A/N: I like thank everyone for the hits, story favs and story alerts. I'd also like to thank the few that left reviews, either praise or flames are appreciated (although I'd like to know what caused the flames to begin with, maybe next time). I'd also like to thank the two people that gave a detailed review! To leave an opinion and pointing out flaws that I can work on, that does wonders for me, and hopefully will make this story better as it progresses!

Finally, I'm searching for a beta-reader if anyone is interested. I've re-read the chapters I've posted already and found god awful errors in punctuation and typos. I looked through the beta-reader menu a bit, but can't tell if any of the choices are active readers. So if anyone is willing to take it (and doesn't mind having the story spoiled to the very end), the job is open! Thanks again for the hits and reviews, keep the constructive criticism coming!
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"Haruka," Keitaro began as he entered the teashop, "what's this about, you wanted to see me?"

"Ahh yes," Issun spoke before Haruka could, "I recognize the boy, this must be Urashima Keitaro."

"Err….yes I am, and you are?"

"This is Wantanabe Issun," Haruka answered, "a professor at Tokyo U."

"Oh, nice to meet you," Keitaro offered.

"Likewise, there is actually something I would like to discuss with you. Do you mind if we speak in the inn?"

Keitaro blinked as his mind raced though the millions of reasons of why that would not be a good idea. Not only was the airport incident weighing heavily on the older tenants, he would be severely punished for allowing a male stranger to set foot inside Hinata Sou. Other than himself, the last male that entered the house was that fellow from the Fukinama Robotics Corp, and from what he heard from Su, the poor man left the inn, running for his life while screaming at the top of his lungs. Fortunately for him, Naru and Motoko were unaware of the visit, the representative could have been subjected to much…MUCH worse. Only one man could enter and leave the inn as he pleased, and that was Seta. Any other man would unknowingly walk into a traumatizing experience.

Sensing his hesitation, Haruka came to his rescue. "Sorry, but the Hinata House isn't an inn, it's an all girls dormitory, there would be a problem if men were allowed to go inside."

"An all girls dormitory," Issun repeated as he gave the manager of said dorm a quizzical look.

"It's a long story," Keitaro offered with a sheepish grin.

"I see, maybe if I explain myself there could be an exception." Issun congratulated himself on his performance so far, just a little more and maybe he could fib his way inside the dorm. "Ms Urashima and I were discussing your role as manager of Hinata Sou. From what I can see the building is very large, it must be difficult to manage on your own."

"Some days are harder than others but we get by." Keitaro was becoming more and more suspicious, what was going on? Is this something that Granny Hina set up?

"Good to hear, good answer," Issun nodded with approval, "Urashima-san, I am a professor of business administration at the university, and from what I've heard from your aunt, I would like to recommend you for a full scholarship to Tokyo University."

A moment of silence passed before Keitaro understood what he heard. "W-what! Really! H-how is-why me!"

"Relax Keitaro," Haruka scolded with a chuckle, "hear the man out before you blow a fuse."

Issun laughed, "It's quite alright, Ms Urashima, this could be a huge opportunity for the boy."

"I don't know what to say, "Keitaro gushed, "it's my dream to attend Toudai!"

"Yes yes, I'm well aware. But there are a few formalities before can grant you such an opportunity, and that involves entering the inn."

"Entering?"

"Yes, I have to see the condition of the building inside and out. I would also need to speak to a few of the tenants."

"Ooooh," Keitaro sighed, the wind had been snatched away from his sail. He couldn't allow the girls to go through that. There was enough stress in the inn at the moment. The last thing they needed was someone to inadvertently cause trouble while asking a few questions.

"Go ahead Keitaro," Haruka offered, "I'll smooth things over with the girls later." Keitaro arched an eyebrow at Haruka, then turned towards Issun, "could you excuse us for a moment?"

"Oh, no problem," Issun said as heroes from the table. He carried his cup of spiked tea outside the teashop door.

"What are you doing," Keitaro hissed after Issun was out of earshot.

"And here I was expecting you to thank me for finding this little nugget," Haruka said with a shrug as she shook her head.

"I don't mean that," Keitaro spat out, then realized he appeared to be ungrateful, "sorry, it's just…Naru and Motoko-"

"Shouldn't stand in your way of you and this golden opportunity," she finished.

"Haruka, it's not that simple."

His aunt wanted to press the matter, but decided against it. This was Keitaro's decision, who was she to try and force him into it? She shrugged her shoulders as she took another drag from her cigarette. "Fair enough, I'll tell him you're not interested."

