Subject: [FFML] [FF] [R.5] The Leper Part 13
From: "Nikholas F. Toledo Zu" <niftol@i-manila.com.ph>
Date: 2/10/1999, 8:19 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

	There are times in a man's life when he has to sit down and reflect 
then breakdown and cry.  This is not one of those times.  I've got an 
exam on Japanese tomorrow (or should I say later), so I shouldn't be 
doing this, but I am.  Crud.
---------------

                                The Leper
                                 Part 13
                           "Luck of the Damned"
                      by Nikholas "NomaD" F. Toledo


	Ranma 1/2 is the property of Kitty, VIZ and the omnipotent Rumiko 
Takahashi.  I am a property of Switch (so you know who to sue).

	I am NomaD... I am coming... I am near...

	Don't expect any summaries...

	Names and spellings have been explained in part 1...

-----------
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
Even the brightest picture has the darkest negative.
-----------

	"Good morning, Kasumi."

	"Oh, good morning, Nabiki.  Breakfast is ready."

	"Good morning, Akane."

	"Finally, you're up.  Hurry up or we'll be late."

	"Good morning, daddy."

	"..."

	"Daddy?"

	Breakfast ended in silence.

----------

	"Ucchan?"

	"Coming."

	Ranma nibbled on his okonomiyaki.  He wasn't particularly hungry at 
that moment.  He was still wearing the same clothes he wore the day 
before and it made him uncomfortable.  He turned around when he heard 
footsteps from the stairs.

	"Okay, I'm ready."

	Ukyou was looking particularly handsome today.  She was wearing her 
'male' school uniform and she had her hair in a ponytail.

	"Finally.  You may dress like a guy but you take just as long as a 
girl."

	Ukyou jabbed him once on the arm.  "Quit it, will you?"

	"Shall we go now?"

	"Yup.  Oh wait... Ishi!"

	Ranma immediately went into panic-mode.  His eyes dashed to every 
corner of the restaurant; there was no telling where the cat would come 
from.

	The little gray furball emerged from the kitchen with a fishtail in 
its mouth.  Ranma inched his way to the door.  "W-w-what a-are you 
doin'?"

	Ukyou got down on one knee and tied something on Ishi's neck.  When 
she stood up, Ranma could see a shiny piece of metal hanging around the 
cat's neck.  He looked questioningly at Ukyou.

	"It's a key... just in case Kii comes by."

	The door closed and the cat was enshrouded in darkness.

----------

	"I wonder whose garden this is?"

	Kii looked around but didn't find anybody in the vicinity.

	"I better get outta here."

	Kii moved around the various flora and fauna.  When he finally got 
out of the garden, only then did he realize the size of the garden.  And 
when he turned around, he was awestruck by the greater size of the 
residence in front of him.

	"Wow, this is bigger than the mansion in China..."

	Then something caught his attention.  He approached the source of 
the sound and found himself walking on a cobbled path.  He followed the 
path and found himself in a large clearing among the massive trees.  On 
the clearing was an array of martial arts training equipment.  On one end 
of the clearing stood a man holding a bokken; on the other end of the 
clearing was a wooden human-shaped target with a very distinctive 
ponytail.  Both figures remained unmoving, then the bokken-wielding 
warrior snapped out of his concentration.

	"And now Ranma Saotome, I will free Akane Tendo and the pig-tailed 
girl's bondage from your vile grasp.  Prepare yourself, you lecherous 
swine!  With great vengeance, I, Tatewaki Kuno, shall smite thee!!!  
HIYAAAA!!!"

	Upperclassman Kuno charged the still-wooden foe.  Midway, he drew 
the sword back and prepared to strike.  With one swift and continuous 
motion, his incredible speed enabled him to cut off both wooden arms and 
decapitate the target.  With his sword swung past the wooden target, he 
held his pose until the wooden head landed on the ground.  He then got up 
and smiled (at himself).
 
