Strange Love
Nabiki: With liberty and Mazoku for all…
By Morri ^_^ (this is obviously about Nabiki and Xelloss. I thought
it would be cool to put them together…I guess I really am a weirdo…) Oh
well, e-mail the weirdo with comments at: zelgadis666@yahoo.com.
Anyway, on with the show!
Nabiki looked around at her desk, eyes coming to rest on the clock. It was ten forty-five. "Quite a sum of yen today," she thought out loud as she stretched and put her hands behind her head. "Boy am I tired. But the businesswoman never sleeps!" Nabiki Tendo put her robe around her and grabbed her cameras. Time to go spy on her little sister and her fiancée… again.
"HEY, COME BACK HERE YOU PERVERT!!" Nabiki turned quickly at the sound of her sister's irritated voice. Nabiki sensed something behind her and ducked quickly to avoid the flying Happosai as he hurtled down the hall with a pair of Akane's underwear. Akane herself came flying out of her bedroom at breakneck speed forcing Nabiki to flatten herself against the wall. She heard noises coming from Akane's bedroom and saw Ranma hanging off the windowsill, trying to come back inside.
"Awww, poor Ranma. Did Grandfather Happosai knock you out of the window? Here, let me help you," Nabiki said with a vicious smirk as she strutted to the window. Sure enough, as she had guessed, Ranma wore only his boxers. That was incriminating enough.
"Thanks Nabiki, but why are you taking pictures of me?" Ranma asked, sitting cross-legged on his pallet, which was in shambles.
"Oh dear!" said Kasumi, coming in behind Nabiki, "Why is Akane screaming at Grandfather Happosai like that?"
Nabiki's expression turned sly as she replied, "Maybe she's upset that she and Ranma got caught," she looked out of the corner of her eye at Ranma, who sweatdropped. Kasumi blushed.
"Oh, my! Nabiki surely you can't think Ranma would…or that Akane would let him!" the nineteen year old Tendo girl said.
Nabiki shrugged and went to find Akane. There were questions that needed answering and obviously, Ranma was not the one to ask. And even if something had happened, it was to be expected, since Ranma's and Akane's fathers had put them in there together. Ranma's mother was in his usual room, so he had to be put somewhere. Obviously, to Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome, Akane's room was the best place.
Still, Nabiki was curious. If she played her cards right, she could make quite a profit off of this little incident. Of course, Nabiki was pretty sure nothing had happened between Ranma and her little sister. But still, it would be nice to know.
As Nabiki had anticipated, Akane told her nothing. But her manner said volumes. Something had happened in Akane's room that night. And if not from Akane…
"Grandfather Happosai, may I have a word?" Nabiki turned calmly to the little old man who was trying to pull a mallet from out of his skull.
"Certainly, pretty Nabiki. What's on your mind?" Happosai asked, finally freeing the mallet and tossing it aside.
"What exactly did you see when you were in Akane's room? Did they...do…anything?" Nabiki asked, leaning her chin in her hand, a bored look in her eyes.
"Well, I don't know if I should say…" he started. Nabiki, however, was prepared. She pulled her bra out of her robe pocket and dangled it in front of him. It was her laciest one, so she knew he'd go for it. The old man was drooling and murmuring to himself. He took the bait.
"Okay, I guess it won't hurt to tell you…" Happosai said as he eagerly
snatched up the payment for his service. Nabiki smiled her familiar business
smile…all teeth.
*Well that was pointless. All the old fool saw was a stupid kiss. * Nabiki thought sullenly. *Wait a minute. I was so busy being disappointed that I didn't even think about that! My little sister really does love Ranma! *
Nabiki smiled and turned off the light. Sleep came easily. But it was
not at all a calm night…
Nabiki sat on the cold ground, not fully aware of her surroundings. She saw a large stone castle-thing with a few statues scattered around, probably of the Lord of the castle. A man with a strange staff stood before her, watching her. After a time, he asked for her name.
"Oh, I'm Nabiki Tendo. Who the heck are you?" she replied crossly.
"Nabiki, is it? Well, I am called Xelloss, the Mysterious Priest. What brings you to my master's temple, hmm?" said the strange purple-haired man offering her his hand.
"Huh? What is this weird place?" Nabiki said, hands on hips, her face not revealing her fear.
"I just told you my dear. You are in the temple of the Beast Master, Zellas Metallium. She is my master. My name is…" Xelloss repeated impatiently.
"I heard you the first time. But am I dreaming, or what? No, that can't be right. I've never had a dream this vivid before," Nabiki mused aloud. She took a good look at the man. He wore an outfit that was of foreign origin, boots, and a strange black cloak. His purple eyes were slanted and his purple hair was cut similar to her own, making him look almost cute. But Nabiki shook that thought out of her mind. Something wasn't right here. Nabiki's mind began to work again.
