Subject: [FFML][Ranma] Doco in the Battle of the Bands (revised, 2/7)
From: "Razorclaw X" <spiceoflife@hotmail.com>
Date: 6/9/1998, 5:56 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

continued from part 1:
-----------------------------

  That evening's session, before practice, Nabiki was approached by 
Tatewaki Kuno himself. No grand entrances, no speeches; direct, and to 
the point. How unusual. 
  "Nabiki Tendo," greeted Kuno, seemingly detached. 
  "Kuno-chan," returned Nabiki, with the usual coolness. 
  "After much consideration," started Kuno, "I have decided that 
traveling to Hawaii may not be the best course of action at this time." 
  "And why not?" asked Nabiki, groaning to herself. 
  "This morning I've had a run-in with my... father," explained Kuno. 
"Since he had spent three years of his life in Hawaii, and, reflecting 
upon the results, I have no desire to become as he." 
  Nabiki laughed, the tension within released. "You're kidding!" 
  Kuno peered at the middle Tendo sister sternly. "I assure you, I am 
not." 
  Nabiki put one hand on Kuno's shoulder, almost in the same manner as 
the principal hours before. "You know what your problem is, Kuno-chan? 
You think, since your daddy came back from Hawaii a wreck, that you 
might come back a wreck as well. Don't be silly!" Putting on a serious 
tone, she added, "I'll bet you're 'brilliant' and 'wise' enough to 
resist the temptation of falling to Hawaiimania, Kuno-chan." 
  Kuno resumed a haughty air, failing to catch the trace of sarcasm in 
Nabiki's voice. "That I am." 
  "Don't you think you deserve a break before the exams?" 
  "Perhaps, but time spent with this band and in Hawaii would take away 
from study time." 
  "A risk that's well worth it," assured Nabiki. "I'm in the same boat, 
remember? And, thirdly, don't you think you should do your little sister 
a favor by helping her get to Hawaii?" 
  For a moment, Kuno remained silent, tapping his bokken instinctively. 
Finally, he said, "I have considered your truthful words, Nabiki Tendo, 
and I have decided to remain with your band. To this end, effective 
immediately, each and every member of our band will have available to 
them a personal crash tutor in their particular instrument." 
  He smiled widely at Nabiki. "Nothing shall stop us now!" 
  I'm the glue that keeps this group together and in focus, Nabiki 
thought to herself smugly. Especially with the all-expenses paid trip to 
Hawaii as an incentive. 

  That Saturday night Nabiki lay in her futon, staring at the ceiling of 
her room. She thought over the past week, over the band's progress, over 
her own behavior toward the band members, and one particular 
confrontation with a suspicious Akane. 
  It was earlier that evening when Akane confronted Nabiki. The younger 
Tendo had asked, "Why are you helping everybody?"
  To which Nabiki replied, "You know me Akane. Hawaii is all I want."
  Akane couldn't help but push the matter further. "Nabiki, you could 
just as easily have hired a backup band instead. It would be just us, 
Kasumi, Ranma, and Shampoo." Then realization dawned upon her. "You've 
got a soft spot under that cold exterior."
  Nabiki turned to her sister in shock. "Perish the thought! It wouldn't 
do if it were known that Nabiki Tendo helped others for free. Everybody 
knows that whatever Nabiki Tendo wants, she gets. I want Hawaii." 
  At that point the discussion was dropped. 
  Nabiki sighed as she lay under her covers in her room. Summer often 
gave the middle Tendo sister a lot of time to think. 
  Am I getting soft? she wondered. Or was I always this way? 
  Nabiki Tendo was known for her cold, mercenary attitude about matters, 
most prominently the wedding fiasco. She didn't mean for it to turn out 
the way it did; after all, Nabiki wanted to see her sister happily 
married. And getting some extra cash on the side wouldn't have hurt, 
Nabiki reasoned, so she sent out extra invitations, hoping to turn a 
profit. Unfortunately, the extra invitations attracted some unwanted 
attention, and an unwanted result in the end. Of course that didn't stop 
Nabiki from taking the guests' yen. 
  Nabiki was glad that everyone was okay, especially Ranma, who'd been 
pounded and blown-up during the wedding. Why did she care about Ranma? 
Of course, he did turn quite a profit for her, but Nabiki knew there was 
the other reason too: she really did care what happened to him. Not in 
the same way as Akane, but as a person, someone you know, someone who 
you don't want to see harm to. Ranma always bought her cold exterior 
feelings, what a dense man he was! 
  Of course Kasumi never bought it; she always insisted that Nabiki were 
kinder and humane than she let on. Kasumi was very perceptive, if a bit 
'out of it' sometimes. Or was that a clever facade as well? And Akane, 
heh, she didn't catch on until... just a few hours ago? Or did Akane 
know all along? Well, Nabiki never could keep anything from her sisters 
for long. 
  Bah, she thought, better to remain cold and ruthless than display such 
weakness as kindness and emotion. Better to keep your distance in case 
they left for good... like Mother. Reflecting, Nabiki thought, perhaps 
that's why I turned out the way I did. What would Mother say?
  Unlike her father, Soun, Nabiki kept her emotions in check. Privately 
she still mourned her mother, lost so suddenly. Oh, how that day 
affected them all! At least Kasumi and Akane could deal with it. Well, 
*maybe* Kasumi can deal with it, considering her attitude nowadays 
compared to years before. Yuck, the thought of it! How could she stand 
being so bright and cheery all the time?!
  I hate summer, Nabiki thought. Definitely too much time to think. 

