Dragonboy:  Despite repeated delays and setbacks, we've returned.

Stiel:  We went on vacation! :)


Dragonboy & Stiel Presents:  The next C&C/MST installment of:


Ranma 1/2

Nabiki?...Impossible!

By

Nicholas Stone

Chapter Twelve


       Nabiki sadly returned to the party and immediately went in search
of the one person she felt she could find solace in.

Stiel:  Jack Daniels?

Dragonboy:  Captain Morgan?


In the dining room

she found Tatewaki chatting casually with a few business associates and
made her way up and placed a trembling arm around his.  He could sense
her trouble and allowed her to lean up against him.
       �It seems my alternate half is here,� he told the others around
him.  �Hm, and a bit tired.  You must excuse me.�
       They walked off Tatewaki guiding Nabiki along waiting for her to
speak.
       �Tatewaki,� she whispered, resting her head on his arm, �I�m fish
food.�
       �I can tell there are troubles with our plan?�

Dragonboy:  This sentence reads weird.  Kuno says it like a statement
but it's written as a question.  Consider revising.

       �Major problems.�  She stopped and looked up at him.  �What are
you doing in here anyway?�
       �Well, I was hungry.�
       �So let Tsubasa or Konatsu bring you food.  You know Maeda�s just
chomping at the bit to pull you into his den.�
       �Now, now, my dear Nabiki,� replied Tatewaki, gently patting her
hand.  �Konatsu and Tsubasa are exceeding in their blockade of our
gracious host.�
       He took a casual glance over his shoulder and saw way across into
the other room Maeda fretting angrily at Konatsu, who appeared to be
confused and scared, pushing a cart back and forth blocking Okura�s
attempts to get past.
       �Heh, heh, heh.  I feel like a convoy in the Atlantic during the
Second World War,� he finished.
       �You better hope your screen doesn�t develop holes in it,� said
Nabiki.  She recalled her current dilemma and sadly rested her head back
on Tatewaki�s arm.  He frowned.
       �Nabiki, this is not like you, although the change is quite
appealing to me.�

Dragonboy:  Anything's appealing as opposed to having her scam and
balckmail you.

       �Tatewaki, Akane got herself drunk somehow, and now she�s
upstairs threatening to blow our entire plan wide open if we don�t get
Kodachi�s sobering drink up to her.�
       �Akane drunk?  If I recall, Akane has no tolerance for alcohol.�
       �Yes, and now I have to figure out a way to sneak that drink up
via the dumbwaiter in the kitchen without Maeda�s chef or Tanyun
noticing.�
       Tatewaki did not like the implications of that.  �Hmm, maybe I
should make plans to call a cab or something.�
       �Don�t you abandon me, Tatewaki Kuno!�
       He laughed.  �Fear not, Nabiki.  I will not leave you in the
clutches of Maeda.  We can share the cab fare back to town.�
       �Tatewaki!�
       �Just kidding.  Don�t worry, I feel that you family curse is
about to strike at any moment now. That should provide you with ample
opportunity to get Akane her medicine.�
       �It�s not medicine, and there is no Tendo Curse on our family!�
       �Let�s call it ill-wanted coincidences then.�

Dragonboy:  Interesting notion, that.

       Nabiki moaned pressing her face into his chest.  Tatewaki smiled
enjoying this side of Nabiki Tendo.  It was always a treat to see her
helpless and in need, he rocked her gently and then just up ahead
spotted Victoria making her way through the crowd towards them with a
determined gaze in her eyes.
       �Uh, Nabiki.  I would not worry about Akane�s problem now, but
the problem you are about to have with your current supervisor.�

Nabiki:  Oh, not again!  How much stamina can that woman possibly have?

       Nabiki�s head shot up and she let out a moan as Vicky approached.
�Oh no, she�s got that steel grip look on her face!  Tatewaki, protect
me!�
       He did not need to when a loud crash came from the kitchen.
Akari burst out holding the door open gazing fearfully around while
behind her everyone saw Kasumi and Jean-Claude in an old-fashioned
brawl.  Kasumi landed a sharp uppercut that sent the Frenchman sprawling
back to the floor out of view behind the center preparation tables.  She
swiftly whipped off her kitchen mitts and leaped executing a vicious
back-elbow drop down on Jean-Claude; who let out a throttled cry.
Tanyun, laughing hard went over to break them up only to find himself
tangled up in the flailing arms and fist and he too dropped out of
sight.

Stiel:  I never really envisioned Kasumi as the brawling type, or any
fighting type at all, really.

Dragonboy:  A wise man once said, 'The strongest fighters are the
one's who don't fight.' or something like that.

       �Uh, Round Two!� announced Akari, and she went back inside.
       Vicky let out a growl, pulling at her hair and rushed off to the
kitchen.  There was no need to find Ukyo, giggling happily along as she
passed.  Nabiki shook her head and looked up at Tatewaki.
       �Uh, �coincidence�?� he asked.  She could not believe this and
hurried off to face her impending doom.

Dragonboy:  That's another weird senetence.  Maybe if you have
Nabiki actually speaking or thinking 'I can't believe this!', it would look
better than simply narrating it.

       Tatewaki stood watching with the rest of the crowd as the battle
cries increased, and then began clapping his hands.  �And I was
wondering when the entertainment was going to begin,� he said.
       The rest of the guests, too stunned to question it, just agreed
and started clapping right along with him.

* * * * *

       �And I told you not to fight with Kasumi!� shouted Vicky as she
throttled Jean-Claude.  The brawl�s combatants were neatly separated,
Nabiki and Akari holding back a struggling Kasumi while Vicky
disciplined her errant chef across from them.  Ukyo, sensing this was
their chance casually made her way over to the dumbwaiter and activated
her comlink.
       [Ryoga.] she whispered low.
       [Yeah, I can barely hear you, Ukyo.]
       [Did you find the dumbwaiter yet?]
       [No.  What�s a dumbwaiter supposed to look like anyway?]

