Here's yet another sequal story in my Motoko / Keitaro Saga. This is a continuation on my stories Compassionate Swordplay, Love's Sharp Blade, Moving Forward and You Have Me. If you haven't read those first, I suggest you do or else you may get lost. That being said, I hope you enjoy the latest installment of the saga.
Love Hina is owned and created by Ken Akamatsu.
Song of the Nightingale
Chapter I:
Meeting
It is early morning. The tiniest amount of light slowly begins to illuminate the room. The calendar hanging on the wall shows a picture of a traditional Japanese bridge running over a flowing creek surrounded by countless trees with leaves of orange, red and yellow. The month read: 'November' with all the days up to the 17th 'X'ed out.
Below that is a basic desk. Polished oak with several drawers lined up on the right and left sides. The desktop is riddled with pens, pencils, notes, notebooks and letters. A few utility bills were stacked in a neat pile with a reminder note on top to have them paid by the 29th.
Atop the dresser against the right wall is a finely crafted wooden display, which held two katanas. The sheath of one was composed of black lacquer. The clear reflection in it denoted that it was polished often. The other was beige. The same color as the wood it was carved from. This one was covered in a glaze finish that was a little worn around the handle, showing that it's had quite a lot of use.
In the middle of the room, you can hear the sounds of quiet breaths, as of a woman sleeping in the large futon spread across the floor, much too large for just her.
Over towards the end of the room, we find Keitaro Urashima standing in front of his window, looking out. His arms were folded for warmth; his eyes fixed on a certain point in the misty darkness outside. The cold rain falls. It's subtle sound barely heard through the pane glass window. Behind the rain is a dark gray sky, slowly getting brighter with the coming morning light.
Keitaro continued to watch the rain in silence. Some rustling was heard in the futon behind him. Not after long, he felt soft warm hands run up the bare skin of his back and over his shoulders. He is not startled by this because he already knows who it is. She lightly rests her chin on his right shoulder and looks out the window with him, pressing her warm body against his.
"What's up?" She whispered, before giving his shoulder a light kiss.
"Nothing. Just watching the rain." He replied.
Then he turned, slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her forehead a kiss.
"What are you doing awake? It's early, even for you." He quietly said.
"I don't know. I guess, somehow I knew you weren't there next to me, so I woke up. How about you?" She said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I woke up a little while ago, couldn't fall back asleep." He said, resting his head on hers.
"Well, come on. Come back to bed with me." She said.
Then she took his hand, led him back to the futon and underneath the covers. She turned on her side as he moved in behind her, putting his arm around her waist, forming the spoon position. She reached down, took his hand in hers and held it to her chest over her heart. He could feel her heartbeat. It was calm and steady. Smelling the sweet scent of her hair, Keitaro instantly became relaxed.
"Motoko?" Keitaro whispered.
"Yes, Kei?" She replied.
"What if your father doesn't like me?" He said.
With a sigh, Motoko turned over, looked deep into his eyes and gently laid her hand on his cheek.
"Kei, I told you not to worry about it. Everything will be fine. You'll have to meet him sooner or later. I already told him we'd stop by later today."
"I know, but still…"
Motoko moved close and gave him a slow, loving kiss.
"Don't worry about it any more, my love. Now get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us."
At that, Keitaro simply gave nod and a smile of thanks.
In the arms of his love, Keitaro slipped back into the realm of dreams. The world around him dissolved and quickly changed. He found himself on the balcony of a Japanese castle from the days of feudal lords. It was night, with the full moon's bright light filling the sky. Rolling green hills and forestlands spread out as far as he could see in the light of the silver moon. A warm wind lightly caressed his face. The smell of the tall grasses entered his senses as well as the sound of countless crickets chirping all around him.
Then the chirping stopped and from one of the forests, he caught the sound of a bird's song. The song was long and flowing like the stroke of a calligraphy brush, creating poetry upon poetry. The song entranced him until suddenly it disappeared and the forest was silent once more. Keitaro was disappointed at the quiet, but then he heard the song again. Only this time it came from inside the castle. Walking swiftly, going from room to room, he desperately searched for the source of the sweet melody.
