Kid-Keitaro
Last Time on Kid-Keitaro
"Good, now do you want someone to sleep with you tonight?" before he could answer Su barged into the room, wearing green pyjamas she pulled Keitaro away from his aunt and hugged him
"Keitaro, can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked, rubbing her cheek against his. "Sure, Nee-san you can sleep with me." He hugged her back.
'I think that answers my question' Haruka smiled at them. "OK Su-chan I'll leave you to look after Kei-kun tonight." Kissing Keitaro good night she said "OK you two don't stay up too late, and I'll see you tomorrow." Bidding Su good night she leaves the two alone.
"OK Keitaro lets get to bed!" pulling him under the covers of his laid out futon, she hugged him tightly and nuzzled the top of his head. "mmmm you smell so nice Keitaro, and your so soft and cuddly." She mumbled sleepily.
Keitaro smiled happily as he rested his tired head on Su's small chest. "Good night Nee-san."
"Night, night Keitaro, love you." She lowered her head and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Love you too Nee-san." He mumbled as he fell into a happy slumber. Smiling at the young boy sleeping in her arms, she nuzzles his head again, and gives him a tight squeeze. "Squishy…" Su giggled as she fell asleep smiling.
Chapter 4 - Photo Stickers & Rent Collection
Sitting by a large bay window, a small dark haired girl stood watching the path leading up to entrance. With the exception of meal times, occasional bathroom breaks and bedtime she rarely left her post.
"Hey, do you want to play with us?" the voice of a young boy asked behind her.
"No thank you." Was her quiet response. The young boy frowned at her.
"You know he's not gonna come, don't you? He's got a family now so why would he come back?" the young girl slowly turned round and glared at him. "W-whatever, do what you want." The young boy said nervously as he ran off. She turned back to the window. 'He will come. He promised.' She thought unwaveringly. Her stare flickered back and forth around the front garden, her gaze travelling from one side of the fence to another. Her eyes grew wide and she smiled widely as she saw two familiar figures walking past the fence. Running to the small office that belonged to her carer and cried happily "He's here! He's here! He's here!"
Her carer tilted her head to the side in confusion. In the short time she had known her she had never seen this girl so excited. The normally quiet and reserved girl was now literally jumping with joy pointing towards the front door. She was so surprised that it took her a moment to realise what she was talking about. When she did she smiled at the still jumping girl and said "Well let's go greet him then." Walking towards the door with the young girl still bouncing around her, she had barely unlocked it when the girl burst through the door cheering "ONII-CHAN!" Running to the small visitor she wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his chest.
"Hey Kana-chan." Keitaro said as he hugged her back.
"ONII-CHAN!" several voices cried. Looking up Keitaro sees a group of children rush towards him. "AHHH!" he yelled as he found himself at the bottom of a laughing dog pile. Haruka smiled at the giggling pile of children. Reaching into the heap, she pulled her nephew out and was not completely surprised to see Kanako still holding on and nuzzling his chest with her face.
"Hey Haruka-san, Keitaro-kun." The carer smiled at the two visitors.
"Hey, Masane-san." Haruka smiled as she gently placed the two children back on the ground. "How's everything?"
"Fine, until you two got here. Look at what you caused." She grinned at the chattering children that had surrounded Keitaro. "So what are you two doing here? You're not here to give him back are you?" Masane smiled as she walked over to her friend.
"Of course not." She said shooting her a warning look. "We're here to take Kanako-chan out, if that's alright?"
"AWWWW" the other children groaned.
"I'll play with you all when we get back OK." Keitaro reasoned with them.
The children grumbled but accepted his proposal "That's fine by me. You just have to sign her out and you can go."Masane replied. "OK Kanako-chan you go get ready while me and Haruka-san do the paperwork."
After extracting a promise from Keitaro to come back and play with them, the children of the orphanage waved them off. Holding hands with Keitaro, Haruka smiled down at the two children. Kanako had her arms wrapped around Keitaro's, her head happily resting on his shoulder. "Where are we going Aunty?" Keitaro asked her.
"I thought we could go to a park and then to a restaurant for lunch. Does that sound good to you two?" she smiled down at them.