  It was the start of the second week since the band formed. The 'crash 
tutors' Kuno hired were in fact the best in all Japan; those band 
members unfamiliar with their instruments began to understand the 
basics. Of course, to Nabiki's amusement, some, like Akari and Konatsu, 
barely played well-enough, as they were the ones with the least musical 
experience. 
  The evening after the day's practice, Nabiki was stopped from her trip 
to her file box by Kodachi Kuno. 
  Kodachi bowed. "A fair evening, Nabiki Tendo." 
  "You too," returned Nabiki, seemingly uncaring. "What do you want?" 
  "Ahahahahahaha," laughed Kodachi. "Does this mean, that whenever 
someone approaches you, they must desire something?" 
  "Yes." 
  "Hohohohoho, you got me there," admitted Kodachi. "Very well, direct 
and to the point. If I can't sing in this group, I want out." 
  How did I know this was coming? Nabiki asked herself. For that matter, 
it was a wonder that Ukyo didn't profess the same desire. "Why would 
you, as cultured as you are, want to back-out like a whining baby?" 
  Kodachi's face reddened. "Why you...." 
  "Do you have to be so selfish, when you should be thinking about your 
brother's well-being?" Nabiki continued. "Especially since he's spending 
much of his time cramming for the exams?" 
  For a moment, Kodachi looked as if she were thinking to herself. "The 
so-called 'Exam Hell' certainly is affecting poor Brother-dearest," 
admitted Kodachi reflectively, thinking to Kuno's preparations during 
his final year at Furinkan. "He has been rather... tense, lately. 
Perhaps there's wisdom in your words, Nabiki Tendo, it's time I got my 
brother back!"
  Good thing she forgot about the singing, Nabiki thought smugly. Not a 
snowball's chance in hell; Doco's singers were a fivesome, and a 
fivesome it would continue to be. Not to mention that Nabiki Tendo NEVER 
gives in to demands. 
  It was well-after midnight that same evening before Kodachi remembered 
that Nabiki didn't give in to her demand to sing. 

  It was three days before the preliminary rounds of the contest, a 
Friday. It was then the band became intimately familiar with their 
instruments, some going so far as to sleep night and day with them, in 
Konatsu's case. 
  To Nabiki's surprise, they could actually play _together_!
  Thinking back to the previous week and days, they'd all pulled through 
many days and nights to get the notes down right. The five singers 
practiced away from the band, but this time they would sing and play 
together. Well, no time like now to get it down. 
  "Okay, everybody," shouted Nabiki, catching the attention of all in 
the auditorium. In that moment chatter ceased immediately. Wow, it felt 
so good to be in control. "I think it's time we get our routine down 
flat. You all know the notes. Just remember, we got to knock the socks 
off the judges during the preliminaries, or we won't get a shot at the 
finals."
  All nodded. Kuno tapped his drumsticks together in beats. "One, two, 
three, go!"

