"All Ranma characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi, first published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications. and are used here without permission or license. No
claims to the above copyright are made by the author of this work. This
work is for non-commercial use ONLY, and is produced for the enjoyment
of fans only. This work is the expression of the author and the
depiction of the Ranma 1/2 characters herein are in no way represented
to be a part of Ranma 1/2 as depicted by the original author and
copyright holder(s)."
A Different Viewpoint pt 29
As Nabiki left the Tendo house she tried to think of someone who
could help her. A kindly face came to mind, framed by glasses. <Dr.
Tofu... He's a doctor after all.> Nabiki nodded to herself and hurried
toward the chiropractors office. Nabiki entered his office and found no
patients waiting in the waiting room. She called out. "Doctor? Dr.
Tofu?"
The good doctor came out of the back room. "Yes? Ah, Nabiki, how
can I help you?" He paused. "Is, Kasumi..?"
Nabiki hesitated before answering. <I should tell him, but will he
be able to help me if he's incoherent?>
Dr. Tofu looked worried. "It is Kasumi, isn't it. She's stuck as a
cat, isn't she?"
Nabiki nodded slowly. <I can't lie to him.>
Dr. Tofu nodded back, seriously. "I've been researching the
problem. I haven't had any luck so far. I'm afraid the Phoenix pill
may be the only cure."
Nabiki blinked. <He knows? He's handling it well.> "Actually
Doctor, that's not why I came."
The Doctor blinked. "Oh? What is it? Are you alright, Nabiki?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I'm not sure what's wrong, but no, I'm not
alright."
Dr. Tofu looked at her patiently. "Why don't you tell me what the
problem is, and we'll see if I can help."
Nabiki slowly explained about the video tape. "Every time I played
it, I blanked out, and five minutes passed without me noticing. It
happened several times. I wasn't positive what was wrong. Then I
played the tape backwards instead of just rewinding it... and I watched
myself... I saw myself..." She couldn't say it. It was just too
humiliating.
Dr. Tofu noticed Nabiki's distress. "What did you see, Nabiki?"
His voice was patient and understanding.
"I... stripped." Nabiki said very quietly. "Right in front of
Hiroshi. I handed him my clothes and stripped for him... Only I can't
remember it, and I can't remember watching the tape."
Dr. Tofu looked concerned. "Are you sure? You can't remember any
of it?"
Nabiki nodded. "Not anything!"
The doctor paused. "Do you have this tape?"
Nabiki nodded again. "Right here. I think I'm going insane. This
can't be real, but it is! Isn't it?"
Dr. Tofu hesitated. "I think, that you should show me this tape, so
we can determine the cause and figure out the problem."
Nabiki blushed. "I... I think you should... see it. Just so you
can tell me I'm not imagining things."
Dr. Tofu nodded. "Right, I have a VCR in my apartment. Why don't
you play me the tape."
Nabiki nodded back. "OK, show the way, Doc."
Dr. Tofu took Nabiki around behind the clinic to his apartment. It
was adjacent, so that he would be available in case of emergency. He
showed her inside.
Nabiki found herself mentally pricing the furnishings and appraising
the decor. <Nice. The doctor does pretty well for himself.> She
caught herself. <Not now girl, concentrate on the problem at hand.>
The chiropractor pointed out the VCR and Nabiki brought out the tape and
put it in. Nabiki hesitated before starting it.
Dr. Tofu spoke gently. "Don't worry Nabiki. I'm a doctor. You can
trust me to keep your confidences and not to take advantage..."
Nabiki shook her head. "I know that Doc. It's just, I hate the
thought of losing control of myself like this, I..." <I don't want to
be weak... especially... in front of you.> Nabiki pushed the play
button, then looked at the doctor. "I trust you..."
Nabiki's eyes went blank as the young man on the screen spoke. "So,
how much do I owe you?" Nabiki imitated the actions of herself on the
screen, handing Dr. Tofu her shoe. The doctor peered into her eyes as
the tape continued. Nabiki looked... blank. He looked at the screen.