Ukyo:  Duh, Ryoga, like a regular waiter, only dumber.

       She tensed; stopping a second whishing the Eternal Lost Boy would

wishing

find some bearings just for a moment.  Reaching the door, Ukyo paused
and observed the battle going on.
       �He put extra flour in my Tempura batter!  He�s tried to dump
vinegar onto my Gyoza!� raged Kasumi, �He keeps turning up the heat
under my soups!  He�s even sprinkled Nutmeg on my Sashimi platters!�
       �Gross!� exclaimed Nabiki, �What part of France are you from?
Italy!�

Stiel:  Nabiki just made a rare mistake or a clever insult, but I'm not
sure which.

Dragonboy:  Change the exclaimation point after Italy to a question mark.

       Vicky pushed Jean-Claude further back.  �Are you hard of
hearing?� she said.
       �But Miss Saffron!  I cannot stand by and watch this debauchery
of food preparations with a cleen conscious!  You must allow me to
coorect this woman�s mistakes�GORRRARWK!�

Vicky:  And I thought I told you we weren't serving frog legs tonight!

       Ukyo giggled.  [She�s throttling him again.]
       [Who?  Who�s getting throttled?]
       [Never mind.]
       Carefully, Ukyo pulled the nauseous drink out from her front
pocket and hid it behind her.  With her free hand, she reached back and
slid the door up just enough for it to fit past and then re-shut it.
       [Ryoga, I�m about to send the drink up.]
       [I still don�t know what I�m looking for, Ukyo!]
       [Listen for the dumbwaiter and follow the sound, okay?]
       [Listen.  Okay I�m listening.]
       A few steps to her left and Ukyo made sure nobody was watching
then hit the up button with her elbow starting the dumbwaiter.  In the

elbow, starting

office, Ryoga head a faint hum and desperately looked around trying to
pinpoint the source of the sound.  It was no good, his sense of
direction or lack there of preventing him from locating the door.

Stiel:  'there of' can be one word here.

       �Oh great, this must be the reason why I never get picked to go
work the Visitors Information booth at the airport.�
       The sound began to taper off and he felt he had failed them all
when a green light over next to one of the cabinets began flashing.
       �Thank you, Thomas Edison!� he said and rushed over.  The brown
panel door slid up and Ryoga took the glass out.  [Ukyo!  I�ve got it.]
       [Don�t open it yet.  I�ll tell you when.  Later, I�ve got to go
back to my entertainment.]
       Akane suddenly let out a short hum startling Ryoga.  [You better
hurry, Ukyo.  Akane�s starting to hum.]
       �Deyeah,� grumbled Ukyo, returning to the conflict at hand.
       �That is it, Jean-Claude!� shouted Vicky, �You are getting an
escort� no make that two escorts with orders to pound you if you even
make a move towards those stoves!  Tanyun, get up off the floor!�
       Tanyun pulled himself up visibly shaken clothes bedraggled.  �I�m

himself up, visibly shaken, clothes bedraggled.

going to go get a few of the boys,� he said and staggered out the
kitchen door.
       Ukyo came up catching Nabiki�s eye.  With a slight arch of a brow
she signaled that the deliver was complete.  Relief flowed through her
and she turned Kasumi around.  �Big sister, please stop fighting with
Mister Jean-Claude-whatever.�
       ��Pierre du�Riviale Chateaugion�GAACK!�
       �Yeah, right.  Please, Kasumi?  Vicky promises you will have no
more interference from him.�
       Kasumi glared at the rival chef and then at Nabiki.  Her pleading
eyes brought the steam away from her ears and she settled back into her
normal calm self.  Picking up her cooking mitts, Kasumi said, �I better
get back to �MY� cooking,� and returned to her duties.  Jean-Claude
snarled at her but kept his distance.

Dragonboy:  I told you Kasumi could take him. :)

* * * * *

       �What�s the rush?� said Nabiki as she stumbled along behind Ukyo.
Ukyo did not answer leading her out to the front where Ranko and Mousse

answer, leading

were.  She chanced a quick look a round and then reached up to the
comlink.
       [Ryoga?]
       [Yeah.]
       [Okay, you�ve got to get Akane to a restroom somewhere.]
       [A restroom?  How am I going to find a restroom up here!]
       [Do you want too blow this for us all?]
       Ryoga smirked knowing he should not be arguing with Ukyo at a
time like this.  [Okay, but I don�t know if I can find one on my own
before Akane starts singing.]
       [Try, Ryoga, please try.]
       Ukyo looked at Nabiki.  �Akane�s starting to hum.�
       �Damn!  Did I hear you say Ryoga has to take her to a restroom?�
       �No time to explain.�  Ukyo called Ryoga again.  [Ryoga, have you
attempted to find a restroom yet?]
       [I just got her up under my arm!  This woman is not light, you
know!]
       With a grunt, Ryoga carried Akane over to the office doors.  He
gently opened them and peered out checking to see if the coast was
clear.  It was and he stepped out.
       [Okay, I�m in the hallway, which way now?]
       �This boy,� growled Ukyo, �How the hell did he become a police
officer?�

Ranko:  He doubles as a drug-sniffing pig.

