to dawn on her as she remembered.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

�How old is he?�

�He just turned five.�

�My, he�s adorable! I have a five-year daughter myself.�

�I see. I trust the training methods here are demanding?�

�Don�t worry Mrs. Kunou. I have three children myself, you can be sure
he will be perfectly safe here. Children never train alone.�

�I see.� She seemed to nod as if she didn�t quite receive the answer she
was looking for but continued anyway. �Well, I had best be going. I�ll
be back in a few hours.�

She looked down at Tatewake who was fiercely clutching her hand. �Now
Tatewake, I want you to be a good boy and do whatever they tell you too,
ok?�

�Mommy no! Please don�t go! Don�t leave me here! Please!�

�Tatewake!� she smiled uneasily at Mrs. Tendo. �We�ve already talked
about this. I will not have the future head of the Kunou clan
undisciplined!�

�Mommy no!� He grabbed her leg.

�You still have a lot to learn son.�

�No mommy!� He clutched tighter.

�That�s enough Tatewake!�

The boy drew back quickly, as if expecting to be struck.

Mrs. Tendo noticed the boy�s reaction with wide eyes but decided to stay
quiet.

Mrs. Kunou grabbed the boy by the shoulders and spoke down to him. �Now
Tatewake, do as they say and make us proud. You must be strong ok?�

Tatewake nodded gravely, tears streaming down his face.

�Here.� Mrs. Kunou said as she presented the boy the Mrs. Tendo. �I�m
sure he won�t be any trouble.�

Mrs. Tendo replied neutrally. �No, of course not.�

Mrs. Kunou nodded and made her exit. As she left Mrs. Tendo gave a deep
sigh and then looked to Tatewake.

He was no longer crying but still had tracks running down his cheeks. He
stood there, stoically looking fearfully at her.

Taking a handkerchief from inside of her gi, she knelt down to face the
terrified little boy.

�Hi.� she said.

He didn�t answer.

�Is this your first time in a gi?�

He looked briefly at his uniform and then at her face. �Y-Yeah.�

�My, but you look so very handsome in it! Here, let me��
She started to gently wipe his face.

�So you want to learn karate?�

He slowly moved his head from side to side.

�Are you sure? It can be a lot of fun. It�s a lot like dancing. And you
can jump and kick and become really strong. Would you like that?�

�Mommy says I have to be strong.�

�Of course you are dear!�

They came to the entrance of the main dojo.



She brought Tatewake to a young girl in a little yellow gi who was
standing silently on the sidelines watching the older students go
through their forms.

Mrs Tendo knelt down and gestured to the young girl. �Tatewake-kun this
is my daughter Nabiki. You�re both the same age. Nabiki this is
Tatewake-kun�

�Hello!� she said with a grin and bowed towards him.

�Hello.� he said quietly and gave his own little bow.

�Now, now, you two. I want you guys to stay together ok? Tatewake-kun,
Nabiki here can show you how to stretch.� She looked at Nabiki. �Do you
think you can do that for me, honey?�

�Sure mommy!�  She was excited. Her mother was actually asking her to
teach something! Just like the adults!

�Good. Now you two go to the corner over there while I see to the other
students, ok?�

�Ok mommy!�

Mrs. Tendo stood up, winked at Tatewake and left to help the older
students on their forms.

Nabiki quickly grabbed Tatewake�s hand and started pulling him away.

�Hey! What�re you doing!�

She grinned at him. �We have to go to the corner, dummy! Remember! I�m
supposed to teach you something.�

�Oh.�

He immediately felt more at ease around Nabiki. Her easy smile and the
way she grabbed his hand, it was very much like his own sister whenever
she asked him to play.

He followed her to the empty part of the dojo that Mrs. Tendo had
pointed out earlier. Little Nabiki assumed a basic stance and started to
do a series of stretches.

�Here. Do what I do.� she said.

�Ok.�

He tried in vain to copy what she was doing but she was moving to fast
for him.

�You�re doing it wrong, dummy!�

�Huh?�

She stopped, walked over to his position and stood behind him.

�Put your legs farther apart.�

�What?�

�Like this�� Without warning she tried to position his foot with her own
foot, startling Tatewake. He turned over quickly, twisting Nabiki�s leg
between his. Losing his balance he fell backwards, directly on top of
Nabiki.