"Sure Aunty, that sounds like fun right Kana-chan?" he asked her.
"Yes Onii-chan." She nodded her head, rubbing her cheek against his arm happily.
After a short walk they arrived at the park. The summer sun was shining brightly, the warm weather amplifying their good mood. Walking through the park they soon find them selves in an empty playground. Sending them off to play Haruka took a seat on a near by bench where she could keep an eye on them. Heading for the sand box Keitaro said "Lets make a sand castle Kana-chan." Soon the pair had created a small dome when Kanako asked "Onii-chan, what's it like where you live?"
Smiling Keitaro said "Well Hinata Sou is at the top of this really big hill, up a long flight of stairs. Hinata Sou is a really old and big building that used to be an inn but now it's a girl's dorm. It's got this huge forest out back and it's even got its own hotsprings." He described it to her. "And my Granny gave it to me so I own it all!"
"You own it?" she asked in a mixture of shock and awe.
"Uhuh, Granny left me and Aunty Haru in charge, but when I'm older I'll be in charge all by my self." He smiled happily. "I know! When you come and live with us you can help me run it!"
"R-really? You want to run it with me?" Kanako said, eyes wide face blushing.
"Of course. You can help me run it, and we could live there with each other forever!" Shuffling over to her he held out his little finger and took hers in his hand. "See, it's a promise now." He smiled at her. Kanako stared at their linked pinkies before giving him a happy smile and lunging at him, wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling into his neck. "I'd like that Onii-chan." She whispered. Keitaro giggled as her hair tickled his neck. A shadow appeared over them. Looking up they see Haruka smiling down at them. "You two look like you're having fun."
"Uhuh Kana-chan's gonna run Hinata Sou with me." Keitaro said happily as he rubbed the top of her head with his cheek. Haruka grinned at the blushing girl. "Really? That's great." Gently patting their heads. "What do you two say to go getting something to eat?"
"OK Aunty." Keitaro smiled, while Kanako nodded shyly. Holding hands the trio left the park and headed over to a small restaurant close to the park. Haruka smiled as Keitaro chatted happily to Kanako who hung on his every word with a small smile on her face. Sitting down at a table the three ordered their meal. Haruka sat silently as she watched the two happy children. She had a large smile as Kanako bashfully cleaned the ice-cream off of Keitaro's face.
Finishing their lunch Haruka told them that they would have to head back to the orphanage. Pouting slightly they reluctantly nodded their heads. Arms happily wrapped around Keitaro's, Kanako rested her head on his shoulder again when she noticed a booth on the side of the road. "Onii-chan, what's that." She pointed.
"um I'm not sure Kana-chan, Aunty what's that?" he asked Haruka.
"It looks like a Purikura Photo Machine. You sit inside it and it takes a photo you. It then gives you some stickers with the photo on them." Haruka explained. Keitaros eyes lit up.
"Can we get our photo taken Aunty?"
Smiling at him she said "Of course, Kei-kun." Leading the pair over to the booth she sits them down inside and said "OK you just need to select the style you want then press this button when your ready." Withdrawing from the booth Haruka waited patiently for them to be done. After a flash the two stepped out of the booth, with Keitaro waving a sheet happily.
"Look Aunty!" he smiled as he held out the stickers. Kneeling down Haruka took the photos and smiled at what she saw. On the sheet was Keitaro with his arms around Kanako, his cheek pressed up against hers with a large smile. Kanako sat next to him, blushing with a shy smile. "You two look so cute!" Haruka grinned at them. Handing them back to Keitaro, he carefully tore the sheet of stickers in half handing one sheet to Kanako. "Here Kana-chan you can have these." Kanako looked down at the images. With a smile she held the photos to her chest. "Thank you Onii-chan." She said quietly as she lent up and gave him a shy peck on the cheek. Smiling he hugged her and nuzzled the top of her head.
Arriving back at the orphanage, Keitaro was dragged away by the other children while Haruka talked to her friend. "So how's Keitaro-kun been?" Masane asked.
"Fine for the most part. Had a bit of a rough introduction with some of the girls but things have more or less calmed down now." Haruka replied. Masane was silent for a moment before asking "How's he sleeping?"