       �I better go up there and help him,� said Nabiki.  She started to
head for the stairs, but Ranko quickly tugged on her sleeve and pointed
back out into the main room.  There not far away stood Maeda eyeing the
foursome with a suspicious gaze.  Nabiki smiled and waved cheerfully at
him.
       �None of us can go anywhere now,� she said through grit teeth.
       Ranko gave Mousse a gentle nudge and whispered for him to stand
still.  She stepped behind him and activated her comlink.  [Ryoga, the
only time you ever have a good sense of direction is when you have to
go!]
       [So?]
       [So pretend you have to go now!]
       [Well, actually, I kind �a do have to go.]
       [Then go!]
       Ryoga realized that Ranko was right and turned instinctively to
his left carrying his laden partner along down the hall until he reached
a door at the far end.  He opened the door and smiled.
       [Found it!] he said, dragging Akane inside.
       Ukyo tapped Nabiki giving her a wink.

Nabiki, giving

       [So what now?] asked Ryoga.
       [Kodachi said this was going to be quick, so be ready to act.]
       Ranko frowned.  �Why?� she said, but Ukyo did not stop to
explain.
       Ryoga dragged Akane over to the benjo.  Another low hum came form
her and she began rocking from side to side as if following the beat of
some unheard song.
       [We got to hurry!  She in happy mode!] said Ryoga.

She's

       [Now then, when she opens her mouth, take off the seal on the
glass, hold her head and dump the contents down her throat.]
       [And then?]
       [Close her mouth, and when her eyes bulge, turn her around and
watch the flow.]

Dragonboy:  Gross.

Stiel:  Yep, can't watch people puke, cause it makes me puke.

       Ranko started and her mouth dropped open in shock.  �You mean
like puke?� she said.
       �Puke?� echoed Nabiki with surprise.
       �Kodachi said it should be quick.�
       �No!� said Ranko.  [Ryoga, Ryoga don�t do it!]
       �Why not?� asked Ukyo.
       But Ranko was too late with her warning.  As Akane drew in a deep
breath ready to let out in song and merriment, Ryoga took her by the
chin with one hand and with a flick the foil seal came off the glass.

flick, the

He dumped its contents down Akane�s throat and then closed her mouth.
Not even a second later, Akane�s eyes went wide as saucers and he spun
her around pointing down towards the benjo.
       FOG HORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

D&S:  ............

Dragonboy:  ...Uh...

Stiel:  Well...not really anything to say about this, other than it gets the
message across.

       All eyes went skywards as the long droning sound carried along
through the walls of Maeda�s estate.  Okura himself gazed up in surprise
and shock wondering what this nauseating sound could be.  He looked at
Nabiki and her companions and started heading towards them.
       �That�s� why he shouldn�t do it,� explained Ranko.
       �Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh!� Mousse called out, �Bad guy inbound!�
       Nabiki did not respond smiling innocently as Okura stalked
menacingly over towards her.  He stopped fixing a vicious gaze upon her
and she winched in empathic pain.  He placed his fist on his hips and
waited for some sort of an explanation.
       �Um� s-strong draft you have here� boss?� she said.

Stiel:  For an F-5 hurricane.

       �What is that noise,� he asked.
       �What noise?�
       HORRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
       Nabiki dipped her head slightly and then grinned.  �Oh, that
noise!� she finished.

Okura:  No, not that noise!  I mean that buzzing noise, it's driving me
crazy!

Nabiki:  You mean that fly on your shoulder?

Okura:  Oh, right.  (Swat!)  Problem solved, back to work!

       �What is causing that, Nabiki?� Okura asked again, just at the
end of his patience.
       Can I do it again, Nabiki thought to herself.  She cleared her
throat and leaned close towards Okura.  �I didn�t want to embarrass
anybody, boss, but uh� one of the guests got a tad bit� sick.�
       �Sick?�
       ��okay, more like drunk sick.�
       �Drunk sick!�

Dragonboy:  More like three bourbons, two daiquiris, five shots of vodka,
and a Sam Adam's at the carnival after riding the Egg Roll ride Drunk.

       Nabiki inched back before Maeda�s outburst, wincing sharply
expecting some sort of blow.  He stood glaring at her then looked up the
steps.
       �I better go see if they are okay,� he said.
       �Uh, no, boss!� exclaimed Nabiki, blocking his way.  �Uhm,
somebody�s already up there with her�.�
       �Her!�

Dragonboy:  Change to question mark, I think.

       �Yeah�. Yes� uh, surprising isn�t it?�
       Okura stared at her in disbelief.  �No, no not really.  I still
should go up and see if she is alright.�
       �Ah, no, no, no, boss.  We barely got back down here and it was
kind �a getting messy then.  You don�t want to see that now, do you?�
       Maeda paused and then shook his head frowning in disgust at the
image in his mind.
       �Don�t worry, we�ll take good care of her and we�ll clean up the
mess.  No one will be the wiser.�
       HORRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
       ��okay, maybe just a tad bit knowledgeable.�
       Okura looked up the steps again and then gave Nabiki a curt nod.
�Go tell your bartender to start watering down the drinks.  I do not
want anymore �drunk sick� people happening to upset my guests.  Is that
clear?�
       �Oh I am so on that!� said Ukyo, cracking her knuckles
expectantly.

Oh, I am

       Maeda glared at Nabiki and she timidly grinned back.  He cut the
stairs one last look and then turned putting on his best smile and
addressed his guests.  �Sorry about that, my friends!  Somebody had just
a little too much spirits.  Please, please go back and enjoy yourselves,
nothing to see here, nothing to see.�
       He ushered the guests back into the main room, giving Nabiki one
last angry glance over his shoulder before rejoining the party.
Nabiki�s smile slowly drifted away as her fear passed.  Another bullet
barely dodged, she asked Ukyo how Akane was doing.
       [Ryoga how�s Akane?]
       There was silence at first then Ryoga answered the call.  [Maaan!
No wonder she weighs so much!  She hasn�t digested anything since she
was born!]

D&S:  ......ew.