�Get offa me!� he heard a voice behind his ear.

He quickly rolled off of her and sat on the floor next to her.

�Well it�s your fault!� he accused. �You kicked me!�

�I didn�t kick you!�

�Yes you did!�

�No I didn�t!�

�Uh-huh!�

�I was trying to fix your feet!�

�By kicking me?�

�Oooh! You�re so stupid!�

He pointed at her. �At least I don�t kick people!�

By now the entire dojo had stopped to listen to the two bickering
children.

The older children looked annoyed while the parents and young adults
laughed with knowing smiles on their faces.

Soun, who was busy trying to demonstrate a particularly difficult kata
before being interrupted, was not amused.

�Who�s that boy with Nabiki?�  Soun asked his wife.

�The Kunou boy.  Don�t they look absolutely adorable!�

�The Kunou boy eh? Hmmm, his family is rather rich aren�t they? Yes�yes
they do look rather well together don�t you think?�

Mrs. Tendo placed her hands on her hips. �Don�t you dare even think
about it!�

�What?�

Tatewake trained at the Tendo dojo every weekend for the next two years.
His sister eventually started training there too. In many ways it was
only time that the Kunou children had to associate will children their
own age as they were schooled at home with private tutors.

Nabiki had quickly become his best friend, his only friend in fact. They
were inseparable and talked about everything, or at least all the things
that little children talked about.

Mrs. Tendo had insisted that the two remained partners and took to their
training herself, away from �influence� of her husband Soun. After class
she would always take several of the children to the local playground.
Tatewake had even taken to calling her �Obasan.�

And then it happened one early Saturday morning.

After watching his favorite cartoons Tatewake ran quickly up to his
room. He eagerly put on his gi, tied his belt, and ran to his sister�s
room to wake her up. �Get up already! It�s time!� he shouted happily.

�All right.� His sister said groggily.

After helping his sister wash up and dress they both ran giggling
downstairs, ready for their �lesson.�

Their mother was waiting for them.

What do you mean there�s no lesson today? Asked Kuno, disappointment
clearly framing his voice.

�No lesson? But why?� whined Kodachi.

�Yeah! Why mom?�

She looked down at him and paused, as if contemplating whether or not to
tell him something. �There just isn�t today.�

Kodachi started to cry.

�But Mom!� shouted Tatewake. �We have to go, they�ll be waiting for us!�
Tatewake and even Kodachi had come to look forward to their lessons
every week

Kodachi cried even louder.

�Mom! Are you sure! Maybe it�s a mistake!�

�That�s enough! Tatewake! Escort your sister to her room and out her to
bed!�

�But mom! It�s not��

She slapped him across the cheek.

Tatewake stood silent, moisture twinkling his eyes. Even Kodachi had
stopped crying for fear of being scolded.

His mother stood there, shaking jerkily. �Next time you will address me
as mother! I really don�t have time for this! Now take your sister to
her room and do as I say!�

He took his sisters hand and silently led her upstairs to her room. With
his left cheek beginning to turn an angry red, he put her to bed and
knelt over her, stroking her hair.

Still in her gi, little Kodachi lay crying in bed, the covers around her
shoulders.

�But why Tatewake. It�s not fair, it�s not fair! We�re here every day!
We�re supposed to go out! It�s not fair!�

He stroked her hair. �It�s ok sister. Just go to sleep.�

But it was not ok. Tatewake was distraught. As distraught as a
seven-year old could possibly be. He wanted some answers, and after his
sister fell asleep, he set out to find some.

Still dressed in his gi he quietly left Kodachi�s room and tip-toed down
the stairs. Sneaking past the kitchen where the maids were busily
helping the chef prepare the mid-afternoon meal, he quickly made his way
into the study.

�Yeah! Just like a ninja!� he thought to himself.

Whilst in the study he searched through his mother�s date book on top of
the desk. Having found the number he picked up the phone and dialed. It
rang six times before being picked up.

�Hello?� it was a young girl�s voice.

�Hello?� said Tatewake.

�Yes?�

�N-Nabiki?�

�Yeah? Who�s this?�

�Tatewake.�

�Oh.�

�How come there�s no class anymore?�

There was a long pause. �Tatewake� m-my�my m-m-mommy died.  She�she�oh
Tate-chan!� Nabiki couldn�t continue and started crying on the phone.

