"Well I could be six feet under. I could be stone dead cold.
Hanging from the highest tree, would you read my suicide note?
Hungry for affection, howling at the moon, can't you get it inside your
head that all I want is you?
All you're thinking of is making love to yourself...
And I wonder if there's any room for somebody else..."
-Golden Earring
Tatewaki Kuno awoke with a start. Sweat drenched his nightclothes,
and his breath came in panting gasps. He tried to remember his dream,
but the feelings and images were already sublimating away in the
early morning sunlight. He knew it wasn't a nightmare, the stiffness
beneath his bedspread told him that. It was a fiery dream of passion
and lust, and he longed to return to the arms of the phantasmal nymph
with whom he had spent the evening.
As he had done for the past several years, he looked next to him
on the mat where Nabiki should sleep. The mat was empty, as it had been
for just as many years. He sighed and looked down at his hand, manly
and strong, and to the shiny band of gold which adorned the third finger.
"In truth the specters that haunt my days are the stuff of
nightmares, whilst only in the embrace of morpheus may I find salvation,"
he reflected with a sadness unthinkable in his high school days.
He stood from his bedding, pulled on a yukata, and went to face
an empty house once again.
_______________________________________________________________________
J. Austin Wilde and Fission Park Press proudly present:
REUNIONS:
Tatewaki Kuno/Nabiki Tendo
"RUSTING BLADE"
REUNIONS is a story concept by Erin Mills.
The characters and situations of Ranma 1/2
are the property of Rumiko Takahashi/Kitty/
Shogakukan. Used without permission.
Enormous thanks to my beloved Bridget Engman
for her twisted brainstorming during the five
hour car trip that precipitated this fanfic.
Nabiki Tendo looked up from her reading to see her father standing
over her. Usually he contented himself with speaking to her whether she
recognized his presence or not, but this time he seemed to be waiting
for just such an acknowledgment. She rolled over onto her side and
regarded him.
"Yes daddy?" She asked sweetly.
Soun's countenance was grave.
"I've been thinking..." he began.
Nabiki knew this was never a good thing, and her nerves began to
tingle.
"Kasumi and Akane have been married for some time now," he went on.
Alarm bells rang in Nabiki's head.
"And I feel it is high time that my last unmarried daughter move
on with her life..."
Nabiki couldn't believe this. Her father was dead serious this time.
Oh, he had hinted at this for awhile now, but with the weight of Kasumi
and Akane already married behind him, it was getting harder and harder
to shrug off his machinations.
"But daddy," Nabiki said with a dry chuckle that served to conceal
her sudden unease. "There are so many things left undone. How could I
possibly think about getting married when I'm doing so well in
college?"
"I've always had faith in your abilities, Nabiki. Of all my
daughters you are the most resourceful and determined. I'm certain that
you can handle both school and marriage."
"..."
For once, Nabiki was at a loss for words.
"Are we in agreement?" Soun pressed.
**Agreement?!** Nabiki's mind spluttered, **Hell no, we are not in
agreement!**
"But daddy, it's not like I'm really seeing anyone right now, and
I really..."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Soun countered. "I mean, we managed
to get Akane married off without too many problems."
"Too many problems?" Nabiki railed, heart racing at the prospect
of being dragged into a nightmarish arranged marriage that even a
tenth as mild as Akane's would still be a living hell. "Do you realize
what you're paying in insurance premiums on this place because of
Akane's 'trouble free' engagement?"
"The matter is decided," he said calmly. "As your father I want
you to be happy. I want you to make your own decision, but if you are
not engaged to a man within six months, we will look into marriage
meetings for you. You will be married within the year."
Nabiki's jaw dropped. It was all falling down. Her dreams. Her
ambitions. Of all these things, a husband had no part in them.
**Daddy is remaining unbelievably serene about the whole thing.
Is he back on the tranquilizers again?**
"Oh, and by the way," Soun said, as if it wasn't enough that
he had just destroyed her life. "I've placed the dojo property in
Ranma and Akane's name, be sure to note that when you do my tax
returns next month."
Nabiki's final hopes shattered into a billion tiny slivers, for it
had been her long planned intention to secretly mortgage the dojo in
order to finance her investments -and ultimately the lifestyle she
had always dreamed of. Now it was all gone. She would be locked into
a marriage that held her fast to the earth as surely as if she were
in chains.
"Cheer up, Nabiki, getting married isn't the end of the world,"
her father offered with a pat on the head. Then he walked away into
the kitchen, humming tunelessly to himself.
Nabiki Tendo fell to the tatami and wept silently.