The boy standing in front of Nabiki spoke again. "How much do I owe
you?" The Nabiki on the screen took off her other shoe. The girl in
his apartment did the same, handing it too him. Dr. Tofu kept an eye on
the screen as Nabiki imitated her own actions, removing her socks, then
her school jumper.
The doctor waved his hand in front of her face. "Nabiki? Can you
hear me?" Nabiki started taking off her shirt, mirroring the TV image.
The doctor hesitated. <She's obviously in a hypnotic trance. The key
phrase is "How much do I owe you."> Nabiki finished taking off her
shirt and handed it too him. He looked back at the screen. <I should
stop this.> Dr. Tofu shook his head reluctantly. <I need to see the
whole thing, find out as much as possible.> He watched the tape, and
felt Nabiki place her bra on his shoulder the same way she did to the
boy on the tape. He had at least, turned around at the end. No, he was
turning back again to face her.
The Nabiki on the tape appeared to wake up. "HIroshi, what's wrong
with you? Are you feeling alright?" Dr. Tofu quickly checked on
Nabiki, but she still seemed to be in a trance. At her own words she
took her bra off his shoulder. Nabiki, eyes still glazed over, began
dressing. Dr. Tofu looked at the TV. She was still mirroring her
actions. When she finished dressing the tape ended, going to static.
Nabiki blinked. "Dr. Tofu? Oh no, it happened again!"
The doctor nodded and hit stop on the VCR. "I believe I understand
what's happening to you, Nabiki."
The middle Tendo daughter looked at him expectantly. "You do? Is
there anything you can do? What's happening?"
Dr. Tofu paused. "I believe you are under the influence of a
powerful hypnosis."
Nabiki looked grim. "I don't know how he did it, but Hiroshi will
pay for this."
Dr. Tofu looked thoughtful. "I'm not sure if he is the one
responsible. Let me test a theory."
Nabiki looked confused. "What theory?"
The good doctor cleared his throat. "Nabiki, how much do I owe
you?" Nabiki's eyes glazed over and she removed her right shoe, handing
it too him. He waited.
Nabiki's eyes unglazed after several seconds. "What theory?" Dr.
Tofu held up her shoe for her to see. Nabiki didn't appear to notice.
"Well? Explain doctor. What did you have in mind?"
Dr, Tofu blinked. "Nabiki, I'm holding your shoe in my right hand."
Nabiki blinked. "What?"
The doctor held it up to her face. "Nabiki, can't you see it?"
Nabiki craned her head a bit to the left, ignoring the shoe. "See
what?"
Dr. Tofu nodded slowly. "I see. Nabiki, what am I holding in my
right hand?"
Nabiki paused, her eyes glazing over just a bit. "What?"
The doctor frowned. <This hypnosis is very strong.> He looked
right at her face. "Nabiki, you are under the affects of a powerful
hypnosis."
Nabiki nodded. "You said that already."
Dr. Tofu continued. "When anyone says a certain phrase, you take
off your clothing."
She blinked. "You're kidding!"
Tofu shook his head. "I wish I was. Also, it seems you can't
recognize your own clothing after you remove it."
Nabiki looked doubtful. "That seems hard to believe."
Dr. Tofu sighed. "Um, Nabiki, look at your right foot." Nabiki
looked down, then brought her head back up, her eyes glazed. <Oh my.
This is going to be difficult.>
Nabiki blinked. "Dr. Tofu, what did you just say?"
The doctor looked into her eyes. "What is the last thing you
remember?"
Nabiki hesitated. "You told me that I couldn't recognize my
clothing after I removed it, right? That's silly." She looked
doubtful.
Dr. Tofu nodded. "It's true. You also can't tell you're not fully
dressed."
Nabiki chewed on her lips. "I find that..." She hesitated.
"Really?" He nodded. "I'm not fully dressed?" He nodded again.
Nabiki started to look down, then her eyes glazed. She looked up and
blinked. "I, I can't tell."
Dr. Tofu nodded once more. "I believe we are making progress." He
turned to the VCR. "Let me check something." He hit the rewind for a
bit then pressed play. On the tape Hiroshi had his back to Nabiki
again.
Nabiki's eyes went wide as she looked at the picture. "My god, I'm
only..." Hiroshi had turned and Nabiki heard herself start to speak.
