Again, I'm not too happy with this chapter. Please, C&C would
really be appreciated for this one.
alhuang@hcs.harvard.edu
http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~alhuang/
January 1, 1997
Welcome back. Here are the continuing adventures of Nakamura
Takeshi in the wonderful Tokyo district called Nerima. This is going
to be slightly different, now, since it follows Nabiki rather than
Takeshi. I need it this way...because it'll just work out better this
way. Okay? Good. Now, I may come close to breaking one of my self-
imposed rules about a new character, but I don't, so don't get mad
at me until you've read the whole thing. Oh, and after this chapter,
Takeshi will not be so central to the story. Thanks!
Legalese: Except for Nakamura Takeshi, all the characters and the idea
behind Ranma 1/2 belong to Takahashi Rumiko and whoever.
And now, Oddzilla Productions presents....
"Visiting Nerima" by Andrew Huang
<...>: thoughts
*...*: sound effects
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Chapter 2: For the Love of...What?
[This is a bit of a continuation of the prologue.]
*WHACK* *SPLASH* "BAKA!!!"
"Otousan, what does Takeshi's father do for a living?"
Soun looked at his middle daughter. "Well, Akira-kun is an
executive for a Japanese bank. He was sent to California five years
ago to head the board of one of their United States branches."
*CHA-CHING*
Soun missed the audible chime emanating from Nabiki's head and
continued. "Akira was very reluctant to move, but with all the benefits
and the raise that he was getting, he couldn't refuse." He had no idea
what he was plunging poor Takeshi into.
"Wow, that's...nice." Nabiki was almost drooling now. <Profitable
indeed! I'm going to enjoy this.> Yen signs danced in her eyes.
[Now, a few weeks after that....]
------------------------------------------------
"I had a great time tonight, Nabiki." Takeshi smiled across the
table. The candlelight danced in his eyes.
Nabiki set down her champagne glass. "Arigato...Takeshi-kun." Nabiki
blushed. <I _blushed?! Yeah, I just did.> "Well...I think it's time
that we got going." Takeshi nodded, and the two moved to stand up.
Takeshi reached across to pick up Nabiki's jacket just as she leaned
forward to push her chair back...their faces were suddenly only inches
apart. They froze in place, looking deeply in each other's eyes.
"I...ah...." Takeshi's voice trailed off. He slowly leaned forward, eyes
closing, and Nabiki did the same. Their lips were just about to tou--
*******RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGG*******
"NANI!?!" Nabiki bolted upright in her bed, gasping. Her hand
instinctively slammed her alarm clock into silence. "Dream. Only a
dream," she muttered to herself. <Now, if my heart would just stop
palpitating like that....> She shook herself. <What brought that on?
There's no way.... I've known him for such a short time! Really.... I
guess I'm just spending too much time around him.>
Indeed, Nabiki had been around Takeshi a lot. Of course, he was
staying in the same house as she was, but somehow, it was more than
she had expected. After all, she _was_ determined to make this visit
a profitable one. Bets, valuable information, escapes from certain
situations...she had made a lot of money off Takeshi already.
Nabiki stretched and hopped out of her bed, making her way out the
door and down to the bathroom. Takeshi suddenly popped out, running
his hand through his hair. Nabiki froze, the dream still fresh in her
mind. "O-ohayo, Takeshi-kun...."
Takeshi took no notice of her slight stutter, and smiled. "Ohayo,
Nabiki. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I had a great time last night."
He smiled again and walked off towards the dining room. Nabiki almost
facefaulted at those words.
"Argh! Must-forget-that-dream-" Nabiki bopped herself on the head.
However, her thoughts drifted back to last night. Takeshi had lost yet
another bet, concerning the number of fights that would break out
that day within the walls of the Tendou's yard. As a result, he had
to take Nabiki out to dinner at a local French restaurant. The setting
was nowhere near as...romantic as her dream, but they had a good time
nonetheless.
<Funny...in the last week, the two of us have been eating out a lot
lately.> Nabiki was known for her ability to cadge free meals from
Kunou. It really wasn't that hard, either. In fact, she had started
to get...bored with Kunou. Takeshi seemed like a new challenge for
her and she had readily gone after it. Much to her delight, Takeshi
was an excellent conversationalist, to boot.
Nabiki started brushing her teeth. <Hmm. He's really an intelligent guy.
Not bad looking, either. I _did_ have a good time last night-->
She stopped, staring at herself in the mirror. <No! Get a grip on yourself!
He's just a walking source of yen. Maybe a friend, too, but that's it!
Really, Nabiki. This is ridiculous!> She resumed brushing
her teeth furiously.
