"Wow!!! Check these out!!!" Both Motoko and Akitomo said in awe while staring through the glass, like two little kids in the window of a toy store. A nearby Exhibit worker giggled and walked over to them.

"I take it you like what you see?" She asked curiously, both Akitomo and Motoko looked at her and nodded furiously. The woman couldn't help but giggle, seeing them so excited over the show of swords. There was actually quite the display. Ranging from katanas, to medieval swords, to even sais. It was quite an extensive collection. As the two shifted down, they happened to see two swords, one with the description of "The sword of power" and "Replica-Name Unknown" and the other "The sword of healing" and again, "Replica-Name Unknown"

Motoko's curiousity peaked at this and she turned towards the lady. "Escuse me miss, could you perhaps explain the history of these two swords?" She asked.

"Ah yes. These swords. Well, according to legend, this sword belonged to a powerful family of dog demons, And was said to be able to take a 100 demons in a single stroke. Though, this is merely a replica. Though it may look rusty and decrepit, it is indeed powerful. As legend has it, this sword was used by a hanyou, to aid himself and his companions to retrieve the shards of a powerful jewel. One that could grant any wish you wanted. But, we don't know if that's entirely true."

"And what of the other sword?" Akitomo asked.

"Ah, this sword, according to legend, was owned by the same family of dog demons. It was said, to have the power to save, or heal another. It is also said, that this sword could never cut another being. Though it belonged to that same family, it belonged to a full fledged demon, who had rather seen the sword as usess. Even so, he in time found use for it. Ironic as it may be, both represent the power to protect, and the power to nurture. Should both ever come together, then true strength would be found." She explained deeply.

Both Akitomo and Motoko stood there perplexed. It was an intense bit of that legend, but had left a strong impact on them.

'If I were to find some whom I could protect, and could nurture me in turn...'Motoko thought,

While Akitomo stood there thinking the opposite, 'If I found someone to nurture, and could protect me in turn...then...'

The lady smiled looking at the two, "Let me know if there's anything else you need to know.", and with that she walked off.

They continued along. And oddly enough they passed a giant boomerang. It too had the words "Replica" on it.

"What the heck is that doing here?" Motoko asked,

"Pfft, as if anyone could use that thing." Akitomo remarked.

"I don't know...I have heard that in the right hands it can prove to be an incredable weapon." She remarked, juss then she giggled as a thought of using it to wack Keitaro on the top of his head at any given time he acted perverted drifted through her.

They continued along, seeing the extense of the collection. Soon they finally passed a collection of katanas and ----. On the description card the words jumped right out at them, as if calling them. "The God's Cry School and the Angel's Whisper School"

"What??" Motoko pondered aloud perplexed. She bent over to get a better look at the card. There it said:

"The God's Cry School and the Angel's Whisper School were both massively powerful schools back in the feudal era. Both were founded by a master of the katana and a master of the ---. Though, the Angel's Whisper School, originated from the God's Cry School. Both came to have close ties all in all; handling missions given to them by warlords of the land, most of the time they worked hand in hand to complete the missions. It also wasn't uncommon for two to be wedded from either school. Even though it was said that if a person were to be the next sensei of the God's Cry School, because the two schools were so related, they let there stand a loophole for someone marrying someone in the Angel's Whisper School. A powerful technique could be performed by a duo of two persons close from both schools. Though the name of the technique is unknown, the few who have survived the onslaught of it say that both sides are essential to the other. Without the other, the technique would fail. Where the other is weak the other makes up in strength. Though, little has been heard of from either schools. Leaving many to believe that both schools have died out. Even so, there have been few traces of either school's remaining today. Including a recent view of a man taking flight numerous times a day in the city of Hinata, which could only be done with either an incredably remarkable punch or from the strike of a student of the God's Cry School"

Motoko couldn't help but be surprised. Even from the last part of the description. She didn't know that others really had taken a whole lot of notice to Keitaro taking flight. She turned to Keitaro.

"So, what do you think?" She asked.