Her eyes glazed over and Nabiki took her shoe back from Dr. Tofu and put
it on. She blinked. "Hey! I'm..." Nabiki paused, watching as she
finished dressing on the screen. "I saw it this time. More of it
anyway. I was... naked, almost. Then I was partially dressed and
getting dressed, like I was in a trance." She pointed at the tape.
Dr. Tofu nodded and stopped the tape. "I think I've got it. There
are two phrases. The first causes you to take off your clothing, and
not remember doing so. The second causes you to get dressed, and not
remember doing so."
Nabiki sank into a chair. "That's... I have to believe it, but
that's..." She sighed. "You said you're not sure Hiroshi did this to
me."
The doctor nodded slowly. "The command phrase is common enough. He
could have stumbled across it. Did Hiroshi owe you any money?" He
watched her carefully.
Nabiki blinked, but the words didn't set off her hypnosis. "Yes, he
did. He paid me finally, but it took him forever to get around to
it..." She paused, then looked thoughtful. "He was acting funny, and
he kept walking off without explaining what he wanted."
Dr. Tofu nodded in understanding. "That explains it then. He came
to pay his debt, and triggered the hypnotic suggestion. He must have
figured it out, and used it to make this tape." He frowned.
Nabiki frowned as well. "The little bastard. He knows, and want's
to blackmail me!"
Dr. Tofu nodded. "That would fit, but it also means he probably was
not the one who hypnotized you."
Nabiki grimaced. <Think girl, think. How did it happen, and who
knows?> "So someone else knows. Hiroshi found out on his own, and who
ever filmed me, and who every hypnotized me... and who ever they've
told... Oh god! This is out of control!" Nabiki closed her eyes.
"Calm down girl. Hiroshi's probably kept it quiet. He want's to
blackmail me. The camera man is with him on this... who could it be?"
Dr. Tofu looked at Nabiki, worry plain in his eyes. Nabiki continued to
ruminate. "Gosunkugi! He was acting funny to. I bet he was the camera
man. It fits, and my underwear was missing after Gosunkugi talked to me
alone... and he vanished without saying anything." Nabiki looked at the
doctor.
Dr. Tofu shook his head. "I couldn't tell you, you'd know better
than I who might have done this or know about it."
Nabiki sighed. "This isn't going to be easy."
Dr. Tofu looked seriously at her. "You should get someone to help
you, your sister perhaps, or Ranma."
Nabiki shook her head violently. "No! I can't... I can't tell
them."
The good doctor frowned. "It's your right of course, but they will
find out anyway unless you can break the hypnosis."
Nabiki shuddered. "No, no I've got to deal with this myself.
Doctor, can you help me?"
Tofu nodded. "Of course. I'll do what ever I can. Why don't we
see what I can do about the hypnosis first."
Nabiki nodded. "Alright Doctor. What are the command phrases
anyway?"
Dr. Tofu looked thoughtful. "Well, saying them will just make you
forget. I'll just write them down. We'll see if that works." He went
to get a pen and paper. "Oh, Nabiki, does anyone else owe you money?"
Nabiki blinked. "Huh? Yes, I usually collect outstanding loans
today. Oh my god, I would've..."
Dr, Tofu came up with a pad of paper and a pen. "Yes you probably
would have." He wrote a couple of sentences down. "Have you collected
any other debts recently?"
Nabiki nodded slowly. "A couple of others." She thought back. "I
think it was just Yuki... She acted kind of funny..." Nabiki froze.
"Oh no, not her too."
Dr. Tofu looked sympathetic. "Here, look at this, but don't say the
words aloud."
Nabiki looked at the pad. <How much do I owe you? Are you
alright?"> Nabiki frowned, then looked at the doctor. "Are you sure
those are the phrases?" He nodded. Nabiki sighed. "OK, let me try
something. Dr. Tofu, how much do I owe you?" Nabiki's eyes glazed
over. She removed her right shoe and handed it to him, then blinked.
"How much do I owe you?" She removed her other shoe and handed it too
him, then blinked. "How much do I owe you?" Nabiki pulled off her
sock, handed it to the doctor, and blinked. "How much do I owe you?"
