Sorry about the wait. Hopefully this new chapter should help satisfy some of your hunger. Really am trying here folks. Luckily after a good brainstorming session with a friend, I got some good ideas of what I should do. So onward my chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Love Hina license.

Chapter 9: The World Got Smaller pt. 3

(From The Previous Chapter)

Unsure of himself once again, Keitaro did what he did best. He just wandered around. And wandered. And wandered. And did a little bit more wandering, and wondering how he got himself in his current predicament, Keitaro finally bumped into another familiar face. Unfortunately, it also served at a reminder of his pain.

(Current chapter)

"So, that's the story," Keitaro tells the boy sitting in front of him. Keitaro quietly slips his coffee.

"I had no idea...I'm sorry Keitaro. I don't know what to say."

Keitaro smiles and pats the 10 year old on his head. "Don't worry about it Negi. I couldn't expect you know about it. Its not exactly something I would boast about." Keitaro takes another slip of his coffee. "Though, it does feel good tell someone, especially someone in the family."

"Keitaro..." Negi looks down. The 10 year cousin of Keitaro, as well as youngest teacher in Mahora, is visibly disturbed after hearing Keitaro's story.

"I had no idea big brother Keitaro had to go through any of that. Why didn't Haruka stop it?" Negi couldn't help but wonder, all the while slipping his tea.

Keitaro bumped into the last person he thought he'd see. His younger cousin from England, Negi Springfield. Last Keitaro had heard from Negi, he was enrolled into a magic academy in England.

Though maybe not the closest in physical approximation, Keitaro was more like a big brother to Negi than anything else. If there was one thing Keitaro could do right, it was be a very good brother. You couldn't ask for a better one, even if he was just your cousin.

While Keitaro and Negi are talking, another certain person just so happens to watching two. Or rather, certain people...

(Thirty minutes ago)

"So yeah, Negi, our homeroom teacher is only 10 years old! But he's really smart Ms. Tsuruko! He even helped Asuna pass her semester exams!" Konoka raved on.

At this point in time, Tsuruko had pretty much heard just about all of Konoka's life story since they last met. Now while Tsuruko had a smile plastered on her face, inside she was wondering where Konoka got all of her energy from.

"Her father? No. He was never THIS hyper. I don't recall her mother being this talkative either. Her grandfather was much to lazy to talk this much," Tsuruko thought, mentally going through the list of people Konoka MAY have gotten her energy from.

Now while Tsuruko bore no ill will towards this girl, she wanted to check up on Keitaro who had "sneakily" wandered off during the beginning of the conversation.

Setsuna, who had also noticed Keitaro's disappearance, decided that it was about time she too stepped in. Especially if Keitaro was with the person she sensed, she definitely wanted to find out.

"Excuse me, Miss Konoka-"

Konoka immediately stopped talking from hearing Setsuna and pouted. "Why do you still call me that. You can just call me Konoka after all."

Somehow gaining a blush from Konoka pouting, Setsuna continued. "Konoka...I believe Master Tsuruko-"

This time it was Tsuruko's turn to pout. "Now now, Setsuna. You know I don't like to hear "Master Tsuruko" from you. "Tsuruko" alone is just fine.

Setsuna, embarrassed to be stopped by both women, hurriedly rushed out, "Tsu-Tsu-Tsuruko, don't you need to find Keitaro?"

Tsuruko, no longer pouting but smiling, replies, "Yes. Yes I do. But I don't quite remember the layout for this place. Would you two mind helping me?"

(Fast forward to present)

Tsuruko and the girls had to only search for a small time until Konoka heard a familiar sound of a certain 10 year old teacher falling. Looking towards the sound, she spotted them as well as Keitaro, helping the fallen teacher up. Almost about to rush to them, Konoka was stopped by Setsuna.

"Why did you stop, Setsuna?" Konoka looked at Setsuna with a confused expression.

Setsuna, as well as Tsuruko, noticed Keitaro and Negi's body language. Both were unlike those of two perfect stranges but rather of two who were already acquainted. Much so when the trio saw Negi hug Keitaro, mumbling something about "brother".

Deciding to stay out of the way, the girls decided to not rush over over there until Tsuruko had the idea to at least watch from afar.

"M-M-M-MA-MA-STER TSURUKO?! How can you even think of such a thing?!" Setsuna yelled out, partially due to her morals and the other part due to some strange emotions she didn't quite get.

"Now now Setsuna. We're only going to make sure they're both alright. No harm done. Right, Konoka?" Tsuruko said, one hand covering her smile.

With Konoka, no words needed to be said. Simply put, Konoka was already one step ahead of them, gracefully following Negi and Keitaro.

Only minutes of following them, and Setsuna feeling somewhat down at this "disgraceful" act yet eagerly paying close attention, the girls found Negi and Keitaro to a coffee shop.

For Tsuruko and Setsuna, watching from a distance was more than enough for them to figure out what was going on. For Konoka, it was maddening.

"Ooohh! What are they saying?" was the single thought that kept running through Konoka's mind.

Finally, tired of only attempting to figure out, Konoka rushed from her hiding space, surprising Tsuruko and Setsuna, and towards Negi.

