The lead stood no chance as Motoko's blade cut through it, dispatching the once proud foliage.
"Strike!" She yelled as another foe was vanquished, power and finesse showing with every slice. Whilst Keitaro's and Narusegawa's matrimony was never far from her mind, her swordsmanship had not suffered.
The warrior shivered as a cool breeze blew against her sweat-drenched body.
"600..." She sighed
"I guess that's enough for today" and with that, she returned the sword to it's scabbard and headed down to the Open-Air bath. Judging from the clock in the hall, Motoko had a free house for about another hour; possibly more. Naru and Keitaro had gone out to see a movie, Mutsume and Kitsune were busy tending to the Hinata Café, Shinobu wouldn't be back for another couple of days (She was visiting home) and Su was off doing her business in Molmol; and who knows when she'll be back.
Down in the hot springs, Motoko had replaced her garments with a pinkish towel and submerged herself into the hot water with a long sigh of relief.
Wiping at her face with a small cloth, Motoko let her mind stray; as it had been doing for a while. More to the point, she had found herself reliving the scene above Molmol – some 4 years ago.
"I've already given my heart to Naru" Keitaro said meaningfully, parrying Motoko's strike.
"Don't…Don't you think I know that?!" Motoko yelled through tears
"And I don't care!! I also told you…that I loved you!! I'm not like other girls! I can't just walk away and find someone else!"
She lunged at him, delivering heavy, but clumsy and easily blocked, blows.
"It's not fair!!"
"Why…why do you love her so much?"
"Is it her looks?! Is that it?!"
"Dammit…If only…If only I'd met you sooner!!" She yelled.
"Kue!" came a loud squawk from above, and Motoko, taken aback, fell.
She came up a moment later, coughing and looking at Shippu. – The golden bird had been of great companionship to her in the past, and continues to be now.
Slightly flustered, Motoko looking directly into the crane's eyes – and was returned the stare. She sighed again and reached out to pet it, after which, Shippu took flight and left her alone once more.
The Shihan lay back, letting her thoughts stray once more. Her "Thrashy novels" as Shinobu liked to call them hadn't received much attention from the public, and her studies for Tokyo U had become increasingly difficult. What's more, over the course of a year, she had found it harder and harder to confront Keitaro – and had even gone so far as to cancel the training sessions; on the grounds of "Study Time"
Her personal life hadn't improved greatly either. She would find herself leaving the Hinata House for Tokyo U and not much else. Men didn't play a big part in her chart either; and she had told herself (And many others) that men "distract a person from their true potential." But it was this statement that she found herself contradicting her own lifestyle.
"Why have I not achieved ANY of my potential then?!" She would say to herself when on the topic of men.
A small groan from the weight of it all: stress, fatigue, depression and boredom, came over her. At that, Motoko stepped from the waters and into the washroom. Sitting down in front of a large mirror, she let herself drip-dry.
"Maybe if someone loved me, I can become beautiful…" She said aloud. Blushing slightly, she stood up, letting the towel fall from her young body, and examined herself in the reflecting glass.
"Hmph…" She grunted
"I'm taller than most Guys and my curves are "Below Average" I'm nowhere near as pretty as Naru…Small wonder Keitaro – or anyone else – had little interest in me" Motoko placed a hand on her lips, her mind content with staying in the gutter, and thought back to her first kiss; which subsequently was with Keitaro, or rather, a possessed one – many thanks to Hina: The Ominous Blade" for that – and despite the circumstances in which it was planted, it had meaning enough to Motoko to make her blush. Her thoughts traversed into the bounds of the other girls' first kiss; Naru's and Mutsume's kiss crept into her mind (Whilst she wasn't actually there, Mutsume had not problems in spreading it around) and her face went into a deeper red.
The sound of voices entering, entering the lobby, made her jump and snap out of her daze.
" – Just wasn't worth the wait!" came the first
"Oh come now Naru, it wasn't that bad! It was kinda cool when that monkey ate that bridge…" came the second.
Motoko, now dressed in her usual attire, walked into the lobby to find Naru plopped on the sofa, a copy of the Kanagawa times in one hand, a half eaten biscuit in the other.
"Hmm? Oh, Hi Motoko" She said when the Kendo girl approached.