                              * * * * * 
FUKUZATSUna Ryouomoi (Complex Two Thoughts)

(Shampoo, +All) Carrying one side of romance is a burden, isn't it?
(Shampoo, +All) Isn't there even a special connection to God?
(Shampoo) On purpose, you had unkind behavior, but
In my chest's heart, gentleness was being reached.

(Akane, +All) Also repelling your pushy way of doing things,
(Akane, +All) I must reflect that it is not good even if it's not you.
(Akane) Also after that quarrel that I was not disgusted with,
Wasn't it a gloomy street at night, I regret relying upon you?

(Kasumi) Entwined by a red thread,
We are connected here and there, aren't we?
(Nabiki) Drawing strongly together with each other
(Kasumi & Nabiki) Like a puppet that is being held.

(All) Complex two thoughts   not docile, both of us
(Ranma) The letters "sorry" are vanishing from the dictionary.
(All) Complex two thoughts   one plus one equals one half
Worrying about wanting to cry in the dark.

(Ranma, +All) For example, take me even if I'm a boy.
(Ranma, +All) For example, take you even if you're a girl.
(Ranma) In this way, it's not personalities that are similar.
And still, we can't associate with each other, right?

(Nabiki) I'll try to find a good bed.
I'll find one for you for about 100.
(Kasumi) Your show of courage is love inside-out
(Nabiki & Kasumi) The truth was let out long ago.

(All) Simple love is good.   Digital formula two thoughts
(Shampoo) I want to make love and hate clear to you.
(All) Simple love is good.   I want to meet your kiss to a degree.
I want to become that sort of adult.

(Akane) Complex two thoughts   not docile, both of us
(Ranma) The letters "sorry" are vanishing from the dictionary.
(All) Simple love is good.     I want to meet your kiss to a degree
I can say "sorry."             I want to possess gentleness.
Complex two thoughts           one plus one equals one half
Worrying about wanting to cry in the dark.
                              * * * * * 

  The audience, which consisted of Cologne, Soun, Genma, and Nodoka, 
clapped in unison. The band bowed. 
  "My daughters are all grown up!" Soun proclaimed as he cried in joy. 
"Their mother would be so proud!!" Nodoka couldn't help but smile an 
infectious grin, and patted Soun on the back. 
  Ukyo stepped down from her keyboard. "Um, I hope some of you don't 
mind, but...."
  "Well?" the others said, beaming at the okonomiyaki chef. 
  "Well, I...." Ukyo stuttered. "Well, it didn't sound right to me. Can 
we do this again?"
  In unison, all groaned. 
  Nabiki said, "Well, I guess we should practice more. After a ten 
minute break."
  The band separated their own ways, some seeking refreshment, or 
relaxation after practice. Nabiki's eyes followed Ukyo in particular as 
the okonomiyaki chef descended from the stage, and walked up the 
auditorium isle to the exit. What was her problem? 
  It was then Nabiki noticed a flash coming from a dark corner of the 
seating. Without hesitating Nabiki leaped from the stage to the place 
where she last saw the flash. As she approached she noticed a dark 
figure trying to creep away. Near the exit Nabiki leaped into the air 
and tackled the dark-clad man. 
  She peered at the man in disgust. "Hikaru Gosunkugi, we meet again."
  Gosunkugi dressed in dark clothes, was unmistakable, as he had black 
bags hanging under his eyes. He failed to conceal a camera in his hands. 
"Uh, hi."
  Nabiki reached for the camera, and studied it closely. "You wouldn't 
happen to be taking pictures of Akane now, hmmm?" She got up, leaving 
Gosunkugi on the floor. Nabiki opened the camera and ripped out the 
film. Tossing the camera back to Gosunkugi, Nabiki warned, "Don't let me 
catch you invading my sister's privacy again, little man, or you'll wish 
you've never heard of Nabiki Tendo. Understand?"
  Gosunkugi nodded quickly, wanting to escape the middle Tendo sister's 
disturbing glare. As he scrambled away, Gosunkugi reminded himself not 
to get caught next time. 
  Nabiki's eyes followed Gosunkugi as he exited the auditorium. Akane 
would thank me if she knew about this, Nabiki thought. Only if I told 
her, that is. No, it may be best to keep up the cold exterior; what 
would people think if it were known that Nabiki Tendo stuck up for her 
younger sister? 