Haruka turned and stared at her before saying "As far as I know he's fine. The first night one of the girls heard him having a nightmare, but since then he's been sleeping someone and there's been no nightmares since. Why? Are the other children having problems?"
Masane nodded and said "Yeah most of them are having nightmares."
"And Kanako-chan?"Haruka asked.
"She's one of the worst." Masane said sadly "They started after Keitaro-kun left. The first night she woke up screaming. After that I had one of the girls sleep with her, but that barely helps. She still has nightmares but they're not as bad."
"I see…" Haruka said thoughtfully.
"Oh yeah before I forget you should know that social services should be sending an inspector around to your place sometime in the next week to make sure that Keitaro-kun is being looked after."
Haruka frowned "Make sure he's being looked after? They think that we would mistreat him any worse than the woman they left him and the other kids with."
"Haruka-san calm down. It's not that they think you'll mistreat him it's just that social services can't allow these kids to go unsupervised. After what happened they're trying to cover their arse. If they let any of these kids go into an abusive home after what they went through and it got out to the press it would completely ruin them. Hell I've only worked here little more than a month and we've had four inspections." Masane reasoned with her. Haruka just grunted in response.
"Thanks for getting me this job by the way." Masane said changing the subject.
"Don't worry about it." Haruka dismissed "We needed someone we could trust looking after the kids and the only care worker I know who also happened to be an old friend from university is you."
"Yeah but we haven't talked in four years, not since Catherine… sorry I shouldn't have brought that up." Masane said sadly.
"Forget about it." Haruka said, staring out the window at Keitaro as he was surrounded by the children, listening and smiling at them all as they told him stories about what's happened in the short time that he was gone.
"Have you talked to Seta-kun at all?"
"Apart from the occasional call to see how Sarah's doing, no." Haruka said with no emotion in her voice.
"He still loves you, you know?" Masane put in.
Turing to her friend she asked "You talked to him recently?"
"A couple of times, probably no more than you."
Haruka just humphed while Masane gave her a sly grin.
"Well I think that me and Kei-kun should be heading home now."
"If you're sure. If you ever want to talk you know where I'll be and I'm sure the kids would like another visit from Keitaro-kun." Masane said to Haruka.
"I'm sure Kei-kun will drag me back here at some point." She replied with a small smile. "Thanks for the heads up about the inspector, if you hear anything else give me a call." Calling out to Keitaro that it was time to leave, they young boy was once again at the bottom of a dog pile and was only released when he promised to come back to visit. Saying good bye to everyone he headed back into the building with Kanako following close behind.
"You ready to go Kei-kun?" Haruka smiled at him.
Nodding Keitaro turned to Masane and asked "When can Kana-chan come live with us?"
Keeling down, Masane reached out and rubbed the tops of their heads "Hopefully it won't be too much longer. Someone's going to visit you soon and if they are happy with everything at your place, it will only be as long as the amount of time it takes to fill out some paperwork and she will be all yours."
"OK." He said happily. Giving Kanako another hug and kiss on her forehead, he waved goodbye to everyone as he walked off hand in hand with Haruka.
As Kanako and the other children went back in a young boy said smugly "I knew he'd be back." But he ran away when he saw Kanako glaring at him.
Bottom of Stone Stairway
"So did you enjoy yourself today, Kei-kun?" Haruka asked.
Keitaro nodded and gestured for her to kneel down. When she did he wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for taking me to see Kana-chan."
Smiling she rubbed the top of his head with her cheek. "It's OK Kei-kun, we can go back there when ever you want." Giving his forehead a kiss she told him "OK you go on up to the dorm. I have to go check on the tea shop, so I'll see you later."
Walking up the stairs and through the doors and found Kitsune laying on the sofa watching TV. "Hey Nee-san!" he cheered.
"Hey Kei-kun, how you doing?" picking him up and laying him on top of her she rubbed the top of his head. "Did you have fun with your Aunt today?" he nodded, resting his head on her chest. "That's good." She smiled as she stroked his back.
"What have you done today Nee-san?"
"Oh nothing much Kei-kun, just watching TV and waiting for my favourite little guy to come home." She nuzzled and kissed the top of his head, causing him to giggle.
"What about everyone else?" he asked.
