Love Hina: Battles of the Heart

A/N: Naru 1, Motoko 0 but it is only half time, with everything to play for in the second Half!

Disclaimer: ... I do not own Love Hina

Chapter 9: A relationship on crumbled foundations

"I still thought that was rather mean." Keitaro complained as Naru helped him bandage his head.

"How do you mean?" Naru asked as she finished bandaging his head.

"Well... how was I to know that you were sober, I mean I never would have imagined you of all people admitting to having a crush on me."

"I suppose it was a bit of a shock." Naru agreed

"So why did I get hit by," Keitaro started to list of his fingers, "A Ki strike from Motoko, a Sake bottle (empty of course) from Kitsune, that talking cat of Kanako's and Tama?"

"Because everyone was so surprised by your reaction," Naru smiled and hugged Keitaro, "I mean, it looked like you couldn't care less."
"I guess so..." Keitaro squeezed Naru's arm. "Does this mean that, we are... y' know?"

"I suppose so..." Naru replied in a little voice, "That is if you want to be..."

"Er... yeah... I guess so..." Keitaro grinned at his new girlfriend, "That is If you want to be y' know?"

"Yes, that would be... nice." Naru squeezed Keitaro's hand and left him in his room. She stopped at the door and called, "Oh! Tsuruko is downstairs. She wanted to talk to you about something."

"Oh, er... send her up then." Keitaro grinned like a maniac as Naru wandered off, humming a happy little tune.

He made sure no one was watching before getting up and dancing around. He couldn't believe it, after all this time he and Naru was finally a couple!

"My? Is this a new training step?" Tsuruko chuckled as she walked in, "Or are you really that glad to see me?"

"Oh hi," Keitaro cleared his throat. "So... may I ask what brings this visit?"

"The tournament," Tsuruko smiled, although this one seemed to be forced. "You are to fight in it remember?"

"Oh yeah, I'd forgot." Keitaro grinned, "I have to give you credit where it is due, Tsuruko."

"Really?"

"You were right, by training I really did become more liked by Naru."

"Oh." Tsuruko bowed her head slightly. "I see."
"So I owe you big time." Keitaro seemed oblivious to the change in Tsuruko's mood.

"Anyway," Tsuruko dispelled her frown and smiled once again, "I came to wish you luck. The tournament preliminary is this weekend. You will fight several non ranked fighters like yourself, although your skill should far outclass their own. If you finish in the top two, you pass and owe me nothing."
"Will Mo-chan be fighting?"
"Motoko is a registered fighter so skips the preliminary stages. If you pass the first round then there is a chance you may fight her. It is unlikely though."

"Right... that's good. I owe Motoko for the training and Naru says she helped get us together, so I owe her almost as much as I owe you."

"Is that so?" WHAT! SHE HELPED NARU? Tsuruko's smile hid her rage. DOES SHE THINK I HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN WASTE MY TIME TRYING TO GET HER A HUSBAND WHO SHE LOVES? That is it; I wash my hands of her love life.

"Yeah, I guess I should brush up on my skills," Keitaro grinned foolishly.

"Let us try a Ki attack, I wish to see if you are capable of mastering them now your love life is settled." Tsuruko sighed.

"You alright? You seem rather down."
"Huh? Oh it is nothing." Tsuruko smiled.

Scene Change

The residents of the Hinata looked with awe as Keitaro and Tsuruko exchanged blows. Naru watched her new boyfriend with ill hidden worry.

The battle was entirely one sided, and to everyone's surprise it appeared to be Keitaro who was in control.

"What is she doing?" Motoko murmured to herself. Her sister was putting hardly any effort into her attacks.

"Okay, why are you disrespecting me so?" Keitaro snapped and sheathed his weapon. "Am I not worth your full effort?"

"Huh? Sorry I was distracted." Tsuruko shook her head.

"Love life problems?" Keitaro asked, regretting it almost instantly.

"What?" Tsuruko's eyes glowed red and her aura began overwhelming. Keitaro felt like she was crushing him without being anywhere near him.

