Chapter 5

Deadeye Dick's New Age Girl

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"Gomen nasai, Urashima-myouto." the intermediate class of the Shinmei Ryuu sword style led by one Yuri Hanamaru, grudgingly apologized, bowing to the couple in front of them. Of course, the apology was directed mostly towards Motoko. Hell, all of it was directed at Motoko and they didn't give a damn about the so-called husband sitting beside her, but honor demanded that the young swordswomen beg the forgiveness of a superior that they have wronged.

"I-it's alright, really." Keitaro laughed, scratching the back of his head. He really wasn't the type of person to hold a grudge, and he didn't want to get a swelled head from all this attention.

"Besides, it was an accident. I didn't knock, so I should be apologizing to you guys." Keitaro laughed weakly. Hey, old habits die hard, no matter what the mental state.

The girls ignored what Keitaro was saying. After all, they already pegged this whole humiliating ordeal as his fault. Plus, Motoko-senpai still looked upset with them even after Tsuruko-shishou made them bow to the couple.

"Motoko-han?" Tsuruko said, still finding humor in the situation. Two months ago, Motoko would be donning an executioner's outfit and sharpening Shishi-oh's blade if she ever caught Keitaro in the Shinmei Ryuu onsen. Now she was holding a childish grudge and pouting because those "stick-waving hoodlums" as Motoko so eloquently put, had messed with her husband.

"Very well. You seem to have learned your lesson. Now, off with you, for I may lose patience if I see you staring at my husband in such a hostile manner for more than a moment longer." Motoko slowly drew out, dismissing the class with an aura of resentment.

The girls sadly mumbled a chorus of 'Hai, Motoko-senpai.' and went off to continue their training exercises. All of them were thinking along the same lines though. The male shall pay. He had bewitched Motoko-senpai. This is all that cursed Urashima's fault.

"Motoko-han, I must say, that was certainly out of character of you." Tsuruko mused, her hand on her chin.

"I truly regret my actions if they seem out of line, Tsuruko-san, but those hooligans had no right in wantonly attacking my husband. Such attacks are deplorable, totally uncalled for and lacking in honor." Motoko fumed, her eyebrow twitching.

"Of course, of course." Tsuruko smiled. This new Motoko was so much more... spirited than the one she grew up with and had a hand in raising. How would Motoko feel if she told her that she herself had taught these girls their disdain for the opposite sex? "One thing, Motoko-han." Tsuruko said, before she forgot.

"Yes, Tsuruko-san?" Motoko replied, calming down a bit so that only a small jet of steam escaped her ears.

"Please, address me as Aneue. Tsuruko-san sounds so... distant." the sword master confessed, the common honorific sounding so clinical to her.

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To say that the Aoyama matriarch was intimidating was an understatement. As Motoko and Keitaro followed Tsuruko from the training halls into the living quarters, they couldn't help but be impressed at the achievements of the miko family. Suits of armors, countless weapons, trophies, curious and battle prizes adorned the walls as the approached the hearth of the Aoyama home. They had not even seen the woman and they already felt that one false move might be their last.

"Oh, you two need not be afraid. After all, she is just Okaasan." Tsuruko chided, not really seeing what the fuss about meeting their mom and mother-in-law was about. Of course, she wasn't the one under the microscope, so she didn't really feel the pressure that the couple seemed to be facing.

Finally reaching the last shouji sliding door, Motoko and Keitaro couldn't help but feel the tremendous energy emanating from behind the thin rice paper. Both of them swallowed unconsciously, while gripping each other's hand for support.

"Anata..." Motoko whispered, looking towards Keitaro.

"Remember that we'll face this together." Keitaro whispered in reply, his countenance of utter determination and calm. Well, at least his face was, because he was shaking from his shoulders down in fright.

"It is time." Tsuruko announced, sliding the shouji open. The couple braced themselves as a warm light flooded out of the entrance.

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"Motoko dear." a kind voice greeted the small group as they entered the threshold of the Aoyama home.

"O-okaasan?" Motoko questioned carefully, noticing a warm feeling was spreading throughout her heart as she saw the woman in front of her.