"mmmm well I think Shinobu-chan is in the kitchen, Su-chan is messing around with her inventions, Motoko-chan is in her room and Naru-chan's studying, so you get to spend time with your favourite Nee-san Ok?" she smiled.
"Ok I'll go play with Su nee-san then." He giggled.
"Hey!" Kitsune cried and started tickling him mercilessly.
"AHH! No! Stop it! Stop it!" he laughed as she ignored his pleas.
"Not until you tell me who your favourite Nee-san is!" she laughed.
"You are! You are!" he gasped between giggles.
"Good, and don't you forget it!" she smiled, stopping her tickling and kissed him on the nose.
Keitaro grinned, returned her kiss in kind and nuzzled into her neck.
"You two enjoying yourselves?" a voice cuts in.
Looking up they see a smiling Haruka leaning over the sofa.
"Hey Aunty, everything OK at the tea shop?" he asks.
"Yeah the waitresses have everything in hand. Now it's time for you to do your first duty as landlord OK?"
Jumping off of Kitsune he saluted smartly.
'He's been spending way too much time with Su-chan.' The two women thought simultaneously.
"OK Kei-kun what you have to do is go around and collect rent from the girls. Shinobu-chan's parents pay us directly so you don't have to ask her." She smiled down at him.
"OK Aunty!" he saluted again. Turning to Kitsune he smiled at her. "Kitsune nee-san may I have your rent please."
"mmmm I don't suppose you could give an extension to your favourite Nee-san?" she asked grinning.
Looking towards his aunt and seeing her shake her head he says "Sorry Nee-san."
"Alright then, but only because you're so cute." She smiles, reaching into her pocket and pulling out her wallet. Receiving the money, Keitaro bows politely and thanks her.
"Have you paid him his winnings from the horse races?" Haruka asked eyeing the very full wallet.
"Er I haven't collected my winnings yet." Trying to discreetly hide the money.
"Just as long as he gets what you owe him." Haruka said unconvinced. "OK Kei-kun you go and see the other girls." Haruka and Kitsune smiled as he ran off.
"So where did you take Kei-kun?" Kitsune asked
"Kei-kun wanted to visit some of his friends at the orphanage so we went to see them. What about you? Have you done anything productive today?"
Stretching out she grinned "Not as such, no."
"Aren't you meant to be a writer?"
"When it suits me." She laughed "I may be able to give it up if Kei-kun keeps on picking winners!"
Haruka just rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Arriving at Su's door, Keitaro knocked several times trying to get her attention. "Su nee-san! Are you in there?" a shadow appeared behind him and as he turned he was grabbed around the waist and dragged into the room. "AAAAHHHHH!" Keitaro cried as he was brought to a clearing.
"Hiya, Kei-kun! Did you come to play with me?" A voice asked. Looking up he sees Su grinning brightly at him.
Shaking his head no he said "Uh-huh, Aunty Haru sent me to get the rent from everyone."
"Oh.." Su pouted before bursting into a smile. Reaching into her skirt pocket Su pulled out several notes with a three eyed elephant printed on them. "This should do it!" examining the notes he looks up at Su confused.
"Um Su nee-san what are these?"
"Money of course! Now that you have the rent you can play with me!" the young girl cheered as she hugged him from behind, rubbing her cheek against his the top head.
'Maybe Aunty knows what to do with these.' He thought. "Sorry Nee-san, but I have to get the rent from the others."
"OOOOH OK Kei-kun, we can play later." She pouted, giving him one last cheek rub. "Off you go Kei-kun."
"Um, Nee-san, how do I get out of here?" he asked looking around.
"UM…" Su said also looking around with a finger in her mouth.
In her room we find Motoko sitting cross legged, meditating. Her concentration was broken from a sudden noise.
-Knock- -Knock-
Opening her eyes, she calls out "Come in."
-Knock- -Knock-
"I said come in." she said louder.
-Knock- -Knock-
Sighing, she stands up and opens her door to find no one there.
-Knock- -Knock-
Turing around she notices the knocking is coming from her closet. Frowning she approached the closet cautiously, sliding it open Keitaro and Su fall out on to the floor, covered in clothes. Standing up Su stretched and said "I told you Kei-kun that that tunnel led to Motoko's room!" Keitaro wasn't listening however as he was still on the floor, eyes swirling. Picking him up, she gave him a squeeze and a nuzzle before running out the door.