       [Cut the jokes, Ryoga.  How is Akane?]
       [I�m not joking!  You don�t see this mess I�m seeing.  Where did
she keep it all?  I mean she was so thin in school, she should have been
a balloon!]
       [Ryoga!  Akane?]
       Ryoga stared down at Akane�s kneeling form huffing and heaving
over the putrid mess she just delivered moments ago.  He found a towel,
wet it and tapped her lightly on the shoulder, handing it to her.  Her
trembling hands wiped her mouth and face clean, Akane looking up with a
low moan.

Stiel:  Change 'looking' to 'looked'.

       �Hey,� he said, �You gonna live?�
       Akane�s vision was blurred and she blinked trying to make out the

blinked, trying

shadowy form hovering over her.  She squeezed her eye tight and they
finally focused.  �Ryoga?� she said in a very weak voice.
       [I think it worked.  She knows who I am.]
       [Is she okay?]
       �Akane, are you alright?�
       Akane nodded.
       �You feel better?�
       �I feel� light.�
       [She�s okay!]
       Both Ranko and Nabiki let out sighs of relief at the news.  �Tell
Ryoga to get her back down to that safe, crack it and get that stuff so
we can get out of here,� said Nabiki.
       �What about Doctor Tofu?� said Ukyo, �We haven�t heard from him
yet?�
       �Hopefully he�ll be up by then.  Just get her going.�
       Ukyo relayed the instructions and Nabiki paused to deliberate
their situation.  Having the hard copies did at least give them a
fighting chance, but not being able to eliminate all of the electronic
documents could still give Okura some leverage over her.  Doctor Tofu,
what�s happened to you guys, she wondered.
       �Mousse, you better get back to serving the guest.  Ukyo�.�
       �Kodachi. Got it.�
       Ranko started to follow Mousse but Nabiki called her.
       �And where do you think you�re going?�
       �Uh, back to serving?�
       Nabiki smirked and shook her head.  �No, young lady.  You�ve got
a date with a mess.�
       �What?�
       �Maeda might go up and check.�
       �So you want me to go up there and clean that stuff up?�
       �A-huh.�
       �Why me?�
       Nabiki smiled, taking the serving tray from Ranko.  �Because
she�s your wife,� she told her.
       Ranko started to protest but then knew it would be futile.  She
muttered a few curses at both Nabiki and for this whole affair, stomping
away to find a mop and bucket.

Stiel:  Or a street-cleaner, maybe.

* * * * *

       Ryoga helped Akane along out the restroom and back along the
hallway.  She could barely walk still groggy from the effects of the
liquor and exhaustion trying to clear her head.
       �Are you serious, Ryoga?  All that came from me?� she said.
       �Yep,� answered Ryoga, �Don�t worry though, you�ve still left
some cement inside your body.�
       �Oh really� Ryoga, come here.�
       Ryoga leaned towards her and Akane reached up, flicking the tip
of his nose.
       �Ow, hey!�
       �Cement,� muttered Akane.  She looked around.  �Where are we
going?�
       �I thought back to the office, but now I�m not so sure.�
       Akane shook her head.  Not the time to be getting lost, she
thought.  In the dim glow from below, she barely made out an open door
just up ahead.
       �You left the door open, didn�t you, Ryoga?�
       She pointed and Ryoga smirked.  �Damn.  Good thing nobody came up
here and found that, eh?�

Dragonboy:  This has happened before, but in instances like these, 'smirk'
is probably not the best word to use, as smirk actually means to grin or
leer.  A better word would probably be 'grimace'.  Look for that in other
places as well.

       They traded looks and Akane rolled her eyes.  �Let�s go,� she
told him.
       He carried Akane inside and set her down in one of the chairs.
Akane allowed her body to relax wishing this awful dizziness in her head
would go away.  She drew in a few deep breaths and tried to sit up.
Nope, no good, every nerve in her protesting the attempt.

Stiel:  Alter that last sentence slightly.  Either change 'protesting' to
'protested' or put something like 'was' or 'started' before it.

       �Ryoga,� she called out weakly.
       �Yeah, what�s up?�
       �I�m going to be sick again.�
       �No!�  Ryoga rushed over and started patting Akane�s hand.
�Please, Akane; that will be the end of this mission right quick!�
       ��then I need some air.�
       He nodded, telling her to hold on and ran to the windows.  A
quick peek down below found the grounds clear and Ryoga opened them up,
carrying Akane over.  The cool air helped and Akane�s nausea abated.
She sighed and slumped down on the edge of the sill.
       �Thanks,� she said.
       �No thanks yet.  So can we get on to this safe?�
       �Do you really think I�m going to be able to open a safe right
now?�
       �Well� it�s getting late Akane, and we�re behind schedule.�
       �Don�t you rush me, Ryoga!  Ooo, you sound like Ranma.�

Ryoga:  I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED!

       Ryoga stepped back to avoid any blows.  For a few minutes more,
Akane rested then she pulled herself up and turned around.  �Earpiece,�
she said, beckoning to Ryoga.  He handed it to her and she put it on.
       [Anybody� its Akane�]
       In the main room, Ukyo paused started to hear Akane�s voice.  She

paused, startled

quickly resumed her business and slipped away off to one of the corners
near the bar out of view of Maeda and his cronies.  [Akane?] she
whispered.
       [Bless you, Ukyo� how are we doing?]
       [We�re waiting for you and Doctor Tofu to do your jobs so we can
get out of here!]
       [�no need to be so grumpy.]
       [No need to be grumpy!] shouted another high pitched voice.
Akane smirked fighting the pain and loud ring in her ear.

Dragonboy:  That's another instance where 'grimace' would work better
than 'smirk'.