After about twenty minutes of excessive self pity, Nabiki popped
up with a firmly set chin and a look of determination in her reddened
eyes. It was true that she had suffered a crushing setback to her plans,
but she was not going to lie down and die. She was going to make the
most of it. Hell, she was going to twist everything to her advantage
until one day she was sipping pina coladas with the little umbrellas
sticking out of them on some beach in the Bahamas, and kicking back on
twenty percent of billions for the rest of her jet-setting life.
She needed someone rich. Stupid wouldn't hurt, either.
"Oh, Pig-Tailed Girl! Is it not destiny that binds us? For where
it is that ---uuurrrgghhh!!!"
"Keep your meat hooks offa me, ya stupid jerk!"
As Ranma-chan stepped in from the garden, she saw a maniacal
light gleaming in Nabiki's eyes. Assuming it was directed towards her,
she made her way into the house to find her wife as fast as she
dared without looking at Nabiki.
Nabiki ignored her. She had bigger fish to fry.
* * *
It was with some trepidation that Tatewaki Kuno stepped into the
living room of the manor. He never knew when Nabiki might be home. As
much as he hoped she would, invariably she would disappoint him.
The living room was empty. Indeed, save for the sound of Sasuke
sweeping the patio in the yard, the entire estate was empty. His dear
but more than slightly deranged sister was back in school following
her lengthy stay in the psychiatric hospital. The last time he had seen
her was at their father's funeral in Hawaii. In a contemptible tribute
to the man's only true love, his ashes, along with the ashes of his
ukulele, were scattered across the Banzai Pipeline beach of Oahu.
The students of Furinkan High School were said to have partied for a
week following the news of Koucho Kuno's untimely death in a surfing
mishap.
The smell of breakfast wafted across the room from the kitchen.
Sasuke had left it out for him, as it was never a certainty as to
when he would rise in the morning. Kuno decided that he would eat
today, also never a certainty.
As he set the rice and fish down next to a small bowl of miso soup,
he sighed to himself. There was another one of Sasuke's trashy gaijin
magazines lying on the table nearby. Despite himself, he reached over
and took it into his hands.
It was a copy of "People," badly translated into Japanese. He
wondered what anyone saw in the rag, even Americans. His fingers flipped
idly through the pages.
There she was, though he wished it were not so. He should have known
better. He *did* know better, but once again a part of him that liked
to see him suffer had done its awful deed.
"Cursed be my eyes! And damned be my hands for doing the devil's
work this day!"
He threw the magazine down on the floor and rose without touching
his food. The magazine fell open to the page he had been looking at.
Nabiki Kuno, in a black low cut evening gown that showed off an abundance
of cleavage and thigh, was dangling off the arm of a Hollywood big wheel
with a drink in one hand and a merry smile on her face.
The katanas whistled through the air as Tatewaki slashed and
strove through the spinning array of practice dummies. The system was
a gift from Nabiki; twenty motorized, padded, mannequins swinging
bokken in random spins and slashes. He couldn't remember at what
point he had replaced the mannequins' bokken with live steel, and
whether or not it was because he preferred the greater challenge, or
if he just didn't care anymore if one the robots got lucky and chopped
him in half.
He spun through them, his bokken striking them hard enough for the
internal sensors to register the blow and shut down the dummy. Blades
slashed the air around him, but he was too fast and too skilled to let
them touch him. Within moments he had 'slain' them all. It was getting
too easy for him, and he pondered adding another twenty robots. Perhaps
he would see about upgrading their programs so that they moved in some
approximation of real swordplay techniques.
He needed more challenge. Or maybe he just needed more risk. He
wasn't sure about much anymore.
If he had had the presence of mind to think about it before, he
would have seen his life slipping out of his hands and into Nabiki's
long before. She controlled every aspect of the Kuno Family's finances,
bringing the once shaky holdings out of the deep well of red ink and
into a gusher of black.
Indeed, money was no object anymore. They had plenty and to spare.
So much money in fact, that Tatewaki didn't have to work. Even if he
had wanted a job, Nabiki had insisted against it.
As Kuno sat down in a kneeling position to meditate on his
mock combat, he thought about the financial success his union with
Nabiki had brought. In doing so he came to a slow realization:
He didn't give a damn.
Money was something he had always taken for granted. It had
always been there, even when he had to do a little juggling to make
ends meet. He didn't require much in the way of material things
anyway.
Like the watch on his wrist. A twelve jeweled movement Rolex with
an 18kt solid gold case and diamonds marking the points on the face. It
was something he would never have wanted for himself, but it was a
gift from Nabiki on his birthday, and special to him only because it
was one of the few times she had ever given him something in person.