	"I am remarkable, am I not?"

	"Wow... not bad!"

	Kuno smiled but the smile turned to a frown when he realized that 
the reply didn't come from him.  He quickly faced the direction of the 
voice and was immediately startled by a half-naked figure about arms-
length in front of him.  His first reaction was to point his sword at the 
figure, partly because of the surprise but mostly because of the figure 
being half-naked.  He noticed the figure was carrying a potted plant he 
recognized to be theirs.

	"W-who are you to defy the sanctity of the Kuno Estate?!?"

	"I am Kiiroi Niwatori, Kuno-sempai."

	"Kiiroi...  Aah, yes.  I recognize you from your association with 
that low-life cretin, Ranma Saotome.  Though you approach me with an air 
of respect, you are no better than the rest of them.  But since you have 
shown me respect, I shall let you leave without causing you harm but I 
suggest you leave immediately."

	"Well then, I'll just be on my way..."

	"Hold!"

	Kii was already turning around when Kuno commanded him to halt.  "I 
believe you are carrying something that is of my possession."

	Kiiroi looked down on his hands.  He was carrying a potted plant 
with a violet flower in it.  His fingers were submerged in its thick 
soil.  "Oh, this... can I have it?  I need it, you see..."

	Kuno silenced him with a wave of his hand.  "I have been lenient 
with you and still you treat me with disrespect, for that... YOU SHALL 
FEEL MY WRATH!!!"

	"I don't need this right now..."

	Kii easily dodged Kuno's initial strike.  At the first opportunity, 
he took off with flowerpot.  Kuno watched the half-naked lad run.

	"A thief and a coward, he is indeed affiliated with Ranma 
Saotome... COME BACK HERE!!!"

----------
Furinkan High...

	Akane was a bit surprised that she and her sister arrived in school 
quite early.  It was probably because breakfast was rather peaceful, and 
the fact that Ranma wasn't there to... she sighed.  Now what was she to 
do?

	"I wonder if there's people in the classroom."  She went up the 
flight of stairs.  She walked the halls and saw some of the janitors 
still mopping the floors.  Students and teachers greeted her and she 
returned their morning greetings.  The school clocks indicated that it 
was still half an hour before classes would start.  

	She entered her classroom and saw some of her classmates talking 
with each other.  Some were eating breakfast and some boys were sleeping.  
She got to her seat and just let her mind wander.  It did not wander far 
before she was interrupted.  

	She was surprised by the figure that plopped down the seat in front 
of her facing her.  All she saw at first was a blur of a black uniform 
sporting a ponytail.

	"Kii?"

	"How I wish, sugar."

	Akane immediately recognized the voice and her vision began 
adjusting.

	"Oh, good morning, Ukyou."

	"Here."

	"Huh?"

	Ukyou handed a piece of paper to Akane, then got up and left her.  
Akane just stared at the paper at first then opened it.  She immediately 
got up, pocketed the note and left the classroom.

----------
Meanwhile, back at the Kuno's...

	"COME BACK HERE, YOU FIEND!!!"

	Kii came to an intersection and turned right without thinking.  
Kuno's been chasing him for quite a while now.  He still can't seem to 
find the estate's exit.  It was too late when he realized that he just 
walked into a dead end.

	"Crap."  He could hear Kuno's angered shouts approaching and he did 
the only thing he could do - he slid open the nearest door and went 
inside.  

	He stared at the door for a moment.  Then he could see the shadow 
of Tatewaki Kuno as it passed the door.  He breathed a sigh of relief.

	"Hello."

	The hair on his back stood up and he almost cried out in surprise.  
He turned around to see a woman in a dark blue kimono with a tea ceremony 
set before her.  The woman covered her mouth with her hand laughed 
lightly.

	"Oh, forgive me.  Did I startle you?"

	"W-who...?" 

	"Where are my manners?  I am Kodachi Kuno, mistress of the castle."

