Some folks think four is an unlucky number.  I suppose they've got a 
point; I've got a foursome that give me no end of trouble, after all.  
Other people are bothered by the number thirteen.  Not sure why, 
though...

And me?  It's eleven.

Eleven-eleven, in fact.

==========
a Ranma 1/2 concept
by Ukyou Kuonji

11:11, or Chronophobia
----------
All standard disclaimers apply
==========

Damn Nabiki.  Ever since she pointed out that on a digital clock, the 
time 11:11 looks like c-clawmarks m-made b-b-by a... by a... by a c-c-
c-c...

Shit.  I can't even say it.  I hope you know what I'm talking about, 
though.  Take a look at a clock when... that time... comes around.  
You'll see.  I'd never even thought about it before.  Now that she's 
mentioned it, I can't get it out of my head.

It's awful, really.  No matter when I go to sleep, no matter that I used 
to be a sound-as-a-rock sleeper, I'm waking up every night in a cold 
sweat.  And every time I look at the clock, it's the same time:

11:11.

Just looking at it, I can feel those claws again.  I thought I'd 
forgotten all about it, but every time I look at those slashmarks, I can 
feel it as they rake across my skin, clawing at me for the fish paste 
Pops had rubbed all over me.  It's nearly impossible to sleep again; all 
you get is nightmares for the longest time.

Of course, there's always school for sleeping in, but the same thing 
happens there, too.  About an hour before lunch, I'm bolted awake, 
nervous as... as a... well, like a long-tailed one in a room full of 
rocking chairs.  And I'm always compelled to ask either Hiroshi or 
Daisuke what time it is (I never wear a watch).

I don't even need to tell you that it's always the same time.  And I 
know you know what time that is...

I haven't told anyone about this.  Kami alone *knows* what Ryouga might 
do to me if he knew, and I don't even wanna *think* about Kuno.

Worse yet, what the hell am I gonna do about it come November 11th?  I 
understand that some Western nations take a holiday that day; it sounds 
like a pretty good idea, if you ask me.  Hole up in my room for the 
whole day; it's either that, or spend the entire day in neko-ken mode. 

Of course, that has its advantages: if that happens, would somebody be 
so kind as to point me in Nabiki's direction?  I really wanna get back 
at her for this little bit of information she was only too happy to give 
me.  It's only fair I let her know how much I appreciate it.

*****

Just a little thought that passed through my head... 'Natsu-chan has 
pointed out before how 11:11 looks like a series of clawmarks, and I've 
just gotten back to wearing my fic glasses, and this was the result.  
Whaddya all think?

BTW, I wanna thank y'all for the vast response to that Greenwood 
teaser... I thought people weren't interested, as no KwG stuff ever 
gets written, but it looks like this is gonna fly.  Expect to see more 
of it in the near future... though I'm not setting any deadlines I can't 
keep (THAT, my dear JD, is what I mean by that 'maybe'... it's meant to 
modify the word 'soon'  ^_^)

Also got a few other ideas I'm working on, as well as polishing a few of 
my older works.  It's still available for perusal on my webpage at

http://members.aol.ukyoukwnji/index.htm

Until next time, ja!

Itsu mo,
Ucchan   ^_^