Hollowheart- Well now, this isn't my first story, but I hope you all like it.

And, thankfully, I don't own Love Hina, or any of its characters. All new characters are owned by me, and may be used with my permission.

Shadow of Intent

Black Steel (Prologue)

Keitaro spat curses as he bowled through the air, figures rushing past his vision. He landed on the balcony of the Hinata Dorms with a loud thud. His ears rang as he looked up to see Motoko approaching him, her Katana outstretched as if it were an extension of her own arm.

"Wait, wait, I give up!" he said hurriedly as he saw the samurai prepare another swing, "You win today!"

Motoko chuckled to herself mildly. "Today?" she said, "You haven't bested me in a single sword match yet."

Keitaro laughed nervously as she stared at his sword lying on the ground below the balcony, "You really sent me flying today."

"I know..." she smiled, extending her hand. The landlord let out a sigh as he pulled himself up, then looked out down the steps as he heard a car door slamming. What could that be?

The tenants stared dumbfounded at the newcomer that now stood at the door. He bore every resemblance to Keitaro, except he had more detailed features, and was by far better looking. He looked to be barely 17, his black hair falling around his temple, nearly shrouding his eyes like a dark mist.

"Keisuke?" Keitaro asked the boy as sweat formed at his brow.

"Long time no see Keitaro," Keisuke said as he nodded, and looked around to all the tenants. "I see you've been living in good company."

"Your telling me!" Kitsune laughed, "Without him I could hardly live at all."

Keisuke smiled as he turned to his brother, "We have a lot to talk about; do you think you could spare a moment?"

"Of course," Keitaro said, happy to see his brother after so many years, "Come with me back to my room."

Keisuke followed him through the halls, ignoring the stares of the other tenants. The resident swordsmen stopped him, eyeing him strongly. "Wait a sec! You cant just walk by us like that! Who are you?"

"Yea!" Naru stammered, shooting glares at her nervous husband.

Keisuke rubbed his head in confusion, "You never told the about me Kei?"

Keitaro held his arms out, "Im sorry. Everyone, this is my brother, Keisuke Urashima."

Keisuke nodded at the residents, "Its nice to meet you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to discuss." Five death glares bounced off his back as he disappeared into Keitaro's room.

They sat down at his heated table, Keitaro pushing his textbooks aside. Keisuke eyed the hole in the ceiling nervously; he was sure he heard movement. He shrugged it off, and instead looked down to his brother, who had begun to eye him curiously.

"I hear you got married?" Keisuke said lightly, his eyes tracing across the room.

"Yes, to an ice queen" he smiled, but began to notice that Keisuke was searching for something. "I know I haven't kept in touch, but what brings you around the Hinata house little brother?"

Keisuke smiled up at him, "Im in need of a place to stay. Recently things got bad for me. Mom kicked me out because I wasn't attending school regularly."

"Why not? You need your education."

Keisuke frowned, "I don't have time for trivial things like that. I have bigger and better things to worry about."

Keitaro sighed, "Well, if that's all you need, then I suppose I can give you a room, if you pay the rent, AND put those martial arts skills to good use..." he said, eying the Katana in his luggage.

Keisuke tilted his head, "How?"

"Well..." Keitaro sweat dropped, "Lets just say our resident swordsman has a thing for living targets." Keisuke contemplated this, then nodded. Keitaro smiled, "So we have an agreement? Let me show you to your room."

"Thank you big brother." Keitaro almost missed that sound as he exited his room, but somehow things seemed empty to him. Something inside his brother was lost, and replaced with something new, something with a purpose.

He stopped before they reached his room. "Keisuke...why are you really here?" he asked, concern washing over his features.

The boy looked down at his brother, all sincerity washed away. "To protect you, dear brother..." he said.