<But....>
------------------------------------------------
"When are you ever going to learn?" Nabiki held a damp cloth to
Takeshi's forehead. He was again out cold, following an argument
between Ranma and Akane which had started to turn violent. "You've
got to stay away from those two when they start fighting!"
This scene had quickly become very common. Of course, it had been
common before, except that usually the patient was Kunou, and the
location was the nurse's office in Furinkan. But ever since his
entrance on the scene of Nerima, Nabiki found herself doing the same
with Takeshi, in the Tendou's guest room.
Suddenly, Takeshi's eyes blinked open. "It...it happened again,
ne?" Nabiki gave a small laugh.
"Hai. You caught the edge of the dining room table with your face
on Akane's backswing. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for you to
visit. Not while those two are within five kilometers of each other--
and yourself. Oh, and Akane apologizes profusely."
"Like she always does. *ite* My face must be completely red. So,
how much do I owe you this time?"
Nabiki grinned. "It's on the house. A gift from me."
Takeshi's raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "Well! It's a
miracle! Thank you ever so much, kind lady." He smiled back, and
Nabiki found her heart fluttering again.
<Hey, stop that! I told you not to palpitate so much!> Nabiki felt
her face starting to flush, and quickly turned away. <Why am I doing
this!?> "So, what have you got planned for today?"
"Well, it's been a while since I've seen any movies in Japan. Want
to join me for a flick?"
"Sure!" Nabiki answered before she even quite realized it. <Oh
well, maybe it'll be fun.> Another part of her mind said, <Of course
it'll be fun!> <Huh? Where did _that_ come from!? Argh!> "So, what's
playing?"
------------------------------------------------
Nabiki was looking at the movie screen, but her mind was definitely not
on the movie. She glanced over at Takeshi, who seemed to be
completely absorbed with the movie.
<Okay. Time to start thinking this all over.>
As she had realized earlier, most of Takeshi's lost bets in the
past week ended up with them going out to eat. And, well, Nabiki was
the one who had been making the stakes. <So. I've subconsciously
been trying to spend time with him alone? Is that what it means?>
She did enjoy his company, that was clear enough. He was bright,
witty, and sensitive. A really great guy.... So, he was year younger.
It didn't matter to her. And even though she had been taking advantage
of him a bit, he didn't really seem to mind. <He's just so loaded, he
doesn't care. And....> Takeshi appeared to also enjoy going out with
Nabiki.
<Might as well admit it, girl, you like him.> She stiffened with
that thought, enough to rattle the tub of popcorn sitting between the
two of them.
"Eh? Something wrong?"
"Oh, no, no...never mind."
The two turned back to watching the movie.
<Well, what do I do now?>
------------------------------------------------
"I just realized. I haven't had any fast food since I got to Japan--
before now, anyways. Ucchan's doesn't count." They had finished the
movie, and were now munching on hamburgers at a McDonald's.
"Wow. You're right." Nabiki smiled. Her mind was still churning
furiously. <Okay. All right. I'll admit it already! I like him. But
the heck do I do about it!?>
"What did you think of the movie?"
Nabiki was startled out of her reverie. "Oh...anou...it was...okay,
I guess." <He's not going to be here too long....>
"Eh...it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. But, well, a movie
is rarely better than the book it's based on." Takeshi ate a french
fry. "You know, this also the first time we've shared a meal without
it being the result of a bet or something like that." He grinned
broadly. "Maybe we should do this a little more often." Nabiki started
choking. "I--Nabiki?! Wha--NABIKI!!!!"
He sprang out of his chair and behind her. Quickly, he grabbed her
around the waist and performed the Heimlich maneuver. A piece of a
french fry popped out of her throat, and she began gasping in air.
Takeshi sighed in relief. "You okay? Huh...don't scare me like that!"
He had neglected to release his hold around her waist, and was still
somewhat draped around her.
"A...a-arigato...." Nabiki wheezed. <Thank God.... Uhm...his arms
are still around me...?> "Y-you can let go now...." <Wow.>
"Oh! Ah, heh, right...." He quickly released her, and she turned
around in time to see him blush. Her heart leapt. "Uh, let's go...."
------------------------------------------------
The two entered the gate to the Dojo. It was already getting dark.
"Are you sure you're okay? You haven't said anything since we left."
"Hai. Just...thinking. I can't thank you enough...."
"Hey, what was I supposed to do?" Takeshi grinned again. Nabiki
smiled back, somewhat demurely.
<He saved me. And I saw him blush! Oh heck. Might as well go with
what's natural....> Nabiki started to move her hand into his and--
"Oi! Takeshi! There's a letter for you! From overseas." Ranma waved
something in his hand, standing in the front door. The rest of the
family was just behind him.
