Anime: Love Hina

Genre: Romance/General

Rating: Pg 13

Chapter Two

Melting Ice

By Fanficzgrl

A Wedding of Departure

Tsuruko's heart tore apart as she saw how sad her younger sister was.

"Motoko, come…" Tsuruko began as she tried to pull Motoko in for a warm embrace, only to find Motoko again walking a step further behind, away from her.

"Motoko, listen to me," Tsuruko cried out desperately, "I can explain this!"

"Yes, you can, of course," Motoko said, her voice seemingly strained, "You can do anything you want because you are Ane-ue." Motoko's lips quivered as she tried to hold back the tears. "I understand it's impossible for me to ask you to stay with me forever. I can accept your choosing to lead a different path in your life. I can understand this. I really can. It's not as if it's anything new that another person whom I care for is leaving me again."

"I loved Seta!" Tsuruko cried out on impulse. She didn't know what else to say that will make her sister listen. Her brain chose to say what she'd thought was most attention catching at the moment.

Motoko's eyes widened a bit in surprise, her eyes showing a glint of emerald among the hazy green-grey. Motoko's head turned slightly to one side as she tried to hide her face that was currently showing a mixture of uncertain emotions. "I think I want to leave now."

Tsuruko was about to stop her from leaving but a voice in her head told her that it was only for the best that she give Motoko some time to herself.

"Alright, Motoko," Tsuruko reluctantly agreed as she dismissed Motoko.

Motoko turned away and walked into one of the forests that stood on the dojo's right side.

Tsuruko watched as Motoko slowly retreated into the forest, tears absentmindedly slithering their way down her cheek. She gasped in surprise when a pearl of tear rolled off her chin, falling onto the pale concrete, leaving a stain on the concrete floor. She had cried, and had broken her promise to Motoko. She had gone against her own words in both keeping her tears and her heart inside her. Now that she had exposed both of them, there's no turning back.

Motoko meandered quietly into the forest, the thick trees engulfing her form. Slowly, her pace quickened as she started plunging herself quickly into the forest deeper and deeper. Tears that stung her face were pouring down her face restlessly but she didn't care. Nothing mattered to her now; her sister didn't care about her anymore.

Finally she reached a lake that ran down the mountain. Ripples of water rushed downstream as waves crashed one over another. Motoko crouched down by the stream, and peered down at her reflection over the crystal water.

"Ane-ue is going to leave me…" Motoko said to herself in a whispery voice. She reached down to touch her reflection, her fingers shocked by the coldness of the running water.

Motoko had never felt so sad since her grandfather's departure. She was now losing her only close relative. Life just wasn't fair, she thought. She'd always considered herself lucky despite all the misfortune that she'd encountered since she was a little kid, because she had a caring sister who would stick with her through thick and thin. Motoko didn't care about anything else as long as she had her sister with her. To her, her sister meant everything. She would even give her life to save her sister if she were in danger. Motoko just couldn't bear her sister leaving her now.

However, Motoko understood that people must move on with their lives no matter what. Although she wished for her sister to be with her forever, she knew that she couldn't be so selfish and care only about herself. If her sister wanted to be with somebody else and that would make her happy, Motoko was fine with the decision.

Her head now cleared of thoughts, Motoko slowly walked back to the dojo. Her sister was no where in sight when she got there so, she decided to pick up her bokken and start practicing her kendo techniques as usual, as if nothing had happened.

Motoko ran through her techniques and when she was done, she was already breathing deeply, her lungs trying to draw in more air. Her knees screamed at her and ordered her to stop and rest. Her hands that were gripping onto the wooden bokken hardly were crying for their delicate skin was blistered. However, Motoko continued on.

She thrashed her sword around, cutting the air around her as if they were her invisible opponent. She sent multitudes of kii in all directions, her mind trying to run away from the problem. It'd seemed to Motoko that the harder she tried, the more confused and jumbled her thoughts became. Suddenly, Motoko saw a second bokken moving her way, trying to block her blinded attacks.

Motoko looked up, her eyes finding their match. She blinked, as if to make sure that what she was seeing wasn't just a mirage conceived by some parts of her tired brain. Clearly enough, it wasn't an hallucination when she felt her counterpart strike at her arm, hard but not intending to hurt.

Tsuruko watched as her sister attempted to dodge her attacks. She was amazed that her skills had improved since their last battle, but it seemed as though she'd lost something since. There was no heart in her moves. It was all technique and strength. There was no passion. Motoko has lost her heart, Tsuruko could sense, as she fought her sister even harder, urging Motoko to counter her attacks with the passion that she used to have.

