Disclaimer: Neither I nor anyone else involved in the creation of this story own any part of "Love Hina" or any of its characters. They are the sole property of Ken Akamatsu and/or the respective publishers.

A/N: I have fixed the last two parts of this chapter. I believe they fit the continuity of the story better now. I will be working on the next chapter now and hope to have it out in about a week. I will also try to make it longer, no promises though. XD

The Price of Our Deeds

Chapter 6

Kitsune sat in her room deep in thought, Shinobu's words repeating over and over in her head. The young girl had terrified her with her last statement about the knives but something else terrified her even more, the accusations Shinobu made about her treatment of Keitaro. She had always liked to have a little fun interacting with others, teasing them and making them uncomfortable has always been fun. She has been playing the trickster all her life but… If what Shinobu said about what she had done to Keitaro…

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Tsuruko sat on the train to Tokyo in deep thought. She had argued with the clan elders years ago that Motoko needed to be sent out into the world to experience the reality of life that others lived with or she would spiral into a darkness that none could save her from. The secluded nature of their school and the tendency towards a female dominated hierarchy had biased her sister's opinion of males. After moving to the Hinata Inn Tsuruko had visited to check up on her progress. Motoko had made the adjustment to the outside world rather well but her issues with her belief that Tsuruko had "thrown her life away for that MAN" kept her from progressing any further. Tsuruko had worried that her sister would still succumb to that darkness and it looks like she almost had, but now…

'It has taken a tragedy of great magnitude to save Motoko from herself, possibly at the expense of a good man's life and sanity. The question now is whether it is too late to save her from the justice of the clan. I must get the full story from her as soon as possible. For her sake I just hope…'

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Lunch was very subdued and quiet. Shinobu put out platters of leftovers and sandwich makings and informed all of them that they will have to serve themselves before leaving to go do her chores. She did not want to be in the same room as any of them. Since her outburst that morning with Kitsune she found that interaction with any of her dorm mates set her into an extreme rage and until she could calm down she planned to avoid them.

Motoko watched her go with a heavy heart. She had an idea of what Shinobu was feeling and it drove the knife blade of guilt further into her as she watched the anguished young woman leave.

Kaolla was a shadow of herself as she pretended to be interested in the food. Her bloodshot eyes smudged with dark circles of exhaustion made it clear that she hadn't slept well, if at all, between her bouts of tears.

Naru had come down for lunch looking more like a zombie than a human. She went through the act of feeding herself as if on automatic, her eyes devoid of any sign of intelligence or life.

Kitsune for her part just sat there. She just stared straight ahead looking at the wall but obviously seeing nothing, the turmoil in her mind barely evident in her features.

"Ahem…" Motoko cleared her throat in an attempt to get their attention. "There are several chores that need to be done today that have been put off due to…" She trailed off realizing the mistake it would have been to continue that statement and began again. "The Hot Springs and bathing area need to be cleaned including the upstairs private bath. Naru and Kitsune you will do the Hot springs while Kaolla and I will take care of the bathing areas. Seeing as Shinobu has already started the laundry I will take care of clearing the table and the dishes. I will meet you all by the springs in 20 minutes."

They all nodded to indicate that they heard what she said before leaving to prepare in silence. Motoko watched them leave with foreboding thoughts. 'Only now do they begin to realize what Keitaro being here has meant to them all this time. He brought a spark of happiness with him that made this a home not just a place to live. I only recently realized this myself but they had to discover it the hard way.' She began to clear the table in hopes that the work would occupy her mind enough to keep her from pursuing those thoughts any further.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Haruka had just been dropped off in front of the tea shop when she heard her name called from up the street. Turning she saw Tsuruko Aoyama approaching.

"Hello Tsuruko, what brings you here?"

"I received a call from my sister early this morning informing me of yesterday's events and felt I needed to come as soon as possible. Motoko has told me some very disturbing things and I feel in need of clarification to help sort out the issues and determine a course of action. She didn't go into specifics but it appears she feels in some part responsible for the landlord's predicament and has asked my help."

"Well, in spite of the circumstances I am glad to see you. If you would like to come in for tea I will tell you what I know before you go up to see Motoko."

"I would like that very much, thank you."

The two went in to the tea shop, which Haruka was leaving closed for the time being. Haruka told Tsuruko all she knew of the incident, before and after, and what had transpired at the hospital that morning.

A long silence hung in the air before Tsuruko spoke. "Kami… How has Keitaro survived through all that? The few times I have met him he showed no signs of having anything but a normal happy life."

"I know. He had me fooled too. I knew about his life at home before coming here but I had no idea… There had been signs of disturbances at the dorm since he came but he put them off to personal differences with the tenants and told me they were minor and he could handle them. I went along with it because I trusted him to ask for help if he needed it. What I failed to remember was that Kei finds it impossible to do anything to hurt a girl. He was brought up to respect others, especially women, and will go out of his way to assure that no one gets hurt by his actions. The abuse he took from his peers growing up would make even a warrior like you cringe. When granny tried to teach him the family's martial arts he refused to learn anything but defense. It is those teachings, I believe, that has allowed him to survive up until now. The problem though is that it only helped protected him from physical attacks not psychological ones. His psyche has been severely damaged and I don't know if he'll ever recover."