There were times when he felt like he had a better relationship with
the FEDEX man than his wife.
* * *
Tatewaki Kuno picked himself up off the ground with a little
help from Nabiki. His beloved Pig-Tailed Girl, still languishing under
the sorcery of the foul Ranma Saotome, had once again driven her foot
into his face. Kuno's blood boiled. How dare the cursed Saotome, who was
even now married and whose spouse was expecting a child, keep the
lovely red-haired goddess that was the Pig-Tailed Girl in his thrall!
As he absently brushed the dust from his kendoist's attire he
noticed Nabiki standing there. She clucked mournfully at him as he
rubbed his hand gently against his jaw.
"Have I provided sufficient amusement for you today, Nabiki Tendo?"
Nabiki flashed him a smile, something she never did unless she
wanted something. Kuno's hackles went up instantly.
"Oh, I dunno, I'm sure you can top this," she replied.
"Prithee tell me, Nabiki Tendo," Kuno riposted with a hint of
bitterness.
"What are you doing tonight?"
This wasn't exactly what Kuno was expecting, but it hinted at one
of Nabiki's schemes to get him to take her somewhere. He was unsure of
how to respond. While Nabiki invariably used him to further her own ends,
she was pleasant and even (his mind railed at the thought) *enjoyable*
company most of the time.
"What, pray tell, did you have in mind?" Kuno asked wearily.
Nabiki grinned. "I was thinking dinner and a movie."
Kuno was about to sigh with resignation when he heard Nabiki add
the words "my treat." He did a double take and began rubbing the insides
of his ears with his fingers, unsure if he had heard her correctly.
"I said it was my treat, Kuno-chan. No need to make a big deal
about it."
Kuno cocked an eyebrow. "Art thou feeling well, Nabiki Tendo?"
Nabiki placed her hands on her hips.
"Are you coming or aren't you?"
Kuno regarded her for a moment, searching for a sign that this
was an elaborate put-on.
"In truth I am most puzzled at this reversal of affairs. Such
behavior is most unlike thee."
Nabiki smiled again. "Just think of this as balancing the books,
so to speak."
There was something infectious about Nabiki's smile, because
Tatewaki Kuno found his normally stoic countenance melting ever so
slightly into an answering smile.
"Very well, Nabiki Tendo, though honor demands I must insist
upon returning the favor at a later date."
"I'll hold you to it!" Nabiki replied with a gentle laugh.
Inwardly, Kuno relaxed. This was more like the Nabiki he knew.
"I had a really great time Kuno-chan. Thanks," Nabiki said to him.
"It was my pleasure, Nabiki Tendo," he replied formally.
She looked around to make sure that no one was spying on them.
"Good night, Kuno-chan," she said as she slid the door open with
her foot.
"Fare thee well this evening, Nabiki Tendo."
As Kuno turned to go, Nabiki leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed
him softly on the lips. As Kuno's passions became suddenly enflamed,
he lurched forward to glomp her with all his might. Nabiki was too
fast for him however, and she slipped inside, slamming the door in his
face.
"Good night, Kuno-chan," he heard her say to him through the
door.
"Gud dite, Dabiki Dendo," Kuno said, holding his battered nose.
* * *
Nabiki had waited patiently for three weeks without hearing any
word from Kuno. She was beginning to worry that she hadn't laid it on
thick enough from the start. Another date with him might get the ball
rolling again.
As she reached for the telephone it rang. This came simultaneously
with the sound of someone at the door. The man cried through the door
that he had a delivery to make. Ranma bounded down the stairs towards
the door, and so she reached for the phone.
"Hello?"
"Ah, it is the fair and lovely Nabiki Tendo," a voice replied,
obviously Kuno's.
"Yes it is," Nabiki replied in a cheery voice. "What can I do for
you, Kuno-chan?"
Kuno's reply was lost in the plaintive cry of Ranma, who was
expecting something from his favorite martial arts mail order service
when he was instead deluged in flowers. Flowers from all over the world;
baskets, bouquets, and showers of flowers.
As the pig-tailed martial artist pulled himself from the brightly
colored flood, the delivery man handed him a card. He stared at it for
a few seconds, and then gave Nabiki a puzzled look.
"They're for you," he said. "From Kuno."
Nabiki returned her attentions to the phone.
"Why Kuno-chan, I'd *love* to go out with you!"
The ball was rolling again.
* * *
"I shall be out for the day," Tatewaki told his ninja manservant.
Sasuke bowed low before him, asking politely if he should have
dinner prepared for his master's return.
"That will not be necessary, Sasuke," Kuno replied.
"As you wish, Master Kuno."