She removed her other sock, handed it too him, and blinked. "How..
mmph!"
Doctor Tofu placed his hand over her mouth, dropping her shoes and
socks. "Nabiki, you've said it four times. You should stop now."
Nabiki slowly nodded and he released her mouth. "I, I did? Four
times? I don't remember..." She paused, then started to look down.
Her eyes glazed over and she ended up looking at him again. "I, I can't
tell."
Dr. Tofu nodded. "Alright. Let me try something." He picked up
Nabiki's shoes and socks and took them out of the room, then came back.
"OK, Nabiki, read the second line."
Nabiki nodded. "Are you alright?" Her eyes glazed over and she
glanced around for a moment, then blinked. "Are you..." She stopped.
"I've said it already once haven't I?" Dr, Tofu nodded. Nabiki looked
down. "My socks and shoes!" She looked up. "What happened?"
The doctor explained. "The first phrase makes you take off your
clothing. The second makes you get dressed, and brings you back to
normal. So when you said the first phrase, you removed your shoe,
forgot you said it, and said it again, removed your other shoe, forgot
you said it again and... That continued until I stopped you."
Nabiki nodded her understanding. "OK, so I took off my shoes and
socks before you stopped me. I guess I would have just kept going if
you hadn't."
Dr. Tofu nodded back. "Then you said the second phrase. You looked
around for you shoes and socks then stopped. You seemed to realize you
had said the phrase, and noticed your bare feet."
Nabiki nodded to that. "I, I still don't remember saying it, but I
could tell something had changed. You told me that I had said the first
phrase four times so I expected it. Oh! You must have taken my shoes
and socks into the other room when you left for a second. I noticed you
leave, but I couldn't seem to think about what you were doing."
Dr. Tofu frowned. "You understand what the command phrases are,
right?" Nabiki nodded. "And you recognize the symptoms?"
Nabiki hesitated. "Pretty much, there are usually small clues, but
it's very hard to concentrate on them."
The doctor looked very troubled. "This isn't normal hypnosis.
Normal hypnosis should be broken be now. You know the cause and effect,
so you should be able to resist it, but... you can't."
Nabiki started to get a determined look on her face. "No way. I'll
beat this thing! OK..." She tried to focus on staying in control.
"How much do I owe you?" In an instant her look of determination was
gone, replaced by a blank look as she took her jumper off and handed it
to Dr. Tofu. He stepped forward. Nabiki blinked. "How much..." The
doctor covered her mouth again. She shut her eyes. He slowly removed
his hand. Nabiki looked steadily at him. "How many times?"
Tofu just shook his head. "Just once. I stopped you after the
first time."
Nabiki nodded. "OK." She resisted the impulse to look, knowing it
wouldn't do any good. "Am I still dressed?"
Dr. Tofu sighed. "You can't tell?"
Nabiki shook her head. "I..." Her hands flexed and her eyes
blanked out for a second. "I can't even really think about it."
He nodded. "OK, if you can't think about it then that means..."
Nabiki closed her eyes. "That means I'm not..." Nabiki trailed off
then opened her eyes. "What did I just say?"
Tofu grimaced. "Your mind rejects any suggestion that you're not
dressed."
Nabiki blinked. "What?"
"Nabiki, are you all right?" Dr. Tofu asked quietly. He waited
until she had her jumper back on and explained.
Nabiki understood right away. "So, I can't even think about it.
Any time I might realize that I'm not dressed I blank out. No matter
how I try to approach it." She paused. "I already tried to resist the
command phrase didn't I?"
Dr. Tofu nodded. "There was no hesitation, your resistance had no
effect. This is not normal hypnosis. I believe I may know the source."
Nabiki looked hopeful. "Really? Spill it Doc!"
He scratched his chin. "Three days ago, Kasumi called me to the
Dojo. Ranma had been stuck in his cat personality and nothing seemed to
bring him out of it. Johnathon and I finally deduced that he had been
hypnotized. Johnathon figured out that Happosai had used a hypnotic
incense on Ranma. He told me that his cat senses let him detect the
distinctive smell. He had recognized the scent of a hypnotic incense
from a magic shop in China. We deduced that Happosai had tried to bring
out Ranma's suppressed female side, but he got the cat personality by
accident. Later on, Akane called be to tell me that Ranma had
recovered."