       [Ranko?]
       [Yes!  And we should have been done by now, I wouldn�t be up here
cleaning up your mess, and everyone would be safe back home!]
       [Ranko, shut up!] snapped Ukyo.  The net went silent and Ukyo
continued.  [Akane, Doc T is not up yet�.]
       [What?  Then what am I doing here?]
       [Don�t panic, I�m sure he and Hikaru will be up shortly.  Now how
long will it take for you to crack that safe?]
       [I don�t know.  I haven�t looked at it yet.]
       [So what are you waiting for?] shouted Ranko.
       [Ranko will you shut up and just clean!]  Ukyo paused to
recompose her thoughts.  [Akane, time is of the essence.  With or
without Doc T we need to get into that safe.]
       [I know.  Give me a few more minutes and I�ll get on it.]
       [Okay.  Ranko, hurry it up and get back downstairs.  Mousse is
under siege again.]
       [I�m mopping as fast as I can, Ukyo!]
       �Grief� she muttered.  [Call us when you�re in Akane.]

Stiel:  Oooh boy.

Dragonboy:  Shut up!  What my brother is saying is, this is another place
where commas are very important.  Here, there should be a comma
before Akane, because without it, the sentence reads like Ukyo is telling
Ranko to call back once she's in Akane.

Stiel:  And filling my mind with many more images.

Dragonboy:  Now, with the comma, it would read the way you intended,
with Akane calling back, rather than Ranko.

* * * * *

       With her guards in place, Vicky left the kitchen and went in
search of Okura; Tanyun accompanying her.  They looked around but oddly
enough she could not find him anywhere.  It was not like him to
disappear and leave such important people; Vicky strolled off and found
Sachi standing at the threshold of the doorway between the front and
main rooms while Chino played policeman ushering the lustful men away

>from that nervous girl Moussa.

       �Sachi, where�s Okura?� she asked.
       �Out in the dojo taking a smoke, and he�s not real happy right
now, Vicky.�
       Vicky did not like the sound of that.  She heard some commotion
coming from the direction of the bar and looked to see Ukyo berating her
odd bartender, pointing and landing slaps to the head as the two maids
hosting the main room looked on.
       �After all that�s happened so far, I don�t blame him,� she said.
�We better go find him before he blows up.�
       Leaving Chino to watch things, the three went down the hall to
Maeda�s dojo.  The lights were out, Vicky slid the door open and found
Okura standing with his back to them out on the porch smoking a
cigarette, staring up into the night sky.
       �Okura?� she called.  He did not answer and Vicky sensed his
tension.  She shot Tanyun and Sachi a worried look and led them across
the dojo floor.
       �Okura� I know you�re upset and I�m sorry about all of the
happenings that have been going on tonight.�
       Okura took another drag from his cigarette and then let out a
brief chuckle.  �And why are you sorry, Vicky?� he asked.
       �It is my household, technically, and I�m responsible for
everything that happens in it.�
       He laughed, crushed out his cigarette and turned to face her.
�No, no, my dear.  You are quite innocent tonight,� he said, placing
firm hands on her shoulders.  �It is Nabiki Tendo who is at fault here.�
       �You want us to go get her, boss?� said Sachi, excitement in his
eyes.  �We can rough her up right here and make her pay big time!�
       �Double Big time,� added Tanyun with a grin.

Dragonboy:  Big doesn't need to be capitolized.

       �No we are not going to rough up anyone� yet,� replied Okura.

No, we

       He began to pace, thinking over tonight and how his plans have
disrupted so far by Nabiki and her associates.  �This is all her doing.
A way to irritate me� frustrate is a better description.�
       �Hmm, I don�t know. Jean-Claude is making himself quite a pain
for me in the kitchen,� said Vicky.
       �The kitchen?  No, Vicky, I�m talking about out in the main room.
Tatewaki Kuno to be precise.�
       �I�m not following you?�

Dragonboy:  Period, not question mark.

       �Those two maids of hers.  They have radars in their bonnets both

bonnets, both

locked on to me.  I try approaching Kuno, there�s a tray in the way.
Get by that, I�m nearly run over by a cart.�
       �Well just slap�em, boss.  They�ll both stay out of your way for
sure then,� suggested Sachi.

Stiel:  Except that these girls would hit him back twice as hard.

       Vicky glared at him taking a defiant stance.  �Do you always have
to resort to violence to solve problems?� she said.
       Sachi shrugged.  �Direct action seems to work best, Vicky.�
       She let out a huff, stomping a foot at him with disgust.
       �No, no, Sachi.  Assaulting one of these girls would only upset
my guests.  Something I�m sure Nabiki is quite aware of.�
       �So you think Nabiki is up to something, boss?� asked Tanyun.
       �Oh yes, this girl is up too something.  But it will not matter
once I get Tatewaki Kuno alone.  I am confident that once I do that, he
will cooperate fully with my �suggestions�.�
       �And then we get her?� asked Sachi.
       �Yes� then we take care of Nabiki Tendo.�
       The threatening tone did not sit well with Vicky.  Deep inside
she felt a twinge of concern for Nabiki, somehow regretting to have
placed her in this situation.  The woman is rebellious, but that did not
warrant the threats to her well-being or any form of harm at all.
       �Okura, Nabiki did do as you instructed her,� she said.
       �Yes she did, and quite well.  Unfortunately, she is also
indirectly interfering with me too.�
       �If you�re worried about those two maids, boss, then now�s your
chance,� Tanyun told him.
       �What?�
       �They were at the bar watching that hot chick Ukyo give her weird
bartender a good piece of her mind, plus a few wallops upside the head.�
       �Their trays were empty also, boss,� added Sachi.  �I�d bet
they�re still their right now waiting for a reload.�
       �How long ago was this?�
       �Oh� two, three minutes or so since we�ve been in here.�
       Okura�s face brightened at the news.  Here could be a chance to
get in and get Tatewaki.  The gods must be smiling down upon him.
       �Tanyun, go get two of your men from outside and bring them
here.�
       �Aw, boss.  I�ve already pulled two guys in to watch the kitchen.
I�m short outside.�
       �It will be brief, now go get them!�
       Tanyun went to get his men.  Maeda smiled cutting his eyes over
to Vicky sensing her questioning stare.  �Opportunity, my dear,� he

