Luckily, this sounded simple enough: find this Kuno guy and pummel him into mush (something he apparently deserved anyway), but make sure that he survived the encounter. It was this last stipulation that convinced Bob to handle this himself—quite frankly, most “warrior”-type youma were so strong that they’d probably end up snapping the guy’s spine inadvertently, and while he was no slouch, he was certainly less-likely to get carried away.
But he still had a problem: how was he supposed to find this guy? Sure, he came around this neighborhood often, but if that kid who summoned him was correct, the guy didn’t even live here anymore. This puzzled him for a bit, until he got a flash of inspiration. If this guy was as bad as the kid said he was, then there was likely a file on him downstairs, which would list his current residence. And if he was really bad, he might already have a tracking spell placed on him (to make him easier to find if it was decided that he would be a good candidate for “recruiting”). His course of action was clear: he got out his cell, and called his secretary.
“Harriet? It’s me again. — Yeah, it looks like I won’t have to cancel as many appointments as I thought; can you just find some way to reschedule the ones from this evening? — Eh, looks like the job’s going to be a lot easier than I thought. A simple goon job. — No, it turned out to be some kid. — Well, normally I would, but I think this guy’s got someone big behind him. — Apparently, the target’s basically a jerk, and the kid wants me to pound some sense into him. — No, he wants the guy alive. — I know it’s not the kind of thing I usually do, but it’s just one human, and I’m not even supposed to kill him, so how hard can it be? — Target’s name is Tatewaki Kuno. Mind pulling his file for me? — Thanks. — Huh? The name he gave me? What does it matter? I’ll be done with this job before sundown. — Fine, it’s… Bob. —— It’s not that funny, Harriet.
“Look, can you just tell me where this Kuno character is? — I’m going to need something a bit more specific that ‘Japan,’ Harriet. — I already know he’s in Tokyo! I just need to know where. — Harriet… — Don’t be like that… — Look, I’m sorry, alright? You’re a very important member of my staff, and I fully appreciate the effort you put into your job. — Yes, I know life can be hard for a single mother, but Harriet, I really need to know where this guy is so I can get back to important things. Remember, the sooner I get done, the less time you’ll have to spend rescheduling appointments. — Atta girl. — He’s got a tracker on him? That’s great! Where is he? — He’s heading towards Nerima? Perfect. From what I understand, hardly anyone there will sympathize with him. What’s that? — The Senshi? They don’t usually hang around Nerima. Besides, if we’re bothering to track him, it probably means he’s committed more crimes against “Love and Justice” than I have. — Alright. See you soon. Say ‘hi’ to the kids for me, okay? — Bye.”
Bob grinned as he put his cell back in his pocket. The kid had indicated that the target invariably spent all of his time in a particular area of town when he was in Nerima—all he had to do, was head on over there, and wait. After straightening out his suit (and making sure that the custom made holes in the back for his spinal horns were correctly positioned), he teleported to the area around Furinkan High School, and waited for his quarry to arrive.
Said quarry was currently seated in the backseat of a limousine traveling across Tokyo. Tatewaki Kuno stared out the window, not really paying attention to the passing cityscape. No, his mind was on the love of his life, Akane Tendo. Certainly, these travels back to his hometown were inconvenient, but it was worth it, since it gave Akane the opportunity to shower him with the love and affection she doubtless had for him—not to mention her gratitude for his tireless efforts to make sure she was not harassed by unwanted suitors trying to steal the love in her heart that she had reserved for him and him alone. True, many had pointed out that the fair Tendo had yet to show any outward signs of affection; indeed, there were many who erroneously believed that she was hostile to his advances. But these false conclusions were easily dismissed as the prattling of plebeians uninformed in the ways of the heart; his love was merely a bit shy, and had difficulty expressing her devotion in conventional ways.
But really, this did not matter. Kuno was willing to wait until his love was ready to give herself to him as a woman should give herself to a man, and until then, he would make sure that she would not be distracted by others—like the vile Ranma Saotome. Kuno could not believe that that uncultured swine had had the gall to tell him that Akane did not love him; why, the very idea that he, scion of the Kuno clan, wasn’t adored by all of the women around him was simply preposterous! Fortunately, he had managed to drive the ruffian away from Nerima at the end of last year—the claims of an extended “training trip” were obviously nothing more than futile attempts to retain some measure of dignity (as if Saotome had any to begin with!) in the face of defeat.
However, as the limo drew closer to his hometown, Kuno could feel something was different—today, everything would change. He wasn’t entirely sure how, but surely, this feeling meant that Akane would finally acknowledge her eternal devotion for him. Yes, today is going to be a good day.
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(Posted Tue, 14 Feb 2006 17:52)
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