Disclaimer: I own no part of Love Hina, but Sean and Alicia are mine.
I'm sure you're all wondering what the heck is going on right now. Well, all will be explained in this chapter. Pay attention, things are going to get very complicated really quick. For most of this chapter, I will be tossing the he's and she's around like a fribee, but keep in mind that Sean and Alicia are one and the same.
P.S.: I now accept anonymous reviews. To be honest, I wasn't aware that I wasn't allowing them until recently. I apologize for the inconvenience.
* * * Chapter XX: Revelations, Explanations and Misdirections * * *
Alicia/Sean stood in the changing room, preparing him/herself to face the coming interrogation.
Naru was the first to regain her senses. "So does this mean that Alicia was you this whole time?"
"That's right."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Shinobu asked.
"When I decided to do this, I had no choice but to pursue this identity to the fullest."
"Why did it take so much energy to create this illusion?" Motoko asked.
"Well, for starters, this is no illusion. What you're seeing is real and always has been. The reason behind all the energy I needed to use is because of the detail I put into it. Not only did I change my hair, my voice and my height," Alicia was shorter than Sean by about a foot. "but for all intents and purposes, I was--well, am--a girl. All the appropriate parts and everything. Also, I had to even change my ki wavelength to keep Motoko from finding out, and for some strange reason, I even made my female body a different age than my male one." Sean was 22, but Alicia really was 18.
"I thought there was something strange about her," Motoko said to herself.
Kitsune walked over to Alicia and looked her over. "Sean, I have seen you do some strange things, but this takes the cake. How are we supposed to know you're telling the truth about this? For all we know, you could have just changed clothes while we were blinded."
"You want proof that I'm the real deal?" Alicia said, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Yes, I do," Kitsune said, a look of great skepticism on her face.
"And what exactly did you have in mind?"
"Strip."
"What?!"
"Well, I want to see if that's really a girl under those clothes."
"Good thing I thought of doing this in the changing room," Sean thought as she started to unbutton the blouse she had changed into, along with a knee-length skirt, during the transformation.
"What possessed you do to this?" Motoko asked.
"What 'possessed me' was the pursuit of knowledge."
Naru raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"For the longest time, I've wondered what it would be like to be a woman, and this was the perfect opportunity to do that very thing."
"But did you have to leave us to do it?" Shinobu asked.
"I felt it was necessary. You saw how much energy I gave off. While I was making the spell, that energy was flying all over the place. I didn't want to put anyone at risk; myself included."
Suu was confused. "Huh?"
"Well, how would you react if one of you caught me trying to perform my own sex change?"
"Good point," Motoko said.
By this time, Alicia had stripped off all her clothes. "There, are you happy, Kitsune?"
Kitsune gave her another once-over. "Well, she looks like Alicia."
Alicia's face started to turn pink and started to cover herself up. "This is humiliating."
"Would it help if we went in the hot spring?" Shinobu asked.
"Best idea I've heard all day," Alicia said, walking out before more could be said.
"My, he's so self-conscious all of a sudden," Kitsune said.
"Well, you did just force him… her to strip nude," Motoko said. "Not to mention that he must still remember how you seduced him today."
"Aw, it wasn't that bad."
"Don't be so sure."
"God, this is awkward," Sean said to herself as she stepped into the water. "I was hoping this would go a bit more smoothly. I hope I haven't lost their trust because of how I deceived them. I couldn't live with myself if my actions caused them to hate me."
"Oh, we don't hate you," a voice from behind him said.
"Naru, please. After how I made you all miss me like you have, then showing up like I did and not being able to tell you who I really was--"
"Sean," Motoko said, "sometimes sacrifices have to be made in order to improve one's perspective on life."
"So none of you are angry with me?"
"Sure, we may be a bit upset, but we could never be angry with you," Naru said. "At least not for too long."
Sean was reassured by what they said. "Thank you."
The girls joined Sean in the water. She instantly tried to turn away from their very beautiful, very captivating, very naked bodies.
"Don't worry, Sean," Suu said. "You're one of us, now. It's alright to look at us."
Alicia started to make glances at the others, her face starting to turn red. "This will take some time to get used to."
"You didn't seem to mind too much before," Kitsune said, remembering how Alicia had acted in the past.
"Well, during that time, I had actually added an extra part to the spell. In addition to the body, I also inserted an alternate personality."
"Wait--what?" Kitsune was thoroughly confused by this.
"Yes, I even changed the way I act, so I wouldn't feel so uncomfortable in times like this, but now, no such enchantment exists. Needless to say, I just don't feel right at the moment."
"Aw, are you scared?" Kitsune teased.
"When seeing you might provoke my death, yes."
"Now, you know we wouldn't kill you," Motoko said.
"What about Keitaro?"
"What about him?" Naru asked.
Sean rolled her eyes. "Never mind."
"I must say, you picked a nice body for yourself." Kitsune said.
"Uh, thanks."
"Goodness, you're blushing more than Shinobu," Suu said. "You should be proud of what you've accomplished."
"I am, it's just that I'm not exactly used to compliments like that."
"If you keep using that body, you'll be getting stares from all kinds of guys," Kitsune said.
"Not to put a damper on things, but I don't plan on getting a man."
"What about Keitaro?"
"Um, well…"
"What's going on between you and him?" Naru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing serious, really. It's just that when he has those accidents with me, I get turned on, so I've asked him to help me with that a couple times."
"You didn't--"
"No, I didn't have sex with him. It's just like how it is with me and Kitsune. That's why I didn't want him to see what I showed you. I doubt he would have taken it very well."
"Makes sense," Motoko said.
"Hold on a sec," Naru interjected. "You get turned on by that pervert?!"
Sean subconsciously went into 'Sista' Mode.' "Are you saying you don't?"
"No, I don't."
