Disclaimer: Now do I have to repeat myself every single time?

Notes: Sorry for not updating sooner but I just not have had the time to get anything done. I could claim writer's block as a factor too. Now that I have some free time, I can finally update this fic. With that said, let's get down to business. Nothing new in terms of how this fic will be presented. Just kick back and enjoy the show!

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Nostalgia

A fic by Space Cowboy3

Synopsis: You should know by now...

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Chapter 3: Timeless Love / Shinobu

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Every morning, one could smell the delicious aroma of breakfast coming from the kitchen area of the Hinata Inn. It's one of those breakfasts that makes you think that only a master chef can create...

Well, the closest to being a master chef that lives there anyways.

This is the work of the Inn's resident cook and goddess of shyness, Shinobu Maehara, though the latter description doesn't really suit her that well anymore. As a matter of fact, she harbors very few reservations anymore. That doesn't mean that she wears very skimpy clothes and parades around in front of everyone. She is just much more confident about herself. She can talk to people about herself, her dreams, and her desires without fear of someone making fun of her. Yet; the one thing, or person in this case, that had helped her overcome her shyness still makes her turn to jelly at the very sight of him. To her though, it doesn't matter. He means the world to her and that's all that matters. Let's see what her thoughts are about this situation.

"If it wasn't for you Keitaro, my life would not be as good as it is today. You have been my friend, my savior, and my guardian angel all at once. Before; nobody, save a few people, cared about me and my feelings. I felt alone in this world. Then you showed up in my life. You helped brighten my once miserable world and I can't stop thanking you for that. You made me feel more like a woman than a simple child. With you around; my life is complete, even if we are not together."

"Even though I have progressed a great deal when it comes to admitting my feelings to others, I still can't admit to you that I love you. Maybe the reason is that you mean too much to me and I'm afraid that you don't feel the same way about me. I know it's stupid to think that as I know you care for me, but I still can't help but think like that. With you and Naru being together, it makes it even harder to say how I feel. You are not stupid though. I know that you know how I feel about you. At least you don't pretend to make something more of our relationship when there is nothing there. You still are my friend amd I can live with that. I still wish that I was the one you truly loved like the way it is with you and Naru though. Maybe one day I'll find someone just like you and, as corny as it sounds, live happily ever after."

While Shinobu was reminiscing about her fantasy, she almost failed to notice that everybody else had shown up to the table, waiting for breakfast to be served. Noticing that she was off in fantasy land again, Keitaro decided to walk over and snap her out of her reverie. After the resulting shriek after being brought back to reality, both She and Keitaro serve breakfast for the others. While going to get the drinks for everyone, she had one more though pass by.

"You know that I will always love you for who you are. Whether you love me as a lover or only as a friend doesn't matter as long as we can be together for as long as possible in this house."

With that, she grabs the drinks and heads back out. "Maybe", she thinks, "it's time to tell him how I feel once and for all, but not right now. I'll do it when the time is right."

End Chapter 3

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End notes: Once again, please forgive me for such a late update. Now that has been taken care of, let's get down to business. Hopefully this chapter was well worth the wait. This chapter may have a different feel to it then the previous two. I wanted to make Shinobu more mature and understanding. Remember that I am setting this fic several years after the end of both the anime and manga. I hoped that it came off really well. I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as possible so bear with me. Please leave a review, whether you liked it or not. Thank you for your support of this story.