Tatewaki stepped out of the door, leaving Sasuke in the foyer
wringing his hands in concern. His master seemed such a pale shadow
of his former self.
Tatewaki strolled down the narrow streets of Nerima Ward lost
in contemplation. He seemed to be headed towards downtown Tokyo proper,
though it was at best an unconscious decision. Nabiki was downtown,
and in the back of his mind it was Nabiki that he wanted to see.
So off he went. The large expensive homes of his neighborhood
gave way to the smaller homes of the middle class merchants and
salarymen. Nerima had survived the bombings of World War II relatively
unscathed, and so it was still possible to see homes built in the old
style. When he started passing the 'milk carton' high-rise clones and
the ugly pre-fab apartment blocks he knew he would be close.
**However did I come to such sad and dismal state of affairs?**
He wondered as he walked. **That I am held a cuckold to Yen, and
master of naught, even in my own house? What turn of Fortune's wheel
hath sent me round in dizzying flight unto misery and unrequited
passion?**
A young woman on a bicycle rode past him. His eyes followed
the lovely curve and sway of her hips as she pumped the pedals hard
to get uphill. Her long black hair flowed freely behind her, leaving
the pleasant scents of coconut and vanilla in her wake. He felt his
passion begin to rise, and fought with all his dignity to refrain
from pursuing the young maiden.
**Indeed, I am barely master of my own manhood in these sad
times...**
* * *
They met at their usual spot in the park. The cherry blossoms
drifted in the breeze, lending their sweet fragrance to the air. Lovers
strolled by and by around them. For awhile there was silence between
them, which was at last broken as Nabiki spoke.
"We've been seeing each other for almost six months now."
"Has it been thus long?" Kuno replied with raised eyebrow.
"Yes it has," she replied softly.
"You seem troubled, Nabiki Tendo."
She gave him a hurt look.
"Even after all this time I feel as if I'm least in your heart."
Kuno stiffened.
"You vex me, Nabiki Tendo. How is this so?"
Nabiki seemed on the verge of tears.
"Always chasing the Pig-Tailed Girl, still pining for my sister
-even after she married Ranma... How else am I supposed to feel?"
Kuno thought about this for a few moments. Then a few more. Before
he could come to any useful replies, Nabiki interjected with:
"I understand, Kuno-chan... I won't be a burden to you any more..."
She sobbed softly and tears welled in her eyes. "You should be free to
pursue love as you will, please don't let me hold you back..."
She rose, and with her arm wiping away her tears she sobbed again
and turned to go.
"...Goodbye...!"
Tatewaki Kuno rose and caught hold of the wrist that Nabiki had
strategically trailed behind her retreat. Even as he had her in his
grasp he was unsure as to why he had done so.
"Prithee hold a moment," he said to her gently.
She sniffled once and tried to look away.
"I mustn't..."
"Thou must! For know that thy fears are baseless. Honor dictates
that my feelings for Akane must forever be platonic, whilst the Pig-
Tailed Girl, so like the wind, cannot ever be grasped and held. Never
could I hold you least in my thoughts, being a creature of loveliness
warm and solid in my grasp."
Nabiki suddenly brightened and smiled winsomely for him.
"Does this mean you wish to marry me?" She asked coyly.
Tatewaki Kuno stopped cold. Thought processes ground within
his head as Nabiki waited for his reply. This wasn't exactly where he
was going, and yet as he looked at Nabiki, so coy and beautiful and
fragile and vulnerable...
"Indeed," he said in an aside to himself. "For having found such
rare treasure I would be the fool to leave it lie where others may
lay claim with less hesitation than I myself do give."
"Was that a 'yes,' Kuno-chan?" Nabiki pressed anxiously.
"It must in fact be so," Kuno replied a little dazedly. "Though
such was not my intent afore."
Nabiki gave a cry of delight and jumped into Tatewaki's arms
and kissed him deeply on the lips. The kendoist staggered for a
moment before returning her embrace. Finally parting, he set her upon
her feet and proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Admired Nabiki! Indeed the top of admiration! Worth what's
dearest to the world! Full many a lady I have eyed with best regard
and many a time the harmony of their visage hath into bondage brought
my too diligent sight; for several virtues have I liked several women;
never any with so full soul, but some defect in her did quarrel with
the noblest grace she owed and put it to the foil; but you, O you, so
perfect and so peerless, are created of every creature's best!"
Nabiki Tendo smiled to herself. She had done it. There was no
way he was going to back out now. Her ship had come in, and it was
time to jump on board.