  Rain seemed a bit unusual in the summer season, yet it rained over 
Nerima. This little burg was known for strange weather patterns. Ukyo 
stood alone near the door, sheltered from the rain by a concrete 
overhang, playing a pleasant tune with her flute. 
  "Hey." 
  Ukyo glanced over her shoulder, interrupting her reverie, watching 
Nabiki exit the building. The two stood together, watching the rain. 
  "You really do know how to use that, don't you?" Nabiki said, pointing 
to the flute. 
  "Sometimes I get lost in the music," explained Ukyo. "It helps me 
think." 
  Thinking back to when Kuno-chan would play the flute to himself every 
once in a while (especially after the wedding fiasco, when sales of 
pictures of the pig-tailed girl dropped signifigantly-- that is, to 
nothing at all), Nabiki shuddered. Kuno-chan... thinking?! Rather cruel, 
girl. For a moment, Nabiki wondered what Kuno could possibly think about 
that absorbed him so. 
  "It's been a strange three weeks, hasn't it?" Ukyo said.
  "Sure has," Nabiki agreed. "I don't think I've ever worked so hard for 
anything in my life." It must be the stress of working with this group 
of people.... 
  "You've changed," observed Ukyo. 
  "How so?"
  "Well, for one thing, I haven't lost my money to you." Jackass! Did 
you REALLY say that Ukyo?!
  "I've noticed it too," Nabiki replied. Geez, Nabiki, are you becoming 
THAT obvious? This simply won't do! 
  Ukyo said nothing, still dwelling on what she'd said. Lately, she 
noticed that she'd been more loose-lipped, and thus spoke her mind 
needlessly. Was Ranchan rubbing off on me? Gotta be more careful. 
  Nabiki looked over at Ukyo, studying her movements (or lack thereof). 
The girl possessed rare beauty, Nabiki thought, too bad she hides it in 
guy's clothing. I'll bet she could get any guy she wanted. Well, almost, 
considering how the guy she wanted was Ranma. Rather poetic, really, 
that Ukyo offered complete and unconditional love; tragic, that Ranma 
couldn't return that love (was he even aware of it?). 
  For a moment Nabiki wished guys would try to pick her up. But the 
thought left her mind as soon as it entered. Not _this_ Nabiki Tendo. 
  "I hear Hawaii is a nice place," Ukyo said finally. 
  "Well, if you get pass the tourist trap part of it, yeah," agreed 
Nabiki. "It's one big money pit if you're not careful." Money, Nabiki, 
did it always have to come back to money? 
  "So," Ukyo started, changing the subject, "ever meet any cute guys? Is 
there someone in the world that finds Nabiki Tendo attractive?"
  "Not a chance," Nabiki chuckled, although, deep in her heart, she 
wished there was someone. "The only guy that's remotely attracted to me 
is 'ol Kuno-chan, and he's attracted to any girl. He's a real jerk, you 
know? What foolish girl would...."
  "Well, you never know...." interrupted Ukyo. 
  "Are you trying to suggest something?" Nabiki said, beaming. 
  "No!" the okonomiyaki chef returned hastily. 
  "And how about things between you and Mousse, hmmm? What do you know 
about guys, anyway?"
  Ukyo looked around nervously, twiddling her fingers. "Um, I think I'll 
go get some water...." She retreated back inside quickly, obviously 
embarrassed, leaving Nabiki alone.
  Well, at least she didn't hit me, Nabiki thought. Probably couldn't 
say the same thing for Ranma, though....
  Kuno-chan, of all people! Indeed! 