"Then it is good that I chose to come right away. My family knows all too well about psychological trauma and I also know of another family I can contact who will be more than willing to help. I believe you may even know them."

"You don't mean the Otohime's?"

"Yes I do. I will contact them right away if you will allow me to use your phone."

"Of course you can."

"If you will excuse me then I will make the call and then go up to talk with Motoko."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Motoko was in her room attempting to meditate and failing miserably. Every time she tried to clear her mind of all thoughts visions of Keitaro in Naru's arms not breathing would assail her. As she was about to give up she heard a small knock on her door. Getting up to see who it was she opened her door and came face to face with her sister's stern countenance. Suddenly formal and stiff she greeted her.

"Hello sister, I had not expected you so soon."

"Hello Motoko. After speaking to you on the phone I felt it was necessary to arrive with all due haste. I was very disturbed by what little you told me and felt that I needed to speak to you personally to get a better picture before taking action."

"Well then, please come in." Stepping aside she let her sister into her room.

Little had changed since she last visited. The only sign that anything was amiss was the slight clutter in what was usually an immaculate room. This spoke volumes to Tsuruko of her sister's distress.

Sitting at the low table the two faced each other across it.

"So Motoko, I would like you to relate to me the reasons behind your claims of having dishonored yourself and the family."

With a heavy sigh Motoko steeled herself and began the tale of her actions starting with Keitaro's arrival two years ago.

She started with the recounting of the accident in the hot springs between Keitaro and Naru. She recounted the insults and challenge for continued stay and her repeated disrespect of him after he had beaten her. She told of the accusations of perversion, the use of family techniques on his person, the repeated physical abuse and belittling she heaped on him. Then she told of how she had begun to respect him for his courage and determination, how he would never give up and would help anyone who needed it regardless of how impossible the situation. Lastly she told of how just a few months ago she had finally begun to look before acting and had discovered he had been trying to explain every time and they never listened, they just assumed the worst of him and ignored the truth. It was then that she discovered that she just might have strong feelings for him and that terrified her. Terrified her so much she had failed to stop the violence, the abuse. She was afraid of losing the friendship and trust of the other residents if she spoke out and now…

Tsuruko's expression remained calm though inside she wanted to scream and yell, to vilify and condemn, but she couldn't. The pain she saw in Motoko's eyes, her body language, stayed her tongue. Motoko was already punishing herself enough that anything she could say would pale in comparison. She got up, moved around the table, kneeled next to her sister and hugged her. Motoko collapsed into the embrace and cried.

After almost a half an hour Motoko's sobs had ceased. Tsuruko relaxed her hold on Motoko and urged her to sit up.

"Now sister I must tell you how things will go for you from here. I must contact the clan elders and tell them what you have done. They will want to speak to Mr. Urashima and get his side of the story and after he confirms what you have said you will be expelled from the clan."

Watching carefully Tsuruko sees first the terror then the anguish on Motoko's face. Thinking this to mean that Motoko understands the consequences she begins to rise. Before she can she hears Motoko speak in a very soft whisper.

"You can't…

"He won't…

"It will hurt him too much."

"What do you mean Motoko?"

"He won't do it. He will take all the blame on himself. It will kill him if you try to make him lay the blame anywhere else. I… I don't know why but he just can't bring himself to cause others pain. He should, we all deserve it for what we have done to him over and over again. When I said he was a saint among men I meant it. I deserve all the punishment you have indicated and much, much more for what I've done but he won't let it happen." Silent tears begin to fall down her cheeks and she bows her head in shame.

Tsuruko looks on in silence. A maelstrom of thoughts swarmed through her head.

'Maybe, just maybe…'

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Shinobu just finished taking down the last of the wash, folding and sorting it when she checked the time. It was almost dinner time. Sorely tempted to make them all fend for themselves she stops and remembers seeing Tsuruko going to Motoko's room earlier, the older Aoyama had not noticed her when she had passed. Deciding it would be bad manners and an insult to make a guest make their own meal she headed to the kitchen to see what she could throw together. When she arrived she was greeted by a sight akin to seeing a UFO. Kitsune was at the sink pouring out sake bottles with both hands. On the floor around her were about two dozen already empty bottles and the ones in her hands looked to be the last. Unable to control herself she let out a gasp.

Kitsune turned to find Shinobu standing in the doorway. A sudden surge of desperation overtook her and she called out to her.

"Shinobu, wait, don't leave, I have to talk to you, please. I don't know who else to talk to. I need you to listen please."

Fighting the urge to run Shinobu enters the kitchen. "What is so important Mitsune?"

Kitsune flinched at the use of her real name. Hearing it made what she had to ask Shinobu that much more important.

"What you said to me this morning, about what I've done to Keitaro, I need you to tell me again."

A look of confusion crossed Shinobu's face.