* * *
The wedding was an extravagant affair, in keeping with Nabiki's
tastes and Tatewaki's bank balance. It was held at a trendy wedding
parlor, and featured three costume changes and a rubber wedding
cake that Tatewaki and Nabiki 'cut' by lowering the knife through a
preexisting slit in the rubber, as they stood on the revolving cake
platform so everyone could get a good photo of them. Nabiki was
every bit the blushing bride, happy and joyous as could be expected.
Tatewaki of course was in shellshock, but then aren't most grooms?
The dinner and reception party lasted for many hours and with
surprisingly little property damage considering the guest list. Then
again, after the devastation at both of Ranma and Akane's weddings,
even a carpet-bombing strike by a B-52 would have had a tough time
being noticed. Soun said tearful farewell to his last daughter to
leave the house, and sobbingly begged Tatewaki to take care of his
little girl. Tatewaki of course swore numerous oaths of loyalty,
fidelity, support, and protection in response as Nabiki giddily
caught it all on videotape with the cam-corder they had received as
a wedding gift.
That night, Tatewaki staggered upstairs with his bride to
their wedding suite. Nabiki was in his arms, and wondering if
her drunken groom would drop her in the process of carrying her over
the threshold. Stepping clumsily through the door, he set Nabiki
on her feet and moved to kiss her. He missed, but his intentions
were clear.
"Oh Kuno-chan, let's have a little toast together before we
continue our celebration in private," Nabiki said to him with a
wink. She held up a large bottle of sake and two glasses.
Kuno took the proffered glass and Nabiki poured for him. They
clinked their glasses in toast to their marriage, and Kuno guzzled
his down, eager to get on with the consummation. Nabiki sipped.
"Have another, Kuno-chan, while I make myself more comfortable,"
she said to him. As she poured another glass for him, she slipped
her shoes off and began to unzip the evening gown she had changed into
for the reception.
Kuno guzzled this one down as well, as Nabiki slipped out of her
gown slowly, with teasing looks at him as she went. His euphoria, as
well as his manhood, were rising.
"Slow down, Kuno-chan," she said to him coyly. "As you can see,
I still have a little more to go."
He looked at her in white stockings, garter belt, panties, and
bra, and felt his breath catch in his throat. His wife was so delicious
to the eye, and soon he would feast! She leaned down close to him,
letting him take in the swell of her breasts against her bra as she
did so, and poured him another drink.
Tatewaki slurped at this one, too distracted as Nabiki let down
the straps of her bra to risk gulping. The warmth that flooded into
his skin as she stood before him topless was a burning fire. His
flesh tingled and his head swam.
"Your glass is empty already?" Nabiki asked as she undid the
catches on her stockings and slowly slid them down her legs. The
garter belt was cast away with a casual fling of her hand. "One
more toast before the panties come off."
Kuno lurched his glass in her direction, and she filled it with
a giggle.
"Don't pass out on me, Kuno-chan," Nabiki warned him sprightly.
"This is *our* night together. Our first of many."
Kuno slowly brought the glass to his lips as Nabiki slipped
her fingers around the waistband of her panties and slowly pulled them
down.
"Ssshuuch would be unthinga...unthik...untig -it'll never happen."
Nabiki chuckled sweetly, and flung her panties away with a wink.
At last Nabiki was naked! Tatewaki felt her close to him, leaning
him back on the sleeping mat and opening his robes. Her breasts teased
his chest as she leaned over him, kissing him in strategic spots.
His last sight of her was as she drifted down his torso, *way*
down his torso, and he then felt enormous pleasure. All was dark after
that, and he drifted away into a drunken stupor.
Nabiki stopped what she was doing as she heard him begin to
snore. She sighed with relief tinged with a little guilt. He was pretty
sexy, and certainly better endowed than she expected he would be. It
might not have been half bad. Maybe even good enough to warrant the
loss of her virginity to him.
She shook her head. No, it was better to keep her focus where it
belonged. Reaching into a satchel she had packed the day before the
wedding, she flipped on the light and went to work. She had a lot
of work to do if she was ever going to see her dreams realized while
she was still young enough to enjoy her success.
Tatewaki Kuno awoke very late the next morning with a splitting
headache and a legendary case of cotton mouth. Nabiki wasn't in the
room, but she left him a note, thoughtfully taped to his forehead so
he wouldn't miss it.
Hello Kuno-chan!
I wasn't sure when you would ever wake up this morning, so I
thought I would go down to the courts and play a few games of tennis
and maybe go shopping. If you hurry, you might catch me before I
make it to the train station. If not, well, I'll be back tonight.
See you then!
Nabiki
P.S. Last night was incredible!!!