  The group practiced hard that weekend, consisting of all Saturday and 
Sunday morning, being days off school. Now it was Sunday evening, the 
night before the preliminaries. It was also the day before summer 
vacation for the students of Furinkan High officially began; in light of 
the extra free time, Nabiki announced that practices would be held in 
the morning as well as the evening, provided they passed the 
preliminaries, a result in which Nabiki had no doubts of occuring. 
  At the Tendo dojo, the entire band lounged around as Nabiki looked 
over the documents concerning their entry. Although she'd looked over 
them when they arrived a week earlier, Nabiki wanted to make no mistakes 
during the preliminary rounds. This was when the 'amateurs' were weeded 
out from the 'professionals', so to speak, even though no real 
'professional' bands entered (as they were forbidden by contest rules, 
for the contest was strictly for up-and-coming bands). 
  The contestants were to play in downtown Tokyo (well, the amphitheater 
wasn't quite in downtown), the nearest contest location to the dojo. Of 
course there were other locations around Japan where the preliminaries 
were held, by region. Only the top three contestants from each region 
would be allowed to compete in the next stage. 
  Nabiki intended to be number one. 
  "Okay, a brief reminder of the rules," Nabiki said, catching the 
attention of the others. "During the entire contest you will not use 
illegal substances or drink alcoholic substances. So say the sponsor. 
Second, no foul play, and that goes for you especially, Kodachi."
  Kodachi stared in mock surprise. "Me?"
  "None of you will throw fits of violent acts while performing, or 
against other contestants or the audience." Nabiki glared at Ranma 
accusingly. 
  "What'd I do?!" complained Ranma. 
  "You will not attempt to curry favor from the judges or the audience 
except through your music...." The list went on, Nabiki taking deep 
breaths in between each warning. "And finally, the judges reserve the 
right to withhold judgment or prizes on a whim without explanation."
  All gathered groaned. Ryoga stood up and declared, "If we win and are 
denied our rightful prize, I'll...."
  "Calm down, Ryoga," Akari said, reaching for Ryoga's arm. "I'm sure 
they won't resort to such extreme measures...." They'd better not. 
  "Okay," Nabiki started, "in conclusion, I want all of you to get a 
good night's rest, and get up early in the morning." She spared a glance 
at Ukyo, whom would have no trouble at that, for she woke up at five in 
the morning each day. "We'll meet back here tomorrow morning for 
breakfast, then travel to the amphitheater."
  Kuno volunteered, "With the vast resources of the Kuno estate, I, 
Tatewaki Kuno, shall provide ourselves with worthy transportation, for 
our persons and our equipment, as is proper, since the amphitheater is 
such a strenuous distance from our burg of Nerima."
  Nabiki nodded. "Just make sure you don't skimp on that transportation, 
Kuno-chan." 
  Ranma, Mousse, Shampoo, and Ryoga couldn't help but think about the 
tiny rowboat Kuno provided when the Seven Lucky Gods Martial Artists 
kidnapped Akane. In their minds each harbored a hidden threat toward 
Kuno.

  "Mousse, I think its time to get the ball rolling," Ukyo said. 
  Ukyo volunteered to help cook dinner, along with Shampoo. As the grill 
warmed up in the kitchen, Ukyo joined Mousse at the couch in the next 
room. 
  "How?" asked Mousse. 
  "Give a girl flowers," Ukyo suggested. 
  "That won't get Shampoo to like me," Mousse pointed out. 
  "That's not the point! Don't you know? She already LIKES you!"
  Mousse's face shifted to surprise. "Shampoo?!"
  "Sure she does," Ukyo assured him. "She's too shy to admit it. Trust 
me, I know the signs."
  Mousse became elated. "Shampoo! I'm coming my darling!" he shouted, 
leaping from the couch to the kitchen. 
  Ukyo sighed. It only made her feel somewhat better that Mousse was 
happy again. Of course, her own happiness didn't quite fit into the 
equation. Well, as in Ranma's case, the best thing you can do is be a 
very supportive friend. It still hurts to think about the love that 
never was, Ukyo thought, as it's thrown at you every day since the 
wedding. Perhaps love wasn't destined for me. It hurt to be alone, but 
Ukyo wasn't truly alone. 
  Ukyo thought back to Ranma and Akane's second wedding. It was that day 
that decided the fate of Mousse: he'd stepped in the way of Shampoo and 
Cologne's plot to ruin the wedding. For that, Mousse was kicked out of 
his tribe, and left behind in Japan when the rest of the China gang 
returned home. At the time Ukyo couldn't help but pity Mousse, and let 
him stay at her restaurant as a waiter and part-time chef. But, after a 
few weeks passed she'd let her guard down; she'd let herself believe 
that Mousse could love another woman. In the wake of losing Ranma 
forever, Ukyo succumbed to the temptation of a relationship with Mousse. 
It worked out just fine until the China gang returned to Japan, when 
Mousse's heart ran over to Shampoo's side, leaving Ukyo behind. 
  Dammit, I knew it was a sham all along, Ukyo thought to herself, and 
yet, I still allowed myself to fall into it! Same thing about Ranchan; I 
knew he and Akane would marry, but I didn't allow myself to accept it. 
Damn love, who needs it? All it ever got me was more torment and 
trouble. 
  Soon Ukyo could hear the sounds of a duck quacking. 