"Tsuruko-sensei..." Keitaro choked, feeling the air leave his lungs. He tried to step forward but was knocked over by Tsuruko's aura.

"Stop it!" Two voices cried out at the same time.

Tsuruko blinked and turned to face her challengers. "Do you wish to fight Keitaro's battles for him?"

"... I... would not wish to injure his pride..." Motoko shook her head.

"But... Keitaro is..." Naru looked between the two sisters.
"This is his fight." Motoko sheathed her sword. "I would not want to injure Keitaro's pride as a warrior."

"Even if he dies?" Naru snapped.

"My sister will not kill him." Motoko sat back down.

"Naru... please, this is my fight." Keitaro staggered to his feet, using his katana.

"But you are hurt."

"I do not need you coddling me." Keitaro raised his katana and took up a defensive stance.

"But..."

"Keitaro said to let him fight! Just listen to him damn it!" Motoko snapped.

"... Alright..." Naru sat down.

"Thanks Mo-chan," Keitaro winked at her.

"No problem." Motoko smiled at Keitaro.

"No... Where were we?" Keitaro returned his attention to Tsuruko.

"You have adjusted to my Aura, impressive." Tsuruko smiled genuinely for the first time since arriving at the Hinata. "I was right; you truly have a lot of potential."

"So... how do you use those Chi attacks?" Keitaro grinned.

"There are many different styles." Tsuruko shrugged. An example she had heard recently sprang to mind. "I believe the Urashima Zensen School has several more versatile attacks."

"Urashima Zensen?"

"The school you were supposed to learn before deciding to chase after Toudai." Kanako cut in.

"Er..." Keitaro looked blank.

"Do not worry; I happen to have some training in this art. I can teach you the basics." Kanako smiled.

"Thanks Kanako."

"It would be my pleasure brother."

"Ahem, are we finishing this duel then?" Tsuruko coughed delicately.

"Ah sure," Keitaro grinned and raised his Katana, before being sent into local orbit by a triple Chi attack.

Scene Change

It was the next day, and Keitaro and Kanako were going through the basics of Chi attacks. Naru decided to watch her new boyfriend, although she was the only spectator. The others had already witnessed the fight once and were not interested in a replay, seeing as Keitaro had dramatically improved whereas Kanako hadn't.

Motoko was on the roof when she sensed another presence. She could feel the disapproval in the glare directed at the back of her head. Motoko continued with her Kata.

Tsuruko continued staring at her. This was a competition she would not lose. Out of the two sisters, Tsuruko had the greater self control and patience, whereas Motoko had a relatively short fuse, and would soon crack, which she did.

"Alright, what is it sister?" Motoko sighed and sheathed her katana, not that I need to ask. She added silently.

"Do you really need to ask?" Tsuruko walked up to her sister. "Have I wasted my time completely?"

"Is this about Keitaro?" Motoko turned to face her sister.

"Yes, it is." Tsuruko's face betrayed no sign of her feelings, a sure sign in Motoko's book that she was completely furious.

"I lost, end of story." Motoko began to draw her weapon to continue her Kata when her danger sense screamed at her to dive to the floor, which she did. She looked in horror and half of her hair fell beside her. "What was that for?"

"If you have no will to fight for a husband, why bother with your appearance?" Tsuruko held her sword at her sister.

Motoko rolled over and stood tears in her eyes. She never particularly thought much of her hair, but Keitaro had once said she looked good with long hair, so Motoko had decided to keep it that way. Now however, it was only just below her ears. The back of her neck felt strangely exposed. Her grip on her Katana tightened as she snarled, "If I had chosen myself over Naru I would have hurt Keitaro and Naru. This way only one person is hurt."

"Oh, so you did it for them did you?" Tsuruko replied in mock understanding, "Well that makes perfect sense. I mean, you let a perfect man get lumped with a psychotic cow like her?"

"She is not psychotic!" Motoko raised her Katana in the fighting pose.

"But she is a cow?" Tsuruko replied raising her Katana in a similar fashion.

"I never said that!" Motoko starting walking sideward.

