[Let the Wind Blow, part 2]
[Let the Wind Blow, part 2]
 
[Cut scenes.  Later that day.  Nabiki, Ryouga, Gosunkugi and 
an oddly shaped lamppost are outside the gates of the Kunou 
estate.]
 
Ryouga: [to Nabiki] Why did you come along?
 
Nabiki: Because if we didn't, you'd chicken out or get lost 
along the way. 
 
Gosunkugi: I don't want to do this.
 
Nabiki: Don't you start that.  One person whining about not 
wanting to do this is bad enough, you know.
 
Gosunkugi: Just incidentally, does *anyone* really want to do 
this?
 
Nabiki: That isn't important.  What's important is that we go 
through with this.
 
Gosunkugi: Oh.  Ok.
 
Ryouga: Ok.  What's the plan now?
 
Nabiki: Ring the doorbell.
 
Ryouga: Then what?
 
Nabiki: Wait for someone to answer.
 
Ryouga: Didn't we try that already?
 
Nabiki: Yes.  Only this time, you don't run off screaming.
 
Ryouga: That was the part that I liked most, though.
 
Nabiki: Running away doesn't get you any closer to Kodachi.
 
Ryouga: That's why it's my favourite part.
 
[Gosunkugi calls Nabiki aside]
 
Gosunkugi: It sounds like he genuinely doesn't like her.
 
Nabiki: Nonsense.  He's just trying to avoid it.
 
Gosunkugi: Are you *sure*?
 
Nabiki: You should see Ranma when we try to get him to ask 
Akane out.
 
Gosunkugi: Are you sure that Ranma likes Akane?
 
Nabiki: Well, it seems that way.
 
Gosunkugi: It doesn't seem that way between Ryouga and Kodachi.
 
Nabiki: So what if it doesn't.  Then she'll say no, and he 
won't care.  You get paid either way.
 
Gosunkugi: I'm not doing this for the money, it's just--
 
Nabiki: Ok.  If you don't want to be paid, that's fine.
 
Gosunkugi: I want to be paid.  It's just that that's not my only 
reason.
 
Nabiki: What is your other reason?
 
Gosunkugi: If I tell you, you'll just blackmail me with it.
 
[They return to the group]
 
Ryouga: [sigh] So we do the same thing again?
 
[Nabiki nods]
 
Ryouga: How long do we have to keep doing this?
 
Nabiki: Until you ask her.
 
Ryouga: Oh.  I was afraid of that.
 
Nabiki: Ryouga?
 
Ryouga: Yes?
 
Nabiki: I bet Ranma would be brave enough to talk to Kodachi.  
I always figured you were the brave one.  I guess not.
 
Ryouga: [angrily] I'll show you who's brave.
 
-----------------------------------------------------------
 
Gosunkugi: That's a new one on me.
 
Nabiki: Servant answers door, Ryouga runs screaming into 
the...gymnasium.
 
Gosunkugi: Shouldn't we help him?
 
Nabiki: I suppose so.  Gosunkugi, see how he's doing.
 
Gosunkugi: No.
 
Nabiki: Why not.
 
Gosunkugi: Kodachi might be in there.
 
Nabiki: Frightened of Kodachi?
 
Gosunkugi: Yes.
 
Nabiki: She can't be that bad.
 
[Gosunkugi look at Nabiki funny]
 
Gosunkugi: Yes she can.
 
Nabiki: Well, Ranma was probably exaggerating when he told me 
about her -- 
 
Gosunkugi: He wasn't.
 
Nabiki: How do you --
 
Gosubkugi: You don't want to know.
 
Nabiki: Yes I do.
 
Gosunkugi: You know that thing I'm not telling you about?  The 
reason why I don't want to do this?
 
Nabiki: Yes.
 
Gosunkugi: That's what.
 
Nabiki: [thought] This mission is falling apart.  I ought to 
be able to pull this off.  This is just a simple matter of 
getting someone somewhere.  Instead, I'm losing control over 
my agent and I've lost my client.  I should have just stayed 
at home and had a hot bath.
 
-------------------------------------
[Ryouga and Kodachi are in Kodachi's training gymnasium.  
There is a hole in the wall and some wall fragments on Ryouga.]
 
Kodachi: You ruined my gymnasium.
 
Ryouga: Sorry.  I didn't mean to walk through your wall.  
Honest.
 
Kodachi: The wall, I can forgive.  You interrupted my training 
routine.  For that, you shall suffer.  [maniacal laugh]
 
Ryouga: Would it help if I apologized?
 
Kodachi: No.  [Kodachi grabs a hoop from the floor]
 
Ryouga: Is there any way I can make it up to you?
 
Kodachi: No.  [Kodachi throws the hoop.  Ryouga blocks with 
his umbrella.]
 
Ryouga: I've said that I don't want to fight you, right?
[dodges ribbon]
 
Kodachi: Yes.
 
Ryouga: Just making sure.  [takes a step backwards, trying to 
find a door.  He doesn't.  A flying pin hits him on the head.]
 