"Well, Miss 'High and Mighty,' MAYbe you should open yourself up to new experiences every once in a while. You and him are goin' ta run inta each other in the future. You'll know it'll be an accident, I'll know it'll be an accident, we all'll know it'll be an accident, and when it does happen, MAYbe you should just go along fo' the ride. I've been on that ride a couple times before, and let me tell you su'in, I enjoyed myself the whole trip. Maybe you're just sore because you're missing out."
"How did you do that?" Shinobu asked, surprised about her change in tone. "Was that magic, too?"
"Actually no. I've watched quite a bit of cable television in my time. You'd be surprised how many voices I've picked up over the years."
"Are you saying that I come on to Keitaro?" Naru asked.
"Not necessarily, just that whenever Keitaro trips and falls on you, don't send him into space right away. Granted, if he finds us out here, that could be grounds for punishment, but if he accidentally grazes your breast or ends up in some other precarious position, don't be so rash. He'll be so apologetic anyway, it'll be punishment enough. Plus, if you treat him with a bit more kindness instead of hatred, he won't be so uncomfortable around you. He wouldn't associate you so much with pain, you know?" Sean glanced at Motoko, and she knew that the advice was directed at her as well.
"Do I have to do that all the time?" Naru asked, almost disgusted with the thought of Keitaro having any sort of free reign over her body.
"No, but I would suggest you at least try it every so often. I've enjoyed it, maybe you will too."
"Alright, I'll try it, but if I don't like it, I won't do it again."
"That's all I ask." After a moment of thought, he added, "In fact, I know of a way I can test that right now."
"What do you have planned?" Naru asked, slightly worried about what Sean was thinking.
"You'll see."
---
Keitaro sat in the living room watching television. "I hope Sean's feeling alright. He seemed more uncomfortable than usual around the girls today for some reason. Maybe I should go find him and ask him about it." He was just about to that very thing when he heard a loud scream. Quickly, he ran off in the direction of the sound without giving a thought as to where it was coming from.
"Is everything alright?" He said as he opened the door to the hot spring. Moments later, everything went black.
---
"What did you do to him?" Naru asked when she saw Keitaro fall flat on his face.
"Don't worry," Sean said. "He's just asleep. Naru, Motoko, get ready."
---
"Ugh, what happened?" Keitaro thought as he woke up. He had completely forgotten what had happened moments before his sudden slumber. He stretched his arms a bit and was surprised when his hands came into contact with something. Something soft, round and firm. "What the--" A few moments went by and he finally recognized what he was holding; and also what usually followed. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and the sight before him chilled him to the core. Above him knelt his two biggest antagonists, and he was touching both of them in a place he shouldn't if he valued his life, which he did.
"AH! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were there! Honest I didn't, please don't kill me!" Keitaro promptly went back inside before permanent damage could be done.
"So?" Sean asked, eager for their reaction. "How do you feel?"
Both Naru and Motoko weren't used to Keitaro doing those sort of things and neither of them doing anything about it.
"I'm not sure," Naru said. "My first thought was to punch his lights out, but after a little while, I didn't mind it quite as much."
"Well, I must say it wasn't as unpleasant as I first thought it would be," Motoko said, surprised with herself.
"That was how I felt when it happened to me the first time."
"Really?"
"Yep, and I really wanted the guy after three."
"Well then, perhaps we should be a bit more… friendly towards him." Naru looked at Alicia. "If that's alright with you."
"Why would I have a problem with it? I already said I had no plans to be with a guy, and that includes Keitaro. I've got Shinobu; what more could I want?" A thought occurred to her. "On the other hand, there might be something I could do." Sean started to look at Kitsune.
"What are you thinking?" Kitsune asked. She was genuinely curious about the look she was giving her.
"I'm thinking that maybe you and I could--"
"Sean…?" Shinobu started to say, tearing up.
"Shinobu, you know you're my one and only. I'm actually doing this with you in mind."
"What?" Naru asked.
"Well, it wouldn't be right for me to be with Shinobu while I'm Alicia, right?"
"I see your point."
"Besides, I've already got sort of a relationship with Kitsune anyway, so perhaps, when I'm a girl, the two of us could be a couple."
"Are you saying Alicia's going to be a lesbian?" Kitsune asked.
"I don't see anything wrong with that. The only thing that would really change would be that you would be pleased by a girl instead of a guy." Alicia ran a finger down Kitsune's chest. "Also, while in my female form, I wouldn't mind you returning the favor."
"Ooh." Kitsune was beginning to really like that idea.
"Plus, if I stop going after Keitaro, it will make it that much easier to break the news of my new ability to him."
---
Panting, Keitaro reached the living room. He looked back, expecting Naru and Motoko to be upon him at any moment to rip him apart, but they were nowhere to be seen.
"What the--" He said to himself between breaths. "Why aren't they attacking me? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but it's not like them to let something like that slide. This is just too weird." He didn't know what else to do.
---
Sean brain-flinched. "Huh boy, gotta go."
"Why?" Suu asked.
"When I made Keitaro fall asleep, I also placed a tracer on him so I can keep track of his movements. This is supposed to help me keep my dual identities intact. It also allows me to read his mind, so I can act accordingly." Sean snapped his fingers and a ring of light appeared, quickly moving from the top of her body to the bottom, turning Sean's body back to a male one, fully clothed and bone dry.
"Hold on a sec," Naru said. "What happened to the blinding light from last time?"
"That was just for show. See you later." He gave a look to both Kitsune and Shinobu before vanishing.
"Dang, is there anything he can't do?" Suu wondered out loud.
"I hope not," Shinobu and Kitsune thought.
---
Sean reappeared in his room, grabbed a book and laid down on his futon. Moments later, Keitaro opened the door.
"Sean, I think something weird is going on."
Sean never looked up from his book. "So what? Something weird is always going on around here. You know that."
"No, you, don't understand. This is strange, even for this place."