"But you never denied she was one." Tsuruko walked in the opposite direction, so the two were walking in a circle.

"Keitaro deserves someone like her."

"Oh, someone who doesn't respect his honour as a warrior?" Tsuruko launched a Ki attack which Motoko deflected.

"She just cares about him!" Motoko retaliated with a barrage of quick blows that caused Tsuruko to back away, before the two returned to walking in a circle, always facing each other.

"So do you, yet you realised you were harming his pride and stepped back." Tsuruko adjusted her stance.

"That is how I was raised." Motoko noted the change and adjusted her stance accordingly.

"I thought you were raised never to give up as well, but apparently I was wrong."

Motoko didn't reply. She just kept watching her sister for any sign of an attack.

Scene Change

"Are you alright Keitaro?" Naru asked as Keitaro limped towards a chair in the dining area.

"This? It's nothing. Mo-chan did far worse when I was training with her." Keitaro grinned. "This is just a sprained ankle; with her I had bruises on my bruises and dislocations." Keitaro didn't add the fact Motoko would massage him afterwards to help ease the pain. She would probably take it the wrong way. He thought to himself.

"If you say so, I'll go get you some water." Naru smiled and walked away.

Hahaha... A long forgotten voice chuckled in Keitaro's head.

Oh great... what is it now? I thought you had died. Keitaro thought to his dark side.

As long as you are alive, so am I. It isn't what you were expecting... is it? She seems more like an overprotective mother than a lover.

Shut up. Keitaro sighed, not being able to deny his inner thoughts. She was acting more like a mother to him. They hadn't actually kissed yet, and when ever he was training she would be watching and would interfere when ever Keitaro took a minor hit. I have only been her boyfriend for a few hours and she is already driving me insane! Keitaro thought glumly to himself.

You ever heard the phrase the grass is always greener? When she was out of your reach, all you could think of was her, because she was not yours. Now she is... you see her for what she really is. Keitaro's inner voice went silent as Naru walked back in.

"I got you some water Kei-kun." Naru smiled as she handed the bottle to Keitaro.

"Naru... Can I ask you a favour?" Keitaro twiddled his fingers.

"Sure thing," There was a slight twitch to Naru's smile that when completely unnoticed by Keitaro.

"Er... could you not accompany me to training. It's hard to concentrate when your there." Keitaro frowned. "I mean I try not to look bad in front of you so make more mistakes and that." Keitaro rapidly added to try and avoid hurting Naru's feelings.

"I just get in the way you mean." Naru snapped; her smile completely evaporated.

"What? No, no of course not!" Keitaro waved his hands in front of him.

"So it's alright to be around me when there is nothing else to do but as soon as you are busy, I'm not worth the effort!" Naru balled her fists tight.

"No Naru! It's not like that! Honest!" Keitaro subconsciously grabbed his sheathed katana.

"Go to hell, Pervert!" Naru swung a fist a Keitaro.

Keitaro blinked and looked around. There was a hole in the roof but he was not flying. More to the point Naru was missing. He replayed what just happened then went pale. He had automatically pre-emptively attacked Naru, as if she were someone like Tsuruko or Motoko. As soon as he noticed the attack he had ducked and brought his sheathed katana around and delivered a powerful upper cut to Naru. This was not looking to be the best first day as a couple.

If that was Motoko she would have blocked it with ease. His inner voice chuckled.

Scene Change

Motoko and Tsuruko saw the incoming figure.

"See? They are a couple and even now Naru sends..." Tsuruko started.

"Er... sister... that is Naru." Motoko sheathed her blade and caught Naru, sending her skidding backwards on the roof.

"But... but... but..." Naru's mouth opened and shut.

"Looks like a sheath to the chin." Tsuruko leaned over Motoko's shoulder and noted the bruising.

"But...but ... but..."

"Who could have done this?" Motoko asked.

"Well... who else carries a Katana?"

"It couldn't have been Keitaro!" Motoko snapped. "He wouldn't..."

"But... but... but..."

