Another mini-fic as I'm still short of time.  There is some reference
to adult situations, but not (I think) enough to make this a 'lime' story.

Still, on the bright side, I should have some more free time soon.
So you can look forward (or be warned against) more substantial work in
the near future.

C&C desired as I'm not so hot on Japanese culture.

Training Kuno (A YARTS side story)

INTERLUDE

  Kuno handed over 5,000 yen to Nabiki and snatched up the photos.
Transaction complete, but ...

  "Will you be visiting tonight?" He asked, prompting speculation among
those near enough to overhear.

  "Ah yes, we have another business transaction to complete.  Don't we,
Kuno dearest?" Nabiki said, "Meet me outside the Golden Halls Cinema
complex at 6pm - and dress appropriately."

LESSON 2 - A shocking etiquette problem

  Nabiki looked over the approaching figure and let loose an internal sigh
(keeping such feelings hidden was second nature by now). "Kuno baby,"
Nabiki explained, "Traditional kendo practice clothes and a bamboo sword
do _not_ constitute appropriate costume when taking someone to the cinema.
Fortunately* the next set of films do not start till 6:30 so you have time
to change."

  [* - ie she knew this was going to happen and already had a new issue of
her favourite manga to hand]

  Kuno stood still a moment as he processed the idea that Nabiki (and
possibly even his beloved Akane and enchanting pig-tailed goddess) might
find his apparel less than perfect.  Did not the sword emphasise his
virile, manly nature?  Weren't the clothes he wore a visual reminder of
both his prowess in fighting and his respect for the honourable traditions
of Japan?

  "I go!" He cried, and left at great speed.

  In good time, by a few minutes, Kuno returned.  He cut a quite imposing
figure in his crisp, and obviously expensive, suit.  The absence of his
ever present sword left his fingers itching.

  Nabiki walked slowly around him, letting her eyes travel up and down his
figure.  "Not bad, not bad at all." She admitted. "But really, Kuno dear -
why the midnight black colour?"

  Kuno wondered how to reply - until Nabiki had pointed out his sartorial
shortcomings he had never really wondered why he only had school uniforms
and kendo outfits.  He had purchased the suit a year or so back in case he
was to receive news of his fathers sudden and unexpected death*.

  [* - It has been noted that Tatewaki Kuno tends to optimism ^_^
Actually I have the sneaking suspicion that they might wear white at
Japanese funerals - will correct later if necessary.]

  "Never mind, it's time for your lesson - so please pay attention.
What, " Nabiki asked, "is the most important thing to remember when taking
a girl out on a date?"

  "To adore her with all your heart!" Kuno said with great conviction.

  Nabiki took a long slurp from her cup of coca-cola, then shook her head
regretfully. "Nope.  The most important thing to remember is that the man
pays.  That will be 1400 yen for my ticket, 800 for the refreshments and
1000 for keeping me waiting while you changed."

  Kuno handed over the money, feeling more confident already in familiar
territory.

  "So what will we watch?" Nabiki asked.

  "Seven Samurai of course!"

  "Sorry, Kuno baby, that was a trick question.  Your date gets to decide,
and I think Final Fantasy will do for today."

  The cinema was relatively quiet with many empty rows.  The young
'couple' chose their seats just as the adverts were starting.  Kuno sat -
eyes front - back straight.

  "Kuno dear, relax!  Remember you're on a date, perhaps you should
casually rest your arm so your hand touches hers.  Or lay your arm in
friendly embrace across her back.  If the movie evokes shock or fear in
the delicate pig-tailed girl you can comfort her in your strong arms."

  Nabiki watched Kuno force himself to relax and considered telling him
what else he could do in a cinema with a willing partner - but decided
that she would prefer not to risk the outfit she was wearing.  "That's
better." She said, as Kuno tentatively grasped her hand in his.  It's good
to know he has some settings available between mad passion and
oblivious, Nabiki thought.

  At that point she saw two more people arrive in time for the start of
the trailers*. _This_ would be interesting, she thought, as she fished a
small plastic object out of her purse.

  [* - If there is anyone who thinks Nabiki didn't plan the following, I
have some dot.com shares for sale that are a real bargain.]

  "Akane! Pig-tailed Goddess! They have come to join me in my first date!
I must go and greet them with all my lov.." **ZACK-crackle** Kuno sat back
down, his hair smoking slightly. "That hurt, you know." He said in a
slightly puzzled tone.

  "Just needed to be sure I had your attention." Nabiki smirked, carefully
clicking the safety back on her 70,000volt taser.  "If you are dating one
girl you _don't_ declare your love for another in front of her.  While
taking out Akane you don't agonise, rhapsodise or lyricise over the pig-
tailed goddess."

  "But my destiny! My fate! My true loves!" Kuno declaimed.

  "Your true loves, or my lesson." Nabiki spelt out, somehow making it
quiet clear that the wrong answer would result in the 'Blue Thunder of
Furinkan High' having an electric encounter he would not soon forget.

  Kuno was torn, but in the end practicality won out.  He must train with
all his body and soul so that his future life with his loves would be
perfect.  Nothing less would do, he decided.

  In the end the rest of the 'date' went quite well, he only had to be
shocked 5 more times.

  "Farewell, Nabiki, I think I learnt a lot today." Kuno said as they left
the cinema.

  Yes, Nabiki thought, I do believe he was actually beginning to pay some
attention to me by the end.  "The night is young yet - I have something
special planned for the next part of the evening. We shall continue in
your house if you will."

  Later, at the Kuno's.  The screen flipped off as Nabiki angrily thumbed
the remote and stood up from the couch.  "That's the sixth time and you
haven't been able to get past the introductory title sequence yet!" She
complained, throwing a piece of popcorn to bounce off Kuno's nose - the
guilty party again.  Admittedly the volume appeared to be diminishing each
time, Nabiki considered, but that could just be because his blood pressure
was diminishing.

  "But she - I mean they - It was ..." Kuno mumbled incoherently,
a little more so than usual, perhaps due to the aforementioned problems.

  "Oh well," Nabiki sighed as she removed the tape from the video
recorder, "perhaps it's for the best we use a different approach.  It
wouldn't be any good if you could _only_ cope with videos and not the real
thing."

  Kuno's look was about equal proportions disappointment, confusion and
relief.

  "It's a pity really, I've heard that was a real classic and I know you
are all in favour of tradition.  Do you have any idea how hard it was for
a seventeen year old schoolgirl to get hold of the subtitled version?"*
Nabiki asked, placing 'Debbie Does Dallas' back into her bag.

  [* - Considering this was Nabiki probably not that hard at all,
but I doubt that is what her expenses claim will say ;-P ]

  Kuno managed to looked suitably chastised.

  "See you later, Kuno baby! We'll continue some other time."

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