Motoko just stared bemusedly. Kneeling next to Keitaro she gently lifted up his head and placed it on her lap. Gently stroking his hair, keeping away from his forehead, she cooed "Kei-kun, are you alight?"
Blinking the swirls away, Keitaro looks up to see Motoko's soft smile. "Motoko nee-san?" she nodded, still stroking his hair. Sitting up he smile at her "Hello Nee-san!"
"Hello to you too, Kei-kun." She laughed.
Looking around the room he sees the knocked over box of kimonos. Picking one up, he examines it. "Are these yours nee-san?" he asked looking up at her.
"Yes my sister gave them to me." She explained.
"Wow you must look so beautiful in them!" he smiled up at her as she blushed.
"I-I wouldn't know, I only received them yesterday so I have yet to try them on." She told him patting his head in thanks. "Now why are you and Su crawling around in my closet?"
"Oh yeah, Nee-san may I please have this months rent?" he asked sweetly.
"Of course, Kei-kun." She smiled. Opening the draw of her desk she pulls out an envelope and hands it to Keitaro.
"Thank you Nee-san." He smiled, bowing to her.
"That's OK Kei-kun, who else do you need to get rent from?"
"Um, just Naru-san." He mumbled.
'He's still afraid of her.' She thought sadly. "Would you mind if I accompanied you, there is something I wish to ask Naru-sempai?"
"Of course you can Nee-san!" he smiled brightly at her. Smiling, she takes his hand and leads him to Naru's room. Knocking on her door Motoko called out "Naru-sempai may I speak to you for a moment."
"Sure Motoko-chan, come on in." a voice came from the other side of the door. Sliding it open they see Naru sitting at her desk, pouring over a textbook. "What do you two want?" Pushing Keitaro forward gently Motoko smiled down at him.
"Um Naru-san, Aunty Haru sent me to get the rent" he said, hiding behind Motoko's leg.
"Oh, here." Naru said as she went to her desk and tossed the envelope at Keitaro.
"Thank you, Naru-san." Turning to Motoko he smiled at her and said "See ya Nee-san." As her ran out the door Motoko couldn't help but notice the different honorific 'Naru-sempai is the only one he does not call 'Nee-san'. Has she not noticed this?'
"Motoko-chan…?"
'Although I did not notice it either until he started calling me that.' she thought.
"Motoko-chan…?"
Motoko blinked "Pardon?"
"Are you alright Motoko-chan? You kind of phased out there for a minute." Naru asked.
"Yes I am fine, Naru-sempai. Thank you for you concern. Um may I ask you something Naru-sempai?"
"Of course Motoko-chan, what do you need?" she asked, taking off her glasses to get a better look at her.
"Does it not bother you? About – no never mind, it does not matter. I am sorry for bothering you, Naru-sempai." Bowing Motoko quickly left her room, leaving a bemused Naru staring at her door.
Down stairs Keitaro found his aunt watching TV. "Hey Kei-kun, you got the money?" she smile at him.
"Uhuh, look!" he said holding out the envelopes "But um, Su nee-san gave me these and I'm not sure what they are." He said showing her the money from Su's homeland.
"Don't worry about them Kei-kun, I'll get it changed into yen. OK Kei-kun great work." She smiled and rubbed her nose against his.
"Where did Kitsune nee-san go?" he asked giggling.
"Oh I think she went off to the hotsprings. Right I'll take this down to the tea shop. You gonna be alright by yourself?" she asked, patting the top of his head.
"Of course, Aunty." He smiled at her.
"Great!" She kissed his forehead "I see you later OK Kei-kun." Finding himself alone he pulled out the sheet of photo stickers and smiled.
"SUUU!" a voice cried out. Looking over the back of the sofa he sees Su running out of the kitchen, arms and mouth full of food with Shinobu running after her, wielding a ladle in a vaguely threatening manner.
"What's wrong Nee-san?" he asked peering over the back of the sofa.
