A/N: Hey people. This is my very first fanfiction. I just recently started to read and now I'm totally hooked on them. I just can't seem to tear away from them. I love it. Anyway, hope you enjoy this one.

Disclaimer: I have never, do not, nor probably will ever own Love Hina. (sob) So please don't sue me. I'm poor, I could never afford an attorney, and I'll probably end up in the streets if you do.

Holding Hands

By Yamiga'sLight

Chapter 1: Decisions

"..." – talking '...' – thinking

It was a cold evening. Snow fluttered down slowly as it covered the ground below it. Three dark figures were seen ascending a large stone staircase that lead to a giant house that loomed over them in both a foreboding and welcoming way.

The three seemed to be holding hands. The one on the right was an auburn beauty who had a sad, yet hopeful look on her face. The one on the left was a gorgeous black-hair girl who seemed to radiate a vast amount of energy in the way she walked, almost like skipping, despite the fraility of her body. The person in the middle was a short-brown-haired man who looked like he would rather be anywhere else other than that place at that moment.

Finally, the man spoke. "Just...three more steps," he said in a hushed voice.

The auburn girl silently thought to herself as hey started to finish the rest of the staircase. 'I guess this is the end for me and Keitaro...'

"Two more..."

'...I'll miss being able to talk to him like we used to.'

"And...the moment of truth."

The girl closed her eyes for the imminent doom. 'Keitaro...goodbye.'

She felt the man slowly take his hand out of hers. Her heart then shattered, and she turned away, trying to hid the tears that were threatening to escape from her eyes.

She then heard Mutsumi's voice. "Urashima, where are you going?" She said in a worried and concerned tone. Naru whipped around to see Keitaro's retreating back heading down the stairs.

"Keitaro..." Naru called out.

Keitaro turned around and looked at her. "Yes, Naru?"

Naru's face held both confusion and sadness. "You let go of both of our hands"

Keitaro nodded his head. "Yeah."

"But why..."

"Why didn't I hold either of your hands?" He interrupted.

"Yes."

Keitaro looked down, smiled sadly, and let out a little chuckle. "Truly, I don't know. Maybe because I'm indecisive. Maybe I'm just an idiot. But mostly, I guess it's because of you guys."

Naru looked even more confused. "Me and Mutsumi?"

"Why because of us, Urashima?" Mutsumi said. Her face had lost the amused look, and was replaced with a more worried one.

"I guess because I thought that at least one of you would be by my actions." He looked up with an amused look on his face. "I know how corny that sounds, but that's how I feel. You're both beautiful, smart girls. I like a lot of things about both of you, and I'm sure I would be happy either way." His face then gathered up in pain.

"But I would still make you sad, even if it was in the smallest way. The same goes for everyone else at Hinata House. Shinobu, Su, Motoko, Kitsune, and even Sarah. I would rather slit my wrists then hurt or make any of you sad intentionally." His face lost the pain and regained the amused look. He laughed.

"Besides, look at me!" He spun around on his heel and looked at them playfully. "I am Keitaro Urashima. A third year ronin. The most perverted and losery man on the face of the Earth. I've never even had a girlfriend. Now you expect me to choose between two women who are like goddesses to me. My brain has been on the verge of a breakdown for the past ten minutes!"

His face regained the serious look rather quickly. "In any case, I've got to think over a few things. So...see you guys later." He turned around and started to walk down the stairs before he stopped. "Oh, yeah," he said over his shoulder. "You mind if I borrow Liddo-kun for a while?" Naru and Mutsumi nodded their heads in unison. "Thanks." He patted the stuffed animal's head fondly. "C'mon, buddy. I need to talk to you." He joked.

As he continued, Naru was the first to come out of her daze. "Keitaro, wait!" She shouted as she leapt down to grab his shoulder. She was rewarded with Keitaro's hand on hers. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and her heart skipped a beat. Keitaro turned around and gave her a quick smile.