�O-Obasan?� Kunou was scared. He never knew anybody who actually died
and he had never heard Nabiki cry before, even when she fell down in the
dojo. She continued to sob over the phone as he struggled to find
something to say.

�N-Nabiki�I-it�s ok. It�s gonna be ok. P-please don�t cry. It�ll be ok.
Nabiki?�

In the background he could hear the voice of an elderly sounding woman.

�Nabiki! What�s wrong? Who are you talking to?� the woman said.

He heard the phone being forcefully lifted away from Nabiki�s hands.

�Who is this?� the woman demanded.

�Tatewake, K-Kunou Tatewake.�

To her credit the woman noticed that it was the voice of a young boy and
her tone immediately softened. �Oh�I see. You must be one of Nabiki�s
little friends.�

�Uh. Yeah.�

�Tatewake-kun�please understand, things are very difficult right now and
Nabiki isn�t quite ready to talk yet.�

�Uh-huh.�

�Just give her some time and she�ll all right, ok?�

�Oh�ok.� He paused for a bit, then asked �W-will there still be classes
there?�

There was a momentary pause. �Yes. I�m sure classes will start again in
a while. Just give us some time to get everything together and
everything will be all right, ok?�

�Ok.�

�Thank you for calling Tatewake-kun.�

�Uh�yeah, ok.�

There was an audible click.
He placed the phone back on the receiver.

Classes at the Tendo Dojo never resumed.
Tatewake never called again.



<- 5 years later ->



Furinkan High: Freshman orientation.


Nabiki sat in class trying hard to stay awake.

Coming to school on a Saturday totally sucked. Although she had already
known what to expect, she had come anyway as a formality. Her older
sister, Kasumi was a junior and even while still in junior-high, Nabiki
had already made a name for herself as a small time informant and
hustler to many of Kasumi�s classmates and even a few  teachers.

Around her, her new classmates sat listening attentively while the
orientation proctor droned on about the rigors and opportunities of high
school. She thought quietly herself, �It�s my turn now! I�m gonna own
this school!�

As she was planning out her latest schemes however, she suddenly felt
like she was being watched.

Scanning the room she caught a boy two rows to her left who seemed to be
staring at her intently. Nabiki, who by now was used to catching boys
staring secretly at her, decided to stare back. She was fully expecting
him to look away or pretend he was looking at something else but the boy
didn�t waiver. Instead, now that he had an even clearer view of her
face, he seemed to study her even more intently.

After realizing what he was doing Nabiki suddenly found herself
incredibly self-conscious. She quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.
At 13 years old she had not yet learned to fully control her reactions.
�And what the hell does he think he�s looking at!� she thought to
herself.

After a few moments the boy seemed to finish with his visual examination
and faced forward to listen to the proctor. From the corner of her eye
Nabiki decided to scrutinize him.

He was short, skinny, and looked hopelessly pre-pubescent, but he was
also lanky. It was obvious that he was bound to undergo a major growth
spurt anytime soon. His hair was combed back impeccably straight and his
uniform looked brand new and freshly pressed. She looked down at her own
clothing and felt a twinge of jealousy. Her own uniform was one of
Kasumi�s old handouts, its blue coloring somewhat faded.

What stood out most about the boy however was his posture. He sat
perfectly straight with his chin level to the ground. In fact, he was
only barely touching the back of his chair. While practically everyone
else had their elbows and arms resting on their desks or their chins in
their palms, the boy�s arms were resting at their sides with his palms
covering his lap. His expression was alert and clear as he seemed to be
quietly surveying his surroundings. In short, he was different.

Nabiki was intrigued. This kid was obviously nothing like the other boys
around her, many of whom she had gone to school with and practically
grown up with. As the proctor droned on however she quickly passed him
off and continued in her own private musings.

After orientation Nabiki stood in the courtyard. She had met most of her
new classmates/clients and had even already secured a deal to rig the
freshman elections. Oh yes, things were looking bright.

She was about to head home when from the corner of her eye she spotted a
new student who had somehow escaped her attention.

It was him.

The boy who had been staring at her earlier in class was sitting alone
under a tree in the far corner of the yard.

Had he been watching her the whole time?