Nabiki looked excited. "If that's so, maybe they know a cure!"
Dr. Tofu nodded. "That makes sense."
Nabiki mused. "This explains my safe being open. Happosai must
have gotten the combination from me with hypnosis. Then he decided to
play with my brain! That little pervert. He's going to pay for this.
I swear I'll make him pay."
The good doctor put a hand on Nabiki's shoulder. "Revenge isn't
healthy, Nabiki. Leave Happosai to others." <If I find him, I'll just
have to deal with him myself.> Tofu blinked at the uncharacteristic
thought.
Nabiki shrugged. "Whatever you say Doctor." <Yeah right. Happosai
pays!> She looked at him seriously then. "Dr. Tofu, could you ask
Akane how Ranma was cured for me? I, I don't want her to know."
The doctor nodded. "If that's what you wish... but what about the
people who already know?"
Nabiki frowned. "Leave them to me. I'll convince them to protect
my secret." Dr. Tofu looked at Nabiki doubtfully. She smiled. "Don't
worry, doctor. I won't go overboard. I'll just get them to keep my
secret, nothing more."
Dr. Tofu sighed and nodded. "I understand, but what will you do if
someone asks you... that question?"
She paused. "I'll get my friends to collect all the outstanding
debts without my help. As for the rest, I'll just have to be careful,
eh?"
Tofu sighed. "I can't tell you what to do, Nabiki, but I don't
think this is wise."
Nabiki sighed. "I know, but I have to handle this myself, I have
to!"
The doctor heard the sincerity in her voice. "I think I
understand. I'll write you an excuse for being late. I assume Ranma
and Akane will be home after school?" Nabiki nodded. "Then I will talk
to them then and ask about the cure."
Nabiki looked at him gratefully. "Thank you doctor. I really
appreciate it." She smiled at him. <He's really a nice guy. It's too
bad he couldn't have gotten over his problem with Kasumi.> Dr, Tofu
quickly wrote her a note and she headed for Furinkan high school. <Stay
on your toes girl. Don't let your guard down.> Nabiki headed into her
third period class and showed the teacher her note. Soon lunch time
rolled around.
Nabiki immediately went to her lieutenants. "OK girls, you'll have
to handle debt collection today. I have other business to conduct."
They nodded. "Right Boss!"
Nabiki started looking for Yuki. <Easiest first.> She found the
girl heading for the cafeteria. "Yuki, can we talk privately?"
Yuki looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Sure, why?"
Nabiki gauged her expression. <She doesn't know. Yuki was never
one to be sneaky.> Nabiki shook her head. "Never mind Yuki, it's not
really important." She left Yuki behind. <She must not have figured it
out. Or she just didn't say that phrase. Maybe she started to, then
asked me if I was alright?> Nabiki shrugged. "Whatever." Nabiki
started looking for Hiroshi. <Might as well get this out of the way.>
She spotted him sitting outside eating lunch and went over to him.
"Don't say a word Hiroshi, just listen." He froze. Nabiki spoke with
soft menace. "I've watched your little tape. So, what do you want?"
Hiroshi turned to look at Nabiki. She radiated confidence and subtle
threat.
He stammered. "N-Nothing, Nabiki, I'll leave you alone, and you'll
leave me alone."
Her eyes narrowed. <No blackmail? What is he up to?> Nabiki
decided to press her advantage. "Oh? Is that so? I think you'll give
me the copies you made, and the original."
Hiroshi swallowed nervously. "Copies? What copies?"
Nabiki shook her head. "Don't try to con the master, kid. The
copies you and Gosunkugi made."
Hiroshi froze again. "How do I know you won't blackmail me back...
or worse once you have them?"
Nabiki stared glacially at him. "Have I ever been known to break my
word?" Hiroshi hesitated then, then slowly shook his head. "Fine, then
I won't show Ranma my copy. That way he won't break all your limbs."
His eyes went wide. "And I won't show Akane... so she won't tear off
any... vital pieces of your anatomy."
Hiroshi gulped. "OK, OK, I only have one copy. You'll get it
tomorrow."