"What could be so out of the ordinary--"
"I had another incident involving Naru and Motoko."
"And?"
"Well, I'm still here."
Sean closed his book. "Come to think of it, that is strange. I would have figured they'd have sent you skyward by now."
"Exactly. I'm beginning to think something's wrong."
"I don't see why you're so concerned. I'd think you'd be thrilled."
"Normally yeah, but I just can't help the feeling that something's not right."
"Hmm. Maybe you're right. I'll have a talk with them later."
"Mind if I join you, considering that I'm involved and all."
"Sure, no problem." Throughout the entire conversation, Sean struggled to keep a straight face.
--- 11:47 AM
For Keitaro, things only got more peculiar as the day went on. At lunch, Alicia, Motoko and Naru were all making glances at him. None of them were angry looks either, which only made him more confused. "What the hell is going on?" he kept thinking. Finally, the strain became too much to handle.
"Is there something going on?" he said, standing up from his seat at the table.
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds. "What do you mean?" Suu said.
"Ever since Sean came back today, things have just gotten stranger and stranger, and I just want to know what's up."
The girls tossed worried glances, none of them knowing what exactly to say. You could cut the tension with a knife. Finally, Alicia decided to speak.
"Well, I wasn't planning on saying this so soon, but--"
"But what?"
"It's just… about us."
"What about us?"
"I just don't want you to get the wrong idea."
"Huh?"
"You're a nice guy and all, but I want to tell you that I don't think there could be anything real between us."
"But we've had such great times together, Alicia."
Alicia got up, walked over to Keitaro and touched his cheek. "I know we have. I've experienced things I never have before, and I'm grateful for it, but I've had my heart broken so many times before, I'm not sure if I could stand to risk another guy playing with my emotions."
"I wouldn't do something like that."
"Think about it. You're living with five other beautiful girls. I can't expect you not to have thoughts about them."
"Um, well…" Keitaro was reluctant to admit to it because of the damage that might be done to him afterwards.
"I'm sorry. I just don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now. I hope this hasn't hurt you too badly."
"No, I understand."
"Thank you." Alicia gave him a peck on the cheek, bowed to the others and left.
"Well, that might explain a couple of things," Keitaro thought, "but there are still a few things bugging me."
When everyone finished eating, Keitaro stopped Naru and Motoko before they could leave. "Naru? Motoko?"
"Yes?" Naru asked.
"Could you two come up to my room for a sec? Sean and I want to have a little chat with you."
"Sure," Motoko said. "As long as it's only to talk."
As the three made their way to the males' room, Naru and Motoko couldn't help but wonder what Sean wanted to say to them. Keitaro opened the door to find Sean seated at the table, facing them. He beckoned them to join him. Keitaro sat down next to him, with the girls sitting opposite them.
"So," Sean began, his head resting in his hands, "Keitaro tells me you're starting to slack off when it comes to punishing perverts. Is this true?"
Neither Naru nor Motoko knew how to react to this until Sean gave them a wink. "Uh, Alicia talked to us about how we've been treating you," Motoko said, gently elbowing Naru, causing her to speak as well.
"Um, yeah, she thought we have been a bit too hasty in our actions concerning you."
"Really?" Keitaro said optimistically.
"That's right. With that in mind, she figured we should try to be more understanding of your little accidents. In fact, that incident in the hot spring today was set up by her to test us; to see if we were able to contain our rage."
"Apparently, you passed," Sean noted.
"Does this mean you won't be beating me anymore?" Keitaro asked.
"Not entirely," Motoko said. "If you try to peek at us, you'll still feel our wrath."
"That means no unexpected hot spring visits or coming up to my room without knocking first!" Naru added.
"Of course," Keitaro said. He knew well enough that those things might still happen, but at the moment he didn't really care. All he cared about was that his beatings were going to be on a rapid decline over the coming days.
"We apologize for the unpleasant things you've experienced," Motoko said. "We were rash; we didn't take your feelings into consideration and caused you undue harm."
"I forgive you both. Through it all, I still like you."
"Sound kinda like me, doesn't it?" Sean asked.
"Yeah, it does," Naru said, full aware of what she and Motoko had done to him.
"I hope we have more…" Motoko tried to find the right word. "…pleasant times in the future." She stood up and motioned Naru to do the same.
"I do too" Keitaro said.
"Here, let me show you to the door," Sean said. He stood up, walked to the door and opened it for them.
"Thank you," Naru said as she and Motoko left, leaving the two men alone.
"I guess that clears up all the questions in my mind right now," Keitaro said.
"Good. I'm going to go start my rounds; you know, check to see if anything needs fixing and all that. See ya."
"Later." Keitaro watched Sean leave, closing the door behind him. "Oh man," he thought, "life just does not get much better than this, does it?" Suddenly, he could hear Sean talking from the other side of the door:
"Well, that sure was interesting. I hope things go just as well when I tell him about me and Alicia."
Keitaro was shocked. "No way. Is Sean and Alicia--no, he's not that kind of guy, but still--I think I need to tell Shinobu about this." He quickly opened the door and, making sure Sean was nowhere to be seen, made his way to Shinobu's room and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Shinobu asked.
"It's Keitaro. May I talk to you?"
"Sure, come on in." Shinobu watched Keitaro enter; there was a concerned expression on his face. "What's wrong?"
"It's about Sean."
"Did Naru and Motoko hurt him again?"
"I fear they might do worse than that if this gets out."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know Sean better than I do, right?"
"Yeah." Shinobu was getting confused and curious at the same time.
"Well, what would you think if I told you that Sean might be seeing Alicia behind your back?"
"What?" Shinobu knew the truth, but she figured Keitaro didn't yet, so she decided to play along. "He wouldn't do something like that."
"I wouldn't think so either, but I heard him talking and made mention of telling me about him and her."