Vicky, sensing

said.  �Once Tanyun returns, we are going to find Tatewaki Kuno and I
will get him into my den alone.�
       �What about those radar guided maids you�re so worried about?�
       �You five will screen me.  I want a clear path to Kuno, clear?�
       They both nodded and then Tanyun returned two of his security men

returned, two

in tow.  A devious grin appeared on Okura�s face and he laughed evilly
at the thought of thwarting Nabiki�s plans.
       He straightened his jacket and then said, �Let�s go.�

* * * * *

       Meanwhile at the bar, Ukyo had finished admonishing Kodachi
leaving her pouting like a small child after being punished by her
parents.  Once out of sight, she paused briefly to fix herself back up
and finished serving the guests waiting for drinks.  Finally caught up,
Konatsu and Tsubasa placed their trays on the bar and stopped to take a
break.
       �Wow, I never thought hosting could be so busy,� said Tsubasa.
       �We work in restaurant.  This should be nothing,� replied
Konatsu.
       �Yeah, but we don�t work in high heels, especially the six inch
variety.  My feet are killing me.�
       �Starting to sound like Mousse.�
       Konatsu tapped his tray signaling Kodachi to come over.  �I see
Ukyo finally caught up to your warped interpretation of �flow�,� he
said.
       �Ooo, such a mean person that woman,� answered Kodachi, �How can
you two stand to work with her?�
       �Simple, we follow instructions and she pays us well.�

Tsubasa:  Not to mention if we ever even thought about quitting, she'd
put us in traction.

       �Not so sure about that �pay� part, partner,� said Tsubasa.
       �Knock it off!�
       Kodachi giggled, drawing Konatsu�s displeasure.  �Laugh it up.
You don�t see us getting bounced around like a beach ball.�
       �She did not bounce me around.  I only allowed her too feel
important.�
       �A-huh, so I need to get her back over here then, right?�
       That shocked Kodachi.  �What?  Why I�m doing what she told me.�

Stiel:  Put a comma after why, otherwise it makes Kodachi another Shamps
impersonator.

       Tsubasa smirked.  �We watched you fix those last drinks too,
Kodachi.  A teaspoon of water is not what Ukyo meant by watering down.�

Stiel:  I'm surprised she actually used _water_ to water it down with.

       �But it�s such a crime to dilute such a fantastic collection of
spirits.  Look, see�.�  Kodachi knelt rummaging through the bottles of
alcohol below.  Tsubasa and Konatsu exchanged unsure looks and then she
stood up holding a bottle in her hands.  The contents were clear, and
embossed on the neck was a small lightening bolt.
       �You see this?  Pure Tennessee Valley Whiskey.   Difficult even
for the Kuno Clan to procure.�
       �Your point is?� asked Konatsu.
       �I cannot deny this fantastic collection from these deprived
people.  It is my duty to introduce them to all of these fine spirits!�

Dragonboy:  At least she has the people's best interests in mind.

       Tsubasa�s head hit the bar covering it with his arms as Konatsu
frowned at Kodachi.
       �You are not supposed to be doing that, Kodachi!� he scolded her.
       She inched back and started pouting again.  �Well anyway,� she
finally said, placing the bottle back under the counter, �when we leave
I�m taking that with me.�
       �Kodachi!�
       �What?  I�ve stopped mixing my concoctions!�
       Tsubasa looked up.  �Oh, really?  So what about these guys over
here?� he said pointing down the bar.
       Right next to him stood a middle aged gentleman standing straight
up holding out a short glass in his right hand, staring at the back
wall.  Not a muscle moved; no sign of life in him at all.  In contrast
next to him towered a hulking sumo of a man wavering slowly to and fro
his eyes narrow slits making incoherent occasional blubbers as if in
conversation.  Four more men sat at the far end all huddled together
staring down at one solitary glass of Kodachi�s special mix fizzing on
the bar.  The most interesting of Kodachi�s victims though was a thin
man much like Gosunkugi in stature and build, who would walk face first
the wall.

Dragonboy:  I think you missed the word 'into' there.


His glasses askew, the delirious man would bounce back,

gurgle a few times then repeat his action with nary a pause.
       �Them?�  Kodachi tittered deviously, motioning to Konatsu and
Tsubasa to follow.  �Now these four� these are men who dared to
challenge my stature as a bartender and did not care about the
consequences.�

Stiel:  Fools, all of em.

       Konatsu stared at them with mouth open in disbelief.  �This is
not �Enter the Dragon�, Kodachi!� he finally said.  �These guys might
have spouses here or, or homes to go too!�
       �It�ll teach�em to not to mess with me then, won�t it (HOH-hoo,
hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo)?�

Dragonboy:  You should move the question mark to after 'it', then just
make the laugh (which doesn't really have to be in parentheses, by the
way) a seperate sentence.

       �What about the rubber ball?� asked Tsubasa.
       �Oh him?  Another successful experiment.�
       �Experiment?�
       She nodded.  �You do know I have remote control over all of these
fine people?�
       �No?� answered Konatsu.

Change question mark to period.