Tatewaki felt a surge of masculine pride well up within him as
he read Nabiki's post script. Not that he ever had any doubts about
his sexual prowess, but actually having it confirmed by a second
opinion was nice. He stood up, and immediately regretted it.
He was in pain. Great pain. Legendary pain.
But of course, the real pain was just beginning. He just didn't
see it marching behind his hangover.
* * *
The light was on in Nabiki's room, shining under the door.
Tatewaki Kuno crept down the hall with all the patience and
determination he could muster. The scent of roses filled his
nostrils, and his blood simmered just below the boiling point.
Nabiki's door was slightly ajar. The sound of rustling
papers and the steady tapping of computer keys could be heard.
He peeked inside.
Nabiki sat at her computer terminal, working late as usual.
She was stripped down to a scruffy T-shirt and lace panties, with
one gorgeous leg kicked up on the desk. She seemed pleased with
herself as the monitor screen scrolled fresh columns of alphanumerics.
Ever so quietly, Tatewaki crept past the door and into the
room. Nabiki shifted in her seat, and he froze. As she checked off
numbers on her monitor with those on a stack of print-out, he
realized that he was still undetected. He proceeded once again.
Nabiki straightened up as the scent of rose blossoms reached
her nose. Kuno took advantage of his wife's change in posture to
sweep his arms around her beneath her bosom and hold her close to
him. The bouquet of roses fell upon her desk.
"Ah my wife, cast aside thy toil and instead take thy repose
in the arms of thy loving husband," he whispered huskily in her ear.
In between kisses upon her neck and throat he continued with, "let
not the labors of commerce take reign over the labors of love, but
instead cozen thy drudge in favor of passion's heady iniquities."
Nabiki squirmed a little in his embrace.
"Kuno-chan, I'd love to, but I'm absolutely swamped here."
"Nay, my love, make sport with me but awhile. If by the end of
our revels you still possess the faculties to complete thy toil, then
do so with my blessing -else while away the hours to dawn with me."
Nabiki sighed.
"Kuno-chan, I'd really love to, but I can't right now."
Now Kuno sighed.
"Tell you what Kuno-chan," Nabiki continued. "If you're still
awake when I finish, I'll come in and surprise you."
Kuno slowly released her.
"Even if I be already asleep, if thou wouldst visit, 't would be
more delightful surprise than if I were yet awake."
Nabiki leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"We'll see."
Tatewaki lay naked and alone upon his sleeping mat until well past
three in the morning before finally succumbing to sleep.
* * *
Nabiki pulled herself out of the water with a gasp of delight.
The weather was just warm enough to go swimming in their new outdoor
pool. A little sun would do her good, she thought happily.
Tatewaki Kuno watched his wife gracefully ascend the ladder
out of the pool. He observed with great appreciation as the water fell
in drips and streams from her lithe bikini clad body. She regarded
him for a moment, eyes aglow with reflected sunlight, before padding
across the hardwood deck to his chaise lounge.
"Care for a swim, Kuno-chan?" She asked.
"Perhaps," he replied with a hungry look. "But I would rather
prefer to take you to our bed first and then cleanse our bodies of our
efforts in yon pool after."
Nabiki cocked her head at him and gave him a mournful look.
"Oh poor dear, you know that sounds *so* good, but I just started
my period today, and I'm a little crampy for that sort of thing. You
know how it goes when it's that time of the month."
Tatewaki did know. By an odd coincidence, 'that time of the month'
was almost the only time Nabiki could be counted on to be at home.
* * *
Tatewaki Kuno felt Nabiki slip into bed beside him in the darkness.
She had come home late from the airport, having flown from Singapore on
a red-eye express flight. Outside his window the cold wind blew drifts
of snow that piled up against the compound wall.
Nabiki's skin was warm, despite the cold. He felt her snuggle close
to him and murmur something. He could also feel himself growing stiff
and erect with longing. It had been two weeks since he'd so much as
as seen his wife, much less lain in the dark with her.
He rolled over to face her, hands stroking along her soft skin
gently at first, and then with increasing fervor. She was naked save for
her panties, and the feel of her nipples rubbing against his chest drove
jolts of desire deep into his loins.
As he moved to kiss between her breasts he heard her grumbling.
"Not tonight," she told him, taking his hands off of her.
"But..." he managed.
"Not tonight," she repeated. "I'm too tired... I just got off a
five hour plane trip and I have a splitting headache."
"You need not do anything but simply submit to my tenderness."
"Not tonight I said!" Nabiki fairly shouted at him in the darkness.
"All you ever think about is sex, can't you once show a little
consideration for me. Just once?"