Shinobu started to tear up. "No, that can't be right."
"I might have misheard, but--"
"Let's go find him," Shinobu said, getting up to leave. "I need to find out for sure."
"Oh, dear," Keitaro thought. "Maybe I shouldn't have done this after all."
---
Sean was passing by through the living room during his rounds when he saw Shinobu, tears streaming down her face. "Shinobu, what's wrong?"
Shinobu slowly made her way toward him. "Can I ask you something very important?"
"Of course; what do you want to know?"
"You wouldn't cheat on me, would you?"
Sean was surprised by the question. "No, of course not. What brought this up?"
"Well, Keitaro just told me that you might be seeing Alicia. Well, are you?"
Motoko, who along with everyone else was watching television there when the scene unfolded, started to unsheathe her sword. "Yes, Sean, tell us, are you seeing her behind our backs, cause if you break her heart, I swear, I'll--"
"Motoko, I haven't done anything!" Sean said.
"Then how come I heard you saying you were going to tell me about you and her?" Keitaro asked. "Care to explain that one?"
"Um, well…"
"Sean how could you?!" Shinobu cried, running out; tears trailing behind her.
"Shinobu wait--!" Sean was interrupted by Motoko bringing her sword to his neck.
"I think you've hurt her enough, you adulterer."
"Motoko, please, I didn't do anything!"
"And to think I've gotten so much respect for you," Naru said.
"Sorry, but I have to see Shinobu!" Sean's hands started to glow and he pushed Motoko's sword away from neck, giving himself the leeway to run after Shinobu.
"On, no," Naru said, giving chase along with Motoko. "You're not getting away that easily! You are going to pay for what you've done!"
"It's been nice knowing ya," Suu said.
"Don't say that!" Keitaro said.
"Easy for you to say! You just sent him into the lions den!" Kitsune said. "This is a soap opera come to life," she thought, barely able to keep a straight face.
---
Sean found Shinobu outside. He was surprised to see that not only did she stop crying, but she was smiling at him. "What just happened?"
"I'm sorry about doing that, but Keitaro come to me saying that you might be seeing Alicia, and I had to play along."
"So that's what's going on," Naru said.
"I'm sorry, Sean," Motoko said, sheathing her sword. "I never meant to threaten you, but I had to act as well."
"No harm done, thank goodness for that. Now there's this little matter of how to deal with Keitaro…"
--- 8:12 PM
Keitaro's studies were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in." The door opened and he was surprised to see Alicia walk in. "So, you finally show your face."
"What are you talking about?"
"I know about you and Sean seeing each other. Do you have any idea how heartbroken Shinobu is right now?"
"What do you mean? Sean and I aren't dating or anything, but I do know the guy very well."
"How?"
"Let me show you." Alicia made subtle hand gestures and a small ball of light appeared her hand.
"You can use magic?" Keitaro asked, surprised that she had the ability.
"That's not all." She moved the ball above her head and it began to shower her in sparks, completely hiding her from view. Keitaro was curious as to what she was doing, and when the cascade of energy dissipated, his eyes grew wide at what he saw.
"Sean?!"
"Yep, it's me."
"So, the whole time Alicia was here, that was you?" Sean nodded. "Even when she and I were--" Sean nodded again.
Sean was stunned when he saw Keitaro faint. "Huh boy."
A few minutes later, Keitaro woke up. "Oh, what just happened?"
"The shock must have been too much for you."
"Well, I just can't believe that you and Alicia are the same person."
"Obviously."
"How did you do that, anyway?" Sean explained the whole thing; what he did and the reasons for it. "I see, but it's still unnerving to know that I did those things to you."
"At first, that wasn't what I intended, but after a few accidents with you, I started to get… those kinds of feelings."
Keitaro looked a bit pale. "You're kidding."
"Afraid not. When I took that form, I accepted everything that came with it, feelings of arousal and everything. If it helps, when I told you about how I enjoyed our experiences, I meant it. Needless to say, I don't plan on any more encounters like that now that you know the truth, but I'm still going to change genders quite often in the future."
"Why?"
"There's still so much for me to learn. Besides, Alicia will pick up a relationship with Kitsune where I left off; and it will be mutually beneficial for a change. Hopefully, that will decrease the torture I've had to endure from that woman."
"Does Shinobu know about that?"
"Oh sure. She knows that Alicia may be with Kitsune, but Sean is Shinobu's and hers alone."
"Speaking of which, how is she dealing with that whole cheating thing I started?"
"Oh, she's fine. I had already told her about me earlier today. In fact, you're the last one to find out about this. I swear, that girl can act; she even had me believing for a while."
"Oh. Well, I'm glad things are working out for you, then."
"Yep. I'd say this was a good homecoming."
"What do you say we go downstairs and watch television with the girls?"
"Nah, I'll just stay here and read a bit. Changing bodies as many times as I have today has taken a lot out of me."
Keitaro nodded and walked out toward the living room. When he got there, he found all the girls together, watching television. Suu was the first to see him arrive. "Hey, Keitaro!" She leaped off the couch, onto his shoulders. The momentum from the added weight propelled him forward, landing headfirst in the chest of a certain dark-haired swordswoman.
Survival instinct kicked in and he immediately removed himself from her. "I'm… I'm…" He didn't know exactly what to say. Sure, that talk he had with her and Naru helped, but he still didn't know how she would react.
Motoko noticed his look that was a combination of confusion and worry. She took his hand and sat him down next to her on the couch, a smile on her face.
Keitaro saw the smile that was quite different from the usual "time to kill the pervert" look she usually had. "Thank you," he said quietly. He saw her nod in response. "My God," he thought, "this has got to be the best day of my life."
* * * End of Chapter XX * * *
Aw, isn't that cute? Things are certainly looking up for him, huh? I appreciate you being here for this long, and when I eventually get a new chapter done, I hope you'll be here to enjoy it. Please R&R!