"I… I went to my room after you yelled at me and started to think about what you said. I couldn't understand why you were accusing me of such terrible things. I didn't remember doing any of that. Then I remembered seeing Keitaro yesterday and I got scared. I thought about what he said to me and… and I started to remember. It came as bits and pieces at first but started to come clearer. I found memories of setting him up for beatings from Naru and Motoko, taking down the sign he had put up on the door of the baths, calling Naru and Motoko anytime he had one of his accidents with you or Kaolla. I remembered coming-on to him repeatedly to get money or free rent and then telling Naru he was molesting me." She bowed her head and her voice became quiet. "I remember thinking it was all so much fun. I had to run to the bathroom to be sick. I puked for a long time and then I cried." Looking back up, she pleaded to the young woman. "Please, you have to tell me! It's all true isn't!"

Tears beginning to fall from her eyes she answers. "Yes Kitsune, it's all true, all of it."

Kitsune collapsed where she was standing as wailing sobs escaped from her.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The door to Keitaro's room opened and someone shot in through it and ran to him.

"Onii-chan, onii-chan" cried out Kanako as she latched herself onto him, her arms thrown around his neck.

"I missed you so much. Are you okay? Please tell me you are okay."

"Now that you are her I'm doing much better" he said with a serene smile.

"They told me you were in the hospital but they wouldn't tell me why."

At this Keitaro looked over to the door, where his father and Haruka had just entered, with a questioning look.

"We decided to wait until she saw you to consider telling her about what happened," replied his father.

"Where are mother and granny?"

"We" Haruka started indicating Kiyoshi and herself, "decided it was best if they didn't come."

Keitaro sent them silent thanks as he released his sister from the shared hug.

"Well onii-chan, just why are you here" Kanako asked, her gaze turning stern.

"Well Kanako, I think you should sit down first." He waited for her to comply before continuing.

"I… I kinda had a breakdown yesterday and I did something really stupid. I attempted to take my own life by overdosing on sleeping pills" he told her figuring the truth would be the only thing she would accept since she would know if he was lying.

A gasp escaped her as she threw herself at him again. "Why, why would you want to do that when you would hurt those who love you" she said, tears beginning to fall.

"I didn't think about that, I was hurting and I was mad and… Kanako, I haven't been having a very good life lately and I thought it would be better if I wasn't here."

"Well you are still here now and if I have anything to do with it you will be staying for a very long time. If you were having trouble you should have called and I would have come, you know I would."

"But you were traveling with granny and I didn't want to bother you on your world trip."

"What bother? I've been traveling with granny for over a year. I think I've seen enough of the world to last a lifetime. Right now my place is with you! You have helped me and protected me since I was very little and I think it's time I returned the favor. Granny is tired of me besting her while sparing anyway. The old bat is getting crotchety in her old age and I'm tired of staying with her. From now on I'm not leaving your side until you are well and have your life back."

A warm glow begins to fill Keitaro's heart after hearing Kanako's words. His little sister is finally growing up.

"I'd love to have you with me; I've missed having my wonderful sister in my life."

Watching the heartwarming display in front of them Haruka and Kiyoshi feel that Keitaro may just have a chance at recovery.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

In Kaolla's room there is a deafening din. Scattered about are pieces of metal, circuit boards, tools and cutting torches. She has been up all night dismantling and destroying all of her "toys". Fierce determination adorns her features. She has reached a decision. She has been thinking long and hard about how she has lived her life so far and has decided that she has made a big mistake. Running away from the scary parts of life by choosing to not grow up isn't working. All she has been doing is hurting the ones she loves. First it was her brother, then her sister Amalla and now Keitaro. She can't keep on this way. Time has come to grow up and throw away childish things. 'From now on I will only create things to help others and to make them happy, no more blowing things up. If I don't change Keitaro nii-chan will hate me forever.' With that thought her resolve hardens even further as tears once more begin to trail down her cheeks.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Since Naru failed to come down for dinner, Kitsune decided to look in on her friend to see if she was okay. There was no answer to her knock so she opened the door and was shocked to find the room almost empty. There were several boxes off to one side and sitting in the middle of the floor was Lido-kun, in his usual place on top of the board blocking the hole in the floor, with a note pinned to his front. Kitsune approached and unpinned the note and read it.

I'm sorry, so, so sorry.

What has happened is more my fault than anyone else's. If I had only paid more attention to what I was doing to Keitaro then I might have prevented this. But I was too much of a coward, afraid to admit my feelings and lashing out in anger against Keitaro when I was really angry at myself. I was angry for having feelings for him, angry for not being able to accept those feelings. Only too late did I realize that I love him, I love him more than anything or anyone else.

Realizing this I also realized that because I love him so much I must leave. I obviously have unresolved anger issues and until I find a way to fix them I cannot be anywhere near him.

I am going back to my parents for a while to see if I can find answers and help. I will not return until I feel I can be around him without hurting him.

Please tell him that I truly do love him. I realize that he probably no longer loves me and that's okay. I just hope I can change enough so that he will at least let me be his friend.

Naru Narusegawa.

Kitsune sat there in stunned silence, tears once again beginning to fall from her eyes.