Subject: [FFML][FF][R 1/2] Masquerade
From: msimmons@bcgroup.net (Mike Simmons)
Date: 3/10/1998, 12:16 PM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com

A Ranma 1/2 fanfic by Ronin.  All characters herein are property of 
Takahashi Rumiko.  (Honestly, do you think -I- could come up with those
kind of characters?  Sheesh.) ^_^

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M A S Q U E R A D E  (by Ronin)
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	"Come on, Ranma."

	"No way, Nabiki!  There's absolutely no way you'll get me in that 
dress!"

	A humph sounded.  "Do you want me to have to call in the money you 
owe me?"  

	"Well..."

	"-All- of it, Ranma?"  

	"That's not fair!"

	"Life seldom is.  Look.  We'll dye your hair black and you can 
wear it loose.  Nobody will even know that it's you."

	"Aaaargh!  Can't you get somebody else to do this?"

	"No.  Are you telling me you -can't-?"  A mocking tone.  "Awww, is 
da big bad martial artist afwaid?"  

	"Cut it OUT!"  A pause.  "Okay.  I'll do it.  Why do you need me 
to meet this guy for you, anyway?"

	Secretive, with barely-hidden amusement.  "I have my reasons."

	"Yeah, I just bet.  How much?"  Rustle of fabric.  "Hand me that 
damn brassiere already."

	~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

	"WHAT?"

	"There's no need to be rude, Ryoga.  Just do like I tell you."

	"Why should I?"  A rustle.  A pause.  "Hey, where did you get 
those photos?"

	"That's my business, and I -always- know my business."

	"Nabiki!  Give me those right now!"  
	
	A low laugh.  "They show -everything-, don't they?"  Nonchalant.  
"It sure would be a shame if Akane saw these."  

	"You wouldn't dare!"

	"Just do what I tell you.  Otherwise...  oink oink oink.  Got the 
idea?"  

	Pause, then resigned.  "All right.  Who is she?  And why do -I- 
have to meet her?"

	"I really can't say."  

	"I knew this was going to be a bad day..."

	Theatrical sigh.  "All right.  I really shouldn't be telling you 
this, but she's a very shy young lady who's seen you around a lot.  You 
don't know her, but she adores you, Ryoga.  The thing is..."

	"Uh oh."

	"The girls at school keep teasing her for liking a guy who carries 
an umbrella around all the time."

	"Hey!  What's wrong with carrying an umbrella?"  

	"Look.  All you have to do is dye your hair with this stuff, and 
wear some different clothing.  She'll know it's you, but no one else will.  
Trust me, she thinks you are the most noble and handsome man she's ever 
seen.  She'd know you anywhere."

	Curiousity.  "Really?"

	"Absolutely.  Keeps doodling your name in her notebook at school 
and all that junk."

	"Well... okay.  I'll do it.  But only because you're blackmailing 
me."

	Barely veiled amusement.  "Of course.  Oh, and Ryoga?  No words.  
She's very shy, and I don't want you to frighten her off."

	"All right."  Slight embarrassment.  "Uh... Nabiki?  Do you know 
where I can get a suit?"

		~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

	It is a radiant summer evening.  The warm sunset casts a rosy glow 
across the park, lacing shadows in a glorious play of filigreed contrast 
over the wide lawn.  A vision in white stands by the fountain, the musical 
sound of falling water tranquil.  Her hair is raven black, tumbling across 
her shoulders in a modest, rippling wave.  Accented with kohl, deep 
turquoise eyes flicker restlessly as she waits nervously.  The slight 
edginess she displays only adds to her beauty, casting the aura of a 
nervous doe, breathtaking and poised for flight.  Her slim form shows that 
she would be well suited to such flight, fine-boned and deceptively 
delicate.

	A flock of birds rise up from the ground at the entrance, 
startling her.  She places a hand on her breast, seeking to still the wild 
beating of her heart.  Her eyes are wide with surprise, pools of jewelled 
ecstasy that drown the soul.  The cause of the birds departure appears, 
striding slowly towards the fountain.  It is he.

	His hair blazes like a torch, ruddy in the last glare of sundown.  
Each step is smooth, rippling with restrained power beneath the well-fitted 
suit.  The only break in the dark colour of his form is a spotted scarf, 
knotted carelessly about his throat.  He is trim and well-muscled, but not 
overly so.  With catlike grace, he ascends the steps of the square to the 
fountain's rim and halts, silhouetted against the dying day.  A faint and 
exciting aura of danger is present about him.  While motionless, he seems 
only to be held quivering on the brink of swift, powerful action.

	He holds out a hand to her.  Not a commanding hand, or a gesturing 
one, but a hand open, offering.  A question.  

	Tentatively, she ripples forward.  After a pause, she slowly slides 
her small, delicate hand into his own.  An answer.  

	Demurely she lowers her eyes, avoiding his gaze, her shyness 
causing a faint smile to warm his features.  Without warning, he pulls her 
in towards him.  Tilting her head upward, he descends with a gentle kiss.  
Her lips taste faintly of rice, soft and impossibly textured.  Eyes closed 
as he soaks in the beauty of the night, and of her.  A seeming shiver of 
ardor runs through her body.  Without breaking the kiss, he pulls her 
close.  

	WHAM!

	~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

	"Owwww!"

	"Sorry, Ryoga.  Here's some more ice.  Hold this on your ankle 
while I wash out those cuts."

	"Crazy girl!  I thought you said she liked me!"

	Muffled snicker.  "Well... some of us show love in unusual ways."

	Moan.  "I should never have listened to you, Nabiki."  

	"Look at it this way.  You learned a valuable lesson."

	Sarcastic.  "Oh yeah?  And what's that?"

	"When you get involved romantically with someone, you should wear 
protection."

	Moans of pain.  "You got that right.  Body armor sounds really 
good right about now..."  

	~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

	"Blechhh!"  Sounds of water and violent scrubbing.

	"Ranma?  What are you doing?"

	"That's the -last- time I do -anything- for you, Nabiki!  I'm 
washing my mouth out.  Bleaghhhh, that's gross!"  Gargling noises.

	"Oh come -on-, Ranma.  You're making a big deal out of nothing."

	"You weren't the one who got kissed, so just shut up!"

	A pause.  "Too bad.  So how was it?"  

	Suspicious.  "How was what?"

	"The kiss?"

	"IT WAS DISGUSTING!  I NEVER WANT TO KISS A GUY AGAIN!"

	"That's what they all say.  Don't worry, you'll get over it."  
Rustle of paper.  "In fact, there's a dance at the youth center next week, 
and I just happen to have a couple of clients searching for a hot date.  
You interested?"

	"No!"  

	"That'll be five hundred forty two thousand, eight hundred and 
twenty six yen."

	Whimper.  "Oh man..."

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Author's Notes:  

This is my entry for the CoRR fic contest.  Good fun!  If you 
have any comments, or you just want me to stop writing, send them to me 
at msimmons@bcgroup.net and I'll gleefully respond.  This and other fics 
are up on my page at http://ronin.anime-manga.net in the Fanfics (Ranma) 
section.  Ja ne!

Ronin.