I'm sure you're all wondering what the heck is going on right now. Well, all will be explained in this chapter. Pay attention, things are going to get very complicated really quick. For most of this chapter, I will be tossing the he's and she's around like a fribee, but keep in mind that Sean and Alicia are one and the same.
P.S.: I now accept anonymous reviews. To be honest, I wasn't aware that I wasn't allowing them until recently. I apologize for the inconvenience.
* * * Chapter XX: Revelations, Explanations and Misdirections * * *
Alicia/Sean stood in the changing room, preparing him/herself to face the coming interrogation.
Naru was the first to regain her senses. "So does this mean that Alicia was you this whole time?"
"That's right."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Shinobu asked.
"When I decided to do this, I had no choice but to pursue this identity to the fullest."
"Why did it take so much energy to create this illusion?" Motoko asked.
"Well, for starters, this is no illusion. What you're seeing is real and always has been. The reason behind all the energy I needed to use is because of the detail I put into it. Not only did I change my hair, my voice and my height," Alicia was shorter than Sean by about a foot. "but for all intents and purposes, I was--well, am--a girl. All the appropriate parts and everything. Also, I had to even change my ki wavelength to keep Motoko from finding out, and for some strange reason, I even made my female body a different age than my male one." Sean was 22, but Alicia really was 18.
"I thought there was something strange about her," Motoko said to herself.
Kitsune walked over to Alicia and looked her over. "Sean, I have seen you do some strange things, but this takes the cake. How are we supposed to know you're telling the truth about this? For all we know, you could have just changed clothes while we were blinded."
"You want proof that I'm the real deal?" Alicia said, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Yes, I do," Kitsune said, a look of great skepticism on her face.
"And what exactly did you have in mind?"
"Strip."
"What?!"
"Well, I want to see if that's really a girl under those clothes."
"Good thing I thought of doing this in the changing room," Sean thought as she started to unbutton the blouse she had changed into, along with a knee-length skirt, during the transformation.
"What possessed you do to this?" Motoko asked.
"What 'possessed me' was the pursuit of knowledge."
Naru raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"For the longest time, I've wondered what it would be like to be a woman, and this was the perfect opportunity to do that very thing."
"But did you have to leave us to do it?" Shinobu asked.
"I felt it was necessary. You saw how much energy I gave off. While I was making the spell, that energy was flying all over the place. I didn't want to put anyone at risk; myself included."
Suu was confused. "Huh?"
"Well, how would you react if one of you caught me trying to perform my own sex change?"
"Good point," Motoko said.
By this time, Alicia had stripped off all her clothes. "There, are you happy, Kitsune?"
Kitsune gave her another once-over. "Well, she looks like Alicia."
Alicia's face started to turn pink and started to cover herself up. "This is humiliating."
"Would it help if we went in the hot spring?" Shinobu asked.
"Best idea I've heard all day," Alicia said, walking out before more could be said.
"My, he's so self-conscious all of a sudden," Kitsune said.
"Well, you did just force him… her to strip nude," Motoko said. "Not to mention that he must still remember how you seduced him today."
"Aw, it wasn't that bad."
"Don't be so sure."
"God, this is awkward," Sean said to herself as she stepped into the water. "I was hoping this would go a bit more smoothly. I hope I haven't lost their trust because of how I deceived them. I couldn't live with myself if my actions caused them to hate me."
"Oh, we don't hate you," a voice from behind him said.
"Naru, please. After how I made you all miss me like you have, then showing up like I did and not being able to tell you who I really was--"
"Sean," Motoko said, "sometimes sacrifices have to be made in order to improve one's perspective on life."
"So none of you are angry with me?"
"Sure, we may be a bit upset, but we could never be angry with you," Naru said. "At least not for too long."
Sean was reassured by what they said. "Thank you."
The girls joined Sean in the water. She instantly tried to turn away from their very beautiful, very captivating, very naked bodies.
"Don't worry, Sean," Suu said. "You're one of us, now. It's alright to look at us."
Alicia started to make glances at the others, her face starting to turn red. "This will take some time to get used to."
"You didn't seem to mind too much before," Kitsune said, remembering how Alicia had acted in the past.
"Well, during that time, I had actually added an extra part to the spell. In addition to the body, I also inserted an alternate personality."
"Wait--what?" Kitsune was thoroughly confused by this.
"Yes, I even changed the way I act, so I wouldn't feel so uncomfortable in times like this, but now, no such enchantment exists. Needless to say, I just don't feel right at the moment."
"Aw, are you scared?" Kitsune teased.
"When seeing you might provoke my death, yes."
"Now, you know we wouldn't kill you," Motoko said.
"What about Keitaro?"
"What about him?" Naru asked.
Sean rolled her eyes. "Never mind."
"I must say, you picked a nice body for yourself." Kitsune said.
"Uh, thanks."
"Goodness, you're blushing more than Shinobu," Suu said. "You should be proud of what you've accomplished."
"I am, it's just that I'm not exactly used to compliments like that."
"If you keep using that body, you'll be getting stares from all kinds of guys," Kitsune said.
"Not to put a damper on things, but I don't plan on getting a man."
"What about Keitaro?"
"Um, well…"
"What's going on between you and him?" Naru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing serious, really. It's just that when he has those accidents with me, I get turned on, so I've asked him to help me with that a couple times."
"You didn't--"
"No, I didn't have sex with him. It's just like how it is with me and Kitsune. That's why I didn't want him to see what I showed you. I doubt he would have taken it very well."
"Makes sense," Motoko said.
"Hold on a sec," Naru interjected. "You get turned on by that pervert?!"
Sean subconsciously went into 'Sista' Mode.' "Are you saying you don't?"
"No, I don't."
