DISCLAIMER: I still don't own Love Hina or any of the characters... Can someone give me the rights please? :D

The trail of two broken hearts followed me sadly through dimly-lit streets (Hinata still thankfully had not succumbed to the corporate machine and still used lanterns instead of street-lights), and it was nearly midnight by the time I reached my temporary lodgings at the apartment where Mutsumi Otohime was staying. She was the one person I could turn to right now – but wait…

Didn't I just leave her for Naru? She's gonna hate me!

My hand quivered, poised to knock at her door, and I faltered.

No, I can't. Not now.

So I turned, ready to face the night, and wandered away from the Hinata Flats.

What am I gonna do? I wondered. I've just gone and ruined three lives. And it's all Naru's fault – why couldn't she just accept my confession in the first place!? No, I mustn't blame her. Of course no-one wants to be with a guy like me. I just wish sometimes people wouldn't take all of these things for granted.

I felt a shadow fall over me, which was strange because I had found a nice bench to sit down on, overlooking the bridge separating Hinata from the main spit of land that was Japan, and the only lantern that I was aware of was behind me and quite a ways up, on top of the two-storey Hinata Restaurant, which had been closed for quite some time now.

That would mean that the caster of the shadow would have to be right behind me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and the soft, familiar Okinawan accent spoke solemnly.

"Kei-kun…"

I could tell Mutsumi was trying to plead something, but what? I couldn't say anything, not now. I was sorry of course, but I couldn't just apologise out of the blue like that. She obviously had something she wanted to tell me.

"Kei-kun, I don't blame you for running after Naru. You know something? I'm actually not the girl you made that promise with fifteen years ago." She laughed sadly. "As much as I would have loved to be."

She went on to describe what happened that day:

"I had arrived in Hinata early in the morning, around about 8 or 9 a.m. I would say. I couldn't wait to see you – we had spent our days so happily before then. But I was tired from the long car trip, so I fell asleep under a tree just outside of the Hinata Lodge as it was back then.

"When I awoke, you were already in the sandpit. I rushed over there just as I noticed a strange girl kiss you on the cheek. I didn't know it at the time, but it was…"

She trailed off, unable to tell me who exactly it was. I was pretty sure I could guess, though.

"Narusegawa."

Mutsumi nodded, and her presence now known, she decided to take her place beside me on the bench.

"So you mean… that you actually had nothing to do with it in the first place?"

"Well, yes and no. I noticed Naru walking towards me with that look on her face, well, you know that look –"

"The look of someone in love, right?"

"Yes, that look. I asked her what had just happened, and when she said 'I'm going to Toudai with Kei-kun!' my heart fell. I was actually going to ask you that same thing as soon as I saw you – I too had heard that two lovers who got into Tokyo University would live happily ever after. But I knew that it was never going to happen.

"I gave her my Liddo-kun doll," she continued, "in the hopes that one day it would find its way to you. Sadly it didn't, but I don't blame myself for not making it clear to Naru. In fact I was quite honoured that she would keep it close to her for so long, and so after fifteen years imagine my surprise when I come face-to-face with her once more!"

I didn't know what to say, indubitably, and so I just hung my head in my hands, and willed the words to exit my mouth successfully.

"Mutsumi-chan… I'm so sorry… I didn't know this story was that complicated. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Well, that's what I wanted to say anyway.

What actually came out was more like: "Ummmmm…"

Mutsumi smiled, and it wasn't a sad smile, it was more one of relief.

"Kei-kun, I'm glad to be able to tell you my feelings like this, and no matter what happens, I want you to know, that I'm always here for you. You know when your friends said I was the 'older sister' type?" she asked.

"Um… yeah, sorry about that-"

"Don't be, silly. They were right, you know." She patted her lap. "C'mere, you. Just let me take care of you."

And so it was with that that once more my head found its way into her lap, and she stroked my face.

"I really do like the way you look."

Even more now I'm wearing contacts, I bet.

I gathered up the courage to say something, finally.

"Mutsumi," I began.

"Yes, Kei-kun?"

"Mutsumi, I want you to know… I've always had kind of a thing for you. I mean – not like that, well, yes, kind of like that. You know, we were basically the same person, except I secretly envied you because you seemed so happy-go-lucky and carefree, and you made friends so much easier than I ever did, and what's more you made me feel like a person, Mutsumi.

"But… after tonight, I just don't know if I can make decisions regarding my love life. It's like everyone else is in control of my life!"

I breathed deeply after my short rant.