	"Kodachi Kuno?  Ranma was wrong, you're not bad looking at all.  
Oh, I'm Kiiroi Niwatori."

	Kodachi felt her cheeks burn from the compliment.  "Kiiroi 
Niwatori... yes, I've heard of you from... my brother.  You know of my 
sweet darling Ranma?  Please sit and have some tea with me.  I was just 
practicing proper manners so that I can be the perfect, demure wife for 
my darling Ranma."

	Kiiroi WAS tired.  And it would be better, he guessed, if he could 
get on the good side of Kodachi, so that her brother would stop chasing 
him.  

	He sat himself down opposite of her.  She began preparing the tea.  
Each movement of hers was of grace and perfection.  When she finished, 
she handed him the cup and bowed.  

	Kii took the cup with his palm, his fingers were covered with dirt 
but he didn't want to take any chances.  Kii was about to sip but then 
stopped.  Kodachi was alarmed by this but she hid it quickly.

	"Aren't you gonna have some?"

	Kodachi bowed.  "I only live to serve."

	Kii just shrugged and slowly sipped his tea.  The aroma was 
intoxicating.  He could feel the soft, warm liquid slide down his throat.  
He felt light-headed as all the tension disappeared.  He finished the tea 
and set the cup down.  

	Kodachi stared at the cup then at Kii.  "Would you like to have 
some more?"

	"No thanks, it was very refreshing though, thank you very much."

	"That's odd... here."  Kodachi drew something from inside her 
kimono and brought out a bouquet of roses.  "For you."

	"Black roses, how lovely."

	Kii drew the roses to his nose and gave it a whiff.  Almost 
immediately, a small cloud of gas puffed out of the bouquet.  Kiiroi 
coughed and threw the roses away.

	*koff, koff*  "What the hell are you doing?!?"

	Kodachi stood up in shock.  "How could this be?  The paralyzing 
powder didn't work!  And the tea had the same sleeping drug that Nabiki 
Tendo used, so how can you still be awake?"

	"Nabiki Tendo?!?  Ranma was right, the Kunos ARE demented!"

	"There you are!"

	The door slid open and Tatewaki Kuno charged in with his bokken 
thrust forward.  Kii was still facing Kodachi so he didn't see the blade 
aimed at his back.  

	Without turning around, Kii extended his arm backwards and hit the 
wooden sword at the precise moment.  A shower of splinters pelted Kuno's 
face and he was forced to raise his arm to cover his eyes.  When he 
removed his arm, he was shocked to see his bokken reduced to a wooden 
stomp.

	"How dare you defile my blade?!?  For that you shall pay!!!"  With 
that, Kuno ran outside.  "Sasuke!  Fetch me a blade, Sasuke!  Where are 
you, you ungrateful..."

	"It seems I'll have to deal with you myself."

	Kodachi stood up and in one swift motion removed her kimono.  She 
was now clad in a tight, black leotard.  She snagged a gymnastics ribbon 
from thin air and was now twirling it around.

	"Demented, am I?  You'll pay for that..."

	Kodachi snapped the ribbon and it hit Kii on the chin.  The pain 
stung him and forced him to move backward.  He could feel warm blood 
dripping from his chin but he had no time to wipe it off.  Kodachi 
snagged the ribbon back then thrust it in a spiral motion.  Kii jumped 
forward to avoid the swirling ribbon.  

	He landed on top of the mat with the tea set right behind Kodachi.  
Kodachi tossed the ribbon away and readied two clubs, one on each hand.  
Spikes came out of the club heads and Kodachi began another wave of 
attacks.  Kii desperately avoided the clubs while trying not to trip on 
the ceramics.  Kodachi made a wild swing.  Kii arched back and the spikes 
barely missed his belly.  

	He came back up just as Kodachi finished her swing.  Kii brought 
his hand up and in it was Kodachi's tea powder.  He puckered his lips and 
blew...