Nabiki's words stung. Tatewaki slowly turned away from her and
lay in the darkness, stewing. As he lay there listening to Nabiki fall
asleep, he realized that there would be no peace for him yet that night.
He waited until he was certain that Nabiki was asleep, then he
got up from the sleeping mat and stalked off to the bathroom to take
care of business.
* * *
The banking tower where Nabiki maintained her offices loomed over
Tatewaki Kuno as he stood in the bustling downtown foot traffic. He
stepped through gilt-edged glass doors, ignoring the four impeccably
dressed ladies who bowed with perfect synchronization for him. He was
immediately lost in a sea of plush carpeting and gorgeous Italian marble.
A woman working in the lobby gave him an expensive smile and offered
her assistance.
"I seek my wife," he declared.
"And her name please?"
"Kuno Nabiki," he said stiffly. Of course no one recognized him in
this place. His dear wife had insisted that he stay away from her work,
that it was too distracting for her.
"Ah yes," the woman said after keying a few strokes into her terminal.
"And your name was what, sir?"
"Kuno Tatewaki," he replied.
"One moment please, sir," she said as she picked up a phone. She began
speaking softly over the phone, which Kuno found infuriating, before
offering him a sympathetic look.
"I apologize sir, but Ms. Kuno is in meetings until 6 PM, and is
not to be disturbed. Was there anything else I can do for you?"
Kuno seethed for a moment.
"Sir?"
"On what floor are her offices?" he asked tersely.
She gave him a questioning look.
"I'm very sorry sir, but I'm not allowed to release that information."
It was probably a lie, but Kuno saw that he would get nothing else of
use from her. He stumped off towards the elevator banks. He'd find her,
and then... What?
What was it that he wanted? An explanation for years of torment and
denial? For years of searching through fashion magazines and society
pages for the latest photo of her living it up with the rich and the
famous of the world? For her to admit at last that all she had ever done
was use him? Betrayed him?
**Yea, a fool I am for so long sheltering in my wife's lies...**
He stopped even as the overgrown apes in suits who also sometimes
worked as Security for the building stepped in front of him. Kuno knew
that he could tear them apart in seconds with just his bokken, and today
he carried his family swords. The guards suddenly knew it as well with
just a look from the kendoist, and gave him wide berth as he stood there.
"Let the last betrayal be mine!" Kuno said at last.
He left the bank without another word, without even acknowledging
the Security men who followed him out at a respectful distance.
He wandered for some time downtown before stopping in front of a
popular geisha house. The neon signs were dark and the blinds on the
windows were drawn. The salarymen wouldn't be visiting the place for
hours yet.
"How is it that men can so easily forsake their wives for the
pleasures therein? Nay, even when the scourge of cuckoldry lies upon
them like a festering blasphemous stain, how so do they forsake their
honor?"
Two women walked past him as he pondered. They wore short tight
skirts of denim and brightly colored wool sweaters. Their laughter
bubbled brightly over the din of traffic.
"And yet, here I die of thirst in a sea of quenching wine," he mused
darkly. "Here I stand fettered in the chains of my vows, whilst mine own
wife makes mockery of hers... Strong is the spirit that stands up to such
cruel forging, and yet even the greatest men are but reeds subject to
the whim and will of the wind."
He looked up to the geisha house.
"Would I loose my chains even as I sow my seed?" He asked the
building. "Would I quench my thirst in the arms of another, not my
wife?"
A few people stopped a short distance away from him and stared. He
was oblivious to this as he went on. The building of course, did not
reply.
"What price my honor, now that it is all that I truly own?"
Another beautiful young woman braved the crowds to step past him.
It seemed that since he had started from his home this day he had seen
nothing but lovely women. That because he was denied them, they like
wary game would flaunt themselves before him.
"Damn'd be my honor if the world hold it in such low esteem!"
He started inside the door.
As he did so, images of Nabiki flooded his mind. She was so gorgeous,
so enticing, so desirable. Could any geisha, no matter how skilled,
measure up to his genuine want of Nabiki and only Nabiki? His beloved
wife?
They could not. At least not right now.
Tatewaki Kuno stopped short and turned around. He placed the geisha
house well behind him as he walked away into the city. Indecision wracked
him, that same old ghost that plagued him in his school days.
"I shall confront her this evening, and lay all that injures my
heart before me. Only then shall I choose my course."
* * *
Tatewaki caught a taxicab home, arriving late in the afternoon.
Instead of saving his honor, he felt like he had cheated himself of
any possible happiness. He stepped inside the house as if he were
bound in chains and dragging a great iron ball behind him.
The mail had been collected by Sasuke and placed atop a table
in the foyer. Top most in the pile was a letter from Ranma and Akane
Saotome. He recognized Akane's careful handwriting on the envelope.