*Well, I've had weird dreams before. But I don't ever remember having any dreams about people I'd never met before. I think maybe if I pinch myself… *
"Ouch!" she said aloud, rubbing her arm where she'd pinched it. No effect. Nabiki didn't wake up.
"Tell me, Ms. Tendo, do you enjoy inflicting pain on yourself?" Xelloss said, now sitting on a large stone statue about ten feet away, smiling cunningly at her.
"Of course not! You creep me out. I just thought I was dreaming or something," Nabiki said calmly. She looked down and, sure enough, she was wearing her nightgown.
Xelloss laughed, "Well, my dear, it probably is a dream. Not too many people find their way here otherwise." The priest turned away suddenly and closed his piercing eyes, "It gets rather lonely sometimes…" the mysterious man shook his head to clear it and continued, "And I noticed your strange garb. Exactly where are you from anyway?"
"I'm from Japan," Nabiki narrowed her eyes. She didn't quite trust this guy yet. He seemed friendly enough, but there was a gleam in his eyes that reminded Nabiki frighteningly of herself. A breeze came through and made Nabiki shiver.
The Mysterious Priest threw Nabiki his cloak. She caught it and wrapped it around her in one graceful move, her face still lacking emotion. Then she smiled, "Thanks."
"I think I could get you home, Nabiki…for a price of course," Xelloss
smirked. He liked this strange girl. He could tell she was a woman after
his own twisted heart, always out for money. With a wave of his hand, she
was gone. Xelloss turned sadly to go inside. He needed to report to his
master about the disturbance. His clever mind, however, was thinking of
a way to bring her back again the next night.
Nabiki sat bolt upright at the sound of bickering outside her door.
"But Akane, you said no one even suspected! You think someone found out?" Ranma said, his voice muffled. Nabiki turned on her microphone setup and quickly began recording the conversation, her dream momentarily forgotten. This could be interesting.
"I know Ranma, but I know my sister and she's probably got the whole thing on tape!" Akane replied, also muffled by the door. Nabiki frowned. Actually, all she got was a picture or Ranma sitting in his boxers on his own bed. But they didn't have to know that…
"Yeah, so? It was just a kiss, I don't get what's so important about that…Oh geez Akane, I didn't mean it wasn't important to me or nothing! I just mean, that they won't go jumping to all their conclusions and stuff. The only person who actually saw us was the old pervert and I doubt he'll tell anyway," Ranma said to his frowning fiancée.
"Okay Ranma, I just hope you're right. I know my dad and…well you know yours," Akane agreed reluctantly.
"Hey Akane," Ranma whispered, "I love you…"
Akane giggled, "Oh Ranma…"
Nabiki shut off her equipment at that point, her job done. Now all she had to do was set up the blackmail scam. She called one of her operatives to make three copies of the tape and return all three plus the original to her by the end of the day. Once she hung up, Nabiki went to take a shower.
"Hey Nabiki," Ranma called from the dining room, "Cool cloak. Where'd you get it?" He pointed at the black cloak that she wore. She literally jumped when she looked at it. Her eyes widened and she hurried to the bathroom.
Once she was safely in the tub, she contemplated. That Xelloss guy was
definitely suspicious. That cloak hadn't been there when she went to bed.
Suddenly, Nabiki remembered her strange dream. It had just been a dream…hadn't
it?
Nabiki left for school with Ranma and Akane that day, trudging behind sullenly. Ranma took notice and walked on the rail next to her.
"Hey Nabiki, you're looking pretty shaken. I've never seen you so sulky!" Ranma said jokingly. Nabiki frowned and walked faster, leaving Ranma behind. She was sulking because she couldn't find a single way to prove that Xelloss had not just been a dream. Other than the cloak of course. That hung in her closet to be examined later for more evidence.
The cloak just made her more confused. Nabiki was sitting in the middle of class, half-listening to the sensei, when she was called on to answer the question. Of course, she had absolutely no clue what was going on. Her teacher knew that and sent her to the hall with the customary bucket of water. A few minutes later, she was joined by Tatewaki Kuno, the self proclaimed Blue Thunder of Furinken High School.
"Nabiki Tendo, I do not think I recall ever having seen you act this distracted. You have never to my knowledge, in all the tedious years I have known you…" Kuno began.
Nabiki cut him off with a gesture, "Look Kuno-baby, don't embellish. Just get to the point."
"I have never seen you so visibly squirm. I want to know what's wrong," the kendoist said swiftly with a slight blush.
"Wow Kuno, you really are crazier than I thought. You got yourself in trouble just to come out here and see me? How very thoughtful," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She had fully reverted to normal, switching now to her "Kuno-mode".
"No, Nabiki Tendo, I didn't get in trouble for you. I too was daydreaming, about your sister and the pig-tailed goddess. The sensei thought I might do well in the hallway with you. To think something so ludicrous as caring about you would ever pass through my mind would be absurd. I merely wished to know so that I may exploit it in the future," he said with a haughty toss of the head.