  Later that evening Ukyo, Mousse, and Konatsu traveled the empty, dark 
but lit streets of Nerima back to Ucchan's for the night. It was when 
Ukyo was unlocking the front door disaster struck. 
  "Ukyo-sama!" cried a nearby mailbox. 
  All three looked around in surprise. Ukyo watched as the mailbox 
bounded her way. "Tsubasa!" she yelled in fury. 
  Tsubasa's head popped out of the mail slot. "Ukyo-sama! I've missed 
you so!" The mailbox bounced cheerily before Ukyo. 
  Unnoticed by Tsubasa, Konatsu unsheathed his blade. "I suggest you 
leave Ukyo-sama alone, vile fiend, or taste my blade."
  Tsubasa turned to Konatsu in surprise. "And who the hell are you?" he 
shouted, reverting from his cutesy-voice to his haggard, repulsive 
masculine voice. 
  "I am but a humble servant for the mistress," Konatsu said, bowing low 
to the floor, but maintaining his gaze on the mailbox-clad boy. 
  "Stay away from Ukyo," Mousse warned Tsubasa, "or I'll have to come 
after you."
  "Oooohh, Ukyo-sama has bodyguards!" taunted Tsubasa. "I've been away 
too long! It was only for summer break I've been able to steal myself 
away to Nerima, but look at the greetings I get!" Tsubasa leaped out of 
the mailbox, throwing the skirts of his pink dress about, momentarily 
confusing Mousse and Konatsu. 
  "Heh, wasn't expecting that?" cried Tsubasa. "You win for now, losers, 
but in time Ukyo-sama will be mine!" With that, Tsubasa bounded down the 
street and vanished into the night. 
  "Who was that?" asked Mousse.
  "That THING is Tsubasa Kuranei," replied Ukyo, opening the front door. 
The three stepped inside as Ukyo continued, "He followed me to Nerima 
not long after I transferred to Furinkan. Ranma got rid of him for me, 
and he's been back home ever since." She sighed. "I guess now that the 
summer season is upon us Tsubasa has some free time. And it seems time 
doesn't destroy old habits; I wish he'd stop dressing as a girl. Its so 
embarrassing when he does that to me!" 
  "A stalker," concluded Konatsu. "Do not worry, Ukyo-sama, I will 
protect you wherever we go, so long as that abomination roams your 
surroundings."
  "Thanks, Konatsu," Ukyo said in relief. Perhaps having bodyguards 
wasn't such a bad idea after all. Although Konatsu preferred to dress as 
a girl, Ukyo hardly felt embarrassed by his actions anymore. Especially 
hugging. 
  "Ukyo," Mousse said, "we should get some rest."
  "Sure, sugar," agreed Ukyo, "but after we all secure the doors and 
windows, no telling what Tsubasa's going to do."
  As Ukyo walked across the dining room, she felt a terrible pain in her 
stomach. Without warning, the spasm passed. 
  "Ukyo," Mousse asked, "is something wrong?"
  "No, nothing," she said, waving him away. Quietly Ukyo made her way to 
her room and laid out her futon. The spasm came from her old knife 
wound, she decided, the one given to her the night before a challenge 
weeks ago. Surely it was nothing. 
  Ukyo stepped to her mirror, checking her stomach. No, the wound hadn't 
surfaced again, in fact it was long healed, as if such a purchase was 
never made in her body. Just had to make sure. 