He finally came to a room in which he was sure the song was coming from. Stepping inside he saw a woman dressed in traditional snow white marriage robes. Her back was turned to him and he could not see her face. Out of nowhere a bird flew past him and landed on her shoulder. The bird looked at Keitaro with curious eyes, eyes that almost emanated a calm, silent wisdom. Keitaro saw the bird clearly.
"Is that a nightingale?" He said out loud.
"Keitaro?" The woman said in a familiar voice.
She turned around slowly. Then Keitaro saw that it was Motoko, smiling her bright, heavenly smile.
Keitaro's eyes opened. He was awake. His room was bright now. The sound of the rain patting on the windowpane was gone. He reached next to him and realized that Motoko had gotten up already. With his hand, he searched around near the top of his head and found his glasses. He liked these new thin frames that he had switched to. They were lighter and so much more comfortable. He looked over at his clock. 7:30am.
He heard a couple knocks to his door and Motoko entered the room. She was already dressed in her Kendo robe. Looking down at him, she put her hands on her hips, tilted her head to the side and formed a smile.
"Hey there, sleepy-head. You're finally awake I see." She said.
Then she walked over to his dresser and opened a couple drawers.
"Hey there, Miss Sunshine. You're peppier then usual this morning." He said, shaking the sleep from his head.
"Hurry up and get dressed, Shinobu almost has breakfast ready." She said, tossing him a clean shirt and pants.
"Thanks, Motoko. Hey, what's the weather forecast for today? I know it rained earlier." He said, standing up and putting on his clothes.
"Well, the radio said no more rain, but it'll still be cloudy."
"That'll be alright, I guess." He said, tucking in his shirt.
"High of 37 today, so it's gonna be cold." She said, walking up and straightening his shirt collar.
"Well, it is the season for it, I guess."
"Yup, it sure is." She said, before giving him a quick kiss.
"Well, let's go." He said.
Keitaro took her hand and they both walked out of the room.
Downstairs, Shinobu was just setting the food on the table. On the menu was boiled rice, Miso soup with tofu and shiitake mushrooms, omelet roll, pickled vegetables, and small broiled salted fish.
Breakfast went as it usually does: Kaolla enthusiastically consuming her food, Kitsune checking the latest horse race odds in the morning paper, Naru studying her notes, Keitaro and Motoko conversing on trivial things, Kanako reading an occult book causing a sweat drop in everyone else every so often as she would speak certain spells out loud to herself, Shinobu going back and forth from eating her meal to telling Kaolla not to eat so fast, and Sarah getting ready to flick something at Keitaro but being stopped by the ever watchful Haruka. Yup, business as usual.
A half hour after breakfast was finished we see Keitaro and Motoko standing at the front sliding doors, getting ready to leave for their trip.
"If we leave now, we should be in Kyoto by 10am." Keitaro said, putting on his coat.
"That should be perfect. Father is usually done teaching his first training class by then." Motoko said.
Shinobu saw them off as they left.
"Both of you take care and come back safely!" She called as they walked towards the steps going down to Hinata.
"Thanks, Shinobu! We should be back later this evening!" Keitaro called back with a wave as Motoko showed Shinobu her assuring smile.
The train ride to Kyoto was quiet, as there weren't that many other passengers riding in the same car as them. They passed the time by talking about this and that subject.
"How's studying coming along, Motoko?"
"It's tough. Studying for college entrance exams is harder than I thought. I really have to hand to you and Naru for making it into Tokyo U. I'm not sure if I can make the grade with my so-so practice test scores."
"Don't worry, just keep at it and don't give up. I have faith in you. And I'll keep helping you study like I have been."
"Thanks, hon. That means a lot to me." Motoko said, giving his hand a squeeze.
"So anyway, your dad is the head of the Aoyama Family and the School as well as a direct descendent of Shin Aoyama, its founder, right?" Keitaro said.
"That's right. Father has been the head of the family and Master of the Dojo since he was 18 years of age, after his father died of a sudden illness. Leadership is usually passed down from father to son, but since father has had only girls, he's made the decision to pass it on to me, despite my plans for marriage. He was forced to go against his own rule of disqualification due to marriage."