�Oh well.� Nabiki said quietly to herself. �Might as well get this over
with.�

Upon seeing her approach the boy suddenly stood up and faced her. �He
has to find out who I am sooner or later.� Nabiki thought to herself.
�Who knows? Maybe he�s rich.� As she approached him she took stock in
the fact that he was at least several centimeters taller than him.

She was just about to say hello when with a huge smile, he gave a deep
formal bow and greeted her. �Salutations Tendo Nabiki!�

Nabiki was taken aback but decided to keep her cool. �I see my
reputation precedes me.� she said slyly.

The boy looked at her quizzically for a moment but continued with a
smile. �You are looking well, Nabiki! I must admit that upon my
enrollment into this institution I had not expected to meet with any
prior associates.�

Nabiki mused inwardly �What the hell is up with that language?� she
thought �And who is he to use my first name?�

�Do I know you?�

The boy�s eyes looked hurt for a few seconds but his expression quickly
became amused. With a brief chuckle he asked, �You don�t recognize me?�

Her eyes narrowed. �Should I?�

He grinned mischievously. �Kunou.� he said simply.

�Kunou?�

She looked at him carefully.

�T-Tatewake-kun, is that you?�

His smile became brilliant as he bowed again dramatically. �Yes, it is
I, Kunou Tatewake. After so many years it is an honor to make your
acquaintance again, Tendo Nabiki!�

For one brief moment Nabiki lost herself in happiness. �Tatewake-kun!
I�ve missed you so much! Where have you been? How come you�re��

�Yo! Nabiki!�

>From across the quad came a group of older looking boys.
Walking in front of them was a tall, solid looking young man dressed in
a dark blue gi and a black hakama.

It was Shoma.

Shoma was the senior captain of the kendo team and one of the most
popular guys in school. He also had a crush on Kasumi and had allowed
Nabiki to associate with his group of friends in the hopes that he would
have a chance to date her.

Shoma and his boys walked up to Nabiki.

�Heya �Biki!�

She hated that nickname.

�So how was freshman orientation?�

She decided to play it cool. �Boring as hell! Like they could really
tell me anything that I don�t already know!

Shoma gave an obligatory laugh. �I see. So�uh�do you know where Kasumi
is?�

�I think she might be with her friends.�

�You don�t know where though?�

�No. Not really.� she said with slight smile. �But if you buy me a soda
I might be able to tell you where she�ll be later!�

�Ah well. Anyway�� he pointed to Kunou � So who�s the geek?� asked
Shoma.

�He�s�a freshman, like me.� Nabiki offered.

Shoma and his silently regarded Kunou who at that moment decided to make
himself known. �My name is Kunou Tate-��

�Who asked you geek!� Spat one of the older boys.

�I am not a gee��

Another boy suddenly pushed Kunou down to the ground.

�He said, who asked you!�

Kunou became livid. �You dare!� Propped up by his elbows Kunou struggled
to get up but had his hands kicked out from under him.

�Down!� shouted Shoma.

Tatewake was not about to give in however and tried one more time. For
his efforts he received a vicious kick to the stomach.

�I said DOWN!� screamed Shoma.

Kunou lay still.

The group of older boys grinned maliciously as they surrounded and
towered over the prostrate Kunou. Shoma then began to speak in an
imperious voice. �Looks like no one�s told you the most important part
of your orientation yet.� he said with a smirk.

He gestured to the other boys in the group. �We are your sempai�s! Got
it? When we tell you to move, you move! When we tell you to get down,
you get down!�

Shoma bent down and grabbed Kunou�s chin. �And if you don�t like it�.�
he slapped Kunou�s face �Go cry at home �cause we don�t want to hear
it!� Kunou could do nothing but stare blankly.

With a chuckle Shoma promptly stood up. �C�mon guys,� Shoma said to his
boys. �Let�s get outta here. I�m hungry.�

The boys started walking away when Shoma suddenly stopped to look back
at Nabiki.

�So are you coming or what?� he called out to her.

Nabiki looked at Shoma, stunned at what just happened. She then looked
to Kunou who looked at her sadly, his eyes almost pleading.

She was torn. On one hand this was Tatewake-kun, her childhood friend
whom she hadn�t seen in years. On the other hand, Shoma was the captain
of the kendo team and one of the most popular people in school. If
Nabiki was going to carry on with her plans to �rule the school� she
would have to get in with the right people. And for all his brashness,
Shoma and his friends were the �right people.�

Nabiki made her choice.