       Kodachi giggled.  �Allow me to demonstrate.�
       Marking the time of her victim�s movement, Kodachi waited until
he was just backing up and reached out flicking him on the side of his
ear.  The man wobbled in place like a weeble toy, turning around until
he faced out towards the crowd.
       �I�ll make him walk around the bar, hit the wall and come back,�
she told them.
       A sharp flick and slap of a hand too the back of the head sent
the man toddling forwards.  When he reached the end of the bar, much to
Tsubasa and Konatsu�s surprise, he pivoted on one foot, audibly
gurgling, and then toddled past en route for the other end.  They both
started sharply as he repeated his turn and smacked face first into the
wall.
       �You are not supposed to be doing stuff like that!� said Konatsu.
       Kodachi gazed innocently up at the ceiling.  �The opportunity was
there so I took it.  I really must thank Nabiki for allowing me such
chances (hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo).�
       �When Ukyo find out about this you�re�.�

finds out

       �Gug, gug, gug, gug, gug.�
       ��sorry, excuse me� When she finds out what you have done she
gonna�.�  Konatsu did a double-take staring at the unfortunate man
passing by for a second.  �You are not supposed to be doing things like
that!�
       �Can I help it if I�m a curious type of person, hmm?�
       Tsubasa suddenly tugged rapidly on Konatsu�s skirt.  �Did you see
that?� he said excitement in his eyes.  �That guy went back to his
corner!�
       �Just like a little boomerang.  You doubted my word?� said
Kodachi.

Tsubasa:  I could be making money off this somehow!  We could hold
races, people could place bets, we'd be rich in no time!

       �You are not making things any better here, Tsubasa.�
       Tsubasa pointed up at the sumo.  �And him?�
       �A work in progress,� answered Kodachi.
       ��and him?�
       This time Kodachi�s eyes narrowed, her lips pressed tight
together walking over to him.  �Now he is a challenge.�
       She knocked on the counter-top.  �Sir?�
       As if waking from sleep, the gentleman�s eyes blinked and he
cleared his throat.  �Mmm-ah, yes, yes my good madam.  Another round if
you would, please.  And if you can, find a stiffer brand of scotch if
available, hmm, thank you.�
       Kodachi sneered at him.  �A Brit,� she explained.  �You could
pour a gallon of Vodka into him and he�d still spit in my eye.  But I�m
not through him yet.  I�ll break him, you�ll see.�
       �No we won�t see because you�re not going do anymore of this
stuff like Ukyo said!� Konatsu told her.
       �But I�ve got my strongest mix fermenting in the blender under
the counter.�

Stiel:  She apparently didn't learn from last time, when her concotion
ate it's packaging, huh?

       �Good, bring it out!� said the Englishman, wavering a bit, �I
need something to clear up my sinuses!�
       Kodachi gawked at him and then went for her mix, but Konatsu
grabbed her by the shoulders.
       �We�re not here for this, Kodachi,� he reminded her.
       �It�s personal now�Hoohoooo, you�ll regret those words�I must
protect my honor!  Let me go!�
       Tsubasa stepped away from the bickering duo and turned away
hoping this would blow over quickly.  He scanned the crowd, flinching as
a loud bump echoed behind him, and smiled nervously at the guests.
Through a seam over across the room Tsubasa spotted Maeda also looking
around the room obviously searching for one person in particular.  Not
good, Tsubasa retreated back to the bar.
       �Konatsu, Konatsu!� he said, tugging on the hem of his skirt.
       �Will you stop that,� snapped Konatsu turning around.  Tsubasa
pointed out across the room and Konatsu�s brows rose up.
       �Whoops, looks like we�re on again.  Drinks�.�
       He looked back and realized in the distraction that Kodachi had
not refilled their tray.
       �Kodachi!  Where�s are our drinks?�

Dragonboy:  Change to 'where are'.

       �You never gave me your orders, so I never made any.�
       Disaster, Tsubasa and Konatsu trading anxious looks.  By then
Vicky joined Maeda and then Tanyun, Sachi and the two extra men appeared
behind them.
       �Where�s Tatewaki?� asked Konatsu, desperately searching for him.
Tsubasa tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the far front of the
room.  There stood Tatewaki in casual conversation with some people with
his back away from Maeda.
       Worse still, they stood mere steps away from the dreaded door to
Maeda�s den.
       �What is he think about?� said Konatsu.
       Maeda�s gaze finally fell upon Tatewaki, Tsubasa could see, and a
triumphant grin appeared on his face.  �Uh-oh, bad guys got lock-on,� he
said.  Maeda made a gesture and the two security men started to casually
walk ahead of him.  ��and it�s a bum-rush.  He must be on to us!�
finished Tsubasa.
       �Nabiki is going to kill us!� said Konatsu.
       �If Ukyo doesn�t first.  Think of something, Konatsu.�
       It had to be fast, Maeda now making his way carefully across the
room towards Tatewaki.  No drinks, no cart either, they had nothing that
could help cover their intentions, and even so the extra screen would
surely thwart their attempts.  Konatsu glanced back at the bar and then
an idea hit him.  He eyed Kodachi�s victims and smiled.

Stiel:  They're going to play pinball.

       �Tsubasa, you think you can copy Kodachi�s little control thing?�
       �Well I�.�  He grinned.  �Sure.  I think I can.�
       �Then we�re going to fire torpedoes.�

Stiel:  Close enough.