"Oh. So he's approved of our engagement, then?" Keitaro asked eagerly.
"Well, he hasn't disapproved of it. He'd much rather meet you before giving his final approval, of course." She said.
"Of course." Keitaro said, in a worrisome tone.
"Keitaro, I've already made excuses for the last two times you've cancelled the meeting with him. I know its really because you're so nervous. But I am glad you finally got the courage to meet with him." She said, running her hand down the side of his face.
"It's for your happiness, Motoko. And our future. In order to attain both, I must first meet with your father."
"Keitaro, I wish you wouldn't think of it in such a serious context. We're just going to meet my father."
"To you it's just meeting your father but to me it's meeting the man that could make or break our future together." Keitaro said.
"Will you stop worrying about it, Sweetheart? I said everything will be fine."
She then scooted closer to him and rested her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder.
"Let's not talk about it anymore. Okay? Please, just set your mind at ease, Anata." She said.
"You're right, my love. I'm sorry." He said.
"It's fine." She whispered as she closed her eyes.
At that, Keitaro turned his head and gave her forehead a kiss.
After reaching Kyoto, the two caught a cab that took them directly to the Aoyama grounds. The Aoyama Home is located on the same estate as the Aoyama Dojo. A very large estate, it was built long ago with the blessings of the Emperor at the time and rebuilt after the Great Kyoto Fire with the blessing and support of the Emperor Meiji, showing how appreciative he was of the Aoyama clan and their contributions to Japan.
Entering the grounds, the two were met by the Family servants who were ready to cater to their every need. They were lead into the main house and then to the main conference room or 'meeting room' used for family discussions and business proposals.
A servant opened the sliding door before them and announced their arrival. The voice inside conferred and said to let them enter. Motoko and Keitaro entered the room. Keitaro kept his eyes down, as he was still nervous. They sat down in the traditional Japanese way, facing the front of the room where the Master of the house sat. Keitaro looked up and laid eyes upon the man that is Motoko's father.
The man wore a black kimono. He appeared to be of good build, with long, flowing silver hair. He wore a melancholy expression on his youthful face. A sheathed, long-bladed Katana lay beside him. Keitaro immediately tensed up.
'Holy Sht! It's Sephiroth!' Then Keitaro's logical thought patterns returned to him. 'Well, I know he's not really Sephiroth, but jeez. He could be his twin.'
Motoko initiated the introductions.
"Father, this is my Fiancé, Keitaro Urashima."
Keitaro took a respectful bow and said,
"It is an honor to finally meet you, Sir."
"I am Kenji Aoyama, head of the Aoyama family and master of the Aoyama Dojo that teaches the Shin-Kami style." He stated in a low, almost rough voice, but yet it sounded quiet and reserved. After honing his gaze on Keitaro, he continued.
"Keitaro Urashima. We finally meet. My daughter has told me much about you. I understand you're studying to be an archeologist." He said.
"Y-Yes, Sir. That's correct." Keitaro said.
Kenji's expression then lightened.
"No need to act so nervous, Keitaro. After all, if I hadn't approved of you and your engagement to my daughter, you would be in a much more…unpleasant situation right now."
At those last few words, Keitaro gave a nervous gulp.
"So relax, Keitaro. Enjoy some tea with me and tell me more about yourself."
At that moment, a servant entered and set down a cup of tea in front of each of them. After completing their task, the servant bowed and left the room.
Taking a sip from his tea, Kenji spoke again.
"I ask that you forgive my somber tone. My mother's death still weighs heavily upon my soul."
"About that. I…I'm responsible for-" Keitaro was cut off by Kenji.
"I'm well aware of what occurred that night. I know it wasn't really you who murdered my mother, Keitaro. It was Ichiro Akume using your body. Therefore, I do not hold you responsible in any way."
"Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss." Keitaro then gave another respectful bow.
Kenji simply gave a slow, thankful nod.
"Let us speak no more of this. Let us move on to a more cheerful subject. Your wedding. Have the two of you decided on a location? You are more than welcome to use the gardens of my estate." Kenji then gestured to the beautiful grounds outside.