**How odd it is that they would send this missive rather than use
the telephone, for it has never kept them from doing so in times past.
Perhaps they have news of some formal import to announce.**
Walking into the living room, he slashed open the envelope with
his finger as surely as any knife blade. He pulled the letter out of
the envelope and began to read.
Dear Tatewaki and Nabiki Kuno,
We are holding a reunion for all of our friends from the old days,
and would like it if you could come. It will be held on June 25, at
the Saotome Dojo. Please come; we would love to have you here.
Ranma and Akane
**A reunion?** Tatewaki found himself asking. **Hath it been so
long that such a gathering is both necessary and desired?**
The phone rang. Sasuke, he could see, was outside feeding Kodachi's
pet alligator with a ten meter pole and a few spirit wards glued to his
head. Kuno decided he would answer it and give the machine a break. He
had nothing better to do.
It was Nabiki. There was a muted roar in the background, and voices
murmuring around her. The distinctive clink of fine crystal was followed
by the sound of a bubbling liquid poured close to the receiver.
"Hiya Kuno-chan!" She greeted warmly. She was always warm on the
phone. "I'm surprised Sasuke didn't get the phone."
"Sasuke is busy feeding my sister's pets," Kuno said dully.
Nabiki didn't even break stride. "Anyway, I just wanted to call
and let you know that something's come up, and I'm on a plane flying
to San Francisco right now. I don't know how long this will take, but
I'll probably be gone a week or so."
Kuno looked at the letter in his hands.
"Your dear sister and our brother-in-law have invited us to a reunion
in five days."
"How typical," Nabiki sniffed. "Oh well, business calls. I'll try
to make it in time, but that shouldn't stop you from going."
"Yes dear," Kuno replied tonelessly. Bitterness welled up within his
heart.
"How is everything at the house?"
"Fine."
"You sound depressed, Kuno-chan. Maybe you should get out tonight.
See a movie or something."
"I shall consider it."
"Good, I'll talk to you later. Kiss kiss!"
The phone clicked dead before Kuno could reply. His hand squeezed
the receiver tighter and tighter until the plastic began to crack. A
low growl escaped his lips, growing with intensity and frustration with
each second.
"Fie, wrangling queen! Whom everything becomes, to chide, to laugh,
to weep; whose every passion fully strives to make itself, in thee, fair
and admired!!!"
The receiver handle shattered in his crushing grasp.
"Curse thee and thy designs! Too long have I labored under this
ill-conceived yoke of matrimony. A curse it is, and I forsake it! I say
this: we will have no more marriages!"
Kuno looked to the invitation again, and for the first time in
years the passions of old welled up inside him. He felt reborn. Visions
of the fair Ukyo, the voluptuous Shampoo, even (dare he dream!) the
most lovely Pig-Tailed Girl filled his head! He marched towards his
bedroom, tearing down a photograph of Nabiki along the wall with his
passing.
"I must from this enchanting queen break off," he said as he
looked at the photograph of his wife. He then cast the photograph down,
where the glass shattered and a shard pierced the print to protrude
through Nabiki's eye. "Ten thousand harms, more than the ills I know,
my idleness doth hatch!"
THE END
_________________________________________________________________________
Note to other REUNIONS authors -Tatewaki Kuno has only one thing on his
tiny little mind:
GET LAID.
He doesn't care who, how, where, what appliances are used in the process,
or why. His list of preferences in order would be:
1. The Pig-Tailed Girl (Yeah, right.)
2. Ukyo (Unless she brings her boyfriend, then put her down past Azusa)
3. Shampoo
4. Akari
5. Azusa
6. Akane/Kasumi/Ukyo if her boyfriend shows up. (At this point he is
completely disillusioned with marriage/commitments, and has no more
qualms about adultery, which includes getting one or more of these
three to be unfaithful.)
7. Miss Hinako, Nodoka Saotome, Karumi & Natsume, or any other R1/2
female (save Cologne -ick!) who shows up.
8. Chaste (Doesn't know her, probably not his type, but what the heck,
he'll try anything once at this point.)
Needless to say, unless Azusa is slumming, his chances of bagging any of
the above listed femmes are piss-poor, but the resulting mayhem should be
amusing. Also, it may give him his only chance for a happy ending: Death
or a Divorce. I don't see any hope of him patching up the marriage to
Nabiki that I have detailed, simply because in Nabiki's eyes the marriage
was never more than a legal instrument to get her hands on the Kuno estate.
She'll probably show up on the last day of the reunion, right when Kuno is
really in deep shite.