       �You think it will work?  People might get in the way.�
       �Look at those faces.  They look like they�re ready to explode.
People will get out of the way.�
       Tsubasa laughed and pulled one of the four men from the corner of
the bar as Konatsu held out an arm guestimating the angle of attack.
       �Ready?� asked Konatsu.
       �No, don�t get rid of my toys!� complained Kodachi.
       �Quit your whining,� replied Tsubasa.  �Ready!�
       �Fire!�
       Tsubasa imitated Kodachi�s pop-n-slap blow sending the inebriated
drone staggering off into the crowd.  For Maeda, it looked like smooth
sailing, not a sign of those two troubling maids and with Tatewaki
neatly cornered, he was sure of success.
       That was until his guests parted to allow someone apparently on
the binge to stumble into his lead man.  They fell back towards him and
Maeda cringed once he got a clear look at the man�s face.  Desperately,
he motioned his man to carry this fool away before he let loose and
ruined the floor.
       �Hit!� reported Konatsu.  �Make it a double!�
       Tsubasa readied two more and then Kodachi called him.  �Put a
little bit more kick into your wrist action.  You�ll get a straighter
run that way,� she told him.
       He paused briefly and then gave her a thumb up.
       Maeda, shaken slightly by the interruption urged his group on and

interruption, urged

then two more drunks hit colliding with the second man and Tanyun.  Both

hit, colliding

let out desperate cries and hurriedly carried them off.  Sachi, bringing
up the rear, laughed at the sight only to be abruptly silenced as he too
received an unwanted dance partner.  As he carried him off, Vicky gave
Okura a lost look and shrugged not know how to explain what was
happening.  Maeda ignored it not when he was so close to success.  He

it, not

moved on, but then Vicky heard a gurgling sound just too her right and
turned to find the human boomerang toddling for her.  They collided and
Vicky grimaced, turning his head to one side.
       �No, no, not the dress,� she pleaded, guiding him away.
       �Yes!  Screens down!� said Konatsu.
       Tsubasa grabbed the Brit and got ready.
       �But I�m not done with him yet,� moaned Kodachi.
       �No choice.  Ready!�
       �Fire!�
       Maeda picked up his pace determined to reach Tatewaki.  Suddenly,
a man stumbled towards him and it looked like they would run into each
other when he stopped just short and smiled at Okura.
       �I say, ol�boy.  Sorry �bout that.  Can�t seem to find my way to
your loo,� said the Englishman.  Okura frowned and pointed back towards
the front room.  He thanked him and staggered away.
       �Dud!� said Konatsu.  �Stick with the local stuff!�
       Franticly, Tsubasa searched for another drone to use.  �I�m out,
Konatsu, I�m o�.�  He looked up at the one last person standing at the
bar and smiled.  �Sumo?� he said.
       �Nuke�em!� replied Konatsu.
       Tsubasa grunted and pushed their last drone into position,
stepping back eyeing the towering man.  �This might take a hop-pop-and
kick,� he said.
       �Hurry it up, Tsubasa!  Maeda�s almost there!�
       Stepping back, Tsubasa drew in a breath and leaped, slapping the
back of the sumo�s head and then kicked him forward.  The sumo lumbered
off through the crowd and they watched in anticipation.

Dragonboy:  I can't imagine how much skill that must take to pull off in
high-heels.

       �This is going to be close,� said Konatsu.
       There stood Tatewaki Kuno, Maeda�s eyes lit bright with the
impending victory he so craved.  Grinning, Okura called out to him and
Tatewaki turned around. Excellent, thought Maeda noticing the surprise
on his face, he is in shock and vulnerable.  I have him now.
       �Tatewaki, finally I can�.�
       The hulking shadow looming abruptly to his right stopped Okura
dead in his tracks.  �Huh?� was the only thing he could say then let out
a gasp as Kodachi�s last inebriated drone tumbled into him.   The sumo�s
bleary eyes looked down at him and he opened his mouth, blubbering some
mishmash that made Maeda cringe.
       Grunting under the strain of supporting his guest, Maeda cast
Tatewaki a forlorn glance.  �I�ll� I�ll be� right back� in a moment�
Tatewaki��
       �Oh, please.  Take your time.  I�m sure you do not want our
esteemed friend there to hurt himself.�
       Maeda shook his head and grunted again hefting the sumo up
against him and went staggering away.
       �Yes!  Are we good or what!� Konatsu cheerfully said.
       �Who said we can�t stop the bad guy,� added Tsubasa.
       The pair exchanged high-fives and returned to the bar.  �I�m
impressed,� said Kodachi, �All my toys are gone, but I�m still
impressed.�
       �Well for once Kodachi one of your deviant hobbies has finally
made itself useful,� replied Konatsu.
       �Just make sure you tell that to Ukyo when you see her again.�
       �Okay, gloating�s over, Kodachi,� Tsubasa cut in; �We need
reloads so we can get back out there and watch Tatewaki.�
       �Is he still over by that door?� asked Konatsu.
       �Nah.  He had the sense enough to move once Maeda was gone.  I
don�t think we�ll see him anywhere around there again.�
       �At least not voluntarily,� said Kodachi.
       Konatsu smirked and rapped his tray reminding her she needed to
refill them.  �And as for you, don�t be wiping out anymore people, and
cut back on the spirits.  Got it?�
       She huffed, turning her nose up at them while she worked.  �And
what am I supposed to do for fun, hmm?�
       Tsubasa grabbed his tray full of drinks.  �Try talking for a
change.  Who knows, you might find someone you like.  Ciao.�

Stiel:  I think the more difficult part would be finding someone who likes
her back.

Dragonboy:  Let's try to stay impartial here.

Stiel:  Why?  It's not our story.

       �Humph� talking.  Such a boring thing to do.�
       Konatsu grabbed his tray.  �Just behave, okay?�
       Kodachi began pouting again and Konatsu rolled his eyes and went
back to serving.  �Well� I guess I could try,� she said to herself.
       Through the crowd appeared Kodachi�s weeble-drone victim gurgling
incoherently as he stumbled to a stop up against the bar.  She smiled,
eyeing him a moment and shrugged.
       �Oh well, who�s going to know� come here my little boomerang.�

Dragonboy's Thoughts:  Well, another apology for the long delay.  But
the story's still coming along nicely.  Since the rest of the story has now
been posted, we'll try to pick up the pace so as not to fall too far behind.

Stiel's Thoughts:  Come hell or high water, we're finishing these reviews!

Dragonboy
If you can't see the forest through the trees,
take a chainsaw with you.

Stiel
I thought of a good line to use!

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