Nabiki smiled sardonically at him, "Oh Kuno-baby, you make me so proud.
My little Tatchi has grown up!" She wiped a fake tear from her eye and
laughed, her mind wandering back to Xelloss. She silently wondered if she'd
see him again.
Nabiki was staying after school that day to 'help' with the betting in this weekend's Anything Goes Martial Arts Basketball Tournament. She was doing her job well, though her mind was elsewhere. Xelloss' laugh kept echoing in her mind. She found herself wanting to hear it again.
One of her business associates came up to her betting desk to see what was wrong.
"Nabiki, dear, why are you in such a bad mood?" the tall girl asked.
"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing. Are you going to place a bet or are you just here to chat…I do have other customers," Nabiki said, pointing to the line of students behind her friend.
"Well, okay, but I just don't want to jeopardize our little operation with your daydreaming or anything. Okay?" the girl asked, pulling out her wallet. "Here. Fifty yen says Furinken wins second place."
Nabiki smiled and took her friend's money, "By the way, did you get the tapes yet?"
The girl sighed, "Yeah, I got them, but I don't think there's much to go on. I mean from what you told me they don't have any money anyway."
Nabiki held out her hand, "Well?" she asked impatiently. Her associate pulled a plastic sack out of her school bag and handed it to Nabiki. A brilliantly evil smile passed over the Tendo girl's face as she handed the girl some money.
"Next please," said Nabiki, carefully putting the tapes away. Her friend walked away with a slightly exasperated look on her face.
Nabiki continued taking bets for another hour, then walked home. When she got back to the Tendo Dojo, the place was just bustling with activity. Nabiki decided to take the back way in. She got up about three stairs before Ranma stopped her.
"Hey Nabiki, wanna join the party? Or had you forgotten?" the black-haired boy asked.
Nabiki turned and pulled one of the tapes out of her bag. She smiled evilly at him. "Here Ranma, tell Dad I wasn't feeling good. This is his birthday present…unless you care to pay me not to give it to him…" she said with a toss of her hair.
"What do you mean?" Ranma said, suddenly pulling back from Nabiki.
"Come with me Ranma," she said as she turned and went up stairs and into her bedroom. She stuck the cassette into the player and replayed for Ranma the conversation from early that morning.
Ranma went ghostly pale. He numbly reached for his wallet. Nabiki just smiled innocently.
"The usual payment Ranma dear…unless you want my father to find out, of course," Nabiki smiled again as Ranma dug into his pockets for more money. He growled as he handed Nabiki the money.
"Nabiki, I want all the other copies too…" Ranma began. Nabiki laughed.
"Of course, Ranma," she said as she reached in for two the other two, "but I'm keeping the original." She handed them to him and he turned to leave, empty pocketed.
Nabiki switched on the light and flopped down on her bed. She started to drift off, but remembered her homework. She sighed and went to her desk. There was a strange envelope sitting there. Nabiki picked it up and opened it.
"Nabiki Tendo, if you want to see me tonight, just wear my cloak to bed. I'll be waiting."
There was no signature on the envelope, and the handwriting was very
unfamiliar. She shrugged it off and pushed it aside. She opened her schoolbag
and got her homework started. But something in the back of her head told
her that the letter was of the utmost importance.
About two hours later, her father knocked on the door. Nabiki pulled of her earphones, switched off her equipment and answered the door.
"Yes father?" she asked sweetly.
"Are you feeling better dear?" he asked, " I brought you some Ramen. Kasumi fixed it just for my birthday." He sat down on the edge of her bed.
"Thanks Dad. Hey, I have something I want you to hear okay? It's your present from me, but you have to swear that you'll never tell a soul," Nabiki said slowly, reaching for the 'play' button.
Her father frowned but agreed and came to sit beside his middle daughter. Nabiki started the tape and carefully watched the expressions on her father's face. When the conversation ended, Soun Tendo burst into tears of pure joy. His face lit up with pride and he stood up to go tell Genma. Nabiki stopped him before he hit the door, reminding him of his promise.
"Oh, no daddy. I can't let you tell Mr. Saotome about this. That would just not do at all. Wait until his birthday and I'll let him hear it too," she promised. Her father fidgeted for a few moments than nodded reluctantly.
"Alright Nabiki, I won't tell him. But why can't I?" he asked with a frown.
"Father, I know what happens when the two of you get an idea in your heads, especially when it deals with Ranma and Akane. At least now you can rest assured that when the time comes, they won't fight it. Now you don't have to go ballistic every time Shampoo or Ukyo gets mentioned!" Nabiki kissed her father on the cheek, "Happy birthday daddy."
Her father turned to leave but noticed the cloak lying on Nabiki's bed. "Nabi-chan, where did that cloak come from?" Nabiki's eyes went wide.
"You know," she said calmly, her back turned to him, " I'm not really sure."