"Well, Miss 'High and Mighty,' MAYbe you should open yourself up to new experiences every once in a while. You and him are goin' ta run inta each other in the future. You'll know it'll be an accident, I'll know it'll be an accident, we all'll know it'll be an accident, and when it does happen, MAYbe you should just go along fo' the ride. I've been on that ride a couple times before, and let me tell you su'in, I enjoyed myself the whole trip. Maybe you're just sore because you're missing out."
"How did you do that?" Shinobu asked, surprised about her change in tone. "Was that magic, too?"
"Actually no. I've watched quite a bit of cable television in my time. You'd be surprised how many voices I've picked up over the years."
"Are you saying that I come on to Keitaro?" Naru asked.
"Not necessarily, just that whenever Keitaro trips and falls on you, don't send him into space right away. Granted, if he finds us out here, that could be grounds for punishment, but if he accidentally grazes your breast or ends up in some other precarious position, don't be so rash. He'll be so apologetic anyway, it'll be punishment enough. Plus, if you treat him with a bit more kindness instead of hatred, he won't be so uncomfortable around you. He wouldn't associate you so much with pain, you know?" Sean glanced at Motoko, and she knew that the advice was directed at her as well.
"Do I have to do that all the time?" Naru asked, almost disgusted with the thought of Keitaro having any sort of free reign over her body.
"No, but I would suggest you at least try it every so often. I've enjoyed it, maybe you will too."
"Alright, I'll try it, but if I don't like it, I won't do it again."
"That's all I ask." After a moment of thought, he added, "In fact, I know of a way I can test that right now."
"What do you have planned?" Naru asked, slightly worried about what Sean was thinking.
"You'll see."
---
Keitaro sat in the living room watching television. "I hope Sean's feeling alright. He seemed more uncomfortable than usual around the girls today for some reason. Maybe I should go find him and ask him about it." He was just about to that very thing when he heard a loud scream. Quickly, he ran off in the direction of the sound without giving a thought as to where it was coming from.
"Is everything alright?" He said as he opened the door to the hot spring. Moments later, everything went black.
---
"What did you do to him?" Naru asked when she saw Keitaro fall flat on his face.
"Don't worry," Sean said. "He's just asleep. Naru, Motoko, get ready."
---
"Ugh, what happened?" Keitaro thought as he woke up. He had completely forgotten what had happened moments before his sudden slumber. He stretched his arms a bit and was surprised when his hands came into contact with something. Something soft, round and firm. "What the--" A few moments went by and he finally recognized what he was holding; and also what usually followed. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and the sight before him chilled him to the core. Above him knelt his two biggest antagonists, and he was touching both of them in a place he shouldn't if he valued his life, which he did.
"AH! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were there! Honest I didn't, please don't kill me!" Keitaro promptly went back inside before permanent damage could be done.
"So?" Sean asked, eager for their reaction. "How do you feel?"
Both Naru and Motoko weren't used to Keitaro doing those sort of things and neither of them doing anything about it.
"I'm not sure," Naru said. "My first thought was to punch his lights out, but after a little while, I didn't mind it quite as much."
"Well, I must say it wasn't as unpleasant as I first thought it would be," Motoko said, surprised with herself.
"That was how I felt when it happened to me the first time."
"Really?"
"Yep, and I really wanted the guy after three."
"Well then, perhaps we should be a bit more… friendly towards him." Naru looked at Alicia. "If that's alright with you."
"Why would I have a problem with it? I already said I had no plans to be with a guy, and that includes Keitaro. I've got Shinobu; what more could I want?" A thought occurred to her. "On the other hand, there might be something I could do." Sean started to look at Kitsune.
"What are you thinking?" Kitsune asked. She was genuinely curious about the look she was giving her.
"I'm thinking that maybe you and I could--"
"Sean…?" Shinobu started to say, tearing up.
"Shinobu, you know you're my one and only. I'm actually doing this with you in mind."
"What?" Naru asked.
"Well, it wouldn't be right for me to be with Shinobu while I'm Alicia, right?"
"I see your point."
"Besides, I've already got sort of a relationship with Kitsune anyway, so perhaps, when I'm a girl, the two of us could be a couple."
"Are you saying Alicia's going to be a lesbian?" Kitsune asked.
"I don't see anything wrong with that. The only thing that would really change would be that you would be pleased by a girl instead of a guy." Alicia ran a finger down Kitsune's chest. "Also, while in my female form, I wouldn't mind you returning the favor."
"Ooh." Kitsune was beginning to really like that idea.
"Plus, if I stop going after Keitaro, it will make it that much easier to break the news of my new ability to him."
---
Panting, Keitaro reached the living room. He looked back, expecting Naru and Motoko to be upon him at any moment to rip him apart, but they were nowhere to be seen.
"What the--" He said to himself between breaths. "Why aren't they attacking me? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but it's not like them to let something like that slide. This is just too weird." He didn't know what else to do.
---
Sean brain-flinched. "Huh boy, gotta go."
"Why?" Suu asked.
"When I made Keitaro fall asleep, I also placed a tracer on him so I can keep track of his movements. This is supposed to help me keep my dual identities intact. It also allows me to read his mind, so I can act accordingly." Sean snapped his fingers and a ring of light appeared, quickly moving from the top of her body to the bottom, turning Sean's body back to a male one, fully clothed and bone dry.
"Hold on a sec," Naru said. "What happened to the blinding light from last time?"
"That was just for show. See you later." He gave a look to both Kitsune and Shinobu before vanishing.
"Dang, is there anything he can't do?" Suu wondered out loud.
"I hope not," Shinobu and Kitsune thought.
---
Sean reappeared in his room, grabbed a book and laid down on his futon. Moments later, Keitaro opened the door.
"Sean, I think something weird is going on."
Sean never looked up from his book. "So what? Something weird is always going on around here. You know that."
"No, you, don't understand. This is strange, even for this place."