"Su-chan stole my ingredients again!" she replied, her cheeks puffed out. "And I'm in the middle of making dinner so I can't go out and get some more."
"I can go and get some if you want." He offered.
"I don't know…" she said hesitantly. Weighing up her options she sighed "OK but you go find someone to take you, while I write you a list."
"OK Nee-san!" he smiled happily. They then parted ways, Shinobu to write a list and prepare some money while Keitaro went to find an escort. Walking to the stairs he runs into Motoko. "Keitaro-kun, what was all the shouting about?"
"Oh Su nee-san ate Shinobu nee-san's ingredients again, so Shinobu nee-san is sending me to the shop. Can you come with me?" he asked.
"Of course Kei-kun, do you know what we need to get?" she smiled at him.
"Shinobu nee-san is writing a list for us." He smiled, taking Motoko's hand he led her to the kitchen where Shinobu was finishing the shopping list. "Hey Nee-san, Motoko nee-san said she will take he to the shop."
Shinobu smiled at him "OK Keitaro-kun here's the list and this should be more than enough money." She said placing the money and list on the table. "Now you stay close to Motoko-sempai, and do what ever she tells you, OK?" She pets his head gently as he nods.
"Yes Nee-san."
"Good, please be as quick as you can."
"We will be back as soon as possible, Shinobu-chan." Motoko promised. Taking the money and the list Motoko placed them in her pocket. Taking a hold of Keitaro's hand she led him out the door and down the stairs.
"Is that everything Nee-san?" Keitaro asked.
"Yes I believe so Kei-kun." Motoko smiled down at him. In her hand she held two bags of shopping while Keitaro held a smaller one. "Lets get these back to Shinobu-chan."
Holding hands, the pair made their way back to the tram station. Spying a familiar looking booth Keitaro grinned and pointed. "Look Nee-san a photo booth! Can we get our picture taken?"
Looking at what he was he was pointing at she smiled down at him "If you want to Kei-kun." Entering the booth they placed the bags on the floor. Motoko inserted the coins into the machine and she let him choose the style. Climbing up onto her lap he faced forward and smiled. Motoko wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her chin on top of his head.
-FLASH-
A sheet was soon printed showing multiple images of a smiling Motoko and Keitaro. Taking the stickers Keitaro carefully tore the sheet in two and handed one to Motoko. "Here Nee-san you can have these." He smiled.
"Thank you Kei-kun." She replied giving him a hug of appreciation. "Now I think we had best hurry home. Shinobu-chan is waiting for her ingredients."
"OK Nee-san." He said happily. Picking up the bags, and holding hands again, they continued on their way to the tram station.
Standing in the luckily not so crowded tram Keitaro was happily humming to himself while holding Motoko's hand. Looking down she couldn't help but smile. Gently rubbing his hand with her thumb caused him to look at her and he gave her a large grin, hair covered eyes shining brightly. 'I can not stop thinking about his scar.' Motoko thought as she stared at him, still smiling. 'Maybe now that we are alone I could ask him what happened.'
"Motoko-sempai?" a voice interrupted her thought process. Looking up they saw three girls around Motoko's age but nowhere near as tall were staring at them in amazement.
"Oh, it's you three." She said indifferently.
"What is that?" the leader of the trio, Kikuko asked pointing at Keitaro.
"Sempai is he yours?" asked Emi the short haired one asked.
"OH MY GOD SEMPAI HAD A BABY!" Sachiyo cried as she examined Keitaro.
"Of course not, he is half my age; I would have had to given birth to him when I was 7." She frowned, but was completely ignored by the three girls whose attention was solely on Keitaro who was giving them a confused smile.
"Hiya I'm Keitaro." He bowed politely to them. "Are you Motoko nee-san's friends?"
"Motoko-sempai how come you never told us you had a little brother! Especially one as cute as Keitaro-kun here!" Emi said as she knelt down next to Keitaro.
"That's because he is not my brother." She said but was once again ignored.
"Have you been helping your Nee-san with the shopping, Kei-kun?" Sachiyo asked bending at waist, smiling at the young boy.
"Uhuh, and look what me and Nee-san got." He said showing them the photo stickers of him and Motoko.
"AWWWWW, you look so cute together!" Emi cried.