"Come on, Motoko!" Tsuruko cried aloud, "Is that the best that you can do? How can you become a true swordswoman if you fight like this?"

"At least I AM a swordswoman," Motoko refuted, "I am true to my sword and my family art. I have not betrayed the Shimeiryuu style, unlike you!"

Tsuruko stopped in her tracks as her sister's words haunted her. Motoko saw her sister pause suddenly and realized what a fool she was to say those words to her. She hadn't meant to say such spiteful words. She didn't know why, but they'd just slipped her mouth. She mentally chastised herself for doing such a foolish thing to harm her sister.

"I'm sorry," Motoko said, her head down with shame, " I didn't mean to say that to you."

"It's alright, Motoko," Tsuruko replied, her eyes becoming watery. She understood her sister's pain and felt it was at least good that she finally released her anger, rather than letting it build up inside her.

"Ane-ue!" Motoko cried out as she threw her arms around her sister. Tsuruko, too, enveloped her sister in a big, bear hug. The two of them crying together, not caring about whatever image that an Aoyama woman needed to put up. It was a sisterly time and nothing can intrude in this.

"I'm sorry," Motoko cried between sobs. She felt childish again; she hadn't felt that way since who knew how many years ago-and it'd felt good.

"I'm sorry too!" Tsuruko said in an almost wailing manner. She crushed her sister to her and Motoko felt almost suffocated.

The two of them smiled at each other when they finally finished throwing their tantrums. It's been long since they'd done that. Gosh, when had they even done this before!

"When's your wedding, Ane-ue?" Motoko finally managed to ask.

"Five days after today," Tsuruko answered, returning to her old tone of voice once again.

"I see…" Motoko began before she was cut in her speech by Tsuruko.

"I really want you to come to my wedding Motoko," Tsuruko said while looking into Motoko's eyes with an aura of seriousness around her. "Would you do that for me?"

Motoko listened carefully to her sister's words and realized that it was the first time that her sister had ever requested anything from her. "Of course, I would."

Tsuruko beamed brightly at her, and then, grabbed her close to her for another big hug. Ane-ue had never been so happy like this, Motoko thought, her mind disconcerted once again, "was she ever even happy to start with?"

Five days passed by quickly. The dojo was almost refurbished, as Tsuruko's soon-to-be husband had asked many people to come and renovate the place to get it ready for the happy occasion that was to come. Cheery red ribbons and lanterns hung along the dojo roof, framing the dojo to give it an atmosphere almost too happy for Motoko to bear. Motoko would sometimes feel repulsive towards the effort that everyone's making to make the wedding day a big event, but whenever she remembered how happy her sister had been, she'd soon lose her resolve.

That day, Motoko woke up, again earlier than her sister. She looked around dojo and saw the decorations thrown across the walls that emanated the joyous feel. The dojo had never been like this before. It was always a boring place to be in, but to Motoko, it wasn't that bad since it was her and her sister's secret haven, apart from the outside world. Now, it was different, it was her only attachment and she felt a bit offended to have people throw their sinful innovations without her consent over it. Motoko heard her sister stir in her sleep and quietly tiptoed to peek into her room. True enough, her sister was awake. Motoko was about to knock on her door but what she saw caught her eyes and made her stop.

Tsuruko was sitting in front of her bedside mirror, combing her hair. She took up a beautifully decorated container and opened it. Inside, revealed a glossy pink material that Tsuruko delicately used her fingers to dab at. Carefully she blotched the pink substance onto her lips, giving life and cheeriness to her face. Then, she applied a light, faintly visible blush to her cheeks and, later proceeding onto her eyes. Using an eye shadow that helped outline the shape of her eyes, Tsuruko transformed into a beautiful woman whom any man would kill for.

Motoko quietly walked away as she waited patiently for her sister to dress in the formal wedding kimono and presented herself as a mature woman, ready to become someone's wife.

"You look beautiful today, Ane-ue" Motoko said in awe of her sister's beauty.

"You are even more beautiful than I am Motoko," Tsuruko said, "You are just not aware of your own beauty."

Motoko shook her head in denial, "I can never become as beautiful as you are."

Tsuruko smiled at her sister's naiveté, as she was definitely oblivious of her own beauty. Motoko had a figure that was long and slim, her body slightly curving at the right places, unlike the provocative women who would show off their exaggerated body shapes. Her skin was a silky, pale ivory that made it all the more tantalizing when it blushed a light pink in face of embarrassment. Her eyes were a true wonder that God had created, the colours enticing those whom are captivated by them to delve deeper into their depths. The slightly sharp cheekbones didn't deny the order of oriental heredity as they only brought out the dignity that her face was moulded to express. How could this person think she's not pretty! What must she have been thinking! Someone needs to buy a new mirror!

