A quick glance through some of the house's hallways revealed nothing more than empty passages and silence. "Bah," he grumbled, when he heard his father's laughter echoing from somewhere behind him. "I should be quit of this place until I've regained my strength. That legendary meal of champions shall restore my vigor."
Indeed, he thought, as he grabbed a spare bokken, and then as an afterthought, grabbed two more, the protein and carbohydrate combination of steak and eggs could invigorate all but the dead. Also, steak was relatively rich in iron, and those who lost a lot of blood in fights -- not that Tatewaki ever did any such thing! -- could benefit from it.
With this thought in mind, Tatewaki strode into Nerima's International House of Steak and Pancakes. He froze at the entrance, stunned to see the entire Tendo family (plus Genma), heading into the same establishment. Only Nabiki seemed to see him, and she looked oddly ... glum. She brightened on seeing him, which immediately set Tatewaki on guard.
"You go ahead and get a seat without me," Nabiki told her family, ushering them inside. "I'll catch up in a second."
Kuno crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes speculatively as Nabiki approached, grinning. "I suspect you have a dire need of something," he drawled.
"Er," she managed, her smile slipping as he beat her to the first strike.
"No more games, Nabiki, I need answers, and I need them now," he said, grimacing. "I'll pay double the standard rate."
Nabiki calmed at this, and schooled her expression to contemplation. "What do you need to know?" she asked speculatively.
Tatewaki considered. He knew that he needed answers, but he didn't really know what the proper questions were. After a moment, he asked, "Tell me, I hear it said that Saotome Ranma does not actually pursue the pigtailed girl. Is this true?"
Nabiki blinked, and held out a hand. Tatewaki handed her a small stack of yen. "Nope," she answered cheerfully. "He can't wait to get away from her."
"Really?" Tatewaki asked, bemused. "You have given me much to think on."
"Any other questions?" Nabiki asked hopefully.
"No questions, but perhaps a favor," Tatewaki murmured slowly. "I'll fund this endeavor, since I have interest in seeing it bear fruit. Contact this man," he produced the business card of the detective who had originally accepted his aid, "and let him know that...." Tatewaki grimaced, and gestured towards Genma; the part-time panda's bulk was visible through the windows as a shadowy figure. "That creature is here."
"Fair enough," Nabiki said, after Tatewaki pressed an even larger stack of bills into her hands. "And what are you going to be doing?"
"I shall await at the bar," he said loftily. "When my assistance is required, I shall provide it."
"I always took you for the type to just run into things blindly," Nabiki admitted after a moment. "You've put thought into this, haven't you?"
"The former has served me, but I have cause to observe, not very well," Tatewaki said dryly. "The latter, I hope, to bear a sweeter harvest. Now if you will excuse me, I wish to purchase a cup of Joe." Then he smiled. "And you have a phone call to make."
Nabiki shook her head, walking to a payphone as Tatewaki entered, choosing a spot at the bar that let him see the Tendo family easily, though the seemed not to notice him right away.
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(Posted Thu, 21 Jul 2005 01:15)
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