"So, how was your dinner?"
Nabiki raised her eyes from the remains of her meal. She dabbed her lips with her table napkin before replying to the question. "It was delicious," she allowed as her eyes met those of her companion across the table.
"I hear a but," Nabiki's partner returned with a playful twinkle in her eye and a roguish grin.
The short-haired girl had to admit the other girl cut a dashing figure in a tuxedo, especially without her giant spatula and bandoleer. The looks the other women in the room gave her confirmed that observation, and it made her even more conscious of her own well-worn attire. "Well, I think I've been spoiled by Kasumi's cooking, Ukyou."
The chef's laughter tinkled merrily in Nabiki's ears. "Ah, I know what you mean. You expected better, right?"
"I suppose," the older girl looked around the expensive restaurant located on the top floor of a five-star hotel, the view out the floor-to-ceiling windows showing a breathtaking panorama of metropolitan Tokyo. A small five-piece band playing soft music added to the romantic atmosphere. "You didn't have to go to all this to thank me, Ukyou. Not that I mind, mind you. It's just that being your accountant, well, even if I know it's a luxury you can afford, you really shouldn't waste your mon-"
"It's not a waste," Ukyou smoothly but firmly cut off the other girl. "You're worth every penny, Nabiki," that brought a blush to the older girl's cheeks. "Besides, from what I heard, you enjoy spending other people's money."
The mercenary girl lowered her head. "Yeah, I suppose that's what people would say."
"But?"
Nabiki sighed. "I really can't explain it, Ukyou, but helping you with the Ucchan's and seeing it grow, well, it's different from the other things I've done to make money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ashamed of the things I've done-"
"Oh?"
"Okay, maybe just a tiny little bit," Nabiki allowed with a smile, making holding her right thumb and index finger a millimeter apart. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel better working with you than with all the other things I did to make money and I'd feel really bad if something bad happened because you spent all your money."
The owner of Ucchan's regarded her dinner date evenly before finally smiling as well. "Well, I'm glad it made you happy also, Nabiki, and for the record, you really helped me out, Nabiki, so thanks again," Ukyou reached out with her right hand and touched the other's left hand, testing Nabiki's reaction. She smiled when her company didn't pull back.
The two girls sat in companionable silence, their hands touching and simply listening to the music or looking out at the majestic view.
"Would you like to dance?" Ukyou broke the silence with a question when the band started playing another song. She cocked her head to where other couples were slowly swaying to the music.
Nabiki blinked. "Here? Now?"
"Why not? It's part of what we paid for right? We might as well get our money's worth."
Nabiki grinned. "Ah, someone who's after my own heart," she accepted the offered hand. "If you're not careful, Ukyou, I might just forget you're actually a girl and fall for you," she finished in a playful tone.
"Heaven forbid such a thing from ever happening," the chef easily returned.
--
"I had a nice time, Ukyou. Thanks,"
"No problem, Nabiki. I had a good time, too."
"Um, would you like to come in for some tea?" The middle Tendou daughter offered as the two stood in front of the gate to the Tendou Dojo.
"Nah, it's alright. It's already late."
"Uh, okay," Nabiki felt vaguely disappointed by the answer. She wouldn't have minded talking with the chef for a little longer. She really did have fun tonight.
"Hey, if you're free a month from now, would you like to come with me to my cousin's concert?"
The older girl perked up at that. "Concert? What kind of concert?"
"Well, she's a conductor. Maybe you've heard of her, Shinra Kounji?"
Nabiki thought for a moment before shrugging. Classical music never was her thing. "I don't think so."
Ukyou shrugged as well. "Doesn't matter. They say she's good and she's been bugging me to go to one of concerts. I don't really wanna go 'cause I might fall asleep and make a fool of myself, but my cousin's really been bugging me, so I figured if you come with me, you can keep me awake, and I can finally make my cousin shut up."
That caused Nabiki to laugh again. "Misery loves company?"
"Right. So how about it?"
"But why me? Why not ask Ranma?"
"I thought about it, but that would probably be a bad idea."
Nabiki smirked. "Yeah, a very bad idea," she cocked her head. "Sure, why not? It's not like boys are falling all over themselves to ask me out."
"So it's a date then? Well, not a date date, but, well, you get the idea."
Nabiki gaily laughed again. "Yep."
(Posted Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:55)
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