Kodachi: Fight back. [tosses ball.  He ducks.]
 
Ryouga: I'm not here to fight you.
 
Kodachi: We've been through that before.  I still don't care 
why you're here.  
[swings steel bar at him.  He blocks with umbrella.  He tries 
to back up even more, but there's a wall.  This doesn't stop 
him and he soon winds up covered with even more wall 
fragments, and in the family study/barbershop.]
 
[Kodachi catches him from behind with a ribbon]
 
Principal: Hello, Kotchi.  Who is this fellow you've brought in 
here?
 
Kodachi: He came here uninvited.
 
Principal: No need to hide him from your dear old dad.  He 
seems like a nice kid, but his hair's too long.  Come to think 
of it, so's yours.  If you're not busy -- [picks up scissors]
 
Kodachi: Actually, we were just leaving, right?
 
Ryouga: [nods dumbly]
 
Kodachi: Right we were on our way out, actually.  Weren't we?
 
Ryouga: Umm..we...I --
 
Kodachi: He means yes.  [glares at Ryouga] Don't you?
 
[Ryouga nods]
 
Principal: Ok.  Have a good time, you two.  I'll send Sasuke 
out to escort you.
 
Kodachi: What?!
 
Principal: [to Kodachi] Anyone with hair that long must be 
some kind of ruffian.  I just don't want to you to get hurt.
 
Kodachi:....
 
Principal: Just humour your father.
 
Kodachi:....
 
Principal: Besides, you don't have a choice.
---------------------------------------------------
[Ryouga and Kodachi are walking down a typical Tokyo street.  
Sasuke follow behind, trying to sneak around.  Ryouga and 
Kodachi look vaguely disinterestedly at each other.]
 
Kodachi: [whispered to Ryouga] Death is too good for you.
 
Ryouga: I didn't want to do this.
 
[Kodachi give him a we've-been-through-this-and-I-still-don't
-care-what-you-think look]
 
Ryouga: I'm sorry.  I can leave now if you want.
 
Kodachi: [glares evilly.  Very evilly]  I don't like this.  
But I don't like being stood up either.  I don't think I could 
ever live that down.  And I don't think you could live it down 
either.  Got it?
 
[Ryouga gulps audibly]
 
-------------------------------------------
[Kodachi and Ryouga are walking down a typical Nerima street.  
Neither of them look particularly happy.  Sasuke is following 
behind.  He would be sneaky, but they both know that he's 
there, so he's just sort of skulking behind and hoping not to 
get hurt by either of them.  About 20 feet [or 9 meters, your 
choice] behind them are Nabiki and Gosunkugi, who are 
following Kodachi and Ryouga.]
 
Kodachi: Now, I suppose that you'll treat me to a movie?
 
Ryouga: I hadn't thought about it, really, I'll [she glares at 
him] I'll treat you to a movie.
 
Kodachi: That's so nice of you
 
--------------------------
Gosunkugi: Why are we following them?
 
Nabiki: Just to make sure that this goes well.
 
Gosunkugi: This is Kodachi on a date with someone.  We both 
know, in our hearts of hearts, that it isn't going to go well.
 
Nabiki: [thinks for a moment] True.
 
Gosunkugi: Isn't there something else that ought to be done?
 
Nabiki: Think of it like this: Something will go wrong, and we 
get to watch.  Free entertainment.  There's Kunou-chan.  I'll 
keep him distracted while you follow these two, okay?
 
Gosunkugi: [confused] Okay.  I thought that he agreed to 
help us though.
 
[Nabiki ignores Gosunkugi and grabs Kunou.  The two of them 
slip inside a small cafe]
 
Gosunkugi: If she thinks that I'm following them around, she's 
crazy.  [sits down on nearby bench.]
------------------------------------------
 
[Ryouga and Kodachi are walking down the street.  Ryouga is a 
fair distance from Kodachi.  Not an "another three feet and I 
can sneak away" distance, more of an "I'm with this person but 
trying not to show it" distance.  Sasuke lurks behind both of 
them.]
 
Kodachi: Are you trying to avoid me?
 
Ryouga: Well, I thought that you...
 
Kodachi: It's bad enough being stuck out here with *you*.  But 
being reviled also...
 
Ryouga: Oh.  Sorry.  [takes a step towards her]
 
Kodachi: Get away from me.  Why do you think that I want to be 
seen with you?
 
Ryouga: You just said that --
 
Kodachi: Do not tell me what I said.  If anyone we know 
walks by, we do not even know each other.  Is that clear?
 
Ryouga: Yes.
 
[Soun Tendo walks by]
 
Soun: Hello Ryouga.  Hello Kodachi.  Enjoying yourselves?
 
Ryouga: No.
 
Kodachi: [to Ryouga] Is the company of Kunou Kodachi not 
sufficient to entertain you?
 