"Well, that sure was quite a bit of information that even I had no clue of. But that does answer quite a number of my questions."

"Oh I see" She said

'Wait!!! Could that mean...dang it! Bad Motoko! We already went over that, I can't fall for this guy so easily.'

With that they both moved on. Seeing all of the other swords and weaponry. Soon they saw the last gallery of swords, and they decided to head home, since it was going to be late soon.

"That was great! Incredably enlightening too!" Akitomo remarked warmly to Motoko as they walked down the sidewalk

"Yea. For once, I've actually had a really good time." She said, smiling at Akitomo, "Um...thank you...Akitomo"

"Sure no problem" He replyed, smiling back.

They finally reached the stairs to Hinata, and they began to climb the way up. As soon as the Inn came into view, it glowed with life, as if embracing them back home. The sun setting made it seem all too perfect. Motoko sighed as she looked at it. She always loved this about the place. It always felt like home. Not just a place to be, but also a place to be surrounded by ones who she loved and whom loved her in turn. Not only did Motoko get stronger as she found that true strength was recieved when you had someone to protect you love, but she also vowed that she would always protect them, even Keitaro, despite his klutzyness. She would protect them all, no matter the cost.

As the feeling of the warmth of happiness spread through her, she looked over to Akitomo. He stood there too, looking on at Hinata. Surely he felt the embrace the home had to offer. But still, his eyes were clouded, lost, concerned, and worried. Even though he had the emanation of strength arround him. Motoko didn't know what came over her. It was as if another being had taken over her, and she moved to Akitomo, and embraced him tightly. He gasped and in turn wrapped his arms around her.

"Welcome home...Akitomo" She whispered to him.

"Th-...thank you...Motoko" he whispered breathlessly.

They stayed that way for quite a while. Unknowing why they were there, or what else remained in the world. All that mattered then, was being with the other, and feeling the warmth of the other. Though, reluctantly, they broke apart, smiling at eachother.

'Is...is this it?...is he going to ki-...kiss me?'

She looked at him, her eyes pleading, begging for a show of love. But...

"Well, shall we go in then?" He asked smiling at her, and slowly began to walk towards the house.

...to no avail, none had come. They both started to the house. As soon as the door slid back into place, Shinobu came into view.

"Oh, hey guys, dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes." She chided smiling.

"Okay, thanks Shinobu" Akitomo replyed. With that, Shinobu left back to the kitchen to continue cooking.

"Thanks again...Akitomo. This has been an incredable day." Motoko said gratefully to him.

"It's no problem, really. I'm glad you came along. This has actually been the greatest day of my life. Well, I'll see ya at dinner then." Akitomo said, and with that he headed up the stairs to his room. Leaving Motoko smiling at the bottom of the stairs.

Just then Kitsune walked in, and saw Motoko smiling for once. She couldn't help but smirk.

"So, have a good time eh Motoko?" She asked.

Motoko couldn't help but jump nearly 4 feet high. She hadn't notice Kitsune walk in.

'Odd...I'd expect her to of noticed, her being a warrior and all' Kitsune thought

"Erm well...yea...I guess" She sputtered.

"Oh really, do anything fun? As in you know what I mean." She asked smirking widely

"WHAT?!? NO!!!" Motoko couldn't help but yell.

"Oh? Then what did you two do?"

Just then Naru walked in and saw Motoko and Kitsune, she couldn't help but join in. "Well...actually, me and Keitaro ran into them at this pretty romantic restaurant not too far from here." She remarked, again with the extremely Kitsune like smirk.

'She has been hanging out with Kitsune a little too much' Motoko couldn't help thinking.

"Arrgh! Nothing happened okay! It was just a normal day out with a friend! That's all! Okay?"

"Welllll...if you incist." Kitsune remarked. She headed off towards the kitchen, followed by the other two.

--------------------

Meanwhile, Akitomo was upstairs lying down on his futon, staring at the photo of him and Motoko they took earlier today.

"Could that be the answer?" He asked to no one in particular.

And with that, he couldn't help but smile widely as he got up to head for dinner.