	"How dare you..."  Kodachi never finished her sentence.  Kii caught 
her before she fell.

	"Good thing her leotard didn't..."

	*foom*

	"... oh dear."

	Kii grabbed the kimono on the ground with his palms and covered the 
slumbering gymnast.

	"I better get out of here."

----------

	Akane Tendo looked around to make sure that nobody was spying on 
her.  She then grabbed the handle with both hands and opened the door of 
the equipment room.  

	She was greeted by the darkness but a gray, misty light filtered 
from a nearby window.  All she could see were sports equipment piled up 
in neat stacks.  She squinted and looked around; there was nobody there.  
It could've been a trick.

	"R-Ranma?"

	At first nothing, then a figure stood up.

	"I thought you weren't coming..."

	"I got your note... what's this about?"

	Ranma stepped out of the darkness.  Akane could now make out his 
face.  His eyes were blank, she felt sad when she looked inside them.

	"Ranma?"

	"I... I called you here... to apologize."

	"Oh, Ranma... you don't have to..."

	"No!  Please!  Let me do this... let me do this now."

	Akane never saw this side of Ranma before, so caring, so 
compassionate.  She let her guard down, just this once.

	"I feel bad... no, terrible about what happened, about what I did 
to you.  Until now I can't recall what happened exactly but I know that 
every time I try to remember... it hurts..."

	Ranma pointed to his chest, and Akane could see the grief in his 
face.  All this was very hard for him.

	"It's okay, Ranma, that wasn't you..."

	Ranma snapped at her.  "But don't you see?  That *was* me, Akane!  
It's me if ever I'd get angry with you!  And I don't like it one bit... 
The truth is, Akane, I'm scared..."

	Ranma felt his knees buckle.  He suddenly felt weak and tired.  He 
leaned on a basket of volleyballs.  Akane stepped closer to make her 
presence known.  This did help Ranma - his strength came back.

	"I'm scared of you being afraid of me.  When I try to remember what 
happened, all I see is your face filled with so much pain.  I can still 
see the tears on your cheeks, your soft trembling.  I wanted to..."

	Ranma paused and gulped.  He turned around for he couldn't voice 
out what he was about to say to her face.

	"I wanted to hold you and make you feel safe.  I don't want to see 
you hurt... ever."

	Akane could feel herself tremble.  She felt something swell deep 
inside her and she couldn't keep it in.  She faced her shadow so that the 
world wouldn't see, so that he wouldn't see.  But Ranma heard her soft 
whimpers.  And it started aching again, right in the middle of his chest.  
He faced her and saw that she was facing the corner with her hands to her 
face.

	"A-Akane... please don't..."

	Ranma reached out and touched her lightly on the shoulder.  His 
touch felt warm.  She never felt safer than she did now.  His touch 
reassured her and her sobbing stopped.  She turned around to face him.  

	Akane stared deep into those handsome eyes.  He smiled and she felt 
herself falling.  Ranma saw that she didn't wipe her tears.  He touched 
her cheek and wiped the streak with his thumb.  His hand stayed there, 
holding her cheek.  

	Akane could feel her face getting warm but she fought the urge to 
look away.  It was a wonderful feeling, if only she was like this when 
people were around.  She just took it all in, his smiling face, his sweet 
caress.  It seemed like forever, then Ranma pulled his hand away.  Akane 
was a bit startled, she forgot that there was a world that existed beyond 
his touch.

	"C'mon.  First period's about to start."

----------

	He walked without really caring where he's headed.  People tried to 
ignore him but, being half-naked with a violet-flowering plant, it was 
kind of impossible.

	"Could the old woman be right?  Is it possible?  I better think 
about this some more."

	He found a bench to sit on.  "Let's see now... First, I was immune 
to both sleeping and paralyzing powder.  During the old days, my 
ancestors were spies, so they would've experimented with different types 
of poisons.  And the family does have a reputation of having really tough 
skin.  Does that mean that my ancestors, being the cowards that they 
were, tried to look for all possible ways to escape a battle?  Being 
overly cautious IS another family trait.  Maybe from all their 
experimentation with poisons gave their descendants natural immunity.  
Okay, I'll have to settle with that..."