Keitaro looked outside and then saw a nightingale perched on a nearby tree branch. It turned its head and looked at him for a moment, then flew away. Having a realization that he could not quite explain, he turned to Motoko and said,
"You know, Motoko? I think we should. These grounds are so beautiful and spacious. It would be perfect."
"I agree. There's plenty of room for all family and friends. Not to mention it would be so much more romantic and memorable." Motoko said.
It being decided, Keitaro turned back to Kenji.
"With your permission, Sir, I would like the wedding to be held here on your estate."
"Done. This makes me very pleased. Now, you planned for a ceremony in May, correct? As for the exact date, what day would you like it to be held on?"
Motoko and Keitaro gave eachother a quick look.
"We would like it to be held on a Saturday if possible. Preferably later in the month." Keitaro said.
Kenji rubbed his chin for a moment.
"How about the 19th?" Kenji suggested. "It's a Saturday and it's later in the month."
"That sounds perfect." Motoko said.
"Yeah." Keitaro agreed. "Thank you so very much, Sir."
"No need for thanks. All I want is to ensure the happiness of my daughter and her husband to be."
Kenji then turned his head to the door and called out, "Hasegawa!"
In less than a moment, the door opened and in walked a fairly young looking woman in professional attire. She had narrow eyes behind circular lens glasses. She had straight black hair that was tied back with a thin white ribbon. The woman knelt and sat down in front of Kenji and silently awaited his request.
"The wedding date for my daughter and Keitaro Urashima will be set for Saturday, May 19th and the ceremony will be held in the gardens of this estate." Kenji stated, to which the woman took down every word in her pocket-sized notebook.
"Will that be all, Sir?" The woman asked.
"That will be all, for now. Thank you, Hasegawa." Kenji said, giving a nod.
The woman gave a bow and then left, closing the door behind her.
Kenji turned his attention back to the couple.
"Miss Hasegawa, my personal assistant, will handle all of the arrangements. She will be keeping in touch with you. She needs your specifics and preferences for the ceremony itself and for anything else you may need."
Kenji stood up and said,
"I'm sorry that Motoko's mother, Himiko Aoyama, could not be here today. She is head of the Divinity School of Swordsmanship that lies on the other end of the estate, opposite of my dojo. I'm sure she would have been pleased to meet you as well, Keitaro. However, she is in Hokkaido on School business.
Now if you'll excuse me. It's almost time to teach my next class."
The two stood up as well. Motoko walked up to her father and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks for everything, Daddy." Motoko said.
"I really appreciate everything, Sir." Keitaro said.
"Please, call me 'Kenji'. You are going to be my son-in-law, after all." Kenji said, placing a hand on Keitaro's shoulder.
"Thank you, Kenji." Keitaro said with a smile.
During the train ride home the clouds rolled by from outside Motoko's square window.
"That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Motoko said.
"No, not at all. I think I like your father a lot. I'm glad I went through with it."
"Me too. So…"
"So?" Keitaro said.
"What kind of flowers do you think we should have for the wedding?" Motoko asked, growing excited.
"Flowers? Well, I'm not really a flower type of person. Whatever you pick should be fine." Keitaro said, passing the decision to her.
"Oooh, that's no good. I want it to be something we both decide on and be happy with, Kei." Motoko whined, showing an adorable pout, which completely caught Keitaro off guard.
"O-Okay, well, how about something white? How's that sound?" Keitaro said, trying to appease his fiancée.
"Hmm. Lilies then?" Motoko suggested.
"Lilies are good. We can go with those." Keitaro said.
"Great. Now what kind of wedding cake should we go with?" Motoko asked, resting her hands lovingly and excitedly on her fiancés arm.
"Well, I'm not that particular." Keitaro said.
"Oooh."
"What? Any wedding cake will do."
"But that's not the point, Keitaro!"
As the train moved on toward Hinata, the clouds above grew thinner and thinner until finally the sun peaked out and shown down on the passenger car that carried the two lovers, hoping to shed some light on Keitaro's indecisiveness.