"Maybe he was just tired of her attacking him and decided to end it." Tsuruko poked Naru, "She certainly seems in shock at any rate."

"Keitaro wouldn't..."

"It has the dragon pattern that is engraved on the scabbard, see there were the skin is less bruised," Tsuruko smiled.

"Maybe Kanako took his katana and disguised herself as Keitaro then attacked Naru!" Motoko exclaimed.

"Or maybe he thought he was thinking of someone else when she attacked." Tsuruko smiled distantly, "Yes... he was thinking of someone who would have easily evaded that attack so he instinctively lashed out, only to remember afterwards that is was not the competent woman he was thinking of but a less capable more aggressive..."
"Keitaro? Why?" Naru whimpered.

"Well I guess that answers who did it." Tsuruko clapped her hands together. "Mystery solved, let's have some tea."

"You seem oddly happy at all this."

"I do not like to see my efforts go to waste." For a fraction the cold glare returned, but if vanished as Naru sobbed into Motoko's chest. "There, there, maybe Keitaro just isn't for you Naru." Tsuruko patted her head absent-mindedly.

"But... I love him!" Naru whined.

"Maybe you loved the old Keitaro, but this is the new Keitaro, he is a capable fighter who will not hesitate to defend himself." Tsuruko sighed sadly. "It appears his change was unavoidable."

"Then I too shall change!" Naru stood up baring her fist at the heavens, "I too will become a warrior of resolve and honour! And you two can stop laughing!" She snapped at Motoko and Tsuruko, who had to support one another.

"Naru a samurai?" Motoko choked, "I am sorry Naru, but the image of you in this attire... it just seems so... wrong."

"I must agree with my little sister." Tsuruko chuckled, "You are not a warrior by nature, just an aggressive girl."

"So what? Keitaro as a warrior was never imaginable!" Naru snapped.
"Er..." Motoko raised a hand slowly, "Actually... I may have fantasized about him being a brave samurai once or twice..."

"More like fifty one times," Tsuruko said under her breath. She had found her little sister's collection of short stories that she had been writing for a while.

"What? You fantasized about Keitaro?" Naru snapped.

"Yes, and you know I have feelings for him so what's with the reaction."

"But you helped us..."
"Yes, because I thought that was what was best for Keitaro." Motoko frowned, "Although with your coddling of him I am beginning to doubt the wisdom of my ways."

"Coddling?"
"You have been following him like a lost puppy! And from what Kanako has told me you constantly get in the way of his training because of him getting a minor wound." Motoko sighed and tried to control her anger. First she was angry at Tsuruko, now Naru, she just hoped she didn't run into Keitaro whilst in this mood else she would probably do something she'd regret.

"Just because I care doesn't..." Naru started but was interrupted by Tsuruko.

"If I had of known Keitaro would cause this much trouble, I wouldn't have handicapped myself in the battle at the Kyoto dojo..."

"Handicapped?" Motoko and Naru replied.

"Yes, I made sure to drink a fair bit of alcohol, to make my Chi attacks easier to cope with. Had I known that you two would be fighting like this I would have made sure I would win." Tsuruko ignored her sister's outraged expression.

"You... you have insulted my skills." Motoko frowned.

"Why? Do you want a rematch, where I go all out."
"Yes!" Motoko replied.
"You and Keitaro versus me win and you two can carry on as normal, lose and you marry?" Tsuruko grinned.

"Yes!"

"No!" Naru cut Motoko off, "He is my boyfriend, and if anyone should fight it should be me!"

"Naru... let's be serious here." Motoko sighed, "If anyone stands a chance against Tsuruko, it is me and Keitaro."

"But how do I know you won't throw the fight."

"Because I have honour," Motoko replied coldly.

"So you would fight your sister to avoid being married to someone you love?" Naru raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, I would not lower myself to such a desperate way of winning Keitaro." Motoko shrugged.

"Er... girls?" Tsuruko coughed, "How about a fight between you two, winner takes on me with Keitaro's help."

"So it is basically me and Keitaro versus you." Motoko replied.