"Naru...I'm not goinf to run away. I just need to be alone for a little while." He dropped her hand gently and jerked his head in the direction of Hinata House. "Besides, I'm sure everyone must be worried about you. No doubt you and Mutsumi will be the life of the party."

He flashed another smile at both Naru and Mutsumi. "Well, I'll see guys later." He walked off, and it wasn't long before his form melted with the falling snow.

Naru and Mutsumi stood in an awkward silence. Mutsumi tried a nervous, smile but it was quickly deflated. It was obvious neither her ot or Naru were in the mood for such things. Naru turned around and silently made her way back to the dormitory. Mutsumi came quickly in step and followed Naru.

When they got near the entrance, the double doors were flung open as the rest of the Hinata House tenants filed out. Kitsune caught eye of the duo and let out a mischievous grin. "We were wondering where you were." She said.

"It's the turtle girl too!" Yelled Su happily.

"So it is. Hello, Mutsumi." Motoko bowed formally.

"Hello, Motoko." Mutsumi replied.

Kitsune then noticed what Naru was wearing. "Say, Naru, that's a nice coat you have. Who got it for you? Keitaro?" She grinned.

"Speaking of which, where is sempai?" Shinobu asked meekly as she peeked over Kitsune's shoulder. "I don't see him anywhere."

"Keitaro is..." Naru started, but she just trailed off as she fiddled with her coat.

"Urashima is somewhere else. Unfortunately we don't know where exactly he is at the moment though." Mutsumi finished for her.

"Did that coward run away again?" Motoko growled. "I swear that Urashima is no man at all, he..."

"Oh, Motoko, be quiet for a second," Kitsune interrupted. She changed her attention back to Naru. "Why did he go off this time?"

"He said he need to think a little while about things." Naru muttered as she continued to stare at the ground.

"Did Urashima do something to offend you Naru? Because if he did, I would be glad to avenge your honor." Motoko said as she suggestively moved her katana.

"No, Motoko." Motoko was surprised to hear the edge in Naru's voice. Naru lifted her head and there were tears in her eyes. They were not tears of hate and anger, but tears of shame and self-loathing instead.

"For once, Keitaro was not at fault. And I'm beginning to suspect that all of the other times were not his fault as well, but rather our hasty and conclusive behavior."

"N-N-Naru...?" Motoko questioned, shocked. If she had suspected anyone to take Keitaro's side in an argument, her last would have definitely been Naru.

Naru shook her head. "Forget it, Motoko. I'm sorry. Let's forget about Keitaro and continue with our party. After all..." She let out a little smirk. "He is just a pervert." Naru then briskly made her way through the others and into Hinata House.

The rest of the boarders turned their attention to Mutsumi. She shook her head and put her hand to it in an innocent gesture. "Oh my,' she murmured. "Don't look at me. I'm just as confused as you are."

Everyone just sighed, and one by one, they slowly made their way back into Hinata House to continue their party.

*****

Keitaro slowly made his way down the path. He knew exactly where he was going. He looked up at the starry sky while watching the snow fall gently onto his face where it melted. He craned his neck over his shoulder to look at the stuffed animal strapped to his back. "So, buddy," he started. "Want to talk about anything in particular?"

Liddo-kun remained silent.

Keitaro chuckled. "I thought as much."

He eventually made his way to his destination. His childhood playground. The place where he made that childhood promise fifteen – or was it sixteen? – years ago with that little girl of his memories.

He sighed. That promise had caused him so much happiness and yet so much grief at the same time. Keitaro sometimes wondered if that promise was a blessin, or a curse. He sighed again as he headed to the sandbox.

Keitaro lowered himself down, not bothering to ract to the cold snow that soaked through his jeans. He reached behind him as he pulled out Liddo-kun to look at him. This strange creature looked like a mouse, squirrel, and rabbit hybrid. Keitaro couldn't help but laugh as he stared at this too cute animal.