"Really? Great! I haven't heard from home at all lately." He sped up
his pace, and Nabiki hurried along to keep up.
<Chikusho! Ruined the moment....>
Takeshi took the letter and looked at the return address. "Hey,
it's from Jen!"
"Jen? Who is that?" Kasumi emerged from the kitchen.
Takeshi laughed a little. "Oh, right! I never told you guys. She's
my girlfriend."
Nabiki froze.
"What? You have a girlfriend and you never said anything?" Akane
moved up next to him to look. "Wow, she has pretty handwriting."
"Well, no one really asked...never thought to bring her up. Well, I
did tell Ryouga earlier, but that's because he already met her...." No
one bothered to ask. They knew about his...directional problems.
Takeshi ripped open the envelope.
Actually, Nabiki didn't ask because of the cold knot forming in her
stomach. She stiffly turned and walked up the stairs to her room.
Because she left so quickly, she did not see Kasumi give a worried
glance at both Takeshi and Nabiki. "Oh, my."
She also did not see Takeshi slowly turn very, very pale as he read
the letter.
------------------------------------------------
Nabiki sat on her bed, a tear running down her face. She didn't
notice it. "What the hell...I...." There was suddenly a knock on her
door. "Wh...who is it?" She hurriedly wiped away the tear.
"It's Kasumi. Can I come in?"
"Oh...s-sure, oneechan...." The door creaked open, and Kasumi
stepped in, a slight frown creasing her face, something very out of
place. Nabiki knew that she wouldn't be able to hide anything from
her. "How could you tell?"
"That you like him? It wasn't that difficult. The way you looked
at him sometimes, how much time you've been spending with him...."
"How long?"
"I'd say I picked it up about three days ago."
"Wow. I just figured it out today." A pause, and a sigh. "Does
anyone else know?"
"Iie. They've been too preoccupied with other matters to notice."
Nabiki stifled a sob. Kasumi hurried over to her side and put an arm
around her shoulder.
"It's all right. These things happen. It's a part of life." Nabiki
didn't answer. "I think that you should go talk to him.... I don't know
if this is the best time, though. Apparently, something happened...."
Nabiki looked up, blinking away tears. "Nani?"
"I didn't stay around to find out, but when he started to read the
letter, he became...distressed." Kasumi looked off.
"Hai.... But I will talk to him tonight."
------------------------------------------------
One hour later. Nabiki had taken a bath to relax and compose
herself, and now proceeded to find Takeshi. Ranma pointed her out to
the back yard. She had taken only two steps out, when she noticed
something odd....
"Good grief. I'm actually glowing." It was Takeshi; he was turned
to the right, slightly away from Nabiki's view. He was indeed giving
off a faint, greenish-blue glow.
<Like...like...Ryouga. What's going on?> Nabiki's brow furrowed.
Takeshi gave a small chuckle. "Man, I must be really depresssed."
Nabiki didn't take psychology, but she could tell something was
extremely wrong. If he was that down, he shouldn't be chuckling like
that....
"Hmm. I wonder...." Takeshi scratched his head. He put both of his
hands out in front of him, closed his eyes, and said, in a tight
voice, "Shishi...houkouDAN!"
He flared a bit, but nothing else really happened. <Wow! He _is_
depressed!>
"Nope. I guess not. Maybe Ryouga can teach me...if I ever find him
before I go back home." Takeshi sighed, and flopped down on the
grass. Nabiki cleared her throat, attracting Takeshi's attention.
"Who is it?"
"Me." Nabiki walked over in front of him and sat down on the grass. "I
guess I missed something.... What...what happened?"
"They didn't tell you?" Nabiki shook her head. "Oh. Well.... I found out
why Jen hadn't written me at all until now." A pause. "Shortly before I
left...she...'met' a guy...." Nabiki looked up, her interest extremely
piqued now. "Now that I think about it, she was acting a little
strangely those few days. Anyways--apparently, she didn't know what to
do until now. And what she did...was to dump me." Takeshi sighed, and
closed his eyes. "Took her damned long enough."
<Oh, my.> Nabiki's mind flew into gear. Takeshi was single now. He
was very, very, very badly depressed. She checked her tumbling
emotions.... Yes, she still liked him. Definitely. He was sitting
there, right in front of her, vulnerable--
<Wait. Is this all that I want?> She mentally shook herself. <A
rebound affair? That wouldn't be...right. Taking advantage of him
like this is just wrong.> It was her turn to sigh. <Dammit. So close,
and suddenly I've developed a conscience. Well, he still is a friend.
