{insert all standard disclaimers}
{I'm rating this one a [TVY] in case you were wondering}
{I'm sending this one sooner than my judgement says I should}


                      Speech.. Contest?  or
                    The Spectacle of the Fool
                Part 2: The Shortfic Speech Saga

     I watched her from afar.  She moved with indomitable grace and
beauty, possessed of strength and skill.  She had no equal.  One
word formed in my mind when I beheld her alluring visage: goddess.
     But how to acquire the goddess' affections?  She was
unapproachable, rebuking every advance of her classmates.  She held
herself as untouchable, so that not even I could achieve her as
my own.
     It was only thanks to her sister that I could know her more
intimately.  The price was high, but true love knows no limitations
and my passion knows no bounds.
     Ah, to hold her amidst my arms and have her return my feelings.
I would be transported to the heavens and live in a many splendored
paradise.  The thought was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
     A tap on my shoulder jarred me from my fantasy.  I turned in
preparation to scold the one with such gall as to disturb me in my
time of reverie.  The words died on my lips as I saw who it was.  A
blessing in disguise: the goddess' sister.
     "Nabiki Tendo, I hope you have good reason to disturb me at
this time."  I folded my arms across my chest, hoping she would
understand my displeasure.
     "Of course, Kuno-chan.  I wouldn't dream of bothering you
without good reason."  She pulled out a small pile of photos.  "I
have an all new assortment for you to look at."  She flashed the
pictures for the barest moment.
     I had to stop myself from quivering with anticipation.
"Very well.  Let me look upon them."  It wouldn't do to show
Nabiki Tendo my excitement; her prices are high enough as it
is.
     She let me look at the pictures, one at a time, not speaking
to allow me full concentration.  They were all masterpieces.
While I sometimes question Nabiki Tendo's motives, her photography
skills are second to none.  "How much?"
     She looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling at me.
"For you, Kuno-chan, 1000 each."  She held out her hand,
waiting for payment.
     I balked at the price.  Even for myself with my family's
wealth, the price was steep.  The pictures were too
magnificent to pass up though.  I gave her a handful of bills
with only a second of guilt.
     She handed the pictures to me, getting a satisfied smile
on her face.  "Nice doing business with you, Kuno-chan."
     My brow furrowed at her condescending form of address.
She never used the proper respect when speaking with me, it was
infuriating.  "I'll have more for you next week," she said,
seeing my mood darken.  She always seemed to defuse my 
annoyance before I could release it though.
     She tucked the money away and walked off to join her
classmates.  I watched her leave then turned my attention back
to the photos.  I gazed longingly at them.  How my heart sang
whenever I was confronted with the goddess.
     The approaching hour signalled the return to class.  I
put the photos away carefully, it wouldn't do to damage them
in any way.  I was sure these would adorn a special place in
my room.  I headed to class, my emotions barely under control.

                  *         *         *

     "Hey Kuno-chan, how smart do you think it is to wear that
to the speech contest?"
     "It is the appropriate outfit for a samurai."
     "But this is a speech contest, not mortal combat."
     "I am aware of that, Nabiki Tendo."  There was no point
in arguing with her.  She would only find some way to insult
me.  The way she was looking at me was bad enough, I could
see the barest glimmer of contempt in her eyes.
     "Whatever you say, Kuno-chan," she said, rolling her eyes,
making no effort to hide her feelings.  She offered me no
words of encouragement, I expected none.  'Good luck' was
not worth the price.
     No matter, my time was almost at hand.  I had no time to
waste on other's words.  I readied myself to walk on to the
stage.  Everyone was waiting to hear me speak and I did not
wish to disappoint.
     A hand on my sleeve stopped me.  I had to wonder what
fee I was required to pay now.  She turned me to face her.
As I was about to question her actions, she leaned up and
kissed me.  It was only a quick, friendly kiss, but I felt
like I had been struck by a bolt of lightning.
     I looked at her with simple surprise.  She left without
a word, into the auditorium, leaving me stunned.
     "Tatewaki Kuno."
     I looked at the doorway she had left through.  I was
having considerable trouble comprehending what had just
happened.
     "Tatewaki Kuno.  Tatewaki Kuno."
     Shaken from my confusion, it was my time in front of
everyone.  I walked on stage and approached the podium 
slowly.  All thoughts of the speech contest were gone,
everything I had planned to say was nonexistant.
     I stood at the podium, the microphone in my face, the
lights in my eyes.  Everyone looked at me expectantly.  I
could see several members of the Kendo team watching me,
Nabiki Tendo and several of her friends were off to the side,
whispering amongst themselves.
     I swallowed hard, which the microphone transmitted
throughout the auditorium.  I watched Nabiki Tendo out of the
corner of my eye and saw her head turn in my direction when
she heard the noise.
     One of her friends said something that caused her to nod 
her head, still looking at me.  I saw several of the girls
adopt pained expressions and then yen begin to change hands.
Most of it was going into Nabiki Tendo's hands.
     It was then that I realized what her show of affection
had been all about.  To say that I was angry is unnecessary.
But mostly I felt disappointment.  Maybe a touch of heartbreak...
No, not where Nabiki Tendo was involved.  I know that I hold
her in high respects; she is one of the most intelligent
people I know.  The fact that she constantly took money from
my hand and treated me without the necessary respect did not
bother me.  Not as much as finding out I was only her 'cash
cow' and not worth her sincerity.
     I felt the heat rise, crawl up my neck.  I braced my hands
on the podium And before I could consider my words, was announcing
to everyone...
     "The vengeance of heaven is slow but sure."  I raised my
hand in a fist.  "If you wish to date with Akane Tendo..."  I
raised my other hand in a fist.  "you must defeat Akane in combat."
I put my hands back down on the podium.  "I, Tatewaki Kuno, will
permit absolutely no other terms."*
     Murmuring swept through the auditorium.  I glanced at
Nabiki Tendo to see if she could see I was not affected by her
actions.  She had a smirk on her face and was shaking her head.
     I stepped away from the podium feeling angry and empty.  I
did not appreciate her toying with me in that way and vowed that 
she would find her pockets empty of my money from now on.  Frowning, I
walked off the stage and sat down in a folding chair in the wing.
     I touched the place on my mouth where she had kissed me.
It may have been a simple monetary venture for her, but there
were more animalistic parts of my mind that kept reminding me
of the feel of her body leaning against me.
     "Hey Kuno-chan?"  It was her, probably to win more bets at
my expense.
     I stood up and growled in her direction.  "Hold, Nabiki
Tendo.  I want little to do with one such as yourself.  You,
who would play with my affections.  No longer will I be a source
for your amusement, so keep your stories of your false physical
affections to yourself."
     I marched by her, attempting to keep the anger on my face,
even if I felt it fleeting in my heart.
     Faintly, I heard her as I stepped out into the auditorium.
"Kuno-chan, if you only knew the truth."**

End

* Yeah, I took this right from the Viz subtitle.  Don't kill me.
** The thought just hit me.. if you want to know what truth
   that might be, you'll have to ask.

So I'm slow.. sue me.  All C&C appreciated and responded to
since I am fanatical about my mail *foam*  And once again, I'm
unhappy with the end, but I have that problem since I am a
perfectionist when it comes to my own work, I can just never
quite reach it... *sigh*  Cripes, I'm not even happy with the
'Author's notes'.. ZZ
-- 
Lara

o--------------------------------------o
|  Attend Eastern Michigan University  |
|            Less Effective            |
|           More Destructive           |
|           You'll get yours           |
o--------------------------------------o
         lara@emunix.emich.edu