Suggested changes: {before : after}
On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 13:33:56 -0400 "L.S McGill" <lsmcgill@hotmail.com> wrote:
The photo dropped unlooked at from nerveless fingers as the Doctors glasses
steamed instantly. Nabiki snatched it from mid-air as the Doctor stuttered.
{ :}"K-K-Kasumi? Imagine meeting you here of all places!"
I'm a little surprised that Zhu Shu didn't get splashed as well, but I
guess the water *could* miss somebody.
Still frozen in the pose she had been in when Kasumi took the photo, Nabiki
fainted again ....
Good thing it was just another boring day.
"That's why Kasumi kissed her on the train. To thank her. For saving her
life. I don't know if they did anything else, but in retrospect, I just
can't seem to care, except to hope that if they did, they both enjoyed it.
And I feel like a complete jerk for reacting the way I did at the {doctors : doctor's}
office. So Zhu Shu likes girls. Big deal. She's my friend, and I care
about her. Nothing else matters..." He hung his head between his hands.
"And all she wants is for _us_ to be happy with one another. After all the
crying and the tears, her last words to me before going to bed were to ask
me to listen to you the way I listened to her. That's why I came in here."
Zhu Shu spent several hours composing her letter to her grandfather while
Akane and Ranma were in school, then helped Kasumi clean house until they
got a visit from a well to do reporter by the name of Tsukino who spent
several hours looking over the dojo and talking to Soun before deciding that
it was okay for his daughter and her friends to attend Martial Arts classes.
{ :}Why his little Usagi wanted to learn martial arts was beyond him, but he
approved of the idea of her getting some discipline. Soun wept for joy
again when the man handed him the check for the girl's entire first year
....
Genma came running into the dojo following Ranma's scream, but was quickly
pelted out again when he started yelling about how his son was such a
failure and began calling him names. Zhu Shu and Akane finally took the
unfortunate boy up to his room to lay down and recover from whatever it was.
{ :}Then they returned to give the girls their lessons.
Fortunately, Zhu Shu wasn't serious about the recipe. By the time the girls
came out four minutes later, Zhu Shu's show having been sufficient
motivation for speed, she had laid out a light snack of rice and stir-fried
vegetables. She noted their apprehensive looks, but waited till they were
all seated.
She hadn't forgotten the recipe for Cat Tongue?
A half hour later, Zhu Shu waved good-bye to the cheerful Senshi. A bemused
and still slightly dazed Akane stood next to her. _Still,_ Akane thought,
_who wouldn't be. Next to that near invasion of the world by the alien Oni,
the Senshi have been the most popular news item in Japan for the last few
years. And now, I know them personally. What's next? Space visitors?_
She just had to ask.
Monday morning was a change of pace as it was Zhu Shu's first day of school.
{ :}Her grandfather's permission had arrived on Sunday along with paperwork
detailing her "schooling". She smiled at Sung Po's signature on the
paperwork. At least it seemed the local magistrate did not hold her choice
to try and not have to marry his son against her. Her Grandfather had also
sent her a letter to tell her that Ke Lun had met with him and advised him
of her current quest. She had his blessing and approval. He also informed
her that Pin Ke had showed up in town, looking for yet another rematch. She
had been irate to find Zhu Shu gone. Lin Ke had been, as always, apologetic
for her sister. Zhu Shu had sighed at that. One day, she'd have to deal
with Pin Ke once and for all, only her friendship with Lin Ke had prevented
her from paying Pin Ke back for all she and Cherry Blossom had endured from
the bullying girl as they grew up. The girl from the next village had a lot
to answer for, and not just from her. Shan Pu had had stories of Pin Ke to
tell too ....
The only sore point was still the Cheerleading squad. Zhu Shu had no clue
what to make of their constantly turned up noses when they saw her. Unless
Nabiki was around, in which case, they'd turn pale and quickly walk in
another direction.
It's a matter of priorities. All Zhu Shu can do is maim or kill them.
That Zhu Shu tended to be entirely too trusting of her friends almost made
Nabiki feel guilty about the pictures, but she actually thought it was
ironic that given Zhu Shu's training, the Chinese girl didn't seem to be
aware she was being fast talked.
That is a bit odd. Most imperial courts were real snakepits.