"What could be so out of the ordinary--"
"I had another incident involving Naru and Motoko."
"And?"
"Well, I'm still here."
Sean closed his book. "Come to think of it, that is strange. I would have figured they'd have sent you skyward by now."
"Exactly. I'm beginning to think something's wrong."
"I don't see why you're so concerned. I'd think you'd be thrilled."
"Normally yeah, but I just can't help the feeling that something's not right."
"Hmm. Maybe you're right. I'll have a talk with them later."
"Mind if I join you, considering that I'm involved and all."
"Sure, no problem." Throughout the entire conversation, Sean struggled to keep a straight face.
--- 11:47 AM
For Keitaro, things only got more peculiar as the day went on. At lunch, Alicia, Motoko and Naru were all making glances at him. None of them were angry looks either, which only made him more confused. "What the hell is going on?" he kept thinking. Finally, the strain became too much to handle.
"Is there something going on?" he said, standing up from his seat at the table.
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds. "What do you mean?" Suu said.
"Ever since Sean came back today, things have just gotten stranger and stranger, and I just want to know what's up."
The girls tossed worried glances, none of them knowing what exactly to say. You could cut the tension with a knife. Finally, Alicia decided to speak.
"Well, I wasn't planning on saying this so soon, but--"
"But what?"
"It's just… about us."
"What about us?"
"I just don't want you to get the wrong idea."
"Huh?"
"You're a nice guy and all, but I want to tell you that I don't think there could be anything real between us."
"But we've had such great times together, Alicia."
Alicia got up, walked over to Keitaro and touched his cheek. "I know we have. I've experienced things I never have before, and I'm grateful for it, but I've had my heart broken so many times before, I'm not sure if I could stand to risk another guy playing with my emotions."
"I wouldn't do something like that."
"Think about it. You're living with five other beautiful girls. I can't expect you not to have thoughts about them."
"Um, well…" Keitaro was reluctant to admit to it because of the damage that might be done to him afterwards.
"I'm sorry. I just don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now. I hope this hasn't hurt you too badly."
"No, I understand."
"Thank you." Alicia gave him a peck on the cheek, bowed to the others and left.
"Well, that might explain a couple of things," Keitaro thought, "but there are still a few things bugging me."
When everyone finished eating, Keitaro stopped Naru and Motoko before they could leave. "Naru? Motoko?"
"Yes?" Naru asked.
"Could you two come up to my room for a sec? Sean and I want to have a little chat with you."
"Sure," Motoko said. "As long as it's only to talk."
As the three made their way to the males' room, Naru and Motoko couldn't help but wonder what Sean wanted to say to them. Keitaro opened the door to find Sean seated at the table, facing them. He beckoned them to join him. Keitaro sat down next to him, with the girls sitting opposite them.
"So," Sean began, his head resting in his hands, "Keitaro tells me you're starting to slack off when it comes to punishing perverts. Is this true?"
Neither Naru nor Motoko knew how to react to this until Sean gave them a wink. "Uh, Alicia talked to us about how we've been treating you," Motoko said, gently elbowing Naru, causing her to speak as well.
"Um, yeah, she thought we have been a bit too hasty in our actions concerning you."
"Really?" Keitaro said optimistically.
"That's right. With that in mind, she figured we should try to be more understanding of your little accidents. In fact, that incident in the hot spring today was set up by her to test us; to see if we were able to contain our rage."
"Apparently, you passed," Sean noted.
"Does this mean you won't be beating me anymore?" Keitaro asked.
"Not entirely," Motoko said. "If you try to peek at us, you'll still feel our wrath."
"That means no unexpected hot spring visits or coming up to my room without knocking first!" Naru added.
"Of course," Keitaro said. He knew well enough that those things might still happen, but at the moment he didn't really care. All he cared about was that his beatings were going to be on a rapid decline over the coming days.
"We apologize for the unpleasant things you've experienced," Motoko said. "We were rash; we didn't take your feelings into consideration and caused you undue harm."
"I forgive you both. Through it all, I still like you."
"Sound kinda like me, doesn't it?" Sean asked.
"Yeah, it does," Naru said, full aware of what she and Motoko had done to him.
"I hope we have more…" Motoko tried to find the right word. "…pleasant times in the future." She stood up and motioned Naru to do the same.
"I do too" Keitaro said.
"Here, let me show you to the door," Sean said. He stood up, walked to the door and opened it for them.
"Thank you," Naru said as she and Motoko left, leaving the two men alone.
"I guess that clears up all the questions in my mind right now," Keitaro said.
"Good. I'm going to go start my rounds; you know, check to see if anything needs fixing and all that. See ya."
"Later." Keitaro watched Sean leave, closing the door behind him. "Oh man," he thought, "life just does not get much better than this, does it?" Suddenly, he could hear Sean talking from the other side of the door:
"Well, that sure was interesting. I hope things go just as well when I tell him about me and Alicia."
Keitaro was shocked. "No way. Is Sean and Alicia--no, he's not that kind of guy, but still--I think I need to tell Shinobu about this." He quickly opened the door and, making sure Sean was nowhere to be seen, made his way to Shinobu's room and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Shinobu asked.
"It's Keitaro. May I talk to you?"
"Sure, come on in." Shinobu watched Keitaro enter; there was a concerned expression on his face. "What's wrong?"
"It's about Sean."
"Did Naru and Motoko hurt him again?"
"I fear they might do worse than that if this gets out."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know Sean better than I do, right?"
"Yeah." Shinobu was getting confused and curious at the same time.
"Well, what would you think if I told you that Sean might be seeing Alicia behind your back?"
"What?" Shinobu knew the truth, but she figured Keitaro didn't yet, so she decided to play along. "He wouldn't do something like that."
"I wouldn't think so either, but I heard him talking and made mention of telling me about him and her."
Shinobu started to tear up. "No, that can't be right."
