brief notes:
with my newly elevated stress levels I'm finding it hard to finish
this part. Production has not stopped, but slowed to the point it may seem
that way. I felt it would be unfair to make my handful of readers wait
for me so I'm releasing the first half of part 2 now.
Also I'm considering releasing the first ANK to RAAC after yet
another final revision. I'd like to finish part 3 of ANK2 before doing so.
Anyone with advise on that would be welcome. Should I revise
everything and post as one message or revise and release by parts? I've
never considered posting to RAAC so I know little of it.
Any and all responses are welcome. They're a prized rarity for me.
Chapter 2 - ???
[...]
Kune was about to take a seat next to Megumi as the old fashioned
door chime went off. "I guess I'll get it."
Ranma rubbed his stomache in anticipation. "If it's the pizza, the
money's by the door."
Kune walked into the hall and picked up the money by the phone.
The door chime rang a second time as Kune opened the door. Midori grinned
in recognition. "Well we meet again."
Caught offguard, Kune found himself at a loss for words. He nodded
dumbly as she handed him the pizzas and plucked the bills from his free
hand. "You know.. if you wanted to see me again, you could have just
asked."
He felt like he was in vocal limbo, or perhaps his own special
hell. Fortunately Ranma took this moment to walk in. "Did you find the
money okay Kune?"
"Um yeah! Yes. Uh, Mr. Saotome.. this is.."
Midori took the oppertunity to bow deeply. "Midori. Sanzenin
Midori. It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Saotome, my old master used to
speak very highly of you. Strange though, he never mentioned your boyish
good looks."
Ranma took a deep breath, sticking his chest out slightly. "Well I
suppose the training keeps me young."
The trio could hear Megumi's irritation from the other room. "Hey,
what's taking so long?"
Midori made an attempt to look over Kune's shoulder. "Oh, is that
lovely girlfriend of yours here too?"
Kune brought the pizzas up, forcing Midori back a step. "Yes. No.
I mean, you have to go. You're very busy and all."
"Humph," Midori placed her hands behind her back and bowed again.
"Well it was very nice seeing you again 'Kune,' and it was an honor meeting
you Mr. Saotome."
Ranma nodded and took the pizzas from Kune. "Nice meeting you too
Midori, we'll have to order pizza more often."
Kune closed his eyes and began rubbing his head as Ranma walked
back to the dining area. Midori leaned in close to Kune before leaving.
"Why don't we eat at my place next time. The pizza's free."
The door closed as Kune slid to the ground, still rubbing his
forehead. He was developing a massive headache.
[...]
Spice snuck up on her brother as the last customer left the
Nekohanten. He hated it when she did that. He nearly jumped out of his
chair as she called his name. "Xian, you know those two girls who came in
this afternoon?"
He took a couple of breaths to calm himself. "Um, yeah I think so.
Sakura and what's her name's sister right?"
"Hai," Spice surpressed a shudder. "Anyway, they were going to see
a movie this weekend so I thought maybe you go with them. Make them feel
safer."
"No thanks. I have other plans," Xian smiled and turned his
attention to the door. "Why don't you ask Seki? He could use a date."
Spice was noticably irritated when her brother didn't jump at the
chance. "Seki? I not think he very interested in girls, and he work
weekends. Good worker, big help around here not like some people."
Xian ignored the barb and continued. "Well I suppose. He's a nice
guy though, I'd hate to see him burn out. All work and no play. He'll
probably snap by the end of summer."
"I'll find him date after.. I mean later," Spice corrected herself.
"Why don't you take him to a movie some time," Xian absentmindedly
began tapping out a tune on the table. "You both have thursdays off."
"Huh? What?" Spice shook her head briskly to shake the cobwebs
away. "Nevermind Seki, we talk about you now!"
"Oh, I forgot. Anyway, like I said. I have other plans this weekend."
Xian could see his sister's knuckles turning white. "What plans?!?
All you do is eat, sleep, and watch kung fu theatre."
"Very busy this weekend. Maybe some other time."
Spice fought back to urge to do bodily harm and stormed off to the
kitchen in a huff. "Grrrrr."
[...]
Ukyou walked along in silence. Occasionally she would look over to
her brother who just stared out into space. Eventually the still in the
air got the better of her. "Are you feeling okay Seki?"
He blinked involuntarily and looked to his older sister. "Wha?"
"You barely said two words the whole evening."
He took a few moments to collect his thoughts. "Sorry sis. I
guess I have alot on my mind."
She could read his face easily. "Still hung up on her?"
"It's not her. Well it is her, but it's not her."
"Someone else?" She responded, her curiosity peaked.
"Yes.. No.. I don't know," Seki rubbed his hands together to help
him think. "I'm really confused."
Ukyou put her hands behind her back and got into big sister mode.
"Ah."
His thoughts turned a few more circles until he found the right
words. "Okay, it's sort of like I was set on this one person even though I
knew I didn't have a chance with them and now I might, but now there's
another possibility. So I don't know if I should just keep going the way
I'm going or what. Do you get what I'm trying to say?"
"I can imagine," Ukyou gave a wry smile.
"What do you think I should do?"
She shook her head and put her hand on his shoulder. "I really
think you're got the wrong person Seki."
He looked over to his big sister. "So you think I should look to
other possibilities?"
She cocked her head to one side. "I didn't say that."
The confusion returned to Seki's face. "So you think I should keep
trying?"
Ukyou cocked her head to the other side. "I didn't say that either."
Seki sighed and gave up. "You're a big help sis."
She grinned and gave him a friendly shake. "That's what I'm here for."
[...]