(Five minutes later in Keitaro's POV)

After a sudden attack on Negi from one of close students, apparently, all of us are now sitting down at the table, drinking either coffee or tea. Despite what should be a pleasant day, I can't help but feel a bit apprehensive. I can't tell if it's the way Setsuna is holding her sword or I'm still shocked from seeing Konoka appear from nowhere to glomp in Negi with Tsuruko and Setsuna following.

"So how do you know Negi, Mr. Urashima?" Konoka innocently enough asks, breaking the ice, finally.

I know its an innocent question but I get the feeling of being interrogated. Gathering my thoughts, I find the most simple answer, and probably the safest to say. "He's my cousin. I'm a bit surprised to see him here and a teacher no less."

Negi rubs his hand behind his head. Sometimes, I envy the fact that he's just so damn smart. Here I am, barely into Tokyo University and he's already in the college level for language. So unfair sometimes. That's not even getting at his "other" abilities.

I look up. I guess Tsuruko has something to ask now. "How is he your cousin? I don't recall you mentioning that before."

"Oh that, you see, Negi is my cousin but not really by blood but by adoption (sorta)".

"Who's child his then?"

(Back in Hina Tea Shop in Urashima's POV)

I must of missed a lot more in Keitaro's life then I thought cause Haruka kind of dropped a fucking bomb on me. "What the fuck? You kidding me?! When the fuck did an old lady like you have a kid?"

WHACK "OW! What the hell was that for?!"

Haruka, of course, has that damn smug look on her face as she exhales her cigarette. "You already know idiot. But he's not really mine. I just took care of him after his mother died and father when who knows where. His name is Negi Springfield. Around 10 years old now. He should be in Japan now, last I checked. He's a teacher at Mahora Academy."

What the hell? Not only did the old lady adopt a kid but he's a fucking teacher too?! This is just too much for one day...

(Back to Keitaro)

"So that's how. I would've never pegged Haruka to do that," Tsuruko thought out loud.

"Well that's the type of person Aunt Haruka is. She may not always show it but she's really nice," I say, defending my Aunt.

"But why would she send Negi to stay with his real cousin in England?" Setsuna finally spoke to join the conversation.

Negi answered before me. "It had to do with being with my real family as well as training. She sends me letters every often and sometimes even visits! She's great!"

"Wow! Negi, you really like this Haruka don't you?" Konoka says, smiling widely.

"She may have not always been there for me but she's never let me down."

"That's great Negi-sensei," Setsuna smiles at Negi, her teacher.

As nice as this is, I know I'll have leave soon. After all, I need more time to think. It was great seeing Negi again but I have to leave. I...need more time. A few hours pass before I go back to the train station to get a tickets for me and Tsuruko. After all, I want to head to the original location after all. Maybe he'll be able to help. He is living in an apartment too. It be nice to hang out with him and the other guys again.

(Around 6:30pm, at Train Station)

"Bye Big Brother Keitaro! Please come again. Its been so long since I've seen you or Haruka...", Negi looks down, very much sad to see me leave.

I put a hand on his shoulder. I smile down at him. "C'mon Negi. You're stronger than that. I know you are. Tell you what, now that I know you're in Japan, I'll see if I can come visit more often. I would also like to see Takamichi again too and meet this Asuna person you've talk about." That last part gets Negi blushing while the others laugh.

With a few more good-byes from Konoka and Setsuna, more so to Tsuruko than me, we board the train. As we're being guided to our room (something I'm more than a little nervous about), the attendent tells us that we're sharing our room with someone else.

"Yes. She's around 14 years old and this was the only place we could put her. I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience," she says, followed by a bow.

Of course, this really isn't a problem so we just wave her off. We open the door to see a young girl already sitting there. She turns, obviously hearing the door opens.

"Crap!" is the only word going through my head as I see the other occupant.

"Huh? Keitaro? What are you doing here? And who is she?"

The girl is none other than Naru's little sister, Mei.

Once again, "CRAP!"

Yes! I'm done with this chapter! Sorry about not making it as long as I hoped for. But alas, it is done and new character is introduced! Go me! A little throwback to Evil Keitaro in this chapter as well. I do realize that the timeline would be different, in fact the conversation would've happened the day afterwards, but oh well. Makes it somewhat good, I suppose. Now, another skit! This takes place while still in the coffee shop. Keitaro is normal. Negi is bold. Konoka is italic. Kamo is italics and bold.

SKIT: Embarrassing little secrets

"So Negi, do you still need to lie down next to someone to go to sleep?"

(freaking out) "B-b-b-b-b-big Brother Keitaro?! How could you say that?!"

(smiling) "Yup, he sure does! In fact, he usually can't sleep unless he sleeps in the same bed as Asuna. He says it's cause she reminds him of his sister."

"Wahhh! Ko-no-ka!"

"Wow. She actually lets him do that?"

"Not really. He usually just wanders into her bed in his sleep."

(thinking) "Wow. If Motoko were here, she'd probably send him flying."

"Oh I see. Heh heh. I remember this one time he did that with my little sister. I swear I thought there was an earthquake. He apparently kissed her in his sleep!"

(giggling) "He did the same thing to Asuna same too!"

(Negi curls up on the floor while Keitaro and Konoka are laughing while Kamo comes out of Negi's pocket)

"Its ok Big Bro. You can still get away with for the next few years! Take advantage of it!"

(Depressed) "Then Asuna would really kick me to Osaka..."

If you've been keeping up with the Negima manga, you should know what I'm talking about here. Anywho, read and review please!