"I might have misheard, but--"
"Let's go find him," Shinobu said, getting up to leave. "I need to find out for sure."
"Oh, dear," Keitaro thought. "Maybe I shouldn't have done this after all."
---
Sean was passing by through the living room during his rounds when he saw Shinobu, tears streaming down her face. "Shinobu, what's wrong?"
Shinobu slowly made her way toward him. "Can I ask you something very important?"
"Of course; what do you want to know?"
"You wouldn't cheat on me, would you?"
Sean was surprised by the question. "No, of course not. What brought this up?"
"Well, Keitaro just told me that you might be seeing Alicia. Well, are you?"
Motoko, who along with everyone else was watching television there when the scene unfolded, started to unsheathe her sword. "Yes, Sean, tell us, are you seeing her behind our backs, cause if you break her heart, I swear, I'll--"
"Motoko, I haven't done anything!" Sean said.
"Then how come I heard you saying you were going to tell me about you and her?" Keitaro asked. "Care to explain that one?"
"Um, well…"
"Sean how could you?!" Shinobu cried, running out; tears trailing behind her.
"Shinobu wait--!" Sean was interrupted by Motoko bringing her sword to his neck.
"I think you've hurt her enough, you adulterer."
"Motoko, please, I didn't do anything!"
"And to think I've gotten so much respect for you," Naru said.
"Sorry, but I have to see Shinobu!" Sean's hands started to glow and he pushed Motoko's sword away from neck, giving himself the leeway to run after Shinobu.
"On, no," Naru said, giving chase along with Motoko. "You're not getting away that easily! You are going to pay for what you've done!"
"It's been nice knowing ya," Suu said.
"Don't say that!" Keitaro said.
"Easy for you to say! You just sent him into the lions den!" Kitsune said. "This is a soap opera come to life," she thought, barely able to keep a straight face.
---
Sean found Shinobu outside. He was surprised to see that not only did she stop crying, but she was smiling at him. "What just happened?"
"I'm sorry about doing that, but Keitaro come to me saying that you might be seeing Alicia, and I had to play along."
"So that's what's going on," Naru said.
"I'm sorry, Sean," Motoko said, sheathing her sword. "I never meant to threaten you, but I had to act as well."
"No harm done, thank goodness for that. Now there's this little matter of how to deal with Keitaro…"
--- 8:12 PM
Keitaro's studies were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in." The door opened and he was surprised to see Alicia walk in. "So, you finally show your face."
"What are you talking about?"
"I know about you and Sean seeing each other. Do you have any idea how heartbroken Shinobu is right now?"
"What do you mean? Sean and I aren't dating or anything, but I do know the guy very well."
"How?"
"Let me show you." Alicia made subtle hand gestures and a small ball of light appeared her hand.
"You can use magic?" Keitaro asked, surprised that she had the ability.
"That's not all." She moved the ball above her head and it began to shower her in sparks, completely hiding her from view. Keitaro was curious as to what she was doing, and when the cascade of energy dissipated, his eyes grew wide at what he saw.
"Sean?!"
"Yep, it's me."
"So, the whole time Alicia was here, that was you?" Sean nodded. "Even when she and I were--" Sean nodded again.
Sean was stunned when he saw Keitaro faint. "Huh boy."
A few minutes later, Keitaro woke up. "Oh, what just happened?"
"The shock must have been too much for you."
"Well, I just can't believe that you and Alicia are the same person."
"Obviously."
"How did you do that, anyway?" Sean explained the whole thing; what he did and the reasons for it. "I see, but it's still unnerving to know that I did those things to you."
"At first, that wasn't what I intended, but after a few accidents with you, I started to get… those kinds of feelings."
Keitaro looked a bit pale. "You're kidding."
"Afraid not. When I took that form, I accepted everything that came with it, feelings of arousal and everything. If it helps, when I told you about how I enjoyed our experiences, I meant it. Needless to say, I don't plan on any more encounters like that now that you know the truth, but I'm still going to change genders quite often in the future."
"Why?"
"There's still so much for me to learn. Besides, Alicia will pick up a relationship with Kitsune where I left off; and it will be mutually beneficial for a change. Hopefully, that will decrease the torture I've had to endure from that woman."
"Does Shinobu know about that?"
"Oh sure. She knows that Alicia may be with Kitsune, but Sean is Shinobu's and hers alone."
"Speaking of which, how is she dealing with that whole cheating thing I started?"
"Oh, she's fine. I had already told her about me earlier today. In fact, you're the last one to find out about this. I swear, that girl can act; she even had me believing for a while."
"Oh. Well, I'm glad things are working out for you, then."
"Yep. I'd say this was a good homecoming."
"What do you say we go downstairs and watch television with the girls?"
"Nah, I'll just stay here and read a bit. Changing bodies as many times as I have today has taken a lot out of me."
Keitaro nodded and walked out toward the living room. When he got there, he found all the girls together, watching television. Suu was the first to see him arrive. "Hey, Keitaro!" She leaped off the couch, onto his shoulders. The momentum from the added weight propelled him forward, landing headfirst in the chest of a certain dark-haired swordswoman.
Survival instinct kicked in and he immediately removed himself from her. "I'm… I'm…" He didn't know exactly what to say. Sure, that talk he had with her and Naru helped, but he still didn't know how she would react.
Motoko noticed his look that was a combination of confusion and worry. She took his hand and sat him down next to her on the couch, a smile on her face.
Keitaro saw the smile that was quite different from the usual "time to kill the pervert" look she usually had. "Thank you," he said quietly. He saw her nod in response. "My God," he thought, "this has got to be the best day of my life."
* * * End of Chapter XX * * *
Aw, isn't that cute? Things are certainly looking up for him, huh? I appreciate you being here for this long, and when I eventually get a new chapter done, I hope you'll be here to enjoy it. Please R&R!