	He stood up again and started walking in no particular direction.  
"Nabiki Tendo... she used the same sleeping powder.  So how come I didn't 
wake up?  Was Cologne right?  Was I planning this all this time?  I could 
easily wake up when someone's sneaking up on me but I chose not to with 
her.  And that's because... I wanted her to steal my bandages?  No, that 
can't be it, Nabiki Tendo... what's she got to do with all this?  
Nabiki..."

	"Kii!"

	He turned around only to find out that it wasn't an echo, instead 
it was a voice coming out of a gate.  And out emerged from that household 
is the embodiment of kindness and purity.

	"Kasumi?!?"  Kii looked around and found himself in front of the 
Tendo household.

	"We've finally found you.  Father will be so happy."

	"Huh?"

	"Come inside, Dad will explain everything."

	"But I might..."

	"It's okay, we've got your bandages."

	"Okay then."

	And the gate shut behind them.

----------
Later that day...

	"Hey, Hiroshi!  What's the rush?"

	"Oh, Saotome... didn't you hear?!?"

	"Hear what?"

	"Hey, what're you guys talking about?"

	"Oh, hi Akane... there's a news going around the school..."

	"What is it?"

	"Somebody broke into the Kuno Mansion!"

	"No!"

	"Really?"

	"Yeah... from what I've heard, the burglar stole a prized flower 
that's worth thousands of dollars.  And when Kuno tried to capture the 
thief, he was beat up pretty badly.  That's why he didn't come to school 
today..."

	"Wow."

	"Is this true?"

	"Of course it's true!  And that's not the half of it."

	"What else?!?"

	"It seems that when Kuno recovered and tried to search for the 
thief, he found his sister, Kodachi, in her room, lying on the floor... 
naked, with only a torn kimono to cover her!"

	"That's terrible!"

	"I know I never liked her, but now I feel sorry for her."

	"Anyway, I gotta go.  I'm checkin' out if anybody knows anything 
else."

	"Okay, see ya."

	"It's almost time to go home, I think I better go now."

	"Okay, I'm gonna look for Ucchan."

	"Ranma...?"

	"Hmm?"

	"Good luck... I mean, for later."

	"Thanks..."

----------

	To an onlooker, the silence would've been deafening.  The figures 
remained in their stillness.  The very air did not stir.  Finally, one of 
them reached for the table in front of him.  He picked up his cup and 
quietly sipped his tea.  

	The older figure shifted in his seat, trying to relieve himself of 
the tension.  The lone female stood by the kitchen door... waiting.

	"Well, young Niwatori, have you decided?"

	Kii stirred, looked at the figure opposite him, and spoke.

	"Very well, I shall do what you ask..."

	Tendo almost shouted with glee, but his celebration was short-
lived.  He could see in the young man's eyes that he wasn't finished 
speaking.  

	Kii felt weird with the bandages in place.  His fingers were 
itching.  "Under one condition.  I need something..."

	"Name it!  If it is within my power, then you shall have it!"

	"But alas, Mr. Tendo... it is NOT within your power."

	Soun began beading with sweat.  The panda remained still.  Kasumi 
went in and took the empty cups.

	"W-What is it?"

	"I need something from your daughter, Nabiki."

	"N-Nabiki?"

	"Yes, this is what I want from her..."

----------

	"Hey Nabiki!  Wait up!"

	Akane ran towards her sister, who simply ignored her approach.

	"Oh, hello Akane."

	"Why'd you leave me like that?"

	"I thought you were going with Ranma, your fianc�."

	Akane blushed at her sister's remark.  "Oh that.  We were just 
talking.  He had to go back to Ukyou's to get ready."

	"Good for him."