Just as she was about to rise from her chair, Keitaro grabbed her hand. "Wait! I'll do it, it would be stupid not to right?"

"Without a doubt," Haruka answered with no hesitation, "whatever is bothering the girls shouldn't botch such a good deal."

Keitaro felt a pang of guilt at her words. He did not tell Haruka about the incident at the airport, and from the looks of it, she was still in the dark. He made a mental note to have a long discussion after the professor made his rounds.
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"Look at that, it seems bigger from the front step, it's almost intimidating," Issun said as he and Keitaro stood at the door.

"It's really not so bad," Keitaro said with a laugh.

"It must cost a small fortune to hire mechanics for general maintenance."

"Actually, I do all the repairs."

"You balance the finances and perform the repairs? Impressive! What do you plan to study at Toudai?"

"Uh…well, I haven't given it much thought actually."

"Really, but you have experience Urashima-san. To manage a place this big, you have to be quite skilled at what you do."

"Wow, I never thought of it that way, thanks."

"Oh there's no need for thanks. Show me around?"

"Sure." Keitaro pressed open the double doors and gestured Issun to enter. "Everyone," he announced, "we have a guest!"

Shinobu and Su were the first to come, their heads poked through the kitchen door frame. The ever social Su jumped at the chance to meet someone new.

"Hello," she squealed as she jumped and sat on her perch of Keitaro's shoulders.

'What's all the noise for," Kitsune asked with a yawn as she descended the stairs.

"Who is this, sempai," Shinobu asked from the door frame, only her head and fingers were visible.

"Everyone, this is Wantanabe-Sensei. He teaches business administration at Toudai."

"Oh really," Kitsune asked with a grin. She mentally put her fox tendencies on hold. Returning the mood to Hinata Sou was the highest priority. Then again, surely Keitaro felt the same way. Knowing the state of the place was in, why would he bring a guest? She held her tongue for the usually loud and overzealous objections of having a male set foot in Hinata, but they never came. Naru and Motoko were missing, Kitsune gave a mental sigh without losing her smile. 'Let things return to normal soon, please?'

"Sensei here thinks I have a future at Toudai in management, so as Hinata Sou's tenants, he would like to interview you all about, and if it is well run or not."

"Sempai does a wonderful job here," Shinobu gushed immediately, "he tries his best to make sure everyone is happy here."

"Now now, there will be plenty of time for question answering later, but please be honest with your answers," Keitaro asked with scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

Issun watched as the group talked amongst themselves. He watched as they smiled at each other, as they laughed, as their eyes lit up as they expressed joy in one another. 'How dare they! How dare they carry on as if they haven't a care in the world!'

He stared at their faces and felt nothing but hate and contempt. Here were four of the six of Henderson's list to keep his wife alive, four out of six of a group of murderers. There were two more from the contract, the two he saw running away as he cradled his wife, the one named Motoko was definitely not here.

"Is this all of the tenants," Issun asked. His question just happened to come as Keitaro was trying to quiet the others so that their guest could speak.

"Well…there are two others…but they are not feeling so well, a bit under the weather."

'Oh, two of you feel remorse,' Issun spat in his head. "I see, that's unfortunate, is there any way I could speak to them as well. I'll keep my questions as brief as possible, five minutes is all I will need."

Keitaro and Kitsune shot nervous glances at each other.

I'll see if I can wake Naru," Kitsune began, "Keitaro, you check on Motoko."

'Motoko,' Issun repeated in his head.

"Alright," Keitaro answered.

"Urashima-san, mind if I come along? Maybe make a walking tour of it?"

"Sure sensei. Shinobu, Su, we'll e right back."

"I'll make tea," Shinobu said as she gave a bow and scurried off. She made sure to take Su along, the last thing that was needed was one of her surprises to ruin Keitaro's chances.

"From what I've seen this building is very well kept, Urashima-san."

"Thank you," Keitaro said for the third time since meeting the professor. At that moment thankful for the decrease of Motoko and Naru's attacks that frequently destroyed the walls or sent him flying through the roof.

Issun's heart began to beat faster as they stopped in front of a door. "Please wait here for a moment," Keitaro knocked softly on the door," Motoko?"

Issun reached behind his back for a decorative sword he borrowed from the wall of Haruka's teashop.

"Motoko," Keitaro asked again.

Issun gripped the handle, his heart racing at this point. It was a simple plan really. He would greet Motoko, and as she returned his greeting, he would attack.

"Motoko, I'm coming in."

Issun bent his knees and dropped into stance. Maybe a quick ambush would be best, strike fast so that both Motoko and Keitaro would be dealt with before either knew they were in danger.