Tsuruko gave a sigh, as she knew that her sister would not be readily convinced that she was indeed a beautiful being, and then told her to quickly get dressed for the occasion. Motoko hurriedly rushed into her room and took out something more formal from her closet. Motoko was unacquainted to participating in important events and therefore had few clothes that suited the situation. Finally, after what seemed like hours of rummaging, Motoko finally found a piece of clothing that was suitable for the event. It was a slightly pale coloured yukata that had beautiful patterns of flowers embroidered on the silky cloth. The patterns were hand woven by her mother and she'd never brought herself to wear it before. The clothing felt extremely strange on her, as she was not accustomed to wearing something as precious as this before. The kendo outfit that she'd always worn, composed of the white gii and red hakama, was comfortable and permitted her to move around freely to perform her kendo attacks. Now she felt even condemned for walking a step too big in the yukata. Motoko had never envisioned herself in an outfit as formal as this one. Motoko went to her desk, sat down and decided to tie her hair up for the occasion. She decided to tie her silky raven hair in a casual bundle, pinned by hairpins that resembled chopsticks. Loose strands of hair fell from the bundle, making her look even more radiant than ever. She decided to forgo the make up and went out of her room. To her surprise, the groom and his family and friends were already there. The guests took in her beautiful form and they all took their share of gazing at her. Motoko blushed slightly, as she bravely banished the embarrassment that was creeping up her skin, scalding her. There were just too many people there to make things comfortable.

Motoko followed her sister around and everyone commented on the two sister's beauty. Motoko took it as just a means of politeness when the guests told her that she'd looked radiant.

Soon, the bride and the groom stood in front of the room, hands crossed with each other.

Motoko stared at her brother in law and found him quite handsome. He had deep eyes that beheld wisdom and a stubble on his lower chin that gave an air of casualness. Motoko immediately found him captivating and didn't blame Ane-ue for falling for him. Although, handsome, Motoko thought that there was just something missing in him. Motoko didn't know what it was but she'd found it a missing piece of tribute that failed to make him the perfect male specimen alive. Although liking him at once, Motoko reminded herself that this man was the man who stole his sister away from her, and reminded herself to keep her distance. She didn't trust the man.

When the formal Japanese wedding ceremony was finally over, what followed was a dance party that the couple had reserved at a fancy ballroom. Motoko was reluctant to go but after being persuaded by her sister after what seemed like a thousand times, Motoko finally agreed. Perhaps it was a small desire to make today the best day for her sister, but Motoko just felt warm to see her sister smiling the way she did today. However, she couldn't help but wonder why she'd only smiled this happily today. Wasn't she happy when she was with Motoko before? It'd pained her to think that way, so Motoko dismissed the thought.

"Come," Tsuruko said as she urged Motoko into her room.

"What is it, Ane-ue?"

"Here, take this," Tsuurko said as she handed a beautifully made red dress to her.

The dress was elegant and yet not too fancy like those with the frilly ends, fancy sleeves, and gem embroidered cloth. It was simple, yet elegant, just like Motoko.

"What is this for?" Motoko asked, then reprimanding herself for asking a stupid question when she realized that she had promised her sister that she would go to the evening ball tonight.

Tsuruko gave her a questioning look by raising an eyebrow that was something new to Motoko.

"Never mind, "Motoko said, "but I can't accept this! It's too precious! And besides, it'll just be a waste for it to be worn on my body!"

"Nonsense!" Tsuruko said as she forced her sister to hold the dress, "You promised me that you'll go to the ball, and you can't go to the ball without a dress!"

Her sister was right, she really didn't have a dress for the ball tonight. Darn, Motoko thought. She made a mental note to herself to get back at her sister when she has the chance. She was absolutely being taken advantaged of because of her want for her sister to be happy, and somehow, Motoko suspected that Tsuruko knew of this. How evil…

Motoko quickly dressed herself in the dress and Tsuruko exclaimed, telling her how pretty and elegant she looked. Motoko was almost about to roll her eyes, almost…but it was just kind of out of her character to do so

"Don't look so sadden, Motoko!" Tsuruko said teasingly, "Who knows! You might just be able to find your prince tonight." With that said, she gave Motoko a wink that suggested something mysterious that was unbeknownst to Motoko at the moment. Motoko sweat dropped and decided that it was best to not ask questions.

Fanficzgrl: Hihi once again! So how do you think of this story so far? Great? Not so great? Anyhow, I'd really appreciate it if you leave behind a review to comment on the story or my writing. I hope to make each chapter better each time. Reviews will keep on coming. Thanks very much!