"Oh, Liddo-kun, buddy," Keitaro smirked. "If only you could talk, then maybe you could tell me about that day and who I made that promise to. Everthing points to Mutsumi, but there's still the question of how Naru got you in the first place. I am sooo confused." He chuckled as he playfully noogied the toy's head with his face.

For some unknown reason, Keitaro had a sudden urge to play in the sand. He carefully put Liddo-kun down and leaned over to gather the snow and sand in his hands. He then began to meticulously take the mess of earth and put it in a pile, carefully forming it with his hands. "It's just like before," he thought as his mind wandered to earlier years.

********************Flashback********************

Two little children were playing in the sandbox as a stuffed animal seemingly stood guard over them in the corner. The little girl stopped to wipe her hands on her clothing before talking to the boy.

"Did you know," she said. "That if two people who love each other go to Tokyo University together, they'll live happily ever after?"

The little boy stopped long enough to look at the girl and smile quizzically. "Really?" He asked.

The little girl closer before responding, "When we grow up, let's go to Tokyo University together. Okay, Kei?" Before the boy could reply, the girl took his face into her hands, and gently planted a kiss on his cheek.

"O-okay!" The little boy stuttered. The little girl smile and laughed.

********************End Flashback********************

Back in the present, Keitaro sighed. "Sometimes I really wonder about that day." He then grinned as he remembered why he was there in the first place.

'I was right,' he thought. "I am Keitaro Urashima. The man who was at the bottom of the grade last year. The man with no girlfriend for the last twenty years. The man who's photo book is filled with almost nothing but pictures of himself.' He laughed, and again, and again, and again.

"I can't believe Naru actually expected me to choose between her and Mutsumi. In case she hasn't noticed, I'm a total retard when it comes to girls. Oh well..."

He chuckled again before letting out a gigantic sneeze. He finally realized how cold it was outside. 'Better get home before I die of hypothermia,' he thought. He picked up Liddo-kun and stuffed him back into his pack. "C'mon, Liddo-kun buddy, time to go home."

*****

As Keitaro finally made it back to Hinata House, he noticed the lights were still on. He wondred if everyone was still awake. He checked his watch. It was after midnight. Keitaro silently crept to one of the windows to check inside. Everyone was either asleep or passed out.

Keitaro let out a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to face their wrath till morning. He snuck back to the door, slowly opened it, and went in. He looked around and saw almost everybody in a somewhat awkward position.

"Oh come one everybody. You're going to catch a cold like that." He then sneezed, and he chuckled. "Not like I can give advice. I was outside for a while."

"Myuh!"

Keitaro looked around startled. He then noticed Tama-chan, the residential flying turtle. "Oh, hey Tama-chan."

"Myuh!" She said in reply.

"You were able to keep to keep conscious?" Keitaro joked.

"Myuh..." Tama-chan sweatdropped.

"That big of a party, huh?"

"Myuh."

"Okay," Keitaro nodded. "I need you to keep quiet while I bundle the girls up to make sure they don't catch cold. Can you do that for me?"

"Myuh," Tama-chan said quietly as she saluted him.

"Thanks." Keitaro made his way to the closet to pull out some blankets to wrap the girls in.

The easiest were Motoko, Su, and Sarah. They were sleeping on the couch with Su wrapped around Motoko's arm and Sarah leaning on Su drooling. Keitaro smiled as he carefully put the blanket around them, tucking in the corners to conserve heat.

Kitsune was in disgrace. She was lying on the floor passed out. As Keitaro approached, he made a mental note to not let her near the booze for the next few parties. He grabbed a pillow from the couch and carefully lifted her head to slide the pillow underneath. He then slowly moved her limbs to keep them from going numb before covering her with a blanket.

Haruka and Mutsumi were sitting in different chairs. Keitaro made sure to cover as much of their bodies as he could with the blankets.