Mutsumi smiled at me. "Keitaro, you'll always be my Kei-kun. If you want to be my boyfriend, I'm not going to force you into anything. I'd really like it if you did though. I know you're perfect for me. You're my 'type', if you want to generalise people like that."

And so what could I do? I don't know how I said it, personally.

"I just… I really like you, Mutsumi. I just need a little time to think."

And so she gave me time. We sat there (well I lay there) all night, and watched the sun rise over the distant mountains together, all the while her stroking my hair, and re-assuring me that everything was all right.

*

When people started to arrive on the scene, we decided it was probably a good time to leave. No words, nothing verbal like that; just a sort of unspoken consensus between us. We sauntered over the bridge, and when we got to the mainland we took a look back at the peaceful town.

I looked at her, and she at me. We nodded, and she was the one to speak.

"Kei-kun, how would you like a holiday on my island? You've deserved it at least."

I could only continue nodding – it had been some time since anyone was this nice to me, let alone offer me a place to stay (Granny Hina doesn't count of course), and so when Mutsumi took my hand, I gladly linked my fingers in with hers, and we walked into the mist.

The elders of course were there to wish us goodbye in their usual cryptic manner.

"Do not be afraid of new beginnings."

"Be prepared to live your dreams."

The rest of them chanted (and I found myself joining in this last time), "So true, so true…"

*

Little did I know that back at the Hinata Apartments Naru Narusegawa had sat herself in the hot springs and was bawling her eyes out.

Mitsune Konno waltzed in, half-drunk, and took her place next to the other girl.

"Hey, Naru, what's wrong?" She held her close, and stroked her wet hair.

Naru spoke between sobs. "Kitsune-chan, we've known each other for a long time right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"And you'd take my side for anything?" She was pleading.

The reply came softly. "Of course hon, you're like the sister I never had."

"Well… it's about Keitaro. He confessed his love to me-"

Kitsune's eyes brightened considerably. "Really? I'm so happy for you!"

"But I played a prank on him, and pretended to throw it back in his face. And now he hates me."

"Well, shucks Naru, I dare say anyone would for you ripping their heart out like that."

Naru went through the events of the night, from returning the photo to Keitaro to sitting in the sandpit crying herself dry, Kitsune listening intently all the while.

"But you still take my side, though, right? I mean, he's a pervert and a three-time ronin and-"

"And he's also a really nice guy." Kitsune finished. "He's done nothing but be nice to you – be nice to all of us," she added, "and all we've ever done was throw it back in his face. Now can you expect him to stick up for you after what you did? I don't profess to be the should-be recipient of Keitaro's feelings, but don't you think Mutsumi would be a better choice for him? I mean, she has liked him since they met."

Naru's eyes welled up. "You mean… I really have lost him? But – but I don't want to…"

"Well maybe you should think next time before you rip someone's heart out like that. I'm sorry, Naru, but I just can't side with you on this one. If I were Keitaro, I'd be waiting for a pretty sincere apology from you right about now. Speaking of Keitaro," and here Kitsune looked around her, "I haven't seen him all night. You got any idea where he might be?"

Naru was speechless, or at least less talkative than usual. "I would have assumed he'd be back here."

Kitsune shook her head. "Nope, haven't seen him since he left to go find the turtle lady."

Naru froze. "The… turtle lady? As in, Otohime Mutsumi, that turtle lady?"

"One and the same."

"Oh my god, that BITCH! She's stolen my man from me!"

The fox-eyed girl placed her hands on Naru's shoulders, and looked into her eyes sternly.

"Now, now, Naru, you could hardly say he was your man, right? All you ever did was give the impression you hated his guts. He tried to see past that, and I mean, sure, you two may have had some interesting experiences together, but to him, underneath that butch shell of yours, you're nothing. There really is nothing to you, Naru, and I'm saying this as your closest friend. If you really love Keitaro, I'd do some changing, and pretty fast too."

"I just want him to love me for who I am."

"No, Naru. He's tried that, and you know it. Who you are, is not someone that can be loved. You need to change, girl, and fast, before Mutsumi makes her move – which, knowing her, could be pretty soon.

"The first thing you should be doing is going after 'your man' and pleading your case with him. Then at least he'll need some time to think it over. I'm going to back you for this, because I want to see you happy, but don't hurt Keitaro any more. He really doesn't deserve it."

Naru smiled, albeit somewhat sadly, and rose.

"Thankyou, Kitsune-chan. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Nor do I, Naru, nor do I."