	"I wonder if Daddy found a suitable challenger?  I wonder if it's 
Kii?"

	"I doubt that.  Chances are Dad will have to fight Ranma himself, 
no matter how pathetic he is."

	"Really?  Oh, poor Daddy."

----------

	Ukyou entered the restaurant.  She searched blindly for the light 
switch.  The lights flicked open only to reveal the empty floor.  She 
placed a paper bag on the counter and peered up the stairway.

	"RANCHAN?  YOU UP THERE?"

	"I'm in the shower!"

	"OH OKAY!  I GOT YOUR CLOTHES WASHED AND PRESSED."

	"Can you bring them up?"

	"Okey-dokey!"

	Ukyou drew from the bag a nicely pressed shirt and pants.  As she 
went up, she could hear the pitter-patter of the water.  When she reached 
the end of the stairs, she unfolded the clothes and laid them on the bed.  
She sat on the other side while waiting for him.  She decided to lie 
down.

	"Aren't you done yet?!?"

	"Almost... hold your horses."

	Ukyou shifted her head to one side and stared at the bathroom door.  
A jolt came to her when she realized that the door was slightly ajar.  
She sat up and saw that a pair of boxer shorts was lying on hanging on a 
seat.  She blushed at the thought and almost giggled.  But the thought 
still remained.  After all, she didn't have a shower curtain since she 
lived alone.

	"Hmm.  It's just a peek..."

	Ukyou crept up to the bathroom door.  A devilish grin was plastered 
to her face, all she needed was a pair of horns and it would've been 
uncanny.  She could still hear the shower pouring.  Steam was seeping out 
of the door.  She peered in slightly and saw what she thought was flesh.  
She was right, of course, since, at that instant, the water stopped 
dripping and the door flew open to reveal a naked torso.  

	Ranma stepped out with a towel wrapped around him.  He almost 
bumped into the skulking Ukyou.  Ukyou was face to face (?) with a semi-
wet towel and Ranma's crotch.

	"Ucchan, could you turn arou- huh?!?  What the...?  UCCHAN?!?  WHAT 
THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?"

	"Gyaaah!!!  Eeek!  No, it's not what...!  Oh gosh, I'm sorry!!!"  
*mega-blush*

	In his shock, he lost grip of his towel and it slithered off his 
skin.  Ranma scrambled for his towel, made a grab for his boxers and 
darted back into the bathroom.  

	Meanwhile, Ukyou ran behind her bed and grabbed the sheets.  She 
felt like the bed was wide enough to hide her embarrassment.  It took a 
while before she regulated her breathing.  

	The door opened.  Ranma stepped out, with pants on this time.  He 
still had a bare chest, but this time he did it on purpose.  He had a 
big, arrogant smile on his face.

	"Hey."

	Ukyou just whimpered from behind the bed.

	"You naughty, naughty girl..."

	Ukyou couldn't even look him in the eye.  She tightened her grip on 
the sheets.

	"Why were you stark naked anyway?!?"

	"You had no curtains, and I didn't want my boxers to get wet.  And 
please, stop avoiding the issue.  Naked or not, you were still a very 
naughty, naughty girl..."

	Ranma's grin grew wider as he approached her.  "Who would've 
thought that Ukyou Kuonji..."

	"It wasn't like that!"

	"Oh, but it was...  Caught with your hand in the cookie jar, 
weren't you?  But since you want it so bad, I guess I'll have to oblige."

	"Huh?  What do you...?"

	Ukyou lost her voice as she watched Ranma slowly approach.  He made 
his away around the bed and stopped just a few feet in front of her.  He 
took one end of the knot of his pants... and began to pull.  

	Ukyou began screaming wildly and she shut her eyes as much as she 
could, trying to get the image out of her head.  "EEEEEEEEEK!!!  GET AWAY 
FROM ME, YOU MANIACAL PERVERT!!!  I SWEAR, I'LL BEAT THE LIVING HELL OUT 
OF YOU IF YOU DON'T STOP!  RANMA, I'M NOT KIDDING!!!  STOP IT THIS 
INSTANT!!!"