Nabiki smiled sweetly. "I'd better, or you won't have to show that
tape. I will, and I'll light a candle for you at your funeral."
Hiroshi nodded nervously. Nabiki turned away. He sat back in relief.
<That was tight.> She thought to herself. <Gosunkugi must have the
original. He might be tougher.> Nabiki immediately started looking for
him. She spotted Hikaru Gosunkugi on the far side of the cafeteria.
<Ah, there he is.> Nabiki immediately started across. Several students
noticed her.
One of Ryoga's tutors came up to her. "Hey Nabiki. I'm a bit short
this week..."
Nabiki's eyes went wide. "No, don't..."
The girl failed to notice Nabiki's sudden look as she was going into
her purse. "So how much do I owe you?" Nabiki bent down and came up
with her shoe. Nabiki handed the confused girl her shoe, then blinked.
"...worry about it. You can pay me later." The girl looked puzzled.
She looked down at the shoe in her hand and scratched her head.
The girl looked up as Nabiki quickly walked away without her shoe.
"What the heck?" She looked at the shoe. <Her feet hurt?>
Nabiki was halfway across the room when a guy stopped her. "Hey
Nabiki, how much do I owe ya today?" Nabiki blankly handed him her
other shoe, then blinked. He stood there looking at her strangely.
Nabiki put her hand up to stop him from speaking again. "Not today,
I'm in a rush." She walked off quickly once again.
The boy looked at the shoe, then looked around at his nearest
neighbors and shrugged. He put the shoe on his table and sat back down
to finish eating. Nabiki crossed to Gosunkugi without further mishap.
He watched her intently as she walked toward him, taking note of her
lack of shoes.
Nabiki immediately went on the aggressive. "Alright Hikaru, I want
the tape, and any copies you may have."
Gosunkugi looked from side to side, as usual he was sitting alone.
"Oh? I suppose Hiroshi blabbed?" He looked calm.
That made Nabiki nervous but she didn't show it. "That's right.
Now give me the tape if you know what's good for you." <If I scare him,
the little wimp will cave right in.>
To her surprise, Gosunkugi smiled. "I don't think so."
Nabiki blinked. "What? You know, that with one word from me, Ranma
will beat you into a pulp."
Gosunkugi shrugged. "I've been beaten before. Besides, Ranma won't
beat up a wimp like me, especially if there's no proof I've done
anything."
Nabiki started to get mad. "Akane won't be so kind. She'll grind
you into meat if she finds out about that tape."
Gosunkugi sighed with a smile. "Ah, to be beaten by my beautiful
Akane... pure bliss."
Nabiki shivered. <He's serious, this is bad.> She reached for him
angrily. "Fine then, I'll just do it myself."
The thin, pale boy smiled. "Go ahead and try."
Nabiki growled. <I don't go around beating people up, but for once
I'll make an exception.> She raised her fist... and blinked. Her hands
were now at her sides. <What the...? Uh oh.> Gosunkugi was smiling at
her, and she couldn't take a good look at his right hand. Her mind
shied away from thinking about it.
Gosunkugi looked at her calmly. "Care to try again?" Slowly Nabiki
shook her head. "Ah, you've figured out the hypnosis. I thought you
might have. Especially if Hiroshi showed you the tape. Hikaru smiled
at her craftily. "It still works though, doesn't it."
Nabiki stopped moving, she looked down at him slowly. "What do you
want, Gosunkugi?"
He stared at her intently. "The secret. The secret of the
hypnosis."
Nabiki gaped at him. "What? I don't know that!"
Gosunkugi looked right and left, ascertaining that their
conversation was still not being overheard. "No, but you know who
does. You can get that information, Nabiki, can't you?"
Nabiki hesitated, looking pale. "So if I get the information,
you'll destroy the tapes?" He nodded. "And what if I don't?" She
asked slowly. Nabiki blinked, Gosunkugi had vanished from in front of
her. She whirled around and found him standing behind her, holding both
of her socks in one hand.
He stuffed them in his pocket and went to sit back down. "Does that
answer your question? Nabiki looked down and her bare feet, then back
and Hikaru, she nodded. Gosunkugi smiled. "Its a simple business
transaction. I have something you want. You pay me what I ask for it,
and you get it."
