Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and OC's that may appear.

Love Hina: Habits

Prologue: And as I lay there gazing at the sky…

Am I such a burden?

Why is me that's always alone?

Such thoughts were in the little mind of a child, no older than 12, as he walked through a dark alley.

Even she abandoned me…

The kid was crying his hearth out

Why? WHY? WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME!?

The kid had finally had enough.

Do I really make everyone so unhappy?

Never once have I refused to help anyone, yet I have to hear at least a 'thank you'

Thank you, child. Suddenly a voice was heard, a distinctly feminine voice.

Eh?

You wanted to hear that, didn't you? The voice answered like it should be a known fact.

"y-yes, but, who are you?"

Around here, child

The kid looked around the alley he was, trying to find the source of the voice.

Over here, right in front of you.

The child found a dumpster that, mysteriously, had a white mask on top.

Don't you remember me?

"Err… No? Who are you?" he had to admit, it felt weird to talk to a mask.

You once found the box I was once prisoner of, and opened it, freeing me.

"When was that? I don't remember… oh" the kid remembered at that moment the time he had helped a weird person whose box had been left behind, but in the middle of that, he had tripped and the box had opened.

For that, you have my thanks. I had been in there a really long time, I hadn't even known how much the world has changed.

"Huh? How would you know? You are a mask." The kid replied

This is merely a vessel, kid. I can see and hear thing that only a few chosen humans can.

"Oh, that is kinda… cool, I think?"

Thanks, but that was unnecessary. I only wanted to rest here for a while before I went to find a new master, but I couldn't help but hear your thoughts and tears.

"Wait, you heard my thoughts? How?" the kid asked innocently.

Yes, I hear everything I want to. But it is weird, why would you cry over such things, there is no way someone with a heart such like yours can be guilty of so many things you were thinking about.

"Because I am. Every single person I try to help, turns against me, every time I want to speak to a girl, either they hit me, or they just make fun of me…" the kid trailed off when he remembered what had happened that day.

The mask read his thoughts again and felt a bit sorry for the kid.

Fret not over such things, kid. Time will always change everything.

To this the kid snorted "Yeah, for the worse" more images came to the surface of his mind.

Then… would you be my master? The mask asked suddenly, as if the thought had just come by.

"Huh?" the kid was obviously confused by this "what are you talking about, Mask-san?"

You will allow me to live with you; in exchange I will always be with you, and if necessary, help you.

"Help me… but how?"

Well… like telling you to run right now because a group of gangsters are coming to assault you? The object told the kid with urgency in its (her?) voice

"Eh?" that was as far as the kid could say before turning around and seeing the group of gangsters coming his way. In their minds could be heard (Thanks to the mask) their thoughts.

He saw everything they planned to do to him

'oh… gotta get out of here!' the kid thought as he grabbed the mask and took off, with the tugs already following him and yelling. Their yells were promises of a good beating, at least to leave him on bed for a month.

Quick! Get on the main street and don't stop! The mask on his hand told him, which he gladly obeyed.

Where to?

The next alley, get in there and wait for me to tell you what to do. He followed its instruction only to find another dark alley, only that this one was a dead end.

Why here?

Obviously, we are going to fight them. The mask somehow deadpanned.

But I don't know any ways to fight! Even the times I've been dragged into one, its me that always loses!

Not this time, there is a difference.

Which is?

I'm here with you.

The kid managed to deadpan "that's so reassuring"

Shut up. There is only one way to win.

Run like hell?

No, use me.

Use you? But how?

Seriously? How do you use a mask?

Putting it on?

Exactly, now do it quick, before they arrive!

Fine, fine…

The moment he put it on. The world shuddered.

XXXXXX

"Where is that brat?" one of the tugs asked his companions, the aluminum baseball bat he carried waving menacingly.

"I swear I saw him coming this way…" the one next to him answered with confusion in his voice.

The group of five gangster-wannabes walked the alley where they saw their chosen victim for the night.

Unfortunately, it seemed that he had escaped.

"Dammit!" another of the group cursed "I wanted to try my new moves on that idiot"

They went deeper into the alley, searching for any place their prey may have hidden.

But there was nowhere in sight where he could have gone.

"Meh. He got lucky, let's go home guys…guys? What are you looking at…?"

The moment he turned around, he saw his companions frozen in terror, each of them sweating bullets and as wide-eyed as they could manage without their eyes popping out of their sockets. The moment he followed their gazes he saw what had frozen them with terror.

There was the kid, they so-called prey. He was now wearing a white smiling mask. The mask was very simple. Only slits for the eyes and mouth that curved to give the mask the appearance to be smiling evilly.

But that wasn't what terrified them; it was the fact that one of their friends was currently being held by him. Well… only his head was swinging from side to side, having been torn away from the rest of the body, which currently laid in pieces and a pond of blood at the kid's feet.

Heheheheh….

They felt chills go up their spine at the sound of maniacal laughter that began making itself known.

What is it? Weren't you trying to teach me a lesson? What happened to that tough act you were putting?

They couldn't even blink

I will be the one teaching you a lesson for the likes of you to never forget! Rejoice! For your lives will be given for the greater good!

That night, no one nearby could ever forget the horrible screams that came out of that alley.

XXXXXX

(The next day)

"And today in the morning news, a horrible act happened in Hinata City

A group of gangsters was found brutally killed in an alley, their bodies had been ripped apart and smashed into the ground, the scene was found by a passerby this morning, claiming she had gone to see what was giving a foul scent that was invading the neighborhood. There she found the scene and alerted the police. The officer in charge declared only one thing about the crime:

(Officer) It was done with brutality, but most astonishing was the message left from the suspected killer.

(Reporter) and that would be?

(Officer, clearly disturbed from the memory) it was written with the bloody left arm of one of the victims, its blood had been used as improvised ink, we found the arm dry and tossed aside near one of the corners.

(Reporter) and did it say?

(Officer, this time, a bit of fear is felt on his voice) It read 'FOR JUSTICE. With love. HABIT'"