"Kei-kun's so adorable! I want a picture with Kei-kun!" Sachiyo smiled as she rubbed his head playfully.
"I want a picture with Motoko-sempai." Kikuko said mostly to herself. Motoko just resigned herself to being ignored and was just thankful that their stop was approaching. Looking back at the others she sees both Emi and Sachiyo kneeling next to Keitaro all three smiling and laughing while Kikuko stood off to the side. Motoko's eyes went wide as she saw Emi reaching up to brush away his fringe. Acting quickly she grabbed Keitaro's arm and dragged him of the tram saying "Come on Kei-kun, Shinobu-chan is waiting!"
"BYE KEI-KUN!" Sachiyo called after them waving. "Kei-kun's soooo cute!" she said to her friends.
"He's so sweet helping his sister with the shopping. I wish my brother was like him." Emi replied.
"I wish I had brother like Keitaro!" Sachiyo agreed.
"I wish I had a big sister like Motoko-sempai." Kikuko muttered while the other two continued to talk about Keitaro's charms.
"Is everything alright, Nee-san?" Keitaro asked looking up at her.
"Yes, Kei-kun, I'm fine. Come on Shinobu-chan needs this food." Picking him up easily, she swung him onto her back and picked up the three shopping bags. Laughing, Keitaro wrapped his arms around her neck and rubbed his cheek against hers which caused her to smile back at him. Making quick time back to Hinata Sou Motoko bounded up the stairs and through doors heading straight for the kitchen.
"Shinobu nee-san! We're back!" he called out from his perch. Looking up from her cooking Shinobu smiled up at the pair. "Did you get everything?"
"Yep!" he smiled happily. "Do you want me to help?"
"Yes please Kei-kun." She replied taking the shopping from Motoko. Giving her a kiss on the cheek, Keitaro jumped off Motoko's back as she blushed and started to do what Shinobu asked him to do.
"Is there anything I can do Shinobu-chan?" Motoko asked, feeling at a bit of a loss as the pair effortlessly manoeuvred around.
"Yes, can you keep Su-chan busy? She's tried to steal more food three times since you left." Shinobu grumbled.
"Of course Shinobu-chan." She smiled at them as they moved with finesse and ease.
Sitting around table, everyone watched as Shinobu and Keitaro brought in the meal they had prepared together. When the food was dished out Keitaro went to sit down when Motoko picked him up and placed him on her lap. Everyone stared at her in surprise (Except Naru who looked betrayed and Su who frowned with jealousy). Motoko ignored all the puzzled looks and offered Keitaro a chopstick full of food, who happily accepted it and returned the favour. Smiling happily at each other, they continued to feed themselves, with Motoko deflecting numerous attempts from Su to seize Keitaro away from her while Keitaro remained oblivious, happily chatting with everyone around the table. Finishing the meal Keitaro hugged Motoko and nuzzled into her chest before leaning up and giving her another kiss on the cheek before helping Shinobu to wash up while Haruka went to watch TV with Kitsune and Su and Motoko retired to her room.
"Motoko-chan may I speak with you for a moment?" Naru asked from behind her. Turning Motoko looked at her
"Of course Naru-sempai is there something I can help you with?"
"Well I was just wondering why you were acting that way with that brat. I mean I thought that you didn't want him here as much as I don't."
Motoko sighed. "Perhaps when he first arrived here I felt the same way but not anymore. I have spent some time with him and have found him to be a sweet and innocent young boy who has none nothing to warrant our anger."
"What are you taking about? He peeked on us when we were changing!"
"That was not his fault Naru-sempai. If you remember he did knock before he entered. And you gave him permission to enter so if you think about it is your fault that he walked in on us."
"Wha-?" Naru said confused.
"Do not misunderstand me Naru-sempai, I am not blaming you I am merely trying to make you see that it was an accident. Keitaro-kun had no idea that he was walking into the changing room, or that we were undressed."
"But but.." Naru struggled to come up with a retort.
"Naru-sempai I hope you can put this bitterness with Keitaro-kun behind you. The fact of the matter is that Keitaro-kun is going to stay here. In all likelihood he will live here longer than any of us. I see no point in holding onto a needless grudge and I hope you can see my point. Good night Naru-sempai." She said as walked away, leaving a shocked Naru in her wake.