	Ukyou grabbed a pillow and bombarded Ranma with soft but painful 
blows.  Ranma blocked it with his arms while laughing his heart off.  
Ukyou didn't stop, thinking that, if she did, he might actually do it 
again.  

	Her pillow began to give and feathers flew out into the air.  She 
finally stopped when she was out of breath, after murdering her pillow.  
They just stood there for a moment while the feathers flew all over the 
room.  

	Ranma was still smiling.  "That was fun... want to do it again?"

	Ukyou whacked him with the empty pillowcase for the last time.  "I 
hate you."

----------

	"We're home!!!"

	"Oh, welcome home, Akane.  And you, too, Nabiki."

	Akane saw her dad and uncle enjoying some tea and cookies.  She sat 
herself down and dug in.  Nabiki proceeded to the stairs.

	"Nabiki."

	Nabiki froze.  She slowly turned towards the firm voice.

	"Y-yes, daddy?"

	"Come here for a second..."

	"Yes, dad."

	Genma stared at his friend's irresolute face then leaned towards 
Akane.  "Akane, don't you feel hot and sweaty?  You should go up to your 
room and change."

	"Actually, I feel fine, Uncle Sao-"

	"No, Akane.  I really think you should."

	"Oh.  Okay."

	Akane passed her sister and made her way upstairs.  Knowing what 
was to happen, Kasumi went inside the kitchen.  Nabiki sat herself 
opposite her father.  Genma Saotome just blended in the background.

	"Nabiki, I am about to ask you to do something... it is something 
that you won't like, something that is very shameful."

	"What?"

	"But as your father, you will follow what I have to order you.  In 
our dojo..."

----------
In the dojo...

	... sits a man.  He placed himself at the center of the floor.  

	The lights were closed and, outside, it was already getting dark.  
It wouldn't be long now.  

	He was sitting cross-legged, his eyes were closed to the world.  
His shirt and glasses lay a few feet away.  He was a mere shadow in the 
hollow space.  His body was glistening with sweat.  

	Only moments before, he was readying himself for the match to come.  
But that wasn't what was important now - not yet, anyway.  Before that, 
he was to face an adversary.  This was not a battle of strength but one 
of will.  And the first who bends loses.  

	He was ready... and waiting.

	The door creaked softly and a figure strode inside.  Her walk was 
confident even in the presence of the darkness.  She didn't bother 
opening the lights, it would be easier this way.

	"I thought you'd never come."

	"This isn't about me, anymore.  I'm doing this for my sister."

	"Never did I hope to hear such noble words from you."

	"Never you will again, after this."

	"Close the door, please."

	Nabiki followed as instructed.  They were immediately consumed by 
the darkness as a resounding 'THUD!' echoed all throughout the hall.

	"Now what..."

	Kii noticed the flatness of her voice.  It wasn't even a question 
but more of a reflex.

	"Come.  Sit.  It is almost time."

	Nabiki strode forwards, each step deafening her.  She didn't feel 
good about this; she never did from the start.  She could barely make out 
his silhouette.  

	When she was close enough, she sat herself on the wooden ground.  
Even in the darkness, she knew that they were both meeting eye-to-eye.  A 
chilling draft entered from nowhere shivering her spine.  There was no 
turning back now.

	"You may begin."
	
--------------
end of part 13
--------------

	I'm tired.  Midterms can be hell, got sick for two days too.  Hey, 
are there still people reading this?  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, got himself a PlayStation.  Lucky bastard.

Nomadess, just celebrated her 21st.  And we're about to celebrate our 5th 
two weeks from now.
 
Elf, she's happy.

	Absence makes the heart grow fungus.
				- "Blame It on Me" by Barenaked Ladies
-NomaD-
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
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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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