"Hmm…she's not here." Keitaro said from inside the room.

Issun's shoulders sagged, 'ehhhh!'
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"Naru," Kitsune asked as she forced the lock open on the auburn hair's door. "Naru," she called again as she sat on the futon. The only response she received was shuffling under the covers. Naru did not want to be bothered. She turned so that her back was facing Kitsune. Kitsune shook her head, at least she was still alive in here.

"I won't' be here long. Keitaro bought a guest home, a professor from Tokyo U."

No movement from Naru.

"Keitaro has a chance for a full scholarship to Toudai, for management of all things," Kitsune said with a laugh. "He wants to speak to all of us, to see how well Keitaro does his job here. We might be able to put him into Toudai! Isn't that great!" She paused to give Naru a chance to speak, when no response came, she continued on. "What was his name? Wantanabe…Issun? Wantanabe-sensei! That was it! Anyways, can you speak to him? It would mean a lot to Keitaro."

Naru sat up in her bed, the covers were still over her head.

"Good," Kitsune said jumping the gun, "he will be here soon, I think he's talking to Motoko now." With that said Kitsune left the room, "make sure to wear something cute," she called over her shoulder, "if we're lucky, you might get into Toudai with Keitaro."

After she heard the door slide shut, Naru threw the covers off of the bed. Her eyes were wide with shock. She knew that name! She knew his name! Sweat began to form on her brow. Could it possibly bet he same person? And he was speaking with Motoko? Surely it was not the same person! There was only one way to find out. She crawled out of bed and walked towards her closet, a fresh change of clothes was in order.

Kitsune held a pleasant smile as she heard movement from Naru's room. Who would have thought that a chance to help Keitaro would bring her out of her room. Could it have been the last thing she said? No, that couldn't have been it. Ever since the incident, Naru has not left her room, missing prep school and study sessions with Keitaro.

"Helping Keitaro huh" Kitsune mused as she walked towards the common room. She thought of making a brief stop at her room first. There was a flash on her dresser that could spice up a cup of Shinobu's tea. She decided against it, no alcohol until Keitaro got his scholarship.

After a few more moments, Naru cracked her door ajar ever so slightly and peaked outside. The hall was quiet. Satisfied, she pushed open the door. The hall lights caught her off guard. She shut herself away in darkness for the better part of two weeks. She covered her eyes with her hands until they adjusted. Maybe her glasses would help? She went back to her room, and after a few minutes of searching, she opened her door again.

"Naru-sempai," she heard to her right.

"Oh…H-hello Motoko." Naru noted Motoko's attire. Her usual red and white hamaka was covered in sweat, she had just left the roof after training. Naru cursed herself, if she hadn't gone back for the stupid glasses, she would have avoided this chance meeting.

Her brows knit as she thought of something else, Motoko had just returned from training. She had actually left her room and continued her normal routine! That idea bothered Naru more than she would like to admit. Here she was, so guilt written that she refused to set foot outside. Her guilt kept her awake and night, allowed for a few hours of sleep during the day, lowered her normal food intake to less than half, and bought her social life to a screeching halt. Meanwhile, Motoko was able to carry on, business as usual! The gall!

The silence was long, awkward, and painful as Naru's mental rant continued. Motoko had thoughts of her own, she went out of her way to avoid being seen by anyone, especially Naru. Meeting her in the hall caused the events of the airport to flood back into her mind.

"Naru, I-"

"Motoko-"

They both spoke at the same time.

"Please continue Na-"

"Go ahead Mot-"

Their would-have-been conversation was cut short by footsteps down the hall. They both cast worried glances at the stairs, then at each other. If it was this difficult for them to talk to each other when they were both partners in crime, it would be nearly impossible to talk to anyone else. Both girls had the thought to run. Before they could put that plan into action, two more people were upon them.

"Oh, Motoko and Naru," Keitaro said as he rounded the corner, he was pleasantly surprised.

Both girls did not notice Keitaro, their attention was on his guest.

"Wantanabe-sensei, this is Narusegawa Naru and Aoyama Motoko.

'Oh no! Kitsune! Why did you let him in here!'

'Oh god it's him! It's HIM!'

Issun gave a polite grin, his thoughts were anything but polite. 'Which one! Which one do I cut first!'
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A/N: Sorry for the cliff hanger, this chapter was originally longer but after completing the scene and rest of the day, it had to be cut in half. Hopefully the next chapter shouldn't take nearly a full month to upload. Actually, the next chapter only needs a beta-reader to pick through it, and then it will be ready for the press. Once again, thanks for reading. If something stands out, either good or bad, please let me know.