Sliding the door to her room closed Motoko sighed. 'I hope Naru-sempai can see what I am talking about. If she does not I fear that she may do something she will regret.' Sighing she set out her futon and began to get changed into her night clothes. Removing her hakamaa small slip of paper fell out of them. Keeling down she picks it up and smiles as she sees the images of herself and Keitaro smiling up at her. Looking around her room, she sighs at the lack of personalization. 'I have no photos at all on display. Not even of my parents or of my sister.' She thought sadly. 'I do not even know if I have any here with me or if I left them all in Kyoto.' Looking down at the sheet of photos, she makes up her mind. Opening up her closet she rummages through it. "I know I have one somewhere…Ah." Closing the door she holds a small picture frame in her hand. Opening the back she slips the stickers into the frame and put the back in place. Putting the photo onto her dresser she smiled. 'Perhaps I should ask sister to send me some photos.' She mused. Smiling again at the photo she continues to change for bed.
Haruka smiled at Keitaro as he gets ready for bed. "So you and Motoko-chan are getting along now huh?" she asked him.
Slipping his pyjama top over his head, he grins "Uhuh, and look what we did together." He showed her the photos of him and Motoko. Wrapping her arms around his waist she hugged him from behind. "Two sheets in one day? You're building quite a collection aren't you Kei-kun?" she nuzzled the back of his head as he giggled. Turning around he hugs Haruka around her neck and rests his head on her collar bone.
"Next time we're out can we take a picture together?" he asked her.
"Of course we can Kei-kun. I'd love to have a photo with you." she murmured into his ear as she stroked his hair. Tucking him into his futon she asked. "So who's sleeping with you tonight?" as he shrugged the door to his room slid open and Su came barrelling in dragging Shinobu with her.
"Hiya Kei-kun! Me and Shinobu are going to sleep with you tonight!" she grinned but the sentiment was not shared by Shinobu.
"Su-chan can you please stop dragging me away like that!" she glared at the tanned princess but combined with the pink nightdress with bunny design it just made her look incredibly cute.
"I think you'll be in good hands tonight, Kei-kun."Haruka smiled. Kissing him on the cheek she bid all three good night.
"Come on Shinobu-chan" Su patted the futon next to Keitaro. "We can all sleep together tonight."
"Only if you stop eating my ingredients." Shinobu bargained.
Su pouted." OWWWW but Shinobus cooking tastes so good."
"But you eat the ingredients before I can make anything with them!" Shinobu pointed out.
"That's how good you are! You don't even need to cook it for it to taste good!" She replied hugging Shinobu from behind rubbing her cheek against hers.
"Fine!" she replied as she blushed. "I'll sleep here tonight. If that's alright with you Kei-kun?"
"Of course you can Nee-san!" he smiled happily at her.
Grinning widely Su slipped under the covers and wrapped her arms around the young landlord. Shinobu walked over and climbed under the covers next to Keitaro.
"Not like that Shinobu-chan like this!" Su said as she pulled the cook closer to Keitaro and forced her arms around him. "See you have to get close in order to snuggle with Kei-kun!"
Looking up at Su, Keitaro he leaned up and gave her a peck on the lips "Love you Nee-san." He smiled.
"Love you too Kei-kun" she kissed him back. Turning around he wrapped his arms around Shinobu and hugged her close. "Love you Shinobu nee-san." Leaning up he kissed her on the lips and snuggled into her chest. Shinobu blushed a deep red. 'My first kiss…' she thought. Looking down at the happy boy sleeping on her chest she smiled. 'I suppose it could have been worse.' Nuzzling the top of his head Shinobu whispered "I love you too, Kei-kun." As she fell asleep.
Above them the thin board covering the hole slid back into place as Naru hugged her Liddo-kun doll deep in thought.
OK another chapter out and i hope you liked it. i know time seams very flexable in this chapter such as when Kei and kana just made a sand castle and then had to leave for lunch, kei had just got back and shinobu was making dinner, motoko going stright to bed after dinner and probably in other places as well and the reason for this is that i was having trouble making one thing follow onto another.
anyway please review and tell me what you think.