Last came Naru and Shinobu. They were on the other couch with Shinobu's head on Naru's lap. Keitaro smiled again as he covered them with the blanket.

He then took Liddo-kun out of his pack and placed him on the table. After a moment's consideration, he took out some paper and wrote a note, placing it next to the stuffed toy.

Keitaro then walked up to the light switch and flicked it off. Before going up the stairs, he turned to the women located in the room. "Good night girls," he murmured. "Merry Christmas." He then walked up the stairs and out of sight.

A pair of eyes opened as he left and looked forlornly after him. "Merry Christmas, Keitaro." She whispered as she fell back asleep.

*****

Keitaro eventually made it to the manager's room. He walked in and quietly closed the door behind him. He didn't even bother to change out of his wet clothes as he climbed into his futon. When he did, he let out another giant sneeze and a long series of coughs.

When he finally stopped, he muttered to himself, "I hope I'm not coming down with something." Then he quickly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

A/N: Wow. My first fanfiction. I'm so proud of myself. Took me a long time coz I don't write too fast. I got some others I'm working on, but this took top priority. I love Love Hina. Ha! Anyway, time to talk with the characters.

Keitaro: Thank you! For once I didn't get beat up! (pumps fist into air)

Me: Don't worry, this isn't one of those of those fics. Character bashings isn't my style.

Naru: (stomps into area) You jerk! I can't believe you made me look weak! I looked like a sissy!

Me: I said there was OOC-ness in this fic! Besides, that's only the beginning. Wait till you see the next chapter.

Naru: Oh, really? (cracks knuckles)

Me: Heh, heh... (gulp) You wouldn't think of beating the author, would you?

Naru: Try me.

Me: Sorry Keitaro.

Keitaro: For what?

Me: For this. (whistles)

Su and Motoko come onto the scene. Su kicks Keitaro in the head. Keitaro crashes into Naru, knocking them over with Keitaro on top.

Keitaro: Oh, crap.

Naru and Motoko: PERVERT!!!!! (commence in beating Keitaro into a bloody pulp)

Me: I don't like character bashing, but it does get me out of tight situations. (leans over to Su) Think I went too far this time?

Su: Nah. Keitaro's superman! (latches onto my arm)

Me: (glances at Su nervously) Right. Anyway I want to introduce my editor who helped me with my proofreading. He was really helpful. I give you, gloworm16!

gloworm16: Damn it, Yamiga! Why'd you have use my name, jackass?! Now I'm going to have people spamming me all the time! (steam pours out ears)

Me: (waves hands in front of face) Glowy, that's not going to happen!

gloworm16: Don't call me Glowy, you whore! I sound like a prick!

Me: Dude, you can't curse on the internet!

Everyone around does a massive facefault. Even the girls stop their thrashing on Keitaro long enough to fall. I sweatdrop at my own stupid statement.

Me: That didn't make much sense...

gloworm16: Of course it didn't you mother-

Me: Okay, I don't care if you can curse. You're not going to curse in my fic! (snap fingers) Su, dear!

Su: Right, Yamiga! (pulls giant laser out of her pocket and points it at gloworm16)

Me: (mouth agape) Where do you keep that thing?

Su: It's a secret. (wink)

Me: Right... Glowy?

gloworm16: I'll be good.

Me: Good boy! Anyway that's the end of my chat. (turns to Su) Thanks Su.

Su: You're welcome! (glint)

Me: What Su?

Su: This! (tackles me to floor and starts to squeeze)

Me: Gack! Can't...breathe...

Su: Please Review! (squeezes even harder)

Me: Uhhhhnnn.... (passes out from lack of air)

A/N: Ugh... Man, Su squeezes hard. Anyway, it's gonna take me a couple days before I can update the next one. But before that happens, I want to see if I can get any reviews. I was hoping to get at least four, but I'll be happy if I get any. Just no flames, okay? Being a pyro, I know that fire really hurts when it's used on people. Well see you next time!