I guess.... I don't think I'm going to be telling him tonight. Kasumi
was right, this isn't the best time.> She reached out and took his
right hand in both of hers (in as platonic a manner as she could,
mind you).
"I'm sorry, Takeshi. I...I guess I'm not really the best person to
talk to about something like this, but...it's all right. These things
happen." <Just a little bit of borrowing.... Thanks, oneechan.>
"Arigato.... Your concern touches me." Takeshi gave a small smile.
She squeezed his hand tightly. "What will you do now?"
"I guess...I'll write back to her. I don't know what I'm going to
say, though. But one thing is true.... I'm not angry at her. I can't
be. I've never been able to get angry at any girl that I ever liked.
Even when...never mind. It's a long story. Rather, some long stories." He
started to rise, and Nabiki let go of his hand. "I think I'll go
take a bath now. And...." He turned towards the house, but looked
back at Nabiki. With a smile and a small laugh, he said, "Thanks for
not taking advantage of me like this." He turned back.
Nabiki's heart went ballistic for, perhaps, the sixtieth time that
day. Unlike Takeshi, she could get very angry at someone she liked.
<What-was-that-supposed-to-mean--??! He knows that I like him, AND
HE DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT JEN!?!>
"Stop." There was an unmistakably icy fury in her voice. Takeshi froze,
and warily turned around.
"Nan...nandayo?" He looked slightly confused.
Nabiki carefully measured her words out for the maximum effect. "You
didn't tell me. You didn't tell me about Jen. You didn't tell
me...even though--" She paused to glare at him full force. "Even
though YOU KNOW I LIKE YOU!?"
There was a moment of silence. Then--
Takeshi facefaulted. Nabiki blinked; this wasn't quite the way she
thought he would react. Before she could continue, however....
"Ah...you... you _like_...me...?" He picked himself off the ground,
scratching his head. He was now totally confused, looking somewhat
like Ryouga trying to find his way somewhere.
<Uhm.... Oh, no.> "Eh...I...uh...." Nabiki's anger drained away
instantly, leaving only embarassment. <But then...what did he mean-->
*WHACK* *thud*
Nabiki's train of thought was interrupted by Takeshi falling to the
ground after being struck in the head by a brick. Akane, of course....
"Oops! Gomen ne, Takeshi...oh. He can't hear me, huh, oneechan?"
------------------------------------------------
"Second time today, Takeshi. And I thought that today might be one
of the few days that you would suffer Akane's misplaced wrath only
once, instead of two or three times. Of course, it's one of the few
times that you've been knocked unconscious more than once in a day."
Nabiki sighed. She had been thinking long and hard since that
latest accident.
<Well, then. I goofed up. It usually takes something rather major
to mess me up. He knows now, and we're both in awkward positions.
And damned if I know how to get through this.> Unfortunately, for all
her ponderings, she hadn't gotten very far. Fortunately, the others had
been too preoccupied to have heard her outburst earlier, so they had
been left in peace.
Takeshi stirred, finally. "Ehh.... *ow* What was it this time?"
"Akane threw a brick. Got you solidly in the back of the head."
"Ah." Silence. A long, uncomfortable silence.
"Um...Takeshi...are you okay?"
"Hai...." More uncomfortable silence.
"So, what do we do now?"
"I don't know. Uh...you...you like me?"
Nabiki nodded. "And I have to admit, I think I still do. I don't...
I don't do things like that lightly. It's been a while since the last
time I've genuinely liked a guy."
"Oh, wow. This is going to take some time to sink in, I'm afraid."
"What do you mean?"
Takeshi thought a few moments. "Well.... Until now, the only girl
that ever liked me before was Jen. It was hard for me to believe that
to begin with, and then, here you are now, saying that you like me....
It's just hard for me to believe."
"Nani? You mean to say, you only know of one...uh, two girls who
have ever liked you? But...but...."
Takeshi shrugged. "Yeah, that's right. All my friends always told
me that I couldn't be sure about that, that there probably were other
girls who liked me but just couldn't tell me. I don't know--I just
couldn't believe it, after all that I'd been through." Nabiki nodded.
"Say, what did you mean by that one comment? About not taking
advantage of you, if you didn't know...."
"Oh. I was kind of making a joke, you know...about not charging me for
offering me a little bit of comfort." Nabiki looked down, somewhat
embarrassed. "But...now that I do know...thanks again for not taking
advantage of me." He sat back, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't
know, though...it's not likely I would have gone for it." Nabiki looked
back up, frowning a bit.