Ryouga: Oh.  Yes.  We're having a great time together.
[Kodachi glares at him as he says "together"]
 
Soun: Ah.  Together.  Soon you will wish to build a family.  
If you wish to build something, then you must have bricks.  
Here.  Take some bricks.  [hands a pile of bricks to Ryouga and 
walks off]
 
Ryouga: ...
 
Kodachi: What was that all about!?
 
Ryouga: Well, I thought that --
 
Kodachi: I *still* don't care what you thought or how you feel 
about this.  And *what* are you doing with those bricks?
 
Ryouga: Mr. Tendo gave them to me.  Said something about 
building a family.
 
Kodachi: You want to build a family?  Hah!  My answer is no, 
and there's nothing that you can do to change that.
 
Ryouga: I wasn't going to ask you.
 
Kodachi: I'm not good enough for you to ask?
 
Ryouga: [angry] No.  You aren't.  You're an evil, contrary 
shrew who has done nothing but scream and try to kill me.
 
Kodachi: How dare you call Kodachi Kunou a shrew!
[pulls out an assortment of weapons that would make Mousse 
gasp.  Ryouga starts to run, but stops after a few feet, as he 
hears Kodachi sobbing softly.  He stops, turns around and 
walks back to her.]
 
Ryouga: I'm sorry.  I didn't mean it like that.  I'm not 
trying to hurt you.  Honest.
 
Kodachi: [sobbing] That's ok, I -- [hits Ryouga upside the head 
with a club] Now.  Don't do anything like that 
again.  Understand?
 
Ryouga: [shouting] I have had enough of --
 
Kodachi: [not listening] Gos-chan?
 
Ryouga: [surprised] Wha?
 
[Scene pans to reveal that Kodachi is looking at Gosunkugi, 
who is sitting on a nearby bench]
 
Gosunkugi: Oh no...   [gets up.  Runs.  Kodachi pulls a ribbon 
out of nowhere and twirls it at him.  Without looking back, 
Gosunkugi grabs a hammer and nail, and nails the ribbon to a 
nearby building.] 
 
Kodachi: I see that you've improved, Hikaru.  But the Black 
Rose is not so easily overcome!
 
[Ryouga takes this as a cue, and starts running away from 
Kodachi also.  Gosunkugi hides.  A few minutes later, we see 
Gosunkugi in an alleyway.  Kodachi is nearby, but doesn't see 
him.  Ryouga approaches him from the other side.]
 
Ryouga: What are you doing here?
 
Gosunkugi: I'm trying to escape from her.
 
Ryouga: Escape from her?  Why?
 
Gosunkugi: You don't know why? [grins]
 
Ryouga: No, I don't.
 
Gosunkugi: Oh.  Okay. [grins more] Well, Ryouga, here's your 
chance to FIND OUT! 
 
[Gosunkugi pushes Ryouga into Kodachi.  Gosunkugi runs as fast 
as he can in the opposite direction.]
 
Kodachi: Excuse me.
 
Ryouga: Yes?
 
Kodachi: Excuse me.
 
[Ryouga looks to see that his arms are wrapped around 
Kodachi.  He blushes and sheepishly removes them]
 
Ryouga: I didn't mean it like that.  I can explain.
 
Kodachi: You've been saying that all night, you know.
 
Ryouga: I'm sorry.
 
Kodachi: You've been saying that all night also.
 
Ryouga: What do you suggest that I do, then?
 
Kodachi: Hmm.  You could beg and grovel.  No...that wouldn't 
be very amusing.  You could start by getting my ribbon.
 
Ryouga: Where is it?
 
Kodachi: Where Gos-chan left it, a block down the street. 
[points direction]
 
Ryouga: Gos-chan?
 
Kodachi: I have decided to treat you mercifully.  Don't push it.
 
Ryouga: Ok.  Which way was that ribbon again?
 
Kodachi: [sigh] That way [points again]
 
[Ryouga heads off in that direction and appears again behind 
Kodachi]
 
Kodachi: How did you do that?
 
Ryouga: I just headed in the direction that you pointed.  I 
didn't find the ribbon, though, so I got you this.  [He hands 
an object to Kodachi.]
 
Kodachi:  Thank you.  But *where* is my ribbon?
 
Ryouga: I couldn't find it.
 
Kodachi: You failed.
 
Ryouga: Well, I kind of....yeah.
 
Kodachi: I didn't give you the option of failure.
 
Ryouga: [thought] She's gonna kill me.  No doubt about it, 
she's gonna try and kill me.
 
Kodachi: This time, I'll go with you, to be sure that you get 
it right.
 
Ryouga: Oh.  That's it?  Ok.  [laughs nervously]
 
Kodachi: Were you expecting me to do something else?
 
Ryouga: I figured that you'd start screaming and attack me.  
[more nervous laughter]
 
Kodachi: That would be unseemly.  I don't know *where* you'd 
get the idea that I would do something like that.
-------------------------------------------------
       


Terrence Marks
Second Student in the Tendo Kasumi School of Philosophy
-Seeking enlightenment through normalcy.
normal@grove.ufl.edu