When one bases Nodoka Aoyama towards her family's reputation, they would find themselves pleasantly surprised. Instead of a cold, icy maiden of the sword, the matriarch of the Aoyama clan was the epitome of the traditional Japanese wife, down to her graceful beauty, floral print kimono, and manner of self-carriage.

"Oh, my sweet Motoko-chan." Nodoka said, bringing her amnesia stricken daughter into a loving hug. Motoko could not believe the sensations coursing through her mind. This was so very familiar. This woman before her, she knew that she was someone who cared for her deeply, and despite not having any memories of this person, Motoko knew that her emotions toward her mother had not diminished in the slightest.

"When I heard about the accident, I was beside myself. I had to drag your sister out of bed to take you back home." Nodoka sniffed, still embracing her daughter tightly.

"I-I am fine, okaasan." Motoko stuttered, caught of guard by the way her mother was so open towards her. After all, Tsuruko was very compassionate and more than fond for a sister, but Nodoka just seemed to care about her so much.

"Oh, and they told me about your condition. Well, not to worry, Motoko-chan. I am sure a few days home will help greatly." Nodoka said, placing Motoko on a pillow in the sitting room. "Now you stay here while I prepare the tea." the Aoyama matriarch said, standing up and bustling to the kitchen.

Keitaro stood back and smiled. He was happy for Motoko, having such a doting mother to help her remember her past. The kanrinrin quietly observed the small family reunion, not wanting to intrude.

That was, until Nodoka noticed him leaning against the wall. "And you must be my little girl's darling husband. How nice to finally meet your acquaintance, Urashima-san, or maybe I should call you youshi (son-in-law) now?" Nodoka said, with a twinkle in her eye.

"Oh, Keitaro is just fine, shuutome." Keitaro laughed shakily, nervous at how Motoko's mother seemed to be staring at him with appraising eyes.

"And so polite, too..." Nodoka added, linking her arm with Keitaro. "Just call me Nodoka, Keitaro. Now, tell me, how did you meet such a nice man, Motoko-chan." Nodoka said as she sat Keitaro down beside Motoko and took a seat herself at the head of the table.

"Mother, I do not think that would be an appropriate question right now." Tsuruko chastised her mother as she poured the tea.

"How inconsiderate of me. I do apologize, Motoko-chan. It seems I have been too caught up in the prospect of grandchildren that I have forgotten of your condition." Nodoka said meekly.

"Please, do not worry yourself, okaasan. I am fine, really." Motoko tried to comfort her mother, who seemed to be a little depressed about her previous statement.

"Well, forgive this old woman for her childishness, Motoko. I just worry for the future of our school, and the future of my own family. I tend to get carried away." Nodoka explained, taking the air of a concerned mother than of the earlier doting one.

"Yes, you do tend to get carried away, mother." Tsuruko giggled, placing the teapot to the side as she finished pouring for everyone.

"Oh, you tease your okaasan, Tsuruko. What would your father think?" Nodoka cheerfully replied, taking a sip from her cup. Motoko liked what she saw. At first, she though that she would come from a strict, samurai family. From what she could tell, she came from a very tightly knit and loving family. But that just left her with more questions on her mind.

"So Otousan has passed then, mother?" Motoko asked, before realizing what came from her mouth. Tsuruko looked surprised at Motoko's query and Nodoka seemed to deflate a bit as she held her chawan (teacup). "I-I am sorry. I didn't mean to..." Motoko began, regretting ever saying anything in the first place.

"It is alright, daughter. Watanabe-sensei informed us that you would ask of these matters. Besides, this is our family." Nodoka began, putting on a brave face.

So began the long journey of rediscovering the woman that was Motoko Aoyama.

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Motoko kneeled in front of the small shrine dedicated to her father. She gazed upon the dignified-looking man in the photograph facing her, as she lit incense in her otousan's honor. She sighed and put the matches away, reflecting on all that she had learned today.