  Doco was to be one of the last of the entrants to perform that day. 
Nabiki stayed calm, unlike some OTHER band members who twitched 
nervously at the thought of performing on stage in front of the greater 
part of the teenage population in Tokyo. At that thought, Nabiki 
couldn't help but feel a pang in her stomach, then dismissed it, 
thinking back to her breakfast of 'morning okonomiyaki--' what was 
called a 'pancake' in America, served. She hoped that was it....
  The bands before them played pitifully, Nabiki thought. No way this 
group would fail, not with a half-years semi-professional work behind 
it. Well, for some of them, at least. Ah well, at least none of the five 
girls lost their voices during the past weeks. 
  Soon the preceding band was booed off stage by the audience, throwing 
plastic drinking cups in anger. Ten minutes was allowed between each 
performance, not a lot of time considering, but there was a schedule to 
keep, as the judges said. Ten minutes to shuffle the instruments on 
stage and get into position. 
  Nabiki was glad that morning when Kuno arrived with a couple of vans, 
driven by Kuno servants, to transport the band and the instruments. So 
far everything was going smoothly. 
  She peeked out of the dressing room door and watched the band carry 
their equipment on stage. Nabiki turned to the four girls, onna-Ranma, 
Akane, Kasumi, and Shampoo. "Well, its almost time."
  Onna-Ranma shuffled uncomfortably in her outfit. "Well, the sooner 
this is all over, the better."
  Nabiki couldn't help but note that Shampoo kept her distance from 
Ranma. After all, Shampoo only loved Ranma's boy form, and it wouldn't 
do for a girl to marry another girl. She wanted the guy, and strangely 
treated Ranma's two forms as separate people. 
  The five girls left the dressing room and watched the others set up 
their instruments. To the audience the band was all but invisible, and 
it didn't help that the lights were to be on the girls instead of them. 
Still, Nabiki couldn't help but smile at the thought. Well, sometimes 
there has to be the unsung heroes. 
  At the end of the stage stood Soun, Genma, Nodoka, and Cologne. All 
four were granted the privileges of back-stage passes. Soun was already 
crying with joy, even though the song hadn't started yet. Genma held a 
sign reading 'Tear them apart!' Nodoka merely smiled, as usual. 
Cologne's face remained expressionless. 
  And before long, the curtains were drawn. 

                             *  *  *  *  *  
FUKUZATSUna Ryouomoi (Live Version) [Complex Two Thoughts]
(Note: It helps to see the actual music video of this song)

(Shampoo, +All) Carrying one side of romance is a burden, isn't it?
(Shampoo, +All) Isn't there even a special connection to God?
(Shampoo) On purpose, you had unkind behavior, but
In my chest's heart, gentleness was being reached.

(Akane, +All) Also repelling your pushy way of doing things,
(Akane, +All) I must reflect that it is not good even if it's not you.
(Akane) Also after that quarrel that I was not disgusted with,
Wasn't it a gloomy street at night, I regret relying upon you?

(Kasumi) Entwined by a red thread,
We are connected here and there, aren't we?
(Nabiki) Drawing strongly together with each other
(Kasumi & Nabiki) Like a puppet that is being held.

(All) Complex two thoughts   not docile, both of us
(Ranma) The letters "sorry" are vanishing from the dictionary.
(All) Complex two thoughts   one plus one equals one half
Worrying about wanting to cry in the dark.

(Ranma, +All) For example, take me even if I'm a boy.
(Ranma, +All) For example, take you even if you're a girl.
(Ranma) In this way, it's not personalities that are similar.
And still, we can't associate with each other, right?

(Nabiki) I'll try to find a good bed.
I'll find one for you for about 100.
(Kasumi) Your show of courage is love inside-out
(Nabiki & Kasumi) The truth was let out long ago.

(All) Simple love is good.   Digital formula two thoughts
(Shampoo) I want to make love and hate clear to you.
(All) Simple love is good.   I want to meet your kiss to a degree.
I want to become that sort of adult.

(Akane) Complex two thoughts   not docile, both of us
(Ranma) The letters "sorry" are vanishing from the dictionary.
(All) Simple love is good.     I want to meet your kiss to a degree
I can say "sorry."             I want to possess gentleness.
Complex two thoughts           one plus one equals one half
Worrying about wanting to cry in the dark.
                             *  *  *  *  *  



continued in part 3
-----------------------------

"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5. 
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Jump. Jump now!"--Kosh, Babylon 5, making some sense. 

--Razorclaw X

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