Well this is quite the first for me. Not only have I never written a Love Hina fic before, but I've also never written a fic that centers around a love story, much less two (besides the love of the two main characters there is also a minor story you'll find out later). Usually I center the story around a battle, or a great conflict, but being the aesome author that I am, I'm sure it'll be no problem. So here's the first chapter.

Chapter 1: Dream Boy

It had been a month or so since Naru and Keitaro had left to be on their own, and Shinobu was smiling even less than usual. They had gone away to do god-knows-what, probably get their own place, eventually get married, Shinobu didn't know what and nor did she care. She knew they were in love, and Shinobu didn't hold it against either of them, but she couldn't help being depressed. When Keitaro was around, she felt so confident, so alive. Now that he was gone , she didn't think anyone could ever make her feel the way he did.

Walking up to school, Su and Motoko who were walking with her, and had noticed this.

"Cheer up Shinobu!" insisted Su.

"Yeah," agreed Motoko "I haven't seen you happy since Keitaro left. You don't miss him do you?"

Shinobu nodded "I'm sorry, I can't help it."

Motoko sighed "I admit he did have his good points, but he's a man! And who needs men? Learn to live off your own steam."

The bell rang, and just before they were about to head to their designated classes, they were surrounded by a bunch of seniors.

"Excuse me," Shinobu said quietly "You're in my way."

Amused by her feeble attempts at kindness, they just laughed and pushed her shoulder.

Motoko stepped forward, hand on her sword "You'd do best to move aside."

"What's a junior doing hanging out with a bunch of kids?" one of the seniors teased "Come hang out with us."

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" Su said resentfully.

"Shut up!" one of the seniors pushed Su.

"That does it….you were warned!" Motoko drew her sword "Secret technique wind splitting sword!" the seniors fell over, and in turn got up and took off running.

"You know Shinobu, I'm not always gonna be around, you're gonna have to learn to defend yourself."

Shinobu looked up concerned "Don't say that! I can't imagine having to defend myself without you around!"

In lue of this comment, Su decided to completely change the subject "Wow Motoko! I cannot believe they actually let you take that thing to school!"

Motoko seemed somewhat agitated "First of all, it's not a 'thing', it's my sword, and I hold it very dear to me. Second of all, they don't , but you think I'll leave home for a minute without it? There are some dangerous people out there."

And at that, Motoko's class was coming up, so she departed, and they all went to their designated classes.

School was just as boring as always, and it was difficult for Shinobu to stay focused. She didn't understand much of what her teachers said and she didn't really care. Her grades had dropped, but they were enough to pass. She had no motivation anymore, no reason to do any better than necessary.

The same thing went for the rest of the, a routine, lifeless day. Followed by a routine lifeless afternoon of loneliness and boredom, and a routine, lifeless dinner was up next.

Despite her lag in academics, Shinobu's cooking skills had not declined, and the rest of the inn was quite enjoying it. Though, sitting at the table at that moment, everyone had to admit that without Keitaro and Naru around, things were pretty dull.

Shinobu ate modestly, and was the first to ask to be excused. She then preceded to lay in her room, doing little besides thinking. She needed to think, and these days she had more than enough time to do so.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in!" Shinobu said.

Haruka stepped in "Got a minute?"

Shinobu nodded "Always. What seems to be the problem?"

"I should be asking you that bquestion." She nonchalantly said "Your grades are dropping, you seem to be getting distant, and sad. You're not well Shiobu."

"I'm fine." Shinobu insisted.

"Oh come on," protested Haruka "Rarely do I ask things like this the least you can do is be truthful with me."

"I'm fine, really." Shiobu still persisted.

Haruka ignored this "It's about Keitaro isn't it? Don't try and fool me, I haven't seen you happy once since he's been gone."

"What?" Shinobu blushed "Why would you say something like that!"

"Listen, Shinobu," Haruka sat down "I know how you're feeling better than you realize. Keitaro was really special to you, he made you feel good. But now you had to let him go, and that's hard. But in time I'm sure you'll find someone who makes you feel like he did, who fills the space he left behind."

Shinobu nodded "Thanks, but really, I'm fine."

Haruka sighed "Well you know where to find me if you need me." And she left.

Haruka helped, but Shinobu knew she could never understand. People who understood could never even be of any help. She didn't need someone to understand, she needed someone to help. She needed someone to save her. She was beginning to accept that no one would.

After getting up, showering, and what not, Shinobu found that Motoko and Su were sick in bed with bad fevers. Motoko was herself, reluctantly writhing in bed, wanting to get up and go to school, and Su simply looked like a wilted flower. Very well, she thought, I guess I'll just walk alone today.

But it wasn't that easy. Without Motoko, the seniors began to pick on her again. They began to circle around her like vultures, twice as many as yesterday, and twice as feisty.

"Your Kendo friend isn't here to help you." Taunted the senior from yesterday. They pushed her back and forth, slapped her around, and at one point she could have sworn one even fondeled her.

Finally a senior pushed her to the ground in the middle of the circle. They were a little outside school, so there was not many around, he could get away with much. She didn't want to know what they had planned, and to this day she doesn't. A swift kick on the head was landed on the senior that had pushed her down. It was a boy, soon followed by another boy.

The first one, the shorter of the two, spoke up "You take the right ones, I take the left?"

The big one nodded. They had 5 to 8 seniors to deal with each. They street fought with a great deal of skill, right hooks, blocks, and punches in all the right places. Within a minute or so, all the seniors the seniors they had been fighting were down for the count.

The first boy, the shorter one, offered his hand to Shinobu. If the pleasing thrill of being saved wasn't enough to absolutely charm her, this boy was. Other than the lack of glasses, he reminded her a great deal of Keitaro, simply by look and by presence, though he had more of a grace to him than Keitaro. He had scuffy brown hair, blue eyes, and a turtleneck black shortsleeve shirt that strectched a bit over modest muscles, and black pants.

"Need a hand?" he asked, still with an outstretched hand. He siled a warm smile, and for once in a long time she couldn't help but smile too. He had a very comforting presence to him.

Needless to say, she gladly took his hand and he helped her up.

"You didn't have to do that you know." She noted.

"Yeah I did." He assured her "Seeing seniors pick on you like that, I couldn't help it. They think they own this school, makes one sick." He smiled again "And a face like yours is not one I like to see so sad."

"Shinobu turned scarlet "Thank you." She bowed "I'm Shinobu Maehura."

"Nik Nobraves, class of '08." He motioned to the taller kid, with curly short hair and a leather jacket "That's Jake, class of '06."

"Nice meeting you both." Shinobu said "I have to get to class now."

"Wait," Nik said as she began to start walking "You're not walking alone are you?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Just not safe is all." He explained "What room are you going to?"

"80."

"Oh, I'm going to 85, I'll walk you." He said farewell to Jake , and they began to walk.

"You don't usually go to school by yourself do you?" Nik asked.

Shinobu shook her head "No I'm friends with Koalla Su and Motoko Aoyama."

"Ah!" Nik seemed shocked "You're friends with that crazy Kendo girl! She scares the shit out of me!"

Shinobu laughed "She's not that bad once you get to know her."

"I'll bet." Nik said "So I guess you live around here?"

Shinobu nodded "The Hinata apartments."

"Oh wow." Nik exclaimed "You don't live that far away from me."

They walked up to room 80.

"Well, I have to get to class."
Shinobu explained.

"Alright, well see ya!" and Nik walked off.

Shinobu walked into class, suprising them with the smile thay had all forgotten.

Well, I'd say I did pretty good for myself. This chapter is just an appetizer, next chapter will be even better. Please R R!