"Err…Hi Naru" she replied
"Where's Keitaro?"
Naru opened an eye, and looked at her. Motoko blushed slightly.
"W-what?" she said
"What is this…Why am I getting so…bothered…by Naru" she thought
"I feel strange…""He's upstairs doing "Managerial Duties" for once. I wonder how on earth this place is still running with that slacker controlling things" Naru laughed slightly
"Why do you ask?"
Motoko had turned to the stairs, and started up them.
"Oh, it's nothing…I wanted to erm…Apologize for not tutoring him…for a while." For some reason, she was having difficulties looking Naru in the eye.
Keitaro's voice traveled through the vacant rooms, as Motoko traveled to hers.
"Oh man, and on such short notice?" Said the voice from somewhere
"Yeah, of course you can stay here. I hope Grandma is alright?"
"Ah, good."
Creak went the floorboard, and Keitaro's head appeared from behind a corner.
"Ah! Motoko" He said
"Good news. Kanako is coming to stay with us for a while; since Grandma is feeling unwell"
Motoko thought for a moment.
"I see," She said, and a brooding silence surrounded them.
"Say...Keitaro" Motoko said, breaking the foreboding-ness.
"Wha- Oh, yes?"
"Would you like me to continue to teach you? I haven't done so in a while" She said
"You're blade may get rusty; along with your skills"
Keitaro smiled.
"I'd be honored Moto- Sempai" He said, and Motoko returned the smile.
When Keitaro went to fetch his Yukata and sword, Motoko thought to herself.
"Normally...If...Keitaro called me Sempai, I'd get so worked up…or even if he smiled at me. This isn't the first time either"
"Have I lost interest in Keitaro?" She said quietly.
"Naru!" called Keitaro, making Motoko jump
"Yes?" Came a reply from downstairs
"Can I go train with Motoko?" He said in a jokingly mocking way.
"I guess so, but don't you come crying to me when you get hurt!" She said, returning the favor, as she walked upstairs approaching Keitaro.
Upon reaching him, the couple locked lips. Motoko stood watching, transfixed at the love each shared, and felt a small "Pang" of jealousy. As she stared at the two, she noticed a beauty of Naru; a side of her that she hadn't noticed before.
She shook her head, clearing her mind of such thoughts as Keitaro handed her a sword.
"T-thanks…" She said, as Naru walked into Keitaro's room to finish whatever duties it was he was doing.
Dazed, and slightly confused, Motoko walked with Keitaro to the garden; when Kaolla Su sat watching them. A small selection of items from Earthenware pottery to a large skull lay beside her.
"Oooh!" she cried, as the duo approached.
"Keitaro and Motoko are going at it again!" It's a shame there's no Shinobu or Sarah!"
Keitaro smiled and waved, as Motoko took position. He turned to face her a few moments later, and the two locked eyes. The swordswoman drew her blade, and stood waiting.
"Get ready Urashima!" She called
"Show me what you have learnt!"
And as races begin with the shot of a gun, so too did that goad get Keitaro ready.
He lunged at her, showing speed that Motoko hadn't seen in a long time.
He sliced at her. Motoko parried
She stabbed at him. Keitaro pulled back just in time
They clashed, metal to metal, both pushing forward with fierce intent.
Both leapt back at the same time.
"Boulder Cutting Blade!" They yelled simultaneously, as two bursts of energy erupted from each sword. The two clashed, and a fierce shockwave sent rocks flying, breaking larger ones apart and sending Su flying away. But still, the two still clashed, a large dome of energy encompassing each fighter. A large explosion sent the two sprawling to opposite ends.
This hadn't gone unnoticed of course, and moments later Naru was at the scene, surveying the battleground. A thick cloud of dust obscured her view, but it soon cleared. Keitaro's body lay sprawled on the ground face down. Motoko was on all founds, panting loudly.
"S…such power…such speed…Amazing" she said
"To think…He can muster so much…power…in so little...t-time…"
Naru took about shaking Keitaro until consciousness was regained; and it was soon after.
"Ow…" He whined, sitting up and surveying the scene
"We need to clean this place up for Kanako's stay tomorrow"
"Hmm…Kanako…" Motoko sighed, and fainted.