Nabiki closed her eyes. <Be strong girl, you can handle this.>
"Fine, I already have that information."
Gosunkugi blinked. "Oh? Then why are you still hypnotized?"
Nabiki looked from side to side. "It's a special hypnosis incense
of Master Happosai's, OK? You've got your information, now give me the
tapes."
Gosunkugi shook his head. "That's not enough. I already knew it
was Happosai. I need to know where to get this incense, and how to use
it, or no deal."
Nabiki looked desperate. "How am I supposed to find that out?"
Hikaru shrugged. "You'll find a way. When you do, I'll cure you
personally and give you the tapes. I'm not a monster you know."
Nabiki paused. "Alright, you win. I'll do as you say."
Hikaru nodded. "Good. Oh, just in case you find the cure and want
to use it, don't, or I'll broadcast the tape over the P.A. system."
Nabiki swallowed. <Damn! I'm giving to much away. I'm losing
control!>
Gosunkugi reached into his bag and brought out a small electronic
device, then gave it to her. "I was saving this for Happosai, but I'll
get another. It's a microphone. I'll be listening in on you
constantly. Don't tell anyone or ever leave it behind, or I'll play
that tape for the whole school." Nabiki looked at the tiny device.
Gosunkugi took out a radio receiver and put it in his pocket. It
trailed a long cord with an mini ear phone, which he put in his ear. He
hit a switch and smiled. "There, now I can hear everything you do.
Attach it to your clothes, over you heart. If I can't hear your heart,
I'll wait ten minutes, then play the tape." Nabiki slipped it into her
shirt pocket. Gosunkugi nodded. "Good enough."
Nabiki paused. "I've already told someone..."
He straightened. "Who?" Nabiki didn't speak. Gosunkugi shook his
head. "One short phrase and the cafeteria gets quite a show..."
Nabiki lowered her head. "Dr. Tofu, he's going to try and find a
cure."
Gosunkugi nodded. "Tell him you've already been cured, you can
think of something to tell him. Just get him to stop. No one else
knows?" Nabiki shook her head. "Good, and he won't talk, he's a
doctor." He looked at her seriously. "Give me your word that you will
get me the information I want, and not tell anyone about all this."
Nabiki looked puzzled. "You'll take my word?"
Gosunkugi nodded. "You've never broken a contract, right? I won't
either. The microphone's just to keep you honest." Nabiki paused. "If
you don't give your word, I'll play the tape right now. The whole
school will get an eyeful, and the cafeteria will get a double eyeful,
as you strip in time to the tape. I'll sell tapes for a bundle, and
will just have to be satisfied with that."
Nabiki shuddered. "I... I give my word. I'll do as you ask, if you
do as you have said, and destroy the tapes."
Gosunkugi nodded again. "I will destroy the tapes, and remove the
hypnosis from you, as I have said, Nabiki, you have my word."
She shivered. <How can I trust him? Do I have any choice?>
Gosunkugi rose. "You had better get started, before it's too
late." He walked out of the cafeteria. The bell rang, signaling that
it was time for classes to begin. Nabiki stayed standing there as the
crowd broke up, heading to their classes.
A girl walked up to her. "Um, Nabiki? You forgot your shoe."
Nabiki turned quickly and took her shoe. "Right, thanks." Nabiki
suddenly remembered that this girl owed her money. Nabiki walked away
quickly. "Can't talk right now!" Nabiki spotted her other shoe on a
table and grabbed it, and quickly left the cafeteria. She went straight
to a phone. <I've got to head off the doctor, at least until I have a
plan to get out of this mess.> She dialed his number.
The phone rang twice, and Dr. Tofu picked up. "Dr. Tofu speaking."
Nabiki closed her eyes. <I've go to do this, so stay calm.>
"Doctor? It's Nabiki. I took your advice and you were right. I've
already broken free of the hypnosis!"
Dr. Tofu sounded surprised but pleased. "I'm glad to hear that.
How did you do it?"
Nabiki coughed. "Oh, um, Ranma found Happosai, and made him undo
it."