She felt a familiar presence enter the dojo as the shoji slid open. Motoko turned to look as her husband kneeled and paid his respects to the small memorial, clapping his hands together. "Umm, hello there, Aoyama-shuuto. I'm Keitaro Urashima..." he quietly said, bowing his head.

"I'm married to Motoko, sir, and I hope that I shall honor her and your family as you deserve. Please watch over our marriage and us." He whispered, bowing and ending his prayer.

"Hey, how are you feeling, Motoko-chan?" Keitaro asked with a sincere face. Motoko smiled softly in the pale glow of the candlelight. She silently thanked the gods and her father for giving such a kind husband to her.

"Just tired, anata. Just tired." Motoko sighed. And it was true. She felt so... drained. It had never occurred to her how serious her situation was until that afternoon. So many achievements, high points and low points, happy memories and sad ones all lost in the recesses of her mind. To lose the thing that made a person who they were, and only glimpsing them through the eyes of others, even if they were the people who knew you best. Lost perhaps forever, she feared. It was a burden no one should carry.

Keitaro felt the weariness of Motoko's troubled soul, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Don't worry. We'll walk this path together..." Keitaro comforted her, holding her closer to him.

"I know, Keitaro, I know." she replied softly, letting herself sink into her husband's warm embrace.

"Come on, let's get some sleep..." Keitaro said, kissing Motoko's forehead before standing and helping Motoko to her feet. Motoko turned and bowed once more to her father, then held Keitaro's hand as they left for their bedroom

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"Well, that was... not so easy." Tsuruko sighed as she helped her mother clean the tearoom. This had been a long afternoon for the whole Aoyama family, and Tsuruko knew that this was just the beginning. The questions her sister would ask!

"Now now, Tsuruko-chan. She is your sister, and we are here to help her, no matter what this ordeal brings forth." Nodoka replied, busy putting away the tea set in the proper shelf.

"Still..." Tsuruko smiled. "I think that it may have turned out far worse." She confessed, as she straightened the pillows.

"Whatever do you mean, child?" Nodoka said amusedly, knowing that even after all the not so pleasant moments they had to narrate, they did enjoy some of the more happy moments of Motoko's childhood.

"Hmm, yes. The look she had when I told her of all the times she had crept into you and father's bed during a thunderstorm." Tsuruko reminisced. Motoko had always been afraid of lightning, ever since one of the older students told her that it was a giant turtle spitting fire from the sky.

"The only reason you would know that is because you were right beside her under my arm when those storms passed." Nodoka teased, having a small chuckle at her elder daughter's expense.

"Mother. I stopped that childishness after my eighth birthday!" Tsuruko replied, a bit embarrassed herself.

"Oh, that is not entirely true. I do remember that giant rainstorm that one summer evening when you where twelve. You were holding onto me, and Motoko held onto your father, and both of you jumped at the same moment every time a thunderclap echoed through the house." Nodoka smiled at those precious memories.

"Well, it was a particularly savage storm." Tsuruko blushed; remembering that night just like it was yesterday.

"And besides, that didn't stop you from the time you where fourteen, the time you were sixteen, and that one particular night on your twenty-first birthday..." Nodoka smiled, counting the times on her hand.

"Mother, you are insufferable!" Tsuruko cried, though she was smiling herself. After all, what would we be if we could not find humor in ourselves?

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Motoko gazed to the stars as she leaned over the balcony of the guestroom her sister prepared for her. Up in the clear mountain sky, the twinkling lights of the stars and the constant light of the galaxies comforted her as she tried to sort through the events of the day.

She sighed as she tried to recall all the details that had been given to he that afternoon. Her first lesson from her father, her first baby tooth, her mother's stories of her childhood, all of them seemed to mean so much to her sister and mother, yet to her, she just could not commit it to her mind that she was the person that they spoke of.

"Hey." She felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around her back.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Keitaro said, looking skywards.

"They look so peaceful, do they not?" Motoko whispered, leaning back into Keitaro.

"Yeah..." He replied simply, resting his head on top of Motoko's soft raven locks.

"Keitaro-chan..." Motoko began, turning to face her husband as she rested her cheek on Keitaro's chest. Keitaro knew that whatever Motoko had on her mind would be quite important for her to use his first name.