"What? I could so beat you!" Naru crossed her arms, "If you were drunk, blind folded and had your arms and legs cut off." She added with a hint of a smile.

"So how do we decide?" Tsuruko frowned.

Scene Change

"No." Keitaro shook his head. "I will not be dragged into your argument." Despite you dragging me out of my room onto the roof, He silently added. He had been reading his notes when Naru had come in and picked him up, carrying him up. Apparently she had already forgotten his instinctive attack.

"Please Kei-kun; it is an argument that threatens to tear the apartments down if not resolved." Naru pleaded.

"If it really was that important then everyone would be down here." Keitaro scratched his head.

"Well we are here." Motoko indicated herself and her sister.

"You are hardly everyone." Keitaro sighed.

"Don't make me kill you Urashima." Motoko drew her katana with a smile.
"Like you could, Aoyama," Keitaro did likewise, grinning.

"Here's the deal, I win our little battle, and you decide who helps you face Tsuruko." Motoko grinned, matching Keitaro.

"And if I win?" Keitaro licked his suddenly dry lips.

"Well... I'll be your personal slave." Motoko winked at Keitaro.
"WHAT?" Naru snarled.

"Deal," Tsuruko clapped her hands together.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Keitaro groaned.

"No." Tsuruko smiled at him.

"Then I guess I will have to go all out." Keitaro sighed and took up a battle pose.

"I wouldn't if I were you," Tsuruko smile grew, "Remember, if you give it your all you will probably still be tired tomorrow, on the day of the competition."

"Damn," Keitaro frowned, "And I'll bet you won't allow a postponement?"

"Of course not," Tsuruko chuckled, "I need some entertainment out of life."

Motoko and Keitaro circled each other. Tsuruko noted with a pleased expression the amount of feeling in the air. It was similar to her anger when Motoko and herself were fighting, but rather than the anger, this was something else.

"Sure you want to go through with this?" Keitaro grinned.

"My, aren't we cocky. It was only last week that I pummelled you into the ground, I guess it is time to remind you who is in charge."

"You can try, dear Mo-chan." Keitaro silently cheered as he saw Motoko blush at the last remark. Unfortunately he didn't see Naru's evil glare.

"I think I will." Motoko moved with amazing grace, and Keitaro only just managed to parry her attacks.

"Truly you move and look like an angel," Keitaro grinned to himself as Motoko's blush deepened, still unaware of Naru's growing jealousy.

"Brother I... oh, I will wait." Kanako walked onto the roof where Keitaro and Motoko were circling each other.

"Flattery will get you no where Urashima."

"I am only speaking the truth," Keitaro parried a few more attacks before saying; "Few women are as insanely strong as they are impossibly beautiful."

"That rat!" Naru hissed.

"Oh, that is merely a technique of Urashima Zensen fighting." Kanako shrugged, "The Barbed Complement Technique as it is sometimes called. You compliment the opponent to get them to lower their guard then... wham! They are out of it."

"Oh..." Naru seemed to rest a little at this, but still flinched at the next few compliments.

Keitaro kept parrying and complimenting Motoko, noting the obvious decrease in strength behind her attacks.

"I notice you cut your hair short." Keitaro mentioned in an off hand fashion.

"I look horrible don't I...?" Motoko raised her hand to her head, leaving herself exposed to the attack Keitaro dealt, knocking the wind out of her.

"You okay Mo-chan?" Keitaro sheathed his sword.
"Fine... you win." Motoko kept looking at the floor.

"Hmm..." Keitaro bent over as if to help Motoko up but whispered, "I think you look better with short hair, I can see more of your face that way." He winked at her and helped her to her feet, "So what was the agreement? My slave for a day?"

"Yes..." Motoko bowed her head.
"Well I have only one task for you. Do the dishes at lunch." Keitaro grinned and wandered off to repair the Hinata.

"How unimaginative," Tsuruko sighed, "He could have had you feed him grapes whilst wearing nothing."

There was the sound of blood spurting and Keitaro fell down the stairs clutching his nose whilst imagining the scene.

"Same old Keitaro," Motoko chuckled.