Dr. Tofu nodded to himself, unseen by Nabiki. "That's good. Any
side effects?"
Nabiki spoke quickly. "No Doc, I'm fine, see you later." She hung
up.
Dr. Tofu put down his phone moments later. <That was, slightly
strange... Oh well, I suppose she was just feeling the stress.>
Nabiki hurried to class, trying to think of a plan. <Happosai.
I've got to find Happosai and get the incense from him. But how? I
need a trick. He's weak now, and he'll be wanting revenge on Ranma.
Where would he be?> Nabiki gave that some thought. <He'll appear near
Ranma some time, for his revenge. If I was to guess, I'd think he's try
to get me to help him...> She froze <He will, he'll come to me and try
to blackmail me into helping him get back at Ranma. I've got to be
ready when he shows up. He won't appear at the house, or at Auntie
Saotome's with Father and Genma there. He'd be afraid of them now. He
wouldn't come to the school either, he's too well known and can't fight
back. He'll come at night, when I'm alone. I'll just have to be ready
for
him.>
Doctor Tofu's voice came back to her then. <Tell Ranma, tell Akane,
they'll help you.>
Nabiki shook it away. <I can handle this myself. I don't need
anyone's help.> Nabiki thought through possible problems and accidents
that could happen. <I'll just have to turn things over to the girls for
awhile. I'll tell them I've got an important client, and they can
handle things. I've got to be careful no one else figures things out.
How do I deal with Gosunkugi? Can I trust him? He says he trusts me...
but he's listening to me constantly. How can I trust him?> Nabiki
shivered and glanced down. <I'm still dressed, but Gosunkugi could play
that tape right now, and I'd strip for the class, and never even notice
until afterwards. I could be naked right now and not know it.>
Nabiki resisted the impulse to check. <Don't go there girl. If he
plays that tape if doesn't matter anymore. He'll have lost his
bargaining chip. He's smart, he'll wait. I gave him my word, but
should anyone be allowed to have that kind of power over others? What
can I do about it?> Nabiki slowly shook her head. <Nothing for now.
When I get the incense, however, maybe I'll have a chance.> Nabiki
started to let herself get her confidence back. <That's just tricky
enough to work, Nabiki Tendo, you may get out of this yet.> When
classes let out, Nabiki headed quickly for the exit.
Before she could get outside, a large guy stopped her. "You brushed
me off at lunch, but I've got your money I and I don't want to wait."
Nabiki frantically tried to think of a way out of this. "How much do I
owe you, Nabiki?" The boy asked.
Shadowing her from around the corner, Gosunkugi swore to himself.
<Not now!> He rushed around the corner to her rescue. <I can't let
anyone else know. That secret is mine!>
Nabiki blinked. <What's happening? I've got to get away...>
Gosunkugi ran up.
The large senior was looking confused. "What's wrong with you,
Nabiki? Just answer my question, how much do I owe you?" He waved her
shoe for emphasis. "And why do you keep handing me your shoes?"
Gosunkugi stepped in and took the shoe Nabiki had just removed.
"Nabiki, are you feeling alright?" Nabiki calmly took her shoes back,
put them on, and blinked. Before the senior could say anything
Gosunkugi interrupted. "Sore feet, Nabiki? I thought I saw you
limping."
The senior blinked. "Wait a minute, I just want to pay a debt, OK?"
Nabiki looked at him and nodded. "Sorry, my feet are killing me.
Um, you owe me 2400 yen, alright?"
The senior nodded. "Right." He got out his wallet and counted out
the correct amount. He handed them to Nabiki. "If your feet hurt, you
shouldn't be running around so much." He turned and walked off.
Nabiki turned to Gosunkugi. "You helped me, why?"
He shrugged. "What good is it to me if everyone knows the secret?
Be more careful next time." Gosunkugi turned to go.
Nabiki watched him leave. <Was that the only reason?> She headed
for the door. <I wonder.>
As he walked away Gosunkugi wondered much the same thing. <Was it
only to keep the secret for myself?> Part of him resisted. <That was
indeed all. Don't forget all the things that have happened to you. You
need power. It's in your grasp. Don't give it up!>
End part 29
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The rest of this story can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/1449/