"Why...why not?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong. I mean, you're really intelligent, and
pretty, and nicer than most people give you credit for...." Nabiki
blushed a bit. "But I'm not the type who goes for rebounds. It takes
me a while to get over things. Had the circumstances been different...
I think, maybe...but, well, these are the way things are." He smiled.
Nabiki looked at him. "You...you really think I'm nice?"
Takeshi nodded. "Definitely. I remember Ranma telling me a while
ago that you were capable only of loving money. I'm glad that you
proved him wrong."
"I think...I think that a lot of people think that about me...."
"Well, I'm not one of them. Especially not now. There's a lot more
to you than just money. I can see that clearly, more than ever. And...
you know, I'm kind of flattered that you actually like me." It was
his turn to blush a little bit. Takeshi then smiled. "A quote.... 'It
is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.'"
Nabiki thought that over for a few moments, then, said, "Is that....
er...Sh-Sheksperu?"
Takeshi laughed. "Funny, what we Japanese do to English words and
names. Hai, William Shakespeare, the one they call 'The Bard' in English-
speaking countries. Let me guess, you heard it from Kunou?" Nabiki
nodded. "We had to study a lot of his works back in the United
States.... I very much agree with that quote of his. Uh, well, at least, I
think it's his. I'm actually not too sure...heh." Takeshi scratched
his head, slightly embarrassed. "But whatever. I certainly feel that
way."
=============================
Author's sidenote: Uh, I have indeed studied a lot of Shakespeare,
and I'm pretty sure that's from him--but not completely. If I'm wrong,
then--I'M SORRY! Yes, I know, I'm in Harvard.... <bigsweat>
DAMMIT, JIM, I'M A DOCTOR, NOT AN ENGLISH MAJOR!!!! Well, actually,
I'm an engineer-in-training (Chem E). >_< *ahem* Okay. Well, back to
the story. Oh, and I like TNG, not TOS. :P ARGH! I'll stop now.
=============================
"Really? I...I suppose...I suppose I do, too."
Another moment of silence, but not nearly as uncomfortable anymore.
"I'm really sorry to put you through all of this. Are...are you okay?"
Nabiki gave a small sigh. "Hai...I'll be okay. It's just something
that everyone has to go through, ne? How about you, though?"
Takeshi shrugged. "I've been through rejection a lot. This is
actually kind of familiar. Almost...comfortable, even. Granted, it's
the first time I've ever been dumped, but I can get through this."
They both looked down, thinking.
"I guess...I'll just have to get over this quickly. I hope...this
doesn't make you too uncomfortable or anything...."
"Maybe a little, but...oh well. What about you?"
"Hmm...same with me. Since you're still going to be around a while
longer, well...we just have to get past this."
Takeshi nodded. Then he slowly got up to his feet. "I'm going to go
take that bath now...again, I'm really sorry about all of this."
Nabiki nodded, and the two got up. She started to move towards the
door.
Suddenly, she stopped, and turned around. "Takeshi...."
"Hm?"
Nabiki quickly glided up to him, and gave him a peck on the cheek.
He looked slightly startled. "Arigato. You know, I have a hard time
believing that only two girls have ever liked you. You're a really
nice guy, you know." She smiled, and walked out.
Takeshi stared after her, his hand touching where she had kissed
him just now. "Wow."
------------------------------------------------
Nabiki sat at her desk. She was holding a large wad of bills in her hand,
staring at it intently. Much of it was what she had made off of Takeshi
in the past weeks.
"More to me than just money...." She suddenly gained a fierce look
on her face. "Damn right, there's more!" She glanced over at her
accounting books, and then back to the cash. <I should probably start
by giving back what I made off of him....> Suddenly, there was a quiet
knock on her door.
"Nabiki? Keep the money. You earned it, fair and square."
Nabiki smiled. <Well, all right. But this is all the money that I'm
taking from him. I think I'll still let him buy me a meal on occasion,
though....>
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Yes, another "Nabiki falls in love" story, but hopefully nothing
quite like the same as before. I do think there's more to Nabiki than
just a love for yen...I hope I didn't mess with her character too much,
though. Hmm. I'll admit, there's a huge amount of me in Takeshi. (I'll let
you all decide how much.) Anyways, I hope you liked it. C&C is welcome.
Who's next? I'm not sure yet. You'll find out soon enough. Or maybe
later...whatever.
>From Andrew Huang, Taiwanese-American-German-Scot Harvard Student :P
Brought to you by his computer, Oddzilla
Oddzilla says, "Ryouga and Ukyou! Ukyou and Ryouga!"
http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~alhuang
Kurimoto Shiro's manager, DBTFH