As she was walking away she took one final look at Kunou.
He was sitting silently on the ground with his hands holding up his
torso, a blank expression on his face.

�Something wrong?� asked one of the boys.

�No. Nothing.�

She turned and kept walking.

Over the subsequent years Kunou eventually filled out and came into his
own. She had tried to be a friend to him, in her own little way of
course. What more could he want?

But there would sometimes be a few nagging moments, a slight twinge
where she would wonder what would have happened if she had made a
different choice.

Sometimes however, it�s just too late for a lot of things.

It�s obvious that in the years she hadn�t seen him, Kunou had changed a
lot.

Then again, so had she.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------



  I personally chose that bracelet because�for every year a pearl.�

�Kunou�� Nabiki was stunned. �Kunou I-I��

�As for the picture.� He turned his back to her. He was uncomfortable.
This was too close to thoughts and emotions which he normally kept
locked away. �True is it that we have seen better days. Yet I included
that picture in the hopes that you would understand�that no matter how
things may have changed in our lives, no matter how bad our relationship
may presently be.  I wanted you to know that I�ll always remember�� His
voice was beginning to waiver. ��that there was once a moment in time
when you�.� He stopped.

�K-Kunou?�

He turned to her, his eyes sad. ��when you were my friend.�

What was happening to him? She was so confused. What was he doing to
her? What was she feeling? She wasn�t sure but it felt too much like
emotional blackmail. Looking at his eyes though she could tell he was
sincere.

Many people thought of Kunou as a fake. A silly boy who held on to
outdated ideals in order to effect some kind of dramatic flair. But
Nabiki knew better. Regardless of how �fake� his ideas may be, Kunou was
sincere in his beliefs and as far as she could tell he had never lied to
her.

As Ranma had once said quite elegantly �Yeah. He�s a fake, but he�s a
real one�because he honestly believes in all that fake stuff he believes
in.�

She looked into his eyes. He looked so sad �Kunou�Tatewake-kun��

His eyes suddenly became hopeful.

�Hey look! Woohoo! It�s Nabiki and her boyfriend!� A voice shot out from
across the �

It was Kyoko and the rest of the girls.

Nabiki shouted back. �It�s not what you think!�

�Of course not!� said another girl. �We wouldn�t want to interrupt you
and your �friend!��

�He�s not my friend! I mean�he�s��

�So you�re saying it�s only a business deal?�

�O-Of course! Kunou and I were discussing a prior business arrangement!�

She looked back to Kunou who�s face now appeared to be blank.

�Yeah right, whatever, Nabiki!�

�Hey! A girl�s gotta keep it together right! Now get out of here before
I raise interest rates!� the entire group paled. �I�ll meet with you
guys later!�

�All right Nabiki.� said one of the girls. We�ll be at the Neko-hanten!�

�Fine-fine!�

She waited till they were out of sight before turning back to Kunou.

�Sorry about that Kunou-baby! You know how they��

 �I see nothing�s changed.�

�What?�

�Commit the oldest sins the newest kind of ways��

She paused a bit to understand what he was saying. �No�wait! You don�t
understand,�

�I understand all too well Tendo Nabiki.�

�No!� She reached out and placed her hand on his chest.

He immediately tensed and looked at her hand as if it were a stain.
�Please refrain from touching my person Tendo Nabiki.�

She reacted quickly, jerkily, as if touching ice.

While looking at her he held up the jewelry case, opened it, and
retrieved the picture inside. He then fiercely tossed the case back to
Nabiki who only just barely caught it.

>From Nabiki�s point of view it seemed as if he threw it forcefully at
her. �Hey! Kunou what are you��

�Pleased forward the gift to either your fair sister or the pig-tailed
maiden. I am not partial as to which so you have my permission to use
your own discretion.�

She lashed out unthinkingly �Still undecided eh?� and immediately
regretted it.

He stood silent, staring at the picture for several moments.

�What�s he doing?� thought Nabiki.

With one quick motion, he tore the picture in half.

After silently watching the torn pieces fall to the ground he took one
final look at Nabiki and without a single word, took his leave.

Nabiki looked at the fallen pieces, unsure whether or not to salvage
them or leave them where they lay.

�Tatewake-kun.� she whispered out loud.

�Oh God, what have I done?�


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++