"Yeah, Motoko-chan?" Keitaro responded, placing his hands on the railing of the balcony as he supported Motoko's weight.

"I...I just cannot see myself as the Motoko that Okaasan and Aneue described. I just don't know..." she said, closing her eyes and listening to the rhythm of Keitaro's heart.

"I don't see why not." Keitaro smiled, as he continued to watch the night sky.

This surprised Motoko. Knowing Keitaro, he would just be saying this to comfort her, trying to ease the pain in her heart. But his reply was so strong, so confident. She felt her husband's aura, trying to find a single shred of doubt, but all she found was an unyielding belief in his words.

"I do not know how you can say that, Anata. The Motoko they spoke was so strong. So different from what I am now." she whispered, a single tear running down her cheek and onto Keitaro's yakuta. "The Motoko they spoke of was..."

"The Motoko they spoke of was compassionate and kind. The Motoko they spoke of was a caring sister, and a devoted daughter. The Motoko they spoke of was stronger than anyone I know. The Motoko I know is a beautiful woman, loving and compassionate. That is the Motoko I know, with or without memories..." Keitaro said, finishing her sentences.

"Keitaro..." Motoko whispered, tears of joy running down her face.

"The Motoko I know is strong, and I am lucky that she chose me against everyone else in the world. I don't see how she can be anyone but the person I'm holding in my arms..." Keitaro finished.

Motoko thanked all the gods in the heavens. "Thank you, my anata..." she said, smiling softly through her tears.

Bringing her arms up and around Keitaro's shoulders, she kissed the man that was her husband with such a passion, such a fire that the gods of love themselves were put to shame. Slowly, Keitaro's hand held Motoko's frame closer, their kiss growing hotter by the second.

"I think... mm... that... ah... we should... bring this... mm... inside..." Keitaro suggested through the kisses.

"I... ah... hah... agree." Motoko nodded, her hand behind her husband's nape, as she hungrily sought more of the feeling she received from his lips.

"Y-yes..." Keitaro replied. They slowly made their way towards their room, and with his free hand, Keitaro quietly slid the shoji shut, while the passionate sounds of their kisses faded away in the crisp mountain night.

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TBC

Notes:
Well, umm, what can you follow up after that? Well, at least we got to the 25 review mark before I uploaded the next full chapter. After I woke up this morning, I booted up the old computer and saw that we went 9 review over the promised cutoff. I can hear the people getting pissed off already. Sorry, guys.

Hmm. If you guys don't get the Nodoka reference, you'll probably get it next upload. Anyway, wow, a chapter with almost 3000 words. I actually have a fear of super long chapters, because when I read fanfiction, long unbroken chapter usually intimidate me. I like to click that little next button like a recess before heading of into the consequent parts of a story.

About the WAFF. Sorry, guys, but that's about half my writing ability right there. That's why I put Romance as the only category for this fic. Sure, drama and comedy are thrown in there too, but not enough to be secondary genres. I also hear a lot of people saying that Motoko and Keitaro are way too OOC. Yeah, even I feel that they're too far off the spectrum from their original characters, but the next chapter you'll get your old, super confident, sword swinging Motoko again. She'll still be totally goo-goo eyes over Keitaro, but she'll have a lot of her old mannerisms back. I can't promise much for Keitaro, though. In my fic, he's still a clumsy, unlucky, lovable dork. He's just a very supportive, clumsy, unlucky, lovable dork. I know that he seems to be a little too dominant, but that's the way I want to write him.

Anyway, can someone send me a list of the Shinmei Ryuu sword attacks, their English names and a short description? I don't have all the manga and I've never seen the anime, so can somebody help me out? You can either put it on a review or e-mail me on my profile. I check both, so I'll get them either way.

Also, for the people complaining about the length of the last chapter, IT WAS AN INTERLUDE! Not a real chapter, so don't expect those things to be more than 800 words or so.

Well, that's it for me. Sorry for the huge Author's note. Keep reviewing and keep reading.

Lexmarker